UK’s finest poets, thinkers, and musicians will provide a diverse chilled ambience as we consider the big issues for the African, Caribbean, Asian and Global Majority.
With special guests, poets and artists Jasmine Qureshi, Alinah Azadeh, Susmita Bhattacharya and Kaycee Hill.
Plus our hosts for the night Akila Richards and DJ Fever2Ray from African Night Fever.
Produced by Writing Our Legacy in partnership with Winchester Poetry Festival and Hampshire Cultural Trust
Tickets available here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-room-in-winchester-tickets-619641192487
Supported by Arts Council England’s National Lottery funded Project Grant.
THE ARTISTS
Jasmine Qureshi (they/she), is a queer, writer, journalist, activist, marine biology graduate and speaker/presenter. Until recently they were a researcher for the BBC Natural History Unit and BBC Earth, Wildlife Film-maker, ambassador for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and Engagement Officer for the youth led nature organisation A Focus On Nature. They are absurdly passionate about wildlife, conservation and the environment, and can usually be found on the coast, combing for marine life, and exploring the ruins and new builds of our urban jungles, and speaking and writing far too much about insects and arthropods.
As a speaker and journalist she is also passionate about topics such as diversity, political agenda, sexuality, identity and gender, particularly trans rights and understanding; contributing to magazines, blogs and events around the country, and as a presenter have been involved with CBeebies and Edinburgh Science Festival.
They have featured in Attitude Magazine on a recent 9 page spread on Ocean conservation, intersectionality and queer theory, with acclaimed drag artist Bimini, Activist Noga Levy Rappaport and wildlife broadcaster Dan O’Neill.
Alinah Azadeh is a writer, artist and cultural activist of British Iranian heritage based in the UK. She has had short stories, poetry and academic articles published – including in Hidden Sussex (Writing our Legacy, 2019). Her work will feature in Glimpse, the first anthology of Black British speculative fiction, published next year by Inscribe/Peepal Tree Press, edited by Leone Ross. Her first book, In the Skin of a Stranger, is currently showcased online by The Literary Consultancy and was longlisted last year for the S I Leeds Prize.
Alinah is currently inaugural Writer-in-Residence for the South Downs National Park Authority, focused on the Seven Sisters Country Park and Sussex Heritage Coast, creating a new body of writing for the landscape and curating/leading a literature focused programme around it, We See You Now. This includes her podcast The Colour of Chalk writer commissions, retreats, live events and a publication, supported by Arts Council England and other partners, including New Writing South, ONCA and Writing our Legacy.
Susmita Bhattacharya is an Indian writer and poet. Her debut novel is The Normal State of Mind (Parthian, 2015) and Table Manners (Dahlia Publishing, 2018) won the Saboteur Award for Best Short Story Collection in 2019 and was serialised on BBC Radio 4 Extra. Her poems have been included in anthologies, placed in competitions and recently been included in the Indian Poetry Yearbook 2023. She lives in Winchester.
Kaycee Hill is a working-class, mixed-heritage poet based in North Somerset, studying for an MA in Creative Writing at the University of Bristol. She won the inaugural James Berry Poetry Prize and received mentorship from Malika Booker. Kaycee’s poetry has been published in the Poetry Review, The Poetry Society website, Five Dials, and commended by the Young Poets Network for their ‘After Sylvia’ poetry challenge. Her words can also be found on Young Poets Stories and in the anthology The Lost Art of Staring into Fires. Her debut collection Hot Sauce is published by Bloodaxe in October.
Akila Richards is an award winning poet, writer and spoken word artist, performing and collaborating nationally and internationally. Her work features in collaboration with artists and genres for theatre, film, visual arts and digital platforms. Her portfolio includes facilitating and initiating creative and cultural events, offering creative workshops, managing projects and providing mentoring and coaching to writers. From an Artist-in-House residency at Brighton Dome, Akila is developing ‘The Rest Experience’ programme. Her poetry and prose are published in Covert Magazine, Creative Future, Dulwich Picture Gallery, Peepal Tree, Penguin, Waterloo Press, Brighton Festival and online platforms. Her latest fiction is included in the speculative anthology ‘Glimpse’ at Peepal Tree Press. She is currently completing her first poetry pamphlet ‘Ritual for a Mango’ and first novel for publishing. https://akilarichards.wordpress.com/
African Night Fever: In 2003, Ebou Touray from the Gambia and David Sijale from Tanzania, launched a monthly music night at the Babylon Lounge in Hove, showcasing the music and culture of Africa and the African diaspora. African Night Fever became a hub for local talent as people flocked to the nights in order to dance, mingle and experience a mix of Live bands and DJ sets. From that, sprang friendships, sharing and genuine community spirit. African Night Fever continues to evolve and partners with local venues and promotors throughout the UK to share a taste of African and Caribbean culture, belonging and community to a diverse range of audiences.
Event Information and Access
Tickets for the evening are :
- Early bird - £6
- Members £7
- Family ticket £10 for 2 adults & 2 children or more
- Concession £10
- Full price £15
We are also running workshops before the performance. Tickets on sale from Eventbrite via this link:
If you have any other questions reqarding accessibility please contact: info@writingourlegacy.org.uk
