The events will be held once every month in BoxPark Wembley. Each event features 15 open mic slots and one headline act. This has drawn a diverse list of participants monthly and has continued to build an integrated community of creatives. While we cannot have physical shows at present, these will be replaced by online shows with the same format as above, livestreamed on Youtube, Facebook and Twitch. BYOB will host 4-6 writing workshops with young people around North West london. This will encourage interested writers to grow their skills, ask questions, gain experience in writing and collaborate with other poets. Finally, BYOB poetry will be creating an anthology curated from the amazing works of the poets on the open mic and the headliners.

What we'll deliver:

• 12 shows (physical when allowed to, online at present)
• 4-6 Writing workshops
• 1 Anthology

Why it's a great idea:

BYOB inspires community and comradery. From the events already held, there have been new bonds made and increased collaborations between poets, artists, writers and musicians. BYOB will further this collaborative and community spirit by hosting more shows where both young and veteran creatives have the space to express themselve, grow and find healing. In curating an anthology, BYOB will provide a platform that will aid many of the performers to share their art and let it travel beyong London. The writing workshop will help grow new talents primarily in North-West London and further shine a spotlight on the stars of the burgeoning spoken word scene in London The proximity of BoxPark Wembley to major transport (Jubilee and Metropolitan Lines) and the desire that BoxPark has shown to collaborate with BYOB poetry has made it a prime hub and venue that will serve the Brent community (and the wider North West London area) exceedingly.

Steps to get it done:

• One show in June 2021
• One show in July 2021
• One show in August 2021
• One show in September 2021
• One show in October 2021
• One show in November 2021
• One show in December 2021
• One show in January 2022
• One show in February 2022
• One show in March 2021 (most likely online)
• One show in April 2021 (most likely online)
• One show in May 2021 (possibly online dependant on government COVID guidelines)
• Host 4-6 workshops (between June 2021 and March 2022)
• Publish an anthology of poems (June 2022)

We pride ourselves on being a platform that truly brings people together - whether for creative purposes, or poignantly through friendship and camaraderie during this past lockdown. We follow the legacy laid down by other nurturing and inspiring spoken word events, and we wish to give this small yet thriving scene another reason to celebrate its stars and artists during a bleak time in our lifetimes.