maddog's guru of the written word, Amy Wragg, gives the lowdown on the coolest joints in Norwich for aficionados of the written word this Feb...

It is a commonly acknowledged fact that in Norwich that you can’t swing a cat for writers, well, to be more accurate the animal would have to be drastically smaller, more rodent sized. So... you can’t swing a gerbil for writers in Norwich. The streets are positively overflowing and the cafes bursting at the seams with over-sized scarf wearing authors of the next best-seller. But it is a little known fact that, while they have been scribbling away in isolation, a new generation of writers have been ripping the words off the page and bringing spoken word into the communal forum. Often found in the most unexpected places, from back-street bars to churches these Poets have been redefining what it means to go to a live literature event. Long gone are the days of forced polite applause after a dull and impenetrable reading, left only with a mixture of confusion, boredom and irritation by the heightened level of self-indulgence. Contemporary live literature is just as likely to have you gasping in surprise at the unexpected content as it is fits of giggles as you wave your arms around imitating a monkey.

February is a busy month for Poetry, beginning with the announcement of the winner of the Café Writers poetry competition on Monday 9th February. Penelope Shuttle will begin the free event at 8pm, Jurnet’s Bar, Wensum Lodge. The winner of this prestigious competition will receive a whopping £750! Who said poetry doesn’t pay? www.cafewriters.org.uk

A mere two days later across town at one of Norwich’s sexiest bars, The Birdcage, Lora Stimpson hosts Cabaret, a Valentines special with Songs d’Amour, Roses, Sonnets, and burlesque, kicking off at 8pm. Cabaret has a fantastic reputation for its Wednesday night events, showcasing some of the most interesting performers around, for a mere £1. www.thebirdcagenorwich.co.uk

Wednesday 18th February is The Late Shift @ The Sainsbury’s Centre on UEA campus, completely free 5-8pm. For those of you who have not yet managed to visit then it comes well recommended, a most impressive building that always excites both performer and audience.

Last but not least is The Monday Night Alternative, 23rd February at The Norwich Arts Centre, £5 entry. Chris Hicks of Aisle 16, with his dark sense of humour and intelligent deconstructions, is the much anticipated top billing for the evening. The compere is the omnipresent Susie Showers, with support from the superb Patrick Lappin (formerly of Yanny and Paddy the Pikey Poets) and Escalator award winner Molly Naylor. The Monday Night Alternative is part of a network of 5 events in the East; Sundown in Southend-on-sea, Speakeasy in Peterborough, Wax Lyrical in Colchester and Oral Cabaret in St Albans. Working as a collective they are uniting to raise the profile of live literature and create a sustainable touring network to enable Poets to earn a crust. The credentials and calibre of performers is always exceptional and worth every single one of the five pounds charged. Find out more about the poetry link here: www.newwritinglive.org

Without a doubt Norwich will prove to be vital in the evolution of Live Literature in the coming few months.