Listing for May 2021: Literary Events Online
Welcome to May! Although we’re making good progress in the UK with the roll-out of vaccines, COVID-19 is sadly still with us. This means making sure arts events can happen – and safely – is still a challenge for events organisers. Due to the restrictions on gatherings of people, especially indoors, many in-person events remain cancelled/postponed. So a lot of people out there are still feeling isolated, unable to participate in their usual cultural activities and itching to get back to a semblance of normality.
But here is the good news: creative communities across the UK, and all around the globe, CONTINUE to plug the void in our lives with some amazing virtual events!
The HCE magazine team have created another list of literary open mics, events and workshops (listed in separate categories below), to help you plan for the weeks ahead. You can stay virus-free AND enjoy your favourite gigs. Why not “travel” far and wide to attend events overseas while they’re still easily accessible?
OPEN MICS
Sat 1st May 7-10PM (EDT) – via Zoom
InspiredWordNYC 1st Saturday Showcase & Open Mic
$5-$6. Open mic event for poets and performing artists in all genres around the world. For more details, visit the Eventbrite page.
Sun 2nd May, 6PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Run Your Tongue 1st Online Birthday Extravaganza!
(Usually happens in Kettering, UK)
Spoken word open mic night. For more details and how to access, check out the Facebook event page.
Sun 2nd May, 8PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Cultivating Voices LIVE Poetry presents Poets Focus: MAY DAY
Spoken word open mic night. Guest host: Angela Dribben. Featured poets: Margaret O’Regan, Tim Evans, Dayna Patterson & Rachel Hegarty. For more details and how to access, check out the Facebook event page.
Sun 2nd May, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Yes, We Cant
(Usually happens in: Walsall, UK)
Free monthly virtual open mic event – Pay What You Can. Headliner Liv Torc and ‘Alf Ender Mel Perry. 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 2nd May, 5-7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Poetry LGBT Open Mic
Pay As You Can monthly event, hosted by Andreena Leeanne. 15 open mic slots. For more details and to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Mon 3rd May, 7.30PM (UK time) – via YouTube
Winchester Muse: Martin Figura & Helen Ivory
(Usually happens in: Winchester, UK)
Open mic plus feature acts by Martin and Helen. Host: Jenny McRobert. No pre-booking for open mic, just let the host know on the night. For more details, check out the Facebook page.
Mon 3rd May, 7-8PM (ETC) – via Zoom
Oceanside Library Poetry Readings
(Normally happens in: New York, USA)
Every first and third Monday. 2 featured poets (Harriet Slaughter and R. Bremmer) and an open mic, hosted by Tony Iovino. For access info, visit the event webpage.
Mon 3rd May, 7PM (UK time)– via Zoom
Tentacular Festival – Monday
Free event. The first of two poetry readings to celebrate three years of Tentacular magazine and the launch of Issue 7. Featuring readings from: Kat Payne Ware, Joseph Minden, Emily Harrison, Khaled Hakim, Jo Davis, David Ashford, Amy Acre & mmmmm montenegrofisher. Plus four open mic slots. For more details/for access, visit the Facebook event page.
Tues 4th May, 7PM (UK time)– via Zoom
Tentacular Festival – Tuesday
Free event. The first of two poetry readings to celebrate three years of Tentacular magazine and the launch of Issue 7. Featuring readings from: Maria Sledmere, Jess Murrain, Alex Houen, Ava Patel, Yasmine Seale & Robin Moger, Jonathan Catherall, Zoë Skoulding, Nicki Heinen & Jeff Hilson. Plus four open mic slots. For more details/for access, visit the Facebook event page.
Tues 4th May, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
York Spoken Word – May the 4th Be With You
(Usually happens in: York, UK)
Poetry open mic. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Tues 4th May, 7.45-10PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Hammer & Tongue Hackney May
Tickets: £3-£10. Open mic poetry slam event. Guest feature from comic/poet/reformed mental health nurse Rob Gee open mic slam (eight slots, 3.5 minutes). For more details or to register, visit the Biletto tickets webpage.
