Saturday, March 31, 2007

Diversity through Poetry: April 19th - 22nd in Belfast, and other cities worldwide

International Weekend of the Celebration of Diversity through Poetry

April 19th - 22nd 2007

Belfast Event
8pm Friday 20th April
Crescent Arts Centre
Belfast

"A few weeks ago we, the Belfast Poets Touring Group, initiated a call for an international day of the celebration of diversity through poetry. We asked people to put on a poetry event on that day and in tandem with cities all around the world and be part of an event which would play a part in combating racism. There are now nearly 30 cities on board and that has meant that we have had to extend the event to an entire weekend."

Gordon Hewitt from the Belfast Poets said

“A few months ago we decided that we wanted to play a part in combating racism, something that Belfast had seen a fair bit of in recent years. We put a call to make the event international and the response has been fantastic. Now from our initial call over 30 cities are involved and we look like getting many more.”

“The reasoning behind the calling of was that Belfast in particular and Northern Ireland in general has been described as “the race hate capital of Europe,” and it was true that many racist attacks and racist acts have taken place here. But what was also true is that there has been a widespread campaign against racism and that has taken root in many communities.”

”Our view is that as poets we should be part of the offensive against the racists given that poetry is practised world-wide and that at its heart is the self expression of people wherever they come from. We also recognise that poetry crosses all manner of boundaries, from language to cultural differences to find common cause.”

“When we were touring Australia we performed alongside poets from many different countries and cultural backgrounds and learnt from all of them. We have been affected in the way we approach our writing through that experience.”

“Belfast has been known for many things but now we can say that we are putting the fight against racism on the map and encouraging this to be an international struggle.”

Chelley Mclear from the Belfast Poets said, “The Love Poetry Hate Racism weekend offers the opportunity to poets across the world to join together in an international celebration of the diversity of society and poetic traditions, new and old.

Just as language is constantly evolving in reponse to an ever changing environment, we are fortunate that poetry is also fed by a rich and varied diet of a multiplicity of cultural traditions and that societal changes enable us to share and enjoy many and varied contributions to this art form. It is not only the words used or the language or manner in which they are delivered that is important but the public proclamation around the world that culturally diverse societies can enrich our lives and our arts.

Love Poetry Hate Racism brings together poets of many traditions, genre and styles to share in this celebration of diversity and rejection of racism.”

For more information: www.myspace.com/lovepoetryhateracism
www.myspace.com/belfastpoetstourgroup

Thursday, March 29, 2007

SHORTFUSE TONIGHT: Thursday 29th March, Islington

SHORTFUSE on Thursday 29th March:
Feature length set from the stand-up renowned for his comic word play
Milton Jones. Plus Poetry Idol Rival Idol winner Liz Bentley, and a rare chance to catch US poets Liza Garza, Gabriela Garcia Medina.



Thursday 5th April
NO SHOW - we take a break for Easter, but we are back next week...

Thursday 12th April
come and join us as we celebrate our 7TH BIRTHDAY...that's right we have
been here nearly every Thursday for the past seven years, so expect some
very special guests and the usual SHORTFUSE mayhem.

Advanced notice for: Thursday 17th May
SHORTFUSE POETRY IDOL 10
Six poets perform for 10 minutes each to be awarded the Poetry Idol 10
crown, and to win a full length set in the new SHORTFUSE season. We are
open to submissions for poets new to SHORTFUSE, now. Send envelopes
clearly marked to: Poetry Idol 10, SHORTFUSE, c/o The Camden Head, 2
Camden Walk, Islington, London, N1. Before 19th April 2007

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.
SOME SHOWS DO SELL OUT - so, if there is a show you really don't want to
miss our advice is to reserve tickets with us in advance. Just email your
full name, the number of tickets you require, and a contact telephone
number to: tickets@shortfuse.co.uk. We will hold them for you on the date
of the show, they will be available for collection upon payment at the
door between 8pm and 8.30pm.

THERE WILL ALSO BE A LIMITED NUMBER OF TICKETS AVAILABLE ON THE DOOR

Apples & Snakes in Soho: Wednesday April 4th

Apples & Snakes in Soho: where spoken word takes centre-stage

Attention - the spoken-word/theatre crossover is here! And tonight A&S have got four of its brightest stars under one roof, each presenting an extract from their latest show. Mixing poetry, music and visuals, this line-up is guaranteed to amuse, intrigue, captivate and challenge in equal measures.

Featuring the talents of:
Julian Fox: solitary lo-fi meanderings from the late-night Radio 4 raconteur.
Kat Francois: a rhythmic powerhouse of autobiographical verse and stories.
Stacy Makishi: literate, multimedia strangeness to flip your mind inside-out.
D’Archetypes: hiphop-tinged, vaudevillian soap-operatics. With costumes!

Brought to you by Apples & Snakes, one of England’s prime movers in performance-poetry.

When: Wednesday 4 April 2007 @ 8pm
Where: Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London W1D 3NE
Tickets: £8 / £6
Book: 0870 429 6883 / www.sohotheatre.com
Info: www.applesandsnakes.org

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Open Mic at the Bristol Folk House: this Sunday April 1st

DON'T BE AN APRIL FOOL! Come along to the Open Mike Night @ Bristol Folk House, 40a Park Street, Bristol.

Tel: 0117m 9262987

www.bristolfolkhouse.co.uk

Sunday 1st April, Doors 7pm
Open Mic Night
Hosted by Big Mouth's Rosemary Dun
(and there's a prize too!!)
Entrance £3 (Performers Free)

Get there early to sign up!!

Watermark Poetry Launch, Kendal: Friday 30th March

The Watermark Flax002 Launch
Friday 30th March
7.30pm

Join us for an evening of online poetry live – the five poets featured in Watermark, Flax002, will be reading work from the online publication to celebrate it going live, at The Warehouse Gallery, The Brewery, Highgate, Kendal LA9 4HE.

Poets David Borrott, Elizabeth Burns, Mark Griffiths, Pauline Keith and Cath Nichols will take you from moments of reflection to sheer exuberance with a selection of the work found in the anthology. The beautifully designed anthology will also be featuring as part of the proceedings, so you’ll be able to enjoy this pioneering incarnation of the written word. Beyond words, this event promises refreshments and stimulation.

