News and Events
October 27 2016: Words & Jazz at The Vortex Club, Dalston
Every 4th Thursday of every month poet Nicki Heinen hosts Words & Jazz Downstairs @ the Vortex Jazz Club expect a night of the very best spoken word and jazz. This is an ‘outstanding monthly summit between contemporary poets and musicians’ (The Independent) – come and taste literature, music and a cocktail or two at the world famous Vortex bar. I'll be reading alongside Nancy Charley, Brendan Cleary, Anthony Howell. Music from Kristian Borring. More details here.
October 12 2016: 'Is This A Poem?' Launch at The Yorkshire Grey pub, Grays Inn Road
I'm helping Richard Price to launch his new book of essays, accompanied by Victoria Bean, Hanah Lowe, and Richard himself, of course. Kicks off around 6.30 p.m. Free, all welcome. More details here.
Friday October 2nd 2015: Sunspots Tour Begins
Opening at the Southbank Centre on Friday October 2nd, I'm taking the live show portion of my Sunspots project on the road. Sunspots is a solo performance featuring poetry, songs and films. I have collaborated with musician Oliver Barrett, film-maker Jack Wake-Walker, and Penned in the Margins to bring the book to life, loosely following the Sun from birth to death, mixing fun, joy, anger, pain and loss as we go. Full details of the tour below and (with links to venues) on Penned in the Margins' website.
2 Oct 2015 LONDON Southbank Centre (Premiere)
8 Oct 2015 READING South Street (National Poetry Day)
9 Oct 2015 MANCHESTER Martin Harris Centre
13 Oct 2015 BOURNEMOUTH Arts Festival
6 Nov 2015 HULL Humber Mouth Festival
25 Nov 2015 YORK St John University
7 Dec 2015 LONDON Kings Place
11 Jan 2016 OXFORD Playhouse (BT Studio)
26 Jan 2016 NOTTINGHAM Lakeside
28 Jan 2016 HALIFAX Square Chapel
New Short Story in 'I Am Because You Are'
I'm very proud and excited to have a new short story in a fascination anthology of stories to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Einstein's general theory of relativity. The anthology is edited by Pippa Goldschmidt and Tania Hershman and is published by Freight Books. My story, 'Ticked Off' is about stolen time, time hacking, and time refunds. I will blog about the book soon, but here is a link in the meantime.
New Essay in 'Lives Beyond Us'
The wonderful Sidekick Books (publishers of Psycho Poetica and The Debris Field) have just published a collection of essays and poems about animals in cinema. It's an original and fascinating collection edited by Seb Manley. My essay sniffs around the marvellous dogs in Jacques Tati's superb film Mon Oncle: what do they mean, how does Tati use them, where do they take the film, and how does Tati manipulate dog psychology for his sublime gags? Lives Beyond Us is available from Sidekick Books now.
Saturday 19th July: Poetry Film's Sounds of Love at the Royal Festival Hall
An evening of sound-informed poetry-films and live performances celebrating the sounds of love and the love of sounds, conceived and introduced by Malgorzata Kitowski. I performed two new songs from my upcoming show 'Sunspots', with Oliver Barrett: 'Photon' and 'Unsunblocked'.
Wednesday 16th July: Utter! Space
A space-themed evening of poetry and spoken word. Simon Barraclough (the Sun), Keith Jay (Mercury), Amy McAllister (Venus), Musa Okwonga (Earth), Richard Tyrone Jones (Mars), Kirsten Irving (Jupiter), Jamie D. Huxley (Saturn) Christopher Williams (Neptune) Chella Quint (Pluto, Eris & other Trans-Neptunian objects) & featuring Dan Simpson as some sort of comet or other. Each writer gets one planet, eight minutes (one for each planet), and a universe of inspiration. At The Star of Kings, 126 York Way, N1 0AX London. 7 p.m.
Saturday 12th July 'Negative Capability' at Ledbury Poetry Festival
Monday 23rd June National Astronomy Meeting 2014
On Monday at 14:10 I'm speaking with novelist Pippa Goldschmidt about how poetry, fiction, and astronomy can live together. The session is called Strange Residencies and more information can be found here.
Tuesday June 10th 'Negative Capability' at Keats House
John Keats's famous term is the starting point for a new immersive performance work at Keats House. Join poets Hannah Silva, Inua Ellams and Simon Barraclough in their investigations of creativity and the negative space of the imagination, with a video installation by Ross Sutherland and atmospheric live accompaniment from experimental musician Leafcutter John. Tuesday 10 June 6.30 p.m., 8 p.m., 9.30 p.m. Tickets here.
March 2014
New article, 'Tromsø and Sø Øn' published in Pages Of magazine. It deals with knitwear-envy, the northern lights, polar bears, and a Sun that doesn't rise.
January 2014: MSSL
I begin my one-year residency at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory. More details in the blog.
Wednesday 30th October 'Neptune in Your Pocket' at The Science Museum
Poems inspired by space and science from Simon Barraclough and contributors to the forthcoming anthology Pocket Horizon including Lorraine Mariner, Kelley Swain, Marlene Englund and more. Free entry. Time to be confirmed. The Science Museum, Exhibition Road, South Kensington SW7 2DD.
Saturday 19th October Sladers Yard, Dorset
Annie Freud hosts Simon Barraclough, Chris Beckett and Alan Buckley. 6.30 p.m. for 7 o'clock start. Book tickets on 01308459511: £10 entry or £25 for entry plus supper. Sladers Yard, West Bay, Bridport, Dorset DT6 4EL.
Friday 11th October 'Split Screen' at the Royal Festival Hall
Published by Red Squirrel Press, 'Split Screen' incorporates poems from over sixty contributors including George Szirtes, Jacqui Saphra, Simon Barraclough, Clare Pollard, Tim Turnbull, Kona Macphee, W.N. Herbert and Ian MacMillan, on themes as diverse as Bruce Lee, Carry On films, Dad's Army, Blade Runner, The Clangers and Tom & Jerry. 7 p.m. in the 'Foyer Spaces'. Details and tickets here.
