I am pleased to announce the release of my first collection of poems – ‘The Curious Dance Between Life And Death’. Download a preview The theme is inspired by a quote from Lao Tzu – “Life and death are one thread, the same line viewed from different sides.” The opening piece of the book sets the scene as Jack progresses towards his last breath. From this poignant beginning ‘The Curious Dance Between Life And Death’ explores human experience as one…
DIY Poets have become a bit of a fixture at the Gate to Southwell Festival these days, so it was a pleasure to head back there for a Saturday showcase and a Sunday slam, where the winner would be crowned 2018 Bard of Southwell. Review by Martin Gray Under the red and white stripes of the Steeples Tent, with the stage being the grass in front of the ebbing and flowing crowd, our Andy Szpuk introduced six DIY Poets and…
Review of DIY Poets Showcase At The Maze May 10th 2018 by Jake Wildeman and Martin Grey ‘Just another DIY night at the Maze’… there’s two things wrong with that phrase. The first being ‘just’. This venue is a deeply special place, one of the most intimate you might find in Nottingham. Whether you’re here for music or poetry, you’ll find that there’s no barrier between performer and audience… it’s a wonderful feeling. The second problem is ‘another DIY night’….
SPEAK UP! @ THE LORD ROBERTS NOTTINGHAM, APRIL 25TH, 7:30pm Reviewed by Andy Szpuk Gaining entrance to a poetry event with a tin of sardines felt a bit surreal, like stepping out of a Salvador Dali painting, but of course this was a We Shall Overcome (WSO) event, so people were asked to bring food bank donations instead of paying admission. But, if it felt slightly bizarre, it echoed the extraordinary and outlandish evening of entertainment that was to follow….
AUSTERITY CAFE – 28 APRIL 2018 – Jam Cafe, Nottingham, 5:30pm Reviewed by Martin Grey The penultimate evening of Nottingham Poetry Festival saw Jam Cafe become Austerity Cafe, a place where the rich, poor, left and right are all provided food for thought by Yannis, the cafe owner. A politically poetic musical that would fit perfectly into the Edinburgh Fringe, Austerity Cafe is the brainchild of Andy Szpuk and Paul Quadros. Paul provides a powerful electric guitar soundtrack for…
On the second Wednesday of every month in a cosy cave three floors below the Malt Cross you’ll find Crosswords, Nottingham’s only subterranean spoken word open mic. Our Martin Grey popped down to May’s event and also had a chat with the organisers, Leanne Moden and Jake Wildeman, and this month’s headliner, Gemma Baker. Read more.. Published in Left Lion Magazine – 18th May 2018
Yes its finally here! Frank McMahon’s tenth (yes tenth) volume of poetry. Take a look at this latest collection from DIY Poets very own ‘Bard of The Brief’. From gun crime to Amazon (no not the forest), running to Dr Who this volume has it all. Social commentary, wry humour and literary comment. All human life is here. What more could you ask for? Own your own ‘real book’ for a mere £4. Book 10 X alternative cover PDF
Reviewed by Frank McMahon My Family and Other Superheroes is the first book by Jonathan Edwards. There is a lot of sometimes surreal imagery, such as in Evel Knievel Jumps Over My Family which has the stuntman attempt to jump his motorbike over all the generations of the Edwards family, “his anxious face an act to pump the crowd, surely”. There’s a story of how his parents met involving Gregory Peck and Sophia Loren in Gregory Peck and Sophia Loren…
Sue Allen Talks Poetry Interviewed by Martin Dean M. How long have you been performing poetry? S. About 15 years on and off. M. What was your first break into performing poetry? S. I first performed in a pub called THE DEAD POET at Holbrook in Derbyshire. I had been attending a poetry workshop and the facilitator talked me into doing it. I was instantly hooked and was soon into the open mic circuit across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. M. Tell…