POETRY & PERFORMANCE 23 - 26 SEPT 2021 COVENTRY
POETRY & PERFORMANCE 23 - 26 SEPT 2021
Online, in person, and broadcast acrOss the BBC: jOin the p0etry and performanCe festival of new writing taking place across Coventry in its year as UK City of Culture. Coventry City of Culture 2021 This is the city where movement began, from innovation in the transport industry to a history of activism. This city has moved people for centuries. For a whole year, celebrate the city with events, music, dance, theatre, and largescale spectacle. There’s something for everyone this year, across every ward of the city – so join in the fun, get involved and celebrate Coventry UK City of Culture!
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Cover image: Siana Bangura © Chloe Deakin
B0okINGS: coventry2021.co.uk
INTRODUCTI0N The fifth BBC Contains Strong Language festival of poetry and spoken word arrives in Coventry in its City of Culture year, and despite the isolation and challenges of recent times, our poets have also been busy creating brand new work to highlight the multiplicity of stories Coventry holds. In drawing inspiration directly from the city - from unique collaborations with dancers and brass bands, to global connections via postcards and poetry films, trips downstream with river-themed digital trails and new theatre and radio plays – these unique stories now come to life on pages, stages and streets around the city. Contains Strong Language hosts flagship BBC radio shows recording and broadcasting live across the local and national networks, introduced by broadcasters such as Stuart Maconie, Lady Leshurr, Ian McMillan and Nihal Arthanayake including 5Live, R3’s The Verb and R4’s Front Row.
BBC Contains Strong Language 2021 is a partnership between the BBC, Coventry City of Culture Trust, Writing West Midlands and Nine Arches Press, and is supported by Arts Council England, the British Council, Creative Lives and Jerwood Arts. As the BBC’s flagship poetry and spoken word festival, it has been fantastic to see it build year on year, and we are excited to present a feast of poetry here in the heart of Coventry, a city alive with words, music and movement.
Festival Directors, Susan Roberts, Jonathan Davidson & Jane Commane 3
The COVENTRY 2021 PoetS
Resident in the city for Contains Strong Language, the COVENRTY 2021 poets will bring you new and existing poetry, and will be involved in events throughout the festival.
John Agard Poet, performer, anthologist, John Agard was born in Guyana and came to Britain in 1977. His many books include nine from Bloodaxe, the most recent being The Coming of the Little Green Man (2018). He won the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry for 2012.
Siana Bangura Siana Bangura is a writer, producer, performer and community organiser living, working and creating between London and the West Midlands. She is a producer of ‘1500 & Counting’, a documentary investigating deaths in custody and police brutality and the founder of Courageous Films.
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Romalyn Ante Romalyn Ante is a Filipino-born West Midlands-based writer and winner of the Poetry London Prize (2018) and Manchester Poetry Prize (2017). Her debut book is Antiemetic for Homesickness (Chatto Poetry). She currently works full time as a specialist nurse practitioner.
John Bernard John Bernard is a Spoken Word Artist and Rapper based in Coventry whose work examines social commentary, youth empowerment, faith and purpose. John is a BBC Words First finalist, and has been commissioned by Apples and Snakes and the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum.
Simon Armitage Simon Armitage is the current national Poet Laureate (2019-2029). He is Professor of Poetry at the University of Leeds, and lives in West Yorkshire. He was awarded a CBE for services to poetry in 2010.
Liz Berry Liz Berry was born in the Black Country and lives in Birmingham. Her debut, Black Country, won the Forward Prize for Best First Collection. The Republic of Motherhood (Chatto, 2018) was a Poetry Book Society Pamphlet Choice and the title poem won the Forward Prize for Best Single Poem.
The COVENTRY 2021 Poets
Raef Boylan Raef Boylan has featured at spoken-word gigs and festivals in the Midlands. His writing, recently commissioned by Theatre Absolute and BBC Radio, appeared in various publications. Raef organises ‘Fire & Dust’ poetry night and is chief editor of magazine Here Comes Everyone.
Amanda Dalton Amanda Dalton is a poet and playwright from Coventry, now living in West Yorkshire. How To Disappear and Stray are published by Bloodaxe and she is currently completing a pamphlet and a new collection. She writes extensively for BBC Radio 4 and 3.
Ian Humphreys Ian Humphreys’ debut Zebra was nominated for the Portico Prize. He is editor of Why I Write Poetry and producer / co-editor of After Sylvia: Poems and Essays in Celebration of Sylvia Plath. Awards include the Hamish Canham Prize and highly commended in the Forward Prize.
LOYLE CARNER Loyle Carner is a songwriter, musician and poet, who has been nominated for a Mercury Prize and two Brit Awards. His most recent album is Not Waving, But Drowning.
Olga Dermott-Bond Olga Dermott-Bond’s first pamphlet apple, fallen and her second, A sky full of strange specimens was published in 2021. She has won a number of competitions including the BBC Proms poetry competition. Originally from Northern Ireland, she lives in Warwickshire.
Theresa Lola Theresa Lola is a British Nigerian poet, writer and tutor. She was shortlisted for the 2017 Bridport Poetry Prize and won the 2018 Brunel International African Poetry Prize. She was 2019/2020 Young People’s Laureate for London. Her debut poetry book is In Search of Equilibrium.
Sujana Crawford Sujana Crawford: A multilingual poet, playwright and researcher, Sujana’s creative work is driven by a fascination with people, places and folklore. She is a Trustee of Talking Birds Theatre, and currently lives in Warwickshire with her husband and two young children.
Aysar Ghassan Aysar Ghassan loves the possibilities contained in unwritten poems and the adventures writing allows him to go on. He has been published widely in magazines and taken part in the Coventry-Cork twin cities exchange. Aysar is a Dynamo mentee with Nine Arches Press.