It is free, but we need you to book in advance, through the Brewery please on 01539 725133

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Shot from the Lip: the ongoing season of poetry & spoken word in London

SHOT FROM THE LIP

New poetry & spoken word events until 27 April 2007 at various venues

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.


Forthcoming SHOT FROM THE LIP events:

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

Monday, March 26, 2007

Over the Edge in Galway: Thursday March 29th

The next Over The Edge: Open Reading takes place in Galway City Library, St. Augustine Street, Galway

Thursday March 29th
6.30-8pm.

The Featured Readers are Michael Gorman, and four members of the Dark Gate Writers Group, Sean Donegan, Margaret Cullagh, Bernadette Tierney & Donal Grehan.

Michael Gorman was born in Sligo and educated at Summerhill College and University College Galway. His poetry collections include Postcards from Galway, Waiting for the Sky to fall and Up She Flew. One of his poems, The People I Grew Up With Were Afraid, was chosen by Pauline McLynn for inclusion in the anthology, Voices and Poetry of Ireland. He teaches poetry on the MA in Writing at NUI Galway. Michael Gorman is a hugely charismatic reader of his work; his readings are everything a good poetry reading should be.

Sean Donegan has published poems in Poetry Ireland Review, Time Haiku and the anthology, The Backyards of Heaven. A selection of his haiku will appear in an anthology to be published by Pillar Press, Kilkenny next year. He is a member of The Dark Gate Writers Group.

Margaret Cullagh is originally from Tipperary, but currently lives in Galway. She is the facilitator of The Dark Gate Writers Group. She is a writer and creative writing tutor and has read her work at both the Westside Arts Festival and the Project 06 Festival.

Bernadette Tierney is a Galway native. She was a volunteer worker for many years with the Simon Community. Her poems have appeared in Riposte. She is a member of The Dark Gate Writers Group.

Donal Grehan is originally from Mountmellick in Co. Laois and has been living in Galway for 20 years. He writes poetry and short stories. His poems have been published in Bealtaine. He is a member of The Dark Gate Writers Group.

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/

Buzzwords in Cheltenham: Sunday 1st April

BUZZWORDS, Cheltenham

Next Sunday 1st April
Upstairs at the Beehive, Montpellier Villas, Cheltenham - a popular and lively evening of poetry and workshopping in the South West.

7pm - workshop led by Claudia Daventry
8pm onwards - open mic and Guest poet (Claudia Daventry)

In other news:
Emily Wills and June Hall are doing a Poetry Can reading on Monday April 2nd (8 to 10pm) at The Raven pub, Quiet St, opposite Kitchens in Bath. Open Floor spots. Admission free

Helen Hail has a new booklet of poems out and will have copies with her on April 1st. For more information on Buzzwords, please visit www.angelfire.com/poetry/buzzwords.

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Carlton Poets, Weston-super-Mare: Thursday 29th March

Open Mic with the Carlton Poets, Weston-super-Mare

Thursday 29th March at 7.30pm.

The Carlton Poets next optional theme is 'HORROR' for their March event. Ground-floor venue at The Carlton Centre, Carlton Street, in the centre of Weston-super-Mare with plentiful car parking right next door. This event is held on the last Thursday of the month.

They have also arranged their next public performance to be on Sunday 13th May; it will be called 'An Evening of Song & Verse'. Please let them know ASAP if you would like to take part.

They also need people to arrange publicity (newspaper and radio) and help on the evening with ticket sales etc. and they’d like everyone to be actively involved in advance ticket selling. As before, all profits will go to Weston Hospicecare.

The theme for April will be 'MISCELLANY' so that people can try out pieces they hope to perform in public (2 each), and everyone can read poems old and new on any subject. Due to hall rental, entry charges may have to increase to £1.50 (80p concessions) - unless they get 20 or more people regularly.

For further info, e-mail: marilynedbrooke@hotmail.com

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Apples & Snakes' 'SPRUNG' in Lincoln: Wednesday 28th March

Apples & Snakes presents
Sprung
Featuring Mark Gwynne Jones and Michelle Hubbard

Now that spring has sprung, why not clean out the cobwebs with an evening of the finest performance poetry? Apples & Snakes presents two of the East Midlands' top poets for your enjoyment. Come on down!

Sprung
@ Perspective, 5 Saltergate, Lincoln, LN2 1DH
in partnership with the Spoken Word Campaign
Wednesday 28th March 2007
8.30pm
£4/£3 concessions

Arena of the Unwell, NW London: Wednesday 11th April

Arena of the Unwell at Proud Galleries

Arena of the Unwell is a new music and spoken word performance event being held monthly at the Proud Gallery in Camden. Featuring an eclectic range of bands and poets it's part of the regular Wednesday Art@Proud event where one ticket lets you flit like a cultural butterfly between theatre, comedy, music, and poetry performed simultaneously in three rooms.

The Proud Gallery at The Gin House
Stables Market
Chalk Farm Road
London NW1 8AH

This month's line-up:

James Ó Nuanáin: recently published by Good Housekeeping, and your host for the evening. Anne Brechin: flitting twixt fantasy and urban alienation whilst twiddling fetchingly with her hair. Feldspar: The two well-spoken boys who comprise Feldspar will be playing folk inspired adorned with lyrics that could have been torn from Tennyson's tear stained pillows. Plaistow: Hackney's own Plaistow car jacking their way across North London to accost you with their acoustic punk-folk. rude_nhs: Drum n'rave jazz and hard hitting lifestyle warnings. Steve Sumner alphabetically working his way through women -- he's nearly at Y but won't say where he started, and Mr Nibbles: warped and melodic glitchy electronica.

Please let them know at the door that you are here for Arena of the Unwell, especially if they don't ask you. Your £5 ticket also lets you into the two other performances spaces where there will be theatre and comedy, so get all your culture over and done with for the month. Please e-mail us mailthetheunwell if you have any questions pitched at GCSE level or below or call James on 077 636 323 69.

