The new year opens with a plethora of fine regular events and the opening of a new one, The Poetry Lounge in Ludlow on Tues 21st.Severla events catch the eye, but Helen Mort’s Spire Writes in Chesterfield on we 8th with Jo Bell looks the pick of them.
Thurs 2nd Poetry Jam, Urban Coffee House,30 Church St, B3 2NP Birmingham, Come jam with an open community of creative minds for yet another Poetry Jam!!!
FREE ENTRY starting promptly at 7pm to fit as many performers in as possible (advised to come early as seats have proven to fill up fairly quickly).
OPEN MIC, sign up on arrival we welcome poetry, spoken word, rap etc
If you have a spare moment and want to help us keep these events as good as they can be, please give us some feedback: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5WVZ5FT
For more info please email info@beatfreeks.com
Look forward to seeing many of you there,
Spread the word!
#TeamBeatfreeks
Thurs 2ndThe Shrewsbury Coffeehouse,5 Castle Gates, SY1 2AE Shrewsbury, Shropshire. 7.30pm
Start the new year with poetry. Your own or other people’s. Both. Make it a resolution. You will not regret it. If you do regret it, you can write a poem about regret. They are some of the best ones.
Friday, January 3, Ozieri Poety slam 2014.5:30pm in UTC+01., Ex Convento delle Clarisse,
Accorrete: poeti, parolieri, attori, rappers, commedianti e chi più ne ha più partecipi!
Con il patrocinio della LIPS – Lega Italiana Poetry Slam
Finalmente il Poetry Slam arriva a Ozieri!
La fantastica gara poetica nata a Chicago nel 1987 ad opera del grande Marc Smith è arrivata fino alla Perla del Logudoro!
Regole:
Testi scritti di proprio pugno
3 minuti a testa
Niente costumi né oggetti scenici
Solo voce e corpo
Il pubblico decreta il vincitore
No limiti di lingua
(Ogni partecipante dovrà portare almeno 3 testi)
Dà accesso alla finale sarda poetry slam!
Per partecipare manda una mail @ pierluigimanchia@gmail.com oppure scrivi sulla pagina dell’evento.
Massimo 12 Partecipanti.
Emcee della Serata: Sergio Garau & Stan Cracker
Saranno presenti eccezionali ospiti:
Clara Farina in rappresentanza del Premio Ozieri
Laura Wihlborg campionessa di slam svedese 2008!
Per partecipare manda una mail @ pierluigimanchia@gmail.com oppure scrivi sulla pagina dell’evento.
Massimo 12 Partecipanti.
Partecipanti (lista in corso di aggiornamento)
Andrea Doro da Sorso
Amantia Martinelli da Ozieri/ Sassari
Frankie Fancello da Porto Torres
Marco Dell’Avvento da Ippichiu, lontano
Riccardo Camboni da Ozieri
Andrea Tedde direttamente da Leningrad
Marco Fenudi da lì davanti
Mario C. Borghi da Ozieri
Giovanni Enne da Ozieri
Gavino Barria
Giacomo Crobe
Giuseppe Flash Satta da Ozieri
Info sullo slam: http://www.lellovoce.it/spip.php?rubrique15
Mon 6th Gorilla Poetry Slam, Sheffield,7:30pm until 10:30pm.
Delaney’s Music Bar,17, Cemetery Road, S11 8FJ Sheffield
Hello there Gorillas!
We’re starting off a new slam season, with a fresh score board. This is a chance for you all to challenge yourselves and raise your game in both writing and performing. It’s also an opportunity to be part of a family of creative people who will overwelm you with support for your craft.
As well as the slam, we’ll have an open mic segment for all of you poets who don’t feel quite ready to compete.
If you want a slot for either, let us know on the wall of this event.
Rules for the slam are the same: Scores will be given by four judges who volunteer on the night, they range from 0 to 10.9. Each poet will be asked to bring three poems, each of which must be under 3 minutes long. No props/ costumes allowed. There is a trophy, whether the slam winner will encounter it is a whole new kettle of fish. Welcome to Gorilla!
Spread the word, spread the love, and come join us for a feast of words.
Tues 7th,Word, Y Theatre Leicester,8:00pm.The Y Theatre,
7 East Street, LE1 6EY Leicester
For our first WORD! of 2014 we’ve got the fabulous RALPH DARTFORD as our guest poet!
