Garyswordz

Working out which dates are on, and when, in December is no easy task, so I am publishing this a week early for December, listing only those events I am certain of. Could my loyal readership please message me with any events for December I have missed?

There is no let up to the action in the last full month of 2013. Highlights include the Leicester Literary Festival, the Cork Poets performing in Coventry, Lichfield and Birmingham and Andrew McMillan doing a Sunday morning show in Shrewsbury.

Festivals

Leicester Literary Festival November 13th – 16th
http://www2.le.ac.uk/uol/institution/literary-leicester/

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Day by Day
Fri 1st Spooky Poetry Mystery Gig ,Gleadless Valley Community Centre Sheffield.1pm free:
13.00 – 13.45 Poetry Showcase (Halloween Themed)
13.45 – 15.00 Poetry Workshop (Halloween Themed)
Fri 1st Words at Wheatcrofts wharf, Cromford Mills, Mill Rd, Cromford, Derbyshire DE4 3RQ 7pm free in. Another Spoken Extravaganza organised by those wonderful people at the Arkwright Society, hosted by Gary Carr in the style of Spoken Worlds. Come along early, it was packed last time around. We all had a great time, and nearly finished by 9.

Fri 1st 5th Malvern Poetry Slam with Attila the Stockbroker , The Cube Malvern, 7.30pm This year’s Slam is over Two rounds with a set by Attila in the second half….Always excellent…Bar from 7.30 the action starts at 8.00pm.Entrance £7.00 on the door

Sun 3rd  Buzzwords Upstairs at The Exmouth Arms, Bath Road, Cheltenham £5 waged, £3 unwaged
Workshop, led by Bobby Parker, 7pm Guest readings and open mic 8pm Guest poet:  Bobby Parker Do visit our blog: http://buzzwordspoetry.blogspot.com/

Tues 5th Nightblue Fruit with the Cork Poets, Playwrights, Coventry, 7:45pm until 10:15pm.Now in its 6th year the coveted twin city poetry link between Coventry and Cork sees 2013 bring two more exciting poets from Cork to grace our great new venue at Playwrights Coventry.Open Mic spaces only available on arrival (5 mins max).**This is the busiest night in our calendar so arrive by 7.30pm to assure you get a space to read**Free Entry !Playwrights Coventry, Hay Lane, Cathedral Quarter, Coventry, CV1 5RF

POET BIOGRAPHIES
Edinburgh-born poet Rab Urquhart has been Cork-based for nearly two decades, and is known for delivering enigmatic performances at many spoken-word venues. For years he has hosted open-mic events including as MC of the open-mic nights The Slam, Fun club, The Vox, The Tikki Sunday Social and with Mike Burgess, the Cheeky Sunday Social in the Slate bar, Cork. Rab’s poetry crosses into Experimental / Lyrical / Punk genres and he mostly performs off-page.

Julie Field (a.k.a. Julie Goo) is a Cork-born performance poet, singer, and songwriter who writes and performs in both English and Irish (Gaelic). Having been invovled in theatre for most of her life, she performs her socially conscious, politically driven poetry with ease and grace. Julie studied at University College Cork for many years, where she completed an MPhil in modern Irish, and also taught. She performs regularly around Ireland, and is currently completing training to teach primary school children. Julie is the 2013 Munster Slam Champion, and will compete in the All-Ireland Slam in December. Lots of free or low cost parking after 6pm, for more info check Coventry City Council website.

Tues 5th Word Y Theatre, East Street, Leicester LE1 6EY, just opposite Leicester Train Station7pm performers, 8pm, Audience, Open mic plus headliner. £6in
WORD! is the longest running poetry and spoken word night in Leicester. Based at The Y Theatre, Leicester, it takes place on the first Tuesday of every month, between 8.00 and 10.30pm. The evening is composed of an open mic, followed by a booked act.

Wed 6th Poem in Your Pocket, Birmingham Rep, 7pm Do you have a favourite poem which you always turn to in good and bad times?

If so, come to a reading of popular Stress Busting poems by a team of trained readers including me, Polly Wright, Mandy Ross and Alison Belbinfrom the Hearth Centre’s incredibly successful Speaking Out project. The project uses literature to spark conversations about mental health. You can bring your own Poem in Your Pocket or you can track one down using our resources. A member of the Hearth’s team will share your poem with the audience in the second half of the evening.
EVENT FREE BUT BOOK SOON – TO GET A SEAT

http://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/event/poem-in-your-pocket

Wed 6th Poetic Essence Talk Bar, Priory Queensway, Birmingham City Centre, 7.30pm 1st Wed
Poetic Essence is home to all spoken word artists, musicians and singers to express themselves freely to a diverse crowd jam packed with networking opportunities and a platform to success!!!

Ready for a different kind of night out in Birmingham? Held at the newly refurbished ‘Talk” bar every 1st Wednesday.

This night promises to speak to your inner soul and whisper to your heart featuring Special Guests Performances, Poetry, Eccentric/Jazz Music and Spoken Word.

Want to show off your talent for music or poetry, then sign up for our ‘Lucky 7′ Competition (Free house drink to anyone who signs up) You can come and listen to a mixture of Spoken Word, Eccentric, Neo-Soul live music, take on our #Roots lyrical challenge and just relax and chill with us on November 6th from 7pm-11pm

Will held at TALK B4 7LL.

£3 Entry all night

We can’t wait to see you 🙂

Like the page and follow us on Twitter
Poetic Essence(@poeticbham)
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/poeticbham

https://www.facebook.com/poeticbham

Wed 6th The Cork Poets and Open Mic at the Kings Head, Bird St, Lichfield, 7.30pm, £3 inc buffet
The Lichfield Poets are proud to announce an open mic poetry evening at the historic Kings Head pub in Bird Street,Lichfield , at which two representatives of the Cork Poets will be headline guests as part of a short Midlands tour taking in Coventry, Lichfield and Birmingham.
Commencing at 7.30pm, the evening will comprise an open mic section for poetry , lasting three minutes a slot, sign up on the night, a featured slot from the Lichfield Poets ,and two headline spots for the Cork Poets with the odd break for a drink or two. £3 admission to include a light buffet:

The Cork Poets are:

Edinburgh-born poet Rab Urquhart has been Cork-based for nearly two decades, and is known for delivering enigmatic performances at many spoken-word venues. For years he has hosted open-mic events including as MC of the open-mic nights The Slam, Fun club, The Vox, The Tikki Sunday Social and with Mike Burgess, the Cheeky Sunday Social in the Slate bar, Cork. Rab’s poetry crosses into Experimental / Lyrical / Punk genres and he mostly performs off-page.

Julie Field (a.k.a. Julie Goo) is a Cork-born performance poet, singer, and songwriter who writes and performs in both English and Irish (Gaelic). Having been invovled in theatre for most of her life, she performs her socially concious, poltically driven poetry with ease and grace. Julie studied at University College Cork for many years, where she completed an MPhil in modern Irish, and also taught. She performs regularly around Ireland, and is currently completing training to teach primary school children. Julie is the 2013 Munster Slam Champion, and will compete in the All-Ireland Slam in December.

The evening will be compered by Poetry Alight host Gary Longden.

The Cork Poets perform at the legendary O’Bheal evening, Upstairs at The Long Valley, Winthrop Street, Cork. For more information follow the link to their blog.
http://www.obheal.ie/blog/

Do come along to welcome our esteemed Irish visitors and have a great time.
Wed 6th Spire Writes, The White Swan, Chesterfield, 7.30pm free in.
Join us again in November for another set of guest readings and some great open mic.

Sally Goldsmith was born in Oxfordshire but feels like a Sheffielder having lived in and around the city for nearly 35 years. Her pamphlet ‘Singer’ was a winner in the Poetry Business Pamphlet Competition judged by Michael Longley. Her first full collection, ‘Are We There Yet?’ Was published by Smith/Doorstop earlier this year.

Cora Greenhill’s new collection, The Point of Waking (Oversteps Books) comes out in October, and this will be it’s first outing! Cora has lived in Grindleford for over 25 years, and her poems reflects her life in Derbyshire as well as longterm working relationship with Crete. She has recently had work in The North, The Sheffield Anthology, The Best of Manchester Poets, The New Writer, MsLexia and other publications.

As usual, there’ll be open mic slots available for anyone who wants to read and real ale available at the bar!

We’ll be done in time for the last train back to Sheffield

Thurs 7th Coffeehouse Poetry – The Shrewsbury Coffeehouse,5 Castle Gates, SY1 2AE Shrew sbury:7.30-9pm,with Liz lefroy,Readings from Graham Attenborough, John Crick, Mary Cunningham, Robert Harper, Carol Caffrey Witherow, Bethany Rivers and Three Men on Technology: Tom Wentworth, Barry Tench and Adam Rutter

Thurs 7th Poetry Jam, Urban Coffee Jam, Birmingham, 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

For more info please email info@beatfreeks.com

Look forward to seeing many of you there,
Spread the word!

#TeamBeatfreeksn Coffee House, Birmingham

Thurs 7th Down the Rabbit Hole second thursday, Esquires Cafe, Cov Transport Museum,Coventry,Cv1 1JD
LIVE ART * LIVE MUSIC * LIVE POETRY * LIVE COMEDY * LIVE STORYTELLING*
Coffee, tea, wine and beer available all night!
If you have anything to offer, please don’t hesitate to contact the Down The Rabbit Hole page or Kathleen/Leena/Kathy Normington at any time to opt in to sharing something – anything!

Thurs 7th Good Impressions Spoken Word open Mic, Cafe Impression, Atkins Building, Hinckley, LE10 1QU,7.30pm £5in Hosted by Tom Phillips,1st Thursday Monthly

Thur 7th Irish night featuring the Cork Poets at The Old Crown, Deritend, Digbeth, Birmingham, 8pm, free in
The” Irish in Birmingham” charity are proud to announce another Irish night at the Old Crown in Digbeth, the heart of the Irish quarter, at which two representatives of the Cork Poets will be reading as part of a short Midlands tour taking in Coventry, Lichfield and Birmingham.
Commencing at 8pm, the evening will comprise an open mic section for poetry, stories and song of Irish tradition lasting three minutes a slot, sign up on the night, and two featured spots for the Cork Poets with the odd break for a drink or two. Free admission. The Cork Poets are:

Edinburgh-born poet Rab Urquhart has been Cork-based for nearly two decades, and is known for delivering enigmatic performances at many spoken-word venues. For years he has hosted open-mic events including as MC of the open-mic nights The Slam, Fun club, The Vox, The Tikki Sunday Social and with Mike Burgess, the Cheeky Sunday Social in the Slate bar, Cork. Rab’s poetry crosses into Experimental / Lyrical / Punk genres and he mostly performs off-page.

Julie Field (a.k.a. Julie Goo) is a Cork-born performance poet, singer, and songwriter who writes and performs in both English and Irish (Gaelic). Having been invovled in theatre for most of her life, she performs her socially concious, poltically driven poetry with ease and grace. Julie studied at University College Cork for many years, where she completed an MPhil in modern Irish, and also taught. She performs regularly around Ireland, and is currently completing training to teach primary school children. Julie is the 2013 Munster Slam Champion, and will compete in the All-Ireland Slam in December.

The evening is by arrangement with The Irish in Birmingham (http://www.irishinbirmingham.com/) and is being compered by Gary Longden.
The Cork Poets perform at the legendary O’Bheal evening, Upstairs at The Long Valley, Winthrop Street, Cork. For more information follow the link to their blog.
http://www.obheal.ie/blog/
Do come along to celebrate, and contribute to, the rich Irish tradition in Birmingham, to welcome our esteemed Irish visitors and have a great time.

Fri 8th Lyric Lounge Corby featuring Kate Tempest, The Cube George St NN1 1QG, from5.30pm, £5 in
Headlined by KATE TEMPEST, Lyric Lounge is set to take Corby by storm with its heady mix of internationally renowned artists, live literature, music, film, open mics and workshops!

Friday 8 LAUNCH OF LEICESTER CENTRE FOR CREATIVE WRITING, and books by Jonathan Taylor, Simon Perril, Deborah Tyler-Bennett and Jane Adams

http://dmu.ac.uk/dmu-staff/hot-topics/november-2013/launch-of-leicester-centre-for-creative-writing.aspx

Fri 8th Lit Fuse Mac Birmingham, 7.30pm

How far can you push the boundaries of performance? See what happens when some of the most exciting spoken word poets leave their comfort zones.

Lit Fuse, developed jointly by mac birmingham and Apples and Snakes, is a series of events showcasing new work devised by UK poets in collaboration with top directors and producers. Don’t miss this opportunity to be there at the start of something big – help us light the fuse!

The November 2013 edition will premiere four brand new long pieces written and performed by four exciting Birmingham-based poets:

Elisabeth Charis, writer, allotment neglector, boater, thinker, watcher of people, obsessive noter.

Ben Norris, an actor, writer, and sadness fighter; a student, brother, and strong cheese lover.

Roy Mcfarlane, just walking the earth, delivering words, wherever he sees it and however he feels it.

Lily Blacksell: a word sayer and saxophone player, Lily studies English with Creative Writing. GSOH essential.

They will be working with director Polly Tisdall, who creates work which explores the relationship between spoken word, storytelling and theatre.

Sun 10th, Poets for Peace, Ort Cafe, Balsall Heath 7.30pm,Calling all poetry lovers and lovers of peace.
Come and share your favourite poems, on any theme …. your own or those of others… in the peaceful but stimulating and comfortable atmosphere that is Ort!

Mon 11th Speech Bubble Cognito, Students’ Union, Loughborough University 7pm Second Mondays monthlyin term time, check for details: http://www.arts.lboro.ac.uk/

Mon 11th Pub Poetry Nottingham The Canal house, 48-52 Canal Street, Nottingham, NG1 7EH,8pm, 2nd monday : Free in, Open mic Contact Nick on pubpoetry@nottscomedyfestival.co.uk

Mon 11th Open Mic, the Bowery, Devonshire St Sheffield, 7.30pm with William Blake

Mon 11thPUREandGOODandRIGHT White Horse Clarendon av, Leamington Spa

PUREandGOODandRIGHT is an Open Mic poetry event taking place every second Monday of month (except December)

At THE WHITE HORSE 4-6 Clarendon Avenue, Leamington Spa, CV32 5PZ

Next event: Monday, 11 November 7.30 p.m start

This month our special guest is…
PGR Slam Champion
Augustus Stephens

Augustus spent twenty-five years working in computers,
but has given up his day job to be a poet / musician / performer delighting audiences with his true-life adventures in funny and heart-rending poems. He’ll also throw in, at no extra charge, the occasional comic ditty accompanying himself on his small guitar. He has performed his one-man-show ‘This Way Madness Lies’ at the Birmingham Fest and will be taking it on the road, including Edinburgh Festivals, next year.

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

Tues 12th Scribal gathering The Crown, Market Square, Stony Stratford MK11 1BE Scribal Gathering is back on the second Tuesday of the month to bring you a whole evening of open mic music and spoken word excellence, welcoming all performers of any style, genre or ability to take the stage, stand in the spotlight, get behind the mic and share their creativity before a receptive audience.That’s the plan anyway, but the best laid plans of musicians and poets go oft astray. So, to ensure that matters spiral wildly back into control, we have invited Allographic, Cambridge’s foremost poetry performance, promotion and publishing proponents, to take over for the evening and bring a new spin from the city of perspiring dreams. Allographic’s founder, poetess, promotrix and publisseuse Fay Roberts, will be special guest hostess for the evening, so expect the run of events to be pretty shiny.There is also a special performance from Bootleg Acoustic Zoo, who will be taking the warm up slot and keeping you entertained from 8.00 to 8.30 as you drift casually in and take ages figuring out where to sit before going to the bar. Join us!

Tues 12th City Voices Second Tuesday 19:30 City Bar King Street, Wolverhampton WV 1ST booked poets simon.fletcher@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Tues 12th Mouth & Music 6,Boars Head Gallery, Kidderminster 8pm, £3 in:What a great line-up of featured artists we have for you this month!

MOUTH ~ ~ ~
Poet IAN BOWKETT who first came along as an open mic performer and blew us away with his stunning verbal agility

and MUSIC ~ ~ ~
Black Country band THE DRIBBLERS “from the land of
chain mekin, nail mekin, faggots n pays”. They did  open mic too and we loved them!

As usual, anyone can sign up on the night for an open mic spot (spoken word 5 mins, music a bit longer …)
Sign-up is from 7.30, first come first served.

Admission £3 (free to performers)

MC Heather Wastie

www.mouthandmusic.co.uk
Tues 12thScribal Gathering,The Crown, Stony Stratford, Milton Keynes MK11 1BE,. Doors open 7.30 for 8.00 – 11.00

Wed 13th The Quad Derby QUAD, Market Place, Cathedral Quarter, Derby, DE1 3AS Second Wednesday 19.30 Free in, A monthly night of performed poetry for everyone, new performers always welcome or just come and listen, More details from QUAD or contact Les on T: 01332 206 734, http://www.derbyquad.co.uk

Wed 13th Unity in The Community, Centre for Oness, Gt Western st, Wednesbury 7.30pm

Share uplifting poetry and songs on the theme of unity and light. Lets break barriers and fly high as a kite. It will be sizzling with local and international contributions from Brazil to Black country. FREE event to delight FREE samosas to bite.

