Level UP is a monthly spoken word and poetry event inspired by the enduring legacy of Hip hop. Artists will perform Hip hop inspired poems and songs. For the first Level UP of 2017 there are a great array of gifted performers. Stand out for us is Theresa Lola, she has a reputation for moving and personal pieces and has written powerful prose on a range of subjects, ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ about the Boko Haram kidnapping of schoolgirls in Nigeria is a sucker punch of personal political poetry. The taboo busting Jasmine Gardosi will be making an appearance as will no fewer than eight other performers. Throw in some tunes from DJ Sid Mercutio and we reckon £3 is stunning value for a night of massive literary lyricism.

Fri 6 Jan 7pm at the Rep, Broad St, Birmingham B1 2EP £3 www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/