Portsmouth Quaker Meeting warmly invite you and your family to an Open Day being held on the Saturday 16th October 2010. 10.30am – 3.30pm.
All faiths and none are welcome to come and ask questions about the Religious Society of Friends. We will be holding a half an hour meeting for worship at 2 pm, along with displays on the topic of Quakerism and its influence in society. There will be refreshments will be available, with tea and coffee throughout the day with soup served at lunchtime.
If you ever considered Quakerism here is the perfect opportunity to take that curiosity one stage further and ask questions to members of Portsmouth Meeting who will be happy to answer your questions.
Quakers are unified not by beliefs but by silent worship, and the recognition of ‘that of God in everyone‘. As a consequence anyone attending a meeting is free to give ministry as we have no professional clergy.
Quakers believe in a ‘way’, and in putting our faith into action, as opposed to subscribing to dogmas or doctrine. As a consequence the Quaker faith allows for great diversity forming a strong foundation upon which The Religious Society of Friends have made an enormous contribution to society far beyond its size.
The projects run by the Religious Society tackle violence and injustice in society to opposing international wars. The commitment to opposing violence and working for peace on all levels uses non violent means of resistance and action. The Quaker commitment to non violence stems from our spiritual commitment to ’answer to that of God in everyone’.
At Portsmouth Meeting our previous clerk took part in the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI). His role was to monitor and report on violations of human rights and to offer a non violent presence, immensely powerful in the potentially volatile area of the Palestine and Israel border.
Portsmouth Quaker Meeting are interested in furthering our social outreach and would welcome contacts from other groups who are active in the community and share our outlook and ethos.
Everyone, including children and young people, are warmly welcome to the Open Day.
Our Meeting House is 25 Northwood Road, Hilsea, PO2 9QT. We meet for worship every Sunday at 10.30 am with tea and coffee served afterwards.
Contact Peter Higgins for further details Peter Higgins Tel: 02392 263499 Email: portsmouth@hampshirequakers.org.uk
Published: The Newshttp://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/Peace-and-violence-talks-at.6580778.jp
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Tongues and Grooves Review July 25th 2010
Last months Tongues and Grooves had a drop of darkness in the atmosphere as Paul Birtill, was the night's must see act. Birtill described as an anti laureate, read from his lastest book, Paul Birtill's Collected Poems, with a dryness befitting of the themes of his poems.
Birtill's poetry, written with complete black humour, is daring in his openness and cynicism. Birtill cracked many a rib, with one member of the audience not knowing whether to laugh or to cry.
The evening was characterised by both light and dark tones with Mike Loveday as guest poet and 'Tangle' the headline for the music. Mike Loveday, editor of 14 Magazine, the guest poet of the evening, was described by Maggie Sawkins as an antidote to Paul Birtill.
'Tangle' lightened the mood with their romantic signature tune 'Tangle' performed in harmony. 'Tangle', Angie Sanders and John Bentley, are rapidly gaining popularity of the Portsmouth acoustic scene with their wide repertoire and beautiful harmonies. Special guests for the music were Sue Apicella and Barry Rhea performing well loved folk tunes. Janet Ayers contributed a haunting version of 'Will you Go Lassie Go (Wild Mountain Thyme)', a beautiful Irish song.
Open mic was varied with first time performers Sam Cox with a rap to a accompanied drum beat on the dehumanisation encountered in modern living. Lynda Berry, myself, performed Empty is the Gallery a poem written in the PUSH creative writing class where I volunteered. Amando made another performance of his meaningful poetry on the themes of parenthood.
On the whole the short poetry of the open mic was well received, however longer poems were less well received and it is useful for potentail open mic readers to bear in mind that shorter poems hold the attention of the audience and give a better impression of the skill of the poet.
A thoughtful night was had by all. Tongues and Grooves is on leave for a month until Sunday 26th September, when the musician Nick Molyneux will headline.
.
Birtill's poetry, written with complete black humour, is daring in his openness and cynicism. Birtill cracked many a rib, with one member of the audience not knowing whether to laugh or to cry.
The evening was characterised by both light and dark tones with Mike Loveday as guest poet and 'Tangle' the headline for the music. Mike Loveday, editor of 14 Magazine, the guest poet of the evening, was described by Maggie Sawkins as an antidote to Paul Birtill.
'Tangle' lightened the mood with their romantic signature tune 'Tangle' performed in harmony. 'Tangle', Angie Sanders and John Bentley, are rapidly gaining popularity of the Portsmouth acoustic scene with their wide repertoire and beautiful harmonies. Special guests for the music were Sue Apicella and Barry Rhea performing well loved folk tunes. Janet Ayers contributed a haunting version of 'Will you Go Lassie Go (Wild Mountain Thyme)', a beautiful Irish song.
Open mic was varied with first time performers Sam Cox with a rap to a accompanied drum beat on the dehumanisation encountered in modern living. Lynda Berry, myself, performed Empty is the Gallery a poem written in the PUSH creative writing class where I volunteered. Amando made another performance of his meaningful poetry on the themes of parenthood.
On the whole the short poetry of the open mic was well received, however longer poems were less well received and it is useful for potentail open mic readers to bear in mind that shorter poems hold the attention of the audience and give a better impression of the skill of the poet.
A thoughtful night was had by all. Tongues and Grooves is on leave for a month until Sunday 26th September, when the musician Nick Molyneux will headline.
.
Opera in the Park Saturday 31st July 2010
Victoria Park was inundated with a large crowd eagerly anticipating the evening’s entertainment. The weather was fine and the sky was clear, perfect for those that brought a picnic. Opera in the Park was organised by Portsmouth City Council and this year they invited the Opera Company Hatstand Opera to take centre stage with 'Golden Moments from Opera' with frivolous results.
The mezzo soprano and compère Kirsty Young introduced the performers and guided the audience through the night's experience with great humour and character.
