Raise the Bar presents 'The Autumn Edition 2025': a quarterly evening of raucous, dynamic, thought-provoking and life-affirming poetry at Arnolfini.

We are thrilled to welcome three poets recently published by Bad Betty Press: Antosh Wojcik, Desree and Rowan Lyster, plus a headline set from UK performance poetry legend Salena Godden!

+ NGAIO on the decks spinning the best in afrobeats, global bass and UK funky vibes.

Hosted by Danny Carlo Pandolfi (Raise the Bar) and Jake Wild Hall (Bad Betty)

️ Thurs 23rd October 2025
Arnolfini, 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA
19:00 doors | 19:30 - 21:30 show (including interval)
£8 (£6 concessions, £10 solidarity)

innate creates presents Zwa… music, words, feels, culture

The word Zwa is from the Ndebele language spoken by the Ndebele people of Zimbabwe – it means to hear, to understand, to feel, to taste.

Victoria Adukwei Bulley +  Desree + Piers Harrison-Reid

Derby Poetry Festival is returning for 2025 with an 'abridged' version of our much-loved festival, a 48-hour celebration on Thursday, 2nd and Friday, 3rd October, with workshops, events, and a Slam.

Our National Poetry Day collaboration is taking place at The Old Bell Hotel with Bad Betty. They'll be bringing three of their outstanding poets to perform, Agata, Antosh and Desree; it's a night not to be missed.

New Voices Grow, Seasoned Poets Inspire & Community Built Through the Love of Poetry

Award-winning poet Desree invites you to the highly anticipated launch of Altar, her debut poetry collection published by Bad Betty Press. This evening will be a celebration of words, rhythm, and community, featuring an incredible lineup of guest artists.

Expect an evening filled with powerful storytelling, raw emotion, and thought-provoking performances that honour the themes of Altar. Whether you're a longtime poetry lover or new to the scene, this event promises to be an unforgettable gathering of voices, creativity, and shared experiences.

This month sees us celebrating International Women’s Day 2025 and we’ve got a superb line to enjoy. Kat François will be on hosting duties for the evening and we’ll welcome performances from Ayan Aden, Sally Pomme Clayton and Desree.

Our usual lucky dip will also be available on the night for your chance to take the open mic. Jawdance is a supportive environment and we encourage a safe space to share your work.

The Common Press Poetry Night + Open Mic is quickly becoming a popular event for writers and poets to showcase their work and launch poetry collections. Join us on March 18th from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM for an evening of poetry & OPEN MIC, hosted by Prince. The night will feature readings from Ruby Wednesday, Desree, and Piper Delilah, followed by a Q&A session.

We invite all poetry lovers to attend and celebrate talented and powerful queer voices. Along with hearing from familiar favourites, we’d love to welcome new voices to the stage. If you’d like to read at the poetry night, arrive at 7:00 PM to sign up. There will also be opportunities to sign up on the night and hop on stage.

Please note that while we will do our best to accommodate as many readers as possible, we cannot guarantee that everyone on the list will have the chance to perform.

🍷 Please note this is a BYOB, you are welcome to bring your drinks to enjoy the night. There will be lots of soft and hot drinks available to purchase from our bookshop.

Out-Spoken is London's premier evening of poetry and live music. Each month we celebrate diversity in voice and performance with a stellar line-up of the hottest UK poets alongside a line-up of world-class musicians.

Each gig is hosted by Joelle Taylor, with Sam 'Junior' Bromfield spinning the best in reggae, soul and R&B during the night. Out-Spoken Live is held at The Purcell Room, Southbank Centre.

GIFTED N BLK was born from FAITH BABIRYE’S desire to create a space where we can celebrate all things Black—through music, food, arts, and culture. This event is designed to bring our community together, especially those who may feel isolated or disconnected from society. If you’ve ever felt like an outsider in spaces where people don’t look like you, this event is for you. Together, we can celebrate our rich cultures, uplift each other, and create a lasting impact. In addition to celebrating our community, this event will also support a great cause. All funds raised will be donated to Show Racism the Red Card, a charity dedicated to tackling racism through education

Come join us for a captivating evening under the open skies at Salt Hill Park in Slough as we proudly present Poetry In The Park!

our outdoor poetry event is returning on 6 September, starting at 6.30pm. Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of spoken word, where words gracefully dance and emotions crescendo through the power of poetry.

