Dancing to the Music You Hate

Poetry. Beatbox. Celtic dubstep.
Jasmine Gardosi is the Birmingham Poet Laureate – an award-winning spoken word artist, beatboxer and multiple slam champion of national and international renown.

Dancing To The Music You Hate is Jasmine’s brand new, debut show about gender identity, coming to terms with queerness, and finding words. Commissioned by Warwick Arts Centre, it premiered there in October 2021 to standing ovations and was shortlisted for Best Spoken Word Show in the Saboteur Awards. Prepare for an hour of explosive dubstep bass lines and soaring folk violin which blow apart the boundaries of gender and musical genre alike. Watch Jasmine converse, argue and compete with a live band of instrumentalists as she cracks open the binary with boldness, humour and celebration.

Joining her are Alternative Dubstep Orchestra’s DJ C@ in the H@, Ire-Ish’s multi-instrumentalist Jobe Baker-Sullivan and drummer Noemi La Barbera.

The first half of the night includes a musical open mic where poets can perform their poetry with the band. (Please note, maximum poem length is three minutes). Sign up is on the door.

“The most important piece of art that I can remember seeing” – Casey Bailey, Birmingham Poet Laureate 2020-22

“Tricky, sticky themes explored with humour, passion and euphoric music. Conversations around themes of sexuality and gender can alienate people who really need to be part of them, but this show was validating and welcoming.” – Malaika Kegode, Milk Poetry

“The way she explores gender identity and mental health through the power of poetry, beatboxing and music was phenomenal. She certainly knows how to capture the audience’s attention and the world needs more poets like Gardosi to use their words to create change.” – Redbrick

Commissioned by Warwick Arts Centre and supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Presented as part of History Makers at Derby Museums

Booking essential

Suitable for ages 18+

Accessibility at Derby Museums