2020 has been a strange and memorable year. From the UK general election of 2019, the emergence of a major pandemic, the flourishing of the Movement for Black Lives to the defeat of Donald Trump, there has been a lot to talk about. We invite you to join us online for a wrap up of the year. Enter the slam with your own political or personal take on the events of this year, and enjoy a full set of 2020 poems from H&T Hackney founder, 'Angry Sam' Berkson.

SAM BERKSON, aka 'Angry Sam', has been hosting live poetry events with Hammer & Tongue for fifteen years, first in Brighton and, since 2011, in Hackney.

He has published two books of poems with Influx Press: 'Life in Transit' described as "a highlight of 2012" by the late cultural theorist, Mark Fisher; and 'Settled Wanderers' written on Western Saharan refugee camps and containing some of the first English translations of Saharawi poetry.

He is also the author of a pamphlet of poems, written about East London’s Ridley Road market, performed solo and collaborative poetry-plays, and has appeared on BBC Radio 4, Radio London and the World Service.

Quotes:

"Angry Sam kills the crowd softly with rare wit and a laid back style that softens the knife wounds left by his acid political poetics and searing urban imagery.”

– Martin Daws, Poetica

Sam has the rare gift of being informed and intelligent without being condescending. His poetry delivers his opinions, but in a way that seems to care about yours. His poetry is warm and honest and well crafted. He is a good poet, a poet in the true sense of the word.”

– Kae Tempest, poet

THE OPEN MIC SLAM: 8 places available on a 1st come, 1st served basis. Judged by the audience. Max 3.5mins per poem. Poems should approach the theme of 2020. All styles welcome. Sign up by email at hackney@hammerandtongue.com