An anthology of Black Country poetry published by Offa’s Press and edited by Dave Reeves, Emma Purshouse and Simon Fletcher launches this evening at City Voices.  Come along and hear some of the fantastic poetry selected from the wealth of submissions made earlier in the year.

Part performance and part talk, this hour long event is a chance to hear Emma Purshouse share some of her work and entertain with anecdotes of her life as a professional writer

So, you’ve crafted your poem and it’s now ready to be shared.  Learn how to bring it to life in front of an audience at this FREE workshop led by Emma Purshouse and Dave Pitt of the Poets, Prattlers, and Pandemonialists Collective. Emma and Dave will help you learn techniques to improve delivery and increase confidence in front of an audience. Spaces on the workshop are limited so do book your place at Whitchurch Library or by email to blackberryfair@gmail.com.

Witness 15 poets battle live on stage to become the Blackberry Fair poetry slam champion of 2017.  The slam is compered/held together by the bootstraps by Midlands poets Steve Pottinger, Emma Purshouse and Dave Pitt.  Be prepared to cheer on your chosen champion.  Tickets £5 in advance from Whitchurch Civic Centre or by emailing blackberryfair@gmail.com

“The standard of performance is breathtaking, the judging impeccable, and the hosts Pitt, Purshouse and Pottinger bring just the right amount of chaos to proceedngs.  There are bell laughs aplenty.”  Write Out Loud review of Wolves Lit Fest Slam.

All eight Poetry on Loan postcard poets!

Poetry on Loan are sending Jonny Fluffypunk and Emma Purshouse out and about to write poems for the general public in Solihull.  If you’d like a poem come along to The Core Library between 10am and 1pm.

Spoken word brought to you by Poets, Prattlers, and Pandemonlialists. Featuring the the incredibe Gerry Potter. “…a world class performer at the height of his powers…” Jo Bell (former Director of the UK’s National Poetry Day). 

This is a pay as you feel event.  Come along and join us.

Support slot from Walsall’s own Paul McDonald.  6 open mic slots available in advance and 4 on the door (strictly five minutes, so please do time your poems).

Steve Pottinger and Emma Purshouse appear at The Reel, Kirwall, Orkney.  7.30pm.  Pay as you feel.

What happens when three mates who are also poets decide to work together to put on a show?

Join Dave, Emma, and Steve as they meet in a Black Country pub to plot their path to fame and fortune. Will they be distracted by beer and scratchings? Will they put the world to rights?

An evening of poetry like you’ve never seen before. May contain language.

Featuring Dave Pitt, Steve Pottinger and Emma Purshouse.

This show is part of the PBH Edinburgh Free Fringe.

Review…  “Tonight I have seen something extraordinary. A night of poetry which was fiercely engaging, infinitely accessible, loud, proud and bold about where it came from, but most importantly framed in a manner which gave space for the work to shine but kept the audience on the edge of their seats throughout; this wasn’t just poetry, it was storytelling, and most importantly it was theatre. Glorious theatre.

Dave, Steve and Emma you guys rock. Thank you for being awesome.”

Neil Reading, Director of Arena Theatre

Steve Pottinger and Emma Purshouse appear at Bojangles Bistro, Bridge Street, Appleby.  7.30pm  Thursday 3rd August 2017.