Sparks brings together some of the brightest names in LGBT+ literature, performing a mixture of verse and rhyme, lyrics and love songs. At a time when tolerance and liberty are increasingly under threat, join us to celebrate the beauty of diversity during Pride month in an eclectic, warm and welcoming space.

CHARITY: Proceeds will be donated to MindOut: a mental health service run by (and for) lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ) people and AKT, which supports lgbtq+ young people aged 16-25 in the uk who are facing or experiencing homelessness or living in a hostile environment.

HEADLINER

Joelle Taylor is an award-winning poet, playwright, author and editor. She won the 2021 T.S. Eliot Prize with her collection C+NTO & Othered Poems and her debut novel The Night Alphabet will be published by Quercus in February 2024. Joelle is the host of Londons premier night of poetry and music Out-Spoken and is a member of the curation team.

Find her: @JTaylorTrash (Twitter and Instagram)

ALSO APPEARING

Julia Bell is a writer and academic and she teaches on the MA CW at Birkbeck. She has published across many forms in fiction, non-fiction and poetry, and her essays and short stories have appeared in the TLS, The White Review, The Paris Review and have been broadcast on the BBC. Her essay-length book Radical Attention was published by Peninsula Press in 2021 and her most recent book Hymnal is a memoir in verse, published in April by Parthian Books.

Find her: @JuliaBell (Twitter) @juliahephzibah (Instagram)

Golnoosh Nour is a prize-nominated author of short story collection the Ministry of Guidance, poetry collections Rocksong, Impure Thoughts and more. She is a professor of creative writing and university lecturer.

Find her: @DrNourrr (Twitter) @golnooshnoir (Instagram)

Charlotte Redding is a rising star in poetry, tackling some of the most serious topics with a wry, light touch; her observations are touching, thought provoking and humorous in places.

Find her: @charredspoetry (Instagram)

Hattie Snooks is a critically acclaimed writer, musician, theatre maker and cabaret star based in Brighton.

Find her: @hattiesnooks

Victoria Richards is a poet, journalist and editor of Indy Voices at The Independent. Her debut poetry collection, Youll need an umbrella for this, was published last year with V. Press and her first short story collection, Sylvia Plath watches us sleep but we dont mind, came out this month with Fly On The Wall Press.

Find her: @nakedvix (Twitter)

MCed by glitter Queen Vix Leyton, a Welsh stand up comedian exiled to London playing poet wrangler for one night only.

Find her: @vixleyton (Twitter and Instagram)

Please note unfortunately this venue is downstairs and there is no wheelchair access.

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Mama Biashara
Kate Copstick’s charity, Mama Biashara, works with the poorest and most marginalised people in Kenya. They give grants to set up small, sustainable businesses that bring financial independence and security. That five quid you spend on a large glass of House White? They can save someone’s life with that. And the money for a pair of Air Jordans? Will take four women and their fifteen children away from a man who is raping them and into a new life with a moneymaking business for Mum and happiness for the kids.
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The Make A Difference Trust fights HIV & AIDS one stage at a time. Their UK and International grant-making strategy is based on five criteria that raise awareness, educate, and provide care and support for the most vulnerable in society. A host of fundraising events, including Bucket Collections, Late Night Cabarets, West End Eurovision, West End Bares and A West End Christmas continue to raise funds for projects both in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.
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