The Poetry Kit

Taunton	2nd February 2012	Poetry Readings - The Brewhouse Studio - Thurs 2 Feb, Thurs 1 Mar, Thurs 5 Apr, Thurs 3 May 8pm entry Ł5 Fire River Poets present four evenings of poetry with distinguished guest poets reading from their own published and new work. Poetry readings take place in February, March and May and additionally offer an open mic for which slots must be booked in advance through enquiry@fireriverpoets.org.uk or 01823 252486.
London	2nd February 2012	Launch of Clang, a Poetry School booklet of prose poems Thursday 2^nd Feb. 6.30 – 7.00 pm at The Goat Tavern, 3 Stafford Street (off Piccadilly), Mayfair, London W1S 4RP Nearest tube is Green Park (Victoria, Piccadilly, and Jubilee lines); otherwise, a slightly longer walk from Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines); many buses along Piccadilly. The pub has a very good traditional (not gastro!) pub menu, including a vegetarian menu; there’s also a special offer Ł5 voucher when 2 dine: Go to http://www.taylor-walker.co.uk/pub-food/goat-tavern-mayfair/pid-C0628
Slimbridge	5th February 2012	No Space But Their Own : New poems about birds. A reading at Slimbridge Wetlands and Wildfowl Trust, Gloucestershire with Alison Brackenbury, Anne Cluysenaar, Ann Drysdale, Angela France, Alwyn Marriage, Hermione Sandall and Christine Webb. Sunday 5th February, 12.30 - 2.30
Taunton	11th February 2012	LGBT Open Mic - Sat 11 Feb 4pm Free The Brewhouse Studio A chance to share some of your own poetry and creative writing with a supportive and encouraging LGBT audience. Email louise@prettygoodgirl.com to sign up for a slot, all levels of experience welcome. This event forms part of Outset Festival 2012, celebrating LGBT arts in the South West (Fri 10 - Sun 12 February)
Manchester	11th February 2012	Poets and Players - Whitworth Art Gallery, Oxford Rd, Manchester M15 6ER Saturday February 11^th 2.30 to 4.00 pm Free Event, no need to book. Eric Ormsby is the headline poet reading at this event, supported by poets Adam Strickson and Tara Bergin Music is provided by Our Liberated Winter featuring Robin Bowles (accordion, piano) & Simon Prince (flutes, saxophone) Full details of the event can be found on the Poets and Players website www.poetsandplayers.co and on the dedicated Poets and Players Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Poets-Players/206511376557
London	13th February 2012	Kid, I Wrote Back at Bar Kick, 127 Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch, London, E1 6JE Ł3 on the door, Free to perform http://www.cafekick.co.uk/bar-kick/contact.html KID, I WROTE BACK is London's freshest, most eclectic and interesting open mic and spoken word night. 'Kid, I wrote back' started two years ago and quickly went from strength to strength and solidified itself as one of the most exciting and eclectic poetry and spoken word nights in London. Purposefully breaking free from promoting any one verse, word, voice or style KID, stamps a defiantly individual mark onto the capital's red-ripe spoken word and poetry scene. 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 Chimčne 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.
London	23rd February 2012	Toynbee Studios - 28 Commercial Street London E1 6AB Ł5 - online booking Sam Riviere’s online collection of poems and promotional material 81 Austerities is a passive/aggressive response to the ‘austerity measures’ implemented by the coalition government in the wake of the financial crisis. Ranging in theme from pornography to death and longing, the project aims to apply such ‘cuts’ preemptively to poetry itself, experiencing this deprivation primarily on the levels of sentiment, structure, and subject matter. Riviere (Faber New Poets) presents 81 Austerities in conjunction with readings from other poets, and discussion on poetry’s relationship to money, politics and advertising. “austerity figures as a revocation of generosity, a violence done to form, a grain to the surface of language” New Statesman “A brilliantly modern vision of boredom and deprivation” Dazed & Confused Read 81 Austerities by Sam Riviere online Event information on Penned in the Margins website Contact Tom Chivers on 07729 887 236 or info@pennedinthemargins.co.uk for further information
London	23rd February 2012	Angels & Devils Awards Ceremony Place & Time: Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton Street London WC2H 9BX, 23 February 2012 at 19.30 Description: An evening to celebrate the 902 poems entered into the record breaking Angels & Devils Poetry Competition organised by Holland Park Press. The winning poem will be announced and the winner and runners-up will read their poems. The judges Arnold Jansen op de Haar (author of the poetry collection Yugoslav Requiem and novels King of Tuzla & Angel) and Donald Gardner (author of poetry collections Get the Most out of your Jet Lag & The Glittering Sea and translator of, among other poets, Remco Campert: I Dreamed in the Cities at Night) will give valuable insights on the judging process and read from their own work. This will be followed by a reception, an excellent opportunity to enjoy a drink and mingle with the judges, fellow contestants and the publisher. A lovely treat for poetry lovers and it’s free. More information is available from: http://hollandparkpress.co.uk/news_detail.php?news_id=73
London	23rd February 2012	BRIXTONGUE, South London’s premier poetry and performance event promises the best of local and international performers. ELECTRIC SOCIAL, 40 Acre Lane, Brixton, London SW2 5SP Thursday 23^rd February 2012. Doors open 7.30 Show 8PM sharp -11PM TICKETS: Ł8.00 CONTACT: Text. 07854327993 brixart@brixtonartgallery.co.uk A not to be missed night, featuring poetry, music, open mic, comedy, art that beats with the heart of multicultural London at the Electric Social, a contemporary lounge and performance venue. Come early and pick up a free piece of art. Host Mr Gee of BBC Radio 4's Bespoken Word, introduces performers such as: MAMACONYUKA HOT ART LATIN AMERICAN HOT ART TROLLY - GLORIA THOMAS -J AZZMAN JOHN CLARKE – NIA, CONNIE ‘N DI MAN DEM - LONDON CITY REGGAE CHOIR -THE BEST IN JAMAICAN MUSIC ON THE DECKS FROM DJ ZINCFENCE.
