To begin at the beginning

ok, so this is the first entry of what will become the weblog of SHORTFUSE, a weekly spokenword venue based in london, that aims to promote a fusion of performance comedy, stand up poetry, and music.

SHORTFUSE is co-organised by Nathan Penlington and John Bush, and during the summer of 2003 we are taking SHORTFUSE to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for the second year running.

Details of SHORTFUSE at the Edinburgh Fringe

Yes, poetry. I know, I know. But really this isn't the kind of thing you'd expect it to be, really. Trust me, I'm a poet. And it's all a little more rock 'n' roll than even we pretend it is...
14.7.03 19:51


website v's weblog


For sometime now, people have asked "Can I find SHORTFUSE on the web?". And short of answering that you only have to have done something, or know of someone who once did something, that somewhere you will recorded on the web, all you have to do is find it. And yes, SHORTFUSE can be found mentioned on various sites, photos of performers to have appeared on our weekly nights litter the poetry e-gutter. But no, until now we have had no dedicated web presence.


The reason? Most websites usually scream 'Look at me!', and to keep one up to date demands more time than a rock 'n' roll lifestyle can spare…and at the other end of the scale a 'group forum' always seems like an electronic alternative to Tuesday morning coffee mornings, but with less homemade cake and more gossip .


So, here it is at last, the SHORTFUSE weblog.


Our aims for this site are multiple and open ended. The current blankness I hope will give way to discussions, poetry listings, new writing, advice, theoretical musings, links to other sites of interest, and a healthy doses of gossip (…ok I have to admit there is always going to be gossip), all pinned together by running journal entries.


And to achieve this we want YOU to email us with whatever you want posting…so lets get the rock rolling…


send your ideas, writing and images to info@shortfuse.co.uk


 



 


 
15.7.03 09:25


SHORTFUSE - Thursday 17th July


This Thursday is the last SHORTFUSE for this season. And what a season it's been, we've had some great performances from both new and established poets, writers, singers and comedians. And this show will be no exception.


Cult star of the small stage ANDREW BAILEY, winner of Edinburgh Fringe Tap Water Award 2002, performs a feature length set of performance and comedy that ping-pongs from the bizarre to the downright strange, including live remixes that fall somewhere between FatBoySlim and a FisherPrice Record Player.


PLUS the rising star JULIAN FOX performs his unique fusion of cabaret, comedy, music and poetry, combined to produce weird and compelling sidestepped takes on the everyday.


PLUS joint winner of the SHORTFUSE POETRY IDOL contest LIZ BENTLEY performs her own brand of offbeat life affirming comedy.


Hosted by the ever svelte NATHAN PENLINGTON, with records played by DAVID BUSH.


Doors @ 8.30pm, admission £5/£3 concessions. The Camden Head, Camden Passage, 2 Camden Walk, Islington, London, N1. Tube: ANGEL


see you there…
15.7.03 09:49


Weblinks


Here at SHORTFUSE one of the things we are keen to encourage are close links with other spokenword promoters, performers, magazine editors and writers. So here is our list of some of our favourite sites, just click the links. If you have want us to include any other sites just email us.


SHORTFUSE regular Bette O'Callaghan has her own website, with photos, poems, sound clips, guest artists, and listings of where and when you can catch ‘The Dragon’ live. www.lipstickandammunition.com


Listings for London’s other leading performance poetry venue Express Excess. Paul Lyalls has built up a brilliant reputation for great acts sandwiched between the most charismatic host ever to grace a rectangle of plywood balanced on beer crates.      www.expressexcess.co.uk


Hosted by Jacob Ø from Copenhagen, The Gate of Anport is a port of entry into the digital cut and paste wor(l)d of disinfotainment. For digital art somewhere between High Art and pornography check out the 'phototelegraphy' section, and for new writing see the ‘periodicals rack' (including very new Nathan Penlington poems).        www.anport.com


If performance poetry is ever going to make it onto teenage girl's bedroom walls, it will be these lads that do it first: the hip Norwich group Aisle 16.  aisle16.co.uk


The prince of performance poetry's website is littered with spuds, specs, spaniels and spotters. How many other poetry sites have a section for merchandise?!      John Hegley.co.uk 


One of our favourite music acts to have graced the SHORTFUSE plywood is Hummello. A cabaret jazz threesome that is going places. hummello.com


One of New York's finest writers is Cheryl B, and we have been lucky enough to have her perform @ SHORTFUSE twice, and even luckier in that she allowed Nathan Penlington and Tim Wells to take over her apartment for two weeks while they confused the Americans with their poetry.  motoroilqueen.com


If poetry is the new rock 'n' roll... 
15.7.03 14:45


SHORTFUSE @ Edinburgh Fringe weblinks


Are you thinking of going to the Edinburgh Fringe 2003, if so then below are all the SHORTFUSE related links you could possibly need!


The main Fringe website, with listings, ticket booking, news and photos.


edfringe.com



The SHORTFUSE show this year is at Sweet, Venue 39, at the Crown Plaza, High Street Edinburgh. Check out the rest of the shows at Sweet.


sweet-uk.net


One of the stranger venues at this year's festival must be the passanger lift installed in the pleasance courtyard. Organised by FairTrade and 5065 it has a daily programme of comedy, music, film and new writing. SHORTFUSE are doing a series of half hour shows from 6th to 9th August inclusive at 3pm


5065 lift


Nathan Penlington is also performing at the late night variety show The Establishment - confirmed dates are 4th, 10th and 21st August. Expect Nathan's own brand of spokenword and a fusion of comedy, theatre, music and cabaret for the rest of it. Every night from midnight. And it's FREE.


The Establishment


The UK's largest online Comedy Guide, lists all comedy shows at this year's festival. You can also post your own reviews of any of the shows listed, ah hem...


chortle.co.uk


Hosted by The Scotsman this is the only website to list details of all events, in all of the festivals held in Edinburgh over August, including the Film, International, Book and Fringe Festivals.


edinburgh-festivals.com


 
15.7.03 15:03


YOUR WRITING HERE

One of the aims of the SHORTFUSE performance nights is to present a range of performers and writers, from the established to the up and coming. And with our weblog we want to maintain this by presenting a range of poems, short stories, and articles with only one criteria - they have to be good.


So just send your stuff to us...


 
15.7.03 15:22


SHORTFUSE @ the Edinburgh Fringe 2003

The SHORTFUSE tour motors into the Edinburgh Fringe, from its weekly London base, with powerful, pulsating poetry.


Three of the Britain's best performance poets, Nathan Penlington, Dean Wilson and Bette O'Callaghan, shatter the myths that surround poets and poetry with accessible, intelligent and entertaining spokenword.


Nathan Penlington - 'A young turn of promise' - John Hegley


Bette O'Callaghan - 'Tells rich stories in a slightly broke but rich way, fills a stage and ignites the page' - Paul Lyalls, Express Excess


Dean Wilson - 'Graphically ranting street poet from Hull' - Attila the Stockbroker


WARNING: this show will change the way you think about poetry forever.


3 August - 25 August. 12.35pm (finishes 1.35pm).


Sweet at the Crowne Plaza, 80 High Street.


Tickets: £5.50/ £4.00 (concs) BOOK NOW


 


 


 
21.7.03 16:26


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