Coventry Festival of Literature 2007

Festival of Literature & Liberty: launching this week

The first ever Coventry Festival of Literature is happening next weekend, 4th - 7th May, and has a pre-festival launch event tomorrow night, Tuesday 1st May, at the Tin Angel in Mediaeval Spon Street, Coventry. The Festival's official title is the FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE & LIBERTY; its theme this year is the British abolition of the slave trade.

Well-known writers speaking, reading and performing at this year's Festival include: Brian Patten, David Dabydeen, Hisham Matar, Wole Soyinka and Elena Vladareanu, amongst others.

Come along to the launch event at the Tin Angel on Tuesday at 8pm for a new book launch from Heaventree Press and an open mic for all-comers, known to its intimates as NIGHT BLUE FRUIT at the TIN ANGEL. The Guest MC for this month only will be none other than this site's editor, Jane Holland!

Poetry Launch & Open Mic
Free entry
8pm
Tin Angel
Mediaeval Spon Street, Coventry

MC: Jane Holland

For full details about the Festival (times, venues, writers) visit www.heaventreepress.com.

Welsh Heat of the BBC RADIO FOUR Poetry Slam!

BBC Radio 4 Poetry Slam

Thursday 17th May 2007, 7.30pm
Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea
Free Entry

"BBC Radio 4 is running a national poetry slam this summer. But before the excitement of the finals, there will be preliminary heats taking place in nine geographical areas across Wales, Scotland, Northen Ireland and England.

The Academi are working with the BBC to organise the Welsh heat of the competition. All the competitors have proven themselves worthy in past competitions, so it will be a slam to remember. Why not come along and see for yourself who will represent Wales in the finals?

Your MC for the night will be Goff Morgan who in 1997 was named Newport Town Poet, the only official town poet in Wales. Goff broadcasts regularly on BBC Radio Wales, particularly on Something Else, the Nicola Heywood Thomas programme, and Good Evening Wales."

For more information contact Academi on:
029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org
www.academi.org

Poetry Night in Plymouth next Saturday 5th May

The Language Club

@ Plymouth Arts Centre
Saturday 5th May
7.30pm

The Club's guest poet this time is Kelvin Corcoran. There is also an Open Mic.
£5.00 and £3.00
Bar available

Enquiries to Tim 01752 661339 or Steve 01752 703617

Plymouth Arts Centre, 38 Looe St., Plymouth, PL4 0EB. Located between the City Centre and the Barbican; close to Bretonside Bus Station.
Box Office: 01752 206114
E-mail: arts@plymouthac.org.uk

Starbucks Poetry in Central Birmingham: Wednesday 2nd May

Rendezvous of Poetry

Wednesday 2nd May, 7.00 till 9.00
Starbucks, Martineau Place, Birmingham

Back for the Summer and Autumn season, Starbucks Poet in residence Roy
Mcfarlane would like you to join us for a night of poetry, spoken word,
rhythm and rhyme in a cosy front room setting of Starbucks, with plenty
coffee.

Guest on the night will be UK & International Poet Martin Glyn, Poet and
writer Jaqui Rowe and local lyrical poet Phil Simpson and many more to be
confirmed.

Plus three slots of open mic, alive and flowing with poetry.


1 Host
2 Hours of Poetry
3 minutes interview
4 Guest Poets
5 minutes and more of Open Mic Poetry
& lots more
At the Rendezvous of Poetry,
Starbucks the place to be for live poetry


For further information contact
Roy Mcfarlane
07974 012265

Giles Goodland & David Miller reading: Friday 11th May in London

BLUE BUS POETRY SERIES

Giles Goodland and David Miller will be reading their poetry in the upstairs room at The Lamb, 94 Lamb's Conduit Street, London WC1, from 7.30 on Friday 11th May.

This is the first in THE BLUE BUS series, and both poets will be launching new books as part of the event.

Admissions: £5 / £3 (concessions).
Nearest tubes: Russell Square; Holborn.

Climate Change Performance Poetry, May 15th: Audience and Performers Required!

Words and World: Climate Change Performance Poetry

Vaults and Garden, University Church, High St., Oxford
Tuesday, 15 May 2007
8pm
£3 admission

Calling all activists, poets, performers or anyone else who would like their
voice to be heard on climate change! All are welcome to perform or just listen
to verse focusing on this urgent issue. Poets wishing to perform may sign up at
the door the night of the event. With our host Steve Larkin, the night is sure
to both entertain and stimulate thought. Admission will benefit Christian Aid's
Climate Changed campaign. For more information, please contact organizer
Shannon Brescher at: shannon.brescher@linacre.ox.ac.uk.

US poet Tara Betts visits the UK: May performance dates

US Poet TARA BETTS in the UK this May

10/05/2007 6:45 PM - Angel Poetry @ Borders N1 Centre, 26 Parkfield Street, London, N1 - FREE
Tara Betts will be the featured poet at this open mic organized by Agnes Meadows. The venue is located at the shopping centre opposite the Angel tube station.

17/05/2007 08:00 PM - The Poetry Cafe 22 Betterton Street, Convent Garden, London WC2H 9BX
Tara Betts will be the featured poet tonight. She'll also be reading a poem by one of her favorite poets. Visit Poetry Cafe at Poetry Society's website at http://www.poetrysociety.org.uk/content/cafe/ for more information.

21/05/2007 7:30 PM - The Man on The Moon 2 Norfolk Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, London CB1 2LF
Tara Betts will be one of the featured poets at "Tales from a Paralalia Universe". For more information, visit www.myspace.com/paralaliauniverse.

27/05/2007 8:00 PM - Poetry n Motion at Tiger Tiger 29 The Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4SP - £6
Contact Kamau at 07968-714915 or Irvin 07958-499602 or visit www.ukfridays.net Tiger Tiger London, located in the heart of the vibrant West End on the Haymarket, moments from Piccadilly Circus. Find us between Leicester Sq. and Piccadilly Circus tube stations.

30/05/2007 8:30 PM - express excess at The Enterprise 2 Haverstock Hill, Camden, London NW3 2BL

Find out more about Tara here: www.tarabetts.net or MySpace

Poetry in Galway: Thursday 26th April

North Beach Poetry Nights
presents Cúirt Grand Slam Previous Winners
Trish Casey, Kevin Higgins, Brendan Murphy and Stephen Murray
Thursday, 26th April at 9.30 pm in BK's Winebar, Spanish Parade, Galway

MC Brendan Murphy
The North Beach Poetry Nights' Slam follows the usual format.

This special Pre-Cúirt Slam gives all the Grand Slam participants
the ideal opportunity to test their nerves (and size up the competition!)

