FRIDAY 13th MARCH - SUNDAY 22nd MARCH 2020

@LyraFest @LyraFest TICKETS lyrafest.com ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

March 2020 is the second edition of Lyra, Bristol Poetry Festival, and we are delighted to present a radical, diverse programme focusing on climate, nature and Bristol’s legacy of Romantic Poetry. Lyra aims to present and promote poetry in as many formats as possible and this year we are FRIDAY 13th MARCH - hosting live readings, slam poetry, open mics, SUNDAY 22nd MARCH family activities, workshops, panel discussion, 2020 walking tours and a film screening. We were thrilled with the feedback on Lyra 2019 but we haven’t rested on our laurels. We asked what you would like to see more of in 2020 and we have used these responses in order to put together an even more exciting programme, including an increased number of workshops and some world-class headliners with an opening weekend that includes Simon Armitage and Danez Smith. Thank you to all our collaborators and supporters, including our ethical ticketing provider HeadFirst Bristol. Lyra 2020 has been organised largely on a voluntary basis and we are incredibly grateful to the wonderful partners who have helped to bring this radical programme to fruition. Lyra Festival is co-directed by Lucy English and Danny Pandolfi. This year’s official Festival Poet is Bristol-based writer, performer, producer and facilitator Rebecca Tantony. Rebecca is leading outreach work across the city in the build-up to Lyra 2020 in order to connect the festival to a variety of communities in Bristol and she will be engaged in a number of activities during the Core Festival Programme, including running a workshop and performing new works at Bristol Central Library, judging the Grand Slam Finals, and much more. This festival is also a proud partner of the wider city project #BristolPoeticCity, marking the 250th anniversary of Thomas Chatterton’s death. Please pre-book tickets (for both paid and free events) at lyrafest.com, as some events will sell out in advance and entry on the door may not be guaranteed. We look forward to seeing you all soon! @LyraFest TICKETS lyrafest.com Entire Festival Pass: £50 @LyraFest Festival Pass (including workshops): £65 3 VENUES CORE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

1. Wills Memorial Building Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1RJ Friday 13th March ’20 SIMON ARMITAGE 2. Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, UK POET LAUREATE

T

F O A poetry reading from the UK’s newly Bristol BS1 4QA R C

S E appointed Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, K

O

T S 8 in conversation with Bristol City Poet, 3. SS Great Britain Vanessa Kisuule. BRUNSWICK Gas Ferry Rd, SQUARE WILLS MEMORIAL BUILDING Bristol BS1 6TY BOND ST GREAT HALL Time: 6:00 - 7:00pm Price: £5 4. Storysmith Bookshop QUEENS RD UNION ST The second ever Lyra Festival will launch at 49 North St, 5 7 CASTLE the iconic Great Hall at Wills Memorial Bristol BS3 1EN 9 PARK PARK 1ROW Building. Simon Armitage will deliver a 6 reading of his poetry, followed by a live conversation hosted by Bristol’s City Poet, 5. Fry Building Bristol University PARK ST Woodland Rd, 11 Vanessa Kisuule.

Bristol BS8 1TH BALDWIN ST Simon Armitage will discuss his newly launched Laurel Prize for climate writing, the urgency of the arts movement in 6. THE Square Club BRANDON COLLEGE response to the climate crisis, and the role HILL GREEN

PRINCE ST PRINCE QUEEN 15 Berkeley Square, 10 SQUARE of both the Poet Laureate and live poetry in Bristol BS8 1HB ANCHOR RD 2020. The event will include a short audience Q&A 2 THE GROVE and be immediately followed by a 7. Waterstones 3 RD WAPPING book signing. The Galleries, Presented in association with Bristol Bristol BS1 3XD Poetry Institute and University of CUMBERLAND RD Bristol Department of English.

8. Unitarian Hall CORONATION RD Brunswick Square, Bristol BS2 8PE

9. Bristol Museum & Art Gallery Queens Rd, BEDMINSTER PARADE Bristol BS8 1RL 4 10. Bristol Central Library College Green, Bristol BS1 5TL

11. St. George’s BristoL Great George St, Bristol BS1 5RR

CREDIT: Peter James Millson

4 5 @LyraFest @LyraFest TICKETS lyrafest.com SATURday 14TH March '20 ROMANTIC BRISTOL LYRA SLAM WALKING TOUR POETRY AND CLIMATE QUALIFYING ROUNDS Discover Bristol’s poetic legacy in this FILM SCREENING Three afternoon qualifying heats, as 24 poets engaging guided walk, led by ARNOLFINI THEATRE compete for a place in the evening Grand Professor Ralph Pite. Final. Time: 1:00 - 2:00pm Price: Free MEETING POINT: OUTSIDE WILLS ARNOLFINI LIGHT STUDIO Curated by Liberated Words, these MEMORIAL BUILDING short poetry films will reflect on the Time: 1:30 - 2:00, 2:30 - 3:00, 3:30 - 4:00pm Time: 12:00 - 1:00pm Price: £5 current climate emergency, as well Price: Free A guided tour of some key landmarks for the as celebrate the natural world. Plus The Bristol Poetry Festival Slam is back and history and legacy of Romantic poets in Bristol. short discussion on the rising genre these afternoon events co-presented with The walk will use smart technology to explore the of poetry film and how artists and Hammer and Tongue will see some of the city, its layered histories, its cultural complexity poets are responding to region’s finest poets and performers compete and the voices of its poets, past and present. You our changing for a place in the evening’s grand slam final. can download the free smartphone app environment. Come along to cheer on the poets, and see ‘ROMANTIC BRISTOL: Writing the City’ in With Lucy English and which performers qualify for the Grand Final. advance of the tour and find your way to Bristol, Sarah Tremlett. old and new. Part of #BristolPoeticCity.