Sunday 22nd September, 'PoetryFilm Equinox' at the ICA Cinema
A special PoetryFilm event celebrating the Autumn Equinox with a bespoke programme of experimental short films and poems exploring circles, cycles, sequences, planets and patterns. Conceived, curated and presented by Zata Kitowski. Followed by drinks in the ICA bar. ICA Cinema, 3 p.m. till 4.30 p.m. Map here.
Thursday 18th July P.O.W. Reading at The Hardy Tree Gallery
P.O.W. publications are dedicated to keeping 'concrete poetry' alive and well. Join Simon Barraclough, Chrissy Williams, Victoria Bean, Pascal O'Loughlin and others for a sample of recent work. See Chris McCabe's blog for more information on the series. The Hardy Tree Gallery, 119 Pancras Road, London, NW1 1UN, 7.30 p.m.
Saturday 3rd August 'Filmpoem Festival', Dunbar Town House, Dunbar, Scotland
Two of my poetry films, 'Le Fiamme di Nule' and 'Regarding Gardens' will be shown and I will also be performing a two-person version of our multi-media show about the Titanic, 'The Debris Field' with Isobel Dixon.
Thursday June 27th Kingston Connections Literary Festival
Simon Barraclough and Katy Evans-Bush, The Rose Theatre Gallery. 12 noon till 1 p.m. Tickets £5/£3. Online brochure here.
Thursday June 13th Visions of the Universe at The National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
I will be reading as part of this lavish exhibition of cosmological photography. More details soon.
Saturday 27 April 'Poets on Pasolini: A New Decameron' at the British Film Institute
As part of the BFI's major Pasolini season, Simon Barraclough has assembled a group of acclaimed poets to perform specially written pieces in response to ten Pasolini films. These readings will be illustrated by film clips and accompanied by readings of Pasolini’s own passionate, nuanced and complex poetry, both in translation and in the original Friulian. Contributors include: Simon Barraclough, Jane Draycott, Charles Lambert, Glyn Maxwell, John McCullough, Valeria Melchioretto, Luca Paci, Cristina Viti, Stephen Watts, Chrissy Williams.
BFI South Bank, The Blue Room, 6 p.m. Tickets £6. Booking here.
Wednesday 24th April 'Poetry School Summer Term Launch' at The Tea House Theatre.
We'll be launching the 24 new courses and 13 new workshops of our term which starts in May, and celebrating the work of our Spring term students. Readings from Summer Term tutors Simon Barraclough and Robert Vas Dias. Chris McCabe’s Collaborations class will present new collaborative work for the event.
Readings start from 7.30pm, doors are open for drinking and chatting from 6.30 p.m. The Tea House Theatre, 139 Vauxhall Walk, London SE11 5HL Get there early to reserve a seat - entrance is free.
Sunday 14 April 'Psycho Poetica' at Bridport Page to Screen Festival
The poetic recreation of Hitchcock's Psycho , performed by Simon Barraclough, Isobel Dixon and Joe Dunthorne, with a new score by Oli Barrett.
Bridport Arts Centre, 8 p.m. Full details and booking here.
Tuesday 2 April & Wednesday 3 April, 'Poets After Dark' at The Hayward Gallery
Ten poets present specially commissioned responses to the artworks in the exhibition 'Light Show' – Mimi Khavlati, Sam Riviere, Kate Tempest, Simon Barraclough, Tamar Yoseloff, Julia Bird, Chris McCabe, Amjad Nasser, Sabrina Mahfouz and Vahni Capildeo. Timed entry at 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. You are free to listen to the poets and enjoy the gallery until 9.30pm. £15 (includes entry to 'Light Show'). Full details and booking here.
Wednesday 20 March, PoetryFilm 'Equinox' at the Charlotte Street Hotel Cinema
An evening of experimental films and poetry on the theme of 'circles, cycles, sequences, planets and patterns.' 7.30 p.m. 15-17 Charlotte Street, London WIT 1RJ. Full details and booking here.
Monday 11 March, Notes from the Universe, Purcell Room in the Queen Elizabeth Hall
Join a vibrant group of speakers as they consider the universe and its limits from different angles in their everyday lives.
Marek Kukula is Public Astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich and a black hole specialist. Honor Harger is an artist, curator and founder of Radio Astronomy, a radio station broadcasting sounds from space. Simon Barraclough is the author of Neptune Blue, a poetry collection which takes its inspiration from the planets. Full details and booking here.
Thursday 21 February, Out of the Debris, The Rich Mix in Bethnal Green
'Out of the Debris' offers a richly overlapping multi-media experience – a showcase of five talented individuals, as solo artists and as partners in collaborative alchemy. Poets Simon Barraclough, Chris McCabe and Isobel Dixon will present new and recent work with a multi-media angle; composer Oli Barrett will perform a new live set; and Jack Wake-Walker will premiere a short film.
The evening’s second half will display the breadth of their collaboration, with the The Debris Field: a 45-minute piece of 'live cinema' inspired by the sinking of RMS Titanic. This multi-media poetry production is devised, written and performed by poets Isobel Dixon, Simon Barraclough and Chris McCabe and had its British Film Institute premiere in a sell-out show on 14 April 2012, the centenary of the sinking of Titanic. Drawing on the cultural debris that has accumulated around the story of the tragic ship, The Debris Field is an immersive and moving experience: an alternative vision of a compelling historic event.
The evocative poetic text is accompanied luminous film images by Jack Wake-Walker and powerful music from Oli Barrett – who will perform live in the piece for the first time in London. For more info, and to buy tickets, go here.
Tuesday 5 Feb, 'Beyond Words': Simon Barraclough & Chrissy Williams + Open Mic
The Gipsy Hill Tavern, 79 Gipsy Hill SE19 1 QY. Doors at 7:15 p.m. Entry £4/£3
Friday 28 September, Psycho Poetica at Visible & Invisible Authorships Conference, The University of York
Simon Barraclough & Isobel Dixon will be keynote speakers at Visible & Invisible Authorships–the 7th Annual Conference of the Association of Adaptation Studies, 27-28 September at the University of York. The poets will read work specially written for Simon Barraclough's Psycho Poetica project, which premiered in 2010 for the 50th anniversary of Hitchcock's seminal thriller. Simon and Isobel will discuss the project's development and the inspiration of film for poetry. A new anthology of all the poems will be available, published by Sidekick Books . Other keynote speakers at the conference will be David Nicholls (writer and adapter of One Day, Great Expectations) and Thomas Leitch (Film Adaptation and Its Discontents). For more on Psycho Poetica, see here.
