A few years ago Peter “Iron Press” Mortimer used to host a regular spoken word and music evening called Free as a Bard at the Trojan Rooms in Whitley Bay. I started attending soon after moving to the coast. I liked the fact it was on a Sunday evening and that there was free fruit on every table. I also liked Pete’s choice of poets and musicians. They always seemed to fit well together: Sheree Mack, The Creels and more.
The final workshop for Pieces from Eight took place in Pete’s amazing home in Cullercoats last Spring. I suggested Pete revive Free as a Bard ( or FAAB) and one of the Pieces from Eight poets suggested I help him. So I did. Artist Karen Mitchell who used to run The Ballarat in North Shields also got involved. The result was tonight’s Free as a Bard event at Whitley Bay’s Jam Jar Cinema.
Poets Eileen Jones and W N Herbert performed alongside singer songwriter Ditte Elly. What a night! Tickets sold out yesterday so it was standing room only for those that turned up tonight. Here’s my handwritten note I stuck on the door
For more info on FAAB check out Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FreeAsABard and the wonderful Jam Jar Cinema here http://www.jamjarcinema.com/