It's a shame that.

I know when Steve and I mulled on the decision to go ahead with LIVERpoetry's launch night we thought long and hard coming to the conclusion that we couldn't get in touch with 100% of the people at such short notice.

ALSO, we thought it better to let people make their own minds up whether they should venture out in the conditions - we're libertarian like that.

In the end we had 35 people at the launch, which was a great success - and we were glad we made the effort and let people vote with their feet.

If organisers do decide to cancel they should make sure people know by whatever means they can.

If you promote poetry you must deliver. Your advertised meetings have to take place - that's very important for poets.

Decide your day (usually a monthly event in the UK regions, but often a weekly one in London) and STICK TO IT!

As a poetry promoter, don't let a bit of snow persuade you to cancel, and don't call off a poetry night just because you're not feeling in the right mood to host one.

Get over yourself! Turn up and run the bloody meeting! Be a man. Or a woman. Just do it. It's very important.

Poets / aspiring writers / people sickened by moronic mainstram popular culture ... they are all DEPENDING on YOU to showcase the alternative.

I know the truth of all this after hosting the Bards of New Brighton for the past three years. I've seen the emnotions; I've mopped up the tears; I've wiped away the liquified snot.

And I tell you ... my life would have to be in mortal danger for me to cancel a Bards session.

I feel just the same about the new LIVERpoetry nights I'm co-hosting in Liverpool with Ieaun. The next meeting by the way, is themed "Sex & Lurrrvve" and will take place on Wednesday 10 February at the Pilgrim pub central Liverpool (upstairs bar) L1 9HB, starting 8pm.

With freedom of expression under increasing threat in our country, performance poetry nights are incredibly important. Come and support us. LIVERpoetry is going to be MASSIVE!

PS Someone let Chris Co down - and he definitely doesn't deserve that.

What happened to Chris, mirrors my experience in December (before any snow had fallen). I fancied going along to Letterbomb in the centre of Leeds, so I sent the organiser an email on the day of the Gig, asking for confirmation of start time so that I could arrange train transport.
I received no reply, but, undeterred, went along to the bar where it was to be held, but no-one knew anything about it (and this was supposed to be the second time they had run such a Gig).
Letterbomb is on February's Gig Guide, but I'd make double sure before you go along. I shan't be bothering.

Chris, the cheque's in the post, lad.

We do our best to keep the Gig Guide up-to-date but organisers tend to be very quick to tell us when an event is starting but totally negligent when they are coming to an end.

So apologies Chris and those two gigs you mentioned have been deleted from the guide.

Chris, sorry to hear of the cancelled event non event, event in your life, now that venting the non event is over, yes! I'm with you on the Steve Regan stance.

Steve, and associates are the keenest and warmest bunch in the land, It is from the heart when I say that he changed my perception of poetry readings. Never felt so warmed and welcomed than at the bards. Fantastic and memories that paint the inside of my mind with all lovely warm colour. You know when some memories are just warm ones? This is what it felt like at those gigs, I think that its important to say when things are right, even though the casual observer may say its an overblown reaction or not, who cares, i run on amotion and I write on emotion so its only natural for me. I dont often get the opportunity to pour love out in whatever form but the crowd at bards and the drinking after etc, the Jack K, on the road aspect of it all, super. May I add that the first time I met CHris co it was with a smile and welcome arms, some things just work that way.....lovely.

I ramble therfore stop.
just wanted to let you know.

Keep up the events, thanks to WOL super duper gig guide, which is good enough for me! They do a great Job too.

BTW i have more than a share of COLD 'up their clique arse' nights in various cities. dont like so much. I'll probably end up that way. Heres a revolver for when I do. :-)

Hello Heavy Body
When I was working over in Lancs (it's all Lancs to me!) before Christmas with nothing to do on an evening, I got the distinct impression that someone was riding ahead of my horse and cancelling all the gigs! Manchester Spread Eagle (now cancelled I see), Hoylake (Vanilla) and Southport (Arts Centre). Was it me? Beeching didn't axe more than I seemed to do!

R Hey!! Thanks to the fantasmagoric Pete C and Chris Co for their kind comments about the Bards. They definitely understand what live poetry is about.

Yes, poetry nights should be warm, emotional and there should be a love or passion vibe that is extended to all-comers. MCs should do their bit to ensure a warm atmosphere prevails. That's not to say there can't also be a bit of sarky banter, a bit of feelthy humour, a bit of edgyness even.

But enough of the po-faced attitudes, please! Enough of the pretentious posing already! And "no" to the sneeriness and the coldness of heart that sometimes occurs on the poetry scene. It's very unattractive.

As for cancelling gigs / open mics, don't do that! It's what we used to call, in my Norfolk days, "pantywaste" behaviour.

I've never cancelled a Bards night and never would - unless my life was in danger. The same goes for our new LIVERpoetry nights. Come on down, y'all. Feel the pash. A blowsy beauty has been born!

Chris
I bet Auden is very proud to be mentioned in the same sentence as me.
Provided you can promise no-one else will look at it except you I've posted the North Yorks Moors Railway poem into the Blogs.
John