SOUTHAMPTON: 451

Monday, 20th February, 2012, 7pm, £5 / £3 open mic

Nuffield Studio,

University Road,

Southampton

SO17 1TR
www.applesandsnakes.org / www.nuffieldtheatre.co.uk

Apples and Snakes presents
451
All the right words in the right order. A bi-monthly showcase of local, national and international spoken word.Expect articulate artistry, expressive eloquence and verbal thrills’n’spills.
Featuring: Nathan Filer and Rachel Pantechnicon.

LONDON: Hammer & Tongue Hackney

Tuesday, 7th February, 2012, 8pm-11pm (doors and DJ 7pm)

@The Victoria,

451 Queensbridge Road,

Dalston

E8 3AS

featuring:

Dizraeli
2 x U.K Slam Champion – a multi-talented writer, conscious lyricist and captivating live performer
http://www.dizraeli.com/

Anthony Joseph
Trinidad-born master craftsman of experiemental spoken word. One of the 50 Arts Council "Black and Asian writers who have made major contributions to contemporary British literature"
http://www.anthonyjoseph.co.uk/

Plus open mic slam and live DJ. Hosted by Angry Sam. Arrive early for slam sign-up

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE: Scratch Tyne

Sunday, 19th February, 2012, 4pm, FREE

Floor 2,

Commercial Union House,

29 - 47 Pilgrim Street,

Newcastle

NE1 6QE
www.applesandsnakes.org

A monthly night where you can be the first to hear new poems from spoken word artists both established and unfamiliar. This is a short but intense hour of work rehearsed throughout the afternoon, offered up for your considered opinion as a critical friend of poetry in the north east. We welcome anyone with skills and expertise in creative writing, drama and performance or other forms of stagecraft.

SLIMBRIDGE: No Space But Their Own - new poems about birds

Sunday, 5th February, 2012, 12.30pm - 2.30pm

Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Reserve,

Gloucestershire

No Space But Their Own : New poems about birds.

A reading with Alison Brackenbury, Anne Cluysenaar, Ann Drysdale, Angela France, Alwyn Marriage, Hermione Sandall and Christine Webb.

LONDON: Realtalk

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012, 8pm-midnight, £5

Bedroom Bar,
Rivington Street,
London
EC2A 3AY

Poetcurious & Angry Sam aka WORDAMOUTH return to Bedroom Bar to host a Post Valentines Night orgy of spoken word...

The first REALTALK of 2012 features the urban-legendary Chester P and money-making Mongo alongside the fresh styles of Adam Kammerling - 3 Hiphop poets of the highest calibre indeed. REALTALK

If you want to join this heavyweight line up there are also open mic spots for early birds and poetry mates! REALTALK - served up in the comfortable surroundings of Bedroom Bar in the heart of trendiest Old Street.

Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/318782144824667/

LONDON: The Cosmos, The Cosmetics

Thursday, February 16th to Saturday, February 18th, 2012, 7.45pm

Full: £14, Under-26, Equity, BECTU: £10, Concession: £7

Ovalhouse
52-54 Kennington Oval
London
SE11 5SW

The Cosmos, The Cosmetics

by Nick Field

Nick Field's powerful, resonant and intimate story tells of the struggle to find a place to belong as the 20th Century offers a colourful swan song of underground culture, from the monochrome of Goth clubs to the day-glo of New Age raves. Woven with tales of an eccentric rural youth, lush poetic meditations on the nature of decorated and altered skin and delicious humour, this odyssey of discovery is Spoken Word theatre at its most thrilling.

http://www.ovalhouse.com/whatson/detail/the-cosmos-the-cosmetics

CLIFTONVILLE: Grand Verse Quarto

Thursday, 16th February, 7pm, £4 / £3 concessions / GEEK wristband holders

Tom Thumb Theatre,
Eastern Esplanade,
Cliftonville,
Kent

CT9 2LB

Game Expo East Kent Fringe, supported by Apples and Snakes, presents
GRAND VERSE QUARTO 

An evening of videogame-inspired verse from four high-scoring spoken word poets. Join Ross Sutherland, Jacob Sam-La Rose, Christian Watson and compère Dan Simpson as they bring gaming and poetry together for one night of GEEK Fringe entertainment. Expect poems about Pac-Man, sonnets about Street Fighter and rhymes about Resident Evil as the two art forms are effortlessly put together (like tetrominoes) for this verbal celebration of videogame culture.

www.gameexpoeastkent.co.uk / www.tomthumbtheatre.co.uk / www.applesandsnakes.org

LONDON: Kid, I Wrote Back

Monday, February 13th, 2012, 8pm, £3 on door, free to perform
Bar Kick

127 Shoreditch High Street,

Shoreditch,

London,

E1 6JE

Artists: Chimene Suleyman, Dylan Sage

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

KID, I WROTE BACK 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.

