Ear to the City Podcast Project
Ear to the City: A poetry & micro fiction podcast project
with Arji Manuelpillai & Vicky Morris
“I can’t even enjoy a blade of grass unless I know there’s a subway handy, or a record store or some other sign that people do not totally regret life. It’s more important to confirm the least sincere. The clouds get enough attention as it is…” ― Frank O’Hara
The city offers the poet a feast of sights and sounds, of passing lives and often overlooked details. What do we encounter when we’re not rushing from A to B, when we loiter or chat to a strange? Everywhere we look there are interactions, conversations, transactions, life loudly and quietly happening, birds pecking at the world.
Join poets Arji Manuelpillai and Vicky Morris for writing and recording a soundscape podcast ode to city life. Expect some great writing prompts, thinking (and writing!) on your feet, and to be recording some of your words towards the end!
This project comes in two parts… It’s not necessary to do both (an evening session and the following day) but taking part in both will mean you’ve more time to develop ideas and to edit and record a contribution for the podcast.
Evening workshop: Tuesday 30th July 7 to 9/9.30pm
Day workshop: Wednesday 31st July 10.45 to 3.30pm
This project is for young & emerging writers (aged 15 to 30) of any experience and there is one pressure to produce something for the podcast.
Places limited | Refreshments provided
Cost: £5 for the whole project, £3 if you’re just coming to one session.
Hive is particularly keen to encourage young people who wouldn’t normally access this type of opportunity, and there are always discounts available for a number of tickets to support individuals who may be unable to pay in full, or to support travel costs within the region. Get in touch ASAP before places fill up if that sounds like you.
Booking: To book a place [email protected]
Where: The Institute of Education, Charles Street Sheffield. This is just off Arundel Gate and Arundel Street, 5 minutes from Sheffield train & bus stations.
Charles Street Building info here
Google map info here: 133 Charles Street, Sheffield S1 2ND
Supported by Sheffield Hallam University Faculty of Development & Society
Arji Manuelpillai is a poet, rapper, performer and creative facilitator based in London. For over 15 years Arji has worked with community arts projects nationally and internationally. He is co-founder of children’s theatre company A Line Art and is an advocate for arts as a tool for change. Recently, his poetry has been published by magazines including Prole, Cannon’s Mouth, Strix, Rialto and The Lighthouse Journal. He has also been shortlisted for the BAME Burning Eye pamphlet prize 2018, The Robert Graves Prize 2018 and The Live Canon Prize 2017. Arji is a member of Wayne Holloway-Smith’s poetry group, Malika’s Poetry Kitchen and London Stanza.
Vicky Morris is a poet, occasional short story writer, educator and creative practitioner based in Sheffield. She has been published in places like Butcher’s Dog, The Interpreter’s House, Brittle Star, and Verse Matters anthology (Valley Press). She won first place in the Prole Laureate Competition 2019 and was highly commended in the Carers UK Poetry Competition 2017. Vicky won a Northern Writers Award in 2014, and in 2019 The Sarah Nutly Award for Creativity for her impact in Sheffield and beyond.
Arji & Vicky are both part of the Arvon/Jerwood mentorship programme 2019/20.