Ralph writes narrative poems from the heart. Sometimes funny, sometimes bittersweet, sometimes as sad as a lost dog. He has been published in The Guardian, Stirring Magazine, Pulp Faction and London Territories. His first Collection, ‘Cigarettes, Beer and Love’ was recently published by Ossett Observer.
Reviews…
‘Cigarettes, Beer and Love’ is up there with some of the most exquisite poetry books I’ve had the pleasure of handling. It is handbag-sized, a mini book that begs to be touched and carried with you, every page lovingly hand-crafted from fine paper and card. Ralph’s poems are nestled between urban photographs which add a cryptic depth and shot of colour to his first collection. The images feel symbolic against the poetry, they might not be, but even so, they invite the reader to chew over them and try to link dot-to-dots between the words on the page and the camera’s gaze. ~
Rachael Smart, ABC Tales.
What I liked over the whole collection was the plain-speaking quality, which makes for surprising moments in its use of language and line-breaks. It isn’t full of obscure references and allusions, but instead reconfigures very everyday things with very everyday words – but not in an everyday way. ~ Caleb Parkin, The Culture Vulture.
This volume of 20 poems by Ralph Dartford is a collaboration between the following artists and craftspeople:
Photographs by Sharon Shephard
Graphic Design by Tony Shephard
Lithographic printing by Leeds Graphic Press
Letterpress Cover and Belly Band by Nick Loaring at The Print Project
Hand binding by Roger Grech at Papercut Bindery.
January’s WORD! will also feature specially booked performances from Zee Oliver and Richard Byrt.
We may have visuals from our resident film-maker Keith Allott.
More info to follow soon!
Sign up to perform with the compere from 7pm.
WORD!…With Ralph Dartford
Tuesday, January 7th, 2014. The Y Theatre, 8pm (performers, 7pm)
£3/£4 (Box Office : 0116 255 7066)
Wed 8th Spire Writes, White Swan,16 St Mary’s Gate, S41 7TJ Chesterfield, 7.45
It’s January. It’s miserable outside. You’ve got no money…. Luckily, there’s a free poetry night happening in a cosy upstairs room of a Chesterfield pub! Sorted. Our guests for the new year will be the amazing Jo Bell and Alan Buckley.
JO BELL is a poet, boat dweller and the national Canal Laureate for the Poetry Society and Canal and River Trust. Twice nominated for the Ted Hughes Award, her work is lively and vivid.
Jean Sprackland has described ALAN BUCKLEY’s work as “…alive with the need to understand. These poems are like X-rays, which see through the surfaces of things…”. Alan’s pamphlet “Shiver” (tall-lighthouse) was a Poetry Book Society choice. He has been widely published in magazines including The Dark Horse, Magma and The Rialto and he was shortlisted for the inaugural Picador Poetry Prize. He works in Oxford as a psychotherapist, and as a school writer-in-residence for the charity First Story.
As usual, there’ll be open mic slots, real ale at the bar and we’ll finish in time for the last train.
All welcome.
Thurs 9th Spoken word at the Ort cafe, sparkbrook ,ORT,
500-504 Moseley Road, B12 9AH Birmingham, 7.30
Another fun evening of spoken word, poetry, stories, comedy and just a little bit of music 😉
the event is free but there is a suggested donation of £3
a few open mic spots will be available on the night
Thurs 9th Tea on the Square, Much wenlock, Liz Lefroy is our special guest at Poetry Breakfast this Thursday morning at Tea on the Square. Liz runs the now famous Shrewsbury Coffee House poetry readings every month and won the 2011 Roy Fisher Prize for new work in poetry, endowed by Carol Ann Duffy. Gillian Clarke said Liz’s first published pamphlet was ‘a triumph’. Join us to hear Liz reading and enjoy coffee & croissants and good company, at Tea on the Square this Thursday, January 9th, at 9am. What a way to start the day! All very welcome.
