This London Liming at Rich Mix which offers a heady blend of the best spoken word artists around performing within an atmosphere of music, socialising and a carnival feeling, is themed as a Comedy Meets Kaiso special. For more info, click here.
This London Liming at Rich Mix takes on a special theme of COMBUSTICATION! in a words meets music special featuring award-winning saxophonist, rapper and renaissance man SOWETO KINCH, plus the acclaimed poets PATIENCE AGBABI and MARK GWYNNE JONES. Surely one of the most combustible spoken word line ups in some time...For more info click here
Read new blogs by our two new e-placements - Jessica McFadyen and Rebecca Smedley - both of whom are studying English and Transcultural Literature at the University of Leicester.
The Royal Albert Hall, Tongue Fu and Renaissance One presents
TONGUE FU: one of London’s liveliest spoken word nights at the Elgar Room and featuring MOBO award winning and Mercury Music Prize nominated alto-saxophonist and MC SOWETO KINCH; performance poet and musician CHRIS REDMOND; one of Europe's leading storytellers, JAN BLAKE; and the TONGUE FU band.
Hannah Lowe’s first book of poems explores her father, a Chinese-black Jamaican migrant who disappeared at night to play cards or dice in London's old East End to support his family. 'Chick' was his gambling nickname.
In 2011 renaissance one teamed up with Vox Africa who produce the TV feature 'Shoot The Messenger', a Vox Africa magazine format show offering performance, insight and discussion, and hosted by Henry Bonsu. Together we developed three pilot TV arts segments showcasing innovative arts spanning the African continent and diaspora.
The first in March spotlighted Caribbean spoken word and Jamaican folklorist Louise Bennett click here to watch
The April segment featured Adisa click here to watch
The May-June segment explored the art of 'Liming' with performances by Jean 'Binta' Breeze, click here to watch
renaissance one, the British Library, the Eccles Centre and Tilt present AMIRI BARAKA.
Before the Beats there was Jazz poetry. Experience an unmissable visit by the world-renowned poet AMIRI BARAKA, a leading figure of the evolution of the spoken word genre, who has influenced politics, artistic practice and cultural change on an international scale. During this event, Baraka offered readings and performance from the rich collection of his work. The reading was preceded by a Q & A between Baraka and Dr Corinne Fowler on his career and influences.
Enjoy an evening of poetry, songs and readings marking the 50th birthday of Jamaica's independence and the publication of a major new anthology, Jubilation!
Two of the best-known Jamaican poets, MERVYN MORRIS and KWAME DAWES, were joined by writer JANETT PLUMMER, musician AYANNA and singer-songwriter KAY REMEDY, to reflect on the historical moment of independence and the years that have followed.
renaissance one and the British Library launched in London Out of Bounds, a new poetry anthology from Bloodaxe Books, and edited by Jackie Kay, James Procter and Gemma Robinson, that re-maps Britain through a dazzling range of Black and Asian poets and writers. With readings by acclaimed poets and writers JOHN AGARD, GRACE NICHOLS, DALJIT NAGRA and CAROL LEEMING.
London Is the Place For Me marked 50 years of Trinidad and Tobago independence at the Tricycle Theatre from Sunday 12 - Saturday 25 August, through a two week festival curated by Melanie Abrahams and Dominique Le Gendre.
As part of a month-long cultural festival hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission (TTHC), this two week happening offered some of T & T's finest artists, thinkers and shapers: EARL LOVELACE, DEBRA ROMAIN, PAUL KEENS-DOUGLAS, ALEXANDER D GREAT, MARTINA LAIRD, LAWRENCE SCOTT, MONIQUE ROFFEY, AMANDA SMYTH, ANTHONY JOSEPH, ROGER ROBINSON and a book launch of THE POEMS OF SAM SELVON.
The Bernie Grant Trust in association with Bernie Grant Arts Centre and renaissance one presented a reunion and commemoration of a quarter of a century of advancing political representation at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre, featuring speeches and anecdotes by David Lammey, Keith Vaz, Diane Abbott, Dotun Adebayo and more, and entertainment responding to the theme of political and cultural activism with comedy by Shazia Mirza, poetry by Adisa and music by calypsonian Alexander D Great and the Ken Rowe Band.
Saturday 2 June: we offer 2 free spoken word happenings..
12pm - 2pm: Creative Salon: a forum for conversation and swapping skills, including a talk by Pete Brown (Cream, Michael Horovitz's New Departures Group, The First Real Poetry Band). Free, BOOK HERE
6pm - 9pm: EXTREME HAPPY FAIR: a ‘spoken word fair' of Join renaissance one for a FREE Spoken Word Fair of speech juggling, poetry, live art, lucky dips, philosophy, and jam. Featuring Poet In Residence John Hegley, poet Jasmine Cooray, Comedian Prince Abdi, THE EXTREME HAPPINESS EXPERIMENT by Mesmer, Mystic, Philosopher and Magician Jonny Blamey, poet Philip Wells and other assorted guests. Free, BOOK HERE
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
‘Poetry’s answer to Mark Thomas…expert performance skills’ Chortle
Pete The Temp brings high octane spoken word, musical comedy, political commentary, and audience participation in an hour long show at the Cockpit Theatre & The Albany.
3 May at 8pm: Cockpit Theatre, Gateforth Street London NW8 8EH Tickets £8/£6 BOOK TICKETS HERE
14 and 16 May at 8pm: The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, London SE8 4AG Tickets £7/£5 BOOK TICKETS HERE
Read the full details HERE
Monday 7 November 7pm at Free Word Centre
renaissance one with Peepal Tree, Bloodaxe and Free Word launched the poetry collections by Christian Campbell - 'Running The Dusk' - and Jacob Sam-La Rose - 'Breaking Silence'. The evening offered readings by both poets of their new work and a Q & A, set within a salon style environment. More info HERE.
Award-winning poet Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze's new collection, Third World Girl, was published by Bloodaxe in 2011, and she toured with renaissance one between June and November.
What they say..
'A major, perhaps even a great voice. For stature, Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze invites a Caribbean comparison with Maya Angelou, except that her range is broader still. Her poetry shifts effortlessly through standard English to a native Jamaican which has no equal in its emotional depth' The Herald
RENAISSANCE ONE is a production and artists’ agency that fosters the best talent in literature and spoken word.
Our roster of exclusive clients, and associate artists and practitioners, is drawn from the most articulate and passionate in writing, performance and ideas today.
Because we sign up only the most exciting artists our small, focused company can work closely with them to foster connections and develop talents to build a long-lasting career in the arts.
Click here to see the range of writers and performers we have worked with over the years.
JEAN 'BINTA' BREEZE is a poet, choreographer and director who has performed worldwide and is recipient of a NESTA Award, and this year, an Honorary Creative Writing Fellowship from the University of Leicester. She is the author of five poetry collections. Her latest Book-DVD of selected poems, 'Third World Girl', was published by Bloodaxe in 2011, and in 2013, Jean visits England from Jamaica followed by an England Tour produced by renaissance one.
Watch an interview with Jean here (approx. 45 mins into the segment)
For enquiries about Jean contact renaissance one at hq[at]renaissanceone.co.uk or ring 020 7272 8386.
We represent the poet ADISA, a well regarded performer and workshop facilitator who travels widely around the UK and overseas.
His spoken word show 1968: The Year That Never Ended toured England in 2009/10, supported by Arts Council England, and produced by renaissance one. It culminated in a sell-out show at the Barbican Pit Theatre in Feb 2010, starring Adisa, with guest musician Randolph Matthews
'Click here for the video '1968 Show on tour' featuring audience reviews and the making of the show