Hammer and Tongue: Keith Jarrett and Aryn Clarke 12th February

Hammer and Tongue returns to The Fountain this Wednesday 12th for the first event of 2014. Headlining is the intellectual, multilingual poet, novelist and teacher Keith Jarrett. Find out more at: http://zoneonetosix.blogspot.co.uk/




He'll be supported by Aryn Clarke. Check out his winning performance at Hammer and Tongue last year in April.




A great line up in addition to the slam which offers the chance of a place in the Cambridge final later this year. For full details and tickets see: https://www.facebook.com/events/179493175594919/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

Hammer & Tongue Slam Final with Simon Munnery - 5th December

This Thursday I have the honour of competing in the Brighton Hammer and Tongue poetry slam final at Komedia. The honour is further enriched by the inclusion Simon Munnery as the headline act making the £5 admission an absolute steal. You can get all the details here.

Here's an article I wrote last time Simon Munnery did Hammer and Tongue which gives an idea of what to expect both from Simon and the slam.

(Originally published on localsecrets.com)

The small function room upstairs at The Emperor was packed for Hammer and Tongue: a night of spoken word entertainment featuring a poetry slam, performance poet Cat Brogan and comedian Simon Munnery whose name frequently appears in close proximity to words such as “legend,” “genius,” and “surreal.”

Hammer and Tongue started in Oxford and now runs events in five cities. Each event features a slam: a competition in which entrants have 3 minutes to perform a poem. A panel of judges drawn from the audience awards points out of ten. The result is a fast-paced event with high energy and dynamic performances creating a tight bond between poet and audience.

Slams are not as brutal as they sound. Slam etiquette demands respect for performers and newcomers brave enough to step up to the mike are always rewarded with a round of applause and a good score. For the most talented performers the rewards are greater. The national final is highly competitive and winning brings national media exposure, paid gigs and other exciting opportunities.

Hammer and Tongue provides further entertainment and inspiration by featuring established performers at each event. Support act Cat Brogan delivered a polished set combining witty and thought provoking poems on subjects including social prejudices and her Northern Irish upbringing. Her powerful delivery perfectly combined words and performance, the hallmark of a slam champion and worthy of the sellout crowd who had come for the headline act.

"I used to be allowed to stay up to watch this guy on TV,” announced excited compere Alex Iamb as he introduced award-winning comedian Simon Munnery. Taking to the stage strumming a toy guitar he dispensed with the three minute bursts of poetry format and delivered a twenty minute ramble of observational comedy and shaggy dog stories. With material on subjects including killing dogs, Swiss hazard signs, seedy great uncles and rural life it was an unpredictable routine that kept the laughter flowing.

Munnery’s skillful use of language allows him to constantly juggle a diverse range of topics and give stand up comedy a fresh twist. “Anyone from anywhere? Anyone noticed anything?” he inquired, deadpan, early on. “Some of these jokes require background reading,” he remarked after a line about Greek mythological characters Sisyphus and Icarus. Only towards the end of the set did he do any poetry; a chant sarcastically praising a well-known chain of pubs and a surreal and embittered rant on London.

It was a low-key gig for a veteran performer who has many awards, TV and radio series to his credit. His appearance is testament to the outstanding reputation Hammer and Tongue has for organising events which are getting more people to listen to, write, perform and enjoy poetry.

Rob Auton and Brighton Poetry Society

I'm still getting to know the Brighton spoken word scene but there are a couple events coming up in the next week.

On Saturday there's a chance to witness the surreal humour of yellow loving, blue sky thinking Rob Auton as he performs The Sky Show upstairs at the Three and Ten on Steine Street. It starts at 6pm and tickets are available here.

On Monday Brighton Poetry Society host an open mic event at The Victory Inn, Duke Street from 8pm. Entry by donation. More info here.

If you know of any other music or spoken word events in Brighton that deserve a plug get in touch.

Romsey Art Festival

Get ready for two weeks of art, music, workshops and exhibitions as the first Romsey Art Festival launches this Saturday. Check out the packed programme of events, many of them free on the festival blog: romseyartfestival2013.blogspot.co.uk. There are a couple of Headstand related events happening this Saturday.

Creative Writing Workshop with Patrick Widdess

Join Patrick Widdess for a workshop that will encourage participants to look at the world around them in new and creative ways.

There will be a series of writing exercises to get the creative juices flowing and participants will have time to explore the surrounding area and work on their own writing.

The workshop is being held from 2-5pm at The Bath House on Gwydir Street. Email info@patrickwiddess.co.uk to book your free place. Advance booking is recommended and places are limited.

Romsey Poets

Adventures in language, art and performance poetry featuring Rychard Carrington and Ian Patterson, hosted by Patrick Widdess.