Thursday 14th Wordsmiths, Warwick Arts Centre Coventry, CV4 7ALat 7:45pm
With poets Tony Walsh aka Longfella poet, Luke Kennard, Helen Calcutt and Al Join us for the UK’s first live poetry talk show, featuring a crossover of poets you know from the pages of books and from the festival stages. Jo Bell, your host for this celebration of all things spoken, brings together four poets and encourages them to share secrets, tell tales and share the magic of words and wonderment with the audience in this intimate performance space.

This is a rare opportunity to witness some of the finest established and up-and-coming wordsmiths sharing their stories, poems and opinions as they engage in a no-holds-barred conversation and performance right before your widened eyes!

This series of events is collaboration between Nine Arches Press and Apples and Snakes, with support from Warwick Arts Centre.

Find out more about Wordsmiths and Co:

Twitter: @WordsmithsandCo
Wordsmiths & Co Films on You Tube
Wordsmiths & Co Podcasts on SoundCloud

http://www.warwickartscentre.co.uk/

Spoken Word | Performance Poetry

Start time: 7:45pm Running Time: Approx. 90 mins
Tickets: £5.50

Thurs 14th Threesome, the Coal vaults Coventry,7pm, £4,Contains adult themes.Not to be missed! Jay Walker, Someone’s Mum and Ms Beeton bring their feisty and fabulous  Edinburgh Fringe show to Coventry.  Join them for a rocky,  inspiring and ultimately triumphant journey culminating in a live demonstration of the liberatory potential of the microwaveable chocolate cake, and sprinkled with a few rude words. Tender, fierce and surprisingly tasty.

http://www.broadwaybaby.com/listing.php?id=20285

Doors 6pm – Starts 7pm

Date/Time Date – Thursday 14 November 2013 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Location The Coal Vaults

Thurs 14th Worcester Speakeasy,The Old Rectifying House, North Parade, Worcester WR1 3 NN with Fergus Mcgonigal, open mic

Thursday 14 7.45pm : Warwick Arts Centre, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL Tickets: £5.50 Booking:          024 7652 4524       024 7652 4524 / http://www.warwickartscentre.co.uk Info: wordsmithsand.coPresented in partnership with Warwick Arts Centre, Nine Arches Press and Apples and Snakes WORDSMITHS & CO.

The UK’s only live poetry talk show, featuring poets you know from the pages of books and from festival stages. A rare opportunity to witness them sharing stories, poems and opinions as they engage in no-holds-barred conversation right before your widened eyes.

GASP as words are made to perform daring feats of sound and meaning! Shudder as you discover how your favourite poems came to be! Cheer wildly at the apparent humanity of their creators!

This is live poetry. This is not for the faint of heart. This is Wordsmiths & Co. Featuring: Al Hutchins, Helen Calcutt, Tony Walsh and hosted by Jo Bell.

Thur 14th  Voices, Custard Factory, Digbeth, Birmingham, 7.30pm

Voices of the Holocaust bring ‘Fragile Fire’ (the story of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising) and Shonaleigh telling her Grandmother’s fairytale from Auschwitz ‘The Fool of the Warsaw Ghetto’ to Birmingham for the first time. This is a stunning evening of powerful theatre and beautiful storytelling about hope and survival, resistance and the triumph of the human spirit during one of the most difficult periods in human history.

Voices and Shonaleigh will not disappoint. They will set your mind ablaze and your heart soaring. An evening not to be missed. Buy tickets online now; http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/voicesoftheholocaust
Fri 15th Wednesbury Open Mic Open Mic Poetry,Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery ,7.30 pm, £3, with Den Payne, third friday

Fri 15th Spoken Worlds Third Friday 19:30 The Old Cottage Tavern , Byrkley St,eet, Burton-upon-Trent DE14 2JJ with Gary Carr Open mic gajwriter@btinternet.com

Sunday 17th Shrewsbury Coffee House Special, 5 Castle Gates, Shrewsbury, 11am with Andrew McMillan.

Relax with a Sunday morning coffee whilst Andrew reads to you in his mellow tones.  Perfect Autumn stuff.

Monday 18  SHINDIG: OPEN MIC POETRY EVENING, Western PH, leicester, 7.30pm, free in,FREE AND OPEN TO ALL! Crystal Clear Creators & Nine Arches Press present Shindig! Open-Mic Poetry Evening in Leicester. Featured writers include Angela France, Roy Marshall, Nigel McLoughlin & Charles Bennett. All are welcome and the event is free. Sign up for open-mic slots on the door.

Tues 19th Confab cabaret v at Recon, Church st,  Malvern, 8pm, donation on entry,Come marvel at the slamtastic Dan Duke and be knocked out by the marvellous Matt Windle. Poetry with punch. We have operatic diva Monserrat Carbonara for a rare UK performance, and Catherine Crosswelll with some magical musical musings. Other Vocal Locals include Maria Chippendale who will be launching her new book, plus Myfanwy with her Fox Pops and of course your hula hooping hostess, Amy Rainbow. Silliest raffle tickets and Prepare to Share slots available! Entry by donation. Wow.

Wed 20th Purple Penumbra Opne Mic, Barlow theatre, Oldbury 7.30pm

Come and join in probably the last Purple Penumbra of 2013, hosted once again by the Black Country poet and all-round good egg, Eileen Ward-Birch.
It’s free!  There’s drink available.  It’s warm and friendly. And it’s a joy to the ear.

Wed 20th Templar Poetry,Lamb & Flag, The Tyhthing, Worcester, 8pm; Open mic, third Wednesday, Alex officiates contact:Alex McMillen, Alex McMillen,Templar Poetry, PO BOX 7082, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 9AF,Tel: 01629 582500, Mobile: 07918166975

Thurs 21stOuse Muse, Harpurs, 46-48 Tavistock St Bedford, MK40 2RD.Third Thursday, 7.30pm start Open mic. Ian McEwan organises

Thurs 21st Hit the Ode, Victoria PH, Birnmingham,7,30 £5 in 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 which used to be in bands, you know; poems which stay stuck between your teeth for ages; poems which display a beautiful, three-dimensional illusion if you stare at them long enough. Good poems. Come and get them!

Featuring From Nottingham:… Andrew ‘MulletProof’ Graves  is a Nottingham based performance poet, writer and mod, and he’s been hailed as a cross between “John Cooper Clarke and Roger McGough”. He has featured on Radio 6 Music’s Cerys Matthews Show and BBC 4’s recent documentary Evidently John Cooper Clarke. He has been described by Leftlion magazine as ‘the hardest working poet in the east Midlands’. Poet and mentor Deborah Tyler-Bennett said that his performance poems worked equally successfully on the page and the ear, their hard edge quality belying their tenderness.

From London: Katie Bonna is a performance poet, playwright and actress. Her poetry play ‘Dirty Great Love Story’, co-written with Richard Marsh, won a ‘Fringe First Award’ at the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where she was also nominated for ‘Best Actress’ by The Stage. A little tea-leaf, unashamedly stealing from her own life and other peoples, Katie writes hopeful, heart-full, heart-flattening poetry. She creates word installations, as well as a number of interactive community-based events with her poetry collective, Dirty Hands, in public spaces in her local borough of Wandsworth.

From Singapore: Stephanie Dogfoot, also known as Stephanie Chan, is a poet and sometime law student from Singapore, currently based in London. Born in 1987, she has been writing poetry ever since her first gerbil died when she was 11, and has been performing since 2008. She believes her BA in Biology and Environmental Studies and current study of Law have greatly contributed to her pursuit of poetry, because most poets like nature and are good at making other people to believe what they want them to believe by manipulating words. Earlier this year, her ’Foreigner Go Home (With Me)’ show was named List Magazine’s Top 5 Spoken Word shows at Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2013. There are a very few highly coveted open mic slots up for grabs. Email bohdan@applesandsnakes.org to claim yours – or just show up early on the night!

Sunday 24th Sunday Xpress Fourth Sunday Doors 1500, Start 16:30 Adam & Eve Bradford Street, Birmingham B12 0JD Open mic
jameskennedycentral@yahoo.co.uk Miss Halliwell will launch their new album at the Adam & Eve’s Sunday Xpress event in Digbeth, Birmingham on November 24 2013. A double CD package released on November 11 2013; one half is entitled ‘Fresh from the Holy Spring’ recorded at Magic Garden Studios in Wolverhampton and the other entitled ‘Miles Perhower’s Gusting Guests’, a collaborative effort featuring members of the band, guest producers and performers. As a taster for the album, the band have also released a video for ‘Rulerfueller’, the s…econd track on ’Fresh from…’, which has been directed by Miles Perhower and former Miss Halliwell bassist CN Support. A new blog on the bands website is also promised to tie in with the release of the album’s. 100 copies of ‘Fresh from the Holy Spring’ are being pressed and available at the event, and the album will also be available for independent digital download. Joining the band on the day will be a special one-off performance by the event’s compere Brendan Higgins, leading his free-jazz experience ‘Big Bren’s Combo.’ Also appearing will be the debut Birmingham appearance of ‘moneyisasinnocentasthegun’ – a poetry piece which played at the Edinburgh Fringe this year. Many more special guests are being booked for what will be a great end to an excellent year for the Sunday Xpress. ***NB. Due to the amount of acts that are going to be on this day, the show will start at 4pm sharp. Doors will be open when the pub opens.*** There is also of course the open mic available by requesting a slot here, through me or on the day.  The Sunday Xpress is considered to be an ideal platform for the beginner, the seasoned professional and those who want to try out new material or something different.  For this event, the open mic afternoon will start at 4pm, with Miss Halliwell scheduled to perform at 7pm. Those wishing to take part in the open mic are advised to arrive early.
Sun 24 thSeven Deadly Sins – Sophie Snell,At the Poppy & Pint (upstairs), Pierrepont Road, Lady Bay, NG2 5DX.8pm

“Bless me Father, for I have sinned…” A young girl hiding in the confessional overhears her neighbours’ confessions – lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride – whispered revelations of sinning and secret desires. As she listens with growing unease, stories unfold that should never be told…

By turns both dark and comic, this show by sumptuous storyteller Sophie Snell, offers you twisting tales from the stones and bones of the British Isles – where the Devil watches in delight, and Angels weep.

Based on the concept of a portmanteau of stories, here are seven tales, woven around the tale of the young girl herself, selected from the lesser known folk tales of the British Isles. As each story unfolds, more of the seven deadly sins are divulged – in all their glorious, sometimes comic and even darkly gruesome colours. Until finally our heroine overhears one final devastating revelation – and the penny drops… You’ll be hooked from the start, through each twist and turn, as you try to guess where each story is finally heading.

Sophie has a wicked sense of humour and a compelling presence that makes her storytelling gripping and absorbing. So be prepared for thrills and spills on this rollicking ride through the Seven Deadly Sins!

““Satisfyingly twisty. Truly brilliant!”
“Wow! That was wonderful! Spellbinding to the end!”
“Exquisite storytelling, Sophie made the whole experience very magical.” Audience comments 2013.

“I’ve attended many professional storytellings during the past few years, many of them delightful and memorable. I’ve never attended a better one than Sophie’s… Sophie’s voice alternately entertains and mesmerises. If you get a chance to see Seven Deadly Sins, or any other performance by Sophie Snell, please do yourself a favour and take it!” Mark Henderson, author, reviewing SDS for Facts & Fiction Magazine, August 2013.

“Deep, dark and delicious!” Martin Maudsley, Storytelling at the Brewery, Bristol, Nov 2013.

Tickets £7.50 (adults / >12 yrs) from Tel 07739 129714 or email contact@talesfromtheriverbank.org.

Sophie Snell Storyteller is a performance storyteller based in Derbyshire, known for her warm, engaging and animated style of storytelling. Sophie performs at festivals, theatres, storytelling clubs, tourist, educational, community and arts venues. Her show, Seven Deadly Sins, was nominated for two awards at the Buxton Festival Fringe 2010 under “New Writing” and “Spoken Word” and was also nominated for an “Audience Award”, since then it has been performed to sell-out audiences across England. Sophie was recently nominated for the British Awards for Storytelling Excellence under the category “Outstanding Female Storyteller 2013”.

Tues 26th Word Wizards New venue* Buckingham Hotel, opp the Pavillion Gdns , Buxton last Tuesday Monthly 19.30. Open mic three minute slam format More info Poetryslamuk@aol.com 01298 77362

Tues 26th Word Wizards * New venue* Buckingham Hotel, opp the Pavillion Gdns , Buxton last Tuesday Monthly 19.30. Open mic three minute slam format. Rob Stevens. More info Poetryslamuk@aol.com
01298 77362/ 0781 3289358

The last poetry slam of the year at the Buckingham Hotel in Buxton
7.20pm start and as usual EVERYBODY gets to read in EVERY round
4 to 6 x 3 minute rounds = a 12 to 18 minute total set time for each performer.

Tues 26th Poetry Bites, kitchen Garden Cafe, Kings Heath, 7.30pm £5 in, open mic plus Meredith Andrea and Gregory Leadbetter

Wed 27thThe Poetry Train* New Venue* the Lych Gate Tavern, 44 Queens Square Wolverhamtpton, it’s down the walkway by Barclays bank the leads to the Civic Centre. 8pm, upstairs in their function room….It’s a great little pub last Wednesday ts@tonystringfellow.com

Wed 27th “42 Flashes″ Open Mic Night (Gothic, Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy) Lunar Bar, New St Worcester, 7.30, Free in: last wed monthly E-mail: 42openmicnight@42genrearts.co.uk

We’re delighted to invite you to our second 42 Flashes event – remember the last one, last November? There were 50+ flash fictions read, it was a fab evening. Worcs LitFest Flash Fiction Competition organiser and judge Lindsay Stanberry-Flynn has agreed to be with us on the evening too, we’ll look forward to Lindsay’s set. So, get your pens scribbling and prep a 300-word flash fiction then get onto Andrew Owens via this page to book your performance slot, or get there early as there will be some open mic s…lots too – 42 flashes only this year! 🙂 Confirmed performers include: Lindsay Stanberry-Flynn Alison May Suz Winspear Andrew Owens Polly Robinson James Walpole Tana Durham Michael R. Brush Andy Kirk Brian Comber Kevin Brooke Gothic, Horror, Sci-fi & Fantasy event “42 Worcester” last Wednesday of the month at Drummonds, Worcester 7pm for a 7:30pm start. MC Andrew Owens.

Wed 27th Packhorse Poets The Packhorse Inn, Crowdecote, near Longnor,Derbys on the fourth Wednesday of each month

Thurs 28th Maurice Riordan: The Water Stealer – with Angela FranceWaterstones, 128 New Street, Birmingham B2 4DB. 7-8,30pmCost: Free but please book.
Join The Institute of Creative and Critical Writing and Writing West Midlands for an evening of superb poetry at the Birmingham launch of Maurice Riordan’s new collection of poems, The Water Stealer, published by Faber and Faber. Maurice will be reading with Angela France, whose most recent collection, Hide, is published by Nine Arches Press.

Maurice Riordan was born in 1953 in Lisgoold, Co. Cork. His first collection, A Word from the Loki (1995) was nominated for the T. S. Eliot Prize. Floods (2000) was a Book of the Year in both the Sunday Times and Irish Times and The Holy Land (2007) won the Michael Hartnett Award. He lives in London and has taught at Imperial College and Goldsmiths College, and is currently Professor of Poetry at Sheffield Hallam University. Maurice Riordan is Editor of Poetry Review.

Angela France has had poems published in many of the leading journals, in the UK and abroad and has been anthologised a number of times. She has an MA in Creative and Critical Writing from the University of Gloucestershire and is studying for a PhD. Publications include Occupation (Ragged Raven Press) and Lessons in Mallemaroking and her latest collection of poems is Hide (both Nine Arches Press). Angela is features editor of Iota and runs a monthly poetry café, Buzzwords.
Wine and refreshments will be served.

Presented in partnership with the Institute of Creative & Critical Writing at Birmingham City University. The Institute of Creative and Critical Writing exists to cultivate the literary arts and the life of ideas, through its programme of public events and its support for the MA in Writing at Birmingham City University. http://www.bcu.ac.uk/iccw.

How to Book:
To book, contact the box office The Box on 0121 245 4455 0121 245 4455 or book online here.
Find out more about Writing West Midlands here.

Thurs 28th Shipping Forecast Spoken Word,the riverside sheffield 1 Mowbray St, Sheffield,S3

The Shipping Forecast, sails on this month to our new vessel at the Riverside pub and we kick off our tenancy there with a phenomenal line up that will have you eating off the ceilings.

