WHAT IS SOFT SPOT

Soft Spot is a place to be witnessed via your words. And a place to build community. The words you share can be sentimental, funny, nonsensical or logical. The more experimental you get, the better. It’s a no-pressure, no-judgment environment where you’re free to express whatever you want to, or just sit and listen. No experience needed.

A non extensive list of word forms you might want to share: Instagram stories, blog posts, a religious scripture, a queer love story, a family recipe, your fave sub-stack, lyrics, an acapella folk song (no instruments please), your 8yr old selfs journal entries, eBay watch lists, horoscopes, shopping lists, emails, cold call scripts, voice notes (with permission from the subject obvs), book excerpts, poems, notes app rambles, a dream you recorded, unsent letters, sent letters, news headlines, birthday card messages, a well crafted text, comedy sketches, spoken word, instructions, reddit feeds, your pets vet record….

Visit our website to see the archive or add to it: www.softspotarchive.com

If you’d like to share, add your name to the hat at the start of the night; everyone who does will have a chance to read. Readers are chosen at random. Everyone is welcome, of any age (over 18). We particularly encourage people from LGBTQ+ communities, racially minoritised communities, and other groups that are underrepresented within Bristol's cultural and literary spaces to come along. We want this space to reflect the diversity of the wider community in East Bristol.

TIMINGS
- Please arrive between 19:00 and 19:15 so we can start at 19:30
- First half runs 19:30 - 20:15
- Break 20:15 - 20:30
- Second half 20:30 - 21:15ish (depending on how many people bring something to read)

PRACTICAL STUFF
- There is limited parking on the road next to the farm, but you can park on nearby streets and walk to us; please be mindful not to block people's driveways :)
- The closest bus stops are the Eastville Park stop, Eastgate Centre and fishponds/Muller Road junction.
- Readings happen inside the top barn (a map will be shared in an email on the day).
- The venue is accessible via a community-made ramp; however, there is no wheelchair accessible toilet (yet… Bridge Farm is trying to gather funding to build one).
- Though the event is 18+, if you have a baby under 2 years old and can’t find a babysitter, please bring them along. Obvs the baby will be under your care at all times.
- No alcohol please, but there are tea and biscuits on tap (sometimes people bring yummy cakes to share).

FUTURE EVENTS
To hear about future events, join our alerts chat on WhatsApp. Only alerts of the next event are posted. No noise. https://chat.whatsapp.com/JXk7oPL5ASZ8ZIvcRRA7pU?s=cl&p=i&mlu=0&amv=0

There is an option to donate at the checkout. All optional donations this quarter of the year (July to October) will go towards Kit's Top surgery; more info in the link: https://gofund.me/58fcc06b5. 

Please only donate if you are financially able to. After this, we will support another individual trying to raise funds for something important, so please email us if you know someone who may need some help.

If the ticket cost is a barrier, please don’t hesitate to reach out at [email protected] for a free ticket. No one turned away due to lack of funds.