The opera highlights opened with
Another notable highlight was 'La ci darem' from the Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart opera 'Don Giovanni' which includes the ‘most famous chat up line in opera’, 'You lay your hand in mine, dear'[1]. The words being spoken by a wealthy lord to a young woman about to be married to a peasant in the hope she will elope with him.
Well explained and light hearted throughout one of the last numbers of the evening was a classic from the valleys, Tom Jones’s Delia, performed by the tenor Richard Lloyd Owen, soprano Toni Nunn and mezzo soprano Kirsty Young. The performance was true to Owen’s welsh roots.
The final piece was '
[1] Translated fully as ‘There we will entwine our hands’.
http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/Hampshire/Portsmouth/PO6/News/Reviews-and-Features/172244-Opera-in-the-Park-Review-by-Lynda-Berrry
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Nightmares and Fairytales at the Artspace Gallery
Friday evening, I joined a well sized group audience for the one night only viewing of Nightmares and Fairytales, held at Art Space (Brougham Road, Southsea). The chilling, yet thrilling exhibition of the drawings and poetry from the twisted imagination of Anna Mathewson, intertwined with Steve Bomford's exploration of her imaginary world through his photography. Building on the success at the Chichester Summer Art show in the Oxmarket Arts Centre last month the exhibit is now on tour.
I will admit to some inhibitions when first entering the gallery, however, I quickly became fixated by the detail and care with which the art had been presented.
The room held the blown up versions of the Anna's work as well as Anna's own personal sketchbook, really impressing upon me the bravery of the artist in allowing the audience so close to their private world. Furniture and books, including two copies of Alice in Wonderland, from Anna's bedroom was used to recreate the authentic room from her own home, true to the artist.
I felt I was truly invited down the rabbit hole of Anna's world with its surprises, illusions and dark humour. Curated excellently by Jan Williams and Daniel O'Neill, Nightmares and Fairytales will hopefully continue to impress further audiences.
I felt I was truly invited down the rabbit hole of Anna's world with its surprises, illusions and dark humour. Curated excellently by Jan Williams and Daniel O'Neill, Nightmares and Fairytales will hopefully continue to impress further audiences.
Published in AboutmyArea:
http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/Hampshire/Portsmouth/PO6/News/Reviews-and-Features/171773-Nightmares-and-Fariytales-A-Review-by-Lynda-Berry
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Sprout Night Concert, New Threatre Royla, Wednesday 21st July 2010
Another fantastic night for local talent!
On Wedneday evening the Sprout Concert for emerging local talent was held at the New Threatre Royal. The main poet of the evening was the legendary Donald Gardner, the Amsterdam beat poet who kindly came over from Amsterdam to give his eagerly awaited Tongues and Grooves performance, demonstrating to the 'Sprouts' how it is done.
Maggie Sawkins and Bernard MacDonagh, gave a Irish-folk flavoured performance. Sawkins read her poems on the theme of silence which were interspersed with folk and original tunes from MacDonagh on the button accordion. This was the same performance given as the warm up for Caro Ann Duffy at the Chichester Creative Writing Conference this year, and was praised by the poet laureate herself as 'brilliant'.
Alastair Mansfield, a former naval chaplin, gave an amusing reading before the first 'Sprouts' took to the stage for their first readings. The nerves were running high for these first time perfromers, but the 'Sprouts' came through with flying colours.
The music was a real treat with three great female singers, from the up and coming Krystyna Jankowska, to the more experienced Janet Ayers and Sue Apicella. Jankowska, accompanied by Chris Collier on acoustic guitar,gave heart felt performances of her own work in Polish and English, and covers of Nona Jones and John Lennon's 'Imagine', sending shivers down my heart strings. Janet Ayers, natural voice practitioner, performed with her usual confidence and fabulous comic timing. Ayers was the personality of the event, rivaling Donald Gardner fantastic performance. Sue Apicella performed traditional folk music in the key of 'D'! A running joke that lasted throughout the night ('what key is it in? D!')
After Saturday's creative writing class with Maggie Sawkins and Wendy French, the 'Sprouts' were ready to launch their poems on a well sized audience. Eleven people took to the stage, sometimes for the very first time, to read their poems polished and honed by the experience of Wendy French and Maggie Sawkins. Donald Gardener, commented on how impressed he was with the quality of the poetry performed by the 'Sprouts', though wondered with typical humour, whether the 'Sprouts' appreciated their name (himself of course being the 'Amsterdam sprout, a joke that did not make it to the evenings performance).
Gardener's performance of 'Train Drain' was executed with great style, inspired , undoubtedly, by the courage and enthusiasm of the 'sprouts'.
The night was rounded off with a musical finale lead by Janet Ayers singing 'Happy Birthday' for Maggie Sawkins. Another great night for local talent!
On Wedneday evening the Sprout Concert for emerging local talent was held at the New Threatre Royal. The main poet of the evening was the legendary Donald Gardner, the Amsterdam beat poet who kindly came over from Amsterdam to give his eagerly awaited Tongues and Grooves performance, demonstrating to the 'Sprouts' how it is done.
Maggie Sawkins and Bernard MacDonagh, gave a Irish-folk flavoured performance. Sawkins read her poems on the theme of silence which were interspersed with folk and original tunes from MacDonagh on the button accordion. This was the same performance given as the warm up for Caro Ann Duffy at the Chichester Creative Writing Conference this year, and was praised by the poet laureate herself as 'brilliant'.
Alastair Mansfield, a former naval chaplin, gave an amusing reading before the first 'Sprouts' took to the stage for their first readings. The nerves were running high for these first time perfromers, but the 'Sprouts' came through with flying colours.
