Fizz, Polesworth Abbey, Polesworth

Posted on July 26, 2012 by garylongden

Spoken Word Events in the area are in rude health. Recently Poetry Alight at Lichfield, Shindig at Leicester, and Spoken Worlds at Burton have all enjoyed strong attendances, and so it was tonight at Fizz in Polesworth. A balmy summer evening brought out summer dresses, barely used shorts, and milky white legs. Fizz always has an intimate feel, enhanced by the setting of the historic Abbey. Host Mal Dewhirst is an indefatigable promoter of local poetry. Fizz itself pretty much represented a curtain raiser for “Dig the Poetry” an inspired initiative whereby poets interface with professional archaeologists as they excavate new areas around the Abbey. Established authors regularly headline Fizz. Yet there is a wealth of local talent, nurtured by some of the aforementioned events and writing groups who rarely get their moment in the sun. This time Terri Jolland from Repton had the opportunity to showcase her writing skills, which she has thrown herself into developing in the past few years.

Terri clearly relished the chance to stretch out a little with the extra time a headline slot affords, taking in nostalgia, nature and a trademark comedy sketch with her husband Ray. Tender, affectionate and in turns wistful and playful in tone she seized her opportunity in style, an example of her work stands for posterity on the Polesworth Poetry Trail in Pooley Country Park.

Life has its cycle, and a quirk of fate illustrated that truism tonight. Dea Costello and Peter Gray have been distinguished and much valued members of the local poetry scene for some years now. Dea’s fine writing has always impressed, and her headmistressly bearing always commanded attention ( although she does have a racy side too!).Remembering You was a poignant epitaph to her time in the Midlands.Peter always presented himself as an apprentice poet after a long career as a scientist, but his forensic approach to his writing was no less a pleasure. So it was with some sadness that they delivered a valedictory performance before heading south to Stroud to set up a new home. I wish them well. They will be missed.

But as Dea and Peter disappeared into the sunset so a new voice appeared at Fizz, that of Gemma Hogg. After her impressive debut at Poetry Alight she has clearly got the poetry bug and read four poems mainly inspired by Glastonbury, however it was her ruthless dissection of Lichfield’s Boley Park estate in Legoland which lingered in the mind.

Barry “the Bard” Patterson made a welcome return delivering summer poetry with his usual spezzatura , one of the few men who can say “fuck” poetically, Margaret Torr was cool with The Tundra, Jayne Stanton continues to embed herself in the local scene and remind me what tasseography means.

Old hands Gary Carr and Tom Wyre add value to any evening, whilst Roy Marshall paid a first visit to Fizz leaving us wanting more after a double helping of Sill and On loan. Fizz next fizzles at the Heritage Open Day of 8th September. For more information on Fizz and Dig the Poetry at Polesworth Abbey:

http://pollysworda.wordpress.com/
http://www.digtheabbey.co.uk/dtp2012.html
Gary Longden

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | 1 Comment

Spoken Worlds, Old Cottage Tavern, Burton upon Trent

Posted on July 21, 2012 by garylongden

Open mic nights that rely on walk- up are always unpredictable events by their very nature. No-one has any idea who will turn up, or what they will perform, it is part of their charm. Tonight fate conspired positively, with a big turn-out, and an unusually diverse range of performance. Some twenty performers took advantage of the three slot format to perform different styles to showcase their talents, incorporating poetry, comedy sketches, and music and song with violin, guitar and melodeon.

What was it like? Check out the notes:

Pete Hubbard, art theme, final conflict, Austin Chamberlain, artefact/Rob Stevens, I grew through new, lead mining scab/Tom Wyre, our blue island, 111111, the fire of ire, the price of freedom is eternal vigilance/ Jayne Stanton, of questions and answers, allotments/Ray Jolland, the ghost of June 68/ Terri Jolland paint it black/Dwayne Read, Buxton fringe, wheelbarrow man, star and garter/ Phil Binding, railwaymen/ Terri and Ray Jolland, election of staffs poet laureate comedy sketch/

Sue Kendrick ,points of view/Ruth,fiddle, metal man/Ian Ward , music festival, sat in the kithchen/Phil Binding,wavy davy/Rob &Lesley Stevens, it should be harder than this to fall in love/ Dwayne Read, druggie on the roof/Margaret Tor accents/Jayne Stanton grandmothers tassiography/ Andy, john martin guitar/Tom Wyre, the boy atlas, autumn funeral, terramata/ Tony Keaton, the rules, scissors, paper, rock/ Semma Gill, war words, galloping seahorses

Gary Carr,fish, claymills pumping station/Sue, the slow, melodeon/Ian Ward, the preacher and the prayer,pockets have no sound/Tony Keaton, vegetarianism, donner und blitzen/ Jayne Stanton, clothes dryer, clothes horse, jukebox/Pete Hubbard, bird poems, the pheasant revolt/ Tom, excursion into the human psyche, the lucid door/Rob Stevens the visitors/Ruth travelling home fiddle.

Who caught my ear? Phil Binding’s railway poem stood out. Drawn from his years working on the railways his characterisation of Shanks ,“I don’t talk, it wastes time,” was memorable, his turn of phrase neat,” Swifts streak and quarrel”. Apparently Phil has a sequence of poetry based around the railways and railwaymen, and I would like to hear more. The care, patience, time and devotion in their writing was self-evident.

Tony Keaton later reflected that he was always fine-tuning his poems, echoing the truism that there is no such thing as a finished poem, just work in various stages of abandonment. I do enjoy his work. He has this knack of writing about the familiar from an unfamiliar perspective, as his surreal journey on The Rules demonstrated with a romp through some pretty dubious, but highly inventive interpretations of causality. Is paper, rock scissors what life is all about? Tony thinks it just might.

The three slot format is a boon to those with diverse bodies of work and Jayne Stanton benefitted considerably from being able to show more than one side of her work. Her satirical deconstruction of Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven was a delight, with plenty to keep the cognoscenti happy, without outraging the Zeppelinistas.

Host Gary Carr relished the task of managing a packed night and executed the task with deftness and a lightness of touch. Spoken Worlds next meets on Friday 24th August at 7.30pm, free in, sign up on the night for a slot, and thereafter on 21/9, 19/10 and 16/11. Meanwhile there is much happening with Dig the Abbey, a combined poetry and archaeological project running across July and August (http://www.digtheabbey.co.uk/) and Fizz at Polesworth Abbey on Tuesday 24th July, 7.30pm.

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | 1 Comment

Lydney Poetry Team Slam, Lydney Festival, Lydney

Posted on July 18, 2012 by garylongden

Compere Brenda Read – Brown with the victorious Team Rainbow, left to right, Brenda, Amy Rainbow, Maggie Doyle, Gary Longden and Adrian Mealing

Summer sees a slew of festivals encompassing all manner of artistic endeavour of which poetry is playing an increasing part. The Lydney festival is a sprawling affair taking in all of June and the first two weeks of July with events ranging from banshee busking, through jazz concerts, to a Last Night at the Proms event. Part of the Festival’s tradition is becoming a team poetry slam at which Lydney takes on a visiting team of poetic troubadours ,who this year came in the form of Team Rainbow. Amy Rainbow is a festival favourite and protégé of John Cooper Clarke, her team included Worcestershire Poet Laureate Maggie Doyle, one half of the Very Grimm bros , Adrian Mealing, and myself.

When I first took the call from Amy inviting me onto her team I agreed to participate without having any idea of where Lydney was, adding to the sense of adventure. On the day , travelling down, that sense of adventure assumed Biblical proportions as a fire delayed our motorway journey, roads became flooded with the incessant downpour ,and the pub was not doing food, equating to famine. All that was missing was the pestilence!

The venue, the Annexe pub, is ideal for performance with a modern, well equipped function room and stage, comfortable surroundings, and welcoming staff. Brenda Read-Brown hosted, with Andrea on adding up, and did a fine job entertaining and cajoling an appreciative good sized crowd. The format was two rounds of the two teams of four offering their finest three minute poetic musings with the highest aggregate score being declared the winner. The performers have the advantage of their own three minutes not being make or break, but that is counter-balanced by professional pride meaning that no-one wanted to let the side down with a bad performance.

The Lydney team benefitted from the redoubtable services of Fergus McGonigal, whose rant against the worst excesses of Eighties popular music was particularly well received, a counterpoint to team member Peter Wyton’s homage to the 50th anniversary of the Rolling Stones first ever gig. Carole Ruding splits her time between Lydney and New Zealand and her wistful poem about wanting to experience the joys of childhood again was both poignant and very well delivered. Special mention should also be made of final team member Roger Dury who performed as a late replacement with some great poems and a nice hat.

Amy led her team with assurance and aplomb dressed in a pink tutu, the latter of which did nothing to soften the venom in her notorious I Don’t put down of a man’s marriage proposal, which as always, was greeted with sisterly bonhomie from the women in the audience, and horror by the men! Adrian Mealing seduced the crowd with his smooth urbane manner before prodding their social conscience with his fine protest poem about the death of Ian Tomlinson at the G20 demonstration, whilst Maggie Doyle teased and entertained with her tales of the exploits of The Merry Widow.

