Minal Sukumar – charleshutchpress

Palestinian poet and podcast host Mohammed Moussa

AFTER hosting Palestinian poet Farah Chamma in June, York spoken-word collective Say Owt brings another international artist to The Crescent on November 23 when Gaza Poets Society founder Mohammad Moussa headlines the midday bill.

Palestinian poet and podcast host Moussa set up the Gaza Poets Society as a platform for emerging voices from Gaza and beyond.

Born and raised in Gaza, Moussa now lives in Turkey, where he continues to write and build connections across borders. He has published two poetry collections and contributed to multiple anthologies.

Nadira Alom

“Mohammed shares work that speaks with urgency, humour and hope – poems rooted in lived experience and reaching for freedom,” says Say Owt artistic director Henry Raby.

“We believe in platforming under-represented voices, and through his poetry Mohammed tells the story of the people of Gaza. A humble, gentle soul, Mohammed’s poetry is full of compassion and soul.”

Supporting Moussa at Sunday’s 12 noon to 2pm show of “generous spoken word sharing personal stories” will be York-based poets Nadira Alom and Minal Sukumar.

Minal Sukumar

“Nadira Alom is a poet who believes that your voice is the most important thing you have and you should use it to stand up for the causes you believe in,” says Henry. “She writes about mental health and her experiences as both a woman and a Muslim.

“Minal Sukumar is a writer, performance poet and doctoral researcher at the Centre for Women’s Studies, University of York. She holds a master’s degree in writing and has performed poetry across India, Ireland and the UK.”

For tickets, go to: https://thecrescentyork.com/events/say-owt-mohammed-moussa-gaza-poets-society/. The ticket price is Pay-What-You-Decide.

Poster for Gaza Poets Society

*Jarmouse: Releasing Flush EP and playing Young Thugs Studio gig in York on May 11*

SAY Owt associate artist Bram David Jarman is ready to shake South Bank, York, with his fusion of spoken word, poetry and music in the guise of Jarmouse in a May 11 gig.

York poet, playwright, songwriter and musician Bram has been a key voice at the loveably gobby gang of performance poets’ high-energy nights of words and verse since 2014, whether performing his brand of sharp spoken word or being the friendly face on the door cheering on poets.

This month Jarmouse has released the EP Flush on York label Young Thugs Records. “Featuring a combination of beats, loops, synths and sounds, stories and politics, this experience is for fans of Sleaford Mods, Benefits or Yard Act, but far more anarchic, genre-bending, furious and fun,” says Bram.

*Minal Sukumar: Writer, performance poet and feminist researcher*

To celebrate next month’s release of stories and songs, Jarmouse will perform a dynamic set of “rave poetry, grief beats and disco fiction” at May 11’s intimate performance at Young Thugs Studio, South Bank Social Club, Ovington Terrace, in the spirit of DIY punk gigs. “Expect a few surprises along the way!” says Bram.

Support acts will be poet Minal Sukumar and electro riot grrrl act Doberwoman. Sukumar is a writer, performance poet and feminist researcher, who was aged “around ten” when she decided to enter the business of telling stories, a “phase” some are still waiting for her to outgrow.

Co-founder of the poetry collective Mouth Of Word in 2017, Sukumar has performed original spoken-word poetry in India, Ireland and the United Kingdom and her writing has appeared in several publications, most notably South Asia’s leading literary magazine, The Bombay Review.

Her work sits at the intersection of feminism, postcolonialism and mental health – or, in other words, is a medley of all the things she was never supposed to say out loud.

*Electro riot grrl Doberwoman: “Gnashing-toothed musical response to a world that expects girls to shut u*p”

Doberwoman is the digital noise-based side project of folk-punk protest musician and songwriter Alice Nicholls. A far cry from her usual multi-instrumental set-up, armed with MIDI [Musical Instrument Digital Interface] and a megaphone, she creates an explosion of intense harmonies paired with lyrics of expressive, yet eloquent, rage.

“Doberwoman is electro riot grrl: a screaming, yelling, tantrum-throwing brainchild; a gnashing-toothed musical response to a world that expects girls to shut up,” says Say Owt host Henry Raby. “What happens when women let loose their anger after being told they should be quiet? What happens when we get fed up of being afraid? Doberwoman happens.”

Doors open at 7.30pm for the 8pm start. Tickets are available at eventbrite.co.uk/e/say-owt-presents-jarmouse-ep-launch-doberwomen-minal-sukumar-tickets-879734990037?aff=oddtdtcreator

Tag: Minal Sukumar

Gaza Poets Society founder Mohammed Moussa to headline Say Owt’s midday bill at The Crescent in York on Sunday