Tues 4th May, 7.30PM (EST) – via Zoom
QPAC Tuesday: FREE Open Mic Night
(Usually happens in: Queens, NY, USA)
Queens Poetic Alchemy Collective: a weekly poetry open mic. A safe space for all to share openly, influenced by the Daoist principles of alchemy. For more details, visit the Eventbrite page.
Thurs 6th May, 7.30-10PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Fire & Dust Meets: ANN ATKINS
(Usually happens in: Coventry, UK)
Free monthly event – Pay As You Feel. Poetry open mic with a special headline guest. 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 Facebook events page.
Thurs 6th May, 7-8.30PM (UK time) – via YouTube Live
Beatfreaks – Poetry Jam Live
Free monthly spoken word event, showcasing pre-recorded videos of performances with live hosting. Different levels of experience welcome. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Fri 7th May, 7.30PM (UK time) – via YouTube
Some-Antics Online 11 – Live on Zoom!
(Usually happens in: Leicester, UK)
Open mic, a poetry slam, DJ mixes by Ninja Bob and feature poet TBC. 7 slammers, two rounds, 3 minute limit. Featuring Chris Martin. For more details, check out the Facebook event page.
Fri 7th May, 7-9PM (UK time) – via Zoom
WORD Stafford Season 3 Episode 9 – ‘Growth’
Poetry slam (theme: Place) and open mic. Special guests: the Lichfield Poets, featuring Janet Jenkins, Sarah Dale, Susan Wood and Phil Binding. More details available on the Facebook event page.
Fri 7th May, 7-8.30PM (CET) – via Zoom
Poetry Lit – Online Reading Series
Free event for international poets and fans of international poetry. Two featured guests (Siobhan Potter and Larry Butler) plus a short open mic session. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Sun 9th May, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Like a Blot from the Blue 13: Poets Open Up
(Usually happens in Kettering, UK)
Spoken word open mic night. Open mic only! For more details and how to access, check out the Facebook event page.
Sun 9th May, 6PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Runcible Spoon Open Mic
Spoken word open mic night run by Runcible Spoon webzine. Feature performances from Jeff Cottrill and Sylar J. Winter. For more details and how to access, check out the Facebook event page.
Mon 10th May, 8.30-11.30 (Irish Standard Time) – via Zoom/Facebook Live
Ó Bhéal: Bi-Lingual Virtual Poetry Event
(Usually happens in: Cork, Ireland)
Open mic, headliners, live poetry prompt challenge. Featuring headline poets: Dubhán Ó Longáin and Julie Field. More info and details of how to access the gig are here on the website.
Mon 10th May, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Soundbites – Poetry Open Mic Night
(Usually happens in: Leeds, UK)
Free event. Featured poet – Fin Hall, from N. East of Scotland – plus open mic. Register before 8th May to request open mic slot. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Tues 11th May, 7.30PM (EST) – via Zoom
QPAC Tuesday: FREE Open Mic Night
(Usually happens in: Queens, NY, USA)
Queens Poetic Alchemy Collective: a weekly poetry open mic. A safe space for all to share openly, influenced by the Daoist principles of alchemy. For more details, visit the Eventbrite page.
Tues 11th May, 7.30-9.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Virtual Dragonflies
Free event for sharing poetry and prose. Special guests: Vic Pickup and Cathy Carson. For more details, visit the Eventbrite page.
