Part 1 - 00:42

Just been down to the Howcroft
Where my poetry was held aloft
If Sunday was owt to go by, I'm proud
To be a member of Write Out Loud

Thanx for the invite

Part 2 at a more reasonable hour

Phil

great stuff Phil nice to see you there!

Nicole and Courtney,
Thank you for doing a stonking job of my poem, you performed brill and did really well - I am very proud.
Hi to everyone who came it was wonderful to see and hear such talent Gordon was hilarious as ever, It was great to hear Peter's love poem performed - Melanie's thought provoking and intelligent words, Val made us laugh lusting after captain Jack and Elvis - Greedy woman.lol. Jon Oxendale's Battered Bride was delightful. Bill thinks he's the son of God - I thought that place was held sacred for our Paul - but hey ho, not any more - there are far too many names to mention and as I say my brain works as a colander part time - so I've forgotten most.
It was an absolute delight to hear the gorgeous Greg read his poem's in Spanish and his former teacher (who should be very proud) reading the English bits. Martin's Australian accent was wonderful and his poetry about the place had you tasting the flavour of the air!
I really like Don's first poem circles very unique - missed the guitar playing though:-(
Scott read an interesting prose poem and I think he was brave delivering his unique one liner poem Saturday night.
Both the Morgan's were on form - but sorry Dave and everyone else Linda's Swimday was my favourite poem of the night, and it will stay with me for a long time.
Love and laughter to you all

Ooh almost forgot - it was great to meet Phil, who had his debut last night - I think given whats been happening on the thread Phil, you were very brave to come and I look forward to hearing more of your poetry. I hope you will be a regular!
xxxxxxx

sorry about there being 2 pt two's forgot to take out the carbon paper from between the keys

It was mentioned last night about help with running of the site andservices offered etc. I always try 2 put back in what i get out of something, so King Paul if i can help I will.

cheers phil

Hi Phil,
It was a pleasure to see you at the Howcroft and thank you for the poem you brought for me to have a look at, not sure if I was actually meant to take it away? But anyhoo, yes I think it is very good - I like the style that you use, as I say not many can get away with it but you do. All power to you honey.

xxx

oh and hope you have a good holiday and come back very rested and inspired.

xxx

Part 3

Just back from Greece, just slipped that one in, harhar.

Instead of trying to write verse all the time in my comments all the time I just wanted to say it straight.

From the first moment I joined Write Out Loud I have been made to and do feel at home. All the feed back recieved before my first readings meant that I wasn't amongst a sea of stranges. You are all an inspiration.

At The Howcroft it is very much a 'welcome inn'. So if you are a 'newby' like myself or accomplished performer, like many I could mention, the Howcroft is the place.

See you next time

Thank you for a great night.

Phil

ps don't ask me for directions, you might get 'Googled'

pps got one or three more poems in the pipeline' you have been warned.

Phil. Come to Tudor as well.
I'm still a 'newbie' and they made me feel ok too.
I ain't even nervous anymore.
I a shit poet, but enjoy performing, but Pete, Alabastar, Julian, Paul etc (ie the brilliant guys) don't give a shit.
13th Sept I think.

Oh yeh, and Abi as well, who I think is brill

Well said Baz, Abi is Brill and sensational and gorgeous and etc etc.

Hail queen Abi, my very beautiful and joyful poet friend - all my love girl - missing you already.

Magi
xxxxx

Baz

Thanks for the kind invite.

All things being equal count me in

see you there on the 13th

cheers

Phil

Better gird your loins and put on your best rock n roll outfit Phil - Wigan is nothing like the gentle Howcroft, it's wild and well erm... Wiggin!

I agree with Paul, Wigan is a very different venue to perform at than the Howcroft - it is a fantastic night but I think it could be daunting for a newcomer - you might want to take it all in the first time before commiting yourself to performing.
Though you do get to see the exceptional compering of Peter Crompton and you missed out on see the very dynamic Alabaster De Plume perform at the Howcroft as he was far too busy having fun in the Emerald isle!
A visit to Wigan is well worth it to see the wonderful soulman himself James Brown on Wheels - AKA the very gorgeous Shaun Fallows and please say hello to him from me, as unfortunately I'm not allowed to play out that day.

Much love to you all.

xxxxx

Maggie and A Daftie

Thanks for advice. I need to broaden my experience of performance poetry and a trip Wigan way will do that.

As for performing i'll see how it goes on the night.Retrospectively i could have chosen a better set of poems to make my debut. The performance was, from overcoming nerves, went well. That was a big psychological barrier to overcome.

Howcroft Inn / Performance Poetry

I wanted to post it here awell

I am very much new to the field of performance poetry and to get up of stage at the Howcroft Inn was a major step for me. I have an inherent stutter and Parkinson’s, both of which affect my speech and breathing. The gang down at the Howcroft were very supportive both up to and on the night for which I sincerely thank them.

I have a real passion form my poetry and write what I feel. When I came off stage after reading my 1st poem I felt a real buzz and I wanted to go back on. I am now a ‘Poetry Junky’ and am keen to get back out there. The Howcroft was a perfect place to get my feet wet, a great introduction to ‘Performance Poetry’.

Now I want to go for total emersion. Although well received I don’t think I chose the correct poems on the night to introduce my varied work. Looking back I should have, for my first time , 1) chosen the poems before the night and 2) rehearsed them.

I say long may medium to share and appreciate poetry, sharing each others take on the rich tapestry called ‘Life’.

See you again.

Phil

Phil,
Don't be so hard on your self, I read erotica on my first night and I'm not sure the much older audience appreciated it - but I did have the pleasure of making the great Dave Morgan blush as he was compering and the very handsome Alabaster who you haven't yet met, complemented me on my boldness, then again that could have been my baldness must get the hairdresser to check the back of my head.lol
xxx

Whoah! Hold up there, Baz. How dare you say that we don't give a sh... you-know-what. We do give a, er.. we do care about your poetry, and it isn't as you describe it; and it is getting better as you gain in confidence; and YOU are very supportive of others as much as any of us.
What we have here, as Phil says, is a group - a community - of supportive people; for which read: people who care about other people.
We have all taken that first step onto the stage, knitting our shicks, often trembling far less than we thought we were. The worst thing is not getting on the stage, it's wishing you had: going home without plucking up the courage to read and kicking yourself because you didn't.
Julian

And I forgot to add that Wigan is wild, weird and WELCOMING.
If you can pluck up the courage ot perform at Wigan, you can do it anywhere. Or almost.
I have to say that perhaps last year at Bordeaux was the biggest test of Write Out Loud poets. I had blagged us onto the stage of a world music venue in Bordeaux (Chez Alric) as the warm-up act to a great Nigerian band who were playing a tribute to one of their ex-members, who died a year earlier. 2-300 French audience, open-air venue. Would they even listen?
We did it. They listened and even came and congratulated individual poets afterwards. There were some nervesat firs (especially me, as this was the first time I had compered in French) but Write Out Loud poets were equal to the occasion. We done good. But then, we had played Wigan!
Pity Chez Alric is closed next month or we would have been back there.
p.s. anyone else for Bordeaux? if so, contact john.armstrong@writeoutloud.net
Enjoy!
Julian

Greetings each

Just signing to say I will be down for another dose of Howcroft magic on Sunday and sample the Wigan wit on Thursday.

What is the usual time slot for each performer, newb or experienced, on open mic nights. 5 mins??

Cheers

Phil

At Wigan we give everyone one five minute slot, it starts at 8.30pm and (I hate to say this) is Free!
KP