Poetry and Poppadums feat. PHIL NICHOL with special guest PATRICIA FOSTER MCKENLEY Date: 16th July 2021 Time: Doors open at 6.30pm, show starts at 8pm Ticket price: £6 Entry Requirements: All welcome Location: Karamel London, N22
Collage Arts present Poetry and Poppadums, featuring..
PHIL NICHOL
WINNER OF THE EDINBURGH (Perrier) COMEDY AWARD’ Capable of delivering everything from a a celebration of beautiful idiocy to searing insights into why things are the way they are, using unstoppable humour, song, poetry and anything else that comes to hand A true maverick. ‘Seismically award winning comedy force’ – The Scotsman ‘The sheer energy he exudes, pumps life into any audience’ – Chortle
Hosted by Paul Lyalls ‘Has an eye for the absurd, his views on life’s fleeting moments are poignant’ – The Daily Mail
With special guest
Patricia Foster McKenley
Award winning poet and performer, one time Sable Poet in residence, Patricia has performed from Gambia to Norway, the USA to Brixton! In the last few years she has produced her first poetry film ‘Lips‘. Her work is a window into the funny, fierce and suprising.
Join The University of Westminster for the last event in our ‘Creativity’ month where we welcome poet, performer and life coach Patricia Foster McKenley to discuss the Power of Writing.
Poet, performer and life coach Patricia Foster McKenley, who at the intersection of being Black, a woman, Christian, over fifty years of age and British of Jamaican heritage, shares her personal experiences, as well as her writing and coping methods, during the Covid pandemic and rise in global Black trauma. She will also discuss how this intense period powerfully and profoundly informed her writing, invariably uncovering her own intersectionality and place in society.
The discussion will be followed by a Q&A session.
For more information and to book your virtual place please visit here, or scan the QR code above
Between 9th and 14th of January 2017, I can safely say I had one of the most life changing experiences during my existence on this Earth.
Late evening of the 8th of January, after a delayed flight, Banjul in Gambia embraced me with open arms, as I visited West Africa for the first time in my life. On the descent from the plane, I momentarily crouched down and touched the Gambian tarmac.
In September 2016, I received a most welcome and at the same time, frightening and exhilarating email from Kadija (George) Sesay, connected to my role as Sable Litmag Poet-in-Residence. The email confirmed my invite to read poetry and deliver workshops, at the SABLE Literary Festival and the Mboka Festival of Arts. The SABLE Literary Festival, is part of the brilliant new collaboration – the Mboka Festival of Arts, Culture and Sport – in warm and delightful Gambia. Mboka means ‘One Family’ in Wolof.
After a 10 year hiatus, the SABLE Literary Festival relaunched, as part of the Mboka Festival, which took place between 7-17 January 2017.
This assignment, in my role as the first Sable Poet-in-Residence, was an honour and complete privilege. But I was forewarned I would be worked very hard and indeed I was.
On 9th January 2017, my second day in Gambia, I was extremely excited and equally nervous to be reading that night, at my first ever poetry event in West Africa. In fact, my first ever poetry reading on the continent of Africa. The reading, where I was also a special guest and highly anticipated poet (apparently my online presence and videos were searched for and watched), took place at the new African Poetry Library, also known as Mango Tree (due to the impressive mango tree in its yard). To top it all, the event was captured for the news on Gambian national television.
Patricia Foster McKenley Reading at the Mboka Literary Festival 2017 launch. Photo courtesy of Kadija George.
I was exposed to many young, talented Gambian poets and spoken word artists, in particular the dynamic poetry outfit and writers’ group ‘The Clouds’. I was deeply honoured to share the stage with them.
Photo: Clovis McKenley
I was even more flattered when I was invited by The Clouds to deliver a lecture and talk to them two days later (Wednesday 11th January 2017). My talk focussed on my journey and Life As a Poet since 2001, my role as Sable Poet-in-Residence, plus writing tips they could apply on their own writing journey. This was delivered at their headquarters in Banjul (the capital). I was left very impressed with their business ideas and set up.
