Blog – Lytisha Tunbridge

That was the year that was 2024

I can’t believe I haven’t blogged for the whole year – not very good at this regular malarkey am I! Well here is a quick round up of the poetic and creative highlights..

Statistically speaking, during 2024 I read to 780 people in the room, 27 on zoom, and 193,000 via Radio Nottingham and Riverside Radio. I read live stories at three events and poetry at fifteen events.

I organised or co-organised 5 events and MC’d at 4.

Image above by Hazel Warren from Women Say Stuff

A Journey Inside traveled to two festival for interactive performances at Wandworth Arts Festival and Nottingham Poetry Festival. Fablous feedback can be seen here: Plus it was selected for the Fivars Festival of International Virtual Augmented and Reality Stories 2024, winning a selection laurel.

There was so much more to tell you about, so here are a few snippets snaffled from other places:

During the Hockley Hustle in October Speech Therapy let me perform some sad poems to unexpected live Mariarchi band accompaniment, then tango with Kate Hendry recorded planned fiddle playing. Great supportive audience and fabulously hosted by Keith Ford all for the Hockley Hustle. Thanks for the photo too.

Poetry, Song, Cake & Freinds – 3 took place in October. Pete Yen of We Shall Overcome wrote: Wonderful lovely evening at Sherwood Methodists last night for the WSO event organised by Lytisha Tunbridge, in aid of St Ann’s and Sneinton Food Store. Best part of £350 in cash donations, and lots of food donations too. But also raised spirits. The featured artists were all excellent and so too were the Poetry open mic’ers.

DIY Poets had our annual outing to The Gate to Southwell festival and had a marvellous time sharing poems, hosting the Bard to Southwell Competition and generally being jolly. They even caught some of us dancing poets on their official video

DIY Poets at The Gate to Southwell Festival 2024

Happy 2025 to all and I will try to be more regular this year!

Poems, Places, and Virtual Words.

Well, what a summer! Lots of music, poetry, friends, festivals, viruses and multi-lingualism.

Here’s a poem for you from the launch of A Journey Inside, Impressions of Essaouira.

Places: I’ve been poeting in Parliament, at Womad with The Big Girls Village, as Poet-in-Residence at Wollaton Arts Festival, in Fountaine Daniel, France, at The National Holocaust Centre, at City Arts and at hybrid events with DIY Poets, and at various World Jam performances, as well as super events around the country.

Virtual Words: This year my poems are available in the Poetry Place exhibition both on-line and touring Inspire Libraries, in the virtual house as part of the A (socially distanced) Room of Ones Own, on DIY Poets YouTube channel, on VisualVerse.org as well as A Journey Inside VR Poem, the prototype of which is being tested currently.

I hope you’ve had a super year thus far, and we all have a poetic autumn / winter.

Lytisha

Virtual and real Spring!

The blossoms are out and the birds are, um, dancing and tickets are on sale for A Journey Inside VR Poem Experience. It’s all go!

I am very excited, and a little nervous to be honest, that the my Arts Council funded project is about to have it’s first public airing as the epigram to the Nottingham Poetry Festival 2023.

I even went on Notts TV to talk about it. If you’d like to watch the clip, Alma from City Arts, and I are on nottstv.com Notts Now for Tuesday 18th April.

On 18th March Joy and I welcomed over 70 of you, plus the zoom attendees, to Poetry, Song, Cake, and Friends at the Bulwell URC. Was amazing to see so many turned out, so thank you audience.

Big thank yous to The Rise Singers, to Cookie, and to Crazy Able for providing the songs. To all the open mic’ers for sharing poems including the first time sharers. It’s always an honour to hear poets perform for the first time.

And, not least to the amazing makers of the sea of delicious cakes! Mmnnn Tastiest gig I’ve ever held …

Lytisha’s other recent poeting adventures include a feature slot at the ever delightful wonder that is Speech Therapy.

Future poetic activities to look forward to include World Jam at The Playwright on Saturday 29th April, Sherwood Shesshions on Sunday 7th May and a sharing at The Houses of Parliament in June.

Phew, so much going on! Catch you at an event soon.

Here comes 2023!

Happy New Year!

