Tongue in Chic Poets - supporting performance of poetry and the spoken word.

We support all other writing and performing initiatives in and around Milton Keynes. From first timers to seasoned poets, we want to hear and share your work.

A SIZZLING SUMMER

It’s been a great summer as for the first time, Tongue in Chic made an appearance at a Fringe Festival. A successful run saw the team garner good reviews and admirers at the “Friendly Fringe”. It was an exciting first step into Festivals for Organiser, Mark Niel:

“It was fantastic to represent Milton Keynes in the arts at Buxton. It has a reputation as a friendly Fringe Festival and we had a great time in front of receptive audiences. The good reviews were the icing on the cake”.

Local poet Mark enjoyed a great summer as he made appearances at a number of high profile Festivals including Wychwood and Green Man. He has also been chosen to represent the South East region as part of the “Public Address” tour organised by Apples and Snakes later in the year.

New Press Release: September 2010.
Click here for to download the press release as a Microsoft Word document or here as a PDF file

The next Tongue in Chic event

MARK GWYNNE JONES COMES TO HEADLINE

On Sunday 26 September, Four times fringe-award winner, Mark Gwynne Jones comes to headline at Tongue in Chic. Mark is well known for mind altering poetry with an almost music-hall edge. He mixes humour and poignancy with great skill and through collaborations with film-makers and musicians he is pushing poetry in new and exciting directions. Mark’s work can be funny, contagious, gritty and sometimes startlingly sensitive which has earned the following accolades:

‘Inspired… one of the most accomplished performance poets in the land…drawing the audience into a world where things are not quite what they seem’
The Guardian

‘I always stipulate that who ever is on with me hasn’t got to be any good – this one got past me - I don’t know how, but heads will roll.’
John Cooper Clarke

OPEN MIC SESSIONS
Open Mic spots are available so you can have your three minutes of fame and Open Mic performers can get tickets at the concession rate.

For more information on the show or Open Mic opportunities, email Mark Niel at markniel@gmail.com or call 01908 691755 to reserve tickets.

Tickets are £6 / £4 if reserved in advance or £7 / £5 on the door.
Venue: Madcap, Creed Street, Wolverton 7.30pm (Doors Open at 7pm) Sunday 26 September, 2010.

Hold the front page!!!!

The Tongue In Chic Poets 2010 Anthology "Reflections from mirror city is here!

“Reflections from Mirror City” is a new Poetry collection which features the best of the current scene in Milton Keynes. Tongue in Chic is a regular Open Mic Poetry event which acts as a showcase for local writers and brings in professional poets.

This same ethos is carried forward in the book as local scribes are found next to some of the country’s leading poets such as John Hegley, Zena Edwards, AF Harrold and Niall O’Sullivan.

Founder of Tongue in Chic, Mark Niel sees the book as a natural extension of the regular events held at Madcap:

“It’s been a privilege to watch local poets grow in confidence and stature over the last couple of years. The inspirational effect of watching the wonderful guest poets has been plain to see. MK Poets have upped their game and can now be seen regularly performing at different events and festivals all over the country. “Reflections from Mirror City” is both a testament and a showcase for their talents. I’d like to thank Arts Gateway MK for their financial support which has made the anthology a viable project”.

The anthology was formally launched at the Central Library on 12th June, 2010 by the mayor of Milton Keynes as part of the annual MK Reads Together events, led by Milton Keynes Council, but involving schools, Age Concern and many others. MK Reads Together is a celebration of reading for people of all ages and the theme of this year is “Perform the Word” and there will be readings from local poets and other poetry activities throughout the day.

If you would like to buy a copy you can do so at the various events and performances from any of the featured poets as well as directly from the editor Mark Niel or you can click this link to purchase online from our approved distributor (this is their eBay shop link) the book is also available on Amazon from the same distributor.

Described by John Hegley as “a very special poetry Sunday”, Tongue in Chic continues to bring the best Poets it can find to Milton Keynes.
In only its second year, Tongue in Chic is now an established event with a growing reputation on the Spoken Word circuit. It has already earned the accolade:

“pound for pound, the best poetry/spoken word event on the Midlands circuit!”

While he would dispute that Milton Keynes is actually in the Midlands, organiser and host, Mark Niel is pleased that the event is making a name for itself.

“It is always nice to hear we’re hitting the spot. Tongue in Chic is an event that has impressed our guests and audience alike. The key to success has been the strength of local writers and performers who have delivered strong material in the Open Mic spots and long may it continue".

ANTHOLOGY LAUNCH
Tongue in Chic enters the world of publishing with a “Yearbook” Anthology called “Reflections from Mirror City”. Local writers who supported the event in 2009 and Guest artists were invited to take part in the project and it is hoped the book will be ready for the first show of the year.

For more information on the show or Open Mic opportunities, email Mark Niel at markniel@gmail.com or call 01908 691755 to reserve tickets.

Tickets are £6 / £4 if reserved in advance or £7 / £5 on the door.

---

Here's a video from the first Tongue in Chic night to give you an idea of what to expect.

Video by Ian Barker and appears with kind permission of A F Harrold.