This Is Just to Say: spoken word open mic

Oxford Poetry Library presents a spoken word open mic night! Join us in the library on the first Tuesday of every month to enjoy all manner of word-weaving, story-sharing, and spell-casting.

We welcome poets, storytellers, and writers of all kinds to share their work (or the work of others) in a safe, supportive, and inclusive space. Slots are 2-3 minutes long, and performers sign up on the door – first come, first served and slots fill up quickly so we recommend arriving in good time for 7pm!

At OPL we want everyone to feel comfortable and has space to enjoy the night. That’s why we have a few basic guidelines that we ask everyone to follow:

• Please refrain from using discriminatory language or harmful content in your performance. If you are unsure about your performance, speak to the host when you arrive.
• You should aim to read something that’s around one page or two minutes – this ensures that everyone has enough time to read.

The theme for this month is PACIFIC – as usual, to be interpreted however you like. Maybe your work is along the peaceful, tranquil side of things, or maybe you’re delving to the rawest depths of oceanic inspiration. From the roar of waves to the hush of calm waters, let your words drift or crash ashore.

Every month we feature a performer with a slightly extended set and this month’s featured performer to grace our stage will be John Gallas! John Gallas is an Aotearoa/NZ poet, now living in Markfield, Leics. Published by Carcanet (www.carcanet.co.uk): books include ‘The Extasie’, ‘The Song Atlas’, ‘Fresh Air & the Story of Molecule’, ’52 Euros’, ‘The Little Sublime Comedy’, ‘Billy ‘Nibs’ Buckshot: The Complete Works’ (2024) etc.: also Indigo Dreams (’17 Very Pacific Poems’), Five Leaves (‘Mad John’s Walk’), Cerasus (‘The Gnawing Flood’) and Cold Hub (NZ) (‘Lying with Poets’, ‘Pacifictions’); Fellow of the English Association, St Magnus Festival Orkney Poet, librettist, translator, John Clare ‘The Visit’ Poet, Sutton Hoo Saxonship Company Poet (www.saxonship.org) and…in real life, biker, tramper, and LCFC fox, with a caravan-hideaway in a corner of Lincolnshire for not writing in. www.johngallaspoetry.co.uk for info, Poem of the Month, and news.

The session starts at 7.30pm (performers are advised to arrive in time for 7pm), at The Community Works (21 Park End St, OX1 1HU).

£5 entry (£2 concessions), performers free.

The building is accessible, but if you have any specific access needs, please drop us an email at oxfordpoetrylibrary@gmail.com beforehand!