Danni K says:
As Milton Keynes’ premier writing collective “Speakeasy” hosted their own mini-stage at the MK4U festival on a sunny, yet breezy, Saturday in July 2006, their steely resolve was undampened by the sounds of the nearby rock stage, the wafts from the neighbouring chocolate and crepe stall, the distractions of the England match on the big screen, and the constant threat of amateur football from behind!
Speakeasy long-term member (and Monkey Kettle judge from the first slam) Andy Humphrey compered and held the event together with his usual aplomb (his exile oop-North soon afterwards has proved some loss to the still-impressive talent pool of Speakeasy) and the small but perfectly-formed gathering expanded as the day progressed, with friends of Speakeasy and the Monkey Kettle collective forming the cosiest of audiences around later poets.
Kettle editor MatthewMT brandished a shiny, new edition of the mag for interested parties to point at and place their orders, and it was equipped with extracts from the March slam. Himself and cohort Simon read from the “Now, that’s what I call…” book, and slam participants and other friends joined in the performance and, with an assembled crew and a box of cider in tow, the party continued long into the summer evening.
More words from other witnesses to follow...!
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