LISTING: EVENTS MOVED ONLINE (JUNE 2020)
The COVID-19 crisis continues, and so do the challenges of making sure arts events go ahead. Social distancing needs to continue to keep infection rates as low as possible. This has also left some people feeling lonely and anxious, stuck at home and unable to participate in their usual activities. But it’s not all dull and grey: creative communities, all around the UK and worldwide, have come together to plug the void in our lives with some amazing virtual gigs. So the HCE magazine team have created another list of some literary open mics, events and workshops (listed in separate categories), to help you plan for the weeks ahead. Let’s stay safe and STILL enjoy our favourite gigs! This is also the perfect chance to “travel” afar and attend events you never thought you could…
Side note: Our virtual Fire & Dust open mics have featured 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
Tues 2nd June, 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 4th June, 7.30-10PM (BST) – via Zoom
Fire & Dust Meets: TOM MCCOLL
(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.
Sun 7th June, 7PM (BST) – via Zoom
Oooh Beehive! Online Slam
(Usually happens in: Swindon, UK)
Pay What You Feel
More details are available on the Oooh Beehive Facebook page
Sun 7th June – 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 7th June, 7.30-10pm (BST)
Poetry From the Grassroots
Headliner: D’Bi.Young Anitafrica
(Usually happens in: London, UK)
Details are on the Facebook event page.
Mon 8th June – via Facebook group posts
‘Stay Up Your Own End: Walsall’
(A lockdown project, specially commissioned by Creative Black Country)
Online poetry contests, with feature showcase at the end
More info available on the Poets, Prattlers & Pandemonialists blog
Mon 8th June, 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.
Thurs 11th June, 8PM (BST)
Run Your Tongue Online! 6
(Usually happens in: Kettering, UK)
For Zoom URL and sign-up details, visit their Facebook event page
Thurs 11th June, 8PM (BST) – via Zoom
Write Out Loud: Open Mic Poetry
(Usually happens in: Wigan, UK)
More info available on the Facebook event page
Thurs 11th June, 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
Fri 12th June, 7PM (BST) – via Zoom
WORD Season 2 Episode 9: Isolation
Poetry slam + headliner (The Revolt Poet) + open mic
More info available on the Facebook event page
Sun 14th June, 6PM (BST) – via Zoom
Runcible Spoon open mic session
Headliners: Becky Cherriman, Kevin Reid, Joe Williams & Paul Tanner
See Runcible Spoon Facebook page for details re: Zoom and open mic.
Mon 15th June – via Facebook group posts
‘Stay Up Your Own End: Dudley’
(A lockdown project, specially commissioned by Creative Black Country)
Online poetry contests, with feature showcase at the end
More info available on the Poets, Prattlers & Pandemonialists blog
Mon 15th June, 8PM (BST) – Facebook/Twitch/YouTube
Bring Your Own Bars Poetry
Open Mic, featuring headliner Riwa Saab
Email byobpoetry@gmail.com to ask about performing or for more details.
Tues 16th June, 8-9PM (BST) – via Zoom
Poetry Swaps Online
(Usually happens in: Stamford, UK)
Headliners: Jackie Juno and Sandy Wardrop
Check out the Facebook event page for details re: open mic and Zoom access.
Tues 16th June, 7.30-10PM (BST) – via livestream
Hammer & Tongue Hackney
(Usually happens in: London, UK)
More details re: poetry open mic sign-up and (free) tickets are on this webpage
Thurs 18th June, 7.30PM (BST)
The Rainbow Fish Speakeasy
Poetry open mic with headliner Dizraeli
Email livtorc@yahoo.com to request an open mic spot
More details can be found on the Facebook events page.
Thurs 18th June, 7.30-10.30PM (BST) – via Facebook Live
WordCraft: The Solstice One
Pre-recorded performance slots + open mic slots
More info available on the Facebook event page
Thurs 18th June, 3-3:40PM (EDT) (7PM GMT) – via Zoom
Love in the Time of COVID Poetry Open Mic
(Usually happens in: Ontario, Canada)
More details and Zoom access are available on the Facebook events page
Thurs 18th June, 6-8PM (PDT) (2AM GMT) – via Zoom
Museum of the African Diaspora Open Mic Night
(Usually happens in: San Francisco, USA)
More details and Zoom registration instructions are on the Facebook event page
Fri 19th June
Find the Right Words
Open mic, with headliners Tyrone Lewis and Birdspeed. Pre-recorded, downloadable from 19th June via patreon.com/jessgreenpoet.
Host Jess Green is seeking black voices for the open mic. Poets should get in touch on Twitter: @FTWRpoetry
Sun 21st June, 7-10PM (BST) – via Zoom
Oooh Beehive Goes International!
