Lemn Sissay
Three appearances from one of the UK's most established and respected poet, Lemn Sissay. Artist in residence at The South Bank Centre throughout 2007 and 2008. He has been writer in residence at The Cambridge Literature festival, The Belfast Literature Festival, University of Arizona, California State University and Contact Theatre Manchester. He is Patron along with Jaqueline Wilson of The Letterbox Club, a book trust initiative to get books to children in care of the social services.
Sissay is the author of four poetry collections: Tender Fingers in a Clenched Fist (1988); Rebel Without Applause (1992); Morning Breaks in the Elevator (1999) and The Emperor's Watchmaker (2000). He is also the editor of The Fire People: A Collection of Contemporary Black British Poets (1998), and his work has appeared in many anthologies. He is a regular contributor to Poetry Review and has judged various writers competitions such as The Arvon Poetry Prize and The John Lewellyn Literature prize.
His stage plays are Chaos By Design (1994), Storm (2003), and Something Dark (2006). Something Dark was adapted for radio three and won the RIMA award 2006. His next collection of poems Listener (working Title) is published by Canongate in September 2008. He is commissioned to write the adaptation of Benjamin Zephania’s book Refugee Boy for The west Yorkshire Playhouse in 2008. In January 08 he became British Council Writer in residence at California State University, Los Angeles. A new poem will be unveiled inlaid in sculptor in The City of London in 2008. He is a regular contributor to BBC Radio Fours Saturday Live and lives presently in East London.
Saturday 3rd May
Lemn will be making a short appearance at Webberley's book shop Percy Street, Hanley
as part of the Axis Festival's LOVE MUSIC HATE RACISM concert
Victoria Hall 7:00pm
£5.00
with Soothsayers, Model Radio and Morning Sparks
Sunday 4th May
Poetry Breakfast at pieminister, 37 Stafford Street, Hanley
Breakfast 10:00 - 11:00
Poetry begins 11:00 - 12:30
Other poets and writers performing are
Kim Trusty
Nick Corder
Michael Callan
Tickets are £7.50 and include breakfast
Only available from pieminister
Saturday 3 May, Webberleys Book Shop, 1:00pm, Spoken Word
Tickets: free!
Saturday 3 May, Victoria Hall, 7:00pm, Gig
Tickets: £5.00, call 01782 206 000 or browse to www.musicmaniauk.com to order tickets!
Sunday 4 May, Pie Minister, 10:00am, Spoken Word
Tickets: see description above for more information.