The music was a real treat with three great female singers, from the up and coming Krystyna Jankowska, to the more experienced Janet Ayers and Sue Apicella. Jankowska, accompanied by Chris Collier on acoustic guitar,gave heart felt performances of her own work in Polish and English, and covers of Nona Jones and John Lennon's 'Imagine', sending shivers down my heart strings. Janet Ayers, natural voice practitioner, performed with her usual confidence and fabulous comic timing. Ayers was the personality of the event, rivaling Donald Gardner fantastic performance. Sue Apicella performed traditional folk music in the key of 'D'! A running joke that lasted throughout the night ('what key is it in? D!')
After Saturday's creative writing class with Maggie Sawkins and Wendy French, the 'Sprouts' were ready to launch their poems on a well sized audience. Eleven people took to the stage, sometimes for the very first time, to read their poems polished and honed by the experience of Wendy French and Maggie Sawkins. Donald Gardener, commented on how impressed he was with the quality of the poetry performed by the 'Sprouts', though wondered with typical humour, whether the 'Sprouts' appreciated their name (himself of course being the 'Amsterdam sprout, a joke that did not make it to the evenings performance).
Gardener's performance of 'Train Drain' was executed with great style, inspired , undoubtedly, by the courage and enthusiasm of the 'sprouts'.
The night was rounded off with a musical finale lead by Janet Ayers singing 'Happy Birthday' for Maggie Sawkins. Another great night for local talent!
(To be Published by the Young Writer's Hub, Editor Wes Brown).
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Tongues and Grooves Review Sunday 27th June 2010
On the last Sunday of the month the Florence Inn, Southsea's best kept secret, is home to another of Southsea's gems on the cultural scene. Last Sunday was a great night for local poetry talent.
The local open mic night invites anyone who considers themselves a poet or musician, to share their work with like minded people and enjoy the talents of others.
The performances varied from those familiar with Tongues and Grooves open mic to the less experienced, taking their first steps in reading their poetry to an audience.
For the music lovers, the music of the night was provided by Deanne Burch, a young artist with a wide repertoire from Toris Amos and the Buzzcocks to her own compositions. One of the open mic poets found it difficult to follow Deanne Burch's soothing voice!
Stephen Boyle, the night's featured poet, gave a sensual performance from his full length anthology, 'Desire Lines'.
Fantastic contributions were made by Maggie Sawkins and Denise Bennett, both recently returned from the Poetry and Voice creative and critical conference at The University of Chichester held with the poet laureate, Caroline Ann Duffy.
If you are local and have a love for poetry and music, the next Tongues and Grooves will be held on Sunday July 25th, doors open at 7.30 pm. The featured poets will be Paul Birtil and Mike Loveday. For further details email enquiries@tongues-and-grooves.org.uk.
Published on AboutMyArea Website 12th July 2010 http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/site/nl_display.asp?area=47&i=3154+
The local open mic night invites anyone who considers themselves a poet or musician, to share their work with like minded people and enjoy the talents of others.
The performances varied from those familiar with Tongues and Grooves open mic to the less experienced, taking their first steps in reading their poetry to an audience.
For the music lovers, the music of the night was provided by Deanne Burch, a young artist with a wide repertoire from Toris Amos and the Buzzcocks to her own compositions. One of the open mic poets found it difficult to follow Deanne Burch's soothing voice!
Stephen Boyle, the night's featured poet, gave a sensual performance from his full length anthology, 'Desire Lines'.
Fantastic contributions were made by Maggie Sawkins and Denise Bennett, both recently returned from the Poetry and Voice creative and critical conference at The University of Chichester held with the poet laureate, Caroline Ann Duffy.
If you are local and have a love for poetry and music, the next Tongues and Grooves will be held on Sunday July 25th, doors open at 7.30 pm. The featured poets will be Paul Birtil and Mike Loveday. For further details email enquiries@tongues-and-grooves.org.uk.
Published on AboutMyArea Website 12th July 2010 http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/site/nl_display.asp?area=47&i=3154+
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
WriteInvite Review Monday June 07 2010
A night at Rosies Vineyard, on Elmgrove Southsea, is transformed every first Monday of the month, by the literary delight Writeinvite.
Friendly and welcoming, Writeinvite provided an excellent chance for would be and established writer's to beguile the well sized audience in the hopes of winning the jackpot.
The competition was fierce with the quality of the performances and short stories high. With serious tales to amusing and down-right hilarious, there was something for everyone's literary taste.
The winner of the evening was Louise Mant, with her tragic yet funny 'Paris in Springtime', about the rigours of two elderly ladies attempting to smuggle one of their recently dead husbands back into Britain, to finish their holiday.
Second place went to Lorry O'Neil with a clever and original story from the point of view of a tongue, and third place went to creative writing student Luke Roberts. The event was rounded off well with Rowan O'Niel reading her prize winning short story 'Unfaithful Wings'.
WriteInvite is organised by Robert Richardson, who is also the host, and Christine Richardson. To take part in WriteInvite submit a short story by email to rob@writeinvite.com.
Another event similar to WriteInvite, WriteOnSite, a web based short story competition held every Saturday 5.30-6pm.
Writeinvite meet every Monday to write short stories to a time limit with prizes for the best effort. For more information visit the website www.write-invite.com. Writeinvite Doors open at 7.30pm.
Friendly and welcoming, Writeinvite provided an excellent chance for would be and established writer's to beguile the well sized audience in the hopes of winning the jackpot.
The competition was fierce with the quality of the performances and short stories high. With serious tales to amusing and down-right hilarious, there was something for everyone's literary taste.
The winner of the evening was Louise Mant, with her tragic yet funny 'Paris in Springtime', about the rigours of two elderly ladies attempting to smuggle one of their recently dead husbands back into Britain, to finish their holiday.
Second place went to Lorry O'Neil with a clever and original story from the point of view of a tongue, and third place went to creative writing student Luke Roberts. The event was rounded off well with Rowan O'Niel reading her prize winning short story 'Unfaithful Wings'.
WriteInvite is organised by Robert Richardson, who is also the host, and Christine Richardson. To take part in WriteInvite submit a short story by email to rob@writeinvite.com.
