2013 is oxjam’s 7th year. It’s usually a month long festival throughout October but I decided to do mine in December and have it as a Christmas themed ‘festive’-al.
Oxjam is a way of making money for Oxfam and getting people, amateurs like myself, from all over the country to pitch in and raise money for Oxfam.
Oxjam have had a busk on top of a mountain, they’ve had huge names such as Jarvis Cocker getting involved to raise money for Oxfam, but they celebrate the smaller events like my own just as much, calling themselves a ‘grassroots’ festival.
In the seven years that it’s been running Oxfam has raised over £2 million through the Oxjam festival network.
I’ve always loved going to festivals and gigs and I also feel that the poetry scene in Newcastle is on the rise. A friend of mine has helped me to find some really talented poets to read in between the bands. A lot of the audience wouldn’t normally go to a poetry reading, so i feel that this is a great way to introduce some poetry to people who might not normally come across it.
I love the slogan which they use at Oxjam which is: ‘local music, global impact’. It really gives local artists that importance which they deserve.
We have:
- Three local poets, two of whom have confirmed, Kris Anderson and Cara Brennan. There’s one more spot and a potential poet.
- 4 musical acts, all of whom are good friends of mine. Shaun Birkett and Martin Williamson both play acoustic, Motion Tourist who call themselves an ‘Alternative/atmospheric’ band, who are great and really worth checking out, and Skylark Song who are a local folk band, who have just launched their second single ‘South American Skies’ on Saturday night at The Butterfly Cabinet.
- A tombola, cake sales and card sales to keep you entertained, as if you weren’t entertained enough already!!
8th December 2013
12.00-3.30pm.
£3 on the door @ The Cluny, Newcastle