A number of short Open Mic slots will be available. Book in advance to guarantee a place: alexanderblustin@gmail.com.

For those wishing to delve further into the world of the Cambridge avant-garde, there will be a bookstall showcasing vital and challenging new work from local poets and publishers.

Admission: £3/£2 concessions

Hammer and Tongue with Ray Antrobus & Charlotte Higgins

This Wednesday get down to the Fountain for the last round of the Hammer and Tongue Poetry Slam 2012/13. It's your last chance to qualify for a place in the regional final to be held in September. It's also an opportunity for poets and poetry lovers to check out two great headline acts.

Headliner Ray Antrobus was in top form at the national finals last weekend. His efforts got Hackney second place in the team slam pushing Cambridge into third. He's a seasoned writer and performer. See his website for more info: www.raymondantrobus.com.

He will be supported by Charlotte Higgins who won the Strawberry Fair youth slam - the latest in an impressive list of awards and accolades.

For tickets and more info see the Facebook page. 

 

Poetry This Weekend

Cambridge's maverick poet and electronic musician Pete Um is performing a free gig tonight at The Gatehouse, 23-25 Gwydir Street at 8pm. It's right next to Cambridge 105. Pete has been described as:

'Lo-fi electronic songs, neurotic and quixotic charity-shop funk, highly personal stereo.'


and 

'like a one-man boombox version of The Residents ... like a quiet idea-storm: a procession of thoughts, camera-angles, memories, rambles, rumbles, micro-anthems, marching songs, drinking games, broken raps, Pop-monologues, miniatures, chamberwerks, salon songs, an orchestra of shed.' kidshirt.blogspot.com

http://www.umbusiness.co.uk/

 The event is supported by Bad Timing DJs. Bring a battery powered FM radio to participate. Details here.

Allographic: Other Voices returns to the Fountain on Sunday with Martin Figura and Justina Kehinde plus open mic. In the afternoon there's a poetry workshop with Andrea Porter.

Finally looking ahead to next week Ross Sutherland is reading at the last CB1 Poetry of the season on Tuesday 28th. Excellent!

Musical museums and poetical musings ousing

This week's recommended poetry event is one I haven't yet been to. Ouse Muse is a regular poetry open mic night in Bedford. Host Ian McEwen is a fine poet and a regular at poetry events in Cambridge so if you can get to Bedford this Thursday go and support or even read. See https://www.facebook.com/events/571255309562960/.

Friday is Museums Night. Over the weekend museums worldwide will be holding special events at night. The Fitzwilliam will be offering a variety of music in its galleries along with talks and other activities from 6-9pm. admission free. See https://www.facebook.com/events/468638009872040/.

On Saturday John Grant plays the Junction. Here's the video for the latest single from the recent album Green Ghosts which won't be getting played on the show.

Hammer & Tongue and Shindig

I've been out of the loop recently but here are some events to check out this week.
On Monday Cambridge Harmony Chorus are doing a free warmup show before taking part in a national competition. The performance is at 8 at Christ The Redeemer Church, Newmarket Road, Cambridge, CB5 8RS.  It's near the McDonald's fast-food restaurant and Barnwell Roundabout.  http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=CB1+3RW. Check out their facebook page for more info.
Hammer and Tongue returns on Wednesday with Tim Clare and Hannah Jane Walker. For more info, tickets and to book your place in the slam go to: https://www.facebook.com/events/237437786398586/?fref=ts.
Finally Shindig returns this time to CB1 with music from Hour Hands, Slushy Guts, and Mouth. I'll be compering and there will be show and tell open mic. It starts earlier than usual 5pm. Full details here.

The Return of Upbeat and the Cambridge Band Competition Final

A couple of events to check out this week. First the return of Up Beat Open Mic. This popular open mic night fronted by performance poet extraordinaire Alex Iamb makes a return this Thursday night to The Grapes on Histon Road. There will be open mic slots and these great headline acts ensuring things start off with a bang:

ALICEBAND
http://www.reverbnation.com/aliceband

An absolute stalwart of Upbeat from the beginning, if you live in Cambridge and don’t know who Alice Walker is then you need to get out more frankly. She’s been shivering spines around Cambridgeshire for what seems like forever and was recently featured on Joan Armatrading’s Radio 2 show. Soaring piano lines, cut-glass vocals and lyrics which actually make you think a bit form a sum greater than the individual parts. Add a super-tight band with some serious dancabililty going on and you really do have something special.

WILL VARLEY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMxwqZVL9L4

Will toured his first album by walking around the south of England. Yes, walking. The man has dedication to the cause to say the least. One of the best songsmiths you are ever likely to hear, he does words to guitar really well. Come buy his new album, he’ll need some shoes to walk home in.