DANEZ SMITH WRITING MASTERCLASS Join one of the world’s leading poets for an eye-opening insight into expert writing techniques. PROSE POETRY LYRA SLAM BRISTOL MUSEUM AND PERFORMANCE/OPEN MIC GRAND FINAL ART GALLERY A fascinating exploration into one of the The epic slam final for Lyra 2020, with most experimental sub-genres of poetry, performances from Danez Smith and ACTIVITY ROOM, with exquisite performances from leading Kat Lyons. FIRST FLOOR prose poets. ARNOLFINI THEATRE Time: 1:00 - 3:00pm WILLS MEMORIAL BUILDING Time: 7:30 - 10:00pm Price: £10 Price: £10 THE OLD COUNCIL CHAMBER After a raucous sell-out event last year, Lyra is back with another huge slam An exclusive poetry writing Time: 5:00 - 7:00pm Price: £5/£4 Concs. final, as winners from the afternoon masterclass with Forward Prize- Lyra welcomes performances from Carrie show compete for the coveted crown of winning writer and Button Etter, Luke Kennard and Vik Shirley, in an 2020’s Bristol Poetry Festival Slam Poetry star Danez Smith. exploration of the prose poetry genre. The Champion. The event will feature an Learn some expert exercises, event will also feature a short panel extended performance from the techniques and methods of discussion about the role and definition of incomparable Forward Prize-winning expression with an prose poetry, and an open mic element Poet and world-class performer Danez internationally acclaimed writer. for any poets wishing to share their own Smith, plus a support set from last year’s prose poem. Open mic tickets must be epic slam winner Kat Lyons. Hosted by purchased online in advance for this event. Josie Alford and Callum Wensley.

6 7 @LyraFest @LyraFest TICKETS lyrafest.com SUNDAY 15TH March '20 MONDAY 16TH March '20 ROMANTIC BRISTOL MATHS AND POETRY WALKING TOUR WORKSHOP COLERIDGE & Join poets Rebecca Kosick and Harry Baker for an engaging and interactive workshop connecting maths WORDSWORTH and poetry. Accessible and open to all. An engaging guided walk, discovering the legacy of two legendary poets of the FRY BUILDING (ROOM G13) Romantic era. Led by Professor Ralph Pite. UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL MEETING POINT: OUTSIDE Time: 5:30 - 7:00pm Price: £5 Is it possible to write a maths poem? Undoubtedly, WILLS MEMORIAL BUILDING mathematics has the capacity to express complex and Time: 12:00 - 1:00pm Price: £5 abstract ideas, but is it possible to convey the kinds of complex and abstract thought more often found in A guided tour using smart technology to poetry than in mathematical notation? Is one able to explore the city, its layered histories, its express the small joy of a cup of tea, the closeness of cultural complexity and the voices of its an intimate relationship, the nuanced humour of a poets, with a particular focus on Samuel shared joke through mathematical formulations? Coleridge and William Wordsworth. The pair had been living in Bristol and the South Open to writers of all levels/backgrounds. West when their revolutionary book, Lyrical Ballads, was published. This walk connects a key work on English literature to the city and POETRY AND MUSIC FOR region which produced it. You can download REIMAGINED FUTURES the free smartphone app ‘ROMANTIC CLIMATE ACTION BRISTOL: Writing the City’ in advance of the POETRY AND STORIES Leading South-West poetry providers tour and find your way to Bristol, old and An afternoon of interactive, drop-in new. Part of #BristolPoeticCity. Raise the Bar and Hip Yak Poetry present family activities at the Brunel Institute, an evening of breathtaking performances aimed at children and young people live at St. George’s Bristol. POETS 4 THE PLANET aged 4-12 and their families. ST. GEORGE’S BRISTOL A collaborative performance, as six BRUNEL'S SS GREAT BRITAIN poets perform dynamic new work Time: 1:00 - 3:00pm Price: Free Time: 7:30 - 10:00pm Price: £8 responding to the climate crisis in the A high-energy, high-quality and eclectic intimate setting of Storysmith Where will your imagination take you? evening of outstanding and powerful bookshop. Brunel built his SS Great Britain out of big ideas and today, technology and art performances from nationally and STORYSMITH BOOKSHOP continue to spark new ideas. These drop- internationally acclaimed artists Zena Time: 5:00 - 6:00pm Price: £5 in activities in the Brunel Institute will Edwards and Harry Baker, including Poets4ThePlanet is a national forum of offer interactive storytelling and poetic thrilling performers and hosts Jonny writers responding to the climate crisis. experiences, including Poetry Machine, Fluffypunk, Liv Torc and Chris Redmond. Human and nonhuman voices combine Isabella Necessity and Spikey Tim. This show will offer live poetry as an in this ensemble piece from 6 UK poets. Suitable for young people aged 4-12 and engaging and raucous celebration of the Featuring Miranda Lynn Barnes, Rachael enjoyable for the whole family. Please wonders of our planet and our urgent Clyne, Dominic Fisher, Deborah Harvey, note this event does not include entry to need to protect it. Simon Williams and Susan Taylor. the ship. Tickets include a glass of wine and Co-produced with Apples and 10% off featured Snakes, the UK’s leading spoken books purchased word and performance poetry on the night. organisation.

