* 'Spotlight at The Yorkshire House - possibly the best
    performance venue in the North West - atmospheric,
    cool, inclusive, great beer, open - open-minded -
    open-ended - open to offers. Great slam venue -
    happy memories of coming 3rd in the slam one
    year. First ever paid gig here. Definitely the best
    sound system on the NW circuit. Light touch
    management from Ron & Sarah, very assured, very
    professional. A great venue for the novice or the
    professional - sorry to see it move.'

* 'I thought I attended the first Spotlight then John
   Freeman told me I did! I was on the stage, it was a
   balloon debate. Sarah & Ron asked me back.
   Sometimes I was shite. Sarah & Ron asked me back.
   My artistic indulgences disturbed people. Sarah & Ron
   asked me back. Then I found my voice. Sarah & Ron
   asked me back. Now I have the confidence to write
   proper shite and it doesn't frighten the audience!'

* 'Simon Baker saying 'Christ's cock' in front of a room
    full of people - I also have a vague recollection of a
    stepladder, jug, bowl and a promptly smashed violin.
    I still have the bridge and part of the neck in my
    drumstick bag!'

* 'First time at Spotlight, wandering aimlessly, I was
    mistaken for a performer. 'No,' I said. 'But you do
    write,' she said, seeing into my soul. 'Err... Well,
    sort of...' Two months later I was pushed into the
    Open Mic. Another two and they actually paid me to
    appear. Still mistaken for a performer? Perhaps, but
    thanks for being kind Spotlight people.'

* 'Ian Marchant demanding that a young man peeled
    the nicotine patch off his bare chest with his teeth -
    The first night I heard Alan Swift's laugh - Needing
    alcohol to get through some of the acts!'

* 'The acceptance of acts on stage by the audience and
    almost no hecklers! - A lot of worthiness and purity.'

* 'Playing in front of a literal crowd - I got up and did
    it! How amazing is that?!'

* 'Performing to entranced, sometimes mystified
    audiences - The encouragement from the
    organisers - Being amazed by some of the local
    talent that comes and goes in 15 minutes of fame -
    The vindication of coming 3rd in a Spotlight Slam.'

* 'Katlama from Birmingham playing and people still
    dancing to their music until nearly midnight - much
    to the chagrin of the bar staff who were vainly trying
    to evict everyone. - The Balloon Debate with Ron
    starring as 'God The Omnipotent' and Pascal as an
    angel.'

* 'The steamy room. Condensation coursing down the
    walls. Words and breath pouring out. Wave upon
    wave of thundering crashing curling receding
    floating away on a sea of sound...'

* 'I had never recited my poems in public before. In
    late 2001 I performed at a Slam and I have been
    strutting my stuff ever since. Long may it continue!'