Step into the Magic of The Word Café
Get ready for an unforgettable evening of poetry with music.
The Word Café: Where voices meet, music resonates and you the audience feel at liberty to skip for the pure joy of this event.
Deborah Harvey
A proud native of Bristol with roots in Somerset and South Devon, Deborah Harvey is a poetic force. With an MA in Creative Writing from Manchester Writing School, she has woven her words into the literary fabric through numerous publications, awards, and an appearance on Radio 4’s Poetry Please. Deborah's latest collection, Love the Albatross, published by Indigo Dreams in August 2024, fearlessly explores the poignant terrain of estrangement. Don't miss the chance to witness her poetic alchemy.
Tom Sastry
March 2025 will see the launch of Tom Sastry’s newest work, Life Expectancy Begins to Fall (Nine Arches Press) – a sharp, satirical masterpiece exploring the surreal act of living through what he calls the "peri-apocalypse." Expect dark hilarity, uncomfortable truths, and moments of staggering beauty. Described by Kaycee Hill as "startling, sardonic, and absolutely necessary" and praised by Costa Prize winner Jonathan Edwards for his blend of humour and emotional gravitas, Tom is a magician of deadpan. Carol Ann Duffy herself once called him a poet who makes "friendships and love affairs new and strange." With past accolades including Poetry School’s Book of the Year, a Seamus Heaney First Collection Prize shortlist, and a Forward Prize commendation, Tom’s voice is one not to be missed.
Gora Ensemble
Making their much-anticipated debut, Gora Ensemble is a brand-new Bulgarian vocal group directed by Mae Karthauser. Formed in homage to the extraordinary yet disappearing vocal folk traditions of Bulgaria. Gora means forest — a name that echoes the mountainous landscapes where this vibrant tradition was born.
Prepare to be enchanted by their close-beating harmonies, exquisite scales, intricate ornamentation, and the driving rhythms of ancient Bulgarian dance. This premiere performance promises to be a stunning celebration of resilience and musical heritage.
When: Wednesday 30th April 2025. 7pm Doors for 7.30pm commencement.
Where: The Barrel House, Totnes.
Tickets: PAY AS YOU CAN - £12 / £10 / £7
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