Open Mic Slots Available in Reading: Friday 2nd March

Friday 2nd March – Poets And Other Words (an open floor night) at The Rising Sun Arts Centre, Silver Street, Reading.

AF HARROLD SAYS: "Hosted by Preacher John this is an open mic night with no mic, but an open log fire and an attentive and quite audience. Upstairs in the Rising Sun’s lounge. It’s free to get in and always a lovely laid back bohemian evening of words and other words. It’s free to get in, turn up about 8 or 8.30, and if John’s not arrived to open up yet, hang around outside until he does."

Poetry Readings at the Runnymede International Literary Festival: Thursday March 1st

Adam O'Riordan and Charles Bennett reading at the Runnymede International Poetry Festival on Thursday March 1st 5 - 6pm (Free)

AND

Penelope Shuttle and Richard Price reading also on Thursday March 1st at 7.30 - 9pm, £5/£3 concessions.

Both events take place in the Windsor Building. For full details and a downloadable PDF please visit the Runnymede Festival site.

Ex-Men in Glasgow: Friday 2nd March

The Ex-Men: Friday 2nd March 2007, 21:00
350 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow, Scotland

Latte-ed Out

Back for another 'Latte-ed Out' - The Ex-men with another set from Cheshire cat, Ewan Chambers, and another tbc electro act should make this night a regular fixture at the coolest bar in town.

SHOT FROM THE LIP: a new season of poetry & spoken word events in London launches this week

SHOT FROM THE LIP

28 February - 27 April 2007 - various venues

SEASON LAUNCH - Wednesday 28 February at 8pm Soho Theatre
featuring John Hegley, Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze, Billy Childish, Patience Agbabi, Lucy English, Fran Landesman, Abraham Gibson and Andy Craven-Griffiths.

Shot From The Lip is a season of Spoken Word events from 28 February - 27 April 2007 put together by a group of the artform’s leading artists and promoters to help new and existing fans navigate their way through this burgeoning scene. Challenging outdated notions of what Spoken Word nights are all about, the season reflects the exuberance and diversity of events filling bars, clubs, theatres, galleries and dedicated poetry venues throughout the capital. Featured artists include Patience Agbabi, Brendan Cleary, Crisis, Kat Francois, John Hegley, Gautam Malkami, Simon Munnery, Lemn Sissay and many more.

Shot From The Lip opens on 28 February at Soho Theatre with an event highlighting some of the country’s finest, established Spoken Word talents as well as some below the radar and ripe for discovery. The launch is presented by Apples and Snakes, the UK’s leading promoter of performance poetry and features Billy Childish, Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze, Fran Landesman, Abraham Gibson and John Hegley.

The season encourages people to explore the variety of different types of Spoken Word events that can be enjoyed year-round. Some boast lots of live music, such as OneTaste in Balham or the popular penned in the margins at The Spitz and the stylish Poetry n Motion on the Embankment. At others, such as Speakeasy Reloaded in Hackney, or the hugely successful Book Slam, performances are interspersed with DJ sets, while London Liming evokes the scorching sounds and tropical vibes of the Trinidadian ‘lime’.

There’s also plenty on offer for those who prefer things word-pure, including New Blood at the Poetry Café in Covent Garden and Express Excess at Chalk Farm, or with a comedy vibe at The Poetry Shack. Events with a particularly literary leaning include tall lighthouse and the Barbican’s spotlight on poet and live artist Raman Mundair, while PoetryFilm introduces the best experimental text/films put together especially for Shot From The Lip.

The season of course also includes opportunities for the very keen to have a go themselves, particularly at Word4Word at Stratford East, an evening of music and poetry with ample opportunities for audience members to take up the mic and perform.

Shot From The Lip is managed by Audiences London and developed with and steered by a consortium of spoken word promoters and artists. Accompanying the season is a Shot From The Lip Guide complete with listings of regular events in the capital. It can be downloaded at www.shotfromthelip.org from January 2007.

For further information please contact Tim McKeough on 020 7403 0599 or 07984 669 432 or email timmckeough@hotmail.com

SHOT FROM THE LIP

www.shotfromthelip.org

Season Launch
Wednesday 28 February at 8pm, Soho Theatre, Dean St W1
Shot From The Lip is launched by Apples & Snakes and features performances from eight of the country’s finest poets – from well-known names to well-kept secrets. Featuring: John Hegley, Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze, Billy Childish, Patience Agbabi, Lucy English, Fran Landesman, Abraham Gibson and Andy Craven-Griffiths.
The event also marks the first of Apples & Snakes bi-monthly events at Soho Theatre Studio.
Tickets; £8/£6 0870 429 6883 or at: www.sohotheatre.com

One Taste
Sunday 4 March, 7 - 11pm, The Bedford (Globe Theatre) 77 Bedford Hill, SW12
Throwing a spotlight onto underground music and spoken word artists, the line up of poets, musicians and cabaret performers includes wordsmith, Inua Ellams, the ‘suburban gothic’, the performer and film-maker Suzanne Andrade and the host of Radio 4’s, Bespoken Word, Mr Gee.
Tickets: £6 on the door or £5 online www.onetaste.co.uk

Speakeasy Reloaded
Monday 5 March 8-10pm: Marie Lloyd Bar 289 Mare Street, London E8
Featuring a remarkable range of styles and interspersed with DJ sets, this is another chance to see John Hegley in this east London theatre bar that also boasts Tracy Emin art. Sets from poets Roger Cliff-Thompson and Crisis also feature.
Tickets: Free

PoetryFilm
Friday 9 March, 8-11pm: Saatchi and Saatchi, 80 Charlotte Street, London W1
A selection of PoetryFilm’s best experimental text/films put together by Malgorzata Kitowski especially for the Shot from the Lip season.
Tickets £5 reserve at: info@poetryfilm.org

penned in the margins @ The Spitz
Thursday 15 March, 8 -11pm, The Spitz, Spitalfields Market, London E1
Fusion of leftfield poetics and live music in east London’s best alternative music venue.
Tickets: £6/£5 020 7392 9032 www.wegottickets.com

Apples & Snakes: Fresh
Friday 16 March, 8pm-11pm: The Albany, Douglas Way, London SE8
Poetry meets hip-hop in a fast-paced night of rhythm & rhyme. Open mic slots available for poets and spitters alike.
Tickets £7/£5, £4 for under 25s 020 8692 4446 www.thealbany.org.uk

New Blood
Wednesday 21 March, 7:30 - 9:30pm: Poetry Café, 22 Betterton Street, WC2
New Blood has been showcasing new writers alongside established ones since the ‘80s. The current team presents Ashna, an astonishing 14-year-old writer of wisdom, wit and observation, Scroobius Pip the trail blazing bearded ‘unspoken’ word artist and Todd Swift, one of the leading Canadian poets of his generation. Open mic slots available.
Tickets: £5/£3 concs on the door

Poetry n Motion
Sunday 25 March, 8:30 -10:30pm @ Motion Bar (downstairs), Victoria Embankment, WC2
Host Nii Parkes introduces US imports and some of the UK’s best lyrical artists. Including Crisis and Metis.
Tickets £6 (£3 online or call 08700 600 100) www.ukfridays.com

tall lighthouse
Wednesday 28 March 8-10pm: Poetry Café, 22 Betterton Street, WC2
A line-up full of award-winning poets from this independent poetry press in the intimate surroundings of the Poetry Cafe. Plus a few open mic slots and an opportunity to buy the books.
Tickets: £4/£3 concs on the door www.tall-lighthouse.co.uk

