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March of the Mad Poetry Hares: Anna Freeman, Jonny FluffyPunk & Open Poetry Slam | Old Fire Station, 13 March 2012 For 2012, Hammer and Tongue has a new venue, the Crisis Skylight Cafe in the new arts development at Old Fire Station, and whilst I loved the bohemian atmosphere of the Old Boot Factory, I have to say that for those of us who live out of town and rely on buses, or just those of us whose legs aren't as young as they used to be, the new location is fabulous, as is the cafe itself, which comfortably holds 70-80, has friendly staff, and supports a fabulous cause. Hammer and Tongue is always notable for its friendliness, and last night it seemed more welcoming than ever, the fabulous hosting duo of Tina Sederhom and Lucy Ayrton (both of them poets and performers of exceptional prowess as well as marvellous MCs) on wonderful front of house form so newcomers to poetry slams and the oldest of hands felt equally welcome. In addition to the excellent slam, personal highlights of which were Hannah Elwick's achingly moving performance (in her first ever reading, no less - watch this space!!), Paul Askew's delightfully surreal fabulism, and Davy Mac's unflinchingly honest heartbreaking poems about homelessness, the night's support act was the delightfully sui generis Johnny Fluffypunk, hilarious and insightful self-styled pastoral anarchist and one of the loveliest people you will meet in the already lovely world of poetry. But the night belonged to the stellar headline act, Anna Freeman, one of the tiniest of tiny handfuls of poets to combine words that bear many rereading/listenings, efforless and engaging flow, and an emotional intensity and honesty that digs right inside your skin and your soul. She also does what so so few do, and moves effortlessly from the soul's darkest nights to hilarity and back again without the slightest cracks appearing. Go to see her any place you can. Dan Holloway (DI Reviewer), 14/03/12 Kate Tempest, Dead Poets & Open Poetry Slam | The Old Boot Factory, Tue 13 December 2011 Hammer and Tongue is one of the jewels in Oxford’s cultural crown, a homegrown event that has spread to eight venues across the UK, each of which take it in monthly turns to host the mix of open poetry slam, support act and headline poet (for whom this comprises a mini tour). This month’s headliner was Kate Tempest, billed as the UK’s queen of hip hop. Having watched pretty much every clip of her mesmerising poetry on YouTube, she was the reason I walked half an hour through rain and gales to The Old Boot Factory, a deliciously scuzzy shell of a warehouse venue replete with outside loo, buckets to catch drops from the leaking roof, and a door with no catch to welcome in the elements. Dan Holloway (DI Reviewer), 14/12/11 Hammer & Tongue: Oxford's Poetry Slam | March 2009 Hammer and Tongue's new season sees it return to the Cowley Road, where it was born some years ago in the tiny, packed and sweaty basement bar of the Brickworks to co-founders Steve Larkin and Jim Thomas. The crowd's grown up a bit since then, so instead of standing room only, crowd-surfing comperes and a front row of spit-spattered faces, the audience lounges on leather sofas in an art bar whilst drinking Peroni on draught. It's all very sophisticated (and the rather good artwork is on sale), though the neon chip shop sign flashing through the window behind the stage reminds us that we're still at a pulsing node of Oxford's grassroots arts scene. Liz Graham (Unverified), 03/03/09 |
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