Merry December to you all! The Omicron variant has caused life to take a few steps backwards from resembling normality, but organisers are juggling the various challenges to ensure events can happen safely. Many gigs have returned to their venues (at full/reduced capacity) while others have opted to stay virtual for a bit longer, and some have created hybrid events for both types of audiences. However, plenty of people remain understandably cautious about venturing out to attend gigs, especially those who are vulnerable.
So, if you plan on staying home for a while longer, here is the good news: plenty of creative communities across the UK, and all around the globe, are STILL plugging the void in our lives with some amazing virtual events!
The HCE magazine team have created another list of online literary open mics, events and workshops (listed in separate categories below), to help you plan for the weeks ahead. Don’t miss out on taking part. It’s an opportunity to “travel” far and wide to attend events overseas, while they’re still easily accessible…
OPEN MICS
Thurs 2nd Dec, 7-9PM (UK time) – hybrid: in-person/via Zoom
WORD Stafford Season 4 Episode 2 – Winter
Free poetry open mic event Headliner: storyteller Catriona Heatherington, with open mic slots. A small audience will attend in person, while others can attend via Zoom. Contact wordstafford@gmail.com if you would like to attend. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Thurs 2nd Dec, 02.15AM (UK time) – via Zoom
The Word is Write Poetry Night with Nick P. Open Mic
Free poetry open mic event, hosted by Nick Paleologos. 30 guaranteed performance spots (3-4 minutes or 1 piece). For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Thurs 2nd Dec, 7.45PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Lime Square Poets: The First Winter Party
Free poetry open mic, focused on 5-word challenge contest. The 5 words are: Fairy, Hoarfrost, Sassy, Hydraulics and Hook. For details and access info, visit the Facebook event page.
Fri 3rd Dec, 7PM (UK time) – hybrid: in-person/via Zoom
Poetry: Disability is a Social Construct
Free poetry open mic event, hosted by Rose Drew. Theme: ‘we can have a physical impairment, but it is society that makes us dis-abled’. Slots are approx. 5 minutes. (BSL interpreters on the night, so please submit any poems or short prose pieces in advance, if possible.) For more details and access to Zoom code, visit the Facebook event page.
Fri 3rd Dec, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Poetry Lit – Online Reading Series
Free event for international poets and fans of international poetry. Two featured guests (Vicki Feaver & Patricia Ace) plus a short open mic session. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Sat 4th Dec, 7.30-10PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Oooh Beehive UK Slam Championship 2021- GRAND FINAL
Pay As You Feel/Can Afford poetry slam event. Fifteen slam winners will compete for a prize of £300, a trophy, a paid headline gig and championship title. Hosted by Clive Oseman and Nick Lovell. To attend as audience, send a request to be added to the mailing list: email ooohbeehive@btinternet.com. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Sun 5th Dec, 5-7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Poetry LGBT Open Mic
Pay What You Can poetry and spoken word event, for new and established poets to share their work. Email for a slot in advance (poetryloungelgbt@hotmail.com) or sign up on the night. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Sun 5th Dec, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Yes, We Cant
(Usually happens in: Walsall, UK)
Pay What You Can monthly open mic event. Headliner is Jane Burn and ‘Alf Ender is Willis the Poet. 10 open mic slots. To request a space in the Zoom: email poetsprattlerspandemonialists@gmail.com. For more details, visit the Poets, Prattlers & Pandemonialists Facebook page.
Sun 5th Dec, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Like a Blot From the Blue
Free poetry open mic event, hosted by Fin Hall. Featured poet: Bryan Franco from the USA. Slots are 5 minutes each. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Tues 7th Nov, 7-10PM (UK time) – hybrid: in-person/via Zoom
York Spoken Word
(Based in: York, UK)
An open mic event for poets and story-tellers. Slots are 4 mins each, plus extended slot for special guest poet CATHY CARSON. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Tues 7th Nov, 7.30PM (UK time) – via broadcast
Michael Marks Awards Event 2021
A free event – literary awards ceremony. Featuring presentations, readings and the launch of pamphlet Ariadne (winner of the one-off ‘International Greek Bicentennial Poetry Prize’). For more details, visit the British Library webpage.