Friday 28 September, 11:20-12:05. For more details on the conference, see here.
National Poetry Day Live, October 4th 2012
I'm reading in the Clore Ballroom at the Royal Festival Hall at 4 p.m. along with Karen McCarthy Woolf, Dannie Abse, Mario Petrucci and John Cooper Clarke. This year's theme is 'Stars' and I'll be reading lots of new Sun poems. More information here.
Psycho Poetica: the Anthology, November 2012
I'm very excited to announce that an anthology of all the poems used across all performances of Psycho Poetica is to be published by Sidekick Books this month. It's a beautifully designed thing and will sell for £7. More details to follow soon.
Zebra Poetry Film Festival 2012, 18—21 October, Berlin
The film 'Le Fiamme di Nule' by Carolina Melis, for which I wrote the poem and did the voiceover, has been selected for competition. Festival details here. You can watch the film on my Videos page.
Sunday 8 July: Maintenant's Camarade at The Nova Festival
On Sunday 8, the performers from Saturday evening's show travel to West Sussex to read again at The Nova Festival. Details here.
Saturday 7 July: Maintenant's Camarade—edition III
Maintenant and Rich Mix host the third Camarade poetry event, featuring collaborations by ten pairs of contemporary European poets:
Iain Sinclair & Tom Chivers; Jeff Hilson & Robert Shepherd; Maria Ferencuhova & Frances Kruk; Holly Pester & Emma Bennett; Philip Terry & Allen Fisher; Tim Atkins & Harry Gilonis; Simon Barraclough & Isobel Dixon; Andy Spragg & David Berridge; Richard Barrett & Marcus Slease; Chris McCabe & Tom Jenks;
At Rich Mix, 35–47, Bethnal Green Road. Free entry
Sunday 1 July: The Debris Field at the Ledbury Poetry Festival
Simon Barraclough, Oli Barrett, Isobel Dixon and Chris McCabe perform The Debris Field for the second time, at Ledbury. Inspired by the loss of the Titanic, the powerful text is interwoven with original music from Oli Barrett, and luminous images from film maker Jack Wake-Walker. The poets take you on a mesmerising journey through the cultural debris that has accumulated in the wake of the tragedy. Luxury and labour; courage and folly; life and loss; the human and the eternal are conjured up in this memorable and immersive experience. An alternative vision of an iconic event.
The Market Theatre, 7:45 p.m. £8
Friday 29 June: Dolce Far Niente at Poetry Parnassus
A reading and sharing of Italian poetry and translations with Ribka Sibhatu from Eritrea; Milena Ercolani from San Marino, Elisa Biagini, Valeria Melchioretto, Chrissy Williams and Simon Barraclough. Chaired by Sasha Dugdale.
Royal Festival Hall: The Spirit Level White Room 3 p.m. Free entry.
Friday 4 May Debris Field review
Another take on The Debris Field by Mark Reid on his blog: Mitchell Reids in America.
Friday 27 April: New Poetry School class 'The Solar System'
I'm excited to be teaching a new course at The Poetry School in London: 'The Solar System'. It begins on Friday 27 April and there will be five two-hour sessions every second Friday up until June 22nd. We'll be taking an exciting trip from the heart of the Sun to the distant and mysterious Kuiper Belt, creating and discussing new work as we go. There are a few places left: full details here.
Tuesday 17 April Debris Field review
A very thoughtful and interesting review of The Debris Field has been posted by Fiona Moore over on her blog: Displacement.
Saturday 14 April: The Debris Field – Salvaging the Titanic in Word, Sound & Image
Part of the BFI's Titanic season, S.O.S The Titanic Centenary, The Debris Field is a new multi-media production written and performed by poets Simon Barraclough, Isobel Dixon and Chris McCabe. The evocative poetic text is accompanied by original music from Oli Barrett of Bleeding Heart Narrative, and film by Jack Wake-Walker.
This production is being performed for the first time a hundred years from the night that Titanic struck the fatal iceberg. The poets will take you on a resonant tour of the cultural debris of this iconic tragedy, exploring ideas of luxury and labour; courage and folly; life and loss; and human ambition in the face of nature’s power. A key historic event explored with striking poetic, musical and visual impact.
Watch the trailer here. 7:30 - 8:30, The Blue Room, British Film Institute (upstairs, above ticket office), £6. Book tickets here. Directions here.
Thursday 29 March: 'Selected Poems' at the Victoria & Albert Reading Room
7.30 p.m.
Sunday 18 March: StAnza Festival 2012, St. Andrews, Scotland
I'll be reading at three events on the final day of Scotland's International Poetry Festival:
- 11.30 am-12.30 pm Border Crossings: Simon Barraclough and Gill Andrews. The Undercroft, St John's House, South Street £3.00/£2.00
- 2.15-3.15 pm Split Screen: A stellar line-up of poets to launch this lively anthology of poems inspired by TV and film. The Byre Theatre, Abbey Street, Studio Theatre £3.00/£2.00
- 5.00-5.45 pm Psycho Poetica: Hitchcock’s classic film recreated in original poetry and music. Performed by Simon Barraclough, Isobel Dixon and Joe Dunthorne. The Byre Theatre, Abbey Street – Studio Theatre £5.00/£3.00
Sunday 18 March: Psycho Poetica at StAnza, 5-5.45 pm
A special 'portable' version of 2010's 16-performer Psycho Poetica show, featuring Simon Barraclough, Isobel Dixon and Joe Dunthorne. 12 poems, 3 readers, original music recreating Hitchcock's classic. Full details here.
The Byre Theatre, Abbey Street – Studio Theatre £5.00/£3.00
Saturday 18 February: Redroaster, Brighton, 7.45 pm
Simon Barraclough, Isobel Dixon, John McCulloch and Catherine Smith.