Andrea Mbarushimana Andrea Mbarushimana: Coventry born writer, artist and community connector Andrea has recently completed poetry commissions for Theatre Absolute’s Humanistan project. Fatbergs, her third poetry pamphlet was recently launched by Knives Forks and Spoons Press.
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The Coventry 2021 Poets
David Morley
Roy McFarlane
David Morley trained as a freshwater ecologist. He won the Ted Hughes Award in 2015. His latest book FURY was a Poetry Book Society Choice and shortlisted for the Forward Prizes. David is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Literature and teaches at Warwick University.
Grace Nichols
Roy McFarlane is a poet, playwright and former Youth & Community Worker of Jamaican parentage. His debut collection, Beginning With Your Last Breath was followed by The Healing Next Time (Nine Arches), nominated for the Ted Hughes award and Jhalak Prize.
Born in Guyana, Grace Nichols has lived in Britain since 1977. Her first collection, I is a Long Memoried Woman won the Commonwealth Poetry Prize. Her latest poetry collection is Passport to Here and There (Bloodaxe, 2020), a Poetry Book Society Special Commendation.
OTHER POETS AND ARTISTS INCLUDE:
George Ttoouli George Ttoouli is a writer, editor and teacher based in Coventry. His debut collection of poetry, Static Exile was described as a mix of “satire, dark comedy and surrealism”. His most recent collection is from Animal Illicit (Broken Sleep Books, 2020).
Emily Lauren Jones Ashley Jordan Lisa Franklin Antony Owen Credo Kampeta Peter Raynard Anthony Shintai Kelvin Adomako Nour Annan Jade Doumani Lewis Driver
Amina Hassan Theotima Ioannou Alfred Jeffrey Christina Okorie Alice Richmond Yasmina Tabbal Nur Turkmani Megan Waters Lorna Zita Musenga “MessenJah” Katongo Prudence D. Dube
THANKS TO: Apples and Snakes Ascension Dance Belgrade Theatre BBC CWR City of Coventry Brass Band Coventry ArtSpace Partnerships Coventry Association of International Friendship Coventry Boys and Girls Club Coventry Caribbean Association Coventry Library Service Coventry University FarGo Village Fire ‘N’ Dust 6
Historic Coventry Trust Maokwo Overhear Poetry Book Society Poetry Pharmacy The Poetry Takeaway Radio Club schools: Whitley Academy, Cardinal Newman Catholic School, Coventry Virtual School, Blue Coat Church of England School Renaissance One University of Warwick Warwick Arts Centre Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
BBC Contains Strong Language is a partnership between the BBC, Coventry City of Culture Trust, Writing West Midlands and Nine Arches Press, and is supported by Arts Council England, the British Council, Creative Lives and Jerwood Arts. The festival was programmed by the BBC, Nine Arches Press and Writing West Midlands.
Accessibility BSL Interpretation: we plan to have BSL Interpretation at all events. Captioning: we plan to have captioned livestream at all events at The Box (FarGo Village) and at The Belgrade Theatre via writingwestmidlands.org/livestream/ BSL Interpretation can be provided for workshops and walking tours, but please book at least ten working days before the date of the workshop or tour and notify us through the booking system of your access needs so that we can book BSL provision for you. All of our venues are fully wheelchair accessible. Hearing Loop available at the Belgrade Theatre and the Box at FarGo Village. Detailed access information can be found on the websites for individual venues.
Covid Safety Please help us keep our venues as safe as possible for everyone. We intend to run our events at reduced capacity, to allow for everyone to have more space.
Please wear a face covering. In line with government guidance with regards to face coverings indoors, we strongly recommend that you continue to wear face coverings when inside our venues out of respect for fellow audience members and our artists and staff and especially when moving around the venues.
Please observe social distancing.
Digital Poetry Trail
Re:Versing the Sherbourne FROM 14 AUG CITYWIDE FREE Follow Coventry’s ‘hidden’ River Sherbourne through parks, precincts and streets, above and below ground, all around the city with this digital poetry trail, featuring eleven specially commissioned poems. Download the Overhear Poetry app from your Android / Apple store for free and select Re:Versing the Sherbourne to begin your adventure. For more information see www.theoverhear.app.
When moving around inside venues or queuing, please allow for social distancing to protect yourself and your fellow audience members. Hand sanitising points are available at all venues and we have increased cleaning and ventilation procedures in place in venues to keep you safe.
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Photo: Lee Allen
Walking Poetry Workshop with Liz Berry at London Road Cemetery: Paxton’s Arboretum
PREVIEW NIGHT THUR 26 AUG BELGRADE THEATRE 19:00 - 21:00 Belgrade Square, Corporation Street, Coventry CV1 1GS FREE but booking required Join a host of Coventry BBC Contains Strong Language poets, including Siana Bangura, John Bernard, Raef Boylan, Olga Dermott-Bond, Sujana Crawford, Aysar Ghassan and Andrea Mbarushimana, as they help us launch the festival programme and share a taster of what’s to come at the main festival weekend in September. Includes a guest spot from Fire & Dust open mic with limited open mic slots, please sign up on the night. 8
THUR 16 SEPT LONDON ROAD CEMETERY 18:00 - 19:30 Anglican Chapel entrance, London Road Cemetery, London Road Coventry CV1 2JT FREE but booking required Join Green City poet-in-residence Liz Berry on a walking writing workshop at London Road Cemetery: Paxton’s Arboretum, one of the earliest garden cemeteries in the country, designed by Joseph Paxton and now a Grade I listed park and garden. Liz will provide prompts for your poetry as you explore this inspiring historic location. Please bring your own writing materials. This is an outdoors writing and walking workshop: please dress accordingly.