Wed 12th May, 7-10PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Poetry Cafe Open Mic
(Usually happens in: Eastbourne, UK)
Free event. A platform for local poets to present their work. To book an open mic slot, please email poetrycafeugt@aol.com. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Thurs 13th May, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Pure & Good & Right Virtual Open Mic Poetry Night
(Usually happens in: Kenilworth, UK)
Poetry open mic night, welcoming to both newcomers and regulars. To be added to the mailing list, contact the PGR organisers: pgrpoetry@gmail.com
Thurs 13th May, 7.30PM (UK time) – pre-recorded on Zoom, accessed via Patron
Write Out Loud Spoken Sessions: Kirsten Luckins and Will Harris
This poetry event is part of a series of spoken word sessions. Featuring headline performances by Kirsten Luckins and WIll Harris, plus 6 open mic slots. Available exclusively to Write Out Loud patrons (£3/£5/£7 monthly). For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Thurs 13th May, 7.45PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Write Out Load Open Mic Poetry
(Normally happens in Wigan, UK)
Every second Thursday of the month. Email host Ian Whiteley on whiteley.ian@btinternet.com before 5PM on the day of the event, to join as audience or open mic poet. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Fri 14th May, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Spork! Presents: The Hope & Feathers Showcase
(Normally happens in Exeter, UK)
Free event – part of the Exeter Phoenix Bloom Festival. A night of spoken-word poetry featuring Liv Torc and Harula Ladd, plus an open mic. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Fri 14th May, 7-9PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Oxford University English Society Poetry Open Mic Night
Free event . Poets and audience members welcome – you do NOT need to be an Oxford student to attend. For more details or to register, visit the Google Doc form.
Fri 14th May, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom/Facebook Live
Open Word – Screen Poetry
Free event – dedicated to music and poetry – both local and global. Open mic slots available for poets and artists – all languages welcome. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Mon 17th May, 7-8PM (ETC) – via Zoom
Oceanside Library Poetry Readings
(Normally happens in: New York, USA)
Every first and third Monday. 2 featured poets and an open mic, hosted by Tony Iovino. For access info, visit the event webpage.
Tues 18th May, 7.30PM (GMT) – via Facebook group
PASTA
Open mic night from Poets, Prattlers, and Pandemonialists. The first half is to a theme picked at random from audience suggestions at the previous month’s event. Theme for May is ‘planting’ Second half, anything goes. To book a slot in the first half, second half or both, email poetsprattlerspandemonialists@gmail.com. Poems are accepted as MS Word docs, Soundcloud links or YouTube links. You can join the PP&P Facebook group here.
Tues 18th May, 6.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
TWOOMPH! ft. Cathy Carson
Free monthly event. A space for writers to share their poems, flash fiction, monologues, short story or novel extracts, hosted by the Tees Women Poets in association with Stockton-on-Tees Libraries. Featuring: poet Cathy Carson, from N. Ireland. For more details, visit the Eventbrite page.
Tues 18th May, 7.30PM (EST) – via Zoom
QPAC Tuesday: FREE Open Mic Night
(Usually happens in: Queens, NY, USA)
Queens Poetic Alchemy Collective: a weekly poetry open mic. A safe space for all to share openly, influenced by the Daoist principles of alchemy. For more details, visit the Eventbrite page.
Tues 18th May, 8-10.30PM (BST) – via Zoom
Phynnecabulary Presents: “ANOTHER Midday POP-UP Open Mic!”
Free open mic event – donations appreciated. This group encourages contributions from artists and their art. For more info and to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Wed 19th May, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Incite Online – feat Elizabeth McGeown & open mic!
Free event. Monthly forum and spoken word event – hosted by performance poet Hannah Chutzpah. Featuring poetry open mic plus special guest Elizabeth McGeown. More details can be found on the Facebook event page.
Thurs 20th May, 6.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Dear Listener: An Evening with ..open mic!
Limited open mic slots, with readings from Dear Listener regular Ade Couper. There are more details on the Facebook event page.
Thurs 20th May, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Lit Up! Poetry Performance Salon
Tickets: £5. Poetry performances – a mix of original work and covers – with limited open mic slots. Headliners: Clive Oseman and Matthew Rice. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Thurs 20th May, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Away With Words Spoken Word Open Mic
Free poetry open mic event. There are more details on the Facebook event page.
