SLAMOVISION SHOWCASE
TUE 05 DEC - 6.30PM
EXETER LIBRARY
At Spork! we want to nurture home-grown talent, encourage young & emerging artists, and help put Devon on the poetry map. That's why we're looking for 2 young artists to receive development support and a paid performance opportunity at the Slamovision Watch Party on Tue 5th December.
Are you a spoken-word artist, writer, rapper, performer or poet living in Devon, aged 16-25? Are you looking to develop your career and creative practice? Want to talk about funding, or how to get gigs? Want tips on your performance style, or your writing?
2 artists will be selected to receive:
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£50 Cash
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A 5-10 min performance slot at the Slamovision Showcase on 05 DEC
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A 45-min Zoom or in-person mentoring session with either Spork! Lead Producer Chris White, or local award-winning poet Harula Ladd
To apply, send us:
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a sample of your work (a couple of minutes of video or audio, a short piece of writing or a poem)
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your age
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where you're based
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up to 50 words about you.
email this to Chris at sporkpoetry@gmail.com by 5PM on Sunday 26th November.
The applications will be reviewed by Chris White and Harula Ladd, and all applicants will have an outcome on Monday 27th November.
For any help applying or any further information, please do get in touch. We're also happy to receive all of the above in the form of a short video or audio file, or to speak to you directly over the phone.
THE GIG
On Tuesday Dec 5th, Exeter UNESCO City of Literature are screening the annual Slamovision Grand Finale at Exeter Library. Slamovision is an international poetry slam entered by Cities of Literature all across the world. It's a nbit like Eurovision but... with less singing. This year Devon's own Jonah Corren (winner of our City Slam back in April,) is representing Exeter. So we're going along to Exeter Library to have a drink, cheer on our poet, and watch some world class poetry.
Ahead of the livestream, our 2 selected artists will be invited to perform a short 5 - 10 min set. You can perform whatever you like, though there is a loose theme of Home, Place and Belonging.
THE MENTORING
Each artist will have a 45 min mentoring session with either Chris White or Harula Ladd, either in-person or online. The selected artists will be given a choice of dates, but when and where the session happens can be flexible, so long as it takes place before 01 Feb 2024.
Chris White is the Creative Director of Spork! Poetry, and was recently appointed the events lead at Exeter Library. He's a spoken-word poet and slam winner who has been performing across the UK for over a decade, from Tongue Fu to Latitude. He was the first Riddler in Residence at Exeter Cathedral, is a former Bard of Exeter, a regularly leads workshops for schools and community groups.
Harula Ladd is an accomplished poet and performer based in Devon. A winner of the Exeter Poetry Slam and a 'Spork Up!' Programme alumni, Harula has performed her gorgeous and uplifting work all over, from onstage at the South Bank Centre to festivals, community centres, or alongside the Glorious Chorus Choir. She's been Poet in Residence at Torbay Hospital, and frequently creates on-the-spot bespoke poetry. She's had her work appear in multiple publications, and frequently leads courses, workshops and retreats.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE?
Anybody aged 16 - 25 living, working or studying in Devon can apply. No previous or particular experience is necessary. We'll looking for young artists who are passionate, who want to develop and their skills, and who would benefit from this opportunity. Each artist will be paid £50.00 cash at the Slamovision Watch Party event following their 5-10 min performance.
ABOUT SPORK!
Spork! Poetry is a Community Interest Company delivering regular events, workshops & artist support across Exeter & Devon, headed by Lead Producer, programmer & host Chris White. We've been running events since 2018, have received support from Arts Council England, Exeter City Council and Exeter City of Lit, and worked with numerous partners and venues including Theatre Alibi, Mothers Who Make and Exeter Pride. Our goal is to make spoken-word poetry fun, engaging and accessible for all. in the past 5 years we've programmed hundreds of artists at almost 60 events, from rappers to darg queens to brass bands.