Saturday, February 27, 2010

LEAMINGTON SPA: PUREandGOODandRIGHT

Sunday, 28th February, 2010, 7.30pm, £3/£2
The Fox,
Leamington Spa

Open mic poetry taking place at our old haunt The Fox, Leamington Spa. Each month we also invite a fabulous guest performance poet and this month we are delighted to have with us the highly amusing and very clever Emma Purshouse.

Emma is a freelance performance poet, writer, stand-up comedienne and workshop facilitator. She lives in the City of Wolverhampton a few miles north of Birmingham. Emma performs her work nationally, is a published author and winner of poetry slams.

For more information see www.emmapurshouse.co.uk

With open mic support from…….yes……YOU! Come and share your poems – seasoned poets & first time performers most welcome! As we aim for a 7.30pm start please arrive a bit earlier to book a slot!!!

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

LONDON: Jewish Book Week Poetry Hour

Sunday, February 28th, 2010, 11am
Royal National Hotel,
London

Jewish Book Week is London’s largest literary festival and this year has a Poetry Hour featuring Bernard Kops, George Szirtes and Michelene Wandor.

Friday, February 26, 2010

LONDON: Grey Hen Press reading

Friday, March 12th, 2010, 2pm-3pm
Wisewords Bookfest
The Women's Library,
Old Castle Street
London E1 7NT

A reading from the new Grey Hen Press anthology Cracking On: Poems on Ageing by Older Women, featuring Kate Foley, Joy Howard, Angela Kirby, Dinah Livingstone, Alwyn Marriage, Ruth O'Callaghan and Diane Tang.

OXFORD: An evening of lesbian poetry

Friday, March 12th, 2010, 6.30pm-8pm
The Jam Factory,
Oxford

A Celebration of Lesbian Poetry, featuring RV Bailey, Kate Foley, Christine Webb, Joy Howard and Pat Winslow. All welcome

Formerly scheduled for Oxford Central Library.

GALWAY: Over The Edge

Friday, March 12th, 2010, 8pm, FREE
Sheridan’s Wine Bar,
14-16 Church Yard Street,
Galway

Over The Edge presents readings by Orla Higgins, Cahal Dallat, Moya Roddy and Kate Dempsey.

Orla Higgins lives in Galway and recently graduated with an MA in Writing from NUIG. She won the Over the Edge New Fiction Writer Competition in 2009 for Thin Blue Line and her work has been published in Ropes and Crannóg. Orla was also a featured reader at the Over The Edge Emerging Writers Showcase at the 2009 Cúirt International Festival of Literature. Her winning story is published here http://overtheedgeliteraryevents.blogspot.com/2010/01/announcing-2010-over-edge-new-writer-of.html#orla

Cahal Dallat, poet, musician and critic, was born in Ballycastle, Co. Antrim in 1953. He studied at Queen’s University Belfast and now lives in London where he reviews for several publications including the Times Literary Supplement and has been a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Review since its inception in 1998. He won the Strokestown International Poetry Competition in 2006 and his latest collection is The Year of Not Dancing (Blackstaff Press, 2009).

Moya Roddy, better know perhaps for her fiction and scriptwriting, will read from her poetry on the night.

Kate Dempsey is originally from Coventry and now lives with her family in Maynooth, Co.Kildare where she teaches creative writing to children and adults. Her poetry and fiction have been widely published in Ireland and the UK including in THE SHOp, Poetry Ireland Review, Stony Thursday, Abridged, Orbis, Newleaf and Revival among others. She was selected to read for Poetry Ireland Introductions and Windows Publications Introductions. She has been nominated for, and won many prizes including The Francis MacManus, Cecil Day Lewis and Hennessy awards for Poetry and for Fiction. Kate loves to blur the wobbly boundaries between page and stage, particularly with the Poetry Diva Collective who read at festivals and events countrywide.

All welcome. For further information contact 087-6431748.

LONDON: Shearsman Special Reading - Elsa Cross

Tuesday, 2nd March, 2010, 7.30pm, FREE
Westminster Kingsway College
Room V109, 1st Floor
St Vincent Square
London
SW1P 2PD

Mexican poet Elsa Cross is on a very brief visit to the UK. This is her only reading in the country; Ruth Fainlight and Anamaría Crowe-Serrano, two of her translators, will read some translations.

Details of the recent collection that will be officially launched on the evening:
http://www.shearsman.com/pages/books/catalog/2009/cross.html

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

Access to the reading venue is available via the main college entrance. Nearest tube stations: Victoria, St James' Park and Pimlico.

Google map:
http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&rls=en&q=SW1P+2PD&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=London+SW1P+2PD,+UK&ei=8uRzS9eMD4uRjAfu8sGYCg&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CAkQ8gEwAA

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

LEAMINGTON SPA: Shindig!

Sunday, 14th March, 2010, doors open 6.30pm, readings from 7.30pm, FREE
Wilde's Wine Bar,
The Parade,
Leamington Spa,
Warwickshire

With special-guest poets Luke Kennard, Myra Connell and Matt Merritt. This event is also the Leamington launch of Myra Connell's pamphlet, From The Boat.

Luke Kennard is an award-winning poet, critic, dramatist and research student at the University of Exeter. His first collection of prose poems The Solex Brothers was published by Stride Books. He has worked as regional editor for Succour, a bi-annual journal of poetry and short fiction and as an associated reader for The Kenyon Review. He won an Eric Gregory Award in 2005.
"Recent Salt books include an outstanding first collection of poems and prose by Luke Kennard, The Harbour Beyond the Movie. His language is exciting and it feels to me that he’s a truly 21st-century writer, taking inspiration from all over the place, unafraid of barriers and conventions." Ian McMillan - The Times

Matt Merritt lives near Leicester, England. His first full collection, Troy Town, was published in March 2008 by Arrowhead Press, and his chapbook, Making The Most Of The Light, was published in 2005 by Happenstance Press.

Myra Connell’s first collection of poems, A Still Dark Kind of Work, was published by Heaventree Press in 2008. Her poems have appeared in various magazines, and her short stories in two collections from Tindal Street Press, Her Majesty and Are You She? She lives in Birmingham and has two grown-up sons.

Open Mic – share your poetry at this Shindig! Sign up for open mic slots on the door.

OXFORD: Cabaret Clandestino

Saturday, March 6th, 2010, 9pm-2am, £6/£5
The East Oxford Community Centre,
corner of Cowley Road and Princes Street,
Oxford

With Byron Vincent, one of the funniest and most talented stand-up poets in the country, with support from The Binewski Murder (gypsy folk from Cambridge) and The Potato Potato Band (sublime progressive folk from Oxford and London). Hosted by Pete The Temp (UK Hammer & Tongue Slam Champion).

LONDON: Tongue Fu

Thursday, February 25th, 2010, 8pm, £7/£5
RICH MIX
35 - 47 Bethnal Green Road,
London,
E1 6LA

Tongue Fu is London's liveliest poetry event where the UK's sharpest wordsmiths flex their lyrical ninja skills to a masterful genre-hopping house band. Tongue Fu is hosted by Chris Redmond (Ventriloquist), featuring Shane Solanki (Last Mango in Paris) and a host of spoken word stars.

