Isobel’s work is gently pervasive. She reads with a confidence and firmness that belies the lyrical lilt of her poetry. Every consonant of her finely-tuned lines is articulated.—Tom Chivers, writer, editor and poetry promoter, on This is Yogic
COMING UP in 2012:
Saturday 18 February 2012: 'Echoes, Ripples, Whispers - Breath, Voice and Persona' - Poetry School Workshop in Brighton
What do Mervyn Peake, the Mary Celeste and Marilyn Monroe have in common? They’ll all pop up in this workshop designed to refresh and inspire you, both in creating work on the page, and in sharing it with confidence. You’ll read and discuss published poems as a springboard, use exercises to experiment with poetic voice, draft and workshop new poems, and have the chance to receive supportive feedback on improving performance skills. After this day workshop of listening, writing, reading, and exploring identities mistaken, doubled and assumed, you’ll go away with fresh ideas and a greater awareness of your own voice potential.
Venue: New Writing South (The Writers' Place), 9 Jew Street, Brighton, BN1 1UT, Tel: 01273 735353. More info here.
Date: Saturday 18th Feb 2012; Time: 10.30am-4.30pm.
Full cost: £57.00; 60+: £45.00; Concs: £34.00. Buy tickets here.
Saturday 18 February 2012: 4 Poets at the Redroaster, Brighton
Catherine Smith, Simon Barraclough, John McCullough & Isobel Dixon read from new collections and new work.
Saturday 18th Feb 2012; Time: 7.45 pm.
Redroaster, 1d St. James Street, Brighton BN2 1RE. £5/£3
Sunday 18 March 2012: StAnza Poetry Festival 2012, St Andrews, Scotland
I'm delighted to be reading at two events on the final day of Scotland's international poetry festival.
Sunday 18 March 2012: Border Crossings at StAnza, with Isobel Dixon and Ghayath Almadhoun
This final reading in StAnza's Border Crossings series brings together two prize-winning poets from very different backgrounds. Isobel Dixon was born in South Africa, studied in Scotland, and now lives and works in England. She reads with Ghayath Almadhoun who was born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria and in 2008 emigrated to Sweden where he is now resident. Full details here.
2.15-3.15pm, The Undercroft, St John's House, South Street, £3.00/£2.00
Sunday 18 March: Psycho Poetica at StAnza
A special 'portable' version of 2010's 16-performer Psycho Poetica show, featuring Simon Barraclough, Isobel Dixon and Joe Dunthorne. 12 poems, 3 readers, original music recreating Hitchcock's classic. Full details here.
The Byre Theatre, Abbey Street, Studio Theatre, £5.00/£3.00
Been and gone in 2011:
Monday 12 December: Barraclough, Dixon and Maxwell at The Compass
Closing the Compass poetry season for 2011, with Glyn Maxwell, Isobel Dixon and Simon Barraclough. Come along for a drink and a pre-Christmas catch-up, and readings, including some new work, from three poets. The Compass serves good food, and there are many eateries near by for a bite to eat before or after.
7:30 p.m., The Compass, 58 Penton Street, Islington, London N1 9PZ. Closest tube is Angel. Map here.
Saturday 3 December: Bristol launch of 'The Art of Wiring', Foyles at Cabot Circus, Bristol
This evening sees the Bristol launch of The Art of Wiring, a sparky selection of poems all wired into a beautiful new limited edition multi-circuit pamphlet, published by Ondt & Gracehoper. Join us for readings from Liane Strauss, Simon Barraclough, Luke Heeley, Isobel Dixon, Roisin Tierney and Costa Winner Christopher Reid.
6:00 - 7.30 p.m Foyles, 6 Quakers Friars, Cabot Circus, Bristol, BS1 3BU. Map here.
Free entry, but book on the Foyles Bristol site or email cabotcircus@foyles.co.uk.
Saturday 26 November: Agent Seminar and One-to-One at Writers' Centre Norwich
A morning talk with informal Q&A with Isobel Dixon of the Blake Friedmann Literary Agency about their role representing a broad range of fiction and non-fiction writers from around the world. You’ll get an insight into what they look out for and which approaches work and why - and which don't. There will be a chance to discuss your experiences with Isobel and your fellow writers, as well as a 20 minute one-to-one feedback session looking at your work and how to approach an agent.
10am-12pm: seminar, lunch break, then afternoon 20 min one-to-one sessions.
Writers’ Centre Norwich, 14 Princes Street, Norwich, NR3 1AE. Tel: +44 (0)1603 877177. General: info[at]writerscentrenorwich.org.uk
£50 (£40 concessions). Book online here. for this popular writers' development workshop.
Monday 21 November 2011: Atlantic Crossing at The Compass with August Kleinzahler
International award-winning poet August Kleinzahler, over from the US, features in the latest of this occasional series of evenings at the Compass in Islington, featuring visiting poets from abroad. Kleinzahler's reading will hosted by (and with short readings from) hosts Isobel Dixon and Simon Barraclough. Come along in good time, it promises to be a busy night!
7:30 p.m., The Compass, 58 Penton Street, Islington, London N1 9PZ. Closest tube is Angel. Map here.
£5 entry.
Thursday 10 November: Isobel Dixon at St Lawrence College, Ramsgate
An event for poetry lovers young and old, and also ideal for any prospective or current AS/A2 English students. Isobel's poem 'Plenty' has been included in the IGCSE anthology for English literature examinations, and her work has been taught in schools around the world.
7:00 p.m., The School Library, St Lawrence College, College Road, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 7AE. Map here. Tel: +44 184 357 2900. Email: hm@slcuk.com
Free and open to all.
Monday 3 October: Nurkse, Strauss, Dixon, Barraclough at The Compass
Second in an occasional series of UK/US poetry readings at The Compass near Angel Islington, we welcome Forward shortlisted poet D. Nurkse. Dennis's book 'Voices Over Water' (CB Editions) is up for this year's Forward Best Collection prize and this is a great opportunity to see Dennis read in the UK. He will be supported by three Salt poets: Liane Strauss ('Leaving Eden'), Isobel Dixon ('The Tempest Prognosticator') and Simon Barraclough ('Neptune Blue'). Kick off around 7pm.
7:00 p.m., The Compass, 58 Penton Street, Islington, London N1 9PZ. Closest tube is Angel. Map here.
Saturday 1 October: Poetry Workshop at Writers' Centre Norwich
Is your poetry in need of a revitalised approach? Do you think your methods are becoming a tad sober? Take a dram of poetry inspiration in this day workshop with South African poet, Isobel Dixon.
10 a.m - 4 p.m.
Writers’ Centre Norwich, 14 Princes Street, Norwich, NR3 1AE. Tel: +44 (0)1603 877177. General: info[at]writerscentrenorwich.org.uk
£50 (£40 concessions).
Tuesday 27 September 2011: Johannesburg Launch of The Tempest Prognosticator at Love Books, Melville, Johannesburg.
5.30 for 6:00 p.m., Love Books, 53 Rustenburg Road (Cnr. 9th Street), Meville, Johannesburg.
Friday 23 September 2011: Cape Town Launch Event for The Tempest Prognosticator at the Open Book Festival
6 p.m. - 7 p.m., The Fugard Studio, As part of the Open Book Festival this is a ticketed event.Tickets cost R30. Book tickets here.
Wednesday 21 September 2011: Open Book Poetry at the Rococo
Finuala Dowling, Isobel Dixon, Gus Ferguson & Liesl Jobson read from their work. No need to book, just come and listen!
8.30 p.m at the Rococo Studio, 38 Buitenkant Street, Cape Town. Free.
Thursday 15 September 2011: The Tempest Prognosticator Poetry and Art Event, ArtKaroo Gallery, Oudtshoorn
6 p.m. Welcome drinks sponsored by Dido Wines. Paying bar after.
ArtKaroo Gallery, 107 Baron van Reede Street, Oudtshoorn, Tel: 044 2791093
Tuesday, 13 September 2011: Great Karoo Launch of The Tempest Prognosticator, Graaff-Reinet
6 p.m. - 8.30 p.m. Graaff-Reinet Club, Church Square. Welcome drinks sponsored by Dido Wines. Paying bar after.
Thursday 1 September 2011: The Art of Wiring Party at The Electricity Showrooms
A sparky selection of poems from six poets, wired into a beautiful new multi-circuit pamphlet, The Art of Wiring, published by Ondt & Gracehoper. Short readings from Christopher Reid, Roisin Tierney, Liane Strauss, Isobel Dixon, Luke Heeley and Simon Barraclough, and partying after, with some electrifying DJing by Oli Barrett of Bleeding Heart Narrative and Petrels.
The Electricity Showrooms, 39a Hoxton Square, Shoreditch, London, N1 6NN. Map here.
Switch on at 7.00 p.m.
News of the event on Elizabeth Baines' blog and Katy Evans-Bush's Ms Baroque blog.Monday 15 August 2011: Early Word at Captains Bar, Edinburgh
An early morning reading and Q&A session with Isobel Dixon, in an intimate and historic venue with literary connections. Doors open 9 a.m., poetry at 9.30 a.m. The price includes wake-up coffee and cake.
9.30 - 10.30 a.m. at Captains Bar, 4 South College Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9AA. Tickets: £5.50 (£4.50)
Tuesday 16 August 2011: Bonham's Ten at Ten, Edinburgh International Book Festival
A quick, free, ten minute poetry reading by Isobel Dixon, to kickstart your festival day.
10:00 a.m. - 10.10 a.m, Writer's Retreat, Edinburgh International Book Festival, Charlotte Square Gardens (at the west end of George Street, a minute away from Princes Street). Free, but tickets can be booked in advance.
