Now, most of them have turned out to be impractical for either financial or transport based reasons (or both), so I've had to leave them to one side (for now).
There is one more to try thus far. It's an LBGT Group in Bournville, and I'm not sure of the journey. Getting there won't be too much of a problem; it's a train ride with either two or three changes, but I'm not certain about getting back. Anyway, we'll see. I'm not ruling it out, because it's a craft evening (which I'd love) and sounds fun, and I really want to join).
One group that I've joined, however, that is both tried and tested, is Spoken Word & Music @ Ort, organised by members of Birmingham 30's &40's.
Twice, I've been - last night being the second - and I had a ball both times. I read out some poems, which were very well received (and not simply being kind and polite, either. I saw a couple of examples of 'polite' clapping later that reassured me on that score. The difference between that and genuine applause may have been subtle, but it was definitely there alright), and I had a great time watching and listening to the other acts until I was sadly forced to flee at 21:25 in order to catch my bus to get me back to the station in time, leaving the event still going strong (it tends to finish around 23:00, apparently).
It's just great. Anyone can sign up to perform, and the performance can be anything. As one of the other members, Michael, said on the Spoken Word & Music @ Ort page regarding last night:
"As diverse as ever, where else can you get a song, poem and physic reading all in one evening....and a dog!!"
And he's right. It's brilliant. And I'm part of it. Yesterday night, leaning back in my seat on the train ride home I was struck by a feeling of being incredibly happy and thrilled. Here I was, part of a group of lovely, friendly people, from many walks of life, who all had one thing in common: The Urge To Creative. And even if I didn't get to join another group as long as I lived - which is very unlikely to actually happen - I was part of this one, and it was a GREAT one.
Lucky, lucky me...
=BEAMS=
Anyhoot, for those that are interested, here be pictures!
Enjoy:
1. View to the right of where I was sitting.
(As of yet, nobody has played t'piano in my presence. But the year is young!).
2. The 'Bar', which is actually a cafe counter with added alcohol.
(The woman stood at the Bar is called Debbie, by the way: she's the event organizer)
3. Bad picture of Buddha The Dog.
(Damn girl just would NOT stay still, even when enjoying a nice fuss)
4. The 'Mic'.
(I've actually stood behind that and performed! In front of a crowd! Twice!)
5. Percussive backing on request to a nifty Blues Singer avec guitar.
(As t'singer had already refused to be filmed, I decided against asking to take a picture of her)
6. Better picture of Buddha The Dog.
(As you can see: she had to be held in place for a few seconds to enable this to happen)
7. The prettiest fire escape I've ever seen.
(You can see that the picture(s) extends right out across the wall. Beautiful).
8. Heading home.
(Tired, but happy)
9. And just because: here's an obligatory picture of MY dog.
(He's tired but happy, too).
Peace out for now, folks.
B.C.B.F.L.B x
UPDATE:
Having read a comment I made on the Spoken Word @ Ort page about struggling to get a picture of Buddha, Debbie kindly uploaded one for me to use here.
So! Behold:
UPDATE:
Having read a comment I made on the Spoken Word @ Ort page about struggling to get a picture of Buddha, Debbie kindly uploaded one for me to use here.
So! Behold:
10. Buddha!
(Ta, Deb)
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