Archives for November 2023

Here’s the list of local events in December 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 December in case I’ve been able to add anything else, otherwise January 2024’s list will follow in due course.

For end of November 2023 events – https://scottcoe.co.uk/west-anglia-east-midlands-real-world-poetry-events-November-2023/

Friday 1st December 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 2nd December 11:00
Coventry.
A Poetic A to Z of Awesome Animals. Central Library, Smithford Way, CV1 1FY (w3w = ///laptop.ruler.fries)
Poetry performance and talk with former Coventry Poet Laureate Emilie Lauren Jones
See Coventry Libraries’ Facebook Page for more details

Sunday 3rd December 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

Sunday 3rd December 18:30
Cambridge.
CB1 Poetry. Town & Gown Pub & Theatre, 8 Market Passage, CB2 3PF (w3w = ///heave.rings.friday)
Poetry Open Mic.
1st Sunday of the month
Further details on CB1 Poetry’s Facebook page

Tuesday 5th December 18:00
Sleaford.
Sleaford Ivy Writers. The Ivy, 64 S Gate, NG34 7RL (w3w = ///slams.arrive.lofts)
Writing collective.
Regular event – First Tuesday of every month.
Places are limited, please bring £2 to cover room hire when attending – contact juliestreet62@gmail.com for more details

Tuesday 5th December 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 5th December 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 5th December 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 5th December 20:00
Lincoln.
Open Mic Night. The Dandy Lion. 3 Newland, LN1 1UX (w3w = ///moving.drain.funny)
Open Mic with host Gaz Clitheroe. Music, Comedy, Poetry & Spoken Word all welcome.
See Gaz Clitheroe’s Facebook page for this and other events

Tuesday 5th December 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 6th December 19:00
Northampton.
Hushed. The Lab. 95-97 Charles Street, NN1 3BG (w3w = ///bigger.zones.jelly)
Live music & spoken word performances.
See The Lab’s website for details of this and other events

Wednesday 6th December 19:00
Wisbech.
Wisbech Stanza. Wisbech Castle, The Crescent, PE13 1ES (w3w = ///union.reply.expel)
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
See Wisbech Stanza’s Facebook page for this and other events

Wednesday 6th December 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’ Facebook page for this and other events

Wednesday 6th December 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

Wednesday 6th December 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 7th December 19:30
Coventry.
Fire & Dust. LTB Showrooms, 1 Warwick Row, CV1 1EX (w3w = ///squad.trial.voices)
Featured artists plus open mic. NOTE – BRAND NEW VENUE
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 7th December 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

Thursday 7th December 19:30
Peterborough.
Peterborough Poet Laureate competition final. Boizot Lounge at The New Theatre, 46 Broadway, PE1 1RS (w3w = ///bunny.fried.rots)
Doors open at 6:45pm, with the competition starting promptly at 7:30pm. The event is free and open to the public.
See Syntax Poetry’s Facebook Page for further details

Thursday 7th December 20:00
Derby.
Open Mic. The Victoria Inn, 12 Midland Place, DE1 2RR (w3w = ///park.vibrates.phones)
Everyone is welcome, providing any kind of entertainment.
See Eventbrite for more details

Friday 8th December 18:30
Helpston.
Wintery Words. John Clare Cottage, Woodgate, PE6 7ED (w3w = ///swatted.tactical.swoop)
John Clare and other seasonal poetry in the cottage until 8pm, then carols next door at the Bluebell Inn.
All welcome – contact Scott Coe to get involved in the poetry
See Facebook event for more details

Saturday 9th December 10:30
Stamford.
Poetry in the Gallery. The Gallery Bar at the Stamford Arts Centre, 27 St Mary’s Street, PE9 2DL (w3w = ///fame.slowly.surely)
2nd Saturday in December & January (In place of Poetry at Walkers)
Bring your favourite poems – classics or modern. Everyone welcome. Free entry. Poetry at Walkers will return in February 2024.
See Stamford Arts Centre website for this and other events