Thursday 9 January 2014 Worcester SpeakEasy, the Worcestershire LitFest & Fringe spoken word evening takes place at 19:30 on the second Thursday of each month at The Old Rectifying House, North Parade, Worcester WR1 3NN. Next event is . To book a slot email Maggie or Fergus at speakeasy.litfest@gmail.com or via a Facebook PM (private message) http://www.facebook.com/worcsspeakeasy
Thursday 9 January 2014 PUREandGOODandRIGHT is an Open Mic poetry event taking place at The Fox,32 Clarendon Ave, Leamington spa, CV32 4RZ
Every second THURSDAY of the month (except December)
Next event: Thursday 9 January
7.30 p.m start
This month our special guest is …Dwane Reads
Hailing from Derby and performing in different guise since 1985 (Live Art, Music & Poetry), Dwane has taken his poetry out and about and clocked up 160 gigs across the country to date. Performances include festivals, a support slot for the legendary John Cooper Clarke at the Flowerpot Derby (Oct 2011), and a successful One-man show “Big Bet Boy & Tales Of other Crazy Fools”, which opened at the Buxton Fringe in July 2012.
His anthology ‘The annoying megaphone pigeon’ was recently released via Piggy Bank press, and his poetry has been described as:’ funny & serious & quite magnificent’: Silhouette Press (2013)He has featured his poetry on BBC radio Derby, Nottingham, plus community internet stations. Trips are planned for Eire and Germany later on in the year including gigs & radio appearances. Catch him in Leamington Spa while you can!
DEFINITELY AN EVENING NOT TO BE MISSED! You can book an Open mic slot on the night!
Admission £3 (£2 Student/OAP) From time to time we are located upstairs, so please let us know if you require disabled access before the event.
If you would like to know more about the night email: pgrpoetry@gmail.com
Friday 10th January 2014 Culture, Real Ale and Poetry” Burton Pub Poetry night at the Old Cottage Tavern (Byrkley Street, behind Town Hall). Starts 8pm.
Usual format. Please bring along your favourite light-hearted poems, monologues or limericks to share. Original or borrowed equally welcome. Do invite any interested friends. Hosted by Adrian Thompson.
Check http://www.pubpoet.blogspot.com for up to date info.
Join in or just sit back and enjoy!
Sunday 12th January hoodwink elixir The Stables Bar,Behind The Bull Hotel,High Street
Stony Stratford,MK11 1AQ8pm – 11.00pm
Spoken word returns to its spiritual home in The Stables Bar, behind the Bull Hotel in Stony Stratford.
This is the Hoodwink Elixir – an open forum dedicated to the performance and promotion of spoken word in all its forms and guises: poetry, storytelling, stand-up, public speaking, dramatic monologue, oratory and soliloquy – anything with a vocal point. All are welcome to enter this creative space and give a voice to thought.
The Hoodwink Elixir will host regular open mic spoken word events on the second Sunday of every month, with performance slots available to anyone who has something to say. Each month will bring a featured performance from a special guest speaker and this month Red Phoenix, international storyteller, word-weaver and myth-maker will regale you with tales to leave you spellbound.
This is the Hoodwink Elixir – an open space dedicated to the performance and celebration of the spoken word in all forms and guises.
Poets, storytellers, speakers, stand-ups, orators, versifiers and soliloquisers, all are welcome to speak out and share their words and thoughts.
Got something to say? Come and have a word!
Entry: £3.00
Tuesday 14th January 2014. Scribal Gathering The Crown, Market Square, Stony StratfordDoors at 7.30 for 8pm start
January brings with it fresh starts and new beginnings, and Scribal Gathering returns to ring in the new year with a feast of spoken word celebrations and musical resolutions.
As we cross the threshold into 2014, let us cast aside the shadows of last year and invite two-faced Janus to exercise diplomacy and see us safely forward. This is the year that all our hopes and dreams will be rewarded, and so make a start by getting yourselves down to Stony Stratford’s premiere open mic music and poetry event and supporting the emerging performers and established talent that keep the light of creativity shining through the long nights and wistful dawns.
The featured performers this month will be The Screaming House Madrigals, kicking off the first of a series of gigs and milestones for the forthcoming year, and the outgoing Bard of Stony Stratford, Richard Frost, offering an annual round up in his final official appearance before a new incumbent is instated a week later.
There are open mic slots available for anyone who wants to share their creativity and join the jamboree, as well as the usual magic and mayhem that makes Scribal Gathering the place to be to take the next steps into the future.
Tues 14th Mouth and Music, Boars head, Kiddermisnter, 8pm
We celebrate our 2nd birthday with an evening of spoken word and music flavoured by memories of Childhood.
“Frum the Coal ‘ole”
BILLIE SPAKEMON will tell vivid stories of growing up in the Black Country – “I spent a lot of my early life in the coal ‘ole. It was usually to escape my Mom who was chasing me with a boiler stick.”