Tuesday 16 August 2011: Fruitmarket Gallery Reading, Edinburgh
Featuring Helen Mort, Isobel Dixon, Helen Ivory, Simon Barraclough, Andrew Phillip and Rob Mackenzie
7:30 p.m. for 8 p.m. at the Fruitmarket Gallery, £3 entry.
Wednesday 10 August 2011: Herbs-Words-Wilderness at The Urban Physic Garden
A prose and poetry sandwich of urban nature writing (with a folk music dressing), celebrating the glory of growing things, wild London and herbal medicine.
1-2pm, Urban Physic Garden, 100 Union Street, SE1. Free entry.
Author Helen Babbs will read from her just published first book, My Garden, the City and Me: Rooftop Adventures in the Wilds of London. Poets James Wilkes, Chris McCabe, Isobel Dixon, Sarah Kelly, Matt Martin and Chrissy Williams will read from the newly published poetry anthology, Herbarium. Plus live acoustic music from the marvellous Monooka before and after. Books and zines will be on sale in the garden (cash only).
Tuesday 19 July 2011: Salt Plus at the Betsey Trotwood
Roddy Lumsden's series of readings by poets with new collections, published by Salt and others. With Claire Trevien, Isobel Dixon, Abi Curtis, Tamar Yoseloff and Simon Barraclough.
7.30 pm at the Betsey Trotwood,56 Farringdon Rd, Clerkenwell, London, EC1R 3BL. Free.
Sunday 10 July 2011: Betsey Trotwood Summer All-Dayer
A free afternoon and evening of poetry in the Betsey Trotwood pub. 56 Farringdon Rd, Clerkenwell, London, EC1R 3BL. Beer, food, poems, and a poetry quiz. Organised by Roddy Lumsden's 'BroadCast', Tim Wells' 'Rising' and Andy Ching's 'Donut Press'. The day’s events will start at 3pm and end around 10pm with timings as follows, so pop in as you like:
3-4 pm: Short readings from poets with recent collections: Clare Pollard, Roddy Lumsden, Kate Potts, Katy Evans-Bush
4-5pm Clinic Poets: highlights from their new anthology
5-6pm Poetry Quiz & Pete Brown
6-7 pm Short readings from poets with recent collections: Simon Barraclough, James Goodman, Jacqui Saphra, Tamar Yoseloff and Isobel Dixon.
7-8pm She Swears It Well: Ashna Sarkar, Sophie Cameron and Josephine Seblon.
8-9pm Chelsey Girls - - a Chelsey Minnis Tribute, with fans reading their favourite Minnis pieces, plus poems inspired by poetry's greatest dental nurse!
9-10 pm: Poets Isobel Dixon, Kate Potts, Nia Davies, Edward Mackay, Amy Key, Simon Barraclough and Roddy Lumsden read from Sidekick Books' recent Birdbook anthology, edited by Jon Stone and Kirsten Irving.
Thursday, 14 July 2011: London Launch of The Tempest Prognosticator
Thursday 9 and Friday 10 June 2011: University of Salzburg's South African Word Feast, Salzburg, Austria
In celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the University Partnership Programme Salzburg- Stellenbosch, the University of Salzburg is hosting a 'South African Word Feast', with lectures, creative writing and poetry translation workshops, with writers and academics Denis Hirson, Isobel Dixon, Edwin Hees, Sarah Nuttall, and Daniel Roux, and musician Brendan Adams.
Opening event on Thursday 9 June at Schloss Leopoldskron, with Friday 10 June's workshops and evening poetry reading by Denis Hirson and Isobel Dixon at Atelier im Kunstquartier. Hosted by Dr. Dorothea Steiner, Associate Professor of the Department of English and American Studies, with Wolfgang Goertschacher of Poetry Salzburg Review, Andreas Schachermayr and Markus Oppolzer. Full programme of workshops and readings here.
Thursday, 19 May 2011: Poetry at The Compass - Barraclough, Dixon, McCabe, Fried, Read, Wormser
Phil Fried and Baron Wormser are over from the States, Sally Read is flying in from Rome and Simon Barraclough, Isobel Dixon and Chris McCabe will be tubing it to this splendid Islington pub for an eclectic night of poetry. The poets will read for 15 minutes each and there will be time to enjoy The Compass's two bars and the really excellent food. Lots of other bars and eateries nearby too.
7:00 p.m., The Compass, 58 Penton Street, Islington, London N1 9PZ. Closest tube is Angel. Map here.
Friday 8 April 2011: Painted, Spoken Live at the Wheatsheaf.
Isobel Dixon, David Kinloch, Peter McCarey and Richard Price read new work in a night of poetry and fiction by contributors to Painted,spoken. Hosted by the magazine's editor, poet and novelist Richard Price.