8 9 @LyraFest @LyraFest TICKETS lyrafest.com Tuesday 17th March ’20 Friday 20th March ’20

CREDIT: Michael Weir AN EVENING WITH LYRA FESTIVAL THE FUTURE OF POETRY STEPHEN SEXTON AND OPEN MIC DISCUSSION PANEL BAD BETTY PRESS The official open mic event of 2020’s An evening of poetry readings from radical Bristol Poetry Festival and YOUR chance A crucial discussion focusing on how poetry is being used in voices in UK published poetry, including to bring your poetry to the stage. 2020 and how the art form might progress over the next 2019 Forward Prize-winning Penguin poet UNITARIAN HALL decade. Stephen Sexton. Time: 8:30 - 10:00pm THE SQUARE CLUB WATERSTONES THE GALLERIES Price: Free Time: 6:30- 7:30pm ENTRY VIA UNION ST ENTRANCE Beloved Bristol poetry organisers Satellite Price: Free Time: 7:30 - 8:30pm Price: £7 of Love present a warm and welcoming Poetry is garnering millions of views on YouTube, viral We are delighted to welcome published poets open mic event in Easton, inviting poets attention on Twitter and Instagram, live events are attracting from Penguin Books and Bad Betty Press to and performers of all styles and hundreds of people and sales of poetry books are an enthralling poetry reading at Waterstones backgrounds to perform at Bristol Poetry skyrocketing. In times of civil unrest and societal crisis, poets Bristol. 2019 Forward Prize winner Stephen Festival 2020. and writers are often at the forefront of resistance. Lyra Sexton will be joined by outstanding emerging The event also includes short feature invite poets and practitioners to assess the current climate of voices from independent publisher Bad Betty performances from Deborah UK live literature and performance poetry, and where the Press, including Gboyega Odubanjo Harvey and Saili Katebe. future of the art form may be going. and Charlotte Geater. Sign up for the open mic on Includes audience Q&A. Hosted by Bad Betty’s the door from 8:00pm. co-founder, Jake Wild Hall.

