As the festive season wraps us in its warm embrace, The Broken Spine hosted another memorable evening at Cooper’s Bar, Southport, last night. A night that twinkled with the same magic as the Christmas lights adorning our streets.
Cooper’s Bar, with its intimate and welcoming ambiance, proved once again to be the perfect haven for poetry and music lovers. Recalling the success of our past events, including the one with Henry Normal back in April, this venue has become a cherished home for our artistic gatherings.
Despite winter bugs playing Scrooge and leading to last-minute changes, the event unfolded like a well-loved Christmas story – full of surprises and heartwarming moments. The spotlight shone on talents like Jen Corcoran from Bent Key Publications and the ever-impressive Helen Jeffery, who returned to enrapture the audience just as she did last summer. George Melling’s journey from Wigan was a gift in itself, bringing his unique poetry and books to share. George was accompanied by constant companion Sharon Lowe who tickled and provoked the audience with her own poetic stylings that took on growing out pubic hair as a statement of feminity.
The open mic segment was like unwrapping an eclectic mix of presents, with performances ranging from the hilariously absurd concept of selling celebrity faeces on eBay to more introspective themes, akin to gathering around the fireplace sharing stories.
The crescendo of the evening was Paul Robert Mullen’s acoustic set, a blend of The Beatles’ classics and original compositions. His collaboration with bar manager Ella Cooper on the saxophone was the star atop our Christmas tree, enchanting everyone present.
Hosting this event in the liminal space between Christmas and New Year added to its charm. It felt like a secret gathering of friends, old and new, united by a love for poetry and music. The event was a reminder of the warmth and joy that the arts bring into our lives, especially during the festive season.
The Broken Spine’s vision of connecting with the local community in Southport and beyond was palpable. Each verse read, each note played, brought us closer to our dream of a local festival that mirrors the vibrancy of Edinburgh Fringe. Last night’s success made this dream seem not just plausible but inevitable.
As we bade goodbye, the question on everyone’s lips was, “When’s the next event?” Stay tuned, as The Broken Spine plans to bring more such magical nights to Southport. Here’s to more evenings filled with poetry, music, and community spirit – our gift to the local arts scene this festive season and beyond.
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The Broken Spine is a poetry and arts collective proudly published on the coastal edge of North-West England. Founded in 2019 by Alan Parry and Paul Robert Mullen – two school friends reunited after twenty years through a mutual love of poetry.
