An economic refugee from the home counties, Jonny began his ‘career’ spitting vicious political verse between bands at punk gigs until cured by a West Country shaman. Now he ‘does’ poetry that deafly fuses bittersweet autobiography, political disillusionment and surreal whimsy in an act which has established him as a firm favourite at festivals, arts centres and housing benefit offices up and down the country.
Jackie has performed poetry at festivals, cabarets, nightclubs, fayres, schools, churches, weddings, funerals, birthday parties and on the street! In recent years she has won several Poetry Slams, including the official Glastonbury Festival Poetry Slam 2017, Green Gathering 2016, and Plymouth Lit Fest Oct 2017.
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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EVERY MONTH, YOU'LL BE ENTERED INTO A PRIZE DRAW TO WIN A PAIR OF FREE TICKETS TO A GIG OR EVENT OF YOUR CHOICE AT THE BARREL HOUSE BALLROOM - PLUS, TWO FREE WELCOME DRINKS!
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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:
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
Wednesday 28th May 2025 | 7:30pm
Mara Simpson
Live Music
Mara Simpson is a multi-instrumentalist, performing artist, songwriter, producer and composer who seamlessly blends
electronic, acoustic and orchestral instruments, exploring her love for tape delays, analogue synths and field recordings
Thursday 29th May 2025 | 7:30pm
Queen – Local Supergroup Celebrate 50 Years of Bohemian Rhapsody
Live Music
The Local Live Supergroup who brought you... BOWIE, ABBA, PINK FLOYD & FLEETWOOD MAC, return to celebrate 50 years of QUEEN'S BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY!!
Saturday 31st May 2025 | 8pm
Sin Serity productions presents – QUILTBAG Sunday socials
Community
Join us in the Barrel House Ballroom for our monthly queer social/DIY/scratch space. Come and chat, bring games, craft or open mic/cabaret ideas - Free entry
Sunday 1st June 2025 | 3pm-7pm
Cheese & Beer Tasting Experience
Community
Join Elise and Marie AKA 'The Cheese Queens' who want to share their passion with you... you've guessed it... CHEESE. At the Totnes Brewing Co
Sunday 1st June 2025 | 4pm
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 3rd June 2025 | 6:30pm
Black Bird Open Mic Night #118
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 3rd June 2025 | 7pm
Colin Manson – Live EP Launch Party + Ceilidh with Live Folk Band ‘Ballast’
Live Music
Colin Manson writes in a classic style that echoes traditional folk songs, weaving intricate patterns of finger-picking on guitar with luscious cello harmonies and a smooth rhythmic flow
Wednesday 4th June 2025 | 7:30pm
“In The Name Of The Father, The Imam & John Lennon” – An Evening with Tamer NafaR
Live Music,Spoken Word/Literary
Tamer Nafar is a trailblazing Palestinian Rapper, Actor, Screenwriter & Social Activist of Israeli citizenship. He will take you on a journey merging his art and activism, challenging mainstream narratives through music, film, and conversation.
Thursday 5th June 2025 | 8pm
Mad Dog Mcrea + Support – The Sea Gals
Live Music
The Barrel House Ballroom welcomes back Mad Dog Mcrea with their unique blend of folk rock, pop, gypsy jazz, bluegrass and ‘shake your ass’ music
Friday 6th June 2025 | 7:30pm
The Rambunctious Social Club Presents – Kola Nut Krush
Club/DJs
SABOR! SABROSA! The finest flavors of Tropical Fizz with DJs Hodguez and Griff! Refresh and revive those succulent sonic rhythms! Immersive yourself in a heady cocktail of classic Rambunctious Tropical colour! Pura Vida!
Saturday 7th June 2025 | 8pm-1am
Finding The Funny – Writing Workshop with Jackie Juno
Spoken Word/Literary,Comedy
A creative writing workshop with comedian, poet & Glastonbury Festival Poetry Slam champion Jackie Juno. Lots of fun exercises to generate new material. Tips and tricks to make your writing funny.
Monday 9th June 2025 | 5:45pm
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.
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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.
