The prestigious Shambala Poetry Slam 2026 will be in a new venue – Talu!
A regular Sunday highlight of the festival, come join us to hear poets from the festival compete to be crowned the winner, who takes the title, a set next year and 2 tickets for Shambala 2027!
Sign up for the slam at the poetry open mics on Friday and Saturday evenings in Talu.
Sunday’s Slam will also feature a performance from the 2025 Shambala Slam Champion, Davina Songbird.
Born in London, raised in Luton, and made in Nottingham, Davina Songbird is a powerful voice on East Midlands stages. She is a singer, songwriter and spoken word artist with influences such as Nina Simone, India Arie, Maya Angelou and Samara Joy. She is known for her rich, soulful neo-soul, gospel and jazz vocals and harmonies. A regular on BBC radio and Kemet fm Davina currently runs the Nottingham Black Creatives Network. Her most notable shows to date have been performing in Leicester, Derby, Nottingham and Birmingham as part of the And Still I Rise Tour ‘23. Performing with the 70 piece UFO orchestra at Hockley Hustle ’25. She also performed at Benjamin Zephania’s 1st year anniversary of his death tribute event in London last year at the family’s request. Most recently she was a judge at the UNESCO SLAMOVISION and winner of the Shambala SLAM ’25.
