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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250107T193000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250107T220000
DTSTAMP:20260609T220054
CREATED:20240407T161347Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241213T161059Z
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SUMMARY:This Is Just To Say: spoken word open mic
DESCRIPTION: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. \nWe 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 5 minutes long\, and performers sign up on the door – first come\, first served! \nThe theme for this month is MY BODY IS…. Let’s get physical – is your body a temple? an encumbrance? a political statement? a place to live? a work of art? a squishy water-bed of fleshy tissue? Let us know. \nEvery month we feature a performer with a slightly extended set and this month’s featured performer to grace our stage is Wendy Allen. Wendy’s debut pamphlet\, Plastic Tubed Little Bird\, was published by Broken Sleep in 2023. She has collaborated with Charley Barnes on freebleeding (Broken Sleep\, 2024) and with Galia Admoni on i get lost everywhere\, you know this now (Salo Press\, 2024). Wendy’s latest pamphlet\, Portrait in Mustard\, was published by Seren in October 2024. She is a PhD researcher at MMU. \nThe session starts at 7.30pm (performers are advised to arrive around 7pm)\, at The Community Works (21 Park End St\, OX1 1HU). \n£5 entry (£2 concessions)\, performers free. \nThere will be a bar at this event\, so it is no longer BYOB! \nThe building is accessible\, but if you have any specific access needs\, please drop us an email at oxfordpoetrylibrary@gmail.com beforehand!
URL:https://oxfordpoetrylibrary.com/event/this-is-just-to-say-spoken-word-open-mic-25/
LOCATION:The Community Works\, 21 Park End Street\, Oxford\, OX1 1HH\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://oxfordpoetrylibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/this-is-just-to-say-flyer-e1653772097543.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250111T140000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250111T160000
DTSTAMP:20260609T220054
CREATED:20241209T140433Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241209T144559Z
UID:8593-1736604000-1736611200@oxfordpoetrylibrary.com
SUMMARY:The Shape of Poetry
DESCRIPTION:Note that these sessions will alternate between online and in-person – links to the Zoom sessions will be circulated to those who have registered in advance of these events. This month’s session will take place online. \nMany of us feel intimidated by formal poetry: Some of us consider it too restrictive and governed by rules\, while others write exclusively in form. This workshop is an invitation to all writers of poetry\, whether you’re just starting out or have been writing for years\, to explore the creative potential of poetic forms. \nOur monthly sessions happen on the second Saturday of the month from 2pm til 4pm. During each of our workshops\, we will look at the conventions of a particular form such as the sonnet\, ghazal\, or haiku\, read example poems\, and write our own versions. This workshop will be a collaborative space for us to explore how experimenting with limitations or restrictions in our writing can give us whole new ways of expressing ourselves\, and open unexpected doors! Whether you’ve never written a poem before\, have just started to write\, or aren’t sure if what you’re writing is poetry\, this monthly workshop is a chance to carve out some time for writing. \nIn each workshop\, we’ll read a poem together\, and use it as our starting point. We’ll suggest some prompts you could take from the poem\, and ideas you might like to borrow. There will be plenty of time to write\, and plenty more prompts if you get stuck. At the end of the session\, you’ll be able to share what you’ve written in a supportive environment. \nAll you need to bring is yourself – these workshops are here for you to enjoy writing and build confidence in your voice. The workshop is open to anyone aged 16+. \nTickets are priced at £5 for general admission (£10 for those able to donate a bit more\, £2 for those on lower income) and registration is required. If this cost would be prohibitive to your attending\, please email us at oxfordpoetrylibrary@gmail.com and we can allocate you one of our limited free spots in the workshop.