"It's poetry, but not as you know it…amazing to listen to…a really quirky take on traditional poetry readings." The Guardian

BOXOFFICE 020 7613 7498
OFFICE/ADMIN 020 7613 7490 / FAX 020 7613 7499
info@richmix.org.uk / www.richmix.org.uk / www.richmix.org.uk/bookings

LONDON: Rhythm & Muse

Thursday, 25th February, 2010, 8.30pm, £6/£5 on the door
The Lion,
27 Wick Road,
Teddington
London
TW11
Nearest overground Hampton Wick, bus 281, parking nearby

A feast of performance poetry from:
Liz Bentley - 'a female Ivor Cutler' (The Scotsman)
and
Rachel Pantechnicon - the best-dressed woman on the poetry circuit.
plus
music from Kingston's rising singer-songwriter Aaron Norton - don't miss his debut at the Lion!

See www.rhythmandmuse.org for full details.

BIRMINGHAM: 'Rhymes' @ The Custard Factory

Thursday, 25th February, 2010, 8pm, £5
The Mixing Bowl Theatre,
Birmingham

RHYMES, Birmingham's premier platform for poetry and spoken word.

featuring

Gary Longden, reviewer, actor (recently in RoguePlay's Measure for Measure) as well as a satirical poet who likes a dig at celebrity culture.

Kurly, up and coming performance poet who works in youth settings and makes poetry cool for kids! Showcasing new tender and thoughtful material through a combination of spoken word/rap theatre.

Heather Wastie, wordsmith, humorist and musician from the Black Country who has a rich professional life as poet, composer, singer, songwriter, pianist and facilitator.

Dan Cullen, a phenomenal wordsmith, a mesmerising performer and winner of the Warwick Words Slam 09 and at 16 he's Rhymes' youngest headliner so far.

As well as the long awaited return of The Wordbag Challenge and the monumental Rhymes Raffle. MC is Lorna Meehan.

Tickets available at www.rogueplay.co.uk

GALWAY: Over The Edge

Thursday, February 25th, 2010, 6.30pm-8pm
Galway City Library,
St. Augustine Street,
Galway

Featured Readers are Peter Godaniburg, Elizabeth Reapy & Ken Bruen.

Peter Godaniburg, born, raised, and bored in Germany, came to Ireland in 2002 and now lives near Westport. He has an MA in Musicology with German Language and Literature as a subsidiary subject. In 2007 he took a Creative Writing Class with John Corless followed by poetry workshops with Kelly Lombardi and Susan Millar DuMars. Most of his stories are not set in a particular location or time and often drift into the weird or surreal.

Elizabeth Reapy is a 25-year-old writer from Claremorris. She has recently completed an M.A. in Creative Writing from Queen’s University, Belfast. A member of Mayo Writers’ Block, her work has been featured in La Bouche, Flash International and local publications. She is currenly redrafting her first novel. In 2009, she was shortlisted for Over the Edge New Writer of the Year Award and she is the founder and editor of wordlegs online magazine.

Ken Bruen was born in Galway in 1951. He spent twenty-five years as an English teacher in Africa, Japan, S.E. Asia and South America but now lives in Galway with his wife and daughter. He is one of Ireland’s leading crime writers and is the author the highly acclaimed Jack Taylor series of novels, set in Galway, the first of which was The Guards (2001). A film version of Ken’s novel, London Boulevard, written and direction by Oscar winner William Monahan (screenwriter of The Departed) and starring Colin Farrel and Keira Knightley will be released later this year. Ken has been a finalist for the Edgar, Barry, and Macavity Awards, and the Private Eye Writers of America presented him with the Shamus Award for the Best Novel of 2003 for The Guards.

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

NOTTINGHAM: Mark Gwynne Jones

Thursday, February 25th, 2010, 8pm
Le Mistral (Bistro)
2-3 Eldon Chambers,
Wheeler Gate,
Nottingham
NG1 2NS

Mark Gwynne Jones guests at open mic night at DIY Poets.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

LONDON: Lumen Poetry Series

Tuesday, 9th March, 2010, 6.30pm for 7pm, £4/£3, wine
88 Tavistock Place,
London
WC1
Tubes: Russell Square , Kings Cross, St Pancras.

Lumen Poetry Series - Patron: Carol Ann Duffy

Ruth O'Callaghan presents Jane Elizabeth Martin Memorial. Poets from the floor very welcome (some longer spots available). Please bring a copy of your poem if you wish to be considered for the new anthology.

Monday, February 22, 2010

CAMBRIDGE: CB1 Poetry Open Mic Night

Tuesday, 23rd February, 2010, 8pm-10pm, £3/£2
The Punter,
3 Pound Hill,
Cambridge,
CB3 0AE

Open Mic and featured performers, readings begin at 8pm.

Come along just to listen to some great poetry, or arrive by 7:45pm sign up for a 2-minute slot to perform your work before a friendly, attentive audience. Events usually have one or more featured poets, who begin each half before the open mic slots.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

LONDON: Lovesongs for Extinct Creatures

Sunday, March 7th, 2010, 8pm, £3
RICH MIX
35 - 47 Bethnal Green Road,
London,
E1 6LA

Part of our Philip Ridley season.
Here, for one evening only, Philip Ridley will read sequences of his own poems that chart the journey of a love affair; from wanting love through to the grief of losing that love.

"Ridley is a visionary." Rolling Stone Magazine

BOXOFFICE 020 7613 7498
OFFICE/ADMIN 020 7613 7490 / FAX 020 7613 7499
info@richmix.org.uk / www.richmix.org.uk / www.richmix.org.uk/bookings

GLASGOW: The Glasgow Slam

Monday, 22nd February, 2010, 8pm, FREE
The Rio Cafe
27 Hyndland Street
Glasgow G11

Live poetry competition time again. The final chance to qualify for the Scottish Slam Championships at the Aye Write Festival. Come all ye rhymers and ranters, ye chanters and charmers. Let the beautiful and the blue go head to head with the trite, the tribal and the terribly true.

Everyone goes up to the mic twice, for two minutes each time. Don't run over or you will be gently honked off the stage by McInnes The Hooter. Three poets make the final on the night, where they have three minutes each to snag the podium places and the prize money of a monkey, a pony, and a ten-spot respectively.

Get your name down on the list to perform please by contacting robin.cairns@btconnect.com

BOLTON: Rebecca Goss and Tiffany Atkinson

Monday, 22nd February, 2010, 7.30pm, £4/£3
Hospitality Room,
The Octagon Theatre,
Bolton

Rebecca Goss and Tiffany Atkinson read.

