new renaissance one site

Artist, writer and filmmaker Robin Deacon offers live performance and a journalistic and documentary approach mixed with humour and satire.

A former artist in residence at Sophiensaele in Berlin and Robert Wilson's Watermill Center, New York Deacon’s current projects include a documentary film on the life of late US American performance artist Stuart Sherman. He is an Associate Artist of Artsadmin

Spoken Word meets Comedy: Francesca Martinez and Tim Clare

Two performances of electrifying stand-up, satirical lecture and scurrilous speech written and performed by Francesca Martinez and Tim Clare

If I Were The World's First Wobbly Leader... written and performed by Francesca Martinez

Cited as the fastest-rising female comic in the country (Observer) Martinez explores leadership as it plays out in daily life, the pros and cons of life coaching and how we might help ourself or get self-help. Francesca Martinez is an award-winning comedian with sell-out runs all over the world. She is a regular face on TV and well-known for her starring role in Ricky Gervais’ ‘Extras’.

Here in the future, we are all leaders. We exercise our power in hundreds of small decisions every day: I will 'Like' this link to an Aztec Camera video. I will add 09 to vote for Bryan. But we are leaders without a manifesto. That is about to change. Revolutionary political thinker and comedian Tim Clare unveils a guide showing us what the tyrants of the past can teach us. Say no to democracy! Embrace the Dao of Fractal Despotism!

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London Liming is a spoken word party transporting the cosmopolitan vibe of Trinidad 'liming' culture to London - a chilled-out carnival atmosphere at which people can mix, drink and dance.

It features the UK’s best spoken word writers & performers offering short tasters of Poetry, Fiction and Spoken Word, interspersed with Soca, Brazilian, Reggae, Hi-Life and dance tunes.

It’s one of the best ways to introduce newcomers to literature and spoken word, through a night that offers a range of styles and sensibilities within a convivial vibe.

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Luke Wright has been described as “the best young performance poet around,” (The Observer) and “visceral, poignant and riotously funny” (The Scotsman). He is host and curator of Latitude’s Poetry Arena and a resident poet on Radio 4’s Saturday Live. His Valentine’s Day special on Channel 4 attracted over a million viewers. His debut collection is called ‘High Performance’.

Mellow Baku weaves rich musical prose relating stories of transformation, consciousness and relationships. From musical beginnings in a commune where she learned songwriting and guitar, she is inspired by the messages of conscious Reggae, the ethos of Jazz, and experiences of personal faith. She has worked with many artists including Jean Binta Breeze and Michie One, at venues including the Barbican, Jazz Café, North Sea Jazz Festival and the Knitting Factory in New York.

Charlie Dark is a dynamic writer, producer, DJ and performer specialising in poetry and the communication of stories. With a reputation for fusing the boundaries of wordplay, music and imagery he has instigated and hosted music and word numerous happenings including Blacktronica at the ICA, Rice and Peas and activities for the Red Bull Academy. He is founder of the urban Nike-supported running club Run Dem Crew and continues to perform and DJ actively.

Laura Dockrill is a poet and illustrator from South London cited as “one of the Top 20 hot faces to watch for 2009” (Elle). She has performed all over the UK on radio and TV including Radio 1 and News Night, and at festivals including Glastonbury, Latitude and Reading and has supported Kate Nash, Martha Wainwright and Phil Jupitus. Author of Mistakes The Background and Ugly Shy Girl, she is writing a book of poems and short stories. She is curator of the groundbreaking Word Orchestra and this year is writing and directing show, launching her greetings card range, Snatches, and performing a debut children’s show, GLUEMOUTH.

Zena Edwards is a poet and performer who uses song, movement and global influences as a jump-off for her words. She fuses poetry and music, incorporating traditional African-instruments (kalimba and kora) and digital technology to create her own sound tracks for poems and stories and has performed world-wide. She has written, performed and toured acclaimed one-woman shows including Security and Broken Words, and produced work for BBC radio and short films for Sky Digital. She has produced two CDs, entitled Healing Pool and Mine 4 Life.

Curated by Melanie Abrahams
Recipient of a ‘Women to Watch 2010' award for her work in literature and the arts, Melanie Abrahams has been the vision behind a number of groundbreaking spoken word projects. She has developed initiatives to support writers and producers, and has founded two companies over ten years, renaissance one and Tilt (‘Spoken Word Pioneer, C4'). She curates, writes and presents actively and is developing a new spoken word festival.