Thurs 20th May, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Rainbow Fish Speakeasy with Kate Fox!
Tickets: £3. Poetry open mic event hosted by Liv Torc. Featured poet: Kate Fox. Open mic spots available (2 mins). There are more details on the TicketSource webpage.
Sat 22nd May, 2PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Rebel Culture Weekend: Climate Poetry
Free poetry event for Extinction Rebellion Coventry. Hosted by Emma Kemp – Coventry poets share work on the theme of the earth, the climate crisis and our strange times. Featuring: Ann Atkins, Barry Patterson, Nigel Hutchinson and Georgia Preece. Register for free on on Zoom.
Tues 25th May, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Vogon Poetry Slam 2021
Pay As You Can/free event. 12 slam places, 3 mins max, worst poet wins! Feature set from previous winner Alexander Woodward plus a communal reading of Paul Neil Milne’s “Dead Swans” poem. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Tues 25th May, 7.30PM (EST) – via Zoom
QPAC Tuesday: FREE Open Mic Night
(Usually happens in: Queens, NY, USA)
Queens Poetic Alchemy Collective: a weekly poetry open mic. A safe space for all to share openly, influenced by the Daoist principles of alchemy. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Tues 25th May,1-2PM (UK time) – via unknown
Brooklyn Poetry Slam
Free event. Monthly poetry competition and open mic, hosted by co-founders Mahogany L. Browne and Jive Poetic. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Wed 26th May, 8PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Spork presents: Queer & Still Here #3
Tickets: £3. An LGBTQIA+ spoken word event hosted by Rhys Slade-Jones (Bopa Rhys) – by with headline sets from Joelle Taylor and Toby Campion and featuring performances from three Devon-based poets: Charice Bhardwaj, Robert Garnham & Maya de Freitas. For more details or to register for the event, visit the Spork tickets page.
Wed 26th May, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom/Facebook Live
London Queer Writers: Speak = At Home
Tickets: £0-£3. An inclusive LGBTQIA+ spoken word event featuring 8 open mic-ers (slots are 5 mins max.) and headline sets from Jinhao Xie & Shanay Neusum-James. For more details or to register for the event, visit the LQW tickets page.
Thurs 27th May, 8PM (UK time) – via Zoom
WORD! Online with Antony Owen and Mellow Baku
Free poetry night (donations appreciated). Hosted by Lydia Towsey and featuring, Antony Owen supported by Mellow Baku, plus DJ Hiro, plus open mic. For more details or to register, visit the WORD! Poetry website.
Thurs 27th May, 7.30-10PM (UTC) – via Facebook Live
WordCraft: The Indecisive One
(Normally happens in: Stoke-on-Trent, UK)
Free poetry open mic event – donations to MIND welcome. Several options for the 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.
Thurs 27th May, 7-10PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Open Mic Poetry Night
(Usually happens in: Bristol, UK)
Free poetry night. From St. Paul’s Library in Bristol – local and international headliners (TBC) plus open mic. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Thurs 27th May, 8PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Run Your Tongue Online! Spoken Word Open Mic Night
(Usually happens in Kettering, UK)
Free poetry open mic night. For more details and access, visit the Facebook event page.
Fri 28th May, 11PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Come Together Poetry Open Mic
Free poetry open mic night. Guerilla Poets and Promise Resource Network present a safe space to share poetry and heal. For more details and access, visit the Facebook event page.
Sun 30th May, 6.30-8.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Allographic Virtual Open Mic
Monthly spoken word open mic event – poetry, story-telling, drama. Headliner: Elizabeth McGeown. More details and register for tickets on the Eventbrite page.
Sun 30th May, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Like a Blot from the Blue 14: Poets Get Rocking
Spoken word open mic event. For more details and to request access, visit the Facebook event page.
