Tuesday 26 April 2011

Poetry at The Brewhouse-JACKIE JUNO

Continuing their new season of poetry events at The Brewhouse for 2011, Fire River Poets are pleased to announce that the guest poet for their reading on 5 May at 8.00pm will be the Devon-based poet, Jackie Juno. Chairman of Fire River Poets, John Stuart, said “It is very exciting to be able to welcome Jackie to The Brewhouse. We have enjoyed poetry of many styles in our evenings but this is the first time we will have a performance poet who is also a comedian to entertain us … and that is very much what she will do!”

Members of Fire River Poets will also be reading during the evening and, as John was at pains to point out “We always provide a platform for poets of all ages and levels of experience, so there will as usual be an open mic session during the evening for any poet who would like to come along and read. Poets who would like to take advantage of this opportunity should apply through enquiry@fireriverpoets.org.uk.”

The reading begins at 8.00 pm, takes place in the Studio and costs £5.00. Tickets may be purchased from the Brewhouse box office. Enquiries and bookings on 01823 283244 or info@thebrewhouse.net.

Sunday 24 April 2011

Yourself & Others on the Page: Creative Writing & the Reflective Process

Saturday, 21 May 2011, 10.00 – 4.30

Writing can be a method of enquiry, a process that increases mindfulness and reveals what is at our own deep centre. It can offer new perspectives on others by imaginatively entering another’s world. Reflective writing can clarify problems and throw up possible solutions. It can reveal to us valuable glimpses of the way we relate to others and to ourselves. Once we cast off any inhibitions about how we ‘should’ write or what ‘good writing’ is, writing offers a valuable way into the unconscious and a spontaneous means of expression.
This experiential workshop is for anyone working in a therapeutic setting interested in the use of reflective writing for personal and professional development. It uses short writing exercises and pair or small group discussion to deepen understanding of the self and others. Some exercises will be aimed specifically at thinking about clients; others are focused on the self and personal relationships. You do not need to be able to write ‘correctly’ or to have any experience of creative writing to take part.
Cost: £55
Please bring food for shared lunch. Alternatively, sandwiches can be bought locally.

Venue: Somerset Counselling Centre, 38 Belvedere Road, Taunton, TA1 1HD

Facilitator: Chris Banks
Chris Banks is a BACP Senior Accredited Counsellor and a Supervisor with a lifelong interest in literature and writing. She is a published poet and short story writer. She works in private practice in Taunton.

The Music of Being Human: Understanding Modern Poetry

Saturday, 30 April, 2011, 10.00 – 1.00

Many lovers of literature turn away from the challenge that reading modern poetry can present. Recent anthologies, such as Bloodaxe’s Staying Alive and Being Alive demonstrate how poetry can illuminate human experience in all its varied shades and colours. This workshop considers how poetry differs from other literary forms and how it works to bring us small slices of human experience framed and magnified for our attention. It suggests how to get inside a poem and find a personal response to it that can add understanding to our view of human experience.
We will read and discuss a number of modern poems, starting with the short and straightforward and moving onto more difficult pieces. Some of the examples relate directly to the therapeutic process. There will be humour, beauty, passion and that’s only the half of it! Poetry atheists and agnostics welcome.
Venue: Somerset Counselling Centre, 38 Belvedere Road, Taunton, TA1 1HD
Cost: £25
Facilitator: Chris Banks
Chris Banks is a BACP Senior Accredited Counsellor and a Supervisor with a lifelong interest in literature and writing. She is a published poet and short story writer. She works in private practice in Taunton.