Happy New Year!
Here’s the list of local events in January 2025. 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 the month in case I’ve been able to add anything else, otherwise February’s list will follow in due course.
For end of December 2024 events – https://scottcoe.co.uk/west-anglia-east-midlands-real-world-poetry-events-december-2024/
Thursday 2nd 19:30
Coventry.
Fire & Dust. LTB Showrooms, 1 Warwick Row, CV1 1EX (w3w = ///squad.trial.voices)
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 Here Comes Everyone magazine on Eventbrite for more details
Friday 3rd 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 – First Friday of the Month.
See Speech Therapy’s Instagram Page for more details, or on their Facebook page
Saturday 4th 11:00
Spalding.
Shake off the blues: White Horse Creative Circle’s Informal Meet-up. Bookmark, 18-20 The Crescent, PE11 1AF (w3w = ///volume.pump.asleep)
Meet-up, chat and share
See White Horse Creative Circle’s’s Facebook page for this and other events
Sunday 5th 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
Monday 6th 19:00
Derby.
Monday Musings Spoken Word. Dubrek Studios, 67 Bridge Street, DE1 3LB (w3w = ///jokes.cute.glad)
Spoken Word & Open Mic
Every 1st Monday
See Connecting Creatives Derby’s Instagram Page for further details
Tuesday 7th 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 7th 19:00
Nottingham.
Poetry Night. The Organ Grinder, 21 Alfreton Road, NG7 3JE (w3w = ///flown.brass.speaks)
Open mic with guest speakers.
Regular event – First Tuesday of every month.
See Openbook’s website for more details of this and other events
Tuesday 7th 19:30
Litchfield.
Poetry Alight. Duke of York, 23/25 Greenhill, WS13 6DY (w3w = ///ends.mimic.recall)
Open mic with guest speakers.
1st Tuesdays on the following months in 2024: 2nd July, 17th Sept, 12th Nov & 2nd Dec.
See The Lichfield Poets Facebook page for more details
Tuesday 7th 20:00
Bedford.
Ouse Muse. Eagle Bookshop, 16-20 St Peters Street, MK40 2NN (w3w = ///wisdom.plug.shiny)
Featured artists plus open mic.
Regular event – First Tuesday of every month.
See Ouse Muse’s Facebook page for further details
Wednesday 8th 19:00
Lincoln.
The Secret Poets Society. The Komodo, Butchery Court, Butchery Ct, Alleyway, LN2 1JJ (w3w = ///rooms.maker.beast)
Spoken Word evening hosted by November Carter
See The Komodo Lincoln’s Instagram page for this and other events
Wednesday 8th 19:00
Stamford.
Rhymes on the rocks. Spirits of Stamford. 11 St Paul’s Street, PE9 2BE (w3w = ///usual.wizard.loss)
Poetry Open Mic
Regular event – Second Wednesday of every month
See Rhymes on the rocks’ Facebook page for further details
Wednesday 8th 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 8th 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 8th 19:30
Nottingham.
Free Minds – 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 Free Minds Poetry’s Instagram page for more details
Thursday 9th 18:30
Lincoln.
Sofa Sessions. STACK Lincoln, 151 High St, LN5 7AA (w3w = ///random.horns.tune)
Open Mic night. Singers, Music, Comedy, Poetry & Spoken word.
Weekly, every Thursday.
See STACK Lincoln’s Facebook page for further details
Thursday 9th 19:00
Derby.
Real Talk Spoken Word. Dubrek Studios, 67 Bridge Street, DE1 3LB (w3w = ///jokes.cute.glad)
Featured artists plus Open Mic
Every 2nd Thursday
See Real Talk Spoken Word’s Instagram Page for further details
Thursday 9th 19:00
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 9th 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
Thursday 9th 20:00
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 Run Your Tongue on Eventbrite for more details
Thursday 9th 20:00
Lincoln.
Open Mic Night. The Dog and Bone. 10 John Street, LN2 5BH (w3w = ///talked.using.items)
Open Mic with host Gaz Clitheroe. Music, Comedy, Poetry & Spoken Word all welcome.
Regular event – Second Thursday of every month.
See Dog and Bone’s Facebook page for this and other events
Friday 10th 19:00
Lincoln.
SpeakEasy @ The Green Room. 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.
Usually 2nd Friday of every month
See SpeakEasy @ The Green Room’s Facebook page for this and future events, or on their Instagram page
Saturday 11th 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
Monday 13th 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
Grantham’s Poetry Open Mic is now 2nd Tuesday of every month.
However, there’s no event in January and so they’ll be returning in February on Tuesday 11th at 19:30.
At The Lord Harrowby, 65 Dudley Road, NG31 9AB (w3w = ///pets.puzzle.sounds)
Tuesday 14th 19:30
Lincoln.
