A group of poets from wales will be staging a showcase by a new breed of contemporary writers, composing souped up stanzas from the margins. They will be performing at MORECAMBE POETRY FESTIVAL alongside what sounds like a who’s who of writers on the UK poetry scene, such as Roger McGough, former Poet Laureate Carol Anne Duffy, Jackie Kay, Henry Normal, John Hegley, Atilla The Stockbroker, Brian Bilston, Pete The Temp, and Clare Ferguson-Walker; to name but a few.
The showcase was conceived out of a conversation between poet Des Mannay and festival organiser Matt Panesh.
As Des told us…..
“I’d applied to perform at the festival, and Matt gave me a ring, confirmed my booking, and asked about the poetry scene in Wales. At the end of the conversation, Matt decided he wanted a showcase of Welsh poets, with me headlining. I got in touch with my friend Dominic Williams of Write4Word, and we started throwing potential names about.
I didn’t want it to be the usual suspects, but voices coming up from the streets. To paraphrase an old line from Star Trek – ‘Its Wales Jim – but not as you know it…’, I think we succeeded in that respect”.
Poets taking part in the showcase include JEREMY DIXON, GEMMA JUNE HOWELL, DES MANNAY, RUFUS MUFASA, and DOMINIC WILLIAMS.
Jeremy is a Queer poet and is a maker of Artist’s Books. Poetry collection “A Voice Coming From Then”, (Arachne Press), won Wales Book of the Year Poetry Award 2022. He is co-editor of the forthcoming LGBTQ+ poetry anthology “JOY//US”, and performed throughout the UK at festivals and readings.
Gemma is a writer, poet, editor, and grassroots activist. With over 20 years of experience, her poetry has been published by Red Poets, Bloodaxe Books and The London Magazine. She has a PhD in Creative & Critical Writing and her research focuses on working-class identity in post-industrial Wales. Poetry Collection “Rock Life” (Myscellaneous Press).
Des is a Disabled, Welsh writer of colour. Poetry collection, “Sod ’em – and tomorrow” (Waterloo Press). Co-editor ‘The Angry Manifesto’ journal. Prizewinner in 4 competitions, shortlisted in 7. Performed at many venues/festivals, in numerous poetry journals, over 40 anthologies. Judge in ‘Valiant Scribe’ competition (USA). Previously organised showcase at Stoke- Newington Literature Festival.
Rufus is a literary activist, lyricist, rapper and poet. Performs in Welsh and English. MA in scriptwriting, Hay Writer at Work, supports several intergenerational projects. Mentors men at Parc Prison. Headlined Helsinki Literature Festival. First Welsh artist to perform at Ruisrock festival. Mentors Finnish beat poets. Writes trilingually as a result. Poetry collection “Flashbacks and Flowers” (Indigo Dreams).
Dominic Williams is a poet and performer. Collaborator and curator. MC of Wales foremost regular international spoken-word event. Half of the spoken-word/dance improvisation act “Your Strangest Friend”. Seven published volumes and published in anthologies in Sweden, Ireland and Wales. Performed at festivals in Wales, Ireland, Sweden and US. Festival director and publisher. Latest publication “Pen & Paper – Punks in Print” (Kultivera Production).
The MORECAMBE POETRY FESTIVAL runs from the 22nd to 24th September, for details and tickets go – HERE
