BE MANZINI & FRIENDS
Schedule
Sat Nov 22 2025 at 05:30 pm to 07:30 pm
UTC+00:00Location
Beckton Globe Library | London, EN
About this Event
Award-winning poet and founder of the Newham Poetry Prize, Be Manzini, hosting an inspiring line-up of local performers exploring identity, belonging and home.
---
About Be Manzini
A powerhouse in on the arts scene, Be Manzini has performed the London Literature Festival at the V&A, Theatre Royal Stratford East, to Love Supreme Festival and was the first-ever artist in residence for Sundance. Also held a residency with the Southbank Centre and appeared on Channel 4, BBC TV and radio and numerous podcasts.
A passionate mentor and facilitator, Manzini has taught over 8,000 students worldwide. Her work has been published by Flipped Eye and Corsair, and her words have been transformed into murals, sculptures, postcards and films.
🌐 Website
---
Guest Performers:
Eklipse
A magnetic performer whose style bridges music and poetry, Eklipse has graced stages from the Tate Modern and Royal Festival Hall to Cloud X Festival and even the Houses of Parliament and US Embassy.
He’s shared stages with Chance the Rapper, No Name, JLS, Shae Universe, Green Tea Peng, Scorcher and Hak Baker. His tracks have been playlisted on Radio 1, 1Xtra, Reprezent and Balamii.
Winner of the John Betjeman Poetry Prize presented to him by Sir Trevor McDonald, the Damilola Taylor Award and two Mayor’s Office awards; Libby Purves OBE once declared on air: “Here we have a future poet laureate.”
---
Shadé Joseph
Blending sound and literature Shadé Joseph moves fluidly between music production, songwriting, sound design, performance poetry, and live musicianship.
Her collaborations span the Roundhouse, Young Vic, London Symphony Orchestra, South London Gallery and more. She’s also Creative Director at Writerz and Scribez CIC hosts a radio show on Mode London and is completing an MA in Audio Storytelling at UCL East.
Shadé is the 2025 Charles Parker Gold Award winner and an Arts Council England DYCP grant recipient.
---
Russenï
An electric presence on stage, Russenï is a poet, creative facilitator and actor whose work bridges art and activism. He has performed at Olympic Park, Southbank, and Lovebox Festival and won the 2024 Drama Inspiration Award for his theatre and education work with at-risk youth.
He collaborates widely across the city with companies like London Bubble and Lyric Hammersmith bringing powerful, community-rooted storytelling to life.
---
babirye bukilwa
A bold and expressive voice, babirye’s poetry appears in SISTA!(Team Angelica), The Colour of Madness Anthology and Sweet Thang Magazine. They were comissioned by Poetry + Film/ Hack for the Barbican and have written extensively for theatre to great acclaim. They are currently under commission to the Royal Court Theatre, the Yard Theatre, and to Soho Theatre/Clean Break with support of the Peggy Ramsay Foundation/Film 4.
On screen, babirye has appeared in groundbreaking productions such as Dreaming Whilst Black and Domino Day (BBC) and most recently performed opposite Cate Blanchett at the National Theatre.
---
All are welcome. Experience a night of powerful words and community spirit.
You’ll also have the chance to learn more about the Newham Poetry Prize’s free winter programme of workshops and events.
📩 By booking via Eventbrite, you consent to Newham Poetry Prize sending future event information or you can email [email protected] or follow
https://www.instagram.com/newhampoetryprize?igsh=cmF5NmE3dWg0aDhu
Newham Poetry Prize is an poetry competition with creative opportunities & activities for those who live, work or study in the London borough of Newham.
Where is it happening?
Beckton Globe Library, 1 Kingsford Way, London, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 0.00

















