Tuesday, September 30, 2008

CAMBRIDGE: CB1 at Michaelhouse

Tuesday, October 14th, 2008, 8pm (doors open 7.30pm)

CB1 at Michaelhouse - The new series of poetry readings at Michaelhouse in Cambridge is launched by the award winning poet Hugo Williams. He will be supported by the poet Rhian Edwards.

There will be a short open mic before the readings. There is disability access and a hearing loop available. Come and support Poetry in Cambridge and meet other poetry-minded people. There is a bar and coffee available.

For more information visit www.cb1poetry.org.uk

LIVERPOOL: World Poets' Tour

Tuesday, October 14th, 2008, 7pm, £5/£3
The Bluecoat,
School Lane,
Liverpool
L1 3BX

Readings by Gaarriye and W N Herbert.

The Poetry Translation Centre’s World Poets' Tour introduces leading poets from six countries to new audiences. Lively and entertaining readings reveal the dynamic nature of the poets' cultures and their rich literary traditions in which poetry plays a prominent role.

Tour poets are Maxamed Xaashi Dhamac 'Gaarriye' (from Somaliland) who writes in Somali, and is translated by W N Herbert; Farzaneh Khojandi (from Tajikistan) who writes in Tajik and is translated by Jo Shapcott; Noshi Gillani (from Pakistan) who writes in Urdu and is translated by Lavinia Greenlaw; Kajal Ahmad (from Kurdistan) who writes in Kurdish and is translated by Mimi Khalvati; Corsino Fortes (from Cape Verde) who writes in Portugese and is translated by Sean O'Brien; Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi (from Sudan) who writes in Arabic and is translated by Sarah Maguire.

Tel: 0151 702 7787
Website: www.thebluecoat.org.uk
More details: www.poetrytranslation.org

BIRMINGHAM: World Poets' Tour

Tuesday, October 14th, 2008, 7pm, £6/£5
Birmingham Conservatoire,
Paradise Place,
near Central Library,
B3 3HG

Readings by Farzaneh Khojandi and Noshi Gillani, with Jo Shapcott.

The Poetry Translation Centre’s World Poets' Tour introduces leading poets from six countries to new audiences. Lively and entertaining readings reveal the dynamic nature of the poets' cultures and their rich literary traditions in which poetry plays a prominent role.

Tour poets are Maxamed Xaashi Dhamac 'Gaarriye' (from Somaliland) who writes in Somali, and is translated by W N Herbert; Farzaneh Khojandi (from Tajikistan) who writes in Tajik and is translated by Jo Shapcott; Noshi Gillani (from Pakistan) who writes in Urdu and is translated by Lavinia Greenlaw; Kajal Ahmad (from Kurdistan) who writes in Kurdish and is translated by Mimi Khalvati; Corsino Fortes (from Cape Verde) who writes in Portugese and is translated by Sean O'Brien; Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi (from Sudan) who writes in Arabic and is translated by Sarah Maguire.

Tel: 0121 303 2323
Website: www.birminghambookfestival.org
More details: www.poetrytranslation.org

Monday, September 29, 2008

LONDON: Ruth O'Callaghan presents Lumen Poetry Series

Tuesday, September 30th 2008, 7pm (doors open 6.30pm), £4/£3
88 Tavistock Place W.C.1
Tubes: Russell Square, Kings Cross, St Pancras.

Sylvia Rowbottom
Ruth Ingram
Susi Clare

Poets from the floor very welcome and there will be a few five-minute spots. Please bring two copies of the poem if you wish to be considered for the Bluechrome anthology. There are at least 10 major poets who will also be contributing to the anthology including UA Fanthorpe, Fiona Sampson, Marilyn Hacker, Penelope Shuttle and Peter Porter to name but a few. )

Proceeds to COLD WEATHER SHELTER

ILKLEY: World Poets' Tour

Sunday, October 12th, 2008, 5pm, £4/£3
Ilkley Playhouse,
Weston Road,
Ilkley,
West Yorks
LS29 8DW

Readings by Farzaneh Khojandi, Kajal Ahmad and Noshi Gillai, with Lavinia Greenlaw.

The Poetry Translation Centre’s World Poets' Tour introduces leading poets from six countries to new audiences. Lively and entertaining readings reveal the dynamic nature of the poets' cultures and their rich literary traditions in which poetry plays a prominent role.

Tour poets are Maxamed Xaashi Dhamac 'Gaarriye' (from Somaliland) who writes in Somali, and is translated by W N Herbert; Farzaneh Khojandi (from Tajikistan) who writes in Tajik and is translated by Jo Shapcott; Noshi Gillani (from Pakistan) who writes in Urdu and is translated by Lavinia Greenlaw; Kajal Ahmad (from Kurdistan) who writes in Kurdish and is translated by Mimi Khalvati; Corsino Fortes (from Cape Verde) who writes in Portugese and is translated by Sean O'Brien; Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi (from Sudan) who writes in Arabic and is translated by Sarah Maguire.

