Southwark Libraries Rhyme and Reason 2017
Southwark Libraries presents Rhyme and Reason 2017
Southwark Libraries presents Rhyme and Reason 2017Rhyme and Reason 2017 is a celebration of poetry and music, taking place in libraries and other venues across Southwark in June 2017. The majority of events are absolutely free, but please note that some events – whether free or charged – may require advance booking to guarantee your place. Please check the event description for details.
The majority of Rhyme and Reason events are absolutely free, but please note that some events, whether free or charged, may require advance booking to guarantee your place. Please check the event description for details.
[textmarker color=”D6F1FF”]Canada Water Library [/textmarker][textmarker color=”CFFFD0″]John Harvard Library[/textmarker][textmarker color=”E7D6FF”]Blue Anchor Library[/textmarker] and other venues
Listings
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Dybbuk: Momus as David Bowie
Thursday 1 June 2017, 7.30pm to 9pm
[list][item icon=”fa-map-marker” ]Canada Water Library, 21 Surrey Quays Road, SE16 7AR[/item][/list]
A dybbuk is a capturer of spirits, a stealer of souls. Momus – a Scottish singer-songwriter who lives in Osaka – had his soul stolen at the age of 12 by David Bowie. In acknowledgement of this fact, and in tribute to his hero, Momus has been performing this Bowie cabaret since 2014. Bowie himself approved of and promoted the cabaret on the official David Bowie website.
Accompanied by video of Bowie’s many imitators – the almost-Bowies, the wannabes – the show focuses on lesser-known moments in the singer’s career: demos, Brel and Brecht infused songs, early material, symphonic tone poems, Eno-esque experiments. Failure is inevitable: Momus is not David Bowie. But perhaps even someone trying and failing to be David Bowie in public might be moving: a collective, generational statement of this man’s importance to us, his uniqueness as perhaps the coolest British person ever to have existed, his tragic yet wonderful irreplaceability.
[button link=”http://imomus.com/” size=“default” icon=”fa-globe” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”b70900″ textcolor=”ffffff”]www.imomus.com[/button]
Suitable for adults. Tickets £4
[button link=”https://www.eventbrite.com/o/southwark-libraries-10895295913″ size=“large” icon=”fa-ticket” side=”left” target=“blank” color=”a8b7a3″ textcolor=”ffffff”]Tickets available here[/button]
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Revolting Rhymes day
Revolting Rhymes daySaturday 3 June 2017 at various times
[list][item icon=”fa-map-marker” ]All Southwark libraries[/item][/list]
In Southwark Libraries annual celebration of Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes, you’ll get a chance to create and illustrate your own hilarious verse – no previous rhyming experience necessary. By the
end of the session you will have created your own disgusting masterpiece.
Check your local library or visit www.southwark.gov.uk/libraries for full details.
Suitable for families. FREE, no advance booking required.
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“Virtuosos” film screenings
Every Monday in June 2017 (5, 12, 19, 26 June), 1.30pm to 3.30pm
[list][item icon=”fa-map-marker” ]Dulwich Library, 368 Lordship Lane, SE22 8NB [/item][/list]
The Dulwich Library Film Club will be screening feature films with the theme of musical “virtuosos” every Monday afternoon in June. Each film focuses on the extraordinary story of an individual pianist, cellist, saxophonist or trumpeter – all based on the lives of real-life musicians.
Suitable for ages 15 and over. FREE, no advance booking required.
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Bardic walk: Rotherhithe
Tuesday 6 June 2017, 2pm to 4pm
[list][item icon=”fa-map-marker” ]Canada Water Library, 21 Surrey Quays Road, SE16 7AR[/item][/list]
Join Wes White, Elder Bard of Glastonbury, for a poetical journey around Rotherhithe!
The walking tour’s sights will include the Thames-side statue commemorating the Pilgrim Fathers, the tomb of Prince Lee Boo and the Norwegian Seamen’s Church. Live readings will include poems by Carol Ann Duffy and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
Suitable for ages 15 and over.FREE, no advance booking required.