7:00 p.m. The Wheatsheaf, 25 Rathbone Place, London,W1T 1DG. Closest tube is Goodge Street, as Tottenham Court Road is closed. Map here.
Thursday 14 April 2011: Alien Nation Literary Night, Great Western Studios.
Literary Night for Alien Nation, an exhibition by and about all the aliens who call London home; featuring art, music and more inspired by George Mikes’s book How to be an Alien. Isobel Dixon will be performing along with Dzifa Benson, Reg Starkey and Sarah Lyall. Presented by Turid Weingartz and Soapbox Events.
7:00 p.m. Great Western Studios, 65 Alfred Road, London W2 5EU. Nearest Tubes Westbourne Park & Royal Oak (Hammersmith & City and Circle Lines). Map and info here.
Sunday 17 April 2011: Cambridge Wordfest panels on publishing and poetry.
Edge of the Abyss or a New Golden Age in Publishing?
Will ebooks, Googlebooks and Amazon save or destroy literary publishing? How can writers find their readers and how can publishers help them? Our panel of distinguished publishers and agents will help make sense of the emerging literary landscape: Alex Bowler is senior editor at Jonathan Cape, Isobel Dixon is a director of the Blake Friedmann Literary Agency and Ailah Ahmed is a senior editor at Canongate. Chaired by Rachel Calder, Director, Sayle Literary Agency
Sunday 17 April, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. in the Cambridge Union Blue Room. Map and info here. Book tickets here.
The Business of Poetry
Poet and literary agent Isobel Dixon chairs a panel on the publishing of poetry, with panelist publishers Neil Astley of Bloodaxe and Chris Hamilton-Emery of Salt. A first-hand account of the state of poetry publishing today.
Sunday, 17 April, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. in the Cambridge Union Blue Room. Map and info here. Book tickets here.
Monday 14 March, Magma 49 Launch at the Troubadour.
The launch reading for Magma 49, edited by Julia Bird with the theme ‘Build It Up and Knock It Down’. Poets published in Magma 49, including Isobel Dixon, Jon Stone, John McCullough, Anja Konig, Susan Wicks and Denise Saul read their work together with W.N. Herbert and Jackie Wills.
See Isobel's Magma 49 poem here.
Readings in 2010:
Monday 29 November 2010: Poetry from Art at Tate Modern.
A reading by poets who attended Pascale Petit's autumn Poetry from Art course at Tate Modern.
6.30 - 8.30 p.m. Free.
Poetry & Dream, Level 3, Tate Modern, Bankside SE1 9TG.
Saturday 27 November 2010: “Have Poets Will Travel” – Travel Bookshop Residency Reading.
Richard Price, Simon Barraclough and Isobel Dixon reading new poems inspired by their one-day residencies at the Travel Bookshop.
6.30 p.m. doors for 7 p.m. start. £5 entry.
The Travel Bookshop, 13-15 Blenheim Crescent, Notting Hill, W11 2EE.
Sunday 24 October 2010: Psycho Poetica at the South Bank
A fourth outing for the 50th anniversary Psycho collaboration, featuring Simon Barraclough, Dzifa Benson, Emily Berry, Isobel Dixon, Joe Dunthorne, Jane Draycott, Luke Heeley, Chris McCabe, Heather Phillipson, Richard Price, Catherine Smith and Matthew Welton. New score from Bleeding Heart Narrative.
4 p.m. St Paul's Pavilion, South Bank Centre, London, Tickets: £7.50.
Monday 18 October 2010: The Albion Beatnik Bookshop Reading in Oxford
Reading featuring Alan Buckley, Isobel Dixon, Simon Barraclough and Giles Goodland.
8 p.m.The Albion Beatnik Bookshop, 34 Walton Street, Jericho, Oxford OX2 6AA (on Walton Street, just north of the junction with Little Clarendon Street).
Monday 21 September 2010: Authors for Peace, World Peace Day Reading
24 hour live online event hosted by Priya Basil and supported by the Internationales Literaturfestival Berlin, featuring 15-minute readings from writers around the world, including Brian Chikwava, Rana Dasgupta, Isobel Dixon, Maxine Hong Kingston, Zukiswa Wanner, Kamila Shamsie and others to be confirmed.
Monday 23 August 2010: Edinburgh Free Fringe Festival: Utter! Salt Poets
Two hour special featuring Simon Barraclough, Julia Bird, Isobel Dixon, Mark Granier, Eleanor Rees, Andrew Philip, Rob Mackenzie and Ryan van Winkle.
6.30 p.m. Venue 156: The Banshee Labyrinth (Banqueting Hall), 29-35 Niddry Street, Edinburgh EH1 1LG. Free entry.
Sunday 18 July 2010, Myths, Maps, and The Heroic Heart, Nelson Mandela Day at the British Museum
18 July is international Nelson Mandela Day. Celebrate South African culture and the legacy of Nelson Mandela with music and dance performances, talks, poetry and storytelling. Free events throughout the day.