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.

Door: 4 Euro
Info: John Walsh at 593290

North Beach Poetry Nights gratefully acknowledges the support of Galway City Council.

http://overtheedgeliteraryevents.blogspot.com

SHORTFUSE in Islington: Thursday 26th April

SHORTFUSE

Thursday 26th April
8.30pm

A feature length set from Martin White's new project 'The mystery fax
machine orchestra'. If their short set a couple of months is anything to
go by you do not want to miss this.

Plus multi-award-winning poet Hugo Williams, and Ireland's The Racker.



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

Tall Lighthouse at the Poetry Cafe: TONIGHT, Wednesday 25th April

Tall Lighthouse Poetry

@ the Poetry Cafe, Betterton Street WC2, London
8pm

Regular London Poetry event featuring poets Maurice Riordan with Ken Champion, Judy Brown & open-mic

Wednesday 25th April
8pm
Entrance: £4/£3

"tall-lighthouse presents Maurice Riordan with Ken Champion, Judy Brown & open-mic 8pm info 020 8297 8279 or lastwednesday@tall-lighthouse.co.uk"

Jane Holland reading at Throckmorton's, Atherstone: Saturday 28th April

Jane Holland will be reading from her new poetry collection BOUDICCA & CO. at Throckmorton's Bookshop in Atherstone, a Warwickshire book town, on Saturday 28th April from 2pm onwards.



There will also be other guest readers, plus an open mic for all-comers, so if you're in the area and a turner of verses, do please come along, have a drink, listen to some poetry, buy a book and parade your wares on the open mic.

Saturday 28th April
2pm
Throckmorton's Bookshop
16 Market Place
Atherstone
Warwickshire
CV9 1EX
Tel: 01827 717570
Email: throckmortons@gmail.com
Web: www.atherstonebooktown.net/throckmortons.htm

The Write Room, County Durham: Tuesday 24th April

The Write Room

Wellington Inn, Wolviston (North-East England)
Tuesday 24th April
8pm

"Featuring poet and playright Tom Kelly, who will be supported by Stockton's very own rising star, the ever popular Michael Edwards. Also featured are notable writer and poet from Darlington, Malcolm Watson; from Redcar, the chairman of Redcar writers, Brian Morton; not to mention Teesside poet Jeff Pattison.

Plus Voice Box and the usual open mic slot."

Admission: £3

The Write Room
Wellington Inn
31-33 High Street
Wolviston
Billingham
County Durham
TS22 5JX

UTTER! 15 in London this Wednesday, April 25th

UTTER!#15

FREE with Project Adorno, Steve Tasane, John Citizen, Kevin
Reinhardt, Dean Wilson, Naomi Foyle and ajar mic contest!

Date and time: 8pm on Weds April 25th and the last Weds of every month

Address: Salisbury Hotel, 1 Grand Parade, Green Lanes, London N4 1JX.
Tube: Inbetween Turnpike Lane (nearest) & Manor House.
Bus: 141, 29, 41, N41, 67. Overland: Harringey Green Lanes.

Cost: FREE ENTRY!!
Phone: 07711 483 819

Welcoming SPECIAL GUEST HOST JOHN CITIZEN –
Legendary, quick-witted and hilarious uncle to London's poetry scene,
who ran Poetry Unplugged at the Poetry Cafe for many years before
retiring on grounds of good sense.

PROJECT ADORNO


STEVE TASANE


KEVIN REINHARDT


DEAN WILSON

Plus the almost-legendary AJAR MIC COMPETITION – You, the audience,
will vote to give either KIM WELLS, vocalist KWALI, STEVE SUMNER or
ASH a FEATURE LENGTH SLOT.

AND NAOMI FOYLE presents a one woman cabaret of love-torn ballads, music hall
melodramas, and lyrical explorations of the dark side of the pillow.
'Erotic, amusing, savage.' - Simon Jenner, Waterloo Press.

Richard Tyrone Jones: Poet, host and Co-organiser of:
'Utter!' - Last Wed of the month, 8pm, Salisbury Pub N4, Free
Poetry@TheRoom, First Weds of the month, 7.30pm, 33 Holcombe Road N17
9AS with free wine

www.myspace.com/richardtyronejones
07711 483819

Hammer & Tongue London Launch: this Tuesday, 24th April

Hammer & Tongue London Launch

Open Poetry Slam + Special guests
Salena ‘Saliva’ Godden
Johnny Fluffypunk
Sophia Blackwell

Tuesday 24th April
8 - 11 pm
Nearest Tube: Ladbroke Grove
Inn on the Green, 3-5 Thorpe Close, London, W10 5XL
Tickets: £4/3 Cons

“The best live poetry is to be found at the Hammer & Tongue slam” Sunday Times

The first rule of Hammer & Tongue is: you talk about Hammer & Tongue.
The second rule of Hammer & Tongue is: you talk about Hammer & Tongue

Oxford’s finest home-grown spoken word night is launching its very own brand of raucous, energetic and thought-provoking performance poetry in London with a showcase night on April 24 at Inn on the Green, Ladbroke Grove.

From its humble beginnings in the backroom of the now-legendary Brickworks in Oxford, Hammer & Tongue has become one of the highest-profile spoken word events in the UK, bringing together the best of the world’s live literature and providing a stage for some of the country’s best new artists.

In 2004 Hammer & Tongue established a monthly night in Brighton which has grown to attract international names and now holds a significant place on the European poetry circuit. With its London launch, Hammer & Tongue is hoping to give budding young poets the space to grow and develop their talents against a background of established names, inspiring others to get up on stage and take to the mic.

Hammer & Tongue hands out the power of judgement to poets peers with audience members invited to form the expert panel at the slam. If you want a chance to perform along Salina ‘Saliva’ Godden, (guest vocalist with Coldcut and Alabama 3), pastoral nihilist Johnny Fluffypunk and the stunning Sophia Blackwell, sign up for the open slam at the door from 7.30pm on the night, or to sign up for the slam in advance contact Michelle Madsen on 07809 236133 or at madsen.michelle@gmail.com

Tell your friends about our other events:
Brighton first Monday of the month at Komedia.
Oxford first Tuesday of the month at The Zodiac.

Inn on the Green information: 0208 962 5757
www.hammerandtongue.co.uk
www.iotg.co.uk

Poejazzi in May: Tuesday May 1st

POEJAZZI

Tuesday May 1st, 6.30pm doors open
Volupte Bar, No 9 Norwich street, off Furnival Street, EC4A 1EJ
(Close to Chancery lane Station, after Mcdonalds)
£10 ticket reservations,
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, Feb 2007). Having wrapped up another sold out poejazzi spectacular, we thought it might be a sweet idea- to do another one. Yep, groundbreaking we are not, awesome show makers? oh yes.

