Spork! Poetry at Chococo

About

This event is part of the Out There Fringe Fest'26 performance programme, ​supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England​.

Join us for another night of poetry, spoken-word & sweet treats at Chococo on Gandy Street. This time part of Out There Fringe Fest. Our Chocolate shop shows are just like a regular Spork! but more chilled, and much more chocolatey.

As part of OUT THERE, we're platforming LGBTQ+ voices with feature sets from 2 fabulous Bristol based poets / theatre makers; Tom Denbigh & Kat Lyons. Plus an LGBTQ+ mini open mic, and (of course) delicious hot chocolates, soft drinks and other refreshments available from the café. All hosted by Chris Milky White

Kat Lyons is a Queer writer, performer, workshop facilitator and creative producer. They were Bristol City Poet from 2022-24, and their solo show Dry Season toured UK theatres from 2022-23. Their poetry collection Love Beneath the Nails is available from Verve Poetry Press.

Kat performs regularly across the UK, mentors poets, writes for commission, produces poetry events and facilitates creative and writing workshops for people of all ages and experiences. They live in the Mendip Hills and can often be found talking to plants and poking around in the undergrowth looking for fungi. They are interested in how stories connect us to our world and each other, and believe everyone has a story to tell, and a voice worth hearing.

Tom Denbigh is a poet and playwright based in Bristol. He is a winner of BBC Words First and has headlined stages around the UK and abroad. He has written an ACE-funded short film, and had his writing featured by BBC 1xtra, BBC Bitesize, Apples and Snakes, the Institute of Physics and many more. He is a producer at Milk Poetry and has facilitated writing workshops for groups of students from the UK and abroad (he is particularly proud of his work with queer young people)

Outside of poetry Tom has a PhD on plant roots and crumbling soil. He also works part-time on climate change policy. In 2019 he published his debut collection of poetry, "…and then she ate him" (Burning Eye Books). Tom is currently working on his first play, and was recently featured at Bristol Old Vic's Open Stage.

Please note, this event will take place upstairs at Chococo, which is only accessible via 1 flight of stairs, with the toilet also located on the first floor. This is an alcohol free event, but the café at Chococo will be open all night and selling their usual range of delicious hot drinks, soft drinks and sweet treats.