LONDON: Ben Okri

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010, 8pm, £8 / £6conc / £6 under 26
Soho Theatre,
21 Dean St,
London
W1D 3NE
Booking: 020 7478 0100
www.sohotheatre.com
Info: www.applesandsnakes.org

APPLES & SNAKES IN SOHO: FEATURING BEN OKRI
Ben Okri – poet, playwright, Booker-winning novelist – presents a characteristically captivating cross-section of his finest work. Plus special guests to be announced, book early for this one!

ABERDEEN: Poetry Aberdeen - Open Floor

Thursday, 28th October, 2010, 7pm, admission by donation
The Coffee House,
Aberdeen

This month's Poetry Aberdeen event is given over entirely to open floor opportunities. Come along to read your latest poetry, or to listen to what everyone else has been writing.
See www.poetryaberdeen.co.uk for details

GALWAY: North Beach Poetry Nights Special

Monday, 25th October, 2010, 9pm, Door: 5/3€
The Crane Bar,
Sea Road,
Galway

North Beach Poetry Nights' Special, with guest poet Martin Daws (Wales), Farrago Autumn Slam Champion 2010. An electrifying poet whose live sets blend free musicality, innovative rhythm and lyrical dexterity to drive his poetry through journeys into life, nature and who the hell we think we are, anyway!

Also: extra October Poetry Slam - poets wishing to take part in the slam should please bring along 2 max. 3 minute poems.

Info: John@091-593290

LEAMINGTON SPA: PUREandGOODandRIGHT

Sunday, October 24th, 2010, 7.30pm, £3 (£2 Student/OAP)

PUREandGOODandRIGHT is an open mic poetry event.
Please note that PGR on 24 October will be back at our old venue, The Fox, 32 Clarendon Avenue, Leamington Spa CV32 4RZ

As you know, each month we also invite a fabulous guest performance poet. This month we have the pleasure of the very excellent Danni Antagonist.

Five years on since first attacking the London Poetry scene (and getting a tattoo to mark the occasion), Danni’s feature sets in 2010 have included ; Rrrants’ Bard-Aid, Utter at the Edinburgh Fringe, Aestival in Sudbury and Tongue in Chic at the Buxton Fringe. She has supported headliners such as David J, John Hegley and Elvis McGonagall.

A proud Milton Keynes native, Danni, along with Fay Roberts, heads up MK’s art, slam and performance events known as Poetry Kapow!

Mostly a rhyming poet, Danni’s often vehement performances convey a passion for the rhythm of the spoken word.

Her fourth mini-collection “Emotion:Memory” is currently available to buy.

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

If you're planning to come along, or would like to know more about the night, please email pgrpoetry@gmail.com

LONDON: Mushaira: Gathering of Poets

Friday, October 22nd, 2010, 6.30pm, FREE
Nehru Centre
8 South Audley Street
London
W1K 1HF
020 7491 3567

DSC South Asian Literature Festival event - Mushaira: Gathering of Poets

Some of the most eminent Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi and Bengali poets from London will recite their work with translations in English.

LEAMINGTON SPA: PUREandGOODandRIGHT

Sunday, October 24th, 2010, 7.30pm,

PUREandGOODandRIGHT is an open mic poetry event.
Please note that PGR on 24 October will be back at our old venue, The Fox, 32 Clarendon Avenue, Leamington Spa CV32 4RZ

As you know, each month we also invite a fabulous guest performance poet. This month we have the pleasure of the very excellent Danni Antagonist.

Five years on since first attacking the London Poetry scene (and getting a tattoo to mark the occasion), Danni’s feature sets in 2010 have included ; Rrrants’ Bard-Aid, Utter at the Edinburgh Fringe, Aestival in Sudbury and Tongue in Chic at the Buxton Fringe. She has supported headliners such as David J, John Hegley and Elvis McGonagall.

A proud Milton Keynes native, Danni, along with Fay Roberts, heads up MK’s art, slam and performance events known as Poetry Kapow!

Mostly a rhyming poet, Danni’s often vehement performances convey a passion for the rhythm of the spoken word.

Her fourth mini-collection “Emotion:Memory” is currently available to buy.