Acoustic folk singer songwriter
JEN ROBINS will bring a gutsy blend of spiritual yearning & practical reality, with a touch of humour
HEATHER WASTIE is MC and open mic sign-up is from 7.30 on the night (5 minutes spoken word or 2 songs)
Admission £3 (free to performers)
Wed 15th Ouse muse,Harpurs Restaurant and Wine Bar,46-48 Tavistock Street, MK40 2RD Bedford,
The first Ouse Muse of the year promises to be a great night – so don your winter woolies and get down to Harpurs for a joint evening with the Circus of Illustration and our guest poet John Greening. Still plenty of open mic space for old stagers or new faces, £3 just listening £2 if reading and £2 for all our Circus of Illustration guests.
Thurs 16th Hit The ode Victoria PH Birmingham, 7.30pm. £5 in
Apples and Snakes presents
HIT THE ODE
Hit the Ode brings the most exciting poets from the region, the country and the world to the heart of Birmingham.
Join us! We have poems. Poems you’ve played tag with when you were younger; poems dug up by puzzled archaeologists; poems seen racing down the ring-road on big wheel tricycles. Good poems. Come and get them.
Open mic: half of the open mic slots available via email (bohdan@applesandsnakes.org), the other half can be claimed on the door on the day of the event.
Thur 16thThe Shipping Forecast Spoken Word,the riverside sheffield 1 Mowbray St, Sheffield
‘January sail’
only £3/ £2 for concessions
@stanskinny
@poetryforecast
http://www.stanskinny.co.uk
theshippingforecast.weebly.com
Hello and happy new year forecasters
New year and a new line up for the Shipping forecast at it’s new venue the Riverside pub, 1 mowbray street, oooh.
and it’s exciting times ahead as we continue to deliver the best in spoken word across the country and locally in the only nautical themed comedy cabaret night in the UK right here in landlocked Sheffield.
This year looks to be the best yet for the forecast as we have programmed a real bobby dazzler of a line up over the next 6 months with the likes of Byron Vincent, Luke Wright, Ross Sutherland and many more plus the usual blend of games, features, message in a bottle with Sting, Liam Gallager’s book review and George the angry shark and of course the naff raffle. Open mic slots are also available email for a slot.
Starting with
January the 16th ‘January sail’
Adam Kammerling
Adam Kammerling is the Hammer And Tongue UK Slam Champion 2012, the Hackney Slam Champion 2011 and the Brighton Slam Champion 2010. He is also a member of the critically acclaimed Chill Pill Poetry Collective and a celebrated battle MC with Dont Flop.
Since 2008 Adam has consistently produced varied and immersive works that nudge at the boundaries of performance poetry. His writing celebrates the minutiae with an observant eye and a healthy dose of surreal humour. Adam is an accomplished MC, having cut his teeth at the open-mic cyphers and rap battles of the Brighton hip hop scene, and incorporates these skills into his works and performances.
He has written and performed for the BBC’s Natural History Unit, the British Arts Council in Poland, at Glastonbury, Latitude and countless other festivals. He has appeared in theatres all over the UK, and has performed across the South of England with his collaborative musical projects.
As a collaborative artist he has worked with the London Sound Painting Orchestra, the afro/ska/reggae/punk band, Animal Circus, and numerous hip hop producers, releasing the Letters EP in 2012 to much acclaim.
Gav Roberts
Rotherham based poetry legend and creator of ROMP. Gav’s work is truly honest, bringing out the beauty, comedy and poignancy in the most banal of everyday events through a unique and instantly recognisable voice.
plus open mic
tickets £3
7.45pm
Fri 17th Word up,Yorks Bakery Cafe,1-3 Newhall Street, B3 3NH Birmingham,
Following the amazing Christmas word up and the emotional send off of the wonderful Ro and Mark, Bluebell Ddotti and Alexandra Moran are very pleased to announce that the first word up of the new year will be on Friday 17th January at Yorks Bakery Cafe, kicking off around 7.
Whether you’ve performed your poetry before or not, we’d love to see loads of you there and performing so drop either of us a facebook message if you want a slot or any more information about the night.
But it’s sure to be a fun, informal way to kick off 2014 😀
Hope to see loads of you there 🙂
Sat 18thUnitarian Church, Emmanuel Road, Cambridge, CB1 1JW
£6 on the door / £4 advance
Tickets on sale here: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/252588
This month, SHINDIG and purveyors of performance poetry Allographic Press team up to provide an interdisciplinary clash of words and music, sound and vision, language and location.
