Headfirst Editor's Pick
"The late, great anarchic visionary Benjamin Zephaniah is in the spotlight for Lyrafest’s flagship event. Celebrating his dub poetical works with performances from Brummie Laureate Casey Bailey alongside recollections from friends and family on the Brixton Riots, Peaky Blinders and his historic OBE snubbing. There’ll never be another like him, rest in power!"
Join the Headfirst mailing list for our unbiased recommendations.
A event held at St George's Bristol on Sunday 27th April. The event starts at 19:00.
✅ BSL Interpreted
✅ Live Streamed (book a ‘Live Stream Ticket’ at checkout)
Book here for premium seats in the Central Stalls.
Tickets can also be booked via St. George's Bristol Box Office.
All Lyra Fest venues are wheelchair accessible. Our full 2025 Access Information Pack is available at www.lyrafest.com.
Date: Sunday 27th April 2025
Venue: St. George’s Bristol (Main Hall)
Time: 19:00 - 21:00
Tickets: £8 (£10 solidarity, £5 concessions)
Dis Poetry: A Tribute to Benjamin Zephaniah
This special Bristol tribute to Benjamin Zephaniah will celebrate his extraordinary work and enduring legacy. The event will feature readings of Zephaniah’s iconic poems, including his ‘Poem for St. Pauls’ performed in Bristol in 1983 for the BBC, as well as talks, personal stories and reflections from Benjamin’s friends and family members. Come along and pay tribute to one of the most influential and remarkable poets in living memory, celebrating his immeasurable contributions to poetry, activism, nature, health and social justice.
Featuring Casey Bailey, Pauline Melville, and members of Benjamin’s family including Qian Zephaniah, Joyce Springer-Amadedon and Millicent Springer. Hosted by Professor Shawn Sobers.
Presented in association with The Benjamin Zephaniah Family Legacy Group.
Casey Bailey:
Casey Bailey, born in Nechells, Birmingham, is an award-winning writer, performer, and educator. He was Birmingham Poet Laureate (2020-2022) and has published three poetry books. His plays, including GrimeBoy, have been staged in Birmingham, Coventry, and London. In 2022, he won a Royal Television Society award for his film "Dear Brum". Casey has been commissioned by the BBC and Royal Shakespeare Company and holds an Honorary Doctorate in Education.
Pauline Melville:
Pauline Melville has worked in theatre and appeared in television series such as Blackadder, as well as in numerous films. She also worked alongside Benjamin Zephaniah in cabaret. She has won a variety of literary awards for her novels and collections of short stories, including a Guardian Fiction Prize, a Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and a Whitbread Prize.
Part of Lyra – Bristol Poetry Festival 2025
#LyraFest
Filters:
Live Event ✓
Online/Streamed ✓
Entry requirements: no age restrictions (under 18s to be accompanied by an adult over 21yrs, 1:1 ratio)
✅ Live Streamed (book a ‘Live Stream Ticket’ at checkout)
Book here for premium seats in the Central Stalls.
Tickets can also be booked via St. George's Bristol Box Office.
All Lyra Fest venues are wheelchair accessible. Our full 2025 Access Information Pack is available at www.lyrafest.com.
Date: Sunday 27th April 2025
Venue: St. George’s Bristol (Main Hall)
Time: 19:00 - 21:00
Tickets: £8 (£10 solidarity, £5 concessions)
Dis Poetry: A Tribute to Benjamin Zephaniah
This special Bristol tribute to Benjamin Zephaniah will celebrate his extraordinary work and enduring legacy. The event will feature readings of Zephaniah’s iconic poems, including his ‘Poem for St. Pauls’ performed in Bristol in 1983 for the BBC, as well as talks, personal stories and reflections from Benjamin’s friends and family members. Come along and pay tribute to one of the most influential and remarkable poets in living memory, celebrating his immeasurable contributions to poetry, activism, nature, health and social justice.
Featuring Casey Bailey, Pauline Melville, and members of Benjamin’s family including Qian Zephaniah, Joyce Springer-Amadedon and Millicent Springer. Hosted by Professor Shawn Sobers.
Presented in association with The Benjamin Zephaniah Family Legacy Group.
Casey Bailey:
Casey Bailey, born in Nechells, Birmingham, is an award-winning writer, performer, and educator. He was Birmingham Poet Laureate (2020-2022) and has published three poetry books. His plays, including GrimeBoy, have been staged in Birmingham, Coventry, and London. In 2022, he won a Royal Television Society award for his film "Dear Brum". Casey has been commissioned by the BBC and Royal Shakespeare Company and holds an Honorary Doctorate in Education.
Pauline Melville:
Pauline Melville has worked in theatre and appeared in television series such as Blackadder, as well as in numerous films. She also worked alongside Benjamin Zephaniah in cabaret. She has won a variety of literary awards for her novels and collections of short stories, including a Guardian Fiction Prize, a Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and a Whitbread Prize.
Part of Lyra – Bristol Poetry Festival 2025
#LyraFest
Filters:
Live Event ✓
Online/Streamed ✓
Entry requirements: no age restrictions (under 18s to be accompanied by an adult over 21yrs, 1:1 ratio)
Tickets for similar Bristol events.
