Listing for September 2020: Literary Events Online
Although lockdown restrictions are gradually being eased across 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 hubs, venues and public spaces are, thankfully, beginning to open again to visitors; but various events are forced outdoors or restrictions imposed on audience numbers. Things can be tricky for organisers and attendees. If you’re getting out and about, these are exciting times; but some people are still feeling isolated, unable to participate in their usual cultural activities.
Here is the good news: 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 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, unexpected audience members have included multiple dogs, cats, rabbits, and even one poetry fan less than a month old! Keep an eye out for encounters with similar ‘special guest’ appearances at your virtual experiences.
OPEN MICS
Tues 1st Sept, 7-11PM (BST) – via Zoom
York Spoken Word
(Usually happens in: York, UK)
Poetry open mic. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Wed 2nd Sept, 8.30-10.30PM (BST) – via Zoom/Facebook Live
Ancestral Tales Part 2
Hosted by: DeBarra’s Psoken Wrod
Story-telling open mic, with guest speakers and a Q&A. Find more details and access info on the Facebook event page.
Thurs 3rd Sept, 7.30-10PM (BST) – via Zoom
Fire & Dust Meets: STANLEY IYANU
(Usually happens in: Coventry, UK)
Poetry 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.
Fri 4th Sept, 7-10PM (BST) – via YouTube
Some-Antics Spoken Word: Online 5
(Usually happens in: Leicester, UK)
Online, but a return to Bean Gaming (being screened live)! Poetry open mic, a poetry slam, DJ mixes and a headline guest. For more details, check out the Facebook event page
Friday 4th Sept, 7.30-10.30PM (GMT) – via Zoom
Oooh Beehive! Online Slam Championship – Heat 5
More details are available on the Oooh Beehive Facebook event page. Email cliveoseman@btinternet.com for the Zoom link.
Fri 4th Sept, 7-9PM BST – via Zoom
WORD Stafford: Season 3 Episode 2 – SUSPENSE
(Usually happens in: Stafford, UK)
Poetry slam – theme is ‘suspense’. Guest poet: Cathi Rae. Open mic slots available. More info available on the Facebook event page.
Sat 5th Sept, 7PM (BST)
Writing Our Legacy Presents: Poetry Room
Open mic, DJ set and poetry performances from special guests Sea Sharp and Sea Kwai Keung. For more info, alternative dates and to register for a ticket, visit the Eventbrite page.
Sat 5th Sept, 6-8PM (CDT) – via Zoom
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic
More info and sign up on this webpage.
Sun 6th Sept, 7.30PM – via Facebook group posts
Yes We Cant
(Usually happens in: Walsall, UK)
‘Alf Ender: Matt Black. Headliner: Joelle Taylor. 10 virtual open mic slots available. To book one: email poetsprattlerspandemonialists@gmail.com. ‘Open mic’ posts can be written text or video.
For more details, visit the Poets, Prattlers & Pandemonialists Facebook page.
Sun 6th Sept, 7PM (BST) – via Zoom
Like a Blot From the Blue 4: Poems in Pyjamas
Open mic night. Theme: Space. Visit the Facebook event page to contact the host.
Mon 7th Sept, 7PM (BST) – via Zoom
You Gotta Be Joking! – Poetry and Prose Spoken Word Event
(Usually happens in: Portsmouth, UK)
Open mic slots available on the night. For more details and to register for a ticket, visit the Eventbrite page.
Tues 8th Sept, TBC (EDT) – via Zoom
Awenites Poetry
(Usually happens in: Ohio, USA)
Poetry open mic. More details TBC on Sept 7th – see the Awenites Facebook page.
Wed 9th Sept, 7.30-9.30PM (BST) – via Zoom
Write and Release Spoken Word
(Usually happens in Derbyshire, UK)
Poetry open mic. Slots are 4 mins. For more details and info re: how to access the gig, see the Facebook event page.
