The Lyric Lounge is a vibrant spoken word festival bringing international artists to share the stage with participants and local performers in a spectacular celebration of lyrical prose, music and rhyme.

In 2011 The Lyric Lounge will tour Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire and Rutland, where lead artists have been commissioned to write inspirational pieces of work. Diverse participants, including young people, are working with internationally renowned spoken word artists and writers, benefitting from workshops, showcases, and the opportunity to explore new venues.

The festivals bring literature to new audiences, to experience a broad range of creative work in unusual settings.

The first Lyric Lounge was held in 2009, a week-long festival taking place at the Y Theatre in Leicester. Building on the resounding successes the first year, the Lounge travelled to Derby, Nottingham and Loughborough in 2010.

The Lyric Lounge is part of Igniting Ambition, the East Midlands’ contribution to the Cultural Olympiad. The Lyric Lounge is a Writing East Midlands project. It has been artistically developed by Lydia Towsey. It is supported by MLA Renaissance, Arts Council England, Igniting Ambition and Legacy Trust UK, with additional support for individual lounges. Please see each lounge for more details.