May the 1st. We're working (geddit? workers day? we're working? ha! see how much fun...) flat out to pull off our greatest Poejazzi ever, bringing the brightest wordsmiths, songstars and Jazz-acts under one roof. No mean feat, truly, but The Best Poetry/Jazz Tuesday Night In London Bar None has been known to pull off miracles...

Our Venue, is downstairs in the Cabaret Saloon Area of Volupte. And this, is our May Line-up.

John Hegley: (Poet) (www.johnhegley.co.uk) If you don't know John Hegley, you don't know brit spoken word. A genuine pillar of poetry in ol blighty, master of improv and humour, and a very nice man to boot.

David Jay: (Poet) (www.myspace.com/davidj14 ) The Vocal Pugilist himself is here! Nothing, no-one sounds like David for sheer ability to hold an audience captive within the world of his performance. Fusing Hip-hop with theatre and political lyricism, the kind with hasn't been this well crafted since The Last Poets (who he has supported on tour) Awesome doesn't cut it.

Estelle Kokot (Jazz Singer) (www.myspace.com/estellekokot) recently nominated for bext vocal Jazz in the South African Music Awards, she will be bringing an intimate feel to the night, possibly our best Jazz act ever.

James Chadwell: (acoustic) (www.james-chadwick.co.uk) we recently spotted James at the February Onetaste, where he blew the stage apart with sensual voice and his magnificent guitar playing skills. Never to let a good act pass us by, he will be here in may to stun uyou all.

Inua Ellams (Poet: www.myspace.com/phaze05) Inua Ellams, Poet Laurate in the making, Awesome Nigerian, too-young-to-be-this-talented, will be supplying some of the best poetry you ever heard.

Joshua (MC/Poet: www.myspace.com/ehidehen) Josh will be hosting. On ocassion, he will also be funny.

Musa (MC/Poet: www.myspace.com/ofmooseandmen) Musa will be there. His purpose as yet unknown... ah yes! blowing you all away by being too talented for words. Buy him a Guiness, will you?

Go to www.myspace.com/poejazzi to hear audio samples of all the acts in March.
Go to Itunes and PodStrike to download highlights from february's show free.

There will also be a drinks bar and smoking area upstairs.

So come on down, alone or with friends. Relax yourself, and enjoy.
Price: ten pounds entry fee,T Reserve via tel 0207-8311677, or 02078311622
Or you may email through lordgokal@hotmail.com
stating
Your name
Phone number
If you'll be taking the Dining option
How many guests you want to bring along

Very limited spaces available so please book early!"

London Heat for BBC Radio 4's Poetry Slam: Saturday 28th April

The Farrago London Champions’ SLAM!

London Heat for BBC Radio 4’s Poetry Slam

Saturday, 28th April
7:30pm
George Bernard Shaw Theatre @ RADA, Malet St, London, WC1. Underground: Goodge St.

The winners of all London’s poetry slams since January 2005 compete for places in Radio 4’s Poetry Slam semi finals!

+ A Quickfire SLAM! at the beginning of the night open to ANY poet
+ Special guest features.
Emcee: John Paul O’Neill.

Tickets: £6/£5 in advance or £7/£6 on the night.
Box Office: 0207 908 4800. 10am – 6pm.
Information: 07905078376. farragopoetry@yahoo.co.uk. www.myspace.com/farragopoetry

Love Poetry Hate Racism': a live event in Bolton this Sunday, 22nd April

LOVE POETRY HATE RACISM

The Dublin Love Poetry Hate Racism event is Sunday 22 April at Crawdaddy, Harcourt St., Dublin 2 from 8:00pm to 11:30pm. The packed line will feature a combination of Irish and International poets, rappers, musicians and bands.

The admission charge for the event is €5.00.

The line-up of the event is as follows:

20:00 Poetry & Music Slam
21:45 Lauren Guillery & The Claws
22:00 Belfast Poets Tour Group
22:25 Sanzkrit
22:50 Grand Pocket Orchestra
23:15 The Grunts

Poetry at the BAC, London: TONIGHT, Friday 20th April

Apples and Snakes: "Malika Booker’s poetry has been described as inspirational. But what we want to know is: who inspirers the inspirer? So, barely pausing for breath after tonight’s performance of her Unplanned show, Malika presents a tasty pick ‘n’ mix selection of her favourite poets.

Jean Binta Breeze: dub-poet extraordinaire, a living, lyrical legend
Karen McCarthy: Poet, playwright and self-cofessed blog-addict
Denise Saul: keen-eyed chronicler of South London minutiae

Come along and let them inspire you too."

When: Friday 20 April 2007 @ 9.30pm
Where: BAC, Lavender Hill, Battersea, SW11 5TN
Tickets: £4.75 / £3.50
Book: 020 7223 2223 / www.bac.org.uk
Info: www.applesandsnakes.org

Poets' Cafe in Reading: TONIGHT, Friday 20th April

Poets’ Café

South Street Arts Centre, South Street, Reading.
Friday 20th April
8pm for 8.30pm.
£6/£4.

Special guest Lorraine Mariner (www.therialto.co.uk/08_books.htm) reads a full set and everybody else either watches, listens or takes part in the open mic session. All welcome, all welcomed. AF Harrold guarantees a 'Jolly good time and jolly good poetry' at this monthly Reading-based poetry event.

Virginia Warbey Memorial Poetry Prize: Closing Date 19th May

Virginia Warbey Poetry Prize 2007

Closing Date: 19-May-07

For poems of up to 40 lines. First prize £800, second prize £350, third prize £200. Judge: Ian McMillan.
Entry Fee: £3 per poem, £12 for 5

Contact: CFW Poetry, PO Box 474, Eastleigh SO50 0AN

I don't usually carry news about non-live poetry events, but I'm making an exception for this particular poetry prize. Known for her rich and intense prize-winning poems and novels - the latter written under the pseudonym of Virginia Smith, and including the highly popular Ropemaker's Daughter - Virginia Warbey died tragically young in a car crash in 2004. This poetry competition, judged by Ian McMillan, is being held in her memory. For my own review of her first full-length collection, click here.

BayLit Festival in Cardiff: 17th - 21st April 2007

Thursday 19 April 2007:

* Taliesin Launch - Welsh Language Event
Glanfa, Wales Millennium Centre – 7.30 pm
Free entry

Come and hear the best of Welsh language literature: poetry, prose, essays and a wide range of reviews. The launch of issue 130 of Taliesin, the Welsh language literature magazine promises to be a feast for the ears.

