ROUNDHOUSE POETRY SLAM Returns as Part of Summer Sessions Today

The annual Roundhouse Poetry Slam returns for 2014, as part of Summer Sessions, offering young artists aged 16-25 from across the UK the chance to compete for the title of Roundhouse Poetry Slam Champion. Roundhouse Summer Sessions is a new multi-arts festival taking place this July and August that includes live music, dance, comedy, cabaret, spoken word and live-scored cinema in an intimate, table-seated setting.

The Roundhouse Poetry Slam is free to enter with contestants taking to the stage in front of a live audience during two heats today, 31 July, and 7 August and the final on 14 August. Finalists will step onto the stage that's seen so many legendary and monumental performances. Acclaimed artists including Lemn Sissay, Daniel Cockrill, Inua Ellams, Hollie McNish, Deanna Rodger, Deborah Stevenson, Laurie Bolger and Bohdan Piasecki will be judging and performing. Contestants will be battling for the coveted title, plus the opportunity to win the prestigious 'Colin and Helen David £500 Prize'.

Poetry and Spoken Word have grown phenomenally over the last year with November's The Last Word Festival a complete sell out and since then, new work from artists such as Mark Grist, Kate Tempest, John Berkavitch plus a new commission with Poejazzi that re-imagines the Allen Ginsberg classic HOWL.

"The Poetry Slam promises to be one of the highlights of Roundhouse Summer Sessions. There's nothing quite like a Roundhouse Slam; 15 amazing young poets (aged between 16 and 25) waiting to perform two of their very best poems (neither of which can be more than 3 minutes), the atmosphere, the anticipation and the encouragement of both the audience and the other performers creates a totally magical, very entertaining event. Now in its eighth year the Slam is made even more special as the setting for the final will be in our legendary main space, the same space where Prince performed only last month.

"Our previous Slam winners have gone on to achieve so much, including the amazing Jodi Ann Bickley whose personal and professional journey after winning is inspiring and empowering, to Zia Ahmed who has performed up and down the country with his unique performance delivery and eye on the world. We are really proud of the Slam and the growth, creative and supportive space it provides for young artists." -- Josephine Bamford, Performing Arts Programme Producer.

DETAILS:

Venue: Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8EH

Dates:
Thu 31 Jul Roundhouse Poetry Slam: Heat #1
Thu 7 Aug Roundhouse Poetry Slam: Heat #2
Thu 14 Aug Roundhouse Poetry Slam: Grand Final

Host: Dan Cockrill

Judges: Lemn Sissay, Inua Ellams, Deanna Rodger

Tickets: £5 (Heats) - £7.50 (Final)

Booking: www.roundhouse.org.uk or 0300 6789 222

Each year the Roundhouse helps 3000 11-25 year-olds realise their creative potential through opportunities in music, media and performing arts. They work with industry professionals to develop their skills in a dedicated creative centre - the Paul Hamlyn Roundhouse Studios. www.roundhouse.org.uk/young-creatives