Wordsmiths. BeerHeadZ, 4 Eastgate, LN2 1QA (w3w = ///safely.onions.reward)
An evening of poetry and spoken word
2nd Tuesday of every month.
See BeerHeadZ Lincoln’s Facebook page for further details
Tuesday 14th 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
Tuesday 14th 19:30
Stony Stratford.
Scribal Gathering. Upstairs at The Crown, Market Square, MK11 1BE (w3w = ///unheated.indoor.trifle)
Music and Spoken Word Open Mic, plus featured performers
Regular event – Second Tuesday of every month
See Scribal Gathering’s Facebook page for further details
Wednesday 15th 19:30
Biggleswade.
A Way With Words. The BIGG Theatre Bar, 36 High Street, SG18 0JL (w3w = ///powerful.adverbs.outbursts)
Open minded spoken word and poetry open mic night – every third Wednesday of the month
Turn up on the night, sign up and connect with emerging writers, artists and poets in this relaxed and inclusive open mic night.
Fully accessible
See The BIGG Theatre’s website for more details of this and other events
Thursday 16th 18:30
Lincoln.
Sofa Sessions. STACK Lincoln, 151 High St, LN5 7AA (w3w = ///random.horns.tune)
Open Mic night. Singers, Music, Comedy, Poetry & Spoken word.
Weekly, every Thursday.
See STACK Lincoln’s Facebook page for further details
Thursday 16th 19:00
Nottingham.
Gobs Collective Winter Warm-up. The Embankment Pub, 282-284 Arkwright St, NG2 2GR (w3w = ///proof.decay.milky)
Totally free, all welcome, all we ask is that you RSVP (and please let us know if you can no longer make it) by Friday 10th January.
See GOBS Collective’s website for further details
Thursday 16th 19:30
Nottingham.
Full Circle. The Cock and Hoop, High Pavement, NG1 1HN (w3w = ///option.fish.fuzzy)
Poetry Open Mic, usually every 3rd Thursday
See Notts Poetry’s Instagram Page for more details
Thursday 16th 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
Friday 17th 19:00
Leicester.
Some Antics. Phoenix Cinema & Arts Centre, Midland Street, Phoenix Square, LE1 1TG (w3w = ///bands.drip.onion)
Featured artists plus Spoken Word Slam – 2024 Championship Final
See Some Antics Facebook page for event post with cost and to sign up for slots. Also for future dates.
Monday 20th 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 (Except April & Sept 2025).
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 20th 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 21st 18:00
Peterborough.
Peterborough Stanza – Performance Group. Room 014, University Centre Peterborough, Peterborough Regional College, Park Crecent, PE1 4DZ (w3w = ///mouse.crate.festivity)
Supported by UCP, the Stanza will run two groups (Publication & Performance) per month in Room 014.
Tuesdays between 6 & 8pm
Performance workshops (announced so far) 2025: Jan 21st, Feb 25th, Mar 18th, Apr 22nd, May 20th & Jun 16th.
See Peterborough Stanza’s Instagram for more details, or their Facebook profile
Tuesday 21st 18:30
Ely.
Brilliant Beginnings Writing Workshop. The Yard by Sliver Oak, 35A Newnham Street, CB7 4PG (w3w = ///rebirth.busters.relished)
See Artemis Writers’ Facebook page for more details
Tuesday 21st 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
Tuesday 21st 19:30
Leicester.
Pinggg…K! The Y Theatre, 7 East Street, LE1 6EY (w3w = ///edgy.soil.camp)
Once a month (3rd Tuesday) free spoken word. Open mic & featured artists.
See Pinggg…K’s Facebook page for further details
Tuesday 21st 19:30
Leamington Spa.
An evening of Crowley’s tales. Temperance, 33 Bath Street, CV31 3AF (w3w = ///wash.free.flying)
Jason Buck presents an evening of short stories, written by, and inspired by the infamous British occultist Aleister Crowley.
See Jason Buck’s Eventbrite page for more details
Wednesday 22nd 13:00
Cavenham.
Winter Writing Workshop. Porter’s Lodge, Icknield way, IP28 6DB (w3w = ///exotic.dreams.gagging)
With writer in Residence, Ann Kronbergs.
Duration: 3 hours 15 minutes (1:00-4:15pm)
Free parking on site.
See the Porter’s Lodge website for details and booking link
Wednesday 22nd 19:00
Nottingham.
Adventures in Poetry: Alan Baker and Carrie Etter. Five Leaves Bookshop, 14a Long Row, NG1 2DH (w3w = ///mini.tonic.bubble)
Poetry reading.
See Five Leaves website for more details of this and other events
Thursday 23rd 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 23rd 14:00
Huntingdon.