Location and travel:
http://www.octagonbolton.co.uk/Location.asp

More info about the poets:
http://www.bolton.ac.uk/News/Events/GossAtkinson.aspx

Friday, February 19, 2010

LONDON: Camden Poetry Series

Friday, March 5th, 2010, 7pm (doors 6.30pm), £4/£3, Wine
Trinity United Reform Church,
1 Buck Street,
Camden Town,
London
(2 minutes Camden Town tube.)

Camden Poetry Series – Patron: Carol Ann Duffy

Ruth O'Callaghan presents Dark Age Press, featuring John Gohorry and Ian Harrow. Poets from the floor very welcome (some longer spots available). Please bring a copy of the poem if you wish to be considered for the new anthology.

MATLOCK: Psychicbread

Saturday, February 20th, 2010, 7.30pm, £5 advance / £6 door
The Imperial Rooms (opposite the Lido)
Matlock

Psychicbread will be peeping out from their hibernation in the hills with a hometown date...with support from Emoc.

For tickets: 07947 689686
also available from Cut Above, Firs Parade & the Music Shop, Dale Road

Thursday, February 18, 2010

LEAMINGTON SPA: PUREandGOODandRIGHT

Sunday, 28th February, 2010, 7.30pm, £3/£2
The Fox,
Leamington Spa

Open mic poetry taking place at our old haunt The Fox, Leamington Spa. Each month we also invite a fabulous guest performance poet and this month we are delighted to have with us the highly amusing and very clever Emma Purshouse.

Emma is a freelance performance poet, writer, stand-up comedienne and workshop facilitator. She lives in the City of Wolverhampton a few miles north of Birmingham. Emma performs her work nationally, is a published author and winner of poetry slams.

For more information see www.emmapurshouse.co.uk

With open mic support from…….yes……YOU! Come and share your poems – seasoned poets & first time performers most welcome! As we aim for a 7.30pm start please arrive a bit earlier to book a slot!!!

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

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

CAMBRIDGE: CB1 Poetry Open Mic Night

Tuesday, 23rd February, 2010, 8pm-10pm, £3/£2
The Punter,
3 Pound Hill,
Cambridge,
CB3 0AE

Open Mic and featured performers, readings begin at 8pm.

Come along just to listen to some great poetry, or arrive by 7:45pm sign up for a 2-minute slot to perform your work before a friendly, attentive audience. Events usually have one or more featured poets, who begin each half before the open mic slots.

LONDON: Bingo Master’s Breakout

Friday, February 19th, 2010, 7.30pm-11.30pm, FREE
St Aloysius Social Club,
20 Phoenis Road,
Euston,
London
NW1 1TA

London’s “Premier Poetry Karaoke Bingo night” is back! It’s also their “Post Valentine Sylvia Plath Death anniversary Special...” Bingo Master is all about the Poetry Karaoke: “sign up to do One Poem and One Karaoke Spot. Can be your own poem, a poem by somebody else or something from the Pool table of Poetry.” Featuring Bertram Trotar, performing his own work plus calling the numbers...Extradition Order will be doing a Karaoke set of their own songs.

And what with a Cash Prize, Bingo, Free Buffet, Free Early Bird Booze, Half-time Artist, and an End of Night Singalong, it sounds pretty good to us. A word of warning from the organisers: “Please be aware we weren’t able to fit everybody else in last time and we went on till after midnight, so punctuality will befriend the keen.”

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=242193370667

LONDON: The Funeral of Richard Tyrone Jones

Thursday, February 18th, 2010, 7pm-10.30pm, FREE
Whitechapel Art Gallery,
80 Whitechapel High Street,
Aldgate East,
London,
E1 7QX

It is our sad and solemn duty to inform you of the Funeral of Richard Tyrone Jones, Esq. The performance artist, Director of ‘Utter!’, ‘ringmaster of spoken word’ (Three Weeks), ‘thoughtful and ginger poet’ (Tim Key) and absent father Richard Tyrone Jones will, in February 2010, reach the age of 30. As this represents the end of all meaningful life, his funeral will take place at Whitechapel Art Gallery, 7pm prompt, on Thursday 18th February 2010.

“While he peacefully ‘sleeps’ in a bamboo coffin surrounded by flowers, the life and work of the man known as ‘RTJ’ will be commemorated by poetry, hymns and tributes from some of his closest celebrity friends and admirers including uplifting poet Paul Birtill, filmmaker Robert Sears, newspaper columnist Tom Phillips, and the mothers of his five-plus sperm-donated children.

The funeral will be officiated by the Reverend James McKay, and will include the anticipated reading of Tyrone Jones’ will, a selection of his work and a message of hope to his children from beyond the grave. They will end with a wake at nearby pub the White Hart. It’s what he would have wanted. Mourners are encouraged to send flowers rather than giving money to charity.

For more (including an order of service) see Facebook event: http://bit.ly/rtjdead. For interviews/ features contact 07912 539 098/ http://www.utterspokenword.com. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=188667356137

LONDON: Mud Wrestling With Words

Thursday, February 18th, 2010, 8pm-10pm, £5/£3
The Roebuck,
50 Great Dover Street,
London
SE1 (nearest tube Borough /London Bridge)

Bang Said The Gun presents Mud Wrestling With Words, featuring Nathan Penlington and Abi Palmer...open mic plus featured guests, tequila (or sambucca) and a bunch of mayhem.

Stand-up poetry for people who don't like poetry...it’s pretty damned awesome if you do like poetry too! It's a full-on romp featuring World-Famous Tequila Shots [and] Open Mic slots. Drink Tequila, read a poem and win your own slot at the next Bang Said the Gun. Get there a tad before 8pm in order to sign up.

http://www.bangsaidthegun.com. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=313406251941

NORTHAMPTON: Raising The Awen

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010, 8pm-11pm, FREE
Northampton Labour Club,
95-97 Charles Street,
Northampton
NN1 3BG

An Open Mic evening to celebrate Imbolc, the first light of spring and the Maiden in her innocence, purity and fresh creativity. Bring a poem, a story or song to share or come listen with open heart to raise the Awen and inspire our humanity together in the Year of the Tiger.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=323121456624

LONDON: Bard-Aid (Rrrants)

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010, 8pm-11pm, £4
The Poetry Café,
22 Betterton Street,
Covent Garden,
London
WC2H 9BX

Our favourite rhythmical ranters and ravers bring you lucky punters a night of top-notch “stand-up poetry, comedy and song for an excellent cause.” Featured acts include TV Smith, Brothers Grim, Ant Smith, Rob Auton, Richard Frost, Paul Eccentric, Poeterry and more...! Rrriotous good fun guaranteed! All profits to go toward helping to London Schools effectively teach poetry.

Check out http://www.bardaid.rrrants.com/ for more details.

LONDON: Tongue Fu

Thursday, February 25th, 2010, 8pm, £7/£5
RICH MIX
35 - 47 Bethnal Green Road,
London,
E1 6LA

Tongue Fu is London's liveliest poetry event where the UK's sharpest wordsmiths flex their lyrical ninja skills to a masterful genre-hopping house band. Tongue Fu is hosted by Chris Redmond (Ventriloquist), featuring Shane Solanki (Last Mango in Paris) and a host of spoken word stars.

