Headfirst Editor's Pick
"Sell out warning! IWD/LGBTQ+ History Month double celebration showcasing fresh voices in verse, ft: Birmingham Poet Laureate and beatbox maestro Jasmine Gardosi, rising locals Jemma Hathaway and Jaidah, plus Booty Bass spinner Bungzo on DJ duty. All profits to AKT and Refugee Women of Bristol so dig deep!"
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A event held at Strange Brew on Tuesday 5th March. The event starts at 19:30.
Raise the Bar presents a special evening of poetry to celebrate International Women’s Day and LGBTQ+ History Month. Featuring a dynamic array of performers raising their voices in solidarity with those affected by misogyny or marginalised because of their gender. This event will be fundraising for local charities AKT and Refugee Women of Bristol. All ticket sales above £8 and all event profits will go to the charities.
Poets, lyricists, storytellers and wordsmiths of all kinds come together for another Raise the Bar showstopper, headlined by Jasmine Gardosi with feature performances from Jemma Hathaway, Jaidah and other guests.
Hosted by Bristol City Poet Kat Lyons.
Wheelchair accessible. Scroll down for further access and safeguarding information.
️️March 5th 2024
Strange Brew, 10-12 Fairfax St, Bristol BS1 3DB
7:00pm doors | 7:30pm - 9:30pm show (including interval)
PWYC £6 / £8 / £10 / £12 / £15 (£5 concessions)
All ticket fees above £8 and event profits will be donated to AKT and Refugee Women of Bristol.
FEATURE ACTS
JASMINE GARDOSI
Jasmine Gardosi is the Birmingham Poet Laureate. She is a multiple slam champion, beatboxer, winner of the Out-Spoken Prize for Poetry and winner of the Saboteur Award for Best Spoken Word Performer 2023. Her work exploring identity, LGBTQ issues and mental health has appeared on Button Poetry, at the Tate Modern, Glastonbury Festival, Symphony Hall and BBC. She was featured on Sky Arts' BAFTA-winning show Life & Rhymes and her poem about the pandemic, filmed on a rollercoaster, was broadcast across America on PBS. She was recently invited by the British Embassy in Tallinn to headline Estonia’s historic, first ever queer poetry slam for Baltic Pride.
She is a previous Writer in Residence at the Brontë Parsonage Museum, Poet in Residence at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and BBC Arts Young Creative. Her poetry/beatbox/Celtic dubstep show ‘Dancing To Music You Hate’ explores gender identity and was commissioned by Warwick Arts Centre. After premiering to standing ovations, it won Best Spoken Word Show in the Saboteur Awards and its titular track was performed with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, broadcast on BBC Four. Following a sold-out show at Symphony Hall, the show toured the UK this summer.
@jasminegardosi
jasminegardosi.com
JEMMA HATHAWAY
Jemma Hathaway likes to put words next to one another and see if they hit it off. Her poems have been featured on BBC Radio Bristol, BBC iPlayer and she was the 2020 Hammer & Tongue slam champion for Bristol. Jemma is a multiple slam-winner and Button Poetry Short Form contest winner, she has supported Joelle Taylor, performed at the Royal Albert Hall and appeared on Sky Arts Life & Rhymes. She self-published her first poetry pamphlet, January in 2021 and her first full collection, I’ve been looking everywhere for you, is due out in May this year. Her poems are a sticky dance floor for the ongoing dance-off between her head and her heart. She hopes you like her moves.
JAIDAH
Jaidah’s written & spoken works are undeniably compelling, ask questions of us collectively & hold the primary focus of advocating alongside promoting human welfare & connection.
Jaidah’s journey into writing started 2 years ago in a sanctuary of solitude, which stimulated vastly journeying her world within & most importantly she has been inspired by listening to the language nature speaks.
Vulnerable yet powerful, Jaidah’s quiet commanding presence and delivery are outward-reaching and embody a courage built through her own hard-won experience. Continuously thought-provoking, her words are colourful and within those colours live the essence of divine-human nature.
BUNGZO
Bungzo is a Bristol-based non-binary and queer DJ who has a passion for banging beats and bass from the global diaspora, flavoured with queer themes celebrating sexuality and freedom. They are a member of the Booty Bass crew, playing at the best clubs in Bristol and beyond.
