Helen Ivory is a poet and visual artist. She edits the webzine Ink Sweat and Tears and is tutor and Course Director for the UEA/National Centre for Writing online creative writing programme.
Susan Taylor has eight published poetry collections. The most recent is published by Oversteps Books. Her work has also appeared in many anthologies, pamphlets and magazines.
She spent many years as a shepherd on her family farm in the Lincolnshire Wolds. Now living on Dartmoor, where she draws much inspiration from the natural world. She’s still fond of sheep but, in best trickster fashion, her latest work is a poetry show walking in the path of wolves.
The Word Cafe and The Barrel House Ballroom presents The Lockdown Podcasts. Fourteen of the UK’s top poets take the guise of seven podcasts. Hosted by Matt Harvey & Julie Mullen during the lockdown of 2021.
These seven glorious poetry podcasts were created with support using public funding by Arts Council England.
The Word Café is the brainchild of the wondrous Julie Mullen. Since 2010 Julie has hosted sensational poetry and music events at an array of locations including The Cott Inn Dartington, The Landmark Arts Centre Teddington, The Pleasance Theatre London, The Rosemary Branch Theatre Islington, The Pleasance Theatre QueenDome and Bunker One Edinburgh, The Old Sorting Office Barnes & The Tea Box Richmond.
Since 2019, the home for The Word Café has been The Barrel House Ballroom Totnes, with whom this project is a collaboration.
The Word Café in the kind words of Roger Mcgough, “These are the kind of events that really bring poetry to life.”
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See What's coming up at the Barrel House Ballroom, read artist interviews and recommendations, and find out 'what's brewing at the Brew Co' in our monthly What's On guide...
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More @ The Barrel House Ballroom & Totnes Brewing Co:
Nick Harper – ‘Earth Day Blue 2’ Tour + Support – Danny Emerson
Live Music
Highly acclaimed guitarist/singer/songwriter Nick Harper makes his first appearance here at The Barrrel House Ballroom, Totnes to support the release of his 14th studio album - EARTH DAY BLUE
Saturday 10th May 2025 | 8pm
Jackie Juno – “Extra Ordinary Women” – Book Launch
Spoken Word/Literary
Jackie Juno presents a brand-new collection of poems celebrating remarkable women who have battled, survived, loved, cared, shared, dared and dreamed, yet have not hit the headlines or been hailed as celebrities
Sunday 11th May 2025 | 5pm-6:30pm
Poets and Pints Open Mic
Spoken Word/Literary
Come on down and sign up to read your poem or just relax with a pint/glass of vino/OR ginger beer for a fun evening of poetry at the mic.
Monday 12th May 2025 | 8pm
Workshop with Harula Ladd – Poetry of Magic & the Mundane
Spoken Word/Literary
A writing workshop with Harula Ladd
Monday 12th May 2025 | 5:45pm
Be Water Open Jam
Live Music,Community
Join is for a little musical magic here at The Barrel House, Totnes, every other Tuesday. Always an unforgettable night of raw, live energy!!
Tuesday 13th May 2025 | 8pm
Jamming Station 16-21 yrs Emerging Artsists Showcase
Live Music,Club/DJs
A showcase of emerging talent that is not to be missed. A deep dive into diversity. An eclectic and exciting mix of classics and originals hosted by a blaze of talented young musicians that have grown out of the stomping ground of Jamming Station Totnes
Thursday 15th May 2025 | 7:30pm
boci – Full Live Band – Album Launch Tour
Live Music
Following an EPIC sold-out show at The Barrel House Ballroom in 2023, Bristol-based alt-folk singer-songwriter boci returns with her full band
Friday 16th May 2025 | 7:30pm
Samantics – Solo Performance + Support – Ceejay
Live Music
Samantics brings a trolley full of sounds, ukulele, bass, beats, piano, harmonies, blips and bloops and and wobbly wobbs, all brought together with loop station and sampler to create a hot pot of powerful, noisy poetry. It’s not quite hip-hop, but it’s not quite not
Saturday 17th May 2025 | 8pm
An Dannsa Dub – ‘Through the Storm’ – Launch Tour
Live Music
An Dannsa Dub, the innovative project fusing traditional Scottish music and digital dub, will be celebrating the release of their highly anticipated second album Through The Storm
Sunday 18th May 2025 | 8pm
The Totnes Board Games Club
Community
Join a friendly and welcoming community to play modern board games on a regular basis in central Totnes. 6:30pm onwards every other Tuesday here in The Library Bar at Totnes Brewing Company
Tuesday 20th May 2025 | 6:30pm
Black Bird Open Mic Night #117
Live Music,Community
The Black Bird Open Mic Night is a friendly, intimate and much-loved event that brings people together for good times. Original material is positively encouraged!
Tuesday 20th May 2025 | 7pm
Earshot – Forbidden Fruit
Spoken Word/Literary
Earshot Storytellers Ronnie Conboy, Lisa Schneidau and Clive PiG tell tales & myths of forbidden fruit, followed by open floor spots
Wednesday 21st May 2025 | 7:30pm
Ruarri Joseph
Live Music
RUARRI JOSEPH has played many a sold out show at The Barrel House Ballroom over the years and returns to Totnes to play this super special gig... marking his first solo appearance in 12 years
Friday 23rd May 2025 | 7:30pm
Vintage / Retro Market
Community
Last month’s Vintage Market was such a success we are going to make this a regular monthly event. Clothes, Art, Books, Records, Bric-A-Brac, Collectables, Shoes & More. Bar Open. Snacks available
Saturday 24th May 2025 | 10am-4:30pm
Old Gods Presents – Reunion – 90’s-00’s Mixtape Vol. 2
Club/DJs
Bust out the panda pop and come get down to the best cheesy club smashers from the likes of Shaggy, JT, Destiney's Child, Aaliyah, Rhianna and all the rest!!
Saturday 24th May 2025 | 8pm
Totnes UkUlele Kollective sing-along
Live Music,Community
Come join us for some guaranteed good Bank Holiday vibes at our Ukulele Singalong' . . . bring your Uke if you have one and your voice. **Free Entry**
Monday 26th May 2025 | 7:30pm
Be Water Open Jam
Live Music,Community
Join is for a little musical magic here at The Barrel House, Totnes, every other Tuesday. Always an unforgettable night of raw, live energy!!
Tuesday 27th May 2025 | 8pm
Fundraising Gig for Totnes Festival Fringe
Live Music,Comedy,Spoken Word/Literary
Fundraiser for Totnes Festival Fringe featuring music from Mae Karthauser, Holly Ebony, Poppy-Jayne Jones and Jazzient, plus comedy from Ed Tripp and storytelling from Ione Harris, Geoff Petty and Laurie Page
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Subscribe to our newsletter and you'll be entered into our monthly prize draw!
Sign up to our newsletter to be kept up to date with all the amazing entertainment coming to the Barrel House Ballroom and Totnes Brewing Co.
Plus, every month you'll automatically be entered into a draw to win a pair of free tickets to any Barrel House Ballroom gig of your choice and two free welcome drinks!
Ensure our email address is added to your address book so updates and notifications don't end up in your junk folder.