"It's poetry, but not as you know it…amazing to listen to…a really quirky take on traditional poetry readings." The Guardian

BOXOFFICE 020 7613 7498
OFFICE/ADMIN 020 7613 7490 / FAX 020 7613 7499
info@richmix.org.uk / www.richmix.org.uk / www.richmix.org.uk/bookings

LONDON: Shearsman Reading Series

Tuesday, 2nd March, 2010, 7.30pm, FREE
Westminster Kingsway College
Escoffier Room
St Vincent Square
London
SW1P 2PD

An extra date in Shearsman's 2010 Reading Series, featuring Mexican poet Elsa Cross, on a very brief visit to the UK. This is her only reading in the country; Ruth Fainlight, one of her translators will read some translations, as will others.

Details of the recent collection that will be officially launched on the evening:
http://www.shearsman.com/pages/books/catalog/2009/cross.html

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

Access to the reading venue is available via the restaurant entrance (rather than the main entrance), which in turn is at the Rochester Row end of the Square. Nearest tube stations: Victoria, St James' Park and Pimlico.

Google map:
http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&rls=en&q=SW1P+2PD&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=London+SW1P+2PD,+UK&ei=8uRzS9eMD4uRjAfu8sGYCg&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CAkQ8gEwAA

Monday, February 15, 2010

LONDON: Rhythm & Muse

Thursday, 25th February, 2010, 8.30pm, £6/£5 on the door
The Lion,
27 Wick Road,
Teddington
London
TW11
Nearest overground Hampton Wick, bus 281, parking nearby

A feast of performance poetry from:
Liz Bentley - 'a female Ivor Cutler' (The Scotsman)
and
Rachel Pantechnicon - the best-dressed woman on the poetry circuit.
plus
music from Kingston's rising singer-songwriter Aaron Norton - don't miss his debut at the Lion!

See www.rhythmandmuse.org for full details.

GLASGOW: The Glasgow Slam

Monday, 22nd February, 2010, 8pm, FREE
The Rio Cafe
27 Hyndland Street
Glasgow G11

Live poetry competition time again. The final chance to qualify for the Scottish Slam Championships at the Aye Write Festival. Come all ye rhymers and ranters, ye chanters and charmers. Let the beautiful and the blue go head to head with the trite, the tribal and the terribly true.

Everyone goes up to the mic twice, for two minutes each time. Don't run over or you will be gently honked off the stage by McInnes The Hooter. Three poets make the final on the night, where they have three minutes each to snag the podium places and the prize money of a monkey, a pony, and a ten-spot respectively.

Get your name down on the list to perform please by contacting robin.cairns@btconnect.com

BOLTON: Rebecca Goss and Tiffany Atkinson

Monday, 22nd February, 2010, 7.30pm, £4/£3
Hospitality Room,
The Octagon Theatre,
Bolton

Rebecca Goss and Tiffany Atkinson read.

Location and travel:
http://www.octagonbolton.co.uk/Location.asp

More info about the poets:
http://www.bolton.ac.uk/News/Events/GossAtkinson.aspx

BIRMINGHAM: 'Rhymes' @ The Custard Factory

Thursday, 25th February, 2010, 8pm, £5
The Mixing Bowl Theatre,
Birmingham

RHYMES, Birmingham's premier platform for poetry and spoken word.

featuring

Gary Longden, reviewer, actor (recently in RoguePlay's Measure for Measure) as well as a satirical poet who likes a dig at celebrity culture.

Kurly, up and coming performance poet who works in youth settings and makes poetry cool for kids! Showcasing new tender and thoughtful material through a combination of spoken word/rap theatre.

Heather Wastie, wordsmith, humorist and musician from the Black Country who has a rich professional life as poet, composer, singer, songwriter, pianist and facilitator.

Dan Cullen, a phenomenal wordsmith, a mesmerising performer and winner of the Warwick Words Slam 09 and at 16 he's Rhymes' youngest headliner so far.

As well as the long awaited return of The Wordbag Challenge and the monumental Rhymes Raffle. MC is Lorna Meehan.

Tickets available at www.rogueplay.co.uk

LONDON: Jewish Book Week Poetry Hour

Sunday, February 28th, 2010, 11am
Royal National Hotel,
London

Jewish Book Week is London’s largest literary festival and this year has a Poetry Hour featuring Bernard Kops, George Szirtes and Michelene Wandor.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

GALWAY: North Beach Poetry Nights

Monday, 15th February, 2010, 9pm, 5/3 Euro
The Crane Bar,
Sea Road,
Galway

Guest Poet: Brendan Murphy

Brendan is Cuirt Slam Champion 2005, All Ireland Slam Champion 2007, Over the Edge Flash Fiction Champion and North Beach Slam Champion 2009. His first full collection will be published by Doire Press in association with Over the Edge in spring this year.

And announcing the first North Beach Slam of 2010.
Poets wishing to take part should bring 2 max. 3 minute memorized poems. Each monthly winner goes through to the Grand Slam in December. The prize for the Grand Slam winner is publication.

Info: John Walsh @091-593290
North Beach Poetry Nights gratefully acknowledges the welcome support
of Galway City Council.

Friday, February 12, 2010

DUBLIN: The Glor Sessions

Monday 15th February 2010, 9pm, FREE
Glor International Bar
23 Wicklow Street
Dublin

The Glor Sessions is the weekly night of music and poetry is growing and growing over the last few months. The poet Stephen James Smith is the man behind this night and the line-up is always tasty, a mix of music and the spoken word! This Monday includes the fabulous Poetry Divas Collective in all their sparkling glory.

http://stephenjamessmith.com/Glor.html theglorsessions@gmail.com

GALWAY: Over The Edge

Thursday, February 25th, 2010, 6.30pm-8pm
Galway City Library,
St. Augustine Street,
Galway

Featured Readers are Peter Godaniburg, Elizabeth Reapy & Ken Bruen.

Peter Godaniburg, born, raised, and bored in Germany, came to Ireland in 2002 and now lives near Westport. He has an MA in Musicology with German Language and Literature as a subsidiary subject. In 2007 he took a Creative Writing Class with John Corless followed by poetry workshops with Kelly Lombardi and Susan Millar DuMars. Most of his stories are not set in a particular location or time and often drift into the weird or surreal.

Elizabeth Reapy is a 25-year-old writer from Claremorris. She has recently completed an M.A. in Creative Writing from Queen’s University, Belfast. A member of Mayo Writers’ Block, her work has been featured in La Bouche, Flash International and local publications. She is currenly redrafting her first novel. In 2009, she was shortlisted for Over the Edge New Writer of the Year Award and she is the founder and editor of wordlegs online magazine.

