Some February news etc.

Stuff I'm doing and other things that caught my attention

February 15, 2024

Hello folks

The third Thursday in February has rather snuck up on me. I mean, it hasn’t really snuck up on me, I have a reminder in my calendar. I’ve just had a mental block that the 15th is the third, rather than the second, Thursday. Must be that leap day playing havoc. Hopefully I can hit send before Friday ticks round…

Let’s go!

Some thoughts on… political posters

In case you didn’t know, my political allegiance is firmly on the left. I’ve always thought of left-wing politics as the place where we stand for justice and equality for all. Regardless of how wealthy or well connected your parents might have been, we stand for a society where we look out for each other. Maybe that’s still the case. I hope so.

I’ve been thinking about how artists shape the discourse in uncertain times. How we might share the messages that matter to us. I came across the work of the designer-activist David King (1943-2016) who created instantly recognisable political posters (via Paula Scher’s BBC Maestro course on Graphic Design). It got me thinking about how graphic designers are speaking out against injustice.

Some places to catch me, if you can…

I’m keeping some excellent company over the next few weeks. Click the links for details of how to book.

  • In the Company of Poems. The Poetry Exchange’s unique live-streamed event. Wednesday 21 February, 7pm GMT (online)

This is your chance to hear some of the best voices of today reading some of the world’s greatest poems. The line-up of readers includes award winning actress Julie Hesmondhalgh and acclaimed poets and writers Roy McFarlane, Degna Stone, Hannah Jane Walker and Gregory Leadbetter, alongside Poetry Exchange podcast hosts, Fiona Bennett and Michael Shaeffer.

  • Out-Spoken with poets Kit Fan and Jason Allen-Paisant, and music from Emmeline and Jack Flash. Southbank Centre, London. Thursday 29 February, 7.45 GMT (in person)

Out-Spoken is London's premier evening of poetry and live music. Each month we celebrate diversity in voice and performance with a stellar line-up of the hottest UK poets alongside a line-up of world-class musicians.

Each gig is hosted by Joelle Taylor, with Sam 'Junior' Bromfield spinning the best in reggae, soul and R&B during the night. Out-Spoken Live is held at The Purcell Room, Southbank Centre.

  • An Evening of Music and Musing. With Julie Grant, Peter Collard, Ann Porro, Steve Urwin, Jenni Pascoe, Lewis Brown and Jeff Price. Saturday 23 March, 7pm GMT (in person)

A song is a poem, a poem is a song; a vehicle of observation, reflection, and thought, a way for the outsider to speak and be heard. We offer you an evening of music and musing to entertain and provoke, enchant and surprise, but most of all to connect. Bring your attention and your curiosity because the magic will happen in the borderland between performer and audience. Musician Julie Grant, who has shared stages with Sinead O’Connor, and the Cranberries, plays an acoustic set accompanied by Peter Collard. She is joined by six poets, as different from each other as they are true to the purpose of poetry: to open up overlooked worlds and invite you in. A gig is a gig is a gig, until it’s something different!

Something else that caught my attention…

As ever, here’s something I feel glad to have stumbled across or something that has surprised me in some way. This month it’s a seventy-odd year old short story called The Lottery by Shirley Jackson.

I’ve signed up to a short fiction masterclass with Leone Ross and one of the assignments is to read a bunch of short stories. This one stopped me in my tracks.

I recommend listening to the audio version on The New Yorker website (it’s behind a paywall but you can access three articles for free without a subscription). Click here to listen to The Lottery.

Be warned though. It’s not a happy story but it is excellent.

That’s all from me for now. Thanks for reading.

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