Soundtracked live by Norwich 7-piece (!) Wooden Arms, the evening promises to introduce music fans to a wide variety of linguists and poetry fans to a delightful slice of gorgeous music.
At time of writing, our all star line-up of wordsmiths includes (in vaguely alphabetical order):
// Daisy T-G – http://www.youtube.com/user/daisytgpoetry
// Fay Roberts Poet – http://www.fayroberts.co.uk/
// Hollie Mcnish – http://holliemcnish.com/
// Leanne Moden – http://tenyearstime.blogspot.co.uk/
// Nikki Marrone – http://www.mixcloud.com/nikki-marrone/
// Patrick Widdess – http://www.patrickwiddess.co.uk/
// Russell J Turner – https://soundcloud.com/russelljturner
A wide roster of styles and substances if ever there was one; from skewed surrealism to lyrical storytelling, from black-hearted theatre to witty limericks. The majority of the above will be jumping feet first into musical experimentation, and we hope you’ll be there to cheer them on.
The event is brought to you by the following corporate sponsors:
—–
// Wooden Arms – http://www.woodenarms.co.uk/
Wooden Arms make ethereal, orchestral indie, laden with beautiful harmonies, textures and instrumentation: sound reverberated through bone to flesh; a clattering composition of cacophony. Listen to their self-titled EP on their website above, and stay tuned for new music soon.
—–
// Allographic Press – http://www.allographic.co.uk/
Allographic aims to specialise in producing written and recorded publications of poetry, short stories, artwork, photography and music (sometimes all at once…). They plan for publications to be available to buy online, at live events, and in the shops, in a variety of media
Sun 19th Flashes of fiction,Drummonds,28 New Street, WR5 1BU Worcester,
We are delighted to announce the launch of the Flash Fiction anthology from writers in the WLF Flash Fiction competition. Selected writers will be reading their Flashes, starting at 4pm. Please let us know if you want to Flash with us 🙂
Competition organiser and judge, Lindsay Stanberry-Flynn, and judge Calum Kerr, will be at Drummonds, The Swan With Two Nicks, Worcester. We may be treated to one or two of their own Flashes!
Copies of the anthology will be available – perfect gifts throughout the year – come along and get yours signed by the authors!
Mon 20th Shindig,The Western,70 Western Road, LE3 0GA Leicester,7.30
FREE AND OPEN TO ALL! Crystal Clear Creators and Nine Arches Press present Shindig! Open-Mic Poetry Evening, featuring special guest writers Lindsay Waller-Wilkinson, Cathy Grindrod, Charlie Jordan, Joe Coghlan. Sign up for open-mic slots on the door. All welcome, and the event is free.
Tues 21st Bardic Trials, The Crown, Market Square, Stony Stratford MK11 1BE,
The Bardic Council of Stony Stratford presents the Bardic Trials – a quest to find the new Bard of Stony Stratford. This is an open competition before a live audience, calling all performers to compete before their peers and a panel of expert judges for the coveted and prestigious position of the Town Bard. Anyone can be the Bard – poets, performers, singers, songwriters, storytellers, speakers, orators or reciters – anyone with a voice who knows how to use it is welcome to enter into the spirit of the Bardic Tradition and become the new Bard for 2014.
The Bard of Stony Stratford is an official civic position, recognised and supported by the Town Council, and acting as a figurehead for the spirit of creativity, community and culture within the town. Each year, a new Bard is elected by common consent in an open contest before a public vote. They will hold their tenure for a year and a day, during which time they will be called upon to write and perform bespoke pieces to celebrate the activities and achievements of the community, and preside over public events.
Tues 21st Poetry Lounge The Sitting Room,3 Upper Galdeford (above Thai Box), SY8 1QD
Ludlow’s new Poetry Open Mic Night!
Join us in the quirky comfort and abundant lampshades of The Sitting Room. Take poetry with your glass of wine from the depths of an armchair…
Your compere for the evening with his frilly cuffs peeping, will be James Sheard
Wed 22nd unity in the community, Centre for Oneness, Great Western Street, Wednesbury, WS10 0AS 7pm
Theme is New Horizons. Nelson Mandela showed how love and forgiveness can bring new horizons lets continue in the same spirit. Poetry/Songs on this theme is most welcome. FREE event 🙂
Wed 22nd Find the Right Words,The Cookie Jar,68 High Street, Basement, LE1 5YP Leicester,7.30pm
Are you blue that it’s no longer Christmas? Have you had to curb your cheese intake? Was your New Years party not quite the best night of your life as you’d been promised?