Amy Rainbow expresses her displeasure at an unsuitable marriage proposal

A close run contest saw visitors Team Rainbow just edge victory past the home team in a contest conducted in the finest traditions of poetic goodwill, in front of a generous and appreciative audience. Prizes of copies of the Kama Sutra were gratefully received as was the kind hospitality of the organisers in inviting performers for a late night supper of pizza and wine.

More information about the Lydney Festival is available here: http://www.lydney-online.co.uk/events/lydney-festival/

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | 3 Comments

Shindig, Western PH, Leicester

Posted on July 17, 2012 by garylongden


It’s a question of trust. When I attend Shindig I expect headline poets who are going to interest me, entertain me and challenge me. As usual, I was not disappointed . The bar in which the performance was taking place was packed, the other bar all but deserted, which says much for the pulling power of a good spoken word evening. Shindig runs bi-monthly, which has advantages. It is sufficiently frequent to be a fixture on its audience’s calendar, without being so frequent that maintaining the quality of headline performers becomes a problem. The star billing was shared between the poets who closed the first and second halves.

Closing the first half was Maria Taylor, introduced by Jane Comane of Nine Arches Press, the publishers of Maria’s new collection Melanchrini. I have heard her read several times over the past couple of years, most recently within the week when she performed in Lichfield. I am starting to tire of poets on the circuit whose dedication to promoting their published work is half-hearted and lackadaisical. It is as if they think that simply reading some decent poems is enough. Those poets might learn much from Maria. Her set was well constructed. The context of the collection and individual poems explained, and she performed each poem without allowing the performance to overshadow the poem. Melanchrini, she explained, is a Greek term of affection for a small dark haired female child. In turn that affection is apparent for the subject matter of her writing, be it family furniture heirlooms, or women whose husbands have disappeared in unexplained circumstances. This was her third promotional reading after Ledbury in just over a week, I am sure that her hard work and professionalism will ensure the success of a fine collection.

Kim Moore closed the evening, introduced by Jonathan Taylor of Crystal Clear Creators, and was a delight. I knew nothing about her before. Her first pamphlet If We Could Speak Like Wolves was a winner in The Poetry Business Pamphlet Competition and was published in May of this year, from which she read extensively. She works in Cumbria as a peripatetic brass teacher. In 2011 she won the Geoffrey Dearmer Prize and an Eric Gregory Award. Previously I had only associated Barrow in Furness with submarines and a struggling football team, that perception has now broadened. Afterwards, she told me that Barrow has a burgeoning, vibrant spoken word scene. It may well be that the geographical isolation of the town is an asset. Long train journeys to pretty much anywhere from Barrow are a fact of life, and I particularly enjoyed The Train. Its sharp social observation was replicated in Tuesdays at Wetherspoons , the grim reality of which is not confined to Barrow. Her sense of humour shone through in Hartley Street Spiritualist Church, a visit to which was made more enjoyable as a result of it coinciding with when “mediums were in training”. A natural, easy performer, with readily accessible, but meticulously constructed poetry, she brought the evening to an end on a high.

Alan Baker had appeared before Kim as a guest poet, and is the founder, and co-editor of Leafe press. Although a Geordie by birth, he now lives in Nottingham and his most recent collection is entitled Variations on Painting a Room. Neat, and ordered, his order versus disorder piece was clever, his poem on Nottingham’s Chilwell ammunition factory , the country’s most productive shell filling factory during the First World War, his most satisfying. I would have liked to have heard more. Robin Vaughan –Williams wraps up the list of featured poets. A distinguished and active writer ,he has lived in Sheffield, Nottingham and Iceland and has worked on collaborative poetry and music compositions and soundscapes. He read from his collection The Manager developing themes as diverse as the wind and blue curtains. His set was awash with interesting ideas, but for me, the selections lacked cohesion as an entity.

Shindig is as renowned for its floor readers as it is for its guests. Amongst the regulars, Jayne Stanton transported me back to 1970’s era drinking pubs, smoke filled and with the jukebox hammering out my favourite tune. Previously Deborah Tyler Bennet had impressed with an homage to Ian Dury, this time she again hit the mark with Hangar Lane , with echoes of John Cooper Clarke’s Beasley St chiming in the background. Bob Richardson touched me with his poem about a victim of the Kings Cross fire disaster who remained unidentified for sixteen years. It was an object lesson in taking a subject which lends itself to melodramatic cliché, and finding a fresh angle. Its humanity was its strength. And yes, Bob brought his bag……………….

Amongst the newcomers Gary Carr impressed with Without You, Tom Wyre with Cellophane Man. There were also some tantalising vignettes. Graham Norman and Maria Rooner performed a delightful two hander, reciting the same poem in English and German, Tracy Twell told of Leningrad seed banks. For Sally Jack, a double Haiku sufficed.

Second half host Jonathan Taylor was in ebullient mood and seems to be developing a musical theme. At the last Shindig he performed Mozart’s Clarinet Sextet ( a literal impossibility, but best not to dwell), at Lichfield’s Poetry Alight he performed a piece on Stockhausen, this time Our Price ‘95 was as scathing as it was funny. Shindig does it all again on Monday 17th September, 7.30pm start, free in, sign up for floor spots on the night.

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | 4 Comments

June Poems Update

Posted on July 9, 2012 by garylongden

Two topics have caught my attention this month. Firstly, Suz Winspear from Worcester has a signature poem entitled “Evil Trees”. I think she has been a little harsh, so have penned a reply. Secondly, the retrospective obsession in popular music is starting to irritate, prompting a poetic response:

The Rise of the Trees

We used to simply take root
Coaxed by warm sunlight and soft rain
Till we emerged to claim our place
Edging higher, inching wider
In natural languor

Days, weeks, months, years
Decades, centuries – it mattered not
Watching transient terrain from our germinated spot

In summer our blousy panoply unfurled
A verdant sight, in a peaceful world
Extending shade from midday sun
Till night drew in and day was done

In autumn we shed our leaves to keep the earth warm
Providing food and shelter for next spring’s new born
Whilst our exposed trunks shiver in winters cruel cold
And snow weighs down our branches as icy grip takes hold

But then our tormentors arrived in evolutionary challenge
To our sedentary ways,
Our former peaceful existence
To terminate and raze,
Cutting us down in slaughtered swathes
Cleared for farming in smoky haze

Children climb and snap our limbs
With callous indifference and toothy grins
Lovers too remember dreamy trysts
By carving their names deep with knives
To enshrine their carnal bliss

We are felled to build your houses
We are felled to build your boats
We are felled to simply burn for you
We are felled because we float

Yet you dare to call us evil!

As night spreads her dusky wings
And shadows flicker menacingly,
With all the witching hour brings

Our roots will rise to trip you
Our boughs will dip to blow
As in the silent darkness
You will come to know
That this is not evil, oh no

But knotted, gnarled revenge

You bled us for our sap, you bled us for our gum
This time the bark does not yield, biting back
This time our time has come.

Retromania

Somehow
The pace of now
Feels weaker

Time’s slowness becomes more pronounced
As pop is dragged, screaming, into a museum
To be observed, lifeless

Where moments become monuments
A future strangled by its own past
The rebellion is over

A revived, reformed, restaged, reissued, remade
Re-enacted, returned, re-launched, re-animated
Recycled, renovated, reprocessed, repossessed
Revisited reunion, a recombinant, revenant nightmare

“I am the resurrection” indeed

Posted in Poems | 1 Comment

July 2012 – What’s On, Midlands Spoken Word

Posted on June 29, 2012 by garylongden

Festivals

Fri 22nd June -8th July Ashbourne Festival

Sat 23rd June- 8th July Ludlow Festival

http://www.ludlowfestival.co.uk/

Fri 29thJune- 8th July Ledbury Poetry Festival

http://www.poetry-festival.com/

Thurs 5th-8th Southwell, Nottingham Poetry Festival

http://www3.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/learning/libraries/events/southwell-library-poetry-festival/

Lydney Festival , Gloucestershire 1/7 -15/7
http://www.lydney-online.co.uk/events/lydney-festival/

Thur 5th -15th July Lichfield Festival

Lichfield Festival

Sat 7th -25th July Buxton Festival

Home

Day by Day

Sun 1st July “We Are Poets” Film – The Drum, Aston, Birmingham, 1pm/6pm £3:This event was originally on Thu 31 May and has been re-scheduled for Tue 1 Jul.*
• Schools Matinee with Directors Q&A, 1pm.
• Evening Screening, 6.00pm
We Are Poets bravely flips the image of British youth on its head, as six remarkable teenage poets are chosen to represent the UK at Brave New Voices, America’s most prestigious slam poetry competition. From their inner city lives in Leeds, North England, to a stage in front of the White House in Washington D.C, the team must prepare for a transformational journey of a lifetime. Intimate, honest and imaginative, We Are Poets is a moving testament to the power of creativity, community and the dynamism of young people.
“Amazing…it’s poetry itself. Poetry is an art, filmmaking is an art, it takes great sensitivity to bring them together – this film shows us how it’s done!” – Benjamin Zephaniah
Run Time: 82 mins
Directors: Alex Ramseyer-Bache & Daniel Lucches
Cert: 12A

Sun 1st I-Slam Poetry Olypmic Special, the Hub,9a Stoney Lane, Birmingham: £5, 6-8pm,Hosted by Bohdan Piesecki,starring David J Pugilist,ZK The Poet, Slam Poetry with an Olympic Flavour, the day the torch passes the Hub. info@soulcityarts.com

Sun 1st ARTournament’s Sunday Chill,The New Inn in the centre of Gloucester (opp M&S) City Centre. 16 Northgate Street, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL2. UK.First Sunday, £5in, 3pm-9pm. poetry, Comedy and Music.
Stage One – Comedy and Poetry

We are moving all the comedy and spoken word performers upstairs into the Ballroom this month so we can fit you all in and we won’t have the normal noise problems from the bands.

