Hackney Empire

Spice Slam

1 July 2008 - 22 July 2008

Venue: Marie Lloyd Bar

Thirty plucky poets compete for the chance to grace the Hackney Empire's main stage supporting top US slam poet Daniel Beaty, a slot in the final of the Hackney Empire's legendary '291' talent show on Friday 25th July, and £100 cash!

Each heat begins at 7.30pm in the Hackney Empire's Marie Lloyd Bar and is hosted by the host of Utter!, Mr Richard Tyrone Jones: 'Wonderful compere and poet' - Daljit Nagra. 10 intrepid contestants will compete in each heat!

Heat One - Tuesday 1st July - FREE

Special Guest Poets: Niall Spooner-Harvey, 2004/5 UK slam champion, and awesome roots-reggae revivalist Crisis.

Heat Two - Tuesday 8th July - FREE

Special Guest Poets: PolarBear, shortly due to unleash his one-man show 'If I cover my nose you can't see me' at the Purcell Rooms, and Kat Francois, 2005 World Slam Champion and BBC3 Poetry Slam winner who's conquered the world with her one-woman show.

Heat Three - Tuesday 15th July - FREE

Special Guest Poets: Baden Prince Jr, host of the Marie Lloyd's 'Speakeasy', the 'Isaac Hayes of Poetry' and a very special Mystery Guest...

Wednesday 16th July - THE FINAL...

The three finalists picked from the Marie Lloyd bar heats will compete against each other on the main stage, forming part of the show Voices in Harmony. 

So to book your slot, or for more information please contact