Stephen Morrison-Burke, Birmingham Poet Laureate 2012/13
New Poet Laureate
We are delighted to tell you that the Birmingham Poet Laureate for 2012/13 is Stephen Morrison-Burke.
The appointment was announced on National Poetry Day, 4 October 2012, at the launch of the Birmingham Book Festival at Cafe Yumm in the Custard Factory. Stephen was presented with the Poet Laureate glass plaque by Brian Gambles, Assistant Director for Culture in Birmingham City Council and Library of Birmingham Project Manager.
Claire Guest was also named as the Birmingham Young Poet Laureate for 2012/13.More about Stephen
Stephen Morrison-Burke is a Spoken Word Artist/Poet from Birmingham who has been performing for 18 months. In that time Stephen has won multiple poetry slam competitions, taken part in theatrical projects, performed at various festivals in front of hundreds of people and has been asked to support two separate internationally renowned poets whilst they visited Birmingham on their European tour. Recently Stephen won a regional Poetry Slam Final in Cambridge which put him through to the national final, expected to take place in March 2013. Stephen currently work as a Freelance Poet teaching workshops to youth offenders and young carers when not taking to the stage to perform.
Stephen's Blogs
Stephen's 'Star' poem
Stephen Morrison-Burke - Star Shaped
Stephen Morrison-Burke - Star Shaped
Jan Watts hands over
Jan Watts, Birmingham Poet Laureate 2011/12, performed some poems before handing over the position to Stephen with some words of helpful advice !
Elvis McGonagall
The audience was later entertained by Elvis McGonagall, stand-up poet, armchair revolutionary and recumbent rocker! Elvis is the sole resident of The Graceland Caravan Park somewhere near Dundee, where he scribbles verse whilst drinking malt whisky and listening to Johnny Cash. He's also a former World Slam Champion, compere of the notorious Blue Suede Sporran Club and is one of the poets occasionally in residence on BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live.
Former Poets Laureate
There were also a number of former Poets Laureate in the audience - Adrian Johnson, Charlie Jordan, Giovanni "Spoz" Esposito and Roz Goddard.
Booking the Poet Laureate
If you wish to book the Poet Laureate for events or commission poems, please complete the form below: