Past Events › Poetry

Find Events
March 2018
March 2, 2018 @ 6:30 pm
  • CANCELLED
  • Fiction
  • Non-fiction
  • Poetry
  • POSTPONED

My Europe: A Patrician Press Anthology

Mark Brayley, Petra McQueen and others

RESCHEDULED FOR 16 MARCH. In their latest anthology, Patrician Press brings together poems, short stories and essays on the theme of Europe, advantages and disadvantages of the European Union. Writers share personal histories and discuss the consequences of leaving the EU. Read more

March 3, 2018 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
  • Poetry

Reconciliation

The launch of an anthology of new poems commemorating World War I. The collection is edited by Vivien Whelpton, biographer of Richard Aldington who fought in WWI and was an outstanding imagist poet. Produced with support from poetryWivenhoe. Read more

March 3, 2018 @ 7:00 pm
  • Fiction
  • Poetry

The Language-Land: Anita Debska

In 2018 Poland celebrates the centenary of its reunification as an independent state. The Language-Land is a bilingual selection of Polish poetry and prose written between 1795 and 1918, when Poland was absorbed into the empires of Russia, Prussia and Austria. Read more

March 15, 2018 @ 7:30 pm
  • Poetry

Poetry Brothel Colchester

The oldest literary form meets the oldest profession in Britain’s oldest recorded town! Inspired by the cabarets of Montmartre, Poetry Brothel is a heady feast for the senses. Compered by madam Suki SilverTongue, there will be performances, private table readings, live music, fortune telling and more. Read more

March 17, 2018 @ 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
  • Fiction
  • For Writers
  • Non-fiction
  • Poetry
  • Storytelling
  • Workshop

Essex Authors Day

This exciting day of seminars and workshops brings together Essex-based authors, writers and aspiring writers. Listen to author readings at the Pop Up Podium, pick up top tips, meet other writers, and find out more about getting published and publicising your book. Read more

March 17, 2018 @ 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
  • Fiction
  • Non-fiction
  • Poetry
  • Storytelling

Pop-up Podium: Meet the Authors

Various Authors

A fascinating and enlightening day for all book-lovers. Visit our Pop-up Podium and meet a whole host of Essex based writers and published authors. Talk to them about their work and inspirations, and listen to pop-up readings through the day. Read more

March 25, 2018 @ 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
  • Discussion
  • Poetry
  • Storytelling

The Nuclear Option

As night falls The Bunker will metamorphose into The Nuclear Option: a labyrinth of ‘unearthly delights’. Read more

March 25, 2018 @ 6:30 pm
  • Fiction
  • Poetry

Journey into the Underworld

Cambridge Bard Glenys Newton

Join award-winning storyteller and Cambridge Bard Glenys Newton for a mythic journey into the Underworld. A bespoke Odyssey into the dimly-lit, cavernous, triple-tiered Bunker: the perfect canvas for spontaneous conjurings of Dante's Inferno and The Cyclop's Cave, to name but some! Read more

March 25, 2018 @ 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
  • Poetry

Live Poetry Juke Box

Mueller & Malten’s Wunderkammer

Step inside the Live Poetry Jukebox! A selection of delicious and delectable poems about love, life, hope, and fun will be waiting for you, pickled and preserved in jars, and stored in Mueller & Malten's marvellous Wunderkammer. Choose a jar and release its flavours! Poetry in the flesh to see, hear, feel, and most importantly, to savour. Read more

March 2019
Book cover, Black Sandal Writers
March 2, 2019 @ 3:00 pm
  • Poetry

Harwich Festival presents:

Readings by the Black Sandal Writers

Join writers published by Black Sandal Press at the new Harwich Community, Arts and Heritage Centre for an afternoon of poetry and short stories. Read more

Image of Philip Terry and Chris McCully
March 2, 2019 @ 4:45 pm - 5:45 pm
  • Poetry