Thurs 10th Sept, 8-10:45PM (BST) – via Zoom
Run Your Tongue Online 12!
Spoken word open mic night. More info about signing up for open mic and accessing the gig is available on the Facebook event page.
Fri 11th Sept, 8PM (BST) – via Zoom
Poets’ Café Online
(Usually happens in Reading, UK)
For more info about the event and signing up for open mic, visit Claire Dyer’s website.
Sat 12th Sept, 6-8PM (CDT) – via Zoom
Poetry in the Brew Online Open Mic
More info and sign up will be available on the Facebook events page.
Mon 14th Sept, 8.30PM (GMT) – via Zoom/Facebook Live
Ó Bhéal Poetry: a Virtual Bi-Lingual Event
(Usually happens in: Cork, Ireland)
Headliners: Julie Walsh-Banwait and Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill
Open mic, headliners, live poetry prompt challenge.
Details of how to access the gig are here on the website.
Wed 16th Sept, 8-10.30PM (BST) – via Zoom
Speakin’ Weird
Poetry open mic. Headliner: Leanne Moden. 15 open mic slots available. For more info on sign-up and accessing the gig, visit the Facebook event page.
Thurs 17th Sept, 5.30-6.30PM (UTC) – via Zoom/Facebook livestream
MMH Press Open Mic Night
Poetry open mic hosted by Kelly Van Nelson and Tanya Southey.
For more details and info re: how to access the gig, see the Facebook event page.
Fri 18th Sept, 7.30-10.30PM (BST) – via Zoom
Oooh Beehive Online September: Memorial
Headliner: Cathy Carson. In memory of poet Jonathan Robert Muirhead. Open mic slots available. More details on the Facebook event page, or register for a ticket on the Eventbrite page.
Fri 18th Sept, 8.30-23:30PM (GMT) – via Zoom/YouTube livestream
Cork Culture Night: Ó Bhéal’s 7th Virtual Poetry Event
(Usually happens in: Cork, Ireland)
Headliners: Shaunna Lee Lynch and Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan
Open mic, headliners, live poetry prompt challenge.
Details of how to access the gig are here on the website.
Fri 18th September – download
Find the Right Words
Open mic, with headliners Emily Harrison and Cynthia Rodríguez . Pre-recorded, downloadable via host Jess Green’s Patreon.
Mon 21st Sept, 7-9PM (BST) – via Zoom
World Alzheimer’s Awareness Poetry Night
Please contact the organisers if you would like to contribute as a performer. Poets who may find the event of particular therapeutic value will be given first priority.
For more details and info re: how to access the gig, see the Facebook event page.
Tues 22nd Sept, 7.30PM (BST) – 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 September is ‘Disco Funk’. Second half, anything goes. To book a slot in the first half, second half or both, email poetsprattlerspandemonialists@gmail.com. Poems are accepted as text, Soundcloud links or Youtube links. You can join the PP&P Facebook group here.
Thurs 24th Sept, 6.30-8.30PM (BST) – via Zoom
September’s Digi-Listener
(Dear Listener usually happens in: Worcester, UK)
Poetry open mic. More info available on the Facebook event page.
Thurs 24th Sept, 8-11PM (BST) – via Zoom
Run Your Tongue Online 13!
Spoken word open mic night. More info about signing up for open mic and accessing the gig is available on the Facebook event page.
Fri 25th Sept, 7-10.30PM (BST) – via Zoom
Pic and ZooMix
“Spoken word for everybody.” Hosted by The Revolt Poet, featuring Mel Wardle Woodend and Sophie J O Sullivan. Visit the Facebook event page to contact the host about open mic slots and access.
Sat 26th Sept, 7-8.30PM (BST) – via YouTube
FRESH: Ecopoetry Open Mic
Headliners: Neelam Saredia-Brayley and Jamal Hassan. Hosted by Robin Lamboll. 15 open mic slots available, with 8 reserved for underrepresented groups. More info on the Facebook event page.
