Poetry & Jam Session

Join us as we celebrate an evening of poetry & musical styling, launching SELF-PORTRAIT AS OTHELLO, the latest book by Leeds-Jamaican poet Jason Allen-Paisant, & featuring guest poets Khadijah Ibrahiim & Kayo Chingonyi. Music by DJ Sensation.

This event is produced by Renaissance One and supported by The Collective Inc and Carcanet Press.

In this memoir in poems, Allen-Paisant steps into the body of Othello, refracting his travels across Europe through this figure. The result is a work about style and performance in myriad ways. For the speaker, the sweet spot often lies where it feels like a little bit of confusion, of displacement, even if the body language is one of bravado and dominance.

In her review for The Guardian, Fiona Sampson writes that, “Allen-Paisant makes the historical impasse [of Shakespeare’s Othello] an occasion for deep, generous interrogation of masculinity, and a linked elevation of the maternal that is at the heart of so many Caribbean and other families”, adding that “Self-Portrait As Othello celebrates representation, understanding and speech as acts of glorious resistance.”

Renaissance One has been at the forefront of literature, spoken word and cross-art collaborations in the UK over many years. They work with a range of artists on various events including curating book tours, literary readings, spoken word and poetry performances, educational workshops and mentoring. They have collaborated widely including Chris Ofili, Museum of Modern Art, Third Space and Dr Paula Abood, BBC and Miami Book Fair.

The Collective, a unique interior design and cafe-bar concept, resides on 34 Boar Lane in the centre of Leeds. The café-bar enables guests to enjoy high-quality furnishings and tableware, which are all for sale, with a drink and light refreshments. It is inspired by the laid-back Los Angeles art scene.

Host or Publisher Renaissance One - Literature Curators & Producers