COMPETITORS from Leeds, Huddersfield, Peterborough and London will join powerhouse performance poets from York in Say Owt Slam's Clash of Champions at The Basement, City Screen, York, on July 2.

Since 2014, Say Owt has run high-energy poetry slams to showcase spoken-word from across Britain, hosted by court jesters Henry Raby and Stu Freestone.

"At each competition, we crown a Say Owt champion, as chosen by the judges, based on their writing and performance skills," says Henry. "As is traditional, we end each season of Say Owt Slams with a Clash of Champions, bringing together our previous winners for a super-special event".

Next month's clash assembles the cream of home-grown York acts and fellow competitors from elsewhere. "Some run their own poetry events, others have won slams across the UK, so who knows what exciting words they’re going to dazzle us with?" says Stu.

"Performance poetry is a raw, passionate, funny and engaging art form and we're proud to present some of the best artists to wow audiences and prove the genre is not something to miss. Catch these talents now before they become superstars."

Say Owt Slam has invited two special guests to perform at the July 2 event: Ian Winter and Kirsten Luckins. "Ian won our very first slam back in October 2014 and subsequently smashed the challengers at our second Clash of Champions," says Henry. "He's a writer and playwright based in Hull and exemplifies all the strongest qualities of the UK City of Culture: his poetry is staunch, political, gruff and honest.

"Kirsten has been a familiar face at our last season of slams. She works for Apples and Snakes as producer for the North of England, supporting the development of the spoken-word genre, and as a poet in her own right, her work is full of vivacious description, vivid landscapes and beautiful story-telling."

Tickets for the 7.30pm Clash of Champions cost £7 on the door.