Chill Pill Christmas Special 17th Dec at The Albany

17th Dec at The Albany
http://www.thealbany.org.uk/event_detail/1608/Spoken-Word/Chill-Pill:-The-Big-One

DO NOT MISS London's biggest poetry Christmas party at The Albany. We’re introducing local singer-songwriter Sarah Williams White who has been described as ‘raw, funky-rootsy slice of entertainment’ by Metro. To add to this all-star line-up Ross Sutherland will be performing his poetry which was shortlisted for the 2015 Arts Foundation Award for Poetry. Megan Beech, who featured on the Guardian’s list of Inspiring Young Feminists of 2014, will also be gracing the stage with her enigmatic prose and last but not least Bridget Minamore, shortlisted as one of London’s first Young Poet Laureate's will be performing, making this is night not to miss.

Chill Pill, Southbank's Being A Man Festival, Sunday Assembly and 2000 hits on youtube...

October was a very eventful month after reading's in Bristol, Leicester, Sweden and around London. I am now officially appointed as one of six London Laureates (http://www.londonlaureates.co.uk/young-poet-laureate-shortlist/) and was mentioned in The Guardian as one of Michael Rosen's Cultural Highlights as well as The Independent on National Poetry Day.

I also just had a few poems from The Island That's Hard To Find In English accepted for publication in The Rialto, Oxford Diaspora's Programme, Magma, Morning Star and University of Arkansas Press. 

One more thing...The First Time I Wore Hearing Aids just reached over 2000 hits on youtube, so thank you all for that.



UPCOMING SHOWS 

Chill Pill November 10th
https://qbichotels.com/london-city/treats/chill-pill-meets-qbic-london/

Chill Pill are proud to be hosting three poets from Sweden - Oskar Hanska, Henry Bowers and Sam Kessel at QBIC Hotel for an international special. Also, this show is FREE!

BAM Festival at Southbank 27th Nov
http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/festivals-series/being-a-man

I will be appearing on a panel selected by BBC Radio One host, Gemma Cairney to discuss masculinity, education and boyhood. 

5th Dec http://london.sundayassembly.com/

I will be poem'ing at Sunday Assembly, Conway Hall. I have appeared previously with Sunday Assembly at Wilderness Festival, an honour to join them in London this time around.

7th May - Chill Pill ELECTION SHOW (A Ticket To Chill Pill Is A Vote For Poetry)

Get Tickets Here -
http://www.thealbany.org.uk/tickets/1396/Spoken%20Word/Chill-Pill:-The-Big-One

We have got such a nuts line up this month.

Outspoken boys Anthony Anaxagorou and Karim Kamar will be performing poetry and classical piano. Meaty. Beautiful. Rare. 



The rowdy godmother of spoken word, Salena Godden, will be bringing her distinct brand of unpredictability, hilarity and pin-point poignance to the big room. 



The incredible Gentle Mystics are lending us their DJ's to play us out into the wee hours with their balkan gypsy punk rap joyousness.



And Chill Pill's own Adam Kammerling is dragging his partner in hip hop crime up from Brighton to kick off their pre album launch tour!



Plus secret special guests, Chill Pill regulars, general poetry happiness and a generous dose of spring time giggles. 

See you there.

FB - https://www.facebook.com/events/1574414339507575/
Twitter - @ChillPillUK

"a hilarious and fast paced double act piece, inspired by teaching spoken word in the classroom" - Sabotage Reviews

Chill Pill is BACK at The Albany this Thursday (March 19th) with Bunty & Pete The Temp

"one of the best nights around" - Sabotage Reviews http://sabotagereviews.com/2015/03/11/chill-pill-canada-water-culture-space-260215/

Bunty (Championed by David Rodigan, Mark Lemar & BBC Radio 6 as one of "Brighton's Rising Stars")



Pete The Temp (Poet, teacher, activist and musician, Pete The Temp is on top form at the moment, don't miss a poet at the top of his game!)



BOOK TICKETS NOW - http://www.thealbany.org.uk/event_detail/1384/Theatre/Chill-Pill

Chill Pill is BACK! 26th Febuary at Canda Water Cultural Space (Featuring New York's Jon Sands)

Chill Pill brings the international party to Canada Water for this very special, one-off event with the incredible Jon Sands.

