Southbank Centre Spoken Word Events

Mahfuz Mir Ali, Rowyda Amin, Nick Makoha and Shazea Quraishi

peter.mallon

Four poets read from their latest work in this special event to celebrate the TEN anthology. The poets' diverse backgrounds, with roots in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Ireland and Uganda, are united through their craft - powerful and moving contemporary writing, which speaks of Britain today.

The event is hosted by Bernardine Evaristo.

'Sparkling new talents who demonstrate the richness, energy and confidence of the poetic voice in our multicultural country.' (Carol Ann Duffy)

In association with Spread The Word, Bloodaxe Books and The Books Project.

Start Date:

Thursday 29 March 2012 - 19:45

End Date:

Thursday 29 March 2012

Ticket Prices:

£8

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (limited availability)

Best Available

Facility Description:

Level 5 Function Room

Images

Ahmed Rashid: Pakistan On the Brink

Focusing on the heart of the world's most unstable region, Pakistan on the brink examines the complex relationship between Pakistan, Afghanistan and the West.

With Bin Laden dead, and British and US forces beginning their withdrawal from Afghanistan, Ahmed Rashid explores the challenges - and the possibilities - of this geopolitical hub.

Ahmed Rashid has reported on Central Asia and the terrorist threat for 25 years, and his analysis attempts a long-term view of the region, carefully balancing historical precedent with the policies and strategies being implanted now.

Start Date:

Tuesday 17 April 2012 - 20:00

End Date:

Tuesday 17 April 2012

Ticket Prices:

£8

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (limited availability)

Best Available

Facility Description:

Level 5 Function Room

Images

Professor Amartya Sen and Lord Nicholas Stern in conversation, chaired by Rajeev Sethi

peter.mallon

From here, where? A future for cultural industries

An international provocation, this debate will set the tone for Southbank Centre's Alchemy festival, bringing together three outstanding figures from the worlds of economics, philosophy, design and entrepreneurialism.

This debate asks us to imagine what the world could look like with an approach to economics and society that encourages the empowerment of the cultural activities and industries. Can we preserve rural communities and their precious traditional skills in a fast-changing commercial environment?

World-renowned academic and Nobel prize winner Amartya Sen and Nicholas Stern, I.G. Patel Professor at the London School of Economics and former Chief Economist of the World Bank, are in lively debate with influential designer Rajeev Sethi, Director of JIYO, a cultural project transforming communities in India and featuring for the first time in the UK at Alchemy 2012.

The event includes the launch of JIYO's new website featuring a live link-up with Bihar in Northern India.

Start Date:

Friday 13 April 2012 - 19:00

End Date:

Friday 13 April 2012

Ticket Prices:

£15 £10

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (limited availability)

Facility Description:

Queen Elizabeth Hall

Images

Polari

p.mcguinness

Patrick Gale leads the line-up, whose novels have built up a large and loyal following that delights in his subtle and heartfelt depiction of gay lives. His novels include Rough Music and Gentleman's Relish.

Polari showcases the compelling Sophia Blackwell, Nick Field, Will Davies, Deborah Levy and Justin Torres in completing the bill.

Start Date:

Tuesday 20 March 2012 - 19:45

End Date:

Tuesday 20 March 2012

Ticket Prices:

£5

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (limited availability)

Best Available

Facility Description:

Level 5 Function Room

Images

Nikola Madzirov and Daniele Pantano

p.mcguinness

New European Poetry

Three of Europe's most exciting poets - Tadeusz Dabrowski, Nikola Madzirov and Daniele Pantano - offer a night of poetry that is not to be missed.

Hot on the heels of a South American tour, acclaimed Macedonian poet Nikola Madzirov does a one-off reading in London with his translator, Peggy Reid.

Daniele Pantano, a Swiss poet born of Sicilian and German parentage is a literary translator, critic and editor, and his poetry has been published all over the world.

Multi-awarding winning poet, Tadeusz Dabrowski from Poland will be reading from his new collection: Black Square, translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones.

In association with Stanza and Maintenant.

Start Date:

Monday 12 March 2012 - 19:45

End Date:

Monday 12 March 2012

Ticket Prices:

£8

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (limited availability)

Best Available

Facility Description:

St. Paul’s Pavilion

Humble the Poet

peter.mallon

Humble The Poet is a Toronto-bred MC and spoken word artist whose work embodies the changing nature and resilience of one of the world's most diverse cities. From his appearance to the myriad of topics and taboos addressed in his work, he introduces a critical viewpoint to Hip Hop's landscape.

In 2008, Humble the Poet (aka Kanwer Singh) began releasing independently recorded tracks and videos on Youtube. By early 2009, he had launched thepoetproject.com, a space to share his works, and those of others that inspire him.

He has toured North America, UK and India in addition to being featured in numerous publications and major hip hop web sites including MTV Iggy, Rolling Stone, World Star Hip Hop, Allhiphop, and 2dopeboyz. He is now working to establish his Believe Me Music Imprint under Major Label for 2012.

