Jude Simpson – Poet, wordsmith, performer
What’s On…
Autumn 2024
Thursday 12th September – Homestart Literary Lunch with Wafa’ Tarnowska. I’ll be interviewing Wafa about her books, “Nour’s Secret Library” and “Amazing Women of the Middle East” – Old Bull Inn, Royston, 12.15pm to 2.15pm including lunch. Tickets available here.
Saturday 5th October – “A NOISE ANNOYS” at the Barkway Literature Festival. 10am at the Village Hall, Barkway, 4 Cambridge Rd Barkway Herts SG8 8BS – I’ll be presenting my full-length family show (45 minutes) to open the Barkway Literary Festival. Get your tickets here – they are all £5 each. Here’s the blurb:
“A Noise Annoys is a Poetry Show for all the senses! It features rhymes, noises, challenges,
surprises and lots of audience interaction. Bursting with joyful humour and
witty wordplay, Jude takes the audience on a mind-bending journey through the
sounds of language, and the language of sounds. There is lots of joy, a healthy dose
of nonsense, and a few heartfelt moments of beautiful hush.”
If you want to check out the full programme of events you’ll see that I’m also interviewing three local authors later in the day – Tracey Waples, Lottie Mills and James Riley. All three promise to be fascinating talks with very talented writers / thinkers. There’s a very reasonable day ticket which gets you in to ALL the events, ALL day for just £40. Highly recommended. Do come and say hi if you’re there. x
MidSummer 2024
Tuesday 2nd July – Homestart Literary Lunch at the Old Bull Inn, Royston, where I’ll be interviewing novelist Hannah Beckerman.
Friday 23rd August 11.15am Greenbelt Festival – I’ll be performing my family show “A NOISE ANNOYS” at the Canopy tent. I also have a Spoken Word slot at the Caravan of Love at 5.45pm the same day, Friday 23rd August. Do come along!
Spring/Summer 2024
Sunday 5th May 2.30pm – Cambridge Junction Theatre – “A NOISE ANNOYS” – the latest development of my famiy / children’s show comes to the Junction Theatre in Cambridge.
“A Noise Annoys is a Poetry Show for all the senses! It features rhymes, noises, challenges, surprises and lots of audience interaction. Bursting with joyful humour and witty wordplay, Jude takes the audience on a mind-bending journey through the sounds of language, and the language of sounds. There is lots of joy, a healthy dose of nonsense, and a few heartfelt moments of beautiful hush.” Tickets and details here.
Friday 17th May – Baldock Festival – St Mary’s Church, Baldock, Herts 7.30pm – a whole evening of me!! Sharing work old and new, chucking some silly songs around, a bit of interactive voting – all that sort of thing… I’m really looking forward to this one. Tickets and details here.
Saturday 25th / Sunday 26th May – Big Church Festival -Wiston Estate, West Sussex – I’ll be at the Spoken Word Tent, hosted by the Bible Society. I’ll be hosting the Poetry Slam on Saturday evening, then performing on Sunday – one set of poetry in the afternoon, and appearing again later in the “Bless-Off”s – Woohoo!!
Friday 21st June – Lady J’s Summertime Marvels, Two Sisters Arts Centre, Trimley-St-Mary, nr Felixstowe. “Lady J hosts a selection of her favourite regional acts across music, spoken word and improv. Expect an eclectic night of entertainment that will leave you feeling all warm inside from an evening well spent in the company of some of our region’s finest!”
Saturday 22nd June – private gig in Colchester
Tuesday 25th June – Poetry Shack, Candid Arts, Camden, London
Thursday 27th June – Scripted Development at 1975 Wine Bar, Woodbridge, Suffolk – a chilled and inspiring gig in a sophisticated, welcoming wine bar. Looking forward to it!
Friday 28th June – Primary School Poetry and Performance workshop and judging of pupil’s SLAM competition, with Ruth Leigh – Suffolk
Saturday 29th June – 10am to 12noon – Book Fair at the Two Sisters Arts Centre, Trimley-St-Mary, Near Felixstowe – I’ll be reading / performing and selling my books at this local literature fair, then hot-footing it back home in time for…
Saturday 29th June – “Homestart’s Got Talent” – I’m hosting this local talent show in aid of Homestart, the family support charity, and will doubtless throw a couple of my own poems into the mix at some stage!
