SLAMbassadors UK

Most of you will now already know that one of our 7 SLAMbassadors winners was tragically killed before the Showcase Gig – Diane Cheng. Please join the Poetry Society in thinking of her and of all of the young spoken word talent out there. You will live on in your words. You will change lives with your ideas. Bless you. Memorial 7 December 2009. Say a poem at some point on that day and think of her, her family, her friends – and of yourselves. Keep safe.

After an awe-inspiring few months trekking the country with the BBC and searching for the freshest spoken word talent, we have finally selected the 7 winners of SLAMbassadors UK 2009! The BBC, the Poetry Society, myself and Scroobius Pip met in a breathless room in the BBC and worked our way through over 200 shortlisted videos. We witnessed an enormous breadth of writing and performance talent, covering issues ranging from race, sexuality and politics to stories of birth and continued struggled in England’s council estates. And – as hard and ridiculous as it was – we have made our decison. The winners are:

• Aisling Fahey
• Benedit Sebuyange
• NAGA
• Diane Cheng
• Amy Luong
• Sarah Olowofoyeku
• Billie Owolabi

Letters of Commendation to selected artists will also be forwarded to a number of young poets.

As the standard was so exceptionally high, we would like to offer all the participants the opportunity to come to the Showcase Gig. Tickets are free, exclusive and going fast, so if you would like to come and scream your heart in support of spoken word – and meet the stars of the show – please email bcolley@poetrysociety.org.uk or call 0207 420 9894 to book by Thursday 12 November.

SLAMbassadors UK Showcase

with Benjamin Zephaniah, Scroobius Pip and Joelle Taylor
November 15th 2009
4-6pm @ Rich Mix
Bethnal Green Rd, London, E1 6LA