Thursday, June 28, 2012

GALWAY: July Over The Edge Writers' Gathering


Thursday, July 12th, 2012, 6.30pm-8pm, FREE
Galway City Library

Doire Press Showcase PLUS
visiting American writers Mark Conway & Maura Mulligan

The Over The Edge July Writers’ Gathering presents a special showcase reading by poets and fiction writers published by Galway county based Doire Press. Jacqueline Murrary Loring, Celeste Augé, Kevin O’Shea and John Walsh will read their work. The evening will also include readings by visiting American writers Mark Conway and Maura Mulligan. All are welcome. There is no cover charge.

Jacqueline Murrary Loring is a screenwriter, playright and poet. She is the retired exectutive director of the Cape Cod Writers’ Center and is the president of the Cape Cod Chapter of the National League of American Pen Women. Her poetry has appeared in a variety of publications, incuding The Boston Poet, Prime Time Magazine, Re:verse, Cape Cod Voice, Summer Home Review – volume I and II, and  From Both Sides Now: The Poetry of the Vietnam War and its Aftermath. She is the winner of the 2012 International Doire Press Poetry Chapbook Competition, and her chapbook, The History of Bearing Children, will be published by Doire Press in July.

Celeste Augé is an Irish-Canadian writer who has lived in Ireland since she was twelve. When she was in her twenties, she dropped out of art college; in her thirties she completed an MA in Writing; currently she teaches creative writing to adults and university undergraduates. Her fiction and poetry have been widely published in literary journals and anthologies. Her poetry has been short-listed for a Hennessy Literary Award and Salmon Poetry have published her first full-length poetry collection, The Essential Guide to Flight. The Arts Council of Ireland awarded her a Literature Bursary. Her short story ‘The Good Boat’ won the 2011 Cúirt New Writing Prize for fiction. Fireproof and Other Stories is just published by Doire Press.

Kevin O’Shea lives on the edge of Connemara, in Moycullen, still within earshot of the old Galway-Clifden railway. Having retreated from the world of technology to timidly confront the world of imagination he was short listed for Over The Edge New Writer of the Year in both 2009 and 2010. His poetry has been published in Irish Left Review, Ropes, Pen Tales, Behind the Masks, Mosaic, THE SHOp and Northern Liberties Review.  He was the winner in the poetry section of this year’s Cúirt New Writing Prize and as part of his prize Kevin read at the Cúirt Over The Edge Showcase reading. His highly anticipated debut collection of poetry, The Art of Non-Fishing , will be published by Doire Press in the Autumn.

John Walsh was born in Derry in 1950. After sixteen years teaching English in Germany, in 1989 he returned to live in Connemara.  His first poetry collection Johnny tell Them was published by Guildhall Press (Derry) in October 2006. In 2007 he received a Publication Award from Galway County Council to publish his second collection Love’s Enterprise Zone (Doire Press, Connemara). In 2010 Salmon Poetry published his latest collection Chopping Wood with T.S. Eliot. His poems have been published in Ireland, the UK and Austria and the USA. He has read and performed his poems at events in Ireland, the UK, Germany, Sweden and the USA. He received a Publication Award from Galway County Council for his debut short story collection Border Lines, which was published by Doire Press in April 2012 and has been very favourably received.

Mark Conway’s previous books are Dreaming Man, Face Down which won the 2009 American Poetry Journal Book Prize and Any Holy City, short-listed for the 2007 PEN/Joyce Osterweil Award for Poetry. Individual poems have appeared in such leading international journals as The Paris Review, Slate, Ploughshares, The Kenyon Review On-line, Agni, Harvard Review and Bomb.  He is currently working on a manuscript called Fuse with poems forthcoming in The American Poetry Review and The Iowa Review.

