The writing is on the cake

I'm having a quick look through the Cultural Exchanges brochure when I see a picture a big pink cake. Written on it in icing is the word "PINGGG...K!" This instantly intrigues me. I get the feeling this is that one event  I'm going to be really excited about.
 
Reading on, I discover it's going to be an open mic poetry evening. I've never been to an open mic event which makes me want to go even more. It seems like a good opportunity to meet new people and have a nice time listening to live poetry performances. When I listen to a poem being performed, most of the time I'm almost instantly immersed. The direct communication between poet and listeners takes the experience of poetry to an entirely new level.

The event is especially supportive of poetry discussing matters of gender and sexuality - another point in its favour. I am definitely looking forward to the evening. It's a chance to have a good time with interesting people while exploring relevant, important topics through poetry.

Book tickets for the event here. 


Adriana Aleksandrova

The Demons take to the floor

It was raining when I left the flat and, if I hadn't received a morning text message from my sister to say that she was at her bus stop in the rain, I would have arrived at the Demon Crew reading looking like a drowned rat, as the cliché goes. The weather tends to have an effect on my mood but despite the miserable conditions outside, I still experienced enjoyment when listening the readings.

I'm a creative writing student and I'd been to a similar event similar during induction week, but I think it's safe to say that my outlook has changed a lot since then. I appreciate the writers' work so much more. I know for a fact that I would be terrified to speak and perform my work in front of a large group of people, it's bad enough sharing my work with people within workshop groups.

Perhaps why it was such an incredible experience listening to people in higher years at university reading out pieces of work. The thought that perhaps, in the years to come, I'll be performing at an event like this, is highly engaging.

A highlight of the event in my eyes, was when a student took to the floor to perform two poems without any text or notes. I had only witnessed something like this when Benjamin Zephaniah had performed at one of my lectures, and the fact that a student was doing this amazed me no end - and she's only one year ahead of me on the course. To have that much confidence in yourself and to know your work so well, is definitely something to behold.

I look forward to the rest of Cultural Exchanges.

Faith Bennett