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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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What our editors say

“This vibrant festival is intimately connected to the goddess Brigid—also known as Brighid, Bride, or Brigit—who embodies fertility, poetry, craftsmanship, and prophecy. She is invoked in blessings for growth and inspiration, guiding us as we welcome the coming season.”
From: Imbolc Blessings & Rituals - The Making a Brigid Doll

“The poetry of 'Holy Blue' is airy and open, ruminating on the breath. As it travels through present, past and future, between fragments of a remembered world, a form of poetic expression unravels itself - "knowing opens like a wing". Pope's poetry is sincere yet experimental, and it invites its audience to participate in full.”
From: Poetry Launches: Lauren Mason, Fran Pope & Dan Eltringham

“The show finds Holly and Raina as they search for their friend Anne in the club of dead women, unsure how they arrived there and desperate for a resolution. Haunted by famous dead women; Joan of Arc, Ophelia and Elizabeth Taylor, the two grapple with pop culture and their pasts in an attempt to resuscitate the truth behind their best friend's death. With banjo-based comaraderie from the wonderful Gael Showler, Resusci Anne (and the Personal Displays of Affection) swims the line of gig-theatre, folk-tale, sea-shanty and long form spoken word. Beware the vague and wet graffiti! Beware the loss that threatens to fall on your head!”
From: Resusci-Anne

“Dr Zosia Crosse (she/her) is a queer, working class writer and writing coach (they do exist!) from Bristol. She was a young carer. She has 20 years’ teaching experience and over a decade of experience working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence. She writes fiction, biomythography and poetry, and her PhD thesis explored writing feminist fiction as a means of processing trauma. Her practice centres decolonial and trauma-informed approaches and her current research and writing investigates biomythography as a method of writing for marginalised people.”
From: Writing for Resistance: RAPTURE

“Join us at East Bristol Books for the launch of Laura Blomvall's debut poetry pamphlet *Enter Moon*, published by Broken Sleep. With support from Suzannah V. Evans (*Under the Blue*) and Vicky Sparrow.”
From: Laura Blomvall: *Enter Moon*, with Suzannah V. Evans & Vicky Sparrow