Redroaster, 1d St. James Street, Brighton BN2 1RE. £5/£3
Thursday 2 February: Reading at St. Lawrence College, Ramsgate, 7 pm
Simon Barraclough will read from his books Los Alamos Mon Amour and Neptune Blue, as well as presenting new work. Free and open to all.
St. Lawrence College, College Road, Ramsgate CT11 7AE. Website here.
Saturday 28 January: 'Inspired by Silence' workshop. Sunley Pavilion, Royal Festival Hall, London 3 pm
Join poet Simon Barraclough in this workshop on writing poetry when dealing with the grief of losing a loved one.
Poetry is often seen as an art form embraced by few in times of grief, and specifically at funerals, when the poet within all of us rises to the surface. This workshop asks you to consider ways in which you can begin to express what is often described as an 'unspeakable' sense of loss and also what aspects of a person's life and personality might provide the strongest images and themes to do justice to who they were.
The workshop will be followed by a reading in which attendees and Simon Barraclough will read poems they have written during the workshop, as well as favourite poems on death from the Poetry Library collection.
Further details and tickets here.
Monday 12 December 2011: Barraclough, Dixon, Maxwell at The Compass
Closing the Compass poetry season for 2011, with Glyn Maxwell, Isobel Dixon and Simon Barraclough. Come along for a drink and a pre-Christmas catch-up, and readings, including some new work, from three poets. The Compass serves good food, and there are many eateries near by for a bite to eat before or after.
7:30 p.m., The Compass, 58 Penton Street, Islington, London N1 9PZ. Closest tube is Angel. Map here . £3 entry.
Saturday 3 December 2011: Bristol launch of 'The Art of Wiring', Foyles at Cabot Circus, Bristol BS1 3BU
Readings from Christopher Reid, Roisin Tierney, Liane Strauss, Isobel Dixon, Luke Heeley and Simon Barraclough. Foyles, Cabot Circus, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30.
Monday 21 November 2011: Atlantic Crossing at The Compass with August Kleinzahler
International award-winning poet August Kleinzahler, over from the US, features in the latest of this occasional series of evenings at the Compass in Islington, featuring visiting poets from abroad. Kleinzahler's reading will hosted by (and with short readings from) Isobel Dixon and Simon Barraclough. Come along in good time, it promises to be a busy night!
7:30 p.m., The Compass, 58 Penton Street, Islington, London N1 9PZ. Closest tube is Angel. Map here . £5 entry.
Monday 3 October 2011: Nurkse, Strauss, Dixon, Barraclough
The Compass (upstairs), 58 Penton Street, London, United Kingdom.
Second in an occasional series of UK/US poetry readings at The Compass near Angel Islington, we welcome Forward shortlisted poet D. Nurkse. Dennis's book 'Voices Over Water' (CB Editions) is up for this year's Forward Best Collection prize and this is a great opportunity to see Dennis read in the UK.
He will be supported by three Salt poets: Liane Strauss ('Leaving Eden'), Isobel Dixon ('The Tempest Prognosticator') and Simon Barraclough ('Neptune Blue'). Kick off around 7pm, free entry. Compass website here.Thursday 1 September 2011: 'The Art of Wiring' Launch Party, Electricity Showrooms
A sparky selection of poems from six poets, wired into a beautiful new multi-circuit pamphlet, The Art of Wiring, published by Ondt & Gracehoper. Short readings from Christopher Reid, Roisin Tierney, Liane Strauss, Isobel Dixon, Luke Heeley and Simon Barraclough, and partying after, with some electrifying DJing by Oli Barrett of Bleeding Heart Narrative and Petrels.
The Electricity Showrooms, 39a Hoxton Square, Shoreditch, London, N1 6NN. Switch on at 7:00 p.m. Till late.
Tuesday 16 August 2011: 6 Poets at the Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh
Simon Barraclough, Isobel Dixon, Helen Ivory, Helen Mort, Rob A. Mackenzie, Andrew Philip read at the Fruitmarket Gallery, 45 Market Street, Edinburgh. 7:30 p.m. £3 entry. Gallery website here.
Sunday 14 August 2011: Simon Barraclough, 'Early Word' at Captains Bar, Edinburgh
An early morning reading and Q&A session with Simon, in an intimate and historic venue with literary connections. Doors open 9 a.m., poetry at 9.30 a.m. The price includes wake-up coffee and cake. 9.30 – 10.30 a.m. at Captains Bar, 4 South College Street, EH8 9AA. Tickets: £5.50 (£4.50)
Sunday 31 July 2011: Poetry Digest
A new edition of the edible poetry magazine. I'll be reading 5 short poems about apples, among other things. Simon Barraclough, Tom Chivers & Harry Man in person; Victoria Bean & Juliet Wilson in absentia. Downstairs at The Bell, 50 Middlesex Street, London, E1 7EX. 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Free.
Friday 22 July 2011: 'Herbarium' anthology launch reading
Join us to celebrate the launch of 'Herbarium', a new anthology inspired by the medicinal plants and herbs in the Urban Physic Garden. Curated by James Wilkes, 'Herbarium' features new work by 50 poets and writers. Urban Physic Garden, Union Street, London. 7 p.m. free entry. Garden website here.
Tuesday 19 July 2011: 'Salt Plus' at the Betsey Trotwood
Simon Barraclough, Abi Curtis, Isobel Dixon, Harriet Moore, Claire Trévien and Tamar Yoseloff.
Betsey Trotwood pub, Farringdon Road, London. 7.30 p.m.
Saturday 16 July & Sunday 17 July 2011: Latitude Festival
Simon Barraclough reads in the Poetry Arena at 1 p.m. on Saturday and 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. Different sets.
Friday 8 July 2011: Ledbury Poetry Festival
Simon Barraclough, Jacqueline Saphra and Tim Turnbull read at 2:45 p.m. Burgage Hall, £8.
Monday 4 July 2011: Launch of 'Neptune Blue'
Simon Barraclough launches his second full collection 'Neptune Blue' (Salt Publishing) at The Compass, 58 Penton Street, Islington, London N1 9PZ (website here). From 6:30 p.m. More details to follow.