Maura Mulligan’s memoir, Call of the Lark is just published by Greenpoint Press New York.  It is the story of a woman who found the courage to change her life -- several times. As a young girl in Ireland, Maura Mulligan worked as a servant in "a grand house." At seventeen, she sailed to America and became a telephone operator. Answering a higher call, she entered a Franciscan convent and became a nun. Influenced by the changes following Vatican II, she made the decision to return to the world.  Call of the Lark offers a vivid portrait of the author's childhood in rural Ireland of the forties and fifties. Behind the convent door, the reader shares her nun's life, and stands with her when she closes it behind her. http://greenpointpress.org/gb_book_lark.html

After the reading we will be retiring for refreshments to the House Hotel.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

LEAMINGTON SPA: PUREandGOODandRIGHT


Monday, 9th July, 2012, 7.30pm start, £3 (£2 student/OAP) 
The Sozzled Sausage,
Leamington Spa
CV32 4NX

This month's guest poet is the fantastic Fran Hill, a comic performance poet, freelance writer and English teacher, who loves to make people laugh. In addition to poetry, she writes humorous articles, and is published regularly in the Times Educational Supplement magazine. Her book Being Miss is for sale on Amazon Kindle and her blog Being Me is faithfully followed by 280 people with time on their hands and a liking for trivialities.
DEFINITELY AN EVENING NOT TO BE MISSED! 


You can book an open mic slot on the night!

From time to time we are located upstairs, so please let us know if you require disabled access before the event. 
If you would like to know more about the night email: pgrpoetry@gmail.com 

LONDON: Kid, I Wrote Back


Tuesday, July 10, 2012, 8pm-10.30pm, £3 on the door, free to perform
Bar Kick
127 Shoreditch High Street,
Shoreditch,
London,
E1 6JE


KID, I WROTE BACK is London’s most diverse, eclectic, and progressive poetry and spoken word open-mic night.

 It invites both established and as yet unheard talent to the stage to perform – offering a much-needed dose of full-on liberalism and authenticity that will really agitate, challenge and tickle your minds.



KIWB is the brainchild of Chimène Suleyman, a writer and poet who performs as part of the Rhymes Won’t Wait collective and Dylan Sage, a writer and MC who has entertained with the likes of The Nextmen and Breaking Bread.

 Come down, bring your rhymes, squeeze in...and express yourself!!



Ticket link: http://www.cafekick.co.uk/bar-kick/contact.html

GLASGOW: Picnic and Poetry


Wednesday, July 11th, 2012, noon-2pm
Kelvingrove Park,
Glasgow

Readings from all the Grey Hen anthologies as part of the Glasgow Women’s Library Summer Programme, with A C Clarke, Margaret Christie, Joy Howard, Eleanor Livingstone, Helena Nelson, Sheila Templeton and Margaret Wood.

For further details see www.womenslibrary.org.uk

KINGSTON: Rhythm & Muse


Thursday, 28th June, 2012, 8.30pm, £6/£5 on the door
Ram Jam Club,
46 Richmond Road,
Kingston
KT2 5EE
This month's Rhythm & Muse sees the welcome return of RackerJacq
following their impressive debut at the Rose Theatre last year
supporting John Cooper Clarke:
“RackerJacq, premiering the collaboration of flautist Jacquelyn Hynes
and former UK Grand Slam champion Racker Donnelly… A grand
juxtaposition of transfixing playing set against the sparkling jacket
and wit of Racker, whose poems are roaringly funny … left the audience
crying with laughter.”
Lucy Furlong, Kingston Guardian
Jacquelyn Hynes plays silver and wooden flutes, sax, piano and
Uilleann pipes. She has supported Ireland’s leading musicians
including Martin Hayes, Michael McGoldrick, Mary Coughlan and Lunasa,
performed with Donal Lunny and for President Mary Macaleese.
“Inventive flautist” Time Out (Critic’s Choice)
www.jacquelynhynes.co.uk
Former UK Slam Champion Poet, Irish Times Speaker of the Year & Grand
Marshal of the Dublin Riviera, Racker Donnelly has performed at many
clubs and arts festivals, with the Chieftains in Bray & with Dara O
Briain at Bloomsbury Theatre. He regularly features at Liverpool Irish
Festival & Whitby Folk Week.
www.rackerdonnelly.com
Plus open mic - email alison-hill@blueyonder.co.uk to book a spot.
www.rhythmandmuse.org

GALWAY: June Over The Edge Writers’ Gathering


Thursday, June 28th, 2012, 6.30pm-8pm, FREE

Galway City Library
Augustine Street,
Galway

The June Over The Edge Writers’ Gathering presents readings by Wexford-born poet Eamonn Wall, Tipperary-based poet Eleanor Hooker, visiting American poet Donna Potts, local poetsDeirdre Kearney and Dave Rock and much more. The evening will include the Galway Launch of Donna Potts’ debut poetry collection Waking Dreams (Salmon Poetry) and Eamonn Wall’s latest poetry collection, Sailing Lake Mareotis (Salmon Poetry). There will also be a short reading from Revival Press’s Sextet anthology. 

