Blog Archives
Uncut Poets: Julie Sampson and Alwyn Marriage on Thursday January 30th at 7.30pm in the Exeter Phoenix Black Box
Springing from their winter torpor, the management of Uncut Poets are looking forward to throwing open the doors of the Black Box and discovering what colour it’s going to be this year. Our guests on January 30th will be Julie Sampson, whose first collection ‘Tessitura’ has just come out from Shearsman, and Alwyn Marriage, whose ‘festo’ is the latest of her several widely-admired books. Julie, who grew up in mid-Devon, now lives in Taunton; as well as writing poetry, she has researched and published on Devon women writers and the imagist poet HD. Alwyn is Managing Editor of Oversteps Books; last year she was Poet in Residence at the Winchester 10 Day Festival,
and took part in the prestigious post-AGM reading at the Poetry Society.
Alasdair Paterson and Gemma Green continue as hosts/ keepers of the peace. There will be the usual number of Open Mic spots, one of which can be reserved (if you’re quick) by contacting Gemma on 07855 809394. Admission is £5 (£3 concessions and open mic). There’s a bar, I believe.
Congratulations to Saskia Tomlinson, Exeter Poetry Festival slam queen 2013!
Tim King, Saskia Tomlinson and Morwenna Griffiths
Q. Who said ‘I could no more define poetry than a terrier can define a rat.’ A. A.E.Housman
Monday 30th September 2013
THE BROADSHEET with the Bard of Exeter Simon Williams City Gate Hotel, Cellar Bar, 7.30pm – £2, free to readers
Thursday 3rd October 2013
NATIONAL POETRY DAY with Sean O’Brien and Jo Shapcott Exeter Barnfield Theatre, 7.30pm – £12.50 Book at the Barnfield box office online or phone 01392 271808
Friday 4th October 2013
BEYOND BORDERS with Roddy Lumsden, Peter Finch and Hannah Silva Exeter University Queen’s Building – Lecture Theatre 7.30pm – £9 Book at the Exeter Phoenix box office online or phone 01392 667080
preceded by
EXETER UNIVERSITY MA SHOWCASE with Barbara Farley, Isabel Galleymore, Louise Jenkins, and Naomi Williamson Exeter University Queen’s Building – Senior Common Room 6.30pm – Free Event
Saturday 5th October 2013
FESTIVAL WORKSHOP with Greta Stoddart Exeter (Temporary) Library, 2pm-5pm – £12 To book contact barbara@excitepoetry.org
EXLIBRIS launches ‘Making History’ Royal Albert Memorial Museum, 5.45pm By invitation only – if interested email contact@excitepoetry.org
TRIPLE BILL with Lemn Sissay, Dizraeli and Benin City Royal Albert Memorial Museum, 7pm – £12 / £9 (concessions) Book direct from the museum or via undergroundtickets.net
Sunday 6th October 2013
STUDIO 36 with Marcus Wylie (workshop), Rachel McCarthy and Alasdair Paterson Gallery 36, Denmark Road, Exeter – £5 (workshop), £5 (reading), £8 (all day) Pay on the door, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support
EXETER POETRY SLAM 2013 hosted by Morwenna Griffiths and Tim King The Bikeshed Theatre, 7.30pm – £5 Tickets from The Bikeshed box office or phone 01392 434169 To take part email slam@speakinsong.co.uk
Launch of The Broadsheet with Simon Williams at the cellar bar of the City Gate Hotel, Exeter, on Monday 30th September 2013 at 7.30pm
Monday 30th September 2013
THE BROADSHEET
with the Bard of Exeter Simon Williams
City Gate Hotel, Cellar Bar, 7.30pm – £2, free to readers.
We’re kick-starting Exeter Poetry Festival 2013 with the launch of a special, festival-themed edition of Devon’s newest poetry magazine The Broadsheet. This limited edition will feature poems from festival readers, from Sean O’Brien to Hannah Silva, alongside poems from writers across Devon and Cornwall and from across the poetry spectrum.
Join us for a night of open mic readings from the best and brightest poets in the region, and celebrate the launch of a magazine without borders.
Festival National Poetry Day Reading: Jo Shapcott and Sean O’Brien perform at the Barnfield Theatre Exeter on Thursday 3rd October at 7.30pm
Thursday 3rd October 2013
NATIONAL POETRY DAY with Sean O’Brien and Jo Shapcott
Exeter Barnfield Theatre, 7.30pm – £12.50
Book at the Barnfield box office online or phone 01392 271808
Two of British poetry’s leading lights, together in Exeter, for one night only.