Ken Bruen was born in Galway in 1951. He spent twenty-five years as an English teacher in Africa, Japan, S.E. Asia and South America but now lives in Galway with his wife and daughter. He is one of Ireland’s leading crime writers and is the author the highly acclaimed Jack Taylor series of novels, set in Galway, the first of which was The Guards (2001). A film version of Ken’s novel, London Boulevard, written and direction by Oscar winner William Monahan (screenwriter of The Departed) and starring Colin Farrel and Keira Knightley will be released later this year. Ken has been a finalist for the Edgar, Barry, and Macavity Awards, and the Private Eye Writers of America presented him with the Shamus Award for the Best Novel of 2003 for The Guards.

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

LONDON: Book Club Boutique

Saturday, February 13th, 2010, 3pm
Black's,
Soho

Happy February Hammer & Tongue lovelies!

And Valentines Day is almost upon us once more...for some a rose-scented confection of a holiday, when sentiments so oft unexpressed can be captured in the witty refrain of a greetings card and chocolates and stuffed toys take on an extra level of heartfelt profundity...for others a sadistic, cynical, commercial nightmare of a day universally programmed to ruin existing relationships and make those not in them want to stab themselves repeatedly in the eye. Whatever your take on Valentine's Day, you cannot argue against its being a bloody good excuse for poetry, lots of it.

BOOK CLUB BOUTIQUE
H&T London is deeply excited to have been invited along to Salena Godden's Book Club Boutique (http://www.myspace.com/bookcboutique) at the luscious Black's private members bar in Soho (you don't need to be a member to get in on Saturday, worry not!) on Valentine's Day Eve for a LOVE vs LUST slam!

Featuring H&T London hosts and poets Michelle Madsen, Angry Sam and Sophia Blackwell alongside Salena Godden herself, Johnny Fluffypunk and Tuggstar with a massive scrabble over love lust and romance from 3pm amidst the roaring fires and fine wines of Dean Steet's loveliest, blush inducing venue. There's bands and DJs and loads of other poets and performers including Lana Citron, Gavin James Bower, Dean Atta, Amah-Rose McKnight, Sabrina Mahfouz and Sara Stockbridge. It's going to be ace.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

NOTTINGHAM: Mark Gwynne Jones

Thursday, February 25th, 2010, 8pm
Le Mistral (Bistro)
2-3 Eldon Chambers,
Wheeler Gate,
Nottingham
NG1 2NS

Mark Gwynne Jones guests at open mic night at DIY Poets.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

LEWES: Lewes Poetry

Thursday, February 25th, 2010, 8.30pm (doors 8pm)
Upstairs at the Lewes Arms,
Lewes,
East Sussex

If you would like to perform, please email me as soon as possible. So far, I have Russ Bravo and Dan Thompson on the bill.

The other Lewes Poetry dates for 2010: Thursday 18 March when the brilliant Martin Newell will headline, Thursday 29 April, Thursday 20 May, Thursday 17 June, Thursday 15 July, Thursday 16 September, Thursday 21 October and Thursday 18 November.

LONDON: Book Club Boutique

Saturday, February 13th, 2010, 3pm
Black's,
Soho

Happy February Hammer & Tongue lovelies!

And Valentines Day is almost upon us once more...for some a rose-scented confection of a holiday, when sentiments so oft unexpressed can be captured in the witty refrain of a greetings card and chocolates and stuffed toys take on an extra level of heartfelt profundity...for others a sadistic, cynical, commercial nightmare of a day universally programmed to ruin existing relationships and make those not in them want to stab themselves repeatedly in the eye. Whatever your take on Valentine's Day, you cannot argue against its being a bloody good excuse for poetry, lots of it.

BOOK CLUB BOUTIQUE
H&T London is deeply excited to have been invited along to Salena Godden's Book Club Boutique (http://www.myspace.com/bookcboutique) at the luscious Black's private members bar in Soho (you don't need to be a member to get in on Saturday, worry not!) on Valentine's Day Eve for a LOVE vs LUST slam!

Featuring H&T London hosts and poets Michelle Madsen, Angry Sam and Sophia Blackwell alongside Salena Godden herself, Johnny Fluffypunk and Tuggstar with a massive scrabble over love lust and romance from 3pm amidst the roaring fires and fine wines of Dean Steet's loveliest, blush inducing venue. There's bands and DJs and loads of other poets and performers including Lana Citron, Gavin James Bower, Dean Atta, Amah-Rose McKnight, Sabrina Mahfouz and Sara Stockbridge. It's going to be ace.

LONDON: Jawdance

Friday, 12th February 2010, 7.30pm, FREE
Rich Mix,
35-47 Bethnal Green Road,
London
E1 6LA
Booking/info: 020 7613 7498 / www.richmix.org.uk/bookings

They say that London’s heart lies in the East End: the history, the culture, the people. And now – the poetry. That’s right – every third Wednesday, the Rich Mix bar is set to pulse with poetry, vibrate with verbs, and spill over with spoken word. And we’re inviting you to sprawl out on the sofas and soak it all up.

Yes – it’s freewheeling, it’s free, it’s Jawdance! Hosted by Pete The Temp, that irrepressible king of footstomping street–poetry, our first session will feature sets from: Mr T, Chris Syrus, Hannah Osaguona, Ant ‘The Rant’ Smith and don’t forget the DJing and the open mic!

So come on, me old chinas, get yourselves down to Rich Mix and get your jaws dancing.

BRADFORD: Word Life

Friday, February 12th, 2010, 8pm, £5
Theatre In The Mill,
University of Bradford campus

Another night of live literature and music from literature organisation 'Word Life', featuring...

Louis Romegoux, an Anglo-French folk musician born, raised and residing in Sheffield, England. Drawing on influences from both sides of the channel as well as a few from across that larger Atlantic pond, Louis' sound captures the essence of folk in its raw, free flowing form encompassing ever expanding boundaries, the fluidity and freedom of Louis's music keep his live performances fresh and exciting every time. Louis has supported John Smith and Denis Jones on tour and has also played concerts with Teddy Thompson, InMe, Slow Club and Little Lost David

Jack Opus, one of the best DJ's in Sheffield - Jack has played live with them all. Having started out playing on Origin FM - hosting a show with Alix Perez, Jack Opus has since been booked to play with many established acts including: - Shy Fx, Toddla T, Joker, Martyn, Scotch Egg, Aim and Battles.

Joe Kriss, who's hosting, is a poet, editor and workshop facilitator based in Sheffield. He has performed widely across the UK appearing at venues such as the Tate Modern and The Roundhouse Theatre. He runs event series ‘Word Life’ in Bradford and Sheffield and edits a creative writing section in Sheffield magazine Now Then.

Featuring words from...

Gerard Benson, a poet, story-teller, singer and performer. Always commited to bringing poetry to new audiences, he has worked extensively in theatre, radio, TV and film. His acclaimed collection To Catch an Elephant was shortlisted for the CLIPE award. Earlier collections include the outstanding anthology, This Poem Doesn't Rhyme, which won the Signal Poetry Award in 1991, and Evidence of Elephants, which was nominated for the Carnegie Medal.He is also an editor for the extremely popular 'Poems On The Underground', which puts poetry in free advertising spaces on the London tube and releases publications.

