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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

“In 2013, he collaborated with animators to make the anti-bullying viral video To This Day which has had over 13 million views, and he performed a customized version For the Bullied and the Beautiful to acclaim at the 2013 International TED Conference in Long Beach, California. Shane shapes his words and delivers in multi mediums from authored, video, spoken word, operatic, and musically performed.”
From: Shane Koyczan

“Rosie Garland has a passion for language nurtured by public libraries, & Val McDermid has named her one of the most compelling LGBT+ writers in the UK today. An award-winning poet, novelist and short story writer, she is frontwoman for post-punk band The March Violets. Poetry collection What Girls do the Dark (Nine Arches Press) was shortlisted for the Polari Prize & latest collection This Is How I Fight was Observer Poetry Book of the Month. Her poetry and fiction - described by The Times as “a delight…with shades of Angela Carter” - looks beneath the skin to the multitudes inside: galaxies, creatures, wicked queens & fire - all itching & roaring to be seen.”
From: Satellite of Love Presents: Rosie Garland and Rowena Knight

“Poet, dramatist, academic, curator, historian and musician in his adopted city of Bristol, Edson Burton won the WGGB /Society of Authors 2025 Tinniswood Award for best audio-drama script of the year with Man Friday, while Witness marks only his second poetry collection, sixteen years after his first, Seasoned, was published.”
From: Satellite of Love Presents: Edson Burton- Witness Launch

“Poetry Film Club is a lively, bi-monthly event where poetry meets film. We screen inspiring short poetry films and bring people together to talk, share ideas, and explore this exciting and growing art form.”
From: Poetry Film Club

“Poetry from Crater Press editors & poets Jèssica Pujol Duran, RTA Parker, and Rebecca Kosick. The Crater Press is an independent poetry Press based between London and Santiago de Chile and edited by RTA Parker. Crater publishes, primarily through letterpress, distinctive pamphlets of innovative British poetry.”
From: Poetry from Crater Press: Jèssica Pujol, RTA Parker & Rebecca Kosick