Eleanor Hooker lives in North Tipperary. She has an MPhil in Creative Writing (Distinction) from Trinity College, Dublin. She is a founding member and Vice-Chairperson of the Dromineer Literary Festival. She is a helm and Press Officer for the Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat. In 2011: she was selected for the Poetry Ireland Introductions Series. In February 2012, her debut collection of poetry, The Shadow Owner’s Companion was launched by The Dedalus Press.

Donna Potts grew up in Joplin, Missouri and is a professor at Kansas State University. In 1994 her book length study of the poetry of Howard Nemerov was published by University of Missouri Press. Her book on contemporary Irish poetry is forthcoming also from University of Missouri press. Her own debut collection of poetry, Waking Dreams, is just published by Salmon Poetry. This is the book’s Galway launch.

A native of Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Eamonn Wall lives in Missouri, where he teaches at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. His poetry has  been included in anthologies in Ireland and the United States including The Book of Irish-American Poetry from the 18th Century to the Present & Irish Writing in the Twentieth Century: a Reader. Eamonn’s essays, articles, and reviews in The Irish Times, New Hibernia Review, The Washington Post & Chicago Tribune. Through his involvement in the Launchpad and Scallta Media initiatives, which he helped set up to encourage the development of young writers and artists in Co. Wexford,  he has continued to play a role in the artistic life of Co. Wexford. Sailing Lake Mareotis, Eamonn’s fifth collection of poems, was published by Salmon Poetry last November.

Deirdre Kearney is originally from Omagh, Co Tyrone and has lived in Galway since 1983. Her grandfather Felix Kearney, a well-known poet and songsmith, was the author of the Hills above Drumquin.  She is a cousin of the world-renowned guitarist Arty McGlynn. Her poetry has been published in: The Shop, ROPES, Cúirt New Writing, The Ulster Herald, Crannóg, and Treóir - the magazine of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. Her work was included in Dogs Singing published by Salmon, and various collections published by Skylight Poets group of poets in Galway. Her first collection of poetry Spiddal Pier was published in 2009 by Lapwing Press. She is currently working on her next collection.

Dave Rock is a Galway based poet. His work has been published in a number of major journals. He has placed in the top three or four in several major poetry slams. He teaches creative writing, storytelling, and Beautiful Free Speech in Ireland and the UK. Last year he quit a PhD in social theory in order to pursue a life full time in poetry. So far it seems to be working out well. Dave is the director of the InkStorm Poetry Depot, a project which sees both established and up-and-coming poets sitting down one to one with members of the public to create poetry from their lives. The Poetry Depot has of late been a successful feature of literary and culture festivals across Ireland, most recently at Cúirt. Dave’s poetry is often weighted between praising and puzzling over life, with perhaps slightly more praise.

Sextet is an anthology of six poets with Limerick connections published by Revival Press in 2010. The six poets are Louis Mulcahy, John Pinschmidt, Sheila Fitzpatrick O’ Donnell, Bridget Wallace, Joe Healy and Evelyn Casey. Three of them - Sheila Fitzpatrick O’ Donnell, Bridget Wallace & Joe Healy – will each read one of their poems from Sextet, which will be on sale at the reading.

After the reading we will be retiring for refreshments to the House Hotel.

Monday, June 25, 2012

LONDON: Jazz Verse Jukebox


Sunday, 8th July, 2012, doors open 6.30pm, show from 7.30pm, £8 (available on the door only)
Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club (Upstairs),
47 Frith Street,
London
W1D 4HT
Tube: Tottenham Court Road or Leicester Square
Web:www.jumokefashola.com
Email: JazzVerseJukebox@me.com


This July 8th the Jazz Verse Jukebox celebrates the end of the UK National poetry slam competition, ‘Shake The Dust’ weekend (we’re calling it the (un)official after show party!) We welcome the ‘one’s to watch’ to Ronnie Scott’s (Upstairs).

