Dommy B's Poetry

YES! Wonderful to see children with their copy of MAKE SOME NOISE!

I have never drawn all the drawings in a book before, and I’m really proud of all the puzzles and activities at the back.

Christmas holiday season is around the corner, DM if you’d like a copy for a young reader you know!

THANK YOU everyone who has been buying the Big Imaginations ‘MAKE SOME NOISE’ books and seeing ‘MAKE SOME NOISE’ shows.

I’ve worked harder on this new show and book than any other project, and there were many times on the path the entire project almost fell through and didn’t happen at all, so to be on the road this October half term performing shows is not something I take for granted.

Today is Theatre Porto at 2pm, with a pay-what-you-feel performance. My gig this summer been there was superb, one of those vividly memorable fun shows, and I’m excited about today!

SHOW TIME!

Salford Arts Theatre - today - 2pm

Theatre Porto - tues Oct 24 - 2pm

The Met, Bury- wedn Oct 25 - 2pm

Wooooooo hoo!

Big love from Big Imaginations ❤️

THE NEW BOOK IS HERE!!!!!!

Dommy B photos - big cheers Andrew Eaves - I love these photos!

Good times in Bolton Library! Thank you for having me!

Next stop: Manchester Chorlton Library on Tuesday!

Ahhhhh YES! Great comments from teachers from schools which I have visited this week!

Happy

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Wonderful to perform MAKE SOME NOISE in Abraham Moss and Longsight Library today.

Poetry BOOMMMMMMM!!

This Saturday - Bolton Library!

Squeeeeee!!!

A proof copy of my ‘Make Some Noise’ book with Big Imaginations has arrived!

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I’m really thrilled with how it looks.

Now the real copies are being made at the printers - they’ll all be actually with me so soon, in time for the October tour!

Here are a couple of photos of me sharing poems from the book at Matt Panesh’s Morecambe Poetry Festival and then me checking and celebrating the proof with a feast at Little aladdin vegan cafe!

Big smiles!

It is …… TOUR TIIIIIIIME!

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I thought I’d share my ‘Make Some Noise’ dates (so far).

Getting a tour happening is not a small amount of work, and I’ve strived for and am proud to have each and every one of these upcoming shows!

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Saturday September 23rd
Morecambe poetry festival

Thursday October 5
Abraham Moss Library

Thursday October 5
Longsight library

Saturday October 7
Bolton library

Tuesday October 10
Chorlton library

Tuesday October 10
Wythenshawe library

Sunday October 15
Salford arts theatre

Tuesday October 24
Ellesmere Port’s Theatre Porto

Wednesday October 25
Bury Met

Sunday January 21
Rossendale’s The Boo

Saturday January 27
London Half Moon

PM me for more information on any of these.

I am also in talks for feb half term and Easter dates (Oldham, Widnes and, of all places, Aberdeen, are on the cards!)

Life on the road! Whoop whoop!

Make some country-side noise!

Well, I was, as I practised saying my words do the river and the trees!

Also, here is my home-cooked curry (lentils, sweet potato, spices - very tasty and really inexpensive) after a lonnnng day walking and learning poem lines.

Hurray for excellent food! (I didn’t make the bhajis. They’re bought!)

I know I’m super privileged to have the time and body able to walk the many beautiful walks in Greater Manchester. And I’m super appreciative.

I’ve had bursitis in my left heel for a while, but still able to comfortably walk if I wear these hard medical insoles, so that’s made me all the more grateful.

This is Kersal Dale in Salford. In Greater Manchester, we have many outstandingly gorgeous places where, for no financial cost, we can be with trees, natural water, fresh air and gentle pathways through nature.

And lots of the words for my ‘Make Some Noise’ poetry now learned! (That doesn’t happen quickly!)

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Learning poems is not a thing which I find easy!

Going for a lonnnnnnnng walk today, because the rhythm of my own footsteps to a beat helps me learn.

I have been learning ‘Saying Rhymes’, the opening poem to both the forthcoming book and forthcoming show of ‘Make Some Noise’

We have dates in Manchester and Bolton libraries, Bury met Salford Arts Theatre Theatre Porto and Morecambe Fringe- Exciting times!

Thank you, Failsworth Library!

THANK YOU Theatre Porto for having me perform a set of my poems at your wonderful topsy turvey festival. What a joy!