It is a platform for current words from current poets of all styles and experience who are looking to share words and hear others in a friendly and lively environment. It 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 emcee who has entertained with the likes of The Nextmen and Breaking Bread.

If you would like to perform email kidiwroteback@instorage.org.uk or get there early on the night to sign up.

kidiwroteback@instorage.org.uk
www.facebook.com/kidiwroteback
www.myspace.com/kidiwroteback

LEAMINGTON SPA: PUREandGOODandRIGHT

Monday, 13th February, 2012, 7.30pm, £3 (£2 Student/OAP)

The Sozzled Sausage,

Leamington Spa

CV32 4NX

This month's guest poet is the fabulous, multi slam winning, Mark Niel, a much-loved performance poet at PureandGoodandRight, who has a deft ability to blend humour, pathos and provocative material. He runs Tongue in Chic, which presents showcases at festivals and events around the country. Last year, he won the Farrago Zoo Award for the 'Best Performance by a UK poet'. 

Mark's breakthrough was winning the prestigious Camden Crawl Slam, which has led him to headlining gigs. His  performance poetry has gone on to dazzle audiences at literary festivals, as well as, Latitude, Green Man and Wychwood, and the Shepherds Bush Empire. He has also written and recorded for BBC 3 Home Counties Radio. In 2011, Mark became the 'First Poet Laureate of Milton Keynes,' and debuted his first one man show: 'Poet in Motion' at the Wenlock Poetry Festival.

Mark's material ranges from deeply personal reflections to barn-storming performance pieces. Whether despairing about his frequently misspelt name, or raging about frustrations of fridges in shared houses, he is always by turns engaging, comic and moving.

DEFINITELY AN EVENING NOT TO BE MISSED!
With open mic support from…….yes……YOU!
Come and share your poems or enjoy the talent of others- seasoned poets & first time performers most welcome!

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

LONDON: Jazz Verse Jukebox

Sunday, 12th February, 2012, doors 6.30pm, show from 7.30pm, £8 (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

The JAZZ VERSE JUKEBOX celebrates the ‘love season’ with a stunning line-up of  Spoken Word Artists & Vocalists. 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 lunge on, cocktails to imbibe & surprises, this is the one night not to miss!

Special Guests include:
Anthony Joseph, G.R.E.E.Ds, Indigo Williams, Keith Jarrett plus music from Kersha Bailey, PLUS Open Mic for poets/singers.

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

Anthony Joseph is a Trinidadian born poet, novelist, academic and musician. His publications include Desafinado, Teragaton, The African Origins of UFOs (Salt, 2006) and Bird Head Son (Salt, 2009). His work has also been included in several anthologies, including Identity Parade (Bloodaxe), Red (Peepal Tree, 2010) and Black, Brown & Beige (University of Texas Press, 2009). He performs and lectures internationally and tours with his band The Spasm Band. Joseph lectures in creative writing at Birkbeck College, University of London. He lives in London. His fourth collection is entitled Rubber Orchestras.  Taking its name from a poem by American surrealist Ted Joans, this is an energetic, sensuous and intriguing collection of poems, written using an (as yet) undisclosed method of composition the writer calls ‘Liminalism’.
The leader of the Black avant garde in Britain”. Ikley Literature Festival.
“Afro-blue to astro-black and what glimmers in between” -The Times
www.anthonyjoseph.com

Indigo Williams is a writer and performance artist from South London who is generating a buzz on the UK spoken word scene-and if you have seen her live you will know why. She is a dynamic performer that commands the stage with gripping presence and powerful poetry. With both substance and passion her work is emotive and thought provoking. She has performed at various places and events such as, The Big Chill festival, iTunes Festival, Camp Bestival, The RoundHouse, BBC Radio 4’s ‘Bespoken word’ and many more. She is an associate artist of The RoundHouse and is fast becoming known as a name to watch out for.
www.thestufflifeismadeof.tumblr.com/

G.R.E.Ed.S (Generating Rhymes to Engage the EnlighteneD Soul). A performer, a poet, an entertainer with a love for music. Poetry provides him with a therapeutic space that has no boundaries where he can create his own pace, and tell his story his way. His journey is taking a new twist...His latest track 'There She Goes' was BBC 1xtra's Home grown track of the week

www.iamgreeds.com

Born and raised in East London, Keith Jarrett has written poetry and prose from an early age, inspired by hip-hop and jazz. Since 2005, he has performed at various poetry events in English and Spanish, and was a runner up in the Radio 4 Slam Finals in 2007. He is London and UK Farrago Poetry Slam Champion for 2010 and a semi-finalist in the World Cup Slam in Paris. He is currently writing a collection of short stories and a novel.