Tim Clare

Tim Clare is a stand-up poet, musician and writer and performs all over the UK and internationally, both as a solo act and as a member of acclaimed poetry collective Aisle16 (‘Highlights of the spoken word scene’ – The Sunday Times). His debut solo show, Death Drive, appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2010, where Whats On Stage gave it 5 stars and called it ‘the most compelling solo show on the Fringe this year’. His follow-up show, How To Be A Leader, appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2011. It won a Brighton Fringe Best Show award, and the Independent called it ‘a wide-eyed, brilliant hour’. He has toured across the world, including Beijing, Shanghai, Melbourne, Sydney, Brunei, Copenhagen, Aarhus and Aalborg. His first collection, Pub Stuntman, is published by Nasty Little Press.

‘without question, one of the most enjoyable hours I have ever spent’ ***** – ThreeWeeks

‘thoughtful, original and human… one of the best Fringe shows I’ve seen in ages’ ***** – Fringe Guru

‘the most compelling solo performance on the Fringe’ ***** – What’s On Stage

‘sublime… has the audience hooting in recognition’ – The Guardian

‘powerful, enjoyable and intellectually stimulating’ **** – Fest

‘astonishing, vivid… had me almost crying with laughter’ **** – The Scotsman

AF Harold-

‘A.F. Harrold is an English poet, performer, children’s author, bearded gentleman and occasional hat wearer. He has been Glastonbury Festival Poet-in-Residence and has performed in tents, on stages, at picket lines and above water around the world. He has published serious poetry, funny poetry, children’s poetry and non-poetry of various flavours, including in the first edition of Paris Lit Up. He does things that aren’t always normal with words and isn’t to be missed, unless you have somewhere better to be, in which case, nevermind. More or less information can be found at http://www.afharrold.com.’

pius

A firm of poets

A Firm of Poets are seasoned spoken word artists and writers, Matthew Hedley Stoppard, Ralph Dartford and Matt Abbott (Skint and Demoralised). Formed during an all night walk around the back fields of the Glastonbury Festival, and a sunrise epiphany that was soundtracked by badly played bongos, they set out their manifesto to bring vital, accessible and energetic spoken word to the masses. The ‘Firm’ not only showcase themselves, but have a desire to expose the best of emerging talent from the region and beyond.

all hosted by your inauspicious captain Birdseye impressionist
Stan skinny

with your usual forecast shenanigans of games, features, naff raffle and George the shark, message in the bottle, Paul the pirate and more.

tickets £5/3 for concessions

time 7.45pm

wear comfortable clothing

Fri 29thBeeston Poets, Beeston Library, Foster Avenue, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 1AE
The final event of this season, Friday 29th November, 7.30pm brings a trio of poets to Beeston Library from over the Leicestershire border. John Gallas, Maria Taylor and Roy Marshall. They will be reading from their various collections.

Tickets, £5, are available via the online shop, from Beeston Library and on the door. For more detail see the EVENTS page.

The Buzz

Sat 30th Stony Stratford Library,5-7 Church Street, MK11 1BD Milton
The Bard of Stony Stratford presents a showcase of spoken word entertainment in Stony Stratford Library from 1.00 – 4.00pm during the town’s Christmas Lights Switch On celebrations on Saturday 30th November. Poets from across the region will perform throughout the afternoon, with open slots available for you to share a poem too. With live music from The Screaming House Madrigals, this will be a feast of lyrical delight to suit all tastes.

This event is generously sponsored by local business Events & PR Ltd of Stony Stratford, whose support will provide a range of refreshments – snacks, hot and cold drinks and mulled wine will be available during the event, in return for a small donation. Entry is free, and all contributions for refreshments will be donated to the Friends of Stony Stratford Library, who are kindly enabling the library to stay open for the afternoon. So take a seat, take the weight of your feet, grab a treat and a glass of something sweet while you take in the entertainment. Please, at least come and drink the wine, otherwise it will be left to a collection of poets to deal with, and there only chaos reigns…

This event will also enable Stony Stratford Business Association to allocate further funding towards its campaign to turn the Christmas Lights green – replacing the bulbs with energy saving LEDs, which will benefit the environment and the local economy. So what’s not to like? Free music and poetry, food and drink, and all in support of the Library and the Christmas Lights. Join us!

Damian Cummins, of Events & PR Ltd, says “As a relatively new business in Stony Stratford we are very excited to support this excellent initiative.” That’s what happens when a Bard asks you for money to spend on booze!

————————————December—————————————-

Sunday  1st  Buzzwords, Upstairs at The Exmouth Arms, Bath Road, Cheltenham-  Workshop, led by David Morley 7pm,Guest readings and open mic 8pm
Guest poet: David Morley
£5 waged, £3 unwaged

Monday 2nd Wordsmiths, Warwick Arts Centre Coventry, CV4 7ALat 7:45pm
With poets Salena Godden, Helen Mort, Claire Trévien and Ben Norris

Join us for the UK’s first live poetry talk show, featuring a crossover of poets you know from the pages of books and from the festival stages. Jo Bell, your host for this celebration of all things spoken, brings together four poets and encourages them to share secrets, tell tales and share the magic of words and wonderment with the audience in this intimate performance space.

This is a rare opportunity to witness some of the finest established and up-and-coming wordsmiths sharing their stories, poems and opinions as they engage in a no-holds-barred conversation and performance right before your widened eyes!

This series of events is collaboration between Nine Arches Press and Apples and Snakes, with support from Warwick Arts Centre.

Find out more about Wordsmiths and Co:

Twitter: @WordsmithsandCo
Wordsmiths & Co Films on You Tube
Wordsmiths & Co Podcasts on SoundCloud

http://www.warwickartscentre.co.uk/

Spoken Word | Performance Poetry

Start time: 7:45pm Running Time: Approx. 90 mins
Tickets: £5.50

Mon 2ndPoetry Open Sandwich, Housmans Bar,27 high street, Church Stretton,SY6 6BX

An evening of poetry in Church Stretton. A delicious Open Mic Poetry filling sandwiched between two slices of our performance poetry production – A Play on Words.

Tickets are £1 from Housmans redeemable against a drink.

If you want to perform some poetry contact David or Ceri Wright for a slot.

Tues 3rd Open Mic, Nightblue Fruit , Playwrights, Coventry, 7:45pm until 10:15pm.Open Mic spaces only available on arrival (5 mins max).Free in Tony Owen hosts

Wed 4th Spire Writes White Swan,16 St Mary’s Gate, S41 7TJ Chesterfield
The nights are getting longer and it’s getting colder, but before the festive season kicks off properly, you can still cheer yourself up with an evening of live literature in Chesterfield. For December, we’ve got special guests Zaffar Kunial and Claire-Jane Carter.

Born in Birmingham, Zaffar Kunial currently lives in Sheffield. In 2011 he was placed third in the National Poetry Competition. At the Northern Writers’ Awards 2013, he was awarded £5,000 to support him to work on his debut poetry collection.

Claire-Jane Carter is a poet, climber and runner based in Sheffield. Her work has appeared in The Sheffield Anthology as well as other publications. She is interested in kinaesthetic and temporal experience in nature and has researched the links between poetry and choreography.

http://clairejanecarter.tumblr.com/

As usual, there’ll be an open mic (since it’s December, feel free to bring a festive poem, or just waft a sprig of tinsel about) and a fine selection of ales at the bar.

We’ll finish in time for the last train back to Sheffield and there’s a large car park next to The White Swan for drivers.

http://www.yell.com/biz/the-white-swan-chesterfield-3635345/

All welcome

Wed 4th Poetic essence. Talk Bar, Priory Queensway, Birmingham City Centre, 7.30pm
Poetic Essence home to all spoken word artists, musicians and singers to express themselves freely to a diverse crowd jam packed with networking opportunities and a platform to success!!!
Wed 4th Simon Fletcher and Jeff Phelps, a reading from The Poetry of Shropshire at Wolverhampton Central Library on Wednesday of next week (December 4). The event will be at 5.45pm and is free. All are welcome

Wed 4thBlack Pear anthology launch,Drummonds, The Swan with Two Nicks, 28 New Street, Worcester WR5 1BU, 7.30pm

The stories in the anthology reflect the diverse talents of people living and writing in Worcestershire, the Black Pear County. Black Pear Press will regularly publish novels, poetry and short stories, with some of its publications originating from the Worcestershire LitFest & Fringe. https://www.facebook.com/events/519594058148862/

Thurs 5th Dec, Shrewsbury Coffee House, Castle gates, 7.30pm;It’s a free event, but we will be asking for donations.  I had been thinking of selling tickets for £5 each, as a guide to what you might think of bringing along.
Still warm from our Edinburgh Fringe appearance, Someone’s Mum, Jay Walker and Ms Beeton will entertain, challenge and perplex with a mix of drama, poetry and baking. A fundraiser – details to follow.

Lilian Bates (aka ‘Gran’ to those of us who were her neighbours in Shrewsbury) died earlier this year at a grand age, and her family set up the charity in her memory.  Lilian’s Haven is part of a bigger project now called the Cedar Trust which works in an impoverished fishing community in Chennai. Gran’s part of the charity works with children (which is appropriate because she loved children, and used to work as a dinner lady, or lunchtime supervisor as I think the role is now called).  The charity offers some teaching to young children who wouldn’t normally get to school, plus very basic but essential care such as feeding and weighing.  Lilian’s son John, who has links with the charity, and others of her family will be coming along.I wanted to do something to honour Gran’s memory, and the themes of Threesome, and in particular the take on achieving liberation through baking (!) seemed appropriate as Gran was also known for her excellent Christmas Cakes and Victoria Sponges.  She may have been less impressed with some of the language we use – it’s not gratuitous, but expect some honesty, and don’t bring your young children.  Teenagers, however, would find it disappointingly mild.

Thurs 5th Poetry Jam, Urban Coffee Co. Birmingham.7pm
Poetry Jam is rocking up a storm in Birmingham. Come Jam on the first Thursday of every month at Urban Coffee Company (Church Street) and see for yourself. Come along for coffee, cake and real talk. Jam with a diverse array of poets and spoken word artists from across the region. Everyone welcome!

Fri 6th Word Smack,The Roland Music Academy at Rotherham College,Rotherham College of Arts and Technology, Eastwood Building, Eastwood Lane, S65 1EG Rotherham, 7.15 £5

The word Smack Cabaret finally returns to Rotherham in December with a fine cast of performers ready to entertain your socks off and then iron them and hand them back all toasty and warm. Featuring … Precious Cleaver is  a ‘folkish’ singer who has a song  about a dog on a bicycle and one about a little pig and one about the world coming to an end – that one’s a bit gloomy. People ask him “Why are you singing?” and he tells them “I sing to bring a little happiness into people’s lives…whether they like it or not.” So, bring along your tambourines and join in with the Precious Cleaver Folkish Sing-along! “Had everyone in stiches and singing along” Shambala Festival “Wonderful strange song and hilarious too!” Bakewell Festival “I laughed so much I nearly wet myself and then my face hurt.” Audience member – Cabaret BoomBoo Gav Roberts Rotherham’s heart and soul poetry activist, social commentator, founder of ROMP and  all round good egg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtzLWYTwspY ROMP Madame Zucchini-  vegetable theatre “My favourite Squash-based entertainer” – Tracey Johnson “what a triumph! She has turned a seed into a sumptuous harvest” “Loved it! The Romeo and Juliet denouement had me falling over with laughter” http://madamezucchini.co.uk/ Sean Morley alternative stand up comedian and night sparrow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXUIherUx0c Byran 200 robot from the future back to battle the forces of admin and Andrew Costa classical guitar supremo all hosted by Stan skinny www.stanskinny.co.uk doors open at 7.15pm cost £5

Sat 7th Hard Graft ,Wednesbury Town hall, 7.30pm
Debut performance of this new musical commemorating the centenary of the 1913 Tube Strike.

Standard tickets are £5 and Special Addition Tickets, which include a copy of the script are £10. All proceeds will be going to the Major’s Charity.

Tues 10th Mouth & Music, Boars Head,39 Worcester St Kidderminster

For our last Mouth and Music of the year, we welcome wacky Worcestershire Poet Laureate and musician Tim Cranmore who will entertain us with poetry – and a carrot. Tim has performed across the UK and on TV with the London Vegetable Orchestra playing a variety of vegetables and is skilled at turning carrots in particular into fully functioning, if short-lived, instruments.

Also featured is a popular Mouth and Music regular – singer/songwriter Humdrum Express, with his “up-tempo exasperation, poetic put-downs and bitter-sweet tales of delusion.”

This month’s MC is Sarah Tamar.

The theme for the evening is PANTOMIME and there will be a prize for the best fancy dress.

Open mic sign up is from 7.30 (5 mins spoken word or 2 songs) and the show starts at 8.00.

Wed 11thRoom 101, Library of Birmingham, Centenary Square, Broad treet,Birmingham
B1 2ND, 7.15pm Cost:£6 / £4
Join Nine Arches Press and Writing West Midlands to celebrate the launch of Maps & Legends: Poetry to Find your Way By, edited by Jo Bell. Featuring poets Matt Merritt, Angela France, Maria Taylor, David Morley, Daniel Sluman, David Hart, Roz Goddard and others.

Take a poetry-pathway less travelled and enjoy this navigation through poems from a variety of new and established voices from the contemporary poetry landscape.

This anthology celebrates five years of independent publishing by Nine Arches Press, and features a selection of poetry that they have put on the map during this time. This is poetry from the leading edge, plotting points from urban backwaters, to landmarks of personal and public histories, and way beyond; out into the poem’s wild imagined spaces, shadow places that can’t be found on the official maps or surveys and are firmly off the beaten track.

Presented in partnership with Nine Arches Press. http://www.ninearchespress.com

All ticket holders will receive a 25% discount on the anthology on the night.

How to Book:

To book your place, please contact our box office The Box on 0121 245 4455 or you can book online here.

Wed, Dec 11th 2014, 7.30pm, The Voicebox, Forman Street, Derby DE1 1JQ.

Our popular open night returns for a seasonal themed pick and mix of tales and songs and music, with hot spot special guests, musicians Ron Middleton and Paul Kearns. Also featuring our pop-up restaurant, so evening meal included.

Tickets £10 (all) on the door, but as it is a meal, please book in advance if you can – at Tel

Thurs 12thChristmas SpeakEasy. Worcester SpeakEasy, The Old Rectifying House, North Parade, Worcester WR1 3 NN 7:30pm

fri 13th Wednesbury Open Mic Open Mic Poetry,Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery ,7.30 pm, £3, with Den Payne, third friday

Fri 13th Word Up Christmas Specal Yorks Bakery Café, Birmingham. More Info
Welcome to the Word Up Christmas Special – and what a special night it will be. This will be the last Word Up, both Mark and Ro will be hosting together. We urge anyone who has in any way, shape or form supported Word Up to come along and enjoy this last night with us. We want to see you all to celebrate something so special. If you fancy the usual Word Up shenanigans with an extra bit of sparkle, then join us!
Contact: email word–up@hotmail.com, or tweet us: @wordup_brum

Fri 27th Word Wizards Buckingham Hotel, opp the Pavillion Gdns , Buxton Monthly 19.30. christamas special, anythng goes More info Poetryslamuk@aol.com 01298 77362

Our once a year Free for All, – No Rules – No Time Limits – Songs – Group Poems – Comedy – Sketches – Juggling – Magic
Come along and strut your stuff – or just enjoy a great evening of live entertainment.

Friday 10th January 2014Culture, 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!

October boasts numerous excellent events, and two changes from the norm. “Parole Parlate” is no more and is reincarnated as “Worcester Speakeasy” which debuts in the same venue on 10th October, rebooted. Check it out, under the waspish custodianship of Fergus McGonigal ( below in typically unassuming and understated pose) this will be special. Secondly, and sadly, “Bilston Voices” is no more, but there is plenty going on in Wednesbury and Wolverhampton to make up the gap.

Festivals

Fri 3rd- 6th Oct Warwick Words

http://www.warwickwords.co.uk/

Swindon Festival of Poetry | October 3rd – 6th 2013
swindonfestivalofpoetry.co.uk

Oct Birmingham Book Festival

http://www.birminghambookfestival.org/

Wellington Literary Festival October

http://www.wellington-shropshire.gov.uk/literary-festival/

————————————————————————————–

Day by day

Tues 1stWORD! Presents: Horovitz’s Blake Klezmatrix Jam. Starring Peter Lemer & Annie Whitehead.
Also Vanessa Vie & Leicester Troubadours, in association with Everybody’s Reading & The Y Theatre Leicester. 7pm till late,£7/£10. Box Office: 0116 2557066

For one night only, a unique opportunity to experience the song-poet/anglosaxophonist, Michael Horovitz – performing alongside acclaimed musicians from his group, The William Blake Klezmatrix – Peter Lemer & Annie Whitehead. Please note, this is a change to the previously scheduled bill, due to a temporary setback in Stan Tracey’s health. The evening also features singer-songwriter Vanessa Vie, AND Leicester’s own musici extraordinaires – Mike Sole, Ola Szmidt, plus rising star, poet-performer, Anna Cheetham.