Come join the whole Chill Pill team, Raymond Antrobus, Deanna Rodger, Mister Gee, Simon Mole and Adam Kammerling, for the best spoken word and music party either side of the river, this time we’re amongst the bookshelves at the Canada Water Culture Space.

Jon Sands is a writer known for electric readings, and the author of The New Clean (2011, Write Bloody Publishing). His work has been featured in The New York Times, published widely in various journals, and anthologized in The Best American Poetry 2014.

Arrive early for open mic sign-up, show starts at 7.30pm…so arrive early!

£5 each

Box Office: 020 8692 4446

http://chill-pill.co.uk/

Chill Pill Christmas Special; Luke Wright, United Vibrations, Aisling Fahey & Vanessa KIssuule at The Albany (December 18th)

Here are two powerful poems by two of our featured poets appearing at the Chill Pill Christmas Special at The Albany. I'd suggest watching these all the way through, and on your own. Then I'd remind you that the Chill Pill Christmas show will indeed be a BIG HAPPIER PARTY!

Luke Wright

“One of the funniest and most brilliant poets of his generation.”  The Independent.

Luke was a poet in residency on BBC Radio 4’s saturday live, he’s the founder of the Latitude Poetry tent, and regularly tours with John Cooper Clarke.

For this Chill Pill event he is performing a special xmas collaboration with stand-up comedian and musician Vikki Stone, and her choir

United Vibrations



Vanessa Kisuule

She is the current Roundhouse Slam Champion AND the current Hammer & Tongue national slam champion, currently based in Bristol. 



CHILL PILL TICKETS ON SALE NOW - £9 

http://www.thealbany.org.uk/event_detail/1257/Spoken-Word/Chill-Pill:-Christmas-Special

Chill Pill at The Afrovibes Festival; October 16th at The Albany

Chill Pill are back at The Albany for some global poetry shenanigans as part of the Afrovibes Festival, and have booked one of South Africa's foremost poets, Toni Stuart, alongside the full Chill Pill team and whatever treasures we unearth on the open mic.

We'll also have live music from the brilliance of the London Zulu Township (soul meets West London funk in Deptford.)

** 

Toni Stuart is a Poet from South Africa, and has been featured on BBC World Service and named by The Guardian as one of 200 notable young South Africans. Before becoming a full-time poet she co-founded the non-governmental organisation I am Somebody! with storyteller Nicole Le Roux, and directed it from its inception in 2010 until the middle of 2012. She is now a SpokenWord Educator, studying for her Masters in Writing and Teaching at Goldsmith University. 

**

London Zulu, the project formerly fronted by the late, great South African singer and dancer Doreen Thobekile. Doreen’s daughter (and long-time vocal sparring partner) Ingrid Webster is taking her place in the spotlight to perform the songs of her mother and more. Backed by members of Transglobal Underground, she’ll be singing her heart out on a set of Township soul and West London funk.

**

JJ's WALK ABOUT WITH A LUMIX PRESENTS INGRID & LONDON ZULU from Joseph Otieno Adamson on Vimeo.

In 2014, Afrovibes festival's biggest-ever programme celebrates 20 years of South African freedom: 20 years since the ending of apartheid and the beginning of democracy. The creativity of award-winning artists brings us music, drama, dance, photography and film, reflecting upon what it is to be part of 21st century South Africa. By turns it'll be thought-provoking, energetic, sad, fascinating, wonderful. With free events, family workshops and themed food served in the atmospheric Township Cafe, drop by, hang out and belong - you'll believe that you really are thousands of miles from home!

Box Office 0208 692 4446

020 8692 4446

http://www.thealbany.org.uk/event_detail/1263/Spoken-Word/Chill-Pill:-Afrovibes

DO NOT MISS Chill Pill at Soho Theatre (September 22nd)

Inua Ellams 

Chill Pill returns to Soho Theatre after our UK and Ireland festival tour! We have one of the most prominent and important names in Spoken Word, Nigerian-born weaver of words, Inua Ellams.

