- Culture
- 06 Nov 19
WE ARE POETS 19 is a programme of workshops, exhibitions and live performances aimed at 14-24 year olds, and is run by the Verbal Arts Centre throughout November 2019 in Derry and Strabane.
The programme is designed to "promote the voices, needs, rights, well-being and mental health of young people in the community."
Among those set to perform as part of the programme this year are Kildare hip-hop act Tebi Rex. Having released their debut album - appropriately titled The Young Will Eat The Old - last month, Tebi Rex secured their place as one of Ireland's most interesting, and innovative, acts.
Also scheduled to perform is Natalya O'Flaherty, one of the most exciting names in Irish spoken word. Having paid her dues throughout the scene in Dublin, Natalya has had several high-profile media performances - including on RTE's Late Late Show - as well having made appearances at festivals and cultural events in the country. Her words tackle everything from societal problems in Ireland to drug abuse.
We Are Poets 19 is part of Youth 19 and run in association with Derry City and Strabane District Council. The programme involves participants from Verbal Arts Centre projects Third Space, Listen Share Change, Reading Rooms, Seldom Heard, Verbal School of Journalism, and Abridged magazine, as well as welcoming the public to live events.
WE ARE POETS 19 public event highlights include the following unique performances:
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6th November – Hollie McNish @ First Derry Presbyterian Church, Derry (7pm, with support from slammer Michael Wilson - Free Entry) - (following day workshops for Third Space and Verbal School of Journalism participants)
Pioneering poet, writer and spoken word artist Hollie McNish gives a unique performance in the stunning First Derry Presbyterian Chruch as part of Verbal Arts Centre's WE ARE POETS 19 programme. Author of Papers, Cherry Pie, Why I Ride, Nobody Told Me and Plum, Hollie runs Page to Performance and won the 2016 Ted Hughes award for New Work in Poetry. With support from slammer Michael Wilson, author of Bedlam's Best and Finest and winner of this year's Belfast Book Festival Slam, this very special event is not to be missed!
12th and 15th November @Foyle Embankment and Verbal Arts Centre respectively Poetry installations featuring commissioned poem by Lemn Sissay (MBE) - Free Entry
Lemn Sissay MBE is a British author and broadcaster. Sissay was the official poet of the 2012 London Olympics, has been Chancellor of the University of Manchester since 2015, and joined the Foundling Museum's Board of Trustees two years later, having previously been appointed one of the museum's Fellows. At all’ is a commissioned piece which seen young people in the city from the Extern organisation take part in a series of visual art workshops. Through this activity they have re-created ‘At all’ as a temporary public artwork, which they are installing in a number of public spaces across the city.
17th November – Tebi Rex @ Atelier Hair, Derry (6pm – Free Entry)
Tebi Rex are one of the leading names on the Irish Music scene, with their debut album already being discussed as a domestic release of the year... As part of WE ARE POETS 19 this one-night-only performance is free entry and will take place in the exceptional setting of Atelier Hair.
27th November – Abridged presents Natalya O’Flaherty (w/ launch of Abridged 0-58 Kassandra) @ The Bunker, Sandwich Co, Diamond, Bishop St, Derry – 7pm – Free Entry
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Abridged magazine occupies The Bunker for one night only to host a unique performance by the incredible Natalya O'Flaherty, one of the most exciting voices on the Irish spoken word scene, and launch their latest issue.
1-30th November – Embracing Human Rights - exhibition of arpilleras @ Verbal Arts Centre Foyer – Free Entry