Tilt presents the best in SPOKEN WORD & its links to music & art
'Spoken Word pioneers' Channel 4
UPCOMING EVENTS in 2013
the best in spoken word artists & forms
13 JUNE 2013: TILT PRESENTS LONDON LIMING
SOWETO KINCH, PATIENCE AGBABI, MARK GWYNNE-JONES
London Liming is where spoken word meets carnival in an infectious, happy-go-lucky and word-drenched social atmosphere.
The dazzling line-up in June features MOBO Award Winner and Mercury Prize Nominee alto-saxophonist and rapper SOWETO KINCH and poetry from the acclaimed PATIENCE AGBABI and MARK GWYNNE-JONES, responding to a COMBUSTIFICATION! theme.
WATCH SPOKEN WORD VIDEOS
Video: Ayanna Witter-Johnson at London Liming
watch highlights of previous London Liming shows
photo of Ayanna Witter-Johnson
Ayanna Witter-Johnson is a captivating composer, jazz vocalist and musician with a First Class Degree from Trinity College. A rising star she was nominated for a MOBO Award in 2012, and she joined us for a special London Liming performance with Jonzi D in 2009.
Video: Amiri Baraka at London Liming
Author of Blues People, Somebody Blew Up America and In Town
The spoken word legend AMIRI BARAKA, cited as the godfather of the Black Arts Movement in the US, joined us for a special London Liming performance, and a national tour in October 2012.
Video: Dean Atta at London Liming
photo of Dean Atta
Dean Atta a young poet of Jamaican and Greek Cypriot heritage based in London, has a long history in performing in West End musicals, community theatre and open mic nights. His poetry has been featured on BBC Radio 4 and he has been a recipient of a 'Spirit of London' Award for services to Poetry.
Guy Browning on spoken word
author of the best-selling 'How To..' series
photo of Guy Browning
'I started life as a stand up comedian and that’s one of the most visceral ways of using spoken word. You have to connect with the inside of someone’s brain using nothing but language and I’ve always found that really exciting.' In this video Guy talks about the impact of spoken word.
SOPHIE WOOLLEY writer and actress on spoken word
Creator of 'Brief Word Encounter': a satirical monologue, performed at Something I Said in 2010
photo of Ayanna Witter-Johnson
Accompanied by cellist TONY WOOLLARD (Cello Journeys), Sophie performed a satirical monologue at our spoken word festival Something I Said. The piece was inspired by classic film 'Brief Encounter' and random snippets of literature gathered via upsidedown reading on the train.
2012 & 2013 HIGHLIGHTS
our pick of events that have taken place this and last year
11 April: TILT PRESENTS LONDON LIMING
brilliant spoken word in a warm and social setting
This special evening on a theme of COMEDY and KAISO features spoken word, songs, commentary, standup and poetry from PRINCE ABDI, ALEXANDER D GREAT, FEMI MARTIN, TIM CLARE, MELANIE ABRAHAMS, TIM BOMBDOG and JAMES INGHAM. Soca, Brazilian, soul, reggae, and dance tunes all evening by DJ CLIFFY.
14 FEB: TILT'S LONDON LIMING: WHERE SPOKEN WORD MEETS CARNIVAL.
Tilt’s LONDON LIMING is an uproarious spoken word party that transports the cosmopolitan vibe of Trinidad 'liming' culture to London. It offers a chilled-out carnival vibe where people can mix, drink, dance and soak up the best of spoken word through live performance, readings and the intimate and passionate telling of stories. The wordplay and fun with words is interspersed with musical interludes - from Soca, Brazilian tunes to Reggae, soul and dance classics, all played by our resident** DJ CLIFFY** (Batmacumba, Future World Funk). This love theme special presents performances from internationally-acclaimed Jamaican poet JEAN 'BINTA' BREEZE, Tilt’s Liming patron JOHN AGARD, singer songwriter MELLOW BAKU, and JELENA CURCIC, a storyteller hailing from the Balkans, and MELANIE ABRAHAMS as your host. Whether you're a lover or a fighter (of love clichés) this event offers a line-up that is bound to enthrall.
3 NOV: Sun Stops Play, a Spoken Word Talk
John Agard at Aldeburgh Poetry Festival 2012
Bringing his own spin to the language of poetry and cricket in a newly developed 'mock lecture', 'Sun Stops Play', poet John Agard presents at this year's Aldeburgh Poetry Festival with his unique blend of oratory, spoken word and exhilarating wordplay. Suitable for those who like their words to swing.