Kate Fox, Poet in Residence on Radio 4’s Saturday Live for two years, she’s a poet, performer and sometime stand up comic and radio journalist. Winner of slams including the Cheltenham Science Festival Slam and City of Culture Slam, and New Writing North’s Andrew Waterhouse Award. She’s featured recently at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, Aldeburgh Poetry Festival, Humber Mouth Festival and been commissioned to write satirical poems for BBC2’s Daily Politics, and, bizarrely, BBC2’s Chelsea Flower show coverage. She created Write Poems About the News Day, was Twitterer in Residence at the Durham Book Festival and is preparing to tour a stand up poetry show called Fox News. Her Why I books are available from www.zebrapublishing.co.uk.

Matt Black, a poetry activist. He has been writing and performing since 1986 and has run poetry slams in schools, a writers resource centre, and worked as Course Director in Creative Writing at the University of Sheffield. His publications include In the Kitchen With The Candlestick and Squeezing Lemons. He has participated in over 500 public performances, including Cheltenham Festival, Ledbury Festival, Sheffield Festival, Chester Festival, and performed at pubs, clubs, and weddings. Broadcasts include Radio Sheffield, Radio Oxford, Radio Gloucester, BBC Midlands, Today, Pebble Mill at One, and BBC South West.

Saju Iqbal Ahmed is a writer and rapper/poet, whose work attacks social problems and suggests a new way of breaking stereotypes. His writing bring reality to the stage with an in your face delivery switching styles from wordplay to metaphors, juggling topics from streets to teenage love. Born and raised in Harehills Leeds, with a mix heritage of Bangladeshi and Irish, Saju Ahmed grew up inspired by the clashing cultures of the streets, the stories and melodic rebellion of Hip Hop, influencing his own internal sound track.

Matt Hearne, a rising Bradford singer/songwriter and poet, he recently won a local poetry slam and is one to watch from the local scene.

LONDON: HeartBeats

LONDON: Kate Tempest Poetry Storm

Friday, 12th February, 2010, 8pm, £8/£5
The Albany,
Douglas Way,
London,
SE8 4AG
Booking: 020 8692 4446 / www.thealbany.org.uk

Kate Tempest Poetry Storm

Funny how people still talk about the tempest that devastated England in 1987. Here in the performance poetry world, we have one in permanent residence – and it’s getting stronger by the day. We speak of Kate Tempest – a young woman who’s driven by words and is on stage because she has to be. Tonight she’ll be doing some of her own 100mph thing for us, and introducing a few artists who are clocking up their own stormforce on the London circuit. With sets from Tshaka Campbell, bleue granada and The Brother’s Grim, and featuring Tempest’s own tips for the top, Dean McCaffrey and Len Hovis.

Batten down the hatches for an event that’s more than just a storm in a teacup.

GALWAY: Over The Edge Poetry Book Showcase

Friday, February 12th, 2010, 8pm, FREE
Sheridan's Wine Bar,
14-16 Church Yard Street,
Galway

The 2010 Over The Edge Poetry Book Showcase featuring Órfhlaith Foyle, Celeste Augé, Gary King, Gerard Hanberry, Ed Madden, Dave Rock, Edward Lee, John Corless, Patricia Byrne, Colette NicAodha, Geraldine Mills, Mary Hanlon, Eamonn Bonner, James Martyn, Alan Garvey, Deirdre Kearney, Terry McDonagh and Jessie Lendennie with a special guest reading by Japanese poet Hisa Kagawa. In this annual retrospective of the year just past, every Galway-based poet who published a new collection of poems during 2009 will read three poems from the collection in question.

All welcome. For further details phone 087-6431748

Monday, February 08, 2010

STONY STRATFORD: Verbal Remedies

Tuesday, 9th February, 2010, 8pm, FREE
The Stables Bar,
The Bull Hotel,
High Street,
Stony Stratford
MK11 1AQ

Scribal Gathering presents: Verbal Remedies - open mic poetry and music with featured acts

Stony Stratford’s première spoken word and music performance event. This monthly meeting of minds will bring together writers, musicians and performers of all kinds to share their talents, entertain each other and evoke the spirit of gathering.

Pioneered by Richard Frost of “Shaman of the North” and “Bardcore” fame. Featured guests this month include the marvellous, the wonderful, the all-round awe-inspiring The Antipoet. http://www.theantipoet.co.uk

Contact: info@scribalgathering.com. http://www.scribalgathering.com/ http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=213490124894

Saturday, February 06, 2010

MATLOCK: Psychicbread

Saturday, February 20th, 2010, 7.30pm, £5 advance / £6 door
The Imperial Rooms (opposite the Lido)
Matlock

Psychicbread will be peeping out from their hibernation in the hills with a hometown date...with support from Emoc.

For tickets: 07947 689686
also available from Cut Above, Firs Parade & the Music Shop, Dale Road

CHELTENHAM: Buzzwords Poetry Night

Sunday, 7th February, 2010, 7pm, £3, £5 if you are able
upstairs at The Exmouth Arms,
Bath Road,
Cheltenham

Guest poet: Pascale Petit
7pm - Workshop led by Pascale Petit
8pm - Readings and open mic

Hope to see you there!

Friday, February 05, 2010

GALWAY: North Beach Poetry Nights

Monday, 15th February, 2010, 9pm, 5/3 Euro
The Crane Bar,
Sea Road,
Galway

Guest Poet: Brendan Murphy

Brendan is Cuirt Slam Champion 2005, All Ireland Slam Champion 2007, Over the Edge Flash Fiction Champion and North Beach Slam Champion 2009. His first full collection will be published by Doire Press in association with Over the Edge in spring this year.

And announcing the first North Beach Slam of 2010.
Poets wishing to take part should bring 2 max. 3 minute memorized poems. Each monthly winner goes through to the Grand Slam in December. The prize for the Grand Slam winner is publication.

Info: John Walsh @091-593290
North Beach Poetry Nights gratefully acknowledges the welcome support
of Galway City Council.

GALWAY: Annie and Ted Deppe

Saturday, February 6th, 2010, 1pm
Galway City Museum

Poet Eva Bourke and Nuig’s Adrian Frazier launch two new collections by Annie Deppe and Ted Deppe.

Annie Deppe and Ted Deppe will read from their new poetry collections. Eva Bourke will launch Annie’s second book, Wren Cantata, published by Summer Palace Press in Donegal. Adrian Frazier will launch Ted’s fourth collection, Orpheus on the Red Line (Tupelo Press, Massachusetts).

Annie Deppe’s first book, Sitting in the Sky (2003) also appeared from Summer Palace Press. Her work has been included in The Forward Book of Poetry 2004, Poetry Ireland Review, The Stinging Fly, The Shop, and many other journals. She has received grants from the Irish Arts
Council and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. She co-runs The Stonecoast Programme in Ireland.

