Hi, I hope this is the right thread to post this.
On Saturday 12th I did my first open mic night, where I did just under 10 minutes of a poetry performance. As nervous as I was, I survived, pushed on by the fact that I went ahead to raise some money for Comic Relief. My video is on my blog and youtube page
http://katherinemariekelly.blogspot.com/

http://www.youtube.com/user/KateKelly26

I would gladly love some reviews on my performance and maybe a little donation (if allowed) to my comic relief sponsorship page, as I'm still below my target and the big day is tomorrow.

http://my.rednoseday.com/KateKellyPoet

So do please comment and also post your own first times.

I'll have a look in a bit Katherine but nice one.. I remember my first poetry gig when I started performing as part of a writing group at the end of 2006, and then when I went solo at the start of 2008 been really nervous. Thankfully there was no video footage knocking around as my knees were shaking all the way through the first performance or two!

Memories! lol x

I'm just the same, when I'm with other people, I'm fine, because I know the focus isn't on me directly, but my legs, were shaking like jelly, throughout the whole ten minutes I did, hopefully that will pass over time, the more I do. Also is great to know what works and what doesn't in performing. Keep the laughs and for those that were met by silence, keep in the book.

Not my first but one at Liverpool's Dead good Poets' Society. I performed a poem that had a final liine that always knocked 'em dead. Not today.
Silence greeted the end of my poem, then a ripple of ever-so-polite applause.
What was wrong with everyone, I asked Cath Nicol, the compere. Not them, you, she replied; you forgot to say the last line.

Sorry, Kathy, only just seen this page so too late for the feedback? I enjoyed listening to it. Yo have a good voice for reading poetry, and lovely topic. I do think there are some tweaks would make a big difference to your performance, but overall a lovely poem well performed.

Always leave them wanting more eh Julian? :) (second to last comment)

Yep, that's me sussed.
And on the question of readings and performance, that applies too. A key difference between the good performer and the not-so-good, is an attitude one (as so often). It is the difference between <how can I give them a flavour of my best work?>, versus <how many poems can I cram in here?>.
As with the poem itself, less is more, especially for the less-experienced performer/reader. In my (reasonably) humble opinion.

I totally agree with Julian, I cut my teeth trying to do that certainly when I started performing at Freed Up regularly in 2008. A good, supportive open mike is important to a poet who is just starting out.. Not going to say I always got it right (and I still don't always get it right) but the right night certainly does help.

I've been performing as an actor and a poet for 3 years now and the jelly legs still come every now and again regardless of how experienced you are.

Keep at it, performing poetry for charity is always fun, I'll be doing the same in December.

A whole 10 minutes is very brave for a 1st gig, congratulations. I wish you all the best in the future, I'm sure if you can manage a long set for your 1st gig you'll get even better with time and experience :)

Thank you for all your feedback, it's a great help. I'm planning to do another gig (practice makes perfect) hopefully at a poetry gig, instead of a random open mic night.

Does anyone know of the best ones to attend in the London or Oxford areas?

Define 'best' Katherine. Impossible to answer. Try them all and see which ones suit you best. Better still, get used to adapting what you do to different places, as they all have different characteristics, a different feel or format. even our six Write Out Loud nights, all stemming from the same inclusive philosophy, are all different. I very much enjoyed the ambience in the Catweazle night at the North London Tavern, Steve Larkin runs a great night - Hammer and Tongue in Oxford, I want to get to Y Tuesdays... but there are so many events in London now - take your pick.

Thanks Julian for the reply. I'm hoping to move to Chesham later in the year, so will be sure to go to many of the London venues. The Poetry Cafe, looks the most promising to attend at some point before then as well. Will just keep working on new material before then.

Enjoy!