Welcome to Stuff. The Poetry Trust's latest news, events, podcasts and publications.

Celebrating American National Poetry Month with four new podcasts

The Poetry Trust has a long tradition of showcasing leading contemporary US poets at the Aldeburgh Poetry Festival, as well as introducing UK audiences to some of America’s ‘best kept secrets’. Throughout April enjoy four new podcasts on The Poetry Channel:

Sharon Olds in conversation with British poet Michael Laskey. In an inspirational interview Olds talks about choosing poetry over prose so as not to have to ‘make things up’.

Albert Goldbarth enthuses about the poets who inspire him and discusses the role of the poet as a ‘conservator of ideas.’

Philip Levine’s familial, social and economic portrait of working class America has left a monumental testimony of mid-20th century American life. One of the most important American poets of our time discusses the paucity of political protest in today’s poetry.

The Poem Show American Special Enjoy the droll black comedy of Mark Halliday’s ‘Soul on a Bench’, the luminous connection with the natural world in Jane Hirshfield’s ‘Three Foxes by the Edge of the Field at Twilight’, and an extraordinarily powerful account of human civilisation in Thomas Lux’s ‘The People of the Other Village’.

More National Poetry Month news & links:

The Academy of American Poets Sign up to receive a poem-a-day throughout April from the founders of National Poetry Month

Jonathan Cape celebrates US Poetry Month, featuring Sharon Olds as ‘author of the week’

Graywolf Press One of America’s leading not-for-profit literary publishers and the proud publishers of Albert Goldbarth

 

Short Cuts Cabaret & Open Mic Night, The Cut, Halesworth, 7.30pm

Friday 21 May 2010

The champion sideburns are back as Dean Parkin hosts another instalment of Suffolk’s cult-status cabaret night. We’ll be welcoming star guest Tim Turnbull, Aldeburgh Poetry Festival’s writer-in-residence in 2006 and described as a ‘future poet laureate’ by The Guardian. Winner of the Arts Foundation’s Performance Poetry Award, Turnbull has an anarchic stage presence and is simply one of the most entertaining wordsmiths in the country. Stand-up poets Andrea Porter and Yanny Mac will also be making special appearances. And of course the evening will also feature the very best - strange or stupendous but always memorable - Open Mic talent. Boogie-woogie (but classically-trained) maestro Maurice Horhut will be at the piano to provide any accompaniment. Food and drink is available at The Cut, contemporary arts venue, café & bar.

To apply for a performance slot (strictly 3 minutes), contact Dean on 01986 835950 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Tickets cost £5, Call The Cut Box office on 0845 6732123

Support by The Co-op Community Fund

 

Eight exceptional poets reflect on the Aldeburgh Advanced Seminar

In March The Poetry Trust welcomed eight carefully-selected poets early in their publishing careers to its annual intensive retreat, led by two of the best tutors in the business - Michael Laskey and Peter Sansom. In a week unanimously rated as ‘excellent’, they received advice on all aspects of creative and professional development. This year’s participating poets showed enormous potential in an exceptionally strong year. We’re sure you’ll be hearing lots more in the future from: Peter Daniels, Rebecca Farmer, Holly Hopkins, Nicholas MacKinnon, Sophie Nicholls, Rebecca Perry, Angela Smith and Tom Warner.

“The Aldeburgh Advanced Seminar should be a model for all other courses like this.” - Nick Mackinnon

“The best thing that could have happened to me as a poet.” - Sophie Nicholls

“One of the best poetry experiences of my life.” - Rebecca Farmer

 

YES – a celebration of the life and work of Adrian Mitchell

Don’t miss the chance to see the hugely popular Wonderful Beast Theatre Company perform YES, a celebration of the life and work of our most passionate and political poets — Adrian Mitchell. YES was premiered at the Aldeburgh Poetry Festival in 2009 and received a rapturous response from the sell-out audience. This weekend you can enjoy this specially created programme of dance, poetry and songs, starring Sylvester McCoy at:

Cambridge Wordfest Saturday 10 April, 7.30pm £8 / £6
ADC Theatre Box Office, Park Street, Cambridge CB5 8AS
Box office: 01223 300085
www.cambridgewordfest.co.uk

The Cut, Halesworth Sunday 11 April, 8.00pm £10
The Cut, New Cut, Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 8BY
Box Office: 0845 673 2123
www.newcut.org

 

Take a walk on the mild side

Join Dean Parkin, The Poetry Trust’s Artists & Project’s Manager as he takes the road less travelled as part of the Suffolk Walking Festival. Dean will lead three walks sharing poems and stories along the way, as well as taking some unexpected diversions.

Saturday 15 May, 11.00, River Orwell (Free)
Wednesday 19 May, 10.00, Debenham (£4 adults, £2 children)
Saturday 22 May, 14.00, Hadleigh (£4 adults, £2 children)

Click for full details and booking

 

Four excellent poetry workshops at Writers’ Centre Norwich

The Poetry Trust wholeheartedly recommends four workshops coming up at Writers’ Centre Norwich. Try and get to one (or more!) of these essential courses, all of which are likely to sell out fast:

Making Poems with Alan Jenkins Saturday 24 April
Revitalise your approach to poetry with the Forward prize winner

Poetry Masterclass with Les Murray Tuesday 18 May
A rare opportunity to take part in a workshop and have your work read by one of the greatest living poets in the world, the Australian Les Murray

Bring Your Poetry to Life with Moniza Alvi
Saturday 29 May
Ensure that your poetry is an experience, rather than merely a record of one, with the T S Eliot Prize shortlisted poet

Re - envisioning and Redrafting the Poem with Mimi Khalvati Saturday 25 September
Try some new approaches with the founder of The Poetry School, one of the most outstanding teachers in the business

Further information (including venue, costs & booking): www.writerscentrenorwich.org.uk
Phone: 01603 877177
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

 

Gainsborough’s House presents ‘In Conversation: Justin Partyka & George Szirtes’

Gainsborough’s House, 15 May, £8

Photographer Justin Partyka will give an illustrated lecture about his current exhibition, Working the Land Part I. Following refreshments there will be a lively discussion about the East Anglian landscape and its rural traditions with one of Britain’s foremost poets and 2010 T.S Eliot Prize nominee George Szirtes.
For further information and booking contact, 01787 372958 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

 

Other STUFF you might like…

Apples & Snakes - Job vacancy Programme Coordinator - East, Closing date 14 April 2010

Poetry-next-the-sea Festival 7 - 9 May 2010, Wells-next-the-Sea

The National Poetry Competition 2010 is now open for entries Deadline 31 October

 

Friends of The Poetry Trust

If you like The Poetry Trust’s work and can offer a little extra support, then please become a Friend. In return for a £15 annual subscription, Friends enjoy Special Offers as well as an exclusive priority booking period for the Aldeburgh Poetry Festival. As dedicated Festival audiences know all too well, Aldeburgh events frequently sell out: so being a Friend offers a real benefit. To join, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and we’ll do the rest.