LISTING: VIRTUAL LITERARY EVENTS
(JULY 2020)
Although some lockdown restrictions are being relaxed in the UK, the COVID-19 pandemic has not yet gone away. Subsequently, the challenges of making sure arts events still happen are on-going. Social distancing needs to continue to keep infection rates as low as possible. Various community hubs, events venues and public spaces are not yet open to visitors. This has left some people feeling fed up and isolated, stuck at home and unable to participate in their usual cultural activities. But there is some good news: creative communities across the UK, and all around the globe, have come together to plug the void in our lives with some amazing virtual events!
The HCE magazine team have created another list of some literary open mics, events and workshops (listed in separate categories below), to help you plan for the weeks ahead. Let’s stay safe AND enjoy our favourite gigs! This is also the perfect chance to “travel” afar and attend events you never thought you could…
Side note: Since hosting our Fire & Dust poetry nights online, new audience members have included multiple dogs, cats and even a cute newborn. Keep an eye out for encounters with similar ‘special guest’ appearances at other virtual experiences!
OPEN MICS
Thurs 2nd July, 7.30-10PM (BST) – via Zoom
Fire & Dust Meets: MARK GRIST
(Usually happens in: Coventry, UK)
Open mic with featured headline act
To attend, grab an Eventbrite ticket (free). Details re: Zoom URL and how to sign up for open mic will be emailed. There is also a Fire & Dust event page on Facebook.
Thurs 2nd July, 7PM (BST) – via Instagram Live
Beatfreeks presents: Poetry Jam
Open mic slots still available – complete this online form.
Beatfreeks Instagram: @Beatfreeks
Fri 3rd July, 7PM (BST) – via Zoom
Oooh Beehive! UK online slam championship – July heat
(Usually happens in: Swindon, UK)
Pay What You Feel
More details are available on the Oooh Beehive Facebook page
Sun 5th July – via Facebook group posts
Yes We Cant
(Usually happens in: Walsall, UK)
‘Open mic’ posts can be written text or video
Every first Sunday
For more details, visit the Poets, Prattlers & Pandemonialists Facebook page
Sun 5th July, 8-9.30PM (BST) – via Zoom
Dreading Poetry Slam
(Usually happens in: London, UK)
Judges: 3 random members of the audience. Winner qualifies for the end of year final, which is held in December. Check the Facebook event pagefor updates or email Dreadingslam@gmail.com for more details.
Sun 5th July, 7.30-10pm (BST)
Poetry From the Grassroots
Headliner: Kat François
(Usually happens in: London, UK)
Email grassrootspoetry@outlook.com for an open mic slot. More details are on the Facebook event page.
Mon 6th July – via Facebook group posts
‘Stay Up Your Own End: Stourbridge’
(A lockdown project, specially commissioned by Creative Black Country)
Online poetry contests, with feature showcase at the end. £25 for the winner of each!
Prompt (from Heather Wastie) and more info available on the Poets, Prattlers & Pandemonialists blog.
Tues 7th July, 7-9.30PM (BST) – via Zoom
Testify Poetry: Spoken Word Slam
(Usually happens in: Chester, UK)
Sign up on the night – 3 mins per slot
You’ll need to sign up to their mailing list for the Zoom URL. Please visit the Facebook page for details.
Thurs 9th July, 8PM (BST)
Theatre Mix
(Usually happens in: Birmingham, UK)
Poetry/readings/music, etc.
More details re: sign up for open mic and how to access Zoom are available through the Facebook event page
Thurs 9th July, 8PM (BST) – via Zoom
Run Your Tongue Online! #8
(Usually happens in: Kettering, UK)
For Zoom URL and sign-up details, visit their Facebook event page
Friday 10th July, 7-10PM (BST)
Some-Antics Spoken Word: Episode XXIX at Bean Gaming
(Usually happens in: Leicester, UK)
Open mic, a poetry slam, DJ mixes and feature poet Andrew Lee
For more details, check out the Facebook event page
Fri 10th July, 7.30PM (BST)
Pic n Mix Presents ‘Say It Loud: the Sound of Black Artistry’
Spoken word/Rap//Music from around the world
More details re: sign up for open mic and how to access Zoom are available through the Facebook event page
Sun 12th July, 2.30PM (EST) – via Zoom
Awenites Poetry
Poetry open mic with host: Doc Janning.
(Usually happens in: Ohio, USA)
More details are available on the Awenites Facebook page.
Mon 13th July, 8.30PM (BST) – via Zoom/Facebook Live
Ó Bhéal Poetry: first virtual session
(Usually happens in: Cork, Ireland)
Open mic, headliners, live poetry prompt challenge
Details of how to access the gig are here on the website
Wed 15th July, 8PM (BST) – via Zoom
Poetry Swaps
(Usually happens in: Stamford, UK)
Poetry exchange with headliner Leanne Moden
More information and details about open mic and how to access the gig are here on the website.