Featuring - Chicago poet Asia Calcagno, the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s The First Wave Touring Ensemble, the UK’s emerging poets The Barbican Young Poets; plus music Neo-Soul singer/songwriter Funmilayo

Since its inception in 2009, the Jazz Verse Jukebox, (the brainchild of broadcaster & Vocalist Jumoké Fashola), has welcomed established poets & musicians such as Lemn Sissay, Soweto Kinch, Michael Horovitz, David Grant, Anthony Joseph, Jacob Sam-La Rose & Katrina Naomi.  Join us for what promises to be a thrilling night of diverse spoken word & jazz from some of the freshest exponents on the scene. Plus live jazz trio & Open Mic.  With cushions to lunge on, cocktails to imbibe & surprises, this ‘Ones to watch’ night is one night not to miss!


PLUS Jukebox Open Mic:
Come & sing with our amazing house band (Simon Wallace-Piano/ Oli Hayhurst-Bass/ Winston Clifford-Drums) or perform some poetry.

Special Guests
The Barbican Young Poets/Asia Calcagno/ The First Wave Touring Ensemble/
with music from Funmilayo

Compered by & with music from Jumoké Fashola
(www.jumokefashola.com)

EDINBURGH: OUT:SPOKEN


Sunday, 8th July, 2012, 8pm, £5/4 - proceeds to LGBT Youth Scotland
The Jazz Bar,
Chambers Street,
Edinburgh

No Rhyme, No Reason presents...OUT:SPOKEN

No Rhyme No Reason is proud to present OUT:SPOKEN - a night of queer spoken word, fundraising for LGBT Youth Scotland. The night aims to increase the visibility of LGBT+ artists, to celebrate and strengthen the queer artistic community, and to bring you some of the finest voices on the scene:

Sophia Walker, fresh from her US tour and storming performances at the
Capturing Fire international queer slam:

Rachel Amey, a writer/performer of poetry, spoken word and humour. Her work includes performances at The Traverse Theatre, Scottish Story Telling Centre, Stand Comedy Club, The Arches, Glasgay and Glasgow Merchant City Festival – as well as appearances at LATES@Flatplanet
and Jackson’s Lane in London. Her poetry has been published in various journals and anthologies and she hopes to tour her solo show “Where have I come from? Where are we going?” later this year in association with Confab.
“Wickedly observant, …….a vortex of radical energy” Joyce Macmillan,
The Scotsman ****

Janette Ayachi, who has a MSc in Creative Writing from Edinburgh Unversity and has been widely published in literary journals, including last years New Writing Scotland anthology. This year she was
shortlisted for Write Queer London, and has two collections coming out, A Choir of Ghosts and Pauses at Zebra Crossings.
www.janetteayachi.webs.com

Kate Joester, who used to get her poems put up on the walls loads at primary school, but then she got distracted. A couple of kids, a buttload of school, and a whole load of LGBT activism later, she's
making a comeback. We'll see how that goes.

Matt MacDonald

Colin McGuire

Hosted by Katherine McMahon

Join us for a night of proud and powerful words. People of all genders
and sexualities welcome!

*****

LGBT Youth Scotland aims to empower lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender young people and the wider LGBT community so that they are
embraced as full members of the Scottish family at home, school and in
every community.

No Rhyme, No Reason is a new series of monthly curated spoken word
nights.

EDINBURGH: Inky Fingers Open Mic


Tuesday, 26th June, 2012, 8pm-11pm, FREE

Negotiants,
45-47 Lothian Street,
Edinburgh

This month, we're featuring the poetry of Anita Govan and Mark Mace Smith.

Anita Govan was born in Stirling, and has been active in the artistic communities of Edinburgh and Scotland for many years, producing, directing and showcasing creative industry. She travels around Scotland facilitating performance poetry workshops for schools, communities, festivals and universities, and has been described as a 'driving force' in many successful events and clubs for seasoned and emergent performance poets. The Guardian described her poetry as 'Direct and pressing …[with] bright, glittering vocabulary.'