EVENTS
Sat 1st May, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Oooh Beehive UK Online Poetry Slam Championship. Heat 1
Pay As You Feel poetry open mic event. 15 poets go head to head to see who can take the 1st prize of £75 – the winner and finalist of each monthly heat, along with the highest scoring third place across all 7 heats, qualify for the Grand final on Saturday December 4th. There are more details on the Facebook event page.
Sat 1st May, 7PM (UK time)– via Facebook Live
‘Shul’ Book Launch! Feat Joe Williams, Lily Luty, Alice MN and more!
Launch event for F R Kesby’s debut pamphlet ‘Shul’ from Maytree Press. Hosted by the Hungry Enby, featuring performances from poets and musicians. For more details or to view on the night, visit the Facebook event page.
Sat 1st May, 7.30PM (UK time) – via unknown
Writing on the Wall: ‘La Violette Società: Risky Flowers’
£10/£5. Part of the Writing on the Wall Festival. An eclectic mix of poetry, storytelling and spoken word featuring Roy, Mark Jackson, Holly Watson and Lou Fitz. Hosted by Ciarán Hodgers. For more details or to view on the night, visit the WoW webpage.
Wed 5th May, 8PM (UTC)– via Facebook Live
Meet the Poet: Annie Fisher & Frances Corkey Thompson
Free event. Home Stage presents: Frances and Annie will perform as a double act, bouncing poetry and ideas off one another from topic to topic for an hour, followed by a Q&A with the poets. For more details or to view on the night, visit the Facebook event page.
Wed 5th May, 7-8PM (UK time) – via unknown
Book Launch & Resource: ‘Being Me: poems about thoughts, worries & feelings’
Free poetry & discussion event. Poets Liz Brownlee, Matt Goodfellow and Laura Mucha plus illustrator Victoria Wheeler will share poetry from Being Me, and talk to Mental Health ambassador/TV and radio presenter/author Katie Thistleton. (Being Me is a poetry anthology containing poems about thoughts, worries and feelings for KS2/3 children and their adults.) For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Thurs 6th May, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Book Launch: Suzannah V Evans, with Eleanor Rees
Free launch event for Suzannah V Evans’s new Guillemot Press pamphlet Brightwork. Suzannah will be reading with Eleanor Rees, whose next collection will be published by Guillemot Press in 2022. For more details or to register, visit the publisher’s webpage.
Fri 7th May, 8PM (UK time) – via Instagram Live
Poetry Ping-Pong #6: Kate Clancy vs. Luke Wright
Free event. Two poets take it in turns to read poems, performing in a random order based on which poem is ‘batted’ to them. Check it out on Instagram: @lukewrightpoet.
Sat 8th May, 10AM (UK time) – via Facebook Live
All I See Is You – Taster #2
Free event. Writer Charley Barnes gives a taster reading of her latest psychological thriller ‘All I See Is You’, plus Q&A. For more details or to view on the day, visit the Facebook event page.
Sun 9th May, 7-8PM (UK time) – via unknown
Lean Fall Stand – online book launch with Jon McGregor
Free or £14 for signed hardback copy of the book. Author Jon McGregor will be reading from Lean Fall Stand from the room in Bromley House Library where he started writing the book, followed by a conversation with Deirdre O’Byrne from Five Leaves Bookshop. Plus audience Q&A. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Mon 10th May, 6PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Saboteur Festival 2021: ‘In Conversations with…’ the panel discussion
Free Saboteur Awards Festival event. Joined by several guest speakers, Isabelle Kenyon and Dr. Charley Barnes will talk over their experiences of working and writing in the world of independent publishing. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Tues 11th May, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Offa’s Press: Virtual Voices
Free/Pay as you feel event. Special guests: Emma Purshouse, Kerry Hadley, Veronica Shepherd, Tom Allsopp and John Woodall. To register, visit the Offa’s Press webpage.
Tues 11th May, 9PM (UK time) – via Notts TV
GOBS Collective Showcase
Free. “Tune in to discover the incredible poetic talent of Casey Bailey and the gobbiest gang this side of the Midlands.” Visit the Notts TV website.
