Here’s the list of local events in October 2023. If I’ve missed anything you think should be included or needs correcting – please let me know.
Details are to the best of my knowledge at time of writing or amending during the month, please check event with hosts before attending in case of restrictions/changes.
Keep checking throughout October in case I’ve been able to add anything else, otherwise November’s list will follow in due course.
For end of September 2023 events – https://scottcoe.co.uk/west-anglia-east-midlands-real-world-poetry-events-september-2023/
Sunday 1st October 10:15
Boston.
The Process of Poetry: Developing Redrafting Skills (Free Poetry Workshop). Fydell House, South Street, PE21 6HT (w3w = ///drip.loved.combining)
Writing workshop with Rosanna McGlone
See Eventbrite for more details
Sunday 1st October 17:00
Leicester.
BHM23 Launch: Rum Punch And Poets. Leicester Guildhall, Guildhall Lane, LE1 5FQ (w3w = ///perky.quench.beside)
The launch of Black History Month 2023 with Rum Punch and Poets. Local and international wordsmiths join force for a reasoning of reflections, social political commentary and expressions of Black joy.
See Serendipity’s website for details of this and other events
Sunday 1st October 18:30
Cambridge.
CB1 Poetry. Town & Gown Pub & Theatre, 8 Market Passage, CB2 3PF (w3w = ///heave.rings.friday)
Poetry Open Mic.
Further details on CB1 Poetry’s Facebook page
Tuesday 3rd October 18:00
Sleaford.
Sleaford Ivy Writers. The Ivy, 64 S Gate, NG34 7RL (w3w = ///slams.arrive.lofts)
Writing collective.
Places limited so advised to contact – awaiting contact details
Tuesday 3rd October 18:30
Mansfield.
An Evening of Windrush Music and Poetry with Carol Leeming and the Guinep Tree. Mansfield Museum, Leeming St, Mansfield NG18 1NG (w3w = ///venue.fetch.gain)
See Mansfield Museum’s website for details of this and other events
Tuesday 3rd October 19:00
Derby.
Derby Poetry Festival: Voices From the Peak. Dubrek Studios, 67 Bridge Street, DE1 3LB (w3w = ///jokes.cute.glad)
With Mark Gwyne Jones, plus open mic
The festival runs 2nd – 8th October, see Derby Poetry Festival’s website for details of this and other events
Tuesday 3rd October 19:30
Grantham.
Open Mic with host Mike Alderson, at The Lord Harrowby, 65 Dudley Road, NG31 9AB (w3w = ///pets.puzzle.sounds)
Bring your own or favourite classics/modern poems. Everyone welcome, free entry – * PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE SADLY NO DISABLED FACILITIES*
Regular event – First Tuesday of every month.
See Stamford Poetry’s Facebook page for more details of this and other events
Tuesday 3rd October 19:30
Leicester.
Pinggg…K! The Y Theatre, 7 East Street, LE1 6EY (w3w = ///edgy.soil.camp)
Once a month (first Tuesday) free spoken word
See Y Theatre’s website for further details
Tuesday 3rd October 20:00
Bedford.
Ouse Muse. Eagle Bookshop, 16-20 St Peters Street, MK40 2NN (w3w = ///wisdom.plug.shiny)
Featured artists plus open mic.
See Ouse Muse’s Facebook page for further details
Tuesday 3rd October 20:00
Nottingham.
Poetry Night. The Organ Grinder, 21 Alfreton Road, NG7 3JE (w3w = ///flown.brass.speaks)
Open mic with guest speakers.
See Openbook’s website for more details of this and other events
Wednesday 4th October 19:00
Derby.
Derby Poetry Festival: Youth Slam Final. Derby Theatre, 15 Theatre Walk, St Peter’s Quarter, DE1 2NF (w3w = ///penny.gently.events)
With Mark Gwyne Jones, plus open mic
The festival runs 2nd – 8th October, see Derby Poetry Festival’s website for details of this and other events
Wednesday 4th October 19:00
Wisbech.
Wisbech Stanza. Hosted by Kim Allen, former Fenland Poet Laureate.
Regular event – First Wednesday of every month.
Contact wisbechstanzagroup@gmail.com to sign up and further event details
Wednesday 4th October 19:30
Lincoln.