Another event similar to WriteInvite, WriteOnSite, a web based short story competition held every Saturday 5.30-6pm.
Writeinvite meet every Monday to write short stories to a time limit with prizes for the best effort. For more information visit the website www.write-invite.com. Writeinvite Doors open at 7.30pm.
Published in The News, Monday June 14th 2010.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Tongues and Grooves featuring Anna Robinson, Andrew Bailey and John Haynes 30th May 2010
Tongues and Grooves' unique blend of poetical voices and musical talent never disappoints. Sunday's line up more than lived up to my expectation with a buzz and atmosphere that I couldn't quite place my finger on.
Three headlining poets, Anna Robinson, Andrew Bailey and John Haynes read from the new edition of 'The Long Poem Magazine'. Anna Robinson began with a challenging poem on the lives of the five victims of Jack the Ripper, included in her new collection, 'The Finders of London'. Up and coming poet, Andrew Bailey, impressed the audience with his playful reading. Finally, local Costa Poetry Award Winner, John Haynes read from his new collection, 'You', an epic love poem for his Nigerian wife.
The music was headlined by local singer/songwriter, Krystyna Jankowska supported on guitar by Chris Collier. Krystyna's voice captured the audience's imagination and hearts in both Polish and English. Natural Voice Practitioner, Janet Ayers encouraged audience participation with a rendition of a May Song. Sue Apicella lowered the tone wonderfully with her version of 'The Kitchen Man'.
The open mic was excellent and included local poet, Denise Bennett reading her prize winning poem, 'Anniversary'. Poetry duo, Pretty Vacant, had the audience laughing with their bawdy poem written in rhyming couplets. The next Tongues and Grooves on Sunday 27 June will be an open mic evening for local poets and musicians. Anna Robinson said afterwards,‘Tongues&Grooves has got to be the best poetry club in the world.’
Three headlining poets, Anna Robinson, Andrew Bailey and John Haynes read from the new edition of 'The Long Poem Magazine'. Anna Robinson began with a challenging poem on the lives of the five victims of Jack the Ripper, included in her new collection, 'The Finders of London'. Up and coming poet, Andrew Bailey, impressed the audience with his playful reading. Finally, local Costa Poetry Award Winner, John Haynes read from his new collection, 'You', an epic love poem for his Nigerian wife.
The music was headlined by local singer/songwriter, Krystyna Jankowska supported on guitar by Chris Collier. Krystyna's voice captured the audience's imagination and hearts in both Polish and English. Natural Voice Practitioner, Janet Ayers encouraged audience participation with a rendition of a May Song. Sue Apicella lowered the tone wonderfully with her version of 'The Kitchen Man'.
The open mic was excellent and included local poet, Denise Bennett reading her prize winning poem, 'Anniversary'. Poetry duo, Pretty Vacant, had the audience laughing with their bawdy poem written in rhyming couplets. The next Tongues and Grooves on Sunday 27 June will be an open mic evening for local poets and musicians. Anna Robinson said afterwards,‘Tongues&Grooves has got to be the best poetry club in the world.’
Monday, May 24, 2010
Poetcasting Thursday, January 22, 2009
You have heard of Podcasting, but have you heard of Poetcasting? Alex Pryce has come up with an inventive way of combining podcasting with the latest poetry.
In a world always on the move, podcasting - a rapidly expanding online medium - has liberated audiences from the need to congregate for radio programmes or TV broadcasts. Not only can audiences access and download programmes to watch at their convenience, they can also download a range of online voices and ideas from beyond mainstream media.
Now a young poet, Alex Pryce, from Bangor, Ireland, has taken advantage of the versatility of podcasting and come up with a new way of bringing the voice of poetry to a wider audience. The aptly named Poetcasting project is a neutral space for poets of all kinds to record a high-quality portfolio of work as podcasts. The website has at its core the philosophy of featuring both performance and published poetry without bias, giving both varieties an equal space, presenting them in the same format. The poems are performed by their authors and recorded as podcasts - nothing more and certainly nothing less - with each poet limited to four poems which, the website states, should be neither 'experimental' nor 'for performance only'. For, in the case of performance poetry, audiences that did not attend the poetry slam event may not have the opportunity to experience the work of these poets. Podcasting brings performance poetry to a wider audience, by allowing them to download the podcasts of the performance and listen at their leisure. The project acts to bring together the two distinct types of poetry - performance poetry and published poetry - into one accessible medium. The website, which has been running since April 2007, is now inundated with poets, with many more yet to be recorded.
Poetcasting responds not only to the needs of audiences in presenting them with previously unheard poetry, but also to the needs of firmly established poets and new talent. Alex was keen to include poets of diverse backgrounds and ages to ensure that Poetcasting included as broad a selection of poets as possible. As a consequence, Poetscasting not only goes towards addressing the issue surrounding access to performance poetry, but also the difficulties faced by younger poets in getting known. As well as older poets – whom, she quotes, are the 'foundation upon which the next generation of poets are founded upon' - the website includes younger, less established poets. Alex, a young poet herself, has cleverly exploited the flexibility of the Internet and of podcasting as a medium to include the up and coming new voices in poetry, who may be facing difficulties in being published, alongside the established and well-known voices*.
The website has received excited reactions from readers and poets alike, with interest expressed by poets such as Dorothea Smart, a performance poet who uses both Standard and Caribbean English in her poetry; Simon Perril, a published poet whose poem The Immigrant Song inspired by the immigrant centre outside of Cambridge, has been recorded on the website; and young poets such as Izzy Galleymore and Caroline Bird, currently studying at the University of Reading and Oxford respectively.