Tel: 01943 816714
Website: www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk
More details: www.poetrytranslation.org

CARDIFF: The World Poets Tour

Wednesday, October 8th, 2008, 6pm, £4/£3
Kemi's Café,
Craft in the Bay,
The Flourish,
Lloyd George Avenue,
Cardiff
CF10 4QH

Readings by Farzaneh Khojandi, Kajal Ahmad and Noshi Gillai, hosted by Choman Hardi.

The Poetry Translation Centre’s World Poets' Tour introduces leading poets from six countries to new audiences. Lively and entertaining readings reveal the dynamic nature of the poets' cultures and their rich literary traditions in which poetry plays a prominent role.

Tour poets are Maxamed Xaashi Dhamac 'Gaarriye' (from Somaliland) who writes in Somali, and is translated by W N Herbert; Farzaneh Khojandi (from Tajikistan) who writes in Tajik and is translated by Jo Shapcott; Noshi Gillani (from Pakistan) who writes in Urdu and is translated by Lavinia Greenlaw; Kajal Ahmad (from Kurdistan) who writes in Kurdish and is translated by Mimi Khalvati; Corsino Fortes (from Cape Verde) who writes in Portugese and is translated by Sean O'Brien; Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi (from Sudan) who writes in Arabic and is translated by Sarah Maguire.

Tel: 029 2047 2266
Website: www.academi.org
More details: www.poetrytranslation.org

DERBY: Adrian Buckner reading

Friday, October 10th, 2008, 7.30pm
Room 3,
Friends Meeting House,
St Helen's Street,
Derby.
Poet and Poetry Nottingham editor Adrian Buckner reads from his new collection Contains Mild Peril, at this Derby Season Poetry Reading.

Booking tel no: 01332 553430

ST ALBANS: Elvis Lives - The Poetry Link Tour

Wednesday, October 1st, 2008, 8pm-10pm, £5/£4
Oral Cabaret @ The Maltings Arts Theatre,
The Maltings,
St. Albans,
Hertfordshire

Elvis Lives - The Poetry Link Tour

Brilliant stand-up poet, armchair revolutionary and recumbent rocker, Elvis McGonagall, takes to the road. Elvis is the 2006 World Slam Champion, the compere of the notorious Blue Suede Sporran Club and is occasionally in residence on BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live. The sole resident of The Graceland Caravan Park somewhere in the middle of nowhere, he scribbles verse whilst drinking malt whisky and listening to Johnny Cash.

With support from: Patrick Lappin, Mat Lloyd

www.myspace.com/maltings

PETERBOROUGH: Elvis Lives - The Poetry Link Tour

Tuesday, September 30th, 2008, 8pm-10pm, £5
Speakeasy @ The Glass Onion,
2 Burghley Road,
Peterborough,
Cambridgeshire

Elvis Lives - The Poetry Link Tour

Brilliant stand-up poet, armchair revolutionary and recumbent rocker, Elvis McGonagall, takes to the road. Elvis is the 2006 World Slam Champion, the compere of the notorious Blue Suede Sporran Club and is occasionally in residence on BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live. The sole resident of The Graceland Caravan Park somewhere in the middle of nowhere, he scribbles verse whilst drinking malt whisky and listening to Johnny Cash.

With support from: Tim Clare, Amy Staniforth

www.myspace.com/speakeasypoetry

NORWICH: Elvis Lives - The Poetry Link Tour

Monday, September 29th, 2008, 8pm-10pm, £4/£5
Norwich Arts Centre,
St Benedicts Street,
Norwich,
Norfolk

The Monday Night Alternative: Elvis Lives - The Poetry Link Tour

Brilliant stand-up poet, armchair revolutionary and recumbent rocker, Elvis McGonagall, takes to the road. Elvis is the 2006 World Slam Champion, the compere of the notorious Blue Suede Sporran Club and is occasionally in residence on BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live. The sole resident of The Graceland Caravan Park somewhere in the middle of nowhere, he scribbles verse whilst drinking malt whisky and listening to Johnny Cash.

With support from: Nathan Filer

www.norwichartscentre.co.uk

Sunday, September 28, 2008

GLASGOW: The Glasgow Slam

Sunday, October 12th, 2008, 8pm, £3 for contestants, £5/£3 audience.
Downstairs at Blackfriars,
Bell Street,
Glasgow
G1 1LG

The Glasgow Slam is a live poetry competition, open to all forms of the spoken word, to all ages, to rhymers, ranters and rhapsodists. It's a fun night with contestants vying for the glory of being Glasgow Slam champ and, for the winner, £70. Runner-up gets £20. Third gets £10.

Anyone can enter, from wannabees to has-beens. You'll need two poems not longer than two minutes for the opening round, and one not longer than three minutes should you make the final. Robin Cairns is your compere. Please book your place by contacting robin.cairns@btconnect.com And bring your pals along - the panel of judges will be marking for poem, for performance and for audience reaction.

As another incentive, top scorers go through to the Scottish Slam Championships, in March 2009, a glittering night in the Mitchell Theatre as part of the Aye Write literature festival.

LONDON: East Words

Thursday, October 2nd, 2008, 6.30pm-9pm, FREE
Museum of Docklands
West India Quay,
1 Warehouse,
London,
E14 4AL,
East Words - Six top London poets come to Docklands. Showcasing some of London's best poetry and spokenword talent, this pioneering event provides a great opportunity to hear the most innovative verse this side of the Bow Bells.