Meet at Canada Water Library – please come prepared for outdoor conditions with appropriate footwear.
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Newington Library poetry group
Tuesday 6 June 2017, 6.30pm to 8pm
[list][item icon=”fa-map-marker”]Newington Temporary Library, 2nd Floor The Artworks Elephant, Elephant Road, SE17 1AY[/item][/list]
Join this regular poetry group, meeting the first Tuesday of every month.
All welcome. Suitable for adults.
FREE, no advance booking required.
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Richard Watkins: It’s hard to be a human
Richard Watkins: It’s hard to be a humanWednesday 7 June 2016, 7pm to 8.15pm
[list][item icon=”fa-map-marker”]Camberwell Library, 48 Camberwell Green, SE5 7AL[/item][/list]
Richard Watkins is a Camberwell based poet whose recent collection It’s Hard To Be A Human takes on big ideas of what it means to be human but always remains easy to digest, packed with simple powerful metaphors and the pure pleasure of rhyme. His collaborations include working with Göksu Gül and Ben Weldon on #AllsWellWall, a 30 foot recreation of the Camberwell coat of arms.
[button link=”http://www.richwatkins.com/” size=“default” icon=”fa-globe” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”b70900″ textcolor=”ffffff”]www.richwatkins.com[/button]
Suitable for adults. FREE – but advance booking is recommended
[button link=”https://www.eventbrite.com/o/southwark-libraries-10895295913″ size=“large” icon=”fa-ticket” side=”left” target=“blank” color=”a8b7a3″ textcolor=”ffffff”]Tickets available here[/button]
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Too cold for poets to sing: the life of Una Marson
Too cold for poets to sing: the life of Una MarsonThursday 8 June 2017, 7pm to 8.30pm
[list][item icon=”fa-map-marker” ]Peckham Library, 122 Peckham Hill Street, SE15 5JR[/item][/list]
Una Marson (1905–1965) was a Jamaican poet, playwright, campaigner for equality, and the first Black woman programme maker at the BBC. Historian S.I. Martin and poet Patricia Foster bring Una’s story to life in this illustrated talk looking at her Southwark connections and her pioneering radio work. Her own poetry retains its power and relevance, highlighting the racism she encountered in 1930s Britain and in poems such as Kinky Hair Blues and Black is Fancy, celebrating a Black beauty aesthetic to counter the relentless media promotion of Eurocentric beauty ideals.
Suitable for adults. FREE – but advance booking is recommended
[button link=”https://www.eventbrite.com/o/southwark-libraries-10895295913″ size=“large” icon=”fa-ticket” side=”left” target=“blank” color=”a8b7a3″ textcolor=”ffffff”]Tickets available here[/button]
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Ben Okri
Monday 12 June 2017, 7pm to 8.15pm
[list][item icon=”fa-map-marker” ]Canada Water Library, 21 Surrey Quays Road, SE16 7AR[/item][/list]
Ben Okri’s many books include The Famished Road, which won the Booker Prize in 1991. He has published ten novels, three books of short stories, two collections of essays, and three volumes of poems, the most recent being Wild. Ben will be reading from all three of these volumes. He will also be talking about his career and influences, and there will be an audience Q&A. Ben was born in Nigeria, and lives in London. He is a vice-president of the English Centre of PEN International and an honorary fellow of Mansfield College, Oxford. Suitable for adults.
FREE – but advance booking is essential
[button link=”https://www.eventbrite.com/o/southwark-libraries-10895295913″ size=“large” icon=”fa-ticket” side=”left” target=“blank” color=”a8b7a3″ textcolor=”ffffff”]Tickets available here[/button]
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Chill Pill
Chill PillThursday 15 June 2017, 7.30pm (doors)
[list][item icon=”fa-map-marker” ]Canada Water Library, 21 Surrey Quays Road, SE16 7AR[/item][/list]
Join the Chill Pill collective and a special poetry and music festival-inspired line up for a summertime dose of everyone’s favourite spoken word night. One of the UKs leading poetry collectives. Arrive early to sign up for open mic slots.