Uncaged. The Birdcage, 54 Baggholme Road, LN2 5BQ (w3w = ///gifted.studio.caves)
Regular event – First Wednesday of every month.
See Outspoken Poets’s Facebook page for this and other events
Wednesday 4th October 19:30
Market Deeping.
Si & Soph’s Shenanigans Spoken Word. The Iron Horse Ranch, High Street, PE6 8EB (w3w = ///beefed.inflates.fried)
Open Mic. Everyone welcome, free entry.
Regular event – First Wednesday of every month.
Further details on Si & Soph’s Facebook page
Thursday 5th October 13:00
Derby.
Derby Poetry Festival: Drop-in Writing Session. Normanton Library, St Augustines Community Centre, Almond Street, DE23 6LX (w3w = ///paper.thick.invite)
Workshop
The festival runs 2nd – 8th October, see Derby Poetry Festival’s website for details of this and other events
Thursday 5th October 14:00
Leicester.
CASTA – Through Resistance Poetry. Leicester Central Library, Bishop Street, LE1 6AA (w3w = ///solar.torn.spoken)
Celebrate National Poetry Day with a two-part event. First bringing poetry to the roads with street pop-up performances across the city centre between 2:00pm – 4:00pm. Before a takeover of Leicester Central Library from 6:00pm – 8:00pm for an evening of live poetry from the Midlands best writers and poets.
Including performances from The Orator, 9ina and Lekky.
See Serendipity’s website for details of this and other events
Thursday 5th October 18:30
Peterborough.
Good Shout Spoken Word. Here We Aren’t, 18 Godric Square, PE2 7JL (w3w = ///modest.hats.worked)
Featured artists & open mic
Further details on Good Shout Spoken Word’s Facebook page
Thursday 5th October 19:00
Derby.
Derby Poetry Festival: Opening Showcase. Normanton Library, St Augustines Community Centre, Almond Street, DE23 6LX (w3w = ///paper.thick.invite)
With Wem Aurora and prize ceremony
The festival runs 2nd – 8th October, see Derby Poetry Festival’s website for details of this and other events
Thursday 5th October 19:30
Coventry.
Fire & Dust. Cafe Morso, 16 Corporation Street, CV1 1GF (w3w = ///types.artist.banana)
Featured artists plus open mic.
Just turn up to watch, but recommend ticket to book open mic slot.
Regular event – First Thursday of every month.
See Eventbrite for more details
Thursday 5th October 19:30
Leicester.
Run Your Tongue. Donald Watson’s Vegan Bar, 94 Granby Street, LE1 1DJ (w3w = ///joke.scale.leaves)
Featured artists, plus open mic (Poets, singers and storytellers are all welcome)
See Eventbrite for more details
Friday 6th October 18:00
Nottingham.
Slamovision. Nonsuch Studios, 92 Lower Parliament Street, NG1 1EH (w3w = ///bleak.myself.tribal)
Slamovision is the global spoken word community’s Eurovision.
Enter for free. The winner will receive a £100 prize and take the stage as Nottingham’s entry for Slamovision 2023.
See Nonsuch Studios’ website for details of this and other events
Friday 6th October 19:00
Derby.
Derby Poetry Festival: First Fridays Adult slam. The Museum of Making, The Silk Mill, Silk Mill Lane, DE1 3AF (w3w = ///bleat.asking.gaps)
Poetry Slam
The festival runs 2nd – 8th October, see Derby Poetry Festival’s website for details of this and other events
Friday 6th October 19:30
Nottingham.
Speech Therapy. Bunker’s Hill, 36-38 Hockley, Lace Market, NG1 1FP (w3w = ///volunteered.actors.enjoyable)
Spoken word open mic.
Regular event – 1st Friday of the Month.
See Speech Therapy’s Instagram Page for more details
Saturday 7th October 10:00
Bury St. Edmunds.
Foreward Festival. The Guildhall (and other locations) 7 Guildhall Street, P33 1PR (w3w = ///redeeming.reverses.readings)
The festival runs 7th – 8th October, see Foreward Festival’s website for details of all events and locations
Saturday 7th October 10:00
Derby.
Derby Poetry Festival: Editing workshop. Quad, Market Place, DE1 3AS (w3w = ///fallen.turned.novel)
Workshop with Harry Slater
The festival runs 2nd – 8th October, see Derby Poetry Festival’s website for details of this and other events
Saturday 7th October 14:00
Bulwell.
