Spoke in the Lamp - 24th November 2021

16th November 2021

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Open the doors!

Ivan Turgenev, Friedrich von Schiller, Margaret Atwood, William Blake, all had something special in common - they were all born in November.

Conceived in November three years ago, Spoke in the Lamp is pleased to open doors for the final event of this short, and somewhat distracted year. (We’ll be reborn in January.) We’re particularly pleased to welcome our feature poet for this month, Roy McFarlane.

Come and behold Roy’s breathtaking and healing poetry, as well as the excellence of our local writers. Be an audience member or one of the exciting performers in the Lamp theatre space at Brownhills Community Centre. Should you have an inclination to perform your own works in the open mic sections, let us know via Facebook or email - spoke@albarz.uk

7:15 to 10:00 pm - please book in advance for a performance slot and/or a seat at a table, cabaret style, to view and listen.

Roy McFarlane is a Poet, Playwright and former Youth & Community Worker born in Birmingham of Jamaican parentage spending most of his years living in Wolverhampton and the Black Country, now residing in Brighton. A well-loved and established poet, he’s held the role of Birmingham Poet Laureate, Starbucks Poet in Residence and is currently the Birmingham & Midlands Institute Poet in Residence. From Amsterdam to Philadelphia, Roy has shared his passion for social justice, equality, identity, love and the healing power of poetry as a witness to our times. His debut collection, Beginning With Your Last Breath, was followed by The Healing Next Time, (Nine Arches Press 2018) nominated for the Ted Hughes award and Jhalak Prize. He has an MA in Writing Poetry from Newcastle University and the Poetry School and is presently working on his third collection coming out Autumn 2022.

The NEW NORMAL for Spoke:
The Lamp theatre space is big and airy enough for distanced seating at tables. Most of us are double-jabbed and some triple, but please use the hand sanitiser at the door and if you’re chatting up close with those who are wary, have a mask handy.
Covid is still around so please follow normal guidelines for comfort and security of yourself and all of us. We all want to feel safe.

*Free* teas/coffees!
Other drinks available at the bar. (Hoping the bar is reinstated!)
Raffle with great prizes to be won for lucky 50p tickets.
Poetry books available to purchase from performers.

Theme: Open Doors
Date: Wednesday 24th November, 2021
Time: 7:15 for 7:30 pm - finish approx 10:00 pm
Place: Brownhills Community Centre, by the miner island. Car park entrance via Pelsall Road.
Entry - pay as you feel (suggested £3) To reserve an audience seat or performance slot, let us know via Facebook message or email.

Contact: spoke@albarz.uk
Facebook Page: Spoke in the Lamp
(‘Like’ the Facebook Page and you’ll see future events as they occur!)

The Lamp, Brownhills Community Centre

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