2pm Get Yourselves settled with a drink and a comfortable seat and Dan will explain the day
2.15-2.30pm Walk in Open mIc
2.30-3.00pm JenJen is going to be starting the day for us all
3.00-3.15pm Andrew Owens-An Artournament regular and very popular poet.
3.15-3.30pm Citizen Smith-Poet Laureate Slot
3.30-3.45pm Alison Hustwitt and a couple of songs
3.45-4.00pm Guy Williams-a regular poet and fave. POet Laureate Slot.
4.00-4.15pm Luchador Poet-Poet Laureate Slot
INTERVAL
4.25-4,45pm Annaleise Mcmillan Gregg-Poetry and Poet Laureate Slot
4.45-5.00pm Lyn-The Ghost Lady and some ghostly
5.00-5.15pm Kate Walton treating us to some performance poetry

5.15-5.30pm Your compere-the incredibly witty and funny Demetris Deech.
5.30-5.45pm Joy Amy Wigman-Funny and Poet Laureate Slot
5.45-6.00pm Richard Wood-Great Stand Up
6.00-6.15pm Richard Hurley and his world of comedy
6.15-6.30pm Jan Watts-a poet laureate all the way from Brum.
6.30-6.45pm Amber Rose and a little bit of music
6,45-7.00pm Daniel Nicholas -comedy guru on his way to Edinburgh
6.55-7.10pm Will Hilbert-a funny funny stand up.
7.10-7.30pm Mark Hurman-a little comedy practise and on to Edinburgh
7.30-7.50pm Peter Wyton-a highly acclaimed and very funny poet.
7.50-8.05pm Keith Hyett and his wonderful music
8.05-8.20pm Mark Chatterley-a big comedy fave
8.30-8.45pm Dave Godden…funny funny funny
8.45-9.00pm Jimmy Berrigan J

Sun 1st Buzzwords, Exmouth Arms,Bath Road Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 7LX, 7pm Workshop, open mic plus Nick Alexander, Miki Burn

Mon 2nd Gorilla Slam,Dada Trippet Lane Sheffield S1 4EL:8pm,Invite everyone you know and come prepared to be entertained. 1Love Gorilla’s
Slam Rules:
•Each poem must be of the poet’s own construction.
•Each poet gets three minutes (plus a ten-second grace period) to read one poem. If the poet goes over the time, points will be deducted from the total score. ( ½ point for every 10 Seconds)
• Five judges will score the poet and the points will be added up. The best scoring will go through to the next round. The scores are between 0.0 to 10.9.
•Judges cannot be related in any way to the poet.
•If you feel the judges were wrong in there scoring you can make them aware by booing the scores. If you agree with the judges, cheer them loudly and give them some jazz hands.
•No Costumes or Props
The Winner Gets a Prize and the ‘’Gorilla Poetry Slam Trophy’’ and a half Hour slot at next poetry event. The Winner will have to come back to the next slam to defend the trophy and there right as the slam champion. At the end of the year the best eight scoring poets will enter the slam final and the winner be called the ‘’The Grand Bard Of Sheffield’’

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. With Oneness Sankara

Tues 3rd Night Blue Fruit, Taylors Vaults, Canal basin, Coventry, 8pm start, free in:”I had the pleasure of meeting Dele Kogbe recently at the Positive Images Festival. He is a promising new voice in British poetry and I am proud to introduce him as our July guest poet at Nightblue Fruit. I recommend you to come and watch him.”
Antony Owen
Poet Bio
Dele Kogbe is studying MA. Diplomacy, Law and Global Change at International Studies and Social Sciences Department, Coventry University. He is the founder of Global Student Writers’ Society, the first literary society in the Coventry University. He is a member of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA). His published works are widely used in teaching literature in English in primary and secondary schools in Nigeria. Dele’s published works include Songs of a Wounded Dove (Poetry, 2007), Child of Destiny (2009), and The Young Farmer (2009). His new story The Gods Had Gone to Sleep (2012), published by AuthorHouse, UK, will be released to the public in a couple of weeks.
Dele Kogbe received the 2010 Merit Award of the Association of Nigerian Authors/Oyo State Agency for Youth Development and 2010 Best MDGs Volunteer Advocate Award of NYSC Zamfara State, Nigeria among other awards and recognitions for his selfless service in community developments
He is a dramatic poet on stage.

Tues 3rd Yard of Tales,Joules Yard, rear of 53-55 High Street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 7AF.
Joules Yard is a unique venue with a licensed bar after 7pm, also serving tea and coffee. If you would like to order a vegetarian meal for the evening, provided by ‘The Green House’ please telephone 01858 463250. Market Harborough, Leicestershire,Meets first Thursday in the month.

Wed 4th Speak Up. Hare and Hounds PH, Kings Heath:7.30pm,The next Speak Up will take place on 4th July and it is set to be very magical indeed.
We have Kim Trusty performing for the last time at Speak Up as she is going back to Canada – she is a massive inspiration of mine and although it’s going to be the most sad seeing her go I am so glad that people are going to see her perform, she’s incredible.
We have also got Zia Ahmed from the Elephant Collective and Roundhouse Slam Winner 2011.
Zia performing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wuKABbx2xI
And! Sean Mahoney from the Rubix Collective who is just wicked.
Sean performing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbvxoqTbTkI
We have cake and beanbags and babes and poetry and open mic and fairy lights and other lovely things for five tiny pounds.
You should come, it’s better than all other things that happen on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays.
It starts at 7.30pm and we have open mics!

Wed 4th Jan Watts & Rafeef Ziadah, Library Theatre Birmingham, 7pm:On 4 July, we are delighted to be hosting a special event with internationally renowned poet, Rafeef and Jan Watts, Birmingham Poet Laureate 2011/2012 on Wed 4 July (7pm, Birmingham Library Theatre).
This event is part of the national Poetry Parnassus tour, which has been organised by London’s Southbank Centre and Speaking Volumes. Poetry Parnassus led by poet Simon Armitage sees the gathering of poets from each of the 204 nations competing in the London 2012 Olympics.
Jan saw Rafeef at a recent performance and was totally blown away by her and is delighted to be sharing a stage with Rafeef. The event is open to all, so do come along to hear poetry and personal stories from two very talented poets.
To book your seats, please contact: nikki.bi@birmingham.gov.uk or call 0121 303 2895

Wed 4th Spire Writes , Havana Whites, Corporation St Chestefield,7.45, Free in:In July, Spire Writes brings you two more legendary poets, with Liz Berry and Faye Lipson.. Please come and join us, and perform at the open mic too if it takes your fancy.

Thurs 5th The Shakespeare Centre, Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6QW, 7.30pm:£9in,The Southbank Centre’s Poetry Parnassus, a great meeting of poetic minds from every Olympic nation, brings some of the most exciting writers from across the globe to stages across Britain. For Writing West Midlands and the Stratford Poetry Festival, Poetry Parnassus is delighted to introduce T.J. Dema from Botswana, a poet, editor and events manager, and Kosal Khiev from Cambodia, a poet and exile from the USA.
Join them for readings, discussion and personal stories.
T.J. Dema is a Botswana poet and chairperson of The Writers Association of Botswana. She has performed in France, Denmark, India, South Africa, Malawi and Zimbabwe and is part of the multi-country poetry and music ensemble Sonic Slam Chorus.
Kosal Khiev is a poet, teaching artist and survivor of the US prison system, deported in 2011 to Cambodia. Since then he has used poetry to uplift his situation with compelling performances at TedX Phnom Penh, universities and pubic stages.
Poetry Parnassus on Tour is a Southbank Centre production in association with Speaking Volumes Live Literature Productions. In partnership with the Stratford Poetry Festival.
How to book:
To book your place, please visit the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s website or click here.

Thurs 5th Ian Mcmillan, Southwell Library,The Bramley Centre,King St,Southwell,Nottinghamshire,NG250EH 7pm

Thurs 5th Parole Parlate, The summer spoken Word Special, Little venice, st Nicholas st , Worcester, 730 pm, £3 in:
“Parole Parlate : The Spoken Word” is back for a summer special after a very successful Worcestershire Literary Festival on Thursday 5th July 2012 and 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!
Hosted by Little Venice in Worcester, there will be a full bar service, cakes/snacks and you can of course take advantage of their full menu and enjoy their delicious pizzas, pastas or salads. Try out their £7.95 menu which includes a main course and a drink.
The Worcestershire Literary Festival team have so far confirmed the following performers:
Nathan Williams
Nick Munro Turner
Polly Robinson
Geoff Robinson
Damon Lord
Ian Ward
Sammy Joe
Math Jones
Plus a headline performance to be confirmed.

