In the third of a new series highlighting events usually listed on the Write Out Loud Gig Guide we got the low-down from Karen Withecomb on running Shine So Hard in Brighton. This event runs fortnightly (usually every other Monday) at The Quadrant, 12-13 North Street.

 

How long has it been running? And what made you think you should set up a poetry event in Brighton?

Shine So Hard will have been running for four years in February 2018. I set up this event in the wake of one of my favourite Brighton open mic nights coming to an end. I didn't want the extremely varied bunch of poets who had performed at that night to be scattered and perhaps never perform in the same room again. It grew from there.

 

Do you have guest poets? If so, how do you choose them?

Not really. Everyone is equal, but there have been quite a few well-known poets who have been good enough to perform within the structure of this night and without being worried about whether there were “guest” poets.

 

What are the highlights of running a poetry night?

Making wonderful friends with other poets. Having great support and thanks from poets. Encouraging and supporting new poets and discovering wonderful new talent.

 

And the difficulties?

I lost two venues before I got settled at The Quadrant and it was hard to keep the night going when that happened. Brighton is a city that people often live in for a limited amount of time, so the night needs to move with the times and reach out to new people all the time.

 

What advice would you give to someone thinking of setting up a poetry night?

Rely on your own equipment and start small. If you have an amp, a mic and a mic stand, you will only ever need a three-pin plug to make your club run. Be kind and welcoming and do not let the club turn into your own social club, which is off-putting for poets outside your group of friends.

 

You can have one poet – living or dead – read at your night. Who will it be?

Patti Smith.

 

Questions compiled by Emma Purshouse and Steve Pottinger