Editors Christine James, Crowned poet and Creative Wales Award winner Manon Rhys host a night featuring many of the issue’s contributors.


Friday 20 April 2007:

* Gwyn Thomas and Andrew Motion in Conversation
Function Room 1, Wales Millennium Centre - 7.30 pm
£6 / £4.50

Gwyn Thomas the National Poet for Wales and Andrew Motion Poet Laureate meet on stage for the first time to debate what it is to be an official bard and how national identity plays its part in that role. This lively and never before witnessed discussion will be chaired by a poet who knows the subject only too well, the first National Poet of Wales, Gwyneth Lewis. Wales versus England. National Poet versus Poet Laureate. Neighbours from hell or perfect fellow travellers? This is a meeting of two incredible poetic minds that is not to be missed.

Gwyn Thomas. Born in Tanygrisiau and raised in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwyn Thomas was educated at Ysgol Sir Ffestiniog, University of Wales, Bangor where he is Professor Emeritus and Jesus College, Oxford. Publishing 16 volumes of poetry over 5 decades– his first, Chwerwder yn y Ffynhonnau (Bitterness in the Fountains, Gwasg Gee) in 1962 and the latest Apocalups Yfory (Apocalypse Tomorrow, Barddas) in 2005 along with translating perhaps the finest English language version of the Mabinogion. On accepting the appointment of National Poet of Wales in 2006 Gwyn said modestly that he hoped to “draw attention to the poets of Wales and their work”. He has certainly done that.

Andrew Motion. Andrew Motion was appointed Poet Laureate in May 1999. After reading English at University College, Oxford and teaching at the University of Hull Andrew went on to edit the Poetry Review, become Editorial Director and Poetry Editor at Chatto & Windus and has recently been appointed Professor of Creative Writing at Royal Holloway, University of London. His most recent collection of poetry is Public Property (Faber, 2002). His autobiography In the Blood: A Memoir of My Childhood (Faber) was published in 2006.



Saturday 21 April 2007

* Lost in Translation? Welsh and Catalan Translation Workshop
Glyn Jones Centre, Wales Millennium Centre – 9.30 am
£4 / £3

Five poets, three hours and two poems to translate: Welsh to Catalan, Catalan to Welsh. Will they succeed? Aspiring and experienced literary translators are welcome to join in this cultural exchange and contribute to poetry in the making. In association with Welsh Literature Abroad and Institut Ramon Llull.

* Parallel Voices / Veus Paral-leles
Glanfa, Wales Millennium Centre - 2.30 pm
Free Entry

Following the success enjoyed by Welsh poets visiting Barcelona in 2005, we bring you the second stage of this project in association with Institut Ramon Llull. Witness a feast of Catalan and Welsh language poetry celebrating the national saint day of Catalonia, La Diada de Sant Jordi or is that St. George’s Day?

Representing Catalonia are poets Albert Mestres, Francesc Parcerisas and Julia Zabala and for Wales Alan Llwyd, Mererid Puw Davies and John Fitzgerald.

THE BIG WORD, Edinburgh, hosted by Jenny Lindsay: Thursday 19th April

THE BIG WORD

THE JAZZ BAR, 1A CHAMBER STREET, EDINBURGH
Thursday 19th April
Doors 8.30PM, Show 9-11.30PM.
£4/3 concs.

FEAT: Alistair Findlay, ROB GEE, Elspeth Murray & Richard Medrington, RAPUNZEL WIZARD & music and satire from MARK RAFFERTY. Hosted by Jenny Lindsay. For more info contact jennylindsay@gmail.com / 07989 508 436

"After our first jam packed night at The Jazz Bar on March 22nd, and the BRILLIANT news that we have another year of funding from the SAC, THE BIG WORD is back with more high octane word-smithery (no, not really a word) and top acts from around the country!"

ALISTAIR FINDLAY: Author of 'Sex, Death & Football' shows why there shouldn't be a barrier between good performance and good poetry...

ROB GEE: Leicester's verbal dynamo returns!

RICHARD MEDRINGTON & ELSPETH MURRAY: A duet from the brains behind Puppet State and The Man Who Planted Trees. Expect nothing but to be surprised.

RAPUNZEL WIZARD: A rare example of a white person with dreadlocks who is actually entertaining. The Big Word debut for this well-versed slam impresario.

MARK RAFFERTY: Glasgow's favourite comic singer-songwriter takes all of your favourite songs and bastardises them with better, funnier lyrics. A must-see.

Hosted by Jenny Lindsay.

SHORTFUSE POETRY IDOL 10: Last Day for Entries

LAST DAY FOR POSTING ENTRIES!

SHORTFUSE POETRY IDOL 10

Thursday 17th May
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!

SHORTFUSE With Resident Host: NATHAN PENLINGTON

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

An Evening of Estonian Poetry at the Poetry Cafe: Wednesday 18th April

Jürgen Rooste & an Evening of Estonian Poetry

18th April
8pm
Poetry Café, Covent Garden, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BX

Intriguing, sensitive, powerful ― an evening of Estonian poetry!
‘… I would go with him to the nearest ― no, the most exclusive pub and treat him to excellent wine…’ (fellow poet Karl Martin Sinijärv about Jürgen Rooste)

Jürgen Rooste belongs to the so-called ‘social wave’ of young Estonian poets. He has published five poetry books, and his works have also appeared in several anthologies. His first book, ‘Sonnets’ (Huma, 1999), won the Betti Alver Debut Award, and his latest book /CD, ‘Ilusaks inimeseks’ (Verb, 2006), was awarded the Annual Prize of the Estonian Cultural Endowment. His short story 'A Porno Movie and a Bottle of Vodka' (Vikerkaar, 2006) won the Tuglas Award (the annual national prize for the best short story).

For the last five years Rooste has been literary editor of the leading cultural publication in Estonia, the Sirp weekly. And now he is taking up his new position as Head of the Estonian Institute in Helsinki, Finland. Rooste has also worked as a teacher, and has compiled and edited dictionaries and textbooks. He is a regular writer of reviews and columns in the press and has also hosted programmes on literature for Estonian Radio.

Rooste has two children. He recently said:
I don’t know what to do with my life from now on. I have established a certain principle of honesty for myself to follow, and I consider my life a human experiment: a participatory observation. Most of my poetry has been born as a diary or a notebook of this long-term experiment, whereby the lab assistant, registering everything, is constantly slipping into stylistic and formal games, to avoid boredom. Because life and all it brings is in some way inevitable. Divine too, of course. And foolish, first and foremost. I’ve always thought, the day I do not once laugh at myself, will be the day that I die.