Adult Poetry Workshop. Commemoration Hall, 39 High Street, PE29 3AQ (w3w = ///escalated.tank.landowner)
With Julie Stevens
See Commemoration Hall’s website for details of this and other events
Thursday 23rd 18:30
Lincoln.
Sofa Sessions. STACK Lincoln, 151 High St, LN5 7AA (w3w = ///random.horns.tune)
Open Mic night. Singers, Music, Comedy, Poetry & Spoken word.
Weekly, every Thursday.
See STACK Lincoln’s Facebook page for further details
Thursday 23rd 19:00
Stamford.
Community Open Mic. Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre Lounge, Broad Street, PE9 1PX (w3w = ///stages.aims.drill)
Mixed open mic: Music/Spoken Word/Comedy
Contact dbrawnsley@gmail.com for more details/to book a slot
See Stamford Corn Exchange’s website for details of this and other events
Friday 24th 19:30
Wisbech.
Wisbech Stanza’s Poetry Open Mic. Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House, 7 South Brink, PE13 1JB (w3w = ///toasters.jetted.cosmic)
Sign up on the night
Contact wisbechstanzagroup@gmail.com to sign up and further event details
See Wisbech Stanza’s Facebook page for this and other events
Friday 24th 19:30
Bourne.
An Evening of Spoken Word with Georgie Jones. The Old Town Hall, North Street, PE10 9EA (w3w = ///shower.competing.charmingly)
Plus a limited number of open mic slots
See The Old Town Hall’s website for tickets & more details of this and other events
Saturday 25th 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 26th 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
Leicester.
Sadly it would seem (due to unforeseen circumstances), that Bodacious Poetry Sundays at the Omi Bar has come to an end.
However, suggest you follow/keep an eye on Carol Leeming’s Instagram Page for any new events coming soon.
Tuesday 28th 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 29th 19:00
Peterborough.
Good Shout Spoken Word presents Attila the Stockbroker. Here We Aren’t, 18 Godric Square, PE2 7JL (w3w = ///modest.hats.worked)
Featuring Adi Surridge & Dave Horgan
Further details on Good Shout Spoken Word’s Facebook page
Wednesday 29th 19:00
Nottingham.
Poetry from Andrew Taylor and Linda Kemp. Five Leaves Bookshop, 14a Long Row, NG1 2DH (w3w = ///mini.tonic.bubble)
Poetry reading.
See Five Leaves website for more details of this and other events
Wednesday 29th 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 last Wednesday of every month.
See Stamford Arts Centre website for this and other events
Thursday 30th 18:30
Lincoln.
Sofa Sessions. STACK Lincoln, 151 High St, LN5 7AA (w3w = ///random.horns.tune)
Open Mic night. Singers, Music, Comedy, Poetry & Spoken word.
Weekly, every Thursday.
See STACK Lincoln’s Facebook page for further details
Thursday 30th 19:00
Nottingham.
Poetry Scum. The Robin Hood Inn, Mansfield Rd, Sherwood, NG5 2FR (w3w = ///woof.feeds.aura)
Headliners and Open mic
(Usually Last Thursday of the month, moved due to Christmas)
See Poetry Scum’s Instagram Page for more details
Thursday 30th 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
POSTPONED WHILST THE EVENT SEEKS A NEW VENUE
Bourne.
Thirsty For Words. The Nag’s Head, 2 Abbey Rd, PE10 9EF (w3w = ///fuzz.cabinet.poem)
Poetry Open Mic.
Regular event – Last Thursday of every month.
See The Nag’s Head Bourne’s Facebook page for more details
Friday 31st 18:30 (Date has changed from Thursday)
Spalding.
White Horse Creative Circle Open Mic. Sergi’s Tapas Bar, 10/11 Francis Street, PE11 1AT (w3w = ///goat.charm.those)
See White Horse Creative Circle’s’s Facebook page for this and other events
Friday 31st 19:00
Rushden.
Rushden Rhymes. Scribble Studio, (Via passageway between 6 & 8) Church St, NN10 9YT (w3w = ///sues.producers.wool)
Open mic poetry with host Jazmine Cartwright.
7pm to 9pm – Last Friday of the month
See Jazmine Cartwright’s Instagram Page for further details
Friday 31st 19:30
Derby.
Word Wise. Dubrek Studios, 67 Bridge Street, DE1 3LB (w3w = ///jokes.cute.glad)
Monthly Event. Poetry, Spoken word and music.
Regular Event – last Friday of every month
See Word Wise’s Facebook page for more details
Whilst you’re here, why not check out my 2024 Spoken Word Spotlight round-up. Features a more in depth look at 8 regular events (7 across the region, plus 1 in London), plus updates to changes since I first wrote each article.