Poetry, Song, Cake & Friends 2. Bulwell UR Church, Broomhill Rd, Bulwell, NG6 9GJ (w3w = ///slowly.baking.talked)
Various spoke word and musical performers
See Facebook event for more details
Saturday 7th October 14:00
Derby.
Derby Poetry Festival: Writing workshop. Quad, Market Place, DE1 3AS (w3w = ///fallen.turned.novel)
Workshop with Raymond Antrobus
The festival runs 2nd – 8th October, see Derby Poetry Festival’s website for details of this and other events
Sunday 8th October 10:00
Bury St. Edmunds.
Foreward Festival. The Guildhall (and other locations) 7 Guildhall Street, P33 1PR (w3w = ///redeeming.reverses.readings)
The festival runs 7th – 8th October, see Foreward Festival’s website for details of all events and locations
Sunday 8th October 10:00
Derby.
Derby Poetry Festival: Children’s Poetry workshop. Quad, Market Place, DE1 3AS (w3w = ///fallen.turned.novel)
Reading and workshop with Attie Lime
The festival runs 2nd – 8th October, see Derby Poetry Festival’s website for details of this and other events
Sunday 8th October 10:00
Derby.
Derby Poetry Festival: Poetry workshop. Quad, Market Place, DE1 3AS (w3w = ///fallen.turned.novel)
Workshop with Scarlett Ward
The festival runs 2nd – 8th October, see Derby Poetry Festival’s website for details of this and other events
Sunday 8th October 17:00
Derby.
Derby Poetry Festival: Salty X Word Wise. Quad, Market Place, DE1 3AS (w3w = ///fallen.turned.novel)
Featuring Scarlett Ward
The festival runs 2nd – 8th October, see Derby Poetry Festival’s website for details of this and other events
Monday 9th October 19:30
Leicester.
Get Mouthy. The Big Difference, 68 High Street, LE1 5YP (w3w = ///slime.sadly.police)
Featured artists plus open mic. Everyone welcome.
Regular event – Second Monday of every month
See Get Mouthy’s Instagram page for more details
Tuesday 10th October 18:00
Derby.
Real Talk Spoken Word. Bunk, 9 Sadler Gate, DE1 3NF (w3w = ///budget.drama.loft)
Featured artists plus Open Mic
See Real Talk Spoken Word’s Instagram Page for further details
Tuesday 10th October 18:00
Market Deeping.
Bards and Revellers. The Square, 13 Market Place, PE6 8EA (w3w = ///dummy.adverbs.sailed)
Open mic night: Music, Poetry and Drama
If anyone is interested in, performing please drop an email to revellersmembers@gmail.com
See Bards and Revellers’ Facebook page for this and other events
Tuesday 10th October 19:00
Leicester.
TLC: Poetry Night with Casey Bailey. Ole’ Moses Cabin, 17 Frog Island, LE3 5AG (w3w = ///march.lifted.saints)
The Literati present Casey Bailey
See Eventbrite for more details
Tuesday 10th October 19:30
St Ives (Cambridgeshire).
Open Mic in the Riverport Cafe at St Ives Corn Exchange, The Pavement, PE27 5AD (w3w = ///yesterday.meanders.recorders)
Poetry & Folk music – Bring your own or favourite classics/modern poems. Everyone welcome, Entry fee varies. Often between £2 – £4 (cash only).
Regular event – Second Tuesday of every month.
See St Ives Corn Exchange’s website for this and other events
Wednesday 11th October 19:00
Cherry Willingham.
Open Mic Night. The Wishing Well, 15 The Parade, Cherry Willingham, LN3 4JL (w3w = ///blast.nudge.milk)
Open Mic with host Gaz Clitheroe. Music, Comedy, Poetry & Spoken Word all welcome.
Regular event – Second Wednesday of every month.
See Gaz Clitheroe’s Facebook page for this and other events
Wednesday 11th October 20:00
Nottingham.
Free your mind – Poetry open mic. King William IV, 6 Eyre Street Nottingham NG2 4RG (w3w = ///farms.random.chew)
Free minds is a poetry night open to all forms of poetry and for all stories to be told.
Regular event – Second Wednesday of every month.
