Ilkley literature festival’s Words in the City weekend in Leeds kicks off on Thursday 25 April with the Northern Slamhouse competition, when eight poets battle it out for a £200 cash prize and the title of Words in the City slam champion. There are headline performances from Vanessa Kisuule, pictured, and Gevi Carver, and it’s hosted by Chris Singleton and Joe Kriss. Start time is 7.30pm at The Holbeck in Leeds, LS11 9QX.

On Friday 26 April, it’s Words in the City Showcase, also at The Holbeck at 7.30pm, with rising stars and established spoken word and poetry names, including Henry Normal, Malika Booker, Andrew McMillan, Andy Craven-Griffiths, Gav Roberts, and Hannah Batley.

On Saturday afternoon from 1-5pm at Leeds Central library it’s Room 700 Takeover: 1-1.40pm  Ilkley and Bradford Young Writers; 1.40-2pm poetry and animation films by Leeds and Bradford school students; 2-2.45pm Yaffle Press; 2.55-3.35pm Leeds University Slam Team; 3.45-4.30pm  Outspoken; 4.30-5.30pm panel discussion on the Leeds spoken word scene.

Family activities on Saturday at the library include Half Moon’s Young Herbert’s Horrors, a Justin Coe production for ages 4-9. It’s a new spoken word pirate show, featuring swashbuckling verse, jaunty music, and the obligatory parrot. Shows are at 11.30am and 1.30pm. Also at the library from 11am to 4pm are hands-on poetry and papercraft activities using words as inspiration.

In the evening, at Leeds University Student Union at 7pm, it’s Rob Auton’s The Talk Show, with award-winning poet and performer Rob Auton turning his attention - to talking. More details