Wed 15th July, 19.45-10PM (BST) – via Zoom
The Quiet Compere Locked Down Session 4
More information and details are on the Facebook event page.
Thurs 16th, 7PM (BST) – via Zoom
Ledbury Poetry Fest: poetry salon and open mic
With Liz Berry and Romalyn Ante
Register for the Zoom event on this page.
Fri 17th July, 7.30-10.30PM BST – via Zoom
Ooh Beehive! Online – July
(Usually happens in: Swindon, UK)
More info available on the Facebook event page.
Fri 17th July, 7-9PM BST – via Zoom
WORD Stafford: Season Two Slam Grand Final
(Usually happens in: Stafford, UK)
Poetry slam. Open mic slots available.
More info available on the Facebook event page.
Fri 17th July, 7.30-10.15PM BST – via Zoom
Hammer & Tongue Cambridge
Featuring Leanne Moden and Camille McCawley
Poetry slam. Open mic slots available.
More info available on the Facebook event page.
Fri 17th July
Find the Right Words
Open mic, with headliners Leanne Moden and Leilah Jane King. Pre-recorded, downloadable via host Jess Green’s Patreon.
Tues 21st July, 7.30-10.30PM BST – via Zoom
BLM@Ooh Beehive
Fundraiser event. Performances from four poets: Gabriella Gay, Mark ‘Mr T’ Thompson, ‘Special K’ and Jason N Smith. Open mic slots available.
More info can be found on the Facebook event page. Tickets available from Eventbrite.
Tues 21st July, 8-10PM BST – via Skype
Spoken Bars: Open Skype Night
(Normally happens in: Macclesfield, UK)
More info available on the Facebook event page.
Thurs 23rd July, 6.30-9PM BST – via Zoom
Digi-Listener
(Dear Listener normally happens in: Worcester, UK)
More info available on the Facebook event page.
Thurs 23rd July, 7.30-10.30PM BST – via Facebook page
WordCraft: The Terrible Twos One
(Normally happens in: Stoke-on-Trent, UK)
2nd birthday for the event. Several options for the poetry open mic – you can be pre-recorded, live on Facebook or send in a poem for someone else to read.
More info available on the Facebook event page.
Sat 25th July, 7.30-9.30PM (BST) – via Zoom
A Little Bit More of What You Fancy
Headliners: Elizabeth McGeown and Mel Bradley
For more details about the open mic and Zoom access, check out the Facebook event page.
Sun 26th July, 2.30PM (EST) – via Zoom
Awenites Poetry
Poetry open mic with host: Doc Janning.
(Usually happens in: Ohio, USA)
More details are available on the Awenites Facebook page.
Sun 29th July, 7-9PM (BST) – via Zoom
Exiled Writers Ink Presents: ‘Black Lives Matter Through Poetry’
Featuring Zena Edwards, Inua Ellams, Ifrah Hussein, Tshaka Campbell and MariaM.
Tickets and more details are available on the Eventbrites page.
EVENTS
Wed 1st July, 6PM (BST) – via Zoom
2020 Reading Series: ZOEGLOSSIA
A community for writers with disabilities
Performers: Maurice Moore, Karl Knights, Allison Adelle, Hedge Coke, Genevieve Arlie
Zoom ID: 863 8429 2598. Please email zoeglossia@gmail.com for password
Thurs 2nd July, 7PM (BST) – via YouTube
Apples & Snakes @ Home: Series 2, Episode 1
Poetry performances and discussion
Video will be on the Apples and Snakes YouTube channel.
Thurs 2nd July, 7PM (BST) – via Zoom
Newcastle Centre for Literary Arts: ‘Inside Writing’
Poetry reading and discussion, with Will Harris and Bhanu Kapil
Email melanie.birch@newcastle.ac.uk for details/to register.
Sat 4th, 12 noon-Sun 5th July, 8PM (BST)
Ledbury Poetry E-Fest
Readings and other events.
Tickets are FREE (donations welcome). See programme for more details.
Mon 6th July, 8-9PM (BST)
Word Up: Online Spoken Word Triple Bill
Poet headliners: Yomi Sode, Rachel Long and Malika Booke
(Usually happens in: Derby, UK)
For more details, visit the Facebook event page
Tues 7th July, 7.30-10PM (BST) – via livestream
Hackney Hammer & Tongue: Slam Final 2020
Poetry slam: 3-round battle between the 9 finalists.
Tickets and more details from this H&T webpage.
Tues 7th-Tues 21st July – via YouTube livestream
Isolation Fest
A digital literary festival of curated readings and performances.
More details can be found on Twitter.