Neal Young is quoted as saying: Rust never sleeps! (Rust = rooste in Estonian)
Poetry Cafe

Express Excess: Wednesday 18th April

Express Excess

Wednesday 18th April
at The Enterprise, 2 Haverstock Hill, London (opposite Chalk Farm tube).
Doors 8.30 show 9pm.
£5/3.

"On the bill at this legendary and long-running London night are ‘RACKER DONNELLY famed for his tricksy word play, MARICEL SAMSON hot to singe, A.F. HARROLD wins awards in a bowler hat, JOSHUA IDEHEN he of the feel good factor lyricisms, AOIFE MANNIX deliciously vivid writing, BEN WALLIS great takes on modern conundrums - HOST is your favourite M62'er Paul Lyalls - MUSIC BY TDK C90.’"

West House Poetry in Sheffield: Thursday 19th April

West House Books Presents...

Thursday 19 April
8pm
@ the Red Deer, Pitt Street, Sheffield.
(turn off West St. onto Mappin St., and
Pitt St. is the second on the left)

£3/£1.50 concs.

West House Books presents a poetry reading to launch new books by:

Geraldine Monk and David Annwn
It Means Nothing to Me

Zoë Skoulding and Ian Davidson
Dark Wires

Christine Kennedy
Nineteen Nights in San Francisco.

Spiel Unlimited STOKE Poetry Slam: Wednesday 18th April

Spiel Unlimited Stoke Poetry Slam

Wednesday 18th April
7:30pm

The Victoria on the Square
Stoke ST1 4JH.

A fast-paced, fun-filled performance poetry competition. Leading UK Slampresarios Marcus Moore and Sara-Jane Arbury host proceedings as a dozen diverse versifiers vie for the slam champ accolade. Random judges mark the quality of the writing, quality of performance and warmth of applaudience. Three three-minute rounds narrow the field and heighten the tempo.

Apparently there are some slots free for the slam, entrants should be prepared for up to 3 bouts of 3 minute (time limited enforced) performances. Those wishing to enter should call Marcus on 01285 640470 (strongly preferred) or may even be able to sign up on the night (try to bring a 30 word introduction for yourself).

Price currently unknown: probably either £5 or free.
Note: there are a few other sites showing this event with the wrong date.

Another Brilliant Night of Poetry at PURE&GOOD&RIGHT

Melinda Deathgoth and Rob Gee were both fantastic at PGR last night in Leamington Spa - phenomenal live talents! Rob Gee regaled us with hilarious and superbly-delivered tales of his time mopping up after incontinent octagenarian boxers and dodging their right hooks, while Melinda Deathgoth (Leicester-based Lorna Meehan off-stage) played the jaded American goth-girl to perfection - definitely a rising star of the performance circuit. And we had all sorts of well-known poets performing or lurking behind the very comfortable sofas at The Fox.

Spoz (Birmingham Poet Laureate), for instance, was there and got up to do a few poems which had the audience rolling about in laughter. Jo Roberts, who is Coventry's Poet Laureate, was in the audience, as was dear Peter Wyton, who also got up and performed for us. Peter, by the way, has just been selected to represent the Midlands in the BBC Radio Slam thingy that everyone's been talking about recently. Except me, because I wasn't eligible to enter the heats, having never won a Slam event and, quite frankly, never being likely to in the future. But Peter Wyton is, of course, utterly brilliant and hilarious in his performances, and I'd lay good odds on him scooping the overall event. Particularly now that he's combining his extremely comic touch with a smattering of history and mythology, always a winning combination for poets.

Then there was moi, of course. And other regulars like myself. Plus some seasoned open mic performers from Leicester and three male open mic virgins. One of whom described me, rather uncomplimentarily, as a 'nightmare'. This was simply because I got a fit of the giggles during a poem - not his - which went on for nearly ten minutes and was not, to my mind, particularly coherent. It was later defended to me as - and I quote - reminiscent of T.S. Eliot. It's always interesting to see how people reinterpret the classics ...

So another brilliant evening of poetry and laughter in Leamington Spa, and I do recommend it to anyone who's able to make the trip there for next month's open mic (usually the third Sunday, 7.30pm until about 11pm). I'm not sure if I'll be able to get there myself - don't all breathe a sigh of relief at once - as next month is pretty packed with events for me, and I need to get some more work done on my next poetry collection at some point, but you never know. That evening may turn out to be free after all, and then ... watch out, Leamington!

Love Poetry Hate Racism': Write Out Loud in Bolton: TONIGHT Sunday 15th April

Write Out Loud "Love Poetry Hate Racism"

When : 15th April 2007 - 8:00pm
Where : The Howcroft Inn, Bolton
Price : £1.00

Join the brigade at this night of "Love Poetry, Hate Racism". All are welcome to take part, beginners especially so. To take part call Julian (01204 398148) or Dave (01204 382440).

Shearsman Poetry Readings: Tuesday 17th April

Shearsman reading: Sarah Law & Chris McCabe

Swedenborg Hall, Swedenborg House, 20/21 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2TH. Entrance to the Hall is on Barter Street off Bloomsbury Way; Sarah Law and Chris McCabe

Tuesday 17 April.
7:30pm

Admission free, but donations of £3/£2 for the readers are invited from the audience.

"Sarah Law reads from "Perihelion", and Chris McCabe reads from recent work. The event also sees the launch of the latest issue of Shearsman magazine."

Pure&Good&Right in Leamington Spa: this Sunday, April 15th

PURE&GOOD&RIGHT at the Fox, Leamington Spa

Sunday 15th April
7pm onwards for poets & performers.

This month's poetry night in the elegance of Leamington Spa sees Rob Gee, old hand on the performance circuit, and young blood Melinda Deathgoth taking their turns in the P&G&R spotlight, under the tender care of tall MC Sean Kelly.

You too can step up to the mic for a few minutes if prepared to pay the £3 entrance fee and listen to everyone else's strange and bitter offerings ... this is Open Mic Poetry, you know the score.

I shall be there myself, for this is my local open mic, or as local as it gets in rural Warwickshire. Maybe see you there too and hear some of your work?



Click image to enlarge slightly. [It won't do any good, because I compressed it too much to be read comfortably without a magnifying glass, but it sounds better than just saying 'oh crap, no one can read this'.]