Well, here we are again – one of Lytisha’s sporadic ‘regular’ blogs! Today the view from the house on the hill is of many hues of gray, at slanted angles over the gray rooftops. The wind is blustering, bursts of raindrops are attacking the window but all is warm and dry indoors – despite being abandoned by the cat. Apparently in the jumper section of the wardrobe is even cosier than this desk – and may account for future furry clothing.

Who am I kidding? All my clothes have been furry since…. furever!

This year I will be focussing on a couple of exciting projects.

I was fortunate enough to win an Arts Council England Award in October to fund A Journey Inside – the Virtual Reality version. Some of you might recall the poem I performed a few times in 2017 following a 2016 MRI scan? In 2018 it evolved with the help of COMA into an augmented experiential piece which was performed with live music as part of both the COMA National Festival and Nottingham Poetry Festival. During these performances the audience wore blindfolds and the sounds surrounded them.

This year I am working on a new incarnation recreating the experience in virtual reality. I am working with the support of the Mixed Reality Lab at the University of Nottingham ( I Know – how amazing does that sound!), City Arts and others.

You will be able to come test out the prototype at the 2023 Nottingham Poetry Festival in May – dates to be confirmed.

Women Say Stuff will be back again in March, organised as ever by a group of women volunteers from the DIY Poets co-hort. Always a fabulous event so keep your eyes peeled for the details on social media.

Meantime Multiple Shenanigans blog with Jeanette Bird-Bradley on youtube continues monthly and I look forward to seeing you at the DIY Poets showcase at City Arts on 9^th February.

Here’s a look at a poem that you can find via the QR code on the Nottingham Arboretum noticeboard as part of the Haptive Quest from 2022. See if you find the tree in the arboretum featured:

So, lots to look forward to in 2023. I hope to catch you out and about at an event or at a gig soon.

Lytisha

Phew – scorchio!!

I hope you aren’t a melted dollop of ice-cream but more a spritely icy-pole cocktail.

It’s been a busy time here in poeting world. And much more exciting happenings on the horizon. For example DIY Poets have their Quarterly Showcase at City Arts, Hockley, Nottingham on Thursday 11^th August. There are a plethora of quality poets on the line-up and a few open mic spots too.

You’ll next find me at Camper Calling over the August bank holiday. Fabulous festival and sold out. If you are lucky enough to have tickets come check out the spoken word & workshops at the Woodland Stage.

Here’s a pic of Chloé Jacquet performing her hilarious and thought provoking poetry. If you’ve not come across Chloé check her out here.

September begins with a Two Seda set at the New Art Exchange as part of the Nottingham Mela. This will be our first gig since the pandemic, and we are raring to bring you more multi-lingual, multi-cultural treats. I am really looking forward to this – been an age!

Photo Credit Keith Turner

Recent gigs include the WSO Garden Party organised by Pixie Styx to raise funds and collect donations for the Bulwell & Bestwood foodbank. It was a lovely afternoon and a good sum, as well as wheelbarrow of donations were collected.

The DIY Poets had a fabulous time with our events at The Gate to Southwell Folk Festival in July. A title of Bard of Southwell was fought in the open Slam competition and this year won by 8 year old Tibbie Star with her fabulous poem Fireworks. You can often catch Tibbie, accompanied by Paul Carbuncle, at various folk events in the region.

July also saw DIY Poets performing at the Ludlow Literature Festival. It was a hybrid event and the audience were treated to an array of talents, include moi via zoom.

I wish you all a fabulous summer and I couldn’t sign off on International Cat Day without a little of my favourite #DixieCatNottm.

Poet-in-Residence speaking!

Where to begin?! So much happening with Wollaton Arts News, Nottingham Poetry Festival, qualifications and much more to look forward to in the coming couple of months.

Lytisha, that’s me!, has been appointed Poet-in-residence for the Wollaton Arts Festival. This means as well as hosting the Poetry Aloud evening on Friday 24th of June, I will also be engaging with the Wollaton community during the festival week and the results will be showcased at the Wollaton Arts Festival finale, Wollaton Park on Sunday 26th June. I do hope you get to join us for some events, in person or via Zoom.

As part of my #DYCP I have completed and passed the Award in Education and Training, and am now qualified to teach adult learners. This will enable me to create even more dynamic learning experiences for groups and workshop participants. I am keen to expand my work with young adults so if you would like to book me, please do get in touch at Info@lytishapoet.co.uk.

