Joshua Idehen: All You Can Do Is Hum

A UK premiere for one of the country’s most exciting voices in poetry, All You Can Do Is Hum is a dynamic new spoken word/music performance by Joshua Idehen. Exploring his own experiences of depression, isolation and a sense of not belonging, the show invites audiences to come together to ‘spin grief into joy’ through the power of words and music.

Inspired by Nigerian churches, Idehen’s charismatic ‘sermon leader’ will transform strangers into a united ‘congregation’, lifting people out of the despondency that has surrounded us all over recent years through the creative magic that is poetry.

A British-born Nigerian, Joshua Idehen is a poet and musician who founded the London poetry event Poejazzi. He has collaborated with many bands including The Comet Is Coming, The Sons of Kemet and electro dub outfit LV. His show with Benin City about disappearing music and club spaces in the UK has toured internationally. He has gained accolades from Qmag, Artsdesk, Fact, Mojo, Clash, Mixmag, DJ and DIY. With Speaking Volumes, Ber/Lon explored gentrification in the capital cities of the UK and Germany through poetry and photography. Joshua Idehen is currently working on his first poetry collection.

Produced by Speaking Volumes. Funded by Arts Council England.

Location: Main Hall, Deptford Lounge, 9 Giffin Street, London, SE8 4RH

Cost: Free

• All our in-person events will be BSL Interpreted, including this one.

• This event is wheelchair accessible, with accessible toilets.

• Deptford Lounge has Changing Place facilities, an induction loop and assistance dogs are welcome. For more information: deptfordlounge.org.uk/access

• A quiet space is available during the day at Deptford Lounge, in the Music Room, on the first floor.

• If you require additional access provision in order to attend or take part in the Festival, for example larger print handouts at workshops, or a Scribe, please get in touch before the Festival day at: [email protected]

• If you require assistance on the Festival day itself, please come to the Festival Hub in the foyer of Deptford Lounge where we will be happy to help you.

• We encourage anyone displaying Covid-like symptoms not to attend the Festival and we encourage attendees aged 16+ (unless exempt) to consider wearing a mask as some of our artists and audiences may be vulnerable.

• Masks will be available at the Festival Hub in Deptford Lounge. There will be hand sanitiser and air filters for events and workshops in the following spaces at Deptford Lounge: Main Hall, Room 1, Room 2, Room 3 and the Studio.

• You can see the full Deptford Literature Festival COVID-19 protocols here: spreadtheword.org.uk/deptford-literature-festival-covid-19-protocols/

• This event is free to you, and we ask that as far as possible by booking a place you commit to attending, as places are limited. If you can no longer attend, please cancel your ticket so someone else can come along. There are instructions on how to do that here.

• If you would like to support the future of Deptford Literature Festival, run by charity Spread the Word, you can donate here: totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/deptfordlitfest

Deptford Literature Festival takes place on Saturday 18 March 2023 and celebrates the diversity and creativity of Deptford and Lewisham through words, stories and performance. It is run by Spread the Word, and funded by Arts Council England. You can find out more about Deptford Literature Festival at: www.deptfordlitfest.com

Image at the top of the page description: The event image has a deep yellow background with the black text reading ‘DEPTFORD LITERATURE FESTIVAL’ in a bold font at the top left corner. There are teal green and pink graphics, including a plant vine and food bowl, decorating the photo. In the centre is a circular image of Joshua Idehen, who looks to the side. He wears a black and gold hat, and a white button up shirt and blue blazer. The background behind him is textured and orange, with some flowers visible. At the bottom right of the photo is a text description of the event which reads: All You Can Do Is Hum Saturday 18 March 2023 10.15 - 11.00am Deptford Lounge

Speaking Volumes logo: from an illustrated pink book come the words in grey capital letters SPEAKING VOLUMES LIVE LITERATURE PRODUCTIONS

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Deptford Lounge, 9 Giffin Street, London, United Kingdom