No poem posted yesterday for the Guardian Challenge, as I did a spur of the moment volte face and went to Tralee, to a poetry reading. 9 hours driving for 3 hours poetry? A bit mad, but there was method in my madness.
Reuben's Cafe, Ashe Street, Tralee, was the venue, a lovely little coffee shop, just off the beaten path in Tralee, opposite the Church of Ireland. And there were plenty of readers: experienced and upcoming, poetry and prose, giving a delightful variety to the readings.
It was a case of two birds and one stone with the unexpected trip - I was able to cast a quick eye over the first proof of Kairos, as well as introducing myself to the good people of Tralee and hearing the wealth of talent that there was on the day.
The Reuben's Cafe gig happens on every Bank Holiday and St.Patricks Day also, from 3pm to 6pm, an infrequent frequency, but enjoyable for the variety and opportunity it brings. Reuben's Cafe is also noted for the opportunities it gives to artists, by exhibiting their work, whether paintings, pottery or sculpture and hosting launches of opening nights. Indeed there were some very interesting pictures on display yesterday!
Present as readers were, Richard Smyth, Owen Dureke, Matt Camplisson, Ann Dempsey (from Birmingham!), Peter Keane (former Doghouse publication), Noel King, Gene Barry (Cork), Jane Ovbude, Louis Mulcahy (Ballyferriter), Mike Gallagher, Donal O Siodhachain and myself. All are in the picture, bar Owen.
3 comments:
Some fine beards there!!! When will Kairos be generally available?
Funny you should say that, kinda goes with all the talk of beards from the other day...
I have some great news about Kairos... :)
But I'm drawing it out a little...
It's such a shame that gig is held in Reuben's cafe, my own experience of the place is so totally opposite that I could not conceive of ever going there again! It is quite true that the cafe is lovely and open, but for some reason the music played over the speakers is extremely loud. When I mentioned this to the waitress, her response was to tell me to get my ears tested as no-one else had complained! As it happened, my guest then informed me that he had been a frequent patron of the cafe but had stopped going there because the music was so loud. I'm sorry but if the y managed to get the most famous bands, writers and singers in the world, I would not be going there!
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