Suitable for 16+.
Tickets £7 via: Box Office 020 8692 4446 www.canadawaterculturespace.org.uk
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Simon Armitage
Friday 16 June 2017, 2.30pm to 3.30pm
[list][item icon=”fa-map-marker” ]Dulwich Library, 368 Lordship Lane, SE22 8NB [/item][/list]
Simon Armitage is an acclaimed poet, playwright, novelist, lyricist and broadcaster, who also writes extensively for television, radio and theatre. Simon will be reading from his new collection of poetry The Unaccompanied, which documents a world on the brink, and from Paper Aeroplane: Selected Poems 1989-2014. Simon has won numerous awards and accolades for his work including a prestigious Ivor Novello Award.
[button link=”http://www.simonarmitage.com/gallery/” size=“default” icon=”fa-globe” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”b70900″ textcolor=”ffffff”]Simon Armitage Official Website[/button]
Suitable for adults. FREE – but advance booking is essential
[button link=”https://www.eventbrite.com/o/southwark-libraries-10895295913″ size=“large” icon=”fa-ticket” side=”left” target=“blank” color=”a8b7a3″ textcolor=”ffffff”]Tickets available here[/button]
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Dulwich Library poetry group
Tuesday 20 June 2017, 4pm to 5.30pm
[list][item icon=”fa-map-marker” ]Dulwich Library, 368 Lordship Lane, SE22 8NB [/item][/list]
Join our regular poetry at Dulwich Library, meeting the third Tuesday of every Month. All welcome.
Suitable for adults. FREE, no advance booking required.
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Poetry open mic night
Tuesday 20 June 2017, 7pm to 8.30pm
[list][item icon=”fa-map-marker” ]The Trunk, Unit 2, The Artworks Elephant, Elephant Road, SE17 1AY [/item][/list]
A friendly and informal evening of spoken poetry at The Trunk in The Artworks Elephant. Read out a favourite poem, or one you’ve written yourself, and enjoy hearing the poems that other people love. All welcome, whether to participate or just to listen, in this great gallery space in the heart of Elephant and Castle.
Suitable for adults. FREE, no advance booking required.
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Bardic walk: Bermondsey
Wednesday 21 June 2017, 2pm to 4pm
[list][item icon=”fa-map-marker” ]Blue Anchor Library, Market Place, Southwark Park Road, SE16 3UQ[/item][/list]
Join Wes White, Elder Bard of Glastonbury for a poetical journey around Bermondsey. This walking tour will include a Chinese poem at St James’s Church with its golden dragon weather vane, a visit to Southwark Park for some celebratory nature poems about trees, and a stop at the site of the old Peek Freans biscuit factory, for an Ode to Biscuits. Please bring along your favourite biscuit for this part of the tour.
Suitable for ages 15 and over. FREE, no advance booking required.
Meet at Blue Anchor Library – please come prepared for outdoor conditions with appropriate footwear.
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Polly Paulusma
Wednesday 21 June 2017, 7pm to 8.15pm
[list][item icon=”fa-map-marker” ]Dulwich Library, 368 Lordship Lane, SE22 8NB [/item][/list]
One moment in 2003, Polly was happily putting the finishing touches to her shed-recorded debut Scissors in my Pocket, and the next, she was signed up to Bjork’s label One Little Indian and catapulted around the world for six years supporting Bob Dylan, Jamie Cullum, Joseph Arthur, Coldplay and many others. She founded the Wild Sound record label to release her third, life-affirming album Leaves from the Family Tree and the label now boasts nine artists. She is currently working on a PhD on folksong in literature, and for this special evening at Dulwich Library Polly will be looking at the connections between the work of Angela Carter and old English folk songs, as well as playing her own amazing material. Suitable for adults. FREE – but advance booking is essential
[button link=”http://www.pollypaulusma.com/” size=“default” icon=”fa-globe” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”b70900″ textcolor=”ffffff”]www.pollypaulusma.com[/button]
[button link=”https://www.eventbrite.com/o/southwark-libraries-10895295913″ size=“large” icon=”fa-ticket” side=”left” target=“blank” color=”a8b7a3″ textcolor=”ffffff”]Tickets available here[/button]
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Six go solo
Thursday 22 June 2017, 7.30pm onwards
[list][item icon=”fa-map-marker” ]John Harvard Library, 211 Borough High Street, SE1 1JA[/item][/list]
Six talented singer/songwriters will be performing solo sets at John Harvard Library, with a coffee shop and bar provided by Mousetail Coffee Stories.