Lytisha, woman in 50’s with white hair, raising a glass full of brightly coloured juice.

Nottingham Poetry Festival is almost upon us. There is a whole host of amazing poets lined up, and more events than you shake a stick at! I am directly involved with these three, plus will be watching many more!

Sharing Spaces with the Social Model Writers at Nottingham Playhouse on Sat 7th May 2022 at 2.30pm

We are delighted to be performing ‘Sharing Spaces’ at The Neville Studio in Nottingham Playhouse as part of Nottingham Poetry Festival 2022.

The event is free to attend and to make this event as accessible as possible to both performers and audience, it can be accessed in the venue or via zoom.

To book your free in venue or via zoom ticket click here.

DIY Poets Festival Showcase at City Arts, Hockley is on Thursday 12^th May 22 at 7.30pm.

DIY Poets are a Nottingham collective that have grown and developed some very fine poets through their regular critique sessions, workshops, and performances. This is our showcase. Details here.

WSO & Poetry Aloud presents: These are the Days at Sherwood Methodist Church, NG5 2EN on Friday 13^th May 22 at 7.30pm

These are the days: …. luxury mansions owned but empty, streets being the sheets for others. Displaced people at our doorstep, from wherever they had to leave. These are the days we didn’t imagine in 2022. For more details and to book your spaces click here:

Phew- so much happening in the next short while – and I haven’t mentions Ludlow Literature festival, or the next set of Lite Bites in the pipeline! Watch this space. I’ll leave you with the trials of the creative writer… never knowing what lies beneath!

Cat, Dixie, pawing at the seam cut into the carpet

Happy writing, dark tales, & happy listening!

Happy 2022! I hope it is a good one for you, and a better one for the planet than the last couple. I’ve had a great start, I’ve moved home and discovered old treasures. like this sheepscape.

There are lots of exciting things coming up:

Poetry and Settled Status for All: An Anthology

I will be reading on Thursday 17th February at Poems for a Hostile World to mark the release of the above which features poems from a hugely diverse range of poets. A great read and whether you can make the reading or not, do check out the book.

February will also see the release of #thesehandsmade 3 and the beginning of the evolution of this project from there. Watch this space!

Thanks to the support from #ArtsCouncilEngland December saw the release of #Thesehandsmade 2. Don’t forget to switch on your sound to hear Simona Prilogan’s poem

World Jam are embarking on a new series of events for members including monthly socials at the Awate Centre on Ilkeston Road where you are encouraged to bring poetry and music from your own background to share, jam and listen with others. The next set of writing workshops will begin in February and we are also embarking on an exciting project with The National Holocaust Museum. Check out World Jam for details.

So, what else happened last year?

HotHouse Theatre lead by Guy Jones produced audio versions of Christmas tales. These included The Brothers’ Grimm version of Cinderella. This is definitely not the version Disney went with, but if you like your tales a little darker do give it a listen hear. You might recognise one of the voices…

Inspire Libraries and poet Sue Dymoke created workshops which have resulted in a touring exhibition of work based around images from the library local history section. The exhibition, entitled Major to Miner, is currently at Worksop Library and will be at West Bridgford in the Spring. The tour continues until Feb 2023, so I hope you get to catch it. There is also an accompanying book and we had an inaugural reading in Mansfield at it’s launch.

Autumnal Events Gliding in as Smoothly as Swans in the Sunset

Seasons change, activities abound. Much has been happening not only in Tish World, but also the wider creative world. The photo above inadvertently caught Simon Withers recording some of his amazing photos as part of his series Swan Life which can be seen at City Arts until the 18th of November.

Wednesday 10th November also sees DIY Poets November Showcase on at 7.30pm– on-line so available to all wherever you are. A Series of DIY poets will be performing followed by a an open mic for upto 3 mins per performer. Sign up on the night or contact DIY Poets via their facebook page.

Sunday 14th November Lytisha is delighted to be hosting the World Jam event at Peggy’s Skylight which features readings from the recent anthology Us Versus Virus, produced by Beam Editions, plus a set from Dominic Berry and music from Foreign Accent. A fabulous venue, going to be a great night.

But what of October I hear you say. What happened then? Well I took a couple of weeks off to help a friend which involved a trip to Southern France, an area I’d not been to before. En route we caught up with some old friends, ate a lot of ice-cream, more chocolate and possibly a little too much cheese too. But I understand these are cultural essentials so who am I to complain!