URL:https://oxfordpoetrylibrary.com/event/the-shape-of-poetry-workshop-9/
LOCATION:Online
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://oxfordpoetrylibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IN-PERSON-Shape-of-Poetry-flyer.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250113T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250113T203000
DTSTAMP:20260609T220054
CREATED:20240407T155142Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240407T155142Z
UID:6151-1736794800-1736800200@oxfordpoetrylibrary.com
SUMMARY:Getting Started With Poetry
DESCRIPTION:Whether you’ve never written a poem before\, have just started to write\, or aren’t sure if what you’re writing is poetry\, this monthly workshop is a chance to carve out some time for writing. \nIn each workshop\, we’ll read a poem together\, and use it as our starting point. We’ll suggest some prompts you could take from the poem\, and ideas you might like to borrow. There will be plenty of time to write\, and plenty more prompts if you get stuck. At the end of the session\, you’ll be able to share what you’ve written in a supportive environment. \nAll you need to bring is yourself – these workshops are here for you to enjoy writing and build confidence in your voice. The workshop is open to anyone aged 16+. \nTell us you’re coming by booking your free ticket here. \nThe Oxford Poetry Library is an accessible space but please do contact us in advance if you have specific requirements. You can email us about this or with any questions about the workshop at oxfordpoetrylibary@gmail.com
URL:https://oxfordpoetrylibrary.com/event/getting-started-with-poetry-24/
LOCATION:The Community Works\, 21 Park End Street\, Oxford\, OX1 1HH\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oxfordpoetrylibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Event-Cover.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250117T133000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250117T153000
DTSTAMP:20260609T220054
CREATED:20250108T110137Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250108T110137Z
UID:8666-1737120600-1737127800@oxfordpoetrylibrary.com
SUMMARY:Write Space
DESCRIPTION:What is it?\nFrom 2025\, Friday opening hours at the Library are making way for Write Space\, a new pop-up place for you to work on your creative writing projects in the company of other local writers. For two hours every other Friday\, come and write with us in a friendly low-key environment. \nWhen is it?\n1.30-3.30pm Every other Friday\, January-March 2025 (and hopefully beyond!) \nWhere is it?\nThe event space at the Community Works\, Park End Street. \nWho is it for?\nWriting can be a lonely business and sometimes it can be hard to protect time for yourself to write when life weighs in. Write Space is for anyone writing creatively (poetry\, fiction\, drama\, creative non-fiction…) who would value this space. Write Space is facilitated by OPL volunteers. \nHow do I take part?\nSave your spot by registering via the link below.\n(We’re asking everyone to pre-book during our pilot phase so we can plan well and make sure there’s plenty of space for all.) \nDo I have to come for the whole time?\nWe’ll start with a gentle writer’s warm-up then we’ll work in peace on our projects. We’ll take a short break before a second block of writing. If you arrive between those times\, you’re welcome to settle in quietly – we’ll look forward to chatting to you in the break! \nWhat should I bring?\nBring what you’re working on and what you like to write on/ with. Bring your own drink or buy one at Lula’s.  \nCan I bring my kids/ pets/ friends?\nGreat question! We are exploring setting up a Write Space special edition with space for babies but for now it’s for (human) adults. Friends are welcome – make sure they book themselves a spot!
URL:https://oxfordpoetrylibrary.com/event/write-space/
LOCATION:The Community Works\, 21 Park End Street\, Oxford\, OX1 1HH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Arts & Crafts,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oxfordpoetrylibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screengrab-Write-Space-cropped.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250118T140000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250118T160000
DTSTAMP:20260609T220054
CREATED:20241115T141507Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250118T130540Z
UID:8215-1737208800-1737216000@oxfordpoetrylibrary.com
SUMMARY:The Reading Circle
DESCRIPTION:People who never read poetry don’t write poems that are worth reading – Wendy Cope \n  \nIf you’re keen to find a way in to reading and appreciating poetry\, discover new writing\, and open your mind to the world of poetry\, welcome to The Reading Circle. \nCome to OPL’s poetry reading group where we’ll share and discuss poems written in the 20th and 21st centuries in a relaxed and inclusive peer-led environment. \n  \nQuestions we’ll be asking include: \nWhat makes a poem ‘work’?  \nWhy do we like a poem? Why don’t we?  \nIs there such a thing as a fashionable poem? Does it matter?  \nCan we love a poem we don’t fully understand? What makes mystery different to obscurity?  \nWhat might we learn from other poets that can help us enrich our own craft?  \n  \nThe Reading Circle meets on the third Saturday of each month\, 2-4 pm in The Community Works. We suggest a donation to attend each session: £5 for general admission (£10 for those able to donate a bit more) and registration is required here. Donations are optional and shouldn’t be prohibitive to you attending\, but all proceeds go to the running costs of the Oxford Poetry Library and our ability to continue providing these sorts of sessions. \nFacilitated by the established writers and prolific readers Alan Buckley and Carl Tomlinson. \nThe building is accessible\, but if you have any specific access needs\, please drop us an email at oxfordpoetrylibrary@gmail.com beforehand.