Bungzo is a versatile DJ with their music spanning 70-180BPM and genres such as baile funk, uk funky, global bass, footwork, jungle, d&b and jungletek.
⭐ RAISE THE BAR ⭐
The South West's leading live poetry night, running blockbuster spoken word events in Bristol and beyond since 2014.
‘From top to bottom, one of my all time favourite shows’ – Shane Koyczan
'One of the best poetry nights in the country' – Rafeef Ziadah
'Out-loud reactions are encouraged…shaking off traditional theatre etiquette' – Bristol 24/7
CHARITIES
akt is the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ youth homelessness charity. We support LGBTQ+ young people (aged 16 to 25) who are either facing homelessness or living in a hostile environment to access safe, secure accommodation. akt supports young people into safe homes and employment, education or training, in a welcoming and open environment that celebrates LGBTQ+ identities.
We help young people:
Stay safe in a crisis
Find emergency accommodation
Access specialist support
Develop skills, and identify and achieve life goals
We do what we do because LGBTQ+ young people deserve safety and acceptance and we believe that no young person should have to choose between a safe home and being who they are.
♿ ACCESSIBILITY / SAFEGUARDING ♿
Our events aim to be as safe, inclusive, accessible and welcoming as possible.
The venue has is wheelchair accessible and has accessible toilets. For full venue accessibility information see https://www.strangebrewbristol.com/
If you have any other particularly access requirements, please email [email protected] in advance.
The event may include photography and videography.
SEATING / TIMINGS
Doors open at 7:00pm, and the bar will be open with a selection of drinks (alcoholic + non-alcoholic).
The show begins at 7:30pm, so please arrive and be seated promptly. The event includes a 15 minute interval. We aim to finish at 9:30pm.
⚠️ CONTENT WARNING ⚠️
Poetry events include performers sharing personal accounts which you may relate to in some way. This may include content that is potentially upsetting or triggering. We provide a general content warning at the beginning of each event, and we encourage feature artists and open mic performers to provide content warnings for individual poems where necessary. Attendees are welcome to leave the venue at any time if necessary, and return when they feel comfortable, but please try to do this before/after a poem.
SAFE SPACE
Raise the Bar has a zero tolerance policy towards hate, discrimination and abuse of any kind. Our staff team will work together to ensure the space is respectful and welcoming at all times.
Entry requirements: 16+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)
Poets, lyricists, storytellers and wordsmiths of all kinds come together for another Raise the Bar showstopper, headlined by Jasmine Gardosi with feature performances from Jemma Hathaway, Jaidah and other guests.
Hosted by Bristol City Poet Kat Lyons.
Wheelchair accessible. Scroll down for further access and safeguarding information.
️️March 5th 2024
Strange Brew, 10-12 Fairfax St, Bristol BS1 3DB
7:00pm doors | 7:30pm - 9:30pm show (including interval)
PWYC £6 / £8 / £10 / £12 / £15 (£5 concessions)
All ticket fees above £8 and event profits will be donated to AKT and Refugee Women of Bristol.
FEATURE ACTS
JASMINE GARDOSI
Jasmine Gardosi is the Birmingham Poet Laureate. She is a multiple slam champion, beatboxer, winner of the Out-Spoken Prize for Poetry and winner of the Saboteur Award for Best Spoken Word Performer 2023. Her work exploring identity, LGBTQ issues and mental health has appeared on Button Poetry, at the Tate Modern, Glastonbury Festival, Symphony Hall and BBC. She was featured on Sky Arts' BAFTA-winning show Life & Rhymes and her poem about the pandemic, filmed on a rollercoaster, was broadcast across America on PBS. She was recently invited by the British Embassy in Tallinn to headline Estonia’s historic, first ever queer poetry slam for Baltic Pride.
She is a previous Writer in Residence at the Brontë Parsonage Museum, Poet in Residence at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and BBC Arts Young Creative. Her poetry/beatbox/Celtic dubstep show ‘Dancing To Music You Hate’ explores gender identity and was commissioned by Warwick Arts Centre. After premiering to standing ovations, it won Best Spoken Word Show in the Saboteur Awards and its titular track was performed with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, broadcast on BBC Four. Following a sold-out show at Symphony Hall, the show toured the UK this summer.