Thurs 9th Dec, 7.15-10.15PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Fire & Dust Digital – Poets Zoom Around the World Meets: Jeff Cottrill
(Usually happens in: Coventry, UK)
Free monthly event – Pay As You Feel. Poetry open mic slots, plus a special headline guest. Hosted by Ann Atkins. To attend, grab an Eventbrite ticket (free). Details re: Zoom URL and how to sign up for open mic will be emailed.
Thurs 9th May, 8PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Get A Word In Edgeways December Concert
Tickets £3-£10. Story-telling concert – featuring Simone Gilliatt and Megan Wells, Matt Clegg, Jo Jukes, Cath’s Cupboard of Customs. For more details or to register, visit the Get a Word in Edgeways webpage.
Mon 13th Dec, 8.30PM (Irish Standard Time) – hybrid: in-person/via Zoom/Facebook Live/Vimeo/YouTube
Ó Bhéal Online #19
(Happens in: Cork, Ireland)
Free poetry open mic event, hosted by Paul Casey. Features live poetry prompt challenge, anthology launch with guest readers and open mic. Headliners: Conor McManus (in-person) and Leontia Flynn (online). More info and details of how to access the gig are on the Ó Bhéal website.
Mon 13th Dec, 7PM (UK Time) – via Zoom
Soundbites December 2021
Free poetry open mic event. Feature guest is poet James Nash. Register for a Zoom place by 11th Dec via the registration page. For more details, visit the Facebook group page.
Wed 15th Nov, 6.30PM (UK time) – hybrid: in-person/via Zoom
Todmorden Writers’ Collective: Jenny Mitchell
Free open mic event for poetry, prose, music and performance. Featuring: poet Jenny Mitchell will read from her latest collection ‘Map of a Plantation’. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Wed 15th Nov, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Incite – feat Generalissimo Bryan Franco
Free queer spoken word night. Run by charity forum+ and hosted by performance poet Hannah Chutzpah. Open mic slots are approx. 5 mins reserved for LGBT+ poets (respectful allies welcome in audience). For more details and access, visit the Facebook page.
Thurs 16th Dec, 02.15AM (UK time) – via Zoom
The Word is Write Poetry Night with Nick P. Open Mic
Free poetry open mic event, hosted by Nick Paleologos. 30 guaranteed performance spots (3-4 minutes or 1 piece). For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Thurs 16th Dec, 6.30-8PM (UK time) – via Zoom
‘Over the Edge’: Open Reading
Free poetry open mic event. Readings from Sue Pace, Odhrán Reidy and Denise Commins, plus open mic. For more details, visit the Over the Edge webpage.
Thurs 16th Dec, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Lit Up!
Tickets: Pay As You Feel donations. Poetry performances by two headliners – a mix of original work and covers – with limited open mic slots. Headliners: Rory Jones and Nathan Elout-Armstrong. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Fri 17th Dec, 7.30-10PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Oooh Beehive Online with Ken Cumberlidge
Free/Pay As You Can spoken word poetry event. Feature poet: Ken Cumberlidge. To sign up for open mic (slots are approx. 3 mins), email ooohbeehive@btinternet.com. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Sun 19th Dec, 8PM (UK time) – via Zoom/Facebook Live
Cultivating Voices LIVE Poetry: 2nd Annual Ho Po OH!
Celebrating poetry in a spirit of peace and light, with our Open House poetry reading, featuring guest poets. Plus open mic (slots: approx. 3 mins). For more details and to register, visit the Facebook event page.
Mon 20th Dec, 11PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Oceanside Library Poetry Series: Near and Afar
(Happens in: New York, USA)
Free poetry event, plus open mic (one poem/3 haiku each). Hosted by Tony Iovino, with featured poets/authors: Teri Coyne and Leigh Ann Christian. For access info, visit the Oceanside Library events page.
