My phone must have crashed, or ran out of memory, or decided
to rewrite history, because the calendar has lost all the details from the past
year. It’s quite scary how I have to now
rely on my memory to note what has happened this year.
I slap my posters on my wall from every event I put on, so
thankfully I have some record in the form of paper and bluetack
SAY OWT SLAM
We hit 13 slams and 2 years running of Say Owt Slam. We kicked off with the very unique and honest poet Sally Jenkinson, followed by a feast of poets, Rose Drew, Lily Luty, Marina Poppa, Adele Hampton and headliner Sophia Walker for International Women's Festival. A little later we ran an Anti-Slam, this beautifully bizarre new concept of worst poet wins championed by Dan Simpson and Paula Varjack. Our Clash of Champions, guested by Jack Dean, was won by Ian Winter. After popping over to Edinburgh Fringe, we then returned with a spate of slams with Scott Tyrrell, Vanessa Kisuule and finally Rob Auton. We also ran a couple of open mics hosted by Chris Singleton and Gen Walsh. And that's not to mention all the wonderful slammers that came and cracked out words, and the amazing audiences who constantly bring the energy to make the nights so intense, but friendly. It’s hard to get a handle for me, I see
behind-the-scenes, in front-of-the-scenes and the script-for-the-scenes so it
all becomes very day-to-day for me. But
I know much the nights matter to people, and I always appreciate the feedback,
the support, the love from the York scene, travelling poets, the guests and
Apples & Snakes. We have BIG plans
for 2017, and started recording a Podcast now on iTunes, so I’d say Say Owt is
the most visibly one of the big hits of 2016.
Thanks to everyone x
UP THE NERD PUNKS 2
Sequels are always difficult, and I made a laborious joke of
this in my second show at EdFringe in 2 years.
I’ll admit, I wanted to spend more time writing and making the show, and
the theme became something slightly different to my initial concept. But I did really enjoy running the show, and
always appreciate the spoken word community at EdFringe greatly. It’s always a learning curve, and never take
for granted what it means to be part of that world. I did manage to get some new poems out of the
show which have stood the test of time, namely I’m Sorry I Missed Your Gig and
Discount Tescos Bunting, the latter now on YouTube. Will Up The Nerd Punks 3 make an appearance
in 2017? Stay tuned, true believers…
YOUTH THEATRE
The year began with Hull Truck Youth Theatre putting on my
adaptation of Kafka’s The Castle, which I won’t lie: was a tricky creature to pin down. As I’m sure any Kafka fan will confer. But I’m really proud of the final piece, and
the production was a great tangled ensemble of characters and I think a modern
day (and troubling perspective) on work. I directed a Play In A Week for the Lawrence Batly Theatre, one based around conscientious objectors of WW1 and the other wizards and spells (slightly different themes I'll admit...). I also wrote a short adaptation of The Emperor’s New Clothes for
Harrogate Youth Theatre, but mainly I’m proud to have been doing more
facilitation in general for Lawrence Batley Youth Theatre, Harrogate Theatre and York
Theatre Royal and worked with their Youth Theatre groups. Thanks everyone x
GIGS
I kicked off 2016 by putting on an all-dayer of bands for
MooseFest. We did one more Moose gig
with Captain Chaos before my parenter-in-gigs ducked out to focus on work. So I’ve been doing more gigs as Pewter Promotions with feminist queer
indie-punk, like Colour Me Wednesday, Ay Carmela, The Tuts, Fairweather Band,
Jesus & His Judgemental Father and Jake & The Jellyfish and a whole number of ace supports. It's important for me to learn about gig promotion and Doing It Right, and not overloading myself. But what I think is essential is I put on bands I want to see, else it becomes a favour, not a fun experience. Thanks everyone x
WRITING POEMS
I decided at the start of the year I would write loads of
new poems. That didn’t quite happen how
I’d like. I have this constantly worry I
need ‘this kind of poem’. The funny one
to open with. The anti-racist one. The one that changes everyone’s minds. But I have written some poems for Up The Nerd
Punks 2 which are now part of my set, and have been working on some in the
lying light for December. I think it’s
not always useful to assume you’ll write loads of new stuff just because you
say you’ll write a load of new stuff. So before I go to bed I’ve been writing for 1-2 mins at least. Just scribbles. Thoughts. We’ll see what 2017 holds.
OTHER STUFF
My band put out an EP! I performed started scratching a new show for 2017! I spoke at the Art of Punk Conference at the University of Northampton! I spoke at the Third Angel Symposium at Leeds! We continued making monthly nerdy quizzes and it's been a mega fun time, I assure you! Thanks everyone x
I've also been pretty down at times, filled with the usual anxiety and General Blues of 21st century life. But thanks for all my friends who stick with me, and I'm sorry to those I don't give enough time to, or have let down.
Thanks everyone x Sorry everyone x
Love, solidarity and rage x
OTHER STUFF
My band put out an EP! I performed started scratching a new show for 2017! I spoke at the Art of Punk Conference at the University of Northampton! I spoke at the Third Angel Symposium at Leeds! We continued making monthly nerdy quizzes and it's been a mega fun time, I assure you! Thanks everyone x
I've also been pretty down at times, filled with the usual anxiety and General Blues of 21st century life. But thanks for all my friends who stick with me, and I'm sorry to those I don't give enough time to, or have let down.
Thanks everyone x Sorry everyone x
Love, solidarity and rage x
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