Author Archives: garylongden

“Celebrate Wha” Launch/ Freedom , Bring & Share, Library Theatre, Birmingham

The office of Birmingham Poet Laureate is honorary . What you do with it is pretty much up to you. Current office holder, Roy McFarlane has seized the opportunities that such a title affords and grown the position to new … Continue reading

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Clarence Clemons

I recently commented on the premature death of Amy Winehouse, and felt that the demise of Clarence Clemons, who had a somewhat more extended life, was worth a mention. In my formative teenage years I sampled many musical genres, and … Continue reading

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The Expendables

Sly Stallone has been in a lot of films in his career, most have been poor, a few ( Copland, Cliffhanger, Rambo First Blood and Rocky) have been good. This is another addition to the poor list. The power of … Continue reading

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No One Could Protect Her

An empty crowd pleaser that plays to just too may galleries. This story, based on fact is of a woman attacked and raped in her own home. Unusually, the rapist returns to silence her, and as it becomes apparent that … Continue reading

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Bilston Voices

Metro Cafe, Bilston Held on (the somewhat hastily declared) National Cake Eating Day, it was fortuitous that Bilston Voices is held in a rather fine cafe, ensuring that the appropriate celebrations could be maximised. And it wasn’t just the cake … Continue reading

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August What’s On

Tues 2nd “Night Blue Fruit” ,Taylor Johns, St Nicholas St ,Coventry,7.30pm: Free in. Open mic Thur 4th “Parole Parlate” ,Little Venice, St Nicholas St, Worcester, 7.30pm, £3in Paul Jeffrey, Mr Morrison, David Calcutt, Suz Winspear ,Donneck Dahl, Al Barz Knuckles … Continue reading

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Poetry Bites

Kitchen Garden Cafe. Kings Heath Some poetry events eschew meetings in the summer holidays on the basis that people will be away. Other more confident promoters reason that just as many people may become free to attend who otherwise may … Continue reading

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Amy Winehouse

The self-destructive lifestyles beloved of some musicians is not normally a matter which I spend much time worrying about. Yet the tragic, and oh-so-predictable, death of Amy Winehouse did give me pause for thought. As a teenager and young man … Continue reading

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Places Where I Have Performed

Astley Castle Alrewas Festival Bilston Voices, Bilston Bring & Share, Library Theatre, Birmingham Cafe Blend, Birmingham Cafe Yum, Custard Factory,Birmingham Cafe Zelig, Custard Factory, Birmingham Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham Central Library, Birmingham Dog & Partridge, Digbeth, Birmingham Hit the Ode,Victoria … Continue reading

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Rebekah Brooks

I like bad girls, I like them rough and tough, I like their temptress looks, And I have to now confess to you That I am in love with Rebekah Brooks Rebekah will stop at nothing to get whatever she … Continue reading

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