Having repeatedly sold out The National Theatre with his one man shows, his first book 'Thirteen Negro Tales' is a top selling poetry collection and he's the curator of The Midnight Run. He is also a graphic designer (who happens to have created our pill in an ice cube logo).

Nuala Honan

Be prepared to be charmed by the grace of Australian-born, Nuala Honan. She's a singer-song writer and toured as Folly with poet Sally Jenkinson. You know Chill Pill bring the most poetic of musicians! Nuala will satisfy all you wonderful word appreciators! she has appeared on BBC Introducing and music festivals all over the country! You'll love her!

and of course, us, the Chill Pill Poets will be in full swing! (Mista Gee, Raymond Antrobus, Deanna Rodger, Simon Mole and Adam Kammerling) 

http://www.sohotheatre.com/whats-on/so-chilled-afrovibes/

BOX OFFICE: 020 7478 0100 

Chill Pill at Wilderness

come see us!

In other news, Camp Bestival with Chill Pill and Sabrina Mahfouz was mega fun... as you can see...

Chill Pill & Sabrina Mahfouz

this song is called "SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP US!"

Also, Glastonbury was pretty cool, even collaborated live on stage with Andy Craven Griffiths...

Although my festival highlight was Latitude… to see the last few minutes of my set see FB link below 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152291263641235&set=vb.510921234&type=2&theater

Raymond Antrobus at Glastonbury, Latitude and more...

I'll be appearing at Tagore Festival this month with One Taste, celebrating one of India's most renounced and profile poets, Rabindranath Tagore.

20th - 22nd June

Chill Pill's Deanna Rodger is Poet in Residence at Glastonbury this year and has just announced my appearance alongside Rob Auton, Chris Redmond, Sally Jenkenson and more...

25th - 29th June

http://poetryandwordsblog.wordpress.com/2014/05/28/the-first-famous-for-being-fantastic-five/

I'm also excited to be appearing alongside Michael Rosen and Scroobius Pip at Latitude Festival.

17th - 20th July

For Chill Pill festival dates of Camp Bestival, Now Festival, Hamswell and Wilderness check our site -

http://chill-pill.co.uk 

Poetry As A Tool For Campaigning & Asking Who Named The Sky? (w. Rafeef Ziadah & Rob Auton)

Spoke to Palestinian poet, Rafeef Ziadah and Rob Auton after their moving performances at Chill Pill, Soho Theatre last month. Listen to their poems 'Shades Of Anger' and 'Season Family' below, or subscribe to the indiefeed poetry podcast - http://www.indiefeedpp.libsyn.com

Rafeef Ziadah

http://ec.libsyn.com/p/c/a/1/ca1e1fb446e36d92/indiefeed_rafeefziadah_shadesofanger.mp3?d13a76d516d9dec20c3d276ce028ed5089ab1ce3dae902ea1d06c88633d5ce591715&c_id=7220812

Rob Auton

http://ec.libsyn.com/p/f/4/9/f49c9bc88e6a793f/indiefeed_robauton_theseasonfamily.mp3?d13a76d516d9dec20c3d276ce028ed5089ab1ce3dae902ea1d06c88633d5c15f64a2&c_id=7220810

Rafeef Ziadah from Palestine & Rob Auton from York at Chill Pill, Soho Theatre 12th May

Rafeef Ziadah



Rob Auton

Yellow from Mark Chaudoir Films on Vimeo.


ADVANCE TICKETS; £5 http://sohotheatre.com/whats-on/so-chilled-may-2014/

Chill Pill Shorts (New Youtube Channel for UK Spoken Word Poetry)

Red Earth Studios have teamed up with Chill Pill to curate a new youtube channel dedicated to Spoken Word Poetry, Chill Pill Shorts. The videos are visible from Chill Pill's new site - http://chill-pill.co.uk

We'll see you at The Big one, at The Albany featuring Ty, Femi Martin and Shortmann on Thursday 24th April.

http://www.thealbany.org.uk/event_detail/1109/Spoken-Word/Chill-Pill:-The-Big-One

TedTalk poet Indigo Williams & UK Hip-Hop Trio 'Strangelove' at Chill Pill, Febuary 20th (DO NOT MISS)

Indigo Williams is a leading name in the UK Spoken Word scene and recently gave a moving TedTalk at Brixton TedX. She curates 'I Shape Beauty' which campeigns to champion women's equality by challenging stereotypes and gender issues. She has performed across the UK and Europe at various places and events such as: 2012 Olympics, The Big Chill festival, iTunes Festival, Camp Bestival, The RoundHouse, BBC Radio 4’s ‘Bespoken word’, The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Albany, The Royal festival hall and we're thrilled to welcome her to the Chill Pill stage.

