Garyswordz

For several years I produced a monthly poetry listing for the Midlands. It started out as a dozen or so events, then ballooned into upwards of two hundred in festival season, all with organisers, venue and admission details, and times, all of which also were subject to change! It became an unmanageable beast, so I let it go.

However I have been flattered by the number of people who still nag at me to resurrect it. So, I have decided to reboot the idea, but this time confining it to events that have caught my eye, instead of trying to offer a comprehensive coverage. This has the benefit of making it shorter, more accurate, and more reflective of the best.
The following offers a guide to what remains of October, and some advance notice of what lies beyond:

Friday 16th October, Christine Whittemore, poet and author, is launching her award-winning, first novel ‘Inscription’ at The Suffolk Anthology, Cheltenham, from 7pm. ‘Inscription’ tells the intertwining stories of two women living two thousand years apart, and it has won the Eludia Award in USA.
It would be helpful for the bookshop to have an idea of numbers, but don’t let that stop you turning up on impulse!

Oct 20th, Ashmole room, Guildhall, Lichfield, 7.45pm Ben Macnair workshop on the poetry of the macabre. Lichfield Poets Meet

Tue 20th Oct, 10.30am-12noon, Staveley Library, Poetry and Song with Sally Goldsmith.Tea and cake. All welcome. FREE event. For more information and to book a place ring Staveley Library on 01246 472448.

Wed 21st Oct, 7.30-8.45pm, Made in Derbyshire: Derbyshire Poets Laureate at Buxton Library. A unique opportunity to hear laureates Helen Mort, Matt Black, River Wolton and Cathy Grindrod reading their poems. This event will include readings from a new posthumous collection of poems by Ann Atkinson, Derbyshire Poet Laureate 2009-11. FREE event. For more information and to book a place ring Buxton Library on 01629 533460.

Thursday 22nd October, Anna Saunders is launching her new collection ‘Kissing the She Bear’ – a new title from Wild Conversations Press. 7pm at Copa, Cheltenham
Entrance to the event is free and all guests will be offered a glass of wine and truffles. The event also includes an open mic section. Please come and share your work inspired by fantasy and myth.

Friday 23rd October, Ross Cogan’s verse play for voices ‘In Agincourt Field’ will be performed at The Playhouse, Cheltenham7.30 pm. tickets £6

Tues Oct 27th Buxton Word Wizard Poetry Slams at The Buckingham Hotel, Buxton, 7:30pm on the last Tuesday of every month. Entry is £2.50. More info – Rob at poetryslamUK@aol.com

Tuesday, October 27, Purple Penumbra,at 7:30pm – 10:30pm,The Barlow Theatre
B69 4 Oldbury, Sandwell, United Kingdom

Wed 29th Oct “42″ Open Mic Night (Gothic, Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy) Lunar Bar, New St Worcester, 7.30, Free in:Glen James hosts.last wed monthly E-mail: 42openmicnight@42genrearts.co.​uk

Nov 3rd Ashmole room, Guildhall, Lichfield, 7.45pm , PAUL FRANCIS – READINGS + EXERCISES BASED ON HIS BOOK ”WRITING FOR BLOCKHEADS” WITH EMPHASIS ON THE ”WRITING BETTER POEMS” SECTION. Lichfield Poets Meet

Nov 5th Rosie Shepherd, Shrewsbury. Milk St. 7.30pm

Friday 6 November – 6pm to 8.30pm – attend the festival opening reception to celebrate Templar’s 10th birthday. This will include 2 short readings of new work by Paul Maddern and Jane Weir. There may be an opportunity for a short reading from A Place of Wonder too. (Alison to arrange for stanza name badges and supply Alex with a list of Derbyshire tourism and literature local authority contacts to invite to promote A Place of Wonder to). Let Alison Riley know if you are coming along to this reception.

Saturday 7 November – Meet at 1pm in the Archive Room to finalise the performance and seating arrangements. Our reading is 2pm to 3pm. (Alison to make reserved for reader notices so we can sit together).

