A new group of poets around the country will be celebrating feminism and women’s rights with poetry and live arts in London, Manchester, Brighton, Oxford, Cumbria, and Bristol.

The Persisters are organising events of “artistic activism and excellence, fund-raising and spirit-raising” called Holding the Line, inspired by the recent women’s marches. The group says it is concerned about the “turning tide in the rights of women and all minorities”.  

Founder, poet Jacqueline Saphra, who has previously organised a 10-hour Poem-a-thon in aid of refugees, said: 'I didn’t want this wave of protest to end with the women’s marches so I thought I’d organise a celebration with the people I know, using the skills they have. Enter the poets.'

In London on Saturday 8 April there will be an event from 3pm to midnight at The Star of Kings, York Way, King’s Cross, with leading and newer poets, women and men, giving a series of sponsored poetry readings about women, their lives and their rights. From 8pm invited guests will lead an evening of live music, comedy, and poetry, culminating in a party with more music and dancing. Entry will be free but there will be opportunities to sponsor poets and to make donations on the day, with proceeds going to Women’s Aid and International Planned Parenthood.

Other events on Saturday 8 April are in Manchester, from 7-10pm, hosted by poet Helen Clare at the Klondyke club in Levenshulme, with invited poets and an open mic. In Brighton the event will be at The Greys pub, from 6-10pm, and organised by poet Jackie Wills. In Cumbria poets Kim Moore and Clare Shaw will be hosting an open mic night on with special guest readers from 7.30-10.30pm at the Laurel and Hardy museum in Ulverston. In Oxford there's open-mic poetry at the Albion Beatnik bookshop from 7.30pm (sign up from 7pm).  

In Bristol on Sunday 9 April there will be an event from 3-6pm, organised by poet Rowena Knight.

ILLUSTRATION: SOPHIE HERXHEIMER AND CHRISSIE WILLIAMS