Singer, songwriter and self-taught guitarist Kersha Bailey performs indie-soul fusion, drawing upon a range of influences such as George Benson, Frank McComb, Jill Scott and Prince. At 21 with a three octave range, she has already performed in an impressive array of venues, and is fast becoming one to watch on the acoustic soul scene.
www.myspace.com/kershabailey

LONDON: Hammer and Tongue Camden

Monday, February 13th, 2012, 7.30pm-11pm, £5
Green Note Café
106 Parkway
Camden
Nearest tube: Camden Town

Hammer and Tongue Camden Feb feat. DIZRAELI and SOPHIA WALKER

The UK's biggest poetry slam network welcomes special guest and BBC Radio4 slam winner  DIZRAELI and SOPHIA WALKER.

OPEN SLAM, 8 PLACES, FIRST POETS TO SIGN UP ON THE DOOR GET ON THE LIST.

For those who saw Diz with Kate Tempest in December, or know of him from his work as frontman in Bad Science and The Small Gods or as MC alongside beatboxers Shlomo or Bellatrix, producers like Tom Caruana, DJ Downlow and Jamie Simmonds, MCs like Jam Baxter and Baba Brinkman and even legendary folk musician Chris Wood, you'll know him as a young man who has already made a long career as a prodigious talent. Twice the winner of UK National Slams, with the BBC and with Farrago, he is a spoken word artist who has shown the rest of us how to do performance, An amazing honesty, an upbeat clarity, his work is uplifting, full of love for humanity and composed with an unparralled gift for the verbal craft. He promises not to repeat anything he did in December (unless we really ask him nicely) - so look out for some new stuff!

Check his verse on the latest single by Brighton hiphop The Menagarie. It's sick! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HgexOeGnEI&feature=youtu.be

Or watch him do a little freestyle on the streets of Manchester with Bellatrix. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnE0MetlXfk&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

Diz will be joined by SOPHIA WALKER, variously described as a 'diminutive yank firebrand' and one of the freshest talents to hit stages across the UK and Scotland since she crossed the pond. check her out here defending her stature.
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnmCZabSRLg

First 8 poets to sign up on the door come in for free and enter the competition.

Hosted by Michelle Madsen
Contact:  07514 296242
www.hammerandtongue.co.uk
http://twitter.com/hammerandtongue
http://www.myspace.com/hammerandtonguelondon

LONDON: Fawzia Kane collection launch

Tuesday, January 31^st, 2012, 6.30-8.30/9pm, FREE, light refreshments

The Trinidad and Tobago High Commission

42 Belgrave Square,
London
SW1X 8NT

Waterloo Press and the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission cordially invite you to the launch of Tantie Diablesse, by Fawzia Kane

Fawzia Kane is a spinner of tales and tall stories, sometimes in the mischievous and charming voice of Tantie Diablesse (the ageless spirit of an ex-slave who is part-healer, part-witch), on other occasions in the voices of the odd and bright characters who populate this book: Borges’s Imaginary Beings, The Mighty Sparrow (a calypso singer from the 50s), ‘La Cuentista Bonita,’ ‘The Douen’ (the lost souls of children who died before being baptized) and the poet herself, as a child growing up in Trinidad. In these rich and varied poems Kane resurrects ‘buried songs’ and their ‘dreams of disquiet’ - Dr Tamar Yoseloff

LONDON: Elvis’s Big Love Night

Friday, 10th February, 2012, 7.30pm, £5 / £4 concessions

Earl Spencer,
260 - 262 Merton Road,
London
SW18 5JL

Apples and Snakes and Sherger Productions present Elvis’s Big Love Night
Something's stirring down in SW18: a  pre-Valentine treat for all you poets, lovers and, well, poetry-lovers. Elvis McGonagall will be delivering his greatest hits and ensuring poetical fair play. Joining him are the award-winning Ardella Jones and feisty newcomer Mia Jerome. And if you fancy razzle-dazzling the audience with a little romantic verse of your own, either self-penned or just your all-time favourite, then arrive early to sign up for an open-mic slot.

www.applesandsnakes.org

GALWAY: 2012 Over The Edge Poetry Book Showcase

Friday, February 10th, 2012, 8pm, FREE

The Kitchen @ The Museum

Galway

The 2012 Over The Edge Poetry Book Showcase featuring Moya Cannon, Stephen Murray, Ndrek Gjini, Lorna Shaughnessy,  Jack McCann, Mae Leonard, Sarah Griffin, Pauline Fayne, Pete Mullineaux, Susan Lindsay, Kate Dempsey and Sean Kavanagh will take place at The Kitchen @ The Museum, Spanish Arch, Galway on Friday, February, 10th at 8pm.