Please let Alison know if you are attending this and which poem you are intending to read and how long it takes for you to introduce it and read it out.
Sunday 8 November – We are reading again at 12 noon, in the Archive Room, in a session with poets reading their poems from the festival workshops.

Tue 10 Nov – Writers in the Bath, Sheffield. Readers: Cora Greenhill, Linda Goulden, Barbara Jagger, Alison Riley, Nick Read. The Bath Hotel, 66 Victoria Street, Sheffield S3 7QL. 7.30pm start. £4 on door. Please let Cora Greenhill know if you are attending this cora@thirteenthmoon.co.uk

Derbyshire Stanza 2015/2016 meeting dates (second Sundays):

December 13 Sunday – Holbrook (famous for framed knitting) venue to be confirmed.

January 10, February 14, March 13, April 10, May 8, June 12, July 17 (third Sunday), August 14, September 11, October 9, November ? DPF, December 11.

Wed Nov 4th Spire Writes at the White Swan, Chesterfield First Wednesday of the month, open mic slots, (opposite The Crooked Spire), 7.45pm. For more details visit the Spire Writes Facebook page.

Nov 10th Writers in the Bath, Sheffield Second Tuesday of the month, readers and open mic, The Bath Hotel, 66 Victoria Street, Sheffield S3 7QL. 7.30pm start. £4 on door. cora@thirteenthmoon.co.uk

Wednesday, November 11, Deb Alma Launch,at 7:30pm – 9:30pm,Wenlock Pottery
TF13 6HT, Old Chapel House, Sheinton St, Much Wenlock TF13 6HT Telford,Wenlock Books, Deborah Alma and other poets, will be celebrating the publications of Deb’s 2 new books, with readings from ‘The Emergency Poet, an anti-stress anthology’ and from her own poetry collection ‘True Tales of the Countryside’. At cosy Wenlock Pottery, with its roaring fire and well-stocked bar…

Nov 17th Ashmole room, Guildhall, Lichfield, 7.45pm EXPLORING NEW WORK BROUGHT ALONG BY MEMBERS Lichfield Poets Meet

20th November Burton Spoken Worlds, Old Cottage Tavern, Byrkley St, Burton

Sunday 22nd November from 2-4pm I’ll be hosting an Open Poetry Reading at the new café in Walsall Arboretum. This intended to be the launch of an ongoing programme of such events to happen during 2016. Some of these events will feature Guest and Special Guest readers and some, like this, will be Open Poetry Readings,.

The Open Poetry reading is the chance for anyone who writes poetry to come and share their work with fellow poets and with the public. It will be an informal, friendly affair, with as much emphasis on good conversation and socialising as on the writing. It will be a chance for experienced and less experienced poets to listen to and share each others’ work, ideas, and enthusiasm for poetry. And it will all take place in the up-market, brand-news café in the midst of the beauty that is Walsall Arboretum. The food and drink at the café is quite exceptional too!

The event on 22nd November will start promptly at 2pm, and each poet will have up to a maximum of five minutes reading time. Readings will be in short blocks to allow for plenty conversation, comment and socialising.

As I say, anyone who write poetry is welcome to come along and read. All I ask is that you let me know via this email address if you intend to come, so that I have an idea of numbers.

I do hope that, if you’re free, you’ll be able to come and support this new venture. And please do share this email with other poets that you know and urge them to come too.

Finally, I’ll be in touch fairly soon with news of the first Guest Readers Poetry Event which will be taking place in mid-January.

Thank you and very best wishes

David

Writer in Residence, Caldmore Community Garden

http://regionalvoicetheatre.com/

http://naturalhistoriesblog.com

http://davidcalcutt.com/about/

Dec 1st Poetry Alight, Kings Head, Lichfield , 7.30pm POETRY ALIGHT. GUESTS – NEW STAFFS YOUNG POET LAUREATE + SEAN COLETTI + JO BELL.

I first encountered Andy Fairweather Low when I was ten, watching top of the pops, and singing along to “If Paradise is Half as Nice”. Forty seven years later I managed to see him live for the first time.