Ted Deppe’s previous books are Cape Clear: New and Selected Poems (Salmon, 2002), The Wanderer King (Alice James, 1996), and Children of the Air (Alice James, 1990). He has received a Pushcart Prize and two fellowships in the U.S. from the National Endowment for the Arts. He has served as writer in residence for the James Merrill House in Stonington, Connecticut, the Poets’ House in Donegal and Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. U.S. He directs Stonecoast in Ireland and teaches in the Stonecoast MFA programme.

Thursday, February 04, 2010

LONDON: Jawdance

Friday, 12th February 2010, 7.30pm, FREE
Rich Mix,
35-47 Bethnal Green Road,
London
E1 6LA
Booking/info: 020 7613 7498 / www.richmix.org.uk/bookings

They say that London’s heart lies in the East End: the history, the culture, the people. And now – the poetry. That’s right – every third Wednesday, the Rich Mix bar is set to pulse with poetry, vibrate with verbs, and spill over with spoken word. And we’re inviting you to sprawl out on the sofas and soak it all up.

Yes – it’s freewheeling, it’s free, it’s Jawdance! Hosted by Pete The Temp, that irrepressible king of footstomping street–poetry, our first session will feature sets from: Mr T, Chris Syrus, Hannah Osaguona, Ant ‘The Rant’ Smith and don’t forget the DJing and the open mic!

So come on, me old chinas, get yourselves down to Rich Mix and get your jaws dancing.

LONDON: Camden Poetry Series

Friday, February 5th, 2010, 7pm (doors open 6.30pm), £4/£3, Wine
Trinity United Reform Church,
1 Buck Street,
Camden Town
London
(2 minutes Camden Town tube)

Ruth O'Callaghan presents Acumen Magazine, with Alan Brownjohn, Roy Davids and June English. Poets from the floor very welcome (some longer spots available). Please bring a copy of the poem if you wish to be considered for the new anthology. Proceeds to the Cold Weather Shelter for the Homeless

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

LONDON: Open Mic at Free Word

Thursday, February 4th, 2010, 6pm, FREE
Free Word Centre,
60 Farringdon Road,
London,
EC1A 1BB
Booking: 020 8465 6154

Newcomers meet the seasoned performers on equal terms. It’s simple: a roomful of poets, performers and people who just want to hear poetry. Arrive early and claim your all-important slot in the spotlight. Featuring guest artist Vincent Gould and compere Alex Iamb.

BRADFORD: Word Life

Friday, February 12th, 2010, 8pm, £5
Theatre In The Mill,
University of Bradford campus

Another night of live literature and music from literature organisation 'Word Life', featuring...

Louis Romegoux, an Anglo-French folk musician born, raised and residing in Sheffield, England. Drawing on influences from both sides of the channel as well as a few from across that larger Atlantic pond, Louis' sound captures the essence of folk in its raw, free flowing form encompassing ever expanding boundaries, the fluidity and freedom of Louis's music keep his live performances fresh and exciting every time. Louis has supported John Smith and Denis Jones on tour and has also played concerts with Teddy Thompson, InMe, Slow Club and Little Lost David

Jack Opus, one of the best DJ's in Sheffield - Jack has played live with them all. Having started out playing on Origin FM - hosting a show with Alix Perez, Jack Opus has since been booked to play with many established acts including: - Shy Fx, Toddla T, Joker, Martyn, Scotch Egg, Aim and Battles.

Joe Kriss, who's hosting, is a poet, editor and workshop facilitator based in Sheffield. He has performed widely across the UK appearing at venues such as the Tate Modern and The Roundhouse Theatre. He runs event series ‘Word Life’ in Bradford and Sheffield and edits a creative writing section in Sheffield magazine Now Then.

Featuring words from...

Gerard Benson, a poet, story-teller, singer and performer. Always commited to bringing poetry to new audiences, he has worked extensively in theatre, radio, TV and film. His acclaimed collection To Catch an Elephant was shortlisted for the CLIPE award. Earlier collections include the outstanding anthology, This Poem Doesn't Rhyme, which won the Signal Poetry Award in 1991, and Evidence of Elephants, which was nominated for the Carnegie Medal.He is also an editor for the extremely popular 'Poems On The Underground', which puts poetry in free advertising spaces on the London tube and releases publications.

Kate Fox, Poet in Residence on Radio 4’s Saturday Live for two years, she’s a poet, performer and sometime stand up comic and radio journalist. Winner of slams including the Cheltenham Science Festival Slam and City of Culture Slam, and New Writing North’s Andrew Waterhouse Award. She’s featured recently at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, Aldeburgh Poetry Festival, Humber Mouth Festival and been commissioned to write satirical poems for BBC2’s Daily Politics, and, bizarrely, BBC2’s Chelsea Flower show coverage. She created Write Poems About the News Day, was Twitterer in Residence at the Durham Book Festival and is preparing to tour a stand up poetry show called Fox News. Her Why I books are available from www.zebrapublishing.co.uk.

Matt Black, a poetry activist. He has been writing and performing since 1986 and has run poetry slams in schools, a writers resource centre, and worked as Course Director in Creative Writing at the University of Sheffield. His publications include In the Kitchen With The Candlestick and Squeezing Lemons. He has participated in over 500 public performances, including Cheltenham Festival, Ledbury Festival, Sheffield Festival, Chester Festival, and performed at pubs, clubs, and weddings. Broadcasts include Radio Sheffield, Radio Oxford, Radio Gloucester, BBC Midlands, Today, Pebble Mill at One, and BBC South West.

Saju Iqbal Ahmed is a writer and rapper/poet, whose work attacks social problems and suggests a new way of breaking stereotypes. His writing bring reality to the stage with an in your face delivery switching styles from wordplay to metaphors, juggling topics from streets to teenage love. Born and raised in Harehills Leeds, with a mix heritage of Bangladeshi and Irish, Saju Ahmed grew up inspired by the clashing cultures of the streets, the stories and melodic rebellion of Hip Hop, influencing his own internal sound track.

Matt Hearne, a rising Bradford singer/songwriter and poet, he recently won a local poetry slam and is one to watch from the local scene.

LONDON: First Thursdays with Peter Riley

Thursday, February 4th, 2010, 7pm, FREE
Parasol Unit
14 Wharf Road
London
N1 7RW
0207 490 7373
www.parasol-unit.org

First Thursdays event: Poetry Reading by Peter Riley

Peter Riley is a contemporary English poet, essayist, editor and major contributor to The English Intelligencer. He is the author of several books of poetry. Riley’s writing is mostly concerned with places visited, real and imaginary, as leverage onto possible modes of attaching the fullest reality. Latterly this has become concentrated on the Peak District of England and Transylvania, both of which he visits frequently.

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

LIMERICK: On The Nail Reading

Thursday, 4th February 2010, 8pm, free
The Locke Bar,
George's Quay,
Limerick

This monthly reading is organised by The Limerick Writers' Centre. February guest readers are Kate Dempsey and Fergus Costelloe, followed by an open-mic.

http://onthenailreadings.blogspot.com/2010/01/on-nail-reading-locke-bar-thurs.html

MANCHESTER: The Other Room

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010, 7pm
The Old Abbey Inn,
Manchester

The Other Room, with Rob Holloway, Holly Pester and Steve Waling.