Tues 11th May, 8PM (UK time) – via Zoom
The Empathy Experiment by Rose Condo
Free Saboteur Awards Festival event. A digital performance of Rose Condo’s previously toured spoken word poetry/prose show, about our relationship with and to technology. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Wed 12th May, 7-8PM (UK time) – via unknown
Flipped eye presents: Malika Booker and Samatar Elmi
Free event. Five Leaves Bookshop celebrates the 20th anniversary of flipped eye publishing, with readings from Malika Booker and Samatar Elmi. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Wed 12th May, 8PM (UK time) – via Zoom
The Mum Poem Press Anthology Launch
Free Saboteur Awards Festival event. A series of readings from the anthology plus Q&A, hosted by Sabotage Reviews’ Charley Barnes. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Wed 12th May, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Carcanet Book Launch: Deer on the High Hills by Iain Crichton Smith
Free event. Bloodaxe poet Niall Campbell will be joined by editor John Greening to discuss ‘Deer on the High Hills’. The event will feature readings and a Q&A. For more details or to register, visit the Facebook event page.
Thurs 13th May, 8PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Saboteur Festival 2021: The Carcanet Press Showcase
Free Saboteur Awards Festival event. Featuring readings from poets recently published by Carcanet Press: Katherine Horrex, Joey Connolly, Mina Gorji and Victoria Kennefick, plus Q&A session. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Thurs 13th May, 8-10PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Get A Word In Edgeways Monthly Concert and Book Launch
Tickets £3-£5. Book launch for ‘Spoken Word UK’ plus concert – featuring Professor Lucy English, Dr Jack McGowan, Adrian Johnson, Danny Pandolfi, Spoz, Dreadlockalien, Graham Cleland, and Cath’s Cupboard of Customs. For more details or to register, visit the Get a Word in Edgeways webpage.
Fri 14th May, 1-2PM (GMT) – via Zoom
Live Canon Lunchtime Reading Series Number 13
Free event , with readings from David Bleiman, Emma Simon, Ruth Aylett and Paul Stephenson. More details and register for tickets on the Eventbrite page.
Fri 14th May, 7.30-8.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Bridgnorth Writers: Black Lives Matter
Free event hosted by Ambrose Musiyiwa, editor of Black Lives Matter: Poems for a New World anthology. Ten poets from the anthology, including Paul Francis and Steve Pottinger, will share their work. To request a ticket, please email colin@colinwells.com.
Tues 18th May, 7.30-8PM (UK time) – via IGTV/YouTube/Facebook
Nymphs & Thugs #45: Roy (PJ Smith)
Poetry performances and conversation. Watch live or catch up on the Nymphs & Thugs on Instagram or Facebook or YouTube.
Wed 19th May, 7-8PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Children’s Literature in Translation
Free event/£15.50 depending if you want a copy of the book/s). Claire Storey and Ruth Ahmedzai Kemp (translators and co-editors of the World Kid Lit blog) and Emma Wright (publisher) join Deirdre O’Byrne from Five Leaves Bookshop to discuss the importance of translating children’s books. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Thurs 20th May, 7-8PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Diversity in Children’s Literature 2: Sunflower Sisters author/illustrator
£3 (or £7.99 including copy of book). Monika Singh Gangotra (author) and Michaela Dias-Hayes (illustrator) join Deirdre O’Byrne from Five Leaves Bookshop for a discussion about their new picture book ‘Sunflower Sisters’. BSL interpretation provided. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Fri 21st May, 1-2PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Nowt But Verse with Joe Williams
Free event (option to donate, with proceeds going to Leeds Library). Join Hannah Stone and award-winning Joe Williams to celebrate the release of his newest poetry collection ‘The Taking Part’ (Maytree Press). For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Fri 21st May, 7.30-8.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Myths, Madams and Murder
£2.50. Join host Jean Menzies in conversation with Jennifer Saint (Ariadne), Lucy Holland (Sistersong), Phoebe Wynne (Madam) and Elizabeth Lee (Cunning Women). They will discuss a new generation of literature which empowers women’s voices and why this matters, with re-tellings of famous historical stories from the past. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Wed 26th May, 7-11PM (UK time) – via Zoom webinar
Writing the Midlands: Lisa Blower and Emma Purshouse
Tickets: £5. Chaired by Kit de Waal – readings, discussion and Q&A. Lisa and Emma’s new novels Pondweed and Dogged bring voices of working-class people from the Black Country and Stoke-on-Trent to the page, through use of Midlands accents and dialects. Live captioning available. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Wed 26th May, 8PM (UK time) – via Facebook Live
Meet the Poet – Julia Webb & Ramona Herdman
A free event organised by Home Stage. Showcase of poetry from Julia and Romana, plus a Q&A. For more details visit the Facebook event page.