In this annual retrospective of the year just past, Galway-based poets who published a new collection of poems during 2011 are invited to read three poems from the collection in question. There will also be short readings from the anthologies Bicycles with Umbrellas (NUI Galway MA in Writing class of 2010), Monday Miscellany (Westside Writers) and Mosaic (Skylight Poets/Galway Arts Centre Advanced Poetry Workshop).

All welcome. For further details phone 087-6431748.

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

http://overtheedgeliteraryevents.blogspot.com

LONDON: Hammer & Tongue Hackney

Tuesday, 7th February, 2012, 8pm-11pm (doors and DJ 7pm)
@The Victoria,

451 Queensbridge Road,

Dalston

E8 3AS

featuring:

Dizraeli
2 x U.K Slam Champion – a multi-talented writer, conscious lyricist and captivating live performer
http://www.dizraeli.com/

Anthony Joseph
Trinidad-born master craftsman of experiemental spoken word. One of the 50 Arts Council "Black and Asian writers who have made major contributions to contemporary British literature"
http://www.anthonyjoseph.co.uk/

Plus open mic slam and live DJ. Hosted by Angry Sam. Arrive early for slam sign-up

CAMBRIDGE: Hammer & Tongue featuring Dizraeli and Inja

Wednesday, 8th February, 2012, 7.30pm for 8pm start, advance £5/£3.50, £2 for slammers; on the door, £6.50/£5, £3 for slammers

The Fountain Inn,

12 Regent Street,

Cambridge

CB2 1DB

Sign up as one of the eight to compete in the poetry slam for a place in the Regional Final, or just dive in and soak up the night’s atmosphere and talent. Dizraeli is a renowned rapper, singer, and poet. Local fella Inja does everything from dubstep to freestyle poetry.

Contact details: cambridge@hammerandtongue.com or 07904 488009

Website: http://www.hammerandtongue.co.uk

LONDON: Templar Poetry reading

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012, 7pm, FREE

The Compass,

58 Penton Street,

Islington,

London

NI 9PZ

Chris James, Matt Bryden and Jane Weir read at the inaugural Templar Poetry readings at The Compass. This is the opening event for our new monthly live poetry sessions in London with three of our published poets.

 

LONDON: Valley Press Fest!

Friday, 27th January, 2012, 7pm-9pm, £2 on the door

The Horseshoe,

24 Clerkenwell Close,

London,

EC1R 0AG

Valley Press comes to London for the southern leg of 'Valley Press Fest'; an evening celebrating the books and authors of Yorkshire's favourite independent publishing house. Held in the function room of The Horseshoe (Clerkenwell Close), the evening will feature readings from Jo Brandon, Norah Hanson, Steve Rudd and (in a first ever London appearance) VP founder Jamie McGarry. Tickets are just £2, and will be available on the door. See you there! Full details: http://www.valleypressuk.com/vpfest/

BIRMINGHAM: Hit The Ode

Thursday, 26th January, 2012, 7.30pm, £5
The Victoria,
48 John Bright St,
Birmingham
B1 1BN

Apples and Snakes presents Hit the Ode
The best poetry from the region, the country and the world at the heart of Birmingham.
An electrifying night of spoken word poetry by the best performers from around the corner - and around the world. Each Hit the Ode features one act from the Midlands, one from elsewhere in the UK, and, uniquely, one international guest.

www.thevictoriabirmingham.co.uk / www.facebook.com/hittheode / www.applesandsnakes.org

BIRMINGHAM: Poetry Bites

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012, 7.30pm, £5/£4

The Kitchen Garden Cafe
17 York Road
Kings Heath
Birmingham
B14 7SA 

Guest poet is Matt Merritt, reading from his Nine Arches Press collection hydrodaktulopsychicharmonica. 

Open mic slots also available - arrive early to book one, or call Jacqui Rowe on 07971 018 825.