Sat 26th Sept, 3-5PM (CDT) – via Zoom
Gestalt Poetry Open Mic
(Usually happens in: Nashville, Tennessee, USA)
Headliner: MAMA. Open mic slots available. For more details and info about sign-up and accessing the gig, visit the Facebook event page.
Sun 27th Sept, 7PM (BST) – via Zoom
Like a Blot From the Blue 4: Poets in Space
Open mic night. Theme: Space. Visit the Facebook event page to contact the host.
Mon 28th Sept, 8PM (BST) – via Zoom
VIRTUAL VERBOSE 4
Poetry open mic event. Headliners: Antony Szmierek, Amy King & The Fragile Poet. Visit the Eventbrite page for info about the event and how to sign up for open mic, or to register for a ticket.
EVENTS
Tues 1st Sept, 7-8PM (BST)
ISAZ Public Performance: Matt Black “The Snoopy Question”
Poetry/comedy/science show by Matt Black, about dogs and people.
For more info and to register for a free ticket, visit the Eventbrite page.
Thurs 3rd Sept, 3.30-4.30AM (BST)
What’s Poetry Got to Do…Got to Do With it?
Hosted by Rabbit journal.
Public forum with Australian and international poets, discussion and Q&A about poetry practice. More info and free tickets available on the Eventbrite page
Sat 5th Sept, 10:30AM-7.30PM (BST) – via Zoom
Untitled. Under Rep’d Writers Festival
A platform for writers from underrepresented groups. Tickets are FREE. Find out more on the website
Sun 6th Sept, 4-5.30PM (BST) – via Zoom
Live from the Butchery
Hosted by Helen Ivory and Martin Figura. With headline poets Sophie Herxheimer, Rishi Dastidar and Kevin Reid. Pay What You Can event. For more info and access details, visit the Facebook page.
Tues 8th Sept, 2-3PM (EDT)
Poetry Jam: 30 years of the American Disabilities Act
Featuring: Stephen Kuusisto, Maria R. Palacios, Laurie Clements Lambeth and Kenny Fries
More info and register for a free ticket on the Eventbrite page
Mon 14th Sept, 7.30PM (BST)
Launch of ‘Making Tracks’ by Katy Wareham Morris (V. Press)
DM @katy_wm on Twitter for the access link.
Thurs 17th Sept, 7.30PM (BST) – via Zoom
’54 Questions for the Man Who Sold a Shotgun to My Father’.
Free event – book launch. Hosted by Anthony Anaxagorou. Featuring: Joe Carrick-Varty, Gboyega Odubanjo and Mariah Whelan. Email Out-Spoken Press for the Zoom link: press@outspokenldn.com
Tues 16th Sept, 7.30-8PM (BST) – via IGTV/YouTube/Facebook
Nymphs & Thugs #16: Louise Fazackerley
Poetry performances and conversation. Watch live or catch up on the Nymphs & Thugs on Instagram or Facebook or YouTube.
Sat 19th Sept, 2-3.30PM (BST) (10PM in Hong Kong) – via Zoom
The Hong Kong Shuffle
Hong Kong poetics, curated by Jennifer Wong. With readings from: Mary Jean Chan, Kit Fan, Jason Eng Hun Lee, David McKirdy, Nicholas Wong.
Info and access will be available on the Facebook event page.
Sat 19th, 2-4PM (BST) – Manchester FM
Hannah’s Bookshelf: (Not Quite) Live Poetry Special
Featuring 12 poets performing their work. More info on the webpage.
Wed 23rd Sept, 1PM (BST) – via YouTube livestream
‘The Poetry Table: How the Arts Saved Our Lockdown’
Discussions between Jerwood Compton Poetry Fellows Anthony, Hafsah Aneela Bashir and Yomi Sode. You are invited to send in stories of what artforms have helped you keep going in 2020 – Music? Films on Netflix? Poetry? Something else? – by emailing info@jerwoodarts.org.
Register for a free ticket on Eventbrite.
