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Regular Poetry Events In Nottingham

Regular Poetry Events In Nottingham

Compiled by Martin Grey I’ve been making a list of all the regular spoken word events in Nottingham. There’s 14 I know about. I might have some details wrong and might be missing some nights or have some that aren’t running, but it’d be good to fix any errors and have a full list for everyone 🙂  Between The Shadow and the Soul – Pay what you can – City Arts – First Wednesday of every month – 7.30pm to…

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The Curious Dance Between Life and Death

The Curious Dance Between Life and Death

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…

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DIY Poets Take Gate To Southwell Festival By Storm

DIY Poets Take Gate To Southwell Festival By Storm

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…

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The Bard Of Southwell 2018

The Bard Of Southwell 2018

Congratulations to DIY poet Martin Grey who fought off stiff competition to win the accolade ‘Bard of Southwell’ at the Gate To Southwell Festival 2018. His winning poem was a tender look back at his Grandfather, fish and chips and cigarettes.

Just Another DIY Night At The Maze

Just Another DIY Night At The Maze

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’….

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Review Of SPEAK UP! April 25th 2018

Review Of SPEAK UP! April 25th 2018

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….

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Review Of Austerity Cafe 28 April 2018

Review Of Austerity Cafe 28 April 2018

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…

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Poetry Profile – Crosswords

Poetry Profile – Crosswords

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

Read Frank McMahon’s New Book X

Read Frank McMahon’s New Book X

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

My Family And Other Superheroes

My Family And Other Superheroes

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…

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