Thursday, April 30, 2009

COVENTRY: Antony Owen and Michael McKimm

Thursday, May 14th, 2009, £4
Belgrade Theatre
Coventry
www.belgrade.co.uk

The launch of My Fathers Eyes Were Blue by Antony Owen, with support from Michael McKimm.

Antony Owen is a commercial manager from Allesley who writes poignant, unsettling poems, reminiscent in style of the Mersey Beats and their French forbears.

Michael McKimm’s richly musical verse evokes a haunting landscape against which the intricacies of memory, myth, history and love begin to unfold: “a well-wrought and lyrically persuasive debut collection by an astute, thoughtful and highly promising poet” (John Burnside).

Owen and McKimm will be accompanied by a group of Irish poets, visiting as part of the Coventry-Cork twin cities poetry exchange.

ABERDEEN: Wordfringe 2009

1st – 31st May 2009
Festival of New Writing in Aberdeen
and North-East Scotland
www.wordfringe.co.uk

Wordfringe 2009 presents poets, fiction writers, dramatists, storytellers, comedians, translators, musicians, composers and sound artists, from North-East Scotland and beyond, in the innovative festival exploring the spoken and written word in performance. Events take place in venues in Aberdeen and many towns and villages throughout Aberdeenshire.

This year Wordfringe forms a part of Homecoming Scotland, the year-long celebration of Scottish culture, with a vibrant mix of the best of local, national and international talent. As you browse through the Event Calendar you will find writers and performers from Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales, Netherlands, France, Sweden, Germany, Greece, Texas, Indiana, Oregon, Nepal and New Zealand. Some are visiting the North-East specially, some have made their home here, and some are returning after time away.

Among the many highlights of this year's festival is a series of events exploring the variety of relationships between words and music, presented in conjunction with the Sound festival, including the Pennan premiere of Richard Ingham's From Pennan to Penang and the world premiere of Fredrik Sixten's Requiem in a new English version by John Hearne.

Look out too for some big names in performance poetry including John Hegley and Attila the Stockbroker, a weekend of events at North Coast venues and a weekend at Woodend Barn including visits from Esther Woolfson and Laura Hird. Then there's drama from Philip Knight's Prometheus and Charles Barron's Guts, and some highly innovative poetry events presented by Spring Tides at Peacock Visual Arts, including a visit from Shetland poet Jen Hadfield, winner of the 2008 T. S. Eliot prize.

Add into the mix children's poetry events in Aberdeen and Fraserburgh, workshops for the writers among us to develop our skills, several book and magazine launches, events featuring local writers' groups, and an intimate open poetry evening where anyone can read, and you have one of the most varied, entertaining, challenging and stimulating ways of spending a month that you could imagine.

Most events are modestly priced — some are free — and no events clash so you can come to as many as you choose. Browse the Programme Strands and the full Event Calendar at the website, be adventurous, visit venues you have never been to before, and find out why those who have discovered Wordfringe keep coming back for more.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

BRIGHTON: Mark Gwynne Jones

Sunday, May 10th, 2009, doors 3.15pm, show 3.30pm, £6/£5
Komedia,
Brighton

The Spoken World of Mark Gwynne Jones
From the joys of driving a Sherman Tank at rush hour... to the flocks of sheep calling his name, Mark brings his mind-altering show to the Brighton Festival Fringe.
"Inspired... one of the most accomplished performance poets in the land... drawing the audience into a world where things are not quite what they seem" The Guardian

Box Office: 0845 293 8480 http://komediabrighton.ticketsolve.com/shows/keyword/mark%20gwynne%20jones

LONDON: Zena Edwards' Security

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009, 7.30pm, £10/£6
The Albany,
Douglas Way,
London
SE8 4AG

Booking: 0208 692 4446
Info: www.applesandsnakes.org

This comical and moving tale of unexpected friendship confronts the issue of security and identity through a fusion of performance poetry, theatre, movement and song. Set within the beating heart of London, the chaotic stories of five characters in crisis are exposed through the eye of a camera. What happens when one generation collides with another and cultural expectations clash? Does the flash of a blade in broad daylight mean the end or the beginning of Security? Find out when age and youth battle as Palestine meets Peckham. Zena Edwards takes storytelling into the 21st century.

“Edwards is a superb performer, equally at ease as an elderly Caribbean man, as a would-be teenage MC, Ayleen, or as a lonely, 47-year-old Palestinian photographer, Mahmoud.”
Lyn Gardner - The Guardian

WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY ZENA EDWARDS
DIRECTED BY ANTHONY SHRUBSALL

LEAMINGTON SPA: PureandGoodandRight

Thursday, April 30, 6.30pm
Story Telling café with Dick Leith in the basement of George’s shop - Guya, Regent Street, Leamington Spa.

LONDON: Elvis McGonagall's Open Mic

Thursday, April 30th, 2009, 7.30pm, FREE
77-82 Whitechapel High Street,
London,
E1 7QX

Elvis McGonagall’s Open Mic
The resident lounge lizard from Radio 4’s Saturday Live, and one-time European slam champion, hosts an open mic with a difference – all poems have to be about kilts, cookery or caravans, or all three.

It’s one poem per reader, and first-come, first-served, and all open mic-ers have to wear something tartan – no tartan, no startin’.

Booking: 020 8465 6154
Info: www.applesandsnakes.org

LONDON: Rhythm & Muse

Thursday, 30th April, 2009, 8.30pm-10.30pm, £5/£4
The Lion,
27 Wick Road,
Teddington,
TW11

Rhythm & Muse
Another great line-up for April with poets Claire Crowther and Siriol Troup, reading from their new collections, and local musicians Liz Arcane and John O'Reilly, back by popular demand!

All floorspots have been taken for this event, but do contact Alison Hill on alison-hill@blueyonder.co.uk for a spot at future nights. And for more details on R&M, go to:
www.rhythmandmuse.org.uk

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

NOTTINGHAM: Michael McKimm

Thursday, May 7, 2009, 7.30pm, FREE
Angear Visitors Centre,
University of Nottingham

The Nottingham Poetry Series, a new series of readings, craft talks, and workshops to be held at the University of Nottingham, with the support of the Arts Graduate Centre and the Literature Network, will hold its inaugural reading.

The reading, which features Michael McKimm (Still This Need, Heaventree Press 2009) along with two local poets, will last approximately 40 minutes and will be followed by a drinks-and-dessert reception.