Tues 21st Dec, 7.30PM (GMT) – via Zoom
Poetry at Jurnets
(Normally happens in: Norwich, UK)
Free monthly poetry open mic night. Zoom “doors” open at 7:30 for an 8pm start. Theme: “Promises” (but theme is optional, all poetry welcome). For Zoom access/open mic sign-up details, visit the Poetry at Jurnets website and use the onscreen email link to contact organiser Hilary Stanton.
Tues 21st Nov, 7-10PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Spoken World, featuring poet Tish Camp
Free global open mic event. All performers welcome: poets, writers, singers, comedians, actors, performers, plus literary listeners. Optional theme: “Winter”. Headline poet: Tish Camp. For details and access info, visit the Facebook event page.
Wed 22nd Dec, 2AM (UK time) – via Zoom
Time to Arrive Open Mic – feat. Jeff Cottrill
Free weekly open mic even – for poetry, prose & performance. Feature artist is poet and fiction writer Jeff Cottrill. Send Time to Arrive a private message for Zoom access. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Sun 26th Dec, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Allographic Virtual Open Mic
Monthly spoken word open mic event – poetry, story-telling, drama. More details and register for tickets on the Eventbrite page.
Thurs 30th Dec, 9PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Allographic Virtual Open Mic
Free open mic poetry night from the heart of St. Paul’s in Bristol. Hosted by Friends of St. Paul’s Luxuriance. More details and register for tickets on the Eventbrite page.
EVENTS
Wed 1st Dec, 7-10PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Crafty Crows ~ ‘THE TRAWLER 2021 & Special Awards Night’
(Usually happens in: Gloucestershire, UK)
Free event. The Gloucestershire Poetry Society presents this regular poetry night to celebrate the publication of Gloucestershire Poetry Society anthology ‘The Trawler 2021’. (No open mic at this event). For more details or to register, visit the Helm ticket page.
Wed 1st Dec, 7.15PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Arvon At Home Live Guest Reading: Sarah Crossan
£5/£2.50 concession. Multi-award-winning verse novelist Sarah Crossan will give a live reading followed by an audience Q&A. For more details or to register, visit the Arvon event page.
Wed 1st Dec, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Carcanet Book Launch: ‘Like a Tree, Walking’
Registration: £2. Hosted by poet Padraig Regan – a launch of ‘Like a Tree, Walking’ by Vahni Capildeo. The event will feature readings, discussion and an audience Q&A. For more details, visit the Facebook event page or register via Zoom.
Thurs 2nd Dec, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Ignite: A Passion for Books
Free literary event, featuring three Ignite Books authors: Ian Elmslie, Emma Purshouse and Steve Pottinger talking about their books, how they came to be written, and life as writers. If you’d like to attend, send an email to hello@ignitebooks.co.uk.
Thurs 2nd Dec, 7.30-9PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Book launch: ‘The House with Two Letter-Boxes’
Free multi-media launch of story collection ‘The House with Two Letter-Boxes’ by Janet H. Swinney. This Fly-on-the-Wall Press event will feature readings from Janet, while actors James Bolam and Susan Jameson will appear as narrators in excerpts from ‘Black Boy Winning’ (a video film based on one of the stories). For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Thurs 2nd Dec, 7-8PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Writing Notts 2021 Anthology Launch Event
Free book launch event for the Writing Notts 2021 anthology, which will be distributed freely around Nottingham. (Donations welcome.) Featuring performances from Nottinghamshire-based poets. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Sat 4th Dec, 6PM (UK time) – via Zoom
‘Poetry and Settled Status for All: Readings and Conversation’
Free event – part of Leicester Human Rights Arts and Film Festival. This event, featuring poems, short prose and discussion, is a prelude to the anthology Poetry and Settled Status for All. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Mon 6th Dec, 11PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Oceanside Library Poetry Series: Near and Afar
(Happens in: New York, USA)
Free poetry event. Every Monday, hosted by Tony Iovino. Featured poets/authors: Lynne Shapiro (New Jersey) and Linda Opyr (New York). For access info, visit the Oceanside Library events page.