Come cheer up with Bridget Minamore, Ben Norris and a pint at The Cookie Jar.
As always, 10 open mic spots, five beforehand by emailing jess_green@hotmail.co.uk and five on the door.
£5 on the door.
wed 22nd Brainstorm open Mic,Spotted Dog, Alcester Street, Digbeth, Birmingham from 8 o’clock.free in
Sign up for a slot with our Dave if you want to perform or come and be part of a great audience and enjoy the variety of talent on offer at this treasure of a pub!
Wed 22nd Stapleford Spoken Word Tea for two
An evening of poems and stories hosted by two local
performers – Dave Wood and Richard Young.
Those wishing to read/perform are welcome to. Slots of approximately 5 minutes are available. Any spoken word, whether stories, poems or jokes is fine.
This a good chance to try out your writing in a relaxed environment.
Entrance : ‘buy a drink for admission’
There will be no microphones and all seating will be in the round.
Two for Tea
92 Derby Road
STAPLEFORD
NG9 7AD
http://www.2fortea.co.uk
Wednesday, January 22, 2014, Luke Wright, Birmingham uni,6:30pm-All Ages
University of Birmingham (map)
Muirhead Tower
Lecture Room G15
University of Birmingham
Birmingham, UK
The poet and lecturer Luke Kennard has asked luke wright to come and read at the university where he teaches. It’s a free event and open to anyone. It’s also the only time you’re likely to see Luke right in Brum this year. Come come.
Fri 24th Spoken Worlds, The Old Cottage Tavern, 36 Byrkley Street, DE14 2EG Burton upon Trent,7.30pm free in
Come and celebrate your new year’s resolution, revolution or destitution with us. Bring poetry, prose, sketches, standup or powerpoint presentations and start the year with some great spoken word.
We should innovate even as we deteriorate
Sun 26th Tell Me on a Sunday,Ikon Gallery,1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, B1 2HS 6pm
Tell Me On A Sunday is back! Season 3 of our hugely popular true life storytelling club opens with the theme ‘Once Upon A Time.’ The Ikon turns 50 next year, so the Once Upon a Time theme is a reflection of that. Did you ever dream of something, once upon a time? How did that dream turn out? Did it exceed your wildest expectations or turn to dust as the years went by? Or was there something you believed ‘once upon a time,’ but then something happened to make you feel differently?
Stories must be no longer than seven minutes and told WITHOUT notes! Pitch your story ideas to Cat via the Tell Me FB page.
The main event runs from 6 – 8pm in the gallery. A special story supper is available in Cafe Opus from 5 – 6pm.
Tell Me is for adult listeners. The event is free but ticketed. Please book via the Ikon Gallery in advance: 0121 248 0708
Sun 26th Sunday Xpress,Adam and Eve,Bradford Street, B12 0JD Birmingham,
After a successful 2013, the Sunday Xpress open mic makes its return to the Adam- Eve on January 26.
Special guests alongside the open mic-ers in January will be some familiar faces and old and new friends; including Tom and Jimmy, who have proved to be one of the most popular new acts with punters and performers at the Sunday Xpress last year, and Dik Guru, a favourite on the the local comedy/acoustic music scene in the West Midlands (and should really be beyond), Oldbury’s The ABs, and The Unseen, featuring ace Sunday Xpress regular Will French.
The Sunday Xpress open mic event is hosted by “Big Bren”, Brendan Higgins, for many the unofficial poet laureate of Birmingham. Since its origins in the Market Tavern in Digbeth in 2006, the event has showcased and supported a diverse range of artists, including poets, fiction and non-fiction writers, acoustic and live bands, drama, one-person shows and stand-up comedy.
Show will start at 4.30 and finish at some point in the evening. Those wishing to take part in the open mic are advised to book here or turn up early on the day as places can get limited.