10 11 @LyraFest @LyraFest TICKETS lyrafest.com Saturday 21st March ’20 Sunday 22nd March ’20 OVERCOMING CHALLENGES ROMANTIC BRISTOL WALKING TOUR ROMANTIC BRISTOL FESTIVAL POET WORKSHOP Discover Bristol’s poetic legacy in this engaging guided walk. WALKING TOUR Lyra 2020's Festival Poet Rebecca Tantony Led by Dr Rebecca Hutcheon. WOMEN WRITERS leads a workshop helping us to overcome MEETING POINT: OUTSIDE WILLS MEMORIAL BUILDING An engaging guided walk, focusing on the challenges as writers. Open to writers of all female writers of Bristol’s Romantic poetry experiences and stages. Time: 12:00 - 1:00pm Price: £5 legacy. Led by Dr Rebecca Hutcheon. BRISTOL CENTRAL LIBRARY A guided tour of some key landmarks for the history and legacy of Romantic poets in PUBLIC MEETING ROOM Bristol. The walk will use smart technology to explore the city, its layered histories, its MEETING POINT: OUTSIDE cultural complexity and the voices of its poets, past and present. You can download the free Time: 3:00 - 5:00pm Price: £5 WILLS MEMORIAL BUILDING smartphone app ‘ROMANTIC BRISTOL: Writing the City’ in advance of the tour and find What might hold us back as writers in your way to Bristol, old and new. Part of #BristolPoeticCity. Time: 12:00 - 1:00pm Price: £5 achieving our dreams? How do we move A guided tour using smart technology to through fear in our work? Lyra 2020’s explore the city, its layered histories, its Festival Poet Rebecca Tantony leads this cultural complexity and the voices of its workshop centred around working through poets, with a particular focus on Bristol’s challenges as writers, offering practical ways Romantic era women writers. The walk will to overcome emotional limits and produce explore some of the key sites around the work you have dreamed of creating. these female poets, writers, feminists and reformers, whose revolutionary work has continued to influence the city to the present day. You can download the free smartphone app ‘ROMANTIC BRISTOL: Writing the City’ in advance of the tour and find your way to Bristol, old and new. Part of #BristolPoeticCity. HABITAT AN ECO- ROMANTIC POETRY AND POETRY WORKSHOP RACE/CLASS/GENDER STAGE TO PAGE REBECCA TANTONY TJ Dema, recent winner of the Sillerman Edson Burton, Anna Saunders and Charles WRITING FESTIVAL POET First Book Prize for African Poetry, leads Thompson explore the attitudes, issues and WORKSHOP PERFORMANCE an engaging eco-poetry masterclass, prejudices within the works of acclaimed open to all writers. Romantic Poets. Leading South West poet Rebecca BRISTOL CENTRAL BRISTOL MUSEUM AND ART LIBRARY PUBLIC Tantony performs works, new and old, BRISTOL MUSEUM AND ART accompanied by musician Brook Tate. GALLERY ENLIGHTENMENT MEETING ROOM GALLERY ACTIVITY ROOM, BRISTOL CENTRAL LIBRARY GALLERY Time: 1:00 - 3:00pm FIRST FLOOR Time: 3:30 - 4:30pm Price: £5 FOYER Time: 1:00 - 3:00pm Time: 5:15 - 6:00pm Price: Free Price: Free Amy Acre, award-winning writer and editor Price: £5 of Bad Betty Press, leads a dynamic Lyra’s 2020 Festival Poet Rebecca To what extent did the Romantic Poets workshop aimed at spoken word artists and Tantony will be performing her new work, Environmental writing has often ignored (including Keats, Shelley, Byron and Blake) performance poets looking to move their ‘How Easy The Trees Learn To Let Go’, in and excluded BAME voices. This high represent freedom, rebellion and change? work from the stage into publishable work the warm, intimate setting of Bristol quality and engaging workshop led by To what extent did they conform to existing on the page. Central Library. Come and see one of the TJ Dema will include practical writing prejudices, especially in their attitudes to exercises around nature and eco-poetry, This workshop will look at the crucial South West’s leading poets offer her race, class and gender? Acclaimed poets beautiful blend of poetry and storytelling, drawing on material from multiple Edson Burton, Anna Saunders and Charles techniques and forms when writing for the sources, engaging gender and race. page, as well as considerations when poignantly moving through personal Thompson explore these issues, reading stories on themes such as loss and gain. Open to all. BAME writers are classic poems from the canon alongside applying to publishers and submitting to particularly encouraged to sign up. journals and competitions. Accompanied by musician Brook Tate. their own work.