Photo: Clovis McKenley
Photo: Clovis McKenley
Spending time with The Clouds also gave me an insight into the political and socio dynamic background for young people and their desire for a greater entrepreneurial spirit in Gambia. They spoke eloquently about the potential for Gambia, at a time when Gambia itself was experiencing a shift in presidential personnel.
On Thursday 12th January 2017, also as part of the Sable Literary Festival and Mboka Festival, I was programmed to deliver a workshop at The African Poetry Library. After much soul searching, deliberation, hair pulling and brow wipes from my (then soon-to-be) fiancé (and my now husband), I finally prepared a keynote presentation, then took a taxi down to the African Poetry Library. The numbers were small, but the workshop produced great discussion and varied and rich pieces of writing.
Photo: Clovis McKenley
Friday 13th January was the showcase for the The Mboka Festival. This was held at the beautiful Senegambia Hotel and included the introduction of our esteemed Kenyan writer and keynote speaker Ngugui Wa Thiong’o, who had only arrived in Gambia from California that afternoon, to a traditional and grand drum, dance and song welcome (which was captured on film and posted on YouTube). As well as myself reading a set of poetry to my own produced soundscape and imagery, the evening contained UK based Numbi Arts and their beautiful collaboration with local artists and musicians, storyteller Nzinga and US based half Gambian academic and poet Rosamund S. King.
On Saturday 14th January, I was gifted an opportunity that created an immense shift in me as a poetry educator. Even though incredibly challenging due to the size of the class, their delay en route due to traffic, the language hurdles to overcome and the different learning needs, I thoroughly enjoyed delivering a poetry workshop to the Jambanjelly Basic Cycle School, again at the African Poetry Library, a.k.a. Mango Tree, in Banjul Gambia. The thirty-five eager to learn, polite, endearing students, aged eleven to sixteen or seventeen, also overcame shyness and came to grips with my Jamaican British cultural nuances, to produce some excellent work. A presentation of their work, as well as recitals of their favourite poems took place out in the yard, under the mango tree. One of the most rewarding experiences of my life, without a doubt. I’ll be eternally grateful to this wonderful school for having me!
Later that evening, after a searching high and low before sampling vegan Lebanese food, we took a couple of taxi rides to see the excellent production of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s play ‘The Black Hermit’, at Ebunjan Theatre in Bakau, The Gambia. Expertly directed by Janet Badjan-Young, she later stated, “It is a very relevant play for The New Gambia.” The Black Hermit was commissioned by The Mboka Festival and was well received.
Sunday 15th January 2017, the early part of our last day in Gambia was spent exploring the beach, packing and saying our goodbyes to the lovely staff at our hotel. With luggage in toe, we went down to the Senegambia again to attend the brilliant talk given by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o. His lasting message to Mboka Festival attendees, particularly local Gambian writers and creatives, was his encouragement ‘to nurture and publish both written and spoken Gambian languages’ to sustain their heritage. Prior to Ngũgĩ’s talk, was a book launch for Rosamond S. King’s collection of poems Rock| Salt| Stone, published by Nightboat Books.
My week of delivering workshops and poetry, woven between meeting Caribbean-British recently relocated to Gambia, eating and devouring delicious Domoda with vegetables and African fried rice, drinking refreshing ginger and sorrel drinks, visiting a Gambian primary school and being energised and revitalised by the gorgeous Gambian beaches, was over within a matter of hours. Flickers of wonderful memories matching the blinking city night lights of Banjul, as our plane hovered back to rainy London.
Only two days after we returned from Gambia, the outgoing president conceded defeat and the new President was received, heralding new hope and a new direction for beautiful Gambia.