Isobel Dixon will be reading at 11.30 - 12:00 and 1:00 - 1:30. All events are free. See more here.
Sunday 18 July 2010, Psycho Poetica at the Latitude Festival
Come and join us in the Poetry Arena on Sunday evening at 7:20 p.m. for a third performance of Psycho Poetica. Twelve poets recreate Hitchcock's classic with musical support from Bleeding Heart Narrative. Readers include: Simon Barraclough, Dzifa Benson, Emily Berry, Isobel Dixon, Joe Dunthorne, Jane Draycott, Luke Heeley, Annie Freud, Chris McCabe, Heather Phillipson, Richard Price and Matthew Welton. More details here.
Wednesday 14 July 2010, Loose Muse at the Poetry Cafe
8 p.m. The Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2. Closest tube: Covent Garden.
£5.00/£3.00 concessions.
Isobel Dixon and Tania Hershman read at London's regular event for women writers of all genres. Hosted by Sara-Mae Tuson. More info here.
21 - 26 June 2010, Worlds Literature Festival, Norwich
A week-long symposium of seminars and public events organised by the Writers' Centre Norwich, with international writers including J M Coetzee, Henrietta Rose-Innes, Gabeba Baderoon, Kate Kilalea, Michelle de Kretser, Christopher Merrill, M J Hyland, Neel Mukherjee, Isobel Dixon and others.
Thursday 24 June 2010, Refreshing Your Appetite for Poetry, Workshop with Isobel Dixon, Worlds Literature Festival Norwich
4.15 - 6.15 pm. Writers’ Centre Norwich, 14, Princes Street, Norwich, NR3 1AE
£25/£20 concessions
"This workshop will help you focus on enjoyable exercises for leaping into the poem, using objects and images and other devices to refresh your practice."
14-16 May 2010 Franschhoek Literary Festival
Saturday 15 May, 'Secret Agents'
Literary agent Isobel Dixon and literary scout Rebecca Servadio provide an insight into their roles in the publishing industry.
11:30 - 12:30, Hospice Hall.Tickets R60 (R20 for students), proceeds to the FLF Library Fund.
Sunday 15 May 'Toktokkie, King Kong & the Orang-utan: Isobel Dixon Reads Poems from A Fold in the Map and Beyond'
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. The Screening Room. Tickets R60 (R20 for students), proceeds to the FLF Library Fund.
Wednesday 28 April 2010, 'Feast on Words' reading as part of the Kings Cross Reveal Festival, London
Poetic readings in celebration of food, with Simon Barraclough, Tim Wells, Agnes Lehoczky and others.
6.30 - 7.30, link here. Other details to follow.
Thursday 22 April 2010, Reading with Welsh poets in Cardiff Bay
Isobel Dixon replaced Antjie Krog (who could not travel from South Africa due to the volcanic disruptions) at this reading with Welsh poets Menna Elfyn, Nigel Jenkins, Paul Henry and Elin ap Hywel
7.00pm - 8.30pm Norwegian Church, Cardiff Bay, Wales. Organised by the British Council in partnership with Academi and Wales Arts International, as part of the 'One Nation Many Voices' Market Focus on South Africa at the London Book Fair 2010.
Wednesday 21 April 2010, Andre Brink In Conversation with Isobel Dixon, Foyles Bookshop, London
6.30 - 8.00 p.m. Foyles, Charing Cross Road. Map and info here.
Monday 19 April 2010, Soweto Kinch and Bra Willie present Salon Shebeen, Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank, London
This event unfortunately had to be cancelled due to the disruption of flights by volcano! What would have been: A night of words and music with an eclectic constellation of South African talents. Southbank Centre's Salon Shebeen features an unmissable collaboration across generations between jazz saxophonist Soweto Kinch and South African Poet Laureate Keorapetse Kgositsile (Bra Willie); an audience with living legacy Mrs Evita Bezuidenhout (Pieter-Dirk Uys); and poetry, readings and performance from Malika Ndlovu, Ndumiso Ngobo, Isobel Dixon, Sihle Khumalo and Nadia Davids.
In partnership with the South African Department of Arts and Culture, British Council, and London Book Fair as part of the One Nation, Many Voices Programme.
7.30 p.m. Queen Elizabeth Hall. Venue info here. Tickets £12. Book here.
Saturday 10 April 2010, Psycho Poetica #1 at the British Film Institute, London
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hitchcock's seminal slasher and its influence on many art forms, twelve poets have carved up the film between them and created a new poetic interpretation. Their collective re-imagining will be performed presently in the Delegate's Room at the BFI, and some of the poets will introduce screenings of the original feature in April. What rich and strange new version of ‘Psycho’ will twelve distinctive poetic visions produce?