Book Slam
Thursday 29 March, 8.30pm – late: Check www.bookslam.com for venue details
Founded by award-winning author Patrick Neate and sometime pop superstar Ben Watt, Book Slam mixes poetry, prose and live music, with plenty of breaks for chat and drinks. Guests include Gautam Malkani, celebrating the paperback publication of his debut Londonstani, and Salena Godden, notorious poet, singer and raconteur.
Tickets: £5 on the door

Express Excess
Wednesday 4 April, 8:30 -11pm, The Enterprise (upstairs) 2 Haverstock Hill, NW3
With feel-good tales from Roger Robinson and poems & tales of Simon Munnery and Julian Fox (possible harmonica playing may also feature), this is a fine night of snaking tales, wit and leftfield word play.
Tickets: £5/£3 concs on the door www.expressexcess.co.uk

The Poetry Shack
Tuesday 10 April, 7:30pm: Old Crown Public House, 33 New Oxford St WC1
The Poetry Shack’s headliner is the eccentric, iconoclastic poet AF Harrold, leading a cast of performers to welcome the spring… There are also open mic spots and a competition for the best poem on the subject of astrophysics! Tickets: £5 on the door www.thepoetryshack.co.uk

Word4Word
Sunday 15 April, 8pm-10pm Theatre Royal Stratford East, London E15
Hosted by Kat Francois, Word4Word is an evening of music and poetry but most importantly open mic, in the theatre’s cosy bar. There are performances from two writers and musicians and the rest of the night is over to the audience.
Tickets: Free www.stratfordeast.com

Raman Mundair
Wednesday 18 April, 7:30-10pm, Barbican Library, Barbican, Silk Street EC2
Born in India and now based in the Shetland Islands, Raman Mundair’s poems inevitably explore identity and journeys of all kinds - cultural, political and geographical. With special guests she presents a heady fusion of words and music.
Tickets: £6/£4 0845 120 7500 www.barbican.org.uk

London Liming: a spoken word lime in London
Friday 27 April, 7:45pm-12am, Rich Mix, E1
Music, DJs and spoken word under one roof, with lots of soca, brazilian and dance sounds on tap. Shot from the Lip’s closing event features John Agard, Patience Agbabi, Anthony Joseph and is hosted by Lemn Sissay and Melanie Abrahams. Presented in association with Rich Mix.
Tickets: £7/£5 concs 0207 613 7498 www.renaissanceone.com

Buzzwords in Cheltenham: next Sunday, March 4th

Next Sunday 4th March
Upstairs at the Beehive, Montpellier Villas, Cheltenham

BUZZWORDS - poetry with guest & open mic slots

7pm - workshop led by Emily Wills
8pm onwards - open mic and Guest poet (Emily Wills)

This is a popular monthly poetry night upstairs in a charming Cheltenham pub called The Beehive, featuring an experienced poet each month as Guest reader and poetry workshop leader, plus plenty of time for audience members to get up and perform their own work. Parking can be tricky near the venue itself, so try to arrive early. An excellent West Country poetry night, highly recommended.

Organiser & MC: Angela France

www.angelfire.com/poetry/buzzwords

Poetry & Jazz at Poejazzi: Tuesday 6th March

PoeJazzi at Volupté Bar

9 Norwich Street (off Furnival Street, off Chancery Lane), London.
Tuesday 6th March
Entrance £10.

AF HARROLD describes this as 'A hot night of poetry and jazz featuring all sorts of excitement (I expect) including me.'

www.myspace.com/poejazzi

THIS EVENT SOLD OUT - BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN FOR APRIL 3rd POEJAZZI WITH KAT FRANCOIS & OTHERS.

Utter! No. 13 for Poetry, Storytelling & Strangeness: Wednesday 28th February

UTTER! #13

8pm, Wednesday February 28th, 2007
Address: Salisbury Hotel, 1 Grand Parade,
Green Lanes, London N4 1JX.
Tube: Turnpike Lane / Manor House.
Bus: 141, 29, 41, 67. Overland: Harringey Green Lanes.

Cost: FREE ENTRY!

Contact: richardtyronejones@gmail.com, 07711 483 819

At Utter's 13th stunning edition we have a fantastic mix of poetry,
storytelling, strangeness and mime from a plethora of up & coming
acts!

www.myspace.com/richardtyronejones

Sunday XPress in Birmingham this Sunday, February 25th

This Sunday being the last Sunday of the month means it's time for some very informal open mic poetry and spoken word in Birmingham again. Poets, musicians and performers are invited to the Sunday XPress: usual set-up, 2pm-6pm, Market Tavern in Digbeth, near the bus depot and not far from the city centre.

Open mic for performers, anything you want to do up there, poems, short stories, stand-up, spoken word, music, lots of fun and a supportive audience. Liz Smith, the organiser, promises to do her best on the free roast potatoes front, but she might be running a bit late so don't get your hopes up!

Sunday 25th February
Market Tavern, Digbeth
2 - 6pm

Sunday XPress in Birmingham: Keeping it Real!

SHORTFUSE Live Weigh-In, plus Nathan Penlington on a barge at Battersea

Next Week's SHORTFUSE: "LIP UP FATTY!"

Thursday 1st March 2007, 08:30
The Camden Head, 2 Camden Walk, Islington, London, N1
Cost : £5/£3

London's only weekly fusion of stand up poetry, performance comedy, spokenword and music. Nathan Penlington hosts...Lip Up Fatty!



"Join us for yet another poetry night with a difference, as five large poets share their weighty verse. Featuring Phil Jupitus, Roddy Lumsden, Tim Wells, Niall O'Sullivan and Paul MacJoyce...and a LIVE WEIGH IN!"

Editor's Note (i.e. concerned): Can the Shortfuse floor take so much punishment? Just don't ask me along too ...

PLUS:
Nathan Penlington himself performing at:
Battersea Barge, Nine Elms Lane, Vauxhall Tube, London,
Sunday 25th February 2007, 19:30
Cost : £6.50

A fantastic cabaret night held on a beautiful barge moored near the Battersea Power Station. Nathan Penlington performing a full set of magic and poetry. For full info, bookings and photos see www.batterseabarge.com

Big Word - Edinburgh's Number One Live Poetry Spot: under review by Craig Duffy

Gig Review: Edinburgh's 'Big Word' Live Poetry

Thursday 22nd February 2007

What started out as a quiet night of Poetry recital immediately became something bigger, as Jenny Lindsay took the stage to kick off Big Word in its new home at City Café, Blair St., Edinburgh. As seats were filled, leaving standing room only, Robin Cairns launched into an energetic set. Erudite but always in his native Glasgow tongue, this wit of performance poetry danced as he thrilled the audience with frenetic movement and big-brained insight.

Although a hard act to follow, Thick Richards (1 half thereof at least) were more than up to the task. Taking an educated Scally look at the world with rapid fire technique that’s been wowing folk all over the country, and splitting sides with such humorous arguments as to “why weed should not be legal”. These guys hit the right note with the crowd.

American Poet Jennifer Williams took the mic after the break, with a voice of pure Americana honey and poetry of such imagery that one relaxed into hazy smiles. I looked; the room was full of them!

A surprise floor-spot from newcomer Rachel Wylie with a Clause 22-inspired poem of a teacher asking her class to draw “a family picture within government guidelines” had the gathering in creases and local songster Jim MacAteer was definitely the right choice to warm the heart before the varied crowd were treated to the verbal vortex that is Ash Dickinson.

