<Deleted User> (5646)
The Howcroft - October '09
Think beans! Think sardines! Think beans and sardines with an international flavour and you should have a pretty good idea of the Howcroft on Sunday evening.
A veritable feast of poets all blowing wind in the name of poetry into the faces of their counter-parts and guests who went along just to listen.
Compere Gus Jonsson was in full flow with his usual style and flair for engaging an audience while somehow organizing how the crowd could possibly perform a poem in each half of the night.
As it turned out, it simply wasn't possible. This is a new thing to me. As far as i'm aware it hasn't happened before.
Each poet was ordered to perform one poem each and the first half rapidly approached and with everyones glass empty and the room so hot we were all flailing around in tomato soup having consumed as many beans as we could take and at least four poets not yet read, we swam to the bar, loo, smoking area as fast as our little legs would carry us.
Under the circumstances it would perhaps have been better for this one time to allow the poets their usual portion, dividing the evening into an evenly spaced conveyor belt without the oil spills from the sardine can. However!
No matter! It was still a very good night!
Everyone i spoke to said so!
Val Cook started off the evening of poetry with her lovely demeanour telling us all about her mum and what a gud' 'un she had too! Super Val.
Our visitor from across the border near to Hebden Bridge was Stephen Mellor who gave the first poem of an international flavour with his 'Complicit.' Relating his time spent abroad and all that it entailed with regards to complicity. Only his second ever performance but he seemed calm and gave an assured performance.
Mel Rees is a firm favourite everywhere she visits and tonight was no different. She relayed us a poem about past boyfriends and love of places and back home again. Lively and fun with a touch of sentimentality. Lovely delivery.
Jefferama performed the second international poem relaying his time in Rwanda and the trouble spots touching briefly on the children. A very touching tribute and no ranting involved. He had to hold his wind for later. Sorry Jeff.
Isobel decided to have a go at her ex husband who i would imagine by now has so many paper clips in delicate places, he's probably having great difficulty in breaking anything let alone wind! A very funny and yet so true poem for many women.
Scott Devon was practically ordered to perform something after travelling to the Howcroft. Apparently he'd only come to support the night but wow am i glad he did!
He gave a very engaging and quite powerful and emotional performance and insisted on his right to remain silent in the days of hip-hop. This was a real treat for me because i've only heard him on a cd before now. The real thing is far better and clearer for my money. All one pound of it. Brilliant!
Next we had a special introduction by Julian Jordan for three special guests. Ché from Korea. Aziza from Tanzania and Kinda from the Sudan. They are currently taking part in a group where volunteers help them to write poetry in their own language and translate into English. Each of them performed first in their own language then in translated English. I have to say that each of them appeared to be thoroughly enjoying their experience and it was a real pleasure and quite humbling for me to listen to.
It very much reminded me of my first few times and brought back some lovely memories.
More can be told about this project called 'BRASS.' and if anyone feels they'd like to assist can contact Nichola Burrows on this site or i think i'm correct in saying Julian too.
Allan Gray was searching for his perfect woman who he'd like to be dirty but not shirty and went on to tell us about past girlfriends, most i think from Salford. Make of that what you will. Who am i to judge?
Just for the record by this time i was slipping under the table into a very slushy pile of excess bean soup with the oil from the sardines dripping from my chin.
Sandré Clays started out to perform a lovely sedate poem but everyone started to bark at her. Perhaps it was the dryness in their throats i don't know but they insisted on something grittier and dirty. She verily obliged and gave us an animal poem about a dog would you believe! Yeah yeah! The dirty dog!
Don Parry was up and ready to confuse us with words and their meanings and by the time he'd finished i decided that i was alright in the head after all, even if everyone else wasn't.
I like Don's performances. Very polished and professional.
Rob Goodier 'toe'd the party line' with an invisible friend.
He gave a good performance but to be completely honest my mind was at the point where i'd already smoked three cigarettes and drunk two more pints of shandy or orange and with a large bucket of ice at the ready.
Dave Morgan also entered into the spirit of things. (not sure what he was drinking on this occasion) by reading a poem about China.