See Eventbrite for more details
Wednesday 11th October 20:00
Nottingham.
Open Mic. Crafty Crow, 102 Friar Lane, NG1 6EB (w3w = ///orchestra.pile.moment)
Music & Poetry
Weekly – starting at 8pm every Wednesday
See Eventbrite for more details
Thursday 12th October 19:30
Bourne.
Viva Verse and Vino. The Old Town Hall, North Street, PE10 9EA (w3w = ///shower.competing.charmingly)
Open mic Poetry & Spoken Word. Everyone welcome.
Regular event – every other month.
Details & Tickets (plus booking fee) via The Old Town Hall’s website
Thursday 12th October 19:30
Northampton.
Raising The Awen / The Bardic Open Mic. The Lab. 95-97 Charles Street, NN1 3BG (w3w = ///bigger.zones.jelly)
Music & Spoken word open mic.
Regular event – Second Thursday of every month.
See The Lab’s website for details of this and other events
Thursday 12th October 19:30
Nottingham.
Live From The Poets Corner. The Playwright, 38 Shakespeare Street, NG1 4FQ (w3w = ///error.sugars.goods)
Poetry Open Mic.
See Notts Poetry’s Instagram Page for more details
Friday 13th October 19:00
Leicester.
Some Antics. Grays Coffee Shop, 31 Rutland Street, LE1 1RE (w3w = ///judge.judges.legal)
Featured artists plus Spoken Word Slam & Open Mic. Everyone welcome. Monthly event
See Some Antics Facebook page for event post with cost and to sign up for slots. Also for future dates.
Friday 13th October 19:30
Stamford.
Laureate Larks. The Cellar Bar, Stamford Arts Centre, 27 St Mary’s Street, PE9 2DL (w3w = ///harp.wacky.aware)
Featuring a collections of local Laureates, past and present from Stamford and beyond
PLEASE CONTACT THE ARTS CENTRE FOR DISABLED ACCESS TO THE CELLAR BAR
See Stamford Arts Centre website for this and other events
Saturday 14th October 10:30
Stamford.
Poetry at Walkers. Walkers Bookshop, High Street, PE9 2AL (w3w = ///mostly.finest.bunk)
On the sofa’s upstairs at Walkers.
Monthly event. Bring your favourite poems – classics or modern. Everyone welcome. Free entry.
See Walkers Bookshop’s website for this and other events
Saturday 14th October 11:00
Stamford.
The Good, the Bad & the Ugly – Stamford Sights & Secrets 2023. The Gallery Bar at the Stamford Arts Centre, 27 St Mary’s Street, PE9 2DL (w3w = ///fame.slowly.surely)
Special themed tour with poetry at locations across the town.
See Stamford Arts Centre website for this and other events
Saturday 14th October 20:00
Kenilworth.
Tree House Sessions. Tree House Bookshop, 4 The Square, CV8 1EB (w3w = ///video.appear.clay)
Open mic for music and spoken word.
Second Saturday of every month
See Tree House Bookshop’s website for more details of this and other events
Sunday 15th October 14:00
Nottingham.
Open Mic. Hopkinson, 21 Station Street, NG2 3AJ (w3w = ///dive.pasta.uses)
Singing, Poetry, Comedy & unplugged music performances
Weekly – starting at 2pm every Sunday
See Eventbrite for more details
Monday 16th October 19:00
Spalding.
White Horse Writers sessions. The Red Lion, Market Place, PE11 1SU (w3w = ///moves.acted.ending)
Group writing sessions: Fiction, Poetry, Prose, etc.
See White Horse Writers’ Facebook page for this and other events
Monday 16th October 19:30
Stamford.
Playing With Words. MindSpace, 39 Broad Street, PE9 1PX (w3w = ///themes.bonus.snow)
Fun word games, poetry and writing prompts with former Stamford Poet Laureate Scott Coe. Everyone welcome. Free entry.
Third Monday of every month.
This is a free event but encourage you to bring donations towards hot drinks.
Places are limited. Please see the MindSpace website to book
Monday 16th October 19:45
Lincoln.
Guild Session. St Mary’s Guildhall, 2-18 Sibthorp St, LN5 7SH (w3w = ///nights.visits.speaks)
An evening of amazing music and poetry in a beautiful 12th century building in the centre of Lincoln.