He is joined onstage by young, London-based spoken word artists. These include Naga, a 17-year-old producer and lyricist from East London and a regular performer both in his local community and across London, from the Baishakhi Mela to the Underage Festival to Club 93 Feet East. Recently, he performed at Tate Britain and at 'My Golden Bangla' alongside the Asian Dub Foundation.

Start Date:

Saturday 14 April 2012 - 19:45

End Date:

Saturday 14 April 2012

Ticket Prices:

£10

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (Limited availability)

Facility Description:

Purcell Room

Images

Life and Deaf

Life and Deaf is a unique poetry event, featuring a performance of poetry written by deaf children, which explores their identities.

Lines from these poems have been crafted into a script which is explored through spoken and signed performances by deaf young people. There is also an urban short film shot in London earlier this year inspired by the poetry. All of the actors in this performance are deaf.

This free, fully interpreted event also features performances from the acclaimed deaf poet Richard Carter.

Please note - this free event requires a ticket. You can reserve your ticket online (£1.75 transaction fee) or by phone 0844 847 9910 (£2.75 transaction fee). Transaction fees apply per transaction, not per ticket. You can also reserve your seat without a transaction fee by visiting one of our Southbank Centre Ticket Offices in person.

Start Date:

Thursday 29 March 2012 - 19:45

End Date:

Thursday 29 March 2012

Ticket Prices:

Free

Facility Description:

Purcell Room

Images

StorySLAM:Live

£8

The top event for emerging writers to showcase their work, encourage and be encouraged by others, StorySlam Live is the night for you.

As part of Alchemy Festival in celebration of South Asian culture, we are asking writers to use the word ‘alchemy’ as inspiration for a piece of fiction no longer than five minutes.

Sign up on the night and read your piece aloud for a chance to impress our literary judges. Places are limited so get there early!

Hosted by leading spoken word artist Charlie Dark.

Start Date:

Wednesday 18 April 2012 - 19:30

End Date:

Wednesday 18 April 2012

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (limited availability)

Best Available

Facility Description:

Blue Room, Spirit Level

Images

Lui Zhenyun and Neel Mukherjee

The New Superpowers

Liu Zhenyun and Neel Mukherjee discuss the role of the writer in China and India respectively, as the two countries emerge as the new global superpowers for the 21st century.

Liu Zhenyun's writing inhabits the newly urbanised culture of contemporary China. His novel My Name is Liu Yuejin tells the story of a migrant worker in Beijing, whose worldly possessions are stolen. They confront the harsh realities of the new country with a cool sensibility.

Neel Mukherjee's debut novel A Life Apart was published in 2010. It tells the story of Ritwik's flight from the squalor of Calcutta to urban London, where he meets the 86-year-old Anne Cameron. Two lives from opposite ends of the twentieth century are brought together.

Mukherjee is also a journalist for Time magazine in Asia.

In association with the British Council and the London Book Fair

Start Date:

Sunday 15 April 2012 - 16:00

End Date:

Sunday 15 April 2012

Ticket Prices:

£10

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (limited availability)

Best Available

Facility Description:

Blue Room, Spirit Level

Images

Beside the Sea

p.goudal

With Lisa Dwan

Beside the Sea is a one-woman play about a mother who is driven to the extremes of mental and physical despair, performed by Lisa Dwan.

Taking on the theme of infanticide with tenderness and bravery, this is a story of irrational fear, where love crosses the border into violence.

Adapated from Beside the Sea by Veronique Olmi, translated into English by Adriana Hunter.

A HighTide Festival and Mighty Mouth co-production. Part of Southbank Centre's WOW - Women of the World festival.

Please note - this event is not included in the WOW Festival Day Pass and therefore should be bought as a separate ticket.

In association with Peirene Press

Start Date:

Wednesday 7 March 2012 - 20:00

End Date:

Thursday 8 March 2012

Ticket Prices:

£15

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (Limited Availability)

Facility Description:

Purcell Room

Images

Mirth Control, March of the Women 2012

p.goudal

One of the highlights of last year's WOW - Women of the World festival returns.

Join Sandi Toksvig as she hosts a night of comedy, stories and music inspired by great women, with Jo Brand and our astounding all-woman orchestra.

Please note - this event is not included in the WOW Festival Day Pass and therefore should be bought as a separate ticket.

Start Date:

Sunday 11 March 2012 - 19:30

End Date:

Sunday 11 March 2012

Ticket Prices:

£25 £20 £15

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (limited availability)

Facility Description:

Royal Festival Hall

Images

New Maps For An Island Planet

peter.mallon

Doreen Massey, Andrew Simms, Carolyn Steel and Lemn Sissay

Join us for a discussion about the creation of new maps for navigating the complex challenges presented by global economic and ecological crises. The panel, consisting of geographer Doreen Massey, architect Carolyn Steel, and campaigner and writer Andrew Simms draw on their own contributions to the publication ATLAS: Architecture, geography and change in an interdependent world. Poet Lemn Sissay also performs at this event, which is chaired by broadcaster Quentin Cooper.

Start Date:

Tuesday 13 March 2012 - 18:30

End Date:

Tuesday 13 March 2012

Ticket Prices:

£10

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (Limited availability)

Facility Description:

Purcell Room

Images

Fire Farewell

p.goudal

Special Edition celebrates the 35th and final issue of Fire magazine.