Well i think it was about China. I'm almost sure there was another storyline running through it but i'm lost to it's meaning. Such is life and the wonder of China in November.
Eric Tomlinson was also by this time having some very ''strange sensations''. As usual he made everyone smile with his wry poetry and his natural performance with no pretence or pretention.
Jennie performed a poem of her mums, Jane Wilcock to you and me. Going out in sympathy with poor Paul Blackburn in his absence she told us the ''benefits'' and down side to Swine Flu.
Gasping and gagging and bladders bursting it was finally time to take a break! and phew! Were we all ready for it!
Refreshed and nicotine levels back up a bit we drifted back into the steam-room for more beans and other delectable delights such as sardines only now some of them had gone home with a few of the poets. Unfortunately we didn't get to hear Nat Claire as he left in the break which really was a shame because he gives great performances. Ah well.
John Clays was in a very bright and bubbly mood tonight. He read a sestina about weakness then as he left the stage said he hoped we'd all enjoyed and understood it 'cos he didn't. and he wrote it!
Laughter erupted and i'm sure i heard a trump or two behind the scenes. You had to be there to appreciate it.
Nicky Burrows was next up giving her first ever performance and didn't she do well?
She read her poem posted on the site called ''Catharsis.'' Written when she had a love of the Greek words and posted on here when there was a great debate in the discussions section.
I'm sure we''ll be seeing Nicky again very soon.
Julian Jordan performed something he'd written that afternoon about children in foreign places though not necessarily from a foreign country. It was a very poignant poem and very well read.
Gus Jonsson then decided it was his turn as the last poet on the list before starting the rounds of toast again. By now the beans and sardines were dry and flaky and not much sauce either but of course if anyone can provide sauce, Gus can..
He performed one of his latest blogs which you can also listen to if you so wish to click the link provided. Shirley.
And finally....
Well not really because it went on after i'd left with as many poets as there was time for. At least all had performed the once so here i made my exit, leaving the beans on toast for next morning, or in this case, evening.
Wakey wakey rise and shine!
A veritable feast of poets all blowing wind in the name of poetry into the faces of their counter-parts and guests who went along just to listen.
Compere Gus Jonsson was in full flow with his usual style and flair for engaging an audience while somehow organizing how the crowd could possibly perform a poem in each half of the night.
As it turned out, it simply wasn't possible. This is a new thing to me. As far as i'm aware it hasn't happened before.
Each poet was ordered to perform one poem each and the first half rapidly approached and with everyones glass empty and the room so hot we were all flailing around in tomato soup having consumed as many beans as we could take and at least four poets not yet read, we swam to the bar, loo, smoking area as fast as our little legs would carry us.
Under the circumstances it would perhaps have been better for this one time to allow the poets their usual portion, dividing the evening into an evenly spaced conveyor belt without the oil spills from the sardine can. However!
No matter! It was still a very good night!
Everyone i spoke to said so!
Val Cook started off the evening of poetry with her lovely demeanour telling us all about her mum and what a gud' 'un she had too! Super Val.
Our visitor from across the border near to Hebden Bridge was Stephen Mellor who gave the first poem of an international flavour with his 'Complicit.' Relating his time spent abroad and all that it entailed with regards to complicity. Only his second ever performance but he seemed calm and gave an assured performance.
Mel Rees is a firm favourite everywhere she visits and tonight was no different. She relayed us a poem about past boyfriends and love of places and back home again. Lively and fun with a touch of sentimentality. Lovely delivery.
Jefferama performed the second international poem relaying his time in Rwanda and the trouble spots touching briefly on the children. A very touching tribute and no ranting involved. He had to hold his wind for later. Sorry Jeff.
Isobel decided to have a go at her ex husband who i would imagine by now has so many paper clips in delicate places, he's probably having great difficulty in breaking anything let alone wind! A very funny and yet so true poem for many women.
Scott Devon was practically ordered to perform something after travelling to the Howcroft. Apparently he'd only come to support the night but wow am i glad he did!
He gave a very engaging and quite powerful and emotional performance and insisted on his right to remain silent in the days of hip-hop. This was a real treat for me because i've only heard him on a cd before now. The real thing is far better and clearer for my money. All one pound of it. Brilliant!