BOOK NOW 

February 20th 2014 

http://www.thealbany.org.uk/event_detail/1103/Spoken-Word/Chill-Pill

Stangelove is a UK Hip-Hop trio of alter-egos in a mix mezze platter of sharp, abstracted word-jazz and moody melodies. Check their latest EP below. Chill Pill can't wait to feel these lyrical break beat funk machines! 

http://www.thealbany.org.uk/event_detail/1103/Spoken-Word/Chill-Pill

ADVANCE TICKETS £5 / £7 (LINK BELOW)

http://www.thealbany.org.uk/event_detail/1103/Spoken-Word/Chill-Pill

Chill Pill THIS MONDAY at Soho Theatre featuring John Berkavitch & IAm1

John Berkavitch 

Describes himself as an Artist, Vandal, Poet, Writer, B-Boy, Rapper, Comic, Conceptual Thinker, Collaborator, Human-Beatbox, Educator and Surrealist. His latest one man show is called 'Shame' and is described by Kate Tempest as "one of the best Spoken Word shows ever!"



IAm1

Singer/songwriter and producer Oli Rose is at the core of iAm1's new project which will culminate in a debut album. Oli honed his songwriting and production skills living and working with Cameron McVey (Massive Attack, Portishead, Neneh Cherry) and In the last few years has been collaborating and writing with and for numerous other artists and producers.

In the past iAm1 have had great support from the likes of RWD, Digital Spy and SB.TV, and since releasing their debut EP have had radio support from BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra. iAm1 quickly established themselves on London's live circuit, selling out headline shows at many of London's key venues including Ronnie Scott's, Camden Barfly and Hoxton Bar and Kitchen, whilst also supporting artists such as Tinie Tempah and Jessie J.



Also Errol McGlashan, one of the loudest and biggest poetry movers on the London Spoken Word scene, Uncle Errol comes to uplift!


AND Cecilia Knapp

A young and very promising poet - Cecilia Knapp has been popping up around the London circuit, we're excited to present her to the Soho Chill Pill stage!

GET TICKETS NOW!

http://www.sohotheatre.com/whats-on/chill-pill/

Chill Pill EXPANDS with OPEN MIC NIGHT (Chill Pill EAST from 4th September)

We at Chill Pill (Mista Gee, Raymond Antrobus, Deanna Rodger, Simon Mole, Adam Kammerling) are excited to announce a new Open Mic night called 'CHILL PILL EAST' which will be launching on 4th September at The Star by Hackney Downs to coincide with our showcases at Soho Theatre and The Albany.

http://www.starbyhackneydowns.co.uk

It's a bit of a back to roots night for us as we started out in 2010 as a free open mic night in a basement in Bethnal Green which grew in popularity by the week. It was a safe environment for poets and musicians to perform their work in progress without the expectation of a paying audience. From September 4th we're BRINGING IT BACK, although it'll be monthly not weekly.

Dates For Your Open Mic Diaries

Wednesday September 4th
Wednesday October 4th
Wednesday November 2nd

Our next showcase is at The Albany, 19th September.

Poetry Videos, Latitude Festival, Camp Bestival, Chill Pill & Scroobius Pip

This weekend I'll be performing a set of poems at Latitude Festival, my set time is Sunday at 1.20pm in The Poetry Arena. Come check it! - http://www.latitudefestival.com/line-up/artist/raymond-antrobus

Chill Pill are being hosted at Camp Bestival by Scroobius Pip on 1st - 4th August, which we're super excited about - http://www.campbestival.net/line-up/2013-line-up/chill-pill-in-the-satin-lizard-lounge/

Speaking of Scoobius Pip, he has a new Spoken Word video he asked me to share with you all.



