The spirit and diversity of Sunday Xpress open mic, hosted by Birmingham’s unofficial poet laureate, Brendan Higgins, pictured, has been captured in a video made by emerging film-maker Ilvars Veinbergs. The video was filmed at one of Birmingham’s finest live venues, the Adam and Eve, on Bradford Street, Digbeth, a few minutes’ walk from the city centre.  

Since 2006, the Sunday Xpress has been an ideal platform for the beginner, the seasoned professional and those who want to try out new material or something different. It has welcomed poets, storytellers, fiction and non-fiction writers, bands wanting a live rehearsal in front of an appreciative audience, drama, one-person shows, stand-up comedy and on some occasions interpretive dance.

The video starts with an interview with Brendan, who talks about how it all began after he stood up in a pub and recited a poem about his father, different venues over the years, and reading poetry as free jazz musicians improvise behind him. There follows an interview with April’s showcase band who have roots in spoken word, Derrick D and The Backbones,  - “I was born in Birmingham. I make no excuse for that” - and interviews with three emerging writers and performers, Jodie Rose McLoughlin (“If you do make a mistake people won’t be judging you too harshly”), Martin Spruce (“I like poetry where it interacts with the crowd”), and Andrew Owens (“I love the intimacy of spoken word events. Kidderminster and Worcester also have a good poetry scene”). 

The event is held usually on every last Sunday of the month, but do check the listings page on Write Out Loud for updates. The doors are open at 3pm and events usually start around 4-4.30. Next events for 2013 are 2 June, 30 June, 28 July, 1 September,, 29 September, 27 October and 24 November. The event also has its own Facebook page, and anyone who wants to come and perform or support should get in contact via the Facebook page or contact jameskennedycentral@yahoo.co.uk.  Over the years we've had many acts perform and find their voice, and who have gone on to bigger things because of it. The Sunday Xpress offers a freedom of speech policy. Anything goes. But no grub at the Adam so you're advised to eat before you get there.

James Kennedy is a writer living in the centre of Birmingham. He is working on several projects which reflect the ever-changing landscape of hometown, combined with a love of magic realism, psychogeography, Ceefax and other popular culture. He has helped run the Sunday Xpress open mic event since 2006.

PHOTOGRAPH: QWOONSWEIRD