Mike Garry - Spoken Word / Performance Poet Artist

spoken word mike garry

Mike Garry is an acclaimed Mancunian poet. He has performed poetry since 1994, worked in hundreds of schools and held residencies in prisons, hospitals and art galleries. His work celebrates the beautiful ugliness of the city. His heroes are the underdogs and lost souls who wander the streets searching for answers. A finalist in a Poem for Manchester judged by Andrew Motion and winner of numerous poetry slams worldwide. Mikes' poetry has been published widely and his live performances are explosive and unmissable.

Mike Garry has been published in a range of newspapers and magazines including Pulp Magazine, City Life, The Big Issue and Arvon Anthologies. As well as his work in education and the community, he has performed poetry on BBC Radio 4, Granada Television and on many local radio stations. A prolific writer, he has published three collections of his own poetry and been the 'Writer in Residence' for magazines, prisons and local authorities. His poem Manchester Haiku was shortlisted for the Poem For Manchester Competition, which was judged by Andrew Motion. Manchetser Haiku is displayed around Manchester City Centre where it is enjoyed by thousands of Mancunians and visitors to the city every day.

Mike has been officially recognised by The National Literacy Trust as being a motivating and positive role model to the young people he works with. Mike is one of the Trusts Reading Champions, he was nominated because of his passion for reading and his success in encouraging young people, particularly boys, to read fiction and poetry.

Mike works widely with local councils, schools and professional bodies organising and leading events, activities and programmes. His down to earth style and passion for poetry ensure that his workshops are extremely popular. The young people Mike works with find his sessions rewarding and inspiring and with his encouragement they find the confidence to perform and publish their own brilliant and creative poetry.

Manchester Haiku

Football fans slumber
Imagining miracles
A curious joy

Tea in the Wine bar
Chips and curry from the chinese
Trams in the bus lane

Wry smiles from grey skies
Streets paved in paving stones
People cast in gold

Cheers Ta is an independent publishing house that celebrates excellence in poetry. As well as giving talented poets an opportunity to bring their work to a wider audience, Cheers Ta promotes performance poetry in the community through a number of activities within schools, youth groups, libraries, health care and prisons. Cheers Ta is run by Mike Garry an acclaimed professional poet who uses his skills and experience to promote expression and literacy through the spoken word

Vocal Styles: Spoken Word Artist