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Wordplay & Flow

How the Poetry Community Survived Through the Pandemic

The year 2020 was, without a doubt, one of the most difficult and event-filled years in the last decade (perhaps century), as panic and pandemonium filled homes all over the world, leaving nations in complete and utter disarray, with concerned parties being forced to ruminate over the very essence of their day-to-day living, expecting answers from a government often incapable of providing a solution. Some chose to clash over false notions of a shortage of everyday necessities such as toilet paper, inevitably enkindling mass hysteria, while others used news of the pandemic’s origin to blame and brutally attack members of the East Asian community, ignorantly making scapegoats of the innocent, as though expecting them to take responsibility for matters outside of their control. It was… terrifying. Fast forward to 2021, where, after an extremely harrowing and undeniably frustrating year, we witnessed the revitalisation of the poetry scene. Event venues once again opened their doors to breathe life back into the scene we all so dearly missed. For the first time in a year we listened in awe as poets returned to the stage to share their thoughts on the Coronavirus pandemic, government ineptitude and vaccine passports, and suddenly, despite everything that suggested otherwise, all seemed right with the world again. Poetry… was back. Now as 2021 draws to a close and we approach the year 2022 with talk of new Covid variants, vaccine passports and another potential lockdown firmly on the tips of most tongues, I want you to remember, no matter what, we still have this. Whether it’s in front of an audience of many at the FLO Vortex or Poetics, or in front of an audience of one at home stood before a mirror, poetry is always relevant. And more importantly, YOUR poetry is always relevant. Keep writing. 2022 is just another year to be great. How great? Well… that depends on you. Written by: Liam Spencer

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 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.