Afrori Books is excited to welcome Lalah-Simone Springer and special guests AFLO. the poet and Be Manzini for an evening of performance from 7pm - 10pm. Common Birds Tour is a celebration of Lalah-Simone Springer's debut poetry collection An Aviary of Common Birds which explores connection, community, love, and loss from a Black queer, working-class perspective.
6.30pm - Doors open
7pm - Performance by Lalah-Simone Springer (20 mins)
7.20 - Comfort break
7.40 - Performance by Be Manzini (10-15 mins)
7.55pm - Performance by AFLO. the poet (10-15 mins)
8.10pm - Comfort break/buying books
8.30-9.30pm - Open Mic hosted by Lalah-Simone Springer
MEET THE SPECIAL GUESTS
AFLO. the poet is an award-winning Brighton-based spoken word artist, activist and academic who embraces creative expression to disrupt the status quo and inspire social change. AFLO. uses poetry as a vehicle to address hard-hitting topics, particularly racism and mental health, primarily speaking from her lived experiences. She has been published by Penguin Random House and self-published a poetry zine in 2023. AFLO. is currently an in-house artist for Brighton Dome, as well as the host for their poetry nights. She is a significant force directing change in Brighton's creative scenes and continues to sow seeds across the country.
Be Manzini is a writer and workshop facilitator who has been resident at the Southbank Centre and is the Director of Caramel Film Club (supporting diversity in film). Manzini was the first ever Writer in Residence for the influential and prestigious Sundance Festival. Her published work appears in various anthologies including Red edited by Kwame Dawes and she is the only UK poet to appear in the US publication Verse Wisconsin. She has been commissioned to write for The Theatre Royal, Hoxton Hall, as well as performing for leading poetry organisations such as Apples & Snakes, Autograph B and Tamasha Theatre Company, the V&A & many more. Manzini’s poetry-films have shown at the Royal Festival Hall, ICA, BFI and various cinemas and film festivals in the UK and abroad.