Awen Publications, of Bath, the small press with a big heart, is staging an inspirational evening of "eco-bardic" storytelling, performance poetry and acoustic music in conjunction with the city's branch of Waterstones next week, tying in with Earth Day and World Storytelling Day.

Celebrating the launch of Places of Truth: Journeys into Sacred Wilderness, a new collection by poet and psychotherapist Jay Ramsay, published by Awen, this showcase will include readings and performances from Jay and special guests.

The term "eco-bardic" was coined by the Bath and Stroud-based storytelling group Fire Springs. and is discussed in its Ecobardic Manifesto, launched late last year. The group uses creativity to raise awareness about environmental issues and our sense of connection with the natural world and the communities we live in.

The showcase, next Friday from 7pm, also features Mary Palmer, poet and creative writing teaching, eco-poet Helen Moore, the eighth Bard of Bath, and storytellers Anthony Nanson, founder of Bath Storytelling Circle and a lecturer at Bath Spa University, Peter Alfred Please and Richard Selby.

Acoustic music will come from David Metcalfe, a member of Fire Springs and co-ordinator of Bath Storytelling Circle.

Visit www.awenpublications.co.uk – tickets to the showcase cost £3 each, available from Waterstones, 01225 448515.