Tues 28th Word Wizards, Buckingham Hotel Buxton, 7.30pm with Rob Stevens, The peaks leading monthly poetry slam
Tues 28th January, Poetry Bites, kitchen Garden Cafe,kings Heath 7.30pm when the guests are Angela France and Daniel Sluman. Both of them are from Cheltenham and both have collections out from Nine Arches. It’s a welcome return for Angela, editor of Iota, whose latest collection is ‘Hide’. Daniel’s debut collection, ‘Absence has a weight of its own’, is already making a huge impact. Poetry Bites also includes floor spots (about 3 minutes) where you can share your own work with an appreciative and supportive audience. To book a spot, arrive by 7.15pm or email jacquirowe@hotmail.co.uk
Future dates: 25th March (Helen Calcutt and Sarah James), 27th May, 22nd July, 23rd September, 25th November. All at 7.30pm (food served from 6.30pm). The Kitchen Garden Cafe, York Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham B14 7SA, entry through Fletcher’s, a few yards up the road. £5 (£4 concs) including readers. Poetry Bites receives no external funding, so the entry fee covers the cost of the venue and expenses.
Wed 29th January 2014 The Poetry Train Open Mic @ the Lyche Gate Tavern Queen Square Wolverhampton last Wednesday of the month 8pm dept.
http://www.tonystringfellow.com/index.asp?pageid=506170
Wed 29th Purple Penumbra ,Oldbury Rep Theatre,3 Spring Walk, B69 4SP Oldbury, 7.30pm,
What do Thomas Paine, Anton Chekhov and W C Fields have in common?
Yes they were all born on January 29.
Coincidentally, Purple Penumbra’s first meet of 2014 is on the very same day!
Come and ring in the nearly-the-end-of-the-first-month-of-the-new-year with us, you’ll love it. After all, as W C Fields said, “Remember, dead fishes can float downstream, but it takes a live one to swim upstream.”
or – as Anton Chekhov said, “Там нет ничего ужаснее, обидно, и угнетающим, чем банальность”
Al Barz
Wed 29th January 2014 42 Worcester, the Worcestershire gothic, horror, sci-fi and fantasy event, returns with an open theme . Held at Drummonds, The Swan with Two Nicks, 28 New Street, Worcester WR1 2DP on the final Wednesday of each month, 42 Worcester starts at 19:30. You can book a slot via the Facebook page: or email Andrew at andrew@42worcester.com
Thurs 5th feb Poetic essence,Confession Box (65-66 Dale End, Birmingham City Centre, B4 7LS) 7.30pm
Please note that we have moved to a bigger home. Poetic Essence will no longer be at Talk Bar and will now be at Confession Box (65-66 Dale End, Birmingham City Centre, B4 7LS). A brand new venue to accommodate our growing family
You have your keys so come home February 5th.
Saturday 8th February Poetry Love Slam at the Arena Theatre Wolverhampton. 7.30pm.
It’s a great night of entertainment…
“Follow the pheromones and check out the competition as Valentine versifiers declare their most passionate poetry in a cut and thrust contest to woo and win the hearts of the applaudience.
Heavenly hosts Sara-Jane Arbury and Marcus Moore compère thee to a slammer’s way, while judges rate the writing, measure the performances and find the wordster with the X-factor.”
Tickets: £10 full price/£8 concessions (concessions are usually available if you are under 16, a student in full time education, over 60, a recipient of Job Seekers Allowance, University of Wolverhampton staff and/or alumni. Please bring proof of status.)
BOX OFFICE (01902) 321 321 (01902) 321 321
Book online http://www.arenatheatre.info (There is an additional transaction fee of £1.00 when booking online).
Co-guest headliners were the inspired pairing of Jo Bell and the lesser known , but no less impressive, Alan Buckley. Jean Sprackland has described Alan Buckley’s work as “…alive with the need to understand. These poems are like X-rays, which see through the surfaces of things…”. Alan’s pamphlet “Shiver” (tall-lighthouse) was a Poetry Book Society choice. He has been widely published in magazines including The Dark Horse, Magma and The Rialto and he was shortlisted for the inaugural Picador Poetry Prize. He works in Oxford as a psychotherapist, and as a school writer-in-residence for the charity First Story. 
They performed solo, and together, in sets which combined and intertwined in a hugely satisfying fashion. His time helping Jo to crew her narrowboat inspired The Flood a counterpoint to Jo’s offering from the same journey River Severn, both of which were pastoral gems, yet Alan’s talents also stretched to electronic battleships, with the same laconic ease richly on show. Jo too displayed her versatility, from the pastoral to the problems of ex boyfriends with the same name. She continues to dominate the spoken word circuit as one of its leading lights combining being popular with never dumbing down her material to be populist.
Garyswordz 