It all kicks off at about 7.30pm - early, I know, but this is a Sunday - though you need to be there NEARER 7PM if you want to read. Where the place? At the Fox, Clarendon Avenue, Leamington Spa (near the top of the Parade). Bring plenty of readies for drinks too, this is a posh pub ...

Jane Holland reading at Throckmorton's, Atherstone: Saturday 28th April

Jane Holland will be reading from her new poetry collection BOUDICCA & CO. at Throckmorton's Bookshop in Atherstone, a Warwickshire book town, on Saturday 28th April from 2pm onwards.



There will also be other guest readers, plus an open mic for all-comers, so if you're in the area and a turner of verses, do please come along, have a drink, listen to some poetry, buy a book and parade your wares on the open mic.

Saturday 28th April
2pm
Throckmorton's Bookshop
16 Market Place
Atherstone
Warwickshire
CV9 1EX
Tel: 01827 717570
Email: throckmortons@gmail.com
Web: www.atherstonebooktown.net/throckmortons.htm

"Brixtongue" Performance Poetry: Friday 13th April

Brixtongue

Diverse, 62 Atlantic Road Brixton SW9
Friday 13th April
8 pm
Performers this month include Ife Pianki, James Messam, Son of Man, U,mau. Open mic, new performers welcome. MC Mr Gee, reggae from Zinc Fence.

0208 769 0950)
Tickets are &6/&5 conc. brixart@brixtonartgallery.co.uk.

"Brixtongue, South London's premier performance poetry event bi-monthly at the Juice Bar Brixton."

Poets Anonymous in Croydon: Friday 13th April

Poets Anonymous

Poetry in the Primary Room, United Reformed Church, Addiscombe Grove, Croydon, Surrey.
Friday 13th April
2.30-4.00pm.
Bring your poetry to read and share.
£1.50.

Contact Peter for further details: peter@poetsanon.org.uk, 020 8645 9956

Northern Stage Stand-Up Poetry: Tuesday 17th April

Stand-Up/Poetry

Venue: Northern Stage
Start time: 7:30pm Tuesday 17th April
Website: www.northernstage.co.uk

"Forget poncey daffodils and clouds, this line-up of some of the best stand-up poets in the country takes part in a fabulously entertaining show that includes stand-up comedy, revolution, rap and rhyme.

The guest headliner is satirist Elvis Macgonagall, and the whole event is compered by former Galaxy Radio journalist, comedian and poet Kate Fox. Never seen spoken word before? It's like Stand-Up Comedy's cleverer, more passionate younger brother, with more to say and better shoes."

Admission: £6 (£4 concs)

Stage 3
Northern Stage
Barras Bridge
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 7RH

SHORTFUSE IS SEVEN YEARS OLD TONIGHT! Thursday 12th April, Islington

SHORTFUSE: 7TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

Thursday 12th April
Come and join us at Shortfuse as we celebrate our seventh 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.



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.

Poetry in Brighton: Sunday, April 15th

Low Sunday
Arthouse Bar and Gallery
10 Western Road
Brighton, BN3 1AE

Annie Freud, Tim Wells, Wayne 'Sleng Teng' Smith, Clare Pollard, Rose McKnight and Dean Wilson.

Poetry from 3pm on.

Hammer & Tongue launch a new Open Poetry Slam! in LONDON

Hammer & Tongue London Launch

Open Poetry Slam + Special guests
Salena ‘Saliva’ Godden
Johnny Fluffypunk
Sophia Blackwell

Tuesday 24th April
8 - 11 pm
Nearest Tube: Ladbroke Grove
Inn on the Green, 3-5 Thorpe Close, London, W10 5XL
Tickets: £4/3 Cons

“The best live poetry is to be found at the Hammer & Tongue slam” Sunday Times

The first rule of Hammer & Tongue is: you talk about Hammer & Tongue.
The second rule of Hammer & Tongue is: you talk about Hammer & Tongue

Oxford’s finest home-grown spoken word night is launching its very own brand of raucous, energetic and thought-provoking performance poetry in London with a showcase night on April 24 at Inn on the Green, Ladbroke Grove.

From its humble beginnings in the backroom of the now-legendary Brickworks in Oxford, Hammer & Tongue has become one of the highest-profile spoken word events in the UK, bringing together the best of the world’s live literature and providing a stage for some of the country’s best new artists.

In 2004 Hammer & Tongue established a monthly night in Brighton which has grown to attract international names and now holds a significant place on the European poetry circuit. With its London launch, Hammer & Tongue is hoping to give budding young poets the space to grow and develop their talents against a background of established names, inspiring others to get up on stage and take to the mic.

Hammer & Tongue hands out the power of judgement to poets peers with audience members invited to form the expert panel at the slam. If you want a chance to perform along Salina ‘Saliva’ Godden, (guest vocalist with Coldcut and Alabama 3), pastoral nihilist Johnny Fluffypunk and the stunning Sophia Blackwell, sign up for the open slam at the door from 7.30pm on the night, or to sign up for the slam in advance contact Michelle Madsen on 07809 236133 or at madsen.michelle@gmail.com

Tell your friends about our other events:
Brighton first Monday of the month at Komedia.
Oxford first Tuesday of the month at The Zodiac.

Inn on the Green information: 0208 962 5757
www.hammerandtongue.co.uk
www.iotg.co.uk

Poetry Unplugged: TONIGHT at the Poetry Cafe

Poetry Unplugged

Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton Street, London, near Covent Garden

One of London's longest running and most popular open mic poetry evenings, a weekly event hosted by Niall O'Sullivan.

To read your own poems to the ravenous crowd, sign up between 6-7pm.
£3.50/2.50.

Malika Booker, spoken word artiste: BAC 10th - 29th April

Malika Booker’s Unplanned
Spellbinding, intimate and wickedly funny, Unplanned is the new show from mesmeric performer and writer Malika Booker. A Pandora’s box of stories, spells and secrets, this theatrical treat delves into the myths and taboos of getting a bun in the oven (and getting it out again). Malika is a seductive magician who draws on life and its passions to take you to new worlds. Come and join her. She will make your heart skip a beat.

When: 10-29 April 2007, Tuesday-Saturday at 8.30pm, Sunday at 6.30pm
Where: BAC, Lavender Hill, London SW11 5TN
Tickets: £8/5 concessions (Pay what you can on Tuesdays)
Book: 020 7223 2223
www.bac.org.uk

Apples & Snakes: an update for this season from Natasha Godfrey

Hello!

Apples & Snakes here with a Spring in its step!