Winter 2023
Monday 20th November – “At Home” for Homestart – Royston Bowling Club, 47 Green Drift, Royston, Herts – an intimate gig where I’ll be sharing new material as well as performing some old favourites. You’re also welcome to bring a poem you’d like to read, or something you’d like me to read out. It’s free to come, with donations welcome. Half of all donations go to Homestart. More details here.
Friday 24th November – Comedians and Carols, Bolton Villas Church, Bradford. Details and tickets here.
JUST ADDED!!! Saturday 25th November – Comedians and Carols, Cowplain, Hampshire. Details and tickets here.
Sunday 17th December – Comedians and Carols, Colchester, Essex. Details and tickets will be here.
Autumn 2023
Thursday 21st September – Literary Lunch for Homestart with New York Times bestselling author Kate Moore discussing her most recent book, “The Woman They Could Not Silence.” The Old Bull, Royston. Check the Homestart Website for more details and to book tickets.
Thursday 28th September – Private Bookclub gig
I’m really excited to be hosting Val Jeal MBE in early October. I will be interviewing Val about the book we wrote together, “Broken by Love,” which charts her inspiring journey working with marginalised women in Bristol. Excitingly, the book has been shortlisted for Biography/Memoir of 2023 by Christian Resources Together!
Come and hear Val for yourself at the following times / places:
Monday 2nd October – Comberton Baptist Church, South Cambridgeshire, 7.30pm – check the website for further details and to sign up
Tuesday 3rd October– “Tuesdays Together” at City Church, Cambridge. A daytime discussion group open to all, including seniors. 10.30am, Cheddars Lane, Cambridge.
Wednesday 4th October – Kings Church, Tennison Road, Cambridge. 7.30pm – check the website for further details and to sign up.
All events are free to attend. Val will be selling and signing her book at each one. Val’s story has wide appeal, but does deal with gritty subjects, including prostitution, drug addiction and harm. These events will be appropriate to any adults, and accompanied teenagers.
Wednesday 11th October – “Short Scratchings” at The Junction, Cambridge, at 6.30pm. I’ll be presenting a short, interactive performance (10-20 minutes) of children’s material based on my poetry collection “A Noise Annoys.” Please come and bring your kids!! It’s free, but you have to book in! This event is enabled by the Junction’s Artistic Development Programme TROOP, of which I’m really enjoying being a part!
Thursday 12th October – private gig
Wednesday 25th October – “Short Scratchings” at The Junction, Cambridge, – once again I’ll be performing some Work In Progress, but this time it’s aimed at a more general, adult audience. It’s a chance to see some of my developing ideas, and also to give feedback! I’d love you to come along. It’s free but you have to book in. This event is enabled by the Junction’s Artistic Development Programme TROOP, of which I’m really enjoying being a part!
Summer 2023
Thursday 22nd June – I’m performing in “Transcendence” – a faith-based spoken word event in Brixton, South London, hosted by Final Call Productions. I’m chuffed to be featuring at this brilliant night on Thursday 22nd June, 7pm-10pm at Upstairs at The Ritzy in Brixton. There will also be open mic spots and a special FCP showcase. Tickets here.
Tuesday 18th July – I’ll be hosting Homestart’s Literary Lunch, interviewing Rachel Meller, author of “The Box with the Sunflower Clasp.” It’s at the Old Bull Inn, Royston. Tickets and details here
Spring 2023
Tuesday 28th February – Literary Lunch with Rachel Lawston, children’s author and book designer. Rachel will talk about her brilliant nature-connecting books “Finn’s Garden Friends” and “Mia makes a Meadow.” The Old Bull, Royston, from 12.15pm. Tickets available from Homestart.
Saturday 4th March – I’m hosting Royston Homestart’s 40th birthday celebration concert, “Celebrating Voices,” featuring four local choirs and entertainer Sarah Harrison. I’ll be performing some of my own poems too. More details and tickets here.
Saturday 18th March – I’ll be performing at Comberton Baptist Church, with my great friend, musician Paul Bell, giving you a dose of the “best medicine”! 7.30pm. Tickets and more details here.
Thursday 20th April (tbc) – planned launch of “Broken by Love” by Val Jeal (co-authored by me) in Bristol – I’m so looking forward to this event, rescheduled due to Val getting covid the first time round! I think we’re being joined by Marvin Rees, the Mayor of Bristol, and Peaches Golding, the Lord Lieutenant. It will also be a great chance to meet and see the work of One25 – the charity Val founded. I’m afraid it’s a private event, but hopefully I’ll be able to share some pictures!
