LEEDS WEST LYRICAL QUEST - A CHANCE TO SLAM!

A performance poetry project for young people in West Leeds
supported by Leeds Young Authors from East Leeds

Young people from West Leeds and Chapeltown, aged between 11
and 18 were given the unique opportunity to work alongside
professional performance poets Truthmaze and DJ Fundamentalist
from America.

The project, called Leeds West Lyrical Quest, was set up by Interplay
in partnership with Leeds Young Authors. The youngsters developed
writing skills, learnt how to set lyrics to rhythm and created their own
work for performance.  The workshops were led by
Khadijah Ibrahiim, Director of Leeds Young Authors.

They  performed again at the 3rd annual Leeds youth team slam -
part of 'Voices of a New Generation' National Youth Literature
Festival 2006, in Leeds in July.

One of the aims of the poetry workshops was to enable young people
to explore particular issues, vocalise their attitudes, concerns and
aspirations and create a greater understanding and celebration of
diversity in Leeds. The participants have generated an amazing
selection of work, and have performed at regular 'poetry nights'
alongside guest artists including Leeds Young Authors, and Chicago's
finest poets and singers, Ugochi and Krista Franklin.

Leeds West Lyrical Quest has been kindly supported by the Clore
Duffield Foundation.