Photo: Lee Allen
WordPlay Live Poetry at the Belgrade MON 20 SEPT BELGRADE THEATRE 19:00 - 21:00 Belgrade Square, Corporation Street,Coventry CV1 1GS FREE but booking required Nine Arches Press’ live poetry series and open mic returns to The Belgrade Theatre in Coventry with a very special line up of guest poets: acclaimed, bold and vital new voices in poetry, Romalyn Ante, Lewis Buxton and Cynthia Miller - all three previous selected poets on the Nine Arches Primers mentoring scheme. Limited open mic slots also available, please sign up on the door.
The Essay WED 22 SEPT BELGRADE THEATRE 18:00 - 19:30 Belgrade Square, Corporation Street, Coventry CV1 1GS FREE but booking required As part of a special series across the Contained Strong Language weekend, three writers deliver newly commissioned Coventry-themed essays with their personal perspective on the Coventry of past, present and future. Full line-up released soon. 9
Re:Versing the Sherbourne The Life Aquatic: Poetry Workshop THUR 23 SEPT CHARTERHOUSE PARK 12:30 - 14:30 Meet at Charterhouse car park, off London Road, Coventry, CV1 2JR FREE but booking required Join poet David Morley, and Charlotte Ridpath from Warwickshire Wildlife Trust’s Sherbourne Valley Project, to discover the ecology and wildlife that lives in and surrounds the River Sherbourne at the historic Charterhouse park, and be inspired to write poems that look closely at the ecosystems thriving underwater and along the banks of this fascinating urban river. Please bring your own writing materials. Please download the Overhear app. This is an outdoors writing and walking workshop: please dress accordingly.
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5Live Nihal Arthanayake THUR 23 SEPT BELGRADE THEATRE 13:00 - 16:00
LIVE
Belgrade Square, Corporation Street, Coventry CV1 1GS FREE but booking required Nihal Arthanayake presents his Radio 5live afternoon show live from Coventry with interviews and performances from Contains Strong Language contributors.
VOrtEx Creates FEStival Launch THUR 23 SEPT CITYWIDE 16:00 - 18:00 No booking required Keep your eyes and ears open in and around Coventry city centre: Vortex Creates will launch BBC Contains Strong Language with a collection of surprising, joyful and inspiring ‘pop up’ moments to include performance, creative interventions and poetry happenings on the streets of Coventry.
Front Row THUR 23 SEPT BELGRADE THEATRE 19:15 - 19:45
LIVE
Belgrade Square, Corporation Street, Coventry CV1 1GS FREE but booking required Front Row broadcasting live from the Contains Strong Language festival covering the worlds of arts, literature, film, media and music. Full line up released nearer the time.
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Celebrating the Coventry Poets Laureate
Free Thinking
THUR 23 SEPT COVENTRY CENTRAL LIBRARY 20:00 - 21:00
FRI 24 SEPT BELGRADE THEATRE 10:30 - 11:30
Smithford Way, Coventry CV1 1FY FREE but booking required
Belgrade Square, Corporation Street, Coventry CV1 1GS FREE but booking required
Join us for a momentous evening as we celebrate Coventry’s new Poet Laureate and Young Poet Laureate, in the company of former and present laureates: Roy McFarlane, former Birmingham Poet Laureate, Theresa Lola, former Young People’s Laureate for London, and one other very special guest.
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Radio 3’s flagship arts and ideas programme from the Contains Strong Language festival. Historical novelist Philippa Gregory is among Matthew Sweet’s guests who will be discussing the enduring popularity of Tudor history, the connection between Sir Walter Scott and nearby Kenilworth Castle and the role historical fiction plays in shaping our view of history.
Photo: The Wildlife Trusts
Re:Versing the Sherbourne Re:Versing the Walking Tour: FarGo Sherbourne Village to Pool Meadow Live Poetry FRI 24 SEPT THE BOX AT FARGO VILLAGE 13:00 - 14:30 FarGo Village, Far Gosford Street, Coventry CV1 5ED FREE but booking required Join us for a guided walk along Coventry’s ‘hidden’ River Sherbourne as part of our new digital poetry trail, from FarGo Village to Pool Meadow, with Charlotte Ridpath from Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and poet John Bernard. This specially commissioned project traces the route of the River Sherbourne in Coventry. Learn about the ecology and natural history of the river, and listen to the poems on the trail as you go. Please bring your own pen and notebook for writing activities. Download the Overhear Poetry app onto your smartphone and please dress accordingly for the weather.
FRI 24 SEPT THE BOX AT FARGO VILLAGE 17:00 - 18:00 FarGo Village, Far Gosford Street, Coventry CV1 5ED FREE but booking required Re:Versing the Sherbourne is a BBC Contains Strong Language project that traces the route of the ‘hidden’ River Sherbourne as it flows across Coventry, under pavements and through the heart of the city. Working with the Overhear geolocational audio poetry app and Warwickshire Wildlife Trust’s Sherbourne Valley Project, poets have created a digital trail of poems tracing the river’s route and rediscovering it afresh. Hear selected readings from the poets involved at this special event.
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Twilight Poetry Walk
London Road Cemetery: Paxton’s Arboretum FRI 24 SEPT MEETING AT ANGLICAN CHAPEL ENTRANCE 18:30 - 19:30 London Road Cemetery, Coventry CV1 2JT FREE but booking required Be guided on a twilight poetry walk through London Road Cemetery by poets Liz Berry and Emilie Lauren Jones as they share their own poems inspired by these historic surroundings. London Road Cemetery: Paxton’s Arboretum is one of the earliest garden cemeteries in the country, designed by Joseph Paxton and now a Grade I listed park and garden.