AFL broke at the apogee of pop, the late sixties, when the cultural winds coalesced to create the perfect storm of musical talent. Music is no better, or worse, than it was then, the landscape within which it operates now though is unrecognisable.

Pop music was focussed on three things. Radio 1 , Top of the Pops, and live venues at affordable prices. Radio 1 was listened to by every teenager, the bastard love child of pirate radio and radio Luxembourg who had latched onto the emerging phenomena as interest and ratings for pop music exploded. The Light station was never going to be enough. The Sunday countdown to discover the new number one was nothing short of essential listening, with a microphone from your reel to reel tape player, or later your cassette, placed next to the radio so you could record it.

Top of the Pops was watched weekly by all teenagers , once again it was essential viewing, and the only topic of conversation on the way to school on the Friday morning. What records you bought on Saturday morning at your local Boots or Harlequin were determined by what you heard on the Radio 1 playlist or who had appeared on Top of the Pops. Combine that with basic four track, then eight track recording facilities for musicians which needed simple songs, and you had a discipline and framework which all artists need. Leap over to America where commercial radio ruled, and the demand was for three minute songs, and the alchemy was complete for a new form that in the late sixties was barely ten years old, replete with potential and possibility.

AFL with Amen Corner was a perfect fit for the era. His songs’ melodies were catchy, the lyrics wry and memorable, and his good looks and long hair made him adored by the girls. His big hit, which endures to this day, was “If Paradise is Half as Nice”. Using the bold device of starting with the chorus, it captures a simple idea and musical motif and bleeds it dry, wrenching everything out .Of course he played it tonight, and finished with it, still with brass, but with an elegiac tinge to it – we are all a little closer to paradise than we were 48 years ago!

Looking fit and dapper, but with less hair, Andy was keen to impress that the night was about the band, the Low Riders, with which he was merely the singer. The Low Riders’ credentials are impressive. Paul Beavis on drums, Dave Bronze, bass and vocals, and Nick Pentelow on Sax have played with a panoramic pantheon of rock, pop and blues artistes, Andy himself regularly rubbing shoulders with Clapton, Roger Waters, Daltrey and Dylan. And what struck me immediately was that they were playing because they like it, and wanted to share their music, not because they needed another payday ( which I suspect was modest).

Of course things have moved on since when I saw my first gig 39 years ago. At the interval Jane and I settled for a tea, rather than four pints, and the rush towards the stage as the set drew to a close was not one of crazed fans seeking to fling themselves onstage, just of those needing the toilet.

The set list was accessible, impossibly eclectic, embracing many diverse styles and genres, and a delight. Of course we enjoyed all the Amen Corner hits, faithfully played, not carelessly thrown away . “Wide Eyed” was delivered hymn like, reflective, as though a grandfather was recounting his misspent youth, with a smile. A surprise inclusion “because we can” was Dave Barber’s “Petite Fleur” from 1959 which showcased Pentelow’s sublime woodwind talents. A playful romp towards the end of standards like Route 66 and Apache was lapped up by an adoring, appreciative audience.

A wonderful show, majestically played which combined musicianship of the highest order with heart and humility. What a night!

The opening night offers a trio of tribute bands whose music still endures and whose legacy has shaped the sounds of other bands for years to come. Take a look at who will be on stage, not listed in order of appearance.

State of Quo date back to 1995, now comprising Rhythm Guitar/Vocals Paul Carr, Lead Guitar/Vocals Ian Hill, Bass Guitar Brian Smith, and Drums Dave Owen, the band gig tirelessly faithfully and lovingly recreating Quo’s “ heads down, no nonsense, mindless boogie” from the early days of “Pictures of Matchstick Men” onwards.

Free at Last were formed in 1982 under the name Uncle Sam. Uncle Sam featured three of the current members, Jak (guitar/vocals), Shane (guitar) and Mick (drums) until Dave joined on bass in 1994.

