Curated by Madla Rae for LGBT History Month and as part of The Queer Contact Festival Weekender, OUTSPOKEN brought together five poets and spoken word artists celebrating Manchester’s queer women and non-binary artists for a sell out performance. Even though there was a strong theme each performer had a very unique style and voice, the quality and content of the poetry and spoken word was truly brilliant. I left feeling moved and enriched, an annual event, if you missed this one, make a note for next year.
Afshan D’Souza-Lodhi - With an extremely impressive bio behind Afshan I’m sure this is a person who will become very well known in the mainstream. The most comfortable in front of the audience and the person who put the audience at ease by breaking the hushed tension before the performance with a Mexican wave. D'Souza-Lodhi’s words were clear and spoke very moving personal truths. I greatly enjoyed listening especially to her ‘Mother’ poem, to hear a poet speak in their own voice, especially when it slides between languages adds a wonderful appreciation to hearing the artistes work.
Bryony Bates - Listening to the poetry of Bates I was taken back to university days, having the time to really enjoy great poetry but this was even better, Bates' subject matter was a perfect reflection of the high pressured time we live in. I was so engaged with the stories she told, her narrative styles varied and stood out the most that afternoon. I’m now a definite fan of Bates and encourage others to follow her work with great interest.
Maz Hedgehog - The room's favourite, they whooped and cheered as she took to centre stage, this might sound over the top, but better than Shakespeare, I do not jest. The aural equivalent of a Renaissance painting, her use of language was so beautiful and vivid, extremely strong images washed over the listener. Her presence and voice while telling her work was so charismatic. Hedgehog is a poet I would strongly recommend seeing live to enjoy the full experience of her work.
Mandla-Rae – The curator and host of OUTSPOKEN Mandla-Rae stepped forward to introduce others and herself with a quiet quivering voice. Which soon become totally understandable the emotion contained within that one person that erupted into expressions so eloquent and succinct, I was brought to tears during her performance.
Ella Eneme Otomewo – To bounce up after the powerful performance from Mandla-Rae with a beaming smile conveyed Otomewo’s confidence. I immensely enjoyed her poems and had to hold myself back from cheering during her poem ‘Eve’. Personal stories that were told with a subtle and stirring voice, I was soon wrapped in her every word.
I cannot say anything negative about this experience I’m humbled to have attended it.
Review: Kerry Ely
on - 9/2/19
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