LONDON: Hammer & Tongue 2009 Slam Final

Monday, May 4th, 2009, 7.30pm-11pm, £5/£4
Green Note Cafe,
Parkway,
London,
NW1 7AN

020 7485 9899
For more details call Michelle on 07809 236133
www.hammerandtongue.co.uk

2009 Slam Final, plus special guest, Tim Clare.
Three rounds, 9 finalists, one winner...
Charlie Dupre, Charlie Wright, MC Angel, Richard Tyrone-Jones, Andre Mangeot, Catherine Brogan, Charlie Creed-Miles, Wayne Alexander, Joshua Niecho.

For Hammer and Tongue's last competitive slam of the season the very best of London's slamming fraternity (winners of H&T slams over the past year) will be gathering at Camden's Green Note Cafe to supplicate you, the judging audience, to their will through the power of
the spoken word. Winner goes on to compete in the H&T national final at the Brighton festival next month.

We are also delighted to feature the eclectic, story-spinning genius that is Tim Clare. Author, poet and musician, Clare is a doyen of Glastonbury, Latitude and has aired his witty drivel on Radios 1 and 2. Described by the Sunday Times as a ‘highlight of the spoken word scene’, Clare describes himself as ‘‘Bob Hoskins going mental in a dustbin'.
http://www.myspace.com/timclarepoet

It’s going to be a busy one so come along early to grab a seat and don’t forget to watch out for Hammer and Tongue on TV! The H&T slam, featuring Excentral Tempest, Scroobius Pip, Micheal Horowitz, Tuggstar, Rob Gee, and Marcus Dellar will form part of Griff Rhys
Jones’ Why Poetry Matters series which will be screened in the week of May 17.

WARWICK: Poetry Slam

Wednesday, June 24, 2009
University of Warwick

Poetry Slam, introduced by Bohdan Piasecki.
Slam poets interested in taking part can sign up here: http://www.wsaf.org.uk/literature/poetry.php

LEAMINGTON SPA / WARWICK / Milton Keynes: PureandGoodandRight

Thursday, April 30, 6.30pm
Story Telling café with Dick Leith in the basement of George’s shop - Guya, Regent Street, Leamington Spa.

Thursday, May 7, 2009, 7.30pm
Poetry - Spoken Spring for Warwick Words at Kozi Bar, Market Place, Warwick

Sunday, May 10, 2009, 7.45pm
Music & Poetry - Matt Black, at The Fox, Clarendon Ave, Leamington Spa

Sunday May 10, 2009, 7.30pm
Poetry - Tongue in Chic hosted by Mark Niel at Madcap Theatre, Wolverton, Milton Keynes

Monday, April 27, 2009

GALWAY: Olaf Tyaransen, Edward Lee and the poets of this year’s MA in Writing at NUI Galway

Friday, May 8th, 2009, 8pm, FREE
Sheridan’s Wine Bar,
14-16 Church Yard Street,
Galway

Over The Edge presents a poetry reading by Olaf Tyaransen, Edward Lee and the poets of this year’s MA in Writing at NUI Galway.

Olaf Tyaransen was born in Dublin in 1971, but spent his formative years in the west of Ireland. His poetry collection, The Consequences of Slaughtering Butterflies, was published by Salmon in 1992. He has since written an autobiography, The Story of O (2000) and two bestselling collections of journalism, Sex Lines (2002) and Palace of Wisdom (2004). He lives on the outskirts of Galway city with his partner, Leigh, and their two young children, Jack and Layla.

Edward Lee is originally from Dublin, but now lives in Galway. His poems, short stories and photography have been published in a wide variety of prestigious magazines in Ireland, England, America and Canada. He is also a visual artist and has had several exhibitions in various venues in Dublin and Galway. He has just finished his first novel and looking for a publisher for it. This reading will mark the launch of Edward’s first poetry collection Playing PoohSticks On Ha'Penny Bridge.

The poets of this year’s MA in Writing at NUI Galway, Jonathan Farrar, Erin Buttner, Michael Halloran, Nicki Griffin, Cristina Galvin and Tristan Burke, will be reading from their recently published anthology, Ink For Air.

Over The Edge is in support of Love Poetry Hate Racism 2009.

All welcome. For further information contact 087-6431748.

Andrew Motion ends term of his Laureateship

* POETRY SOCIETY EVENT *

Monday 28th April 2009, 7.45pm.

The Poetry Society marks the end of Andrew Motion's decade as Poet Laureate. On this historic occasion, Andrew will also be reading from his new collection The Cinder Path.

VENUE: Purcell Room, 7.45pm, Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre. £9 for Poetry Society Members, £10 for others. Tickets from www.southbankcentre.co.uk or 0871 663 2500.

Poetry Series launches at Carnegie Arts Centre, Co. Kerry

Carnegie Arts Centre, Kenmare, Co. Kerry, will be hosting this inaugural poetry series, Speaking for Scéine, three Friday evenings through the month of May. This series is aimed at profiling established poets and to give an opportunity to emerging poets to showcase their work

The first of the series will take place on Friday, May 8th at 8 pm with Derek Mahon, who has been shortlisted for the prestigious Griffin prize. Derek, an award winning poet whose works includes Harbour Lights, adaptations and new versions of Oedipus, and Cyrano di Bergerac. Derek will be introduced by Joe Woods – Director of Poetry Ireland.

Friday, 15th May 8 pm, a reading from Eileen Sheehan, the winner of Listowel writer’s week inaugural poetry slam 2004, and the Brendan Kennelly poetry award 2006. Eileen will also hold a masterclass for aspiring poets on Saturday, May 16, at 11am.

For those who would like to put their Irish skill to the test, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, who writes exclusively in Irish will headline on Friday the 22nd of May at 8pm. Nuala has published extensively and has revitalized the Irish language in modern poetry. A masterclass will also be held by Nuala, Saturday, May 23rd at 11am.

There will be a Festival Club, open mic at the Lansdowne Arms Hotel, Kenmare after each Friday session. An opportunity for any poets, or budding poets to come along and perform their work. All are welcome.

Tickets for headliners are €6.00, masterclasses are €20. There are a maximum of 10 places for the masterclasses, so advanced booking is advised.