Thursday 27th April – I’m interviewing Cambridge-based novelist and creative writing tutor Menna Van Praag for Homestart’s Literary Lunch. It will be at the Old Bull in Royston. Check out their events page for details and tickets.
Wednesday 17th May – I’m performing at the King’s Head in Woodbridge, Suffolk, courtesy of Justine de Mierre music.
Saturday 27th / Sunday 28th May – I’ve been confirmed to return to Big Church Festival at the Spoken Word Tent. This was an absolute blast last year, so give me a shout if you’re heading there in 2023 – it would be lovely to say hello!
Autumn/Winter 2022
Thursday 13th October – Royston Library, with Homestart
Wednesday 19th October – Open Mic at the White Horse pub in Sweffling, Nr Woodbridge, Suffolk https://swefflingwhitehorse.co.uk/events/
Friday 11th November – there are a couple of private gigs happening in the Cambridge area – one mid-morning, one in the evening. Contact me if you’re interested in coming along…
Friday 25th November – Toft Social Club, Cambridgeshire, with Homestart. See https://www.toftsocialclub.org.uk/events.php for more details.
Friday 2nd December – Towcester, Comedy and Carols with Comedians Paul Kerensa and Paul Tonkinson, Magician Steve Price . At Tove Valley Centre, Northampton Road, Towcester, Northants, NN12 7AH. It starts at 7.30pm and tickets are £11 – available here.
Friday 9th December – Guildford, Comedy and Carols with Comedian Paul Kerensa, and Comedy Magician Tom Elliot. At Christchurch, Guildford, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10 each – available here.
Sunday 18th December – Colchester, Comedy and Carols with Comedians Paul Kerensa and Andrew Bird, plus comic musician James Sherwood. Show starts at 7.30pm, and is just £7!! It’s at Kingsland church, 88 London Road, Colchester, CO3 9DW and you can book tickets here.
SPRING/SUMMER 2022
Thursday 29th September – Homestart Literary Lunch – 12.15pm at the Old Bull Inn, Royston. I’ll be performing some pieces, and talking to novelist Sarah Harrison about my work and my book, “Shambolic Mammal”. Tickets are £15, which includes a cold buffet lunch, and are available here.
Tuesday 26th July Poetry Shack, supporting Michael Rosen . How exciting! It’s at the Candid Arts Centre in Angel, North London, at 7.30pm on Tuesday 26th July. Tickets are £8 each, and you can buy them here.
Friday 22nd July – private gig, Cambridge
Wednesday 20th July – private gig, Royston
Saturday 2nd July – Garden Gig
Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th June – BIG CHURCH DAY OUT –
Over the Jubilee weekend, I’ll be joining around 30,000 other people at Big Church Day Out, where I’ll be hosting and performing at the Spoken Word tent. At the moment, it looks like I’ll be performing at 3.15pm on Friday and 3pm on Saturday, but follow me on Twitter for updates nearer the time. The lineup looks great, so I’m excited to be hosting some of the sessions, as well as performing my own stuff. Do come and say hello if you’re there.
Saturday May 14th 2022 – I’ll be presenting Homestart’s “Strictly Come Dancing” charity event – this local version of the iconic BBC show is promising to be completely hilarious, and full of life-affirming fun!! Local couples team up to compete for the trophy by impressing a lineup of local expert judges…
Friday 29th April 2022 – Paper Tiger Poetry – London
AUTUMN / WINTER 2021
Tuesday 30th November 2021 – Poetry Shack – the Betsy Trotter pub, Farringdon. This is in place of the gig I had to covid-cancel in September…
Thursday 2nd December 2021 – “Carols and Comedians” – Holy Trinity Church, Claygate, Surrey – with Paul Kerensa and others
Friday 3rd December 2021 – “Carols and Comedians” – “Free”, Frinton-on-Sea, Essex – with Paul Kerensa and others
Saturday 4th December 2021 – “Carols and Comedians” – All Saints church, Guildford, Surrey – with Paul Kerensa. Tickets here.
Saturday 11th December 2021 – “Carols and Comedians” – Kettering Arts Centre, Northamptonshire – with Paul Kerensa hosting, plus standup from Stephen Cookson and magic by Steve Price. For info and tickets see here.
February 24th 2022 – Literary Lunch with Homestart – the Old Bull, Royston. I’ll be talking to Ursula Buchan http://www.ursula-buchan.co.uk/ and discussing her biography of John Buchan – author of “The Thirty-Nine Steps.”
Friday 22nd October 2021 – Poetry and Poppadoms – hosted by Paul Lyalls, Islington, North London