Devised by Simon Barraclough with support from LOVEFiLM and featuring Simon Barraclough, Jane Draycott, John Stammers, Annie Freud, Matthew Welton, Isobel Dixon, Roddy Lumsden, Dzifa Benson, Chris McCabe, Luke Heeley, Heather Phillipson and Joe Dunthorne.
7.30 p.m., BFI Delegates Centre, £5 entry fee. Map here.
Wednesday 31 March 2010, Three Graces at the Wheatsheaf
Three poets join forces for poems both graceful and disgraceful... Readings from Roisin Tierney, Sally Read and Isobel Dixon. Introduced by gracious host Simon Barraclough.
7:00 p.m. The Wheatsheaf, 25 Rathbone Place, London, W1T 1JB.
Nearest Tube, Tottenham Court Rd. £3 at the door.
Monday 8 March 2010, Magma 46 launch at The Troubadour
Celebrating the launch of Magma 46, edited by Jacqueline Saphra and Norbert Hirschhorn, with a wide selection of Magma 46 contributors and two guest poets, Anne-Marie Fyfe and Penelope Shuttle.
8:00 - 10:00 p.m. Downstairs at The Troubadour, 263-267 Old Brompton Road, London, SW5.
More event info here and venue and map here.
Tuesday 9 February 2010, CB1 Reading at Michaelhouse
with Richard Berengarten.
8:00 p.m., Michaelhouse Cafe, Trinity Street, Cambridge, CB2 1SU.
More info and map here.
Thursday 28 January 2010, Succour Salon at the Betsey Trotwood
8:00 p.m. at the Betsey Trotwood Pub, 56 Farringdon Road, EC1R 3BL. Free entry.
A night of readings from Succour Issue 10. Featuring poetry and fiction from a line-up including Lee Rourke, Abi Curtis, Cherry Smyth, Gary Cansell, John Clegg, Isobel Dixon and Judy Brown. Map here.
Readings in 2009:
Tuesday 1 December 2009, Winter Fuel
7:00 p.m., The Duchess, 101 Battersea Park Road, London, SW8 4DS.
Map here. £4 entry.
A spicy mix of voices to warm the winter chill, with readings from Simon Barraclough, Emily Berry, Isobel Dixon, Chris McCabe, Heather Phillipson and Richard Price.
Wednesday and Thursday 28 and 29 October 2009, Durham Book Festival
Wednesday 13:00 - 'Intellectual Property and Agenting' event at the Marriott Hotel.
Thursday 10:00 - Poetry Workshop at the Library.
Monday 26 October 2009, Mesoteric
7:30 p.m. Chez Kristof, 111 Hammersmith Grove, W6 0NQ
An evening of poetry at the Chez Kristof restaurant, hosted by Betsy de Lotbiniere. With Adam O'Riordan, Annie Freud, Isobel Dixon and Betsy de Lotbiniere.
Map here.
Tuesday 29 September 2009, (in)Dignity - Spoken Word in Support of Amnesty International
7:30 p.m., The Castle, 15 Grosvenor Rise East, Walthamstow, London, E17 9LB.
Waltham Forest Amnesty International is proud to present a fantastic evening of spoken word performances - from the tender to the tragic, the serious to the absurd, with poetry, humour and killer ukulele tunes, all in support of Demand Dignity, a global Amnesty International campaign that aims to stop the human rights abuses that keep people poor.
Featuring Darren Hayman, Waen Shepherd, Isobel Dixon, Makola Mayimbika, James Peake, Dan Lewis, Jim Dunk and Ken Barlow.
All proceeds will go towards the Waltham Forest Amnesty International Group.
Thursday, 23 July 2009, On a Trip to Cirrus Minor - Pink Floyd-inspired poetry
7:00 p.m., The Duchess, 101 Battersea Park Road, London, SW8 4DS. Map here. £3 entry.
A rich mix of poetic voices with new work inspired by Pink Floyd albums, read in the shadow of the iconic Battersea Power Station. Featuring Simon Barraclough, Julia Bird, Jude Cowan, Claire Crowther, Isobel Dixon, Katy Evans Bush, Luke Heeley, Patrick Brandon, Amy Key, Roddy Lumsden, Lorraine Marriner, Chris McCabe, Jon Morrison, Helen Mort, Dave Palmer, Heather Phillipson, and George Ttoulli.
Tuesday, 9 June 2009, Verbatim Book Store, Stellenbosch.
Photos for LitNet by Melt Myburgh here.
Saturday 2 May 2009, The Sampler:1
16:30 - 17:30 p.m, The Wilberforce Theatre, Museum of London in Docklands
New afternoon event hosted by Chris Horton, and featuring Simon Barraclough, Isobel Dixon and Roddy Lumsden. Directions to Museum in Docklands here.
Friday 24 April 2009, St George's Day Reading #2
7:30 p.m. The Maypole, Cambridge.
