Hello, we’re Apples & Snakes, one of the UK’s leading organisations for performance poetry. We’ve been around for 24 years and in that time we’ve worked with hundreds of artists and reached over a million audience members in schools, theatres, libraries, prisons and pubs across the country.
We believe that poetry is an immediate and inspiring form of communication that comes alive through performance and we aim to introduce it to as many different people as possible. This myspace site is one way of communicating who we are. You can also log on our website where there’s loads of information about artists we have worked with as well as details of recent commissions, residencies, partnerships and touring shows.
Our work is particularly focused on finding emerging artists and giving them support to develop their work and communicate their message. There are so many talented artists with so much to offer and our aim is to raise the profile of each individual as much as our organisation as a whole.
As well as educational work, we regularly put on shows. You might have seen our artists in Barnstaple, Bickerton, Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Colchester, Frome, Goostrey, Kendal, Lancaster, Leicester, Lincoln, London, Manchester, Nottingham, Oxford, South-end-on-Sea, Ulverston, Uxbridge, the list goes on…
Don't miss out on this magnificent opportunity to see some of the UK's best poets and performers !!!
and finally.... check out this video of Apples & Snake's twofive album launch event at Cargo, London on 17 December 2007, and other highlights from Apples & Snakes events from out Youtube channel:
Monday 20th October 7.30pm Matt and Phred's, Tib St, Manchester
Your queer vegan poet host DOMINIC BERRY presents brand spanking new Poetry Performance from some of Manchester's rising poetry stars
SHIRLEY MAY ... the legendary star of Manchester's stunning speakeasy night, Shirley May was winner of the North West Poetry Slam in October '99 and then part of the successful North West poetry tour SISTA TALK. As a performer, mentor, poet and spokesperson, Shirley is a true inspiration.
RACHAEL K ... an intensely moving and deep artist, Rachael K has become known as a multi instrumentalist, singer, actress and skilled crafter of words, however this set will be focusing on her exceptionally stirring spoken word works. An exploration of trans identity in the city, this provocative and emotional performance is not to be missed.
MIA DARLONE ... hilarious comic performer coming to POETS AND MASH fresh from her successful show 'Below the Belt', creator of such characters as Cockney Rhyming Slag and the flirty therapist, Mia's work is very funny and very insightful. Quickly building a strong reputation across both the comedy and poetry circuits, a show from Mia will always entertain.
Proving Art and Entertainment can be one, POETS AND MASH is an evening of love, laughter and lyrical language. Artists already established on Manchester's thriving poetry circuit take new work to a new night that examines and explores the depths of city lives. Expect a stimulating yet accessible marrying of page and theatre.
POETS AND MASH presents to you some of the most exciting spoken word artists in Manchester today. Not to be missed!
Roll up, roll up! This coming Monday 29th September 7. 30pm Matt and Phred's, Tib St, Manchester
for the glorious gargantuan greatness that is September's sizzling
POETS AND MASH
For a mere £4 (£2 concessions) you will be treated to four of the city's superb poetic voices. C'mon down and treat your ears to the tantalizing sounds of...
ROSIE GARLAND ...An ever proud champion of outsiders in the face of the sludge of normality- Rosie's reputation in poetry is astounding. From her success with cult goth band The March Violets to her creation of Lesbian Vampire Queen Rosie Lugosi, this provocative and hugely enjoyable performer is a living legend. Her special guest appearance at POETS AND MASH is an exclusive opportunity to hear some brand new verse from this wonderfully prolific and courageous performer.
STEVE LYONS ... Manchester's self-proclaimed "greatest living poet", Wythenshawe born and bred, Steve Lyons writes about boozers, fist-fights, heartache, the scumbags ripping us all off, soul music ("real soul music, not the soul-LESS shit they churn out these days"), Rock n' Roll and toilet roll, drugs, sex and death. From his long collaborative relationship with Citizen 32 to his 2 year residency with Let's Battle Bohemia, Steve Lyons has proved himself as an exceptionally bold and brilliant writer.
