Yahoo News Poetry and spoken word in London: The best literary nights in London
It's World Poetry Day! Another chance to celebrate that an artform that is simply "the best words in the best order" - at least according to Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
William Wordsworth called it the “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” and Emily Dickinson said it made her feel as if the top of her head had been taken off. However you prefer to think of poetry, it’s something worth celebrating.
If you want more of the best words in the best order in your life, there are plenty of places in London where you can go to hear poetry. We’ve rounded up the best nights for you to add to your diary.
That’s What She Said
Held at The Book Club and run by website For Books’ Sake, That’s What She Said is the biggest spoken word night in London for women. Well, it's for everyone obviously, but the performers are all women.
It takes place once a month, with great line-ups as well as the chance to do an open mic walk up on the night. Tickets can be booked in advance (for cheaper than the on the door price).
Rhymes with Orange
This monthly spoken word night is searching for a new venue after the Bedroom Bar in Shoreditch closed, but plans to make a full return. And it won’t penalise you for not finding anything to rhyme with orange. It offers a supportive environment for first timers to have a go, and if you catch the bug you could even win a ten minute featured slot at the next night.
Hammer and Tongue
Hammer and Tongue is a fixture in venues from Brighton to Bristol, but it also has a year round programme in London. They have open slams at every one of their nights, which are also at The Book Club.
Bang Said The Gun
Bang Said The Gun describes itself as ‘poetry for people who don’t like poetry’.
If you poetry haters happen to find yourself at a poetry night, you can catch this night across the country, from Latitude to Brighton Festival, but they appear regularly in venues across London, including at Bloomsbury Theatre every last Thursday of the month.
Jawdance
This night at Rich Mix says it offers great poetry, great music, and great vibes. There’s a lucky dip draw for having a bash at open mic, and it’s partly the brainchild of Apples and Snakes, England’s leading organisation for performance poetry and spoken word. It takes place once a month and is free.
Tongue Fu
Tongue Fu also takes place at Rich Mix, as well as touring the country. It calls itself a ‘riotous experiment’ with literature, music and improvisation, and have previously counted Kate Tempest, Lemn Sissay and Hollie McNish amongst their guests.
Chill Pill
You can find Chill Pill, a laid-back night of poetry and spoken word, at the Albany, Arcola and Soho Theatres. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for their latest dates.
Southbank Centre Poetry Library
This is more of a resource for poetry lovers to enjoy to their heart’s content. Housed at the Southbank Centre, it has the most comprehensive collection of poetry in Britain from 1912 onwards. Their website also contains an invaluable listings section of where to hear poetry in London.
