WORD! with Rishi Dastidar

  • This PAST event happened on: Thu, Apr 21, 2022

  • Venue:Attenborough Arts Centre, Lancaster Road, LE1 7HA
  • Time:7:30pm
  • Cost:£4 / £7
  • Main Contact:[email protected]
  • Web Address:https://attenborougharts.com
  • WORD! returns to Attenborough Arts, presented by Lydia Towsey and featuring acclaimed poet, editor, reviewer and Costa Book Award Judge, Rishi Dastidar; supported by a group of emerging poets curated by poet and performer, Cathi Rae.

    Rishi’s poetry has been published by Financial Times, New Scientist, Forward and the BBC amongst many others. His second poetry title, Saffron Jack (Nine Arches) was chosen by The Guardian as one of best of 2020. He is a consulting editor at The Rialto, Chair of the London’s Spread The Word, and editor of The Craft: A Guide to Making Poetry Happen in the 21st Century (Nine Arches).

    What they Say:

    "Rishi Dastidar's extraordinary debut collection, Tickertape introduces a distinctive new voice in poetry. This is a generously spirited collection with poems seething in tingly wit and pushing at the outer edges of what is possible in poetry. There really is no one else currently writing poetry quite like this." - Mona Arshi

    “A bravura meditation on crown and country, borders, and what it means to belong.” - Niven Govinden on Saffron Jack

    "Wherever he is, whatever he's up to, I declare Dastidar to be one of the most ingenious, modern, thrilling, hilarious and tender poets writing today." - Daljit Nagra

    Rishi will be supported by a showcase of new voices curated by poet and performer, Cathi Rae. The showcase will feature some of the adult learners with ages ranging from early 20s to their mid 70s who recently attended a course at Attenborough Arts Centre - "An introduction to spoken word poetry". Some of the group had a little experience of writing poetry, some were enthusiastic readers of poetry and some had never written a poem before in their lives. They all recently had their debut experience of performing at Some-Antics - where their work was well received. Their work covers personal experience, the NHS, mental & physical ill health, the annoyance of call centres and the war in the Ukraine amd much more.

    To workshop with Rishi prior to the show, from 4.30-6.30pm, drop a line to [email protected]

    To book tickets for the evening event, ring the Attenborough Arts Centre box office on 0116 2522455 or click the link on this page to purpchase online.

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    COVID POLICY

    As an NHS supported organisation we will strive to ensure all of our IRL events are operating in most covid-safe ways possible. In order to ensure the greatest possible safety of all attendees, we respectfully ask that if able to attend, you are:
    • Double or Triple Covid vaccinated
    • Happy to use hand-sanitiser on entry
    • Preferably able to take a lateral flow Covid test prior to attending.
    • Facemasks will be available and their use encouraged.
    With love and thanks for your support