Headliner: Chev Guthrie
More details re: sign up for open mic are available on the Facebook event page
Mon 22nd June, 8PM (BST) – via Zoom/Facebook Live
Sad Poets Doorstep Club #5
Poetry performances
More info available on the Facebook event page
Mon 22nd June – via Facebook group posts
‘Stay Up Your Own End: Sandwell’
(A lockdown project, specially commissioned by Creative Black Country)
Online poetry contests, with feature showcase at the end
Entries need to be emailed to poetsprattlerspandemonialists@gmail.com by Sunday 21st at the latest. £25 prize for the poem judged to be the best!
More info available on the Poets, Prattlers & Pandemonialists blog
Thurs 25th June, 8-11PM (BST) – via Zoom
Run Your Tongue Online Open Mic #7
(Usually happens in: Kettering, UK)
For more details, check out the Facebook event page
Fri 26th June, 7-11PM (BST) – via Zoom
Word Wise Poetry #45
Headliner: : Kevin Jackson
(Usually happens in: Derby, UK)
More details and Zoom access details are on the Facebook event page
Mon 29th June, 8PM (BST) – Facebook/Twitch/YouTube
Bring Your Own Bars Poetry
Open Mic, featuring headliner AJ King
Email byobpoetry@gmail.com to ask about performing or for more details.
Mon 29th June – via Facebook group posts
‘Stay Up Your Own End: Wolverhampton’
(A lockdown project, specially commissioned by Creative Black Country)
Online poetry contests, with feature showcase at the end
Entries need to be emailed to poetsprattlerspandemonialists@gmail.com by Sunday 28th at the latest. £25 prize for the poem judged to be the best!
More info available on the Poets, Prattlers & Pandemonialists blog
Tues 30th June, 7.30PM (BST) – via Facebook group posts
PASTA open mic
First half is themed (‘hairdressers’). Second half: general open mic. Accepted formats: Word doc, YouTube link or Soundcloud file. Slots are 5 mins max.
Entries need to be emailed to poetsprattlerspandemonialists@gmail.com by June 29th at the latest.
PP&P events are accessible via the Facebook group
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.
EVENTS
Poet Luke Wright is performing a live poetry set on Twitter every night at 8PM (BST) until 27th June. His Twitter handle is @lukewrightpoet.
Thurs 5th June, 8PM (BST) – via Zoom
Dreading Poetry Slam – Poetry Hour
A chance to share your favourite piece by a published poet
Check the Facebook event page for updates or email Dreadingslam@gmail.com
Tues 16th June, 8PM (BST) – via Zoom
Dreading Poetry Slam – Poetry Quiz
Check the Facebook event page for updates or email Dreadingslam@gmail.com
Thurs 18th June, 7-9PM (BST) – via YouTube livestream
York Refugee Week Poetry Festival
Poets will share performances in languages from around the world!
More info available on the Facebook event page
Fri 19th June, 8-10PM (BST)
Some-Antics Spoken Word: Online Play-off Slam!
More details on the Facebook event page
Wed 24th June, 7-8.30PM (BST) – via Zoom
‘Into the Water’: canal poetry readings & screenings
Readings from Nancy Campbell and Jo Bell, plus two poetry films.
More details and tickets (free) available here
WORKSHOPS
Tues 16th June, 6.30-8PM (BST) – via Google Meet
‘How to Write a Novel – The Practical Way’
Pay what you like session. Led by Alex Davis.
More info available on Alex Davis’ website
Tues 16th June, 7-9PM (BST) – via Zoom
Poetry Workshop with Z D Dicks (Gloucestershire Poet Laureate)
Zoom access info is available on the Facebook event page
Wed 17th June, 8-9.30PM (BST)
Slam Free or Die Presents: Poetry Writing Workshop #2
“Free workshop for all skill levels.” More details are available on the Facebook event page.
Sat 20th June, 10am-12 noon (BST)
Beauty in Darkness: Creating Poetry out of Negative Experiences
Led by: Natalie Ann Holborow
Tickets available here (£10 – includes post-session feedback)
Tues 23rd June, 7-9PM (BST) – via Zoom
Poetry Workshop with Z D Dicks (Gloucestershire Poet Laureate)
Zoom access info is available on the Facebook event page
Tues 30th June, 7-9PM (BST) – via Zoom
Poetry Workshop with Z D Dicks (Gloucestershire Poet Laureate)
Zoom access info is available on the Facebook event page
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.
Sat 20th June: Positive Images Festival Poetry workshop
Workshop leader: Emilie Lauren Jones
And also every last Sunday of the month – check out Emilie’s YouTube channel for workshop videos.
JULY
Sun 5th July, 8-9.30PM (GMT) – 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. Email Dreadingslam@gmail.com for more details
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