Coffee–House Poetry Newsletter
latest newsletter
Date: 29th December 2009
Dear Troubadour Supporters
It may be winter outside, but (to misquote Barry White) in Coffee-House Poetry terms, it’s already spring. And what a spring-loaded, packed-with-poetry season Spring 2010 turns out to be, with our New-Year/new-poetry event on 11th Jan, then Smiths Knoll making a regular visit to the capital and away from the spring-buffetted East Coast with a retinue of favourite and newest contributors, followed by a joint visit from Poetry Wales and Seren Books with both magazine contributors and established Seren-list poets, over two-dozen poets across the first three essential, eclectic events.
Coffee-houses have long been the place for literary gossip, disputation and the taking of sides in poetry wars, and Coffee-House Poetry has recently revived the idea of colloquies (so much more pleasant than arguments) where four poets read their own work and, after the interval, gather around the on-stage coffee-house table to debate the future of poetry: the current discussion topic comes from our experience of the 2009 Troubadour Poetry Prize where the significantly increased number of submissions from the US are under-represented in the winners’ lists, or to put it in terms used by many American poets who submitted work ever-hopefully, as well as many US poets, academics and editors who helped publicise the prize to their lists, contemporary British and American poetries are divided by a shared (poetic) language. With two “from each side” (see 22nd Feb) it should prove a stimulating evening. And for those interested either in furthering their own poetic development or discussing poets and poetry we have a range of workshops and seminars including two with guest leaders, Jo Shapcott and Mimi Khalvati.
That regular spot, the seasonal Magma launch, is something of a special occasion this time as David Boll, who’s introduced Magma contributors and the magazine’s changing themes and rotating editors over the past 11 years will be stepping down. As for a party theme for the first spring of the 2010s, it’s spring: rites of spring, March hares, daffodils, Easter, the equinox. Come along to hear what our invited guest poets spring on us.
As to Coffee-House Poetry’s ongoing incomparable value, many of you will know of my discussions with the Arts Council to take poetry to wider audiences and bring new listeners to poetry, discussions which have now ground to a halt (of which more later). This means, obviously, that Coffee-House Poetry’s survival is down to more of you than ever turning out to our events and classes, buying season tickets—please—and why wouldn’t you with such a wealth of poetry readings, discussions and workshops/seminars on offer?—and, of course, continuing to submit poems for the annual Troubadour Poetry Prize. And a special thanks to those who’ve helped by sponsoring special events including, in this season, Coffee-House Colloquies: Escarmouches II on 22nd Feb.
So, for now, workshop fee won’t change and admission to readings goes up a mere 50p: £7 for all readings, concessions £6, season tickets 30% off, so £29.40 for 6 superb events (concs. £25.20). To book, simply send cheque payable to Coffee-House Poetry (no credit cards) to the above address, stating event, date and tickets required: booked tickets are held at the door and you should arrive no later than 7.45 pm. Any changes to mailing/e-mailing details, do please write, phone, visit the website or e-mail…
Yours sincerely
Anne-Marie Fyfe (Organiser)
coffee-house poetry at the troubadour