MICHAEL HOROVITZ (dubbed “Popular, experienced, experimental, New Jerusalem, Jazz Generation, Sensitive Bard” by Allen Ginsberg):

Horovitz, pioneer of jazz poetry, New Departures editor and Poetry Olympics torchbearer, was characterised by Martin Amis as “A dreamer, a maverick … transmedial crusader” – and by Vogue as “The worst-dressed poet in Britain”. He recently recorded for Gearbox Records with Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon and Paul Weller (www.poetryolympics.com)

PETER LEMER (Piano, Synthesiser, producer, engineer and trainer):

Recorded and performed with Mike Horovitz, Mike Oldfield, Ginger Baker, Annette Peacock, 7th Wave, Barbara Thompon’s Paraphernalia, In Cahoots, and most Jazz outfits since the 60s. Career has run from the first Free Jazz in the UK, Jazz and Poetry through rock, prog rock and beyond, with special delight in multigenre experimentations via the William Blake Klezmatrix Band with Michael H, Annie Whitehead et al.

ANNIE WHITEHEAD (trombonist-composer-singer):

Worked with many well known artists including Joan Armatrading, Chris Rea, Elvis Costello, Carlene Carter, Pete Brown, Paul Weller, Jerry Dammers, Amazulu, The Communards, Jennifer Maidman and Bananarama….

“Annie Whitehead has emerged as one of the brightest and most versatile musicians in Britain” (The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Jazz)

“The Sly and Robbie of British brass, The woman everyone turns to when they want a class trombone player….for her work on the reggae label Fashion, she would warrant an honourable mention in any history of British reggae. The same goes for her work in African music, Latin and Salsa, Jazz and Pop.” (Beat International magazine)

VANESSA VIE is a visual artist, singer-songsmith, guitarist, harmonica player, lyricist-poet (although she would gracefuly shun any category or labelling):

She was born in Asturias, North Spain, & moved to London in 2000. In 2005 she co-formed the London based-alternative rock band Rockatron, which dissolved in 2009. Since then, Vanessa has been on the road as a solo troubadour, also collaborating with various musicians, artists & poets. At the Y Theatre she will be presenting her own material, and accompanying/collaborating with Michael Horovitz.

MIKE SOLE, studied from the age of 5 on piano, later taking up the organ with Alex Gillies ARCO Ah2SM RSCM. He has worked alongside musicians including, Greg Abate and Soweto Kinch, and supporting Courtney Pine – and with local artists including, Free Control, Mellow Baku, Michael Brome (Sureshot) and Fosse Singers (Community Choir). His own home grown bands are, The Illusive Trio/Quartet, Accortrumn, Elastic Band & Steam Trio.

OLA SZMIDT, flautist, looper and vocalist of Polish descent. In addition to performing across the UK and Europe, Ola is a Kindermusik educator, improvisor, installation artist and BOSS looping contest Finalist (performing at The JamHouse, Birmingham, 2012).

ANNA CHEETHAM, has been writing poetry since the 70s concerned with CND, peace, art and relationships. Following a mature degree – Loughbrough, Fine Art Sculpture – has displayed poems alongside art works; read them on Lincoln Memorial steps and outside Congress, Washington. In Coventry Cathedral and, by others, Norwich Cathedral. Publication include – Leicester CND’s newsletter + pinned to the fences at bases; Sanity Magazine National Poetry Comp. -2nd Prize for “40 Year Vigil” – 1989; Cat Lovers Against the Bomb Calendar /February, USA 1990 – and more…

*******

This event promises to be a rare, immersive and one-time-only occasion.

Advance booking recommended – contact The Y Box Office: 0116 2557066

Tues 1st Night Blue Fruit, Playwrights Cafe Bar & Bistro 4/6 Hay lane, Cathedral Quarter, CV1 5RF, free in, 7.30pm-10pm,Open mic, sign up on the night.

Tuesday 1st October 2013, Poetry Alight” at the Spark Cafe Bar, 19 Tamworth St, Lichfield WS13 6JP

Arrive early , 7.30pm prompt start -10pm Free Entry ,

“A terrific evening of poetry” – Mal Dewhirst,Staffs Poet Laureate
…
Lichfield Poets proudly present the fourth Poetry Alight of 2013 in this quarterly series of poetry evenings, hosted by Gary Longden . Guest Headline poets are:

Julie Boden
Bohdan Piesecki
David Calcutt & Nadia Kingsley

It comprises visiting guest poets and an open mic section. Great pride is taken in introducing new poets to the audience, and new audiences to poets. Open mic spots, at 3mins each, may be booked in advance, a very few may be made available on the night, e-mail: Lichfield.Poets@hotmail.co.uk

Please note that our advance slots are always over-subscribed, all requests may not be successful.

The Cafe, as well as offering coffee, teas and hot meals is also licensed to sell alcohol and offers a range of hot food, I can personally vouch for their Cumberland sausage sandwich! The audience is encouraged to arrive early, and the Spark is ideal to enjoy a supper with friends before proceedings. The Cafe is open all day.

This month’s distinguished guest poets include:

Julie Boden- Julie Boden is a UK poet, based in the Midlands, who travels nationally and internationally delivering workshops, conducting readings, performing, lecturing, mentoring and judging poetry competitions. She is currently Poet in Residence at Symphony Hall Birmingham, is “big in India” and has had several collections published.

“Her poems are a ‘must read’ for you. Realistic and gritty her poems are grounded in the everyday urban life of Birmingham.”(Paul Newnham, Birmingham Libraries)

“It is a delight to find a poet of this quality who is blessed with a flexible and expressive voice.” (The Raw Edge Magazine)

“Her poetry allows the reader to journey through the alienation of urban life, to emerge with hope for the future. The poetry is multi-dimensional, and stretches the reader in the true Bardic tradition.” (Poetry Pals)

“Julie Boden’s poetry speaks for the urban heart of Birmingham. The poetry, written with wit and intelligence, has a dreamy quality. It is a fascinating new look at Birmingham through the eyes of a highly original poet.” (Helena Rudge)

Bohdan Piesecki- Bohdan is a poet from Poland currently based in the UK. Since moving to England, he has featured at some of the country’s topmost spoken word nights and festivals, written for BBC Radio 3, and worked as visiting lecturer in Creative Writing at Birmingham University, proving conclusively that Poles really are taking over. Glastonbury was wowed by his performance, even the Rolling Stones felt compelled to attend. He feels equally at home with a rowdy festival crowd and at more sedate poetry readings. He does what he can to offer the former something to think about and to inject a little anarchy in the latter.Bohdan enjoys strong coffee and inflicting poetry in Polish on unsuspecting audiences.

David Calcutt & Nadia Kingsley – reading from their new collection “Road Kill”. The title is somewhat macabre, But the pieces individually , are elegiac and celebratory. A carcass of a fallen animal can be magnificent, and can be pathetic, both scenes are captured in this collection.
David Calcutt is a much published poet, novelist and playwright. Nadia Kingsley is a poet and scientist.
They d0 not read every poem, incentivising the listener both to return to future performances, and read the collection in full, providing a sense of spontaneity. Both writers pieces are stylistically, as well as thematically, complimentary. Sometimes they split up poems to offer contrasting voices in a performance, other times they simply read their own work. “Road Kill” is available from http://www.fairacrepress.co.uk/

Reviews of past Poetry Alights are available here:

THE SPARK THAT BECOMES A FLAME.

IT TAKES JUST A SPARK TO SET POETRY ALIGHT!

Wed 2nd Oct Well versed, The Muffin Man, Cheltenham, 7pm free in with dan Sluman and Michael Scott

Wed 2nd Oct Spire Writes, 16 St Marys Gate White Swan, Chesterfield

Spire Writes is back in October with a guest slot from fantastic performer Gevi Carver:

There’ll also be the usual open mic slots and usual selection of good ales at the bar…

All welcome, upstairs at the White Swan.

Wed 2nd Listen Ere, Town House, George Street, Leamington Spa 7.30pm.
Just a quick reminder – the theme (a very loose one) is linked to Nat Poetry Day’s theme of ‘Water’ but poems, spoken word and music on other themes are very welcome. Do come to listen or come and share a poem/story/song or two.The Folks at Listen ere (Dave Reeves, Julie Boden & Three’s a Crowd)

Wed 3rdClephan Building (De Montfort University) Room 0.01 (ground floor), 5.30pm – 7pm:
Ian Parks, Kim Moore and Rory Waterman read from their work at a FREE event to celebrate National Poetry Day. There will be drinks and nibbles from 5.30 and the poetry begins at 6.00.

De Montfort University’s Leicester Centre of Creative Writing and the Centre for Learning and Study Support (Directorate of Library and Learning Services) are hosting an evening of poetry with three highly-acclaimed poets.

Ian Parks is RLF Writing Fellow at De Montfort University. His collections include Shell Island, Love Poems 1979-2009, The Landing Stage, and The Exile’s House. He was writer in residence at Gladstone’s Library in 2012. His latest collection is a Poetry Book Society Choice.

Kim Moore lives in Cumbria. She won both a Gregory Award and the Geoffrey Dearmer Prize in 2011. Her first collection, If Wolves Could Only Speak, was winner of the Poetry Business Pamphlet Competition judged by Carol Ann Duffy. It was chosen as an Independent Book of the year in 2012.

Rory Waterman is Lecturer in English and Creative Writing at Nottingham Trent University and co-editor of New Walk Magazine. He received a Hawthornden Fellowship in 2012. A critic and regular reviewer for the Times Literary Supplement, his first collection, Tonight the Summer is Over is published by Carcanet in 2013.

Everyone is welcome: no need to book.

Thurs 3rd Launching the Festival and Birmingham’s New Poet Laureate,Studio Theatre, Library of Birmingham,
Centenary Square, Broad Street Birmingham,B1 2DN @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
|Free, Join Library of Birmingham and Birmingham Literature Festival on National Poetry Day 2013 for an hour of poetry and promise as we whet your appetite for the ten days of events, workshops and discussions ahead.

After a few words from the Festival and Library teams to mark the moment and the flourishing partnership it represents, we will hand the stage over to some of the city’s own poets: Birmingham poets laureate past, present and future.

We will be announcing the 18th Birmingham Poet Laureate who will be the first ever laureate for the Library of Birmingham.

The new Poet Laureate will be expected to play a vital role in promoting the enjoyment of reading and writing of poetry whilst also taking forward the work of previous Poets Laureate and engage with diverse audiences to make poetry accessible and available to all.

With poetry from Stephen, including responses to the final stages of the three year library construction process, and appearances from some of the other great poets who have held the city laureate title during its seventeen years.

Thurs 3rd Carol Ann Duffy & Imtiaz Dharker:Library Studio, Library of Birmingham,
Library Studio, Library of Birmingham, Centenary Square Birmingham,B1 2ND United Kingdom a National Poetry Day Celebration,@ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
|£10 / £8
To celebrate National Poetry Day we are delighted to present this gala performance by two of our most inspiring and entertaining poets.

Carol Ann Duffy is UK Poet Laureate. Her poetry is both dazzlingly witty and deeply moving. In her widely read poems of public life she voices the concerns of the many – about how our country is run and civic life. And in her poems of love and personal reflection she so often finds the words we all need to keep on keeping on. Her poetry performances – perfectly paced and poised – remind us why poetry needs to be heard in public spaces.

Carol Ann will be joined by Imtiaz Dharker. Born in Pakistan, raised in Scotland and working for many years in India, Imtiaz Dharker’s childhood provides the material for many of her poems; exile, journeying, home and religious strife. Finding the universal in the particular, her poetry transports readers while offering wit in abundance. Audiences love her warmth and generosity and her performances are truly captivating.

Thurs 3rd Good Impressions Spoken Word open Mic, Cafe Impression, Atkins Building, Hinckley, LE10 1QU,7.30pm £5in Hosted by Tom Phillips,1st Thursday Monthly

Thurs 3rd Word, Lyric Lounge, Y Theatre Leicester.7pm Celebrate National Poetry Day with Jean Binta Breeze and Daljit Nagra! It’s also WORD!’s 12th Birthday!

Join WORD! on a Thursday in October as the night takes place as part of Everybody’s Reading, headlines The Lyric Lounge and celebrates National Poetry Day and WORD!s 12th Birthday! Featuring the formidable, Jean Binta Breeze MBE – first female dub poet in the world and award winning author of six books – AND – the hugely acclaimed, Daljit Nagra – first poet to win the Forward Prize for both his first collection of poetry – and its title poem, ‘Look, We Have Coming to Dover!’. Sign up to perform with the compere from 7pm. There will be cake and a full day of activity in advance. For full details, please see http://www.lyriclounge.co.uk

http://www.wordpoetry.eu/

8pm performers -sign up with compere, Lydia Towsey.
£6/£4 concessions
Box office: 01162557066

WORD! is the longest running poetry and spoken word night in the Midlands. Based at The Y Theatre, Leicester, it usually takes place on the first Tuesday of every month, between 8.00pm and 10.30pm. The evening is composed of an open mic, followed by a booked act. Film visuals are provided as standard by our resident filmmaker, Keith Allott. In addition to curating a regular night, WORD! also delivers regular workshops, events and projects. For more details see our website: http://www.wordpoetry.eu WORD! is an entirely voluntary organisation, delivered and supported by a dedicated voluntary committee.

Thurs 3rd National Poetry Day at the Shrewsbury Coffee House, Castle Gates, Shrewsbury, 7.30pm Fortunately Seren Poet Vuyelwa Carlin can read. Fortunately performance poet Jack can perform. Fortunately the young poets and Natalie White can still come. Fortunately this is going to be a wonderful evening.
Life is good. Poetry makes it better. See you there.

Thurs 3rd ‘Funny Women’ (Emma Purshouse & Jane Seabourne) at Hanley Central Library, Stoke on Trent, 7.30pm.

City Central Library
Bethseda Street,
Hanley
Stoke on Trent
ST1 3RS
Telephone 01782 238455
Email central.library@stoke.gov.uk

Tickets £3 (refreshments included).

Thurs 3rd Blackdrop Canalhouse bar, Canal Street, Nottm , First Thursday 8-10pm £3 @ NAE,with Mother Hubbard…. And of course YOU in the open mic if you want to brave the final stage at NAE.ALL WELCOME OVER 16. . AGE 16+ as we feature Matthew ‘ShortMAN’ Burke as he takes us back in time 10 years to our very first ever evening at BRB Stone on Thurland Street in Nottm… Were you there? 🙂
Returning to his solo stand alone street poetry/hip-hop style vibes Matt ‘shortMAN’ will deliver a performance NOT TO BE MISSED!
WE HOPE YOU WILL Take the open mic, after all IT WILL BE NATIONAL POETRY DAY ALSO!

Write something special to celebrate our experience together if you wish.

National poetry day theme is WATER out theme for the night is CELEBRATION …

Will you use these themes or go with your own?

What ever you chose to speak/rap/rant/sing/SPIT/poem/story-tell about … WE WANT TO HEAR IT! 🙂

Bring along any old photos you may have taken over the last 10 years. tell us who your FAVOURITE feature artists have been. JOIN IN THE FUN!

We can’t wait to see you there! PARTY TIME!

FROM THE BLACKDROP CREW!

REAL POETRY, FOR REAL PEOPLE!

Michelle ‘The Mother’ Hubbard

Freelance Cultural Arts Practitioner and Consultant

(Lyricist, Poet, Storyteller, African drummer, Workshops facilitator, Performer)
mobile: 07977 804 858

Fri 4th Offa’s poets Emma Purshouse and Nick Pearson will be reading at the Birmingham Literature Festival, Central Library 5-6.30pm, tickets £8/£6. http://www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org.

Tues 4th West Midlands Poets: Joel Lane, Charles Wilkinson, Nick Pearson & Emma PurshouseRoom 101, Library of Birmingham,
Centenary Square, Broad Street Birmingham,B1 2DN @ 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm, £8
An evening of contemporary poetry curated by Flarestack Poets and Offa’s Press, hosted by Flarestack Poets. These four poets represent the high quality and variety of poetry being created and published in the West Midlands by two of the region’s best loved poetry publishers. Emma Purshouse is a poetry slam champion and performs across the UK. Her appearances include The Cheltenham Literature Festival, Ledbury Poetry Festival, Much Wenlock Poetry Festival, Bang Said the Gun, Manchester, and Solfest.

An evening of contemporary poetry curated by Flarestack Poets and Offa’s Press, hosted by Flarestack Poets. These four poets represent the high quality and variety of poetry being created and published in the West Midlands by two of the region’s best loved poetry publishers.

Emma Purshouse is a poetry slam champion and performs across the UK. Her appearances include The Cheltenham Literature Festival, Ledbury Poetry Festival, Much Wenlock Poetry Festival, Bang Said the Gun, Manchester, and Solfest. She has undertaken poetry residencies for Wolverhampton Libraries and The New Vic Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent. Emma has been published in a variety of small press magazines and poetry anthologies. Her CD Upsetting the Apple Cart appeared from Offa’s Press in 2010.

