Ladyfest Ten

Liz Bentley performs at So She Said, August

Elizabeth Martin shares her thoughts of the launch of Ladyfest Ten’s new monthly event ‘So She Said’, celebrating women and words:

“Tuesday 10^th August saw the launch of new monthly spoken word, poetry and storytelling night ‘So She Said’ at The Victoria, Mile End. Raising funds for Ladyfest Ten, the event was a great success with an eclectic mix of thoughtful, melodic and downright incredible performances by a host of fabulous women. The wonderful Hannah Ballou compered the evening and had us giggling into our drinks with lots of rude and funny stories about flashers, pugs and her experiences of being an American in London.

The featured performers all had very different poetic styles but each and every one had the audience in the palm of their hands- Chrissy Williams, with a series of tiny, beautiful poems that spoke volumes, Dzifa Benson with a delicious and mesmerising lyrical intensity and Liz Bentley with a set of hilarious casio keyboard and ukelele accompanied songs and stories that had everyone practically crying with laughter. The night also featured several open mic slots, all of whom were outstanding and with a few brave souls never having performed in public before. If I tell you that a friend of Hannah Ballou’s thought some of them were planted by the organisers, then that gives you an idea of how talented these ladies were.

The next ‘So She Said’ will be at the same venue on the 7^th September and is shaping up to be another great evening. So if you are a bedroom poet and want a supportive and friendly place to perform your work, or if you just fancy being entertained and inspired, then this is definitely the place to come. As well as raising money for a good cause, where else in London are you are likely to see a pub full of people enjoying a rousing sing-along about breastfeeding on a Tuesday night? Just one of the many great experiences at the first ever ‘So She Said’.”

Another review by one of the open mic performers, Carmina Masoliver, can be found here and you can see more photos here

Next month’s event Tues 7th September- lineup to include Francesca Beard, Lorraine Mariner, Sally Crabtree, Sophia Blackwell… and you? Email performance@ladyfestten.com to sign yourself up to perform or read.