The other highlights of the website include podcasts from the Rise London Wide Youth Slam 2007, a 'youth development slam' which was supported by the Mayor of London and featured entrants between 11 and 18 years of age. In mid-January 2009, Poetcasting hosted a recorded version of Pomegranate an online poetry magazine aimed at up-and-coming poets less than 30 years of age. Poetcasting will be recording 18 of the best young poets in the UK as an audio version of the webzine.
With plenty of fine new and established talent, the Internet surfer would struggle to go far wrong. In order to sample this cornucopia of the latest poetry, the surfer need only make use of the on-site search engine either to search for known poets or to browse the accessible format and explore previously unknown voices. For the poet, there is a rich resource of poems that lend themselves well to the potential cross-fertilisation of ideas between published and performance poets who may otherwise struggle to inform or inspire each other's poetry. Poetcasting’s neutrality is ideal for the inclusion of diverse numbers of poets, making the site a truly creative space on the Internet. The recordings feature no advertising, only the poetry, with the project being dependent on funding from the Arts Council England.
Ultimately, Poetcasting is not just an achievement in bringing closer together the different mediums of published and performance poetry, and a diverse range of poets, but also the achievement of a young woman. The force behind Poetcasting, Alex Pryce, is a 20-year-old poet studying English Literature at the University of Leicester. Alex single-handedly travels the country to record in some highly unusual places and capture some of the best poets out there to keep the website freshly stocked with new material - all of this on top of keeping up with her academic studies. Recognition for Alex's hard work in creating and maintaining Poetcasting came when she received the Culture Woman of the Future Award in November 2008, making Alex the youngest in the category of culture to win this award. If this was not enough, she was noted as 'one to watch' by the art judges. Alex Pryce commented on receiving the award: “The arts has historically been a man’s world - we haven’t even had a female poet laureate yet - so it is fantastic to be recognised”**.
With Poetcasting going from strength to strength (111 poets currently recorded), the future looks to be bright for both Alex and the project. Alex's work so far has been of great benefit to the breaking down of creative barriers within poetry and to intelligent use of new technology, as well as demonstrating that poetry is well and truly alive as a spoken form of entertainment.
If you are a poet and would like to get involved with Poetcasting, you can contact Alex Pryce through the Poetcasting website www.poetcasting.co.uk for more details. If you are a poet enthusiast and want to keep up with Poetcasting, you can join the growing online community of poets and poetry lovers - the site has a presence on three of the main social networking sites Myspace, Facebook, and Twitter.
*Pryce, Alex, Interview, The Cadaverine
**Pryce,Alex www.alexpryce.com
Published in Arts Hub: Website for the creative job market. http://www.artshub.co.uk/uk/news-article/opinions/performing-arts/poetcasting-176427
In a world always on the move, podcasting - a rapidly expanding online medium - has liberated audiences from the need to congregate for radio programmes or TV broadcasts. Not only can audiences access and download programmes to watch at their convenience, they can also download a range of online voices and ideas from beyond mainstream media.
Now a young poet, Alex Pryce, from Bangor, Ireland, has taken advantage of the versatility of podcasting and come up with a new way of bringing the voice of poetry to a wider audience. The aptly named Poetcasting project is a neutral space for poets of all kinds to record a high-quality portfolio of work as podcasts. The website has at its core the philosophy of featuring both performance and published poetry without bias, giving both varieties an equal space, presenting them in the same format. The poems are performed by their authors and recorded as podcasts - nothing more and certainly nothing less - with each poet limited to four poems which, the website states, should be neither 'experimental' nor 'for performance only'. For, in the case of performance poetry, audiences that did not attend the poetry slam event may not have the opportunity to experience the work of these poets. Podcasting brings performance poetry to a wider audience, by allowing them to download the podcasts of the performance and listen at their leisure. The project acts to bring together the two distinct types of poetry - performance poetry and published poetry - into one accessible medium. The website, which has been running since April 2007, is now inundated with poets, with many more yet to be recorded.
Poetcasting responds not only to the needs of audiences in presenting them with previously unheard poetry, but also to the needs of firmly established poets and new talent. Alex was keen to include poets of diverse backgrounds and ages to ensure that Poetcasting included as broad a selection of poets as possible. As a consequence, Poetscasting not only goes towards addressing the issue surrounding access to performance poetry, but also the difficulties faced by younger poets in getting known. As well as older poets – whom, she quotes, are the 'foundation upon which the next generation of poets are founded upon' - the website includes younger, less established poets. Alex, a young poet herself, has cleverly exploited the flexibility of the Internet and of podcasting as a medium to include the up and coming new voices in poetry, who may be facing difficulties in being published, alongside the established and well-known voices*.
The website has received excited reactions from readers and poets alike, with interest expressed by poets such as Dorothea Smart, a performance poet who uses both Standard and Caribbean English in her poetry; Simon Perril, a published poet whose poem The Immigrant Song inspired by the immigrant centre outside of Cambridge, has been recorded on the website; and young poets such as Izzy Galleymore and Caroline Bird, currently studying at the University of Reading and Oxford respectively.
The other highlights of the website include podcasts from the Rise London Wide Youth Slam 2007, a 'youth development slam' which was supported by the Mayor of London and featured entrants between 11 and 18 years of age. In mid-January 2009, Poetcasting hosted a recorded version of Pomegranate an online poetry magazine aimed at up-and-coming poets less than 30 years of age. Poetcasting will be recording 18 of the best young poets in the UK as an audio version of the webzine.
With plenty of fine new and established talent, the Internet surfer would struggle to go far wrong. In order to sample this cornucopia of the latest poetry, the surfer need only make use of the on-site search engine either to search for known poets or to browse the accessible format and explore previously unknown voices. For the poet, there is a rich resource of poems that lend themselves well to the potential cross-fertilisation of ideas between published and performance poets who may otherwise struggle to inform or inspire each other's poetry. Poetcasting’s neutrality is ideal for the inclusion of diverse numbers of poets, making the site a truly creative space on the Internet. The recordings feature no advertising, only the poetry, with the project being dependent on funding from the Arts Council England.