Another treat of the night was a performance from the Scottish Poetry Slam Team, consisting of Milton Balgonie, Stephen Barnaby and Jenny Lindsay. (And yes, we beat the English and Irish at something with these three in the recent national competition.) With a really strong showing from Milton Balgonie, who my friend thought; “Was trying to be the next Burns in the City Café, and succeeding!”

All interlocked with poems by the maestro herself, who can be one minute funny, then touching, before reaching a sodden condemnation, Jenny Lindsay did not disappoint.

If you thought poetry was a dry topic reserved for books and lonely wanderers, then Big Word in Edinburgh is just the medicine to prove you wrong.

Craig Duffy

Please note change of venue for the next Big Word:

Next Big Word night is Thursday 22nd March, 8-8:30pm, downstairs at Jazz Bar on Chambers Street, Edinburgh. £4/£3

Penned in the Margins at The Spitz: Thursday 15th March

Penned in the What? at the Where?

To find out more details about this forthcoming event, visit the superb Penned in the Margins website, run by poet & compere Tom Chivers.

Performance Poetry Course at Arvon Foundation: May 21st-26th, 2007

Live Literature Masterclass at Totleigh Barton

An exhilarating masterclass crash course in spoken word, performance poetry and rap, led by two of the UK’s top exponents of live literature. This course will steer you through the creation of the poetic script for stage, the audience-performer dynamic, creating the stage personae, performance skills, microphone technique, working with music, beatbox and establishing yourself as a professional spoken word artist.

Start Date :
Monday, May 21, 2007
End Date :
Saturday, May 26, 2007

This course is being tutored by Charlie Dark & Joelle Taylor, with John Hegley as mid-week guest:

Charlie Dark is a writer, producer and DJ who has built an international reputation for pushing spoken word boundaries. Poet coach for the London Teenage Poetry Slam, he also orchestrates the spoken word night Alphabet Soup.

Joelle Taylor is a professional spoken word artist, workshop facilitator and published playwright, who currently directs and performs with polyvocal poetry collective the SLAMbassadors and coordinates the Rise Londonwide Youth Slam Championships for the Poetry Society.

Course Guest:
John Hegley's latest collection is Uncut Confetti (Methuen).

This course is based at: Totleigh Barton
Sheepwash, Beaworthy, Devon, EX21 5NS
Tel: 01409 231338
Fax: 01409 231144
E-Mail: t-barton@arvonfoundation.org

Check out more details and photos of the tutors at the Arvon Foundation website.

Diké Omeje (1972 - 2007): a charismatic and pioneering poet-performer

Performance poet Diké Omeje died on the 13th of January this year. A talented spoken word performer, he toured the UK extensively and was a regular performer at Speakeasy in Manchester. His books include Crafting the Practice (Crocus Books) and The Mind Field (Cheersta publications).

Born 15th April 1972, Diké Omeje was educated at Manchester Burnage High School and later at Manchester Metropolitan University. An avid reader from an early age, his first spoken word performance was at Manchester's Night and Day at the age of 23. His talent as a performer was obvious from the beginning, and it was not long before Dike was well-known on the Manchester poetry scene.

After winning most of the local poetry slams, Diké soon graduated to MC, hosting the Commonword Manchester Slams and venturing further afield to try out his performance skills in other parts of the UK. Remaining true to his roots, however, he remained actively engaged with the Manchester Speakeasy, a poets' and musicians' collective of which he became Chair in October 2006. As a poet, he was probably best-known for his pioneering innovations in poetry performance and for working collaboratively with other spoken word artists, most notably as a key member of touring initiative Brothatalk.

Needing, like so many spoken word artists, to supplement his earnings with a job outside the poetry arena, Diké continued to work elsewhere, including a brief stint for the Big Issue magazine. Even after his career in performance had taken off he was still working as a department store security guard in Manchester city centre.

Shortly before he lost his battle with cancer, Diké Omeje performed on the prestigious Apples & Snakes Temptation UK tour, wowing audiences nationwide with his charismatic blend of humour, rhythm and spirital keynotes. A hard-working and witty performer, he will be sadly missed by poets and spoken word artists from across the UK and Europe.

Diké Omeje on the internet:
myspace.com/artycoolate
speakeasymcr.com
www.cheersta.co.uk
www.urbanstreet.co.uk
www.shorelines.org.uk

New York poet reads in Cork: TONIGHT, Friday 23rd February

Renowned New York poet and essayist Michael Heller will be reading in Cork (upstairs the Slainte Bar, formerly the Vineyard, Market Lane, off Patrick Street) at 8pm this Friday 23rd February.

All welcome - admission is free!

Michael Heller (b.1937), is an American poet, essayist and critic. Among his many books are Exigent Futures, In The Builded Place, Wordflow and Living Root: A Memoir . He wrote the libretto for the opera, Benjamin, based on the life of Walter Benjamin. He is recipient of awards including the NEH Poet/Scholar grant, New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship (NYFA), National Endowment for the Humanities award, and The Fund for Poetry. He was born in New York City where he now lives and teaches at New York University.

This event is part of SoundEye, the Festival of the Arts of the Word.

Over the Edge in Galway: Friday March 8th

Over The Edge

Over the Edge in association with Poetry Ireland presents a reading by Moyra Donaldson, Martin Mooney, John Walsh & Leonor Silvestri at Sheridan’s Wine Bar, 14-16 Church Yard Street, Galway on Friday, March 9th, 8pm.

There is no entrance fee! All welcome. For further information contact 087-6431748.

Over The Edge acknowledges the financial support of the Arts Council, Poetry Ireland and Galway City Council. For more info on these poets and over Over the Edge events, visit www.overtheedgeliteraryevents.blogspot.com - now that's a mouthful!

Mark Gwynne Jones: Leicester, Thursday March 1st

Leicester, De Montfort University, cultural eXchange, Mark Gwynne Jones' solo show

Thursday 1st March.
Doors 6.30pm, show 7pm.
Free entry!

To reserve seats telephone 0116 2506229
www.dmu.ac.uk/culturalexchanges

Demon Barbers & an Inflatable Buddha - only at the Zodiac, Oxford: Thursday March 1st

The Demon Barbers and Inflatable Buddha at The Zodiac, Oxford

"If you're a fan of Larkin lyrics, purple percussion, starling song or mystic music then this, Inflatable Buddha's biggest gig for ages sees, exciting "new folk" / dance band The Demon Barbers gracing the Zodiac stage with every bodies favourite "art punk poets". "

Thursday March 1st
£6/£5 - box office for tickets and details 01865 420 042

World Book Day poetry reading in Cheltenham: Thursday March 1st

Three Poets Reading for World Book Day

Join UA Fanthorpe, Nigel McLoughlin and Alicia Stubbersfield in a celebration of the 10th anniversary of World Book Day.

7.15pm on 1 March 2007
Room TC001
University of Gloucestershire
Francis Close Hall
Swindon Road
Cheltenham

Book NOW to secure your place!

Fee: £6.50 (Students & Staff £3)
Light refreshments will be provided.
For more information, contact: Kate Hoffman
Tel: 01242 714692 by 28 Feb 2007.

SHOT FROM THE LIP Season Launch in London: Wednesday 28th February

SHOT FROM THE LIP

Season Launch
Wednesday 28 February at 8pm, Soho Theatre, Dean St W1

Shot From The Lip is launched by Apples & Snakes and features performances from eight of the country’s finest poets – from well-known names to well-kept secrets.