Readers include the Forward Prize nominated Simon Barraclough; the cutting edge Chris McCabe, recently described as "the best young poet in London"; Retta Bowen, whose new pamphlet has just been published by Tall Lighthouse to critical acclaim; the dynamic wordsmith Jay Bernard, former Foyle Young Poet of the Year also published by TallLighthouse; the prolific and highly talented Inua Ellams, star of Generation Txt and James Byrne, esteemed poet and editor of Wolf Magazine. Compered by Christopher Horton and Richard Tyrone Jones (of Utter!) and with accompaniment of some kickin' tunes, how could you miss it?www.museumindocklands.org.uk
0870 444 3856

LONDON: Phil Maillard reading

Tuesday, October 7th, 2008, 7.30pm, FREE
Swedenborg Hall,
Swedenborg House,
20/21 Bloomsbury Way,
London WC1A 2TH
The next in Shearsman's 2008 Reading Series features Phil Maillard, whose Sweet Dust & Growling Lambs has just been published, and a Pessoa event, featuring a reading of one of his major long poems, and (hopefully) a display of some portraits of Pessoa by Aldous Eveleigh, whose images grace the cover and interior of the revised edition of Zbigniew Kotowicz's Fernando Pessoa: Voices of a Nomadic Soul.
http://www.shearsman.com/pages/books/catalog/2008/maillard.html
http://www.shearsman.com/pages/books/catalog/2008/kotowicz.html
http://www.shearsman.com/pages/books/catalog/2008/pessoa_lisbon.html

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 car-park close by, underneath Bloomsbury Square.
Disabled access is available, but please let us know in advance if it is required.

GLASGOW: Last Monday at Rio

Monday September 29th, 2008, 8pm to 10-abouts, FREE
The Rio Cafe
Hyndland Street,
Glasgow,
G11 (Kelvinhall tube)

Ranters, rhymers and rhapsodists, come all ye to where speech is free. Uncensored, unfunded and (on occasion) unhinged, what goes on at the Rio Cafe is subject to one maxim only - "Ye cannae buy it". Get your kooky little act together and join us!

Headline act this month is Milton Balgoni. This compact, Bolanesque barnstormer will be holding out a guiding hand and inviting us to take a walk on the wild side of Fife.

First hour of the evening is open mic. Cairns is your compere. Should you wish to read, speak or perform please contact robin.cairns@btconnect.com

Saturday, September 27, 2008

LONDON: Speechless

Thursday, October 9th, 2008, 8pm, £8/£5
The Albany,
Douglas Way,
Deptford
SE8 4AG

Apples & Snakes and British Council presents: SPEECHLESS - an evening of live new international poetry.

How free is free speech? Are there things that just can't be said? Enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the right to freedom of opinion and expression ­ but what does this mean in an age of anxiety and mistrust? Speechless brings together new poetry by five amazing writers from across South East Asia and four brilliant UK-based poets on the theme of freedom of expression in a unique new multi-lingual spoken word show, incorporating different perspectives and experiences from Vietnam to Ireland and sexuality to slavery, Speechless will be a night that stimulates brain-tingling debate, covering issues that define our existence. Each performance features a selection from: Priya K (Malaysia), Siege Malvar (Philippines), Pooja Nansi (Singapore), Liu Liang Yen (Taiwan), Da ThaoPhuong (Vietnam) and UK artists Francesca Beard, Malika Booker, Aoife Mannix and Jacob Sam-La Rose.

LONDON: La Langoustine Est Mer

Saturday, October 11th, 2008, 7.30pm, £5/£4
Poetry Café
22 Betterton St
WC2H 9BX
www.myspace.com/langoustine

To La Langoustine Chris Emery is like the Godfather. We have been harassing him for ages to come and read with us, but he is so busy promoting all of us that he never has time. Therefore it is with great pleasure we announce a reading by the Notorious C.H.R.I.S himself!

Chris Emery was born in Manchester in 1963 and studied painting and printmaking in Leeds. He is Publishing Director of Salt in Cambridge, England. His work has appeared in numerous journals. His first full-length collection was Dr. Mephisto (Arc Publications, 2002), and his latest collection is Radio Nostalgia (Arc Publications, 2006). He is also the author or a bestselling writer's guide, 101 Ways to Make Poems Sell (Salt Publishing, 2006). He lives in Great Wilbraham with his wife, three children and various other animals.

Also appearing is Isobel Dixon, who was was born in Umtata, South Africa, grew up in the Karoo region and studied in Stellenbosch, and then in Edinburgh, before the world of publishing lured her to work in London. She now lives in Cambridge. Her poetry has been widely published in South Africa, where she won the Sanlam Prize and the Olive Schreiner Prize for her collection Weather Eye. Her poems have appeared in many anthologies, including several of the British Council New Writing volumes, and she read on the first Oxfam Life Lines CD.