Fri 6th Andrew Mulletproof Graves Southwell Library,The Bramley Centre,King St,Southwell,Nottinghamshire,NG250EH 5pm
http://www3.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/learning/libraries/events/southwell-library-poetry-festival/

Sat 7th Crystal Clear Creators Pamphelt launch with Maria Taylor,Southwell Library,The Bramley Centre,King St,Southwell,Nottinghamshire,NG250EH
http://www3.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/learning/libraries/events/southwell-library-poetry-festival/

Sat 7th The Saturday Plinth,Worcester City Museum Foregate St, Worcester 10am – 1pm, Free:As part of Worcester City Museum & Art Gallery’s 4th Plinth project, this is a Saturday morning spoken word event in the space vacated by the departing library.
Come to perform, or come to watch – either way, this won’t be your ordinary Worcester Saturday!
Performance slots will be 10-15mins. Poetry, prose, drama, or any combination thereof! But no swearing or nudity (we get enough of that during the week).

Sat 7th Blues at the Fold, Worcester. Starring Poets Amy Rainbow, Gary Longden and Theo Theobald, music includes Big Man Clayton

Sun 8th Hamlet, Station Pub, Kings Heath 3pm; £5 in Worcester Melting Pot Theatre Co

Sun 8th Wendy Cope,Southwell Library,The Bramley Centre,King St,Southwell,Nottinghamshire,NG250EH 4pm
http://www3.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/learning/libraries/events/southwell-library-poetry-festival/

Sun 8th Crystal Clear Creators Pamphelt launch with Maria Taylor, Ledbury Festival, 12.15pm
http://www.poetry-festival.com/live-readings.html

Mon 9th Nasty Little night, john osbourne, Luke Wright.King St Bristol Old Vic: 8pm, £6in,Crack out your ear trumpet and practice your happy face as Word of Mouth brings you a triple treat of lexical lushness.
I’m your host, Byron Vincent. I own a thirty-year-old dictionary, the legs of a consumptive emu and a neurotic disposition. I’m very much looking forward to meeting you.
Nasty Little Press publishes books from the UK’s best-loved live poets; and like Maverick and Iceman off of Top Gun, these two are the best of the best. Only instead of oiling up and playing aggressive beach volleyball, they read really good poems instead.
If I were to list their collective achievements this piece of writing would make Anna Karenina look like a work of flash fiction. Sold out national tours, five star reviews, innumerable TV and radio appearances. Expect funny, tender, poignant insights from two of the nation’s most gifted verse-slingers.
Tickets £6.00
Box Office 0117 987 7877
http://www.bristololdvic.org.uk/1904.html

Mon 9th Pure and Good and right with Fran Hill, Sozzled sausage, Leamingtaon Spa, CV 32 4NX; 7.30pm: £3 in,Fran Hill is a comic performance poet, freelance writer and English teacher, who loves to make people laugh. In addition to poetry, she writes humorous articles, and is published regularly in the Times Educational Supplement magazine. Her book ‘Being Miss’ is for sale on Amazon Kindle and her blog’Being me’ is faithfully followed by 280 people with time on their hands and a liking for trivialities.
DEFINITELY AN EVENING NOT TO BE MISSED!
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 Speech Bubble Cognito, Students’ Union, Loughborough University 7pm Second Mondays monthlyin term time, check for details: http://www.arts.lboro.ac.uk/

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

Tues 10th “Poetry Alight at the Spark Cafe Bar, 19 Tamworth St, Lichfield WA13 6JP
Arrive early , 7.30pm prompt start -10pm
“A terrific evening of poetry” – Mal Dewhirst
Lichfield Poets proudly present the third in this quarterly series of poetry evenings, hosted by Gary Longden in the week of the Lichfield Festival.
It comprises four 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 oversubscribed, all requests may not be successful.
The Cafe, as well as offering coffee, teas and light refreshments 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 we have four distinguished published guest poets, two from Leicestershire based Crystal Clear Creators, and two from Black Country Based Offa’s Press. Both publications regularly invite submissions.
From Crystal Clear Creators
Dr Jonathan Taylor is a Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at De Montfort University. His specialisms include prose fiction and non-fiction, memoir-writing, radio writing, poetry and literature of the ‘long’ nineteenth-century. He is also co-founder and co-director of Crystal Clear Creators (www.crystalclearcreators.org.uk), which records, publishes, produces and promotes new writing, particularly for radio, and publishes the Poetry magazine Hearing Voices. Jonathan is widely published, his work is very accessible, with a sense of fun, listen out for Mozart’s Clarinet Sextet.
Maria Taylor is a poet and reviewer . She has had poetry published in a variety of magazines including The North, Staple, The Guardian and Iota. She has also reviewed for The TLS and Sphinx, as well as co-editing the magazine Hearing Voices. She teaches Creative Writing at De Montfort University and has also tutored young people and children. Her debut collection, Melanchrini, is available from Nine Arches Press in July 2012. I suspect that we can persuade her to read from it.
This is how I described the first time I saw her perform, over a year ago:” Her trademark is short, concise neat poetry which bustles with joie de vivre. Soap Sud Island visited her erstwhile home district of Acton in London, and its status as launderette to the more upmarket Chelsea and Kensington. Getting Rid told of the disposal of a troublesome bee in her bedroom. She entertained and engaged with a magnetic economy of expression.”
( As Jonathan and Maria are husband and wife, I should stress that the above biographies appear in alphabetical order!)
From Offa’s Press
Jane Seabourne: is a published writer and poet whose credits include The Guardian and Mslexia. She has lived on both sides of Offa’s Dyke, having grown up in South Wales, and currently works part-time in education. She lives in Tettenhall, Wolverhampton.Bright Morning, her first collection of poetry was published by Offa’s Press in May 2010 and is a delight for anyone who enjoys well-crafted and witty contemporary poetry.
Jayne says: ” My poems are inspired by mysteries, oddities, unusual details and scraps of memory. I like to observe, record and imagine the goings-on behind the curtains of people’s lives.”
Nick Pearson is a Forward Prize nominated poet. His poems have inhabited many places, including anthologies, magazines, websites, CDs, live performances and the works of artists. He lives in Shropshire, his Offa’s Press collection is entitled “Made in Captivity.” This collection draws together a range of work written over the last ten years. Urban, sharply observed, often humorous and with elements of atmospheric staging ,these poems catch some of the voices of contemporary disconnection and the search for certainty
Reviews of past Poetry Alights are available here:

THE SPARK THAT BECOMES A FLAME.

IT TAKES JUST A SPARK TO SET POETRY ALIGHT!

Tues 10th Scribal Gathering The Crown Stony Stratford:7.30pm,Get ready for another fantastic feast of musical mastercraft and poetical proficiency, bringing together lachrymatorially lyrical local live talent and perfervid performers from perfurther afield. We have headline performances from special guests Dan Plews and Alan Wolfson, as well as the open-minded open mic, welcoming all to muse upon their views, share their wares, show their stuff, shine before their peers and shout what it’s all about, to a tolerant and very forgiving audience. Join us, and invoke the spirit of gathering…
When: Tuesday 10th July 2012. Doors open at 7.30 for a prompt 8.00 start.
Where: The Crown, Market Square, Stony Stratford MK11 1BE.
How: Free entry. Sign up for open mic on the night. Arrive early to avoid disapproval.
Dan Plews is Co-ordinator of Aortas Education Ltd. Find out more here: http://www.aortas.org.uk/AORTAS/Staff/Entries/2012/1/15_Co-ordinator.html
Alan Wolfson is organisor and MC at Words and Music in the Woods, and can be seen here: http://www.alanwolfson.co.uk/ and here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rhx_2WTKwhE&feature=related

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! Bobby parker and Dan Whitehouse. Open mic sign-up from 7.30 5 minutes / 2 songs each, Diamond Jubilee themed work will be especially appropriate though anything goes!Admission £3 (free to performers) Presented by Heather Wastie & Sarah Tamar for 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.

Wed 11th Midsummer Madness Smart Poets, Veggd Out, Fletchers walk, Paradise Circus, Birmingham. Open Mic 7.30pm: There will be summertime frolics a-plenty at the SMART open mic, featuring St.Martins’ poet in residence Penny Hewlett, the queeen of the fairies herself, Sammy Joe and the very talented Shaun Rolls and Shabz Ahmed.
There are plenty of open mic spots for writers new and old- e-mail samywroteunder@googlemail.com if you fancy showcasing your work in a friendly, supportive and somewhat sultry summer evening, all in the name of poetry, of course!
£3in. 7pm start.

Wed 11th Flying Donkeys, Voicebox, Forman St Derby:8pm:Giles Abbot, “Patched and Mended” Giles brings a magical re-working of Pygmalion and the Welsh tale of Pryderi, interwoven with Giles’ own story of how he became partially blind and then took to 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 12th Shipping Forecast The Rude Shipyard, 89 Abbeydale Road, S7 1FE Sheffield,7.45pm An open mic night of poetry, prose, music, performance, raffles and fun.
This is a very informal cosy monthly night of joy in the snug environs of the marvellous Rude Shipyard in Sheffield (UK). The night provides a platform for established and first-time performers to play to a warm and appreciative audience.
Always a surprise, always a treat, grab yourselves a cuppa, some tasty homemade cake and join the fun.moi miss piggy or stan skinny host.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/169584853087066/

Thurs 12th Coffeehouse Poetry Open Mic, Shrewsbury Coffee House , Castle Gate, Shrewsbury with Liz lefroy, 7.30pm, free in. (Note this is a chnage from the usual Tuesday).