Pianist, film maker and nudist Karim Kamar teamed up with poet Benjamin Hayes to deliver this rather moving poetry film.

Ben can be seen at the next Chill Pill at Soho Theatre on August 19th alongside Bristol poet Sally Jenkinson, Sarah Perry and topical singer-song writer YoB - see below

Chill Pill vs Bang Said The Gun - Write Up in The Telegraph (4/5 stars)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/10168851/Chill-Pill-vs-Bang-Said-the-Gun-Soho-Theatre-review.html - 4/5 stars

In 1955, Allen Ginsberg challenged conventional writing styles with a reading of his poem Howl at the Six Gallery in San Francisco. From John Cooper Clarke to Gill Scott-Heron, performance poetry has since remained appreciated for its phonetic qualities as much as for its message.

In a small room on the third floor of the Soho Theatre, two of London’s biggest and most talked-about performance poetry nights — Bang Said the Gun and Chill Pill —­ put this into practice, as they came together in a battle to decide which event reigns supreme.

Forget your preconceptions about poetry readings: Bang Said the Gun is a raucous combination of poetry and comedy. It boasts an array of well-known names that have performed under its banner, including Phil Jupitus and Andrew Motion. Chill Pill, curated by Mr Gee, the host of Radio 4’s Bespoken Word and Rhyme and Reason, is its more laid back alternative.

The atmosphere was like a New Year’s Eve party or political rally. Upbeat music was provided by Mr Gee. Shakers, left on seats for the audience to use whenever they found something funny or inspiring, rattled throughout.

In one round, “The Headline Poem”, the performers wrote a poem inspired by that day’s newspaper headlines. The biggest crowd pleaser was the UK slam champion Adam Kammerling’s imagining of Tim Henman’s reaction to Andy Murray’s Wimbledon victory. “It’s not about the win,” said Kammerling as Henman, “or the BBC’s overdramatic coverage. It’s that mount.”

The “Classic Corner” round saw performers pick up one of the poetry books scattered across the stage. Dan Cockrill reading of “To You” by Adrian Mitchell and Raymond Antrobus’s reading of “Aren’t I a Woman” by Sojourner Truth were rare moments of clarity.

Events such as these have heralded the growth of performance poetry in Britain over the past few years: more than 50,000 people have viewed Dean Atta’s poem “I am Nobody’s N-----” on YouTube; George the Poet performed at the Royal Albert Hall; Inua Ellams took his one-man play to the National; and in March this year, Carol Ann Duffy presented the Ted Hughes award for innovation in poetry to Kate Tempest for “Brand New Ancients”, an hour-long “spoken story”, complete with orchestral backing.

The performance was funny, ridiculous and serious all at the same time. In the end, nobody won: the judges were as much part of the performance as the acts themselves. But what was most exciting was the uncertainty. Here is an art that remains fresh and undefined. And you can never be sure just what you’re going to get.

Bang Said The Gun VS Chill Pill (8th July at Soho Theatre)

Chill Pill clutching the Bang Throne behind enemy lines

Witness the coming together of two of London's finest poetry and Spoken Word nights. 

A celebratory Slam incorporating all your favourite elements from Chill Pill & Bang Said The Gun. The night will see all five poets from each night testing themselves at various word based disciplines. 

Will Chill Pill overdose? Will Bang shoot themselves in the foot? 

The teams:

Chill Pill
A laid-back club night where up-and-coming poets share the stage with some of the finest Spoken Word acts in the UK, is curated by Mr Gee (host of Radio 4’sBespoken Word and Rhyme and Reason), Raymond Antrobus, Deanna Rodger, Simon Mole and Adam Kammerling.

Bang Said the Gun
"stand up poetry" that’s "not pornography but still pretty good", curated by Daniel Cockrill, Rob Auton, Peter Hayhoe, Martin Galton and Sarah Redington. www.bangsaidthegun.com

BOOK £5 ADVANCE TICKETS HERE - http://sohotheatre.com/whats-on/chill-pill/