Poetry and Poets of Leicester 2012

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This page is about the poets of Leicester/shire and the poetry they write and/or perform

On this page: | Brothellian Master class | Poetry at Curveball | Word! at the Y |

World-renowned poet to give talk at library

A WORLD-renowned poet and radio presenter will be giving a talk in Leicester's Central Library next week. Ian McMillan, who is currently touring the UK with his acclaimed verse autobiography Talking Myself Home, will be bringing his performance to he library in Bishop Street, on Thursday, May 24, at 7pm.

Ian is poet-in-residence for English National Opera, The Academy of Urbanism and Barnsley Football Club. In addition, he presents The Verb every week on BBC Radio 3 and appears regularly on shows including Pick of the Week, Quote Unquote, The Arts Show, You and Yours and this spring, Coast. He also recently appeared on Desert Island Discs, and has featured with his orchestra on The South Bank Show, as well as winning acclaim from authors and presenters including Carol Ann Duffy and Stuart Maconie. The talk is suitable for adults and children over 13.

Tickets cost £6, or £4 for members of Leicester Libraries. Tickets are available at the library or by phoning 0116 299 5401 to reserve. Further information on Ian McMillan is available at: www.ian-mcmillan.co.uk

15th April

Michael Horovitz to appear in Leicester

May 1st, The Y Theatre, 7 East Street, Leicester.

Michael Horovitz is a key player in contemporary British poetry and a leading visionary and voice of the last half century. He has been characterised as: 'A dreamer, a maverick .... transmedial crusader', (Martin Amis); ' ... Popular, experienced, experimental, New Jerusalem, Jazz Generation, Sensitive Bard', (Allen Ginsberg); and as 'The great-grandfather of British poetry', (Jean 'Binta' Breeze).

In 1959 he founded New Departures - 'the most substantial avant-garde magazine in Great Britain', (Times Literary Supplement), while still a student, publishing William S. Burroughs, Samuel Beckett, Stevie Smith and other maestri before they became household names.

He has continued to edit it to this day, coordinating many 'Live New Departures', 'Jazz Poetry SuperJams' and, now infamous, 'Poetry Olympics' festivals.

Speaking about the Mayday event, Lydia Towsey, Chair of WORD! and one of several comperes for the evening, comments:"Michael Horovitz is a giant of contemporary British literature. He is a champion and generous discoverer of new talents; an author, editor and translator of numerous publications, and a creator of both musical and visual works of art.

"He's performed with everyone from Stan Tracey, Paul McCartney and Joe Strummer to Patti Smith, Paul Weller and Blur.

"Following his performance in Leicester, he will be ringmastering P O E M! 2012 on 14 June at the Southbank Centre's Queen Elizabeth Hall, with a host of specially invited guests including Damon Albarn. We're incredibly excited to be welcoming him to WORD! in advance of this, and so pleased to be participating in this celebration and sharing of his work."

In addition to presenting Michael Horovitz, WORD!s Mayday event, will also include it's regular open mic showcase of high quality local, regional and national talent. As ever, the night invites participation from poets and performers, wishing to share their work and contribute to the evening. People wishing to do so, should arrive at 7 pm and sign up in The Y Theatre Bar, with the compere, Lydia Towsey.

For more information, please see the WORD! website (see below).

Mayday WORD! with Michael Horovitz will take place from 8 pm, at The Y Theatre, 7 East Street, Leicester. People wishing to perform as part of the evening should arrive for 7pm and speak to the compere.

Tickets for the event are available at the special price of £4 (concessions) and £6 (full priced). To purchase a ticket, please call The Y Theatre Box Office: 0116 255 7066.

Find out more: Poetry Olympics web site | Word web site |

2nd February

Brothellian Masterclass

Cultural Ambassador Timothy Grayson will be hosting a series of public lectures (in partnership with his private series at the University of Leicester) to unite artistic dissidents and illuminate the teachings of the Brothellian Movement.

The import and necessity of taste will be covered, as will historical and contemporary methodology, discussing aesthetic principles and an exploration of the three tenets of great art (as clarified in the Brothellian Manifesto, co-created with Steven Silverman). Each lecture is structured to include audience participation, so attendees are encouraged to think for themselves, make notes and speak up during discussions. Guest appearances will include speeches and/or discussions with various creative experts from a range of fields - not just artistic! Perfect for creative and philosophic minds, especially those interested in igniting the fires of a new cultural renaissance.

The first Masterclass will be held on 7th February at the New Walk Museum.

Full details available from Facebook

Steven Silverman told us of his latest collaboration - between himself (poet and songwriter and part of the Brothellian Movement) and Leicester-based illustrator Lawrence Cox - Musical Zoo and an animated comedy song.

See it on YouTube

Friday 27th January

Word! goes to Curveball

Monica Mistry reports

Poetry organisation Word! put on an event tonight at Curve, Leicester's flagship theatre. Taking place as part of the regular Curveball shows, poets and their followers gathered for a series of performances from open-mic and featured poets.

WORD! goes to Curveball. Staged in close proximity to the bar and the lady's toilets, it was perfect for great entertainment, a couple of cups of tea and wonderful company.

The proceedings of the night followed the usual manner of a typical WORD! event, beginning with an open mic session followed by two booked acts. The evening commenced with Bobba Cass taking the stage and delivering a typical Cass performance of a couple short-and-sweet-poems to get everyone going and in the mood.