Uncle Sam’s set contained a few original songs plus covers by such classic acts as ZZ Top, Pat Travers and of course Free. All the guys in the band have always had a great passion for the music of Free, so in 1996 when deciding to create a tribute there was only one choice who it would be.

Since then they have gone from strength to strength headlining at Bill Flynn’s Free Convention and playing many of the top venues around the country, universally agreed to be the best Free and Bad Company tribute around.

With the original Bad Company reforming to promote their Anthology 2cd set, Paul Rodgers releasing solo albums and joining Queen as their singer for a world tour, it only serves to prove sustained interest in what the band are trying to recreate.

Renegades Lizzy pay homage to the great Phil Lynnot and his music. In 1969, Irish rock band Thin Lizzy played its first gig in their home city of Dublin. In 1986, after massive success around the globe, their superstar charismatic leader Phil Lynott passed away suddenly. But the band’s music and his legacy lives on – and will do so for ever. Especially while such talented musicians as Keith Buck, Tony Staniforth, Dave Jacobs and Mick Stafford are paying their ultra classy tribute to those timeless songs under the guise of Renegades – The Very Best of Thin Lizzy. Four mega-talented, Midlands-based musicians with one thing in common; an undying love of the timeless and unforgettable music of Irish superstar rock band Thin Lizzy.

The quartet locked themselves away in the rehearsal studios for almost 12 months to nail note for note renditions of the famed twin guitar fronted, legendary band’s evergreen repertoire before they would attempt to play in public. But when they were ready to rock, boy oh boy oh boy did they rock? Now, a few months down the line, the band have a handful of sizzling gigs under their belt and have speedily built up a solid reputation; as THE band to watch if you are a fan of Lizzy’s music. If you can get in, that is!

After their packed to the rafters debut gig at the Lady Jane at Whitwick, on their home turf in Leicestershire, the fearless foursome returned triumphant to that same venue and filled it a second time. Since then they have played “house full” gigs across the Midlands. This summer they will rock a few festivals and further establish themselves as a musical force to be reckoned with.

The guys aptly adopted the name Renegades, based around the Lizzy track Renegade of course, and selected a couple of dozen of Lizzy’s very best songs from their album tracks, hit singles and popular live numbers to kick off their live performances. They have gradually added even more of Lizzy’s songs to their set, and numbers associated with the solo career of the late and great Gary Moore. So you can either stay in at home on the 11th and listen to Live and Dangerous on record, or come down to “The Dog” and hear the real thing!

All this will leave you panting for more, and there is on Saturday night!

Tickets are just £20 per person, per night, available in advance by Electronic Transfer Sort Code 20-15-96 Account Number 33588009 Reference DD6 plus INITIALS + SURNAME Any questions or to pay by cheque, email georgysgigs@msn.com

Derby Demo 6 Saturday Night

Having savoured the best sounds from Status Quo, Free/Bad Company and Thin Lizzy, Saturday night offers a four course helping of music as follows, not listed in order of appearance.

Rock Buffet comprise Vocals, Steve “the vicar” Fletcher,Drums, Phil “the ginger prince” Bowdler,Lead Guitars Colin “iron grip” Weightman, Rhythm Guitars, Steve “the hermit” Wylde and Bass, Eddy “the legend” Lush. A rock covers powerhouse band from Derby they were formed in 2009, and play mainly in and around Derby in the pubs and clubs and we play the biggest songs so that the audience know the vast majority of them and can sing and air guitar along, doing it for the love of it and to keep them in strings and sticks!

The Legends of AOR comprise Jimi Anderson – Lead Vocals, Matt Pearce – Guitars & BVs, Julia Krajewska – Keys & BVs, Mel Gabbitas – Bass & Hair, Tony Piper – Drums. They specialise in big American guitar rock with soaring harmonies. The band is the brainchild of Jimi Anderson. Born In Rigside, Lanarkshire, Scotland . Jimi’s first Rock band was in 1978, singing mainly Rush & Deep Purple songs & so his passion for ‘Classic Rock’ had begun.

The next few years brought many hours of practise & to Paul Rogers, David Coverdale & Ronnie James Dio for Inspiration.