Aymeric Hainaux
is a French artist. More details are at: www.unpoisson.com

Graham Buchan is a film-maker, photographer, writer and poet. His poetry has been in two dozen magazines and he has published two books: Airport Reading (the tall-lighthouse, 2004) and There is Violence in These Vapours (the tall-lighthouse, 2007). He currently facilitates a Creative Writing group for people affected by mental health issues.

NOTTINGHAM: Ash Dickinson

Saturday 11th October 2008, 8.30pm, £5/£3
The Lincolnshire Poacher,
161-163 Mansfield Road,
Nottingham
Stand-up poetry in quick-fire rhymes and offbeat lines as multiple slam champion Ash Dickinson swaps places with the sea, takes the moon to a children's party and has his fridge fall in love with him.

www.ashdickinson.comwww.myspace.com/ashdickinson

LONDON: Smith/Doorstop at the Troubadour

Monday, October 6th, 2008, 8pm, £6/£5
The Troubadour,
263-267 Old Brompton Road,
London,
SW5

Smith/Doorstop Pamphlet prizewinners: Yvonne Green, Padraig O’Morain, Julia Deakin, River Wolton... plus Peter Carpenter, Allison McVety, Judy Brown, Anthony Wilson, Cherry Smyth and Charles Evans, introduced by editors Peter and Ann Sansom.

Boukhara by Londoner Yvonne Green - "enthralling and lovely poems… rich recollections of another country".
You’ve Been Great by Kildare-born Padraig O’Morain - "quiet poetry, strong with the humours and occasional horrors of country life".
The Half-Mile High Club by Huddersfield–based Julia Deakin - "sharp and knowing… exuberance and sudden dark".
The Purpose of Your Visit by Derbyshire Poet Laureate River Wolton - "poems… full of life and promise".
(all published by Smith/Doorstop, 2008, all above quotes from Alison Brackenbury, 2007 Smith/Doorstop judge). - Plus guest readings from previous years’ winners/runners-up: Peter Carpenter, Allison McVety, Judy Brown, Anthony Wilson, Cherry Smyth and Charles Evans.

Friday, September 26, 2008

GALWAY: Gerald Dawe and Michael Heffernan

Saturday, September 27th 2008, 2pm, FREE
Galway City Museum

Salmon Poetry, in association with Over The Edge, invites you to the Galway launch of:
Catching the Light: Views & Interviews by Gerald Dawe and The Odor of Sanctity by Michael Heffernan

RSVP: jessie@salmonpoetry.com

Thursday, September 25, 2008

WARWICK: Warwick Words Festival

Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th October, 2008

Events include:
JOOLZ DENBY
Masterclass – Thursday 2nd October, 2pm to 5pm at the Friends Meeting House
In Conversation with Joolz Denby – Thursday 2nd October, 7.30pm at the Lord Leycester Hospital.

JO SHAPCOTT
Imaginative Logic workshop – Friday 3rd October, 2pm to 5pm in Northgate Church Hall.

FELIX DENNIS
An event not to be missed! – Friday 3rd October, 8pm in the Bridge House Theatre. Lots of free wine included (over 18’s)!

BRIAN PATTEN
Gargling with Jelly – Poetry Reading for kids and parents – Saturday 4th October, 3pm in the Bridge House Theatre.
Growing up Before Your Very Eyes – Saturday 4th October, 7.30pm at the Bridge House Theatre.

POETRY CAFÉ with JANE HOLLAND
Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd October from 11am to 4pm in Thomas Oken Tea Rooms.

JANE HOLLAND
Warwick Poetry with the Laureate – Sunday 5th October from 2pm in the Coach House, Warwick Castle.

Tickets are now available from the Box Office: 01926 776438

For further information please see our web site www.warwickwords.co.uk

ATHERSTONE: Shindig!

Saturday, September 27th, 2008, noon-2pm, FREE
Market Square,
Atherstone,
Warwickshire

Shindig! in Atherstone - live poetry and open mic. Part of the North Warwickshire Arts Festival, in partnership with Throckmorton’s bookshop, Nine Arches Press present you with some of the finest Midlands poets, including:
Jane Holland - Warwick poet laureate.
Simon Turner - Leamington’s new modernist poet.
Matt Nunn - Birmingham's finest poetic export.

Open mic slots available from noon - come and sign up for a slot to take part!
Join us in Throckmorton’s after the event to buy a book by the poets and get it signed.

KING'S LYNN: 24th Poetry Festival

Friday 26th to Sunday 28th September, 2008
The Green Quay,
King's Lynn,
Norfolk

Readers include Alan Jenkins, Robert Crawford, Helen Ivory, Soleiman Adel Guemar, Lorna Thorpe, Jackie Wills, Ruth Fainlight, Alan Sillitoe, Elizabeth Smither, Piers Alexander, Louis De Bernieres, Will Stone and Paul Stubbs, plus penel discussions hosted by Michael Hulse.

For full details, go to: http://www.lynnlitfests.com/nextfestival.asp

14 Hour @ The Star of Bethnal Green

Monday, September 29th, 2008, 8pm, FREE
The Star of Bethnal Green
359 Bethnal Green Road
E2 6LG
5 minutes from Bethnal Green Tube
Facebook Event:http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=24322049300

Featuring:
Chris Hicks (of Aisle 16)
The Train Chronicles
Salena Godden
Bunny & The Hectograms
Mr Conway
Wayne "Sleng Teng" Smith
& 14 Hour DJs.