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This Little Relic FRI 24 SEPT BELGRADE THEATRE 19:00 - 20:30 Belgrade Square, Corporation Street, Coventry CV1 1GS FREE but booking required Jen is returning home, Prabhleen is falling in love and in an abandoned pub in Coventry a rebellion is rising. With Mr. Sims determined to produce the perfect version of Ira Aldridge’s play The Black Doctor, music loving teenagers Alex and Ajay find themselves reigniting an old friendship. A play about identity, acceptance and hope. BBC Audio Drama North in collaboration with Belgrade Theatre Coventry present the premiere of Karla Marie Sweet’s audio drama recorded live in front of an audience for BBC Contains Strong Language Festival at Coventry City of Culture and broadcast on BBC Radio 3.
Loyle Carner with special guests John Agard & Grace Nichols FRI 24 SEPT THE BOX AT FARGO VILLAGE 19:30 - 20:30 FarGo Village, Far Gosford Street, Coventry CV1 5ED FREE but booking required Join Mercury-Prize nominated musician and spoken word performer Loyle Carner and two of our best known and loved voices, the wonderful Grace Nichols and John Agard. This will be an exceptional evening of spoken word poetry performance, with performers who share Guyanese heritage. Event in association with Renaissance One.
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The Verb FRI 24 SEPT BELGRADE THEATRE 22:00 - 22:45
LIVE
Belgrade Square, Corporation Street, Coventry CV1 1GS FREE but booking required Join Ian McMillan for Radio 3’s late night language lock-in with some remarkable writers and performers – the Mercurynominated musician and poet Loyle Carner, former Birmingham Poet Laureate Roy McFarlane, and two of Britain’s best known and loved poetic voices, Grace Nichols and John Agard.
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Festival Bookshop SAT 25 SEPT BELGRADE THEATRE 11:00 - 18:00 Belgrade Square, Corporation Street, Coventry CV1 1GS No booking required The Contains Strong Language bookshop will be run by the Poetry Book Society and open over the weekend, with titles by a whole host of festival names and selected poetry titles for your reading pleasure.
The Poetry Takeaway SAT 25 SEPT OUTSIDE: FARGO VILLAGE 12:00 - 16:00 Far Gosford Street, Coventry CV1 5ED No booking required “Does what it says on The Van” - The Poetry Takeaway serves high quality, personalised poetry to our diners, written, performed and wrapped up to Takeaway. Our diverse group of poet chefs are the heart of The Poetry Takeaway, along with the people we meet, the stories they share with us, how we tell them and the amazing places in which we find ourselves. We guarantee tears, laughter, and everything in between. 17
A Poetry Morning with the Coventry BBC Writersroom Poet LaUreate Who We Are and What We Do 2021 - 2023 SAT 25 SEPT COVENTRY CENTRAL LIBRARY 10:00 - 10:45 Smithford Way, Coventry CV1 1FY FREE but booking required Join us as we invite the new Coventry Poet Laureate to share some favourite poems to start our day. With a library full of poetry books to choose from, this will be a chance to meet old favourites and discover new poems.
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SAT 25 SEPT BELGRADE THEATRE 11:00 - 12:00 Belgrade Square, Corporation Street, Coventry CV1 1GS FREE but booking required BBC Writersroom is always on the look-out for fresh talented writers across the UK and Republic of Ireland with an original voice, unique characters and great stories to tell. Join Simon Nelson from BBC Writersroom who will provide you with information on how to submit your scripts, our variety of schemes as well as some top scriptwriting tips.
Dancing the Distance Poetry on Prescription with The Poetry Pharmacy SAT 25 SEPT BELGRADE THEATRE 11:00 - 13:00 14:00 - 16:00 Belgrade Square, Corporation Street, Coventry CV1 1GS FREE but booking required Visit the pop-up Poetry Pharmacy where Deborah Alma, the Poetry Pharmacist, invites you for a poetry consultation; to talk, be listened to, put your feet up on the chaise longue and have a hand-picked poem prescribed. It’s a wonderful, winning combination.
film screening and in conversation SAT 25 SEPT THE BOX AT FARGO VILLAGE 11:00 - 12:00 FarGo Village, Far Gosford Street, Coventry CV1 5ED FREE but booking required How does distance, isolation and the body manifest in both words and movement? This unique project, brings together poetry and contemporary dance in an innovative collaboration between Ascension Dance, led by choreographer and director Ashley Jordan, and poet Ian Humphreys, in exploring these themes. Watch the film, then hear Ashley and Ian discuss their work alongside filmmaker Anthony Shintai and musician Credo Kampeta, and how the poem, film and performance took shape.
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BBC Radio Club SAT 25 SEPT COVENTRY BOYS & GIRLS CLUB 12:30 - 13:30
Music Matters SAT 25 SEPT BELGRADE THEATRE 11:45 - 12:30
LIVE
Belgrade Square, Corporation Street, Coventry CV1 1GS No booking required Exploring how language plays a role and shapes the music we hear, Kate Molleson is joined by writers, musicians, composers and poets celebrating the spoken and sung word in music. 20
50 Whitefriars Street, Coventry CV1 2DS FREE but booking required Join us for BBC Radio Club, in partnership with Creative Lives, and hear poems written and performed by young Coventry Poets. Poet John Bernard has been working with schools across Coventry to produce poetry for BBC Local Radio. This is a chance to hear fresh talent share their work.
Beyond Belief Poetry Lounge @ The Box SAT 25 SEPT THE BOX AT FARGO VILLAGE 13:00 - 14:00 FarGo Village, Far Gosford Street, Coventry CV1 5ED FREE but booking required Join BBC Contains Strong Language poets live in the Poetry Lounge and enjoy a session of lively, inspiring and powerful spoken word performances from local, regional and national names. Special guest poets Ian Humphreys, Theresa Lola, Aysar Ghassan and Amanda Dalton.