For further information please contact:
Deryn O' Callaghan
Manager
Carnegie Arts Centre, Kenmare, Co. Kerry
email: management@carnegieartskenmare.ie
website: www.carnegieartskenmare.ie

Buzzwords Poetry Night in Cheltenham: May 3rd

Buzzwords: Next Sunday, 3rd May
upstairs at The Exmouth Arms, Bath Road , Cheltenham

Guest Poet - Dave Ashbee
7pm Workshop led by Sharon Larkin

8pm - open mic and Guest poet reading

Entrance: minimum £3, £5 if you are able

Friday, April 24, 2009

Coffeehouse Poetry at the Troubadour, Monday 27th April

Monday 27 April: 8-10 pm.

A stunningly diverse chorus of voices - new and established - to open our Summer Season:

- Galway poet/activist Susan Millar DuMars (Big Pink Umbrella, Salmon, 2008) - poems & short-stories published in UK, US and Ireland;

- novelist/short-story-writer Mary O'Donnell (The Place of Miracles: New and Selected Poems, New Island, 2006);

- Jen Wainwright winner/commended in Foyle Young Poet and Ragged Raven comps;

- Anna Adams (Flying Under Water, Peterloo, 2004), has edited Enitharmon anthologies on London and the River Thames);

- Troubadour Prize commended Ann Pilling (b. Lancs) also a Smith/Doorstop winner - first collection Home Field (Arrowhead, 2008);

- Galway-University Spanish lecturer, Belfast-born Lorna Shaughnessy (Torching the Brown River, Salmon, 2008);

- 2007-Gregory-winner Michael McKimm, from Giant's Causeway, Co. Antrim, 1st collection, Still This Need (Heaventree, 2009);

- and John Walsh (Love's Enterprise Zone, Doire Press, 2007) from Derry, now Galway's North Beach Poetry Nights organiser.

Coffee House Poetry at the Troubadour
www.annemariefyfe.com

Readings on MONDAYS from 8 to 10 pm, tickets £6.50 concessions £5.50,
season tickets 30% off
cheques payable to Coffee-House Poetry, no credit cards

263-267 Old Brompton Road LONDON SW5
nr. junct. Earls Court Rd & Old Brompton Rd
nearest Tube station: Earls Court (District & Piccadilly Lines)
for information, advance booking, season ticket & mailing list enquiries,
phone 020-8354 0660,
write to Anne-Marie Fyfe
at Coffee-House Poetry, PO Box 16210, LONDON, W4 1ZP
or e-mail: CoffPoetry@aol.com

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Fourpenny Circus Tour



******

Please click image to enlarge

Poetry Bites at the Kitchen Garden Cafe

Antony Owen, from Coventry, will be launching his debut book ‘My Father's Eyes Were Blue’ published by Heaventree Press, at The Third International Festival Of Literature at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry on May 14th 2009. He recently represented Coventry’s rich history of writers at the Cork literary festival alongside award winning poet Jon Morley.

Poetry Bites also includes floor spots where you can share your own poetry with an appreciative audience. Please arrive early to book a spot.

7.30pm, Tuesday 26th May, 2009 (Food available from 6.30pm)
Kitchen Garden Café , 17 York Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham, B14 7SA
£5 (£4) To reserve a place email jacquirowe@hotmail.co.uk or pay at the door.

FURTHER DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

25th April - Perdika Press at Trinity College, Cambridge - Peter Brennan, Mario Petrucci, Nick Potamitis, Jacqui Rowe, Tomas Weber www.perdikapress.com

7th May- Spoken Spring, Kozi Bar, Warwick - Don Barnard, Jane Commane, Jane Holland, Jacqui Rowe, Catherine Whittaker 07944 768607

23rd May - Making Poetry masterclass with Mario Petrucci www.makingpoetry.co.uk

21st July – Poetry Bites at the Kitchen Garden Cafe with Luke Kennard www.jacquirowe.com

Monday, April 20, 2009

Poets read for Oxfam Fundraiser at the Shakespeare Centre THIS WEDNESDAY APRIL 22nd


Poets Katy Evans-Bush, Isobel Dixon, Martha Kapos, Nigel McLoughlin
Wednesday 22nd April
in Stratford-upon-Avon, at in a fundraiser for Oxfam
at the Shakespeare Centre
7.30pm
Tickets £10
ring 01789 292176 for details

Saturday, April 18, 2009

LONDON: Isobel Dixon, Roddy Lumsden, Simon Barraclough

Saturday, May 2nd, 2009, 4.30pm – 5.30pm, FREE
Wilberforce Theatre,
Museum in Docklands

Hosted by Christopher Horton. What better way to spend a late Saturday afternoon than listening to the scintillating verse of three of the most gifted poets living in the UK today?

On the doorstep of Canary Wharf, The Museum in Docklands is in close proximity to a range of bars and cafés for you to enjoy before and after this new and dynamic poetry event. So come along, tune in!

Isobel Dixon grew up in South Africa, where her prize-winning debut Weather Eye was published. Her poems have appeared in The Paris Review, The Financial Times, The Guardian and The Manhattan Review. She has been commissioned to write poems for the British Film Institute, and her work is included in several anthologies and pamphlets. Her latest collection A Fold in the Map is published by Salt.

Simon Barraclough is originally from Yorkshire but has lived in London for 12 years. He won the poetry section of the London Writers' Prize in 2000 and his 2008 debut Los Alamos Mon Amour was shortlisted for Best First Collection in the Forward Prizes. His work has been published in Poetry Review, The Guardian, The FT and Magma and he is a regular contributor to BBC Radio 3 and 4.

Roddy Lumsden's new collection is Third Wish Wasted from Bloodaxe, who also published his New & Selected Poems. His major anthology Identity Parade: New British and Irish Poets will appear in early 2010. He teaches for The Poetry School and edits the Pilot series for young poets for Tall-Lighthouse.

LEAMINGTON SPA: PureandGoodandRight

Sunday, April 19th, 2009, 7pm to book a slot, 7.30pm prompt start, £3 / £2
The Fox,
32 Clarendon Avenue,
Leamington Spa
CV32 4RZ.

PUREandGOODandRIGHT is an open mic poetry event taking place at The Fox, Leamington Spa. We also have great guest performance poets. Every event is an opportunity for YOU to come along and perform your poetry!!