He began writing songs and formed the Rock band ‘Sahara’ whilst spending any spare time attending a gazzillion gigs at the Legendary ‘Glasgow Apollo’ till it closed in 1985.

Various incarnations of the band ensued until they were picked up by ‘Wet Wet Wet’s manager Elliott Davis and offered a management contract on the strength of a Demo Tape.

Showcasing his phenominal voice, 5 years of recording demo’s, touring, notable sell out gigs at Glasgow’s King Tut’s, London’s ‘Borderline Club’ and a support to ‘The Wets in front of 30,000 people at Glasgow Green.

Unfortunately line-up changes of the band, mainly guitar players proved their undoing.

Jimi continued writing, performing and recording, appearing on Michael Barrymore’s shows ‘ My Kind of People’ & ‘Barrymore’ in 1997/98 and went on to sing at concerts & festivals in Romania, Turkey and Holland

Living now in York, Jimi has continued writing and has had a spell singing with a local covers band ” Invitro”.

Having spent two years as Lead vocalist with Tribute Band ‘A Foreigners Journey ‘ he toured extensively in the UK and Rhodes. Meeting new friends along the way and his voice has never been better and the next adventure begins.

After recently recording an EP of original songs at FML studios in Scotland with Sandy Jones and Greame Duffin he is looking now for a new challenge and take his own music out to people……….Any great musicians get in touch.

His latest project is a tribute to great American Melodic Rock with some great musicians and friends “Legends of AOR” debut gig was in Spain in front of a crowd of Rhodes Rockers, safe to say it was so emotional that tears were shed.

From melodic American rock we then cross back to melodic English pop with The Pepper Hearts who play the best of Beatles, and Beatles era, sounds.

Garry Barrett is on Bass Guitar / Vocals. Garry is a well respected musician and has been on the York music scene for many years now (despite his youthful looks!) He has been involved with numerous bands including: Nerve Senta, Watch with Mother, Overload, and Stone Cold Sober amongst many others. His dedication to music has taken him to many parts of the world, including Greece, Florida in the USA, Holland, Austria and France. Garry is a prolific song-writer and has penned many songs for the various original bands he has played in. Garry is a true pro and continues to gig as often as possible.

Geoff Locker plays Drums / Vocals. Like Garry, Geoff is also a former member of Nerve Senta. Geoff was also a drummer with other bands including Aldo’s Orphans and High n Dry – which featured Garry’s younger brother Gavin on Vocals. Geoff is a dedicated and reliable musician who keeps perfect time holding down a steady and unwavering tempo.

Dave Powell performs on Lead guitar / Ukulele/ Vocals.Dave’s Mum and dad bought him his first guitar from Bulmers (a famous York second hand shop) when he was 11 yrs old ( Dave says “I know that’s a bloody long time ago!”) he still owns it, even though it’s virtually unplayable! Dave is self taught and has owned various guitars over the years some of which Dave says that he wishes that he still had. In 1974 he bought a Fender Stratocaster which he still uses today. Dave started playing in bands when he was still at school and has played in a variety of bands including: Midnight,( later renamed The Envoys ) Spellbound, Airport, One Night Stand, Wavelength and Flaming Pie with former Pepper Hearter Paul Leatham. Mr Powell has played many clubs over the years and supported acts like Roy “Chubby” Brown, Dougy Brown, Stan Richards, Paper Lace, Nookie Bear and too many more to mention!

Mark Payne plays Keyboards and percussion.Mark studied the piano from aged 8 which led to a BA music. He has toured both the UK and Europe with Guys and Dolls and Ricky Valance. Now living in Selby Mark divides his time between playing and sound engineering. Mark adds both keyboards and percussion to the band and has helped to expand the range of The Beatles, Wings and sixties songs that the band play at their live gigs.

A fine, good time live band, they are sure to entertain and evoke the oldest of memories.