The Epic Now: Gilgamesh and Beowulf

Philip Terry & Chris McCully

Indulge in two modern interpretations of two very classic tales: Chris McCully presents a new translation of the mighty Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf, while Philip Terry reads from his version of Gilgamesh, Dictator Read more

Image of LV18 in Harwich Harbour
March 3, 2019 @ 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
  • Music
  • Poetry
  • Storytelling
  • Young Essex

All Aboard the Boat that Rocked

Young Essex on LV18

Calling all on board the LV18 in Harwich Quay for a pirate radio revival, nautical tales, and shanty songs on deck. Below deck, the intimate and magical Live Poetry Jukebox will be waiting for you. Suitable for all ages. Read more

Image of girl looking at one of the Live Poetry Jukebox jars
March 3, 2019 @ 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
  • Poetry
  • Young Essex

My Heart, My Heart: Live Poetry Jukebox

Adie Mueller and Trui Malten

Step into the Live Poetry Jukebox for an intimate and magical experience of poetry, visual art and performance. Part of our Secret Waters weekend, with activities all day on LV18. Read more

A cropped image of the front cover of Tempest
March 5, 2019 @ 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
  • Fiction
  • Non-fiction
  • Poetry

Tempest – An Anthology

Book Launch

All are welcome to join Patrician Press and friends for the Launch of Tempest - An Anthology, edited by Anna Vaught and Anna Johnson at the Art Exchange Gallery, University of Essex. Read more

March 8, 2019 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  • Poetry

Dean Atta

Performance and audience Q&A

A performance and audience Q&A with poet Dean Atta, as part of Unspeakable at the University of Essex. Read more

Cover of Thinking Home book
March 12, 2019 @ 6:00 pm
  • Discussion
  • Poetry

Thinking Home

Interdisciplinary Dialogues

What is home? Sanja Bahun and Bojana Petrić invite artists, activists, and scholars from various disciplines to revisit old and introduce new ways of thinking about and performing home. Read more

March 2020
Ultramarine and Phil Terry
March 15, 2020 @ 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
  • Music
  • Poetry

Blackwaterside

Ultramarine and Philip Terry

Ultramarine (Ian Cooper and Paul Hammond) present Blackwaterside, performing music inspired by their time working close to the Blackwater estuary. The performance will feature Philip Terry reading poems from his Quennets collection and a screening of the Blackwaterside film with live soundtrack based on the Survey East photography of Ian Cooper. Read more

March 15, 2020 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
  • Poetry

The Word From Paris

Philip Terry and Tony White

The Penguin Book of Oulipo book launch. This is the first collection in English to bring together 100 pieces of "Oulipo" writing. Editor and translator Philip Terry will be joined by novelist Tony White to read and discuss selections from the book. Read more

September 2020
Bunting 3x2
September 11, 2020 - September 20, 2020
  • Exhibition
  • Poetry
  • Young Essex

Earth Poem and Bunting Exhibition

Manifesto For Essex

Essex Book Festival is hosting an exhibition of poems and bunting in shop windows in Chelmsford City Centre as part of our Manifesto For Essex project. Read more

July 2021
July 2, 2021 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
  • In partnership
  • Poetry

A Fire In My Head

Ben Okri

Nigerian poet, novelist, short-story writer and playwright Ben Okri, will be discussing his latest collection of poems A Fire in My Head with Dr Jak Peake. A powerful testament to today, the collection covers topics as far reaching as the refugee crisis, Obama, Grenfell Tower, and the impact of Covid. This is a partnership event with University of Essex. Tickets £10 / Pay What You Can Read more

June 2022
Hosepipe Band and Blake Morrison March 2022 3x2
June 1, 2022 @ 7:30 pm - 9:15 pm
  • Festival Launch
  • Music
  • Performance
  • Poetry

Launch Event: The Ballad of Shingle Street and other East Anglian poems

Blake Morrison and The Hosepipe Band

A performance of poetry with music featuring poet and novelist Blake Morrison accompanied by music composed and played by the multi-instrumentalist members of The Hosepipe Band. Read more