Saturday 9th December 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 10th December 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 11th December 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 12th December 19:00
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 12th December 19:00
Nottingham.
Not Bad for a Fiver, with Henry Normal and Cathy Grindrod. Five Leaves Bookshop, 14a Long Row, NG1 2DH (w3w = ///mini.tonic.bubble)
See Five Leaves website for more details of this and other events

Wednesday 13th December 18:30
Lincoln.
The Lincoln Sloth Storytelling Event. MB0312 Co-Op Lecture Theatre, Minerva Building, University of Lincoln Campus, LN6 7TS (w3w = ///stores.activism.buzz)
Supporting the international refugee poetry network – open to all.
See Sloth Event’s Instagram Page for further details

Wednesday 13th December 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 13th December 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 14th December 14:00
Huntingdon.
Open Mic Poetry Event. Commemoration Hall, 39 High Street, PE29 3AQ (w3w = ///escalated.tank.landowner)
Free entry.
See Commemoration Hall’s website for details of this and other events

Thursday 14th December 19:00
Nottingham.
Poetry Scum. The Robin Hood Inn, Mansfield Rd, Sherwood, NG5 2FR (w3w = ///woof.feeds.aura)
Headliners and Open mic
See Poetry Scum’s Instagram Page for more details

Thursday 14th December 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 14th December 19:30
Northampton.
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

Friday 15th December 18:00
Nottingham.
Antechamber – prose and poetry from the University of Nottingham. Five Leaves Bookshop, 14a Long Row, NG1 2DH (w3w = ///mini.tonic.bubble)
See Five Leaves website for more details of this and other events

Friday 15th December 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 15th December 19:30
Derby.
Word Wise. Dubrek Studios, 67 Bridge Street, DE1 3LB (w3w = ///jokes.cute.glad)
Monthy Event. Poetry, Spoken word and music.
See Word Wise’s Facebook page for more details

Saturday 16th December 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 Coventry Poet Laureate John Bernard.
See Spark Writers’ website for further details of this and for other events in other areas

Sunday 17th December 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 18th December 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 18th December 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 18th December 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 19th December 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 20th December 17:30
Nottingham.
Poetry Kitchen. Hopkinson, 21 Station Street, NG2 3AJ (w3w = ///dive.pasta.uses)
This free event is an Open Mic and platform for the local creative community to come together share their art, and connect with other like-minded folk.
See Eventbrite for more details

Wednesday 20th December 19:30
Ely.
Fen Speak. Babylon Gallery, Waterside, CB7 4AU (w3w = ///dark.bonfires.rush)
Poetry & spoken word open mic.
Free entry – donations welcome. Cash bar.
See Fen Speak’s Facebook page for further details

Wednesday 20th December 19:30
Stratford-upon-Avon.
Stratford-upon-Avon Stanza.
Methodist Hall, Trinity Close, Old Town, CV37 6BG (w3w = ///curry.mouth.exists)
Third Wednesday of each month, starting promptly at 7.30pm. Everyone welcome.
Contact connie.bott@mac.com to sign up and further event details

Wednesday 20th December 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 21st December 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 21st December 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

Thursday 21st December 20:00
Northampton.
The Good Vibes. The Lab. 95-97 Charles Street, NN1 3BG (w3w = ///bigger.zones.jelly)
Music & Spoken word open mic. Monthly event (3rd Thursday) – free entry
See The Lab’s website for details of this and other events

Saturday 23rd December 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

Thursday 28th December 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

Friday 28th December 19:00
Nottingham.
Dandelions poetry, with Charlie Baylis and open mic. Five Leaves Bookshop, 14a Long Row, NG1 2DH (w3w = ///mini.tonic.bubble)
See Five Leaves website for more details of this and other events

Thursday 28th December 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 28th December 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 – Usually the last Wednesday of every month – will be on last Thursday in December.
See Stamford Arts Centre website for this and other events

Sunday 31st December 13:00
Coventry.
Positive Images Poetry Workshops. Central Library, Smithford Way, CV1 1FY (w3w = ///laptop.ruler.fries)
Free workshops with former Coventry Poet Laureate Emilie Lauren Jones
Usually the last Sunday of every month. Email: emilielaurenwriter@gmail.com for info

Sunday 31st December 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