SAT 25 SEPT BELGRADE THEATRE 14:00 - 14:45 Belgrade Square, Corporation Street, Coventry CV1 1GS FREE but booking required To celebrate its 500th edition, BBC Radio 4’s Beyond Belief will be recording a special programme that explores the poetic language of religion and the power of poetry to transform the way we see the world. One of presenter Ernie Rea’s guests is Canon Mark Oakley, author of The Splash of Words: Believing in Poetry. Mark says that poetry is “like throwing a pebble into water, a poem causes a ‘splash of words’ whose ripples can transform the way we see the world, ourselves and God.” This edition of Beyond Belief will be broadcast on Radio 4 on Monday, 4th October 2021 at 16:30. Since 2002, Beyond Belief has been exploring the place and nature of faith in today’s world. 21
In Ira AldRidge’s FoOtsteps SAT 25 SEPT COVENTRY CARIBBEAN CENTRE 15:00 - 16:00 159 Spon Street, Coventry, CV1 3BB FREE but booking required
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When Ira Aldridge, an African-American actor, came to Coventry in 1828 to manage The Coventry theatre, he left a legacy for the people of Coventry. Join a discussion with poets Roy McFarlane, Siana Bangura and young Coventry writers exploring Aldridge’s impact on the city. Chaired by Chrissie Okorie of Maokwo.
Poetry from Personal Histories The Essay SAT 25 SEPT BELGRADE THEATRE 16:15 - 17:15 Belgrade Square, Corporation Street, Coventry CV1 1GS FREE but booking required As part of a special series across the Contains Strong Language weekend, two writers deliver newly commissioned Coventry-themed essays with their personal perspective on the Coventry of past, present and future. Full line up to be released soon.
a Writing Workshop SAT 25 SEPT COVENTRY CARIBBEAN CENTRE 17:00 - 18:30 159 Spon Street, Coventry, CV1 3BB FREE but booking required Join poets Roy McFarlane and Siana Bangura for a workshop looking at how research, archives and history can influence and inspire your writing. Drawing on their experiences as part of the In the Footsteps of Ira Aldridge project, the poets will explore how personal stories, as well as public histories, can inform poetry and provide a way to explore the past. Please bring your own notebooks and pens. 23
Words First Talent Showcase SAT 25 SEPT BELGRADE THEATRE 18:30 - 20:00 Belgrade Square, Corporation Street, Coventry CV1 1GS FREE but booking required BBC Contains Strong Language, BBC 1Xtra and BBC Asian Network present the Words First Talent Showcase celebrating the most talented poets and spoken word artists aged 18-30 from across the UK. Special guests include Words First ambassador Lady Leshurr and Words First Finalist 2020 P.A Bitez. 24
The Verb SAT 25 SEPT BELGRADE THEATRE 21:30 - 22:30 Belgrade Square, Corporation Street, Coventry CV1 1GS FREE but booking required Ian McMillan presents Radio 3’s late night language lock-in, celebrating Coventry haunts and Coventry sounds, from the ‘lost’ river that ghosts through the city. Performers include the ecologist and poet David Morley, and some of the local region’s most compelling poetic voices including John Bernard, Sujana Crawford and Olga Dermott-Bond.
Simon Armitage & LYR SAT 25 SEPT THE BOX AT FARGO VILLAGE 20:00 - 22:30 FarGo Village, Far Gosford Street, Coventry CV1 5ED TICKETS: £15 / £12 (concs) Poetry Readings, 20:00 - 21:00, LYR Performance, 21:00 - 22:30 Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, brings our Saturday to a glorious finish with a reading of his poetry followed directly by a performance by the band LYR, featuring Simon Armitage, Patrick J Pearson and Richard Walters.
Armitage’s poetry has sound-tracked our lives for several decades; hard-hitting, wry and poignant, and often very funny. LYR are the perfect combination of intoned poetic passages, soaring vocal melodies and imaginative, cinematic production. An established progressive band in the world of spoken word and ambient rock, their trademark sound is a sonic coming together of Armitage’s compelling lyrics, Pearson’s seductive bricolage of musical styles and Walters’ evocative vocals
Photo: Peter James Millson
Performing work from their debut album Call in the Crash Team (2020), LYR’s unique balance of telling words, haunting vocals, perfectly matched pianos, strings, guitars, and synths, culminates in an ethereal acoustic soundscape reminiscent of the post-rock sounds of Sigur Rós and Radiohead. 25
Festival Bookshop SUN 26 SEPT BELGRADE THEATRE 11:00 - 16:00 Belgrade Square, Corporation Street, Coventry CV1 1GS No booking required The Contains Strong Language bookshop will be run by the Poetry Book Society and open over the weekend, with titles by a whole host of festival names and selected poetry titles for your reading pleasure.
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The Poetry Takeaway SUN 26 SEPT OUTSIDE: FARGO VILLAGE 12:00 - 16:00 FarGo Village No booking required “Does what it says on The Van” - The Poetry Takeaway serves high quality, personalised Poetry to our diners, written, performed and wrapped up to Takeaway. Our diverse group of poet chefs are the heart of The Poetry Takeaway, along with the people we meet, the stories they share with us, how we tell them and the amazing places in which we find ourselves. We guarantee tears, laughter, and everything in between.