12 13 @LyraFest @LyraFest TICKETS lyrafest.com WIDER LYRA PROGRAMME

The wider festival programme shines a light on all of the regular and one-off poetry THURSDAY 19TH MARCH THURSDAY 26TH MARCH activities taking place outside of the core festival programme. Festival passes include entry WILL HARRIS AT STORYSMITH BOOKS LOVE IN THE SMALL SPACES to the core events only (13th - 22nd March) and not those listed below. To book tickets to Time: 6:30pm Time: 7:00 - 10:00pm Price: £5 / £4 concs. on the door. HOURS GALLERY the below events, please go through the relevant organisations and book online in advance Price: £5, includes glass of wine and 10% off featured books purchased on the night. 10 Colston Yard, Bristol BS1 5BD where necessary. STORYSMITH No longer is the sublime canvas of the Romantics vast and wild and threatening to us; we now threaten it. So what 49 North Street, Bristol BS3 1EN FRIDAY 28th FEBRUARY ’20 FRIDAY 6TH MARCH ‘20 defence can poetry offer? Hosted by the HOURS writers, https://storysmithbooks.com/events/ with open-mic available. Bring us your poems of little and MAKING CHANGE SILVER STREET POETRY Anglo-Indonesian poet Will Harris will read and discuss his curious loves to hold back the flood Time: 7:30pm Price: £10/£8 concs. on the door. Time: Noon Price: £4 on the door brand-new debut collection RENDANG. His poem ‘SAY’ THE OLD PICTURE HOUSE HOURS GALLERY was shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best Single Poem FRIDAY 27TH MARCH 2018, and he won a Poetry Fellowship from the Arts 7 Winton Street, Totterdown BS4 2BW 10 Colston Yard, Bristol BS1 5BD LAUNCH PARTY FOR BRISTOL WOMEN’S LITERATURE Foundation in 2019. RENDANG is published by Granta. A multi-media evening of film, poetry and music. Standing Chrissie Gittins, reading from her third collection, Sharp FESTIVAL Strong for Women, the Environment and Social Justice, the Hills, published by Indigo Dreams. Bring your own Time: 7:00 - 9:00pm Price: £7 /£5 concs. advance evening is coordinated by Gill Hague, poet and activist on refreshments and a poem to share in our friendly open mic. BRISTOL STANZA GROUP POETRY MASTERCLASS WITH SPIKE ISLAND CAFE violence against women. Short films on the big screen and PHILIP GROSS 133 Cumberland Rd, Bristol BS1 6UX poems by the late Maya Angelou. Blues and jazz by Dave SUNDAY 8TH MARCH ‘20 Time: 7:00-9:00pm Price: £5 https://www.spikeisland.org.uk/programme/events/launch- Merrick and Natalie Davis of Small Days. TONIC WRITING JAM 126 Hampton Road Bristol BS6 6JE bwlf-2020/ NATURE & THE WRITTEN WORD Tickets on application to Martin Rieser, Stanza convener: Bristol Women’s Literature Festival, Comma Press and a host SUNDAY 1ST MARCH ’20 [email protected] of local poets celebrate at Spike Island. Comma Press’s Time: 2:30 - 4:00pm Price: Free BERKELEY SQUARE POETRY REVUE Eleanor Pender is joined by Janne Teller and Karolina BRISTOL CENTRAL LIBRARY Time: 8:30pm Price: £2 on the door Ramqvist to discuss their writing, Europe, and cross border College Green, Bristol BS1 5TL SUNDAY 22ND MARCH solidarity. Later there are performances from leading Bristol- THE SQUARE CLUB Join us for another friendly afternoon celebrating the joy of KIOTA based poets Malaika Kegode, Shagufta K Iqbal, and Rebecca 15 Berkeley Square, Bristol BS8 1HB writing, planned to be inclusive for everyone - regardless of Time: 2:00pm Price: £8 Kosick. With David Hanlon, Elisabeth Horan, David Punter and experience. Topic of this month's workshop: how the THE WARDROBE THEATRE Anna Saunders. David Hanlon is a Welsh poet from Cardiff, environment can inspire writing. Old Market Assembly, BS2 0DF SATURDAY 28TH MARCH now living in Bristol. His first chapbook Spectrum of Flight http://thewardrobetheatre.com/livetheatre/kiota/ GLORY IN THE BONE: ECHOES AND EDGES ALBUM was published by Animal Heart Press. Elisabeth Horan is ISAMBARDS AT ARNOS VALE POETRY WALK RELEASE PARTY Editor in Chief at Animal Heart Press and Co-Editor at Ice A Collective for POC Creatives in Bristol, showcasing Time: 1:30 - 3:00pm Price: £5 in advance Floe Press. She is a 2018 Pushcart Nominee. Anna is the people of colour (POC) or BAME creatives from various Time: 7:00pm CEO and founder of Cheltenham Poetry Festival. She is ARNOS VALE CEMETERY artistic disciplines in a fantastic evening of performance ILLUSTRATE CAFE published by Indigo Dreams Bath Rd, Bristol BS4 3EW followed by networking opportunities. Kiota are committed 79 Park Street, BS1 5PF https://arnosvale.org.uk/events/isambards-poetry-walk/ to creating original collaborations between POC artists of Echoes and Edges is a collective of Bristol-based poets and different disciplines who wouldn’t ordinarily have the musicians, working together on ideas that merge spoken Bristol poets, the IsamBards; Deborah Harvey, Pameli MONDAY 2ND MARCH ’20 chance to work together to see how their artistic practise word with improvised and composed pieces of music. Benham, Dominic Fisher & David C Johnson will take you MILK POETRY FEATURING IONA LEE & CALLUM evolves. Through a combination of musical improvisation, on a poetic journey around some of the historic, poignant, WENSLEY soundscapes and looped vocal elements, we transform the beautiful and unforgettable places within Arnos Vale Time: 7:30pm Price: £8 poems into sonic pictures of memories and moments. Cemetery, Bristol. TUESDAY 24TH MARCH THE WARDROBE THEATRE POETRY TRANSLATION WORKSHOP Old Market Assembly, BS2 0DF TUESDAY 31ST MARCH TUESDAY 10TH MARCH ‘20 Time: 5:30pm Price: Free, open to all. Iona Lee is a poet, writer and visual artist from Scotland. BERKELEY SQUARE POETRY REVUE CECILIA KNAPP: LOSING THE NIGHT HELEN WODEHOUSE BUILDING She was crowned Scottish Slam Champion in 2016. Callum Time: 8:30pm Price: £2 on the door Wensley is the poet and host of Craftwords open mic in Time: 7:30pm Price: £10 advance Room 3.13, 35 Berkeley Square, Bristol BS8 1JA THE SQUARE CLUB Horfield. His candid, emotive poetry won him the Milk Slam THE WARDROBE THEATRE Bristol Poetry Institute and Poetry Translation Centre invite 15 Berkeley Square, Bristol BS8 1HB in 2019. Old Market Assembly, BS2 0DF you to join us translating Argentinian philosopher and With poets Adam Horowitz and David Punter plus great writer Silvina Giaganti with Argentinian/British poet Leo http://thewardrobetheatre.com/livetheatre/milk-poetry- http://thewardrobetheatre.com/livetheatre/cecilia-knapp- music. Hosted by Charles Thompson. Boix. Giaganti's work explores love and the loss of love, featuring-iona-lee-and-callum-wensley losing-the-night/ Adam’s most recent publication The Soil Never Sleeps, was family dysfunction and questions of belonging/queerness. the result of a year long project which saw him visit four Cecilia Knapp is a poet, playwright and performer. She has The workshops are collaborative sessions that focus on the TUESDAY 3RD MARCH ’20 performed all over the UK and internationally. farms in England and Wales, across all four seasons, keeping process of translation.There is no need to know the detailed written and photographic journals as poet in Liam and Mitch haven’t seen each other since they lost SPEL ALT POETRY AND ACOUSTIC OPEN MIC language being translated. Just drop in! residence for the Pasture-fed Livestock Association. Time: 8:30 - 10:30pm Price: Free Dylan. Trapped in a pub during a dead shift with nothing to do but wash glasses and eat Bombay mix, they start to dig BRISTOL FRINGE CAFE BAR deep into the past and try to get to the truth. WEDNESDAY 25TH MARCH THURSDAY 2ND APRIL 32 Princess Victoria St, Clifton BS8 4BZ TROIKA: A CARRIAGE PULLED BY THREE HORSES PHILIP GROSS BOOK LAUNCH AND READINGS Open mic night with music. Come and read your poetry! Time: 7:00 - 9:00pm Price: £5 on the door Time: 7:00 - 9:00pm WEDNESDAY 11TH MARCH Book a slot to read on arrival with host poet/musician Tim HOURS GALLERY Price: £5 from Eventbrite, £6 on the door. Burroughs. SATELLITE OF LOVE 10 Colston Yard, Bristol BS1 5BD BOSTON TEA PARTY Time: 8:30pm Three acclaimed poets read from their work. With Mathew (upstairs), 75 Park St, Bristol, BS1 5PF Price: Free. Donations to refugee charity welcome. THURSDAY 5TH MARCH ‘20 Caley (Forward Prize nominee), Tim Cumming (Pitt Street https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/philip-gross-book-launch- TONIC 017 GREENBANK PUB Poetry) and David Briggs (Salt Publishing). Mathew Caley’s and-poetry-readings-tickets-92349386501 Time: 7:00 - 9:30pm Price: £5 on the door 7 Belle Vue Rd, Easton BS5 6DP sixth collection Trawlerman’s Turquoise was published by Philip Gross will read from his new collection Between The Bloodaxe in 2019. Tim Cumming writes about music and Islands, (Bloodaxe Books) together with poets from Bristol HORTS 49 Broad St, Bristol BS1 2EP Easton’s favourite poetry night with features Myriam San Marco and Anita Karla Kelly. Plus Open Mic hosted by the arts for British and International Press. David Briggs Stanza Group. Philip Gross is poet, playwright, librettist and A warm-lit, cosy night of spoken and sung word promoting Helen Sheppard. Further details on Facebook and Twitter received an Eric Gregory Award in 2002. His third educator. He is T.S Eliot Prize winner. His latest collection the power of the pen and the people who wield it. Open @SOLPoetry. publication, Cracked Skull Cinema, was a 2019 Poetry features a series of ‘unfinished conversations between friends mic, Scratch showcase, Q&A. Headlined by Muneera Wales Pick of the Year. no longer living’. Pilgrim.