Featuring: John Hegley, Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze, Billy Childish, Patience Agbabi, Lucy English, Fran Landesman, Abraham Gibson and Andy Craven-Griffiths.

The event also marks the first of Apples & Snakes bi-monthly events at Soho Theatre Studio.

Tickets: £8/£6 0870 429 6883 or at: www.sohotheatre.com

Speakeasy in Nottingham: TONIGHT!

Complex Trout Productions and The Alley Cafe present

speakeasy 58

performance poetry and spoken word

@ The Alley Cafe, 1a Cannon Court, Nottingham (opposite Angel Row Library)
Wednesday 21st February, 2007
8pm onwards
FREE
**** floor spots available

with special guest
Apocraphe
Host: Steve Carroll

"All the way from Main Rock Records, Apocraphe will be at the Alley later to spice things up a little. Having played all over the country, as well as in Europe, Apoc continues to build his reputation as a powerful performer and lyricist. Known for his passionate beliefs and communicative ability, Apoc also took part in live election coverage and debate for the 2005 national elections for BBC Radio 1xtra alongside Skinnyman, DJ Flip and Plan B. Currently prose-writing as well, you can't stop the Don..."

Trout

www.myspace.com/complextrout

Open Poetry Readings in Galway: Thursday March 1st

Over The Edge: March 1st, Galway

This Open Reading takes place in Galway City Library, St. Augustine Street, Galway on Thursday, March 1st, 6.30-8pm. The Featured Readers are Enda Coyle-Green, Alan McMonagle & Aideen Henry.

As usual there will be an open-mic when the featured readers have finished. This is open to anyone who has a poem or story to share. New readers are always especially welcome. The MC for the evening will be Susan Millar DuMars. For further details contact 087-6431748.

Over The Edge acknowledges the financial support of Galway City Council and The Arts Council http://overtheedgeliteraryevents.blogspot.com/

Penned in the Margins: celebrating poetry & spoken word with live broadcasts

Penned in the margins

a live poetry radio show presented by poet and promoter Tom Chivers.

"Penned in the Margins has broadcast live every week on Resonance FM since Autumn 2005. The show, London’s only regular radio programme devoted to poetry and spoken word, is currently being rested, so we thought we’d take the opportunity to digitise some of our favourite shows, featuring the likes of Iain Sinclair, Anthony Joseph and James Wilkes.

Please visit our new Blog to listen to the shows. We’ll be adding more soon so don’t forget to bookmark us!"

http://pennedinthemargins.blogspot.com

For more information about penned in the margins you can visit our other websites at www.pennedinthemargins.co.uk and www.myspace.com/tomchivers

THE UGLY TREE magazine poetry reading in Manchester: Thursday 22nd February

THE UGLY TREE LIVE

The Central Library, St Peter’s Sq, Manchester M2 5PD
From 1.00pm on Thursday 22 February 2007 (latecomers will be glared at!)

Poets past & present will be taking part in the Lunchtime Reading event at Manchester Central Library. Entry to the event is free, so please come along and support your local muse-meisters.

Among those scheduled to appear are Rosie Lugosi, Simon Rennie, Tony Walsh, Adam Irving, Dermot Glennon & Tony Curry. NB: line-up subject to final confirmation.

So what is 'The Ugly Tree'?

The Ugly Tree is issued 3 times a year & welcomes unsolicited submissions and reviews. We do not discriminate between any forms of poetry and whilst we do have a penchant for the relationship of spoken & performance poetry to the page it is not necessarily our raison d’être. For submissions guidelines please see the relevant link. To get a taster of past issues visit the samples page - or better still, buy a copy!

The Ugly Tree website

Open Mic at the Poetry Cafe in London: Tuesday 20th February

Tuesday 20th February at 7.30pm

Poetry Unplugged

This popular weekly Open Mic evening at the Poetry Cafe in London is hosted, as usual, by Niall O'Sullivan. Arrive between 6-7pm if you want to read & sign up.

FEE: £3.50/2.50

The Poetry Cafe is situated at 22 Betterton Street, near Covent Garden, London. Nearest tubes are Holborn and Covent Garden.

PERFORMERS WANTED

PERFORMERS WANTED to enter Utter!'s 'Ajar Mic' contest

'Utter!' is Harringey's Arts Council funded poetry, story-telling and
music extravaganza, which takes place on the last Wednesday of every
month at the sumptuous Salisbury Pub, 1 Grand Parade, Green Lanes N4
1Jx (inbetween Manor House and Turnpike Lane tube stations).

Every month we welcome four intrepid new performers to give us their
all for 5 minutes each - music, poetry, storytelling, comedy, whatever
you like - with the audience voting a winner. Each winner gets a paid
slot at the next month's Utter! plus a chance to join previous winners
Phil Philmar, Joshua Idehen, Jack Shamash and Donal Dempsey in our
August 29th final where the ultimate victor, again voted for by the
audience, will walk away with a cool £150 prize, sponsored by Word for
Word Wood Green writing group - the biggest open-entry live literature
prize in London, if not the world! (Possibly.)

As you can imagine these slots book up early but we still have slots
available for March 28th, May 30th, June 27th and July 25ths' Utter!s,
so if you'd like to enter, please email RICHARDTYRONEJONES @ GMAIL.COM
with your name, preferred date and a brief description of what you do.
It's first-come first served so get in touch quick!

Further Utter!s this year will welcome:

Weds Feb 28th: David Floyd, Jay Bernard, Matthew M. Taylor, Tom
Phillips, Leora Ronel and last month's winner Donal Dempsey, plus
Niall Spooner-Harvey, Anna Meryt, Brian Docherty and Sarita Sikka in
the competition, all hosted by Richard Tyrone Jones

Weds March 28th: A.F. Harrold, John Anstiss, Yemisi Blake, Angela
Cleland and last month's competition winner hosted by Lee Nelson

Weds April 25th: Steve Tasane, Project Adorno, Dean Wilson, Kevin
Reinhardt and last month's winner plus Kim Wells, Steven Sumner,
vocalist Kwali and Ash in the competition, with guest host John
Citizen

Weds May 30th: Cult novelist Stewart Home, Tim Wells and comedian and
poet Tim Key plus others TBA, and in the competition Germander
Speedwell, Raymond Blake and Sarah Verrinder, hosted by Richard Tyrone
Jones

Cheers!

Richardtyronejones@gmail.com

myspace.com/richardtyronejones
myspace.com/utterliterarycabaret

REMINDER: PUREandGOODandRIGHT open mic at Leamington Spa TONIGHT!

Appearing at popular venue The Fox, Clarendon Avenue, Leamington Spa this Sunday evening, February 18th, you will find various stars of Midlands performance poetry - Dreadlockalien, former Birmingham Poet Laureate, Dan Wilson and Evoke - strutting their stuff in front of the mic at PUREandGOODandRIGHT, the regular Leamington Spa poetry night hosted by accountant-turned-poet and comic genius Sean Kelly.



£3 entry, open mic all evening - apart from the guest spots, of course - come early if you'd like to read. Begins about 7.15 - 7.30pm.

World Book Day Celebration Readings: March 1st in Cheltenham

World Book Day Readings in Cheltenham

If you're in the Cheltenham area next month, why not join U.A.Fanthorpe, Nigel McLoughlin and Alicia Stubbersfield in this West Country celebration of the 10th anniversary of World Book Day?