Ultimately, Poetcasting is not just an achievement in bringing closer together the different mediums of published and performance poetry, and a diverse range of poets, but also the achievement of a young woman. The force behind Poetcasting, Alex Pryce, is a 20-year-old poet studying English Literature at the University of Leicester. Alex single-handedly travels the country to record in some highly unusual places and capture some of the best poets out there to keep the website freshly stocked with new material - all of this on top of keeping up with her academic studies. Recognition for Alex's hard work in creating and maintaining Poetcasting came when she received the Culture Woman of the Future Award in November 2008, making Alex the youngest in the category of culture to win this award. If this was not enough, she was noted as 'one to watch' by the art judges. Alex Pryce commented on receiving the award: “The arts has historically been a man’s world - we haven’t even had a female poet laureate yet - so it is fantastic to be recognised”**.
With Poetcasting going from strength to strength (111 poets currently recorded), the future looks to be bright for both Alex and the project. Alex's work so far has been of great benefit to the breaking down of creative barriers within poetry and to intelligent use of new technology, as well as demonstrating that poetry is well and truly alive as a spoken form of entertainment.
If you are a poet and would like to get involved with Poetcasting, you can contact Alex Pryce through the Poetcasting website www.poetcasting.co.uk for more details. If you are a poet enthusiast and want to keep up with Poetcasting, you can join the growing online community of poets and poetry lovers - the site has a presence on three of the main social networking sites Myspace, Facebook, and Twitter.
*Pryce, Alex, Interview, The Cadaverine
**Pryce,Alex www.alexpryce.com
Published in Arts Hub: Website for the creative job market. http://www.artshub.co.uk/uk/news-article/opinions/performing-arts/poetcasting-176427
Friday, May 21, 2010
Obosca, Spring Arts Centre March 2010
Opening against a simple backdrop and low lighting, Obosca, a group of poets and musicians with Irish connections, set the tone of the evening with a delicate blend of poetry and music. The first tune ‘Aisling Gheal’ (Irish trad.) was played with brio on melodeon and contrasted wonderfully with three short readings on the theme of silence.
The poetry, written and performed by Maggie Sawkins and Bernard MacDonagh, varied from modern to traditional Irish tales. One told of the tragic deaths of young babies (Foidin Mariul) and the folk lore surrounding the fairies that guard the fields where these children lie. Maggie Sawkins contributed a well projected performance of her poem, 'The Retreat': ‘Tonight words are clamouring to come in/but I’m on guard I won’t open the door/I’m going to float like a goose feather in a room of black silence …’
The second half of the programme contained the notable contribution to the musical element by Janelle Hanna’s haunting rendition of ‘My Love is like a Red Red Rose’ aptly played on solo violin. Another moving piece was 'Shoes' by Ron Trueman Border performed by singer/guitarist, Martin Heys. This song of social relevance is based on the drownings of the immigrant Chinese cockle pickers at Morecambe Bay in February 2004.
The sound and musicianship were excellent throughout the evening. The only draw back was the distance of the audience from the performers. Nonetheless, from my vantage point, I could certainly see audience members enthusiastically clapping to the instrumental performance of ‘Callipe House’, one last energetic instrumental that rounded off the night.
The audience was treated to a full polarity of light and dark, love, sex and death, lending for an emotionally engaging evening throughout. Obosca, Gaelic for box, are a rare group of poets and musicians who enjoy performing music and song with an Irish flair. Not only do Obosca perform together but they also perform solo or in pairs, and have strong links to the music and poetry venue, Tongues and Grooves.
Obosca are available for small functions. The best way to contact the group is to e mail either Maggie Sawkins at maggieswakins@moose-mail.com or Bernard MacDonagh at Barneymacdonagh@mac.com.
The poetry, written and performed by Maggie Sawkins and Bernard MacDonagh, varied from modern to traditional Irish tales. One told of the tragic deaths of young babies (Foidin Mariul) and the folk lore surrounding the fairies that guard the fields where these children lie. Maggie Sawkins contributed a well projected performance of her poem, 'The Retreat': ‘Tonight words are clamouring to come in/but I’m on guard I won’t open the door/I’m going to float like a goose feather in a room of black silence …’
The second half of the programme contained the notable contribution to the musical element by Janelle Hanna’s haunting rendition of ‘My Love is like a Red Red Rose’ aptly played on solo violin. Another moving piece was 'Shoes' by Ron Trueman Border performed by singer/guitarist, Martin Heys. This song of social relevance is based on the drownings of the immigrant Chinese cockle pickers at Morecambe Bay in February 2004.
The sound and musicianship were excellent throughout the evening. The only draw back was the distance of the audience from the performers. Nonetheless, from my vantage point, I could certainly see audience members enthusiastically clapping to the instrumental performance of ‘Callipe House’, one last energetic instrumental that rounded off the night.
The audience was treated to a full polarity of light and dark, love, sex and death, lending for an emotionally engaging evening throughout. Obosca, Gaelic for box, are a rare group of poets and musicians who enjoy performing music and song with an Irish flair. Not only do Obosca perform together but they also perform solo or in pairs, and have strong links to the music and poetry venue, Tongues and Grooves.
Obosca are available for small functions. The best way to contact the group is to e mail either Maggie Sawkins at maggieswakins@moose-mail.com or Bernard MacDonagh at Barneymacdonagh@mac.com.
Tongues and Grooves 28th Feburary featured poet Alan Buckley.
The second Tongues and Grooves of the year opened with an absolute treat of local talent The Pompey Pluckers. Along with Alan Buckley the The Pompey Pluckers stole the evening and the audience's applause, converting a few and encouraging others to perhaps purchase their own ukulele.