Thursday 12th. SLAM POETRY COMPETITION The Annexe Venue Lydney 8pm Lydney V Rainbow Poets with MC Brenda Read Brown. Free Entry Sponsored by Francis Law of Lydney

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

Sat 14th Catalyst Culture Open Mic, Cathedral Sq, Colmore Row, Birmingham 4-7pm, free:Youth event for poets, musicians and comics. contact;craig@anglican.irmingham.com

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

Sat 14th Lichfield Festival Double Bill

Jo Shapcot, Lady Chapel, Lichfield Cathedral, 10.15, £8: Jo Shapcott’s award-winning first three collections, gathered in Her Book: Poems 1988-1998, revealed her to be a writer of ingenuous, politically acute and provocative poetry, and rightly earned her a reputation as one of the most original and daring voices of her generation.

In Of Mutability, Shapcott is found writing at her most memorable and bold. In a series of poems that explore the nature of change – in the body and the natural world, and in the shifting relationships between people – these poems look freshly but squarely at mortality. Jo will read from this and her other works.

Jackie Kay, Lady Chapel, Lichfield Cathedral, 10.15, £8: Hot on the heels of Fiere and Red Dust Road, Jackie Kay’s newest and most luminous of collections is full of compassion, generosity, sorrow and joy. In fifteen extraordinary stories, she celebrates the richness and power of dream-life to inspire, to repair, and to make real.

The women of Reality, Reality are mesmerizing, whether in love or in solitude. Grace and Rose, glowing with pride, are the first to marry on Shetland; Hadassah, named for the Morning Star, burns as brightly.Margaret, alone in her care home, places her hope in a cherry red cardigan; Elina Makropulos is desperate to be allowed to grow old.
Jackie Kay is a wonderful and engaging speaker and is delighting audiences around the country with her readings.

Sat 14thOld Post office MoseleyMoseley Festival: Cannon Poets evening of poetry July 14th .7.30pm,£2 in

Everyone is welcome to come to enjoy the evening and support our members – and hear new poets from Nine Arches Press.

There will be a charge of £2.00 at the door which will include refreshments in the interval.

Our readers are (alphabetically): Connie Bott; Chris Duggan; Doreen Gray; Dorrie Johnson; Val Just; John Mason; Barbara Peterson; Marg Roberts; Shaun Rolls; Janet Smith; Ian Todd; Martin Underwood.

Nine Arches Press will be presenting three poets: Matt Merritt; Angela France; Daniel Sluman

Publications.
Both Nine Arches Press publications and our own will be on sale. If you have published a collection and have copies to sell please bring some along.

The evening will start promptly at 7.30 and is due to finish at about 9.30

Sun 15th Hamlet, Station Pub, Kings Heath 3pm ; £5 in Worcester Melting Pot Theatre Co

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.
Featured poets are: Maria Taylor, Alan Baker, Kim Moore and Robin Vaughan Williams.
Sign up for open-mic slots on the door.
Email Jonathan Taylor (crystalclearjt@hotmail.co.uk) for further details.

Wed 16th-18th Mix;merging into media conference, Corsham Court, Bath Spa University:For three days in July an international gathering of academics, artists, film makers and writers will meet in the stunning location of Corsham Court to discuss the current developments in digital writing.
The conference will take place at Bath Spa University’s postgraduate centre at Corsham Court from 16th-18th July 2012. Its aim is to bring together practitioners and theorists working with writing in digital media. The purpose is to create a core of research knowledge both practical and theoretical. The conference will present academic papers as well as presentations and workshops by current digital practitioners. There will also be a public exhibition of digital work created for this conference through an open call for artists/writers: http://www.mix-bathspa.org/liberated-words/liberated-words-call-for-video-narratives-at-mix-conference
The questions we will be addressing are: How can new media be used for serious artistic purposes and how can we create a suitable critical vocabulary for this? What is the relationship between digital writers and the commercial world of ‘gaming’. Who are the audiences for digital writing and how can they be accessed? There will be submissions from those who work in digital media, concrete poetry, text art, poetry and performance, poetry and film, film poems, digital poetics, poetry and art, poetry and music, digital narratives, game writing, intermedia poetry, transmedia writing, language art, visual writing and installations.
The conference will produce a networked book of critical essays, examples of work and also an online forum where the debate can be continued.
Confirmed Key Speakers are:
Mark Amerika: Internationally renowned ‘re-mix’ artist and pioneer of internet art, digital video and experimental literature. Professor of Art and Art History at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Kate Pullinger: Acclaimed writer for both print and digital platforms. Reader at De Montfort University and founder of the Transliteracy Research Group.
Tom Konyves: Video poem creator and multi-media writer. Lecturer in screen writing in British Columbia.
Dr. Maria Mencia: Leader of practice led research in language driven new media/art/literature. Senior Lecturer at Kingston Universtity.
There will be an international line up of presenters from the U.S, Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy and the UK.
http://www.mix-bathspa.org/

Tues 17th Buxton Fringe, Word Wizzards Slam,”For All That Clap” Grove Hotel Buxton, 7.30pm: £3in Rob Stevens hosts.

Tues 17th Bobby Parker/ Meredith Andrea, Kitchen Garden Cafe,York Rd, Kings Heath,7.30pm (Doors 7pm)
Two new poetry books from Knives Forks and Spoons Press. Bobby Parker reads from ’Comberton’, his bravura prose-poem sequence “a collection of poems whose narrative outstrips most novels for depth, mystery and staying power (Luke Kennard). Plus Meredith Andrea, reading from ‘Organon’.
Tickets: Free Event – all welcome

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 , Storytelling Cafe Kitchen Garden Cafe,York Rd, Kings Heath, 7.30pm (Doors 6.30pm)
Summer is in the air and we dream of lands far away. Take a journey into your imaginations with the Storytelling cafe Team Graham Langley, Ana-Maria Lines, Dawn Powell and Kit Bathgate. Enjoy a relaxed and compelling summer’s night of storytelling with a glass of wine and a relaxed sociable atmosphere. Food Served from 6.30, Stories start at 7.30.
Tickets: £7
Tickets available from the Cafe or http://www.wegottickets.com

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

Sun 22nd Hamlet, Dirty Duck, Stratford upon Avon,4pm:Melting Pot has decided to let you lovely people have another bite at our gorgeous Hamlet! This time in the heart of Stratford, on the garden terrace of the Dirty Duck, on Sunday 22nd July. It starts at 4pm,giving you time to have wander around Stratford, have a spot of lunch and round off a great day with the best play in the English language. Arent we kind? and only for a fiver…

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.

Tue 24th , Poetry Bites with Nick Pearson & Jane Seabourne,Kitchen Garden Cafe,York Rd, Kings Heath
7.30pm (Doors 6.30pm)
“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 Door
Food served from 6:30pm, Readings start at 7:30pm

Tuesday 24th Fizz ,Polesworth Abbey, Poleworth, Open Mic and Guest Terri Jolland.7.30pm, Free in with Mal Dewhirst

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.

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

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

Fri 27th A SAFETY PIN STUCK IN THE HEART – punk poetry and spiky stand-up! Frog & Fiddle PH, High St Cheltenham:8pm,A celebration of punk poetry with Iconic punk-poet and urban folksinger Patrik Fitzgerald
and
Adrenaline fuelled stand-up poet Trevor Meaney
(‘One of the funniest acts I have ever seen’. Cheltenham Poetry Festival.)
‘There’s no better example of the Punk DIY attitude than the lone, slight figure of Patrik Fitzgerald making it happen and expressing himself on stage. Singing songs of alienation, observation and imagined situations. Those early songs like ‘Safety Pin In My Heart’ and ‘All Sewn Up’ have amazingly stood the test of time and sound as relevant today as then. Patrik Fitzgerald was the ‘Punk Poet.’
Punk77 Magazine.

The Frog and Fiddle
Cheltenham
8pm.
Tickets £7 or £5 in advance from Badlands
DON’T MISS THIS CHANCE TO SEE A PUNK LEGEND, HERE IN CHELTENHAM.
August Gloucester Poetry and Spoken Word festival

Sat 28th Patrick Fitzgerald and Bobby Parker Boars Head, Kidderminster 8pm: Poetry reading from Kiddi’s hippest poets.

Tues 31st Word Wizards Buckingham Hotel Buxton 19.30. Open mic three minute slam format More info Poetryslamuk@aol.com

Tues 31stFlarestack Poets Launch,Ikon Gallery, 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, Birmingham, B1 2HS, 6.30-9pm
Award-winning Birmingham Poetry press Flarestack Poets launches 3 new pamphlets, with readings from the winners of their 2012 Pamphlet Competition, David Clarke and Nichola Deane, as well as from some of the poets represented in the competition anthology, including Oliver Comins, Michael Conley, Claire Dyer, Jacci Garside, Roy Marshall, Janet Smith, Michael W. Thomas, Charles Wilkinson and Madeleine Wurzburger.

How to book: Attendance is free but please book to reserve your place. Call the Ikon Gallery on 0121 248 0708.
This event is organised in partnership with Ikon, Writing West Midlands and Flarestack Poets.

