HOLD SPACE is an open mic rooted in the Make Poetry Weird Again x Crypt gallery HOLD SPACE POETRY FESTIVAL residency that took place in Holy Week 1-7th April 2026
in april we spent seven days on consecrated ground in the crypt beneath st pancras church. fourteen resident poets. 7 nights of back to back open mic - the weight of 557 of the departed. something that felt — against all odds — holy.
this is what comes next.
through the summer we hold space at HWK in hackney wick, fundraising for our next festival at the crypt gallery in october 2026. every donation on the night goes directly to hold space festival october — covering travel, hospitality and support for poets in residence. every pound in the bowl goes to a resident or a feature room. we are aiming to raise £2000 across 10 nights.
how the night runs:
the space is opened by a gong practitioner.
one featured poet from the residency programme performs.
dj chanté of @YOUMEEWEE holds the room between acts.
then the floor is yours.
hosted by @nolsnathankski
sign up is limited to 15 slots because we want to truly hold space for each performance. five minutes each. first come, first served on the door.
our first feature is KRISTAL SISODIA
@alexiachrysostomou a travelling poet will be bringing their legendary typewriter to the courtyard and making automatic poems for you based on your prompts for donations!
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the work
we welcome work that is difficult, explicit, political, grieving, angry, tender, strange, or formally unrecognisable. your work is your own. we will not ask you to soften it. we will ask you to be honest about what it is, so that the people in the room can meet it on its own terms.
we do ask that you offer content warnings for work involving sexual violence, suicide, or self-harm, so that people can make informed choices about how they receive it.
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how we treat each other
this is an explicitly queer and trans-inclusive space. everyone present is entitled to be here on their own terms.
use people's correct names and pronouns. if you're unsure, ask or use they/them. do not assume anyone's identity, background, or relationship to their work. consent extends beyond the stage — do not touch, photograph or record other people without asking first.
harassment of any kind will not be tolerated.
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a few things to know:
HWK is wheelchair accessible and right next to hackney wick overground station.
capacity is strictly limited to 45 — free entry, pay what you can.
suggested donation £7. give what you're able.
delicious pizza is served at the venue.
a non-alcoholic cocktail will be specially made based on a poem every night.
this is a neuroqueer safe space.
doors 6:00pm · start 6:30pm · close 10:00pm
suitable for: anyone who loves poetry, wants to perform for the first time, or just needs somewhere to sit and listen to weird words.
@makepoetryweirdagain
mpwapoetry.com