Flash flooding. The credit crunch. The end of the universe in Switzerland. Nothing shines more like a beacon of hope in these troubled times than The Star of Bethnal Green, Bethnal Green Road. 14 Hour nestles comfortably in for a night of live poetry and performance music. Come along for free.

The stubbly maverick of Aisle 16, Chris Hicks claims on his Facebook profile that he can see all the way to the Apocalypse. He's promised to tell us all about it. Lightspeed Champion recently said of Martin (the driving force behind The Train Chronicles) "Lyrically I wish I could write like this". Drowned in Sound put it this way: "Literate, lo-fi americana via London - think Jeffrey Lewis doing Leadbelly". Poet, regular host of BBC London and Resonance FM and lead singer of ska-drum-n-bass-breakbeat duo SaltPeter, Salena Godden has travelled and toured extensively. Even before her first proper gig Bunny & The Hectograms had grabbed the attention of Dazed & Confused on an impromptu stage at Secret Garden Party. Soon to be huge. Mr Conway speaks in a complicated punning dialect that is tricky, to say the least. Wayne "Sleng Teng" Smith is guest host for the evening and might even wax lyrical occasionally. Stephanie Baker is back DJing freakbeat, psych&surf. http://www.starofbethnalgreen.com/

OUTSPOKEN: Birmingham poetry & music

Friday, September 26th, 2008, doors open 8.30pm, start 9pm sharp, £5
Sublounge Bar,
Barwick Street,
off Colmore Row,
Birmingham,
B3 2NT.

OUTSPOKEN: a new poetry event every last Friday of the month. There will be poetry, spoken word, open mic and live band.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

ESSEX POETRY FESTIVAL

19th September -25th October

over 25 poets at 21 different venues between 19th September & 25th October.
www.essex-poetry-festival.co.uk

Workshops, readings, Open Mic, performance poetry, events for Children and poetic wildlife walks with the Essex Wildlife Trust. Plus the BIG DAY OF POETRY on the 11th October at the Cramphonr Theatre, Chelmsford, where Sixties Beat icon Michael Horovitz will be topping the bill and showing why this “firebrand of a performance poet, who has energised every kind of audience on both sides of the Atlantic” who’s Poetry Olympics filled the Albert Hall on more than one occasion, is still where it’s at! Joining him is the electrifying Patience Agbabi, once poet in residence at a tattoo parlour, and Jo Bell, last years Cheshire poet laureate and ex ‘bonekicker’ who will regale tales of sex, boats and archaeology! Also in the evening Catherine Smith will be introducing the winners of the Essex Poetry Festivals Open Poetry Competition. In the afternoon Essex Poets Frank Dullaghan and Adrian Green will be reading from their new books. Staff from the country’s oldest literary magazine, The London Magazine (founded 1732) and its youthful new counterpart Trespass will be on hand to chat to poets about what their magazines have to offer readers and what they look for in submissions, the are also bringing their guest readers, the Forward prize nominated and Saltire Award winning Roddy Lumsden, with young guns Andrew Oldham and Tom Chivers.The events start from 1pm with an Open Mic, where new and local poets can take the stage.
email: derek@essex-poetry-festival.co.uk for brochure

Ruth O'Callaghan presents Lumen Poetry Series

Tuesday September 30th 2008
at 7.00 (doors open 6.30)Entry £4/£3, Wine
88 Tavistock Place W.C.1
Tubes: Russell Square, Kings Cross, St Pancras.

Sylvia Rowbottom
Ruth Ingram
Susi Clare

Poets from the Floor Very Welcome + there will be a few 5 minute spots.

(please bring two copies of the poem if you wish to be considered for the bluechrome anthology. There are at least 10 major poets who will also be contributing to the anthology inc. UA Fanthorpe, Fiona Sampson, Marilyn Hacker , Penelope Shuttle, Peter Porter to name but a few. )

Lumen

Proceeds to COLD WEATHER SHELTER

UTTER! Nihilism at Utter! Dalston, Arcola Theatre

Sunday 28th September

14 Hour @ The Star of Bethnal Green

Monday 29th September
8pm :: FREE ENTRY
The Star of Bethnal Green
359 Bethnal Green Road
E2 6LG
5 minutes from Bethnal Green Tube
Facebook Event:http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=24322049300

Featuring:
Chris Hicks (of Aisle 16)
The Train Chronicles
Salena Godden
Bunny & The Hectograms
Mr Conway
Wayne "Sleng Teng" Smith
& 14 Hour DJs.

Flash flooding. The credit crunch. The end of the universe in Switzerland. Nothing shines more like a beacon of hope in these troubled times than The Star of Bethnal Green, Bethnal Green Road. 14 Hour nestles comfortably in for a night of live poetry and performance music. Come along for free.