To close the night Aynt Skynyrd will take the stage. Aynt Skynyrd are committed to paying tribute to that legendary rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. For eight years, they have played the length and breadth of Britain to passionate fans of this music paying the ultimate respect to a band that defined a whole music genre and generation and epitomise the best in Confederacy Rock. Aynt Skynyrd have a passion for recreating the songs of the greatest Southern rock ‘n roll band the world has ever seen – and their philosophy is simple… Don’t play it, FEEL it !

The band comprises:Mike Sawyer – Lead Vocals,John Crosby – Lead Guitar,Nick West – Guitar,Tony Batchelor – Drummer,Angela & Emma Hartley – Vocals,Dave Barker – Keyboard

Lynyrd Skynyrd were never about making hit records, although they seemed to be very good at it! That’s because they played honest southern rock which your average Joe could relate to. There was no pretence in the message or the music. I was fortunate enough to see the band in their heyday,pre Street Survivors from the third row at the Rainbow Theatre in London, a night seared in my gig going consciousness forever, e are fortunate that Aynt Skynyrd keep the music alive.

As per Friday, Gary RokJok LLewis will be compering and djing between for what promises to be a fabulous night, for tickets at £20 per person per night . Electronic Transfer Sort Code 20-15-96 Account Number 33588009 Reference DD6 plus INITIALS + SURNAME Any questions or to pay by cheque, email georgysgigs@msn.com for details.

For the sixth consecutive year midlands rock promoter Goldie Rox is holding the Derby Demo over two nights at the Hairy Dog , 1 Becket St, Derby DE1 1HT.

Offering seven bands over the two evenings, tickets are just £20 per person, per night, for some of the best tribute and original rock you are likely to hear live on stage.

Friday the 11th December boasts State of Quo, Renegades Lizzy, and Free at Last. Saturday 12th offers Rock Buffet, The Pepper Hearts, Aynt Skynyrd, and legends of AOR. Both nights are compered by DJ Gary RokJok Lewis.

Tickets are available in advance by Electronic Transfer Sort Code 20-15-96 Account Number 33588009 Reference DD6 plus INITIALS + SURNAME Any questions or to pay by cheque, email georgysgigs@msn.com .

The Hairy Dog is Derby’s premier live music pub regularly hosting household names and is ideal for enjoying rock. Located in the city centre a range of accommodation is within easy reach including the International Hotel 288 Burton Rd, Derby,DE23 6AD and East Midlands Guesthouse, 100A Douglas Street, Derby, DE23 8LJ.

Goldie is a veteran of the midlands rock circuit and regularly travels as a fan to the likes of Legends of Rock , Rhodes Rock, and RR Espana.

She commented; “ As both a promoter, and fan, I know what makes for a good rock event. A good venue and good music are a given, and I think I have delivered that with what promises to be the biggest and best Derby Demo yet. But more than that is required, bands with personality and showmanship are needed. Musicians committed not just to playing music, but to involving the fans in the event and creating a party atmosphere for all to enjoy.”

“ I watch around a hundred bands a year and take great pride in handpicking those bands who I think can deliver the best time to my loyal audience. If you have been before, you will know that booking tickets in advance is the best way to ensure entry, if you haven’t been before, book now and find out what you have been missing!”

Friday night is a must for rock devotees. State of Quo will ensure that there is plenty of boogie. Renegades Lizzy will serve up the best of Thin Lizzy untamed. Free at Last cover not only the best of that immortal Rodgers/Kossoff pairing, but also Rodger’s time at Bad Company.

Think you will have had enough? Well Goldie doesn’t! On Saturday, local Derbyshire covers band Rock Buffet ,fronted by Steve “the vicar” Fletcher will be dishing up some classic rock, followed by The Legends of AOR, a tribute to the glory days of American melodic rock music, big guitars, soaring keyboards & huge harmonies. The Pepper Hearts play the best of sixties Beatles and era faves, the evening closes with Aynt Skynyrd, faithfully recreating the sounds of the greatest southern rock band ever to come out of the Confederacy. They might even finish with “Freebird” if they are asked nicely!

For more details on the bands click on:
Friday Night Derby Demo 6
Saturday Night Derby Demo 6