Thurs 24th Sept, 7-8PM (BST)
Finding the Words
(Usually happens in: Yorkshire, UK)
Headline poets: Katie Greenbrown, Jenny Hockey and Char March. More info and tickets available on the Eventbrite page.
Thurs 24th Sept, 6.30-8.30PM (AEST) – via Zoom
Australia Poetry Slam – Northern Beaches Heat
Local heat for Australia’s national slam. For more info and to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Thurs 24th Sept, 7PM (BST) – via Zoom
Poetry Reading: Pascale Petit
Hosted by Rialto Poetry/RSPB/Birdlife International/Cambridge Conservation Initiative. Features the ‘Nature and Place’ competition winners and Pascale Petit reading from Tiger Girl. Numbers are limited – please email matt.howard@rspb.org.uk asap to confirm interest.
Thurs 24th Sept, 7-8PM (CDT) – via Facebook livestream
Watch Party: Poet’s Corner ft. Kory Wells
(Usually happens in Nashville, Tennessee, USA)
More information available on the Facebook event page.
Thurs 24th Sept, 7.30-9PM (BST) – via Zoom
Pure & Good & Right and Kenilworth Arts Festival Presents
£5. Poetry show featuring Aysar Ghassan, Andrea Mbarushimana, Liz Jolly and Matt Black!
More information/tickets available on the website.
Thurs 24th Sept – via IGTV/YouTube/Facebook Live
Nymphs & Thugs Insta Session
Hosted by Toria Garbutt. Headliner: Madelaine Kinsella. Watch on Instagram, YouTube or Facebook.
Fri 25th Sept, 7.30PM (BST)
DESIBlitz Online Literature Festival
Prerecorded poetry performance and then live webchat with: Rupinder Kaur and Pratyusha.
Fri 25th Sept, 7.30PM (BST)
An Evening with Simon Armitage
Reading and live Q&A. Hosted by Inspire Culture Learning Libraries
Tickets start at £5. For more info and to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Sat 26th Sept, 7.30PM (BST) – via Zoom
Ironbridge Festival of the Imagination Poetry Slam
Run by Poets, Prattlers & Pandemonialists
More details and info on the Facebook event page. Get your free tickets from the Ironbridge website.
Sat 26th Sept, 3.30-4.30PM (BST) – via Zoom
Against the Grain Presents: Cut the Black Rabbit and Oh Be Quiet
Book launch for Benjamin Cusden and Natalie Shaw. Find more details and register for a free ticket on the Eventbrite webpage.
WORKSHOPS
Lockdown Writing Workshops with Jamie Thrasivoulou
Join the Facebook group for more details. Not on Facebook? Search for the workshops on YouTube.
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.
Fri 2nd Sept/to view at any time – via YouTube
Sitting Rooms of Culture Creative Workshops: Rambling Rhymes with Andrea Mbarushimana
Nature and poetry. View the YouTube video, and check out other SRoC Creative Workshops on their channel.
Tues 8th Sept, 9AM (BST)
Writers HQ Mini Online Retreat
A procrastination-busting retreat, with a webinar and a debrief session. Free. All welcome. For more info, visit the event webpage.
Wed 9th Sept, 10.30AM-12.30PM (BST) – via Zoom
Poetry Workshop with Rich Hume
Part of Newhaven Festival. More info and to register for a £5 ticket, visit the Eventbrite page.
Sat 12th Sept, 5-7PM (BST) – via Zoom
Poetry Clinic: [INTERMEDIATE] Level Up Your Spoken Word Poetry
Led by Nnenna Umelloh
Cost: $12-$15. Please read the details to determine if you are eligible. For more info and to register, visit the Eventbrite page
Wed 23rd Sept, 10:30AM-12 noon (BST) – via Zoom
‘Postcards from the Plot’: Recipe & Renga Poems
An online poetry workshop with Emma Purshouse and Steve Pottinger. £2.50. You can find more information and purchase tickets on this webpage.