Professional Poet, Life Coach, Educator, Artist – Runs Workshops, Gives Reiki & Wellbeing Training

Tag: London

Super Woman: Taking Everyday In Her Stride! Celebrating International Women’s Month. By Poet, Educator, Holistic Coach, Speaker & Vegan Patricia Foster McKenley 

“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. 

For bookings, contact:

+447956 476 547
Or

prfoster@hotmail.com

Please feel free to follow Patricia on Twitter @Ms_P_Foster

and on Instagram 

@PatriciaFoster7000

US Reading Series ‘At The Inkwell’ Expands to London. Curated by Poet/Novelist/Singer Gemma Weekes, Journalist Rachel Rigby and Poet/Performer Patricia Foster. Brainchild of Monique Lewis. FREE Event!

Hi London poets, writers, novelists and short fiction stars! The latest London literary event ‘At The Inkwell’, will be launched July 21st 2016. Already a success across the USA and organised by Monique Lewis, ‘At The Inkwell’ comes to London and will be curated by Gemma Weekes, Rachel Rigby and Patricia Foster!
Come along! 

Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1782308612004621/

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At The Inkwell Expands to London

 

 

London, UK (June 6, 2016) – At The Inkwell, the New York City-based literary reading series, announced today that it is expanding to London, under the leadership of Patricia Foster, Gemma Weekes and Rachel Rigby as co-hosts.

 Founded in 2013, At The Inkwell supports published authors through book reviews, author interviews and readings. London will be the first international city in addition to Denver, Colorado; San Francisco, California; Seattle, Washington and New York City.


 

The inaugural launch in London will be Thursday, July 21 at 19:00 at Counter Albion, located at 45 Redchurch Street, Shoreditch, E2 7DJ. Only a 3-5 minute walk from ‘Shoreditch High Street’ Overground station.
At The Inkwell features emerging and established published authors of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and plays.
Featured writers also include those who have published essays and short stories.

 

In the past three years, At The Inkwell’s US reading series has gained increasing recognition in the literary community. It has hosted readings at the Annual NYC Poetry Festival, which attracts more than 4,000 people. In September it will partner with 100 Thousand Poets for Change, National Translation Month and Lit Crawl Denver to host readings.

CONTACT

For more information, visit www.attheinkwell.com or contact the co-hosts Gemma, Rachel or Patricia at inkwellreadings.london@gmail.com.

Happy World Poetry Day 2014

Happy World Poetry Day

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I will be a featured poet at Divas of Colour on Saturday 22nd March 2014.
Divas of Colour will take place at
Hilton Hotel, Tower Hill, London SE1 2BY, United Kingdom.

For ticket and event details:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/divas-of-colour-2014-tickets-10027824493

Nearest Train station: London Bridge.

Happy International Women’s Month, 1st March 2014

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Photo: Giorgismedia.com

Happy, sunny (yes it’s sunny here in south London) greetings on the first day of International Women’s Month. For women, and everyone else who loves the Goddess-laden paths that each individual one of us walks, it is a fantastic time for celebration. A great opportunity to revere women. A month for acknowledging the beautiful, graceful power of women. A time to remember the historical struggles women have endured to gain equality, freedom and respect.

Daily, I am enriched by the positive, female energy that surrounds me: from my mother, sisters, nieces, aunties, cousins and sister-friends to clients and colleagues. Through collaborating with other, positive women, we gift each other.
Positive Women collaborating and working together create miracles.

I have a fairly busy month ahead and thought I’d share the women-centred events I will be involved in, some which I have been recommended for through collaboration:

?Poetry Reading, Sunday 2nd March 2014, 4:30pm
At Calabash of Culture, 21 Sydenham Rd, SE6 5EX

I’ll be performing Poetry at the launch of The Calabash of Culture Boutique – NATBIANA

?Presentation and Speech, Sunday 9th March 2014, 2pm
At Calabash of Culture, 21 Sydenham Rd, SE6 5EX

I’ll be giving a Presentation and talk at a Cultural Cafe launch, in celebration of International Women’s Day.

?Performing Poetry at ‘Divas of Colour 2014’, Saturday, 22 March 2014 from 10:00 to 19:00 (GMT), Hilton Hotel Tower Bridge, London.
I will be a featured poet at ‘Diva’s of Colour’ “largest gathering of world’s most powerful women of colour in the UK in celebration of the many talents of women of colour.” It promises to be a grand affair – Dress code Evening gown / red carpet glam, with a touch of purple Men – tuxedo, black tie and smart.
Tickets/Bookings http://www.fauntee.com/blog/tickets/

?Facilitating Poetry Workshop. Sunday 16 March 2014, 7:30pm. At ‘Open Space’ Perry Rise Baptist Church, Perry Rise, London SE23 2QL
I will be co-facilitating a workshop with poet Lucreta La Pierre, looking at poetry as an alternative form of worship.

