MYH - Whats happening to it?

[silverfox]

www.safehousearts.org.uk/ - Just checked the site and am sitting back and wondering whats the craic regarding Make Yourself Heard these days. Espicially when it's not even mentioned on the site!

This air of uncertainty is not helping the fear that it is simply gonna die a death if it isn't brought back to life with someone's interuption. so for the love of poetry please someone get it back on track!!!!!!

[Marcus]

The website isn't complete. Work in progress. Calm down.

Additionally, it's unsurprising that it's pretty much under the radar these days, as a lot of people (myself included) are doing other things now, unrelated to poetry. There's the other case of people consistently being no-shows despite claiming to have MYH's best interests at heart. I have very little concern for the night, due to a mix of my own lack of interest in poetry these days and the unprofessionalism and disillusionment of certain players.

I can see it being difficult in the new year for me to concern myself with organising/running MYH and suggest that it be left to Colin again. Failing that, someone who has an active interest and a good attendance record for the night.

[colindardis]

MYH certainly has taken a step back as of late. As Marcus says, people are focussing on other projects, and I'll been ill recently, both of which have had adverse effects.

I do have ideas going ahead for MYH in the new year, but we need new volunteers to help organise and promote the night. I'll probably send something out on Facebook about this soon.

In the meantime, I'm not sure if we should have a December gig or take a break and regroup in January. What do others think?

[gerard]

I don't do MYH because after five years of trying to keep the live poetry scene in Northern Ireland going (alongside others) I just became fed up with it. I don't consider myself part of the live poetry scene in Northern Ireland anymore but I wish everyone else every success.

[sogharbaoui]

My name is stephen and I have gone to many open-mic events over the last 10 years and love being a small part of this world. I love the idea of listening and reading amongst other citizens. Even though I organize events as part of my health services work, I have never felt inclined to stage or help organize a spoken-word event. I think it takes a certain skill set, predilection and personality; i applaud the various people including those with MYH who have made these events possible. Sometimes, events have a certain life-span based on how energies oscillate on the spectrum of intent and aspiration. Always there is something intinsically human about an open-mic event no matter how few or how many people turn up. MYH is good and real.

[colindardis]

Thanks for your support Stephen. Here's the message I sent out on Facebook today:

Hi all poets, scribes and pen-pushers!

Make Yourself will be taking a Christmas break this month, so unfrotunately this means no December gig. However, we will be back in the new year, refreshed and ready again for action, if not with a few extra pounds to spare from our festive feasting.

We are currently looking for new volunteers who would be interested in helping to run and promte the event, as well as MC. If you are interested, or know anyone who might be, please do send us a message saying hello. We aim to hold a meeting in earlier January to get a new committee together to help bring MYH into 2010.

In the meantime, we trust everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and that the poetic muse will keep burning during the winter nights.

Regards, Colin Dardis
(Jack Anthony)

Join the Facebook group for Make Yourself Heard at:
www.facebook.com/#/group.php?gid=70452205809