James McArthur is a Welsh-born folk singer/songwriter whose debut album. Strange Readings From The Weather Station was met with much well- deserved attention from the likes of Uncut, Prog and Record Collector. Now comes Burnt Moth assisted in the making by Joel Magill of the brilliant Syd Arthur.
Tom Wing is known for his time in garage pop group The Teamsters, but on this occasion he’ll be performing tracks he’s recently written since the band’s hiatus.
Ese Okorodudu plays in electric soul trio Ese and The Vooduu People. Expect a laid back intimate sound, with a soul-searching vocal.
Yinka Oyewole is frontman for Elephant and Castle based rock group Sabatta, whose powerful marriage of rock, grunge and soul conjures up echoes of Sly and the Family Stone and the Stooges.
Ell Phillips marries confessional lyrics with delicate guitar picking to form her own take on folk/Americana.
Mike Bissett, ever the prankster, describes his music as: “Heavy Metal R’n’B odes to bondage, bad jokes and existential malaise. Pop music for smart arses.”
There’ll also be a special spotlight section on the night for local singer/songwriters – please email southwark.libraries@southwark.gov.uk if you’d like to be considered for this.
Suitable for ages 18 and over.
FREE, no advance booking required.
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Julia Donaldson day
Saturday 24 June 2017, various times
All Southwark libraries
Julia Donaldson’s wonderful picture books feature some of the catchiest rhymes and songs in children’s literature. Join us on Saturday 24 June as every Southwark library celebrates Julia’s work with story sessions, craft activities and sing-a-longs.
Why not come in fancy dress as one of your favourite Julia Donaldson characters?And if you’re a fan of The Gruffalo and live near John Harvard Library you might just catch a glimpse of a very special – orange-eyed – guest at around 10:30am, while fans near Dulwich Library should keep a sharp lookout around 2pm.
Check your local library or visit www.southwark.gov.uk/libraries for full details.
Suitable for families. FREE, no advance booking required.
[button link=”http://www.juliadonaldson.co.uk/” size=“default” icon=”fa-globe” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”b70900″ textcolor=”ffffff”]www.juliadonaldson.co.uk[/button]
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Greatest Hits: Laura Barnett and Kathryn Williams
Greatest Hits: Laura Barnett and Kathryn WilliamsMonday 26 June 2017, 7pm to 8.15pm
[list][item icon=”fa-map-marker” ]Canada Water Library, 21 Surrey Quays Road, SE16 7AR[/item][/list]
Author of the bestselling The Versions of Us, Laura Barnett talks about her new novel Greatest Hits, the story of a former 70s rock star. She will be joined by Mercury Music Prize nominee Kathryn Williams who has collaborated with Laura to create a brand new album that accompanies the book. Kathryn will perform a series of songs inspired by the novel which capture the main character’s life and feelings.
