WORDS in the City, Ilkley Literature Festival’s spoken word and poetry weekend, returns to Leeds from April 25-27. Bringing together emerging talents and established voices the programme is headlined by Henry Normal, Rob Auton and Vanessa Kisuule.
The Words in the City weekend kicks off on Thursday, April 25 with the Northern Slamhouse Competition, which will see eight poets slug it out for a £200 prize and bragging rights as the Words in the City Slam Champion. Taking place at The Holbeck (Slung Low’s new venue), the evening will be headlined by multiple slam competition winner Vanessa Kisuule and Sheffield based poet Gevi Carver.
Friday, April 26 sees the Festival return to the Holbeck for an evening showcasing the very best in spoken word and poetry talent. Yorkshire based Andy Craven-Griffiths, Gav Roberts and Hannah Roberts will perform alongside spoken word pioneer Malika Booker, former Ilkley Literature Festival Poet in Residence Andrew McMillan and writer, poet and former TV producer Henry Normal.
On Saturday, April 27 the action shifts to Leeds Central Library. Children and families can get in on the poetry action with a pirate themed show, Young Herbert’s Horrors and drop in activities. From 1pm the Festival will be taking over Room 700 for a laid back afternoon of performances from groups including the Leeds University Slam Team, Outspoken and Yaffle Press.
The festival concludes on Saturday night with Rob Auton’s The Talk Show at Leeds University Union.
Erica Morris, Acting Director of Ilkley Literature Festival said: “From the new talents battling it out to be crown Slam Champion to the laid atmosphere of the Room 700 Takeover, plus headline performances from the likes of Henry Normal, Andrew McMillan and Malika Booker and a swashbuckling spoken word show for children’s and families, the Words in the City is packed with must see performances, whether you are a long time spoken word fan or someone looking to discover something new.’
The Northern Slamhouse and the Words in the City showcase are Pay What You Decide events. Tickets for other events can be booked at www.witc.org.uk
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