New city festival sees poets and musicians join forces

POET Laureate Carol Ann Duffy and Yorkshire-born poet Simon Armitage are among those set to appear at Sheffield University’s first-ever “Lyric” festival.

The three-day festival of poetry and music runs from Wednesday, May 11 and all events are free to members of the public.

Armitage, who is curating the festival, will open Lyric 2011 with his inaugural lecture as Sheffield University’s professor of poetry.

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Other performances will come from BBC Folk Musician of the Year Chris Wood, poet and musician Don Patterson and musician and actor John Sampson.

Music journalists Stuart Maconie and Paul Morley will also join the line-up to discuss song writing and song lyrics, during an interactive event in which the audience will be encouraged to bring their mp3 players and join the debate.

Dr Sara Whiteley, one of the lead organisers of the festival, said: “We often think of songwriting and poetry separately, but of course song lyrics are one of the most popular and pervasive ways in which we experience poetry every day.

“Lyric 2011 is all about exploring the connections between poetry, song and culture.

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“The festival will bring together top performers, broadcasters and researchers whose work traverses the boundaries of poetry, song and the spoken and written word.”

Professor Mike Braddick, pro vice-chancellor for the faculty of arts and humanities, added: “Music and poetry are central to our lives, and this festival will bring some of our most accomplished practitioners to Sheffield.”

Free tickets for all events taking place during Lyric 2011 can be reserved through the Sheffield University website.

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