Lancaster’s Spotlight Club is back at the Storey on Friday, with an eclectic, vibrant mix of performers of both the written word and song…
Poet Iain Colley is no stranger to Spotlight, having appeared at the first ever event back in December 1995 and a number of gigs since. He’s a prizewinning poet and short story writer and author of monographs on US cinema.
“I’m looking forward to appearing Spotlight again,” says Iain. “I hope to read, among other light verse, Apocalypse Blues.”
Ann Wilson is a wonderful writer and performing poet based in South Cumbria, and a regular compere at Brewery Arts Centre Spoken word open mic and festivals and events. Her poetry features on The Resting Bench which is free to download from Earth Monkey Productions at www.earthmp.com. Her work is often humorous and she has a terrific stage style that always entertains.
Poet Bernard Alvarez made his first appeaance at Spotlight back in April 2007. He came late to writing, he admits. “I’ve only been writing since about 2001, I write poems, often inspired by natural themes, sometimes by people.
“I don’t write often, but sometimes I may wake up in the night or very early morning and the idea comes to my imagination; at its best if it works, I hardly have to alter it. I find if I spend a lot of time on a piece, I inevitably scrap it. I am unpublished, words are my joy and I like to communicate with others.”
Funny man Lewis Charlesworth, whose style is a mix of gags and observations in a high energy physical style, made his Spotlight debut at the Open Mic last month. “I studied English with writing and performance at the University of York,” he says. “I took a break of 18 months to get a job and work out how to function in the real world until I fully prepared myself to embark on a career in stand up comedy.
I’ve been gigging regularly since last May, have reached the quarter finals of a couple of national comedy competitions, gigged all over Britain, from Glasgow to York to Manchester to Cardiff to Bristol to London.”
Musician 
Nate Connelly is a songwriter/performer and composer/producer, who’s attracted critical praise from the likes of Another Late Night Magazine, who said of his work, “the blues run through his lyrics while beats grind and strings soar, a breath of fresh air in such an ego driven industry.”
“From acoustic songwriting and live performance to orchestral and electronic filmscores, my work is very diverse,” Nate adds. Check out his music at www.myspace.com/nateconnelly.
The night rounds off with a late addition to the line-up, musician Steve Lewis.
• The Spotlight Club is at The Storey, Meeting House Lane. Lancaster on Friday 17th July. Doors will be open from 8.15pm, admission £4 / £2 (conc.). The event will be compered by John Freeman.
• Spotlight Club web site: www.spotlightlancaster.co.uk