Planning for our National project is well under way which promises to inject new energy with a different take on the performance poetry scene. We are working in partnership with with re:volve on an exciting new spoken word project due to be showcased in Spring 08. We are also working with both Ledbury Poetry Festival and The Litchfield Festival*

There is a wealth of talent preparing to visit the region this year! Malika Booker's show 'Unplanned' which opens at BAC this week will be at Birmingham Rep September 20-22nd. Malika has attracted interest from national press and everyone is waiting with eager anticipation for her new work to be unveiled, we look forward to welcoming her to the region.

The enigmatic Zena Edwards will also be presenting 30mins of her work in progress for Decibel in September at Birmingham Rep. Her piece 'Security' promises to be a unique mix of poetry, movement and music and will introduce some imaginative characters. Speaking of wonderful characters and wonderful worlds – a show for schools and family audiences, Charlie Dark is in the process of creating a magical interactive world in 'The School of Dark'- touring this autumn. The delightful Aoife Mannix will be at the Mac Oct 12th & 13th with her one woman show ' Growing up an Alien'- which takes performance poetry out of the black box.

Last but not least, Steven 'Polarbear' Camden will be performing at Birmingham Rep on June 18th & 19th for their Urban Shorts Festival. A lot of people were blown away with Steven's writing and cool delivery on the 'Exposed' tour and this promises to build on his previous work and talent. We do hope that you will support him as he presents his scratch work in his home town, as well as coming along to see some of the other magnificent work that we have to offer.

* Ledbury Poetry Festival's poetry competition deadline June 21st - see Apples & Snakes website for details.
* Look out for the 'Stone Voices' project - poetry inspired by the cathedral and many voices....

Natasha Godfrey

4th April
West Midlands Regional Coordinator: LIGHT HOUSE The Chubb Buildings Fryer Street Wolverhampton WV1 1HT applesandsnakes@light-house.co.uk www.applesandsnakes.org

Utter Poetry! Further Dates for this Spring

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 (between Manor House and Turnpike Lane tube stations).

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

Richard Tyrone Jones: Poet, host and Co-Organiser
'Utter!' - Last Wed of the month, 8pm, Salisbury Pub N4, Free
Poetry@TheRoom, First Weds of the month, 7.30pm, 33 Holcombe Road N17
9AS with free wine

Poetry's 'Big Word', Edinburgh: Thursday 19th April

THE BIG WORD @ THE JAZZ BAR

1a Chamber Street, Edinburgh
Thursday 19th April
Doors 8.30pm
Show 9 - 11.30pm
Entrance: £4/3 CONCS.

FEATURING: Alistair Findlay, ROB GEE, Elspeth Murray & Richard Medrington, RAPUNZEL WIZARD & music and satire from MARK RAFFERTY, and hosted by the superb Jenny Lindsay. For more info contact jennylindsay@gmail.com

"After our first jam packed night at The Jazz Bar on March 22nd, and the BRILLIANT news that we have another year of funding from the SAC, THE BIG WORD is back with more high octane word-smithery (no, not really a word) and top acts from around the country.

ALISTAIR FINDLAY: Author of 'Sex, Death & Football' shows why there shouldn't be a barrier between good performance and good poetry...

ROB GEE: Leicester's verbal dynamo returns!

RICHARD MEDRINGTON & ELSPETH MURRAY: A duet from the brains behind Puppet State and The Man Who Planted Trees. Expect nothing but to be surprised.

RAPUNZEL WIZARD: A rare example of a white person with dreadlocks who is actually entertaining. The Big Word debut for this well-versed slam impresario.

MARK RAFFERTY: Glasgow's favourite comic singer-songwriter takes all of your favourite songs and bastardises them with better, funnier lyrics. A must-see."

Jenny Lindsay, Big Word MC

Jane Holland at Cambridge's CB1 poetry & music night: Tuesday 8th May

CB1 Poetry & Music

Tuesday 8th May, 8pm start
CB1 Cafe
Mill Road, Cambridge

Guest poet - Jane Holland (reading from her new collection, BOUDICCA & CO, published by Salt). Plus supporting sets by local poet Nick Jones and musician Patrick Shiel.

The Poetry Shack, London: Tuesday 10th April

AF Harrold at The Poetry Shack

Tuesday 10 April
7:30pm
Old Crown Public House, 33 New Oxford St, London 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

Farrago Easter Slam! on Thursday 12th April

The Farrago Easter SLAM! Thursday, 12th April at 7:30pm
@ RADA Foyer Bar, Malet St, WC1. Goodge St Tube.
Find it on multimap

Open to ANY poet SLAM! any subject or style, performed or read. Every poet wins a prize. This time it’s serious, the prizes are chocolate! The winner of this SLAM will qualify to take part in the London heat of the BBC Radio 4 Poetry Slam, so priority will be given on the night to poets who haven’t already qualified.

Special features including: Fran Landesman, Dizraeli, the UK SLAM! Champion, Saran Green, Dominic O’Rourke & others tbc.

Emcee: John Paul O’Neill. Tickets: £6/£5.
Information: 07905078376. farragopoetry@yahoo.co.uk. http://London.e-poets.net.
www.myspace.com/farragopoetry

Apples & Snakes poetry event at the BAC: Friday 20th April

Apples and Snakes: "Malika Booker’s poetry has been described as inspirational. But what we want to know is: who inspirers the inspirer? So, barely pausing for breath after tonight’s performance of her Unplanned show, Malika presents a tasty pick ‘n’ mix selection of her favourite poets.

Jean Binta Breeze: dub-poet extraordinaire, a living, lyrical legend
Karen McCarthy: Poet, playwright and self-cofessed blog-addict
Denise Saul: keen-eyed chronicler of South London minutiae

Come along and let them inspire you too."

When: Friday 20 April 2007 @ 9.30pm
Where: BAC, Lavender Hill, Battersea, SW11 5TN
Tickets: £4.75 / £3.50
Book: 020 7223 2223 / www.bac.org.uk
Info: www.applesandsnakes.org

PURE&GOOD&RIGHT live poetry in Leamington Spa: Sunday April 15th

Rob Gee and Melinda Deathgoth perform as star guests at Leamington Spa's PURE&GOOD&RIGHT on Sunday 15th April. Hosting the monthly event, complete with extended open mic session for anyone who comes early enough to sign up for this extremely popular poetry night, is Sean Kelly MC.

In case the poster above is not quite legible at that size, the place you need to make for is The Fox, on the corner of Clarendon Avenue near the top of the Parade in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, at roughly 7pm. Maybe a little later, especially if you're planning to drink and listen rather than get up and spout. I think it all kicks off at about 7.30pm, which means if your name's not down by then, and probably much earlier, you won't be performing.

