Want to run your own event? Contact Ely Ahamed to discuss details on

020 7420 9887 or by email

Poetry Café Events

There are poetry readings, some of which include music, on almost every night of the week , except Sundays when the cafe is closed. Many of these are regular weekly, monthly or bi-monthly events but there is also some room in the calendar for one-off readings, book or magazine launches, slams, etc.

Poetry Unplugged

Now 10 years old, this is London's Premier Poetry open mic. Every Tuesday, sign up between 6-7pm. The event starts at 7:30pm. Hosted by Niall O'Sullivan.


Part 1: Live Poetry Unplugged performances including Musa Okwonga, Emma Robertson, Samuel Deschamps & Claire Bowen from May 2008 and interviews by host Niall O'Sullivan (17 mins) [Title music kindly supplied by "Monkey Boy"]. 

Part 2: More live Poetry Unplugged performances including Joshua Idehen from May 2008 and interviews by host Niall O'Sullivan (7 mins)

The origins of Poetry Unplugged: Current host Niall O'Sullivan interviews original host  John Citizen (12 mins)

Exiled Writers INK

A monthly gathering of writers exiled from their homeland with featured performers and floor sports (see individual monthly calendar for exact dates, usually first Monday of the month)


www.exiledwriters.co.uk

The Cellar

Saturday evening event celebrating what is currently brilliant about the poetry scene bringing together written & performance poetry and nurturing new talent .

Hosted by Niall O'Sullivan.

Fourth Friday

Fourth Friday is a poetry and music event at the Poetry Cafe in London's Covent Garden. At 8pm on the fourth friday of every month we'll be featuring booked poets, singers, songwriters and musicians - known and not so known. There'll also be voices from the floor

Fourth Friday is hosted by Hylda Sims & Liz Simcock. Hylda is a poet, novelist and songwriter with a track record for organising live poetry and music events at the Poetry Cafe and elsewhere. Liz is a songwriter, singer and guitarist performing regularly in the Southeast.

African Writers' Evening

The African Writers' Evening is a bi-monthly event that features African writers of all genres at the Poetry Cafe in london. Features have included a range of authors such as prize winners Diana Evans and Brian Chikwava, legends like Jack Mapanje, young writers Inua Ellams and helen Oyeyemi and recent Booker Prize shortlist candidate Hisham Matar. It is the only reading that regularly features African Writers outside Africa and occurs on the third Fridays in the months of March, May, July, September & November. 

www.x-bout.com/awe

BroadCast

Monthly readings hosted by Roddy Lumsden with guest readers - not held on a regular evening (see calendar for details).

New Blood

Monthly meeting of up and coming young poets .

Loose Muse

Monthly evening for women writers of all genres. One or more guest readers plus floor spots.

Hosted by Agnes Meadows.

Tall Lighthouse

Last Wednesdays with tall-lighthouse featuring the finest contemporary poetry in the intimate surroundings of the poetry cafe with a unique mix of voices and regular open mic slots. The event features a diverse range of poets from outright performance to poetry normally only seen on the page with some of the UK's best poets headlining.

www.tall-lighthouse.co.uk.

Literature Lounge

Literature Lounge is an eclectic monthly night at the Poetry Cafe, Covent Garden, in the very heart of London. It is a lively night of spoken word and live acoustic music and regular presents emerging singer songwriters. Regular contributions from Shepherds Bush, Uxbridge and Harrow writers' collectives. Sign up early for open mic slots.

Hosted by Anjan Saha.

Shangwe

Shangwe showcases and promotes fresh emerging artists in a supportive atmosphere. Hosted by Nicole Moore, a published poet and creative writing tutor, each event features three poets, followed by questions from the audience. Open mic performers are welcome and often perform here for the first time. Shangwe has a great atmosphere which is uplifting and inspiring" (Poetry Cafe regular). Last Thursday of every month. 

 To join email nicole@shangwe.com .

Survivors Poetry

Monthly open mic for survivors on second Thursday of month.

New EVENTS:

  • Roddy Lumsden created "The Shuffle", a monthly event happening the last Saturday of every month.
  • Anjan Saha started his "Literature Lounge Master Classes" on Saturday mornings. Essentially a workshop in creative writing and performance poetry. For more infos, email anjan@anjansaha.com