Rob Holloway writes in Vauxhall and teaches in Dagenham. His first book PERMIT was published by the US -based poetry collective Subpress in 2009, and a new chapbook MORTMAIN is forthcoming from Stem. From Nov 2002 to March 2004 he hosted the poetry radio show Up for Air on Resonance FM (http://resonancefm.com/). In 2004 he launched the poetry CD label Stem (www.stemrecordings.com).

Holly Pester (1982) is an experimental sound poet and writer undergoing practice-led research at Birkbeck College in Speech and the Archive in Intermedia Poetry. Her performances texts are experiments in the sound and shape of speech, blending pre-verbal noises with semantic surrealism in an affecting investigation into language transmission. Holly’s work is published on Onedit and in City Scapes, a new anthology of London poets (Penned in the Margins) and Zimzalla object 002. Holly Pester performed at the Serpentine Poetry Marathon in October and will take part in the Bury Text Festival 2010.

Steven Waling was born in Accrington, Lancashire in 1958, and has lived in Manchester since 1980. He won the Smith/Doorstop Pamphlet Competition with his first publication, Riding Shotgun, in 1988, and also that year was a prizewinner in the Lancaster Festival Poetry Competition. He has since published four books, including Calling Myself On The Phone (Smith/Doorstop).

Website - www.otherroom.org
Venue - http://otherroom.org/venue/

Monday, February 01, 2010

LONDON: HeartBeats

GALWAY: Annie and Ted Deppe

Saturday, February 6th, 2010, 1pm
Galway City Museum

Poet Eva Bourke and Nuig’s Adrian Frazier launch two new collections by Annie Deppe and Ted Deppe.

Annie Deppe and Ted Deppe will read from their new poetry collections. Eva Bourke will launch Annie’s second book, Wren Cantata, published by Summer Palace Press in Donegal. Adrian Frazier will launch Ted’s fourth collection, Orpheus on the Red Line (Tupelo Press, Massachusetts).

Annie Deppe’s first book, Sitting in the Sky (2003) also appeared from Summer Palace Press. Her work has been included in The Forward Book of Poetry 2004, Poetry Ireland Review, The Stinging Fly, The Shop, and many other journals. She has received grants from the Irish Arts
Council and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. She co-runs The Stonecoast Programme in Ireland.

Ted Deppe’s previous books are Cape Clear: New and Selected Poems (Salmon, 2002), The Wanderer King (Alice James, 1996), and Children of the Air (Alice James, 1990). He has received a Pushcart Prize and two fellowships in the U.S. from the National Endowment for the Arts. He has served as writer in residence for the James Merrill House in Stonington, Connecticut, the Poets’ House in Donegal and Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. U.S. He directs Stonecoast in Ireland and teaches in the Stonecoast MFA programme.

CHELTENHAM: Buzzwords Poetry Night

Sunday, 7th February, 2010, 7pm, £3, £5 if you are able
upstairs at The Exmouth Arms,
Bath Road,
Cheltenham

Guest poet: Pascale Petit
7pm - Workshop led by Pascale Petit
8pm - Readings and open mic

Hope to see you there!

LONDON: Shearsman Reading Series

Tuesday, 2nd February, 2010, 7.30pm, FREE
Swedenborg Hall
Swedenborg House
20/21 Bloomsbury Way
London
WC1A 2TH

Featuring Sarah Law and Steve Spence.

Details of the recent collections that will be officially launched on the evening:
http://www.shearsman.com/pages/books/catalog/2009/law2009.html
http://www.shearsman.com/pages/books/catalog/2010/spence.html

Biographical details may be found here:
http://www.shearsman.com/pages/books/authors/lawA.html
http://www.shearsman.com/pages/books/authors/spenceA.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 carpark close by, underneath Bloomsbury Square.

Disabled access is available, but please let us know in advance if it is required.

Subsequent readings -- at the same venue -- will take place as follows:-
10 March -- launch of the anthology Infinite Difference: Other Poetries from UK Women Poets, edited by Carrie Etter, with short readings from fifteen of the poets featured in the book; this event will be hosted by the editor;
20 April -- Jaime Robles and Lars Amund Vaage;
4 May -- Camille Martin & Alasdair Paterson;
1 June -- readers tbc

Please mark your diaries!

An additional reading is scheduled for 2 March, 7:30pm, at Westminster Kingsway College, Victoria, at which the Mexican poet Elsa Cross will read from her recent Shearsman Selected Poems with at least two of her translators; further venue and access details in due course.

LONDON: wordPLAY

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010, 7pm-11pm
The Good Ship,
Kilburn High Road
London

February is definitively the cruellest month, no matter what Mr Eliot says, as it yields Becca's birthday and she is getting OLD OLD OLD! Come and cheer her up please at Feb wordPLAY - the stunning line-up at which is the only prospect keeping Ms. Fenton jolly as the sands of time trickle steadily on...

And in the true spirit of wordPLAY, all of you other unfortunate souls who have a Feb birthday get concession rate of £3.50 on the door on the night when you flash some ID...because misery loves company! ;)

So, enough wallowing...

Our Frenetic Featured Writers:
Annie Freud http://www.poetryarchive.org/poetryarchive/singlePoet.do?poetId=8335 - Freud has been described as a poet who writes with "real gusto". A Guardian review talks about the "obvious delight' that she takes in language, describing her collection The Best Man That Ever Was as a "magpie-like collection of odd and beautiful words and phrases".

Simon Barraclough http://www.simonbarraclough.com/ - Simon's debut poetry collection, Los Alamos Mon Amour (Salt Publishing) was shortlisted for Best First Collection in last year's Forwards.

Our Gushing Guest Stars:
Denrele myspace.com/denrelepoet writes about love, lust, life and other sexually transmitted diseases. Her work has been published in many journals and anthologies including IC3: The Penguin Anthology of New Black Writing (Penguin, 2000), Velocity: The Best of Apples and Snakes (Black Spring Press, 2003) and A Storm Between Fingers (Flipped Eye Publishing, 2007). She lives in London and dreams of flying.

Obi Iheme http://www.obiiheme.com/ - Obi went down a storm at Amnesty fundraiser eve in 2009, so now makes his first appearance at wordPLAY with his superb short stories.

Martin Plimmer http://www.facebook.com/martin.plimmer - Martin is a journalist, writer, abridger and master short-story teller. Let him entertain you.

Sarah Day http://www.fat-quarter.co.uk/archives/936 stuns with sublime prose that sneaks up and stuns you! Back by very popular demand.

Music: Steven Quincey-Jones http://www.myspace.com/theaccolade plays an aromatic blend of chirpy country and macabre Beatlesesque rock ‘n’ roll. His most recent long EP, Hackney Empire, was release on CDR in September 2009.

Hosted by Becca http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmOKr8GY5CI
Presents welcome but optional ;)