I usually trundle along most months and try out some of my newest creations at the mic. Maybe see you there?

The Poetry Vandals perform in Oxford, plus the last Open Slam of the Season at Hammer & Tongue

Last night I was on Oxford's Cowley Road at the final Hammer & Tongue gig ever to be held at Moody's Pool Hall (it's closing this week to re-open later as an extension of the Zodiac). The dynamic 'Poetry Vandals' from Newcastle were the main attraction, with a larger-than-usual field of slammers trying their luck in the last Open Poetry Slam of the season. Much to my shame, I entered the Slam - only my fourth ever Slam over a ten-year period in poetry - and scored fewer points than I did last month (when I actually forgot the poem I was performing four times).

To score badly under such circumstances is a major embarrassment, so I think my brief flurry of Slamming activity must now draw to a close. I'm clearly better at writing about performance than writing for performance. Such a pity. If only I could have penned the epic poem about aerobics - complete with props and actions - which earned its glamorous performer, a lady of c. 65 years, second place in the Slam. But I'm not bitter. It's just my tone.

The eventual winner of the Slam, George Roberts, deservedly wins a chance to compete in next month's big H&T Slam Final of 2006-7.

Back to the guest poets. Out of the six members of The Poetry Vandals, we only had three on stage last night at Moody's. But they were all very talented. There was Jeff Price, environmentally-minded father figure of the group; Kate Fox, a smooth-tongued poet with an eye for the telling lyric; and Scott Tyrell, destined for great things, I'm sure, as he entertained the crowd with his brilliant comic timing and amusing facial contortions (his impersonation of a man having sex pretending to be a squirrel in his poem Coitus Interruptus is nothing short of genius).

Kate Fox gave us a series of well-written pieces, including her tongue-in-cheek crowd-pleaser Emin Eight (white rapper Eminem has a poetry joust with Henry VIII - 'gadzooks', 'one time' etc.). Jeff Price brought a bevy of 'ahhs' from the audience with his poem about missing an absent grown-up daughter as she finds her feet in the world, then demolished drivers of gas-guzzling 4x4s with a hard-hitting political rant, while Scott Tyrell moved from intense and moving poetry of a personal nature to the sort of highly-polished comedic sketches which would not look out of place on a top London stage.

Highly impressed, I forked out for the Poetry Vandals' joint CD on the back of these engaging group performances, which you too can purchase for a mere £3 from www.poetryvandals.co.uk.


For details of the next Hammer & Tongue Slam and its new venue, contact:
Hammer and Tongue
16b Cherwell Street
Oxford
OX4 1BG
tel: 01865 200 550
email: events@hammerandtongue.co.uk

JANE HOLLAND, former Poetry Slammer

REMINDER: Poetry Vandals & Slam on TONIGHT in Oxford, Tuesday 3rd April

Salt Margins @ The Whitechapel Gallery, London: this Thursday, April 5th

Salt Margins @ The Whitechapel Gallery

The Whitechapel Gallery, 80-82 Whitechapel Road, London E1 7QX
First Thursday of every month, 7pm start, Free entry

The UK's most exciting live literature promoters, Penned in the Margins, are
joining forces with creative publishing house, Salt Publishing, for a series
of free events at East London's Whitechapel Gallery. Heavily seasoned with poetry, storytelling, comedy, live drawing and music, the eclectic Salt Margins line-up is carefully blended to provide one of London's most innovative performance nights, all in the comfort of The Whitechapel's chic bar space.

THIS WEEK: Thursday 5 April, 7pm, Free
The first taste of Salt Margins comes on in April. Chrissie Gittins reads
from her new collection of short stories, Family Connections (Salt). Donal
Coonan from Channel 4's thisisaknife will entertain with his unique brand of
leftfield comedy. Tamsin Kendrick performs intelligent, streetwise poetry.
Meanwhile music is provided by folksy troubadour Simon Kitchener and his
band.

Thursday 3 May, 7pm, Free
In May, poet and former professional snooker player Jane Holland reads from
Boudicca & Co (Salt) and Stuart Taylor premieres his poetic exploration of
the city, Metropol. Cult author Amy Prior fuses words and visuals with her
latest book I Can't Believe How Great I Feel, featuring live drawing from
Sarah Doyle. Plus, bright young thing Joe Dunthorne reads a selection of
poems and stories.

About Penned in the Margins
Acknowledged as the UK's most exciting live literature producers, Penned in
the Margins spend their time seeking out the hottest new artists and
supporting them with events, nationwide tours and publishing ventures to
allow their words to be heard. Hosting regular spots at East London music
venue The Spitz, they also provide artists for music and literature
festivals throughout the country, including Ilkley, Durham, and Truck
Festivals.

About Salt Publishing
Salt is the UK's leading publisher of poetry and short fiction, shortlisted
as one of the most innovative publishers in the Independent Publishing
Awards, 2007,. Salt's award-winning, internationally-acclaimed lists include
Earthworks, new Native American literature, as well as the most exciting
voices from the UK, US, Australia and beyond.


Editors: for further information please contact Tom Chivers on 07729 887 236
or info@pennedinthemargins.co.uk

Night Blue Fruit at the Tin Angel, Coventry: TONIGHT, Tuesday April 3rd.

NIGHT BLUE FRUIT at the TIN ANGEL

Practically a legend in the Midlands, this very popular open mic poetry night in the heart of medieval Coventry is well worth a visit if you're in the area tonight, or on any first Tuesday of the month.


Barry Patterson on his bodhran.

Arrive by 8pm to sign up to read on the night; this informal event kicks off by about 8.30pm most months. A crowd of talented and highly experienced poets and performers jostles with newcomers, some good, others ... bizarre. But always welcome at the Tin Angel under the auspices of Jon Morley and the Heaventree Press.



NBF is an eclectic mix of styles, voices and opinions. And the beer's good!

The Tin Angel
(Corner of) Medieval Spon Street
Coventry
First Tuesday of every month
8.30pm start
Entrance fee:
a whip-round during the interval, usually a few quid.

REMINDER: Buzzwords is on at the Beehive, Cheltenham, TONIGHT, Sunday 1st April

Next Sunday 1st April: BUZZWORDS POETRY NIGHT
Upstairs at the Beehive, Montpellier Villas, Cheltenham

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
Buzzwords website

Poetry Reading in Glasgow: Friday April 6th

Poets reading: Carlos Blackburn
Mark Weiss

Friday, April 6th, at 7pm, at the Glasgow Quaker Meeting House: 38 Elmbank Crescent, across the street from Charing Cross station.

And you can say you went to church Good Friday!