Mark Mace Smith was born in London and now lives and works in Manchester. He is a poet, actor, photographer, painter, publisher, percussionist, events manager and political activist. He facilitates art therapy workshops in painting, poetry and spoken word performance.

Mark is the Commonword Northern Slam Champion 2011. BBC North/MediaCityUK Poet in Residence. Glastonbury Festival Poetry Slam winner 2008 (RU 2009). BBC slam finalist 2007 & 2009. He is the founder and host of 'Off The Beaten Track' Arts Exhibitions & Events and is also co-founder of THUD DUB BOOKS, publishers of his underground cult classic, Jobseeker's Annoyance. Mark Mace Smith’s fourth collection of poetry, Power - Stance - Perception, is due for release in spring 2012.

The Inky Fingers Open Mic takes place every fourth Tuesday of the month, from 8-11pm. It’s free to come and free for anyone to perform, regardless of style, experience, or identity.

We want to hear from everybody. We want your poems, your rants, your ballads, your short stories, your diaries, your experimental texts, your heart, your mind, your body. We want the essay on your summer holidays you wrote when you were four, your adolescent haiku, and extracts from your eventually-to-be-completed epic fantasy quadrilogy. We want to hear your best new work as well. And we want people to care about the way words are performed.

Open Mic slots are five minutes long; e-mail inkyfingersedinburgh@gmail.com to sign up and be sure of a slot, and check our website at http://inkyfingersedinburgh.wordpress.com for more details.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

LEEDS: The Price of Gold launch


Sunday, July 7th, 2012, 12 noon - 1.30pm, FREE
Leeds Central Library Exhibition Room

The Price of Gold launch celebration readings. Various poets will read from this new Grey Hen Press anthology of poems about bees and honey. A summer treat.

Friday, June 22, 2012

LONDON: Camden and Lumen Anthology Launch


Saturday, 6th July, 2012, 7pm (doors open 6.30pm), £5/£4, Wine
Trinity United Reform Church,
1 Buck Street,
Camden Town
1-2 mins. Camden Town tube


Ruth O'Callaghan presents Camden and Lumen Anthology Launch. Poets from the floor welcome.   Please leave a copy of the poem if you wish to be considered for the new anthology.

LEEDS: The Price of Gold launch


Saturday, July 6th, 2012, 7pm-8.30pm, FREE
Waterstones
93 Albion Street
Leeds

The Price of Gold launch celebration readings. Various poets will read from this new Grey Hen Press anthology of poems about bees and honey. A summer treat.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

LISKEARD: Grey Hen Press reading


Wednesday, July 4th, 2012, 3.30-4.30pm
The Bookshop
2 Barras Street
Liskeard
Cornwall
PL14 6AD

Grey Hen Press presents a reading from its popular anthologies, with Ann Alexander, Elisabeth Rowe and Liz Woods.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

LONDON: Rowan Williams, Fiona Sampson, John F Deane


Tuesday, 3rd July, 2012, doors open 6pm for 7pm, £5/£4 
Kings Cross Methodist Church
6 Crestfield Street
Kings Cross
WC1

Ruth O'Callaghan presents The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan WilliamsFiona Sampson and                 John F Deane.

Monday, June 18, 2012

EDINBURGH: Inky Fingers Open Mic


Tuesday, 26th June, 2012, 8pm-11pm, FREE
Negotiants,
45-47 Lothian Street,
Edinburgh

This month, we're featuring the poetry of Anita Govan and Mark Mace Smith.

Anita Govan was born in Stirling, and has been active in the artistic communities of Edinburgh and Scotland for many years, producing, directing and showcasing creative industry. She travels around Scotland facilitating performance poetry workshops for schools, communities, festivals and universities, and has been described as a 'driving force' in many successful events and clubs for seasoned and emergent performance poets. The Guardian described her poetry as 'Direct and pressing …[with] bright, glittering vocabulary.'

