The hunt for the next bard of Northampton!
The Bardic Picnic returns to Delapre Abbey on Sunday September 27, in the hunt for the 15th Bard of Northampton.
Are you a Spoken word artist, Poet, Rapper or wordsmith of any other kind?
The Northampton Bardic Chair have hosted the annual competition to cloak the Bard of Northampton since 2009.
This year’s Bardic Picnic returns to Delapre Abbey, the home of the original event, this time in the beautiful surroundings of the walled garden. The day will feature live music, art and local makers alongside a whole host of spoken word artists.
If you think you might be the 15th Bard please get in touch with the current Bard Willow Johns to secure your spot in the competition! Applicants will be asked to perform three pieces, one on this years theme ‘Tapestry’, one declaring what they would like to do in their year as the Bard and one original piece of their current repertoire. The audience and a panel of judges will vote on each round until the victor remains.
Bardism in itself is an ancient tradition of storytellers, musicians and poets who composed and performed poems, songs and verse for a patron often in praise of them and in satire of their rivals. The term has evolved into a general term for poets – most famously “the Bard of Avon” being Shakespeare. Northampton’s Bardic tradition was revived in 2005. The Bard of Northampton is an honorary, unpaid appointment which lasts for one year. The Bard receives a cloak and acts as a creative, cultural ambassador to celebrate and create spoken word, poetry and music pieces across the county during their tenure. In challenging times and with the increasing prevalence of AI it is especially important to keep sharing news, words and truth. The Bard must live within a day’s walk of Northampton and be over 18.
The 15th and current Bard is Willow Johns and applications to take part in the contest should be sent via email to [email protected]
It's a FREE family friendly event, come along to enjoy some spoken word in the walled garden and bring a picnic or enjoy the food available at Delapre Abbey on Sunday 27th September 12-5pm at Delapre Abbey.
Red Rumpus is collaborating with The Bardic Chair to organize the event and are supported by Northamptonshire Community Foundation.