7.15pm on March 1st 2007.
Room TC001
University of Gloucestershire, Francis Close Hall, Swindon Road, Cheltenham.

Fee: £6.50 (Students and staff £3)
Booking & Other Information: Kate Hoffman 01242 714692

More from AF HARROLD in Reading: Friday 16th February

Friday 16th February

Poets’ Café at South Street Arts Centre, Reading.

8pm doors, 8.30pm poetry. £6/£4.



"Yet again AFH runs the longest running regular open mic poetry night in Berkshire, now into its nth year. There’re the usual opportunities for everyone who wants to to share some of their work, please the equally splendid chance to just sit back and listen to poems, and finally the rare privilege of seeing a full set from a Poets’ Café favourite, Rob Evans, who is wickedly, intelligently and miserably brilliant. Somehow he managed to con the judges at last year’s Cheltenham Literary Festival into awarding him the title of UK All-Stars Slam Champion 2006, by showing them his three cheerful poems. He promises that period of his life is now over – but to be honest, bleakness has never been so appealing as when Rob tells it. So come and see him, read, listen, drink and sit down."

New Poetry launching from the Millennium Centre, Cardiff: TONIGHT!

Thursday 15 February, 7.00 pm.
Glanfa, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
FREE ENTRY!

Mango Publishing present two new poetry collections by Maggie Harris and Joan Anim-Addo. Evocative of her childhood in Guyana, Carmarthenshire-resident Maggie Harris’s From Berbice to Broadstairs reaffirms her position as a Caribbean woman poet located firmly in British soil. Janie Cricketing Lady is Joan Anim-Addo’s second book of poetry, which includes a powerful herstory [sic!] of the Caribbean woman cricketer amongst other poems.



For more information on this event you can contact Academi on 029 2047 2266 or post@academi.org - This event is part of Academi’s series of literature events in the Wales Millennium Centre.

Dreadlockalien, Dan Wilson, Evoke at PUREandGOODandRIGHT

Appearing at popular venue The Fox, Clarendon Avenue, Leamington Spa this coming Sunday evening, which is February 18th, you will find various stars of Midlands performance poetry - Dreadlockalien, former Birmingham Poet Laureate, Dan Wilson and Evoke - strutting their stuff in front of the mic at PUREandGOODandRIGHT, the regular Leamington Spa poetry night hosted by accountant-turned-poet and comic genius Sean Kelly.



£3 entry, open mic all evening - apart from the guest spots, of course - come early if you'd like to read. Begins about 7.15 - 7.30pm.

Open Poetry Readings for East Midlands Women: Saturday 10th March

IMAGES OF WOMEN BY WOMEN

Saturday 10 March, 10 am - 4pm
The PEEPUL Centre, Orchardson Avenue, LE4 6DP
Cost: £8 or £6 concession (Price includes lunch).

Featuring performance poet Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze, poet and lecturer Catherine Byron, poet and singer Carol Leeming and Myra Schneider, author of eight poetry collections and three novels for children.

The Leicester-based women’s poetry group Soundswrite has received support from Arts Council England to hold a one-day poetry event at the Peepul Centre to celebrate women’s poetry writing in the East Midlands. The four featured poets will run workshops in the morning to allow women to explore their own writing. The afternoon is an open poetry reading with readings by the featured poets and other published East Midlands women poets. The afternoon event runs from 2pm - 4 pm and is FREE and open to everyone. Morning workshops are open to women only. Places are limited to 12 participants per workshop so early booking is advisable.

Workshop places can be booked at the main desk at the Peepul Centre, or by sending your name and contact details (including email if possible), together with a cheque made payable to “Soundswrite” to: Soundswrite, 52 Holmfield Rd, Leicester LE2 1SA

Please indicate your first and second choice of workshop.

[Email: Soundswrite@ntlworld.com Tel 0116 270 2661]

Women's Slam in Brighton & Oxford: 5th & 6th March

Hammer and Tongue Women's Slam 2007

Space for Flashing Graphics, please imagine HERE.

Monday 5th March, The Komedia, Brighton
Tuesday 6th March, The Zodiac, Oxford

In association with International Women's Day, Oxford's premier performance poetry collective Hammer and Tongue is proud to present its traditional March evening of poetry, empowerment and the best chocolate goodies outside Godiva.

Compered by Sophia 'Sassy Sappho,' Blackwell, the show features dub legend Jean 'Binta' Breeze, one of the most important, influential performance poets of recent years. There will also be support from some fine female poets, both in guest spots and in the form of an eight-person Slam.

In Oxford, the Slam itself is girls-only but everyone is welcome to attend, male and female. For more details- or if you want to sign up to Slam - please contact sophiablackwell@gmail.com

N.B. Sophia wanted flashing graphics and twirly-whirly stuff to accompany this post, but alas, it's not that kind of site. But since we're all artistes and highly creative people, I'm sure we can use our imaginations to envisage what she wanted and thus enhance this post for ourselves. Whirl, twirl, flash etc ...

North Beach Slam in Galway: Thursday 15th February

Kevin Higgins reads in Galway: Thursday, 15th February at 9pm in BK's Winebar

Just when you thought it was safe! You thought he had gone away.

He's back!

After the extraordinary success of his first Salmon collection: "The Boy With No Face", Kevin Higgins, that master of the poetic jugular, is gearing himself up for a mighty second collection. We catch up with him on Thursday 15th Feb. at BK's, one week before he flies out to California to read at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles in the University's Annual Irish Cultural Festival.

MC for the evening is Gary King, the man who knows Kevin better than (almost) anyone.

The North Beach Poetry Nights' Slam follows the usual format.
Readers / performers / poets wishing to participate are asked to bring along two 3 minute original pieces. Newcomers are particularly welcome. Juries will be selected on the night from the audience. The prize is the honour and a bottle of wine generously donated by BK's.

Place: BK's Winebar, Spanish Parade, Galway
Time: 9pm
Door: 4 Euro
Info: John Walsh at 593290

North Beach Nights gratefully acknowledges the support of Poetry Ireland and Galway City Council for this event.

Bournemouth Fire Festival: Call for Poets

FIRE FESTIVAL - LOOKING FOR POETS

I am a member of a small arts group situated in Bournemouth, who are
organising an exciting event. The Fire Festival is a free, unique one
day event created for the South West community and centred around the
physical and conceptual elements of fire. It aims to inspire
audiences, provide an opportunity to develop interests in various
artistic mediums, promote cultural awareness, provide opportunities of
participation for young people, and provide opportunities for the
various communities of people to interact with one another. It will
provide the community with information regarding the ways in which
they can reduce carbon emissions, helping to sustain a healthy
environment.

The Fire Festival will feature fire performance acts such as fire poi
and fire dancing, photography, illustration, film, sculpture, moving
image, installation, poetry, and live music. Live music will be
performed on the main stage, visual arts will be exhibited in the 'art
appreciation chill out tent', equipped with sofas and poetry readers,
fire performance shows and free-stylists will be contained in
designated areas.

The Fire Festival will host a number of different workshops throughout
the day to provide the community with the opportunity to participate
in the learning of some of the artistic performances. Workshop
leaders, including F.L.A.M.E and Burnt Toast, are keen to include and
have experience of working with young people and adults with a
disability, which will be facilitated by the festival.