SLIMBRIDGE: No Space But Their Own - new poems about birds

Sunday, 5th February, 2012, 12.30pm - 2.30pm

Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Reserve,

Gloucestershire

No Space But Their Own : New poems about birds.

A reading with Alison Brackenbury, Anne Cluysenaar, Ann Drysdale, Angela France, Alwyn Marriage, Hermione Sandall and Christine Webb.

LEICESTER: Shindig!

Monday, 23rd January, 2012, 7.30pm, FREE

The Western,
Western Road,
Leicester

Featured poets are Jessica Mayhew, John Lucas, Phil Brown and Helen Calcutt.

Jessica Mayhew is 22, and is part way through her degree at the University of Northampton, where she is studying English Literature and Creative Writing. A pamphlet, Someone Else's Photograph, will be published by Crystal Clear Creators in March 2012.

Phil Brown teaches English in Sutton and has been regularly writing poetry for about 10 years. In 2009 he was shortlisted for the Crashaw Prize and won the Eric Gregory Award in

2010. His debut collection, Il Avilit, has just been published by Nine Arches Press. He is the Poetry Editor for the online magazine and chapbook publisher, Silkworms Ink.

John Lucas’s most recent book is Next Year Will Be Better: A Memoir of England in the 1950s. He runs Shoestring Press.

Helen Calcutt was born in 1988 and grew up in the West Midlands, with familial roots in South West Wales. Her first pamphlet collection is forthcoming next year with Perdika.

She works as a visiting writer for, among others, Creative Alliance, Writing West Midlands, and The Young People’s Writing Squads. She was awarded an Arvon writing Grant in

September 2011.

Sign up for open mic slots on the door.

NEWCASTLE: Scratch Tyne

Sunday, 22nd January, 2012, 6.30pm, FREE

Floor 2,
Commercial Union House,
29-47 Pilgrim Street,
Newcastle
NE1 6QE

Apples and Snakes presents Scratch Tyne
New poems, new poets – be a critical friend and help to shape our spoken word culture. A monthly night where you can be the first to hear new poems from spoken word artists both established and unfamiliar. This is a short but intense hour of work rehearsed throughout the afternoon. We welcome anyone with skills and expertise in creative writing, drama and performance or other forms of stagecraft. The evening is free, all we ask of you is your honest feedback.

www.applesandsnakes.org

LONDON: Fawzia Kane collection launch

Tuesday, January 31^st, 2012, 6.30-8.30/9pm, FREE, light refreshments

The Trinidad and Tobago High Commission

42 Belgrave Square,
London
SW1X 8NT

Waterloo Press and the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission cordially invite you to the launch of Tantie Diablesse, by Fawzia Kane

Fawzia Kane is a spinner of tales and tall stories, sometimes in the mischievous and charming voice of Tantie Diablesse (the ageless spirit of an ex-slave who is part-healer, part-witch), on other occasions in the voices of the odd and bright characters who populate this book: Borges’s Imaginary Beings, The Mighty Sparrow (a calypso singer from the 50s), ‘La Cuentista Bonita,’ ‘The Douen’ (the lost souls of children who died before being baptized) and the poet herself, as a child growing up in Trinidad. In these rich and varied poems Kane resurrects ‘buried songs’ and their ‘dreams of disquiet’ - Dr Tamar Yoseloff

LONDON: Resolution

Thursday, January 26th, 2012, 7.30pm, FREE

Room 1.08

The Bank of Ideas

Sun Street,

Hackney

near Liverpool Street tube station and Finsbury Square.

RESOLUTION is an evening of dissent and discussion at the Bank of Ideas, featuring:

JOE DUNTHORNE // author of Submarine and recent unofficial poet-in-residence at OccupyLSX

IAN BONE // anarchist publisher of Class War and the Bristolian, famously dubbed “The Most Dangerous Man in Britain” by the Sunday People

ALAN MORRISON // editor of the Recusant and Poetry in Defence of the Welfare State

IAN PARKS // FAYE LIPSON // PETER BEARDER aka PETE THE TEMP (host) // more TBA

RESOLUTION will be held at the Bank of Ideas, a disused office block in London's financial district. Since being reclaimed by the Occupy movement it has gone on to deliver thought-provoking events and workshops, as well as provide an important example of grassroots, leaderless organisation.

Hosted by Occupy participant Peter Bearder, aka Pete the Temp, devised by Jody Porter (poetry editor of the Morning Star) and experimental poet Emma Hammond, the night aims to raise awareness of the Occupy movement and encourage involvement and support from the arts and the media.

For more information visit: http://tiny.cc/Resolution2012