Author Archives: garylongden

Parole Parlate was celebrating its second birthday, and did so in some style. Organising Spoken Word Events is hard work. To create, build and sustain a monthly event over two years is quite an achievement . It is testimony to … Continue reading →

The formidable Shindig flexed its bi-monthly poetic muscles for its September offering hosted by the effusive Jane Commane and the urbane Jonathan Taylor. As is the custom, four diverse guest poets had been hand-picked, and an open mic of amongst … Continue reading →

One of the only downsides of being amongst a very few reviewers of Midlands poetry is that my own performance is rarely commented upon. I am grateful to Liz Lefroy for giving her time in this regard on the occasion … Continue reading →

“What is poetry?” is a question beloved of teachers, lecturers and workshop leaders. It invariably elicits a myriad responses , each one a little less sure than the one just offered. It lies all around us in different forms, guises, … Continue reading →

Parole Parlate will always have a special place in my affections. When I first ventured beyond the Birmingham conurbation poetry scene the organisers were friendly, warm and welcoming, both as an audience member and performer. Two years on that hasn’t … Continue reading →