Cambridge News | cambridge-news.co.uk | January 16, 2014 | 23
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Spoken word
SHinDiG & Allographic special the remit is so broad, it means people can not only come up and do something having never done poetry in front of an audience before but also, if they are established in a particular genre or style, they know that allographic is a place they can come and do something different.” It’s fair to say SHINDIG also has its roots in the alternative. Organiser Wesley FreemanSmith explains: “[We] look to weave together many of the colourful threads that make up Cambridge’s art scene. I started out doing smaller events with a really intimate feel to promote my own exhibits, and from there it became a little more ambitious.” Their aim is to give live acts a stage to do something different on too; stages in some of the city’s “sadly under-used venues”. Collaboration is also a key factor, hence teaming up with allographic. “Fay is one of the best proponents of alternative voices in Cambridge,” says Wes. “We’re hoping audiences will learn that poetry isn’t so scary after all.”
SHINDIG + Allographic feat. Wooden Arms and Hollie McNish, Unitarian Church, Emmanuel Road, Cambridge, Saturday, January 18 at 8pm. Tickets £6 on the door / £4 advance from wegottickets. com/event/252588
The spoken word artist is a Cambridge staple but is making a pretty powerful impression on the national live poetry scene to boot. It might have something to do with her knack for spouting brilliant, stomach knotting sense about
motherhood, boobs and immigration. Thoughtful, gritty and a touch funny too, she’ll be doing a full headline set on the night. Prepare to feel suitably riled up and dizzily empowered.
Q) What does it feel like, standing up and performing for an audience? Why do you do it? A) It’s great to connect with audiences, expressing yourself and getting their reaction. We all communicate best in different ways and it turns out I communicate well by standing on a stage reciting poems about spoons and chickens. Q) How daunting was it the first time you did it? A) I started off doing open mic slots which weren’t too daunting and helped me build up to doing longer slots. I always get a little stage-fright. It’s good to get the adrenalin going. Q) What do you think the music element will add to the night? A) Music and spoken word work really well together. It creates a richer performance with more depth and emotion. Wooden Arms have a very gentle atmospheric style
Patrick widdess: writer, photographer and poet
Hollie mcnish: Poet
The line-up for January 18 includes:
which will complement the poetry well. It will be interesting to see how they work with the all the poets who write and perform in very different styles.
“My poetry is usually funny, light-hearted stuff with plenty of irreverence and silliness. “It’s going to be really exciting to see how [Wooden Arms have] interpreted my poems, and I’m really looking forward to performing with them. “I’ve only ever performed with musicians once before, so this is a pretty exciting new experience for me! “Standing up on stage and performing poetry is a pretty strange experience. “It’s like inviting the entire audience inside your mind for
10 minutes – which is a pretty scary thought. “I was incredibly nervous the first time I braved the stage at an open mic night but performance poetry gives you the chance to interact with your audience in a way that you just don’t get when your poems are printed in books. “I still get so nervous before a performance, but it feels like a good nervousness, you know? “The excited nervousness of challenging yourself.
Leanne moden: Fenland poet laureate
H
ave you heard of SHINDIG? Or allographic Press? We’ll forgive you if not but seriously, it’s time you hunt them down. The two Cambridge-based arts groups aim to unite and showcase talented, quirky local performers and have joined forces for a night that mushes poetry with improvised music, provided by Norwich seven-piece Wooden arms, pictured. Plus, they’re hosting it at the Unitarian Church; talk about atmospheric. Poet Fay Roberts, who hosts monthly spoken word night, Hammer & Tongue, founded allographic Press to help vary up the Cambridge poetry scene, offering a platform for “different voices and perspectives to reach out and tell stories, share different ideas and different ways of thinking”. “What I wanted to do with allographic was encourage the ‘other’ story, the ‘other’ voice, which can be taken as pretentiously or not as you like,” she explains. The nights revolve around extended open mic sessions: “It’s a chance for people to get up and do something. Because
Spoken word poets Daisy T-G, Nikki Marrone and Russell J Turner are also be on the bill. Go see what they’re all up to, you never know, you might be inspired to try it out yourself. For more information on Allographic visit facebook. com/allographica, while news from SHINDIG can be found at facebook.com/shindiggig.