coma2020 – a film by Michael Rosen

Premiere screening and conversation. Limited in person tickets, online screening tickets available. What is intensive care? What does it mean to put someone into an induced coma? How is it done? How do people get better from such treatment? What effects happen to patients?  “In March 2020, I became ill with Covid and after a…

Read More

Poetry and Wellbeing Retreat

Please note: this event is now sold out – Lyra is operating a waiting list. The popular Apples and Snakes retreat is back at Lyra! A one-day event for poets at all stages to refresh, reboot and connect. The retreat offers creative workshops, discussions, mentoring and practical advice to reenergise your practice, soothe your soul…

Read More

Saluting the New Daughters of Africa

Join us to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the New Daughters of Africa anthology, bringing together leading poets and writers as they discuss their creative journeys, the publishing landscape and offer advice for the next generation of Black British writers. Saluting New Daughters of Africa pay homage the history of black British publishing centring Black…

Read More

EARTH: GOBS Collective Showcase

A heron lands among seashells; her rusty compass swings west… Experience Nottingham’s most exciting spoken-word talent in a showcase curated by GOBS Collective members, co-directed by Cara Thompson and Bridie Squires, with movement direction from John Berkavitch. These poets have built work from the ground up, bringing individual stories together to create this journey through…

Read More
Michael Rosen Going Through It

Going Through It

‘Going Through It’ World premiere by Michael Rosen With realism, pathos and hope, Michael Rosen explores the loss of his son Eddie and his own experience of more than 40 days in an induced coma. He performs two pieces, each one a free verse narrative, linked with music which is newly composed and performed by…

Read More

Hit the Ode X UniSlam

The birds are singing, the sun is shining and luring you out into the false warmth of a crisp, bright day. We’re no longer waking up in darkness. That means spring is here! As is a bit of a tradition of ours, the first Hit the Ode is back at Birmingham Hipodrome and in collaboration…

Read More

Cabaret for Freedom

Kwame Dawes, Ugochi Nwaogwugwu, Jive Poetic & Young Identity Join us for an evening of poetry and music featuring an all-star line-up of international artists. Ghanaian-born Kwame Dawes has published 24 collections of poetry including Nebraska and Wisteria as well as fiction, criticism and essays. His poetry has been described by Martin Espada as the ‘the music of survival and transcendence.’…

Read More

PLOT17 @ Barnsley Garden Party

A hip-hop garden party for ages 7-11

Read More

NYLON

NY-LON: bringing together poets from London and New York, a cross-continent poetry connection. Take part in a captivating evening that celebrates cultural exchange and artistic collaboration, and explores identity, social justice and the complexities of human nature. We’re joined by Kwame Dawes, Ugochi Nwaogwugwu and Jive Poetic from the US; and Salena Godden and Lemn…

Read More

Wordcup2023: The Showcase

WORDCUP2023: The Showcase Catch the freshest new talent from across the country, as young poets aged 11 – 17 share their words in the final showcase of WORDCUP2023. Following a series of workshops back in their home towns, the teams have created team poems each that they will perform as part of this national showcase….

Read More

Managers Match: WORDCUP2023

A stellar line-up of some of the UK’s finest poets who have been coaching the young poets for the WORDCUP national showcase. This event will be hosted by Jacob Sam-La Rose, and headlined by WORDCUP celebrator and Manchester’s Queen of Poetry Shirley May.  Featuring: Yomi Sode, Muneera Pilgrim, Reece Williams, Antosh Wojcik, Khadijah Ibrahiim &…

Read More

All Stars

All Stars gig – evening event Doors 7pm, event starts 7.30pm To round up the Apples and Snakes Takeover, we’re hosting an absolutely stellar gig in the Main Space. Expect to see music, poetry and performances. We have newly commissioned works and a couple of extra surprises to throw at you. This event is included…

Read More
A man on stage, smiling with excitement. Words read Apples and Snakes Takeover

Apples and Snakes Takeover

Thank you to everyone who came 🙂 An epic all-dayer in celebration of 40 years of supporting the UK’s finest spoken word talent. We know this event is over, but we’re keeping it up for a week because we’re so proud and happy about the event we pulled together. We just wanted to stay in…

Read More

Poetic Retreat at Lyra Festival

A one-day event for poets at all stages to refresh, reboot and connect. The retreat offers creative workshops, discussions, mentoring and practical advice to reenergise your practice, soothe your soul and leave you with a new spring in your step. Led by acclaimed poetry and wellbeing facilitators. Last year’s retreat sold out, and although places…

Read More
Two older women in circles with a pink and purple overlay. Words read 'on our own terms'.

On Our Own Terms

‘On Our Own Terms’ is an in-person workshop of poetry-writing and portrait photography for women in our 60s and 70s, with spoken word poet Leah Thorn and photographer Anita McKenzie. This inclusive and dynamic workshop challenges our invisibility as older women by placing us centre stage on our own terms. It unites us across our…

Read More

#ThisIsA(Rural)Poet

Apples and Snakes present #ThisIsARuralPoet. An hour of poetry and conversation exploring how growing up in rural Britain impacts your work when your cultural heritage has deep roots elsewhere.  How does growing up in rural Britain impact a poet’s work when their cultural heritage has deep roots elsewhere? Poetry organisation Apples and Snakes presents an…

Read More

Jawdance

Jawdance is London’s biggest poetry night featuring some of the best names on the Spoken Word scene. Spring has certainly sprung and the evenings are getting light, why not celebrate by joining us for a wonderful evening of poetry. The next event takes place 7pm, Wednesday 17 April at Rich Mix in London! April sees…

Read More

End of content

End of content