I performed:
Dave the Dragon / Dragon in my Homework / Dragons are Fantastic / Great Bumbleduke the Third / Fire / Zombie Bunny / First Attack of the Dinosaurs / Can We Roar? / I’m the Kid / Imaginary Friend / Listen / Make It Nice

I’ll be back at Theatre Porto in October to perform my new Big Imaginations show ‘Make Some Noise’!

I’m super proud to be poeting at Theatre Porto tomorrow afternoon, in their amazing Topsy Turvey festival.

Folks of Ellesmere Port, come on down to Whitby Park this weekend!

I have had the best weekend, performing my dragon poetry to two full capacity crowds in Canary Wharf at the Festival 14 event, thanks for Half Moon Young People's Theatre

Even got to share my ‘Imaginary Friend’ poem in the encore, as a teaser to the ‘Make Some Noise’ show coming to Half Moon in January!

Photos of the crowd to follow!

NEW poem from me, with British Sign Langauge.

Awesome BSL performance created and performed by children with their teaching staff at Mellers Primary School focus provision class.

This was a joy to create.

I am so proud of this video!

I hope you like watching it.

If you do - please share!

‘FEEL SOME NOISE’ a poem by Dommy B, performed with British Sign Language Oi oi oi! Dommy B here.I am proud to share a new video of a new poem, BSL prepared and performed by students and teaching staff at Mellers primary’s focus pr...

Second instagram YES!

I am setting up a new instagram just for my new Dommy B ‘Make Some Noise’ show with Big Imaginations.

This will be a platform not just for my poems and drawings but also for children who create poems and drawings and their adults can send them here should they wish for them to be shared :)

Sketches of possible ways of writing words and drawing characters for ‘MAKE SOME NOISE’, with Big Imaginations and the team at Z-arts

Awesome!

NEXT WEEK! Calling all artists and performers in the North West who are making or interested in making work aimed at children and families… We want to meet you at the Big Imaginations Open Evening!

Big Imaginations is a network of 24 arts organisations, dedicated to bringing brilliant children’s theatre to the north and beyond. We want to expand our network of artists and help you to create shows, workshops and events for children and families.

We are hosting two events for you to learn about Big Imaginations, opportunities to connect with us and our Artist Imagination Fund.

Tue 25th July, 6.30pm - 8.30pm – at The Unity, Liverpool
Wed 26th July, 6.30pm - 7.30pm - Online via Zoom

We will also be hosting 10 minute online slots for people who can't attend or have further questions or ideas that they would like to chat.

I have been drawing a maze for my Big Imaginations book, ‘Make Some Noise’.

Jasper the cat … in a mine-cart!

Taken a few days of designing and making! Phew!

Are you ready for the summer reading challenge?

Oldham Libraries are ace and it was brill to be with them and National Literacy Trust earlier this week!

Meow! Meet Jasper the Cat. I’ve been drawing some pictures of him to maybe put in my next book, ‘Make Some Noise’!

Thank you National Literacy Trust for making possible a dozen great performances over the last few days.

At these, I’ve been able to test out my new ‘MAKE SOME NOISE’ poems with the target audience (kids!) - and go back to my hotel for serious editing!

Every child and adult has been super receptive, but it’s a fun thing to keep tinkering to aim to make these poems the very best they can be. Writing is re-writing!

Every moment has been a joy, and I’ll be sharing all these new poems (including the messy misadventures of Jasper the cat … pictured!) at many upcoming shows!

Set: Saying Rhymes / Sounds Like Me / Jasper / Imaginary Friend / I’m the Kid / Can We Roar? / Smelliest Dragon / Dave the Dragon / Dragons are Fantastic / Make It Nice

Look out for the stage show version, touring with Big Imaginations later this year!

New Dommy B video!

It’s less than 2 minutes long, promoting libraries and Ready Set Read, please give it a watch!

Dommy B’s welcome to the Ready Set Read Summer Reading Challenge Poet Dommy B tells us all about this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, Ready, Set, Read. Watch this then head off to your local Manchester Library to join!

*Thank you* lovely people who came to my weekend Dommy B show with the This Here festival, and said I could share these great photos online.

It was fantastic to share the poetry, really glad you liked it!

Watch this space for more upcoming news about the new Dommy B book and show, ‘Make Some Noise’!

