Open mic competition for lyricists, poets, MCs and spoken word artists. ILUVLYRICS is set to take the Lyric Lounge by storm! A competition for lyricists, poets, MCs and spoken word artists; BBC 1Xtra’s HomeGrown presenter Ras Kwame will be this event’s compère. Perform a cappella or with the backing of our house band, but make sure it’s your very own work! Our winner will receive an artist development bursary, to help launch them as an artist. If you think you’ve got what it takes, contact Rickin Bilimoria at 2Funky Arts on info@2funkyarts.co.uk / 0116 222 0639, or register at 6pm on the night. Expect something explosive, emotive and unexpected. Raw and real!

Leicester’s longest running poetry and spoken word night, in residence at The Lyric Lounge.

WORD! is Leicester’s longest running poetry and spoken word night. It consists of an open mic and a booked act. As this one off Lyric Lounge Sunday special, it will feature Lucy English as booked act. Lucy used to be the hippy chick love mother sex goddess until she got too old. She now likes gardening and watching Delia Smith on I-player. Her favourite man is Monty Don and although she camped for a week outside his house he never spoke to her. Poets and lyricists wishing to perform on the open mic, should arrive at 7.30pm and register with the compère, Lydia Towsey. The night kicks off at 8pm. There will be a raffle!

The return of this ground breaking showcase featuring powerful and poetic contributions from 11 young men.

In November 2008, 7 young men of diverse cultural origin celebrated their talent in all that was spoken. Revisiting The Y in what promises to be another moving performance, these young men will be joined by 4 more, in exploring experiences of life, love, nature and nurture. Accompanied by music and visuals and incorporating spoken word, hip-hop, poetry, rap and monologue, Showcase Live aims to spark debate around mental health issues. Artists have been mentored by high priestess of poetry and Lyric Lounge Patron, Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze with support from poet and Tuesday afternoon panel expert, Sureshot. Directed by Melanie Abrahams. With thanks to Akwaaba Ayeh, Brightsparks, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust and Leicester City Arts & Museums Service.

Presented as part of The Lyric Lounge, this event gives local disabled-led arts groups the chance to celebrate the Special Olympics in style by presenting work they have created across a variety of art forms: music, comedy, theatre and spoken word.

The evening also features specially commissioned pieces by Lyric Lounge patron and internationally acclaimed artist Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze, who has been shadowing the groups as they prepare for the big event.

The groups participating in the evening are: Movers Theatre Company, Remit Performing Arts and Songwriting groups, BrightSparks Comedy Project and the Adult Learning Group from Countesthorpe College.

Seven poets perform new work, inspired by museum artifacts.

One ordinary box...7 objects inside...and 7 specially commissioned poets to take them out and bring them to life, exploring both artifacts and Olympic values. Prepared to be wowed as live literature collides with music and visuals; and new voices make old things come alive. Handle with care and be sure to hold the Write Way Up in this multimedia extravaganza. Directed and mentored by Kevin Fegan. Produced by Pam Thompson for WORD! This night is in partnership with Leicestershire’s Open Museum. The Resource Box, Artworks and Moving Objects schemes loan thousands of museum objects to communities of Leicestershire every year.

Young people reflect on contemporary issues in this evening of compelling live performance.

Young people from Leicester and Leicestershire present ensemble performances. Expect spoken word and visual arts with an evocative musical score composed by Dave Dhonau. Directed, produced by, and featuring Mombowie Starchild with support from Rob Gee.

Relevant. Resonant. Real.

An evening with the master of comic poetry, with contributions from a group of talented older men. All profits to local disability groups.

John Hegley headlines and will act as compère during this eclectic evening. Delve deep into the world of one of the UK’s most prolific storytellers. Radio regular, published writer, and popular glasses wearer, John Hegley has made his mark everywhere. From sell out shows at Edinburgh Festival to comedy festivals worldwide, his poems about dogs, glasses and a whole lot more, have really gone the distance. John has been busy passing on his trade secrets to his supporting acts, talented local older men. Also featuring the winning poet from The Lyric Lounge Olympic art competition. All profits from the evening will be donated to local disability organisations. John’s performance will be followed by an onstage question and answer session.