Thurs 27th May, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom/Facebook Live
WonderZoo: Rotten on the Outside
A hybrid evening of live/online poetry and performances, plus the launch event of WonderZoo’s 5th anthology. For more details visit the Facebook event page.
Thurs 27th May, 7-8PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Diversity in Children’s Literature 3: Alex Wheatle and AM Dassu
£3-£15.50 (depending if you want a copy of the book/s). Alex Wheatle and AM Dassu join Deirdre O’Byrne from Five Leaves Bookshop to read from and talk about their books, looking at issues of diversity and inclusivity in middle grade/YA fiction. BSL interpretation provided. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Fri 28th May, 6.30-8.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Verve book launch: Charlotte Lunn and Sophie Sparham
£5.80. Double book launch event for ‘The Man Who Ate 50,000 Weetabix’ and ‘Metamorphosis’ – hosted by Verve Poetry Press publisher, Stuart Bartholomew. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Sat 29th May, 2PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Book launch online: The Taking Part (Joe Williams)
Free event. Published by Maytree Press, hosted by Natalie Scott. Join award-winning Joe Williams and two guest poets (TBC) to celebrate the release of his newest poetry collection. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Sat 29th May, 6PM (UK time) – via Zoom
The Poetry Society of Virginia: 2021 Poetry Festival
Free event. An online version of this annual festival, featuring readings by North American Book Award Winners John Murillo (2021) and Maya Popa (2020) along with Ethebert Miller, Michele Poulos, and Gregory Donovan. Register via Zoom.
Sat 29th May, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Book Launch: Dark Days; Long Nights by Leanne Cooper
Free event. Readings from the book by Leanne, plus an audience Q&A about her work, a raffle and guest poets will share poetry on mental health themes. For more details and access, visit the Facebook event page.
WORKSHOPS
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.
Wed 5th May, 6.30-8PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Write Out Loud Poetry Workshop: guest tutor Saili Katebe
Workshop: £9-£15. A poetry workshop for writers who are writing their way into poetry and finding their voice. For more information and to register, visit the Eventbrite webpage.
Mon 10th May, 2-5PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Spork! Presents: Hope and Feathers – Writing for Wellbeing
£3 (+ £1.50 booking fee). Writing workshop led by spoken-word artist Harula Ladd. No previous writing experience necessary. Participants will be guided through a series of fun writing exercises and share work with each other. Optional: opportunity to share work at the Hope & Feathers Showcase on Fri 14th May. This event is Part of Bloom: an online festival from Exeter Phoenix to mark Mental Health Awareness Week (10th-14th May). For more information, visit the Exeter Phoenix website.
Thurs 13th May, 6PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Developing Your Creative Practice: Workshop & 1-2-1s
Workshop: £5. 30-minute one-to-one sessions: £15. Workshop leader: Genevieve Carver. This session will provide simple and specific information for applying to Arts Council England’s DYCP grant as well as more general tips about how to write funding applications. There will be the opportunity for general questions..Suitable for all disciplines: visual arts, theatre, music, creative writing, etc. One-to-ones for discussing a specific project will be booked on a first come, first served basis. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.
