21st March, Chill Pill perform at Hit The Ode (Birmingham)
22nd March, Chill Pill & Anthony Anaxagorou perform at Waxing Lyrical in Brighton
Very much looking forward to performing at these nights across the UK this March. Other news is my book of poems, 'Shape & Disfigurement' is now being stocked at Southbank's Poetry Library, you can order a copy for your own library here -
Book and quote 'EARLY BIRD' for your discounted tickets to 'The Big One' on May 23rd with poets from some of the best regular poetry nights in London. Featuring:
Thanks to Come Rhyme With Me your socialising calendar can be filled with an evening of poetry and spoken word. The night takes place the last Friday of the month at Cotton’s restaurant, Islington and thanks to the imaginative minds of its founders, Dean and Deanna, the show takes inspiration from a meal and is served in ‘3 courses’. The starter consists of an up-and coming poet, followed by a meaty main of an experienced professional. Finally, dessert bears witness to something more light-hearted perhaps some cabaret, comedy or music.
The show starts at 7:00pm and finishes at 10pm with tickets at £7.50 for the show or £12.50 to include a plate of traditional Caribbean food. TSL suggest getting here early to get a comfortable seat at a table as well as staying after the show for some socialising!
February 8th at The Poetry Cafe'
To celebrate his recently published book, "Life In Transit", Sam Berkson invites you to a unique evening of interactive performance poetry, with support from the equally brilliant RAYMOND ANTROBUS and MICHELLE MADSEN, His aim is to make public transport public again, one poem at a time. Taking you on a poetic journey, galloping over social etiquette, cruising through bizarre encounters and hurtling us towards new ways of relating to public spaces, with poems such as "Lust (on a bendy bus)" and "Hitchhiking characters", Berkson promises to transform your attitude towards public transport.
An experienced performer and poet, Berkson is a trusty guide for all those hungry for performance poetry and adventure, so pack your imagination and clean out your ears for a fun filled journey into the unknown.
Copies of 'Life In Transit' and 'Shapes & Disfigurements' by Raymond Antrobus, will be on sale as will delicious drinks and refreshments at the bar.
February 13th Chill Pill Connects at Roundhouse
Chill Pill is BACK with a brand new show for 2013: Chill Pill Connect.
We're hooking up with The Roundhouse team to create a live, interactive radio show, and we need YOU to get involved. Chill Pill Connect brings you all the goodness you've come to expect from the Chill Pill Team, the tunes, the banter, and of course, the poetry, but this time there's a twist.
Connect is being recorded and then moulded by the magic of Roundhouse technology, into a full blown spoken word audio feast. And two open mic-ers will have their poems broadcast as a part of the upcoming show.
This is a brand new concept for Chill Pill and we're very excited to offer up and coming artists the opportunity to be involved.
We'll have eight open mic slots but it's guaranteed to fill up so arrive early to secure a place.
Not performing at this night but Poejazzi play a big part of the Spoken Word & Music movement in London and for good reason, they run one of the best nights around for it. Get early bird tickets NOW -
In my first ever performance in a Slam Poetry contest, I was shouty, monotone and over-animated but I somehow reached the ‘Farrago UK Slam final’ head to head with the energetic, loose canon ball that is Deanna Rodger.
Deanna has this charm she carries to the stage, her nerves hold her face in the widest but shyest of smiles. You don’t quite expect to witness the breakage of a storm... but you do... and I take no shame in losing that final to such a wild force of nature.
She has this way with stretching out a multi-syllabic metaphor and delivering four lines in one breath while steering you through the heavy winds of emotion contained in the voice of her poems.
She’s a natural and unconsciously pulls off some of the finest crafted Spoken Word poetry London has to offer.
Q. Yo Dee! Remember when we met? How the hell did you end up at the Farrago Slam that night?
Dean Atta who was my sort of mentor at the time told me to go down and do it, so I did!
Q. I was so amazed when you said you don’t read much poetry and you couldn’t name many poets – where on earth does your fire come from?
I could name a poet I just didn’t have an interest in it! I have always been a bookworm and still read an awful lot, but I didn’t read poetry unless I was in a classroom. To be honest poetry found me, I never thought of myself as a poet and I certainly wasn't searching for it. I think I have always had something to say but was never really able to speak it with sense. Poetry was a safe way to do that.
Q. Got a favorite poet yet?
Ah I'm ready for this question!! I got given a book of the entire collection of Langston Hughes and I am enjoying it, I even memorized a quote! I try not to have favorites. I don't think I've seen enough (defiantly have not read enough) to put a name in paper. Though there is a sonnet by Shakespeare I really like.
Q. I know you are uncertain about whether you can have financial stability and an active career in Spoken Word – would you believe me if I said in ten years time poetry is going to make us RICH!?
Yeah I would! I have no doubt that there are a lot of young people that see a Market stall for poetry. However I have to ask myself whether I want to rely on an industry that has the attention span of a toddler? As much as I would love poetry to become more lucrative, I would prefer it to stay beautiful rather than turn into a competitive brawl of people calling themselves poets because they exploit humor, shallow clichés and rhyming couplets to win the crowd.
Q. You have got into events organizing; you did the Lyric Lounge with Dean Atta, which was a big night! How’s that movement going?
It's grown and left home! We are focusing on a new night called 'come rhyme with me' which launches on the 30th July and features some of the hottest fiercest talent in the scene. Excitingly Bothyself and Dean (Atta) are associate producers of a festival in association with Richmond MENCAP called Play at the Waterfront which will be on the 7th August. I've also linked up with you and Mista Gee to organize a more accessible weekly evening 'Chill Pill' which is a beautiful thing! I'm trying to try everything. I'm young, I'm still learning. Luckily I have got some very good supportive and inspiring people around me!
Q. Where do you see yourself in 4 years?
Lord knows his plan for me; I can't be trusted with it just yet! I can only hope to be more everything than what I am now.
Q. Spoken Word has taken you all over the nation and to parts of Europe – Germany, France etc how has travelling influenced your performance and writing?
(smiles!) I think this question is better suited for a conversation! In short though, travelling has shown me that there is no limit to what you can write and perform! The slammers in Germany are very performy! And it definitely makes their performance universal. In France I was lucky to see a world of talent and styles and I would say that although I'm still writing from me, I feel like I am a richer writer able to draw from different societies. Visiting different lands also helps me to put my own life into perspective and reflect. Q. If you have kids would you like them to follow your footsteps as a Spoken Word artist– if that is what you pursue?
I will have kids! And obviously I would love for them to be writers and to be creative but that could be in anything they love. I don't want to put ceilings over my kids. Boundaries yes, but not ceilings.
Q. Finally, you’re sick, and the London Spoken Word circuit needs you – you know that right?
Ahh that's nice! I don't know about need me. I think that's a bit too much pressure, I think I am good at what I do and I love what I do, I just want to do my bit, encourage other young talented writers, have fun, make friends, create experience, make money and a name then bounce and make space for the younger’s!
