Hello Perth writers, here’s a few things happening very soon! Get in touch if you are interested. https://cathdrake.com/contact-me/

Reading and writing rev-up  

An informal workshop of reading and discussing contemporary poets – inventive writers, those who play with the edge of prose, who find meaning via the side door: American and UK poets, and poets in translation. If there’s time and inclination afterwards we’ll do a quick writing exercise at the end or over lunch. Fremantle Arts Centre cafe, Friday 17th March 10am-12, $15. Contact Julie Watts from OOTA writer’s group (or me) to book a place and pay on the day. We need numbers for table booking and handout numbers. http://cathdrake.com

Poetry surgeries: I’m also booking a small number of one-to-one poetry feedback sessions between 14-24 March. Message me to book. Limited number, $50 for an hour session – send 3-5 poems.

Words & Jazz at Vortex Jazz Club in Dalston shakes up winter with blistering poetry and glowing jazz! Come along next week for this ‘outstanding monthly summit between contemporary poets and musicians’ (The Independent). Have a drink in the cosy bar and enjoy the finest literary and musical talents London has to offer!

Poets this month:
Joey Connolly
David Crystal
Cath Drake
Jack Houston
PLUS
Alex Merritt (saxophone) + band
Hosted by Nicki Heinen

Vortex, 11 Gillett Square, N16 8 London, 8.30-11pm   http://www.vortexjazz.co.uk/events/

£8 entry on the door or contact the Vortex for advance tickets. All proceeds go to the artists. It’s too good to miss!

I’m reading at the new Shoreditch event Inkwell Readings with Jane Grell, Gale Burns and Abby Ladbrooke.Hosted by Patricia Foster, Gemma Weekes & Rachel Rigby.

What a cracker of a line-up for the last Clerkenwell ARTSlab of 2016 (we’ll be back in February). And it’s FREE to get in. Song-stories, song-singing, poem-outlouding and cake from:

Bob Karper – god’s gift to storytelling
Zwah – guided by a star
Three Little Birds – a cappella gold
Ukulele Dolly – three wise strummers
Brendan Riley – comedy myrrh
Cath Drake – upside down poetess
Diego Brown and the Good Fairy – steady on.

Top of the pre-christmas tree – artist and accordionist BOB KARPER (that’s him pictured above) tells a true story about why in 1977 his family left their local Midwest American Presbyterian community church. Includes mentions of trombones, astronauts, Pepperidge Farm™ turkey roasts and sex.

Taking a break from A-level studies and fresh from their triumphant Islington Folk Club appearance THREE LITTLE BIRDS bring you pure voice-magic.

UKULELE DOLLY are Jane Ireland, Keith Moore and Carole Bates and they will be like that thing when unwrapping a christmas present that you can’t wait to try on.

More about the other magi and shepherds soon…

And yes, you heard it right. FREE to get in. Pay what you think it’s worth – on the way in, on the way out, at half time, whatever (so bring a wheelbarrow full of sterling.)

28 Nov 2017, 8.30-11pm, Betsty Trotswood, 56 Farringdon Road, EC1R 3 London, United Kingdom http://www.betsey.pub/

Come and celebrate Peter Daniel’s new book ‘Season in Eden’ in the gorgeous recently refurbished Hoxton Hall on 21 October with poets Peter Daniels (obviously), Alison Winch, Kate Potts, John Hegley and me.

Hoxton Hall, 130 Hoxton St, London N1 6SH, doors 630, starts 730, £6

Book  at hoxton hall   http://bit.ly/2ekXvoU

oxton-21-oct-poster-1

At the John Hegley hosted extravaganza on Monday 23rd November at the Betsy Trotswood in Farringdon, the fantastic ‘house band’ Diego Brown and the Good Fairy are back plus the amazing oddball comic Andrew Bailey It’s gonna be a pre-Xmas humdinger! Bring your dancing shoes too.

Monday 23rd Dec 8.45pm     Door Entry £8 / £5 (I think!)

The Betsey Trotwood    56 Farringdon Road    Clerkenwell    London    EC1R 3BL