Sean O’Brien’s first six individual poetry collections all won awards, most recently The Drowned Book, which won both the Forward and T.S. Eliot Prizes. Sean’s work explores issues at the heart of contemporary Britain. His recent poem Oysterity , published on the eve of the Government’s last pre-budget statement, scrutinizes the topical themes of consumption and regret. The Guardian calls him ‘ a poet of unabashed political engagement, wit and humour’ . His Collected Poems was published in 2012.
Jo Shapcott has won the Forward Prize for Best First Collection, the National Poetry Competition (twice) and in 2011 was awarded the prized Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry. The Observer praised Jo’s most recent collection, Of Mutability, which won the Costa Book of the Year, as poems that ‘ keep shifting ground, subtly transforming themselves – you need to watch Jo Shapcott like a hawk…’
Uncut Poets, Exeter Phoenix, 26th September at 7.30pm – Alex MacDonald
Uncut Poets, Exeter Phoenix, Thursday 26th September at 7.30pm with Alex MacDonald
Refreshed after the August break and in training for the extravaganza of the Exeter Poetry Festival in the following week, Uncut Poets is back with a flourish of dactyls and dithyrambs. Our guest this month is Alex MacDonald, poet, blogger and organiser of the Selected Poems reading series at the V&A. Expect a lively, provocative and wide-ranging set.
The evening, organised by Alasdair Paterson and Gemma Green in the legendary Black Box, offers the usual ten open mic slots at 5 minutes apiece; while stocks last, these can be booked via Gemma at 07855 809394. Admission is £5 (£3 concessions and open mic performers).
Exeter Poetry Festival Workshop with Greta Stoddart at Exeter Central Library on Saturday 5th October at 2pm
Saturday 5th October 2013
FESTIVAL WORKSHOP with Greta Stoddart Exeter (Temporary) Library, 2pm-5pm – £12
To book contact barbara@excitepoetry.org
Last few places! For those who have booked but not paid, please confirm.
Notebooks are full of the stuff of poems: first lines, quotes, thoughts, memories, dreams, rants, lists. Delving into, and sharing, her own notebook entries Greta will be using these as prompts to write, discuss and think about poems. So bring along your own notebook and delve into its poetic potential!
A partnership event between Excite Poetry and The Poetry School.
Fringe Sunday Part 1: Studio 36, 6th October from 10.30am, reading at 6.00pm
In the garden at Studio 36
Sunday 6th October 2013
A day of events in the enchanting cornucopia that is Studio 36 and all in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
Starting with an art poetry workshop with Marcus Wylie in the morning, to a tour of the studio space and a free special exhibition in the afternoon, to an evening reading with three of the region’s best known poets.
STUDIO 36 with Marcus Wylie (workshop), Rachel McCarthy and Alasdair Paterson
Gallery 36, Denmark Road, Exeter – £5 (workshop), £5 (reading), £8 (all day)
Pay on the door, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
Reserve a space by calling Veronica Gosling on 01392 256206 or emailing her at gallery36exeter@aol.com
Marcus Wylie
ExCite Poetry presents Studio 36 with Marcus Wylie – Sunday 6th October 2013
Studio 36 is the gallery home of Veronica Gosling. It is open by request and is full of her pottery, paintings, drawings and assemblages plus garden sculpture.
ART POETRY WORKSHOP
Raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support 10.30am-12.00, noon, at Studio 36 Tickets: £5.00 each or £8.00 all day.
Marcus Wylie’s workshop will explore the poetry of art, employing the visual as a springboard to written and spoken verse.
During the workshop participants will explore how poets have responded to art in the past and discuss their reactions to this work. Then writing exercises will examine art both in postcard form and throughout Studio 36. Many of Veronica Gosling’s artworks have phrases incorporated into them and this ‘found poetry’ may be used to create new poems, or first drafts of larger pieces. There will be chances to share work and poetic guidance will be provided.
IMAGES & WORDS forum
Raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support 2pm-4pm at Studio 36 Free event
An open opportunity to see a display of Marcus Wylie’s poetical photographic images and to discuss both them and his commitment to helping combat veterans deal with their Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) through creative writing and poetry.
This time is also an opportunity to discover Studio 36’s delightful concoction of surreal art and to chat with the artist Veronica Gosling.
A TRIO OF POETS
Raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support From 6pm at Studio 36 Tickets: £5.00 or £8.00 to include a morning workshop event.
Three poets will provide a reading. Please bring your own picnic for the interval.
Marcus Wylie works with various groups including combat veterans with PTSD. His work was exhibited in Salisbury as part of the John Creasey Museum’s ‘Other Worlds’ project and he was part of Exeter’s ‘War Art’ exhibition which reached an estimated audience of 175.000 people. Marcus Wylie’s poetry was recently included in an installation at the University of Exeter; he appeared on their ‘Wall of Miracles.’