On site will also be product stalls, a bar and a world food village.
It hopes to create a new way for the community to engage and
participate whilst experiencing a variety of rare and exciting art
forms. Simultaneously, the festival will raise awareness for an
environmental charity and, in conjunction with this charity, become
Dorset's first carbon neutral festival.

Location: Meyrick Park
Date: 12 May 12:30-11pm

I am looking for fire poets for this unique event, could you pass this
message on?

Many thanks,
Amber
thefirefestival@googlemail.com

SHOT FROM THE LIP: a new season of spoken word starting February 28th

SHOT FROM THE LIP

28 February - 27 April 2007 - various venues

SEASON LAUNCH - Wednesday 28 February at 8pm Soho Theatre
featuring John Hegley, Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze, Billy Childish, Patience Agbabi, Lucy English, Fran Landesman, Abraham Gibson and Andy Craven-Griffiths.

Shot From The Lip is a season of Spoken Word events from 28 February - 27 April 2007 put together by a group of the artform’s leading artists and promoters to help new and existing fans navigate their way through this burgeoning scene. Challenging outdated notions of what Spoken Word nights are all about, the season reflects the exuberance and diversity of events filling bars, clubs, theatres, galleries and dedicated poetry venues throughout the capital. Featured artists include Patience Agbabi, Brendan Cleary, Crisis, Kat Francois, John Hegley, Gautam Malkami, Simon Munnery, Lemn Sissay and many more.

Shot From The Lip opens on 28 February at Soho Theatre with an event highlighting some of the country’s finest, established Spoken Word talents as well as some below the radar and ripe for discovery. The launch is presented by Apples and Snakes, the UK’s leading promoter of performance poetry and features Billy Childish, Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze, Fran Landesman, Abraham Gibson and John Hegley.

The season encourages people to explore the variety of different types of Spoken Word events that can be enjoyed year-round. Some boast lots of live music, such as OneTaste in Balham or the popular penned in the margins at The Spitz and the stylish Poetry n Motion on the Embankment. At others, such as Speakeasy Reloaded in Hackney, or the hugely successful Book Slam, performances are interspersed with DJ sets, while London Liming evokes the scorching sounds and tropical vibes of the Trinidadian ‘lime’.

There’s also plenty on offer for those who prefer things word-pure, including New Blood at the Poetry Café in Covent Garden and Express Excess at Chalk Farm, or with a comedy vibe at The Poetry Shack. Events with a particularly literary leaning include tall lighthouse and the Barbican’s spotlight on poet and live artist Raman Mundair, while PoetryFilm introduces the best experimental text/films put together especially for Shot From The Lip.

The season of course also includes opportunities for the very keen to have a go themselves, particularly at Word4Word at Stratford East, an evening of music and poetry with ample opportunities for audience members to take up the mic and perform.

Shot From The Lip is managed by Audiences London and developed with and steered by a consortium of spoken word promoters and artists. Accompanying the season is a Shot From The Lip Guide complete with listings of regular events in the capital. It can be downloaded at www.shotfromthelip.org from January 2007.

For further information please contact Tim McKeough on 020 7403 0599 or 07984 669 432 or email timmckeough@hotmail.com

SHOT FROM THE LIP

www.shotfromthelip.org

Season Launch
Wednesday 28 February at 8pm, Soho Theatre, Dean St W1
Shot From The Lip is launched by Apples & Snakes and features performances from eight of the country’s finest poets – from well-known names to well-kept secrets. Featuring: John Hegley, Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze, Billy Childish, Patience Agbabi, Lucy English, Fran Landesman, Abraham Gibson and Andy Craven-Griffiths.
The event also marks the first of Apples & Snakes bi-monthly events at Soho Theatre Studio.
Tickets; £8/£6 0870 429 6883 or at: www.sohotheatre.com

One Taste
Sunday 4 March, 7 - 11pm, The Bedford (Globe Theatre) 77 Bedford Hill, SW12
Throwing a spotlight onto underground music and spoken word artists, the line up of poets, musicians and cabaret performers includes wordsmith, Inua Ellams, the ‘suburban gothic’, the performer and film-maker Suzanne Andrade and the host of Radio 4’s, Bespoken Word, Mr Gee.
Tickets: £6 on the door or £5 online www.onetaste.co.uk

Speakeasy Reloaded
Monday 5 March 8-10pm: Marie Lloyd Bar 289 Mare Street, London E8
Featuring a remarkable range of styles and interspersed with DJ sets, this is another chance to see John Hegley in this east London theatre bar that also boasts Tracy Emin art. Sets from poets Roger Cliff-Thompson and Crisis also feature.
Tickets: Free

PoetryFilm
Friday 9 March, 8-11pm: Saatchi and Saatchi, 80 Charlotte Street, London W1
A selection of PoetryFilm’s best experimental text/films put together by Malgorzata Kitowski especially for the Shot from the Lip season.
Tickets £5 reserve at: info@poetryfilm.org

penned in the margins @ The Spitz
Thursday 15 March, 8 -11pm, The Spitz, Spitalfields Market, London E1
Fusion of leftfield poetics and live music in east London’s best alternative music venue.
Tickets: £6/£5 020 7392 9032 www.wegottickets.com

Apples & Snakes: Fresh
Friday 16 March, 8pm-11pm: The Albany, Douglas Way, London SE8
Poetry meets hip-hop in a fast-paced night of rhythm & rhyme. Open mic slots available for poets and spitters alike.
Tickets £7/£5, £4 for under 25s 020 8692 4446 www.thealbany.org.uk

New Blood
Wednesday 21 March, 7:30 - 9:30pm: Poetry Café, 22 Betterton Street, WC2
New Blood has been showcasing new writers alongside established ones since the ‘80s. The current team presents Ashna, an astonishing 14-year-old writer of wisdom, wit and observation, Scroobius Pip the trail blazing bearded ‘unspoken’ word artist and Todd Swift, one of the leading Canadian poets of his generation. Open mic slots available.
Tickets: £5/£3 concs on the door

Poetry n Motion
Sunday 25 March, 8:30 -10:30pm @ Motion Bar (downstairs), Victoria Embankment, WC2
Host Nii Parkes introduces US imports and some of the UK’s best lyrical artists. Including Crisis and Metis.
Tickets £6 (£3 online or call 08700 600 100) www.ukfridays.com

tall lighthouse
Wednesday 28 March 8-10pm: Poetry Café, 22 Betterton Street, WC2
A line-up full of award-winning poets from this independent poetry press in the intimate surroundings of the Poetry Cafe. Plus a few open mic slots and an opportunity to buy the books.
Tickets: £4/£3 concs on the door www.tall-lighthouse.co.uk

Book Slam
Thursday 29 March, 8.30pm – late: Check www.bookslam.com for venue details
Founded by award-winning author Patrick Neate and sometime pop superstar Ben Watt, Book Slam mixes poetry, prose and live music, with plenty of breaks for chat and drinks. Guests include Gautam Malkani, celebrating the paperback publication of his debut Londonstani, and Salena Godden, notorious poet, singer and raconteur.
Tickets: £5 on the door

Express Excess
Wednesday 4 April, 8:30 -11pm, The Enterprise (upstairs) 2 Haverstock Hill, NW3
With feel-good tales from Roger Robinson and poems & tales of Simon Munnery and Julian Fox (possible harmonica playing may also feature), this is a fine night of snaking tales, wit and leftfield word play.
Tickets: £5/£3 concs on the door www.expressexcess.co.uk

