We’re bringing poetry and spoken word to the Thackray Museum of Medicine as part of their Thackray Lates programme on Thursday 13 February.

For one night only, the museum will be pumping with a programme filled with the red stuff (and we don’t mean roses). Join us for an anti-valentine evening like no other, one that embraces the visceral life force of all beating hearts: blood!

The poetry performance start at 6.45pm in the cafe/shop area (turn right after going through the main entrance) and will be headlined by the magnificent Rosie Garland – Polari Prize shortlistee, RSL Fellow, and singer with post-punk band The March Violets.

We’ll also have a poetry and spoken word open mic, where you can have up to 4 minutes in the spotlight. Open mic slots are strictly limited and must be booked in advance – if you want to sign up, please email joe@joewilliams.co.uk with the subject line “Thackray Open Mic”. We’d love to hear your work on the themes of Blood or Anti-Valentine’s, but off-theme work is also fine.

The doors will be open from 6pm till 10pm, and there will be plenty of other activities and exhibits going on around the museum, so make an evening of it and investigate all the other stuff in between the poetry!

More info and tickets (at £12.50) at Tickets below, please note open mic readers won’t need a ticket.

TRANSPORT: The museum is right next to St. James’s Hospital. Bus routes 16, 42, 49, 50 and 50A from the city centre stop outside the museum.

PARKING: Onsite parking is available, pay and display charges apply at £1.50 per hour. Coin and card payments accepted. Alternative parking can also be found at St James’s Hospital multi-storey car park which is a short walk away from the museum. There are also a small number of council-run cark parks along Beckett street opposite the museum.

ACCESS: The museum is fully wheelchair accessible, entry is free for essential companions, and assistance dogs are welcomed.