I will be forever grateful for the trust and belief in me, as well as the mentorship provided by Kadija (George) Sesay and Dorothea Smartt, which enabled me to have such a rewarding, character building, culturally engaging and memorable experience that will stay with me my entire life.
By Patricia Foster McKenley.
#SablePoetInResidence #MbokaFestival2017
Sources:
A snapshot of The Gambia’s Mboka Festival of Arts Culture and Sport 2017
As a young child and teenager, I was bullied. As an adult, I have been bullied. These experiences prompted me to write my poem ‘Lips’.
I recently had the poem ‘Lips’ skilfully made into a film by the brilliant Mellow 9 Productions. So thankful for this.
The poem and film focuses on the traumatic impact of bullying and how important it is to reach out to and seek comfort and refuge from those who can support us.
I currently use my poetry film ‘Lips’ in poetry, self esteem and anti-bullying workshops. Please contact me for more details and to book a workshop.
Bullying affects more people than we realise.
Watch the film here! https://youtu.be/DuzFlvl25qg
I’m delighted to share that I will be reading poetry at Ilkley Literature Festival on Sunday 14 October 2018. I’ll be sharing the stage with Maya Chowdhry, Nick Makoha and Rishi Dastidar to promote the new anthology Filigree: Contemporary Black British Poetry, which we will all be published in.
Edited by Nii Parkes and Inscribe Series/Peepal Tree. Editor Kadija Sesay.
Host on the day is Pete Kalu.
Reading at Ilkley Festival is something I have always wanted to do. Being included in this anthology, which includes a wealth of Black British writers, is a huge honour. I am indebted to Nii Parkes and Kadija Sesay for their brilliant editing, encouragement, nurturing and support.
Featuring past and present writers from Malikas Poetry Kitchen.
“As a woman, today and hereafter, I choose to express myself at my highest potential! That is my divine purpose and mission on this Earth.”~ Patricia Foster McKenley, 8th March 2012
International performances at ‘Palabras The Reunion, Paradiso, Amsterdam
Performance at book launch of ‘Irki’ by Kadija George, at The Barbican. Photo: Rousha Browning / SABLE LitMag
Imagine how this world would be if as individual women, we decided to reach for our highest potential and operate from that place for as much of our lives as possible. Imagine if we tapped into our innate powers and energies daily.
I wrote the above quote for International Women’s Day in March 2012. March is also renowned for celebrating International Women’s Week and International Women’s Month.
We also celebrated Mothering Sunday or Mother’s Day in the UK on Sunday 11th March 2018. Additionally, two of my beautiful nieces celebrated Birthdays in March – one on International Women’s Day too, therefore lots of female energy to tap into and generate. Lots of magic and miracles to create.
Giving a lecture to ‘The Cloud’ spoken word collective, as part of the Mboka Festival 2017, Gambia. Photo: Clovis McKenley.
So as a woman, how will you choose to express yourself and your positive, female energy today, this month, in March and for the rest of the year? It is our divine gift to share with our loved ones and the world.
MANY BLESSINGS,
Patricia Foster McKenley.
Patricia will be running Poetry Workshops, Self-Esteem Workshops for Young Women and Writing/Personal Development Workshops for Women during International Women’s Month and throughout the year. She’ll also be performing at various Poetry Readings throughout March.
Original Design by Monique Lewis. Image by Patricia Foster.
I feel really honoured to be co-hosting the final ‘At The Inkwell London’ of 2016. What a year it has been. The US reading series, devised and founded by the brilliant and talented Monique Lewis, has really captured the imagination of writers and audiences in London since its July 2016 launch in the UK.
Myself and my wonderful co-hosts Rachel Rigby and Gemma Weekes look forward to bringing you more from ‘At The Inkwell London’ in 2017.
Have a wonderful Christmas and a fantastic 2017!
