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!"
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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 poets and writers Casey Bailey, Pauline Melville and Kadija Sesay, and members of Benjamin’s family including his sisters Joyce Springer-Amadedon and Millicent Springer, and his wife Qian Zephaniah, and Charley McDermott from the recently established Zephaniah Forest. Hosted by Professor Shawn Sobers.
Presented in association with The Benjamin Zephaniah Family Legacy Group, and St Pauls Carnival.
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.
Eshiva Wright:
Eshiva Wright is a Jamaican-born educator, facilitator and cultural ambassador, crowned Miss Caribbean UK 2023/24, representing Jamaica. Known for her love, curiosity, and commitment to community, she champions mental wellness, gender equity in tertiary education and is currently volunteering in Cape Town townships, supporting early years education. Her work centers on connection, heritage, and creating spaces where love and learning go hand in hand.
Charlotte McDermott (Birmingham Tree People):
Charlotte ‘Charley’ McDermott was the Treeline magazine editor for the ISA’s UK&I Chapter, before completing her MA in Writing at BCU. After a stint in Manufacturing, Charley returned to Arb, joining BTP as their Communications Officer. Thanks to her expertise in writing and poetry, Charley has been a part of The Zephaniah Forest project.
St Pauls Carnival:
Since its beginnings back in 1968, St Pauls Carnival has grown in size and reputation to become one of the UK’s most accessible and inclusive events. Our aim is to inform, inspire and engage people socially and artistically through African Caribbean culture.
Our Carnival 365 programme brings the history and heritage of Carnival to communities all year round – from a world class Carnival Day, to community events, to an Education Programme bringing talks and workshops to over 6,000 students a year.
In 2017, St Pauls Carnival Community Interest Company (CIC) was formed to help create a stable and sustainable future for our iconic event. The work we do is made possible due to the amazing support from our wonderful partners, sponsors and donors who are willing to invest in our community.
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 poets and writers Casey Bailey, Pauline Melville and Kadija Sesay, and members of Benjamin’s family including his sisters Joyce Springer-Amadedon and Millicent Springer, and his wife Qian Zephaniah, and Charley McDermott from the recently established Zephaniah Forest. Hosted by Professor Shawn Sobers.
Presented in association with The Benjamin Zephaniah Family Legacy Group, and St Pauls Carnival.
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.
Eshiva Wright:
Eshiva Wright is a Jamaican-born educator, facilitator and cultural ambassador, crowned Miss Caribbean UK 2023/24, representing Jamaica. Known for her love, curiosity, and commitment to community, she champions mental wellness, gender equity in tertiary education and is currently volunteering in Cape Town townships, supporting early years education. Her work centers on connection, heritage, and creating spaces where love and learning go hand in hand.
Charlotte McDermott (Birmingham Tree People):
Charlotte ‘Charley’ McDermott was the Treeline magazine editor for the ISA’s UK&I Chapter, before completing her MA in Writing at BCU. After a stint in Manufacturing, Charley returned to Arb, joining BTP as their Communications Officer. Thanks to her expertise in writing and poetry, Charley has been a part of The Zephaniah Forest project.
St Pauls Carnival:
Since its beginnings back in 1968, St Pauls Carnival has grown in size and reputation to become one of the UK’s most accessible and inclusive events. Our aim is to inform, inspire and engage people socially and artistically through African Caribbean culture.
Our Carnival 365 programme brings the history and heritage of Carnival to communities all year round – from a world class Carnival Day, to community events, to an Education Programme bringing talks and workshops to over 6,000 students a year.
In 2017, St Pauls Carnival Community Interest Company (CIC) was formed to help create a stable and sustainable future for our iconic event. The work we do is made possible due to the amazing support from our wonderful partners, sponsors and donors who are willing to invest in our community.
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)
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