Meanwhile the #Thesehandsmade project supported by Arts Council England continues and excitingly the first short film in collaboration with four artists plus poet Ferzana Shan will be released on the 12th of November! Very Excited! To check it out follow me on insta: @lytishaft plus I will be sharing anywhere I can- and if you enjoy it I would love for you to share it too.

That’s me for now. Don’t forget you can catch up with Multiple Shenanigans podcasts anytime you need a humorous look at life through the eyes of a poet and comedian with MS and see you at an event – virtual or otherwise -soon!

September, almost un-eventful

September flew by like a leaf blown from a tree overhanging a wall in Forest Fields, chased by a small(ish) cat full of the joys of life.

Well, apart from the small matters of on-going pandemic, fuel crisis whipped up from nothing to a frenzied circle of piranhas snapping at the last drop in the local pump so they can keep a full tank in-case, me buying a new and selling my much loved first ever owned home, vet visits, internet issues and the general hoo-hah of life.

Oh, and some poetry. Real life poetry as well as continuing zoomy zoomy poetry.

Speaking of which, here is a link to the collaborative poem made at Word! With George Szirtes. If you haven’t already discovered Word! And the marvellous Lydia Towsey check them out – lots of amazing workshops plus great events featuring top poets.

I’ve been busy collaborating on the next steps in my DYCP activities, a mini-series in collaboration with a number of creative makers and World Jam poets called #TheseHandsMade. Look out for it on Instagram. Here is a teaser for you:

I am still on the look-out for more creatives that would like to be photographed during November and December making the things they love to make to be included in the next two poetry films.

For all you international and multinational and local poets with access to zoom, I recommend you pop along to Lenguas – an international on-line multilingual poetry community, hosted by Nottingham’s own Martin Grey and the effusive Edith Blackbird from Canada. Monthly event details here:

Back in the heady days of September I was delighted to be invited to perform at the 20,000 person Camper Calling festival, on the Scriptstuff stage hosted by the inimitable Mike Took. What a marvellous array of talent I was privileged to be able to listen to and perform with. Here is a photo of me with just the boys? Not quite sure how that happened!

Nottingham Poetry Festival folk held a Poetry Party with representatives of some of the Nottingham Poetry community. Was great to see Nottingham poets in a physical space. Though I am still cautious of entering crowded indoor venues myself, Antenna had lots of space and felt a great space to be in.

I hope you are enjoying the season change and all the pretty colours inspire you in your creativity, and I look forward to seeing / hearing your autumnal creations.

Sultry September?

Well, it’s a warm and sticky day today. (It was when I wrote this in September – forgive the delay – technical hic-cups!)

Cat looking down on a paddling pool which has dappled light playing on the surface — Dixie contemplates the pool

I’ve taken a moment to reflect and looked back through previous blogs. I don’t know about you, but I very rarely actually look back at what I have achieved. I rush headlong to the next thing without reflecting, and am reminded of the wise words of Megan Taylor & Giselle Leeb who said to celebrate all the little wins. I thought at the time, yes! Of course. Then proceeded not to. In-fact when complimented on a piece of work or an achievement I tend to put my head down and mutter a thank you. Whereas what I should do is lift my head, thank them, then see how I can expand on that work. Could I share it in different ways? Get it seen by more people?

In the past 2 years I have created 9 short films, a pamphlet, collaborated with at least 2 visual artists, 4 sound engineers, 5 musicians, over 20 students at NTU on 2 courses, and innumerable other poets. I’ve mastered zoom and worked remotely in care homes, run on-line courses, curated 4 festivals (plus 2 cancelled events due to pandemic, after the work was done) I’ve been published in 7 anthologies, at least one was award winning, and I have also been awarded a DYCP grant by the Arts Council of England. In two years.

If you had suggested to me 4 years ago that I would have achieved all that, I’d have thought you were living in cloud cuckoo land. Although, on reflection, wasn’t 4 years ago when I was involved with the co-creation of Just Cuckoos play?

The point is we need to acknowledge and celebrate our little wins – and the big ones too.

Here is a link to Text Book from the award winning Bloody Amazing anthology by Dragon Waffle.

Have a great rest of summer.