Alan Buckley, who has recently received funding to complete his first collection, took to the mic with edgy poetry interlaced with humour and real life experiences. Buckley from Merseyside, residing in East Oxford, regaled the audience with his sexy and edgy prose. Reading form his new pamphelt 'Shiver', Buckley makes the observation that a poem is never about what it claims to be, opening the set with Peaches, a poem concerning the secret lives of 'God's own fruit'. After Buckley's last set, Maggie Sawkins said, 'It's good to see a serious poet read with such panache', daubing him one to watch .
With much commotion and eager anticipation the Pluckers returned to the stage to perform 'Boots were made for walking', with audience joining in enthusiastically.With 20 official members, Alan Buckley remarked he had 'never before been backed by a ukulele orchestra'. The band performed further classics by George Formby as well as Raw hide, justifying the sparkling cowboy hats donning the lead singers. Complementing the ukulele orchestra, 'Tangle' performed 'Making Whoopy' with Sue Apicella joining in on the 'Praying for Rain'
The evenings open mic was opened by Denise Bennett and later featured Felicity with 'Silent Symphony' a strong poem with powerful alliteration about her grandfather. Chris Sparkes contributed a subversive poem based on the Philip Larkin poem 'This be the verse' with a delightful role reversal. Maggie Sawkins impressed the audience, reciting her own poem by heart 'The Zoo Keeper's Song'. The writer of this review also featured on the open mic, with her first performance at Tongues and Grooves.
The last set of the Pluckers was met with rowdy applause and even featured Maggie Sawkins on her first ukulele debut, joining in on 'You are my Sunshine'. The evening finished with demands of 'encore' from the audience with 'We'll meet again'. The Pompey Pluckers will feature at the Bandstand during the Summer. The next Tongues and Grooves will feature Donald Gardner, internationally acclaimed beat poet from Amsterdam and music from Nocturno
Alan Buckley, who has recently received funding to complete his first collection, took to the mic with edgy poetry interlaced with humour and real life experiences. Buckley from Merseyside, residing in East Oxford, regaled the audience with his sexy and edgy prose. Reading form his new pamphelt 'Shiver', Buckley makes the observation that a poem is never about what it claims to be, opening the set with Peaches, a poem concerning the secret lives of 'God's own fruit'. After Buckley's last set, Maggie Sawkins said, 'It's good to see a serious poet read with such panache', daubing him one to watch .
With much commotion and eager anticipation the Pluckers returned to the stage to perform 'Boots were made for walking', with audience joining in enthusiastically.With 20 official members, Alan Buckley remarked he had 'never before been backed by a ukulele orchestra'. The band performed further classics by George Formby as well as Raw hide, justifying the sparkling cowboy hats donning the lead singers. Complementing the ukulele orchestra, 'Tangle' performed 'Making Whoopy' with Sue Apicella joining in on the 'Praying for Rain'
The evenings open mic was opened by Denise Bennett and later featured Felicity with 'Silent Symphony' a strong poem with powerful alliteration about her grandfather. Chris Sparkes contributed a subversive poem based on the Philip Larkin poem 'This be the verse' with a delightful role reversal. Maggie Sawkins impressed the audience, reciting her own poem by heart 'The Zoo Keeper's Song'. The writer of this review also featured on the open mic, with her first performance at Tongues and Grooves.
The last set of the Pluckers was met with rowdy applause and even featured Maggie Sawkins on her first ukulele debut, joining in on 'You are my Sunshine'. The evening finished with demands of 'encore' from the audience with 'We'll meet again'. The Pompey Pluckers will feature at the Bandstand during the Summer. The next Tongues and Grooves will feature Donald Gardner, internationally acclaimed beat poet from Amsterdam and music from Nocturno
Tongues and Grooves 31st January 2010 featuring Denise McSheehey
On the last Sunday of every month, there is a pleasant surprise to be had at the Florence Arms. Tongues and Grooves has been in residence since 2003, and welcomes a wide range of poets and performers, from artists of local origin to those of international reputation. Maggie Sawkins, the author of 'Zig Zag Woman', is co-founder, organiser and one of the hosts of Tongues and Grooves. Sawkins presents the performers with a gentleness and humour that lends well to the warm and inclusive atmosphere, inviting to a newcomer, like myself. The small performance space, bathed in the yellow light of The Florence, was crowded with Tongues and Grooves regulars and those new to the event. The venue was more than full, with many latecomers having to stand at the back of the pub, a testament to the already established reputation and now the increasing popularity of Tongues and Grooves.
Under the guidance of the MC, the night opened with ‘open mic’, a perfect opportunity for inexperienced and unpublished poets to take part, share their work and gain confidence. Ultimately adding valuable texture to the evening..Excellent contributions were made by a diversity of poets, male and female, in particular a young female, Deanne Burch, a singer and guitarist who performed her own material. From new poets and performers to an award-winning poet - next on the line up was Denise McSheehy reading from her prize winning collection 'Salt' published in 2008 by Poetry Can. McSheehy, originally from Brighton has enjoyed success in major poetry competitions and even broadcast on BBC radio. Opening with a quotation from the Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, 'memory is one of the greatest resources for a poet', McSheehy adds that memory often works through our senses, an apt opening her subtle verse. McSheeshy graced the audience with the poem 'Swan's drinking at Midnight', poignant,delicate and beautiful - the last line 'a swan drinking at midnight' - lingered long after McSheehy's first performance. Her later performance included 'Woman with a Bird in her Head', selected in the best individual poems category of the Templer Poetry Pamplet Competition. The poem is based upon a Native American painting and is dedicated to McSheehy's daughter. The meaningful lines 'A bird for my daughter a head to hold it', and the bird flying a head for flying' and lastly 'for my daughter on blue-white mornings in a dazzle of feathers all her life', a beautiful poem of a mother's wish for her daughter.