Our special guest this month is the much acclaimed and 1000th Gloucestershire Poet Laureate Peter Wyton. Born in Northern Ireland, Peter has lived all over the place since the age of 15, but has been rooted firmly in Gloucester since 1979. He has won many first prizes in literary competitions as well as in the field of slam performance poetry.

He has presented his work at Festivals and Arts Centres from Devon to Lancashire and at a wide variety of venues along the way, ranging from the Troubadour Café in Earls Court to Lewes Prison. He has had two nominations for the Forward Prize and his poetry has been featured in the Daily Telegraph, the Daily Express, on BBC Radio 4’s Poetry Please and Something Understood, in addition to several anthologies and a wide number of literary magazines. His latest collection, Not All Men Are From Mars, is being sold in support of Women’s Aid.

With open mic support from…….YOU! Come and share your poems - seasoned poets and first time performers most welcome!

If you're planning to come along, or would like to know more about the night, please email pgrpoetryandpints@talktalk.net

KINGSTON ON THAMES: Linton Kwesi Johnson "Unplugged"

Sunday, April 19th, 2009, 7.30pm, £7, £10, £12
Rose Theatre,
24-26 High Street
Kingston
KT1 1HL
Box Office: 0871 230 1552
Online: www.rosetheatrekingston.org

Revered as the world's first reggae poet, Johnson's work fizzes of both the page and the stage. In the 1980s he began his long association with the renowned reggae music producer, Dennis Bovell, recording albums of his poetry to the distinctive beat of the Denis Bovell Dub Band. Through his journalism, broadcasts and live performances worldwide, he has been able to communicate with a vast audience – earning him Time Out’s accolade as the ‘alternative Poet Laureate’ along with the distinction of being only the second living poet, and the first black poet, to have his work published in Penguin’s Modern Classics. In this performance at the Rose Theatre, Kingston, LKJ will perform ‘unplugged’ an a capella performance of his work. He will be joined by Patience Agbabi, a poet, writer in residence, university lecturer and solo performer whose lyrical voice and gleeful humour punctuates her writings. Passionate and thought-provoking, both poets articulate the black British experience in their own inimitable styles.

LONDON: Sundays at the Oto

Sunday, April 19th, 2009, 3-5pm, £4
Café Oto,
18-22 Ashwin Street,
Dalston,
London
E8 3DL

Poetry and music with the post-avant crowd for your Sunday afternoon pleasure, presented by Peter Philpott, featuring Gagarin, Abi Oborne, Holly Pester and James Wilkes.

Three poets and one musician: innovative performance and creative imagination unite them. Gagarin is a very experienced musician, blending the digital with the spontaneous. Abi Oborne, Holly Pester and James Wilkes are young poets who experiment with a whole range of ways of performing and presenting their writing.

For further information:
* http://www.myspace.com/sundaysattheoto
* Facebook Group: Sundays at the Oto

Friday, April 17, 2009

ABERDEEN: Wordfringe 2009

1st – 31st May 2009
Festival of New Writing in Aberdeen
and North-East Scotland
www.wordfringe.co.uk

Wordfringe 2009 presents poets, fiction writers, dramatists, storytellers, comedians, translators, musicians, composers and sound artists, from North-East Scotland and beyond, in the innovative festival exploring the spoken and written word in performance. Events take place in venues in Aberdeen and many towns and villages throughout Aberdeenshire.

This year Wordfringe forms a part of Homecoming Scotland, the year-long celebration of Scottish culture, with a vibrant mix of the best of local, national and international talent. As you browse through the Event Calendar you will find writers and performers from Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales, Netherlands, France, Sweden, Germany, Greece, Texas, Indiana, Oregon, Nepal and New Zealand. Some are visiting the North-East specially, some have made their home here, and some are returning after time away.

Among the many highlights of this year's festival is a series of events exploring the variety of relationships between words and music, presented in conjunction with the Sound festival, including the Pennan premiere of Richard Ingham's From Pennan to Penang and the world premiere of Fredrik Sixten's Requiem in a new English version by John Hearne.

Look out too for some big names in performance poetry including John Hegley and Attila the Stockbroker, a weekend of events at North Coast venues and a weekend at Woodend Barn including visits from Esther Woolfson and Laura Hird. Then there's drama from Philip Knight's Prometheus and Charles Barron's Guts, and some highly innovative poetry events presented by Spring Tides at Peacock Visual Arts, including a visit from Shetland poet Jen Hadfield, winner of the 2008 T. S. Eliot prize.

Add into the mix children's poetry events in Aberdeen and Fraserburgh, workshops for the writers among us to develop our skills, several book and magazine launches, events featuring local writers' groups, and an intimate open poetry evening where anyone can read, and you have one of the most varied, entertaining, challenging and stimulating ways of spending a month that you could imagine.

Most events are modestly priced — some are free — and no events clash so you can come to as many as you choose. Browse the Programme Strands and the full Event Calendar at the website, be adventurous, visit venues you have never been to before, and find out why those who have discovered Wordfringe keep coming back for more.

MATLOCK BATH: Tribute to Andy Postman

Friday, April 24th, 2009, 8pm, £6
The Temple Hotel,
Matlock Bath

An evening tribute to the late, great Andy Postman, with Please Y'Self, Psychicbread, David 'Stickman' Higgins, Paul Lyalls, Russell Thompson (Rachel Pantechnicon), The Boothill Toetappers, Steve Carroll, Les Baynton, Sue Allen, Keith Vallance and other poets, musicians and artists who knew and loved his words and craft. Also featuring Andy's film - The ABC of Insanity.

To reserve tickets call 01629 583911 (all proceeds to fund a memorial exhibition and CD of Andy's work).

BIRMINGHAM: Nine Arches launch new David Hart book

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009, 7pm, FREE
The Quaker Central Hall,
The Priory Rooms,
40 Bull Street,
Birmingham
B4 6AF

The launch of David Hart's The Titanic Cafe Closes Its Doors And Hits The Rocks, or Knife, fork and bulldozer ultra modern retail outlet complex development scenario with flowers.

Published by Nine Arches Press as part of their new mini-pamphlet series, The Titanic Café closes its doors and hits the rocks will also include a selection of colour photographs taken by David Hart on location to accompany the poem (plus other surprising and geographical additions you don't normally find in a poetry pamphlet!). This vivid and dynamic sequence is a fitting swansong to a city’s lost landmarks, the vanishing and shape-shifting human geographies of the heartlands.

