Established in 2014, Say Owt are York’s loveable gang of performance poets. They host high-energy nights of words and verse, bringing together poets, musicians, spoken word artists, rappers and anyone with a story to tell!
A bold highlight of the Autumn 2026 season is bringing former Children’s Poet laureate Michael Rosen to York.
Michael Rosen is one of Britain’s best loved writers and performance poets for children and adults. Michael is also a popular broadcaster and has presented BBC Radio 4’s acclaimed programme about language, Word of Mouth, since 1998, as well as regularly presenting documentary programmes for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 3, including the Sony
Gold Award-winning On Saying Goodbye. The last Say Owt Slam was won by York’s very own Cory Rich, who will be the support act for Michael’s unique performance.
The next Say Owt Slam will be on the 26th September 2026 at The Crescent, which also coincides with the venue’s birthday weekend. Say Owt Slam is a raucous night out where poets have to impress the audience. The poetry can be
hilarious, heartfelt, political and personal. But it’s always a great night-out. Say Owt knows that people are feeling the cost-of-living crisis, and have priced this show cheaper than previous shows – audiences can choose what tier they’d like
to pay. The guest poet is Kirsty Taylor, creator of the inimitable Front Room Poetry, which takes nanna style living rooms and world class poets to unusual settings such as car parks and housing estates. Kirsty opened Bradford’s city of
culture year in January performing her words to 20,000 across the weekend in city park.
Full season dates are below:
Thurs 3 September @ The Crescent – Romantics, Mystics & Revolutionaries by Pete the Temp with support from
Tahmina Ali
Sat 26 September @ The Crescent – Say Owt Slam featuring poet Kirsty Taylor and rapper KG
Thurs 8 October @ Theatre@41 – The Ballad of Blea Wyke by Hannah Davies and Jack Woods with support from
PitchWitches
Fri 23 October – Say Owt Showcase featuring Henry Raby, Jarmouse, Stu Freestone and Hannah Davies
Tues 10 November @ The Citadel – Michael Rosen with support from Cory Rich
Sat 5 December @ rise, Bluebird Bakery, Acomb – Len Pennie with support from No Dry Eyes Poetry