Meet our features below:
Jude Cowan Montague
Jude Cowan Montague is an artist, writer and composer whose work may be playful, truthful, mysterious and subversive. She explores story, song, and visual ideas. The worlds she creates are often inspired by her professional life in broadcast media. Her most recent collection of poems ‘The Wires:2012’ (2016) is published by Wisdom’s Bottom Press.
Jane Ulysses Grell is a storyteller, writer, teacher, poet and singer. She was born and grew up on the Caribbean island of Dominica. Her poetry and storytelling are imbued with the love of the music of words in the spirit of the vibrant African-Caribbean Oral Tradition.
Jane has worked extensively with children, young people and adults in most London boroughs and beyond. She has presented stories and poetry for BBC Radio Schools’ Programmes.
Her poetry collections – Praise Songs and White River Blues conjure up a vivid landscape which embraces both the traditional and the modern and explore journeys, memories and loss through poems both tender and exuberant.
“Jane, it would seem that some of Ananse’s stories went to you. You tell them so well. – Sarah Woodham (Leytonstone Festival 2013)
An Australian from Perth lured to London in 2001, Cath Drake has been published in anthologies and literary magazines in UK, Australia and US. She has performed in many cafes, bookshops, theatres, festivals and for unsuspecting passers by. She runs writing workshops to recharge creativity and is passionate about taking poetry and creative writing to new spaces. In 2012, she was short-listed for the Venture Poetry Award, awarded an Arts Council England grant and was writer in residence at the Albany Arts Centre café. Cath won the 2013 Mslexia/Seren poetry pamphlet prize and her pamphlet ‘Sleeping with Rivers’ was published in 2014 by Seren Books. It was the Poetry Book Society’s summer choice. Cath’s poetry was included in Best Austrailan Poetry 2014 (Black Inc books) and she was short-listed for the 2015 Manchester Poetry Prize. She is also a copywriter and non-fiction writer and her work includes award-winning journalism, writing for radio, oral history and life stories.
ABBY LADBROOKE is an active member of the London Bridge Writers’ group, finds writing thrilling and feels most herself when writing, reading and talking about writing. Abby has attended several short, creative writing courses, with tutors Maggie Hammond, Howard Cunnell, Naomi Wood and Christie Watson. She is co-founder of a boutique recruitment and training company, which has published a pocket book which she co-authored and edited. Abby is part way through her first novel which explores the missed love between two people through the soul of their child never born.
The UK celebrates Black History Month in October and I would love to share what I’ll be up to this month.
This Wednesday 19th October 2016, I’ll be delivering a poetry workshop for Black History Month. My workshop will be part of the University of West London Students’ Union (UWLSU) Black Histoy Month programme. I very much look forward to it:
On Thursday 20th October, I will be co-hosting the third instalment of the monthly event At The Inkwell London. We will celebrate and acknowledge Black History Month; the rich and varied accounts of migration, belonging, culture and family.
Our featured writers will be
Millie Murray, Racheal Joseph and Nadeem Din-Gabisi.
Please find below a weblink to our official website for this month’s event:
Hosts will be writers Gemma Weekes, myself Patricia Foster and Rachel Rigby.
We also have an open mic for anyone who would love to share their work.
At The Inkwell has been created to be a warm, welcoming, encouraging and engaging environment for writers to share and promote their work. I hope this event will provide a positive space for you to hear great work, as well as participate!
Please contact us on [email protected] if you would like further information, to sign up for the open mic, or read at future events.
Warmest regards,
Follow At The Inkwell on Twitter: @AtTheInkwell
On Friday 21 October 2016, I will be a feature poet for ‘Southbound: A Evening of Poetry. Also featured will be Zena Edwards, Janett Plummer and Suléy Muhidin.
Newspaper article of Southwark Libraries BHM events in October 2016. Photos include Zena Edwards and Patricia Foster
“Four talented performers Patricia Foster, Zena Edwards, Suléy Muhidin and Janett Plummer reveal a window into their lives through moving, funny, fierce, and inspirational poetry. South London life – sometimes frustrating, often surprising – forms a consistent thread through the poems as they reflect global worries, personal hopes and diverse backgrounds.