Readings from a selection of Birmingham's best poets: Simon Turner, Myra Connell, Matt Nunn and David Hart.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

LONDON: Elvis McGonagall's Open Mic

Thursday, April 30th, 2009, 7.30pm, FREE
77-82 Whitechapel High Street,
London,
E1 7QX

Elvis McGonagall’s Open Mic
The resident lounge lizard from Radio 4’s Saturday Live, and one-time European slam champion, hosts an open mic with a difference – all poems have to be about kilts, cookery or caravans, or all three.

It’s one poem per reader, and first-come, first-served, and all open mic-ers have to wear something tartan – no tartan, no startin’.

Booking: 020 8465 6154
Info: www.applesandsnakes.org

LONDON: Rhythm & Muse

Thursday, 30th April, 2009, 8.30pm-10.30pm, £5/£4
The Lion,
27 Wick Road,
Teddington,
TW11

Rhythm & Muse
Another great line-up for April with poets Claire Crowther and Siriol Troup, reading from their new collections, and local musicians Liz Arcane and John O'Reilly, back by popular demand!

All floorspots have been taken for this event, but do contact Alison Hill on alison-hill@blueyonder.co.uk for a spot at future nights. And for more details on R&M, go to:
www.rhythmandmuse.org.uk

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

LONDON: Poet in the City

Monday, April 27th, 2009, 7pm
Hall One,
King's Place,
90 York Way,
London
N1 9AG

Rimbaud & Verlaine.
Poet in the City presents an event celebrating the life and works of two of France's greatest poets, chaired by Alan Jenkins and featuring Graham Robb, Dominique Combe, Martin Sorrell, Yann Fremy and the distinguished actors Bill Homewood and Estelle Kohler.

Tickets priced £9.50 available from www.kingsplace.co.uk or for £11.50 from the box office on 0844 264 0321 (local rate). For booking enquiries please contact tickets@kingsplace.co.uk

GALWAY: Poems For Patience

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009, 11am
University Hospital,
Galway

Poems for Patience, selected and introduced by Philip Schultz.
The Galway University Hospitals Arts Trust continues the very successful Poems for Patience series. Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Philip Schultz has selected 21 poems from a wide range of poets, which will be displayed throughout the waiting areas in University Hospital, Galway and Merlin Park University Hospital.

The Cat’s Cradle, organised by Kevin Higgins.
Volume 4 of The Cat’s Cradle comes to life under the organisation of Kevin Higgins, Merlin Park University Hospital Writer in Residence. Using reminiscence techniques, Kevin has compiled stories by patients at Units Five and Six of Merlin Park Hospital. The theme of The Cat’s Cradle this year is ‘Hard Times Come Again’. Patients talk about their memories of hard times past – everything from straw mattresses to World War II – and offer Brian Cowen some advice.

Both events will be launched at University Hospital, Galway at 11am on Wednesday 22nd April.

GALWAY: Eamonn Carr and North Beach Poetry Nights April Slam

Monday, April 20th, 2009, 9pm, 5/3 Euro
The Crane Bar,
Sea Road,
Galway

North Beach Poetry Nights presents ex-Horslips drummer and lyricist, poet Eamonn Carr, plus The North Beach Poetry Nights' April Slam.

In the late 1960s Eamonn Carr co-founded Tara Telephone, the music and poetry group of the Dublin beat scene. In the 1970s, he co-founded Horslips, the hugely influential band which is credited with creating the musical genre known as Celtic Rock, and in which he is also a drummer, conceptualist and lyricist. He has also promoted musicians and artists, and works as a journalist, writer and commentator on culture, politics, arts, music and sport as well as an award winning broadcaster. He was a featured poet at the Sean Dunne Festival in Waterford in March 2009.

He will read from Origami Crow, Journey into Japan, World Cup Summer 2002. As a sports columnist for a Dublin daily, he watched the unfolding drama of the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan. Against the intense public spectacle of media attention following the controversial departure of Ireland captain Roy Keane, Carr followed his own private journey - a lifelong quest to visit the shrines and places of the famed poet Matsuo Basho, recognized master of haiku. This is Eamon Carr's first collection of poetry and the profundity and depth of the work is a just reward for the long wait. The book is part poetry collection, part travel log and part Eamon's commentary and insight into the Roy Keane/Mick McCarthy 'debacle'. And some of our current heroes (Robbie Keane, Damien Duff and Shay Given) are in there as well!!

Poets wishing to take part in the two-round slam please bring along two three-minute poems, preferrably memorized. The winner of each month's Slam goes forward to the 2009 North Beach Poetry Nights' Grand Slam in December 2009.

The prize for the Grand Slam winner is publication of a collection of her/his work.

LONDON: Philip Wells, the Fire Poet

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009, 6.30pm for 7pm prompt start, £8/£5
The Old Operating Theatre,
9A St Thomas Street
SE1

A solo performance in aid of The Alice Fund, a special needs children's charity - space is very limited, so e-mail elizabethhealey@btinternet.com if you'd like to attend. You can pay for and pick up your tickets on the night.

The poet's new book, Horse Whispering In The Military Industrial Complex, will be on sale.

LONDON: Shearsman Reading Series

Thursday, April 16th, 2009, 7.30 pm, FREE
Swedenborg Hall
Swedenborg House
20/21 Bloomsbury Way
London
WC1A 2TH

The fourth in Shearsman's 2009 Reading Series features Martin Anderson and David H W Grubb.

Details of the new collections that will be launched on the evening:
http://www.shearsman.com/pages/books/catalog/2009/anderson2009.html
http://www.shearsman.com/pages/books/catalog/2009/grubb.html

Biographical details may be found here:
http://www.shearsman.com/pages/books/authors/andersonA.html
http://www.shearsman.com/pages/books/authors/grubbA.html

Thursday, April 09, 2009

GALWAY: The 2009 Cúirt Festival Over The Edge showcase reading

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009, 11am.
Town Hall Theatre,
Galway

The five featured authors this year are Orla Higgins, Noelle Lynskey, Noel Harrington, Jenny McCudden and Val Nolan.

The Over the Edge reading series began in January 2003. Each month, the Over the Edge: Open Reading puts the spotlight on emerging poets and fiction writers - sessions end with an open-mic, where anyone can get in on the act. Co-organisers Kevin Higgins and Susan Millar DuMars (host) are grateful for the continued support of Galway City Library, Galway City Council, The Arts Council, Poetry Ireland, The Cúirt Festival and, especially, the many talented writers who have taken part in the series during the past six years.

