Poetry Chairs & Elegy Karaoke? It’s November Poetrybeat!
The clocks have gone back, the central heating’s on and you’ve just recovered from the Halloween nom-noms sugar-induced coma. Hello… it must be time for November Poetrybeat!
Winter is, indeed, coming. But that’s no reason to go into hibernation, as it just so happens this month is chock-full of fabulous happenings in the poetry world. Diaries, sundials or swishy PA apps at the ready? Let’s go…
Elegy Karaoke: Bringing Out the Dead
First up, and in keeping with the melancholy time of year, poems of loss are the order of the day at Elegy Karaoke, taking place this Thursday 5 November, at The Irish Georgian Society.
CYCLOPS/ Irish Centre for Poetry Studies are looking for poets to read their most mournful offerings against the backdrop of Koimeterion I, a stunning photographic series of Mexican and Irish cemeteries by Alejandro Gomez de Tuddo, curated by Jean-Philippe Imbert. Poets of any nationality and reading in any language are welcome. If you’re interested in performing, contact Michael Hinds.
The event itself is free and all are welcome from 6.30pm.
Poetry Chairs at Dublin Book Festival 2015
Plenty to amuse us poetry peeps at this year’s Dublin Book Festival, starting Thursday 5 November. RTE One’s Arena with Seán Rocks will be broadcasting live from the festival on Friday evening, and among his guests is Poetry Diva, Kate Dempsey, reading from her soon-to-be-launched debut collection, The Space Between (Doire Press). The official launch takes place at the Irish Writers’ Centre, Mon 23 November from 6.30pm.
On Saturday afternoon, The Poet’s Chair is a rare opportunity to see current Ireland Chair of Poetry, Paula Meehan in conversation with previous occupants, Harry Clifton and Michael Longley; a must for serious poetry fans, hosted by Arminta Wallace of The Irish Times.
Later in the afternoon, Mark Granier, Moyra Donaldson, John McKenna and Nessa O’Mahony read from their latest collections, and discuss the process of drawing inspiration from real life for their poetry, in conversation with Maureen Kennelly of Poetry Ireland.
Rounding off Saturday, is an evening of readings from the recently launched anthology, Windharp: Poems of Ireland Since 1916 (Penguin Ireland), tracing the evolution of Irish poetry over the last century, with Moya Cannon, Tom French, Marty Rea and, Ireland Professor of Poetry, Paula Meehan.
Dublin Book Festival runs from 12-15 November at Smock Alley Theatre. More info at www.dublinbookfestival.com.
Fall for Poetry at Books Upstairs
Books Upstairs’ recent move to larger premises on D’Olier Street has been a boon to poetry fans, as they now host some of the most interesting poetry readings in Dublin.
Poetry Ireland‘s monthly poetry club, Poems Upstairs, continues on Wednesday 4 November, with readings from Dalkey-native Katie Donovan and Massachusetts-born Peggy O’Brien, poets and friends living on opposite sides of the Atlantic.
November sees two An Afternoon of Poetry sessions, with Northern Ireland poet, Frank Ormsby, and Poetry Editor of The Irish Times, Gerard Smyth, reading from their latest collections (Sun 8 Nov), and Jane Clarke, Shirley McClure and Rosie Shepperd, bringing the month to a close (Sun 29 Nov).
And in the final reading of their Autumn series, Double Shot Poetry once again take over Books Upstairs’ cosy cafe for readings from Michael O’Loughlin, Leontia Flynn and South African poet, Kobus Moolman (Weds 18 Nov).
Further details and tickets for all events available on Eventbrite.
Get on the Writing Train with Yvonne Cullen
Renowned creative writing teacher and poet, Yvonne Cullen, is giving a One-Day intensive masterclass on The Lyric Poem, in Glasthule, Dublin, this Sunday, 8 November; a full-day workshop with a break for lunch (and possible inspiration) at the nearby People’s Park Sunday Market.
Praised by The Irish Times and Dubliner Magazine, Yvonne’s classes are legendary, her teaching style inimitable, and her list of past pupils reads like a Who’s Who of the current poetry scene in Ireland. If you aspire to write and publish poetry, don’t miss it. More details at Yvonne Cullen’s Writing Train.
Pens at the Ready…
…the deadline for the 2016 Gregory O’Donohue International Poetry Competition is fast approaching. Organised by Munster Literature Centre in Cork, and named for the late poet, it’s fast becoming one of the most prestigious poetry competitions in Ireland, attracting entries from around the world.
Its appeal is so wide, and the standard so high, last year’s winner, Breda Wall Ryan, was the first Irish poet in five years to take the honours. If you think you have what it takes, submit your poems by 30 November. More information at www.munsterlit.ie
Other events to look out for around the country:
Purely Poetry (Belfast, 6 November)
Ó Bhéal Winter Warmer Festival (Cork, 20-21 November)
Over the Edge Poetry Reading & Open Mic (Galway, 26 November)
As ever, keep an eye out for all the fab poetry stuff coming up this month on Headstuff. We’ve got one or two special treats up our sleeves, so stay tuned!
If you have a poetry event coming up in December, send details to [email protected] by 25 November, for inclusion in next month’s Poetrybeat.
Image Sources – www.antoniomariastorch.com, www.gomezdetuddo.com, www.dublinbookfestival.com, www.doubleshotpoetry.wix.com/home, Wikimedia Commons.
