Say Owt kicks off new decade with Slam #24 contest at City Screen’s Basement

Special guest: Lisette Auton will perform at Say Owt Slam #24

SAY Owt, York’s most raucous spoken-word hub, returns on February 1 for its first competitive slam of the new decade at The Basement, City Screen.

Slots are open to take part in Say Owt Slam #24 by emailing info@sayowt.co.uk. Artistic director Henry Raby, the York performance poet, playwright and activist, says: “Poets get a maximum of three minutes each to wow the audience with their words, culminating in the winner receiving a cash prize and bragging rights.

“Whether travelling from across the country or a homegrown York talent, each one brings a totally different style of humour, politics and heart to the gig.”

Say Owt has run slams for five years, being highly commended in the 2018 York Culture Awards and prompting audience members to comment: “Expertly put together, a delightful extravaganza”; “I love it here!” and “Felt so welcome at my first slam, great atmosphere. Not what I expected”.

“Each poet brings a totally different style of humour, politics and heart to Say Owt Slam,” says artistic director Henry Raby

Say Owt Slam invariably feature a special guest too, on this occasion award-winning Darlington disabled activist, writer, poet, spoken-word artist, theatre-maker and creative practitioner Lisette Auton.

“I do stuff with words,” says Lisette, a Penguin Random House UK WriteNow mentee for her children’s novel inspired by the North East coast.

“Her poetry is full of stories, humour and lyrical warmth and all of her work seeks to make the invisible visible,” says Henry.

Tickets for this 7.30pm show cost £6 from the City Screen box office or at ticketing.picturehouses.com or £7 on the door.