Orla Higgins lives in Galway city. After taking a number of creative writing classes with Susan Millar DuMars at Galway Technical Institute, she is currently studying on the MA in Writing programme at NUIG where she is working on her first novel. She also lectures part-time at the University with the Department of Marketing and the Huston School of Film. Orla was a Featured Reader at the September 2008 Over The Edge: Open Reading in Galway City Library.

Noelle Lynskey is from Roscommon, but now lives in Portumna. She is facilitator of Portumna Pen Pushers and The Maple Poetry Group. She is also anactive participant in BAFFLE, Loughrea. While juggling the joys ofmothering, her duties as a Community Pharmacist and organising ArtsEvents in Portumna, Noelle is working towards a collection of poetry. Previous publications include Cuirt, West 47, Crannog, Glance, Scriobh and Maple Leaves. Noelle was a Featured Reader, as part of the Maple Poetry Group, at the May 2005 Over The Edge: Open Reading in Galway City Library.

Considered one of Limerick’s White House Poets, Noel Harrington has been published in The Stinging Fly, Revival, The Flosca Winners’ Chapbook, Boyne Berries, Crannóg, Moloch, and The Stony Thursday Book. Revival Press published a chapbook of his poems in 2007. Noel was a Featured Reader at the October 2008 Over The Edge: Open Reading.

Jenny McCudden is originally from Naas in county Kildare. She now lives in Galway and works as Western Correspondent for TV3 News. Jenny began her career as a journalist working for the Sunday World and TV3 News. She spent five years working for the BBC, before returning to take up her current position with TV3. She has just completed a Masters in Writing at NUI Galway and is currently working on a non-fiction book Death on Irish Roads as well as other works of fiction. Jenny was a Featured Reader at the January Over The Edge: Open Reading in Galway City Library.

Val Nolan teaches contemporary literature and creative writing at NUI, Galway. He has been published in Ché in Verse, Crannóg, Southword, Revival, and Möbius. He regularly contributes criticism to publications including The Sunday Business Post, Poetry Ireland Review, PN Review, and The Stinging Fly. NUIG awarded him this year's Oliver St. John Gogarty scholarship. Val was a Featured Reader at the December 2007 Over The Edge: Open Reading.

If you, or a writers group you belong to, would be interested in taking part in the Over The Edge Cúirt showcase in the future contact Over The Edge c/o Galway Arts Centre, 47 Dominick Street, Galway or send a sample of six of your poems or two thousand words of your fiction to us at Over The Edge, 3 Carbry Road, Newcastle, Galway and we will consider you for a Featured Reading at one of the Over The Edge: Open Readings which will make you eligible for the shortlist for the subsequent Cúirt Festival Over The Edge showcase.

LONDON: Ride The Word

Tuesday, April 21, 2009, 7pm, FREE
The Foundry,
84-86 Great Eastern Street,
London
EC2A 3JL
(near Old Street tube, busses 55, 243 etc)

Ride the Word on the road Resurrecting Knives tour special

Cast:
Vincent De Souza, poetry
Jay Merill, prose
Sue Hubbard, poetry
Will Brooker, Modifist prose poetry

also
Guest Publication: Trespass magazine
Sara-Mae Tuson, editor

and
Mark Norfolk, experimental drama

plus
limited open mic - sign-up at 6.30

LONDON: Shearsman Reading Series

Thursday, April 16, 2009, 7.30 pm, FREE
Swedenborg Hall
Swedenborg House
20/21 Bloomsbury Way
London
WC1A 2TH

The fourth in Shearsman's 2009 Reading Series features Martin Anderson and David H W Grubb.

Details of the new collections that will be launched on the evening:
http://www.shearsman.com/pages/books/catalog/2009/anderson2009.html
http://www.shearsman.com/pages/books/catalog/2009/grubb.html

Biographical details may be found here:
http://www.shearsman.com/pages/books/authors/andersonA.html
http://www.shearsman.com/pages/books/authors/grubbA.html

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

LONDON: Lumen Poetry Series

Tuesday, 21st April, 2009, doors open 6.30pm for 7pm, £4/£3, wine
88 Tavistock Place
WC1
Tubes: Russell Square , Kings Cross, St Pancras.

Ruth O'Callaghan presents Arc Poets. Poets from the floor also very welcome. Please bring a copy of your poem if you wish to be considered for the anthology sponsored by the thought-provoking Cinnamon Press.

Proceeds to the Cold Weather Shelter.

Monday, April 06, 2009

LOUGHBOROUGH: Polyverse Poetry Festival

Friday, July 24th, 2009, through to Sunday July 26th, 2009.
English & Drama Department of Loughborough University,
Leicestershire,
LE11 3TT
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/ea/

TICKETS: Will be available imminently. £20 covers whole festival, including all events and a workshop. Other ticket types will be announced shortly.
All ticket enquiries to Ruth Salt, telephone 01509 222 761 (overseas: +44 1509 222 761) between 9am-5pm BST, or e-mail R.Salt@lboro.ac.uk

SPECIAL EVENTS at the festival:
DREAMS OF MAY - first public performance of this critically acclaimed one-woman play outside London. It takes place on a train where the woman’s memory is triggered by objects causing her to look over her life and confront her demons. This internal conversation is revealed to the audience through poetry and music.
Written by SUE GUINEY http://www.sueguiney.com/
STORIES DRUMMED TO POLAR SKIES by Siobhan Logan.
Exclusive and specially rewritten version of the dazzling fusion of poetry and science spectacular. The original version was performed at the National Science Museum and the Richard Attenborough Centre.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/siobhan.logan1/
ROSIE LUGOSI, renowned vampire poetess, brings her hair-raising poetic cabaret. Be very scared - you might laugh your way to a cracked ribcage.
http://www.rosielugosi.com/
If you want to attend a FREE workshop with Rosie Lugosi, ask for the Rosie Garland one. Details of how to book appear below.