The Poetry Shack
Tuesday 10 April, 7:30pm: Old Crown Public House, 33 New Oxford St WC1
The Poetry Shack’s headliner is the eccentric, iconoclastic poet AF Harrold, leading a cast of performers to welcome the spring… There are also open mic spots and a competition for the best poem on the subject of astrophysics! Tickets: £5 on the door www.thepoetryshack.co.uk

Word4Word
Sunday 15 April, 8pm-10pm Theatre Royal Stratford East, London E15
Hosted by Kat Francois, Word4Word is an evening of music and poetry but most importantly open mic, in the theatre’s cosy bar. There are performances from two writers and musicians and the rest of the night is over to the audience.
Tickets: Free www.stratfordeast.com

Raman Mundair
Wednesday 18 April, 7:30-10pm, Barbican Library, Barbican, Silk Street EC2
Born in India and now based in the Shetland Islands, Raman Mundair’s poems inevitably explore identity and journeys of all kinds - cultural, political and geographical. With special guests she presents a heady fusion of words and music.
Tickets: £6/£4 0845 120 7500 www.barbican.org.uk

London Liming: a spoken word lime in London
Friday 27 April, 7:45pm-12am, Rich Mix, E1
Music, DJs and spoken word under one roof, with lots of soca, brazilian and dance sounds on tap. Shot from the Lip’s closing event features John Agard, Patience Agbabi, Anthony Joseph and is hosted by Lemn Sissay and Melanie Abrahams. Presented in association with Rich Mix.
Tickets: £7/£5 concs 0207 613 7498 www.renaissanceone.com

Whitechapel Open Mic: Thursday February 15th

Apples & Snakes Open Mic

Reminder for London-based poets - or its environs - that this performance event takes place on Thursday night in Whitechapel

"Are you the next big thing on the performance-poetry scene? If so, here’s a chance to dazzle the audience with the dexterity of your rhythms and the sheer verve of your verse. Your host for the evening will be the lovely Kevin Reinhardt and there’ll be a very special guest slot from Tim Turnbull, winner of last year’s much-coveted Arts Foundation award for performance-poetry. And if you don’t fancy performing, just come along and soak up the poetical atmosphere in The Whitechapel’s friendly café-bar."

When: Thursday 15 February 2007 @ 7pm
Where: Whitechapel Gallery, 80-82 Whitechapel High Street, E1 7QX
Tickets: FREE
Interested acts: 020 7801 9026
Info: www.applesandsnakes.org / www.whitechapel.org

S'NO POETRY: TONIGHT - check with venues before travelling!

Snow Chaos for Poetry Gigs

Snow seems to be affecting many poetry gigs across the most snowed-up regions of England and Wales, so do PLEASE check with each venue or organiser before heading out to poetry gigs, especially tonight but also across the weekend in case the snow continues.

Basically, the further north you are this weekend, the more likely it is that Sno will stop Po. So stay warm and keep informed.

Tonight's LOVE SLAM at the MAC Cancelled

In the Midlands, for instance, I've just heard from Sean Kelly that tonight's big LOVE SLAM at the Birmingham MAC has apparently been cancelled, but do please check that yourself at the MAC website or by phoning the venue itself if you were planning to go. Sean Kelly is offering some impromptu live poetry at the White Horse in Leamington Spa tonight instead, for anyone in the immediate vicinity.

During this snowy period, POETS ON FIRE is advising poets and poetry-lovers to please check all details of live poetry events before setting out, in case of cancellations. And only travel if you're fairly certain of a safe journey both THERE and BACK.

*

On a lighter note, I hope you like my daughter's snowman, above. Knew I'd find a use for that old toothbrush ...

WORD at Bambu, Leicester: TONIGHT!

Wednesday 7th February, 7pm
BAMBU Bar, Welford Road, Leicester
Info: steve@applesandsnakes.org

Leicester’s very own spoken word open mic event returns from hiatus in February. WORD runs on the first Wednesday of each month at Bambu café bar, and features a fantastic guest artist as well as open floor spots.

Dreadlockalien @ 9.30pm. (This month, the former Birmingham Poet Laureate aka Richard Grant struts his stuff for the Leicester poetry mob)

FREEDOM SCOUTS – Scouts for the Freedom Showcase will be attending the February WORD event. The scouts are seeking talented spoken word artists to take part in a high profile showcase event at Phoenix Arts later in the year. If you would like to be considered for this event, then please come along and perform at WORD!

TEN BY TEN: Poetry etc. at the Bridge Hotel, Newcastle, this THURSDAY

Ten by Ten: a live poetry event

Venue: Bridge Hotel, Newcastle upon Tyne
Organiser: Zebra Publishing
Start time: 20:00 Thursday 8th February 2007
Website: www.zebrapublishing.co.uk

Ten performers, ten minutes each of poetry, music, rap and stand-up.

"From Brighton via Aberdeen we have conjured up Rapunzel Wizard. We have two of the North East's top performance poets in Bob Beagrie and Andy Willoughby. We have music from Simma and Keith Henderson. We have more poetry from Poetry Vandal Annie Moir. More poetry from Carole Cooke, whose work has been translated in to 26 languages. We have Scott ("Did you know I got married last year?") Tyrrell and Claire Morgan has invited Domain Jane and Mother to come over from New York (that's the New York on the road to Whitley Bay) to share some of the secrets of their fish and chips emporium. As if that's not enough great entertainment, we also have John Clegg, the mastermind behind the Durham Gala Theatre Muses night."

Admission free

The Bridge Hotel
Castle Garth
Newcastle Upon Tyne
Tyne and Wear
NE1 1RQ
Tel: 0191 232 6400

SHORTFUSE in Islington: Thursday 8th February

SHORTFUSE: Thursday 8th February

Feature length performance from Simon Munnery. Plus Martin White and The
Mystery Fax Machine Orchestra, and Tim Clare.



Every Thursday @ The Camden Head, Camden Walk, Islington, London, N1
Tube: Angel.
Doors: 8.30pm. Admission: £5 waged / £3 concessions.

Open Mic Poetry in Belfast: Friday 9th February

Make Yourself Heard: Open Mic Poetry Night

Friday 9th Feb, 8pm
Safehouse Artspace (upstairs, 25 Donegal Street, near Duke of York bar)
£2, Bring Your Own

"Belfast's newest poetry night invites you to make yourself heard, no matter how sober you are! Come down and listen in to the brightest emerging talent, established voices and new blood. Participation is actively encouraging, and we love to hear people read, with whatever noises they can make with their vocal chords. All proceeds go to the upkeep of the gallery.

Contact editor_speech@yahoo.co.uk for further details."

Spit & String: TONIGHT, somewhere in the Western Hemisphere

The Black Swan introduces

Spit and String:
A night of music and poetry
Wednesday 7th February
8 - 11pm
2 pounds entry
All performances welcome

I received this mysterious email today and, with the help of a little investigative work, managed to pinpoint its likely origin as 'Exploding Alphabets' in the North-East of England and found a venue known as the Black Swan in the Newcastle area: here's the link -
www.newcastle-arts-centre.co.uk

Note to promoters: when sending details about your forthcoming live poetry gig, give me a few days' notice whenever possible and do, please, include venue location and other pertinent details.

Blimey!

Still, it's great to get this stuff all the same, so keep em comin' ...