Next we had a special introduction by Julian Jordan for three special guests. Ché from Korea. Aziza from Tanzania and Kinda from the Sudan. They are currently taking part in a group where volunteers help them to write poetry in their own language and translate into English. Each of them performed first in their own language then in translated English. I have to say that each of them appeared to be thoroughly enjoying their experience and it was a real pleasure and quite humbling for me to listen to.
It very much reminded me of my first few times and brought back some lovely memories.
More can be told about this project called 'BRASS.' and if anyone feels they'd like to assist can contact Nichola Burrows on this site or i think i'm correct in saying Julian too.
Allan Gray was searching for his perfect woman who he'd like to be dirty but not shirty and went on to tell us about past girlfriends, most i think from Salford. Make of that what you will. Who am i to judge?
Just for the record by this time i was slipping under the table into a very slushy pile of excess bean soup with the oil from the sardines dripping from my chin.
Sandré Clays started out to perform a lovely sedate poem but everyone started to bark at her. Perhaps it was the dryness in their throats i don't know but they insisted on something grittier and dirty. She verily obliged and gave us an animal poem about a dog would you believe! Yeah yeah! The dirty dog!
Don Parry was up and ready to confuse us with words and their meanings and by the time he'd finished i decided that i was alright in the head after all, even if everyone else wasn't.
I like Don's performances. Very polished and professional.
Rob Goodier 'toe'd the party line' with an invisible friend.
He gave a good performance but to be completely honest my mind was at the point where i'd already smoked three cigarettes and drunk two more pints of shandy or orange and with a large bucket of ice at the ready.
Dave Morgan also entered into the spirit of things. (not sure what he was drinking on this occasion) by reading a poem about China.
Well i think it was about China. I'm almost sure there was another storyline running through it but i'm lost to it's meaning. Such is life and the wonder of China in November.
Eric Tomlinson was also by this time having some very ''strange sensations''. As usual he made everyone smile with his wry poetry and his natural performance with no pretence or pretention.
Jennie performed a poem of her mums, Jane Wilcock to you and me. Going out in sympathy with poor Paul Blackburn in his absence she told us the ''benefits'' and down side to Swine Flu.
Gasping and gagging and bladders bursting it was finally time to take a break! and phew! Were we all ready for it!
Refreshed and nicotine levels back up a bit we drifted back into the steam-room for more beans and other delectable delights such as sardines only now some of them had gone home with a few of the poets. Unfortunately we didn't get to hear Nat Claire as he left in the break which really was a shame because he gives great performances. Ah well.
John Clays was in a very bright and bubbly mood tonight. He read a sestina about weakness then as he left the stage said he hoped we'd all enjoyed and understood it 'cos he didn't. and he wrote it!
Laughter erupted and i'm sure i heard a trump or two behind the scenes. You had to be there to appreciate it.
Nicky Burrows was next up giving her first ever performance and didn't she do well?
She read her poem posted on the site called ''Catharsis.'' Written when she had a love of the Greek words and posted on here when there was a great debate in the discussions section.
I'm sure we''ll be seeing Nicky again very soon.
Julian Jordan performed something he'd written that afternoon about children in foreign places though not necessarily from a foreign country. It was a very poignant poem and very well read.
Gus Jonsson then decided it was his turn as the last poet on the list before starting the rounds of toast again. By now the beans and sardines were dry and flaky and not much sauce either but of course if anyone can provide sauce, Gus can..
He performed one of his latest blogs which you can also listen to if you so wish to click the link provided. Shirley.
And finally....
Well not really because it went on after i'd left with as many poets as there was time for. At least all had performed the once so here i made my exit, leaving the beans on toast for next morning, or in this case, evening.
Wakey wakey rise and shine!
Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:09 pm
Well said, Janet, an ace summary:
For me the evening was an alchemy. Aided by wonderful poetry BRASS turned into GOLD.
For me the evening was an alchemy. Aided by wonderful poetry BRASS turned into GOLD.
Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:18 pm
Hang your head in shame, whoever it was that reviewed the Howcroft last month - you missed a real good one last night. Some top class performances and a really great atmosphere.