24 poets read new poems on England's ceremonial counties - the second of two events.
Thursday 23 April 2009, St George's Day Reading #1
7:30 p.m. The Camden Head, Camden.
24 poets read new poems on England's ceremonial counties - the first of two events.
Wednesday 22 April 2009, Shakespeare Birthday Reading, Stratford-upon-Avon Poetry Festival
7:30 p.m. The Shakespeare Centre, Shakespeare's Birthplace Trust, Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6QW.
A celebration on the eve of Shakespeare’s birthday, hosted by, and in aid of, Oxfam Stratford-upon-Avon and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. Hosted by trustee Paula Byrne, with Isobel Dixon, Katy Evans-Bush, and Nigel Mcloughlin.
Thursday 5 March 2009, Manhattan Review Launch at Oxfam Marylebone
7:00 p.m. at the Oxfam Books and Music Shop, 91 Marylebone High Street, London, W1U 4RB.
Celebrating the The Manhattan Review Fall/Winter 2008-09 issue. Guest readers included the editor, New York poet Phil Fried, Penelope Shuttle and some of the poets featured in the Young British Poets section, selected by Todd Swift, including: Chris McCabe, Zoe Brigley, Jacob Polley, Daljit Nagra, Luke Kennard, Kathryn Simmonds, Emily Berry, Joe Dunthorne, Ben Wilkinson, Sally Read, Isobel Dixon, Jack Underwood, James Byrne, Melanie Challenger, Alex McRae, Helen Mort, and Nathan Hamilton.
Free, but donations to Oxfam encouraged. Map here.
Friday 27 February 2009, Salt vs Donut at the Betsey Trotwood
7:00 p.m. at the Betsey Trotwood Pub, 56 Farringdon Road, EC1R 3BL.
Simon Barraclough, Isobel Dixon and Mark Waldron battled it out for Salt, vs Tim Turnbull, Tim Wells and Liane Strauss for Donut. Map here.
Thursday 26 February 2009, London Irish Centre, Camden
8:00 p.m. 50-52 Camden Square, London, NW1 9X.
With Gill Andrews, Alan Brownjohn, Marianne Burton, Isobel Dixon, John Mackay and Liane Strauss.Map here.
Monday 26 January 2009, Mesoteric
8:00 p.m. Chez Kristof, 111 Hammersmith Grove, W6 0NQ
An evening of literature and art downstairs at the Chez Kristof restaurant, hosted by Betsy de Lotbiniere. With Matt Cook, Isobel Dixon, Betsy de Lotbiniere, Mischa Haller, and Jamie Warde-Aldam.
Email mesoteric.hq@googlemail.com. Map here.
Readings in 2008:
Tuesday 18 November 2008, Poetry and Publishing
Talk and reading to students at Bath Spa University.
Thursday 13 November 2008, Poetry and Space
6:30 pm, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ
Part of Poet in the City’s ‘Escaping the Matrix’ series at Imperial College. Featuring Diana Syder, Mario Petrucci, Inua Ellams and Isobel Dixon, reading poems on astronomy and space.
Monday 10 November, Lee Rosy's Tea Shop, Nottingham
7:00 p.m. Lee Rosy's Tea Shop, 17 Broad Street, Hockley, NG1 3AJ.
Nottingham University English Society and Creative Writing Society host a reading by Simon Barraclough and Isobel Dixon.
Saturday 25 October 2008, The Shuffle at the Poetry Cafe, Covent Garden
7:30 pm, The Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2.
Featuring Isobel Dixon, Beatrice Garland, Marianne Burton, Judy Brown, and Christine Webb.
Saturday 11 October 2008, La Langoustine est Morte at the Poetry Cafe
7:30 pm, The Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2.
Anthony Joseph and Sascha Akhtar's series, featuring Chris Emery, Graham Buchan, Aymeric Hainaux and Isobel Dixon.
Tuesday 7 October 2008, Merchant Taylors' School
Reading at Merchant Taylors' Independent School for Boys. See photos and info on the event here.
Wednesday 24 September 2008, Ride the Word III: Prose and Poetry at Borders
7:30 - 9:00 pm, Borders, 203-207 Oxford Street, London W1D 2LE.
Featuring novelist and short story writer Charles Lambert, poet Vincent De Souza, Isobel Dixon, short story writer Jay Merrill and Forward short-listed poet Simon Barraclough.
Saturday 13 September 2008, Bristol Poetry Festival
Gabeba Baderoon, Isobel Dixon and Rustum Kozain.
8:00 pm Arnolfini, 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol, BS1 4QA.
Friday 5 September 2008, 'Unspeakably Toothsome' - poems about food at the Betsey Trotwood
8:00 pm, The Betsey Trotwood, 56 Farringdon Rd, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 3BL.
