Writing / James Baldwin
One-day festival ‘Conversations with Baldwin’ returns
After a successful inaugural event, Conversations with Baldwin is back for 2024, celebrating the centenary year of the legendary writer-activist, James Baldwin (1924-1987).
Following an open mic and family workshop afternoon at Easton Community Centre on July 6 featuring guest poets Deanna Rodger and Edson Burton, a special all-day event will be taking place on July 27.
The one-day festival is part of a wider programme of events happening nationally in Baldwin’s honour.
is needed now More than ever
Poster: Words of Colour/Raise The Bar
It will be hosted in the Lantern Room at Bristol Beacon, and is produced by Words of Colour in conjunction with Raise the Bar, with support from Bristol City Council’s Originators Fund.
Across the day, the programme includes an adult writing workshop aimed at global majority participants, hosted by the internationally acclaimed T.S. Eliot Prize-winning poet Roger Robinson.
Roger Robinson – photo: Words of Colour/Raise the Bar
Heather Marks will take readers through a book club style group discussion of Baldwin’s 1961 essay collection Nobody Knows My Name.
Rounding off the day, headlined by Robinson and inspired by Baldwin’s work and influence, a live event in the evening will include poetry and performance along the theme of ‘the Artist as Witness’ – also featuring Casey Bailey and Sukina Noor.
Casey Bailey – photo: Myah Jeffers
Conversations with Baldwin presented by Words of Colour and Raise the Bar is at the Lantern Hall, Bristol Beacon on July 27 at 1-9.30pm. Tickets for all events are available at www.bristolbeacon.org.
Main photo: Words of Colour/Raise The Bar (Sukina Noor)
Read next:
- New festival celebrates the life and work of James Baldwin
- Review: Poetry for the Many, Bristol Beacon – ‘An enlightening evening’
- The community poetry events lifting the January blues
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