With open mic support from…….yes……YOU!
Come and share your poems - seasoned poets & first time performers most welcome!
Admission £3 (£2 Student/OAP)

If you're planning to come along, or would like to know more about the night, please email pgrpoetry@gmail.com

LONDON: Ben Okri

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010, 8pm, £8 / £6conc / £6 under 26
Soho Theatre,
21 Dean St,
London
W1D 3NE
Booking: 020 7478 0100
www.sohotheatre.com
Info: www.applesandsnakes.org

APPLES & SNAKES IN SOHO: FEATURING BEN OKRI
Ben Okri – poet, playwright, Booker-winning novelist – presents a characteristically captivating cross-section of his finest work. Plus special guests to be announced, book early for this one!

GALWAY: October Over The Edge Open Reading

Thursday, October 28th, 2010, 6.30pm-8pm
Galway City Library,
St. Augustine Street,
Galway

The Featured Readers are Ger Reidy, Damien Drohan and Martin Dyar.

Ger Reidy was born near Westport in Co. Mayo in 1958, qualified as a Civil Engineer in 1979 and started writing poetry in 1980. His first collection of poems, Pictures from a Reservation, was published by Dedalus Press in 1998, and received widespread praise for its compelling voice and authentic evocation of the west of Ireland. His second collection, Drifting Under the Moon, was published earlier this year and considerably advanced his reputation, the new poems revealing an increased awareness of craft, a broadening and deepening of his vision.

Damien Drohan is a Limerick man who came to Galway and stayed for the weather. He is now a student teacher, so please excuse him if he dives for cover at any loud noises. He once tried to write a book about procrastination, but never got around to it. Damien mostly writes short fiction, but will write a poem if badgered enough. Most of his characters are a nastier version of himself, and say the things he would never say, at least in polite company. He has been a participant in creative writing classes at Galway Technical Institute and was longlisted in the 2010 Over The Edge New Writer of The Year competion.

Martin Dyar grew up in Swinford in County Mayo. He has worked as a special needs teacher, a teacher of creative writing, and as a lecturer in medical ethics. His poetry has been published widely in journals, including the John McGahern yearbook, the Oxford Magazine, Poetry Ireland Review, the Stinging Fly, and Ropes. His writing has received a number of awards, including the Patrick Kavanagh Award in 2009, and the Strokestown Poetry Award in 2001. This year he was selected for the Poetry Introductions Series. He is also the recipient of an Arts Council Bursary Award in Literature for 2010. Martin will also be performing his one man show Tom Loves a Lord, with soprano Anna-Louise Costello, at the Town Hall Theatre in Galway on October 29th.

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 087-643 1748 or see our website http://overtheedgeliteraryevents.blogspot.com/

Over The Edge acknowledges the ongoing generous financial support of Galway City Council and The Arts Council.

GALWAY: Crannog Hits 25

Friday, 22nd October, 2010, 6.30pm
The Crane Bar,
Galway

Galway literary magazine Crannóg will celebrate its 25th issue with a special evening of readings and music. There will also be a full bar and finger food courtesy of The Gourmet Tart Co and The Crane.

Crannóg, which has been published since the year 2002 has published the work of over 1000 writers. Its dedicated editorial team: Sandra Bunting, Gerardine Burke, Jarlath Fahy and Tony O’Dwyer, edit, produce and design the magazine which is published three times a year (February, June, October).

The journal came out of the renowned Galway Writers’ Workshop from which many leading Irish poets have emerged.

Crannóg is unique as it features work from writers not just locally and nationally but also internationally and has a very wide distribution, having readers and fans as far away as India, Australia and South America.

The 25th edition is a special, extended magazine featuring in the region of 50 writers. It will be launched by guest speaker Des Kenny upstairs in the Crane Bar and attendees on the evening will be in with a chance to win a 3yr subscription to the magazine. Animation Filmmaker Edith Peiperhoff will also talk about how Crannóg is important for artists/photographers/filmmakers, whose striking designs have been used on the covers of the magazine.

A display case containing past issues of the magazine has been placed in Galway City Library Augustine Street in advance of the launch. Earlier issues are now collectors’ items as it is difficult to get a complete set of all 25 issues.

There are also submission details published and available around the city’s bookshops and libraries for anyone who wishes to submit material for the next edition February 2011.

You are warmly invited to join Crannóg for their celebration, the evening is free and all are welcome.

http://www.crannogmagazine.com

GALWAY: North Beach Poetry Nights Special

Monday, 25th October, 2010, 9pm, Door: 5/3€
The Crane Bar,
Sea Road,
Galway

North Beach Poetry Nights' Special, with guest poet Martin Daws (Wales), Farrago Autumn Slam Champion 2010. An electrifying poet whose live sets blend free musicality, innovative rhythm and lyrical dexterity to drive his poetry through journeys into life, nature and who the hell we think we are, anyway!

Also: extra October Poetry Slam - poets wishing to take part in the slam should please bring along 2 max. 3 minute poems.

Info: John@091-593290

LONDON: Hammer & Tongue Open Poetry Slam

Monday, October 11th, 2010, 7.30pm-11pm, £5
Green Note Cafe,
106 Parkway
Camden

The Hammer & Tongue Open Poetry Slam is back! After three months running around the country as an itinerant festival troupe, we are back in London for the autumn and have harvested the very best of 2010's poetry crop for your literary delectation.

BEN MELLOR - "pure undiluted talent" Lemn Sissay
Tipped as one of the most entertaning and engaging new voices in the UK by the guys at Phrazed and Confused Radio 4 slam winner Ben won the 2005 Embryo Award for Best Poetry at Studio Salford, and in September 2006 was the joint winner (with Rob Gee) of the Lit Up Festival slam. He has spent a six month residency at Contact Theatre, and also performs hip-hop music with a group called Freestyle Mondays. He's just come back from doing a run in Edinburgh with Steve Larkin and Pete the Temp and is generally rather brilliant. Ben is in fact going to performing at a gig for Radio 4's Bespoken Word tonight at the Montos Water Rats on Greys Inn Road and it's completely free, so if you want a taster, pop along and check him out!

KAREN HAYLEY - "refreshingly different from everything else around"
Actress, comedienne, poet and presenter, Karen Hayley is a rare talent and will be showcasing some lovely new material with us. Karen's TV appearances include the BAFTA Award Winning Sketch Shows "THE ARMSTRONG & MILLER SHOW", "BO SELECTA", MTV's "ILSQ" WITH RUSSELL BRAND", and current affairs comedy shows for Objective and Hat Trick Productions and she won an award for her 6 years of presenting on MTV UK. She's also performed a love poem to a door to the music from Brief Encounter which was, frankly, unforgettable.

It's a fiver on the door to get in, which pays the poets! If you are slamming you get in for free, but please do turn up early (about 7.15pm) if you want to ensure that you get in. First 8 to sign up on the door slam.Winner goes on to compete in the national final in November... so this is your last opportunity to vie for a place in the final.. competing against the best slammers from across the rest of the UK.

Hammer & Tongue is now hosting slams in 5 cities across the UK: Oxford, Brighton, London, Cambridge and Bristol....check us out at www.hammerandtongue.com, http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=6460017271&ref=ts and on twitter...

LONDON: Mushaira: Gathering of Poets

Friday, October 22nd, 2010, 6.30pm, FREE
Nehru Centre
8 South Audley Street
London
W1K 1HF
020 7491 3567

DSC South Asian Literature Festival event - Mushaira: Gathering of Poets

Some of the most eminent Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi and Bengali poets from London will recite their work with translations in English.

ILKLEY LITERATURE FESTIVAL 2010: A Flambard Affair

Thursday, 7th October, 2010, 9pm, FREE
Ilkley Playhouse (Wharfeside),
Weston Road,
Ilkley,
West Yorkshire,
LS29 8DW

FREE Fringe event on National Poetry Day: A Flambard Affair
Sensual, evocative poetry from Mary Robinson and Rebecca Goss, reading from their first collections, published by Flambard Press. Mary Robinson’s The Art of Gardening is ‘an immensely varied collection – about childhood and family, people and places, nature and memory’. Rebecca Goss’s The Anatomy of Structures is ‘fearless, fresh and utterly engaging – strong on intelligence as well as emotion’ – Tribune.