I will be reading two food poems by other poets, two of my own, along with Julia Bird, Simon Barraclough, Annie Freud, Susan Grindley, Angela Kirby, Roddy Lumsden, Heather Phillipson, John Stammers, Mark Waldron and Tim Wells.
Tuesday 15 July 2008, Clare Hall Literary Society Reading
With Simon Barraclough. 8:00 pm, The Anthony Low Building, Clare Hall, Herschel Road, Cambridge, CB3 9AL, Tel. . Map here.
Saturday 5 July 2008, London Magazine Readings at the O2 Wireless Festival, Speakers’ Corner, Hyde Park
4-6pm, O2 Wireless Festival, Speakers’ Corner, Hyde Park, London.
Readings by London Magazine contributors. With Roddy Lumsden, Katy Evans-Bush, Paul Birtill, Maureen Jivani, Ruth O'Callaghan, Naomi Woodis, Tom Chivers and Aoife Mannix.
Saturday 5 July 2008, Succour Magazine Reading at the Poetry Cafe, Covent Garden
8:00 pm, The Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2. With Lee Rourke, William Chadwick and Joe Dunthorne. See some photos from the evening on Lee Rourke's site.
Friday 4 July 2008, Broadcast 50 States Project Readings at the Betsey Trotwood
8:00 pm, The Betsey Trotwood, 56 Farringdon Rd, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 3BL.
The second of two nights of new poems on America's States, hosted by Roddy Lumsden (following Thursday's event at the Scooterworks Cafe). The Friday 4 July event featured Emily Berry, Luke Heeley, Amy Key, Helen Mort, Ben Morris, Heather Phillipson, Camellia Stafford, Mark Waldron and Tamar Yoseloff, among others. I read a new poem on Washington.
CAPE TOWN BOOK FAIR:
Saturday 14 June 2008, on the Jacana Stand
2:00 pm, Book signing on the Jacana stand.
5:00 pm Jacana New Books Celebration, with Eric Miyeni. Photos on on Book SA.
Sunday 15 June 2008, Interview with John Maytham of Cape Talk
12:00 noon, The Forum, Cape Town International Convention Centre.
A Fold in the Map on Bookworm Books of the Week
Wednesday 11 June, Book Lounge, Cape Town with Rustum Kozain and Kelwyn Sole
6.30pm, at Book Lounge, corner of Roeland and Buitenkant Streets, Cape Town.
Monday 9 June, Off-the-Wall at A Touch of Madness
8 pm, at Off-the-Wall series venue A Touch Of Madness bar/restaurant, Observatory, Cape Town.
Thursday 5 June, 'Let There Be Light' - New Works by Candlelight at ArtKaroo, Oudtshoorn
6:30pm, ArtKaroo gallery, Oudtshoorn. A candelit evening of poetry (from A Fold in the Map and new poems), with an exhibition of new works by ceramicist Thijs Nel. See report in Die Hoorn. janet@artkaroo.co.za
Wednesday 30 April 2008, Salt Reading at Borders
Also featuring Mike Barlow, Simon Barraclough, Vincent De Souza and Anthony Joseph.
Wednesday 5 March 2008, St Edmund College Book Week
Reading at St Edmund's College.
Monday 4 February 2008, Salt Reading at the Troubadour
Also featuring Sascha Aurora Akhtar, Vincent de Souza, Tim Dooley, Tobias Hill, Luke Kennard, Chris McCabe, Eleanor Rees and Tamar Yoseloff. See photos and read more about the night.
Friday 25 January 2008, Ask for It by Name pamphlet launched at the Melton Mowbray
A gorgeous new pamphlet with work by myself, Simon Barraclough, Olivia Cole, Luke Heeley, Liane Strauss and Roisin Tierney. Design by Lynne Stuart. Available at readings, select book stores and Amazon, or contact me via the website. £5 a copy.
Readings in 2007:
Thursday 29 November 2007, Salt Autumn Party at Foyles Charing Cross Road
Readings with other Salt poets and short story writers, among them Alexander Hutchison, Carys Davies, John Hartley Williams, David Grubb and Shamshad Khan.
Friday 16 November 2007, African Writer's Evening, with Nii Parkes and Biram Mboob
The African Writers' Evening is held on the third Friday of every other month at The Poetry Café, 22 Betterton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2. Read more on the African Writers' Evening website.
Saturday 6th October 2007, O Dreamland! Film Poems at the BFI
Coinciding with National Poetry Day, ten poets read poems in response to the BFI Mediatheque's archive 'Essentially British', along with film clips. Poems from myself and writers including Simon Barraclough, Roddy Lumsden, Jane Draycott, Heather Phillipson, Luke Heeley and Olivia Cole.Delegates Room at the BFI London.
Thursday 27 September, London launch of A Fold in the Map
Launch of my new collection in the Gallery, Foyles Bookshop, Charing Cross Road.Photos here
.If you missed it, see what others thought here: