Fans of performance poetry have a dilemma on their hands this Friday, as two exciting live events come to the North Laine area.

First up is Trope, a new spoken word evening which kicks off at 7.30pm in The Basement on Kensington Street. Organised by Brighton Dome in partnership with Apples and Snakes, the event is hosted by Rosy Carrick, a staple of the performance poetry scene in Brighton and a stalwart of SOURCE’s beloved Poets Vs MCs events.

Each edition of Trope will have a theme to inspire the performers – this time it’s ‘change’. Kicking things off will be Chuck SJ Hay, a prolific songwriter we first encountered live at the Drunk With My Friends event last year. Next up is Sea Sharp, Kansas born prize-winning slam poet, currently poet in residence for the Dome. Headlining the evening is Anthony Anaxagorou (pictured), award-winning writer and educator whose work has been featured on BBC Newsnight and whose poem Make it Red was commissioned by the Labour Party during last year’s election campaign. Entry is £6.50.

Meanwhile, only a few streets away, at The Writers’ Place on Jew Street, Deanna Rodger and Dean Atta host their independent spoken word evening Come Rhyme With Me. This event, a satellite of a successful London poetry night, has been an occasional fixture in Brighton for the past few years. Advertised as an evening of ‘rhyming, rice and peas’, visitors can purchase a performance only ticket (£7) or a special ticket which includes dinner (£15).

The evening’s entertainment kicks off with Brighton resident Bobbie Johnson, who toured recently with Rag’n’Bone Man (SOURCE interviewed her last year). Next up is Belinda Zhawi, a recent ICA associate poet. Finally, the evening is headlined by Andre Prefontaine, a slam poet who holds the ‘triple crown’ in his native Canada, having won the Underground Slam Championships, The Canadian Festival of Spoken Word and the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam. He’s travelled a long way to perform in Brighton, and this is a rare chance to see such a seasoned performer.

Both events feature a strictly limited number of open mic spots. Trope participants are advised to email [email protected] to secure a space.

Trope, The Basement, 24 Kensington Street. Friday 16th February 2018, 7.30pm
Tickets £6.50. Book here.

Come Rhyme With Me, The Writers’ Place, 9 Jew Street. Friday 16th February 2018, 7.00pm
Tickets £7 / £15. Book here.