A special LLF edition of the regular Soundbites Open Mic, celebrating Leeds. Poets are invited to read poems inspired by the city, its neighbourhoods, people, and everyday life, past, present and future.
Sign-up is from 6:30pm, and readings start at 7pm. Poets have up to four minutes to share their work. First timers and regulars are all very welcome.
We’re also inviting poets to contribute lines or phrases for a collaborative community poem celebrating Leeds, curated by Liz McPherson and Heartlines Writers.
Join us for an evening of creativity, connection and local inspiration, celebrating the spirit and stories of Leeds.
About Liz McPherson
Liz McPherson’s pamphlet, ‘Shivering in the Wind’, was published in 2024, and her collaborative collection, ‘Linger’ (with Mark Connors and Sandra Noel) in 2025. She is co-organiser at Rhubarb Open mic in Shipley and Stanza rep for Heartlines in Headingley. A familiar figure at poetry events around West Yorkshire, she taught creative writing for The Workers’ Educational Association from 2010 to 2024. Her work has appeared in online and print journals and been placed in competitions including the Poetry Society Stanza Competition 2021. ‘I Tell Dad the Pope’s Died’ was one of the 2025 Poetry Archive Now winners.