Press play to listen to a podcast from spoken word event ‘Tongue Fu‘, featuring Tshaka Campbell and Chris Redmond, recorded live at Rich Mix, Bethnal Green, in November 2011. Recorded by Olly Keen and produced by Chris Redmond.
Jawdance
Popular open-mic night with guest artist slots and poetry film shorts. Open mic is always very popular at Jawdance and slots go fast, so head down to Rich Mix 30 minutes before the event starts, and speak to Russell!
Location: Richmix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA
Frequency: Monthly, every third Wednesday 7.30pm
Prices: Free
Contact info: To participate in open mic email russell@applesandsnakes.org, for poetry films, email nina@applesandsnakes.org
Website: www.applesandsnakes.org
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
Jazz Verse Jukebox
Not in east London, but we hope you’ll trust us when we say it’s worth travelling to Soho. The JVJ is a feast of jazz, spoken word and creative poetry which has a monthly residency at the number one jazz venue in London: Ronnie Scott’s. With both featured guest slots and open mic, this is your chance to perform on stage at this famous bar.
Location: Ronnie Scott’s Club, 47 Frith Street, London W1 4H7
Frequency: Second Sunday of every month
Prices: £7
Contact info: 0207 439 0747
Website: Jumoke Fashola
Kid I wrote Back
Breaking free from promoting any one verse, word, voice or style, Kid stamps a defiantly individual mark onto London’s spoken word scene. Kid invites established and unheard talent to the stage, with a usual healthy dose of full-on liberalism and politics. The hosts are always looking for new poets for the open mic slots so make sure you get there early to sign up.
Location: Bar Kick, 127 Shoreditch High Street,
Frequency: Monthly (check website)
Prices: £3
Contact info: kidiwroteback@instorage.org.uk
Website: www.myspace.com/kidiwroteback
Y Tuesday Poetry Club
Open mic and acoustic poetry in Clerkenwell.
Location: Three Kings Pub, Clerkenwell Close, London EC1
Frequency: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, 8pm
Prices: Free
Website: www.myspace.com/ytuesday
Needle and Thread
Acoustic and open mic poetry in Herne Hill.
Location: The Half Moon, 10 Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill, London SE24 8HU
Frequency: Every Tuesday
Prices: Free
Contact info: 020 7274 2733
Website: www.needleandthread.org / www.myspace.com/needleandthreaddotorg
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
