IPSWICH THINGS TO DO

World Poetry Day – Ten Poets Book Launch

Get On The Soapbox at The Steamboat, Ipswich

Information - World Poetry Day – Ten Poets Book Launch

Join us for an awesome evening of spoken word, celebrating the book launch of ‘Ten Poets’, a poetry collection masterminded by James Domestic, in association with Kibou Records, & published by Earth Island Books. Inspired by the talent he saw on his travels around the country, James wanted to extend the reach of their work and decided to spearhead a unique collection of new & emerging writers from across the UK. Featuring:

Amy Wragg

Amy Wragg has been running gigs in East Anglia under the name of getonthesoapbox since 2006. Based in Ipswich, she is a textile artist, zine maker, and promoter of original spoken word & music.  Amy has been writing and performing her own poetry for over a decade, tackling subjects such as festivals, community, feminism, and politics. She also loves covering her favourite poems from some of the best contemporary poets, at the free monthly SoapBox spoken word open mic – Words & Verses – which she hosts on the first Thursday of the month at The Steamboat (Ipswich). www.getonthesoapbox.co.uk

James Domestic

James Domestic grew up in Essex, is a compulsive songwriter, a musician, DJ, painter, poet, and punk. He’s toured the world and elsewhere with The Domestics and made records with more bands than is healthy or sensible. He currently resides in Suffolk. At the time of writing, he has two illustrated volumes of poetry – ‘Domesticated’ Vols.1 and 2 – published by Earth Island Books, and another, co-authored collection (with Dave Cullern), called ‘Cruor’. www.jamesdomestic.com

Ricky Frost

Ricky Frost is a spoken word artist and poet from Essex. Growing up in a household with ignorance towards mental health issues, he found solace in writing. It became a tool for self-expression and reflection. His writing explores a variety of topics related to mental health, including stigma, recovery, self-care and how important it is to look after each other. Find out more about Ricky online here www.instagram.com/rickyfrostpoetry

Dawn Vincent

Dawn Vincent (she/they) lives in Colchester, performs at spoken word events and is running poetry writing workshops in 2024. Dawn has a self-published novel and collection available on Amazon, and a memoir of her experience of being bullied available on Kindle and Spotify as a free “pod book”. Dawn is passionate about sharing their experiences to help others. Dawn loves to travel to eat in new places and wants to visit every Disneyland Park in the world. She has never managed to follow a recipe to the letter and her favourite stories and experiences are ones where life has gone off-map. You can follow Dawn on Instagram at @dawnislosingtheplot for more news, poems, and updates and a high chance of photos of her dog.

Leon The Poet

Leon The Poet is a writer/podcaster/performance poet and musician. Leon’s poetry is sometimes funny, often bleak, occasionally personal, and political. What he strives for is authenticity and honesty. He is just as likely to be found penning wry observations about the social minutiae of life in a soft play area, as he is writing about cult mind control. Leon presents the A Hug from The Moon podcast, which you can find on Spotify etc., and you can follow him on Instagram @a_hug_from_the_moon_

Ricci Read

Ricci Read is a poet based in Colchester, Essex. He aims to capture the complex human experience of love and loss, hope and despair, whilst mixing in existential philosophy, beauty of nature, imagination, and trauma, as well as his own autistic and mental health experiences. Ricci has one book under his belt (at the time of this publication) called Earth Man. You can find details of this book and more of his art on his Instagram @riccireadart or website riccireadart.bandcamp.com

Jackie Montague

Jackie Montague lives in Ipswich and has a car. Most recently, she’s headlined at Word Habit, Sudbury, Norwich Last Poet Standing, and East Anglian Storytelling Festival. With many open mics along the way. As part of Instant Vortex Plus Live Art Happening, she compered and performed a dark and shitty King Lear adaptation at Colchester Arts Centre. For this she wore a ruff. But don’t let this seemingly highbrow vibe fool you! She will always love the filthy, punky, campy, trashy stuff the best. Indeed, as a teenager, Jackie was the support act for Lily Savage back in 89 performing a lip syncing turn as Sonia, you know. You’ll never stop me from loving you. Sigh…Jackie has obviously dined out on this true story ever since. Find Jackie online here: @brainwavesarebetterthanperms

Doors 6.30pm, starts at 7pm, finished at 10pm (with two short intervals). Seated event. 18+ Adult language & content warning. The new ‘Ten Poets’ Book will be available for sale on the night at £10 per copy. Event support from www.getonthesoapbox.co.uk