Undoubtedly a gem in the Wakefield cultural scene, the Red Shed Readings have thrived (thriven?) since the launch of Too Many Villains and they are now regarded as the most dynamic  spoken word event in the area.

Held at Wakefield Labour Club in Vicarage Street, Wakefield (WF1 1QX) in the Red Shed, a typical evening involves a warm up from  Jimi Andrex, a musical slot, a support reading, an open mic session and a guest reader presentation. In short, a veritable cornucopia of poetic/verbal/musical goodies.

The success of the evening derives from the warm supportive atmosphere and the encouragement offered to newcomers. Small is beautiful; pretention and elitism are strictly frowned upon, and the recipe works. So much so that the back list of guest readers is now taking on a very distinguished air:

Siobhan McMahon, Gerard Benson, Helen Clare, Ian Clayton, Andy Craven-Griffiths, Sophie Hannah, Peter Sansom, Stuart Pickford, Berlie Doherty, Joolz Denby, Michael McCarthy and David Peace, River Wolton, James Nash, Michael di Placido, Alan Payne, Sally Goldsmith, Jane Steele, Ann Sansomand Geoff Hattersley. 

Wow! Don't forget that all of the above is in addition to support reading and open mic slots as well as some fabulous musical turns. For April's Reading we look forward to Poets Cornered. After lots of questions from audience members about the ins and outs of writing poetry: where do poems come from? How do I know if it is any good? etc, we have asked local poets Josie Walsh and Pete Lancaster to share the platform to read some of their work and then take questions from the audience. It promises to be yet another informative and enjoyable evening.

So, come along and try a Red Shed Reading, bring a poem to read (or not,) enjoy a beer and then spread the word about the Red Shed Readings.

Entrance fee: £4/£2 concessions

The Red Shed,

Vicarage Lane,

Wakefield.

WF1 1QX