Greg Harper & OUR OPEN MIKERS - AN EVENING OF HIGH SPIRIT

March was our last evening at 'Folly Upstairs' and we managed to drum up a crowded room with many new and familiarfaces, and a lot of enthusiasm. The evening was a huge success.

Due largely to Guest Songwriter/Singer/Guitarist Greg Harper who won everyone's hearts and, as several of the audience said, not only were his voice and guitar playing at top range, but his songs conveyed deep and important lyrics conveying the importance of staying in balance with nature.

Greg's love of nature and anti-war sentiments came through loud and strong. He used sound effects, replicating airplanes overheard during WW2 as he performed his songs about war, and had birds tweeting in tune with the peace and tranquility of the countryside. Greg's a 'country boy' with folk songs that emphasise his true love of the environment. 'Bricks and Dust'is a perfect example of what's replaced the beauty of forest and wilderness. In 'All Gone' and some other songs, he had the audience join in. Where are the trees now – the colours...the cool, clear water.

The audience loved him and emails have come through asking us to have him back.

Jake started the open mic with 'Is It True?', his son asking if he wasn't wanted – followed by 'The Photograph in my Father'sWallet'. He carried Jake's mother's photo through two additional wives, only daring to take the yellowed photo out after theydied. Barry Smith then followed with a very visual 'At the Turning of the Tide', historical and mythological associations of Harbour Place in Bosham Harbour where the High King [Canute] ordered the flooding tide to turn, to today's oyster catchers, tourists etc. He then read 'Dallas Belle', of some things you don't forget, like your first girlfriend, President Kennedy being shot…

Sally Davis, first timer, read 'Pavlova', a fun poem, referencing English desserts, 'I can't forget our first sticky date', hoping it wouldn't end in 'strudel' - to good audience response. Then, 'Who do you think you are', a wonderful descriptive poem about someone'.(..his fists are fat with punches never pulled in his imagination') but the ending.'a child still waiting to be rescued'..said it all. Jood, another newcomer, read, 'Well, I Never!', generalising Brits, Yanks, Italians...as the Irish jiggle along..'our point of view is down the loo', 'while Jihadi Joe – let them all in. The World's on the Edge'...got much applause. Then 'Gossips', How tittle tattle can ruin people's lives. Finally, 'Mountain Music' about how everything seems so clear up there whereas in the plains, one can lose themselves.

David Roberts began with Woody Allen's 'Crimes and Misdemeanors': 'You don't know who you can you trust these days..followed by the 'Jade Scorpion'; then, 'Emmer', a wonderful tribute to Keith Emerson, composer, for whom David conveyed much affection and sadness. 'He was 'a true musical iconoclast' - The 'Jerry Hendrick of the keyboard''. Finally, 'Dancing in the Rain', '... nothing as wonderful as….'. Lesley Prior, another newcomer, did 'Cappucino Lady', whose conversational poem included meeting with a friend who cares...things sometimes are rough. 'No offense, Matey. Today I emigrate'. Again, much applause.

Mandy Law, first timer, did a short love poem, 'It may run deep or perhaps shallow..just a kind word or two may soften…' (be good to hear more). Denise Olley, also new, did several haikus which spoke of birds (travelling the hibiscus heart), and love. A successful form for her poetry (would be nice to hear more). Hazel Swainson then did 'Marmalade', (beautifully read) – it had a 'wildness' 'He spread the sun like marmalade but now the sun began to fade'…. Richard Hawtree, in an effort to help Irish speakers who add syllables such as 'fillum (film), wrote a humourous poem, 'Helping Syllables'. Ending with 'Stockholum'. He then read about Meredith Hammer, who translated the 'Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius' from Greek into Latin, which never went to print. Colin Eveleigh read a loving poem about his father, 'A Brush with Life'. 'Painting the house, (and everything), battleship grey, going to war, never still, always resourceful...they were inseparable. Colin displayed his dad's painting brush and palette which he'd turned to a work of art This writer shared some poems as well and lastly, Greg got up to finish the evening and continued with his wonderful array of songs and music. A lot of smiling faces led to a perfect end to a perfect evening! Many left with comments about how 'it was the best yet'. (Heard that one before!)

The raffle was for a meal at La Piazzeta won by one of the newcommers.
It was our last evening at 'Folly Upstairs', and as the Spring Equinox marks the beginning of the new season, April will now mark the beginning of our new 'home' at Townhouse Pub/Bistro at 28 High Street, Petersfield. We're very excited and are looking forward to it. They have wonderful food so you can have a 'pre-entertainment' meal before coming upstairs on a Write Angle Tuesday...or whenever! They also have a beautiful garden where you can sit and relax. A lovely, lovely place and we're grateful to the owners for letting us have the room upstairs!

We hope to see a lot of the 'regulars', as well as newcomers, as we reach into our 9th year. There'll be a Press Release out very soon on our April guest, Cam Brown, so make sure you put 19th April into your diaries!

Hoping you're having a Happy Easter Holiday!