Wed 8th Dec, 7.15PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Arvon At Home Live Guest Reading: Rónán Hession
£5/£2.50 concession. Irish novelist and musician, Rónán Hession, will give a live reading followed by an audience Q&A. For more details or to register, visit the Arvon event page.
Wed 8th Dec, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Carcanet Book Launch: ‘The Acts of Oblivion’
Registration: £2. Hosted by poet Padraig Regan – a launch of ‘The Acts of Oblivion’ by Paul Batchelor. The event will feature readings, discussion and an audience Q&A. For more details, visit the Zoom registration page.
Wed 8th Dec, 8PM (UK time) – via YouTube
Meet the Poet – Matt Duggan and Darren J Beaney
Free poetry event hosted by Home Stage. Featuring readings and discussion. For more details or to register, visit the Facebook event page.
Wed 8th Dec – via Soundcloud
Dead Darlings Podcast
Free audio poetry show. Join the hosts for an interview with Malaika Kegode, plus poetry from Kayla Martell Feldman. For details and access info, visit the Dead Darlings Podcast Soundcloud.
Thurs 9th Dec, 7.45PM (UK time) – via Zoom
‘These Are the Hands’ – Live Broadcast
Free livestream. Sands Films studio has invited Miriam Margolyes, Mark Thomas and others, such as Dr Bob Gill, to read poems from ‘These Are the Hands’ anthology written by nurses, doctors and other NHS staff. For more details or to register, visit the Eventive webpage.
Thurs 9th Dec, 7.30-9PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Book Launch: ‘Vampires’
Free book launch event for ‘Vampires’ – the new poetry pamphlet from Matthew Haigh – with guests Andrew McMillan, Vik Shirley & Calum Rodger. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Thurs 9th Dec, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Online Reading: ‘The Same Page’ Anthology
Free pre-launch book readings event for ‘The Same Page’, an anthology of Irish poetry and prose. All profits from the sale of the book and associated events are donated to The Sexual Violence Centre, Cork. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Fri 10th Dec, 1-2PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Live Canon Lunchtime Reading Series #28
Free event – lunchtime readings from Anne Casey, Pam Thompson, Steve Xerri and Chris Hardy. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Fri 10th Dec, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Book Launch: ‘The Guts of a Mackerel’ by Clare Reddaway
Free Fly-on-the-Wall book launch event. Featuring readings from Clare Reddaway, plus 6 other Shorts Seasons writers. There will also be a publisher Q&A with Isabelle Kenyon. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Sun 12th Dec, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Poets’ Directory Live! Poetry Society Virtual Stanza
Free poetry event – part of the Poetry Society’s network of Stanza groups. Featuring readings from Anna Saunders, Beth Brooke, Rishi Dastidar, Clint Wastling and Olga Dermott-Bond. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Mon 13th Dec, 8PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Jamie H Scrutton: The Animated Living Room
Free performance event: a 30 minute online set of poet Jamie H Scrutton performing alongside his animations projected in a Christmas living-room setting. For more details or to register, visit the Facebook event page.
Tues 14th Dec, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Film Premiere: ‘A Celebration of Poets’
Free screening event for: the third film from Like A Blot From The Blue Productions. Featuring poets from all over the world. (Approx. 53 mins running time.) For more details or to register, visit the Facebook event page.
Tues 14th Dec, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Between Cultures: What We Read Now Reading
Free poetry evening featuring the works by Leo Boix, Lisa Kelly and Paul Stephenson. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite webpage.
Wed 15th Dec, 7.15PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Arvon At Home Live Guest Reading: Elise Valmorbida
£5/£2.50 concession. Award-winning author of four novels and non-fiction, Elise Valmorbida, will give a live reading followed by an audience Q&A. For more details or to register, visit the Arvon event page.
Wed 15th Dec, 2AM (UK time) – via Zoom
Open Door Series
Live virtual reading with Lillian Gardner, Saleem Hue Penny, Precious Musa, and Hayley Kolding, hosted by Poetry Foundation. Each Open Door event features readings by two Midwest based writers and two of their recent students/writing partners. For more details or to register, visit the Facebook event page.