James Ó Nuanáin

Friday, March 23, 2007

Seven Poets reading at the Oxfam Bookshop, Marylebone: Thursday 29th March

Spring Reading at Oxfam, Marylebone

Thursday 29th March 2007, 19:00

Oxfam Bookshop
Marylebone
London

Seven poets will be reading at the Oxfam Bookshop in Marylebone. The full bill is:

JAMES BYRNE
MELANIE CHALLENGER
JANICE FIXTER
JOHN FULLER
PATRICK MCGUINNESS
NIGEL MCLOUGHLIN
JEFFREY WAINWRIGHT

More information on attending this event or on other poetry events for Oxfam can be found here: www.oxfammarylebone.co.uk/events.php

DROP at the Leith Festival 2007: 3rd & 4th June

Craig Duffy drops everything to give us advance warning:
Drop Presents The Best Of The Fest

Leith Festival 2007 (1st-10th June)

That's right folks, 'Drop' is returning and this one is going to be a biggie! All your favourite things about Drop PLUS the cream of the crop of Leith Festival in a preview Showcase Spectacular!

Over two days, Sunday the 3rd and Monday the 4th of June, and over ALL 3 floors of the Queen Charlotte Rooms. On the Ground floor there will be all the very best poets, writers, plays, with an exclusive art gallery on the Middle floor and every single tremendous musician that Drop and Leith Festival have to offer on the Top floor.

So why not come along and bring all your friends?

This is to be a fundraising event for Leith Festival and two very important childrens' organisations, so not only do you get two great days, you can rest in the knowledge that your entire ticket price is going to a good cause. And at £3.50concs/£5 for a One day ticket and £7concs/£10 for a Two day ticket, this is a whole heap of worthy bargain!

The tickets allow you ALL DAY access to come and go as you please, with a packed programme of events starting Sunday at 4pm until 10pm and Monday from 7pm right through till Midnight, it's 11 hours of pure arts-culture-bliss!

Programming and Volunteer recruitment is begining now, so if you want to be a part of this event and the wider Leith Festival, Drop us an e-mail or call me; Duffy on 07916 184 792.

DUFFY

Utter! in London: Wednesday 28th March

Wednesday 28th March – Utter!
Salisbury Pub & Dining Rooms,
1 Grand Parade,
London, N4 1JX.
Starting time: 8.30pm.
Free event.

‘Utter! is a raucous rag-bag of poetry, storytelling, music and comedic musings in a magnificent Victorian pub. ‘Uncompromisingly intelligent’ – The Observer.’



AF HARROLD (pictured above with his deliciously retro trademark suit and bowler) is on at Utter! this time with John Anstiss, Yemisi Blake and Angela Cleland.

Check out the Utter! home page at www.myspace.com/utterliterarycabaret

Thursday, March 22, 2007

REMINDER: Big Word TONIGHT in Edinburgh, with host Jenny Lindsay

THE BIG WORD, Edinburgh

Thursday 22nd March @ THE JAZZ BAR, CHAMBER ST, EDINBURGH.
Doors 9pm, show 9.30 - 11.30pm.

Featuring: World Slam Champion ELVIS MCGONAGALL, locals Fiona Lindsay & BRAM GIEBEN, Bristolian novelist, poet and academic LUCY ENGLISH.

PLUS: the inimitable DOMINIC WAXING LYRICAL.
£4/3 concs.
Hosted by Jenny Lindsay.

PLEASE NOTE:
NEW VENUE & (one-off) NEW OPENING TIME.

* THE BIG WORD has a new home in The Jazz Bar on Chambers Street. After the recent acquisition of a DRUM & BASS DJ upstairs on Thursday evenings at the temporary venue of The City Cafe, Big Word was approached to become part of the Jazz Bar's permanent, regular programme.

* Our premiere night at The Jazz Bar is a heady mix of spoken word, rap, lyricism, wit and music. Carrying on in our successful new format - launched last October - The Big Word continues to be the only spoken word night in town where you will hear not only the best of the local scene, but the best of the national and international scenes too.

* ELVIS MCGONAGALL - headliner for the night - is a man with numerous awards - perhaps too numerous to mention. But here are a couple: he is not only the WORLD SLAM CHAMPION, but he was also the runner-up in THE FOUR CONTINENTS SLAM in December. Despite this, he maintains the dry, acerbic and self-deprecating wit that only Scots can master with true aplomb.

*LUCY ENGLISH - is the only academic who has been brave enough to teach spoken word and performance poetry as a discipline at a British University (Bath Spa). In addition, she is a raucous & raunchy performer, having read worldwide, and is the author of three novels published by Random House.

* FIONA LINDSAY - a local poet, who draws on her rich life-experience without descending to the popular Misery-Lit style of recent years, which might as well be sponsored by Prozac... Instead, hear the truth made accessible, colourful and funny.

*BRAM GIEBEN - Spinning verbal barbed wire: Rap with meaning. Rare.

* DOMINIC WAXING LYRICAL - Infamous local scoundrel, intensely woeful yet hilarious delivery, and a plinky-piano that delights. A must-see. That's a cliche. Sorry.



Hosted by JENNY LINDSAY: poet, songwriter, pretends-to-be-writing-a-novel, international ambassador, MEP, octogenarian, liar, and performance poetry promoter.

SHORTFUSE TONIGHT: Thursday 22nd March, Islington

SHORTFUSE, POETRY & STAND-UP IN ISLINGTON

Thursday 22nd March
Feature length set from infamous stand-up Scott Capurro ... "Scott Capuro
is the margherita of the comedy world - delicious, sharp and acid." Kate
Copstick - The Scotsman

Also, the dark and funny poetry of Paul Birtill, and a certain poet's
uglier and more bitter sister -- Pam Swears.

Doors: 8.30pm. Admission: £5 waged / £3 concessions.



PLUS Advanced notice for Thursday 17th May
SHORTFUSE POETRY IDOL 10

Six poets perform for 10 minutes each to be awarded the Poetry Idol 10
crown, and to win a full length set in the new SHORTFUSE season. We are
open to submissions for poets new to SHORTFUSE, now. Send envelopes
clearly marked to: Poetry Idol 10, SHORTFUSE, c/o The Camden Head, 2
Camden Walk, Islington, London, N1. Before 19th April 2007

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

Based in the Midlands & thinking of applying for an Arts Council Grant this year?

