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Poetry & Spoken Word Events in Bristol

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Bristol's Poetry Scene

At the time of writing there are very few regular poetry events in Bristol. Milk hosts regular nights at Halo on Gloucester Road and The Wardrobe Theatre in Old Market. Hammer & Tongue occasionally bring their poetry slams to town and have used The Grain Barge for past events. Stand Up For Lyricism promotes poetry events in south Bristol at The Rope Walk and Tobacco Factory Theatre.

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Our recent poetry recommendations

Sell out warning! Bristol Porn Festival digs into the raunchier end of the moving image, bringing together short films by queer artists and sex-workers from Bristol and beyond. Hosted by local filthmongers Maya Poison and Pixie Sin, with ceramic awards for the evening’s most salacious offerings hand-crafted by Bunny Royle. Leave your inhibitions at the door.... Bristol Porn Film Festival at The Cube.

Sell out warning! Aunt Gladys is for the gays! Zach Cregger’s Weapons gifted us a high-camp queer icon, and it was only a matter of time ‘til it got the signature Ghoulboss drag-horror treatment. Cue Drag Dungoneers’ Boohooman, enthralling enigma Mariana Trench and the fantastical Garbitch, all serving up creepy-chic cabaret mayhem and ghoulish mystery. Ghoulboss Productions Presents: WEAPONZ at Zed Alley.

Grassroots food'n'film fundraiser featuring two illuminating shorts: in My Neighbourhood, Mohammed must suddenly share his family home in East Jerusalem with Israeli settlers, while Free Running Gaza shows parkour as a means of temporary escape from the constant oppression in Khan Younis refugee camp. Palestine Film Fundraiser - My Neighbourhood and Free Running Gaza at The Arc.

Sell out warning! Guardian columnist extraordinaire Owen Jones rings the death knell for Western superpowers, launching his explosive new tome in person with former Green leader Carla Denyer MP. Laying bare the 21st century's parade of arrogance and economic failures, Jones shows how the elite's crumbling façade paved the way for the migrant-baiting insecurities of today. The Fall of the West launch - Owen Jones in conversation with Carla Denyer at The Station.

What our editors say

“myndstate (he/him) is a spoken word artist, poet, and performer known for blending hard-hitting, vulnerable performances with wit and humour. His words - full of emotion, storytelling, and rhyme - have made him a national poetry slam winner, got him featured on the likes of BBC Radio London, Sky Sports, and Attitude, plus have amassed millions of views online. ”
From: Milk Poetry Presents: myndstate: deep breath

“Causing a stir and serving up his blend of honest, observational and comedic stand-up poetry, performance and comedy poet Ade Smith's quick wit, charm and relatability provide quite the occasion. All in the name of rhyme!”
From: Ade Smith - Rhymes Against Humanity

“Join us to celebrate the UK publication of Korean-American poet and translator Don Mee Choi's work, in particular her newest collection *Freely Frayed* (And Other Stories). This is a rare and exciting chance to hear prominent voice in US poetics Don Mee Choi read in person. Her thought and practice of both are among the most vital, political and experimental examples of poetry and translation at the borders of anglophone radical poetics and the (neo)colonial nation-state. The author will be in conversation with poet and scholar Dr. Rebacca Kosick.”
From: Don Mee Choi: *Freely Frayed* . With Rebecca Kosick

“Join us at EBB for a double launch celebrating the publication of Tom Branfoot's debut poetry collection *Volatile*, published by the87press, and Andrew Hykel Mears & Claire Carroll's new poetry pamphlet *Treatment*, published by Dialect. Readings by the authors and by special guest Ginny Darke.”
From: POETRY NIGHT Tom Branfoot, Claire Carrroll, Andrew Hykel Mears, Ginny Darke

“With clowning, physical theatre, and original music, Terry’s “turns marketing jargon into a hilarious and horrifying poetry” (The Scotsman), in a fast-paced, darkly comic look at capitalist culture’s pressure to “sell, sell, sell”. Expect superheroes, pop-rock ballads, the D-Day landings, and one very special balloon.”
From: Terry's: An American Tragedy About Cars..