Out and About again

April was mostly a writing month, because I was unwell for so long. The joys of chronic illness!

On the plus side, I have a ton of new material as the outcome, and May now sees me back out performing.

I’m prioritising local stuff this month, so last week it was Small Seeds Acoustic Club on Tuesday, then Marsden Community Poetry on Wednesday. Both were lovely. Got my copy of Village Voices, which is out now. You can get yours too – from Maytree Press.

On Thursday, I went to see the wonderful Rose Condo perform her show ‘How to Starve an Artist,’ which proved enormously nourishing for this artist, and as a result, I have started planning my own show!

This week it’s over to Wakefield on Wednesday for Getting Gobby in the Lobby with guests Sarah L Dixon and Joe Williams.

Next week, its Attic Stories on Monday at Lawrence Batley Theatre, and Ink Spill on Friday at The Head of Steam, both in Huddersfield.

I’ve got more publication news coming soon and June is looking very good for performance – three new events booked already, all over West Yorkshire. More on that in a couple of weeks.

Tomorrow’s the Slam!

Look at me with my trendy no makeup selfie! The blur on the left is caused by my smashed screen protector. Authentic.

Preparing for tomorrow’s Hudds Lit Fest Slam with a day of rest, up in the Pennines. Weather is unpredictable, just as I like it!

Several people have asked me if I am nervous, excited or whatever, and it turns out none of those things. Since I have no idea what to expect, I have no expectations, which makes it all a lot easier. I’m hoping to go and have some fun! It’d be nice not to come last, but that’s about the extent of my ambitions…

So, a final plug: Small Seeds, Castlegate, Hudds. 7.30 on Friday. 🔥🔥🔥

Woman

Every month, the Ink Spill poetry night has a theme and I always enjoy writing something for it. This month’s was ‘woman’, probably because of International Women’s Day. I can’t make it to The Head of Steam on Friday, as I’m off to see Attilla the Stockbroker that night. But, I’d already written this poem, which they put up on their social media last week. I’ll save a copy here.

Slam Prep – I’m going competitive!

One year ago, at Huddersfield Literature Festival , I did my first poetry open mic.
A year later, I’ve just been selected to compete in this year’s Hudds Lit Fest Poetry Slam! It’s 31st March at Small Seeds.

I’m preparing for this by performing at the following open mics, if anyone wants to join me:

Wed 15th Getting Gobby in the Lobby, Wakefield.

Tues 21st Word Central, Manchester Central Library.

Mon 27th Attic Stories, Hudds

And I’ll try and get some local music ones in too, if I can manage it without making myself ill. It’s a tricky balancing act, this. 