Author Archives: garylongden

The 5th Bilston Love Slam, Imperial Ballroom, Bilston

Posted on February 12, 2012 by garylongden

This is now a well established event drawing competitors from as far away as Gloucester and Manchester. That success is down to the alchemy of Emma Purshouse’s pre show organisational skills , and the onstage charisma of co-hosts Marcus Moore … Continue reading →

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East of Sudan

Posted on February 12, 2012 by garylongden

Judging this film forty eight years after release requires some care. In 1964 it pandered to the escapism that cinema goers still relished, echoed days of colonial glory which were rapidly fading and offered a glimpse of the exotic before … Continue reading →

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Time & Place

Posted on February 12, 2012 by garylongden

Two locations have inspired me recently. The first is a prison I visited,the second is a community cafe.The following poems reflect those two experiences: Reverie If you close your eyes You are not there The air can smell sweet Drawn … Continue reading →

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Lunchtime Poetry with Write Down Speak Up, Ort cafe, Moseley Rd, Balsall Heath

Posted on February 11, 2012 by garylongden

The following poem is one I wrote on the day and is featured as the introductory voice-over. Ort cafe Where ink once mixed in chemical alchemy Folk and ideas now flow They come and go In babbling chatter Of this … Continue reading →

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Midlands Poetry Workshops 2012

Posted on February 10, 2012 by garylongden

Saturday 11th Feb Music of the Spheres, the Wattlewood Room at St John’s Museum, Warwick, CV34 4NF.1.30-4.00pm, £16.00 Nine Arches Press, These workshops, based in the tranquil surroundings of the Wattlewood Room at St John’s Museum in Warwick, are designed … Continue reading →

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Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers -The Live Anthology Album review

Posted on February 5, 2012 by garylongden

I am always doubtful of those who claim to like the full body of a great artist’s catalogue. For me the process of creating a great body of work involves exploring, sometimes turning back and sometimes failing. I have followed … Continue reading →

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Poetry Evening, The Shrewsbury Coffeehouse,Castle Gates, Shrewsbury

Posted on February 3, 2012 by garylongden

This was the inaugural evening of what is to be a monthly event which Behind the Arras was pleased to support. Normally to be an open mic, the first evening was launched by Liz Lefroy and Vuyelwa Carwin. Although Shropshire … Continue reading →

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Where You Will Find Me 2016

Posted on January 31, 2012 by garylongden

This is a rolling update of my planned performances Tues  Dec 1st – Poetry Alight, Lichfield 7.30pm with Jo Bell Wed  Dec 2nd  Confab Cab, Malvern, 7.30pm Thurs 3rd  Shrewsbury Open Mic, 7.30pm

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Feb 2012 – What’s On, Midlands Spoken Word

Posted on January 28, 2012 by garylongden

Wed 1st Speak Up, Hare & Hounds, Kings heath Birmingham,8pm, £6 in: Bridget Minamore, Neil ward,Dean Atta, Mikell pane,BRIDGET MINAMORE: A very special lady indeed, winner of the Hammer and Tounge Slam – you know you have one of those … Continue reading →

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Spoken Worlds, Old Cottage Tavern, Burton Upon Trent

Posted on January 28, 2012 by garylongden

2012 has now well and truly dusted its boots off and made itself at home, and as January comes to a close so the first round of regular poetry events are completed. Establishing, and maintaining success, as a spoken word … Continue reading →

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