Forthcoming road shows in and around the Midlands to help you find out about the Arts Council 'Grants for the Arts' and how to apply for one, with talks and Q&A sessions:

Thursday 17 May, 4-6pm - Chelmsley Wood Library Theatre

Monday 11 June, 11am-1pm - Rugby Museum and Art Gallery in partnership with Rugby Borough Council

Wednesday 18 July, 11am-1pm - The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton upon Trent

Wednesday 26 September, 10-12noon - Birmingham Voluntary Services Council, Digbeth

Wednesday 17 October, 11am-1pm - Worcester Porcelain Museum

Booking is essential for these events. To reserve a place, email mathew.hanratty @ artscouncil.org.uk

* Not based in the Midlands or just curious to know more? For further information about Arts Council resources and projects, you can visit www.artscouncil.org.uk

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Last ever SPEAKEASY in Nottingham: TONIGHT, Wednesday 21st March

Complex Trout Productions and the Alley Cafe present

The Last Speakeasy

@ the Alley Cafe
Wednesday 21st March 2007
8pm onwards
Still FREE

Featuring: Rachel Pantechnicon & Andy Postman
Host Steve Carroll


Yes, folks, this is it. Our time at the Alley is coming to an end, so we're going out with a rip-snorting double bill of two of our favourite acts from the last five years. Yes, that's right, folks. Five years of fine acts, raffle and open floor. All independent, all our own work, all backed by the Alley Cafe. So, while we're still Nottingham's best and longest running poetry gig, why not join us for our last wham-bam this Wednesday? If you want to perform, book in early!

Hope to see you there and thanks

Trout

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Touch Me, I'm Sick: Wednesday 21st March

"Touch me I'm sick"

Wednesday 21 March at 20.00 (sign up for floor spots at 19.30)

Entrance free

Upstairs at The Old Crown Pub, 33 New Oxford Street (On the corner of New Oxford Street and Museum Street) London WC1A 1BH ---Telephone 020 7836 9121. Nearest tube stations Tottenham Court Road or Holborn.

With more testosterone that you can shake a caveman's crudely sharpened stick at we're featuring writer and comic Jeff Cottrill, Jason King of few carefully chosen words, and Guy Jackson the story teller for grown ups. Presented to you by two of London poetry's drunkest emcees Good Housekeeping's James Ó "where are my legs" Nuanáin and Kevin "I can't believe it's a New World wine" Reinhardt.

Floor spots are available to anyone who wants to perform.

Two features, two halves, two emcees. Get it off your chest and share the misery or get drunk and enjoy the show. We'd love to see you. Contact Telephone Number: James Ó Nuanáin 07763 632 369

EKKO WORDS, Newcastle: Monday 26th March

EKKO WORDS POETRY & SPOKEN WORD SHOW

Monday 26th March
£1 entry per person
7 - 7.30pm start

The New Three Mile Inn
Great North Road
Gosforth
Newcastle
NE3 2DS

For just £1 you will see the following at EKKO WORDS:

MARTIN CROMACK -Fellow Ekko Words member, Martin will be making his poetic
debut

SCOTT TYRRELL - Member of the highly successful 'Poetry Vandals'. He is the
winner of the European Capital of Culture Slam 2002, the Manchester Comedy
Balloon Comedian of the Year 2003 and the Belfast Inter-City Slam 2004 and
2005. He was also a finalist in the UK Poetry Slam Championship at the
Theatre Royal Stratford east in 2006.

CLAIRE MORGAN - Highly talented spoken word performer, Claire will be
bringing the ventriloquist freudian nightmare
The Spiritual Injury Tour (a.k.a Domain Jane and Mother) to the gig. Who
knows what mother will say

DANIELLE QUIST - A strong wordsmith and poet is making her return to the
stage after 5 years

And of course

SIMMA - Co-presenter of BBC RADIO's Saturday Morning Breakfast show he is
also founder and chairman of Acoustis Circus - a monthly platform for
acoustic artists and bands in the North East. for more info see
www.simma.co.uk

Monday, March 19, 2007

Apples & Snakes at the Soho Theatre: Wednesday 4th April

Apples & Snakes in Soho: Where the spoken word takes centre-stage

Attention - the spoken-word/theatre crossover is here! And tonight we’ve got four of its brightest stars under one roof, each presenting an extract from their latest show. Mixing poetry, music and visuals, this line-up is guaranteed to amuse, intrigue, captivate and challenge in equal measures.

Featuring the talents of:
Julian Fox: solitary lo-fi meanderings from the late-night Radio 4 raconteur.
Kat Francois: a rhythmic powerhouse of autobiographical verse and stories.
Stacy Makishi: literate, multimedia strangeness to flip your mind inside-out.
D’Archetypes: hiphop-tinged, vaudevillian soap-operatics. With costumes!

Brought to you by Apples & Snakes, England’s prime movers of performance-poetry.

When: Wednesday 4 April 2007 @ 8pm
Where: Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London W1D 3NE
Tickets: £8 / £6
Book: 0870 429 6883 / www.sohotheatre.com
Info: www.applesandsnakes.org

Over the Edge with Australian poet Geoff Page: Galway, Friday March 23rd

Over The Edge presents a reading by Australian poet, Geoff Page

Sheridan’s Wine Bar, 14-16 Church Yard Street, Galway
Friday, March 23rd, 8pm.

Geoff Page will read alongside a trio of Galway based writers Stephen Shields, John O’Regan & Brendan McNally.

Geoff Page is an Australian poet who has published seventeen collections of poetry as well as two novels, three verse novels and several other works including anthologies, translations and a biography of the jazz musician, Bernie McGann.

Stephen Shields writes poetry and prose. His poems have been published in Crannog, West 47, The Cuirt Annual and he has poems forthcoming in The Shop and Agenda.

John O’Regan was born in Waterford, where he was artist in residence at Garter Lane Arts Centre. He worked in journalism before turning to writing fiction and drama. He has had four plays staged in Galway, The Gallery, Cold Storage, The Painting Lesson and Septuagenarians.

Brendan McNally hails from Monaghan but has lived in Galway for many years. His wry and witty stories are often based on his experience of growing up in a border county during the sixties and seventies.

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.

www.overtheedgeliteraryevents.blogspot.com

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Poetry On the Buses in Oxford: Wednesday 21st March

I received this information last week from Reading-based poet & MC AF HARROLD:

Wednesday 21st March – Poetry On The Buses, in Oxford. 10am-3pm.
Well, some bright wag at Oxford Brookes University has decided it would be a good social experiment to put performance poets on a variety of buses and see what happens. And I’m one of those poets. I don’t know anything about buses, and especially not ones that run to Brookes and elsewhere in Oxford, so it could be interesting. Among the other poets also being tested are Steve Larkin and Alan Buckley.

Actual information might be found by clicking on this link. At least it’s a chance to see poets quite cheaply.