"Altern-Innov-Ative Poetry" at Wee Red Bar in Edinburgh: Thursday 8th February

Arbury & Moore MC the Big Love Slam at the 'mac' Birmingham: this Friday, February 9th

Friday 9th of February, at the Hexagon, MAC, Birmimgham

Tickets: £5

Big Love Slam: romance, rhyme and rhythm!

"Love is the air tonight, as fifteen Valentine versifiers declare their most passionate poetry in a cut and thrust contest to win the hearts and woo the hearing parts of the audience. The first round is on the theme of romance – after that, anything goes.

Partners in rhyme Sara-Jane Arbury and Marcus Moore compère thee to a slammer’s way, while random judges rate the writing, give points for performance and seek the wordster with the X-factor.

Make it a date at Birmingham’s premier poetic love-in and show your adoration for the talent on show. There’s all to cheer for as tonight’s line-up includes a special guest list of seasoned slammers, with spaces available for outside rivals.

Up-and-coming poets wishing to take part in a bid to seduce the audience and beat the best of the rest should contact Marcus on 01285 640470."

Friday 9th February. 7.30pm at the mac (Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham)
Visit the mac website for details of how to find the venue, book tickets etc.

Queen Sheba, Dizraeli and The Open Poetry Slam on Tuesday February 6th at The Zodiac, Oxford

Dreadlockalien at BAMBU, Leicester: Wednesday 7th February

Wednesday 7th February, 7pm
BAMBU Bar, Welford Road, Leicester
Info: steve@applesandsnakes.org

Leicester’s very own spoken word open mic event returns from hiatus in February. WORD runs on the first Wednesday of each month at Bambu café bar, and features a fantastic guest artist as well as open floor spots.

Dreadlockalien @ 9.30pm. (This month, the former Birmingham Poet Laureate aka Richard Grant struts his stuff for the Leicester poetry mob)

FREEDOM SCOUTS – Scouts for the Freedom Showcase will be attending the February WORD event. The scouts are seeking talented spoken word artists to take part in a high profile showcase event at Phoenix Arts later in the year. If you would like to be considered for this event, then please come along and perform at WORD!

Apples & Snakes Open Mic in Whitechapel: Thursday 15th February

Apples & Snakes Open Mic

"Are you the next big thing on the performance-poetry scene? If so, here’s a chance to dazzle the audience with the dexterity of your rhythms and the sheer verve of your verse. Your host for the evening will be the lovely Kevin Reinhardt and there’ll be a very special guest slot from Tim Turnbull, winner of last year’s much-coveted Arts Foundation award for performance-poetry. And if you don’t fancy performing, just come along and soak up the poetical atmosphere in The Whitechapel’s friendly café-bar.

Go on – you know you want to!"

When: Thursday 15 February 2007 @ 7pm
Where: Whitechapel Gallery, 80-82 Whitechapel High Street, E1 7QX
Tickets: FREE
Interested acts: 020 7801 9026
Info: www.applesandsnakes.org / www.whitechapel.org

OPEN MIC IN BRISTOL: SUNDAY 4TH FEBRUARY

FOLK HOUSE OPEN MIKE NIGHT

Sunday 4th February.
Expect 'lurve' in the run-up to Valentine's Day. Host Rosemary Dunn will be in her loved-up spangly gear! Sign up early. Doors 7pm . Performers free/ audience £3.

Bristol Folk House, 40a Park Street, Bristol BS1.

Poetry Readings in Newcastle: TONIGHT!

Poetry & music evening at the Bridge Hotel, Newcastle upon Tyne
Friday 2nd February
Poetry from Dave Alton, Keith Armstrong, Bob Beagrie, Tom Kelly;
readings from The Hive of Liberty, a new publication on Newcastle
radical Thomas Spence (1750-1814).

Plus live jazz and contemporary rock. Check out www.literaturenortheast.co.uk/events for more details on time and venue etc.

John La Rose Celebration at the South Bank Centre: TOMORROW!

Celebrating John La Rose and 40 years of New Beacon Books

Southbank Centre, London SE1; a day of events celebrating publisher and cultural activist John La Rose, with Kamau Brathwaite, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Caryl Phillips, Ngugi wa Thiong and others.

'The most remarkable human being I have ever known' (Linton Kwesi Johnson in Guardian)

All day ticket to Celebrating John La Rose and 40 years of New Beacon Books: £16.50. For a full programme of events in this series visit www.southbankcentre.co.uk

Poetry Reading: Kamau Brathwaite
Saturday 3 February, 2.30pm
Purcell Room, South Bank Centre

In 1966 John La Rose, Kamau Brathwaite and Andrew Salkey co-founded the Caribbean Artists Movement in London. This groundbreaking association of writers and artists was publicly launched in March 1967 at a poetry reading by Kamau Brathwaite of Rights of Passage, which is now seen as a seminal poetic statement on the past and present of the Caribbean - its history, its values, its people. 40 years on, Brathwaite re-reads the long poem that awakened London to the beauty of the Caribbean word.

'Those who lament that the Age of Giants is over have evidently never read Kamau Brathwaite. His is not the poetry of one man in the world but of an entire world in one man' (Eliot Weinberger).

Purcell Room, 2.30pm
Tickets: £5.50

Ticket Office: 0871 663 2500
www.southbankcentre.co.uk

Arrowhead Press Poetry in Leicester: TONIGHT!

Leicester Poetry Society presents
Arrowhead Press Poets
Friday, February 9, 2007, 7.30pm, Leicester Adult Education College,
Wellington Street
Entrance £3.50 (concessions £2.50)
Free to LPS members (and you can join on the door!)

Arrowhead Press (http://www.arrowheadpress.co.uk) has been described in the
Guardian as 'one of the new presses worth watching.' To date, they have
published seven poetry pamphlets and eleven full collections.

Joanna Boulter, Arrowhead's Poetry Editor and herself a poet, will talk
about the poetry publishing business and give advice to poets looking for
publication.

Two other Arrowhead poets will also be present to read their work: David Bircumshaw and Robin Hamilton.

SHORTFUSE: Thursday 1st February - THAT'S TONIGHT!

Thursday 1st February: SHORTFUSE in London

Mr Solo
A feature length performances from Mikey from the band David Devant and
his spirit wife performing this week as Mr Solo. Marvellously eclectic
wayward genius pop malarky involving acoustic guitar and the unexpected.

Julian Fox
Master of the absurdly normal intricacies of the everyday: a
unique blend of cabaret, comedy, music and poetry. 'Genius' - Evening
Standard
'A cult attraction' Guardian

Rhian Edwards
One of the best of the UK's new generation of poets.
'Astounding performances that get you in the emotional gut' - The Verb,
BBC Radio 3
'An exceptional writer and one of the most compelling performers on the
spokenword stage' - Hugo Williams, Times Literary Supplement.



With Resident Host:
NATHAN PENLINGTON-
'A natural performer, witty, inventive, stylish and original' - Rob Newman

'...has little in common with Eminem...' - Metro

Every Thursday @ The Camden Head, Camden Walk, Islington, London, N1
Tube: Angel.
Doors: 8.30pm. Admission: £5 waged / £3 concessions.

Poets' Cafe: Friday 16th February

Friday 16th February – Poets’ Café, South Street Arts Centre, South Street, Reading. 8pm, for 8.30pm. £6/£4.

AF HARROLD WRITES: "This month’s show includes the usual open mic for everyone with something to share, plus a special full length airing for Poets’ Café favourite miserable old sod, Rob Evans, who is, it should be pointed out, the current UK All-Stars Slam Champion. Very good stuff."