The stubbly maverick of Aisle 16, Chris Hicks claims on his Facebook profile that he can see all the way to the Apocalypse. He's promised to tell us all about it.Lightspeed Champion recently said of Martin (the driving force behind The Train Chronicles) "Lyrically I wish I could write like this". Drowned in Sound put it this way: "Literate, lo-fi americana via London - think Jeffrey Lewis doing Leadbelly". Poet, regular host of BBC London and Resonance FM and lead singer of ska-drum-n-bass-breakbeat duo SaltPeter, Salena Godden has travelled and toured extensively. Even before her first proper gig Bunny & The Hectograms had grabbed the attention of Dazed & Confused on an impromptu stage at Secret Garden Party. Soon to be huge. Mr Conway speaks in a complicated punning dialect that is tricky, to say the least. Wayne "Sleng Teng" Smith is guest host for the evening and might even wax lyrical occasionally.Stephanie Baker is back DJing freakbeat, psych&surf. http://www.starofbethnalgreen.com/

Apples & Snakes in Soho: The poetry of dancehalls & cafes

Wednesday 24 September
8pm Tickets: £8 / £6 Book: 0870 429 6883 / http://www.sohotheatre.com/
Where: Soho Theatre
21 Dean St
London W10 3NE

Thirty years have passed since the UK's first dub poetry hit the racks, andits exponents are now amongst the elder statespeople of spoken-word. None more so than Jean ŒBinta' Breeze, who tonight demonstrates her command ofthose elusive rhythms and her ability to flit from street wisdom to historical fiction in the blink of an eye ­two talents showcased in her most recent book, The Fifth Figure.

There'll be ample support from Niall O'Sullivan, contributing his own brando f municipal zen with tales of greasy-spoon cafés and council flower-beds; and Saran Green, who'll be whipping up a saucy, spoken medley of boy-girl intrigue and Caribbean seasoning. Meanwhile, Malika Booker temporarily swaps from being London's hardest-working poet to being London's hardest-working compere.

Rhythm & Muse

Thursday 25 September
Time: 8.30-10.30pm £5/£4
Venue: The Lion
27 Wick Road
Teddington, TW11
(nearest BR - Hampton Wick)

With guest poets Fiona Robyn and Catherine Smith and music from singer-songwriter David Francis -on tour from New York! Plus open mic - five mins slots (book in advance) on the door. For more info conact Alison Hill tel 020 8977 4610 or emailalison-hill@blueyonder.co.uk.

Salmon Poetry Launches: September

Salmon Poetry, in association with Over The Edge, invites you to the Galway launch of:

Catching the Light: Views & Interviews
by Gerald Dawe
&
The Odor of Sanctity
by Michael Heffernan

Venue: Galway City Museum
Saturday, Sept 27thth
2.00 pm

RSVP: jessie@salmonpoetry.com

Over the Edge: Galway

Over The Edge in association with Poetry Ireland presents the September Over The Edge: Open Reading.

Galway City Library, St. Augustine Street, Galway
Thursday, September 25th
6.30-8pm.

The featured readers are Orla Higgins, Des Kavanagh & Colette Bryce.

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 evening will also see the announcement by competition judge Celeste Augé of the winner of this year’s Over The Edge New Writer of The Year. MC for the evening will be Susan Millar DuMars. For further details phone 087-6431748.

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

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Last Monday at Rio: Glasgow

Last Monday At Rio
Monday September 29, 8pm to 10-abouts
The Rio Cafe
Hyndland Street, Glasgow, G11 (Kelvinhall tube)
Admission free.

Ranters, rhymers and rhapsodists, come all ye to where speech is free. Uncensored, unfunded and (on occasion) unhinged, what goes on at the Rio Cafe is subject to one maxim only - "Ye cannae buy it". Get your kooky little act together and join us!

Headline act this month is Milton Balgoni. This compact, Bolanesque barnstormer will be holding out a guiding hand and inviting us to take a walk on the wild side of Fife.

First hour of the evening is open mic. Cairns is your compere. Should you wish to read, speak or perform please contact robin.cairns@btconnect.com

CHESTER: Zest! Open Floor Poetry Night

Monday, September 22nd, 2008, 8pm, £3/£2 on door
Alexander's Jazz Theatrebar,
Rufus Court,
Off Northgate St,
Chester
CH1 2JG.
Directions: On Northgate St, find Chez Jules then Abbey Green alleyway opposite leading to Rufus Ct. Chester Station: 20 mins’ walk. Bus station: 5 mins' walk. City Council Parking: 10 mins’ walk (£1.50 after 5pm)

An open floor poetry night, hosted by Gill McEvoy, with special guest Matt Merritt (new collection Troy Town out now). Bring your own or a favourite poem along to read at the open mic, or just enjoy listening.


Monday, September 15, 2008

London: SUNDAYS AT THE OTO

Sept 21
3-5 pm, £4 entry
Café Oto
18-22 Ashwin Street
Dalston
London E8 3DL

“poetry and music with the post-avant crowd
for your Sunday afternoon pleasure”

Tim Atkins + Isnaj Dui + Sophie Robinson

Tim Atkins’ Horace (O Books, 2007) gives the definitive, delightful & dangerous version for our days; Isnaj Dui’s www.myspace.com electroacouistic blends & improvisations are both lush and dark; Sophie Robinson’s Killin’ Kittenish (yt communications, 2006) frolics, frightens & fiercely fantasises

for further information:

www.myspace.com/sundaysattheoto

Sundays at the Oto is a regular event falling on the third Sunday of the month, www.cafeoto.co.uk, £4 entry.

