Category Archives: Behind the Arras Reviews

Smoke & Mirrors, Malvern

The vibrancy of poetry events around the Midlands is well documented in Behind the Arras, but nowhere does the poetic muse flourish more healthily than at Smoke and Mirrors in Malvern. Organised by Dee Davidson and Caitlin Belgard. This year … Continue reading

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Word Up – The Drum, Aston

THIS was Behind the Arras’s ridiculously belated first visit to The Drum, which is dedicated to developing and promoting contemporary art and culture of British African, Asian and Caribbean communities. Its ambitions are bold, as it strives to become a … Continue reading

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Spoken Worlds, Old Cottage Tavern, Burton Upon Trent

The last in this year’s series of Spoken Worlds went out on a high tonight with a guest poet, a luxury not normally indulged in, Ash Dickinson playing to a full house. It was a fitting climax to a year … Continue reading

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Poetry Bites, Kitchen Garden Cafe, Kings Heath

Another full house turned out to see a contrasting headlining duo tonight. Joseph Horgan hails from Cork now, but grew up in Bordesley, whilst Bobby Parker is a veteran of the mean streets of Kidderminster. A failing voice meant that … Continue reading

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Fizz 10, Tithe Barn, Polesworth

This was the last event in the 2011 season for Fizz, and featured the second live performance of the Cork Poets on tour with a radio appearance still to come. The move from the Refectory to the Tithe Barn was … Continue reading

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The Cork Poets, Night Blue Fruit , Coventry

A strengthening artistic bond between Coventry and Cork was reinforced tonight with the latest exchange visit between the two cities, which this time brought Colm Scully, Jennifer Mathews and Afric McGlinchey across the water. An unexpected bonus of the evening … Continue reading

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Hit the Ode, Victoria PH, Birmingham

Organiser Bohdan Piesecki is a glutton for punishment. Not content with organising a seven nation dice slam a couple of weeks ago, he still found time to put on the regular monthly Hit the Ode. As usual, it did not … Continue reading

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Shindig ,Western PH, Leicester

This was the last Shindig of 2011,and served as a launch for Hearing Voices Vol 4 ,the house magazine of co-promoters Crystal Clear Creators. I have had the pleasure of attending each event this year and it goes from strength … Continue reading

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3rd Malvern Annual Slam, Malvern Youth Centre

It was fitting that Behind the Arras should make the effort to attend this Slam as the Youth Centre has closure hanging over it, to be determined on the 24th November, further evidence of the corrosive effect these harsh economic … Continue reading

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“Confessions of Honour” The Station PH, Sutton Coldfield

The upstairs function room at The Station has recently been refurbished with the stage extended, a lighting rig installed, and the sound system upgraded. As a consequence the calibre of production possible at the venue has improved and is able … Continue reading

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