Little YouTube film of me poeting with children who use sign language

Dom Berry at Mellers Dom Berry, our poet in residence, came to work with our Focus Provision pupils. What a wonderful time they all had!

Big, exciting announcement for me …..

My new Dommy B show, ‘Make Some Noise’ will be touring end of this year and start of next!

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Here is the poster and accompanying book cover - a photo taken by Scotty Dog.

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The photo shoot was a really fun day, as I hope can be seen!

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I am thrilled to be working again with the amazing Big Imaginations on a show I’m so happy with, and is quite different to the other Dommy B shows so far.

Here’s the official show description!! Hope to be seeing you in a theatre near you!

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MAKE SOME NOISE!

Written and performed by Dommy B
for children 5+ and their grown ups

Noise can be gentle, quiet, loud, lots of fun and full of feelings.

Dommy B shares a surprising story about growing up, finding a brilliant (but naughty) imaginary friend, becoming ‘Junk the Punk’ and joining a great school band (Whizzkid and the Veggie Burgers)!

There’ll be rhymes, jokes, and lots of opportunity to make some noise in a celebration of the power of sound and friendship.

“MAKE SOME NOISE!”

That’s going to be the title of the next DOMMY B show.

I had a great photo shoot yesterday. Here are some silly out takes from that session, ones we won’t use, but that I really like!!

Brand NEW Dommy B show and accompanying brand NEW Dommy B book on their way!

A great meeting today with a group with whom I hope a bit of touring to be planned!

More detailed announcements to follow!

Yay for NOISY poems!!

Poets aged between 18 and 25!

https://www.roundhouse.org.uk/young-creatives/summer-2023/compete-in-the-roundhouse-poetry-slam/

The Roundhouse in London are hosting a Heat of their annual Poetry Slam competition at Unity Theatre in Liverpool.

They are encouraging applications from folks aged 18-25 from across Liverpool and the North West (including Manchester) to apply before the deadline - next Tuesday.

The winner will get a place in the London final (travel + accom provided) on the 1st of June and compete for the title and a cash prize.

Go for it!

Compete in the Roundhouse Poetry Slam The prestigious Roundhouse Poetry Slam In partnership with Taylor Wessing is back and we’re looking for the best emerging spoken word talent to apply and compete for a cash prize and the coveted title of Slam Champion.

Two wonderful shows in Preston today. A joy! Photos to follow.

Some London dates over the summer, then next on the list is my hopes for quite a big autumn / winter tour - a fair few October half term dates being discussed!

If you know a good place who might want me October half term, link us up!

‘Alfie’s First Fight’ by Oli Sykes is the first family show I’ve directed, and I’m thrilled it is coming to The Met!

Alfie’s First Fight | The Met Alfie’s First Fight centres itself around shy twelve-year-old Alfie, as he decides to go in search of his missing older brother, Jacob, when he disappears moments before an all-important boxing match… Ages 5+

Performed my new poem, 'Saying Rhymes', to children at schools in Burnley and Leigh this week, plus at Unity Theatre when hosting a children's slam with Writing on the wall. Encouraging stuff!

Two days at home writing new poetry.

Todays poem is called ‘Saying Rhymes’

There is a new character I’m creating … with hopes of him being the protagonist of the next Dommy B family show.

Making preparations for potential October tour.

Writing is rewriting!

Got a couple of schools this week; one in Burnley, one in Wigan - will test the new verse out at them!

Further editing likely to follow!!

Pre show food, in Wigan’s Little Kitchen, where their vegan breakfast is a *delight*!

Last time I performed at The Old Courts, one family said they had bought every single Dommy B book I have done - they wanted a new one, but I had no new book to give!

So, as I’m lucky enough to be here early, I am handwriting them an old poem not in any of my Dragon series books, as a ‘thank you’ for supporting me in all my shows! I will give them this after todays Spark show at old courts, and I’ll be sure to perform at the end- a poem I have not said on stage in years!

Dommy B ‘Spark, the Goblin Wizard’ shows coming up!

Saturday February 11th
2pm
Wigan Old Courts

Sunday February 12th
2pm
Halifax Square Chapel Arts

Wednesday February 22nd
2pm
Salford Arts Theatre

Thursday February 23rd
2pm
Widnes Studio

*new date* Saturday March 4th
10.30am
Stoke on Trent, Stoke Library