Presented by Peter Philpott peter@greatworks.org.uk

Sunday, September 14, 2008

The Poetry of Dancehalls & Cafés: Soho Theatre

Apples & Snakes in Soho: The poetry of dancehalls & cafes
Wednesday 24th September, 8pm
Soho Theatre, 21 Dean St, London W10 3NE
Tickets: £8 / £6

Thirty years have passed since the UK's first dub poetry hit the racks, and its exponents are now amongst the elder statespeople of spoken-word. None more so than Jean 'Binta' Breeze, who tonight demonstrates her command of those elusive rhythms and her ability to flit from street wisdom to historical fiction in the blink of an eye: two talents showcased in her most recent book, The Fifth Figure.

There'll be ample support from Niall O'Sullivan, contributing his own brand of municipal zen with tales of greasy-spoon cafés and council flower-beds;and Saran Green, who'll be whipping up a saucy, spoken medley of boy-girlintrigue and Caribbean seasoning. Meanwhile, Malika Booker temporarily swaps from being London's hardest-working poet to being London's hardest-working compere.

Book: 0870 429 6883 / www.sohotheatre.com

Apples & Snakes is the UK's leading organisation for performance poetry

Poetry at the Rustique, London

Poetry Reading: Louise Landes Levi, Alyson Torns and David Miller

Thursday 18th September, 7.30pm
Rustique Literary Café, 142 Fortess Road, Tufnell Park, London NW5
Admission: £5 / £3 (concessions).

London Irish Centre Readings & Music

Thursday 18 September
@ The London Irish Centre Camden

Simon Barraclough, Viv Fogel, Alison Hill, Paul Lyalls, Jack Stanley and Mags Treanor will be reading and there will be music from Marie McCormack and Les Coughlan.

It all kicks off at 8 p.m. and costs £5/£3 concessions. Map here.

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

LONDON: Haiku book launch

Saturday, September 13th, 2008

Level 2,
The Clore Ballroom
Royal Festival Hall, London,
noon-3pm


Leading haiku writers John Barlow (Liverpool); Matthew Paul (London); Alan Summers (Bradford on Avon); and Karen Hoy (Bradford on Avon) will be offering free one-to-one workshops; readings; or even just a chat about haiku. The incredible new book Wing Beats: British Birds in Haiku will be available to buy with a free Haiku Journal from With Words which acts as a perfect complement to Wing Beats.

Following the Royal Festival event, there is a launch of Wing Beats at the Poetry Society's Poetry Cafe.
22 Betterton Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2H 9BX
7.30pm for 8pm, FREE

RSVP is preferred for this event – email: alan@withwords.org.uk

LONDON: Odes In Autumn at The Troubadour

Monday, September 22nd, 2008, 8pm-10pm, £6 / £5 concs
The Troubadour,
263-267 Old Brompton Road,
London,
SW5
near junction of Earls Court Road and Old Brompton Road. Nearest Tube station: Earls Court (District & Piccadilly Lines).

Odes in Autumn – new and established voices, with Moniza Alvi, Miriam Gamble, John Weston, Naomi Foyle, Norbert Hirschhorn, Jacqueline Saphra, Mary Macrae and Joanna Ezekiel.

The Night Pavilion (Waterloo, 2008), by Bangor Creative-Writing postgrad Naomi Foyle, is a PBS Recommendation.

International public-health specialist Norbert Hirschhorn lives in London & Beirut – latest book Mourning in the Presence of a Corpse (Dar al-Jadeed, Beirut, 2008).

Playwright and Good Housekeeping Online poet-in-residence Jacqueline Saphra won first prize at Ledbury in 2007.

As Birds Do (Second Light, 2007) is the first collection from much-anthologised former English teacher, Mary MacRae.

Joanna Ezekiel has a Creative-Writing MA from Sussex – Safe Passage (White Leaf Press, 2007) is her second pamphlet.

Former diplomat John Weston is an energetic poetry-&-arts activist & advocate – his poems are published in Chasing The Hoopoe (Peterloo, 2005).

Bloodaxe’s launch of Moniza Alvi’s Europa coincides with publication of her selected, Split World: Poems 1990-2005.

2007 Gregory-winner Miriam Gamble is Research Fellow at Belfast’s Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry – her pamphlet is This Man’s Town (Tall Lighthouse, 2007).

Season tickets 30% off…cheques payable to Coffee-House Poetry, no credit cards.

LONDON: June English book launch

Thursday, September 11th, 2008, 7.30pm-9.30pm
Studio,
Poetry Cafe,
22 Betterton Street,
Covent Garden,
London
WC2H 9BX

Hearing Eye is staging the launch of Sunflower Equations, by June English. Wine and nibbles are included - come along and enjoy...



Saturday, September 06, 2008

MANCHESTER: The Poetry Party

Sunday, September 7th, 2008, 7.30pm, £3
Fuel Café Bar,
Wilmslow Road,
Withington,
Manchester
M20 4AN

This is a night created by Citizen 32 Editor John G Hall and has guest poets and an open mic slot, so come along and take part.