14 15 @LyraFest @LyraFest TICKETS lyrafest.com ARTISTS & SPEAKERS

AMY ACRE is a poet, performer and freelance RACHAEL CLYNE is widely published in CHARLOTTE GEATER lives in Walthamstow. REBECCA KOSICK is a poet, translator, and writer from London, and the editor of Bad journals and anthologies and is a frequent She is a freelance editor and writer, and Lecturer in the School of Modern Languages at Betty Press. Her poem, ‘every girl knows’ won reader at poetry events. Her prizewinning volunteers at a community library. Her poetry the University of Bristol. There, she co-directs the 2019 Verve Poetry Prize. Her pamphlets collection, Singing at the Bone Tree (Indigo has appeared in Queen Mob’s Tea House, The the Bristol Poetry Institute and runs the And They Are Covered in Gold Light (Bad Dream, 2014), concerns our relationship with White Review, Clinic and The Best British Indisciplinary Poetics Research Cluster. She is Betty, 2019) and Where We’re Going, We Don’t the wild and her pamphlet, Girl Golem Poetry 2013. She won The White Review Poet’s the author of the poetry collection, Labor Day Need Roads (flipped eye, 2015) were each (4Word Press, 2018) is about her migrant Prize in 2018. She has published two (Golias Books) and Material Poetics in chosen as a Poetry Book Society Pamphlet background and sense of otherness. pamphlets: poems for my FBI agent and Hemispheric America: Words and Objects, Choice. against my own feelings. 1950-2010 (Edinburgh University Press, TJAWANGWA DEMA is the author of two forthcoming 2020). JOSIE ALFORD is a Bristol-based poet and books of poetry, most recently The Careless DEBORAH HARVEY’s poems are published in event host. Enigmatic. Mysterious. Drenched in Seamstress which won the Sillerman First journals and anthologies, broadcast on Radio MIRANDA LYNN BARNES is a poet and writer Shadow. Josie Alford is none of these things. Book Prize. A former Fall Resident at the 4’s Poetry Please, and awarded several major from the US, who now lives in Bristol. Miranda Her stage presence is sequinned, Spice Girl University of Iowa’s International Writers prizes. Her poetry collections: The Shadow taught Creative Writing at Bath Spa University, inspired, pop culture referencing, infectious Program as well as a 2016 Visiting Artist at Factory (2019) Breadcrumbs (2016), Map where she earned her Doctorate and now and welcoming. Her work ranges from the Northwestern University’s Alice Kaplan Reading for Beginners (2014), and Communion works there as Research Publications Librarian. subtle nuance of dealing with loss to meeting Institute for the Humanities, she is an (2011), are published by Indigo Dreams, while Her work appears in several journals and her your partner whilst dressed up as Justin Honorary Senior Research Associate at the her historical novel, Dart, appeared under their debut pamphlet, Blue Dot Aubade is Bieber. University of Bristol. Tamar Books imprint in 2013. forthcoming from V. Press.