The event will feature short readings by poets who have appeared in recent issues of Fire, such as Sean Burn, Graham Hartill, Rachel Lehrman, Ester Muchawsky-Schnapper, Suzanne Muir Scott, Catherine Simmonds and Michael Wyndham Thomas.

To guarantee a space, email specialedition@poetrylibrary.org.uk

Start Date:

Wednesday 7 March 2012 - 20:00

End Date:

Wednesday 7 March 2012

Ticket Prices:

Free

Facility Description:

Poetry Library

Chibundu Onuzo and Noo Saro-Wiwa

peter.mallon

Noo Saro-Wiwa and Chibundu Onuzo explore their native land of Nigeria through travelogue and fiction, sharing their stories of Lagos and beyond.

Saro-Wiwa's activist father took her back to Nigeria each year when she was a child. In Looking for Transwonderland she journeys through a country of extreme contrasts, of eccentricity, kitsch and modernity, to become reconciled with her homeland.

Onuzo's debut novel, The Spider King's Daughter, explores the daring and unexpected love affair between Abike Johnson, from the elite of Lagos society, and a young hawker she meets from the city's slums. The novel looks at the rifts and tensions in Nigerian society.

Start Date:

Thursday 22 March 2012 - 19:45

End Date:

Thursday 22 March 2012

Ticket Prices:

£8

Concession/Group Prices:

50% (limited availability)

Best Available

Facility Description:

Level 5 Function Room

Images

Nadine Gordimer

m.critcher

Nadine Gordimer talks about her life and writing. Gordimer won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1991, and is widely recognized for her activism and for confronting moral and political issues in her writing. She published her first novel in 1953, and has since gone on to publish short stories, plays and criticism in over 40 books, including The Conservationist, which won the Booker Prize in 1974. This is the first of a series of events with Index on Censorship, which focuses on the continuing importance of free expression across the world. Gordimer's latest novel, published to coincide with this event, is No Time Like the Present.

Start Date:

Wednesday 14 March 2012 - 19:30

End Date:

Wednesday 14 March 2012

Ticket Prices:

£15 £12

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (limited availability)

Facility Description:

Queen Elizabeth Hall

Images

Simon Armitage, Carol Ann Duffy, Helen Dunmore, Seamus Heaney, Michael Longley

peter.mallon

Celebrating Enitharmon Press

Help celebrate a publisher that 'has dedicatedly and brilliantly made a success of that sharply endangered species, the independent press.' (Marina Warner) In its 45-year history, Enitharmon Press has forged a singular mission as an independent publisher. Simon Armitage, Helen Dunmore, Seamus Heaney and Michael Longley read in celebration of a publisher that has printed their work.

Start Date:

Wednesday 21 March 2012 - 19:30

End Date:

Wednesday 21 March 2012

Ticket Prices:

£15 £12

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (limited availability)

Facility Description:

Queen Elizabeth Hall

Images

Jodi Picoult

Jodi Picoult, one of the world's best-selling authors, makes a rare UK appearance to discuss her latest novel Lone Wolf and take questions from the audience.

The novel follows the life of Luke Baxter, who abandons his family to live amongst wolves. Upon his return he struggles to cope with everyday human life.

The break-up of his family and their divided loyalties are at the heart of the book, which is tense, emotional and riven with life and death questions.

Start Date:

Wednesday 28 March 2012 - 19:45

End Date:

Wednesday 28 March 2012

Ticket Prices:

£10

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (limited availability)

Facility Description:

Purcell Room

Tess Gallagher, John Kinsella, Jean Sprackland and Douglas Dunn

A rare opportunity for a poetry round-the-world tour.

See four of the most outstanding poets from America, Australia, England and Scotland - Tess Gallagher, John Kinsella, Jean Sprackland and Douglas Dunn. Tess Gallagher launches her new book, Midnight Lantern, drawing on 40 incredible years of poetry, including poems for her late husband, Raymond Carver. John Kinsella's poetry explores landscape and the politics of place. His latest collection is Armour, shortlisted for the TS Eliot Prize. Equally rooted in place, Jean Sprackland's poems will leave your imagination doing back flips. Melyvin Bragg says Douglas Dunn, 'is among the finest of our poets' and we happen to agree. His breathtaking poetry lives up to his own teaching - it works in the mind, in the heart and in the ear.

Start Date:

Tuesday 20 March 2012 - 19:45

End Date:

Tuesday 20 March 2012

Ticket Prices:

£10

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (Limited Availability)

Facility Description:

Purcell Room

Images

Southbank Centre Creative Writing School

Plot as Pathway

Once you have thought up a brilliant climax for your novel, you must turn your attention to a good starting point - one that allows some solid, patient scene-setting and establishment of character. But it must also contain the seeds of future action...

Start Date:

Tuesday 14 February 2012 - 18:30

End Date:

Tuesday 14 February 2012

Ticket Prices:

£15

Concession/Group Prices:

50% off (limited availability)

Best Available

Facility Description:

Sunley Pavilion