It’s been a great year for arts and culture as we recover from the pandemic, and it’s been an even better year for poet Caleb Femi as he wins Best First Collection for his poetry publication, Poor. The 28 year-old poet, film-maker, and photographer from London has been praised for his debut poetry collection by the likes of Michaela Coel that draws upon his personal experiences over time living on North Peckham estate. One of these experiences include recollecting the tragic murder of 10 year-old Damilola Taylor in 2000. Poor draws upon some of the dark themes that we rarely see in the world of written poetry. His work provides a visualisation of the raw reality of what it’s like living in a working-class area that has long needed nurturing and investment. Luke Kennard won ‘Best Collection’ with Notes on the Sonnets; a collection of responses to Shakespeare’s sonnets, and Nicole Sealey won ‘Best Single Poem’ for ‘Pages 22-29, An excerpt from the Ferguson Report: An Erasure’. All three winners received mass praises for their work by the judges, the poetry community, and across social media. The Forward Arts Foundation is a charity organisation dedicated to promoting poetry in the UK and Ireland. Their programmes allow people to enjoy the art of poetry whilst supporting the talented writers behind the words. The organisation is also responsible for National Poetry Day, an annual celebration that brings together poets, publishers, booksellers, and organisations of all kinds to embrace the art of poetry in different forms. Find out more about this years winners here.
Tag Archives: Online Magazine
The Vortex Has Reopened!
Hold onto your seats and get ready to be blown away because on the 31st October, FLO Vortex makes its long-awaited return! Hosted by the multi-platinum, award-winning singer, songwriter and poet, Natalie “The Floacist” Stewart, FLO Vortex became an instant success following its inception in 2014. Since then, the Vortex has welcomed poets, rappers and singers from all over the world with artists from America, Canada and Africa joining members of the UK’s increasingly popular poetry scene to take to the stage and wow audiences with mind-bending wordplay, captivating storytelling and hypnotising lyricism. Now, after a lengthy hiatus due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, for the first time since early 2020, England’s leading spoken word event reopens its doors to the public when Breakin’ Convention presents Let’s Do Leadenhall (an initiative designed to provide free cultural events around London). The rules are simple: at the start of the night, FLO Vortex founder Natalie Stewart will open the Vortex. From there, each poet has 3-5 minutes to share a piece of their choosing. There are no introductions. When the Vortex is opened, it is upon the selected poets on that night to choose when they wish to enter. They state their name, they recite their piece, and they state their name again. It’s that simple. This is the unique and incredibly exciting formula that has helped FLO Vortex become the most exhilarating night in poetry. And that’s not all! If you really can’t wait for the 31st, you can whet your appetite on the 20th October when FLO Vortex in collaboration with Blackbird brings you FLO Vortex: CIPHERS live on Twitter. 20 incredible poets from all over the world enter the Vortex and FLO! For more information on the highly anticipated return of the FLO Vortex at Leadenhall Market, head over to the official Breakin’ Convention website. Written by: Liam Spencer
How Lashana Lynch Is Making History as the First Ever Female 007
There’s a new 007 in town and she’s exactly what the franchise needed. After decades of daring escapades, high-speed chases, action-packed blockbuster sequences, and intense showdowns reserved for the man they call Bond… James Bond, the 007 franchise finally has a female lead that is more than just the MI5 agent’s love interest. Lashana Lynch, known for her role in Captain Marvel as the fiery Mariah Rambeau, etched her name in history when she was cast to star alongside Daniel Craig in the latest film from the seemingly never-ending James Bond series, No Time to Die. Consequently, Lynch has singularly and eternally altered our perception of what it means to be a female lead in the ever-popular Bond franchise, placing its tiresomely stereotypical (and often objectionable) presentation of women firmly beneath her feet, while ushering in a long awaited and, quite frankly, much needed change for the franchise which, for so long, has relied far too heavily on its “Bond girl” dynamic for its lead female. Lynch’s turn as Nomi in No Time to Die may not be what the Bond faithful had in mind for the next 007, but it is most certainly what the franchise itself needed: diversification. And while some have criticised the decision to cast Lynch, with claims her introduction is nothing more than a box ticking exercise dressed as the pursuit of progressive representation, the truth is, Lashana Lynch’s arrival in No Time Die has injected new life into the 007 franchise, paved the way for more diverse casting in the future, and created an opening for far more culturally inclusive roles. You may or may not like Lynch’s appointment as the only other 007 in history, but there is no denying that the casting of the 33-year-old, Jamaican, from Hammersmith, London, has changed the landscape of James Bond… forever. Written by: Liam Spencer
Woodzy’s Poetic Journey From The Stage To Wembley Arena
From Sky Arts to Sky Sports, Woodzy [@WoodzyTweets] is showing how poetry and culture come together.
Word Up & The RPO Create Magic In Wembley Park At Wemba’s Dream Festival
Last week, hundreds of shoppers at the London Designer Outlet based next to Wembley Stadium enjoyed the poetry showcase developed by Word Up and local poets from Brent, alongside the magnificent Royal Philharmonic Orchestra as part of the Wemba’s Dream festival. The fifteen minute poetry performance that featured at the festival took you through a journey of surreal, nightmares, and aspiration – themes that have run through many lives since the pandemic started, and continues to impact the locals of Brent and beyond. Performers included the founders of Word Up, Charlie, Desiree, and Hannah who were supported by poets Tannika Taylor, Sharmay MItchell, and Rakaya Esime Fetuga. The spectacular display of classical sound against the powerful words spoken captivated audiences over four separate performances that were nothing short of exceptional. Other amazing acts that featured at the festival included FUBUNATION, a brent based dance company and Brent Youth Theatre who collaborated with Mahogany Carnival Arts and All Angels Steel Pan Band. Both produced stunning displays of the arts that originated in the borough of Brent alongside the spectacular musicians that make up the Royal Philarmonic Orchestra who complimented each performance with the classical sounds including the cello and flute. To catch a full recap of all performances that took place on the day visit the RPO website here. Word Up have been a Brent based poetry organisation that has provided safe spaces for poets to express both online and through live events. Their Words Down writing workshops encourage people to connect through their words which in turn can aid mental health. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has worked with over 9000 young people in Brent over the last 15 years, and will soon be making Wembley Park their new home. For all those interested in experiencing classical music in unique ways, this is the perfect organisation to get in touch with whether it is just to be entertained, or to explore your hidden talents.
How The MOBO Trust & Help Musicians Are Reviving Arts & Culture
The MOBO Trust [@moboawards] and Help Musicians [HelpMusiciansUK] collaboration that is boosting the UK music industry
Dialectic Dee Talks Debut EP Utter Confusion
We catch up with Dialectic Dee to talk about her debut EP Utter Confusion and where it all started.
Women And Words Aligned With Neelofer Nova
Neelofer Nova discusses all things sisterhood, spokenword, and what’s coming next.
How Arts And Culture Has Changed Since The Pandemic
From virtual events to live protests – we take a look at how arts and culture has changed since the pandemic.
ATLS Word On The Street’s Debut Event Success
ATL’s Word On The Street by poet @aichatherese launches with a bang!