Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word
Hosted by Tony Curry
Presented by Flapjack Press & Manchester Libraries
A free event at
Manchester Central Library, St Peter's Square, Manchester M2 5PD
Ground Floor Performance Space
Next event:
Tuesday 25th November, 6.00pm - 7.45pm
(doors open 5.40pm)
with special guest Kieren King
Our special guest Kieren King is a Salfordian spoken word artist, a four-time UK National Slam finalist, and a Great Northern Poetry Slam champion. He was a host of Bang Said the Gun: Manchester, and the creative mind behind the acclaimed spoken word nights Slamchester, Evidently, and the Word War slams. He has featured on BBC Radio 4, performed for Musicians Without Borders and Amnesty International, and at the Kendal Calling, Edinburgh Fringe, and Glastonbury festivals. Kieren has also been a special guest at former NME journalist and Haçienda DJ Dave Haslam’s Not Quite Light Weekender, and been commissioned by Guy Garvey of Elbow to curate a spoken word event for Meltdown at the Southbank Centre, by Sky to write and perform a poem to launch their channel Blaze, and by Salford Red Devils Rugby League FC to celebrate their appearance in the Super League Grand Final. His new poetry collection, Spit & Sawdust, was published in September by Flapjack Press.
Book your open mic slot from noon on Tuesday 11th November via mail@flapjackpress.co.uk
N.B. Open mic slots are 3 minutes per performer - it is essential that you stay within this timeframe
Performance slots are allocated on a 'first come first served' basis from the stated booking time
If they are already filled you will be offered a place on the reserve list
Word Central Facebook Group ~ @WordCentralMcr ~ Manc Libraries Blog ~ Library Live
We will be taking a break in December and January, but back in February 2026.
Full schedule coming soon.
Previous special guests:
