Event Review: I Rhyme To See Myself Poetry Slam

Hosted by London South Bank University poetry team and ‘Uncle Errol’

On Wednesdays or Thursdays I love to go to random events in London, I call these my “mid-week mash ups", which I love because they’re a simple, fun and easy way to break up the working week and find a comfortable work-Life balance. 

Thurs 20^th March, South bank universities poetry team held a poetry slam at Tamesis dock on Albert Embankment, London.

Tamesis dock is a bar on a boat which I think is a really nice idea. Inside the venue is very colourful and has an interesting mix of styles, furniture and designs.

The poetry slam stage was on the lower deck which was very cosy but a little small for the event.

The bar area is on the upper deck of the boat and was not sealed off from the lower deck which made things very difficult for the performers and audience as the bar customers were not a part of the show and were very loud minus the microphone.

Regardless of the extra noise the show was really good. There were more than a few technical difficulties with the sound system but the host and performers handled it well and kept the audience engaged.

The show was hosted by ‘Uncle Errol’ who was energetic, funny and full of vigour. He performed a few poems which were very entertaining and captured the audience’s attention every time.

The first part of the show was the open mic segment. The performers which really stood out for me were Ms Lauren Deevah Kay, where she gave us her poet analogy of food and sex, and what a great combo.

 

A vocal spoken word duo titled ‘You & Me’ (Raggo Zulu Rebel & Asabi Hawah) performed a beautiful guitar acoustic song called “Use you”, I absolutely loved it. I was singing it all the way home. Some sensual words by Ms Open Minds…..let’s just say the temperature on the boat rose by at least 10 degrees during her poem. 

 

Mr Uncivilised Arts graced us with his witty and thought provoking poem. 

Each performer was so well received, almost made me want to get up and sing…maybe another time.

After the open mic segment came the poetry slam. Around 10 performers were judged out of 10 audience members and the top 5 were then judged by a panel. 

There was a lot of energy during this part of the show; the poetry team did well with the organisation of the set, props and audience engagement.

Performers who stood out for me were Miday Sotubo, a powerful performance which really touched me, Joyce Raj a potent mix of honesty and intensity, Collette Freeman, and Mell B Nyoko who, in my eyes, was the rightful winner of the slam. This woman was on fire. I had goose bumps all throughout performance.

 

Her poetry was strong, enticing, powerful, stimulating and entertaining....”…not a one in a million girl, a once in a lifetime woman” she said it all and spoke right to my very core!

*clicks fingers*

 

I would definitely go to this event again and I will be keeping in touch with all of my favourite performers to stay informed about their upcoming shows and performances….watch this space.

All in all a great night out, I met some really talented people.

There was a really nice energy and everyone was encouraging, friendly and positive.

Well done to all the performers, Uncle Errol and all the London South Bank Uni Poetry team.

Overall rating for the night 8/10

Shay

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