—————————————————————————————————————————–
Coming Later in the Year

Mon 30th July-11th August “A furlong of happiness” Exhibition, The Dome, University of Derby, Buxton campus Community Writing Group Word Wizards have set themselves the unbelievable task of bringing together 200 brand new limericks in celebration of the bi-centennial of famous poet Sir Edward Lear. Their Furlong of Funniness is now on display in a merry ring inside The Dome, University of Derby, Buxton campus where it will remain on free display until 11th August.

There is still time for local writers to achieve their moment of fame as visitors not only get the chance to vote on their personal favourites but can also compose their own ditty for inclusion in the exhibition.

If you can – come to Buxton and see `em
It’s a limerick led coliseum
Though it has to be said
That after they’re read
It’s more madhouse than culture museum
– – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Here is an alphabetical list of all those limerick writers whose masterpieces are now on display in this fantastic setting – currently alongside, around, and above the winners of the Buxton International Poetry Competition.

Thanks to
Alex Annesty Anne Carrol A. Trucker A. Writer
Brenda Tolchard Christine Fennell Craig Hopper David Barrow
David Siddon Dee Costello Gary Carr Gary Longden
Gay Horton Ivy Moore Jean Graves Jean Wright
Julie Elliot Kaye Booth Linda Goulden Margaret Tarbatt
Martin Thorne Peter Carrol Peter Grey Principal Skinner
Ray Jolland Rebel Rob Stevens Ron Wild
Steven Zarel Susie Watkinson Terri Jolland Tom Wyre
Tony Keaton Valerie Hughes

With a supporting poster and leaflet campaign – press and radio coverage – and the fact that Buxton is currently full of people for the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival, it is hoped that the exhibition will attract a lot of interest.

Sat 4th AugustFuture Poets Festival,mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, B12 9QH Noon- 6pm
If you are a young poet and would like to experience Installation Poetry, Digital Poetry, Poetweets, Film-Poetry, Slam Poetry, Spoken Word, Written and Performance Poetry, to hear from industry experts and professional poets then this is for you.
The Festival offers a programme of workshops, exhibitions, installations, screenings, games, an open mic and performances from some of the best performance poets in the UK.
Headliners include Polar Bear, John Berkavitch, Jodi Ann Bickley, Al Hutchins, Musa Okwonga, Bohdan Piasecki, Kim Trusty and many more…
And best of all it’s completely free.

Future Poets’ Festival is curated by a group of young poets but all ages will be welcome at performances during the festival.
For more information, please visit http://www.futurepoetsfestival.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FuturePoetsFestival
Twitter: @FuturePoetsFest / #futurepoetsfest

August Gloucester Arts Fest

Tue 7thWord Y Theatre Leicester 8pm

Come to the August WORD! at The Y when we’ve got performance poet SPIKE PIKE!

Spike Pike was born near Glasgow. His experiences include serving five years in the Army (First Battalion Scots Guards). He now lives in Corby, where he has established himself as a writer and performance poet.

Spike Pike has published two books of poetry, become involved in theatre companies and performs poetry regularly at the Core theatre in Corby, and at various other nights and venues.

His work ranges from political satire and polemic to real wit and humour. He is now working on his third book, ‘Even Further Down the Line’, so called because this has been, so far, an amazing journey…

If you would like to perform or read, sign up with compere Pam Thomposn from 7pm.

£4/£3 concessions

Mon 13th Pure and Good and Right, Summer Slam, Sozzled sausage, Leamingtaon Spa, CV 32 4NX; 7.30pm: £3Thanks to the devoted and supportive atmosphere of the PGR crowd, this is one of the most enjoyable slams you’ll ever encounter!
There will of course be the usual open mic slots…but the fact that there will be actual prize money and the chance to win a feature slot at a future PGR event is surely enough to tempt even performance newbies to come and join the fun.

Here’s how it will work…

● The slam will take place over 3 rounds.

● Each poem must be no longer than 3 minutes (or less if you want!)

● Each poet will be appreciated according to their content, delivery and audience response.

● The highest scoring four poets from the first round will go through to the semi finals.

● The winners of the two semi finals will compete in the grand finale.

● The victor and the runner up will share the door takings in some fitting

proportion. The winner will also be offered the chance to be feature poet in a future PGR event. An evening not to be missed!

If you have any further questions or wish to register, contact pgrpoetry@gmail.com

Tues 14th City Voices, Wolverhampton, 7.30pm. Bob Hale

Tues 14th Purple Penumbra Open Mic, barlow Theatre, Oldbury:7.30pm
Not to be eclipsed by the Olympic hoo-haa somewhere in the London Jungle, Purple Penumbra persists for a second event on Tuesday the 14th of August (two days after the sporty types conclude their athleticisms).

Bring your poetry and your pals to this open mic event, or just come and be entertained.

Those with a musical bent who can fill in a gap or two with something melodic and acoustic are particularly welcome.

Enliven, enrich and enhance the experience of the famous Barlow Theatre bar with your presence, why not?

Bus services:
126 from Birmingham to Wolverhampton, ten minutes from the Navigation bus stop, and
120, Birmingham to Dudley just two minutes from Rhodia Works bus stop, Station Road, Langley.

Train services:
10 minute walk from Langley Green railway station.

Car:
Put B69 4SP in your satnav, or…
From the M5, Junction 2,
at the big island take the 4th exit onto the A4034 (Churchbridge)
take the first right at the traffic light (slip road) B4170, Park Street/Park Lane towards Langley
at the Langley Green island, keep left on B4182, Park Lane
take the first right into Whyley Walk
The free car park is 60 metres on your left.
The Barlow Theatre, (or Oldbury Rep) is in front of you.

Sat 18th/Sun 19th ARTournament & Cafe Rennes 12:00pm until 11:00pm.Greyfriars​, outside Cafe Renes. Gloucester​ City Centre.
This August weekend is the Grand Finale to ARTournament but please don’t be sad cause we have already been planning a new and exciting adventure……..watch this space Gloucester!!

We have spent twelve months checking out all the talented Comedy Gurus, Bands, Musicians, Performance Poets, Story Tellers, Writers, Dancers, and Theatre Groups at the ARTournament Sunday Chills.

The audience voted and we are delighted to bring you a FREE day of the best bands, musicians and a couple of surprises.

There are also three stages of the best Comedy, Performance Poets and Gothic Theatre Group performing all day at Blackfriars on Saturday 18th.
More info and a list of performers are detailed in this event listing…
https://www.facebook.com/​events/420023918037826/

We have the incredible Cafe Renes collaborating with us to bring you all a day of laughter, singing, dancing, mask making, fancy dress, story tellers, drinking and feasting. We are aiming to have a little something to entertain everyone and we all really hope you will join us.

We would also like to thank Paul James who is head of the City Council and Mark Hawthorne who is head of the County Council for all their help and support with this project. The council have donated both Greyfriars and Blackfriars for these events and we all hope you enjoy yourselves.

We have an incredible line up of performers and will have full details of the line up and slot times before the end of July….please watch this space.

ARTournament have only gone and booked a legendary singer for their free stage on Sunday 19th August. Get on!

Top five hit in Italy Jamie Irie is Gloucester’s very own secret super-star legend.

You will not believe how good and well respected Mr Irie is in Jamaica and New York. Worked with everyone from Sly Dunbar and Shaggy to Tenorfly and The Mighty Diamonds. Impossibly brilliant voice and swagger! Ma-hoo-sive!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don’t believe us read what one of the top music mags have to say……

http://​www.reggaeville.com/nc/​artist-details/artist/​jamie-irie/ac/​biography.html

Sat 18th/ Sun 19th Stony Paint Jam, Bull Hotel 64 High St Stony Sratford;12 noon-8pm,A whole weekend of visual and live art from the Jam Free crew will be taking over Stony Stratford for a weekend with poetry and music

Thurs 23rd Aug Bilston Voices, Bilston, 7.30pm: Bob Hale

Sat 1st Sept Buddy Wakefield, MAC Birmingham, 7.30pm £5in
The two-time Individual World Poetry Slam Champion visits Birmingham with his raw, rounded performance style. This is a unique chance to catch Buddy Wakefield on one of his very rare European tours and witness see one of the top spoken word artists in the world live and unpluggedin an intimate venue. Buddy will be supported supported by up-and-coming West Midlands poets Mstr Morrison, Jodi Ann Bickley, and Rehema Njambi.

Where: mac Birmingham, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, B12 9QH
Tickets: £5
Info: macarts.co.uk/event/apples-and-snakes-buddy-wakefield
Booking: macarts.co.uk / 0121 446 3232

Sun 2nd Sept Buzzwords, Exmouth Arms,Bath Road Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 7LX, 7pm Workshop, open mic plus Michael Thomas

Sun 23rd Sept Powwow, Prince of Wales Lit Fest, Alcester Rd, Moseley,http://thespidermonkey.co.uk/litfest2012/
It’s great value for a line up which includes R J Ellory (million selling crime writer), S F Said (Award winning children’s author), Luke Brown (Tindal Street Press), Charlie Brotherstone (A M Heath Literary Agency), Tim Broughton (Harper Collins) and William Gallagher (freelance script writer – credits include Doctor Who audio dramas for Big Finish).