Midway though the set, a tribute was held to Heather Hart, a former Tongues and Grooves regular who recently took her own life aged 47.The tribute was lead by Maggie Sawkins with the haunting poem 'Unfinished Poems for a Friend', in keeping with the Tongues and Grooves spirit..The intimacy of the pub setting favours audience participation, which came to the fore during the musical performances. Tongues and Grooves blend of music and poetry adds an extra dimension to the evening's experience, ensuring there is something for everyone.
The audience had their first opportunity to participate in a quality performance of natural plain song by Janet Ayers, Natural Voice Practitioner, and a rare glimpse into the oral tradition as well as testing the audience's memory. Sue Apicella, a Tongues and Grooves organiser, contributed a capella versions of well known English Folk, and notably, an a capella performance of 'The Rose'
written by Bettie Midler, a moving interpretation leaving more than one of those present with a sombre thought. Towards the end of the evening the audience joined in with ‘Driving Down The Middle Lane' performed by both Sue Apicella and Barry Reah, rounding off a special night of interactive live performance.
Tongues and Grooves both offers a 'platform for local talent' as well as attracting poets from across the United Kingdom and the globe. The great diversity of poets is reflected in the musicians, which means there is a great range and a depth of entertainment on offer. Mc Sheehy herself was impressed by the warmth and intimacy of the event: 'A great venue with a mixture of ages and a musical ingredient that lends a liveliness and human - feeling'. The next Tongues and Grooves is set to feature the poet Alan Buckley, a poet from Merseyside currently working towards his first collection, with 'The Pompey Pluckers', a ukulele band, headlining the musical aspect of the evening. The performance starts at 8pm, finishing at 10.30pm, and is an affordable £3/£2 concession. Potential ‘open mic’ candidates are advised to contact Maggie Sawkins. Tongues and Grooves has its own internet website where you will find tips for ‘open mic’ reading and profiles of past and present contributors: http://www.tongues-and-grooves.org.uk/index.htm. A valediction to Heather Hart, with a profile and selection of her poetry, is included on the ‘Tongues and Grooves’ website. You can also follow Tongues and Grooves on Facebook and receive reminders of the date of the next performance. Unique on the Portsmouth cultural scene, Tongues and Grooves is an absolute must for an evening away from
the television, and a rare gem of inclusive and quality entertainment.
Published in Write Out Loud, ezine encourging poetry performance:
http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=9258
Under the guidance of the MC, the night opened with ‘open mic’, a perfect opportunity for inexperienced and unpublished poets to take part, share their work and gain confidence. Ultimately adding valuable texture to the evening..Excellent contributions were made by a diversity of poets, male and female, in particular a young female, Deanne Burch, a singer and guitarist who performed her own material. From new poets and performers to an award-winning poet - next on the line up was Denise McSheehy reading from her prize winning collection 'Salt' published in 2008 by Poetry Can. McSheehy, originally from Brighton has enjoyed success in major poetry competitions and even broadcast on BBC radio. Opening with a quotation from the Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, 'memory is one of the greatest resources for a poet', McSheehy adds that memory often works through our senses, an apt opening her subtle verse. McSheeshy graced the audience with the poem 'Swan's drinking at Midnight', poignant,delicate and beautiful - the last line 'a swan drinking at midnight' - lingered long after McSheehy's first performance. Her later performance included 'Woman with a Bird in her Head', selected in the best individual poems category of the Templer Poetry Pamplet Competition. The poem is based upon a Native American painting and is dedicated to McSheehy's daughter. The meaningful lines 'A bird for my daughter a head to hold it', and the bird flying a head for flying' and lastly 'for my daughter on blue-white mornings in a dazzle of feathers all her life', a beautiful poem of a mother's wish for her daughter.
Midway though the set, a tribute was held to Heather Hart, a former Tongues and Grooves regular who recently took her own life aged 47.The tribute was lead by Maggie Sawkins with the haunting poem 'Unfinished Poems for a Friend', in keeping with the Tongues and Grooves spirit..The intimacy of the pub setting favours audience participation, which came to the fore during the musical performances. Tongues and Grooves blend of music and poetry adds an extra dimension to the evening's experience, ensuring there is something for everyone.
The audience had their first opportunity to participate in a quality performance of natural plain song by Janet Ayers, Natural Voice Practitioner, and a rare glimpse into the oral tradition as well as testing the audience's memory. Sue Apicella, a Tongues and Grooves organiser, contributed a capella versions of well known English Folk, and notably, an a capella performance of 'The Rose'
written by Bettie Midler, a moving interpretation leaving more than one of those present with a sombre thought. Towards the end of the evening the audience joined in with ‘Driving Down The Middle Lane' performed by both Sue Apicella and Barry Reah, rounding off a special night of interactive live performance.
Tongues and Grooves both offers a 'platform for local talent' as well as attracting poets from across the United Kingdom and the globe. The great diversity of poets is reflected in the musicians, which means there is a great range and a depth of entertainment on offer. Mc Sheehy herself was impressed by the warmth and intimacy of the event: 'A great venue with a mixture of ages and a musical ingredient that lends a liveliness and human - feeling'. The next Tongues and Grooves is set to feature the poet Alan Buckley, a poet from Merseyside currently working towards his first collection, with 'The Pompey Pluckers', a ukulele band, headlining the musical aspect of the evening. The performance starts at 8pm, finishing at 10.30pm, and is an affordable £3/£2 concession. Potential ‘open mic’ candidates are advised to contact Maggie Sawkins. Tongues and Grooves has its own internet website where you will find tips for ‘open mic’ reading and profiles of past and present contributors: http://www.tongues-and-grooves.org.uk/index.htm. A valediction to Heather Hart, with a profile and selection of her poetry, is included on the ‘Tongues and Grooves’ website. You can also follow Tongues and Grooves on Facebook and receive reminders of the date of the next performance. Unique on the Portsmouth cultural scene, Tongues and Grooves is an absolute must for an evening away from
the television, and a rare gem of inclusive and quality entertainment.
Published in Write Out Loud, ezine encourging poetry performance:
http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=9258
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