Keswick, Cumbria	29th February 2012	A Celebration of Poetry Translation Wednesday February 29th from 4 till 6p.m. at the St Herbert Social Centre, High Hill, Keswick, Cumbria Timothy Adčs, Alistair Elliot, Peter Rafferty, Christopher Pilling Doors open at 3.30 - Entry free - Disabled Access.
Edmonton, London	12th March 2012	I’m pleased and excited to announce that Carol Ann Duffy has accepted Salisbury House Poet’s invitation to read at the Dugdale theatre on March the 12^th. Details are being worked out but tickets will be available from the Millfield box office. It is taking place at the Dugdale; the two theatres are working together. The tel number for the booking office is 020 8807 6680 the web address https://forms.enfield.gov.uk/peo/ Tickets will be Ł10. I’m not sure when they will be available but it must be soon. Edmonton, London
Calgary, Canada	14th March 2012	The Calgary Distinguished Writers Program is pleased to announce Billy Collins as the 2012 Distinguished Visiting Writer. Billy Collins will be giving a free public reading at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 14 in the 3^rd Floor Ballroom of MacEwan Student Centre on the University of Calgary campus. All are welcome to attend. Please list this event on the ‘Poetry events in Canada’ page. A PSA is attached. More information is available from the Calgary Distinguished Writers Program website at http://arts.ucalgary.ca/calgarywriters/
Chester	19^t March 2012 21 May 2012 1 October 2012 3 December	Zest! Open Floor Poetry – Dates for 2012 Alexanders Theatre Bar, Rufus Court, off Northgate, Chester CH1 2JG Monday 19^t March 2012 Guest poet: Angela Topping Monday 21 May 2012 Guest poets: Jake Campbell and Sarah Maclennan Monday 1 October 2012 Guest poet: Tom George Monday 3 December End of Year Open Floor All Zest! Open Floor Poetry nights start at 8:00 pm. Entry: Ł2/Ł3 Bring your own or a favourite poem to read or just enjoy listening. There will be five 3-poem reading slots each night, to be allocated on a first come first served basis. Quality new and used poetry books and magazines will be available to buy.
Taunton	29th march 2012	Thurs 29 Mar 7.45pm Ł14 with Conc. availabile The Brewhouse Main House Andrew Motion - Silver Andrew Motion, Poet Laureate (1999-2009), introduces Silver, his eagerly awaited sequel to Treasure Island, featuring a cast of noble seamen, murderous pirates and tales of love, valour and terrible cruelty. He also reads from his latest book of poems, The Cinder Path (Faber), which was shortlisted for the Ted Hughes Award for New Work in Poetry; from Laurels And Donkeys, a profoundly moving sequence of poems about conflicts from 1914 to the war in Afghanistan; and from his acclaimed autobiography In The Blood – A Memoir Of My Childhood.
Birmingham	25th 26th May 2012	Purple Patch Poetry Convention at The Barlow Theatre, Spring Walk, Langley nr.Oldbury (Birmingham) on Friday evening 25th May, all day Saturday 26th, and possibly Sunday morning 27th.May 2012. There will be your readings, workshops, talks, book stalls, and a poetry show on Saturday evening. All for Ł6 in advance to Purple Patch 25 Griffiths Road, West Bromwich B71 2EH.

ONE OFF AND SPECIAL POETRY EVENTS