Mark Mace Smith was born in London and now lives and works in Manchester. He is a poet, actor, photographer, painter, publisher, percussionist, events manager and political activist. He facilitates art therapy workshops in painting, poetry and spoken word performance.

Mark is the Commonword Northern Slam Champion 2011. BBC North/MediaCityUK Poet in Residence. Glastonbury Festival Poetry Slam winner 2008 (RU 2009). BBC slam finalist 2007 & 2009. He is the founder and host of 'Off The Beaten Track' Arts Exhibitions & Events and is also co-founder of THUD DUB BOOKS, publishers of his underground cult classic, Jobseeker's Annoyance. Mark Mace Smith’s fourth collection of poetry, Power - Stance - Perception, is due for release in spring 2012.

The Inky Fingers Open Mic takes place every fourth Tuesday of the month, from 8-11pm. It’s free to come and free for anyone to perform, regardless of style, experience, or identity.

We want to hear from everybody. We want your poems, your rants, your ballads, your short stories, your diaries, your experimental texts, your heart, your mind, your body. We want the essay on your summer holidays you wrote when you were four, your adolescent haiku, and extracts from your eventually-to-be-completed epic fantasy quadrilogy. We want to hear your best new work as well. And we want people to care about the way words are performed.

Open Mic slots are five minutes long; e-mail inkyfingersedinburgh@gmail.com to sign up and be sure of a slot, and check our website at http://inkyfingersedinburgh.wordpress.com for more details.

EDINBURGH: The Dead Poets Slam


Wednesday, June 20th, 2012, 8pm-11pm, £5/£4
City Cafe,
19 Blair Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1QR

Inky Fingers is delighted to present a chance to honour, commune with, and possibly posthumously horrify your favourite poets in our DEAD POETS SLAM. Come and see your very own local performance poets transformed into their heroes! Enjoy some classic poetry as you've never seen it before! You might even discover a new favourite. It promises to be diverse, entertaining, and probably quite weird.

The competition is open to everyone. Slammers must compete as their chosen dead poets, in three rounds - props, costumes and theatrics are encouraged. There will be prizes. If you'd like to take part, email inkyfingersedinburgh@gmail.com. Get in there quickly to claim your poets, as it's first come first served, and we won't be allowing any doubles!

Inky Fingers is a series of events in Edinburgh for people who love words. We care about supporting and encouraging writers and spoken word performers, creative experimentation, building communities of writers working together to create, and putting on fantastic events that celebrate language.

KINGSTON: Rhythm & Muse


Thursday, 28th June, 2012, 8.30pm, £6/£5 on the door
Ram Jam Club,
46 Richmond Road,
Kingston
KT2 5EE

This month's Rhythm & Muse sees the welcome return of RackerJacq
following their impressive debut at the Rose Theatre last year
supporting John Cooper Clarke:

“RackerJacq, premiering the collaboration of flautist Jacquelyn Hynes
and former UK Grand Slam champion Racker Donnelly… A grand
juxtaposition of transfixing playing set against the sparkling jacket
and wit of Racker, whose poems are roaringly funny … left the audience
crying with laughter.”
Lucy Furlong, Kingston Guardian

Jacquelyn Hynes plays silver and wooden flutes, sax, piano and
Uilleann pipes. She has supported Ireland’s leading musicians
including Martin Hayes, Michael McGoldrick, Mary Coughlan and Lunasa,
performed with Donal Lunny and for President Mary Macaleese.
“Inventive flautist” Time Out (Critic’s Choice)
www.jacquelynhynes.co.uk

Former UK Slam Champion Poet, Irish Times Speaker of the Year & Grand
Marshal of the Dublin Riviera, Racker Donnelly has performed at many
clubs and arts festivals, with the Chieftains in Bray & with Dara O
Briain at Bloomsbury Theatre. He regularly features at Liverpool Irish
Festival & Whitby Folk Week.
www.rackerdonnelly.com

Plus open mic - email alison-hill@blueyonder.co.uk to book a spot.

www.rhythmandmuse.org

GALWAY: June Over The Edge Writers’ Gathering


Thursday, June 28th, 2012, 6.30pm-8pm, FREE
Galway City Library
Augustine Street,
Galway

The June Over The Edge Writers’ Gathering presents readings by Wexford-born poet Eamonn Wall, Tipperary-based poet Eleanor Hooker, visiting American poet Donna Potts, local poets Deirdre Kearney and Dave Rock and much more. The evening will include the Galway Launch of Donna Potts’ debut poetry collection Waking Dreams (Salmon Poetry) and Eamonn Wall’s latest poetry collection, Sailing Lake Mareotis (Salmon Poetry). There will also be a short reading from Revival Press’s Sextet anthology. 