Nick Pearson is a Forward Prize nominated poet who has been widely published in magazines and anthologies. Made in Captivity is a collection that draws together work written over the last ten years. Urban, sharply observed and often humorous his poems catch some of the voices of contemporary disconnection and the search for certainty. Readers will recognise day to day characters and confusions. He lives in Shropshire.

Joel Lane is the author of three full-length poetry collections, The Edge of the Screen, Trouble in the Heartland, The Autumn Myth (all from Arc) and Instinct (Flarestack Poets). His other work includes two novels, a novella, a booklet of crime stories and three collections of ghost stories. He lives in Birmingham, where he works as a journalist.

Charles Wilkinson was born in Birmingham. His publications include The Snowman and Other Poems (Iron Press) and The Pain Tree and Other Stories (London Magazine Editions) and Ag & Au, (Flarestack Poets), the latter an exploration of the history of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter and the qualities of the elements of silver (Ag) and gold (Au) illustrated by students from Birmingham Institute of Art and Design.
Apples and Snakes, with support from Birmingham Libraries and Yorks Bakery Café present

Saturday 5th & 19 October,Poets’ Place, Yorks Bakery café, Birmingham 4-6pm,Poets’ Place is an informal gathering of poets set to happen twice a month. It is an opportunity to meet like‐minded people, give and solicit feedback on your poetry, or just sit back and write for a couple of hours without interruption.

Sunday 6th Buzzwords,Sunday,Workshop, led by Julia Deakin, 7pmGuest readings and open mic 8pm
Guest poet: Julia Deakin Upstairs at The Exmouth Arms, Bath Road, Cheltenham
£5 waged, £3 unwaged Do visit our blog:http://buzzwordspoetry.blogspot.com/

Mon 7thArc World Poets ,Room 101, Library of Birmingham,Library of Birmingham, Centenary Square, Broad Street Birmingham,B1 2ND, @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm £8

An evening of poetry from across continents: Cheran (Sri Lanka), Ludwig Steinherr (Germany) and Michael Hulse (England). From civil war to fatherhood, climate change to love, this evening ranges widely geographically, culturally and emotionally. A one-off event bringing these extraordinary poets together that will leave you energised and inspired. Michael Hulse was born in England and lived for twenty-five years in Germany before returning in 2002 to teach at the University of Warwick.

An evening of poetry from across continents: Cheran (Sri Lanka), Ludwig Steinherr (Germany) and Michael Hulse (England). From civil war to fatherhood, climate change to love, this evening ranges widely geographically, culturally and emotionally. A one-off event bringing these extraordinary poets together that will leave you energised and inspired.

Michael Hulse was born in England and lived for twenty-five years in Germany before returning in 2002 to teach at the University of Warwick. His poetry has won first prizes in the National Poetry Competition and the Bridport Poetry Prize (twice), and Eric Gregory and Cholmondeley Awards from the Society of Authors.

Ludwig Steinherr lives in Munich. He is a freelance writer and lecturer in philosophy at the University of Eichstätt and has written his way into the front rank of contemporary German writers. His poems have received a number of awards, including the’ Leonce-und-Lena-Förderpreis (1993), the Buchpreis des Verbandes Evangelischer Büchereien (1999) and the Hermann-Hesse-Förderpreis (1999).

Cheran is one of the best known Tamil poets, born in Jaffna in Sri Lanka in 1960. He worked for Saturday Review, an English language weekly known for its stand on press freedom. Cheran refused to align himself with any of the several Tamil militant groups active in Jaffna at the time and as a result was harassed both by the Sri Lankan army and, later, by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. In 1987 he left for the Netherlands and now lives in Canada. In a Time of Burning charts the civil war in Sri Lanka of more than three decades, and its aftermath, as well as displacement, exile and the experience of diaspora.

Tues 8th City Voices Second Tuesday 19:30 the Lych Gate Tavern, 44 Queens Square Wolverhamtpton, it’s down the walkway by Barclays bank the leads to the Civic Centre with Simon Fletcher, set bill.

Tues 8th Slam Axis Arts |centre MMU Crewe,Snakes and Ladders, with Axis Arts Centre Crewe present…

A fast paced open competition for spoken word artists, featuring special guest appearances from two internationally renowned poets. Gasp at the poems! Boo the scores! Wonder at the humanity of it all! This guarantees to be an entertaining evening, filled with unexpected gems, unacceptable scores, and
undeniable brilliance. In collaboration with Apples and Snakes, England’s leading organisation for spoken word poetry.

Vanessa Kisuule has won several slam titles including Slambassadors 2010, Poetry Rivals 2011 and Next Generation Slam 2012 and has been invited to support the likes of Linton Kwesi Johnson, Dizraeli and Kate Tempest. She has performed at an array of festivals, including Glastonbury and Secret Garden Party, at many renowned poetry events, and her poetry was featured in Burning Eyes Rhyming Thunder anthology of Young Poets.

Mike Garry makes his very welcome return to Axis Arts Centre, having performed throughout the UK and Europe. His first book, Men’s Morning, tells the tale of an inner city sauna and his second book, Mancunian Meander, takes a poetic journey around a city. A supremely talented writer and a charismatic
performer, Mike has been described by the Happy Mondays Shaun Ryder as “the best street poet ever”.

£8 Admission (£5 concession)

To sign up please email 11053801@stu.mmu.ac.uk with “SLAM” in the subject box. You’ll receive a reply confirming your spot

Tuesday 8th scribal gathering The Crown, Market Square, Stony Stratford MK11 1BE,Doors open 7.30 for 8.00 start ,How: Free entry.With the Autumnal Equinox in our hindsights, and the dark nights drawing close, October brings horse chestnuts, all hallows and an all new Scribal Gathering, with a Rrrants Collective takeover and guest hosts the Antipoet! Sign up on the night for open mic. Speak to Paul Eccentric to get your name on the list.

Following their recent appearances at Glastonbury Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe, the next obvious step is Scribal Gathering and we are delighted to have them running the show for a one-off diversion in to the realm of Rrrants. There will be a special featured showcase with performances from some of the Rrrants Collective’s rising stars, as well as the usual open-ended, open-minded, open-heart rending open mic, welcoming our homegrown performers to share their talent in a bit of a mixed bag with the visiting rabble of rrrantin’ rrreciters. It’s a bit like the open mic version of a friendly away game.

Wed 9th Postcard Poets: Home-made, Home-grown, Room 104c, Library of Birmingham, Centenary Square, Broad Street Birmingham,B1 2DN, @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm Free,

Twenty poets were commissioned to write poems on the theme Home-made, home-grown. Six have been chosen to appear on specially-designed postcards, with thousands of copies in libraries throughout the West Midlands. This year’s chosen poets, Fergus McGonigal, Roz Goddard, Emma Purshouse, Spoz (Giovanni Esposito), Jane Seabourne and Brenda Read-Brown will be appearing at the launch of the Poetry on Loan postcards – and they’ll all be performing their work for you.

Wed 9th Two for Tea, 92 Derby Road, STAPLEFORD, NG9 7AD An evening of poems and stories featuring Dave Wood and Janet Devereux and hopefully you?Those wishing to read/perform are welcome to for approximately 5 minutes. Anything spoken word is fine. A great chance to try out your writing in a fun way.There will be no microphones and all seating will be in the round. Entrance is ‘buy a drink for admission’ arrive 7pm for 7.30pm start

Wed 9th scribble and nibble,16:30 – 18:30, Revive Café at the POD
1A Lamb Street, Coventry, CV1 4AE for poets to write and perform

Wed 9 October 2013 Brendan Hawthorne,
Streetly Library
10.30am-11.30am
Come celebrate National Poetry Day with
popular Performance Poet and Songwriter,
Brendan Hawthorne who will be reciting poetry from
his books, singing and engaging with his audience.
Brendan is also a Poet in Residence at Wightwick
Manor, Wolverhampton and The Crystal Tea Room,
Stourbridge. Signed copies of his books will be
available.
Free Event

Wednesday 9th OctoberPoems and Pints,The Old Wrekin Tap (The Cock Inn, Haygate Rd),7.30pm wellington
Come along with your words or just enjoy the readings, it’s a good laid back evening.with Tony Stringfellow

web:- http://www.tonystringfellow.com

email:- ts@tonystringfellow.com

Thurs 10th Poetry Breakfast,Tea on the Square, 21 Barrow St, Much Wenlock 9am 10am,Jean Atkin will be reading from The Hen Keepers Almanac and other works. £6 to include coffee and croissants. Absolutely the BEST way to start the day!

Thurs 10th ,Worcester SpeakEasy, The Old Rectifying House, North Parade, Worcester WR1 3 NN,

Clear a space on the calendar! Worcester’s brand new spoken word event, Worcester SpeakEasy, opens its doors at The Old Rectifying House, Worcester, at 7.00pm for a 7:30pm start on Thursday, October 10th … and you’re all invited!

The event is brought to you by your very own Worcestershire LitFest & Fringe, via Poet Laureate Emeritus Maggie Doyle and the unforgettable Fergus McGonigal, SpeakEasy’s host and MC.

Worcester SpeakEasy is a monthly event of performance poetry, with some prose thrown in for good measure (and a little music now and then), which will take place on the second Thursday of each month. The event is primarily to promote, showcase and encourage writers from the whole of Worcestershire, but we also welcome those from further afield; there will be an invited headline act each month.

If you want to take part, and we hope that you do, then several open mic slots (of six minutes each) will be available by prior arrangement. All slots for the opening event have been taken – watch this space for a list of performers.

For the 14 November 2013 SpeakEasy, whether you are a seasoned performer or a complete novice, we want to hear from you! If you would like a slot, please contact either Maggie or Fergus at speakeasy.litfest@gmail.com, and we will get back to you within the hour (okay, maybe not that quickly, but you shouldn’t have to wait too long).

To launch our first ever Worcester SpeakEasy we have:

Part One

Introductions from your host Fergus McGonigal, and Martin Driscoll, your Festival Director. Then it’s down to business proper, with:

1. Tim Cranmore, the current Worcestershire Poet Laureate.

2. Maria Chippendale, who will be reading from her latest book, “Skin, Bones & Random Leaps of Faith & Foolishness”, steeped in Spikemilliganesquence and full of sillyillystrations.

3. TBC (there’s always one)

4. Maggie Doyle, Worcestershire’s Poet Laureate Emeritus, and one of the few poets who can truly be said to give Pam Ayres a proper run for her money.

There will be an INTERVAL of approximately twenty minutes, after which:

Part Two

1. Claire Walker, a local poet of great promise who has been published in several distinguished poetry magazines; Claire was also third in this year’s Laureate competition.

2. Tim Cranmore returns!

3. Fergus McGonigal. Multiple slam-winning pink-haired performance poet Fergus headlines our inaugural night.

We’re aiming for a 9.30 pm finish, but please do hang around afterwards and mingle. We look forward to seeing as many of our prose and poetry friends, both old and new, as can possibly make it.

Doors open at 7:00pm for a prompt 7:30pm start

fri 11th Art for Arts sake, zelig, Custard Factory, digbeth,To celebrate her Residency at Arts 4 Art Sake, PhotoGiraffe would like to invite you to a Photography Exhibition Open Night
A Night of Art I Poetry I Music Free Entry with complimentary drinks & refreshments

**** Spots for Poetry & Musical Performances Now Open*****
email: najma_hush@hotmail.com or pop your name down here.

12th OctoberTHE UK ALL STARS POETRY SLAM, Cheltenham.The annual mother of all UK poetry slams, the All Stars Slam, is all set to happen at Cheltenham Literature Festival on Saturday 12th October, 8.15pm, The Salon in Montpellier Gardens, £8. Fifteen brave bards will be champing at the bit to perform championship poetry for a chance to win the ultimate accolade.The winners of all the slams we have hosted in the past year will join qualifying poets from the Slam Qualifier held in the afternoon on the same day, 4pm, The Salon in Montpellier Gardens, £5. To be a member of the applaudience, visit the Cheltenham Literature Festival website for more details or Box Office information. It will be a night to remember. Be sure to book early for the evening event, which has been a sell-out gig in recent years.

Mon 14th Jane Seabourne will be at Northfield Library, Birmingham, with Roz Goddard and Spoz, 11am-12 noon. Free event.

Mon 14th Poetry is Life, The Bowery Sheffield,open Mic, 7.30pm.

Mon 14th Pure and Good and Right, THE WHITE HORSE,4-6 Clarendon Avenue, Leamington Spa, CV32 5PZ 7.30pm: £3 in,Every second Monday of the month (except December) This month we are excited to welcome back the Very Grimm Bros boasting recent appearances alongside the Peatbog Faeries, Attila, John Hegley & Roger McGough.

…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

Tues 15th Simon Fletcher will be MC at the new ‘City Voices’ venue The Lych Gate Tavern, Queen Square, Wolverhampton, 7.30pm. Tickets on door £2.50/ £1 (under 16s). The programme includes Nick Pearson.

Tues 15th Brewers’ Troupe presents:Dialects, Boars Head, Kidderminster,A night for sharing dialects
– the more different ones the merrier!

with Heather Wastie & Brendan Hawthorne

5 minute open mic spots
– an intro to where the dialect is spoken
followed by stories, poems, jokes, songs, in fact anything to celebrate the richness of the English language …. and entertain.

Add your words to the Dialect Wall

Or just …. listen!

The evening includes an extract from Brewers’ Troupe’s show “Black Country Double Spake”

Admission £3 (free to performers)
Open mic slots bookable in advance by email info@brewerstroupe.co.uk or on the night.
Depending on how many sign up, performers may get chance to have a second slot.

Wed 16th Find the Right Words The Cookie Jar,68 High Street, Basement, LE1 5YP Leicester

It’s cold and dark and rubbishly not summer anymore so luckily October’s Find The Right Words will cheer you up with two lovely poets, Roundhouse poet, radio presenter and funny lady, Laurie Bolger and Radio 4 Slam Champion, Ben Mellor.

As always, 10 open mic spots, good beer and good poetry.

£5 on the door

.

Thursday 17 October, Hit The Ode The Victoria, Birmingham 7.30pm,Hit The Ode brings the most exciting poets from the region, the country and the world to the heart of Birmingham. Join us! Featuring: from Birmingham – Hannah Silva, from London – Sabrina Mahfouz, from the USA – Aja Monet

“Three years ago, I was sitting in an empty room at The Victoria, worried sick. I had just set up a new poetry night, and I had promoter’s anxiety. “What if nobody comes?” I kept thinking. Well, people turned up, and saw Ian Keteku, Kim Trusty and Tony Walsh deliver scorching sets at the very first Hit The Ode. Three years on, the night has provided countless wonderful moments of poetry, comedy and community. Join us on Thursday 17 October for our anniversary: we have three incredible poets and some special surprises planned. You do not want to miss this.” Bohdan Piasecki
Friday 18 Oct Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery open mic.7.30pm, free entry

Fri 18th Oct Spoken Worlds , Old Cottage Tavern, Burton DE14 2EG, 7.30pm, free in, open mic with “three halves”.Hosted by Gary Carr, all welcome

Friday, October 18,Seamus Heaney Night at the Spotted dog, Alcester St Digbeth, Birmingham:8:00pm.An evening of poetry, music, song and film/video clips. It is allowed to have the same poem read more than once by different people. You may also read more than one poem if you wish.

The legendary Paul Murphy will be providing music along with a group of traditional musicians.

Confirmed so far

Reader / Love Poems

Rosie Pocklington -Excerpt from Casualty
Matt Fitzpatrick – Docker
Maura Fitzpatrick – Requiem for the Croppies
Louise Palfreyman – Bye-Child
Sarah Bartlett – Beowulf Excerpt
Maura Judges – TBC
James Fair – Digging
Chris Amies – Bone Dreams
Mary Ellen Flynn – Blackberry Picking
Brendan O’Neill – Mid-term Break

Fri 18th Poetry in Performance, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, 6-7pm.Join poets David Morley and Bohdan Piasecki as they discuss how poetry might best be performed. They will be joined by Jonathan Davidson, Producer of BeingHuman Poetry, and one of the performers involved in this show. This will be an interesting opportunity to share ideas and experiences. Poets, performers, theatre-makers, academics and audiences all welcome. No need to book but useful to know numbers.
Fri 18th Open Mic Poetry,Wednesbury Open MicWednesbury Museum and Art Gallery ,7.30 pm, £3, with Den Payne, third friday

Saturday & 19 October, Poets’ Place, Yorks Bakery café, Birmingham 4-6pm,Poets’ Place is an informal gathering of poets set to happen twice a month. It is an opportunity to meet like‐minded people, give and solicit feedback on your poetry, or just sit back and write for a couple of hours without interruption.
Public Address ll brings together a group of five talented spoken word poets from five different regions on a breathless tour of five different venues. Expect a variety of styles, a range of voices, and an evening of brain-teasing entertainment. Featuring Tommy Sissons, Jack Dean, Selina Nwulu, Lorna Meehan and Chris Stewart. Hosted by Rob Casey

Mon 21stThe Word Factory The Case Restaurant, 4-6 Hotel Street, Leicester, LE15AW,2nd Floor Private Room,7 for 7.30-9.30pm .The Word Factory Leicester invites you to
an intimate evening of readings, wine and conversation hosted by Cathy Galvin and Lindsay Waller-Wilkinson.get close to your favourite authors as they read their stories:

Jacob Ross

Jonathan Taylor

Rod Duncan

Alison Moore

The Case – central Leicester’s loveliest space

has table seating and full bar facilities.

