YORK performance poets Stu Freestone and Henry Raby are bringing another night of slam poetry to York in the form of Say Owt Slam #2 on January 23 in The Basement at City Screen.

"We held Say Owt Slam #1 back in October as an experiment to see whether York wanted a performance poetry slam scene. We were not disappointed," says Henry. "The event sold out, with 15 poets delivering pieces ranging from anarchist perspectives and feminist call-to-arms to hilarious insights into apps and cowboy builders.

"The night was won by Hull poet Ian Winter, who earned the cash prize, while guest poet Mark Grist wowed audiences with his funny and charming poetry about teaching, education and pugs."

Matching last autumn's debut event, Say Owt Slam #2 will present 15 brand new poets, each competing for the title of Say Owt Slam Champ, a £30 cash prize and a tiny little award. "The line-up will be equally as diverse, featuring some home-grown York poets, as well as poets from Leeds, Hull and Manchester," says Henry.

This month's gathering will be headlined by Sophia Walker, from Edinburgh. "Sophie is a powerhouse globe-trotting poet who's performed across the entire world," says Henry. "She's a master of slams and her list of accolades is an arm long."

Among Sophie's triumphs, she was the 2012 London Poetry Olympics champion and Edinburgh International Book Festival Slam winner; the 2013 BBC Slam champion; the 2013 and 2014 PBH Best Spoken Word Show winner and the 2014 Saboteur Best UK Spoken Word Show winner.

"We’re hoping that alongside the multitude of poetry open mics and a creative arts scene in York, Say Owt Slam will help encourage energetic and dynamic performances, with the third slam and headliner already set, and the fourth a very special treat, but that’s a story for another time," says Henry. Keep watching this space for more details.

On January 23, doors will open at 7.30pm; admission £5.