Third Monday of every month.
See The Guild Session’s Facebook page for this and other events
Tuesday 17th October 19:30
Bury St Edmunds.
Poetry Aloud. Live at upstairs at Oakes Barn. St Andrew’s St South, IP33 3PH (w3w = ///booklets.operation.inflict)
Poetry Aloud Open Mic sessions are hybrid Live / Zoom meetings on the 3rd Tuesday of each month except December.
See Poetry Aloud’s Instagram Page for further details
Wednesday 18th October 20:00
Nottingham.
Open Mic. Crafty Crow, 102 Friar Lane, NG1 6EB (w3w = ///orchestra.pile.moment)
Music & Poetry
Weekly – starting at 8pm every Wednesday
See Eventbrite for more details
Thursday 19th October 19:30
Nottingham.
Full Circle. The Cock and Hoop, High Pavement, NG1 1HN (w3w = ///option.fish.fuzzy)
Poetry Open Mic.
See Notts Poetry’s Instagram Page for more details
Thursday 19th October 19:30
Stamford.
Brian Bilston. Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre, Broad Street, PE9 1PX (w3w = ///stages.aims.drill)
See Stamford Corn Exchange’s website for more details
Thursday 19th October 20:00
Kenilworth.
PGR. Tree House Bookshop, 4 The Square, CV8 1EB (w3w = ///video.appear.clay)
Featured artist plus open mic slots, hosted by Kim and John Watson.
Third Thursday of every month
See Tree House Bookshop’s website for more details of this and other events
Friday 20th October 19:30
St Ives.
Leon Al Bakry Spoken Word/Poetry. Cromwell Barn, Burleigh Hill Farm, Somersham Road, PE27 3LY (w3w = ///prominent.educated.slang)
See Eventbrite for more details
Saturday 21st October 11:00
Nuneaton.
Spark Young Writers – Nuneaton Teen Young Writers Group. Nuneaton Library, Church St, CV11 4DR (w3w = ///mass.upgrading.tins)
Youth writing workshop with John Bernard.
See Spark Writers’ website for further details of this and for other events in other areas
Saturday 21st October 12:00
Leicester.
Black History Month Community Day Poet. Curve Theatre, 60 Rutland Street, LE1 1SB (w3w = ///finger.trunk.deeper)
With Carol Leeming MBE
See Curve Theatre’s Website for details
Saturday 21st October 19:00
Lincoln.
The Green Road Spoken Word. Lincoln A.O.D.S, 33 Tentercroft Street, LN5 7DB (w3w = ///ducks.amuse.adults)
£1 entry fee to non-members. Pre-book an open mic slot – see The Green Room Spoken Word Fellowship Facebook page for this and future events
Sunday 22nd October 14:00
Nottingham.
Open Mic. Hopkinson, 21 Station Street, NG2 3AJ (w3w = ///dive.pasta.uses)
Singing, Poetry, Comedy & unplugged music performances
Weekly – starting at 2pm every Sunday
See Eventbrite for more details
Tuesday 24th October 19:30
Leicester.
Rough Draft. The Y Theatre, 7 East Street, LE1 6EY (w3w = ///edgy.soil.camp)
Once a month (forth Tuesday) we hold our scratch nights, each artists getting fifteen minutes to share their work, be that script in hand or something more polished.
From gut-wrenching theatre to side-splitting comedy, melodic music to punchy poetry, and all those arty bits in between.
See Y Theatre’s website for further details
Wednesday 25th October 19:30
Stamford.
Pint of Poetry. The Gallery Bar at the Stamford Arts Centre, 27 St Mary’s Street, PE9 2DL (w3w = ///fame.slowly.surely)
Open mic Poetry & Spoken Word. Everyone welcome, free entry.
Regular event – Last Wednesday of every month.
See Stamford Arts Centre website for this and other events
Wednesday 25th October 20:00
Nottingham.
Open Mic. Crafty Crow, 102 Friar Lane, NG1 6EB (w3w = ///orchestra.pile.moment)
Music & Poetry
Weekly – starting at 8pm every Wednesday
See Eventbrite for more details
Thursday 26th October 13:00
Coventry.
Coventry Stanza. The Old Windmill, 21 Spon Street, CV1 3BA (w3w = ///exit.pizza.then)
Fourth Thursday of each month.