Thurs 9th July, 7PM (BST) – via YouTube
Apples & Snakes @ Home: Series 2, Episode 2
Poetry performances and discussion
Video will be on the Apples and Snakes YouTube channel.
Thurs 9th-Sun 12th July – various online locations
Newark Book Festival
Readings and workshops
For more details and to view the programme, check out the website
Sat 11th July, 7PM (BST) – via Zoom
Butcher’s Dog: Issue 13 Launch
Tickets: £5
For more details about the event, check out this webpage.
Thurs 16th July, 7PM (BST) – via YouTube
Apples & Snakes @ Home: Series 2, Episode 3
Poetry performances and discussion
Video will be on the Apples and Snakes YouTube channel.
Fri 17th July, 6-8PM (BST) – via webinar
‘Story Story – Story! So You Want Your Poetry Published?’
Free event. Steps on how to get your poetry published. Writing journey(s) + tips on pitching poems to editors. How to tackle challenges poets face in publishing poems. With poets: Casey Bailey, Amarah Amaryah, Dami Ajayi, Logan February, Adedayo Agarau, Lanaire Aderemi.
Get more info and register for tickets from Eventbrite.
Mon 20th July – via Facebook/YouTube
‘Stay Up Your Own End: Grand Finale’
(A lockdown project, specially commissioned by Creative Black Country)
Videos from the 5 winning poems, plus poems from each of the judges.
if you missed the live show, you can still watch the poetry videos on YouTube.
Thurs 23rd July, 7PM (BST) – via YouTube
Apples & Snakes @ Home: Series 2, Episode 4
Poetry performances and discussion
Video will be on the Apples and Snakes YouTube channel.
Fri 24th July, 7-9PM (BST) – via Zoom
‘The View from Olympia’ anthology: Launch
Anthology from Half Moon – poems inspired by Olympic sport.
Check out the Eventbrite page for more details and to register for the event.
Fri 24th-Sun 26th July – via Zoom
Digital Causley Festival of Arts and Literature
Readings, performances, workshops, walks, live talks, etc.
Programme and more details available on the website.
Thurs 30th July, 7PM (BST) – via YouTube
Apples & Snakes @ Home: Series 2, Episode 5
Poetry performances and discussion
Video will be on the Apples and Snakes YouTube channel.
Thurs 30th July, 7.30PM (BST) – via YouTube
WORD! Online
Poetry show in support of Black Lives Matter
Video will be on the WORD! YouTube channel.
Fri 31st July, 7.30PM (BST) – via online broadcast
Poetry Gala with Terrance Hayes & Mona Arshi
Free event (donations welcome). Poetry performances and Q&A with host Paul Maddern.
For more details and to register for the broadcast, visit this page on The John Hewitt Society website.
WORKSHOPS
Wed 8th July, 6PM (BST) – via Zoom
‘Change the Word: Poems are Good For Us!’
Poetry experience and writing session
Led by: poet Ian Andrew
More details and link to tickets are available on the Facebook event page.
Fri 10th July, 6PM (BST) – via Zoom
‘Change the Word: Poems are Good For Us!’
Poetry experience and writing session
Led by: poet Ian Andrew
More details and link to tickets are available on the Facebook event page.
Starts: Fri 17th July, 8AM-5PM (BST) – via virtual classroom
5-Week Short Course; Starting to Write Poetry
Led by: Jane Commane
Released weekly on a Friday for five weeks then available for two months after the last date. For people new to writing/new to writing poetry/poets who feel a bit rusty.
Price for full course: £75
More details available on the Writing West Midlands website.
Starts: Tues 21st July – via Zoom
8-Week course: ‘Arse From Elbow’
Led by: Emma Purshouse, Steve Pottinger & Dave Pitt
A back to basics poetry course, aimed at beginners but all welcome. One 2-hour session per week, but a choice of three different time slots for more flexibility. Pay As You Feel. Places are filling up fast!
Email poetsprattlerspandemonialists@gmail.com for the course outline.
Sun 26th July, 11AM-1PM (GMT) – via Zoom
Margate Bookie Write UP! Play, People & Perfection
Tutors: Daisy Buchanan, Philip Whitely, Francesca Baker
More details and tickets (£9.99) are available on Margate Bookie website
Lockdown Writing Workshops with Jamie Thrasivoulou
Join the Facebook group for more details.
Not on Facebook? Search for the workshops on YouTube.
Write Club: every Monday, 9.30AM (BST) – via Zoom
Workshop leader: spoken word poet Mark Grist
Join the Facebook group to access the Zoom URL each week.
Positive Images Festival Poetry workshop: every last Sunday of the month
Workshop leader: Emilie Lauren Jones
Check out Emilie’s YouTube channel for workshop videos.