A man who moved from Cwmbran two years ago has organised a live poetry session in Fairwater Shops. Mark Lang, aged 43, is bring some top Welsh poetry talent to the town on Wednesday 22 January at 6pm.
He said: “The plan is for lots of people to turn up at Fairwater Shops and stand around the ramps facing the chip shop and Spar. They need to wrap up warm with friends and bring a torch.
“We will perform some poetry rap and spoken word for everyone and anyone who passes by. Fairwater Shops is again filled with people, light and life. We will alll take loads of photos and enjoy a evening of meeting new people and listening to stories from some poets. Then we all make our way home with a story of a crazy night when there was words on the street. Our street.
“I believe this could inspire some of the kids in that area and give them an evening to remember.”
Watch this video Mark made to promote the night.
“This event is similar to a ‘flash mob’ in that it is not planned authorised or announced. It is a group of people meeting in one place to watch some people speak poetry. The idea came from my son and his friends wanting to see me performing my music live but as they’re all 15 and 16 they’re unable to get into any clubs or pubs. So I decided to go to where they hang out and do a spoken word set just for them. Then I thought why don’t I go back to my roots in Fairwater and go back to where I used to hang out at that age and make it a show for everyone and anyone.
“I’m a true Fairwater boy and hung around Fairwater Shops through all of my youth. I’m 43 now and have a son who lives in Fairwater and a daughter who lives here in Southampton. I moved to Southampton for work after losing my job and in turn my home in Cwmbran.
“In moving to Southampton I started to concentrate on my music and poetry which at the time was a hobby and started to attend open mic and poetry evenings. Over the last two years I’ve built up a small fanbase here in the city and have performed at a few charity events such as two for the Amy Winehouse Foundation and one for the cutting of youth services in the Southampton.
“I’ve just released my first full album titled ‘I’d love to say I told you so’ and play a headline gig at The Art House here in Southampton on 8 January. I’ll also be performing along side Akil the MC in Newport on 21 January in a venue to be confirmed. My music can be heard here on Soundcloud.
