LIVE literature is soaring in popularity across the Tees Valley, with venues such as the Verb Garden in Middlesbrough drawing regular crowds for poetry performances.
Tomorrow, the Verb Garden presents New York poet Dana Bryant in Area 2, of the Cornershouse, in Exchange Place
In 1991 Ms Bryant took the Nuyorican Poetry Cafe by storm, becoming Grand Slam Champion.
Five years later she produced her first album and collection of poetry.
Known for her complex jazz, soul and hip-hop poetry, but as a poet, singer, songwriter and sound artist she works in a much wider field.
Cleveland Arts' literature officer, Bob Beagrie, said: "Dana Bryant is a coup for Middlesbrough, while she is here on a rare visit from the States. I saw her perform a year ago in Leeds and I know our audience will lap up the quick-fire vocal rhythms of her poetry."
The Verb Garden also features the launch of Selone, a Mudfog book written by people from Sierra Leone. Dordiseal will perform on didgeridoo and guitar, rare grooves by The Equaliser, an open mike slot and a quiz.
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