Wednesday 21st March – Bus Stop Slam, at the Port Mahon, Oxford.
In the evening.
After we all get off the buses some of us, at least, will be taking part in some sort of slam event over at the Port Mahon. I don’t have many details about this, but I expect it’ll costs a few quid on the door and start around 8 o’clock. Jolly good.

AF HARROLD

Saturday, March 17, 2007

REMINDER: PUREandGOODandRIGHT open mic at Leamington Spa on Sunday 18th March



The next PUREandGOODandRIGHT in Leamington Spa sees comic duo 'Disparate Housewives' guesting, with the usual open mic poetry slots available. Arrive early to sign up for reading your own. Time at the mic now being limited to 3 mins due to growth in numbers attending.

Hosted by Sean Kelly.

PUREandGOODandRIGHT
The Fox, Clarendon Avenue (top of the Parade)
Leamington Spa
Sunday 18th March
7.30pm till late

P&G&R: Fast becoming a lively and popular night with the great and good of Midlands poetry making regular appearances ...

Friday, March 16, 2007

"Sprung", a new Apples & Snakes project: Saturday 17th March in Leicester

Apples & Snakes presents

Sprung

Featuring Mark Gwynne Jones and Michelle Hubbard
Hosted by Steve Carroll
Now that spring has sprung, why not clean out the cobwebs with an evening of the finest performance poetry? Apples & Snakes presents two of the East Midlands' top poets for your enjoyment. Come on down!

@ The Old Library, Leeming Street, Mansfield, NG18 1NG
in partnership with Nottinghamshire Libraries
Saturday 17th March 2007
7.30pm
£4/£3 concessions

Also, later this month:
Sprung
@ Perspective, 5 Saltergate, Lincoln, LN2 1DH
in partnership with the Spoken Word Campaign
Wednesday 28th March 2007
8.30pm
£4/£3 concessions

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Poets' Cafe in Reading with Guest Poet Clare Pollard: Friday 16th February

Poet’s Café in Reading

Reading’s longest-running poetry event, renowned for the quality of its open mic readers, its enthusiastic audiences and fine guest poets, takes place at South Street Arts Centre at 21 South Street in Reading, on the third Friday of every month. The open mic space is available for both the experienced and the new to the scene to share some of their own work, as well as a longer reading by a specially invited guest poet.

Entry is £6/£4(concessions and readers) on the door. Doors open at 8pm for 8.30pm start to the poetry. Arrive early to sign up to read.

Friday 16th February: Poets’ Café special guest is Clare Pollard

Clare Pollard was born in 1978. She survived a Bolton comprehensive and three years at Cambridge to end up in London, where she is now working on a novel. She published her first collection, The Heavy Petting Zoo with Bloodaxe in 1998; won an Eric Gregory Award in 2000; and took to the road in the First Lines young poets tour in 2001. Her second collection, Bedtime, was published in 2002. She has presented two TV documentaries, one for Channel Four with a verse commentary on the break-ups and piss-ups of Bolton's 16-year-olds. Her first play, The Weather (2004), was staged at the Royal Court in Autumn 2004. Her latest collection of poetry is Look, Clare! Look! (2005).

Once the enfant terrible of the British poetry scene with her poems of drunkenness and young people, she’s now settled into a respected position of pain, anxiety and wisdom, with a deep eroticism and a palpable thrill running through her work. Some people have gone so far as to suggest she is one of the true voices of this turn of the century generation, now plunging into its thirties; others just point out what a great poet she is – either way Clare is utterly worth watching, reading and listening to.

Future dates for your diary: -
Friday 20th April – Lorraine Mariner
Friday 18th May – Gill Learner
Friday 15th June – Jane Holland
Friday 20th July – Anthony Wilson
Friday 17th August – Open Mic Special

Feminist Cabaret in Oxford: Saturday 17th March

Thankf***kitsafeminist!!! Cabaret & Pub Quiz

Fabulous prizes on offer at this cabaret night with performance poetry & spoken word artistes at East Oxford Community Centre, Oxford. Part of Oxford Women's Festival 2007. Please note: some adult content, mixed audience. All proceeds will be going to Amnesty International.

Saturday 17th March
8pm - 11pm

Doors open at 7.30pm.

SHORTFUSE: TONIGHT! Thursday 15th March

SHORTFUSE, Islington

Thursday 15th March

Jonathan Asser: From the author of 'Outside the Allstars' - poetry that moves effortlessly between the intricate, the accessible, the delicate and the hard hitting.

Criag Smith: Wonderfully worded and sordidly skewed intelligent leaps of the poetic
imagination, delicately crafted and shot through with sharp humour reading from his books 'Super 8' and 'A Quick Word with a Rock and Roll Late Starter'.

Ahren Warner: Winner of SHORTFUSE Poetry Idol 7, easily one of the most talented young poets in the UK. Well crafted poetry that has caught the attention of some
of the most respected writers in the country.

Dean Wilson: Hailing from Hull, in East Yorshire, this is writing with attitude and
edge, with a firm grasp of the language and poetry of local vernacular, punctuated with a strong and unique sense of the absurdity and humour of the everyday.

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.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Disparate Housewives: Sunday 18th March in Leamington Spa



The next PUREandGOODandRIGHT in Leamington Spa sees comic duo 'Disparate Housewives' guesting, with the usual open mic poetry slots available. Arrive early to sign up for reading your own. Time at the mic now being limited to 3 mins due to growth in numbers attending.

Hosted by Sean Kelly.

PUREandGOODandRIGHT
The Fox, Clarendon Avenue (top of the Parade)
Leamington Spa
Sunday 18th March
7.30pm till late

P&G&R: Fast becoming a lively and popular night with the great and good of Midlands poetry making regular appearances ...

North Beach Nights Poetry Slam: Thursday 15th March in Galway

Máighréad Medbh reads at

North Beach Poetry Nights

Thursday, 15th March at THE NEW TIME of 8pm in BK's Winebar.

Máighréad Medbh was born in Newcastle West, County Limerick. Since the publication of her first collection, 'The Making of a Pagan' (Blackstaff Press), in 1990, she has become widely known as a performance poet. The voice in Máighréad's poetry is consciously channeled via the body, whose senses and rhythms are the originators and interpreters of concepts. She has performed at many venues in Ireland, Great Britain and the United States, and also on the broadcast media.