Ticket price: £10.00

Please Pre-Book your ticket with Eventbrite–click on the Featured Events Button

Payment will be taken on the door (cash only)

Please contact: Lindsay Waller-Wilkinson with any queries

lindsaywallerwilkinson@gmail.com

Scroll down for full profiles on each of our magnificent inaugural quadrilogy:

Jacob Ross:
Jacob Ross
Jacob Ross is the author of two short story collections, Song for Simone, and A Way to Catch the Dust. His novel, Pynter Bender, was short-listed for the Commonwealth Writer’s Prize (2009), Society of Authors ‘Best first Novel’ and ‘Caribbean Review of Books ‘Book of the Year.’ He is Associate Editor for Fiction at Peepal Tree Press and SABLE Literary Magazine and a reader/tutor for The Literary Consultancy. He has Judged the Scott Moncrieff Translation, the VS Pritchett and Tom Gallon prizes. An established tutor of Narrative Craft, he runs writing masterclasses in the UK and abroad. He co-edited Voice, Memory, Ashes; Riding and Rising, andTurf and co-authored with Kwesi Owusu, Behind the Masquerade: The Story of Notting Hill Carnival. In 2006 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. In 2011, he received Grenada’s highest award for his contribution to literature.

Three Books That Have Inspired Me:
1.Texaco by Patrick Chamoiseau.
Probably one of the most innovative novels to arrive on the French scene since Céline. A wonderfully sensuous depiction of French Antilleans in particular and humanity at large.
2.Jazz by Toni Morrison.
The second in Morrison’s Trilogy set in 1920s Harlem. Formally daring and profound.
3.Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck.
‘I’ve done my damndest to rip a reader’s nerves to rags,’ said Steinbeck. It took courage and conviction to write this book in 1930s America.

Three Books I Have Enjoyed Reading Recently:
1.Legend of a Suicide by David Vann.
Interconnected stories: beautifully written, highly textured and heartfelt. The story, Sukkwan Island shocks.
2.Seduce by Desiree Reynolds.
A dead prostitute looks on at her own funeral and comments on the ‘mourners’.
In the vein of Marlon James’, The Book of Night Women and Zora Neal Hurston’s, Their Eyes were Watching God. Beautiful, transgressive and just as powerful.
3.The Testament of Mary by Colm Tóibín.
The (silenced) mother of Christ tells her story

Jonathan Taylor:

Jonathan Taylor is a fiction-writer, memoirist, poet, critic, editor and lecturer. He is author of the novel Entertaining Strangers (Salt, 2012), which was shortlisted for the East Midlands Book Award, and the memoir Take Me Home: Parkinson’s, My Father, Myself (Granta Books, 2007). His poetry collection isMusicolepsy (Shoestring, 2013), his short-story collection Kontakte and Other Stories (Roman Books, 2013). He is editor of the anthology Overheard: Stories to Read Aloud (Salt, 2012), winner of the Saboteur Award for Best Fiction Anthology. He is Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at De Montfort University in Leicester, and co-director of arts organisation and small publisher Crystal Clear Creators. Originally from Stoke-on-Trent, he now lives in Leicestershire with his wife, the poet Maria Taylor, and their twin daughters, Rosalind and Miranda.

Three Books That Have Inspired Me:
1.Blake Morrison, As If.
The words ‘brave’ and ‘important’ are awfully over-used in the literary world, but how else to describe Blake’s book about the Bolger case and our culture’s treatment of children? ‘To understand is to forgive’ is the ‘brave’ and ‘important’ message here.
2.Thomas Mann, Death in Venice.
Some stories are so powerful – without being too Jungian about it, so archetypal – that, retrospectively, they seem like a kind of fable for their culture. Very few ‘fables’ haunt me, and, indeed, my writing like Mann’s – I sometimes find its fossil outline hidden in a story even after I’ve finished writing it.
3.Charles Dickens, Dombey and Son.
What can I say? This is what novels should be: not ‘well-crafted’ or ‘polished’ or ‘unified,’ but crazy, grotesque, funny, horrific, poetic, comic, tragic, bathetic, silly, sublime ….

Three Books I Have Enjoyed Reading Recently:
1.Louis De Bernières, Red Dog and Notwithstanding.
These are beautifully written stories which are, well, just fun to read. It’s easy for writers of so-called ‘literary fiction’ (and I dislike the term and categorisation) to forget that a writer’s job is, first and foremost, to entertain – and that’s exactly what these stories do.
2.Jenn Ashworth, The Friday Gospels.
Which is wonderful for all the reasons and more I gave in my original review of the novel.
3.Oliver Sacks, Musicophilia.
Sacks’s work is unfailingly remarkable, shocking, bizarre, and I’ve been deeply affected by it, on a personal as well as a literary level. If fiction writers are (by definition) people who are fascinated by ‘characters,’ this fascination can no longer be just a matter of psychology, but, in the twenty-first century, neurology as well. Writers, that is, need to engage with both the psychological and neurological bases of character.

Rod Duncan:

Rod Duncan writes prose and screenplays. His first novel, Backlash, was shortlisted for the CWA John Creasy Dagger in 2003. Breakbeat (2004) and Burnout (2005) completed the trilogy. The Mentalist was published in 2007. His work has been described as showing that “…modern British crime fiction is alive and kicking over the traces.”

Three Books That Have Inspired Me:
1.Titus Groan – Mervyn Peake
Sumptuous prose and dark humour pull me back repeatedly to this grotesque fantasy.
2.Polar Star – Martin Cruz Smith
A haunting setting and a fascinating protagonist carried along by the geopolitical flood tide. I have yet to read a better crime novel.
3.Under Milk Wood – Dylan Thomas
Reading this aloud, I can hear the rhythms of speech from my childhood on the Welsh coast. It always makes me smile.

Alison Moore:

Alison Moore is a novelist and short-story writer. Her first novel, The Lighthouse, was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2012 and in the New Writer of the Year category of the National Book Awards 2012 before going on to win the McKitterick Prize 2013. Her debut collection, The Pre-War House and Other Stories, was nominated for the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award 2013. She is an honorary lecturer in the School of English at Nottingham University.

A few recent favourites:
•Flannery O’Conner – Complete Stories
•Tony Parker – Lighthouse
•Kurt Vonnegut – Letters

Alison is currently reading:
•Lionel Shriver – Big Brother

So as you see, we have an amazing line up for our first event and we do hope you can join us. Take in the pigeon’s eye view of St Martins, enjoy a glass of wine or a cup of tea, chat to our writers and other like minded peeps and we’ll all have a very jolly evening. As much as anything in this life can be guaranteed, this is a cert…

Wed 23rd Purple Penumbra,Old rep, Oldbury:7.30pm No it isn’t a mistake!
Purple Penumbra will be on Wednesday this month. That way it won’t clash with several Tuesday events but will give you something good to do while awaiting the next weekend.
Do come.
Give voice to your writings or bring friends and family just to enjoy another splendid relaxing evening of spoken word with a bit of music.
Last chance before British Summer Time ends!
63 days to Christmas.
______________________________________________
October 23 in1707 was the very first British Parliament,
in 1958 was the first appearance of the Smurfs in ‘La flute à six schtroumpfs’, and one year ago the last ever teletext ended.

Also on October 23 was born:
Anita Roddick, Pele, Diana Fluck, and Gummo Marx.
That should give some inspiration to the writers, and if you don’t know who the last two are, come along and find out.

Saturday 26 Public Address 11 Mac Birmingham , 7.30pmPublic Address ll brings together a group of five talented spoken word poets from five different regions on a breathless tour of five different venues. Expect a variety of styles, a range of voices, and an evening of brain-teasing entertainment. Featuring Tommy Sissons, Jack Dean, Selina Nwulu, Lorna Meehan and Chris Stewart. Hosted by Rob Casey

Saturday 26Double takes, Oswestry Library, 2pm,£3 in,John Gareth Owen and Liz Lefroy will be performing their work in a complementary way … it’s fun, it’s £3, it’s in aid of libraries, it’s accessible, it’s a Saturday.

Sun 27th Oct Sunday Xpress Fourth Sunday Doors 1500, Start 16:30 Adam & Eve Bradford Street, Birmingham B12 0JD Open mic
jameskennedycentral@yahoo.co.uk

Sun 27th Oct Unislam ,Elgar Concert Hall, University of Birmingham ,4.30pm (semi-finals), 7pm (grand final) As part of Book To The Future, the University of Birmingham’s first ever literary festival, Writers’ Bloc is proud to present UniSlam!, the UK’s first ever national inter-university poetry slam championships. Watch the best student poets, including a team from UoB, battle it out for the title of UniSlam! Champions, judged by Luke Kennard, Helen Monks, Martin Glynn and Matt Windle, and hosted by Bohdan Piasecki. It’s going to be big. And poetic. And big. And it’s free!

Monday 28 Helen Mort, Wirksworth Library at 7pm as part of the Derwent Valley Mills Discovery Days Festival.

Helen Mort is the new Derbyshire Poet Laureate.She is the fifth Derbyshire Poet Laureate and her two year term is until September 2015.

The laureate project was developed by us to celebrate Derbyshire places, people and traditions through poetry.

It also aims to encourage people to read and have a go at writing their own poetry.

Helen was born in Sheffield in 1985, and grew up in Chesterfield.

She has an impressive track record in the world of poetry having been the five-times winner of the Foyle Young Poets Award for a start.

She received an Eric Gregory Award in 2007 – an accolade given to poets under the age of 30 in memory of a man who wanted to encourage young poets.

The following year she won the Manchester Young Writer Prize.

During 2010, she was Poet in Residence at the Wordsworth Trust at Grasmere in the Lake District but she is now living in Derbyshire again.

Her latest collection ‘Division Street’ has just been published by Chatto and Windus and is a Poetry Book Society Recommendation.

Councillor Ellie Wilcox, our Deputy Cabinet Member for Health and Communities, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Helen as the new Derbyshire Poet Laureate.

Her work with us will celebrate all that our vibrant and diverse county of Derbyshire has to offer and attract interest from far and wide.

I hope it will also spark more interest in the wonderful opportunities that reading and writing offer to us all.”

Tues 29th Word WizardsNew venue* Buckingham Hotel, opp the Pavillion Gdns , Buxton last Tuesday Monthly 19.30. Open mic three minute slam format More info Poetryslamuk@aol.com 01298 77362/ 0781 3289358

Tuesday 29 Oct Poetry Wednesbury with Brendan Hawthorne.

Wed 30th The Poetry Train* New Venue* the Lych Gate Tavern, 44 Queens Square Wolverhamtpton, it’s down the walkway by Barclays bank the leads to the Civic Centre. We will be starting there on Wednesday 30th January 2013 at 8pm, upstairs in their function room….It’s a great little pub last Wednesday ts@tonystringfellow.com

Wed 30th 42 at Drummonds, Worcester:Gothic, Horror, Sci-fi & Fantasy event “42 Worcester” last Wednesday of the month at Drummonds, Worcester 7pm for a 7:30pm start. MC Andrew Owens. PM Andrew if you want a performance slot via this event page.

Confirmed performers include:

Suz Winspear
Andrew Owens
Holly Magill
James Walpole
Andy Kirk
Catherine Gardner
Sally-Anne Grainger
Jd Grant
Ian Ward

———————————————————————————————

Friday 1st November. 5th Malvern Slam plus Atilla the Stockbroker is to be
This years slam will again be a 2 round affair followed by a set from Attila.

Wed 6th NovWell versed, The Muffin Man, Cheltenham, 7pm free in with Angela France

Sat 9th Nov Poetry Festival ,Central Library, Coventry, all day,On 9th November this year Central library will be hosting a poetry festival which will be run by a local poet Jana Greasley.

Fri 15th Nov Spoken Worlds , Old Cottage Tavern, Burton DE14 2EG, 7.30pm, free in, open mic with “three halves”.Hosted by Gary Carr, all welcome

Tue 26thPoetry Bites ,Kitchen garden cafe kings heath 7.30pm (Doors 6.30)

“One of the top 10 venues for poetry in the UK” (Susan Richardson, Radio 4). Poetry Bites also includes floor spots – arrive early to book a spot. Tickets on door or by email from jacquirowe@hotmail.co.uk (07971 018 825). Food Served from 6.30, Readings start at 7.30.

Tickets: £5 (£4 Conc.) on DoorFood served from 6:30pm, Readings start at 7:30pm

September is traditionally a strong month for poetry events, 2013 upholds that tradition. Shindig in Leicester, and Poetry Bites in Kings Heath, both bi-monthly events meet, and I am performing in Shrewsbury at the Coffee House with Julie Boden as well as putting in a performance at the Stafford Arts Festival. Amy Rainbow has Ash Dickinson at Malvern for Confab cabaret and Sarah James launches her new book in Droitwich- what a month!

Friday 4th October – Swindon Festival of Poetry 2013, The Platform, Swindon –7.30, Jo Corcoran

Festivals

Wirksworth Arts Festival 6th -22nd Sept
http://www.wirksworthfestival.co.uk/

Sept Birmingham Artsfest

http://www.artsfest.org.uk/

Sat 7th Sept Stafford Arts Fest
http://stafford-towncentre.co.uk/stafford-arts-festival.htm

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Day by day

Sun 1st Sunday Xpress Fourth Sunday Doors 1500, Start 16:30 Adam & Eve Bradford Street, Birmingham B12 0JD Open mic with special guest performance by Al Hutchins’ The Courtesy Group and (tbc) Louis Campbell’s Citizen X
jameskennedycentral@yahoo.co.uk

Sun 1st Spoken Word Sundays,Cast Bar, Nottingham Playhouse, Wellington Circus, Nottingham NG1 5AF, Tickets: FREE, 5pm

Following the recent success of ‘Say Sum Thin 5 with Lemn Sissay’, we present ‘Spoken Word Sunday with The Mouthy Poets’ a brand new, vibrant, monthly night coming to the heart of Nottingham, where members of the popular Mouthy Poets collective share a part of themselves with words and rhymes.

Come along and see them be a bit ‘Mouthy’ on the first Sunday of every month at CAST Bar and Restaurant (next to Nottingham Playhouse) from 5pm-7pm with the first launch on Sunday 7th July. Come along and enjoy poetry for FREE!!!

Hosted by… (The ever fabulous) Anne Holloway. With Mouthy Poets

Matt Miller:
Matt Miller has been performing poetry and facilitating workshops in Nottingham since October 2011. He has also performed in Newcastle and at the Olympic Park. He is studying Creative and Professional Writing at the University of Nottingham and is into green pesto in a kinda big way.

Jeren Artykova:
Jeren is a student during the week, and an old person on weekends. First performance poetry piece was performed June 2012, and Jeren has been in Mouthy ever since. Girl with many names and cultures, fluent in English, awkward with Russian, learning Korean

Raphael Blake:
Raphael is a Londoner who found the big city enticed him to be seduced by music, leading him astray in a controversial love affair to cheat on his first love, poetry, so it’s not until he came to Nottingham was he able to fall back in love with poetry. He has been faithful ever since.

Joshua Judson:
A former student at Bilborough College, Josh is embarking on a gap year in which he plans to pursue his artistic endeavours on stage, on page and in grimy dive bars with his punk band, Carcass Fit For Hounds

Ioney Smallhorne:
Using the natural world as a voice to confront her dark experiences Ioney is a brave new writer, who is also motivated by the racial stereotypes of black woman, Jamaican culture, African and Caribbean history. Story-telling is an imperative thread interwoven into her poetry and docu-films.

Jim Hall:
Mid- twenties writer, performer and workshopper. Lover of Derby, unique voices and Max Paprika crisps. Thinks he talks more than he says. Writing helps with his. Known to cry at sweeping pop songs and his mother’s kitchen waltz. Dances like his dad. Yes THAT perfect!

Sun 1st Buzzwords, Exmouth Arms,Bath Road Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 7LX, 7pm Workshop, open mic plus Penelope Shuttle

Tues 3rd Word ,Y Theatre, East Street, Leicester LE1 6EY, just opposite Leicester Train Station7pm performers, 8pm, Audience, Open mic plus headliner. £6in
WORD! is the longest running poetry and spoken word night in Leicester. Based at The Y Theatre, Leicester, it takes place on the first Tuesday of every month, between 8.00 and 10.30pm. The evening is composed of an open mic, followed by a booked act. Come to WORD! in September when we’ve got fabulous poet Cherry Smyth as our guest.Cherry Smyth is a poet, novelist, critic and curator, born in Ireland, based in London.Her debut novel Hold Still will be published by Holland Park Press in October 2013. She is currently co-curating Limber: Spatial Painting Practices at the Herbert Read Gallery, Canterbury, September 13th-October 12th. Test, Orange, 2012, her latest poetry collection is available from Pindrop Press. Her previous collection One Wanted Thing is available from Lagan Press.

