|
1 March 2004
• Letter from Meg
• The Open Stanza: Thursday, 11 March
• Calls for Writers
• March Literary Picks
LETTER FROM MEG
This month begins with the release of Versal
from our hands and into those of the printer, who will now recreate
Daniel's pixels onto paper, sew it up, and send it back to us in
boxes. For nearly a year we have been preparing for this on many
levels.
On the Poetry International site, there
is a quote from Colombian poet Nicolás Suescún about
the Netherlands. 'No country is freer. The low cultural level in
Colombia - caused by poverty and inequality - is the main obstacle
to the exercise of my freedom of expression.' Indeed, we live here
in privilege.
Recent developments aside (primarily influenced
by the fantastic influx of immigrants over the last 50 or so years),
I'm still trying to track the/a Dutch literary tradition. In a country
so 'free', one would expect a history akin to those of our European
neighbors. What history of it I have seen, however, seems scarce
and categorical, and its present held in particular hands. Next
year, the Netherlands will choose its third Poet Laureate, or Poet
of the Fatherland — to translate the title exactly. Gerrit
Komrij, the first Laureate, recently stepped down and an interim
poet was chosen to complete the five-year reign. Unlike in the States,
where the president appoints the poet laureate, here the people
choose. There is, at least, enough literary tradition for such an
election.
Through wordsinhere, and particularly
through Versal, we are working to reveal the current and
diverse literary plane which lives and thrives inbetween the old-boys'
Dutch literati and the ground-breaking slam brought over from London
and New York. Our search for its history, like our participation
in its present, is ongoing.
Has the world been at all e/affected by
Dutch literature? Should it be? Let
us know what you think...
NEWS
We're settling down in March to our new
Thursday night; the Stanza returns with its tried and true
formula that has made it one of the best poetry shows this side
of the Rhine. If you want to experience a poetry night with a myriad
of poetic voices and styles — where performance and prosody
take the stage together — then you can't miss The Open
Stanza.
This month we're proud to present:
Scottish writer Neil Cocker, whose
stories sort through history and identity; he builds images that
will personify you right into his prose.
Amsterdam's collective De Residentie.
You've already seen these guys on the Stanza stage, separately,
but now we're bringing them together for a special shared performance.
Music from Eddy, who says 'When I
sing, I find myself.' We bet his chords will find you, too.
And DJ Sudomodo, our new and super-funky
Stanza DJ.
It's Thursday, 11 March. Come at 8pm to
hang with the tunes; the metrics start at 9. Entrance: 5 euros.
Location: Volta, Houtmankade 336, Amsterdam.
CALLS FOR WRITERS
Through the communication miracle that is
the internet, we've met The Lemming and would like you to meet it
too [www.thelemming.com].
An online literary and arts magazine, it accepts a all kinds of
artistic manifestations. Check out their submission
guidelines here. Deadline is March 5!
This is the UK’s first national women’s
poetry competition. First prize £1,000; second prize £500;
third prize £250. Five runners-up will each win £25.
The best 25 poems will be published in the summer issue of Mslexia.
The entry fee is £5 per person for up to five poems of any
length on any subject. We regret we cannot consider submissions
without the entry fee. For full details please see the competition
rules email postbag@mslexia.demon.co.uk
Closing date: 31 May 2004.
Pure Fiction: a fiction critique
group, facilitated by Cindy David. Are you a fiction writer looking
for feedback, inspiration and moral support? Pure Fiction is a group
of English language writers of short stories, novels and other forms
of fiction. The group emphasis is on reading/listening to each other's
work and providing honest critique and encouragement. For more information
and to sign up, email her at cindy@wordsinhere.com.
The Poetry Discussion Group continues.
Bring your poems and talk poetry with other writers. From 7:30pm
to 9:30pm every three weeks. Email Robin Winckel at winckelc@euronet.nl
to register and for more information.
Little Words: How to Write for Children.
Saturday & Sunday, March 20-21. Taught by Lisa Friedman.
For more information
on these workshops and for a listing of more, click
here.
MARCH EVENTS WE'RE GOING TO ATTEND
Saturday 6 March, 8:30pm
Pleintheater, Amsterdam
An homage to the passionate South-African
poet Ingrid Jonker. Her suicide in 1964 was the end of a unique
lyrical talent. Tonight's performance combines her poetry with music.
Entrance: 9 euros. Reservations: 020 693 3380.
Thursday 11 March, 8:30pm
Volta, Amsterdam
Get it off the page. Includes performances
from Neil Cocker and De Residentie. Music from Eddy and new house
DJ Sudomodo. Entrance: 5 euros. For more information visit our
Stanza pages. •
Monday 15 March, 10pm
Winston International, Amsterdam
A night of live bands mixed with DJs and live
poetry. With Misty K (Kamiel Proost) on words and DJ Zash, plus
guests. Live music by Plastic HiFi. Entrance: 5 euros. •
Events listed with a • are known to be accessible
to an English-language audience. If you visit a show which does
not have a • on our list but does include multi-lingual performances,
please let us know.
For the full list of March Events and for a listing
of regular shows, click
here.
ABOUT THIS LIST AND ADDRESS REMOVAL
This list provides news and information
about the wordsinhere community and its projects, as well
as a listing of this month's choice events in and around the Netherlands.
How do you get an event on the newsletter AND on the site? Email
it to us: calendar@wordsinhere.com.
Please feel free to distribute this e-mail
to those who you believe would be interested. Thank you very much
for your help and support.
You have received this message either because
you or someone else has added you to the wordsinhere mailing
list. If your email address changes or you wish to unsubscribe,
simply send an email to mailinglist@wordsinhere.com
with the appropriate subject-heading.
Copyright © wordsinhere 2004. No part
may be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the specific written
permission of wordsinhere first hand and obtained. wordsinhere is
a registered association through the Kamer van Koophandel, Netherlands.
Number 34181684.
|
