Apples and Snakes brings its legendary and much-loved Jawdance to South London in 2026. Launching a new monthly summer season of electric performance poetry uniting familiar faces with new voices on stage at Brixton House. Acclaimed artist Kat François hosts the launch night on 20 May with a powerful line-up featuring performances from Caleb Femi, Bridget Minamore and Jerome Scott, with resident DJ.
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Jawdance line up left to right: Host Kat François, Jerome Scott, Bridget Minamore and Caleb Femi
Jawdance offers a night bursting with raw truths delivered by an inspiring fusion of stellar artists alongside fresh talent. Building a thrilling “you had to be there” connection and magic, each Jawdance evolves uniquely as the performers give voice to the collective consciousness of the moment.
An opportunity for all performance poets to share their work on stage, Jawdance’s notorious Open Mic lottery is back. Poets attending Jawdance can throw their names into the hat on arrival, with the potential to win a moment in the spotlight. The Jawdance stage is always a supportive, eclectic space that welcomes all poets, from seasoned pros to first-timers.
Kat François, Performance artist, writer, poet, and Jawdance Host says: “Jawdance is a stalwart of the poetry scene with unique and memorable features, performers from across the country. I love the fact that new and established poets perform on the same stage, and the open mic is always one of the highlights of the evening, just like pick and mix sweets, you never know what you’re going to get, but it’s always something good.”
Future nights will see some of the UK’s most brilliant and cherished poets hosting and performing from Keith Jarrett, Jay Mitra, and Gecko, to Hannah Silva, Zena Edwards and Toby Campion.
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Jawdance returns with the rhymes and the vibes to make you feel alive. Photographer credit: Suzi Corker
Ty’rone Haughton, Apples and Snakes Associate Artistic Director, says: “In 2010, Jawdance was launched to give a platform to the most dynamic, impactful and poignant voices performance poetry had to offer. It innovated poetry in the UK. Sixteen years later, we are taking another big step, bringing people back in the room with poetry for the people, and we are thrilled that Jawdance has a brand new stage at Brixton House. Straight from the hearts of poets to the hearts of poetry lovers, Jawdance has returned with the rhymes and the vibes to make you feel alive.”
Ruth Hawkins, Executive Creative Producer, said: “Brixton House is about championing diverse voices and building genuine connections with its community, and that’s exactly where Jawdance lives. It thrives on participation, on presence, and on the richness of different perspectives coming together in one space, and we’re really excited to partner with Apples and Snakes to become Jawdance’s new home.”
In the beginning, Apples and Snakes was run by a collective of writers from South London. More than four decades later, Apples and Snakes’ Jawdance is the UK’s longest-running performance poetry night, now returning to its South London roots to take up residence in its new Brixton House home.
Apples and Snakes Jawdance is at Brixton House on 20 May, 24 June and 22 July. Tickets can be booked here https://brixtonhouse.co.uk/shows/jawdance/