Thursday 19 May 2011: Simon Barraclough, Isobel Dixon, Phil Fried, Chris McCabe, Sally Read, Baron Wormser at The Compass
Phil Fried (editor of The Manhattan Review) and Baron Wormser are over from the States, Sally Read is flying up from Rome and Simon Barraclough, Isobel Dixon and Chris McCabe will be tubing it to this splendid Islington pub for an eclectic night of poetry. The poets will read for 15 minutes each and there will be time to enjoy The Compass's two bars and the really excellent food. Lots of other bars and eateries nearby too.
The Compass, 58 Penton Street, Islington, London N1 9PZ (website here). From 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday 27 April 2011: Liane Strauss, Rob Mackenzie, Andrew Philip
Three excellent Salt poets read old and new work, upstairs at The Wheatsheaf pub, 25 Rathbone Place, London, W1T 1JB (just off Oxford Street). Time: 19:00 to 21:30. Cost: £3 on the door. Hosted by Simon Barraclough.
Sunday 12 December 2010: Donut Press All Dayer
Simon Barraclough and others at The Betsey Trotwood Pub. Full details to follow.
Saturday 27 November 2010: The Travel Bookshop: 1-Day Residency Event
Simon Barraclough, Isobel Dixon and Richard Price read poems inspired by their 1-day residencies at Notting Hill's splendid Travel Bookshop. 6.30 p.m. doors for 7 p.m. start. £5 entry. The Travel Bookshop, 13-15 Blenheim Crescent, Notting Hill, W11 2EE.
Tuesday 16 November 2010: Barraclough, Crowther, Lumsden, Mackenzie
Simon Barraclough, Claire Crowther, Roddy Lumsden and Rob Mackenzie read in the upstairs room at the splendid and convivial Betsey Trotwood pub, Farringdon Road, 7.30 p.m. £3 entry.
Sunday 24 October 2010: Psycho Poetica at the Royal Festival Hall, St. Paul's Pavilion
A fourth outing for the 50th anniversary Psycho collaboration, featuring Simon Barraclough, Dzifa Benson, Emily Berry, Isobel Dixon, Joe Dunthorne, Jane Draycott, Luke Heeley, Chris McCabe, Heather Phillipson, Richard Price, Catherine Smith and Matthew Welton. New score from Bleeding Heart Narrative. 1600 hours, £7.50.
Monday 18 October 2010: Simon Barraclough, Alan Buckley, Isobel Dixon and Giles Goodland at The Albion Beatnik Bookshop, Oxford
34 Walton Street, Jericho, Oxford OX2 6AA, 8 p.m.
Tuesday 28 September 2010: Simon Barraclough at CB1, Cambridge
The Punter, 3 Pound Hill, Cambridge CB3 0AE. Open mic floor spots available. Doors 7.30pm, readings from 8pm.
Monday 23 August 2010: Edinburgh Free Fringe Festival: Utter! Salt Poets
Two-hour special featuring Simon Barraclough, Julia Bird, Isobel Dixon, Mark Grainier, Eleanor Rees, Andrew Phillips, Rob Mackenzie and Ryan Van Winkle. Venue 156: The Banshee Labyrinth, 29-35 Niddry Street, Edinburgh EH1 1LG. 6.30 p.m. Free entry.
Thursday 5 August 2010: Simon Barraclough, Joe Dunthorne, Glyn Maxwell and
Clare Pollard
Aubin & Wills, 88 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2RH. Doors at 7 p.m., free entry. Full details at Penned in the Margins.
Sunday 18 July 2010: Psycho Poetica at the Latitude Festival
Come and join us in the Poetry Arena on Sunday evening at 7:20 p.m. for a third performance of Psycho Poetica. Twelve poets recreate Hitchcock's classic with musical support from Bleeding Heart Narrative. Readers include: Simon Barraclough, Dzifa Benson, Emily Berry, Isobel Dixon, Joe Dunthorne, Jane Draycott, Luke Heeley, Annie Freud, Chris McCabe, Heather Phillipson, Richard Price and Matthew Welton. More details here.
Saturday 3 July 2010: Charles Lambert and Simon Barraclough
Charles Lambert reads from his new novel 'Any Human Face' (Picador) with poetic support from Simon Barraclough. Rome and Italy in prose and poetry at The Travel Bookshop, Notting Hill, London. Details to follow.
Wednesday 2 June 2010: Launch of 'Bonjour Tetris'
Chapbook of commissioned poems published by Penned in the Margins. Limited edition, boxed, numbered and signed copies available at 'Lati Ri' on Rivington Place, Rivington Street, Shoreditch, London. 6:30 p.m, free entry. Venue details here.
Tuesday 1 June 2010: 'Word Play'
The final Word Play event. The Good Ship, 289 Kilburn High Road, NW6 7JR. From 7:00 p.m. Simon Barraclough plus Pia Hansen, Bertram Trotar, Jabari Mears, Gbontwi Anyetei and Declan Ryan. Details here.
Thursday 13 May 2010: 'Psycho Poetica' #2, The Whitechapel Gallery, London
A second chance to see 'Psycho Poetica' in the very different setting of the Clore Creative Studio at East London's famous Whitechapel Gallery. The concept is the same as the BFI event but this time the line-up is different, producing a slightly different poetic version of Hitchcock's classic.
This evening features Simon Barraclough, Liane Strauss, John Stammers, Annie Freud, Matthew Welton, Emily Berry, Dzifa Benson, Chris McCabe, Luke Heeley, Heather Phillipson, Joe Dunthorne and Richard Price. Supported by the BFI, LOVEFiLM and The Whitechapel Gallery.
Whitechapel Gallery (Clore Creative Studio), 7.00 p.m., ticket price £5. Map here.
Wednesday 28 April 2010: 'Feast on Words'
Poems about food featuring Simon Barraclough, Isobel Dixon, Agnes Lehoczky and Tim Wells.
6.30-7.30 p.m. Camley Street Natural Park, behind King's Cross and St. Pancras stations; link here.
