BUOYED by confirmation of more funding from Arts Council England, Say Owt will return for a new season of spoken-word nights in The Basement at City Screen, York, this autumn.

Say Owt Slam #20 will bring special guest Malaika Kegode to York on September 29. "Malaika is a Bristol poet published by Burning Eye, whose poetry is beautifully heartfelt and her performances unmissable," says Henry Raby, who co-hosts Say Owt gigs with Stu Freestone.

"She shares her heart and pulls on yours. Audiences respond to her honesty and openness and she has crowds spellbound by her poetry and stage presence."

In addition, Kegode will run a writing workshop from 3pm to 5pm in the Garden Room at York Explore Library before the slam, open to anyone of any experience at a cost of £5 on the door.

Say Owt has been hosting highly competitive spoken-word slams in York since 2014. "These sizzling nights are full of excitable energy," says Raby. "Poets have a maximum of three minutes each to wow an audience with funny, sharp and lively spoken word. Each slam has a winner, someone who the audience have voted their favourite act of the night."

Raby is delighted that Say Owt has been awarded another Grant for the Arts from Arts Council England. "It allows us to support more high-energy and high-quality nights and bring more spectacular artists to York," he says. "We’re committed to proving that performance poetry is a live, raucous, engaging, hilarious, beautiful and heartfelt genre."

Tickets for September 29's 7.30pm gig are on sale at £6 on 0871 902 5747 or at thebasementyork.co.uk/ or £7 on the door.