What I liked about the open mic performances was that each individual had a story behind their writing; they had explored, lived and meant what they wrote. It was this that intrigued me and swallowed me wholly into their telling's. It was a journey which was completely compelled with laughter, anger, sadness and power.

We first met the multi-talented Jo Twist. He likes to be known as "a queer, mentalist, anarchist, punk, atheist, ex-druggy, alcoholic, make-up wearing, green, vegan, artist, living on benefits, having a laugh, poet." An explicit description, nonetheless vividly true! He gives off an endearing melancholic vibe which is communicated through his work, some of which are cleverly entitled Taking The Ice Out Of Leicester and another called Relationshit.

His deep, gruff, bellowing voice adds texture and richness to his spoken work which transports your mind into a state of intense imagery. It was absolutely brilliant. He brought along his miniature exhibition Mixed Media on Paper. He had created a number of collages which are closely related to his poems focusing on political and thought provoking images. These are distinct, straight-to-the point images to ingeniously reflect his views on politicians, police and capitalism.

The pictures were courtesy of Dr. Magnus Gesstson, curator of Galleri Gestur / Gallery Guest.

Next to take to the stage was Alison Dunne a superbly brilliant poet, writer and a Book Doctor. She is a jolly character and delivered a hilarious performance consuming the entire audience into a frenzy of laughter. She has featured on BBC Radio4, BBC Radio Wales and performed her work in various venues such as Edinburgh Fringe and Bloomsbury Theatre as well as publishing her own book April's Fish in 2006.

She has definitely earned my respect. Her performance aided with the impromptu addition of comical sound effects (produced by Bobba Cass) was fluid and gratifying to say the least. She began with a topical themed poem named January and went onto a romantic tone keeping an edge of wittiness to keep the audience wanting to hear more. It was a great pleasure listening to all the performers of the night.

Get the latest dates for shows at Word!

Tuesday 10th January

WORD! at the Y Theatre

Monica Mistry reports:

WORD! Is something everyone needs to be talking about! The first WORD! event of the year was held at its humble abode, the Y Theatre in the heart of Leicester. Again, I was a lone soldier ready to 'woop', 'hurrah' and clap the night away.

This was an open-mic event where speakers old and new were able to share their creativeness, their achievements or just something they wished to get off their chest. I could feel the inspiration around me, I could hear people's thoughts and the scratching of pen on paper, I could see the admiration in all their faces.

All of them had a love for poetry. Tim, the compare, was a fervent character really drawing in the audience as well as encouraging all the open mic acts. His energy was contagious, witty and warm.

All acts, young and old, received a warm welcome, especially the newcomers. The topics of their poems ranged from Jimmy Saville to erotica, from running to current affairs, from angels to love. Talent was oozing out of their ears!

Listening to the acts made me want to start scribbling away that very moment, but more than anything I wanted to be up there holding the gaze of all the eyes before me, I wanted to be the one to make the audience feel what I was saying.

The mood was influencing and heartening, it felt warm. The event commenced with Lindsey Warnes Carroll who is a comedian, storyteller and creative writer. Her performance was thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish with everyone in hysterics the whole way through. She brought laughter and energy through the language of love. The juxtaposition between her spoken material and her performed material intertwined brilliantly forcing different emotions to surface. Her ideas and imagination have no bounds and she really does think outside of the box. She will make you realise there is no limit to creativity. Her work is fascinating keeping the audience fixated on her every move. She built a rapport with all in the room through her comical roles, and interaction with the audience for each part.

Finally, we welcomed John Marriott to the stage, a contemporary writer who led a hypnotic and magnetic performance. His work is sharp and straight to the point with sarcasm flitting in and out continuously. He understates his humour which in contrast makes his work even more amusing. The dry wit he uses to express his opinions is refreshingly smart.

The Next WORD! Event will be held at the Y Theatre on Tuesday 7th February.

Friday 27th January

Curveball - with WORD! January 27th, 2012 at Curve (Foyer) in Rutland Street. 5.30 to 7pm (sign up to perform from 5pm)

This January, WORD! presents a special event at Curve, as part of the theatre's monthly Curveball programme. WORD!'s Curveball will consist of an exciting open mic abroad! - followed by rare booked act appearances from the notorious, Alison Dunne - poet, novelist and Leicester Libraries' Book Doctor - and Jo Twist, a queer, mentalist, anarchist, punk, atheist, ex-druggy, alcoholic, make-up wearing, green, vegan, artist, living on benefits, having a laugh, poet.

If you'd like to perform, we'd love to hear your work. Sign up with the compere from 4pm. More fun than a ball in a hose pipe! Hope to see you there.

WORD! is the longest running poetry and spoken word night in the Midlands. Based at The Y Theatre, Leicester. It usually takes place on the first Tuesday of every month, between 8.00 and 10.30pm. The evening is composed of an open mic, followed by a booked act. Film visuals are provided as standard by our resident filmmaker, Keith Allott. Photography is provided by our resident photographer, Nick Rawle. In addition to curating a regular night, WORD! also delivers regular workshops, events and projects.

For more details see: www.wordpoetry.co.uk | see Curveonline for Curveball

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Poetry and poets in 2011

Literature books and poetry news for 2011