I don't remember Mel reading one about any ex boyfriends - have heard a couple of those in the past and they are great - I always feel like I'm right in there with her, putting the boot in!!!
She did read one about a sparrow called Jesus who rose again - it was very touching. She also wrote one about coming home to her roots in Salford, which I also loved - subtle, clever and moving.
I also really enjoyed the poem written by the gentleman sitting by the door - apologies for forgetting the name. It was about a man escaping form under the thumb of his domineering missus. It was really funny - very witty.
Great to meet Steve Mellor and Nicky, who are now such active members on the site.
Gus made a brilliant compere - despite all the piss taking I had to endure. I promise to bind and gag myself next time we have our monthly poetic treat. Will just have to hope that the frustration doesn't bring on an epileptic fit...
Thanks for the review Janet. x
I don't remember Mel reading one about any ex boyfriends - have heard a couple of those in the past and they are great - I always feel like I'm right in there with her, putting the boot in!!!
She did read one about a sparrow called Jesus who rose again - it was very touching. She also wrote one about coming home to her roots in Salford, which I also loved - subtle, clever and moving.
I also really enjoyed the poem written by the gentleman sitting by the door - apologies for forgetting the name. It was about a man escaping form under the thumb of his domineering missus. It was really funny - very witty.
Great to meet Steve Mellor and Nicky, who are now such active members on the site.
Gus made a brilliant compere - despite all the piss taking I had to endure. I promise to bind and gag myself next time we have our monthly poetic treat. Will just have to hope that the frustration doesn't bring on an epileptic fit...
Thanks for the review Janet. x
Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:21 pm
<Deleted User> (5646)
Thanks Jane and i would agree with you on alchemy. :-)
Isobel, you're right about Mels poem. I saw it as being a storm in every port or should that be a port in every town or maybe it was something else entirely. I loved it anyway. The other poem you mentioned was in the second half of the evening and i left shortly afterwards.
Thanks for you input and yes it was a great night. I don't think i've ever seen so many poets reading in one evening before at the Howcroft but then i'm an infrequent visitor too. :-)
xxx
Isobel, you're right about Mels poem. I saw it as being a storm in every port or should that be a port in every town or maybe it was something else entirely. I loved it anyway. The other poem you mentioned was in the second half of the evening and i left shortly afterwards.
Thanks for you input and yes it was a great night. I don't think i've ever seen so many poets reading in one evening before at the Howcroft but then i'm an infrequent visitor too. :-)
xxx
Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:02 pm
steve mellor
Hi Janet
Thoroughly enjoyed the evening and the poetry read.
What a review! - damned with faint praise?
"gave a calm ... assured performance"
Was Dylan Thomas ever reviewed thus?
Steve M.
Thoroughly enjoyed the evening and the poetry read.
What a review! - damned with faint praise?
"gave a calm ... assured performance"
Was Dylan Thomas ever reviewed thus?
Steve M.
Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:15 pm
Hi Janet, great review of the Howcroft. I thoroughly enjoyed the night and got to meet so many poets that I have conversed with on the site. Great atmosphere, fantastic performances, baked beans and sardines!! What can more can I say?
Thanks to all for welcoming Che, Aziza and Kinda from the BRASS poetry group, and generating a truly international feel to the evening. They had a fantastic time and I know that they will want to add some comments on Thursday.
See you all again soon. Loved it.
Nicky xx
Thanks to all for welcoming Che, Aziza and Kinda from the BRASS poetry group, and generating a truly international feel to the evening. They had a fantastic time and I know that they will want to add some comments on Thursday.
See you all again soon. Loved it.
Nicky xx
Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:36 pm
<Deleted User> (5593)
I'm so sorry I missed this one sounds like it was a great night though I'm not so sure about the sardines and baked beans!
If anyone took any photographs let me know and I'll put them in galleries.
If anyone took any photographs let me know and I'll put them in galleries.
Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:41 pm
darren thomas
Yeah, missing this event was a bitter Pilchard to swallow. Still, it sounds like the pulse has finally returned to The Howcroft - where's it bean all this time?
NEXT!
NEXT!
Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:29 pm
darren thomas
<Deleted User> (5593)