Step into an atmosphere buzzing with creativity as talented wordsmiths take center stage to share their poetry masterpieces. Let their words paint vivid pictures, evoke powerful emotions, and transport you to places you’ve never been before.

Join us for dynamic workshops on writing, performance, and self-expression. Over the course of three weeks, you'll delve deep into the art of writing, hone your performance skills, and craft powerful spoken word pieces. You'll have the opportunity to compile your original spoken word pieces into a poetry book we will craft ourselves!

Dates: Every Wednesday from 31 July to 14 August
Time: 3pm-5pm
Location: The Curve Venue, Slough

Age guidance 11+ years

£30 for the course
Reserve your spot today!

Led by Desree, Empoword

Join us for dynamic workshops on writing, performance, and self-expression. Over the course of three weeks, you'll delve deep into the art of writing, hone your performance skills, and craft powerful spoken word pieces. You'll have the opportunity to compile your original spoken word pieces into a poetry book we will craft ourselves!

Dates: Every Wednesday from 31 July to 14 August
Time: 3pm-5pm
Location: The Curve Venue, Slough

Age guidance 11+ years

£30 for the course
Reserve your spot today!

Led by Desree, Empoword

Join us for dynamic workshops on writing, performance, and self-expression. Over the course of three weeks, you'll delve deep into the art of writing, hone your performance skills, and craft powerful spoken word pieces. You'll have the opportunity to compile your original spoken word pieces into a poetry book we will craft ourselves!

Dates: Every Wednesday from 31 July to 14 August
Time: 3pm-5pm
Location: The Curve Venue, Slough

Age guidance 11+ years

£30 for the course
Reserve your spot today!

An evening of creative workshops, circus, art and music, showcasing the talent of residents in Waltham Forest.

If you, or someone you know, is interested in performance or a career in the creative industries, come along to Picture This on Thursday 25 July.

We are pleased to announce Future Formed’ s first ever public collaboration with William Morris Gallery, Picture This. Future Formed offers young people insight and exposure to the creative industries. This event is designed to showcase the talents of Waltham Forest residents working with Future Formed, as well as artists and facilitators who they have worked with over the last year. Picture This is an opportunity for everyone to meet and connect.  

The night is made up of 4 parts.  

1. 6pm to 7:30pm – Table top game design workshop led by Mayamada (booking required)

2. 6pm to 7:30pm – Poetry workshop led by Desree (booking required)

3. From 7:30pm –  Live musical and circus performances including foot juggling to rap to opera and everything in between. 

4. 6pm to 9pm – Projections of artwork and short films which have been created by Future Formers. 

It’ll be a relaxed evening with plenty of opportunities to meet and chat to the Future Formed team as well as the artists and residents they work with. Don’t miss it! 

The Gallery’s special exhibition Art Without Heroes: Mingei – is still taking place and the café will be open for refreshments.

Read more about the work of Future Formed here.

Calling all 8 to 12-year-olds! Step into the spotlight and unleash your creativity at our exciting all-day drama workshop. This event is a sneak peek into our new drama club initiative, designed to inspire and engage young minds through the magic of theatre.

✨ Creative Activities: Dive into a series of fun and interactive exercises that foster collaboration and dramatic expression.

✨ A Play in a Day: Work together to write, rehearse, and perform a short play, showcasing your collective creativity and teamwork.

An evenings of readings and celebration with many of the contributors to the collection.

Arachne Press has long been a champion of LGBTQ+ writers, but we’ve never before published an anthology of LGBTQ+ poetry. These are joyful poems that celebrate all that is best about our community/ies and lives.

Joy//Us was published to coincide with International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia – because how better to fight hate than with joy?

Alongside the more immediately obvious causes, joy is found in everything from a good haircut to quality bread, by way of flintknapping, friendship, community, allyship and pop culture.

Enjoy readings from editors Cherry Potts and Jeremy Dixon and contributors Abhi, Alex Williams, Dean Atta, Desree, Elizabeth Gibson, JP Seabright, Joshua Jones, Rick Dove, Tom McLaughlin and P Burton-Morgan

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.