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POETRY
JAM

Every first Thursday of every month
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Since 2013 Poetry Jam has been an open mic platform for stories, poems, raps, monologues, rants and debates and has grown in love, attendance and adoration since then. We host word smiths who are looking for a vibey and non-judgemental space amongst fellow creatives to share their verbal artform.

It doesn’t matter if you are performing your first poem or your one hundredth, we want to hear the story you wish to tell! It’s a non-genre-specific open mic night. It’s a place where the topics can go from love to comedy, to grief in a heartbeat, a place for free verse, for a slam, for sonnets and for lyrics. It’s raw, uncensored and sometimes explicit. – we don’t edit or alter the artistic work, so keep in mind that sensitive topics and explicit words may be used.

Everyone is welcome, whether you’re just here to soak up the vibes, or you want to speak up and be heard.

“Poetry Jam has been a major staple in the city for what feels like all of my creative life. This has been where many of the city’s leading lights have honed their craft and developed onto doing other things moving forward. I have had great experiences since the first time attending, performing and later hosting at Poetry Jam, and has always been one of the biggest contributors in my own personal journey. "⁠
RYAN MARR
RYAN MARR
“Working with Poetry Jam is amazing you get to know so many amazing people, hear all manner of things & feel WONDEROUS EMOTIONS!! It's like what I said before "Poetry Jam is Love, Poetry Jam is Happiness, Poetry Jam Is Life"⁠
MICKEY - THE SUAVE ANGEL
MICKEY - THE SUAVE ANGEL
“Whether attending the monthly Poetry Jam open mic and taking part in one of their writers' development workshops, or performing as a headline poet for events at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and Victoria Square, working with We Don't Settle in 2022 has been an absolute delight. They provide so many amazing opportunities for West Midlands poets to grow, share their work and be an active part of Birmingham's vibrant creative community, and it's been an honor to be a part of everything they've accomplished this year. Here's to even bigger and better in 2023!"⁠
NATHAN LUNT
NATHAN LUNT

Want to feature in the next Poetry Jam?

Secure your ticket and head down from 6:30 pm onwards and talk to one of the We Don’t Settle team to confirm your first-come, first-served performance slot.
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AMIRA ISMAIL

Board Director

Amira is currently the Regional Programme Manager at the Ernst & Young (EY) Foundation. With a BA in History and an MA in International Relations from the University of Birmingham, Amira brings a rich background in youth engagement and empowerment.

Her dedication shines through her work with funders like the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and her volunteer efforts with Chatham House, where she connects young people with key policymakers in international affairs.

Amira has also previously been a part of the programme We Don’t Settle emerged from, Don’t Settle, under Beatfreeks. She is deeply committed to creating safe spaces for young people to celebrate their lived experiences.