Earlier this year I wrote about my poetry collection, strange fruits, published in memory of my friend, Karen McAndrew. Known as ’50p Karen’ for her ability to find a bargain, Karen was a regular customer in the charity shops of Rochester. A prose piece at the end of the book ‘Where the High St meets Star Hill’ tells of our shopping trips together, including our last trip to her favourite cafe. Karen died last November just four weeks after a cancer diagnosis. All profits from the sale of strange fruits go to Macmillan Cancer Support.
strange fruits is now on tour with events in Gillingham, Faversham, Sittingbourne and Canterbury. Gillingham library is hosting an afternoon of ‘strange fruits’ on Saturday 24 September at 2.00 p.m. I’ll be reading from the book with guest poets and writers Tony Anderson, Helen Aveling, Sarah Jenkin and Vicky Wilson.
There will also be a performance of songs from Southern Africa, Kent and around the world by Swale Sings community choir. The choir is led by international artist Lucky Moyo and there will be djembe drums, guitar and percussion as well as singing. Audience participation is encouraged. Copies of strange fruits will be on sale and the library will also be displaying their Macmillan collection of books and other materials. The event is free but please book with the library on 01634 337340.
The biggest event is From Page to Stage on 1 October at The Avenue Theatre, Sittingbourne. It’s an evening of spoken word, music and dance featuring Kent-based writers, musicians and dancers. I shall be reading from strange fruits with guest poets Nicky Gould and Vicky Wilson of WordAid, a collective of poets dedicated to publishing books to raise funds for charity (strange fruits is a WordAid publication). Luigi Marchini and Gill Moyes will also be reading, and Tony Anderson will be performing two poems set to music.
Musical acts include an emotional performance from Rochester-based vocalist Rachel Morris, folk-rock from Acoustic Architects, songs from Swale Sings who will also be joining the fantastic Los Salvadores, rising stars of the new folk movement, backing them on the final song of their set, ‘Holly Shore’, which is based on a local ghost story. Lucky Moyo will not only be leading Swale Sings, but also performing a gumboot dance, though not at the same time!
There will be a slideshow about the work of Macmillan during the interval, when there will be a chance to buy copies of strange fruits. Tickets are £7.50 from The Avenue Theatre box office 01795 471140 or online. All profits from ticket sales and sales of the book will go to Macmillan Cancer Support. strange fruits is available from Cultured Llama at £8 (£9 inc p&p) or £15 for two (p&p free). Hope to see some of you at these events.
Maria McCarthy
