Write Out Loud's May Newsletter
Summer and Spring Scintillating Slams 
There’s a feast of poetry slams around the country over the next three months, including several Write Out Loud specials!
In partnerships with BBC Radio 4, Commonword, Hebden Bridge Fringe, Wigan’s North by North West Festival, Bristol’s Poetry Can and Manchester’s Not the Festival, we are organising slams in Bolton, Manchester, Wigan and Hebden Bridge, with the winners eligible to participate in the North West slam of slams - the regional heat of the BBC Radio 4 national slam championship. This will be held at the fabulous Green Room, near Oxford Rd. station, Manchester on July 2nd.
There will also be BBC Radio 4 regional heats in Edinburgh (20th May), Newcastle (18th June), Birmingham (2nd July), Exeter 18th July); and Ireland, South East, Wales and Ireland (all TBA).
Full details, where available, are on our gig guide. All enquiries to info@writeoutloud.net
Why do you run poetry slams?
We keep getting asked this and it is a fair question, not least because our prime focus has always been on creating space where nervous newcomers could make their first foray into public sharing of their words.
And yet slams - when run properly - can be a fabulous showcase of local talent and an opportunity for the once-nervous-but-now-more-confident poets to challenge themselves to improve the way they read and deliver their poetry. And they can be really good fun, often introducing new people to the possibilities offered by reading, writing and listening to poetry.
Poetry open mic at Stockport Art Gallery
There’s an exciting evening in prospect at this wonderful building that also serves as a war memorial. How appropriate is that? May 21st, 19.00 to 21.00 all welcome to read or listen. Enquiries to info@writeoutloud.net
Poetry translation project
In partnership with Bolton Council, Write Out Loud will soon be organising the first of its participative poetry translation projects. We shall be starting with members of the francophone African community translating works between French and English. This is based on our work in Bordeaux, and we hope soon to extend it to Gujarati, Urdu and other languages, subject to funding.
All enquiries to julian@writeoutloud.net.
Hebden Bridge Fringe Festival
This festival will be taking place between 27th June to July and will feature, amongst many other fantastic happenings, 5 poetry events, several run by Write Out Loud. Check our news section and gig guide for details nearer the time.
Brilliant New Night in Trafford
Write Out Loud launches a new regular event at the Waterside Arts Centre in Sale at 7.30pm on the 26th of May and every 4th Tuesday of the month thereafter.
We are experimenting with a new format which will have the usual open mic, plus showcase spots for poets invited from Write Out Loud & Freed-up plus a special guest! The marvelous Trishia Ashworth will be the guest for the 26th and the showcased poets will be Jeffarama and Rod Tame. Organiser and compere for the event is Steve O'Connor.
This promises to be an excellent event so book early to ensure a place - box office 0161 912 5616
Throughout May there will be events taking place in Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland involving writers from around the world. See www.wordfringe.co.uk.
And Finally...
Oh and it's the last chance for you to give us your opinion on Write Out Loud - the survey ends at mid-night on 8th May - see News section on the web site. Thanks to all of you who have taken the time and trouble to complete it.
The Press Team