FAITH TAYLOR
https://soundcloud.com/faithtaylormusic/

Super-astute politically conscious lyrics, spine-tingling vocals and finger-picking guitar that’ll set hairs on end. Beautiful stuff.

In between expect blasts of shouty performance poetry from the night's inimitable host. I might even get down to do a slot myself. Details here.


The following night it's the final of the Cambridge band competition. Get down to the Junction to hear five of the best from the Cambridge music scene battle it out for the title “Sound Clash Champion”. Special guests, Page to Performance poets led by Hollie McNish, will accelerate the pace with their rapid fire introductions before each band attacks the stage to give the performance of their lives. Great to see poetry getting a part in this mighty local event! Tickets available here.

If you can't make it down in person Cambridge 105 will broadcasting the event live.

Events this week

This week kicks of with acoustic night Strummers at CB2. You may have heard Strummers and Dreamers on Cambridge 105 if you tuned in early for Headstand. Les Ray presents Nick Stephenson, a fine young songwriter from St. Albans. Details here.
Two regular events return this week. Hammer and Tongue is back on at The Fountain this Wednesday with featured acts Adam Kammerling and Sam Berkson. Last month's slam was one of the best ever with a full line up of slammers delivering performance poetry in a variety of styles. Details and tickets here.
On Friday Shindig returns to St Philips on Mill Road with more music and art including Clorinde, Sunwølf and Hollow Mountain. Read a review of the last one here and get all the details of Friday's gig and how to buy tickets here.

Events this Week in Cambridge

There are a lot of great events this week. Unfortunately most of them are on Thursday. Four bands play the Portland on Tuesday Bleech, Beverley Kills - Who have been on the show a couple of times, Mark Ellis and Justin of The Judge Rheinholds. Tickets are £5. Get them here.

On Thursday there is folk-rock from rising local star Just William and the Outlaws at The Bath House and there's music and art at CB1 Cafe with acts including Tom Adams and Dianne Morisson. I'd love to go to both of them but I'm reading at yet another event CB1 Poetry, which confusingly isn't in CB1 at all but at The Boathouse on Chesterton Road. I'll be joined by Patrick Sheil who will be performing songs, poems and stories plus there's open mic so whatever you're planning on Thursday come to the Boat House. Full details are here.

Finally on Saturday Robyn Hitchcock plays The Junction. The prolific song writer and former member of The Soft Boys, The Egyptians, and The Venus 3 plays Cambridge just ahead of the launch of his new album. Check out one of his songs below and get tickets here.

This week in Cambridge

This week legendary musician and producer Lee 'Scratch' Perry comes to the Junction. Quite what kind of show the reggae veteran will put on is hard to say but it's an unmissable opportunity to see someone who has shaped contemporary music and continues to do so regularly putting out records, touring and working with artists across the musical spectrum despite being in his mid-seventies. Tickets are available from The Junction.
The following night there is a special poetry reading by Owen Sheers at The Fitzwilliam as part of Carol Ann Duffy's Thresholds project. Tickets are free but must be booked in advance. Details of this and other events are available at www.thresholds.org.uk.
If you haven't got a radio show to present on Sunday night there is more Allographic stuff at the Fountain. Details here.

Remember you can now follow Headstand on Twitter.

This Week: Hollie McNish, Stephen Morrison-Burke, Mark Niel, The Antipoet and me.

I'll be doing support duties at a couple of poetry events this week. On Wednesday 13th it's the next round of Hammer & Tongue with a headline set from Hollie McNish who needs no introduction to poetry fans in Cmabridge and listeners of headstand and support from Stephen Morrison-Burke winner of the Cambridge heat in last year's slam. If you're a poet you might just be able to squeeze into the slam though last I heard there was only one place left. That means it'll be incredibly exciting! Where do I come in? I'm kicking of the slam as sacrificial poet, not competing but setting a bench mark for the competitors. For full details and tickets click here.
Next Sunday it's the Rhythm Method tour headlined by Mark Niel and The Antipoet, both terrific acts who don't get to Cambridge often enough. Check out the videos below. Leanne Moden and I will be supporting and Fay Roberts is hosting. More info here.
If I hear of anything else worth recommending in the next week I'll let you know on Twitter via the show's new feed. Follow @headstandradio

Jazz, Comedy and Open Mic this week in Cambridge

Any budding writers should head to the Arts Picture House bar tomorrow night for Object Writing, a friendly writing group that involves various games and writing exercises to get the creative juices flowing. You can get more info and sign up here or just turn up at 8 and look for the table with all the pens and notepads. You can read writing by members of the group on the blog.
On Tuesday night The Junction plays host to UK contemporary jazz master Courtney Pine. I've heard great reviews and now I look forward to hearing the music. Tickets available here.
On Thursday there's a choice between Open Mic at Hot Numbers which is bound to attract a good audience and some great performers or comedy at The Junction with my guest on the last show Tom Stade. If anything else comes up I'll let you know, possibly via Twitter. Follow @headstandradio.