Eleanor Hooker lives in North Tipperary. She has an MPhil in Creative Writing (Distinction) from Trinity College, Dublin. She is a founding member and Vice-Chairperson of the Dromineer Literary Festival. She is a helm and Press Officer for the Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat. In 2011: she was selected for the Poetry Ireland Introductions Series. In February 2012, her debut collection of poetry, The Shadow Owner’s Companion was launched by The Dedalus Press.

Donna Potts grew up in Joplin, Missouri and is a professor at Kansas State University. In 1994 her book length study of the poetry of Howard Nemerov was published by University of Missouri Press. Her book on contemporary Irish poetry is forthcoming also from University of Missouri press. Her own debut collection of poetry, Waking Dreams, is just published by Salmon Poetry. This is the book’s Galway launch.

A native of Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Eamonn Wall lives in Missouri, where he teaches at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. His poetry has  been included in anthologies in Ireland and the United States including The Book of Irish-American Poetry from the 18th Century to the Present & Irish Writing in the Twentieth Century: a Reader. Eamonn’s essays, articles, and reviews in The Irish Times, New Hibernia Review, The Washington Post & Chicago Tribune. Through his involvement in the Launchpad and Scallta Media initiatives, which he helped set up to encourage the development of young writers and artists in Co. Wexford,  he has continued to play a role in the artistic life of Co. Wexford. Sailing Lake Mareotis, Eamonn’s fifth collection of poems, was published by Salmon Poetry last November.

Deirdre Kearney is originally from Omagh, Co Tyrone and has lived in Galway since 1983. Her grandfather Felix Kearney, a well-known poet and songsmith, was the author of the Hills above Drumquin.  She is a cousin of the world-renowned guitarist Arty McGlynn. Her poetry has been published in: The Shop, ROPES, Cúirt New Writing, The Ulster Herald, Crannóg, and Treóir - the magazine of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. Her work was included in Dogs Singing published by Salmon, and various collections published by Skylight Poets group of poets in Galway. Her first collection of poetry Spiddal Pier was published in 2009 by Lapwing Press. She is currently working on her next collection.

Dave Rock is a Galway based poet. His work has been published in a number of major journals. He has placed in the top three or four in several major poetry slams. He teaches creative writing, storytelling, and Beautiful Free Speech in Ireland and the UK. Last year he quit a PhD in social theory in order to pursue a life full time in poetry. So far it seems to be working out well. Dave is the director of the InkStorm Poetry Depot, a project which sees both established and up-and-coming poets sitting down one to one with members of the public to create poetry from their lives. The Poetry Depot has of late been a successful feature of literary and culture festivals across Ireland, most recently at Cúirt. Dave’s poetry is often weighted between praising and puzzling over life, with perhaps slightly more praise.

Sextet is an anthology of six poets with Limerick connections published by Revival Press in 2010. The six poets are Louis Mulcahy, John Pinschmidt, Sheila Fitzpatrick O’ Donnell, Bridget Wallace, Joe Healy and Evelyn Casey. Three of them - Sheila Fitzpatrick O’ Donnell, Bridget Wallace & Joe Healy – will each read one of their poems from Sextet, which will be on sale at the reading.

After the reading we will be retiring for refreshments to the House Hotel.

LONDON: Lumen Poetry Series


Tuesday, 19th June, 2012, doors open 6.30pm for 7pm, £5/£4, Wine

Lumen
88 Tavistock Place
WC1
Tubes: Russell Square , Kings Cross, St Pancras.