Photo: Mandip Singh Seehra
The Verb SUN 26 SEPT BELGRADE THEATRE 10:00 - 11:00 Belgrade Square, Corporation Street, Coventry CV1 1GS FREE but booking required Enjoy a morning of the best language in the best order with Radio 3’s cabaret of the word, presented by Ian McMillan, with a line-up of poets whose work speaks powerfully to our times, including Theresa Lola, Romalyn Ante, and Andrea Mbarushimana, with music from LYR (featuring vocal performance from the Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, and music from Richard Walters and Patrick Pearson).
Twin Cities Postcard Poems SUN 26 SEPT THE BOX AT FARGO VILLAGE 11:00 - 12:00 FarGo Village, Far Gosford Street, Coventry CV1 5ED FREE but booking required Through the summer of 2021, ten Coventry poets have been sending poetry postcards, specially-designed by local artists, to their poetry counterparts in some of Coventry’s 27 twin cities across the world. As their notes of friendship, connection and conversation crisscrossed the globe, they asked questions about life in each other’s cities, and wrote poems in response. Enjoy a morning of poetry that celebrates Coventry’s heritage of twin cities, peace and reconciliation and international friendship.
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Poetry on Prescription with The Poetry Pharmacy SUN 26 SEPT BELGRADE THEATRE 11:00 - 13:00 14:00 - 16:00 Belgrade Square, Corporation Street, Coventry CV1 1GS FREE but booking required Visit the pop-up Poetry Pharmacy where Deborah Alma, the Poetry Pharmacist, invites you for a poetry consultation; to talk, be listened to, put your feet up on the chaise longue and have a hand-picked poem prescribed. It’s a wonderful, winning combination. 28
Sherbourne Walking Tour SUN 26 SEPT BELGRADE THEATRE 12:00 - 13:30 Belgrade Square, Corporation Street, Coventry CV1 1GS FREE but booking required On World Rivers Day, join us for a guided morning walk along Coventry’s ‘hidden’ River Sherbourne as part of our new digital poetry trail, from the Belgrade Theatre to Spon End, with Charlotte Ridpath from Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and poet Sujana Crawford. This specially commissioned project traces the route of the River Sherbourne in Coventry. Learn about the ecology and natural history of the river, and listen to the poems on the trail as you go. Please bring your own pen and notebook for writing activities. Please download the Overhear app, and dress for the weather.
Youthful Cities Global Words SUN 26 SEPT THE BOX AT FARGO VILLAGE 13:00 - 14:00 FarGo Village, Far Gosford Street, Coventry CV1 5ED FREE but booking required Discover how young writers, poets and spoken word artists from Coventry, Beirut, Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe have been using their creative practice to explore their lives and the lives of their cities. Supported by Rusted Radishes in Beirut and B.A.C.E in Coventry, young creatives have come together through regular dialogue and creative labs to create a performance piece, Coventry x Beirut: Transnational
Lag Express. At the same time, the British Council have supported DigiPoems uniting Coventry poets with poets and digital /film artists in Southern Africa, forging connections, cross-continental creative conversations and a series of poetry films. Watch a short extract from their films, poems and performances, and join us for an in-conversation with the writers involved. These projects are part of wider programmes of international cultural exchange taking place through Coventry UK City of Culture in partnership with the British Council. COMMISSIONED BY
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WOrds and Music SUN 26 SEPT BELGRADE THEATRE 13:45 - 15:15 Belgrade Square, Corporation Street, Coventry CV1 1GS FREE but booking required
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A journey of discovery on the theme of transport, inspired by Coventry’s long association with the transport industry. Words and Music weaves together a range of music with poetry and prose read by leading actors at the Contains Strong Language festival with live music performed by harmonica virtuoso Will Pound and folk guitarist Jenn Butterworth. Full line up to be released soon.
Parks, P0etS & Brass Bands SUN 26 SEPT COOMBE ABBEY COUNTRY PARK 14:00 - 15:00 Brinklow Rd, Coventry CV3 2AB FREE, no booking; parking charges apply Join poet Olga Dermott-Bond and City of Coventry Brass Band for a very special performance of music, with poems inspired by their songs and the heritage of Brass Bands in Coventry. Throughout the summer of 2021, Olga has been poet-in-residence with the band - learning about their history and discovering the fascinating stories behind their music. Please note, this event will take place outdoors beside the Coombe Abbey Visitor Centre, subject to weather. Car parking charges apply at Coombe Abbey. The park is also accessible by the No.585 National Express service.
Photo: Paul Stringer
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Photo: Lorsen Camps
Coventry x Beirut Transnational Lag Express SUN 26 SEPT THE BOX AT FARGO VILLAGE 15:00 - 16:00 FarGo Village, Far Gosford Street, Coventry CV1 5ED FREE but booking required Twelve writers and artists from Coventry and Beirut explore personal and collective journeys in an amalgamation of poetry, dance, spoken word, live performance and video, as twelve strangers embark on a fictional train ride from Coventry to Beirut and back again. At its height, Lebanon had about 408 km of railway. Yet today, although traces remain, none operate. In the UK, privatised railways are hardly accessible to everyone. Beyond the physicality, for both cities, trains address questions of ownership, hope, home, youth, stigma, and what their future holds (or doesn’t). This work has been created as part of the Youthful Cities cultural exchange programme running through Coventry UK City of Culture, a partnership between Coventry UK City of Culture, the British Council and Youthful Cities. COMMISSIONED BY
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CSL Live SUN 26 SEPT BELGRADE THEATRE 16:30 - 17:45
LIVE
Belgrade Square, Corporation Street, Coventry CV1 1GS FREE but booking required Poet Luke Wright sees Coventry through the eyes of those who have been inspired by the city. His guests include Pauline Black, lead singer of The Selecter. He’s also joined by poet and playwright Amanda Dalton, award-winning poet Liz Berry, and rising star Emilie Lauren Jones.
