Inaugural Words Weekend unveiled for Gateshead

Spoken-word event producer Fane Productions has unveiled plans for a series of festivals, the first of which, the inaugural Words Weekend, will take place at Sage Gateshead next October.

Ambassadors for Words Weekend Sage Gateshead include writer and broadcaster David Olusoga, Curtis Brown agent Karolina Sutton (right) and Liv Little, editor-in-chief of gal-dem magazine with the festival taking place from 25th 27th October 2019. The event will be a celebration of the spoken word, featuring around 50 events in four different spaces of the Sage, including author interviews, masterclasses, poetry, music and silent discos, in partnership with independent retailer Forum Books.

At least 25% of the activities will be free, and all events British Sign Language-interpreted and fully accessible. The featured authors will be paid according to the Favoured Nations fee structure, organisers said, and will also receive a percentage of the profits for appearing. 

Sutton said “The full transparency of fees for this festival is a welcome move that shows respect for authors and sends a message that all artists should be paid for their live work.”

Two further planned festivals in the series will take place, in London and Salford, in 2020. Alex Fane, m.d. of London-based Fane Productions, said: “We definitely have a diverse audience and programme in mind, and are very excited to reveal plans in more detail early next year.”

For more information about the event, visit www.wordsweekend.com.

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