Máighréad's other collections are: 'Tenant' (Salmon Publishing 1999) and 'Divas' (Arlen House, June 2003).


MC for the evening is TRISH CASEY.

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: 8pm !!!NEW TIME!!!!
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.

Monday, March 12, 2007

REMINDER: Matchbox Poetry Magazine event TONIGHT in Leamington Spa!

MATCHB0X Magazine Poetry Night

At The Lounge, Leamington Spa
Monday, 12th March - 8.00-12.00 - FREE Entry.

MATCHB0X Magazine is a new magazine dedicated to all things poetry. Having started a mere three issues ago at Warwick University the magazine has already included professional poets' work, such as Andrew Motion and Less Murray, alongside the best of Warwickshire's students and other published writers.

For the first time, MATCHB0X invites you to come along to a night of wine, music and poetry at the Lounge in Leamington. Enjoy a conversation and wine to the backdrop of acoustic music, provided by new arts band, Bang Bang One Dollar, and listen to new poetry readings and contribute yourself in the open-mic section.

Contact matchboxmagazine@hotmail.co.uk for more details.

The Lounge
130 The Parade, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 4AG
Tel: 01926 887023

POEJAZZI in London: Tuesday April 3rd

POEJAZZI

Tuesday April 3rd, 6.30pm doors for a 8pm show start
Volupte Bar, No 9 Norwich street, off Furnival Street, EC4A 1EJ
(Close to Chancery lane Station, after Mcdonalds)
£10 ticket reservations, £28 plus two course meal per person.
Email: Lordgokal@hotmail.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/poejazzi

Spoken word and music night with a killer line-up that will see queues of cool peeps right down the street... (TimeOut Magazine, 2007)

Please note: starting time change to 6.30pm!

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

THURSDAY 15 MARCH Doors 7pm, first act 8pm.
The Spitz 109 Commercial Street, London E1 6BG

Penned in the Margins

PINM returns to The Spitz on Thursday 15 March to unleash more spoken word magic on East London. Don't miss former Libertines literary collaborator (and Forward Prize nominee) Tim Wells and lyrical remix duo Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip. Plus spoken word phenomenon Ventriloquist with full band and Anticon Records signing SJ Esau.

The evening (part of Shot from the Lip) will feature a mix of live poetry and leftfield music, with dark surrealism, soulful songs and riotous tales about middle class girls. Tickets are just a fiver and are selling like hot cakes from www.wegottickets.com/event/15207 (tickets also available on the door).

For more information about penned in the margins please don't hesitate to drop us a line or visit www.pennedinthemargins.co.uk. Our regular event at The Spitz is supported by Arts Council England.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

BIG WORD, EDINBURGH: Thursday March 22nd

THE BIG WORD, Edinburgh

Thursday 22nd March @ THE JAZZ BAR, CHAMBER ST, EDINBURGH.
Doors 9pm, show 9.30 - 11.30pm.

Featuring: World Slam Champion ELVIS MCGONAGALL, locals Fiona Lindsay & BRAM GIEBEN, Bristolian novelist, poet and academic LUCY ENGLISH.

PLUS: the inimitable DOMINIC WAXING LYRICAL.
£4/3 concs.
Hosted by Jenny Lindsay.

PLEASE NOTE:
NEW VENUE & (one-off) NEW OPENING TIME.

* THE BIG WORD has a new home in The Jazz Bar on Chambers Street. After the recent acquisition of a DRUM & BASS DJ upstairs on Thursday evenings at the temporary venue of The City Cafe, Big Word was approached to become part of the Jazz Bar's permanent, regular programme.

* Our premiere night at The Jazz Bar is a heady mix of spoken word, rap, lyricism, wit and music. Carrying on in our successful new format - launched last October - The Big Word continues to be the only spoken word night in town where you will hear not only the best of the local scene, but the best of the national and international scenes too.

* ELVIS MCGONAGALL - headliner for the night - is a man with numerous awards - perhaps too numerous to mention. But here are a couple: he is not only the WORLD SLAM CHAMPION, but he was also the runner-up in THE FOUR CONTINENTS SLAM in December. Despite this, he maintains the dry, acerbic and self-deprecating wit that only Scots can master with true aplomb.

*LUCY ENGLISH - is the only academic who has been brave enough to teach spoken word and performance poetry as a discipline at a British University (Bath Spa). In addition, she is a raucous & raunchy performer, having read worldwide, and is the author of three novels published by Random House.

* FIONA LINDSAY - a local poet, who draws on her rich life-experience without descending to the popular Misery-Lit style of recent years, which might as well be sponsored by Prozac... Instead, hear the truth made accessible, colourful and funny.

*BRAM GIEBEN - Spinning verbal barbed wire: Rap with meaning. Rare.

* DOMINIC WAXING LYRICAL - Infamous local scoundrel, intensely woeful yet hilarious delivery, and a plinky-piano that delights. A must-see. That's a cliche. Sorry.



Hosted by JENNY LINDSAY: (pictured above - isn't she a cutie? Ed.) poet, songwriter, pretends-to-be-writing-a-novel, international ambassador, MEP, octogenarian, liar, and performance poetry promoter.

Shearsman Poetry Readings: Wednesday March 14th

The third in the Shearsman reading series takes place Wednesday, 14 March at 7:30 pm
featuring JOHN SEED and ISOBEL THRILLING.

Isobel Thrilling will be launching her new collection, The Language Creatures.

Venue:
Swedenborg Hall
Swedenborg House
20/21 Bloomsbury Way
London WC1A 2TH

The entrance is around the corner on Barter Street. Closest Tube Stations: Holborn (Central & Piccadilly Lines : 4 minutes' walk), Tottenham Court Road (Central & Northern Lines: 6 minutes), Covent Garden (Piccadilly Line: 10 minutes). Several buses stop a few yards from the Hall. There is an underground carpark close by, underneath Bloomsbury Square. Disabled access is available, but please let us know in advance if it is required.

There is no admission fee, although we will "pass the hat" for donations, all of which will be passed on to the readers. No donation is expected from those purchasing books on the night.