Cherry writes regularly for Art Monthly, Modern Painters and Art Review. She was a curatorial adviser for Axis online showcase, Open Frequency in 2006. She was guest editor of Magma Poetry Magazine, 2012, and was poetry editor of Brand Literary Magazine, 2006-2011.

Cherry has been teaching writing poetry in the Creative Writing Department of the University of Greenwich since 2004.

As usual we we’llhave a whole lot of talented open-micers-come along at 7pm to sign up with our compere – as well as filming from our resident film-maker, Keith Allott and music from The Y.

£4/£3 on the door

Tues 3rd Night Blue Fruit, Playwrights Cafe Bar & Bistro 4/6 Hay lane, Cathedral Quarter, CV1 5RF, free in, 7.30pm-10pm,Open mic, sign up on the night.

Tues 3rdStories, songs and samosas SNM Centre Gt Western St , Wednesbury, 7.30, first Tuesday bi monthly

Poet and songwriter Brendan Hawthorne has teamed up with fellow poet Surjit Dharmi to host a bi-monthly event at the Nirankari Bhavan in Wednesbury. Stories, Songs and Samosas (Celebrating oneness together through poetic words and music) invites performers and audiences to share in the written and spoken word that reflect our culture and diversity today.
Surjit Dhami said: “This is a great opportunity to celebrate diversity. It’s also a chance to invite the world to share in its stories under one roof.” Brendan Hawthorne added: “By sharing our stories I believe we can build bridges of respect.”We are looking for traditional songs and stories from all cultures as well as newly written ones that record today’s feelings to be performed.”We also need an audience so why not come along and share in this celebration of life!”
Dates for 2013 events at the Nirankari Bhavan in Potters Lane, Wednesbury, are as follows and will take place between from 7.30 – 9.30pm:
7 May
2 July
3 September
5 November

All are welcome. The events are free of charge with light refreshments being available on the night.

Wed 4th Poetic Essence Talk Bar, Priory Queensway, Birmingham City Centre, 7.30pm 1st Wed (Opening 3/7/13)
Poetic Essence home to all spoken word artists, musicians and singers to express themselves freely to a diverse crowd jam packed with networking opportunities and a platform to success!!!

Ready for a different kind of night out in Birmingham? Held at the newly refurbished ‘Talk” bar every 1st Wednesday.

This night promises to speak to your inner soul and whisper to your heart featuring Special Guests Performances, Poetry, Eccentric/Jazz Music and Spoken Word.

Want to show off your talent for music or poetry, then sign up for our ‘Lucky 7′ Competition (Free house drink to anyone who signs up)

There will also be a chance to network (Meet and Greet session) at the beginning of the night so mark your calender, bring a date or ride solo, whatever you choose to do be ready to “Reveal Your Soul”

*like the page to stay update on featured acts*

https://www.facebook.com/poeticbham

Wed 4th SeptOpen Resistance The Vault, Church St, Rugby, CV21 3 PT, 7.30pm, £3 in, Words, music and film shorts, first Weds,facebook- Open resistance,
opneresistance@hotmail.co.uk

Wed 4thWell versed, The Muffin Man, Cheltenham, 7pm free in with Jacqui Rowe, Cliff Yates, Hilda Sheehan, Hilda McCausland,Dan Cooper

Wed 4th Spire Writes , White Swan , 16 St Mary’s Gate Chesterfield,7.45, Free in:
Our special guest for September is the brilliant Brendan Cleary. Originally from Northern Ireland, Brendan launched his poetic career as editor of The Echo Room and went on to publish Tears in the Burger Store (1985), White Bread and ITV (1990), The Irish Card (1993), Stranger in the House (2001), Jackson (2004) and ‘some turbulant weather’ (2008). Tall Lighthouse recently published Brendan’s ‘goin’ down slow: selected poems 1985-2010′. As usual, there’ll be open mic slots available for anyone who wants to read and plenty of real ale on tap downstairs at the bar.

All welcome.

Thurs 5thGood Impressions Spoken Word open Mic, Cafe Impression, Atkins Building, Hinckley, LE10 1QU,7.30pm £5in Hosted by Tom Phillips,

Thurs 5thBlackdrop,Canalhouse bar, Canal Street, Nottm , First Thursday 8-10pm £3 @ NAE,with Mother Hubbard…. And of course YOU in the open mic if you want to brave the final stage at NAE.ALL WELCOME OVER 16. Further info 07977 804 858.

Thurs 5th Coffeehouse Poetry Open Mic, Shrewsbury Coffee House , Castle Gate, Shrewsbury with Liz lefroy, 7.30pm, free in. Special guests Julie Boden and Gary Longden.

Thurs 5th Parole Parlate, The Old Rectifying House, North Parade, Worcester.

The long hot summer is drawing to a close, the kids are going back to school, the nights are drawing in, there is a nip in the air and “Parole Parlate : The Spoken Word” is back on Thursday 5th September 2013 at The Old Rectifying House, North Parade, Worcester.

Parole Parlate is a dedicated spoken word and “music that tells a story” platform. If you would like the chance to read your short stories, poems, prose, try out your performance poetry or music that tells a story, this evening is for you!

Confirmed performers so far include:

Mike Alma
Suz Winspear
Human Voice
Kathy Gee
Liz Hayden-Jones
Shabraz Ahmed
Christopher Kingsley
Sylvia Herbert
Maria Chippendale
Timothy Stavert

Headlining this event is the lovely Al Barz, who will be treating us to some of his poetic talents with his keyboard.

ENTRY FEE AND HOW TO PAY

The entry fee for this event is £3.00; payable on the door on the door on the night of the event.

FUTURE PP EVENTS – TAKING PART AND PERFORMING

If would like a slot to perform at this or a future event please let us know by sending a Facebook message to the Event Organiser Lisa Ventura, leaving a post on the wall of this event or visit http://www.facebook.com/paroleparlate and leave a post on the wall.

Performers get free entry for taking part.

ADVANCE INFORMATION

“Parole Parlate : The Spoken Word” is on the first Thursday of every month, so advance dates for your diary will be:

Thursday 3rd October 2013
Thursday 7th November 2013
Thursday 5th December 2013

Look forward to seeing you all at the event!

Sat 7th The FIZZ Poetry and Spoken Word at Stafford Arts Festival.Stafford Gatehouse Theatre/10am – 4pm Poetry

10 am – 12 Noon – Poetry Readings
1pm – 2pm – Poetry readings from candidates for the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Young Poet Laureate
2pm – 3.30pm – Poetry Readings
3:30pm Reading of the Poem for Stafford by Mal Dewhirst
3:40pm Announcement of the Young Poet Laureate
4:00pm Close.

Saturday 7, 11:00am until 10:00pm.Farm on the Hill, Manor House Farm, Prestwood, nr Alton, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, ST14 5DD (about 15 mins from Ashbourne in Derbyshire).

Organised in conjunction with Farm on the Hill, (www.farmonthehill.co.uk), the event consists of a day and an evening of storytelling workshops and performances, hosted in and around a beautiful new bell tent, sited in the heart of the stunning environment of their Staffordshire woodland copse and wildflower meadow.

Included in the event is:

– two performance storytelling workshops;
– a special late afternoon tea and tales event;
– full access to the wildflower meadow with nearby walks and Farm on the Hill artist gallery;
– evening candle-lit performance event;
– optional camping Saturday night.

The site is fabulous – small and cosy, quiet and beautiful, and will be decked out with fairy lights to create a truly magical evening storytelling environment.

The workshops are designed to further explore and develop the performance skills of storytellers with some previous experience. So knowledge of basic techniques will be assumed. Other than that, the day is suitable for those experienced to a lesser or greater degree, seeking to explore further as well as devote a full day in the company of other storytellers. The workshops are facilitated by Sophie Snell (www.sophiesnell.co.uk). Content will be geared towards the experience level of those attending, and specifically planned around deepening and exploring aspects of performance technique – expression, language, voice, movement, connecting with the audience, building confidence and engagement both with the story and those listening.

The day is also planned specifically to allow each participant (supported by the group) to work up to a public performance of a story, either as part of the Tea & Tales segment later in the day, or the final evening performance.

So this is an opportunity to try out new material and techniques, to meet and share experience with other storytellers, and to stretch your wings a little in a small, friendly and supportive environment.

Note – the evening event is open to the public, so you can just come to that if you wish!

Partners and friends are very welcome, and we have a special day “visitor” rate for anyone coming along but not doing the workshops.

Timetable:
10 -11am – arrival (if pitching up a tent, early arrival by arrangement)
11 – 1pm – Workshop part 1
1 – 2pm – lunch (bring and share)
2 – 4pm – Workshop part 2
4 – 6pm – afternoon Tea & Tales at neighbouring Manor House Farm tea barn
6 – 7.30pm – free time, pitch up, eat, explore wildflower meadow etc
7.30pm – 10pm – evening storytelling performance, with stories from workshop attendees and invited guest “spots”, MC’d by Sophie Snell.

The Afternoon Tea segment is an easy short (5 mins) walk down hill into the village to the Farm on the Hill, set in a gorgeous “rustic chic” barn. It includes a pot of tea or homemade lemonade / soft drink, served with choice of homemade scones (rhubarb, fruit or whatever is fresh) with jam / cream, and fairy cakes – delicious! The farm also has a delightful artist’s gallery you can browse.

Cost – For the full workshop event £45, including evening performance and afternoon tea. An additional £5 per person for those choosing to camp Saturday night.
If you are bringing a partner or friend, that is fine, they will be most welcome. There’s lots to do locally, the farm to visit, lovely walks, bike hire and a wonderful artists gallery. And they are very welcome to hang out at the site and join us for the Afternoon Tea & Tales segment. The daytime charge for day non-workshop’ees is £13, which includes camping fee, Afternoon Tea & Tales, and Evening Performance ticket. Daytime visitors must come with a workshop attendee, however.

The evening event is open to all, tickets £4 (free to workshop attendees). BYOB

Bookings – contact Sophie Snell via Facebook or email robandsophie@hotmail.com or Tel 01332 840007. Places for the workshop are strictly limited so must be booked in advance. Likewise if you wish to camp.

This should be a really magical event, small and friendly, in a beautiful environment with a chance to immerse yourself in storytelling for a day, amongst friends.

Some feedback from previous workshop attendees:

“Very helpful, learned loads of new things, lots of tips, tried new things – very supportive and fun.”

“I loved the skilful way you teased “the storyteller within” out to be released on the Great British Public!”

“The day was very helpful, letting me look at the story more dynamically rather than getting locked into one set way of telling it.”

“Each session …. enlightened me, challenged me, encouraged me… The ideal setting and atmosphere for a workshop… I’d like to thank you for being a lovely hostess…”

“Feeling on top of the world after a day’s advanced storytelling with Sophie Snell!”

Mon 9th Pure and Good and Right with Sean Kelly, The Warwick Arms ( formerly the Sozzled sausage),144 Regent St Leamington Spa, CV 32 4NX; 7.30pm: £3 in,Every second Monday of the month (except December) This month we are excited to welcome back the one and only… Sean Kelly
Since founding PGR in 2006 and running away to the North East in 2008, Sean has continued to assume an air of maturity in the real world, whilst releasing his pent-up inner child on the poetry stage. He recently won a Love vs Lust Slam in Newcastle, despite turning up with a fistful of poems he thought were about Love, and being asked to switch to the topic of Lust at the last minute.Sean has promised to bring one serious poem, though he hasn’t promised to read it…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

Mon 9th Pub Poetry Nottingham The Canal house, 48-52 Canal Street, Nottingham, NG1 7EH,8pm, 2nd monday : Free in, Open micContact Nick on pubpoetry@nottscomedyfestival.co.uk

Mon 9th Open Mic, the Bowery, Devonshire St Sheffield, 7.30pm, free in, with William Blake.

Tues 10th City Voices City Bar King Street, Wolverhampton WV 1ST Second Tuesday 19:30, booked poets simon.fletcher@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Wed 11thSpam at Bad Edit,Bad Edit Venue, The Old Post Office 12 Wedgewood St, Stoke on Trent, ST 6 4JH ,Open mic with Tracey Henham, 2nd Wed

Tues 10th Scribal Gathering The Crown Stony Stratford:7.30pm,

Tues 10th Mouth & Music 6,Boars Head Gallery, Kidderminster 8pm, £3 in:The 6th in our monthly series of totally & utterly acoustic spoken word & music nights! Presented by Heather Wastie & Sarah Tamar for kaf creatives

Still reeling from a spectacularly successful Festival special, Mouth and Music opens its doors again to poets, storytellers and musicians for an evening of spoken word and music.

This month’s featured poet is CATHERINE CROSSWELL, whose quirky performances have been described as “delicious and delicate…..feisty and fun”.

Featured singer/songwriter BRETT HUCKFIELD is promoting his album, “City Blue” which is packed with beautiful melodies and soulful songs.

There is a theme running through the evening … can you spot WhAt iT is? ER where was I …. ah yes …

After ripping the opposite sex to shreds in the GLOVES OFF! boxing ring, Sarah Tamar promises to be a kind MC.

Sign up on the night for a 5 minute spot (spoken word) or 2 songs. Do get there early to be sure of a slot.

Mouth and Music is the second Tuesday of every month presented by KAF Creatives.

Tues 10th Tales at the Edge, White Lion Inn, Bridgnorth, Shropshire,Tales at the Edge is one of the country’s oldest and most established storytelling clubs, meeting in Bridgenorth on the 2nd Tuesday of every month (except August) at 8 pm.

Tues 10th Scribal Gathering,The Crown, Market Square Stony Stratford MK11 1BE, 8pm, free in

Now summer is just a fading dream, Scribal Gathering returns to take you back to school – welcoming in the new term with a host of poor excuses, lost PE kits and shattered visions of a failing future.

It has been an exciting summer season, with Scribal Gathering hosting open mic music and poetry events as part of the Waterside Festival, the World Picnic, The Bardic picnic and MK Calling. We have revelled in Halcyon days of careless creativity, casual hedonism and kipping in mud. But aren’t we all glad that the holidays are over and we can return to the crushing, soul-destroying drudge of our normal lives for a bit of a rest?

And what better way to count down the days to next summer than with a fantastic evening of the finest music and spoken word talent available? Scribal Gathering returns to bring you the best entertainment of a Tuesday evening now that sex-shop planning applications have been declined by the council. We have the usual open mic, welcoming performers of all kinds to share whatever they choose to bring and invoke the spirit of gathering, along with a special featured performance from our headline act Tina Sederholm, organiser and host of the Oxford Hammer and Tongue poetry slam! Open mic slots are available to all. Join us… Second Tuesday of every month.

Wed 11th Flying Donkeys, Voicebox, Forman St Derby:8pm:storytelling.
Tickets on the door or phone Sophie on 01332 840007 or email robandsophie@hotmail.com..

Wed 11 th The Quad Derby QUAD, Market Place, Cathedral Quarter, Derby, DE1 3AS Second Wednesday 19.30 Free in, A monthly night of performed poetry for everyone, new performers always welcome or just come and listen, More details from QUAD or contact Les on T: 01332 206 734, http://www.derbyquad.co.uk

Thurs 12 Heln Mort launches her new collection Divison St at the University Arms 197 Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HG, 7.30pm, free in.

Thurs 12thPoetry Breakfast, Tea on the Square, Much Wenlock, Shropshire.Cost is £6 to include coffee and croissants. Every second Thursday (except August) at 9am at We read published poetry on a different theme each month and have occasional guest readers (Chris Kinsey in July, Jean Atkin next month, October)

Fri 13th Wednsesbury Art Gallery, Open mic, 7.30pm: Free in

Sat 14th Notes From the Underground, Hollybush PH, Newtown lane, Cradley Heath, 8pm Start, Free in, Poetry and music Open Mic with Jack Edwards

Saturday, 14, Park’s Café, 4 Victoria Square, Droitwich, WR9 8DS,7:00pm until 9:00pm.Be[yond] Launch

Sarah will be launching Be[yond] (Knives, Forks and Spoons Press) at Park’s Café, Droitwich, on Saturday, September 14, as part of this year’s SaltFest celebrations.

The evening, from 7pm – 9pm, will feature an hour of poetry, including readings from Sarah, as well as short slots from guest poets:Claire Walker, Andrew Smardon, Heather Wastie, Maggie Doyle, Polly Robinson, Jenny Hope and Gary Longden. *

The event is free and open to the public as well as invited guests. Park’s will be open for food as well as drink. But for those who’d like to make more of a social night of it, the plan is to go on for a curry at the Dilshad, Droitwich, afterwards. (Numbers for this by August 31, please, as I think we’ll need to book. More info on the menu etc in a status/photos on this page.)

* About Beyond and the launch guests:

Sarah’s second full-length poetry collection Be[yond] is published by Knives, Forks and Spoons Press, July 2013.

