Joy France regularly participates in rap battles in which opposing poets have ´cross words´ with each other, attempting to deliver an entertaining an exciting experience for the audience. She is now the resident poet at Affleck´s Palace in Manchester´s Northern Quarter
Many, who at a younger age had participated in such pastimes – maybe playing a musical instrument, painting or sketching – report how much they enjoy reconnecting with their creativity which had gradually been displaced by scientific learning as they progressed though the educational system.
To be honest I find it hard to write about the invasion of Ukrainein any accessible way and I envy Robin Parker his quick wit, lightness of touch and gift of the gab.
I think my focus at the moment is on the library film, which is called Between The Lines and rolling that out on tour sometime in the summer.
There is a street along to the church in Haria town centre that is, in December, a little piece of heaven in a world that feels at the moment like it is taking us to hell in a hand-cart. The trees are tastefully draped in single colour lighting (left) and the church is floodlit. Either side of dusk there are two or three welcoming restaurants, street markets stalls serving mulled wine and such, and couple and families, tourists and locals taking a gentle evening stroll.
It’s how rock and roll works. You take the broken pieces of another thrill and make a brand new toy. That’s what I did
I don´t believe that art can exist in isolation. Da Vinci´s Mona Lisa surely speaks in some way, even smiles in some way, to characters in crayon-drawings by five year olds, and the stone horses of The Rising Tide discuss the state of the world with all who ever stop to look at them, in different light and waterscape depending on the time of the day. The work itself surely engages in conversation, even if not in agreement, with the Another Place exhibition / installation placed on the Crosby coastline in the UK by Antony Gormley.
To understand the Flatlanders and the unique alchemy that melds the diverse range of Hancock’s mystical panhandle poetry, Ely’s roots-rock drive, and Gilmore’s emotional hillbilly twang, there’s no better document than their currrent album Treasure of Love.
she remained inalterably rooted in Texas
I don’t think there’s actually been a better time for funny female writers, actors, directors…´
SIDETRACKS & DETOURS: 7 / 12 / 25 classical, jazz, folk, rock, americana; songwriters & invisible angels7th December 2025 - 7:00 am
SIDETRACKS & DETOURS Pass It On 2/11/2025 Jenny Bray, Nash and Asher, Opus 222nd November 2025 - 7:00 am
A LITTLE BUNDLE OF SUMMER. sidetracks & detours 3rd September 2025 featuring Jazz Artist, Jenny Bray. Broadcaster and writer, Steve Bewick, Expo Folk and Sound Roots3rd September 2025 - 7:00 am