POETS CONFIRMED TO READ/PERFORM: Gail Ashton, Carole Baldock, Tina Bass, David Bircumshaw, Julie Boden, Wayne Burrows, Nick Carbo, Sally Clark, Jane Commane, Rosemary Dun, John Elson, Andy Fletcher, Angela France, Mark Goodwin, Radcliff Gregory, Oz Hardwick, Brendan Hawthorne, Sonia Hendy-Isaac, Martin Holroyd, Christopher James, Pat Jourdan, Chris Kinsey, Emma Lee, Paul Lee, Sheree Mack, Bob Mee, Matt Merritt, Ian Morgan, Matt Nunn, Kerry Oramnge, Tony Petch, Leskley Quayle, Susan Richardson, Steve Rooney, Sam Smith, Gillian Spraggs, Ben Stainton, Geoff Stevens, Jon Stone, Carol Thistlethwaite, Pam Thompson, Lydia Towsey, Deborah Tyler-Bennett and Mike Wilson.

ALL WORKSHOPS ARE COMPLETELY FREE!
That's right, completely free, no catches. However, you will need to buy a ticket for the festival to be eligible. You will need book your workshop space in advance if you want to be guaranteed a place.
At present, you can only attend one free workshop, although this may change, depending on demand. To book a workshop, contact Ruth Salt (details below) by e-mail or telephone, and let her know your three most preferred choices. You will then be allocated to your most preferred workshop(s) with spaces left.
All workshop enquiries to Ruth Salt, telephone 01509 222 761 (overseas: +44 1509 222 761) between 9am-5pm BST, or e-mail R.Salt@lboro.ac.uk.
CONFIRMED TO GIVE WORKSHOPS:
Carole Baldock, Sally Clark, Angela France, Nick Carbo, Rosemary Dun, Rosie Garland (aka Rosie Lugosi!), Sonia Hendy-Isaac, Matt Merritt, Mike Wilson.

Full details: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=9528966169#/group.php?gid=9528966169

LEAMINGTON SPA: PureandGoodandRight

Sunday, April 19th, 2009, 7pm to book a slot, 7.30pm prompt start, £3 / £2
The Fox,
32 Clarendon Avenue,
Leamington Spa
CV32 4RZ.

PUREandGOODandRIGHT is an open mic poetry event taking place at The Fox, Leamington Spa. We also have great guest performance poets. Every event is an opportunity for YOU to come along and perform your poetry!!

Our special guest this month is the much acclaimed and 1000th Gloucestershire Poet Laureate Peter Wyton. Born in Northern Ireland, Peter has lived all over the place since the age of 15, but has been rooted firmly in Gloucester since 1979. He has won many first prizes in literary competitions as well as in the field of slam performance poetry.

He has presented his work at Festivals and Arts Centres from Devon to Lancashire and at a wide variety of venues along the way, ranging from the Troubadour Café in Earls Court to Lewes Prison. He has had two nominations for the Forward Prize and his poetry has been featured in the Daily Telegraph, the Daily Express, on BBC Radio 4’s Poetry Please and Something Understood, in addition to several anthologies and a wide number of literary magazines. His latest collection, Not All Men Are From Mars, is being sold in support of Women’s Aid.

With open mic support from…….YOU! Come and share your poems - seasoned poets and first time performers most welcome!

If you're planning to come along, or would like to know more about the night, please email pgrpoetryandpints@talktalk.net

KINGSTON ON THAMES: Linton Kwesi Johnson "Unplugged"

Sunday, April 19th, 2009, 7.30pm, £7, £10, £12
Rose Theatre,
24-26 High Street
Kingston
KT1 1HL
Box Office: 0871 230 1552
Online: www.rosetheatrekingston.org

Revered as the world's first reggae poet, Johnson's work fizzes of both the page and the stage. In the 1980s he began his long association with the renowned reggae music producer, Dennis Bovell, recording albums of his poetry to the distinctive beat of the Denis Bovell Dub Band. Through his journalism, broadcasts and live performances worldwide, he has been able to communicate with a vast audience – earning him Time Out’s accolade as the ‘alternative Poet Laureate’ along with the distinction of being only the second living poet, and the first black poet, to have his work published in Penguin’s Modern Classics. In this performance at the Rose Theatre, Kingston, LKJ will perform ‘unplugged’ an a capella performance of his work. He will be joined by Patience Agbabi, a poet, writer in residence, university lecturer and solo performer whose lyrical voice and gleeful humour punctuates her writings. Passionate and thought-provoking, both poets articulate the black British experience in their own inimitable styles.

LONDON: Sundays at the Oto

Sunday, April 19th, 2009, 3-5pm, £4
Café Oto,
18-22 Ashwin Street,
Dalston,
London
E8 3DL

Poetry and music with the post-avant crowd for your Sunday afternoon pleasure, presented by Peter Philpott, featuring Gagarin, Abi Oborne, Holly Pester and James Wilkes.

Three poets and one musician: innovative performance and creative imagination unite them. Gagarin is a very experienced musician, blending the digital with the spontaneous. Abi Oborne, Holly Pester and James Wilkes are young poets who experiment with a whole range of ways of performing and presenting their writing.

For further information:
* http://www.myspace.com/sundaysattheoto
* Facebook Group: Sundays at the Oto

COVENTRY: Mike McKimm

Tuesday 7th April 2009, Free before 8pm, £3 after (members free)
The Tin Angel,
Medieval Spon Street,
Coventry

Nightblue Fruit poetry open mic night with guest poets Márcio-André & Michael McKimm

Praise for Márcio-André’s poetry: “Each line has a mystery that surprises me” – David Lynch

Praise for Michael McKimm’s poetry: “A dazzling first collection… his powers of observation and resonant diction had me placing his ecopoetry somewhere between Wordsworth and Iain Sinclair” – Peter Carpenter

Saturday, April 04, 2009

David Hart Nine Arches Press launch in Birmingham

Thursday 23rd April 2009
7pm onwards at The Priory Rooms, The Quaker Central Hall, 40 Bull Street, Birmingham B4 6AF

A FREE Nine Arches Press event: the launch of David Hart's THE TITANIC CAFE CLOSES ITS DOORS AND HITS THE ROCKS or: Knife, fork and bulldozer ultra modern retail outlet complex development scenario with flowers.

Celebrate the launch of our second special-edition pamphlet in the heart of Birmingham with readings from David Hart and a selection of the city’s best poets: Simon Turner, Myra Connell and Matt Nunn. Where the full main title of David Hart’s forthcoming special-edition pamphlet fantasises, the second title suggests the wider scene. Published by Nine Arches Press as part of their new mini-pamphlet series, The Titanic Café closes its doors and hits the rocks will also include a selection of colour photographs taken by David Hart on location to accompany the poem. This vivid and dynamic sequence is a fitting swansong to a city’s lost landmarks, the vanishing and shape-shifting human geographies of the heartlands.