Tuesday 25th Polesworth Abbey, Poleworth, Open Mic and Guest Gary Carr.7.30pm, Free in

30th Sept “Written on water” Aylestone Meadows, Leicester :Written on Water is a community event where writers, artists and the local community will come together to create words and pictures celebrating Leicester’s largest nature reserve. The event is planned for 30 September 2012 and all are welcome.

On 30th September participants will be encouraged to share their Meadows’ memories, words and stories with a team of volunteer Word Rangers. The Meadows is for everyone and everyone’s words will go towards a new Written on Water website and anthology. Artists and photographers will also paint, sketch or photograph this diverse environment in the heart of Leicester.

Written on Water is part of the Everybody’s Reading community festival, to do whatever it takes to get every child in Leicester reading. Written on Water is also supported by Leicester City Council, Aylestone Meadows Appreciation Society and Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust.

Sun 7th Oct Buzzwords, Exmouth Arms,Bath Road Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 7LX, 7pm Workshop, open mic plus Daniel Sluman
Wed 10th October at the Guildhall Theatre, Derby – Katy Cawkwell and Sarah Llewellyn Jones with “The Kingdom of the Heart” Book in advance and quote “Flying Donkeys” to get a special discount that brings it down to our normal Flying Donkeys ticket prices. (Book direct with Derby Live!)

Wed 10th oct Funny Women, Streetly Library, Blackwood Rd Streetly, 10.30-11.30 free in with Emma Purshouse and Win Saha

Sun 4th Nov Buzzwords, Exmouth Arms,Bath Road Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 7LX, 7pm Workshop, open mic plus Jo Bell

Sun 2nd Dec Buzzwords, Exmouth Arms,Bath Road Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 7LX, 7pm Workshop, open mic plus Kate North

Posted in Midlands Poetry What's On | Leave a comment

Poetry & Pints, The Globe Public House – The Ludlow Festival Fringe

Posted on June 24, 2012 by garylongden

Jack Edwards “Rock Star”


The Ludlow Festival is a well established affair. This year a fringe has been established which included a poetry day on the Saturday boasting a day long range of events from readings and workshops, through to the highlight, Poetry and Pints, at the Globe public house in the evening. A large open sided gazebo had been erected to keep the anticipated mid- summer sun off the backs of poets, some who had travelled some considerable distance to attend a combination of open mic, and the debut performance of The Olympians by Bridgnorth Writers. The big travelling contingent of poets bore testimony to Deborah Alma’s poetic pulling power. Local author Mike Sergeant kept proceedings on the move as MC, Anita Bigsby, Festival organiser watched anxiously as her fledgling coming together unfolded.

Ludlow is a beautiful, historic market town, the Globe pub, old and oozing character, a fitting setting for poetry. Staging poetry on a Saturday night has rewards and risks. The reward is that it gives the event prominence and a large casual crowd. The risk is that if you do not engage with the casuals , a boozy Saturday crowd can be difficult to tame. Fortunately, Wolverhampton based poet Jane James, who opened proceedings, is a seasoned accomplished performer who delivered an accessible, crowd pleasing sequence, which set the tone, and standard for the evening.

Much Wenlock is only twenty two miles away and is the ideological birthplace of the modern Olympics. In this year of the London Olympics it was fitting that the local Bridgnorth Writers should compose a piece to celebrate the coming together of the past and present. Dave Bingham, Paul and Linda Francis entitled it The Olympians and traced the history of the modern Olympic movement from its local roots in poetry and prose. Well written, and well presented, it contained many memorable vignettes of fact and incident. However they may well have been better advised to have split the lengthy performance in two, in order that the interest of the casuals could have been better retained.

Performing open mic at an occasion like this is no easy task. The performer has no idea in advance of the size, age and social profile of the audience ,or the physical format of the seating arrangements. Here the audience was split. Under the gazebo, the predominantly older ,poetic cognoscenti gathered. In the rest of the beer garden the, predominantly younger, casuals gathered. The deal is simple. If you engage the casuals, they settle and listen, if you don’t, they chatter and drink beer, loudly. Most poets succeeded in the former.

Jack Edwards charmed with his youthful effervescence, Sam Hunt landed two knock-out blows, then retired, Adrian Perks espoused the joys of women’s clothes ,whilst Janet Smith demonstrated that it is possible to perform fine, serious poetry to a mixed crowd, and carry them, if you keep it tight and direct, and always have one eye on audience response.

Three performers deserve special mention. Deborah Alma had not intended to read, but with the event due to start , and several performers still en route, found herself reading anyway. Absurdly self –deprecating in manner, she was a delight. At the evening’s end, Gareth Owen bravely closed the show as the rain beat down (of which more shortly). A very good poet, he eschewed vanity and performed a short pithy set in a triumph of professionalism and common sense. I look forwards to hearing him again in less pressing circumstances. Those pressing circumstances? The penultimate poet was Liz Lefroy a local poetic luminary, and someone who is always worth listening to. However this time she performed accompanied. Accompanied by driving rain. At first the patter of rain on canvas has a hypnotic seductive quality. However when rivulets of water periodically cascade onto lighting cables, sockets and amplification equipment, the concept of an electrifying performance transforms from the metaphorical ,to the potential for actual! Somehow Liz carried on wonderfully with defiant insouciance to the risk of blackout and explosion. She is definitely someone to have around in a crisis. Her opening poem? Pretending the Weather.

Liz Lefroy defies the elements

Not that the wet and risk of electrocution in any way spoiled the event. The rain did not dampen spirits, and a spot of danger is essential to good poetry. All concerned are to be congratulated on a successful and well attended occasion which hopefully will provide the basis for future poetry at the Fringe Festival.

Photographs by Deborah Alma

Gary Longden 24/6/12

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | 5 Comments

Parole Parlate, Worcester Literary Festival Special, Little Venice, Worcester

Posted on June 22, 2012 by garylongden

The night’s assorted cast


This Parole Parlate special was billed as a “Best of” the years performers, and sure enough the year’s poetic troubadours turned out in force to celebrate, and support, Worcestershire’s longest running Poetry event. A triumvirate of Poet Laureates were on show from different eras, and counties. Pride of place must go to the newest laureate, Maggie Doyle, who was crowned Worcestershire Poet Laureate at a Worcester Literary Festival ceremony last Friday, and was positively beaming, and rightly so. Not only has she put in the hard yards across the Midlands but she has also been involved in the pioneering Decadent Divas, and continues to be an active member of poetry collective, “Write Down Speak Up”. She is going to be a busy girl!

Maggie Doyle – Worcestershire Poet Laureate reads , the world listens!

Maggie will undoubtedly be a popular choice. Tonight she gave us self-deprecating humour about slimming in A Certain Type of Loss, she risked the wrath of Her Majesty with Duty Calls, a humorous tale of errant corgis, but showed her serious writing side with Diamonds, which was neat, poignant, and satisfying.

Current Birmingham Poet Laureate Jan Watts is in the latter stages of her year and is clearly relishing it, and making the most of every opportunity. It is her versatility which impresses, whether it is a vignette about an officious Greek Hotelier, or her re-imagining a Lunar Society meeting with women rather than men. Everyday tasks such as cleaning do not escape her poetic pen, and she has a pantoum for every day and occasion. She has blazed a trail for female laureates , Maggie will I am sure be examining the ingredients which have made Jan’s year such a success. Oh, and she did that poem about supermarkets……………….

Julie Boden wonders how book sales are progressing in the Indian Sub-Continent

Past Birmingham Poet Laureate Julie Boden was making a welcome appearance celebrating her inclusion in Seven Leaves, One Autumn, by Indian Publisher, Rajkamal Prakashan Pvt. Ltd. This is a typically shred move by Julie, why restrict yourself to the English market, when there is a population of one billion people to go for in India? All the poems are written in English, other contributors come from India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Spain and the USA. Eight of her poems were included in the collection , she read four, all of which shone as worthy contributions to the book, and which deservedly represent England. She should be proud. We all had a warm feeling of shared pride for her.

The Worcester Chorale – (l2r) Julie Boden, Maggie Doyle, Sarah James and Lindsay Stanberry-Flynn. Workshop Leader David Calcutt is photographer!

Julie also featured in a choral ensemble which wrote and performed in the day, a poem inspired by Worcester, accompanied by Sarah James, Lindsay Stanberry Flynn, Maggie Doyle and workshop leader, David Calcutt. Unsurprisingly with that talent, it was rather good, and served as a reminder to all poets of how much can be achieved in relatively little time if you put your mind to it.

Typically, the balance of the bill was wildly eclectic. Al Barz was accompanied by his keyboard for the crowd pleasing Leonora, Amy Rainbow was joined by a bloke in a jacket as she waltzed through Words and Oats with her customary aplomb and a rather sexy faux Brummie accent for the latter poem. Mo the Peoples’ Nun talked a lot about God, whilst Chardonnay Jade, just seventeen years old,held her own against some very experienced company. She wrote with endearing honesty and wit, and I look forwards to hearing more of her. Suz Winspear appeared in her Gothic splendour to perform her now accomplished well oiled set, and fellow regular Chris Kingsley told of Muppets, in an amusing duo.