Thurs 16th Dec, 7.30PM (UK time) – hybrid: in-person/via livestream
‘Dark Tales in Winter 2021’
Ticket: £10. Screenings of contemporary adaptations for two dark stories set in winter: ‘The Shadow’ by E. Nesbit and ‘The Black Cat’ by Edgar Allen Poe. With BSL interpretation and audio description options. For more details or to register, visit the Ticketsolve page.
Fri 17th Dec, 7.30PM (UK time) – hybrid: in-person/via livestream
‘Dark Tales in Winter 2021’
Ticket: £10. Screenings of contemporary adaptations for two dark stories set in winter: ‘The Shadow’ by E. Nesbit and ‘The Black Cat’ by Edgar Allen Poe. With BSL interpretation and audio description options. For more details or to register, visit the Ticketsolve page.
Sat 18th Dec, 7.30PM (UK time) – hybrid: in-person/via livestream
‘Dark Tales in Winter 2021’
Ticket: £10. Screenings of contemporary adaptations for two dark stories set in winter: ‘The Shadow’ by E. Nesbit and ‘The Black Cat’ by Edgar Allen Poe. With BSL interpretation and audio description options. For more details or to register, visit the Ticketsolve page.
Sun 19th Dec, 1AM (UK time) – via Zoom
WIW: ‘Feature of the Features’ – 1st Anniversary Party
Ticket: $5. To celebrate the 1st anniversary of The Word is Write weekly poetry events, a range poets who featured across 2021 will perform. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Mon 20th Dec, 11PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Oceanside Library Poetry Series: Near and Afar
(Happens in: New York, USA)
Free poetry event. Every Monday, hosted by Tony Iovino. Featured poets/authors: Teri Coyne and Leigh Ann Christain (New York). For access info, visit the Oceanside Library events page.
Wed 22nd Dec, 8PM (UK time) – via YouTube
Meet the Poet – Chris Hardy
Free poetry event hosted by Home Stage. Featuring readings and discussion. For more details or to register, visit the Facebook event page.
WORKSHOPS
Wed 1st Dec, 8.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Poetry & flash fiction (exercise) with Lauren O’Donovan
Free workshop, plus author reading and open mic. Hosted by DeBarra’s Spoken Word. Lauren O’Donovan will give a reading from her own work and also lead the audience in a Flash Fiction exercise. To sign up, email email debarrasspokenword@gmail.com. For more details or to register, visit the Facebook event page.
Wed 1st Dec, 6.45PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Ecopoetry Workshop: ‘In Praise of Trees’
Free workshop, hosted by Seán Hewitt. The session will explore the poetry of woods & forests, focusing on their being, and how they can be used to tell a story. These workshops are designed to help you enter and win the Ginkgo Prize for Ecopoetry. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Thurs 9th Dec, 11AM (UK time) – via Zoom
Arvon At Home Masterclass: Journey Into Stories
£35/£17.50 concession (some free places available). Travel-writing tutor Jonathan Lorie will lead an immersive exploration of the creative possibilities of travel writing – which can be applied to various genres. The session will involve practical exercises and thought experiments to heighten participants’ writing skills and challenge the definition of ‘journey’. For more details or to register, visit the Arvon event page.
Tues 14th Dec, 11AM (UK time) – via Zoom
Arvon At Home Masterclass: Poetry, Say What?
£35/£17.50 concession (some free places available). Poet Jacob Polley and medievalist Chris Jones will translate and explore an Old English riddle, inviting participants to create their own contemporary poetic version. No specialist knowledge required. For more details or to register, visit the Arvon event page.
Thurs 30th Dec, 11PM-1AM (UK time) – via Zoom
Phynnecabulary Presents: “Poetry Games with Deadpan Lizzie: BURIED IN THE STARS”
Free writing session led by Deadpan Lizzie (Elizabeth Strauss). For more info and to register, visit the Eventbrite page.