Saboteur Awards Festival 2021: The line-up!

This year, while other artists and organisations are struggling more than ever to get funding, Sabotage Reviews decided to step back entirely from the funding race. Instead, we put out an open call for anyone who’d like to take part in the festival, specifically to promote work that had been impacted by the pandemic and/or the various lockdowns throughout the UK. We wanted to hear from poets, performers, and publishers who had big plans paused in the last twelve months – and what a response there’s been! After many emails, video calls and excited messages, we’re delighted to announce the live events happening as part the Saboteur Awards Festival this year. However, the key word there is live, because we’re also going to be releasing a number of pre-recorded performances and discussions during the festival week, too! There will be further announcements on those events closer to the time, but for now here’s everything you need to know about the festival, the events, and how to book your free tickets.

Saboteur Awards Festival, Monday May 10 (2021)

Event: In Conversations with… the panel discussion

via Zoom, 5:45pm room opens for a 6:00pm start (7:15pm end time)

After joining forces for the In Conversation with… publishing guide earlier in the year, Sabotage Reviews will join forces with Fly on the Wall Press again for a live discussion about the book. Joined by several guest speakers, Isabelle Kenyon and Dr. Charley Barnes will talk over their experiences of working and writing in the world of independent publishing. A portion of this event will be reserved for audience members to ask their questions of the editors and guest speakers as well.

Note: This event will be recorded.

This is a free event but tickets must still be reserved. You can access our event page by clicking here.

Saboteur Awards Festival, Tuesday May 11 (2021)

Event: The Empathy Experiment by Rose Condo

via Zoom, 6:45pm start with the show itself starting at 7:00pm (8:00pm end time)

Rose Condo has previously toured her poetry show, The Empathy Experiment, to great success. For the Saboteur Awards Festival 2021, Rose will bring a revised version of the show to Sabotage’s digital platform. Still a careful blend of spoken word poetry and prose, The Empathy Experiment now looks slightly different in a mid- and post-pandemic climate. In this one hour performance, Rose will look to answer different questions about our relationship with and to technology in this modern age. Sabotage Reviews is delighted to be bringing this thought provoking show to our digital platform this year.

Note: This event will not be recorded.

This is a free event but tickets must still be reserved. You can access our event page by clicking here.

Saboteur Awards Festival, Wednesday May 12 (2021)

Event: The Mum Poem Press anthology launch

via Zoom, 8:00pm start with readings starting at 8:15pm (9:30pm end time)

The Mum Poem Press has established and expanded throughout this especially difficult year. On May 5 (2021) they will be launching a hotly anticipated anthology, after liaising with new and familiar poetry names alike to build a catalogue of excellent works. On May 12, they will be bringing this anthology to the Saboteur Awards Festival line-up, to allow for readings from featured poets and a question and answer session, run by Sabotage Reviews’ Managing Director Charley Barnes, featuring editors from The Mum Poem Press. Sabotage Reviews is delighted to be providing a digital platform for this special evening of intimate poetry. 

Note: This event will not be recorded. 

This is a free event but tickets must still be reserved. You can access our event page by clicking here.

Saboteur Awards Festival, Thursday May 13 (2021)

Event: The Carcanet Press showcase

via Zoom, 6:45pm start, with readings starting at 7:00pm (8:15pm end time)

On Thursday, May 13, as part of the Saboteur Awards Festival 2021, Sabotage Reviews will host a Carcanet Showcase featuring celebrated poets and their recently published works. Over the course of the event there will be readings from Katherine Horrex, Joey Connolly, Mina Gorji and Victoria Kennefick – what a line-up! – followed by a short interval and a question and answer session to close the event. These varied, relevant and thriving artists will bring a brilliant flavour to this year’s festival, and we’re looking forward to welcoming their work to our digital platform. 

Note: This event will not be recorded. 

This is a free event but tickets must still be reserved. You can access our event page by clicking here.

Saboteur Awards Festival, Saturday May 15 (2021)

Event: Have A (Kind) Word With Yourself, run by Rose Condo

via Zoom, 10:30am with the workshop beginning at 10:45am (12:00pm end time)

An accompanying workshop experience that sits alongside The Empathy Experiment, Rose Condo will bring her newly developed workshop, Have A (Kind) Word With Yourself to the festival.  This one hour workshop looks to cultivate wellbeing in writing and creativity, through a series of carefully designed activities led by Rose.

Note: There are only 15 places available on this workshop so early booking is encouraged.

This is a free event but tickets must still be reserved. You can access our event page by clicking here.

If you have any problems with booking tickets, or if you have any questions about anything relating to the festival, please do email Charley at [email protected].