Beyond Labels: In Young Men’s Shoes Goes on Tour

14th October 2016

Following the success of the spoken word poetry project with young men from Hollins Technology College in Accrington, the group are taking to venues across Pennine Lancashire to spread the word of 'looking beyond the label'.

The eleven young men have spent the last year working with performance poets Keisha Thompson and Reece Williams to write, develop and perform their spoken word poetry, which deals with issues of male identity and seeks to encourage people to look beyond labels and stereotypes associated with young men. Delving beneath the surface, the group have covered issues from bullying and multiculturalism to football, family and Eurovision.

All tickets are free but registration via Eventbrite is essential.

The brainchild of Waqar Ahmed, Extended Schools Coordinator at Hollins, the project has evolved to include a film and photography exhibition and following the success of the launch earlier this year, the work is now going to be shared at venues across Pennine Lancashire.

Waqar said: “The group has been on an incredible journey, in which they have gained confidence in their own voice and we want that voice to be heard.

“The project has allowed the pupils to perceive the world in new ways, make connections, develop a greater understanding of who they are, as well as further develop their sense curiosity, adventure and imagination. Highly motivated and eager to inspire, the collective are now going on tour to spread the message of thinking ‘beyond the label’.”

Come and see the group perform their powerful and inspiring work between October and December 2016.

Tour Dates
Tickets booked via Eventbrite

The Shop, Nelson
Wednesday 26th October
6pm – 7.30pm

Burnley Literary Festival
Burnley Mechanics Theatre
Monday 31st October 2016
7pm – 8.30pm

Burnley & Pendle Faith Centre
Thursday 10th November
6pm – 7.30pm

Accrington Market Hall
Wednesday 16th November
6pm – 7.30pm

The Bureau Blackburn
Thursday 1st December
6pm – 7.30pm