A truly bumper night of poetry. WORD!, Leicester's longest running spoken word night is hosting an innovative new literature event - the first of its kind in the UK. To celebrate Black History Season and National Poetry Day, Oscar Frank and Deborah Stevenson will headline, and open-mic slots will be available, supported with the option of stunning film visuals. Open-mic slots marking World Mental Health Month will be especially welcome and the night will also mark the official first Birthday of WORD! at The Y Theatre. Expect cake, candles and mayhem... Tying in with NPD’s themes of Heroes and Heroines, may we present Oscar Frank and Deborah Stevenson.... When it comes to poetry, Oscar Frank is something of a returning hero. Originating in Barbuda, a small island paradise in the Leeward Islands of the Eastern Caribbean, he immigrated with his family to Leicester and has been a stalwart of the poetry scene ever since. Coming up alongside Benjamin Zephaniah and Linton Quesi Johnson, Oscar has also performed with Attila the Stockbroker and John Hegley. His work has been featured and broadcast by the BBC and widely praised for it’s wit, political verve and mastery of language and rythym. Whether talking about a small park, (in the prize winning film ‘Spinny Hill’), the situation in Gaza or Thomas Hardy, his work sparkles. Come hear him blend dialects, inspire debate and reclaim his crown. Deborah Stevenson is a fast rising star and heroine of poetry in her championing of it for a new generation. She was recently followed by Channel Four’s Year Dot and has performed at venues such as The Roundhouse, Southbank Centre and The Y Theatre. Recently commissioned by The Lyric Lounge, her work is frank, sensual and beautifully presented. Her performance for WORD! will be one to remember. As part of the evening, PoetCasting (www.poetcasting.co.uk) will be providing digital poetry booths with over 160 of the UK's most exciting emerging and established poets reading on iPod Shuffles. The event will be recorded and synced to the web on National Poetry Day (October 8th) to share with a global audience. The notorious WORD! raffle will also be making a return and there will be the chance to win an iPod Shuffle packed with poetry. Arrive early to book your open mic slot. WORD! may contain adult content and be unsuitable for children.

Venue: The Y Theatre, 7 East Street, Leicester

Tickets: £3.00

Contact: Alex Pryce
Email: poetcasting@hotmail.co.uk
Website: http://www.poetcasting.co.uk

Our class is holding an assembly to younger students about poetry day and famous poems.

Venue: Moulton School

Email: x_princessella_x@hotmail.co.uk

poems to be written all day and for another week

Venue: private house

Tickets: n/a

Contact: sue
Telephone: 07800 765090
Website: www.tuition-training.co.uk

Poet Paul Conneally and artist Lindsay Jelley will perform DOG WATCH and a psychogeographic exploration of the space between Anstey's two ancient bridges 'King William's Bridge' and 'Pack Horse Bridge' They will watch over the space between 4 and 6 pm making poems with and portraits of dog walkers and their dogs using the space beween the bridges. The event is free so get your lead out, walk between the two bridges with your dog, have your portrait taken and write a poem!

Venue: Anstey in Leicestershire

Tickets: FREE

Contact: Paul Conneally
Telephone: 07966528010
Email: LittleOnion1@googlemail.com

Launch of Buxton Poetry Competition on 8th October to celebrate NPD. The 2010 competiion theme is 'A Breath of Fresh Air'. We welcome new judges Peter and Ann Sansom and continue to work with our patrons Andrew Motion and Lady Jasmine Cavendish and our sponsors Waterstone's. For a compeition entry pack visit: www.derby.ac.uk/buxtonpoetrycompetition or call 01298 70395.

Venue: Buxton

Contact: Claire Rhodes
Telephone: 01298 70395
Email: claire@buxtonfestival.co.uk
Website: www.derby.ac.uk/buxtonpoetrycompetition

Ann Atkinson will be reading and talking about her work, and will be joined by members of Chesterfield library staff sharing a few of their favourite poems on the theme of Heroes and Heroines

Venue: Chesterfield Library

Tickets: free, but phone to b

Contact: Chesterfield library
Telephone: 01246209292

Jonzi D Productions' latest production tours the UK in October 2009 and is in Nottingham on National Poetry Day. A cast of actors and rappers tell the story of Markus Wright in a script that is entirely rhymed. Markus is a talented young rapper, plucked from the local battle scene by a slick A&R with promised of money and fame. He must accept the corny conditions of the recording contract, then sign himself and his music over to "The Company". The story takes an unexpected turn when at the height of his popularity Markus decides to completely switch his style. Conceived and directed by Hip Hop Theatre pioneer, JONZI D, new music by MOBO Award-Winning musician SOWETO KINCH and featuring acclaimed emcee BASHY as Markus. More details of the show and tour dates at www.jonzi-d.co.uk

Venue: Nottingham Playhouse

Tickets: £16 (£14.50), £14 (£

Contact: Box Office
Telephone: 0115 941 9419
Website: http://www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/index.cfm/navid/3/parentid/39/page/events.details.cfm/id/539

Former Derbyshire Poet Laureate Cathy Grindrod will be giving out free poems, reading your favourites, and writing personal poems to order! Drop in any time between 1 pm and 4 pm.

Venue: Clay Cross Library

Tickets: Free, Tea and cakes

Website: http://www.cathygrindrod.co.uk

Lydia Towsey from Leicester's spoken word night Word! & Leicester Libraries' The Book Doctor & poet, Alison Dunne lead a Heroines and Heroes poetry workshop in the library followed by an open mic session so you can broadcast your newly created works.

Venue: Central Lending Library, Belvoir Street, Leicester

Tickets: free

Contact: Alison Dunne
Telephone: 0116 299 5426
Email: alison.dunne@leicester.gov.uk
Website: www.leicester.gov.uk/libraries

The reading begins at 7:30. Refreshments served. FREE and open to the public.

Venue: University of Nottingham Staff Club

Tickets: FREE

Contact: Eireann Lorsung
Email: hello@nottinghampoetryseries.com
Website: http://www.nottinghampoetryseries.com