014 - Poetic Experiences 💬
But then, isn’t a city a poem in progress?
—
Pier Giorgio Di Cicco
Poetic Experiences 💬
April is National Poetry Month. To celebrate, we’re offering up some of our favourite ways to experience London through poetic art. If you’re like some of us and cringe when you hear the words, “poem,” “limerick,” or “open mic night:” be patient and trust us. We promise this isn’t the Shakespearean sonnets you experienced in grade school!
🗣️ Spoken Truths
A fusion between performance, competition, and the rhymes you love-to-hate, The Slam should be your first stop to experience poetry in London, where finger snaps and grunts mandatory. More of a traditionalist? Hit up Poetry London for readings and workshops with local, national, and international artists. A mix of the two, amongst food and friends? Open Mic at Mykonos. And, for those wanting to branch out into other written art forms we suggest, Words.
✍️ All Things Wordy
London’s oldest poetry publisher, Brick Books, has been offering poetry about this city for more than 40 years. Available titles include Angel and the Bear (featuring pinball & Call The Office!), Deeds/Abstracts (featuring Greg Curnoe & the “London Lot”), and Souwesto Home (featuring the Donnellys & a department store Jesus). Seeking something a bit more do-it-yourself? We suggest, London in Colour.
🔍 Noted Notables
London has cultivated its fair share of poets over the years, including the Reaney / Thibaudeau Family, and Roy McDonald. Their legacy continues today as poets like Tom Cull (author of the aforementioned London in Colour and the city’s Poet Laureate,) and Holly Painter embrace the city’s streets, schools, and Slams with open arms and fresh verse.
Next week: Let’s get recursive!
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Editors: Jon Clemens, Titus Ferguson, James Kingsley, Steve MacDouell, Kevin Van Lierop
Associate Editors & Localists: Brown and Dickson, Sameer Vasta, Matthew Wilson, Mike Donachie, Jason Pomerleau, Heenal Rajani, Shelley Carr
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