For more than 30 years, Reading’s poets have been able to share their creations and hear the work of some of the biggest names in poetry thanks to a monthly get-together. And it’s still going strong today.
It is now one of Reading’s most recognisable and enduring literary nights, and takes place on the second Friday of every month.
The format of Poets’ Café is very similar to that when Susan Utting first set up a regular space for writers to share their work: a special guest and an open mic giving people a chance to find their voice.
Previous curators have included much-loved children’s author AF Harrold and novelist Claire Dyer. Between them, they have helped build its reputation as a platform where local voices and leading poets from across the UK meet on equal footing.
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The Poets’ Cafe is currently co-hosted by Katie Meehan and Vic Pickup and held at Reading’s South Street Arts Centre. The pair say that creating the line-up is a labour of love.
Vic explains: “We spend a long time curating a really diverse, vibrant list of up-and-coming or established poets, and we’ve got some great people performing.”
For Friday, 10 October, it will be a visit from Rehema Njambi, a British-Kenyan poet and writer whose work focuses on womanhood, agency, faith, and family.
Then on November 14, the collective The Whole Kahani, featuring Asian women poets. The group formed in 2011 to offer a rich and creative perspective that transcends cultures and boundaries, reflecting the contemporary world.
Robin Houghton visits on December 12, fresh from publishing her latest collection of verse, Yo-Yo.
It is this eclectic mixture of voices that helps make the Poets’ Cafe a much-loved event in Reading’s cultural calendar.
“The great thing about Poets’ Café is that every night is different. It’s always a warm and welcoming, lovely evening, but it’s also very varied, which makes it really special,” Vic explains.
The Café’s open mic sessions are central to its appeal: nights are not just about the guest performer; they are about the audience having the opportunity to take part. This interactive format encourages participation from both those sharing for the first time and seasoned poets, creating an atmosphere of shared experience rather than competition.
Katie explains: “We think that our open mic is very warm and supportive. Every month, we have newcomers who’ve never read anything before. They will always get a very warm and welcoming reception.”
Vic adds: “It’s like a conversation too. We tend to find that a theme often emerges naturally, regardless of the poets’ themes.
“People quite often say, ‘I was going to read this, but actually, this is the way the evening is going’, which creates a real community feeling, which is rather special.”.
Inclusivity and accessibility are priorities for the hosts.
Katie says: “We’re about inclusion, accessibility, diversity, and really reflecting the face of poetry in the UK and Reading”.
This inclusive approach ensures that the Café remains a safe and encouraging environment, where poets of all levels can participate.
Katie says that co-hosting the event has been particularly rewarding as they have been able to make lots of friends along the way, while Vic adds: “Previous hosts have always done it solo, but Katie and I work very well together. With the guest list, it is very diverse, and we have different tastes, appreciating different things, which means that it doesn’t just become very fixed.”
The Poets Café is designed to welcome everyone, and accessibility needs are taken seriously. For example, Vic says they are happy to bring the microphone into the audience for someone who is unable to get up on the stage, and they ask speakers to be considerate about what they are reading in case of younger ears in the audience.
Katie and Vic’s hosting philosophy means the Café is a space for conversation, creativity, and connection. By combining guest readings with open mic slots, the event nurtures a sense of community among both performers and audience members.
The open mic can serve as a launchpad for fresh voices and offers a supportive environment for anyone considering their first public performance.
The Café’s influence extends beyond the stage. Many participants go on to perform at other local events or festivals, sometimes gaining recognition that encourages them to pursue further creative endeavours.
For Vic and Katie, these successes are the ultimate reward: seeing participants develop confidence, share their voices, and contribute to Reading’s literary landscape.
Vic adds: “Poetry is about connection. It’s about us, feelings, sounds. It’s about understanding and making connections with things, and creating bonds.
“Letting people read poems, even if it’s not their own, allows people who don’t necessarily write but love poetry or saw something they are just desperate to share with people, the opportunity to read as well.
“If you are just sort of toying with the idea of reading out loud, it’s a great place to start.”
When is Poets’ Café taking place at South Street Arts Centre and how do I get tickets?
Poets’ Café takes place on the second Friday of every month at South Street Arts Centre, 21 South Street, Reading, RG1 4QU. Doors open at 8pm, with poetry starting at 8.30pm.
Tickets are £5 or £4 for readers.
Book online or sign up for the Poets’ Café newsletter for updates on workshops and events: https://whatsonreading.com/venues/south-street/whats-on/poets-cafe-live
The Poets Café newsletter is free to sign up to: https://tumblr.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9f9b4ab5b1d1440360da50188&id=787fa2b326
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