TONGUE IN CHIC NEXT GIG ON SUNDAY 19 JULY 2009

JOHN HEGLEY HEADLINING!

POETIC RENAISSANCE IN MILTON KEYNES!!!

Now this might be hard to believe, but Milton Keynes Poetry is alive, kicking and making waves far beyond its boundaries. 2009 is shaping up to be a significant year for local poets who are winning Competitions, Poetry Slams and appearing as Feature Guests across the country.

Since Tongue in Chic arrived at Madcap in January, (an Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word event that features some of the country’s leading performance poets) it has helped to invigorate an already healthy local scene. The key to it all, according to Mark Niel, organiser of Tongue in Chic, has been bringing professional poets into Milton Keynes.

“Bringing in leading poets to perform has been an inspiration for many writers and has helped stir the creative pot. Many of the guest poets are promoters as well and they have been amazed at the quality of local talent, booking some of them for gigs at prestigious venues. I’m so pleased that Tongue in Chic has helped complement the excellent work already done by Monkey Kettle, Poetry Kapow and Speakeasy writing group who have worked with writers and performers for many years. I hope the success of Alex Toms, Fay Roberts and myself is just the beginning of Milton Keynes’ writers making an impact on the national scene for many years to come”.

Alex Toms won a monthly competition with the Writer’s Forum. Fay Roberts recently performed on the bill of a Poetry evening at the Bishopsgate Institute in London as well as winning a Heritage Commission in Leicester. Mark has also experienced success, winning the Poetry Slam at the Camden Crawl. He also reached the National Finals of a Slam competition performing at the Komedia, Brighton.

HEADLINE GUESTS OF NATIONAL RENOWN.

 The list of guest poets for Tongue in Chic’s first season is impressive, especially as the mighty John Hegley adds his name to the role call on Sunday 19 July. The “scandously talented” Mr Hegley (according to the Sunday times) brings his particular mix of comedy, music and poetry to the MADCAP stage.

John’s first notable media exposure was on the John Peel sessions (Radio One) with Popticians in 1983/4, with songs about spectacles and the misery of human existence. After publishing 'Glad to Wear Glasses' in 1990 another six titles followed filled with verse, prose, drawings drama and photographs of potatoes, and the CD/Cassette 'Saint and Blurry'. In 2000, John received an honorary Arts Doctorate from Luton University and had his most notable live engagement in a women's prison, Medellin, Columbia.

John will be ably supported by Richard Tyrone Jones who is putting the final polish to his material ahead of a busy Edinburgh Festival.

Flying the flag as the Milton Keynes poet this time will be Ian Barker, a stalwart of the local scene whose work is by turns challenging and moving. And you could be sharing a stage with these talented people! A draw will be made for the open mic this time. The first ten people out of the hat will be able to have their three minutes of fame in the first half of the show.

The omens are good for the rest of the year with Paul Lyalls, Steve Larkin and Simon Munnery lined up for the September and November shows.

More info at www.tongueinchicpoets.com

Into Sondeim's next production is Tomfoolery, a showcase of songs by Tom Lehrer to be performed at the Usher Theatre in the Leon Arts Theatre in July.  Including favourites such as 'Pigeons in The Park', 'I Hold Your Hand in Mine' and 'When You Are Old and Grey'.  Come and join us in a treat of a show on 9th and 10th July this year.

The Usher Theatre is a new venue within the new Arts Centre at Leon School & Sports College; it is ideally suited for such an intimate show but the number of tickets available is limited. Tickets purchased in advance are priced at £9.00 (£7.00 concessions) or £10 on the door. To book call 07531 192351 or book online. 

WOOHOO!!!  Spread the word - Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre are back at Madcap in Wolverton this saturday 11th July. This is a preview for their Edinburgh Fringe 2009 show.
This show is suitable for aged 14-Adult and children accompanied by adults - there are a few rude bits that will go over little heads!
Tickets are £7 - doors open at 7pm and the fun begins at 7.30pm
Come along and be among the privileged ones who get to see the new show before it goes to Edinburgh!
Licensed bar open at 7pm
KevF, puppet master is also an illustartor with the Beano so bring anything Beano along if you want it autographed!
 
Madcap Performing Arts Centre
www.madcap.org.uk/whatson.html
01908 320179

Atlantis is the theme of the latest exhibition to be shown at the Aim Gallery. It features seven up - and - coming young illustrators who have interepreted the underlying importance of the myth in their own very individual ways. Myth or ancient reality Atlantis has come to represent for some the subconscious realm of the creative spirit and as such has great significance for us all.

This will be an exciting and engaging show filled with creative energy and quite unique for the Centre.  Art, T-shirts and cards for sale.

AIM Gallery is continuing to build its reputation of showing local and regional work which mirrors the highly creative and individual talents of the artists and craftspeople in our midst.  Find us in the Shopping Building, next to Costa Coffee, facing across to Waitrose.  Tel: 01908 674069.

We invite artists to submit work for our next exhibition on the theme of 'Coast