Dori K and those mysterious illustrations

Opening the evening was Dori Kirchmair performing Resonance,a short story about connecting with what resonates with you, what feels truly right for you; where you align with your self – your own truth. This was illustrated by three pictures which appeared to show a Japanese flag defaced by a cats claw mark, a wobbly tyre tread, and some threads of cotton, respectively. Unfortunately none of these images resonated with me, leaving me feeling somewhat disconnected , which in a piece about connection, was a problem. I think that I need to hear it again. Nevertheless it made its contribution to a night of content which was as varied as it was enjoyable.

Lisa Ventura hosted with tact, grace and a staedy hand on the tiller. Parole Parlate returns on July 5th, the Worcester Literary Festival closes on Sunday 24th.

Parole Parlate photographs taken by, and used with kind permission of, Geoff Robinson

Gary Longden 22/6/12

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | 3 Comments

The Vaginellas, Boar’s Head Gallery, Kidderminster

Posted on June 22, 2012 by garylongden

The Vaginellas – (l2r) Jenny Hope, Ruth Stacey, Sarah James, Jo Langton

The Worcester Literary Festival is a glorious alchemy of the arts which tonight found its expression in the debut performance of the Vaginellas in a typically bold promotion. No-one knew who the Vaginellas were, how many of them there were, what their material was going to comprise, or what their manifesto was. But curiosity is a powerful thing, and a good sized crowd turned out to find out at a venue which is rapidly becoming the cultural epicentre of the town.

Jodie Lea Ford

An open mic section preceded the Vaginellas sets which were divided into two halves. Katy Wareham Morris was confident, strident, and read a rather good poem in the style of the American Beat poets, followed by Jodie Lea Ford who found her voice with Tits.
I should declare a professional poetic relationship with Amy Rainbow before declaring also that she was on fabulous form. The C Word is clever, amusing and invariably catches the audience out with its last line volta. Yet it was her serious date rape poem which stood out for me. Her customary chiming rhyme beguilingly mirrors the specious seduction before the event. It is didactic, but not hectoring. It reaches out to a male audience, but is uncompromising in its message . It is very good. Although Myfanwy Fox is a regular performer on the local circuit, I never tire of hearing her. Forty Love and OAP sparkled. Like Victoria Wood she has the ability to savour the risqué whilst making it all seem fine because it is done with such poise.

I always enjoy hearing new performers .Delphine de Noire was hitherto unknown to me, but made quite an impression. With her jet black hair, flowing black dress, bright red lipstick, and pronounced eye make- up, she clearly revels in an image that has something about the night swirling around her. She could easily have been transported from Andy Warhol’s Factory circa 1969, a world inhabited by the likes of Candy Darling, Nico , Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground. So I was wholly unsurprised when her first poem was entitled , Morphine Dream, then followed by Bathsheba. Dark, atmospheric and mysterious it was as if Jim Morrison and Grace Slick had been re-incarnated for a trippy poetic journey. I have no idea what much of it was about – but I loved it.

Another pleasure of reviewing is watching performers blossom. When I first met Sarah Tamar a couple of years ago her talent was obvious, but she was just making her early tentative steps onto the circuit. Now she co-hosts Mouth and music with assurance and authority, qualities which she brought to her performance, along with some memorable lines. She described the end game of a failed relationship as leaving “Love gasping like a dying fish” and the sex as, “ star-crossed permafrost”. Ouch!

Which brings me to the main event, the Vaginellas, whom I can now reveal comprise Jenny Hope, Ruth Stacey, Sarah James and, all the way from Salford, Manchester, Jo Langton. Their material? A joyous concoction of fun, feminism, sauce and seriousness. The writing was tight and engaging. No subject, weighty or risqué, was out of bounds, but it was always delivered with spades of self-deprecating humour or conviction, depending upon the subject.

Ruth Stacey drew upon Germaine Greer’s celebration, and reclaiming, of the word “cunt” in a way that was both a delight, and a demonstration of the power it still holds. Sarah James celebrated men’s testicles, bemoaning their unavailability in supermarket fruit sections, leaving me both smiling, and sitting rather uneasily! The phenomena of men “enjoying” ladies lingerie is well documented, the reverse less so. Jo Langton’ s homage to the pleasures of wearing men’s boxer shorts was therefore an unexpected, and particular, delight. The Vaginellas rotated and swapped performance with an ease , confidence, and efficiency which was a tribute to their professionalism bearing in mind this was their first outing. That rotation allowed for moods and topics to be switched quickly, and Jenny Hopes powerful protest against female circumcision, Cutting the Rose, was no less resonant and impactful than the good humour which was never far away.

The Vaginellas performance was a triumph and are now a second force for women’s ensemble poetry in the region with the Decadent Divas having first blazed the trail. What I found exciting was that they are approaching the genre from a different place, the Decadent Divas are gossiping in the parlour, the Vaginellas are in the bedroom! How I would love to see a bill with both groups performing.

Rarely have I attended an evening with such a positive reaction from both audience, and performers, alike. As the show was an unknown quantity, there were few men in the audience, those who were unsure missed a real treat. The Vaginellas material is all-embracing, inviting women, and men, to laugh, and reflect , with them. Why should women have all the fun to themselves ?

The Worcester Literary Festival continues until Sunday 24/6/12

Gary Longden 22/6/12

Photograph taken by Jodie Lea Ford and used with kind permission from Sarah James

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | 2 Comments

Fancy A Double, Malvern Cube, Malvern – A Worcester Literary Festival Event

Posted on June 17, 2012 by garylongden

Host Jai Hill serves drinks, and reads poetry, simultaneously


In this year of the Diamond Jubilee there has been much talk about defining what makes Great Britain “great”, and the English “English”, a task whose aim is as elusive as the Holy Grail, I fear. But in Malvern, nestling in streets which cling to the lower slopes of the hills, I think there may be as good a representation of the idea as anything , last night it was to be found at Malvern Cube, formerly Malvern Youth Centre, at “Fancy a Double”, part of the Worcester Literary Festival. Now it could have been formerly Malvern Youth Centre in a physical sense, rather than in nomenclature, if it had not been for the sterling efforts of the locals, many of whom were present for the show, to keep it open, and it is such events as this which justify its existence. A pile of rubble and a new housing estate ( as was threatened) would have been a poor replacement.If aliens from outer space had called in to see what this cultural form was, they would probably have been baffled , keyed in Alpha Centauri into the satnav, and hit warp factor 9 pronto – and we would not want it any other way.

Master of ceremonies was a man variously dressed as a Crusader Knight and Dave Lee Travis circa 1972, Jai Hill. Jai was the consummate host, linking acts, telling jokes and the odd poem, and pouring pints of beer down a funnel into the throat of an audience member whilst reciting “Charge of the Light Brigade”, Tennyson would have approved.

Tim Cranmore plays the National Anthem, on the carrot, to a devoted Royalist

First up was Tim Cranmore and Robyn. Tim was on carrot. Robyn was on cello. To others this may have seemed odd, in Malvern the concern was merely of how you tune a carrot. That mystery was never solved, but we were treated to an unique ( never has the word been more appropriate) coming together of carrot and cello in ways that hitherto have certainly not been explored by anyone else. Tim’s discovery, and translation of, an unknown Dead Sea Scroll concealed in a watering can ,was as much a revelation in performance as it will be to religious authorities. The National Anthem was played with a vigour and panache which left me astonished that Tim and Robyn’s services had not been called upon earlier on in the day ,at Horse Guards Parade, for the Trooping of the Colour in front of Her Majesty in person. Tim was as phlegmatic as ever, Robyn tried to keep a straight face – it was great fun.

Closing the first half were the Very Grimm Brothers, AKA Adrian Mealing and John Denton, who occasionally leave their baronial castle to entertain the hoi polloi. It is a wonderful act. Adrian is on voice and personality, John is on guitar and long suffering non-personality. Adrian has all the fun, but John’s deadpan foil is vital to a performance which takes in a tribute to Gill Scott Heron, student fees, and nude wrestling in front of an open fire to while away the long winter nights. Finely nuanced, very well written, and skilfully accompanied by John, it was a rousing finale to the first half.

Adrian Mealing (left) and John Denton, AKA the Very Grimm Brothers, in typically downbeat pose.

I am not in the habit of reviewing performances in which I have been involved, but face a difficulty here, as the third act was The Imperfect Pair, of whom I am one half, and Amy Rainbow is the other. Suffice to say that I was the “Im” bit, and Amy was the “Perfect” bit.

Amy & Gary in spooky, rather than romantic, silhouette

Lindsey Warnes- Carroll and Catherine Crosswell wrapped up the night with an act that combined part spoken word duet, part acapella singing, part acoustically accompanied performance, and a finale with a backing track. The material focussed on genitalia and bodily functions, but was of course done in the best possible taste, with a nod and a wink and a smile, oh, and gales of laughter! I had not previously considered the lyrical potential of cervical smears and lollipop sticks, fortunately, Catherine and Lindsey have, as they careered through a set list whose order was determined by the audience and a crocodile’s mouth. The audience loved it,and so did I, demanding a well deserved encore which turned out to be a surreally literal re-interpretation of Waterloo.

Catherine and Lindsey learn the dates for their cervical smear tests

Fancy a Double delivered a double strength dose of entertainment for the first Saturday of the Worcester Literary Festival, with much more to come until it closes on 24th June, details: http://www.worcslitfest.com/

All photos by, and with kind permission from, Geoff Robinson.

Gary Longden 17/6/12

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | 2 Comments