Poetry Lounge @ The Box SUN 26 SEPT THE BOX AT FARGO VILLAGE 17:00 - 18:00 FarGo Village, Far Gosford Street, Coventry CV1 5ED FREE but booking required Join BBC Contains Strong Language poets live in the Poetry Lounge and enjoy a session of lively, inspiring and powerful spoken word performances from local, regional and national names. Special guest poets Siana Bangura, Andrea Mbarushimana, Romalyn Ante and John Bernard.
Green City Poets A Summer Residence SUN 26 SEPT THE ANGLICAN CHAPEL, LONDON ROAD CEMETERY 18:30 - 19:30 London Rd, Coventry CV1 2JT FREE but booking required An evening of poetry readings from our Green City Poets; Liz Berry, Sujana Crawford and George Ttoouli with guest Becky Taylor performing poems written during residencies at three green spaces in and around Coventry: London Road Cemetery, Brandon Marsh, and Sherbourne Valley Allotments. During summer days at each site, the poets have been watching the seasons change and observing the wildlife, landscapes and visitors - and writing poems that respond to their experiences. 33
Photo: Alan Van Wijgerden
Fire & Dust Live Poetry SUN 26 SEPT THE BOX AT FARGO VILLAGE 19:00 - 21:00 FarGo Village, Far Gosford Street, Coventry CV1 5ED FREE but booking required
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A special Contains Strong Language edition of the regular Fire & Dust open mic with guest poets Olga Dermott Bond and Zambian poet Musenga Katongo, part of the British Council’s Digi Poems project, who will perform on film. Fire & Dust is a monthly live poetry gig for Coventry writers and audiences. Twice shortlisted for Best Spoken Word Night at the Saboteur Awards, the event showcases guest headliners and open mic performances. All genres, levels of experience and people are welcome.
beaUty & cha0s in Arcadia A DigiPoems Installation Stuart Mac0nie’S Freak Zone SUN 26 SEPT BELGRADE THEATRE 20:00 - 22:00
LIVE
Belgrade Square, Corporation Street, Coventry CV1 1GS FREE but booking required Adventures in underground and experimental music live from the Contains Strong Language festival. Full line up to be released soon.
MON 18 to SUN 31 OCT COVENTRY ARTSPACE Eaton House, 1 Eaton Rd, Coventry CV1 2FJ Free, drop-in Coventry Artspace, in partnership with Writing West Midlands and the British Council, will host Beauty & Chaos - a residency of animation, poetry and ideas. This residency will be the culmination of collaborations during lockdown in 2021 between UK and Southern African creatives. The host space will be in the heart of Coventry’s city centre in the Arcadia Gallery space, a converted shop space in the city centre.
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Photo: Paul Stringer
The Poetry Toolkit SAT 30 OCT COVENTRY UNIVERSITY 10:00 - 15:00 Priory Street, Coventry CV1 5FB FREE but booking required
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The Poetry Toolkit brings together regional and national poets, performers, publishers and book industry professionals, literature agencies and writer development organisations. This is an opportunity to discuss, debate and celebrate poetry and publishing culture regionally and nationally, putting the Midlands firmly on the poetry map. It is also a chance for emerging and established poets and performers to network, make connections and discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead for poetry, performance and poetry publishing in the current literary landscape.
ContAINS str0nG LanGUaGe DIARY DATE
EVENT
VENUE
TIME
PAGE
FROM 14 JULY
DIGITAL POETRY TRAIL: RE:VERSING THE SHERBOURNE
CITYWIDE
THUR 26 AUG
PREVIEW NIGHT
BELGRADE THEATRE
19:00 - 21:00
8
THUR 16 SEPT
WALKING POETRY WORKSHOP
LONDON ROAD CEMETERY
18:00 - 19:30
8
MON 20 SEPT
WORDPLAY: LIVE POETRY AT THE BELGRADE
BELGRADE THEATRE
19:00 - 21:00
9
WED 22 SEPT
THE ESSAY
BELGRADE THEATRE
18:00 - 19:30
9
THUR 23 SEPT
RE:VERSING THE SHERBOURNE: THE LIFE AQUATIC: POETRY WORKSHOP
CHARTERHOUSE PARK
12:30 - 14:30
10
THUR 23 SEPT
5LIVE: NIHAL ARTHANAYAKE
BELGRADE THEATRE
13:00 - 16:00