Birmingham-based and the city’s Poet Laureate 1997-8, David Hart is known for other Birmingham poems, for hospital and other residencies, for university teaching and workshops, and by way of several books, the latest (Five Seasons Press 2007) being ‘Running Out, which Lyndon Jenkins in Poetry Wales said “is a joy”.

Mike McKimm guest poet at Coventry open mic

Tuesday 7th April 2009: Nightblue Fruit poetry open mic night with guest poets Márcio-André & Michael McKimm

The Tin Angel, Medieval Spon Street, Coventry
Free before 8pm, £3 after (members free)

Praise for Márcio-André’s poetry: “Each line has a mystery that surprises me” – David Lynch

Praise for Michael McKimm’s poetry: “A dazzling first collection… his powers of observation and resonant diction had me placing his ecopoetry somewhere between Wordsworth and Iain Sinclair” – Peter Carpenter

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

LONDON: Langoustine est Morte featuring Roddy Lumsden, Steve Ronnie and Steve Willey

Saturday, 4th April, 2009, 7.30pm-9.30pm, £5/£4
The Poetry Café
22 Betterton Street
London
WC2H 9BX

The Langoustine est Morte series continues with another evening of innovative and experimental writing and performance. We feature the esteemed Scottish man of letters Roddy Lumsden, reading from him new collection Third Wish Wasted, Newcastle-based poet Stevie Ronnie, reading from him new collection The Thing To Do When You Are Not In Love, and London-based poet Steve Willey. The evening is hosted by Sascha Akhtar.

Roddy Lumsden has published four books of poetry, most recently Mischief Night - New & Selected Poems (Bloodaxe). His fifth collection is Third Wish Wasted, published in spring 2009. He teaches for The Poetry School and Morley College and is currently compiling Identity Parade, a major new anthology of recent British and Irish poetry. He also works as a puzzle and quiz writer.

Stevie Ronnie writes poems and stories that sometimes get published and read. He is currently completing PhD research at Newcastle University where he also teaches creative writing. A pamphlet of his poems, The Thing To Do When You Are Not In Love, was published by Sand/Red Squirrel Press in May 2008.

Steve Willey is a poet living in East London. He co-runs (with Alex Davies) the Openned reading series and website (openned.com). He has also given readings in New York (Bowery Poetry Club) Wales (FOW and Soundbite) & Egham (R;Fest 2006-2008). He has also read at the Crossing the Line reading series in London and has had work performed at the Wigmore Hall (2008).

La Langoustine est Morte was established in July 2006 by poets Anthony Joseph & Sascha Akhtar as a series of evenings celebrating experimentation and innovation in poetics and fiction.

www.myspace.com/langoustine

lalangoustine@gmail.com

For more info or if you would like to read at Langoustine email: lalangoustine@gmail.com

MILTON KEYNES: Poetry Kapow!

Saturday, April 11th, 2009, 7pm for 7.30pm, £4/£3
MADCAP Performing Arts Centre,
Creed Street,
Wolverton,
Milton Keynes.

Performers get biscuits, and anyone signing up in advance gets a poetry goody-bag!

We’re a small poetry “collective” dedicated to live performance poetry in and around Milton Keynes (and anywhere else we can get to by car, train, bus or foot). As well as annoying countless other poetry organisers in the Midlands and South East on a regular basis, we put on performance poetry nights (Kapow!s) in one of the genuinely old bits of Milton Keynes , Wolverton.

Poetry Kapow!s are varied, eclectic nights taking in elements of slam competition, open mic poetry, acoustic music from local artists, written competitions, and interactive poetry art pieces and other “happenings”. They differ from the usual night in these parts by being more theatrical, competitive and punchy – more about the performance and less about the strict, literary poetry stance.

http://www.poetrykapow.co.uk
info@poetrykapow.co.uk
07904 488009
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=48322014379.

BRISTOL: One Night Stanza, featuring Ash Dickinson and TG Carter

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009, doors 8pm, show 8.30pm, £5/£4
The Lansdown,
8 Clifton Road,
Bristol
BS8 1AF

A evening of lyrical wordsmithery as stand-up meets comedy meets rap in a barrage of stanzas and verse. Funny yet serious. Over-stimulation for your ears.

Ash Dickinson is a multiple slam champion and has performed in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the USA, as well as four Edinburgh Fringe Festivals, the Bristol Poetry Festival, the Glasgow Comedy Festival and in shows all across the UK.

www.ashdickinson.com

T G Carter is the Bard of Windmill Hill. A political satirist, his poetry is a subtle synthesis of humour and philosophy. His first collection, Diamonds in the Desert was published recently and he has many radio, schools and festival appearances to his belt.

East Words, this April in Docklands

East Words
Date: 2nd April 2009
Venue: Wilberforce Theatre, Museum in Docklands
Time: 18:30 pm - 21:00 pm
Featured Poets: Tom Chivers, Tim Wells, Siddhartha Bose, Katrina Naomi and Stephen Watts
Hosted by: Christopher Horton & Richard Tyrone Jones
Admission: Free

East Words takes place at the Museum in Docklands on 2nd April from 6.30pm to 9.00pm. Featuring some of the most exhilarating poetry and spoken word talent this side of Tower Bridge - you'd be crazy to miss it!

Readers include the prolific poet, poetry promoter, and publisher, Tom Chivers whose eagerly anticipated first book 'How to Build a City' will be released later this year by Salt; Tim Wells, Rising editor and Forward Prize nominee, sharing optimism, disappointment, tawdry tales and dapper verse; academic and poet Siddhartha Bose whose poetry has been widely published in international journals and is to feature in a forthcoming Bloodaxe anthology; the erudite and ethereal Katrina Naomi whose book ' Lunch at The Elephant and Castle' was recently published by Templar to critical acclaim and last, but by no means least, poet and editor, Stephen Watts who has had published numerous collections of his own work and translates poetry from around the world.

With laid back musical accompaniment from Spiky Feather.

Please turn up half an hour early to sign up for the open mic. There will only be a limited number of slots.

Direction to the Museum in Docklands