Internationally acclaimed poet Adisa “The Verbalizer” brings poetry, music, humour and audience participation together in a joyful Black History Month performance.
Accompanied by Cuban-born musician Jose Zalba-Smith on piano and flutes, Adisa uses call-and-response techniques to remove the divide between performer and audience.
Rather than simply watching the performance, audience members will be invited to join in and become part of the show.
Together, Adisa and Jose bring music and poetry together as one, creating a lively shared experience designed to start conversations that continue long after the performance has ended.
Adisa is an internationally acclaimed poet whose work crosses the traditional boundaries between poetry, performance and conversation.
Drawing on his Afro-Caribbean heritage and his experiences of growing up in the UK, his poetry explores his personal journey alongside the wider story of the African diaspora.
His work examines themes including migration, resistance, revolution and self-discovery. He connects history with contemporary society through powerful social commentary, rhythmic language and generous amounts of humour.
Adisa’s performances are known for their warmth, energy and ability to create a strong connection with audiences. His use of rhythm and audience participation transforms spoken-word poetry into a collective experience.
The performance forms part of St James’s Piccadilly’s Black History Month programme, celebrating Black creativity across music, poetry, performance and art.
The event will also be streamed live on the St James’s Piccadilly YouTube channel from 12.30pm.
Admission is free, and no advance booking is required. Donations supporting the church’s creative programme are welcome.
For enquiries, contact dco@sjp.org.uk.
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