A very old HLF Slam at Small Seeds. It’s a lot busier these days!
This is going to be a great night! HLF Slam was my first, just a year ago. I wobbled onto that stage, a complete newbie, not knowing what to expect – and I loved it!
Going back this year with a shed load more experience, and loads of my mates are in it, too… Can’t wait!
I’m going to be out and about plugging this poetry gig for the next couple of weeks: my guest slot at Attic Stories, Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield – and possibly the pinnacle of my poetic career so far!
It’s only £3 to come to the very nicest open mic around, with Rose Condo, the nicest host in the business, and me, the also quite nice guest for the night. Come along to read, or just to listen: I’d love your support.
I like to write one every year – it’s a nice reflection point – but they are generally too miserable to inflict on others.
This year’s poem was a little more cheerful.
The video’s a bit quick so here’s the text as well.
Life Notes
You have arrived at fifty four: What a great accumulation of years Several lives of wild experience Carrying the weight of all this. Some things are easier; others not There’s more time to reflect But what’s going on with the body? All those miles aren’t helping much! It would be nice to move without pain But the upside is freedom gained. Weighed up, against the alternative It’s something you are prepared to live with.
Free poems! I’m in an area with lots of those little free libraries, so it feels rude not to provide them with some old lady anarchist literature!
Today was a rainy day, so I spent the afternoon doing this. I used a load of throwaway shorter poems and bits of ideas – ones I won’t use anywhere else, but once I’d put them together on the page, they feel like an interesting collection of thoughts around a theme. I suppose this is why poets like to have pamphlets published!
The photos don’t really do it justice. There’s a road map going on in the layer beneath the poems and in the photos it just looks like a representation of my smashed phone screen. ☺️
Keep your eyes peeled when you’re out and about, and you might come across one. I think I’ll also take a handful with me to my next load of gigs. I rather like the idea of having stuff to give away!
Attic Stories, Lawrence Batley Theatre, 24th April
This is mega for me – joining a long list of amazing poets who have guested at this night during the two years I’ve been a regular there. Feels like an immense achievement!
I’m also going to be at The Chemic for my birthday at the Poets Talking Bollocks Open Mic, 7th April. There will be a live podcast recording with Eleanor May, who is doing her one woman show ‘Does my Fanny Look Big in This?’ in Leeds the night before – and she’s launching her zine as well. Impressive! I look forward to picking her brains…
And then Getting Gobby in the Lobby on the open mic 17th April in Wakefield. Looking forward to hearing Steve Pottinger, Emma Purshouse and, of course, the fabulous Aamina Khan!
Finally, there’s the short play reading on 27th April in Bradford. I’ll add info when I get it.
Phew! The last five weeks have been manic. I’m having a calmer rest of March. With a bit more rest… maybe.
So, in no particular order:
Got some coaching coming up, through Bradford Producing Hub, to work out how to manage my next steps. I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by the play I’ve written, when I’m already up to my ears in poetry gigs. There are worse problems to have, but I am hoping a bit of coaching might help me to plan it all so I don’t get burnt out, trying to do too many things at once.
Super excited to have been given a guest slot at Attic Stories, Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield on April 24th. I’ve been a regular at the open mic there for two years, ever since I started my first wobbly steps on the stage. It feels amazing to be joining the illustrious list of quality poets who have headlined that particular monthly event. It’s also the Literature Festival, so it just feels like the perfect month to be performing in Hudds!
My hat is in the ring for the Huddersfield Literature Festival Slam, on 20th April at Small Seeds. Wait and see. Go anyway – it’s a fab night!
It’s my birthday early this month, so I’ll be going to The Chemic in Leeds on the afternoon of Sunday 7th April. Not sure what I’ve let myself in for there. It’s the Poets Talking Bollocks live podcast and variety show. I’ll be drinking, and doing a turn, I reckon. I’ve written something obtuse for their theme!
Finally, on Saturday 27th April, I’ll be doing a public reading of the short version of my play, with some of the other plays written by members of the Writers Studio, run by Freedom Studios. I think the others are using actors to read, but mine is written and performed by just me. As I say, taking it easy. 🥴
That was the most fun of the three poetry slams I’ve done in as many weeks… Poets, Prattlers and Pandemonialists are excellent hosts and it was a good laugh from start to finish.
Oh my goodness, that was an incredible experience! Proper theatre, stage, blinding lights, the lot! And the other performers – what quality! I can’t thank Blue Balloon Theatre enough for choosing me to be a part of that line up. Possibly life-changing. ❤️
Lateral G at ‘Words with Fangs’ slam 2023. (Photo credit @fern.ij)
Now we’ve got past January, I’m starting to make plans again. Time to begin to fulfil this year’s poetry missions.
I realise that the reason I keep coming second in slams is because the winner is better known than me. Now that is something I can solve – I just need to be out and about so much that I become the best known poet. Simple!
I will now be competing in Mind Over Slammer, Leeds heat. February 14th, Hyde Park Book Club. 6.30 start? This is a new national slam, run by Mind (the charity). First and second place finishers from each heat go to London for a final, later in the year.
Hmmm… Here’s where I discover I’ve only really got one mental health themed poem. So that’s the first round sorted. I’ll be diversifying after that, if I get any further.
Blue Balloon in Manchester have picked me as one of eight performers in a variety event for International Women’s Day at Salford Theatre. The main event is on March 8th, but there’s a shorter ‘taster’ event on Sunday 18th February as well. I’ll be doing my thing at both.
News! Just been given a slam slot at One Mic Stand, Manchester on Wed 21st Feb as well.
(I put a flurry of applications out, expecting some to work – but every single one has come back with a yes.)
On Monday 26th February, I have a guest slot with Subjective Silhouettes, at Geek Retreat in Leeds. 7pm start – it would be great to see some Leeds people there! There are open mic slots of up to 5 mins, depending on numbers.
Lateral G 