URL:https://oxfordpoetrylibrary.com/event/the-reading-circle-10/
LOCATION:The Community Works\, 21 Park End Street\, Oxford\, OX1 1HH\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://oxfordpoetrylibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Reading-Circle-version-2.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250119T120000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250119T150000
DTSTAMP:20260609T220054
CREATED:20241122T163200Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241213T164534Z
UID:8364-1737288000-1737298800@oxfordpoetrylibrary.com
SUMMARY:Family Sunday and Storytelling
DESCRIPTION:Join us on the 3rd Sunday of every month\, where The Community Works will be open for Family Sunday! The library will be open for browsing\, borrowing\, or just hanging out to read\, write\, and relax. Lula’s Ethiopian Cuisine will be open for an affordable all-you-can-eat buffet\, and we will provide a safe\, inclusive space for food\, fun\, and play. \nAll are welcome to The Community Works between 12pm and 3pm to drop in for free – we’ll have books for young and old\, poetry games and activities\, and as always\, our friendly and welcoming librarian volunteers. \nTo celebrate the first of these Sunday openings on 19 January\, storyteller and children’s book writer Ed Boxall will be joining us from 1pm for a performance of the heartwarming English folktale\, “The Warm Glow”\, along with a cosy selection of his songs and poems. All welcome\, no need to book\, and the session is completely free…but there’s a £10 optional donation which includes a signed book from Ed! \n \n 
URL:https://oxfordpoetrylibrary.com/event/the-community-works-community-day/
LOCATION:The Community Works\, 21 Park End Street\, Oxford\, OX1 1HH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Community Event,Family Friendly
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://oxfordpoetrylibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Warm-Glow-Promo-SQUARE.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250120T193000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250120T213000
DTSTAMP:20260609T220054
CREATED:20250102T154352Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250102T161258Z
UID:8862-1737401400-1737408600@oxfordpoetrylibrary.com
SUMMARY:LIT reading group- January Session
DESCRIPTION:Got started with poetry but not sure where to go next?  Need some support and feedback for a specific piece of writing that is bugging you right now? Just looking for a friendly\, low-pressure space to hang out and chat with folks who love words as much as you do? \nWhy not join us at LIT? \nWe are a reading and writing group for cis and trans women\, trans men\, non-binary people\, and people of other minority genders to share their own work and the work of others. We take the broadest\, most inclusive interpretation of what this means- if you feel like you might fit with us\, you probably do! \nWe are a group of writers who host monthly friendly sessions around different themes. We meet in person and online. \nFor more information about us\, you can read our statement of aims and values on our group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/223789834941256 or email francesca_moll@hotmail.co.uk to request to join our WhatsApp group. \nThis is the event for our January online session. There’s no need to book or buy tickets- feel free just to join us on the zoom link here:\nhttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/85006693701?pwd=TzJpeTBRZGdudlBQTlM0OWJQcVZxdz09
URL:https://oxfordpoetrylibrary.com/event/lit-reading-group-january-session/
CATEGORIES:Activities To Do,LGBTQAI+,online
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://oxfordpoetrylibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/LIT-group-pic.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250126T130000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250126T150000
DTSTAMP:20260609T220054
CREATED:20240625T123910Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250110T134744Z
UID:6993-1737896400-1737903600@oxfordpoetrylibrary.com
SUMMARY:Drafting Table Peformance Session
DESCRIPTION:Welcome to Drafting Table\, where we share our emerging poems with each other and provide feedback in a safe and inclusive environment. \nMaybe you have been attending the Getting Started sessions and feel ready to edit your work and develop your ideas. Maybe you’re an experienced but unpublished poet who wants to take those next steps in your poetry career. Just bring a willingness to receive and provide feedback with the whole group! \nOnce a month\, we invite a published poet to join us. There will be a short reading of their poems followed by a workshop where attendees can learn more about the creative process\, get an insight into what it means to be a poet\, and share our work with them. \nThis month’s poet is legend of Welsh poetry Gwyneth Lewis. Check out Gwyneth’s website for more of her accolades. \nPLEASE NOTE: due to high demand\, this session is ticketed (but still free!) Please book via eventbrite here. \n  \nFeel free to email any queries to opldraftingtable@gmail.com