Further details here of the venue: http://www.shearsman.com/pages/editorial/readings.html
and here of Isobel's new book: http://www.shearsman.com/pages/books/catalog/2007/thrilling.html

Future readings in the series:
17 April: Sarah Law and Chris McCabe
10 May: Marius Kociejowski and Christopher Middleton
13 June: Gerry Loose and A.N. Other

Friday, March 09, 2007

Poet's Letter in London: Monday 12th March

Poetry Performance and Music @ Poetry Cafe

Poet's Letter Poetry Performance and Live Music at Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton Street (Covent Garden): Monday, March, 12th, 7 p.m. (Second Mondays)

Featuring Munayem Mayenin, Sarah Wardle, Joshua Idehen, Maggie Sullivan, Philip Ruthen and Rebecca Atherton.

Live music: Kerry Fleur Schleifer, Johnny Vallon and David Pelling and an Open Mic as usual.
Tickets: 5/3 Cons.
For more info call 07809 682 065 or write to: editor at poetsletter dot com

March is Poet's Letter Magazine's Anniversary Party too!

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Print into Performance: the Broadcast Anthology


Broadcast Anthology from Warwick University: Two Views



Towards A New Awareness of Audience

Last year I attended the launch of the Broadcast Anthology, a collection of new writing from students on the Warwick University Creative Writing MA. The launch was held on the Warwick campus in a special space dedicated to new ways of learning, with brightly coloured benches and loungers which can be turned to face in any direction, no restrictive desk areas, spotlit walls and ceilings designed to be used for projected images, and a smooth ergonomic feel to the room design.

The launch readings themselves were friendly and informal, with most of those present having been involved in some way in the writing or design of the anthology. A series of alternating images projected onto the walls - including the stark industrial cover image, pictured above - lent a certain dynamic feel to the event and provided an interesting backdrop to the poets and writers whilst reading their work. There was also an extensive free buffet with drinks - always a welcome sight at a poetry event!

It's a special thing for a writer when a work that was conceived on paper and has now been published in book form suddenly becomes oral in nature. I'm not sure if performance is always the right word to apply to such readings, even when they involve a certain amount of poetry. But the element of performance that comes into play at any public reading provides a vital opportunity for a beginning writer's transition into a new kind of writing, by which I mean writing with an emphasised awareness of audience.

Without that awareness - of who we write for, of what we hope to achieve when making our work public - it's too easy for a writer to drift into an unhealthy isolated narcissism and forget that no piece of writing, however superb, can exist without an audience. And that applies particularly to the arena of performance poetry, of course, where the poem often has no existence at all except at the moment of being performed.

Jane Holland, poet & editor Poets On Fire

*

An Instinct for Words

The Broadcast anthology, a collection of new writing from Warwick University students, will be returning for a second volume in 2007. The first anthology showcased the work of six MA Writing Students. Critic and biographer Jeremy Treglown edited Broadcast, and commented that the student’s writing had “that instinct for words, for their shapes and cadences, which seems to be as gratuitous as an ability to sing or to catch a ball.”

The second volume of the anthology aims to publish a wider and larger range of poetry and prose from across the campus. It will be edited by writer and critic David Dabydeen and co-edited by Jane Commane, a student whose work was included in the first publication. The anthology will be published in partnership with Coventry’s leading independent press, Heaventree.

The Broadcast project is student-motivated, and as well as providing a platform for new literary voices, it also provides the opportunity for Warwick Writing Programme students to gain practical experience of the publishing and literary world, through their involvement in planning and marketing the anthology.

The anthology project is entirely reliant on funding and sponsorship and the team producing the anthology are keen to hear from anyone who would be interested in sponsoring this year’s publication, even if they can only pledge a small amount. In return, they are offering advertising space on all their promotional literature, in the anthology itself on the launch night for the anthology.

Also, as all profits from sales of the first Broadcast anthology are being ploughed back into the next publication, anyone who would like to support the publication of work by new, emerging writers, can do so by buying a copy.

Jane Commane (poet & co-editor of the new Broadcast anthology)

*

To Purchase a copy of the Broadcast Anthology

The Broadcast Anthology is available online from Amazon at a special price of £4 (not inc. p+p) at:amazon.co.uk

Or can be ordered by downloading an order form from:
www.heaventree.co.uk

If you’d like to get in touch with Broadcast, send an email to: broadcastanthology@yahoo.co.uk or check out our Myspace page: www.myspace.com/broadcastanthology

MATCHBoX poetry & open mic in Leamington Spa: Monday March 12th

MATCHB0X Magazine Poetry Night

At The Lounge, Leamington Spa
Monday, 12th March - 8.00-12.00 - FREE Entry.

MATCHB0X Magazine is a new magazine dedicated to all things poetry. Having started a mere three issues ago at Warwick University the magazine has already included professional poets' work, such as Andrew Motion and Less Murray, alongside the best of Warwickshire's students and other published writers.

For the first time, MATCHB0X invites you to come along to a night of wine, music and poetry at the Lounge in Leamington. Enjoy a conversation and wine to the backdrop of acoustic music, provided by new arts band, Bang Bang One Dollar, and listen to new poetry readings and contribute yourself in the open-mic section.

Contact matchboxmagazine@hotmail.co.uk for more details.

The Lounge
130 The Parade, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 4AG
Tel: 01926 887023

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

WORD at Bambu in Leicester: TONIGHT! Wed. March 7th

Apples & Snakes presents

WORD @ Bambu

21 Welford Road, Leicester, LE2 7AD
Wednesday 7th March 2007
From 8pm
FREE

Guest artist
Rob Gee

Word is back for March with Leicester's very own Rob Gee. Performance poet, comic, workshop leader and reformed psychiatric nurse, Rob combines elements of theatre, comedy and literature in his poetry. From diabolical chat up lines to the end of the world, he insists the human tragedy is a gleeful comedy. Fast, furious and very funny, Rob uses inventive wordplay, whiplash couplets and motored rhythm to tap into the world of chaos and adventure that lurks behind the veneer of everyday life.


Steve Carroll
East Midlands Regional Co-ordinator
Apples & Snakes
steve@applesandsnakes.org
www.applesandsnakes.org

Monday, March 05, 2007

FRESH at the Albany, Deptford: Friday March 16th

As London celebrates its first city-wide spoken-word festival, Shot from the Lip, Apples & Snakes shows the rest of the world what Deptford can do. On Friday March 16th they feature the fast ‘n’ furious words of Metis, a little hip-hop theatre from Sean Graham and the consummate compering of Joshua Idehen. They’ve always got one eye on London’s up-and-coming verbal talent, so turn up early and sign in for one of their open mic slots!