SIMON ARMITAGE is the National Poet ZENA EDWARDS is a poet and performer DR REBECCA HUTCHEON is a Research KAT LYONS is a poet, storyteller and Laureate. He is Professor of Poetry at who uses song, movement and global Associate at Lancaster University on the performer with a background in live art and University of Leeds and was elected to serve influences as a jump-off for her words. Zena AHRC-funded project ‘Chronotopic troublemaking. She co-hosts with Bristol as Professor of Poetry at University of Oxford has performed at WOMAD, The London Jazz Cartographies’ in a team that specialises in spoken word promoter Raise the Bar, won the for 2015-2019. Armitage was awarded the Festival, Poetry International at the Royal using digital tools to analyse, map, and 2019 Milk Poetry Superslam and the 2019 Lyra: Sunday Times Young Author of the Year, a Festival Hall, The URB Hip Hop Festival visualise the spaces of literary texts. Her other Bristol Poetry Festival Slam and performs at Forward Prize, an Eric Gregory Award, a (Helsinki), Glastonbury as well as many work centres around walking and the Romantic gigs and events all around the UK. She’s Keats-Shelley Prize for Poetry and the 2018 others. She was recently Resident Poet at the South West, and how digital technologies can currently developing her first solo show. Queens Gold Medal for Poetry. Poetry Café in Covent Garden. shape perception of place (real and literary). ISABELLA NECESSITY is a pedal pushing HARRY BAKER is a World Poetry Slam CARRIE ETTER has published four SAILI KATEBE is a Zambian born writer based storyteller who loves to share stories from her Champion. He published his debut anthology collections of poetry, most recently The in the South West. As a writer and a performer incredible journeys around the world with the The Sunshine Kid with Burning Eye in Weather in Normal (UK: Seren; US: Station he is always looking to connect with different people she meets along the way. She has December 2014, and the show of the same Hill, 2018), a Poetry Book Society disciplines and creative outlets, exploring his outwitted trolls, talked with butterflies and name was voted ‘Best Spoken Word Show’ of Recommendation, as well as a chapbook of curiosity with creativity and recklessness. In ridden a pixy horse. With delightful storytelling, the Edinburgh Fringe 2015. His work has been flash fictions, Hometown (V. Press, 2016). She 2019 he was resident Bristol Boat Poet and a gorgeous illustrations, unexpected wonders shared on TED.com and viewed millions of is a Reader in Creative Writing at Bath Spa writer in residence on Brunel’s SS Great Britain. and a handsome Story Bicycle, called Dilys, times worldwide, as well as being translated University. Isabella will whisk you away to another world. into 21 different languages. LUKE KENNARD is a poet and novelist whose DOMINIC FISHER is published in many UK 5th collection, Cain, was shortlisted for the GBOYEGA ODUBANJO is a British-Nigerian DR EDSON BURTON is a writer of theatre and magazines and in Europe. He performs in Dylan Thomas Prize 2017. He lectures at the poet born and raised in East London. In 2018 radio drama and poetry. His credits include Bristol and beyond, often as an IsamBard, University of Birmingham. he completed an MA in Poetry at University of poetry collection Seasoned (2008), Armour of and was winner of the final Bristol Poetry East Anglia. Gboyega's pamphlet While I Yet Immanuel (2007), The Chosen One (2009), Prize 2018. His collection is The Ladies and Live was published by Bad Betty and included VANESSA KISUULE is a writer and performer Deacon (2017) and (2019) and promenade Gentlemen of the Dead (The Blue Nib, 2019). based in Bristol, and a former National Slam in Poetry School Books of 2018. He is a There are foxes and goldfinches on his performance An Abolitionist Returns, produced Champion. She has worked with Southbank member of the Barbican Young Poets, the allotment. by Bristol Old Vic (2018). Centre, RADA, Knee High Theatre and Warner Roundhouse Poetry Collective, and (In)Space. Music, and been featured on BBC Radio 1, The BETH CALVERLEY is a poet, creative coach JONNY FLUFFYPUNK has been dragging his Guardian, The Guilty Feminist Podcast, Gal PROFESSOR RALPH PITE’s biography of and founder of The Poetry Machine. She helps art around the poetry and alternative cabaret Dem Magazine, Blue Peter, and Sky TV. She is Thomas Hardy, The Guarded Life was people to express their thoughts and feelings circuits for over 10 years. By turns surreal, the Bristol City Poet for 2018 - 2020. published by Picador and his biographical through the playfulness of poetry. Beth is Poet daft and oddly moving, his work is both a study of Robert Frost and Edward Thomas is in Residence at South Bristol Community celebration of the beauty in the mundane soon to appear with Harvard University Press. Hospital and works with charities, companies, and an elaborate cry for help. “Acute social He's working now on an ecocritical book about universities, schools, heritage sites and festivals observation, intricate humour, surreal fantasy, Romantic poetry, particularly in connection nationally. Her debut collection will be sharp irony and wit…and England’s most with water. Ralph led the team which launched in November 2020. pretentious moustache” The Independent produced the smartphone app of Bristol poetry: Romantic Bristol: Writing the City. 16 17 CHRIS REDMOND is an international spoken SUSAN TAYLOR has notched up eight word poet, musician and theatre maker. A published poetry collections and pamphlets. regular at UK music and literature festivals, he She was a shepherd all through her youth, but has performed on BBC Radio One, BBC Radio has now turned her attention to the plight of Four, Sky Arts and Scroobius Pip’s XFM show the wolf in a newly devised solo show, ‘La Loba The Beatdown, as well as throughout Europe, Enchanting the Wolf’, launching in May 2020. the US and recently South Africa. He is also the creator and host of Tongue Fu, one of the UK’s leading spoken word shows. CHARLES THOMPSON is a poet and playwright based in Bristol. Charles has written and directed several successful plays and co- ANNA SAUNDERS is the author of Communion runs the Lansdowne Poets group. (Wild Conversations Press), Struck (Pindrop Press) Kissing the She Bear (Wild SPIKEY TIM is a quirky and energetic Conversations Press) Burne Jones and the Fox performance poet who is a part of the "Echoes (Indigo Dreams), Ghosting for Beginners & Edges" music/ poetry collective. He has been (Indigo Dreams) and the forthcoming described as "anarchic and comedic" and Feverfew (Indigo Dreams), described by Penny covers diverse topics such as his incredible Shuttle as ‘A beautiful and necessary trampoline, being heckled by a dog, and his collection’. Anna is the CEO and founder of failed attempts to ski. He performs for all ages Cheltenham Poetry Festival. and runs poetry workshops for kids.