STEVE O CONNOR ... Writer, poet, teacher, drunkard, co host of greenroom's FREED UP, Steve O runs weekly Creative Writing workshops at The Union Chapel, Fallowfield. Amongst Steve's strengths is his skill at love poetry, an enviable ability to take on this infinitely vast and personal subject with originality, depth, truth and the craftsmanship of an exceptional poet. Steve's appearance at POETS AND MASH prepares us for his forthcoming collection of love poems expected early 2009.
and finally, DOMINIC BERRY ... Your host, your compeer, a bit like your own queer vegan poet younge
i saw the dancehall and cafe night at soho theatre, thought it was amazing! i write a bit myself, am plannin on comin to the next open mic - do you know where i can buy any of saran green's stuff?
Manchester's Queer Vegan Poet Dominic Berry launches his first collection of fruit splattered verse
"Tomorrow, I Will Go Dancing"
6 to 7.30pm, Thursday, 25th September
Manchester Central Library St Peter's Square
FREE entry
with support poets JACKIE HAGAN ROD TAME
"Beautiful writing. A sharp, unflinching eye." John McGrath, Artistic Director of Contact Theatre
"Attending a Dominic Berry performance is effervescent and life affirming. Similarly, reading this book will be a stimulating, uplifting experience." The Divine David Hoyle
you, you, you heroes, you! thank you for the cd you gave me at the big chill - i am a very happy listener. would love to get more involved... come check
Oi oi, hows it going? Sorry about this bate copy n paste tip but I just need 2 get my point across, soon as u comment or msg back il b exclusive no worries.
There is all this stuff on the TV about problems with young people, they suggesting how we can help, what the problem is and why its there etc. I want to see what young people think and not the young people carefully selected to go on BBC breakfast news but all young people.
READ MY BLOGS- criticise, suggest, share your opinion! Please add me to your top friends just so my blogs can be more exposed and I can be more accurate in representing young people!
Seriously I will read anything that’s said very carefully. I will Blog and video diary anything I think really relevant for the channel 4 program which will b on TV in the autumn.
The second of our guests for the next POETS AND MASH has been announced.... the unmistakable Lisa B
If you haven't been lucky enough to see Lisa B in action yet, where have you been?! A Canadian poet in love with Manchester, she is articulate, passionate, political, occasionally raunchy, and frequently very funny
There will be 1 final guest poet announced for the bank holiday weekend date shortly. Watch this space for updates!
This show is a collaborative and interactive poetry show previewing in London for only 3 days before going to the Edinburgh Fringe.
Catch the previews in London on Thursday 31st July, Friday 1st August and Saturday 2nd August. At Liberties Bar, 100 Camden High St, London NW1. 10.15pm. For more details and to book tickets go to www. camdenfringe. org or phone the box office on 08444 77 1000.
BASS SLAM win £500, Fri 27 Jun, Peepul Centre - Leicester
Introducing the spoken word slam - expect an evening of explosive verbal impact as artists compete to become the Bass Festival's first slam champion and win a £500 artist development bursary.
Judges include Stephanie Hernandez - Apples & Snakes, Dave 'Stickman' Higgins - Blackdrop Spoken Word, Lydia Towsey - Chair of Word, Compered by Carol Leeming (The Mainstream Partnership)
To enter the slam please arrive at the venue's registration desk at 7pm on the night.
Hi welcome and to a show you might be interested in…
Saturday 31 May 2008, 8pm, £10/6
Deafinitely Theatre presents:
Lipstick & Lollipops
Lipstick and Lollipops follows Isabel, a Deaf teenager who moves to London with her mother. Unsettled, Isabel rebels by escaping to a late night party. As the night unfolds, Isabel confronts the past she has been hiding from for so long.
Deafinitely Theatre is a new, radical and visual presence in theatre. Its vision is to become a leading independent company promoting innovative work by new writers and Deaf groups, in a language that can be understood by all. Lipstick & Lollipops is performed using British Sign Language and speech, and is suitable for ages 14+.
‘Deafinitely Theatre is forging a new stage language that speaks to both the deaf and hearing’ *****Time Out
Our show prices are kept low so money is not an obstacle to you and young people getting engaged in the arts. We also offer group discounts: for every ten booked one person gets in for free – this is normally you!
As I'm sure you know we also have the registered disabled and under-18 concession available at £6, and all carers get in free as a matter of policy. Please don’t hesitate to call 0161 274 0600 to book or check out our website www. contact-theatre. org if you have any extra questions.
Hope to see you soon for this boundary-pushing new show!