19 OCT: JAMDOWN MEETS LIMING: Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago at 50
A night of brilliant voices in a carnival-style mash-up: Linton KWESI JOHNSON, JANET KAY, ALEXANDER D GREAT, VICTOR ROMERO EVANS, ANTHONY JOSEPH, CAROLL THOMPSON, SALENA GODDEN and more - join us for the sounds, tastes and feeling of the islands - dancing optional!
19 OCT: Caribbean Activism in Literature, Art and Design
Part of Jamdown Meets Liming at the V&A
Discover the best in Jamaican, Trinidad and Tobago culture as guest speakers from UK cultural organisations explore activism, innovation and change in the arts. With contributions from George Padmore Institute, New Beacon Books, Margaret Busby and renaissance one. 2pm - 6pm
TUE 9 OCT: Tilt's London Liming at Rich Mix
AMIRI BARAKA, DIANA McCAULAY, KAYO CHINGONYI, CAROLINE BIRD, KAY REMEDY
LONDON LIMING offers a laid back environment of socialising, music and a bar, within which you can experience some of the most electrifying and potent spoken word artists and orators around.
17 AUG: Tilt's London Liming at The Tricycle
Experience spoken word, music and carnival under one roof
This special line-up presents artists including Alexander D Great, Monique Roffey, Attillah Springer, Ray Funk, Kevin Le Gendre, Vee Vee, James Ingham, performers from the Calypso Tent workshops run that week, and hosts John Agard and Melanie Abrahams. Our House DJ and Live Band play samba, calypso, reggae and party tunes. 8pm at the Tricycle Theatre. FREE. Book HERE.
18 May: Renaissance One presents LONDON VOICES
Spoken Word Showcase, part of Wandsworth Arts Festival
Photo of Aoife Mannix
Renaissance One in association with South Thames College and Wandworth Arts Festival 2012 presents an aspirational live public showcase of spoken word, song and music.
It presents a platform of South Thames learners in the Creative Industries department - writers, singers, rappers and performers - alongside professional artists ADISA, AOIFE MANNIX, JAMES INGHAM and host MELANIE ABRAHAMS.
Friday 18 May 6pm – 8.30pm Venue: South Thames College, Wandsworth High Street London SW18 2PP Admission free, places limited BOOK A FREE TICKET
Visit the South Thames College and Wandsworth Arts Festival websites
See what 'Liming' is about
Watch a performance video
Next London Liming - 9 Oct at Rich Mix!
Watch a video that offers insight into our 'Liming' event. It's presented by Liming Patron the award-winning poet John Agard, click HERE to view it
Video: Dean Atta at London Liming
watch highlights of previous London Liming shows
photo of Dean Atta
Dean Atta is a young poet of Jamaican and Greek Cypriot heritage based in London, who has been performing from a young age in West End musicals, community theatre and open mic nights. His poetry has been featured on BBC Radio 4 and he is a recipient of a 'Spirit of London' Award for his services to Poetry.
26 MAY: Tilt and Tooting Hub presents High Energy
A Wandsworth Festival 2012 Event
Photo of Adisa
Sat 26 May, 6pm at Tooting Hub, FREE More info here
5 May: Tilt presents John Agard: Sun Stops Play
A Spoken Word Talk on the language of poetry and cricket
Photo of John Agard
Experience the thrill of oratory and performance from acclaimed poet John Agard who gives a talk on poetry and cricket, followed by a Q & A and book signing. 6pm at Cockpit Theatre. Full event info HERE
12 April 2012: Tilt's London Liming: at Rich Mix
Where spoken word meets carnival
photo of Hannah Lowe
LONDON LIMING offers spoken word, music, socialising and dancing under one roof. It is an opportunity to unwind, experience the best performers around, and take part!
Our last event explored the theme of INDEPENDENCE! and features JOHN HEGLEY, HANNAH LOWE, JOHN AGARD, ROGER ROBINSON, SIMON MOLE, and music by JAMES INGHAM (guitar). Co-hosted by JOHN AGARD (London Liming Patron) and MELANIE ABRAHAMS
Feb 2012 at Kings Place: Spoken Word Show
SIX WORD MEMOIR as part of Jewish Book Week
Writers and performers Lail Arad, Francesca Beard, David Mills, Shalom Auslander **and **Jamie Glasman presented a Memoir of Six Words, and then revealed the backstory in six minutes. At the show’s end everyone was invited to share a Six-Word Memoir as part of a participatory Six-Word Slam Hosted by Larry Smith at Kings Place. The event was a Jewish Book Week event in association with Tilt.