Leeds’ popular spoken word poetry night ‘Chelping’ returns to The Leeds Library for its 12th instalment on Wednesday 26th February. Known for programming highly-acclaimed acts from around the UK alongside the best Yorkshire-based talent, it also provides opportunities for new writers on the open mic.

Guest acts in February are internationally-renowned poet Anthony Anaxagorou and Bradford-based rising star Sharena Lee Satti. Chelping is programmed and hosted by Nymphs & Thugs founder Matt Abbott.

Tickets cost £6 (includes admin and booking fee; tickets are non refundable) and are available via the Eventbrite link. Doors open at 7pm. There will be a pay bar on the night.

ANTHONY ANAXAGOROU

Anthony Anaxagorou is a British-born Cypriot poet, fiction writer, essayist, publisher and poetry educator. His poetry has been published in POETRY, The Poetry Review, Poetry London, Granta, Ambit, The Adroit Journal, The London Magazine, The Rialto and elsewhere. His poetry and fiction have appeared on BBC Newsnight, BBC Radio 4, ITV, Vice UK, Channel 4 and Sky Arts.

His second collection ‘After the Formalities’ (Penned in the Margins) is a Poetry Book Society recommendation. It was selected as one of The Telegraph’s and The Guardian’s best poetry books of 2019 and shortlisted for the 2019 T.S Eliot Prize.He was awarded the 2019 H-100 Award for writing and publishing, and the 2015 Groucho Maverick Award for his poetry and fiction. In 2019 he was made an honorary fellow of the University of Roehampton.

Anthony is also artistic director of Out-Spoken, a monthly poetry and music event held at London’s Southbank Centre, and is founder of Out-Spoken Press, an independent publisher of poetry and critical writing that aims to challenge the lack of diversity in British publishing. He has toured extensively throughout Europe and Australia and his work has been studied in universities, schools and colleges across Europe and the USA.

SHARENA LEE SATTI

Sharena Lee Satti is a poet and the author of ‘Testing Times’, ‘Broken Chains’ and ‘UnapologeticShe’. Selected to become a Community Champion in her native Bradford, she writes poetry about her personal life, environmental issues, social stigmas, homelessness, poverty and discrimination. She speaks openly about her past and the struggles she’s had to endure. She found her voice and encourages others to find theirs through poetry and self-expression.

Sharena has recently being associated with Bradford Producing Hub, Bradford Festival, Bradford Literature Festival, Ilkley Lit Festival and more. She has facilitated spoken word events and has worked closely with schools delivering poetry workshops and talks.

OPEN MIC

There are 6 open mic slots available on a first come, first served basis. Please note that these open mic slots are a maximum of 5 minutes. They can be reserved by emailing Matt Abbott at eyup@mattabbottpoet.com. We encourage a diverse range of writers, and also request that you don’t apply to read for a second consecutive event.

MATT ABBOTT

Matt Abbott is a poet, educator and activist from Wakefield. His debut one-man show ‘Two Little Ducks’ earned 5* reviews during a full Edinburgh Fringe run in 2017 and then on a 22-date UK theatre tour in autumn 2018. It was accompanied by his debut poetry collection of the same name (VERVE Poetry Press). His debut kids’ poetry collection ‘A Hurricane in my Head’ was published by Bloomsbury in July.

Matt formed spoken word record label Nymphs & Thugs in spring 2015 and fronts indie band Skint & Demoralised. He’s an ambassador for Trinity Homeless Projects and Eureka! The National Children’s Museum.