New Orleans in Manchester

I have to admit, I don't know much about the Spoken Word Scene or its participants (aside from my favourite angry man Henry Rollins) but there is something I find very appealing about it. The passionate display of slightly moody social commentators protesting on behalf of the person on the street is romantic. Combine that with a bit of Jazz, please.

So, in my mission to learn, I'm extremely excited that this year's MLF presents one of America's premier spoken word poets, Chuck Perkins - dubbed the poet laureate of New Orleans by New York Times music jounalist, Larry Blumfeld.

Chuck has appeared extensively across America and at last year's Banlieues Bleues festival in Paris. He has performed with many jazz greats and in 2004 he created his avante garde circus Voices of the Big Easy, fusing poetry, music and dance.

Chuck will be performing with local jazz musicians, Aid Todd, Andy Boothman, Rich Sliwa and Lawrence Woof. Members of the Young Identity poetry collective will kick the evening off.

This is the event that I'm most looking forward to.

Saturday 23rd October, 7:30pm, Zion Arts Centre

Have a look here for more info

Book here

Watch Chuck perform at The Jazz Gallery, NYC