Press play to listen to a live recording of poet Soweto Kinch Live at Jazz Verse Jukebox at the 2011 Brit Jazz Fest while you browse live music poetry events in east London.
Speechmotion
Art, literature, spoken word, live art performance. Speechmotion provides a platform for filmmakers and performers to promote their work. If you fancy yourself as a poet, storyteller, artist, or filmmaker then get down to this event – and be sure to sign up for the open mic. (Speechmotion does not run in July, August, October or December.)
Location: The Horse and Groom, Curtain Road, Shoreditch
Frequency: Monthly, every last Tuesday of the month, 7.30pm
Prices: £5/£4 concessions
Contact info: 0207 503 9421
Website: www.makingtheatrework.com/msft-projects/msft-speech-motion
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
Come Rhyme with Me
Poetry evening presented as a dining experience with a set menu of performers, hosted downstairs in Cottons Restaurant, in the “Rhum Jungle”. Live music, comedy nights, and poetry performances.
Location: Cottons Caribbean Restaurant, 70 Exmouth Market, London EC1
Frequency: Monthly, the last Friday of every month, 6.30pm
Prices: £5 admission / £10 with food
Website: Rhum Jungle
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)
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 / 020 7924 3410
Website: www.myspace.com/applesandsnakes
Mailing list: info@applesandsnakes.org
PoeJazzi
At the bohemian cabaret saloon area of the Volupte Bar, you will find a three-piece jazz band, up and coming singer/songwriters and poets in this musical and lyrical hybrid night.
Location: Downstairs at the Volupte Bar, 9 Norwich Street, London EC4A 1EJ
Frequency: First Tuesday of the month (not January) 8.30pm-late
Prices: £8 in advance
Contact info: Tickets: 020 7831 1677 / 020 7831 1622 to reserve, email: lordgokal@hotmail.com
Website: www.myspace.com/PoeJazzi
Mailing list: email lordgokal@hotmail.com with the heading “PoeJazzi”