[button link=”http://www.laura-barnett.co.uk/” size=“default” icon=”fa-globe” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”b70900″ textcolor=”ffffff”]www.laura-barnett.co.uk[/button]
[button link=”http://kathrynwilliams.co.uk” size=“default” icon=”fa-globe” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”b70900″ textcolor=”ffffff”]www.kathrynwilliams.co.uk[/button]/
Suitable for adults. FREE – but advance booking is essential
[button link=”https://www.eventbrite.com/o/southwark-libraries-10895295913″ size=“large” icon=”fa-ticket” side=”left” target=“blank” color=”a8b7a3″ textcolor=”ffffff”]Tickets available here[/button]
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Thick Richard @ Rye Wax
Thick Richard @ Rye WaxTuesday 27 June 2017, 7.30pm to 9pm
[list][item icons=”fa-map-marker”]Rye Wax, CLF Art Cafe? Basement, 122 Rye Lane, SE15 4ST[/item][/list]
Thick Richard is an edgy street poet from the North-West. He likes a little bad language as well as verse, jet-black humour and wordplay. He’s performed at the Edinburgh Fringe and the Glastonbury Festival and has supported Brockley superstar Kate Tempest. Bar and Taco Queen food facilities available.
Suitable for adults. FREE, no advance booking required.
[button link=”https://thickrichard.wordpress.com/” size=“default” icon=”fa-globe” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”b70900″ textcolor=”ffffff”]www.thickrichard.wordpress.com[/button]
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Chris McCabe: mapping the lost poets of Nunhead Cemetery
Thursday 29 June 2017, 6.30pm to 7.30pm
[list][item icons=”fa-map-marker”]The Chapel, Nunhead Cemetery, Linden Grove, SE15 3LP[/item][/list]
Join literary investigator Chris McCabe as he journeys through the poetic history of South-East London. Discover the surprising lives and lines of poets neglected amongst the monuments of Nunhead Cemetery. Chris McCabe is a widely-published poet and Librarian. Our thanks to the Friends of Nunhead Cemetery for their help with this event.
The talk will take place outside at the old Chapel in Nunhead Cemetery so please wear appropriate outdoor clothing.
Suitable for adults. FREE, no advance booking required.
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Baby Rhyme Time
It’s never too early to start enjoying songs and verse. Libraries around the borough offer Baby Rhyme Time sessions for children under five and their parents / carers every week at the following times:
[list][item icon=”fa-calendar”]Blue Anchor Library: Fridays, 10.30am to 11.30am [/item][/list]
[list][item icon=”fa-calendar”]Canada Water Library: Tuesdays, 2pm to 2.30pm [/item][/list]
[list][item icon=”fa-calendar”]Dulwich Library: Wednesdays, 10am to 10.30am and 11am to 11.30am[/item][/list]
[list][item icon=”fa-calendar”]Grove Vale Library: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 2.15pm to 2.45pm[/item][/list]
[list][item icon=”fa-calendar”]John Harvard Library: Tuesdays, 10.45am to 11.30am Nunhead Library: Fridays, 11am to 11.30am[/item][/list]
[list][item icon=”fa-calendar”]Peckham Library: Mondays, 2pm to 2.30pm and Fridays, 10.15am to 10.45am[/item][/list]
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A Fair Field Full of Folk: a new exhibition at The National Poetry Library
11 May-9 July 2017, Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 8pm
[list][item icon=”fa-map-marker”]National Poetry Library, Level 5, Royal Festival Hall, SE1 8XX[/item][/list]
Medieval and modern poetry collide in this new exhibition inspired by Fair Field – a major new re-imagining of the 14th century epic Piers Plowman.
Explore the enduring influence of the medieval mind on poets through a display of items from The National Poetry Library’s collection. From the poetry of Patience Agbabi to Simon Armitage, and a range of contemporary artists working in book arts, painting and video, this exhibition showcases the work of poets working across the medieval and modern.
This exhibition is curated with Penned in the Margins. Tickets £4
[button link=”https://www.eventbrite.com/o/southwark-libraries-10895295913″ size=“large” icon=”fa-ticket” side=”left” target=“blank” color=”a8b7a3″ textcolor=”ffffff”]Tickets available here[/button]
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[button link=”http://www.southwark.gov.uk/assets/attach/3009/Poetry%20flyer%202017.pdf” size=”default” icon=”fa-external-link-square” side=”left” target=”” color=”b70900″ textcolor=”ffffff”]Click here to download full Rhyme and Reason 2017 programme in PDF[/button]