@jasminegardosi
jasminegardosi.com
JEMMA HATHAWAY
Jemma Hathaway likes to put words next to one another and see if they hit it off. Her poems have been featured on BBC Radio Bristol, BBC iPlayer and she was the 2020 Hammer & Tongue slam champion for Bristol. Jemma is a multiple slam-winner and Button Poetry Short Form contest winner, she has supported Joelle Taylor, performed at the Royal Albert Hall and appeared on Sky Arts Life & Rhymes. She self-published her first poetry pamphlet, January in 2021 and her first full collection, I’ve been looking everywhere for you, is due out in May this year. Her poems are a sticky dance floor for the ongoing dance-off between her head and her heart. She hopes you like her moves.
JAIDAH
Jaidah’s written & spoken works are undeniably compelling, ask questions of us collectively & hold the primary focus of advocating alongside promoting human welfare & connection.
Jaidah’s journey into writing started 2 years ago in a sanctuary of solitude, which stimulated vastly journeying her world within & most importantly she has been inspired by listening to the language nature speaks.
Vulnerable yet powerful, Jaidah’s quiet commanding presence and delivery are outward-reaching and embody a courage built through her own hard-won experience. Continuously thought-provoking, her words are colourful and within those colours live the essence of divine-human nature.
BUNGZO
Bungzo is a Bristol-based non-binary and queer DJ who has a passion for banging beats and bass from the global diaspora, flavoured with queer themes celebrating sexuality and freedom. They are a member of the Booty Bass crew, playing at the best clubs in Bristol and beyond.
Bungzo is a versatile DJ with their music spanning 70-180BPM and genres such as baile funk, uk funky, global bass, footwork, jungle, d&b and jungletek.
⭐ RAISE THE BAR ⭐
The South West's leading live poetry night, running blockbuster spoken word events in Bristol and beyond since 2014.
‘From top to bottom, one of my all time favourite shows’ – Shane Koyczan
'One of the best poetry nights in the country' – Rafeef Ziadah
'Out-loud reactions are encouraged…shaking off traditional theatre etiquette' – Bristol 24/7
CHARITIES
akt is the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ youth homelessness charity. We support LGBTQ+ young people (aged 16 to 25) who are either facing homelessness or living in a hostile environment to access safe, secure accommodation. akt supports young people into safe homes and employment, education or training, in a welcoming and open environment that celebrates LGBTQ+ identities.
We help young people:
Stay safe in a crisis
Find emergency accommodation
Access specialist support
Develop skills, and identify and achieve life goals
We do what we do because LGBTQ+ young people deserve safety and acceptance and we believe that no young person should have to choose between a safe home and being who they are.
♿ ACCESSIBILITY / SAFEGUARDING ♿
Our events aim to be as safe, inclusive, accessible and welcoming as possible.
The venue has is wheelchair accessible and has accessible toilets. For full venue accessibility information see https://www.strangebrewbristol.com/
If you have any other particularly access requirements, please email [email protected] in advance.
The event may include photography and videography.
SEATING / TIMINGS
Doors open at 7:00pm, and the bar will be open with a selection of drinks (alcoholic + non-alcoholic).
The show begins at 7:30pm, so please arrive and be seated promptly. The event includes a 15 minute interval. We aim to finish at 9:30pm.
⚠️ CONTENT WARNING ⚠️
Poetry events include performers sharing personal accounts which you may relate to in some way. This may include content that is potentially upsetting or triggering. We provide a general content warning at the beginning of each event, and we encourage feature artists and open mic performers to provide content warnings for individual poems where necessary. Attendees are welcome to leave the venue at any time if necessary, and return when they feel comfortable, but please try to do this before/after a poem.
SAFE SPACE
Raise the Bar has a zero tolerance policy towards hate, discrimination and abuse of any kind. Our staff team will work together to ensure the space is respectful and welcoming at all times.
Entry requirements: 16+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)
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