Love & lust, betrayal & endurance, disturbance & peace, life & loss, nature & modern society, language & what lies in the shadows between lines delight and tantalise in Sarah’s latest work.

Following on from her prize-winning first collection, Be[yond] combines Sarah’s characteristic crafting and eye for detail, imagery and metaphor with a new, more probing, approach to language and poetics.

The three sections of this collection – Against Air and Water, Through the Ether and From Earth and Fire – guide readers past the beaches of Birmingham, through meditations on water, a dreamworld strangeness, mezzanine memories of France, de-familiarised cityscapes and gorse wildlands to the edges of everyday life, love and language.

In the words of other poets:

“Moving on from her very successful first collection, Sarah James shows that she is not afraid to take risks. Experimenting almost scientifically with form and language, ‘Be [yond] ‘ is innovative and adventurous and at the same time accessible and enjoyable.” – Jacqui Rowe

“An inventive voice emerging out of the entwined interstices of the domestic and the relational: precisely observed, embodied, thick with language.” – Scott Thurston
“Sarah James’s background in Linguistics makes for exceptional poetry. The rhythm is beautifully handled at a phonological level, and the imagery is striking. Here, though, the imagery is not just an adornment, it is drawn from various semiotic systems to convey hidden meaning, as if each poem were a text version on Sir Thomas Tresham’s Triangular Lodge.” – Alec Newman, Knives, Forks and Spoons Press editor

Claire Walker’s work has appeared in print and online publications including Ink Sweat and Tears, Hearing Voices, Be: Magazine, PIYE and the poetry trail at Avoncroft Museum.
Andrew Smardon is a talented, published Oxfordshire poet.

Heather Wastie is a multi-talented poet and musician based in Kidderminster. She is Writer in Residence at the Museum of Carpet and her work is witty, often funny and poignant.

Maggie Doyle was Worcestershire Poet Laureate 2012-2013. She is on the Worcestershire Literary Festival committee and is the festival’s Poet Emeritus.

Polly Robinson published her own collection of poetry last year. She has also been published in various anthologies and magazines in print and online.
Jenny Hope is a woman with a tree-thing. Her poetry collection Petrolhead was published by Oversteps Books in 2010 and she is involved in a range of poetry projects and workshop facilitating.

Sun 15th Open mic sundays, La Reference Bar,160 Hockley hill, Birmingham B18 5AN: 5pm till late.07445231492 free in Get in touch before it’s too late!

strong>Sun 15th Poems and Pints The Swan Inn,18 Stafford Street Town Centre, Stone ST15 8QW, 4-6pm, Third Sunday

Mon 16th Shindig, Western PH, Leicester:7.30pm, free in:Crystal Clear Creators and Nine Arches Press present Shindig! Open-Mic Poetry Evening: Free and Open to All.
Sign up for open-mic slots on the door.
Email Jonathan Taylor (crystalclearjt@hotmail.co.uk) for further details.

Wed 18th Templar Poetry, Lamb & Flag, The Tything, Worcester, 8pm; Open mic, third Wednesday, Alex officiates contact:Alex McMillen, Alex McMillen,Templar Poetry, PO BOX 7082, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 9AF,Tel: 01629 582500, Mobile: 07918166975
info@templarpoetry.co.uk

Wed 18th Storytlling Cafe, Kitchen Garden Cafe, Kings heath, 7,30pm £5in, reyurn to Lyonesse with Mike O Connor and Barbera Griggs

Thurs 19th Birmingham Poetry Festival

Thursday, 19th Edward Boden Thomas’s Garden Poems at 7.30 p.m. at the Eco Centre, Wirksworth, Simon Hobbs will give a talk on Edward Boden Thomas’s Garden Poems.It’s free and is a Wirksworth Festival fringe event. Simon Hobbs is the author of the Reflections magazine article given out at the December stanza meeting.
Edward Boden Thomas is the poet who wrote The Twelve Parts of Derbyshire .

Thurs 19th Hit the Ode,The Victoria, 48 John Bright St, Birmingham B1 1BN
Tickets: £5

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 archeologists; poems seen racing down the ringroad on big wheel tricycles. Good poems. Come and get them.

A very few open mic slots will be available on the door (the pre-bookable slots have all been claimed). For more info, contact bohdan@applesandsnakes.org.

Info: http://www.thevictoriabirmingham.co.uk / Facebook
Booking: on the door

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.

Fri 20th Spoken Worlds 19:30 The Old Cottage Tavern , Byrkley St,eet, Burton-upon-Trent DE14 2JJ Open mic gajwriter@btinternet.com

Sun 22nd Rhyme and Tells at the Six Bells in Bishops Castle, Shropshire,Meets every 4th Sunday of the month (except for public holidays) at 8 pm – 10.30 pm. It is free admission and an open session for poetry, prose and storytelling.
For further details please contact Mike on 01588 680685.

Tues 24th The Telling Space, Mythstories, *NEW VENUE* (relocated from Wem) Mythstories,The Shrewsbury Coffeehouse,5 Castle Gates, SY1 2AE,Wem, Shropshire,The club meets on the 4th Tuesday of every month unless otherwise stated. Please check the website under ‘opening hours and events’ http://www.mythstories.com or contact Dez or Ali on 01939 235500 for further information.
Meet at 7 pm for refreshments (bring food to share) or at 7.30 pm for stories. A chance to listen or an opportunity to tell. Admission is free.

Tues 24th Kitchen Graden cafe, Kings Heath, Poetry Bites with Jacqui Rowe, Dave Reeves and Andrew Barnes headline
Tues 24th Word Wizards Buckingham Hotel Buxton 19.30. Open mic three minute slam format More info Poetryslamuk@aol.com

Tuesday 24th Pub Poetry, Canalhouse, 48-52 Canal Street, Nottingham, NG1 7EH, 8pm, FREE

A fun, free and informal night of light hearted and down right comic spoken word and poetry in pubs with Real Ale: without beer, literature is nothing.
Bring your own poems,short stories, songs ‐ whatever you have, aslong as iti nvolves words and might be funny. If you don’t want to read your own, bring someone else’s.
Starts at 8pm with periods of reading, drinking and writing limericks. All jolly good fun. See you there!

Tues 24th Confab 4, recon, Malvern
Roll up, roll up for the hairiest ConFab Cabaret yet!

We have Ash Dickinson Poet, Fanny Libido, Shambollix, Adrian Mealing, Loungetoad, Myfanwy Fox’s Fox Pops and MORE! All brought to you by Amy Rainbow, Catherine Crosswell and the letter H.

Be ready for your own TWO MINUTES of fame in our Prepare To Share sessions and be ready to rejoice when you win one of our glorious prizes in The Silliest Raffle.

All this for FREE or whatever you kindly choose to give us 🙂

Put the date in your diaries, tell your mates, grow some hair and come to ConFab Cabaret!

Wed 25th “42″ Open Mic Night (Gothic, Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy) Lunar Bar, New St Worcester, 7.30, Free in:last wed monthly E-mail: 42openmicnight@42genrearts.co.uk

Wed 25th marcus Moore and Sarah will be performing poetry spontaneously throughout the day in the Touchwood Shopping Centre and the Arts Centre Complex for Solihull Festival’s Spiel Spontaneity Day.

Wed 25th the Lych Gate Tavern, 44 Queens Square Wolverhamtpton, it’s down the walkway by Barclays bank the leads to the Civic Centre. .It’s a great little pub last Wednesday ts@tonystringfellow.com

Thur 26th Bilston Voices Cafe Metro 46 Church Street, Bilston WV14 0AH Fourth Thursday 19:00 Only booked poets perform: emmaasif@hotmail.com

Thur 26th Find the Right Words, Embrace arts, Behind Regent college, Lancaster Rd.Leicester LE1 17A, 7.30 pm,last Thursday
Ten open mic spots available, 5 before hand and 5 on the door.

£5/£4 conc entry

Sun 29th Sunday Xpress Fourth Sunday Doors 1500, Start 16:30 Adam & Eve Bradford Street, Birmingham B12 0JD Open mic ,jameskennedycentral@yahoo.co.uk1st
Mon 30th Gorilla poetry Slam, the Bowery, Devonshire St, Sheffield 7.30pm, with William Blake, free in.

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Notes for the future

Wed 2nd Oct Well versed, The Muffin Man, Cheltenham, 7pm free in with dan Sluman and Michael Scott

Thurs 3rd Launching the Festival and Birmingham’s New Poet Laureate,Studio Theatre, Library of Birmingham,
Centenary Square, Broad Street Birmingham,B1 2DN @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
|Free, Join Library of Birmingham and Birmingham Literature Festival on National Poetry Day 2013 for an hour of poetry and promise as we whet your appetite for the ten days of events, workshops and discussions ahead.

After a few words from the Festival and Library teams to mark the moment and the flourishing partnership it represents, we will hand the stage over to some of the city’s own poets: Birmingham poets laureate past, present and future.

We will be announcing the 18th Birmingham Poet Laureate who will be the first ever laureate for the Library of Birmingham.

The new Poet Laureate will be expected to play a vital role in promoting the enjoyment of reading and writing of poetry whilst also taking forward the work of previous Poets Laureate and engage with diverse audiences to make poetry accessible and available to all.

With poetry from Stephen, including responses to the final stages of the three year library construction process, and appearances from some of the other great poets who have held the city laureate title during its seventeen years.

Thurs 3rd Carol Ann Duffy & Imtiaz Dharker:Library Studio, Library of Birmingham,
Library Studio, Library of Birmingham, Centenary Square Birmingham,B1 2ND United Kingdom a National Poetry Day Celebration,@ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
|£10 / £8
To celebrate National Poetry Day we are delighted to present this gala performance by two of our most inspiring and entertaining poets.

Carol Ann Duffy is UK Poet Laureate. Her poetry is both dazzlingly witty and deeply moving. In her widely read poems of public life she voices the concerns of the many – about how our country is run and civic life. And in her poems of love and personal reflection she so often finds the words we all need to keep on keeping on. Her poetry performances – perfectly paced and poised – remind us why poetry needs to be heard in public spaces.

Carol Ann will be joined by Imtiaz Dharker. Born in Pakistan, raised in Scotland and working for many years in India, Imtiaz Dharker’s childhood provides the material for many of her poems; exile, journeying, home and religious strife. Finding the universal in the particular, her poetry transports readers while offering wit in abundance. Audiences love her warmth and generosity and her performances are truly captivating.

Tues 5 West Midlands Poets: Joel Lane, Charles Wilkinson, Nick Pearson & Emma PurshouseRoom 101, Library of Birmingham,
Centenary Square, Broad Street Birmingham,B1 2DN @ 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm, £8
An evening of contemporary poetry curated by Flarestack Poets and Offa’s Press, hosted by Flarestack Poets. These four poets represent the high quality and variety of poetry being created and published in the West Midlands by two of the region’s best loved poetry publishers. Emma Purshouse is a poetry slam champion and performs across the UK. Her appearances include The Cheltenham Literature Festival, Ledbury Poetry Festival, Much Wenlock Poetry Festival, Bang Said the Gun, Manchester, and Solfest.

An evening of contemporary poetry curated by Flarestack Poets and Offa’s Press, hosted by Flarestack Poets. These four poets represent the high quality and variety of poetry being created and published in the West Midlands by two of the region’s best loved poetry publishers.

Emma Purshouse is a poetry slam champion and performs across the UK. Her appearances include The Cheltenham Literature Festival, Ledbury Poetry Festival, Much Wenlock Poetry Festival, Bang Said the Gun, Manchester, and Solfest. She has undertaken poetry residencies for Wolverhampton Libraries and The New Vic Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent. Emma has been published in a variety of small press magazines and poetry anthologies. Her CD Upsetting the Apple Cart appeared from Offa’s Press in 2010.

Nick Pearson is a Forward Prize nominated poet who has been widely published in magazines and anthologies. Made in Captivity is a collection that draws together work written over the last ten years. Urban, sharply observed and often humorous his poems catch some of the voices of contemporary disconnection and the search for certainty. Readers will recognise day to day characters and confusions. He lives in Shropshire.

Joel Lane is the author of three full-length poetry collections, The Edge of the Screen, Trouble in the Heartland, The Autumn Myth (all from Arc) and Instinct (Flarestack Poets). His other work includes two novels, a novella, a booklet of crime stories and three collections of ghost stories. He lives in Birmingham, where he works as a journalist.

Charles Wilkinson was born in Birmingham. His publications include The Snowman and Other Poems (Iron Press) and The Pain Tree and Other Stories (London Magazine Editions) and Ag & Au, (Flarestack Poets), the latter an exploration of the history of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter and the qualities of the elements of silver (Ag) and gold (Au) illustrated by students from Birmingham Institute of Art and Design.

Mon 7thArc World Poets ,Room 101, Library of Birmingham,Library of Birmingham, Centenary Square, Broad Street Birmingham,B1 2ND, @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm £8

An evening of poetry from across continents: Cheran (Sri Lanka), Ludwig Steinherr (Germany) and Michael Hulse (England). From civil war to fatherhood, climate change to love, this evening ranges widely geographically, culturally and emotionally. A one-off event bringing these extraordinary poets together that will leave you energised and inspired. Michael Hulse was born in England and lived for twenty-five years in Germany before returning in 2002 to teach at the University of Warwick.

An evening of poetry from across continents: Cheran (Sri Lanka), Ludwig Steinherr (Germany) and Michael Hulse (England). From civil war to fatherhood, climate change to love, this evening ranges widely geographically, culturally and emotionally. A one-off event bringing these extraordinary poets together that will leave you energised and inspired.

Michael Hulse was born in England and lived for twenty-five years in Germany before returning in 2002 to teach at the University of Warwick. His poetry has won first prizes in the National Poetry Competition and the Bridport Poetry Prize (twice), and Eric Gregory and Cholmondeley Awards from the Society of Authors.

Ludwig Steinherr lives in Munich. He is a freelance writer and lecturer in philosophy at the University of Eichstätt and has written his way into the front rank of contemporary German writers. His poems have received a number of awards, including the’ Leonce-und-Lena-Förderpreis (1993), the Buchpreis des Verbandes Evangelischer Büchereien (1999) and the Hermann-Hesse-Förderpreis (1999).

Cheran is one of the best known Tamil poets, born in Jaffna in Sri Lanka in 1960. He worked for Saturday Review, an English language weekly known for its stand on press freedom. Cheran refused to align himself with any of the several Tamil militant groups active in Jaffna at the time and as a result was harassed both by the Sri Lankan army and, later, by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. In 1987 he left for the Netherlands and now lives in Canada. In a Time of Burning charts the civil war in Sri Lanka of more than three decades, and its aftermath, as well as displacement, exile and the experience of diaspora.

Wed 9th Postcard Poets: Home-made, Home-grown, Room 104c, Library of Birmingham, Centenary Square, Broad Street Birmingham,B1 2DN, @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm Free,

Twenty poets were commissioned to write poems on the theme Home-made, home-grown. Six have been chosen to appear on specially-designed postcards, with thousands of copies in libraries throughout the West Midlands. This year’s chosen poets, Fergus McGonigal, Roz Goddard, Emma Purshouse, Spoz (Giovanni Esposito), Jane Seabourne and Brenda Read-Brown will be appearing at the launch of the Poetry on Loan postcards – and they’ll all be performing their work for you.

Wed 9 October 2013 Brendan Hawthorne,
Streetly Library
10.30am-11.30am
Come celebrate National Poetry Day with
popular Performance Poet and Songwriter,
Brendan Hawthorne who will be reciting poetry from
his books, singing and engaging with his audience.
Brendan is also a Poet in Residence at Wightwick
Manor, Wolverhampton and The Crystal Tea Room,
Stourbridge. Signed copies of his books will be
available.
Free Event

12th OctoberTHE UK ALL STARS POETRY SLAM, Cheltenham.The annual mother of all UK poetry slams, the All Stars Slam, is all set to happen at Cheltenham Literature Festival on Saturday 12th October, 8.15pm, The Salon in Montpellier Gardens, £8. Fifteen brave bards will be champing at the bit to perform championship poetry for a chance to win the ultimate accolade.The winners of all the slams we have hosted in the past year will join qualifying poets from the Slam Qualifier held in the afternoon on the same day, 4pm, The Salon in Montpellier Gardens, £5. To be a member of the applaudience, visit the Cheltenham Literature Festival website for more details or Box Office information. It will be a night to remember. Be sure to book early for the evening event, which has been a sell-out gig in recent years.

Fri 18th Oct Spoken Worlds , Old Cottage Tavern, Burton DE14 2EG, 7.30pm, free in, open mic with “three halves”.Hosted by Gary Carr, all welcome

Friday 1st November. 5th Malvern Slam plus Atilla the Stockbroker is to be
This years slam will again be a 2 round affair followed by a set from Attila.

Wed 6th NovWell versed, The Muffin Man, Cheltenham, 7pm free in with Angela France

Fri 15th Nov Spoken Worlds , Old Cottage Tavern, Burton DE14 2EG, 7.30pm, free in, open mic with “three halves”.Hosted by Gary Carr, all welcome