by Anita Foxall.
Issa Loyaan Farrah-Kelly, a name you may well recognise from Southampton’s bid for City of Culture, and one of the most talented local poets, has started hosting Notes and Whiskey, a new spoken work evening on the 3rd Thursday of every month.
When one day at Whiskey Blue, in London Road, Southampton, Issa was approached by Charlie Greenfield, who asked him if he would be interested in being the host for a spoken event at this new venue, Issa didn’t have to think for more than two seconds to agree.
Issa was also the poet who started the open mic that I (Anita Foxall) now host at the MAST, Write a Note, so it was truly joyful to see him back on stage in charge of another spoken word open mic. There is so much creativity in this city, it’s incredibly important to make sure there are enough events and venues that can accommodate and support its flourishing. And from my personal perspective, it was great to be at an event where I could just be a poet, enjoy the evening by chatting to other fellow poets, and immerse myself further in poetry,
Whiskey Blue exudes cosiness, and when you look at the stage you feel that the piano and the jazz style microphone make you feel that you are in New York in the 20s.
So on the 22nd of September, Ws at Whiskey started with a few of Issa’s sacrificial poems, and after this delightful warm up, we were all ready to go.
The event was attended by many regular poets, such as Damian O’Vitch, Andy Buchanan, Carrie Myshkin and Syd M… (apologies, as he was in character) Keith Dalmally-Bathgate, and myself; as well as a few new poets.
The next Words at Whiskey will be on the 20th of October. You just need to turn up at 7.30pm to sign up for an open mic slot, or be there at 8pm ready for a wonderful evening of words.
For more information, visit the Whiskey Blue Facebook page.
- In Common is not for profit. We rely on donations from readers to keep the site running. Could you help to support us for as little as 25p a week? Please help us to carry on offering independent grass roots media. Visit: https://www.patreon.com/incommonsoton
