Press play to listen to spoken word poet Dean Atta performing his controversial poem “I am Nobody’s N****r” while you browse feature spot events in east London. To visit Dean’s website, please click here.
Tongue Fu
Improv jazz, spoken word, and cabaret night hosted by Ventriloquist (Chris Redmond). Tongue Fu features poetry and comedy heavyweights, as well as the UK’s freshest new spoken word talent, and improvisatory brilliance from the Tongue Fu Band.
Location: Richmix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA
Frequency: Monthly (check website for details)
Prices: £7, £5 concessions
Contact info: 020 7613 7498
Website: www.facebook.com/TongueFuPage
London Liming
A spoken word party transporting the cosmopolitan vibe of Trinidad ‘liming’ culture to London – a chilled-out carnival vibe where people mix, drink and dance. It’s one of the best ways for newcomers to the art to be introduced through a night that offers a range of styles and sensibilities with a convivial vibe. Channel 4 touted this night “a must see for the best in spoken word.”
Location: Richmix 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA
Frequency: Quarterly, 8pm-12am (check website for details)
Prices: £7/£5 concessions (tickets on the door)
Contact info: events@renaissanceone.com 020 7272 8386
Website: www.renaissanceone.com
Mailing List: events@renaissanceone.com
Penned in the Margins
This is for people that like their poetry and literature left field. The focus is on music and poetry, so there will usually be a band or DJ set – this is a true music/poetry hybrid night.
Location: The Spitz, Old Spitalfields Market, London E1 6BG
Frequency: Every two months 8-11pm (bar till late)
Prices: £6 (£5 in advance: www.wegottickets.com or call: 020 7392 9032)
Contact info: info@pennedinthemargins.co.uk
Website: www.pennedinthemargins.co.uk / www.myspace.com/tomchivers
Salt Margins
Salt Publishing teams up with penned in the margins to present this monthly, cross-platform event. Expect poetry, spoken word, and music from London’s up-and-coming singer/songwriters, as well as DJs and multimedia art.
Location: Whitechapel Gallery, 80-82 Whitechapel high street, London E1 7QX
Frequency: monthly on a Thursday (check website)
Prices: Free
Contact info: info@pennedinthemargins.co.uk
Website: www.whitechapel.org / www.pennedinthemargins.co.uk
Speakeasy Reloaded
This event combines hip-hop artists, poetry purists, stand-up comics, and everything in between. new faces are key to SR, with a lot of artists having their fist proper slot here. A DJ and live singers in between acts also make this night one of the best spoken word events in east London.
Location: Marie Lloyd Bar (by Hackney Empire) 298 Mare Street, London E8 1AJ
Frequency: First Monday of the month, 8pm-10pm (bar till late)
Prices: Free
Contact info: badenprincejnr@hotmail.co.uk 07946776952
Mailing list: badenprincejnr@hotmail.co.uk (if you leave your mobile number you can receive text updates too)
Spit-Lit Festival
This is an annual celebration of women’s writing that coincides with International Women’s Week. The programme focuses on new writing and independent publishing and includes readings, performances and workshops. The festival has a diverse line-up including international novelists, journalists, poets, comics and musicians.
Location: Tonybee Studios, 28 Commercial St, London E1 6AB
Frequency: March 2012 (check website for next year’s details)
Price: £7/£5 concessions and £6/£4 advance booking
Contact info: info@alternativearts.co.uk 020 7375 0441
Website: www.alternativearts.co.uk
Mailing list: Email your postal address to info@alternativearts.co.uk
T-shirt & Jeans
Since their success in a small North London arts venue, T-shirt & Jeans have become a regular part of The Whitechapel Art Gallery’s late night-programming as featured in Time Out, and have also run events at the Truman Brewery as part of the Creative Enterprise Weekend. Incorporating activities such as a raffle, a resident artist and giveaways, their events are fresh and innovative, and regularly attract people who have never been to a poetry event. The organisation has two focuses: education and entertainment.
Location: Check the website for venue listings.
Frequency: Quarterly, 6.30pm-10.30pm
Prices: Free-£10 depending on the venue
Contact info: 07869 283 140 / 07932 067 769 tshirtandjeansevents@gmail.com
Website: www.myspace.com/tshirtandjeanevents
Mailing List: tshirtandjeansevents@gmail.com
Word4Word and Word Up
Two spoken word artists and to singers with enough space for willing audience members to take up the mic. Once a month, W4W turns into Word Up – a slam competition open to all. Hosted by BBC slam champion Kat Francois.
Location: Foyer Bar, Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, London E15 1BN
Frequency: First and third Sunday of the month, 7.30pm-10pm
Prices: Free
Contact info: 07961 313 557 katfrancois@stratfordeast.com
Website: www.stratfordeast.com / www.myspace.com/kat_francois
Apples & Snakes
At the forefront of the Uk live poetry scene since 1982, Apples & Snakes push the boundaries with an ongoing programme of funny, thought-provoking and skilled shows that combine hip-hop, storytelling, cabaret and theatre.
Location: BAC, Whitechapel Gallery, The Albany, Soho Theatre, Richmix
Frequency: Varies between fortnightly to once a month. Check website for info.
Prices: Free-£10 depending on venue
Contact info: info@applesandsnakes.org www.myspace.com/applesandsnakes 020 7924 3410
Website: www.applesandsnakes.org
Mailing list: info@applesandsnakes.org
The Albany
Performing arts centre that programmes theatre, spoken word and comedy. Sign up to the mailing list on the site and stay up to date with the best poetry and spoken word events in South East London.
Location: Douglas Way, Deptford, London SE8 4AG
Frequency: Varies (check website)
Prices: Varies
Contact info: 020 8692 4446
Website: www.thealbany.org.uk
The Southbank Centre
Strong literature and spoken word programme, usually with established artists.
Location: Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX
Frequency: Varies (see programme)
Cost: Varies
Contact info: 0207 960 4200
Website: www.southbankcentre.co.uk