Imaginary Landscapes credit The News Portsmouth:Keith Woodland
June 25, 2022 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
  • Performance
  • Poetry

Imaginary Landscapes

Chris Tutton and Anne Denholm

Poetry and Harp perfectly combine in this special event featuring words and improvised music with award-winning poet, Chris Tutton and leading British harpist, Anne Denholm Read more

June 2023
Book cover image of Behind Bars alongside photo of author Lady Unchained
June 3, 2023 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
  • A Criminally Good Day
  • Poetry

Behind Bars

Lady Unchained

Lady Unchained is a poet, broadcaster, TEDx speaker, mentor and an advocate for life after prison. She is the founder and creative director of Unchained Poetry, a platform for artists with experience of the criminal justice system. Read more

June 24, 2023 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
  • FREE
  • Music
  • Performance
  • Poetry

Hope Tales 3: Water

Andrew Simms, Nicky Saunter and Jules Pretty

oin us for an afternoon of collaborative performance, readings, music and poetry to generate hope in times of crisis. Read more

June 25, 2023 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
  • Midsummer Madness
  • Performance
  • Poetry
  • Young Essex

When Creature Met Creature

John Agard

Legendary author and performance poet John Agard who will delight us with a selection of readings including his 2022 children’s book When Creature Met Creature. Sure to be warm, witty, generous, and flamboyant, it is not to be missed! Read more

June 2024
June 5, 2024 @ 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
  • FREE
  • Poetry
  • Workshop

How We Live In Essex: Poetry Workshop

Lelia Ferro

Explore your relationship to Essex and the seasons through poetry, with exhibition poet Lelia Ferro. Read more

June 8, 2024 @ 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
  • FREE
  • Performance
  • Poetry

How We Live In Essex: Live Poetry Performance

Lelia Ferro and Sofia Bagge

Lelia Ferro's poetry performed by professional actors at the atmospheric Martello Tower. Witness the poetry coming to life in a unique collaboration between Lelia Ferro, theatre director Sofia Bagge and fantastic actors. Read more

Essex A County of Contrasts
June 14, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
  • Video
  • Author talk
  • Essex Writers House
  • In partnership
  • Poetry

Essex – A County of Contrasts

Essex Hundred Publications and Metal present

A fast moving programme not to be missed - Author talks,interviews,video shorts and poetry readings. Part of Essex Writers House. Read more

June 15, 2024 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
  • FREE
  • Performance
  • Poetry

How We Live In Essex: Poetry Performance Workshop

Sofia Bagge

Learn to lift the words off the page and sharpen your performance techniques in this fun and friendly workshop, hosted by theatre director Sofia Bagge and a professional actor. Why not bring along a poem of your own to the workshop and perform it shortly after at the spoken word evening! Read more

June 15, 2024 @ 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm
  • FREE
  • Partner Event
  • Performance
  • Poetry

How We Live In Essex: Live Poetry Performance

Lelia Ferro and Sofia Bagge

Lelia Ferro's poetry performed by professional actors at the atmospheric Martello Tower. Witness the poetry coming to life in a unique collaboration between Lelia Ferro, theatre director Sofia Bagge and fantastic actors. Read more

June 15, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
  • Open Mic
  • FREE
  • Partner Event
  • Performance
  • Poetry

How We Live In Essex: Exhibition Finale – Spoken Word Evening

featuring Boho Banter

Come and celebrate an evening of spoken word at the Jaywick Martello Tower by reading a poem of your own, or simply enjoying an evening of poetry . No need to book, just turn up and give your name! Read more

June 16, 2024 @ 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
  • FREE
  • Partner Event
  • Poetry
  • Workshop

How We Live In Essex: Poetry Workshop

Lelia Ferro

Explore your relationship to Essex and the seasons through poetry, with exhibition poet Lelia Ferro. Read more