Sat 15th May, 10.30AM-12PM (UK time) – via Zoom
‘Have A (Kind) Word With Yourself’
Free Saboteur Awards Festival workshop, led by Rose Condo. This one-hour session sits alongside The Empathy Experiment event and looks to cultivate wellbeing in writing and creativity, through a series of activities. There are only 15 places. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Wed 19th May, 8.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
DeBarra’s Spoken Word – The Disposable Stories
Free event. Poet Molly Twomey will be reading from her own work and also facilitating a workshop around the ancient myth of Persephone and Demeter. More details can be found on the Facebook event page.
Sat 22nd May, 2PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Spork! Queer & Still Here: Writing for Performance
Tickets: £3. Writing workshop led by spoken-word artists spoken-word artists Jasmine Gardosi & Charice Bhardwaj. The workshop will include discussion about how to write and prepare for different types of performance, with a particular focus on LGBTQ+ artists and amplifying unique queer voices, plus a chance to share work and learn new performance techniques. For more information or to register, visit the Outsavvy tickets website.
Wed 26th May, morning – via Zoom
WORD! Workshop with Antony Owen
Prompt theme: ‘The city within’. Led by Coventry poet Antony Owen. To sign up, drop a line to Tim – via tim.sayers@leicspart.nhs.uk
Sat 29th May, 10.30-11.15AM (UK time) – via Zoom
‘I remember when…’ Using your own memories to make poetry
Free poetry workshop led by Poets, Prattlers and Pandemonialists. Learn how to create a list poem using your memories. Beginners welcome. For more information or to book, visit the Black Country Living Museum website.
Sat 29th May, 11.30AM-12.15PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Oy–ku – Creating haiku with a Black Country twist
Free poetry workshop led by Poets, Prattlers and Pandemonialists. Learn how to create a simple piece of syllabic verse (haiku) using images of the Black Country as your inspiration. Beginners welcome. For more information or to book, visit the Black Country Living Museum website.
Sat 29th May, 12.30-1.15PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Bostin Blather – Using Black Country words and phrases to inspire creative writing
Free poetry workshop led by Poets, Prattlers and Pandemonialists. Learn how to create short pieces of written work using Black Country words and phrases as inspiration. Beginners welcome. For more information or to book, visit the Black Country Living Museum website.
Sat 29th May, 1.30-2.15PM (UK time) – via Zoom
‘I remember when…’ Using your own memories to make poetry
Free poetry workshop led by Poets, Prattlers and Pandemonialists. Learn how to create a list poem using your memories. Beginners welcome. For more information or to book, visit the Black Country Living Museum website.
Sat 29th May, 2.30-4PM (UK time) – via Zoom
‘It’s the way we spake, ay it’ – Using dialect in poetry and memoir
Free poetry workshop led by Poets, Prattlers and Pandemonialists. Have a go at using words and phrases from local dialect or vernacular in pieces of creative writing. Beginners welcome. For more information or to book, visit the Black Country Living Museum website.
Sat 29th May, 4-6PM (UK time) – via Zoom
‘Back in the day’ – Painting pictures with words
Free poetry workshop led by Poets, Prattlers and Pandemonialists. Have a go at using words and phrases from local dialect or vernacular in pieces of creative writing. Beginners welcome. For more information or to book, visit the Black Country Living Museum website.
Sun 30th May, 2-5PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Allographic Virtual Write-In/ Workshop
(Normally happens in: Cambridge, UK)
Writing workshop/discussion group for poets and story-tellers. For more information, visit the Allographic website.
Upcoming: TENT workshops
A six week course of 2-hour workshops. There is a choice of two kinds: general and technology-themed. Includes group feedback, poetry discussion and featured readers. Facilitator: Jonathan Catherall of Tentacular magazine. Cost: £30 for the course, or £6 for unwaged/low income participants. For more information, visit the Tentacular website.