Show and Tell, Fuzzy Lights and more in Cambridge this week

 Fuzzy Lights launch their new album next weekend at The Portland

Show and Tell returns to the Portland on Tuesday night with music, poetry, theatre and improv comedy on the bill including a few poems from myself and Headstand favourite Leanne Moden. Check out the review of the last one here and get all the details here. That night is also the first in a run of fortnightly Smokers by The Cambridge Footlights at the ADC. I have yet to see a Footlights show, it's easy to overlook something like groundbreaking new comedy being produced when it's happening on your doorstep. Monty Python, Fry and Laurie, Mitchell and Webb and many more started out in the Footlights. Smokers are the breeding ground for new talent and always feature an unpredictable selection of brand-new material.
Headstand favourites The Scissors play Man on The Moon on Friday and on Saturday Fuzzy Lights play the Portland. They've been getting regular airplay of their new album 'Rule of Twelfths' recently which they are launching at an event which includes a terrific supporting line up of 'Hong Kong in the 60s' and The Doozer. For details of the show and a review of Fuzzy Lights' new album check out Moving Tone.

That's about it as far as I know. If there's anything else, give me a shout!

Music and Spoken Word in Cambridge This Week

A busy week for events kicks off on Monday with the launch of new Cambridge Tour Walking with Women. The tour gives a history of Cambridge focusing on achievements of women and has been put together by Hollie McNish with the help of other women writers from Cambridge. The launch at Michaelhouse spoken word, illustration, architecture and storytelling in celebration of Cambridge's female past. Tickets are selling fast so book now here.
CB1 poetry at the Punter returns for its first session of the new year on Tuesday with
Michael Schmidt. For more information about Michael and the event see the CB1 website.
On Saturday there is music and spoken word aplenty at Shindig at St Philips on Mill Road. Read my interview with headliners Rue Royale here and get all the info on other acts and how to get tickets here. Finally Fay Roberts is running a poetry writing workshop at the Fountain on Sunday afternoon (27th January) followed by Other Voices with Malcolm Guite and Nick Stibbs in the evening. See the Allographic website for full details.
That's about it then. If I've left anything out let me know and have a good week!

Bad Timing 11th Anniversary with Heatsick - 6th December

Read my review at: http://www.movingtone.com/reviews/patrick-widdess-reports-bad-timing-11th-anniversary-heatsick-cow-06-december-2012


Get down to the Cow for some live techno from Heatsick headlining Bad-Timing's 11th anniversary downstairs at the Cow.

"Heatsick batters a solitary Casio through a myriad of effects, looping up a coarse, crisp and twinkling out-house music into a wonderfully queasy eternity, teasing out melodic and rhythmic mantras to an off-kilter, Burroughsian effect that wins on the floor and never forgets to be lo-fi fun/funk. Combining a palette of sources from early Chicago house mixtapes (in sound, texture and mixing technique) through to musique concrète and psychedelia, Heatsick proposes a live dance music that expands and unlocks the senses."

Steven Warwick (also known as half of duo Birds of Delay) is active in the music, visual arts and club scenes. Recent releases include the acclaimed debut LP 'Intersex' and EP 'Déviation' on Bill Kouligas's PAN label, where labelmates include the likes of recent Bad Timing visitor NHK yx KOYXEN, Aaron Dilloway and Lee Gamble (recently seen at Reworks' closing party in Cambridge). Recent and upcoming activities include Unsound festival and visual arts shows in Berlin and Glasgow.

"This is dance music through and through, albeit probably unlike any you've heard before" - The Quietus

"There's something about the sense of containment (all the sounds come from one box), the character of the sound (circuits which sound like they're operating at close to overload and the sense of play within these constraints that makes this as overwhelming as any dancefloor experience you can imagine" - The Wire 

For full details and tickets go to: www.bad-timing.co.uk



Heatsick Paris Olympic Café 26nov2011 -2 from NO MORE RETURN on Vimeo.

Events this week

Another action-packed week in Cambridge after another terrific Mill Road Winter Fair last Saturday. On Wednesday Malcolm Guite is launching his new book Sounding the Seasons at St Edward's Church from 7:30 details here. On the same night you can hear experimental electronic music at CB1 including Headstand favourite Tom Adams.
The following evening I look forward to doing at turn at the new open mic night at my favourite local cafe Hot Numbers. On Friday there is live music at the Cornerhouse headlined by The Scissors. Details here. The Scissors have just released a live album which you can stream and download here and get a taste of what's on offer on Friday.
Finally on Saturday it's Shindig at the Leper Chapel. The venue offers a wonderful atmosphere for concerts but wrap up warm.

Have a good week!