STEPHEN SEXTON lives in Belfast. His poems LIV TORC is a razor blade skating performance have appeared in Granta, POETRY, and Best poet, who plunges the vast caverns and British Poetry 2015. His pamphlet, Oils, was the dormant volcanoes of the human condition. A Poetry Book Society's Winter Pamphlet Radio 4 Slam Winner, a former Bard of Exeter Choice. He won the 2016 National Poetry and current co-host of The Hip Yak Poetry Competition, and was awarded an Eric Shack. Liv runs the spoken word stage at Gregory Award in 2018. In 2019, he won the WOMAD and the Hip Yak Poetry School. Her Forward Prize for Best First Collection. first published book Show Me Life was released by Burning Eye in 2015. VIK SHIRLEY is a poet from Bristol currently studying for a PhD in 'Dark Humour and the CALLUM WENSLEY is the host of the Surreal in Poetry' at the University of Craftwords Open Mic, and is a former Hammer Birmingham. Her first collection, The Continued and Tongue Bristol team member. His poetry is Closure of the Blue Door (HVTN Press), her funny and upsetting in a balance he still hasn’t chapbook Corpses (Sublunary Editions) and quite perfected but he's trying. His hosting, her pamphlet Disrupted Blue and Other Poems however, is always on point and he refuses to on Polaroid (Hesterglock Press) will all be let anyone tell him otherwise. published in 2020. JAKE WILD HALL is one half of Bad Betty DANEZ SMITH is a black, queer, poz writer and Press, the host of Boomerang Club and winner performer from St. Paul, Minnesota. Danez is of the PBH 2016 Spirit Of The Free Fringe the author of Don’t Call Us Dead, winner of the Award. He has performed on BBC Radio and at Forward Prize for Best Collection and the festivals and literary events across the UK. He Midwest Booksellers Choice Award, and a is the author of two pamphlets, Blank and finalist for the National Book Award, and Solomon’s World—longlisted for Best [insert] boy, winner of the Kate Tufts Pamphlet in the 2018 Saboteur Awards. Discovery Award and the Lambda Literary Award for Gay Poetry. SIMON WILLIAMS has eight published collections, his latest being a co-authored REBECCA TANTONY is the author of three pamphlet with Susan Taylor, The Weather collections and has read her work in a variety House, which has toured in performance. of locations, from the Royal Albert Hall, U.K to Simon was elected Bard of Exeter 2013 and Wits University, Johannesburg. She has been founded the large-format magazine, The commissioned by Radio 4, read her work on Broadsheet. He is currently developing a one- the BBC and her writing has been described as man poetry show, Cosmic Latte. ‘Mesmerising’ in the Guardian.

18 SUPPORTERS & COLLABORATORS

We are incredibly grateful for all of the supporters and collaborators who have contributed to our second ever festival in various ways. A special thank you to Apples and Snakes, Bristol Cultural Development Partnership, Bristol Poetry Institute and Bad Betty Press, and all of those who donated to our GoFundMe campaign. We look forward to collaborating together in future years to continue growing this Festival.