Verbalise

Warehouse Seated

Verbalise is one of Brewery Arts’ most beloved community events, where emerging voices meet world-renowned artists on a shared stage. Sign up and take part, or sit back and enjoy!

27 June – Rowland Crowland

Rowland’s a Morecambe-based poet known largely for his crazy, streetwise poems which blend the mundane with the spiritual and invariably have an undercurrent of darkness. His collections include “Thief” and “Outcast” both published by Big White Shed and a 2nd Edition of his book “Beggars” is due this year. Nicknamed “the Goblin Poet,” he brings mischief and a spark of magic to his performances.

25 July – Jake Wild Hall

Jake Wild Hall is an award-winning poet and one half of Bad Betty Press. He has performed on BBC Radio and at festivals and literary events across the UK. He is a multiple slam champion, and his work has been published in magazines, anthologies, and online journals. He is the author of two pamphlets: Solomon’s World, which was longlisted for the Saboteur Award for Best Pamphlet, and Blank.

He has worked with partners including Penguin, Apples and Snakes, Writing East Midlands, Derby Poetry Festival, and Pearson. He has also been a guest tutor at Nottingham Trent University, the University of Nottingham, King’s College London, the University of Lincoln, and others.

26 September – Louise Exactly Plus support from Caleb Staps

Louise Exactly (also known as Louise Fazackerley) is a highly acclaimed performance poet from Wigan. She gained national prominence after her spoken-word piece, I Want My Country Back, went viral, drawing widespread praise for tackling topics like northern working-class life, politics, and social issues. We loved her before that, we’re really pleased to have her back as our guest poet. Barrovian bard Caleb Staps is a popular poet who also runs Squawk Spoken Word nights in Barrow where Louise was their first headline act

10 October – Peter Kay (Author)

Peter Kay’s recent works include a murder mystery, set in 1930’s Yorkshire, his poetry pamphlet, Imprints, published in May 2025 by Yaffle Press and he has ghost written the Autobiography of a Congolese refugee RAP star RDC Soldier. We have enjoyed Peter Kay’s poetry at the open mic and we’re really excited to see him perform a full set.

19 December – Christmas Word Party

Come and hear brand new Christmas themed poetry. 12 open mic spaces available in the first half. Part two will be filled with word games, audience participation and festive surprises!

Love Poetry? Check out our Poetry Club! For more information and to book here.

About your host

Ann Grant is the co-founder and host of Verbalise. It’s important to her that the space is friendly, welcoming, accessible and has a sense of community. Ann has hosted live events in pubs, festivals and theatres across the UK. She has been the South Cumbria Poet Laureate, and she’s a workshop facilitator who enjoys collaborations and writing for wellbeing.

“You’re a cracking host!” Shaun Fallows, guest poet

More about the event

Verbalise was formed in 2009 to create a platform for emerging performance poets in the Cumbria and Lancashire area. Writers from all disciplines are welcome to perform for 4 minutes or less on the open mic, including storytellers, songwriters, novelists and comedians.

At each event, we have a featured guest who is an established or emerging writer. We have a no hate speech policy, and the performers and audience respect each other with people new to reading their words being encouraged and welcomed.

Please email annthepoet@gmail.com to book your open mic spot of up to 4 mins, including introductions. Include your words so they can be screen-shared during your performance.

See all Comedy and Spoken Word events here.