Rachel McCarthy is a scientist, poet, essayist, interviewer and broadcaster, dividing her time between London and Exeter. She is Managing Director of ExCite Poetry, the Poetry Society Stanza for Devon. Her current elements poetry sequence is a brilliant combination of an enquiring mind and her unique lyrical dexterity.
Having directed the work of academic libraries in Britain and Ireland, Alasdair Paterson returned to the poetic fray in 2010 with his ‘On the Governing of Empires’ collection, swiftly followed by more releases. Alasdair Paterson won an Eric Gregory Award for his poetry in 1976. His work is clever and thought provoking; a storyteller whose narrative spans the ages, balancing poetic tensions with humour and a deep understanding of possibilities of language.
Numbers strictly limited and bookings/enquiries are to Veronica Gosling on 01392 256206 or email gallery36exeter@aol.com
Fringe Sunday Part 2: Exeter Poetry Slam, 6th October 7.30pm, The Bike Shed Theatre
Exeter Poetry Festival Slam 2013 hosted by Morwenna Griffiths and Tim King
Sunday 6th October 2013
EXETER POETRY SLAM 2013 hosted by Morwenna Griffiths and Tim King
The Bikeshed Theatre, 7.30pm – £5
Tickets from The Bikeshed box office or phone 01392 434169
To take part email slam@speakinsong.co.uk
12 of the finest poetic performers in the south-west will go head-to-head in the fourth instalment of this annual competition hosted by Morwenna Griffiths and Tim King un the convivial surroundings of Exeter’s The Bikeshed Theatre
The Bike Shed Theatre bar – quiet before the storm
Taking the Mic co-presenters Morwenna Griffiths and Tim King proudly host the fourth Exeter Poetry Slam!
12 of the finest poetic performers in the South West will go head to head in the 4th instalment of this annual competition. Previous winners include Ian Royce Chamberlain, Robert Garnham and Daniel Haynes, so expect the very highest standard of competition.
The Slam will be held over three rounds, comprising three heats, a semi-final and final. The winner of each heat and the two highest scoring runners-up will qualify for the semi-final. The two highest scoring poets in the semi-final will compete head-to-head in the final.
To apply to take part, please email: slam@speakinsong.co.uk
Slam! poets will also be asked to supply a biographical note of no more than 40 words (strict maximum) by Monday 30th September 2013, to be read by the referees to introduce each contestant to the audience.
12 contestants, 3 rounds, 1 winner, much kudos.
Prizes and judges to be confirmed.
Tickets £5. Free with a Membership.
A Night at the Museum Part 1: Exeter Poetry Festival October 5th 2013 – Launch of ExLibris Press and the ‘Making History’ pamphlet
Saturday 5th October 2013
EXLIBRIS launches ‘Making History’
Royal Albert Memorial Museum, 6pm
By invitation only – if interested email contact@excitepoetry.org
ExLibris is the publishing arm of ExCite Poetry, this is its launch event.
We plan to publish a series of pamphlets in both hand-sewn, beautifully produced and designed limited editions and as iBooks with voice recordings of each poem and other added features.
‘Making History’ is our first publication, in partnership with Royal Albert Memorial Museum
It features poems from Lawrence Sail and Harry Guest.
It poems from Devon poets Mark Totterdell, Becky Gethin, Graham Burchell, Sally Flint, Denise McSheehy, Ian Chamberlain, and Simon Williams the winning entrants in an open competition judged by Damian Furniss and Julie-Ann Rowell.
It contains ten poems and ten illustrations from pupils at Redhills Community Primary School who worked with poets in education Phil Bowen and Liz Adams at Royal Albert Memorial Museum
INFORMATION FOR PRESS
ExCite Poetry, the UK Poetry Society stanza for Devon, cordially invite you to attend the launch of ExLibris, the first UK poetry press to produce high quality electronic poetry pamphlets using Apple technology, with full voice recording of poems by their authors, as well as limited editions in hand-stitched hardcopy.
The launch will debut the first pamphlet; an anthology response to the collection of the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, by local school children and established and emerging poets basedin Devon. The museum will be closed to the public, however exhibition spaces will remain open for your perusal.
Prosecco and soft drinks available.
Date: Saturday 5th October 2013
Time: 6:00 – 7:00
Location: The Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Queen Street, Exeter, EX4 3RW
We look forward to seeing you on the 5th. Please RSVP by responding to press@excitepoetry.org. Thank you.
Exeter Poetry Festival 