Join us as we close the chapter of Squawk with our first ever Poetry Slam featuring the best performers from our past open mics.

What is a Poetry Slam?

9 Poets, 3 Rounds, 1 Winner!

Our first ever poetry slam will feature 9 of the best poets from our open mic nights competing for the chance to headline Squawk Spoken Word in the future.

During each round poets will perform one piece (up to 5 minutes long) which will then be scored by our judges. The judges for our first poetry slam are:

Member of Full Of Noises (FON) team

2 randomly selected audience member

After each round some poets will be eliminated while others will perform additional poems in subsequent rounds. The round structure is as follows:

Round 1 - 9 poets, 3 eliminated

Round 2 - 6 poets, 3 eliminated

Round 3 - 3 poets, 1 winner

The 3 poets that make it to our final round will win prizes with our overall winner being guarenteed a headline slot at a future Squawk Spoken Word night. 2nd and 3rd place will receive poetry books.

What is Squawk?

Squawk Spoken Word is a new monthly poetry night in Barrow-in-Furness giving local poets the chance to share their work and hear others on a regular basis. Poetry nights have become increasingly popular in Barrow and Squawk hopes to build upon this as it starts to spread its wings. Squawk aims to platform local poets and spoken word artists while also bringing emerging names from across the country to perform in Barrow.

Squawk Spoken Word is supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

Meet The Slammers

The competitors in our first ever poetry slam include some of the best poets who have taken to the Squawk stage as part of our open mic nights. These include:

Cyan Rushton (Squawk #1)

Emily Cooke (Squawk #3)

Kate Davis (Squawk #3)

Michael John Hudson (Squawk #2)

Mike Stanton (Squawk #3)

Rachael Ensol (Squawk #1)

Rob Harding (Squawk #3)

Sarah Miller (Squawk #1)

Sophia Minden (Squawk #2)

Live Illustration from Hannah Robinson

Throughout our Poetry Slam, Hannah Robinson will be available to draw live illustrations of attendees to have as a keepsake as we close this first chapter of Squawk.

As a thank you, all our slam poets, the team at Full Of Noises (FON) and Squawk volunteers will receive a free live portrait from Hannah. You will have the chance to pose and purchase your own illustration once we open doors at 7pm and during the event's intermission.

About Hannah

Hannah Robinson is a proud northerner who also happens to be a live illustrator. She spends a lot of her time drawing live portraits at different events and even live illustrates at conferences - capturing the day's narratives with visual storytelling.

Meet Your Host - Caleb Staps

Your host for the evening is Caleb Staps (he/him). Caleb is a local poet, writer and workshop facilitator whose work explores themes of youth, modern life, and growing up in a small town where not much seems to happen.

Welcome To Our Nest - Full of Noises (FON)

Full of Noises (FON) is a sound art and new music organisation based in Piel View House, Barrow Park. Their new performance space is home to regular concerts, film screenings, and events.

Logo designed by Molly Bland.

Description supplied by the event organiser.