Saturday 24 April, The Shuffle
I'm taking part in the monthly reading series at The Poetry Café, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BX, 7.30 p.m.
Saturday 10 April 2010: 'Psycho Poetica' #1, British Film Institute, London
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hitchcock's seminal slasher and its influence on many art forms, twelve poets have carved up the film between them and created a new poetic interpretation. Their collectivere-imagining will be performed presently in the Delegate's Room at the BFI, and some of the poets will introduce screenings of the original feature in April. What rich and strange new version of ‘Psycho’ will twelve distinctive poetic visions produce?
Devised by Simon Barraclough with support from LOVEFiLM and featuring Simon Barraclough, Jane Draycott, John Stammers, Annie Freud, Matthew Welton, Isobel Dixon, Roddy Lumsden, Dzifa Benson, Chris McCabe, Luke Heeley, Heather Phillipson and Joe Dunthorne.
BFI Delegate Room, 7.30 p.m., £5 entry fee. Map here.
Friday 9 April 2010: The Verb, BBC Radio 3, 21:15 hours
Simon Barraclough and Heather Phillipson talk to Ian McMillan about the Psycho Poetica project and read poems from the sequence.
Wednesday 31 March 2010: Three Graces at the Wheatsheaf
Readings from Roisin Tierney, Sally Read and Isobel Dixon, introduced by Simon Barraclough.
7:30 p.m. The Wheatsheaf, 25 Rathbone Place, London, W1T 1JB. £3 on the door.
Tuesday 30 March 2010: Days of Roses
Readings from Simon Barraclough, Helen Mort, Joe Duggan, Gareth Jones plus other acts to be confirmed.
Changed location: The Camden Head, 100 Camden High Street, NW1 0LU. 7 p.m. free entry.
Monday 8 March 2010: Magma 46 launch at The Troubadour
Launch of Magma 46 with readings from a wide selection of contributors and two guest poets: Anne-Marie Fyfe and Penelope Shuttle. 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. Downstairs at The Troubadour, 263-267 Old Brompton Road, London, SW5. £7 (Concessions £6).
More event info here and venue and map here.
Tuesday 2 February 2010: Word Play, The Good Ship in Kilburn
Simon Barraclough and Annie Freud. Plus Obi Iheme, Martin Plimmer + guests and music. 1900 to 2300 at The Good Ship, Kilburn High Road, map here.
Friday 15 January 2010: The Verb, BBC Radio 3
Simon Barraclough reads his newly commissioned poem 'In Memoriam Tsutomo Yamaguchi'.
Sunday 13 December Seasonal All-Dayer at the Betsey Trotwood
I'll be reading as part of Fuselit's slot. Full details:
Upstairs at The Betsey Trotwood, Farringdon, London. 19:30 - 22:00 £5 suggested donation.
Thursday 9 December Poetry Film at the Curzon Renoir: 'Mythology & Celebration'
Five short films (by Adam Alive, Heather Phillipson, Tor Webster, Stephen Sutcliffe and John Scott) plus two poets (Simon Barraclough and Dzifa Benson). Curzon Renoir cinema, Brunswick Square, London, from 6.15 pm.
Tuesday 1 December 'Winter Fuel', The Duchess, Battersea
Simon Barraclough, Emily Berry, Isobel Dixon, Chris McCabe, Heather Phillipson and Richard Price. A winter warmer upstairs at this marvellous London pub in the shadow of Battersea Power Station. 7.00 p.m. £4 entry. Map here.
Thursday 12 November 'Utter! Films', Whitechapel Gallery, Whitechapel Road, London
Simon Barraclough, Richard Sandling + open mic. Poems with a filmic theme. Free entry, visitor info here.
Wednesday 9 September 'Simon Barraclough and The Three Englishmen at Salon'
I'm performing as part of Salon's London arts festival alongside a sketch show troupe called 'The Three Englishmen'. Free entry: 295 Regent Street, London 7 till 11 p.m. More details on Salon here.
Friday 4 September 'Subterranean Homesick Blues' project
New poems by poets using Bob Dylan's classic as a starting point. The Betsy Trotwood pub, Farringdon Road, London. 0745 - 2145.
Chris McCabe / Declan Ryan / Swithun Cooper / Rowyda Amin / Jon Stone / Kate Potts / David Floyd / Barbara Marsh / Katy Evans-Bush / Chris Horton / Barbara Barnes / Mark Waldron / Jack Underwood / Diana Pooley / Jackey Smith / Simon Barraclough / Adam Steventon / Joe Duggan / Tamar Yoseloff / Sid Bose / Camilla Nelson / Roddy Lumsden / Tim Wells / Kirsten Irving / Kate Kilalea / James Brookes / Niall O'Sullivan / Valerie Josephs / Kayo Chingonyi.
Tuesday 4 August BBC Radio 4's 'The Long View' (0900 and 2130 hours)
New poem 'Incorrigibly Plural' and a general discussion about the economics of rail travel in the 1860s and today.
Thursday 30 July 'Succour Magazine' reading at the Betsey Trotwood
Full details and line-up to be confirmed.
Thursday 23 July 'On a Trip to Cirrus Minor', The Duchess pub, Battersea
A triple gatefold concept reading of poets performing new poems inspired by the music of Pink Floyd. Readers confirmed so far: Chris McCabe, Roddy Lumsden, Isobel Dixon, Amy Key, Patrick Brandon, Helen Mort, Heather Phillipson, Luke Heeley, Dave Palmer, Jude Cowan, Dean K. Farrow, Lorraine Mariner, Claire Crowther, Katy Evans-Bush.
All taking place under the massive stoney gaze of Battersea Power Station, upstairs at The Duchess, 101 Battersea Park Road, London SW8 4DS. Starts at 7 p.m. Entrance £3. Map here.
Saturday 2 May 'The Sampler: 1'
Simon Barraclough, Isobel Dixon and Roddy Lumsden. Hosted by Christopher Horton. Wilberforce Theatre, Museum in Docklands, 16:30 - 17:30, free admission. More information available here.
