Andra Simons To Appear At UK Keats Festival

Bermudian poet Andra Simons will be reading at London’s Keats Festival tomorrow [May 30] as part of a global chorus organised by the UK’s Poetry Parnassus project.

Initially a “back of an envelope” idea conceived by artist-in-residence at London’s Southbank Centre in the run-up to the 2012 Olympic Games, Poetry Parnassus saw 204 poets from dozens of countries come together to represent their nations’ poetic traditions at the culture complex on the Thames.

Readings and workshops, parties and debates filled six days and nights last June and July in the run-up to the Olympics.

The project has continued since then and on Thursday Mr. Simons and poets from St. Kitts, Grenada, India and the UK participating in the event “International Voices with Parnussus Poets & Guests” as part of the annual celebrations held to commemorate the life and work of English Romantic poet John Keats [1795-1821].

The event takes place at Keats House, Hamostead from 6.30 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Known in both Bermuda and the UK as a cutting-edge artist, in addition to writing poetry Mr. Simons also writes, directs and acts for theatre.

Several of his plays have been shortlisted for awards, and his 2004 play “Starsongs” received the Golden Inkwell for best short play in the Annual Fifteen Minute Play Festival held in Bermuda.

He moved to the UK in 2004, and has released a book of poems called “The Joshua Tales” with Treehouse Press.

Mr. Simons is currently working on a collection, Two Steps on the Water, and performing in a funk/poetry/punk project with percussionist Stephane Roul, as part of their music duo Amphibia.

Poetry Parnassus video on Bermuda poet Andra Simons

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