[Written by Lytisha] A Difficult Year I have been honoured to be a member of the DIY Poets collective for more than 7 years now, and I’d like to say how impressed I am with how the group has dealt with the difficult year that 2020 has thrown at us. Our regular monthly meetings adapted to become monthly readaround / critique sessions online. Our quarterly showcase events adapted to become events performed live on zoom and broadcast across several platforms….
I am pleased to announce that our latest zine edition is now available. Arguably our best ever instalment this issue will only be available on line. Packed with short accessible poems, this compact but perfectly formed publication is your ideal companion to a rainy night in. With topics ranging from a puddle in the pavement to hidden disabilities, coconut gorse on Flamborough Head to the dangers of keeping your trap shut and from Emmet’s water clock to telephones from yoghurt…
Why did you get into poetry? Put one way I am glad I got into poetry. It was an interesting journey from the very start. Years ago I was in a duet and had a partner who sadly died. To honour his memory there is still a song we wrote available online, he musician-composer, me a lyric writer. To further make certain his work was heard I finally got them from poor recordings on audio tape to CD. I gave…
Venue: City Arts [Reviewers Clare Stewart 1st half and Martin Dean 2nd half] Sue was our bossy but cheerful 1st half compere, who kept us all in order magnificently. Neil Sue said that Neil is usually political, understands social issues of the day – but then he had to admit that he’s not living up to that on this occasion. He read two untitled poems, the first about a boxing match, powerful, rhythmic and rhyming, describing visceral aggression and crowd…
By Marjie Griffiths On Wednesday 13th November, the audience at Crosswords Open Mic were treated to a set from Nottingham’s zombie poet extraordinaire, Al Lane (a.k.a. Steve the Zombie). Now, you may be wondering what you get if you cross a zombie with a talented wordsmith …? Apparently, you get some powerfully effective advice on how to live life to the full! Al is both engaging and warm. The self-deprecating humour that runs through his work makes him instantly relatable, as…
Review of DIY Poets Quarterly Showcase November 14th 2019. Location: City Arts, Nottingham. (First half mostly reviewed by Clare Stewart, second half mostly by Vron McIntyre.) This was my (Clare’s) first DIY quarterly gig at City Arts, I like it, I like the atmosphere, the bar is good, the location is all right, comfortable, good acoustics, yeah. Andrew Martin and Laura Grevel shared compering duties, they did v well, made the evening fun, and ensured the evening ran smoothly. John…
In October DIY poets took part in the Poetry Funfair event at Nottingham Playhouse as part of National Poetry Day 2019. Here are some flavours of this wonderful event, and some of the lovely people that supported it. More event photos (Photo credit Fraser Youngson) Article by Pauline Black and Martin Grey, courtesy of Nottingham City of Literature.
DIY Poets (we’re nice and we don’t always rhyme) have been performing poetry in Nottingham for over fifteen years. Tonight, the first of our quarterly nights at City Arts, will feature an open mic, DIY Poets, plus a wonderful acoustic musician/ singer. We are also launching issue 46 of our free A6 zine. £3 entry For ages 18+. Wheelchair accessible. Hearing loop available. Gender neutral toilet. Accessible toilet. Grassroots poetry at its best. Facebook Page
We have great news for you. DIY Poets are heading north for the summer! We are very excited to announce that we have a one week residency at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Between 10-16 August around 15 DIY poets will be on hand to entertain you with our DIY Poetry Fix at The Banshee Labyrinth on Niddry Street EH1 1LG. Every evening from 8.15 – 9.15pm. We can promise short sharp poetry that makes you think, makes you laugh, makes…