Event: Fresh

When: Friday 16 March 2007 @ 8pm
Where: The Albany, Douglas Way, London, SE8 4AG
Tickets: £6 / £5 (concs) / £4 (under 25s)
Book: 020 8692 4446 / www.thealbany.org.uk
Info: www.applesandsnakes.org

SHORTFUSE: Thursday 8th March in Islington

SHORTFUSE

Thursday 8th March

This week at London's ONLY weekly fusion of stand-up poetry, performance
comedy and spokenword we bring you three of the UK's best live performers:

Barry Jones and Stuart Macleod
A feature length set from the twisted magicians who brought you such TV
specials as the 'Miracles of Jesus' and 'Magic from the Old Testament' -
intelligent, funny and downright spellbinding.

Tamsin Kendrick
One of the hot new stars of the London poetry scene, intellgent, fierce,
honest and delivered with a unique stage presence.

Wayne Smith
One of London's best young poets, multimedia poetics detailing the
contemporary with intelligence and wit.


Hosted by NATHAN PENLINGTON
'A natural performer, witty, inventive, stylish and original' - Rob Newman

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

Shortfuse is every Thursday @ The Camden Head, Camden Walk, Islington, London, N1
Tube: Angel. or click here for details of bus routes.

Doors: 8.30pm. Admission: £5 waged / £3 concessions.

SOME SHOWS DO SELL OUT AND THIS COULD BE ONE OF THOSE SHOWS- so, if there
is a show you really don't want to miss our advice is to reserve tickets
with us in advance. Just email your full name, the number of tickets you
require, and a contact telephone number to: tickets@shortfuse.co.uk. We
will hold them for you on the date of the show, they will be available for
collection upon payment at the door between 8pm and 8.30pm.

Sunday, March 04, 2007

Over the Edge poetry readings in Galway: Friday March 9th

Over The Edge in association with Poetry Ireland

This month, Over the Edge 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.

Moyra Donaldson was born in Newtownards and educated at Queen’s University. Three collections of her poems have been published by Lagan Press, Snakeskin Stilettos (1998), Breaking the Ice (2001) and The Horse’s Nest (2006). Snakeskin Stilettos was reprinted in 2002 by CavanKerry Press, New Jersey, and shortlisted for the ForeWord Book of the Year Award.

Martin Mooney lives in Co. Antrim. He has published three acclaimed collections of poetry: Grub, winner of the 1994 Brendan Behan Memorial Award (Blackstaff 1993, reissued in the USA by Cavankerry in 2002), Rasputin and his children (Blackwater 2000, reissued by Lagan in 2003), and Blue Lamp Disco (Lagan 2004).

John Walsh is originally from Derry, but has lived in Galway for some years now. His first collection of poems, Johnny Tell Them, was published by Guildhall Press in December. He is the organiser of the popular North Beach Poetry Nights.

Leonor Silvestri is an Argentinian poet currently living in Galway. She has published two poetry collections in her native land. She is currently editing an anthology in translation of Irish Women Poets for publication in Argentina.

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.

http://www.overtheedgeliteraryevents.blogspot.com/

TONIGHT at the Behive, Cheltenham: Buzzwords Poetry Night, Sunday 4th February

This Sunday, 4th February

Upstairs at The Beehive, Montpellier Villas, Cheltenham

7pm - poetry writing workshop led by Jo Bell
8pm onwards - open mic slots and Guest Poet (Jo Bell)

Friday, March 02, 2007

Open Mic in London: the Poetry Cafe, the Usual Suspects

Tuesday 6th March at 7.30pm (make sure you arrive earlier if you want to read) sees the old familiar Open Mic happening at London's infamous Poetry Cafe, a weekly tradition otherwise known as Poetry Unplugged. Hosted by Niall O'Sullivan, of course. With you behind the mic, perhaps.

To read/perform, sign up between 6-7pm.
£3.50/2.50

Downstairs at THE POETRY CAFE, 22 Betterton Street, London
Nearest tube: Covent Garden/Holborn

Performance Poetry Workshops & Showcase: Apples & Snakes, this Sunday March 4th

Apples and Snakes is taking part in Spit-Lit 2007 with a performance poetry mistressclass, Finding the Diva Within You, and a Performance Poetry Extravaganza.

"Join performance-poet Melted Demerara (aka Janett Plummer) on a mission to find the dynamic inner voice that will breathe life into your writing. Discover the secret of making your own words and stories come alive on stage. Aimed at beginners and newer writers who are tempted by the lure of the mic. We’ll make poetry divas of you yet.

Melted Demerara will be appearing later in the day in the Performance Poetry Extravaganza poetry show – which will also have a few slots available for workshop-participants.

Event: Finding the Diva Within You
When: Sunday 4 March 2007 @ 2.30pm (2hrs)
Where: Toynbee Studios, 28 Commercial Street, London E1
Tickets: £5/£3
To book: 020 7247 2584
Info: www.alternativearts.co.uk

In the evening we present an exciting showcase of some of London’s finest poets;
Melted Demerara, a spinner of lyrical stories and a slam-winning, sensual, poetical stage-presence; Liz Bentley – scary Peckham humourist with a five-star Edinburgh show behind her and a ukulele on her knee; Aime Hansen – Estonian multimedia poet specialising in surreal situations and monologues; Saran Green – charismatic newcomer, currently delighting London audiences with her saucy slices of Jamaican life; and Anna Barzotti – doyenne of audience-participation poems (smile on face guaranteed), and as bubbly a compere as one could wish for. Funny and thought-provoking, sussed and strange, this line-up has something for everyone.

Remember – poetry’s not the new rock’n’roll – it’s much, much better."

Event: Apples & Snakes Performance Poetry Extravaganza
When: Sunday 4 March 2007 @ 7pm
Where: Toynbee Studios, 28 Commercial Street London E1
Tickets: £7/£5
To book: 020 7247 2584
Info: www.alternativearts.co.uk

Thursday, March 01, 2007

The Nail, a performance poetry magazine, seeks new editorial staff


The Nail, a magazine for performance poetry, is looking for new members of its editorial team. If you are interested in live literature and have a good knowledge of what makes poetry perform on the page, please contact Sophia at sophia.dunstan @btinternet.com.

The Nail editorial team meets three times a year. If you would like to illustrate the Nail, we would also love to hear from you: please contact Sophia on the above address. The Nail is published by Hammer and Tongue.