LONDON: Peter Riley and Kelvin Corcoran

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010, 7.30pm, FREE
Swedenborg Hall,
Swedenborg House,
20/21 Bloomsbury Way,
London
WC1A 2TH

Reading for the publication by Shearsman of The Derbyshire Poems, by Peter Riley, and Hotel Shadow, by Kelvin Corcoran.

LONDON: Ambit at the Betsey Trotwood

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010, 7pm, FREE/donation
The Betsey Trotwood
Farringdon Road
Clerkenwell
London
(nearest tube Farringdon)

Penelope Shuttle, Sonja Besford, Anthony Howell and Abigail Parry will be reading to mark the first of AMBIT magazine's three winter events at Betsey Trotwood.

Doors will open at 7am. There will be also be open floor spots for you to read your own work- get there early to sign up.

LONDON: Philip Wells THE FIRE POET

Saturday, October 2nd, 2010, 7pm, £10 (concessons available) in aid of THE ALICE FUND for poetry and the healing arts
St Peter's Church,
Black Lion Lane,
Hammersmith

Philip Wells ("the foremost performance poet in England" - EVENING STANDARD) celebrates the special talents of profoundly disabled children, who've helped him pioneer a new form of inteactive, improvised poetry therapy in children's hospices, homes and special needs schools. HARVEST for the LISTENERS will be a magical, alchemical evening, featuring Philip alongside jazz flautist Keith Waithe, tabla maestro Sirishkumar and music therapist Rebecca O'Connor.

OXFORD: Cabaret Clandestino

Saturday, October 2nd, 2010, 9pm-2am, £6
The East Oxford Community Centre
Cowley Road
Corner of Princes Street

Featuring stand-up poetry from:
Rachael Pantechnicon and her poems for cats and humans.
'Technicolour suburban entertainment' (John Hegley).

The Geees
Little dark sketch Comedy (Four stars, Oxford Theatre Review)

Matt Chararin

Hosted by Pete the Temp
'He makes you laugh like a schoolgirl who's just found out what a penis looks like' (Fringereport.com)
www.myspace.com/cabaretclandestino

LONDON: Annie Freud

Friday, October 8th, 2010, 7pm-9pm
The Melton Mowbray,
Marborough Court,
14-18 High Holborn,
London
EC1N 2LE

Launch party for The Mirabelles, Annie Freud's new collection of poems, to be published by Picador on 1st October 2010.

Please note this was originally posted as being on October 1st, but is actually October 8th. Many apologies for any confusion caused.

RSVP to anniefreud@googlemail.com

LONDON: Lumen Series

Tuesday 12th October 2010
(doors open 6.30 for 7p.m.)

Ruth O'Callaghan presents Shoestring Press
Matthew Baxton
Rosemary Norman
Tony Roberts

Poets From the Floor Very Welcome
Please bring a copy of your poem if you wish to be considered for the new anthology
88 Tavistock Place W.C.1
Tubes: Russell Square , Kings Cross, St Pancras.
Entrance £5/£4
WINE

LONDON: JAZZ VERSE JUKEBOX

SUNDAY 10th October 2010
Upstairs @ Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club (Aka Ronnies Bar),
47 Frith Street, London W1D 4HT
Show Times: Doors Open 6.30pm, Show from 8pm
Tickets: £7.00 (Tickets can only be purchased on the door)
Tube: Tottenham Court Road
Web: www.jumokefashola.com
Email: JazzVerseJukebox@me.com



The monthly JAZZ VERSE JUKEBOX has been described as "the perfect jazz poetry party" (Michael Horovitz). It's where established and upcoming spoken word poets & singers gather to share their artistry.

The brainchild of broadcaster & vocalist Jumoké Fashola, Sunday the 10th October at Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club Upstairs (aka Ronnies Bar), Soho, features an amazing line-up of artistes continuing the age-old tradition of intertwining jazz and performance poetry, plus a unique ‘jukebox’ OPEN MIC allowing the audience to showcase their skills of jazz improvisation or spoken word.

Compered by & with music from Jumoké Fashola