Barbican Theatre, Spiel Unlimited, The Poetry Slam and Apples and Snakes present
SHAKE THE DUST SOUTH WEST REGIONAL FINAL

Prepare to be blown off your seat by the energy, power and honesty of a new generation of poets.

PROFESSIONAL SPOKEN WORD ARTISTS Sara-Jane Arbury, Glenn Carmichael, Lucy Lepchani, Sally Jenkinson and Jonny Fluffypunk have coached teams of young people from across the region. Now those young poets are ready to Shake the Dust.

Join the 5 SOUTH WEST TEAMS as they showcase their work and compete for a place at the National Shake the Dust Final.

    “We have 5 excellent Plymouth schools and youth groups involved, the young people are so motivated to create work that shares their lives, stories and dreams. This is such a great platform for them to speak out from; I know we are going to have an incredible South West regional final!”
Karen Lodge, The Barbican Theatre.

JUDGED by Hannah Silva, Callum Mitchell, Joelle Taylor (SLAMbassadors UK). Featuring a special guest performance from Vanessa Kisuule.

PARTICIPANTS: Tor Bridge High, Stoke Damerel, Brook Green, Sir John Hunt and Voices for Change.

SHADOW ARTISTS: Jo Tatum, Katherine Else, Rebecca Tantony, Jack Whitfield and Hay Brunsdon.

When: Friday 15 June 6:30pm
Where: Barbican Theatre, Castle Street, Plymouth, Devon PL1 2NJ
Tickets: £5 / £3 Parents & Conc / Groups buy 10 get 1 FREE
Info: barbicantheatre.co.uk / poetryslam.org.uk / applesandsnakes.org
Booking: barbicantheatre.co.uk/booking / 01752 267131

A Poetry Masterclass with Lorna Goodison
An exciting opportunity to participate in an afternoon poetry masterclass with Lorna Goodison. Lorna, Professor at the Creative Writing programme of the University of Michigan, will put the craft of poetry under the microscope.
When: Saturday 9 June, 1.30pm-3.30pm
Where: Bristol Central Library, College Green, Bristol BS1 5TL
Tickets: £5
Info: Places are very limited so book early to avoid disappointment by providing your name and contact details to admin@yardstick.org.uk.

MIX: A Conference Exploring Transmedia Writing & Digital Creativity
An international gathering of academics, artists, film makers and writers will meet in the stunning location of Corsham Court to discuss the current developments in digital writing.
Where: Bath Spa University’s postgraduate centre, Corsham Court, Wiltshire, SN13 0BZ
When: Monday 16 - Wednesday 18 July
Booking: www.mix-bathspa.org
Deadline: Booking will close at the end of June

Poetry Can launches the South West Poetry Awards
Poetry Can is delighted to announce its launch of the South West Poetry Awards to record and celebrate the most significant contributions to poetry and poetry development in the South West of England. The Awards, made from beautiful Bristol Blue Glass will be awarded annually and will take account of the many ways poetry is practiced and enjoyed, on the page, on the stage and in the community.
Info: www.poetrycan.co.uk

Oversteps book launch: A Small Wave For Your Form by Susan Taylor
Nature and nurture are the elemental threads twined into this collection, which takes a wide sweep to encompass life as a Lincolnshire shepherd, the sweat and ecstasy of childbearing and a watchful connection to the West Country landscape, peopled in these poems with the free spirits of children, poets and characters whose lives shine through the land.
"These are beautiful and assured poems, drawn from the core of life, from love and birth." Penelope Shuttle
When: Tuesday 12 June, 7.30pm.
Where: 59 Torquay Road, Paignton, Devon TQ3 3DT

Simon Armitage talks about The Death of King Arthur and Walking Home
When: Wednesday 20 June, 7.30pm
Where: Topping & Company Booksellers of Bath, The Paragon, Bath BA1 5LS
Info: http://www.toppingbooks.co.uk/events/bath/simon-armitage/

Taking the Mic returns for another evening of have-a-go magic, fully booked!
Special guest for June is the surreal Performance Poet and host of Poetry Island, Robert Garnham.
When: Wednesday 20 June, 7.45pm
Where: Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter EX4 3LS

National Team Poetry Slam
The National Team Poetry Slam is a unique opportunity for writers, performers and lovers of spoken word across the country to come together. Selected from regional auditions and coached by professionals, the teams will congregate to share new collaborative work in an evening of delicious creative madness. A panel of esteemed judges will review the heated competition, and the winner will be the crowned Britain's first ever team of National Poetry Champions.
When: Thursday 28 June, 7.30 pm
Where: Bristol Bierkeller, All Saints Street, Bristol BS1 2NA
Tickets: £9 (£7 concession) in advance / £10 (£8 concession) on door/
Info: Facebook event
Booking: click here