Friday 24 April 'St. George's Day Poetry Project, part 2', The Maypole in Cambridge
Poems about English counties. Cambridge poets currently confirmed: Andrea Porter, Anne Berkeley, Benjamin Morris, Helen Mort, Isobel Dixon, Luke Heeley, Lydia Macpherson, Melanie Challenger, Roddy Lumsden, Simon Barraclough ... with many more to come. The Maypole, 20a Portugal Place, Cambridge. From 7 p.m. £4 on the door, map here.
Monday 16 March 'Poet in the City: The Divided Self', Kings Place
John Clare, Sylvia Plath, John Berryman, Elizabeth Jennings, Robert Lowell - many brilliant poets have written powerfully about depression and their struggles for mental health. At this event, contemporary poets - Simon Barraclough, Suzanne Batty, Sarah Wardle and David Constantine - look back to some of these writers, and read their own work, reflecting on the fragility, resilience and complexity of the creative mind.
Kings Place, 90 York Way, Kings Cross, London in Concert Hall One, 6.30 p.m. Tickets £11.50/£9.50 (online); map here
Friday 27 February 'Salt v Donut'
Salt Publishing (Simon Barraclough, Isobel Dixon, Mark Waldron) battle it out against Donut Press (Liane Strauss, Tim Turnbull, Tim Wells) at the Betsey Trotwood pub, Farringdon Road, London. Half-time 'breakdance challenge' featuring Wayne Smith and Helen Mort. 19:00 hours onwards, free entry.
Friday 6 February 2009 'Get Bacchus'
Twelve poets with short sets of their own and other favourite poems on the subject of booze and bars. The poets are: the pickled Gareth Jones, the bleary Kirsten Irving, the sotted Marianne Burton, the tiddly Emily Berry, the wazzocked Jon Stone, the reeling Will Carr, the pie-eyed Tom Chivers, the stocious Matthew Caley, the steaming Angela Kirby, the miraculous Roddy Lumsden, the merry Simon Barraclough and one special guest.
Upstairs at The Betsey Trotwood, Farringdon, London. 19:30 - 22:00 £5 for non-readers.
Boxing Day: BBC Radio 4's Film Programme
New 'films of the year' poem: 'Gomorrah is Another Day'. 4.30 p.m.
Tuesday 9 December: Simon Barraclough, Luke Kennard and Chris McCabe
Chris McCabe launches his exciting new collection 'Zeppelins' (Salt Publishing) with support from Forward-nominated poets Luke Kennard ('The Harbour Beyond the Movie') and Simon Barraclough ('Los Alamos Mon Amour'). Hosted by Simon Barraclough.
Kicks off at 7 pm with readings from around 8.30 pm. Very nice room above The Rose pub (35, Albert Embankment) with views of the Thames. Mid-way between Lambeth and Vauxhall Bridges. Nearest tube Vauxhall; Pimlico, St. James's Park and Westminster tubes not too far away either. Free entry.
Wednesday 26 November, 'Succour' Magazine 'Icons' Issue Launch
Launch of the new issue of one the best and most beautiful journals around, featuring Simon Barraclough, Chris McCabe, Melissa Mann, John Clegg, James Peake and Mason Ball at the Betsey Trotwood pub, Farringdon Road, 8.30 p.m.
Monday 10 November, Lee Rosy's Tea Shop, Nottingham
Nottingham University English Society and Creative Writing Society present Simon Barraclough and Isobel Dixon. Featuring readings, questions, and maybe some answers. Lee Rosy's, 17 Broad Street, Hockley, NG1 3AJ. 7.00 p.m.
Friday 24 October, 'The Verb', BBC Radio 3, 21:15
I've recorded a memoir and appreciation of Clive Barraclough's great brass band march 'Simoraine'. Anita Heiss, Sam Lee and Michael Rosen also feature in a very musical edition of Ian Macmillan's radio programme.
Thursday 23 October, FuseLit present 'Mixtape!'
FuseLit presents Mixtape! A fine gaggle of poets have each put together a ten minute selection of their favourite poetry cuts (plus one of their own compositions) and will be performing them live for your delectation. Simon Barraclough, Tim Wells, Amy Key, David Floyd, Andrea Tallarita and Cliff Hammett. The Betsey Trotwood pub in Farringdon, London. Starts 7.00 p.m. £3 entry.
Monday 20 October, 'Touching the Sky' curated by Poet in the City
A celebration of the opening of Kings Place with performances of great poems about architecture by Paul Farley, Simon Barraclough and Jacob Sam-La Rose. Speakers will include Sir Jeremy Dixon of Dixon Jones, Kings Place's architects, and the RIBA's President, Sunand Prasad. The event will be chaired by the Guardian's architecture correspondent Jonathan Glancey. Kings Place, York Way, King's Cross, London. £11.50 per ticket (£9.50 if you buy online); see the Kings Place website.
Thursday 2 October, 'East Words' at the Museum in Docklands
I'Il be reading along with Jay Bernard, Chris McCabe, Retta Bowen, Inua Ellams and James Byrne. 6.30 'til 9.00 p.m. I'm told there will be "kicking tunes" as well; map here. Free entry.
Monday 29 September, 'MESOTERIC'
Come Way Out West to Hammersmith for an evening of literature and art with myself, Natalie Meyjes, Lockett Somerville, Claudia Solti, Meg Thomson & Jane Ragoyska. It all takes place at Chez Kristof, 111 Hammersmith Grove, W6 0NQ. Apparently it's an excellent restaurant, so if you'd like to have dinner after the readings, call 020 8741 1177; map here. Free entry.
Saturday 27 September, Launch of 'The Shuffle Anthology'
'The Shuffle' series launches its first anthology to mark a year in business. This event has a bigger cast than 'El Cid' and should be a lot of fun: Ahren Warner, Amy Key, Camellia Stafford, Catherine McLoughlin, David Boll, Diane Pooley, Emily Berry, Gill Andrews, Heather Phillipson, Imogen Robertson, Jacob Sam-La Rose, Julia Bird, Kate Kilalea, Kate Miller, Kate Potts, Luke Heeley, Maggie Sullivan, Martina Thomson, Michael McKimm, Orlanda Marsden, Patrick Brandon, Rachel Curzon, Retta Bowen, Roddy Lumsden, Simon Barraclough, Stella Mandella, Sue Rose, Tim Wells. Poetry Society, Betterton Street from 7.30 p.m., entry £5 (£3).