Email Emma: e.t.kemp@gmail.com for more details
Thursday 26th October 18:30
Leicester.
Word!. Attenborough Arts Centre, University of Leicester, Lancaster Road, LE1 7HA (w3w = ///melt.sharp.sticks)
With featured artists.
See Word Poetry’s website for this and other even
Thursday 26th October 19:00
Nottingham.
Poetry Scum. The Robin Hood Inn, Mansfield Rd, Sherwood, NG5 2FR (w3w = ///woof.feeds.aura)
Headliners and Open mic
Regular event – Last Thursday of each month.
See Poetry Scum’s Instagram Page for more details
Thursday 26th October 19:30
Cambridge.
Desperate Fleas. The Blue Moon. 2 Norfolk St, CB1 2LF (w3w = ///files.gloves.poet)
Mixed open mic: Comedy, Music, Spoken Word
Regular event – Last Thursday of every month.
Please be aware, the building is wheelchair accessible but unfortunately we do not have disabled toilets
See The Blue Moon’s website for this and other events
Thursday 26th October 19:30
Stamford.
Open Mic Night. Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre Lounge, Broad Street, PE9 1PX (w3w = ///stages.aims.drill)
Music & Spoken word – please email dbrawnsley@gmail.com to book a slot.
Wheelchair access via lifts. Disabled toilets
Free entry, See Stamford Corn Exchange’s website for more details
Friday 27th October 19:00
Hinckley.
Open mic night.
Rendezvous Hinckley, 119 Factory Road, LE10 0DP (w3w = ///trooper.exhales.heartache)
Music & spoken word – free for performers.
Tickets on the door or via Eventbrite
Friday 27th October 19:00
Leicester.
And Still I Rise Tour. 2FunkyMusic Cafe, 23A New Park Street, LE3 5NH (w3w = ///silly.knee.heats)
A selection of 12 artists from Black, African, & Caribbean ethnicities. Each artist has been commissioned to create ground-breaking performance pieces across music, poetry, & dance, which reflect and celebrate the vibrancy of black history and culture.
See Serendipity’s website for details of this and other events
Friday 27th October 19:00
Leicester.
Black Care Poetry Club with Lemn Sissay. De Montford University Performing Arts Centre, Richmond Street, LE2 7GZ (w3w = ///pounds.poem.panel)
Poetry from Lemm Sissay, John Bernard, Carol Leeming MBE and Ty’rone Haughton
See Eventbrite for more details
Friday 27th October 19:00
Leicester.
Friday Social Open Mic. The City Retreat, Church Gate, LE1 4AL (w3w = ///fixed.analogy.fines)
See Eventbrite for more details
Friday 27th October 19:30
Derby.
Word Wise. Dubrek Studios, 67 Bridge Street, DE1 3LB (w3w = ///jokes.cute.glad)
Monthy Event. Poetry, Spoken word and music.
Regular Event – last Friday of every month
See Word Wise’s Facebook page for more details
Saturday 28th October 13:00
Leicester.
Celebration Of Black Female Voices – “I Am Somebody” – Poetry Competition. African Caribbean Centre, Maidstone Road, LE2 0UA (w3w = ///career.reader.reply)
You are invited to join us to hear readings of some of the poems written for the ‘Celebration of Black Female Voice – I Am Somebody’, poetry competition.
See Serendipity’s website for details of this and other events
Saturday 28th October 14:00
Leicester.
We are the Headliners. Leicester Central Library, Bishop Street, LE1 6AA (w3w = ///solar.torn.spoken)
Spoken word event – Fourth Saturday of each month.
Hosted by Beltane Spring Fayre Group, phone 0116-270-4765 for more info
Sunday 29th October 13:00
Coventry.
Positive Images Poetry Workshops. Central Library, Smithford Way, CV1 1FY (w3w = ///laptop.ruler.fries)
Free workshops with Coventry Poet Laureate Emilie Lauren Jones
Usually the last Sunday of every month. Email: emilielaurenwriter@gmail.com for info
Sunday 29th October 14:00
Nottingham.
Open Mic. Hopkinson, 21 Station Street, NG2 3AJ (w3w = ///dive.pasta.uses)
Singing, Poetry, Comedy & unplugged music performances
Weekly – starting at 2pm every Sunday
See Eventbrite for more details