CHELTENHAM: Buzzwords Poetry Night

Sunday, September 7th, 2008, 7pm+, £3
Upstairs at The Exmouth Arms,
Bath Road,
Cheltenham

Guest Poet - Todd Swift.
7pm Workshop led by Todd Swift.
8pm - open mic and guest poet reading.

Friday, September 05, 2008

READING: Poets Cafe

Friday, September 19th, 2008, 8pm doors, £6/£4

South Street Arts Centre,
Reading.

This month the special guest is Maggie Sawkins (http://maggiesawkins.moonfruit.com/) whose first collection, The Zig Zag Woman is just recently out. There are the usual open mic slots available on the night, and it will all be quite wonderful.

LEICESTER: D A Prince and Marilyn Ricci

Saturday, September 6th, 2008, 2.45 for 3pm, FREE
Friends’ Meeting House,
16 Queens Road (junction with Victoria Park Road),
Leicester
LE2 1WP

Two new HappenStance poetry publications by Leicestershire poets will be launched – D A Prince’s Nearly The Happy Hour, a first book-length collection for both author and publisher, and Rebuilding A Number 39, by Marilyn Ricci, the author’s first chapbook collection. Come along and listen and celebrate the launch, and talk to the poets and publisher Helena Nelson in person.

Email nell@happenstancepress.com if you plan to attend.

Thursday, September 04, 2008

LONDON: Unspeakably Toothsome

Friday, September 5th, 2008, 8pm, £5
At The Betsey Trotwood,
56 Farringdon Road,
London

Annie Freud and Roddy Lumsden co-host an evening where poets read their own and other writers' favourite poems on the subject of food.

A very tasteful line-up of readers: Isobel Dixon, Heather Phillipson, John Stammers, Angela Kirby, Simon Barraclough, Julia Bird, Cath Drake, Tim Wells, Mark Waldron, Susan Grindley, Annie Freud and Roddy Lumsden.

Readings on and off from 8pm sharp - 10pm.

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

LONDON: Apples & Snakes at SW11 Literary Festival

Poetic Frenzy
Tuesday, September 16th, 2008, 7pm, £3
The Taybridge,
47-49 Lavender Hill,
London
SW11 5QN

Seasoned performer Niall O'Sullivan wraps up his stint as SW11 Lit Fest's resident poet with a star-studded evening of spoken word. Join him as he
introduces some of the most finely-honed voices from today's live-lit scene: The Speech Painter, Nandita Ghose, Inua Ellams and Sam Cox. Beware of
fast-moving verbs, and prepare to have your thoughts well and truly provoked.

For further information, you can download an event programme by following
this link:
www.wandsworth.gov.uk/Home/CommunityServices/Businesssupport/Towncentres/Cla
phamJunction.htm

EALING: Poetry Reading

Thursday, September 4th, 2008, 6.30pm
Central Library,
103 Ealing Broadway Centre,
The Broadway
W5 5JY.

Readers will be Ruth O'Callaghan, Rosemary Norman and Agnes Meadows.

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

MANCHESTER: The Poetry Party

Sunday, September 7th, 2008, 7.30pm, £3
Fuel Café Bar,
Wilmslow Road,
Withington,
Manchester
M20 4AN

This is a night created by Citizen 32 Editor John G Hall and has guest poets and an open mic slot, so come along and take part.

DUBLIN: Poetry Launch

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008, 6.30pm
The UNITARIAN CHURCH
112 ST. STEPHEN'S GREEN WEST
DUBLIN 2

ALL WELCOME!

Poetry Ireland in association with Salmon Poetry presents the Dublin launch of 'Big Pink Umbrella' by Susan Millar DuMars 'Torching The Brown River' by Lorna Shaughnessy & 'Time Gentlemen, Please' by Kevin Higginson more about these three poetry collections see www.salmonpoetry.com.

Related Link: www.poetryireland.ie

BRISTOL: Ash Dickinson - The Disposable Lifestyle Show

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008, 8pm doors, 8.30pm show, £4/£3
The Lansdown,
8 Clifton Road,
Bristol

Returning to Bristol, multiple slam champion Ash Dickinson weaves stand-up into verse and raps on over-population, dental eroticism, the rubbishness of men's fashion and what happens when your fridge falls in love with you.

Ash Dickinson is a writer, poet and comedy performer. The 2007 Edinburgh Poetry Slam Champion, he also won the inaugural Museum of Scotland Slam in 2005. He had a four-star rated one man show – Electric Dandyland – at the 2004 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the following year formed part of Scotland's renowned Big Word Performance Poetry during its run at the Edinburgh Comedy Rooms. He has also performed in Australia, the USA, and New Zealand. He has played shows throughout the UK, including feature appearances at Express Excess, The Poetry Shack, Brixtongue, Bang Said The Gun (all London), The Stand Comedy Club, the Bristol Poetry Festival, the Glasgow Comedy Festival, Big In Falkirk, Aberdeen Wordfringe and performing pioneering one man shows.