Wednesday 24 September, 'Ride the Word III'
An evening of poetry and short stories with myself, Vincent de Souza, Charles Lambert, Isobel Dixon and Jay Merill. Borders Bookshop, Oxford Street, 7.30 p.m. till 9.00 p.m. Free entry.
Saturday 20 September, 'More-ish': food poems at The South Bank Festival of Food
12:15 - 1:45 p.m. Food poetry (our own and favourites from other poets) from Simon Barraclough, Isobel Dixon, Roddy Lumsden, Tim Wells, Julia Bird and Roisin Tierney. Come along to hear the poems and then, when you're hungry enough, go forage for delicious morsels among more than 40 food stalls at the festival. It all takes place in a tent on the South Bank near the Royal Festival Hall. Free entry.
Thursday 18 September, London Irish Centre Camden
I'Il be reading along with Viv Fogel, Alison Hill, Paul Lyalls, Jack Stanley and Mags Treanor and there will be music Marie McCormack and Les Coughlan. It all kicks off at 8 p.m. and costs £5/£3 concessions; map here.
Friday 5 September, 'Unspeakably Toothsome'
Food poems at The Betsey Trotwood pub, Farringdon Road, 8 p.m. sharp. Some of our own poems and one or two by other writers. Me plus Isobel Dixon, Heather Phillipson, John Stammers, Angela Kirby, Julia Bird, Tim Wells, Mark Waldron, Susan Grindley, Annie Freud and Roddy Lumsden. £5 entrance fee.
Saturday 30 August 2008, The Shuffle
I'm taking part in the monthly reading series at The Poetry Café, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BX, 7.30 p.m.
Friday 18 July 2008, 'Eating Fruit Salad in the Dark'
Annie Freud presents an evening of entertainment featuring myself, John Citizen, Susan Grindley, Mark Waldron, Rose McKnight, John Hegley, Wayne Smith, Jacqui Saphra, Alan Buckley and Sarah Paul; belly dancing from Galit Mersand and music from Barbara Marsh. 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The Scooterworks Cafe, 132 Lower Marsh, near Waterloo Station.
Tuesday 15 July 2008, Isobel Dixon and Simon Barraclough
Clare Hall bar, the Anthony Low Building, Clare Hall, Cambridge, 7.30 p.m. £3/£2 admission. Introductions to the readers by Helen Mort and Melanie Challenger.
Friday 4 July 2008, Part 2 of Roddy Lumsden's 50 States Project
The Betsey Trotwood pub, Farringdon Road, 7.30 p.m.
Friday 27 June 2008
Reading with many others at the Betsey Trotwood pub, Farringdon Road, 7.30 p.m.
Thursday 5 June 2008, Visions of the City I
I'm reading with Jay Bernard, Tom Chivers and Tim Wells as part of Tom Chivers's Bishopsgate Institute residency series. Bishopsgate Institute Library, 230 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 4QH, 7 p.m. More details on Tom's website this is yogic.
Friday 30 May 2008, BBC Radio 4's Film Programme
Reading a newly commissioned poem loosely based on 'Jules et Jim', 4.30 p.m.
Sunday 11 May 2008, Pierre Menard Gallery, Harvard Sq, Cambridge MA.
I'm reading with poet and Fulcrum editor Stephen Sturgeon, 10 Arrow Street, 6 p.m.
Friday 2 May 2008, BBC Radio 3's The Verb
Chatting to Ian MacMillan about 'Los Alamos Mon Amour', 9.45 p.m.
Wednesday 30 April 2008, Salt Reading at Borders
Myself, Mike Barlow, Vincent De Souza, Isobel Dixon and Anthony Joseph.
Borders bookstore, 203-207 Oxford Street, London, W1D 2LE, 7.30 p.m.
Friday 18 April 2008, BBC Radio 4's Film Programme
Reading newly commissioned poem 'Flashbacks of a Fool', 4.30 p.m.
Thursday 10 April 2008, Launch of 'Los Alamos Mon Amour'
Foyles Bookshop, 113-119 Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0EB
In the second floor 'Gallery', 6.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Friday 8 March 2008, BBC Radio 4's Film Programme
Reading commissioned poem 'Cinema Purgatorio', 4.30 p.m.
Friday 29 February 2008, BBC Radio 4's Film Programme
Reading 'A Tall Story about a Pushover', 4.30 p.m.
Monday 4 February 2008, Salt Reading at the Troubadour
Tickets: £6, concessions £5, season tickets 30% off, no credit cards, 7 p.m.
Friday 25 January 2008, launch of Ask for It by Name
A new pamphlet with work by myself, Olivia Cole, Isobel Dixon, Luke Heeley, Liane Strauss and Roisin Tierney. Designed by Lynne Stuart. Come and celebrate with the authors and a free bar!
Melton Mowbray Pub, High Holborn
Time: 6.30pm
Tuesday 18 December 2007, '12 Days of Christmas' Poetry Reading
36 poets: one poem each.
The Miller of Mansfield, 96 Snowsfields Road, London Bridge, London SE1 3SS
Wednesday 28 November 2007, BFI Southbank: Patrick Keiller interviewed by Professor Roger Luckhurst
NFT 3, 7 p.m.
Thursday 29 November 2007, Salt Autumn Party at Foyles Charing Cross Road
A celebration of Salt's recent new titles. Readings with other Salt poets and short story writers, among them Alexander Hutchison, Carys Davies, John Hartley Williams, David Grubb and Shamshad Khan.
Saturday 6th October 2007, O Dreamland! Film Poems at the BFI
Coinciding with National Poetry Day, ten poets read poems in response to the BFI Mediatheque's archive section 'Essentially British', along with film clips and a little wine. Poems from myself and writers including Isobel Dixon, Roddy Lumsden, Jane Draycott, Graham Mort, Ann Sansom, Heather Phillipson, Luke Heeley and Olivia Cole. Delegates Room at the BFI London.