Monthly Archives: April 2012

Poems Not Numerous Enough For NAPOWRIMO

Posted on April 30, 2012 by garylongden

This is Not a Love Poem Sometimes love resists fate; The new boy on the adjacent aisle, Sits on a distant far off isle, Too far to swim. Joint studies converge eager minds, Poring over school essays, May not help … Continue reading →

Posted in Poems | 2 Comments

May 2012 – What’s On, Midlands Spoken Word

Posted on April 29, 2012 by garylongden

Festivals 30th April -6th May Chipping Campden Festival :http://www.campdenlitfest.co.uk/contentok.php?id=88 Fri 4th-7th May Shrewsbury Bookfest:http://www.shrewsburybookfest.co.uk/#/whats-on/4559069123 Mon 7th-19th May Swindon Festival of Literature:http://www.swindonfestivalofliterature.co.uk/ Fri 11th -20th May Derbyshire Literary Festival http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/arts_entertainment/literature_development/literature_festival/ Sat 19th May-27th Nailsworth Festival:http://www.nailsworthfestival.org.uk/ ——————————————————————————————————————————— Tues 1st Night Blue Fruit, … Continue reading →

Posted in Midlands Poetry What's On | 3 Comments

Hamlet , The Lamp Tavern, Digbeth, Birmingham

Posted on April 29, 2012 by garylongden

I am fond of seeing Shakespeare performed in public houses as it recreates the milieu in which the plays would originally have been performed. The Lamp Tavern itself is an old, characterful , intimate, backstreet place, in which you bump … Continue reading →

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Bilston Voices, Metro Cafe, Bilston

Posted on April 28, 2012 by garylongden

Fading spring light still clung to the evening hour through the haze of light drizzle as April’s instalment of Bilston Voices commenced . The usual, strong , crowd assembled early for coffee and cake before sampling the main course of … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | 2 Comments

Sounds & Sweet Airs , Bookmark Library Theatre, Bloxwich

Posted on April 24, 2012 by garylongden

Poetry readings abound in the Midlands at the moment. Men and women are seen entering a rich variety of bars, pubs, meeting rooms and libraries clutching notepads and books. Tonight they converged on Bloxwich, an ideal venue with sound system … Continue reading →

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Spoken Worlds, Old Cottage Tavern, Burton upon Trent

Posted on April 24, 2012 by garylongden

Organised by host Gary Carr, this monthly spoken word event continues to provide a solid platform for experienced, and less experienced ,writers alike to trial their work in a supportive atmosphere. Trusty troubadours arrive from as far away as Buxton, … Continue reading →

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Writers Retreat Showcase, Erdington Library, Birmingham

Posted on April 24, 2012 by garylongden

Erdington Library has been hosting a week long series of poetry workshops curated by Jan Watts, Birmingham Poet Laureate. This night was a showcase for those who had worked for four days to develop, and hone, their poetic skills. Reprising … Continue reading →

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Cheltenham Poetry Festival – Nine Arches Poetry Juke Box / Pulp Diction

Posted on April 22, 2012 by garylongden

When Cheltenham Poetry Festival launched in 2011 it was described as ‘a triumph’ by poet Alison Brackenbury, now in its second year ,it has returned bigger and better with 95 performers over 5 days, overseen by Chief Executive Director Anna … Continue reading →

Posted in Behind the Arras Reviews | 3 Comments

Mouth & Music, Boars Head Gallery, Kidderminster

Posted on April 11, 2012 by garylongden

The Boars Head is a proper old fashioned pub, full of doors and nooks and crannies. It has also become a cultural hub in Kidderminster. When it first opened in 1888, Oscar Wilde, W.B. Yeats and Tennyson were alive and … Continue reading →

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Garyswordz- A Year On

Posted on April 9, 2012 by garylongden

Happy Birthday to me! Garyswordz is a year old in April and it seems opportune to both look forwards, and look back. When I started this I had no master plan about what Garyswordz was going to be, or idea … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog | 3 Comments