With the work that I do in the community and abroad, I am committed to empowering women and young females through poetry, creativity, literature, multi media, workshops and talks.

Remember ladies, we are a gift to the world and our communities.

Have a wonderful, blessed month, filled with positive, female energy.

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Lips – New Poetry Film Release by Award-Winning Poet & Educator Patricia Foster McKenley. A Poet’s View on Teenage Bullying!

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Photo ©️Mellow 9 Productions


I am really pleased to share with you that the film version of my poem ‘Lips’, which tackles the theme of teenage bullying, has been released. It is uncanny how it has been released at a time when bullying and in particular cyber bullying, has been in the news of late; not just here in the UK but world wide.

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Photo ©️Mellow 9 Productions


It has been quite emotional for me to see my poem brought to life on film, by the amazingly talented Mellow 9 Productions http://www.mellow9productions.co.uk/. The journey from poem idea – first developed in a Malika’s Poetry Kitchen Friday session – to film has been eleven years. The topic of bullying and identity being relevant then as it is now.

This film also couldn’t have been brought to life in such a magnificent way, without the superb young female actors – who were so serendipitously cast – provided by The Girls Friendly Society of England and Wales (GFS Platform Islington Project). https://girlsfriendlysociety.org.uk/group-finder/islington/ Located in the London borough of Islington, this wonderful project delivers a wide range of exciting activities, workshops and events for young women aged 11 to 19, to widen their horizons, encourage debates and boost confidence and aspirations. Learn more about The Girls Friendly Society of England and Wales (GFS) and the wonderful they do nationwide, by visiting https://girlsfriendlysociety.org.uk

It was an absolute pleasure to work with such a brilliant cast and crew.

I currently use my film ‘Lips’ within self esteem, personal development and anti-bullying Workshops and so far have used in Workshops in Jamaica, The Netherlands and universities, youth centres and community organisations in the UK. 

Click on the link below to view the film

http://youtu.be/DuzFlvl25qg

Lips © Text Copyright Patricia Foster McKenley 2002


To book a Workshop, contact Patricia Foster McKenley on info@YouAreYOU.co or call +447956476547


My Next Poetry Performance at CRYSTAL PALACE FESTIVAL Sunday 30 June 2013 – by Patricia Foster

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I am really pleased to have been asked by ‘Beyond Words’ to be a featured poet in their programme of poets and performers for the ‘Crystal Palace Overground Festival’. The event details are below:

BEYOND WORDS is delighted to offer a programme of local poets, artists and musicians at this year’s CRYSTAL PALACE FESTIVAL.

“BEYOND WORDS”
at
CRYSTAL PALACE
FESTIVAL
Sunday 30 June 2013
celebrates
local poets, musicians, story-tellers
AND MORE!

Upstairs 4pm at
MEDITERRANEA
21 Westow Street SE19 3RY.

The 2Inspire Network Birthday Celebration and Fundraiser – Featuring Patricia Foster

My Next Poetry Performance – by Patricia Foster

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Hope you’re having an inspired and positive day so far. I will be a featured Poet and Performer at

The 2inspire Network Birthday Celebration and Fundraiser for the 2inspire Academy

It will be taking place on Saturday 8th June

6pm-12am

at the Anise Bar, 9 Devonshire Square, EC2M 4YL

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(Across the road from Liverpool station, Car park a few minutes walk away from venue)

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The event will be a great evening out and a great chance to network, celebrate and be inspired.

Event programme:

6-7pm: Arrival of guests: Canapes & drinks reception (complimentary)

7-8pm: Networking hour

8pm-10pm: Entertainment: Poetry, Singing, Speakers

10-12pm: Party!!!

Hosts: Usha Penumuchi & Charley Jai

Guest speakers include:

Lorna Stewart (Black100+),
Kuumba Nia (Circle of one),
Carl Foster (Self Made Me)
Margaret Aberdeen (Life After Domestic Violence)

Plus more

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Live music and poetry from the likes of:

Amennoir/ Nyarai Kizzy
Cezanne Poetess
Patricia Foster
Linda E

Plus more

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There have been some great donations which include an amazing buffet and drinks reception courtesy of the renowned Cinnamon Kitchen and cupcakes courtesy of Dazzling little delights. Also some excellent raffle prizes to be won on the night.
To purchase tickets at just £8 click on the link below: http://www.2inspirenetwork.com/Birthdaycelebration/fundraiser

The 2inspire Academy kids have worked really hard with the Network team on the event planning as they are very focused on making sure their summer youth project is a success, please support them. To find out more about their project please click on link below: http://www.2inspirenetwork.com/2inspireAcademy

If you would like more information on the event or are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact:
Hazel Chawapiwa
2inspire Network
+44 (0)7590 622 501