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

New poem shows on The Poetry Channel

Happy 2010 to all STUFF readers and to get the New Year off to a great start here’s three rewarding new programmes. Take a tour behind the scenes of the 21st Aldeburgh Poetry Festival with three erudite and generous poets who offer reflections, advice and inspiration. Keep an eye on The Poetry Channel this year as The Poetry Trust continues to develop this as the place to go for lively poetry interviews and discussions. And tell us what you think: Do you enjoy the shows? Any suggestions for improvements? Please drop us an email at: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Aldeburgh Backchat: Roger Robinson
Revealing insights from Trinidadian writer Roger Robinson who reflects on his inspirational father, his outstanding teachers and the thorny issue of cultural diversity in contemporary poetry. He also talks about finding the right place to write and the importance of ‘just writing, not judging’ in the first instance.

Aldeburgh Backchat: Ciaran Berry
Last year’s winner of the Aldeburgh First Collection Prize discusses the experience of devising a first collection and how he plans to spend his ‘protected’ writing time - a unique feature of this national poetry prize. He also considers the cultural traditions and interplay of poetry between Ireland, the USA and the UK.

Interview with Maureen Duffy
One of the UK’s most versatile writers with over half a century of work, Maureen Duffy is a respected poet, novelist, playwright and biographer. Here she talks to Robert Seatter about the ‘constant beacon of Sappho’, her ‘immense identification with Keats’, and finding ‘the female muse’ through love poetry.

 

The Advanced Poetry Seminar – Call for nominations/applications 15 - 19 March 2010

* Deadline: Friday 12 February 2010

“Stretched, challenged and propelled”, “Undoubtedly one of the best weeks of my life” - this is how two previous participants described their experience of the Aldeburgh Seminar, an outstanding professional and creative development opportunity for poets early in their publishing careers. The Poetry Trust is looking for a maximum of eight UK poets either at first collection or between first and second collection stage to participate in this residential course. Led by Michael Laskey and Peter Sansom, two exceptional poet/tutors with strong editorial experience, the course will include: workshopping, tutorials, craft talks and practical advice on giving readings. Over five-days participants will stay and learn together at Bruisyard Hall, a 14th century atmospheric and spacious retreat in rural Suffolk. Tuition, accommodation and all meals are included in the highly subsidised cost of £285 per participant. Further details and application/nomination information
or call 01986 835950 or email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Enjoy a fly-on-the-wall documentary of the 2009 Aldeburgh Seminar on The Poetry Channel (scroll to the 10th podcast)

 

 

Poetry @ The Cut – An exhilarating mix of vibrant voices

Thursday 4 March, 7.30pm, £6, The Cut, Halesworth
Box Office: 0845 673 2123

This spring The Poetry Trust welcomes two exceptionally warm and engaging poets for an evening of high-calibre life-affirming poetry. Join us at The Cut contemporary arts venue to enjoy an evening with:

Mimi Khalvati - Described by George Szirtes as “one of the most poignant and graceful poets currently writing in England”, Mimi Khalvati has published six collections and her work has been translated into nine languages. Her poems are full of generosity of spirit and touch on joyous celebrations of the physical world, snapshots from childhood and tender poems of family, loss and love. Enjoy Mimi reading ‘It’s heartache’ on The Poetry Channel (Poem Show 1)

Roger Robinson - “We need poets like Roger Robinson,” says Bernardine Evaristo who describes the Trinidadian writer as “a fresh, daring, sensitive, clear-sighted and big-hearted poetic voice”. Part of a new generation of writers who take their cues from music and comedy, his energetic performances have won him a legion of loyal fans. He delivered a memorable reading at the Aldeburgh Poetry Festival last autumn. Watch Roger read his poem ‘The Misuse of Magic’.

* Creative writing workshop with Mimi Khalvati
From prose to poetry, Thursday 4 March, 4 - 6pm, £15

Prior to the evening reading, Mimi Khalvati will lead an inspiring and insightful workshop exploring the difference between poetry and prose. Just 12 places are available for this opportunity - rare in Suffolk - to generate fresh work and learn from one of the most outstanding teachers in the business. To book a place contact the Box Office on 0845 673 2123.
Listen to Mimi Khalvati’s whistle-stop tour of the ‘line-break’ and the essence of poetry on The Poetry Channel (Aldeburgh Craft Talk: Mimi Khalvati)

 

Brilliant poetry at UEA Spring Literary Festival 2010

Poetry is a particular highlight of the UEA Spring Literary Festival this year, with three outstanding internationally acclaimed poets coming to the University of East Anglia. The Poetry Trust is partnering the festival and would like to draw your attention to the amazingly good value Poetry Passport - a ticket that enables you to attend all three poetry evenings for just £12. Each poet will read and discuss their work and there is dedicated time for questions from the audience. This is a fantastic opportunity to hear world-class poetry in the East of England.

Don Paterson Tuesday 26 January, 7.00pm, Lecture Theatre 1, UEA
Just awarded The Queens Gold Medal for Poetry, Paterson’s fourth collection Rain won the 2009 Forward Prize and was described by Prize Chair Josephine Hart as “knee-weakeningly good”.

Robin Robertson Wednesday 17 March, 7.00pm, Lecture Theatre 1, UEA
Robertson is the only poet to have won both the Aldeburgh and Forward First Collection Prizes (in 1997) and he has since won all three categories of Forward Prize.

Simon Armitage Wednesday 19 May, 7.00pm, Lecture Theatre 1, UEA
A close-runner for the laureate and currently poet-in-residence at the Southbank Centre, he has published nine collections of poems which, to quote Carol Ann Duffy, “have an energy which comes directly from life now and the living language.”

To buy a ‘Poetry Passport’ or tickets for individual readings (£6), telephone 01603 508050. For full programme information visit: www.uea.ac.uk/litfest

 

Short Cuts Cabaret & Open Mic Night, The Cut, Halesworth, 7.30pm, Friday 22 January 2010

Why not let an oversized mock-Russian ballet dancer chase away those January blues. Join us for Suffolk’s cult-status variety show as we welcome special guest ‘Madame Galina New Forces Sweetheart’ whose London show was described by Time Out as ‘the bargain of the week ticket’ and as providing ‘non-stop belly-ache laughter’. The evening will also feature the dazzling array of strange or stupendous Open Mic talent with its heady mix of comedy, music, spoken word, live poetry and audience participation. Hosted by Dean Parkin (think Eric Morecambe crossed with Philip Larkin), with jazz and boogie-woogie maestro Maurice Horhut at the piano. Food and drink will also be available at The Cut, contemporary arts venue, café & bar.

To apply for a slot, 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

Supported by The Co-op Community Fund

 

Christopher Reid wins Costa Book Award

Huge congratulations to Christopher Reid on winning the Poetry category of the Costa Book Awards this week. Christopher is a good friend of The Poetry Trust and former judge of the Aldeburgh First Collection Prize. His winning collection A Scattering - a tribute to his late wife - was described by judges as “intensely moving, compelling and honest.” More

 

You may also enjoy…

TS Eliot Prize Readings, Sunday 17 January 2010, Queen Elizabeth Hall, London
www.southbankcentre.co.uk

The Petty Concerns of Luke Wright, 12th - 30th January
The Old Red Lion Theatre, Islington www.lukewright.co.uk

 

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.