A popular poetry night in Guildford is saying goodbye to its regular venue next week.  The 1000 Monkeys, run by Janice Windle and compere Dónall Dempsey, is staging its last night at the elegant Bar Des Arts, complete with chandelier and grand piano, which has been taken over by a new owner that no longer wants to run poetry nights there.

There have been regular poetry nights, including open mic, at the Bar Des Arts for more than three years. Poets that have appeared there include Rob Auton, Bernard Kops, Steve Pottinger, AF Harrold, Chrys Salt, Wendy Klein, the Antipoet, David Cooke, Bethany W Pope, and Cathy Flower (pictured).    

Janice said: “Poetry at the Bar des Arts in Guildford began in 2011 as a twinkle in the eye of Susie Campbell, who was working with artists and writers on behalf of Guildford council to enhance Guildford’s cultural ethos. Originally part of a series of Pop Up events to involve local people in performance poetry events, we organised and hosted the first poetry event at the Bar des Arts in November 2011, with a theme of Art.”

She added: “We enjoyed that first event so much that we asked Sara Burks, the co-owner of the Bar, if we could set up an ongoing series of free poetry nights, and the first Pop Up Poetry event of a continuous run of 40 events was held in February 2012. This month’s sale of the Bar to new owners with new plans is the only reason for that run’s ending on 15 September.”

Janice, who is currently recovering after a recent broken leg, said that local poets have emerged into the spotlight of the open mic to be nurtured and to hone their reading and performing skills. “There’s a core of regular writers and readers, all the time supplemented (and if they move away, replaced) by new talent. Students from Surrey University’s creative writing department have found their voices as performers at the Bar.”

It’s not the end of live poetry in Guildford. Janice and Dónall also run a second live night, at the Keystone pub, which will continue on the first Monday of each month– and they will search for a replacement venue for the Bar Des Arts nights.

Meanwhile next week’s final poetry night at the Bar Des Arts on Tuesday 15 September will be transformed into a farewell party, with guest performers Zelda Chappel and Owen Elton. It starts at 7.30pm – sign up for the open mic from 7pm onwards. More details and Map