Target Audience: Adults
Cost: Free – but advance booking is essential via Eventbrite
Good Day To You All,
I hope you are enjoying the sunny, autumnal afternoon (if in London).
Thank you to ALL who read, came down and supported At The Inkwell London last month.
Just over a week to go now, until our next At The Inkwell London on Thursday 20th October, where we’ll celebrate and acknowledge Black History Month; the rich and varied accounts of migration, belonging, culture and family.
Our featured writers will be
Please share this with all your contacts, friends, family and lovers of poetry and fiction that you know. We also have an open mic for anyone who would love to share their work.
At The Inkwell has been created to be a warm, welcoming, encouraging and engaging environment for writers to share and promote their work. I hope this event will provide a positive space for you to hear great work, as well as participate!
Please contact us on [email protected] if you would like further information, to sign up for the open mic, or read at future events.
Warmest regards,
Poetry and Poppadums feat. PHIL NICHOLwith special guest PATRICIA FOSTER MCKENLEYDate: 16th July 2021 Time: Doors open at 6.30pm, show starts at 8pmTicket price: £6Entry Requirements: All welcomeLocation: Karamel London, N22 Click to Book Tickets Collage Arts present Poetry and Poppadums, featuring.. PHIL NICHOL WINNER OF THE EDINBURGH (Perrier) COMEDY AWARD’Capable of delivering everything from a […]
Join The University of Westminster for the last event in our ‘Creativity’ month where we welcome poet, performer and life coach Patricia Foster McKenley to discuss the Power of Writing. Poet, performer and life coach Patricia Foster McKenley, who at the intersection of being Black, a woman, Christian, over fifty years of age and British […]
Between 9th and 14th of January 2017, I can safely say I had one of the most life changing experiences during my existence on this Earth. Late evening of the 8th of January, after a delayed flight, Banjul in Gambia embraced me with open arms, as I visited West Africa for the first time in my […]
As a young child and teenager, I was bullied. As an adult, I have been bullied. These experiences prompted me to write my poem ‘Lips’. I recently had the poem ‘Lips’ skilfully made into a film by the brilliant Mellow 9 Productions. So thankful for this. The poem and film focuses on the traumatic […]
I’m delighted to share that I will be reading poetry at Ilkley Literature Festival on Sunday 14 October 2018. I’ll be sharing the stage with Maya Chowdhry, Nick Makoha and Rishi Dastidar to promote the new anthology Filigree: Contemporary Black British Poetry, which we will all be published in. Edited by Nii Parkes and Inscribe […]
“As a woman, today and hereafter, I choose to express myself at my highest potential! That is my divine purpose and mission on this Earth.”~ Patricia Foster McKenley, 8th March 2012 Imagine how this world would be if as individual women, we decided to reach for our highest potential and operate from that […]
‘At The Inkwell London’ Christmas Special! Thursday December 15th 2016 Counter Albion Café, 45 Redchurch Street, Shoreditch, London E2 7DJ. Map Doors: 6:30pm. Show 7-9pm There has been a slight change to our lineup! Featuring: Abby Ladbrooke, Cath Drake, Jude Cowan Montague and Jane Grell FREE! Open mic too! Literary feast of writers served up […]
The UK celebrates Black History Month in October and I would love to share what I’ll be up to this month. This Wednesday 19th October 2016, I’ll be delivering a poetry workshop for Black History Month. My workshop will be part of the University of West London Students’ Union (UWLSU) Black Histoy Month programme. I […]
Good Day To You All, I hope you are enjoying the sunny, autumnal afternoon (if in London). Thank you to ALL who read, came down and supported At The Inkwell London last month. Just over a week to go now, until our next At The Inkwell London on Thursday 20th October, where we’ll celebrate and […]
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