Ruth O'Callaghan presents Martyn Crucefix and Frank Dullaghan. Poets from the floor very welcome.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

LEAMINGTON SPA: PUREandGOODandRIGHT


Monday, 11th June, 2012, 7.30pm, £3 (£2 student/OAP)

The Sozzled Sausage,
Leamingon Spa
CV32 4NX

This month's guest poet is the marvellous Math Jones

Math Jones is an experienced poet and performer. He trained as an actor in Birmingham and works as an actor under the stage name of Math Sams. Prior to that, worked as a bookseller for many years. 

Math writes in a wide variety of genres, from deeply personal reflections upon life and relationships, through comical verse, dark and gothic story-poems, inspirational snippets, spiritual meditations, sensual erotica, and full-blown Pagan verse in Old English metres, dedicated to the gods and ghosts of the Anglo-Saxon and Old Norse, accompanied by the Old English Harp."

DEFINITELY AN EVENING NOT TO BE MISSED! 
With open mic support from…….yes……YOU!

If you would like to know more about the night, please email pgrpoetry@gmail.com 

Saturday, June 09, 2012

LONDON: Jazz Verse Jukebox


Sunday, 10th June, 2012, doors open 6.30pm, show from 7.30pm, £8 (tickets available on the door only)

Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club (Upstairs),
47 Frith Street,
London
W1D 4HT

Tube: Tottenham Court Road or Leicester Square


This June the Jazz Verse Jukebox welcomes ‘Poetry Royalty’ to Ronnie Scott’s (Upstairs) - Forward Prize nominee John Siddique, National Theatre favourite Inua Ellams, Latitude & Edinburgh Festival star Sabrina Mahfouz, ‘fierce’ and upcoming poet Bridget Minamore and music from the man with an incredibly high falsettoKlaud Gilzene.

Join us for what promises to be a thrilling night of diverse spoken word & jazz from some of the freshest exponents on the scene. With live jazz trio & open mic. With cushions to lounge on, cocktails to imbibe & surprises, this poet royale night is one night not to miss!

PLUS Jukebox Open Mic:
Come & sing with our amazing house band or perform some poetry.

Compered by & with music from Jumoké Fashola

INTERMISSION

Updates to this site might be a bit sporadic until June 18th - normal service will be resumed as soon as possible. Thanks for bearing with us in the meantime.

Friday, June 08, 2012

LONDON: Lumen Poetry Series


Tuesday, 19th June, 2012, doors open 6.30pm for 7pm, £5/£4, Wine
Lumen
88 Tavistock Place
WC1
Tubes: Russell Square , Kings Cross, St Pancras.

Ruth O'Callaghan presents Martyn Crucefix and Frank Dullaghan. Poets from the floor very welcome.



         

LONDON: Hammer and Tongue Camden featuring Andy Craven Griffiths and Sally Jenkinson


Monday, June 11th, 2012, 7.30pm-11pm, £5

Green Note Café
106 Parkway
Camden
Nearest tube: Camden Town

The UK's biggest poetry slam network welcomes special guest, acclaimed poet and rapper, Andy Craven Griffiths and Sally Jenkinson 

First eight poets to sign up on the door enter the competition.
Hosted by Michelle Madsen
Contact:  07514 296242

LONDON: Liz Bentley Performance Night


Saturday, 9th June, 2012, 8.30pm-late, £5/£2.50

The Old Fire Station,
Mayton Street,
London
N7 6QT

Book tickets online (suitable for ages 18+)

Liz Bentley Performance Night
Poet and spoken word artist extraordinaire Liz Bentley will be hosting another night of comedy, stand-up poetry and music during the Holloway Arts Festival. Her very special guests for the evening will include award-winning comedian Rosie Wilby, all-round poet and general wordsmith Rob Auton and the delightful Senor Al & The JJs, who will be strutting their stuff and bringing you lots of fun with their whacked-out cowboy country and western style.

Monday, June 04, 2012

LONDON: Hammer & Tongue Hackney


Tuesday, June 5th, 2012, 8pm-11pm (doors, DJ and slam sign up from 7pm), £5/£4

The Victoria,
451 Queensbridge Road,
Dalston
E8 3AS

Live poetry from Yorkshire based poet-rapper Andy Craven-Griffiths and filthy-sexy-storyteller Becky Fury, plus open mic slam.