10
THUR 23 SEPT
VORTEX CREATES: FESTIVAL LAUNCH
CITYWIDE
16:00 - 18:00
11
THUR 23 SEPT
FRONT ROW
BELGRADE THEATRE
19:15 - 19:45
11
THUR 23 SEPT
CELEBRATING THE COVENTRY POETS LAUREATE
COVENTRY CENTRAL LIBRARY
20:00 - 21:00
12
FRI 24 SEPT
FREE THINKING
BELGRADE THEATRE
10:30 - 11:30
12
FRI 24 SEPT
RE:VERSING THE SHERBOURNE WALKING TOUR: FARGO VILLAGE TO POOL MEADOW
THE BOX AT FARGO VILLAGE
13:00 - 14:30
13
FRI 24 SEPT
RE:VERSING THE SHERBOURNE LIVE POETRY
THE BOX AT FARGO VILLAGE
17:00 - 18:00
13
FRI 24 SEPT
TWILIGHT POETRY WALK: LONDON ROAD CEMETERY: PAXTON’S ARBORETUM
LONDON ROAD CEMETERY
18:30 - 19:30
14
FRI 24 SEPT
THIS LITTLE RELIC
BELGRADE THEATRE
19:00 - 20:30
14
FRI 24 SEPT
LOYLE CARNER WITH SPECIAL GUESTS JOHN AGARD AND GRACE NICHOLS
THE BOX AT FARGO VILLAGE
19:30 - 20:30
15
FRI 24 SEPT
THE VERB: LIVE
BELGRADE THEATRE
22:00 - 22:45
16
7
37
ContAINS str0nG LanGUaGe DIARY
38
DATE
EVENT
VENUE
TIME
PAGE
SAT 25 SEPT
FESTIVAL BOOKSHOP
BELGRADE THEATRE
11:00 - 18:00
17
SAT 25 SEPT
THE POETRY TAKEAWAY
OUTSIDE: FARGO VILLAGE
12:00 - 16:00
17
SAT 25 SEPT
A POETRY MORNING WITH THE COVENTRY POETRY LAUREATE 2021 - 2023
COVENTRY CENTRAL LIBRARY
10:00 - 10:45
18
SAT 25 SEPT
BBC WRITERSROOM: WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO
BELGRADE THEATRE
11:00 - 12:00
18
SAT 25 SEPT
POETRY ON PRESCRIPTION WITH THE POETRY PHARMACY
BELGRADE THEATRE
11:00 - 13:00 14:00 - 16:00
19
SAT 25 SEPT
DANCING THE DISTANCE: FILM SCREENING AND IN CONVERSATION
THE BOX AT FARGO VILLAGE
11:00 - 12:00
19
SAT 25 SEPT
MUSIC MATTERS
BELGRADE THEATRE
11:45 - 12:30
20
SAT 25 SEPT
BBC RADIO CLUB
COVENTRY BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
12:30 - 13:30
20
SAT 25 SEPT
POETRY LOUNGE @ THE BOX
THE BOX AT FARGO VILLAGE
13:00 - 14:00
21
SAT 25 SEPT
BEYOND BELIEF
BELGRADE THEATRE
14:00 - 14:45
21
SAT 25 SEPT
IN IRA ALDRIDGE’S FOOTSTEPS
COVENTRY CARIBBEAN CENTRE
15:00 - 16:00
22
SAT 25 SEPT
THE ESSAY
BELGRADE THEATRE
16:15 - 17:15
23
SAT 25 SEPT
POETRY FROM PERSONAL HISTORIES: A WRITING WORKSHOP
COVENTRY CARIBBEAN CENTRE
17:00 - 18:30
23
SAT 25 SEPT
WORDS FIRST TALENT SHOWCASE
BELGRADE THEATRE
18:30 - 20:00
24
SAT 25 SEPT
SIMON ARMITAGE & LYR
THE BOX AT FARGO VILLAGE
20:00 - 22:30
25
SAT 25 SEPT
THE VERB
BELGRADE THEATRE
21:30 - 22:30
24
ContAINS str0nG LanGUaGe DIARY DATE
EVENT
VENUE
TIME
PAGE
SUN 26 SEPT
FESTIVAL BOOKSHOP
BELGRADE THEATRE
11:00 - 16:00
26
SUN 26 SEPT
THE POETRY TAKEAWAY
OUTSIDE: FARGO VILLAGE
12:00 - 16:00
26
SUN 26 SEPT
THE VERB
BELGRADE THEATRE
10:00 - 11:00
27
SUN 26 SEPT
TWIN CITIES: POSTCARD POEMS
THE BOX AT FARGO VILLAGE
11:00 - 12:00
27
SUN 26 SEPT
POETRY ON PRESCRIPTION WITH THE POETRY PHARMACY
BELGRADE THEATRE
11:00 - 13:00 14:00 - 16:00
28
SUN 26 SEPT
SHERBOURNE WALKING TOUR
BELGRADE THEATRE
12:00 - 13:30
28
SUN 26 SEPT
YOUTHFUL CITIES: GLOBAL WORDS
THE BOX AT FARGO VILLAGE
13:00 - 14:00
29
SUN 26 SEPT
WORDS AND MUSIC
BELGRADE THEATRE
13:45 - 15:15
30
SUN 26 SEPT
PARKS, POETS & BRASS BANDS
COOMBE ABBEY COUNTRY PARK
14:00 - 15:00
31
SAT 25 SEPT
COVENTRY X BEIRUT TRANSNATIONAL LAG EXPRESS
THE BOX AT FARGO VILLAGE
15:00 - 16:00
32
SUN 26 SEPT
CSL LIVE
BELGRADE THEATRE
16:30 - 17:45
32
SUN 26 SEPT
POETRY LOUNGE @ THE BOX
THE BOX AT FARGO VILLAGE
17:00 - 18:00
33
SUN 26 SEPT
GREEN CITY POETS: A SUMMER RESIDENCE
THE ANGLICAN CHAPEL, LONDON ROAD CEMETERY
18:30 - 19:30
33
SUN 26 SEPT
FIRE & DUST LIVE POETRY
THE BOX AT FARGO VILLAGE
19:00 - 21:00
34
SUN 26 SEPT
STUART MACONIE’S FREAK ZONE
BELGRADE THEATRE
20:00 - 22:00
35
MON 18 OCT to SUN 31 OCT
BEAUTY & CHA0S IN ARCADIA A DIGIPOEMS INSTALLATION
COVENTRY ARTSPACE
SAT 30 OCT
THE POETRY TOOLKIT
COVENTRY UNIVERSITY
35
10:00 - 15:00
36
39
POETRY & PERFORMANCE 23 - 26 SEPT 2021 COVENTRY
B0okINGS: coventry2021.co.uk bbc.co.uk/containsstronglanguage #ContainsStrongLanguage
BBC Contains Strong Language 2021 is a partnership between the BBC, Coventry City of Culture Trust, Writing West Midlands and Nine Arches Press, and is supported by Arts Council England, the British Council and Jerwood Arts.
COMMISSIONED BY