URL:https://oxfordpoetrylibrary.com/event/drafting-table-peformance-session/
LOCATION:The Community Works\, 21 Park End Street\, Oxford\, OX1 1HH\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oxfordpoetrylibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/drafting-table-banner.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250131T113000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250131T130000
DTSTAMP:20260609T220054
CREATED:20241115T165653Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241115T165653Z
UID:8261-1738323000-1738328400@oxfordpoetrylibrary.com
SUMMARY:The Hip Crowd open mic
DESCRIPTION:Hey! The rumours are true. It’s… \nThe Hip Crowd Open Mic! \n\nOxford Poetry Library and Makespace Oxford bring you an open mic event especially for folks with babes-in-arms\, but also open to all and everyone. \nIf you’re feeling like daytime is the right time for you to entertain or be entertained\, join us at The Community Works on the last Friday of every month. The action begins at 11.30am\, but performers please do arrive from 11am to sign up for your turn on the stage. \nWe welcome poetry\, music\, storytelling\, comedy and whatever else you think might dazzle in a 5-minute slot \nThe entire event will be baby friendly and baby welcoming\, with lots of floor space at the front\, changing facilities\, buggy parking area outside\, and clear walkways to exit the performance area easily if needed.  There will also be that most beautiful and warmly appreciated of gifts: free tea and coffee provided. \nThe event is non-ticketed\, but costs £5 to spectate (£2 for concessions) and is totally free to performers. Cash only (there are nearby cashpoints)! \nBe there or be square.
URL:https://oxfordpoetrylibrary.com/event/the-hip-crowd-open-mic-5/
LOCATION:The Community Works\, 21 Park End Street\, Oxford\, OX1 1HH\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oxfordpoetrylibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot-2024-03-02-at-16.47.19.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250131T133000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250131T153000
DTSTAMP:20260609T220054
CREATED:20250108T110228Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250108T110336Z
UID:8950-1738330200-1738337400@oxfordpoetrylibrary.com
SUMMARY:Write Space
DESCRIPTION:What is it?\nFrom 2025\, Friday opening hours at the Library are making way for Write Space\, a new pop-up place for you to work on your creative writing projects in the company of other local writers. For two hours every other Friday\, come and write with us in a friendly low-key environment. \nWhen is it?\n1.30-3.30pm Every other Friday\, January-March 2025 (and hopefully beyond!) \nWhere is it?\nThe event space at the Community Works\, Park End Street. \nWho is it for?\nWriting can be a lonely business and sometimes it can be hard to protect time for yourself to write when life weighs in. Write Space is for anyone writing creatively (poetry\, fiction\, drama\, creative non-fiction…) who would value this space. Write Space is facilitated by OPL volunteers. \nHow do I take part?\nSave your spot by registering via the link below.\n(We’re asking everyone to pre-book during our pilot phase so we can plan well and make sure there’s plenty of space for all.) \nDo I have to come for the whole time?\nWe’ll start with a gentle writer’s warm-up then we’ll work in peace on our projects. We’ll take a short break before a second block of writing. If you arrive between those times\, you’re welcome to settle in quietly – we’ll look forward to chatting to you in the break! \nWhat should I bring?\nBring what you’re working on and what you like to write on/ with. Bring your own drink or buy one at Lula’s.  \nCan I bring my kids/ pets/ friends?\nGreat question! We are exploring setting up a Write Space special edition with space for babies but for now it’s for (human) adults. Friends are welcome – make sure they book themselves a spot!
URL:https://oxfordpoetrylibrary.com/event/write-space-2/
LOCATION:The Community Works\, 21 Park End Street\, Oxford\, OX1 1HH\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oxfordpoetrylibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/screengrab-Write-Space-cropped.png
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