Dorothea Smartt, born and raised in London, is of Bajan heritage. Her first collection, Connecting Medium (Peepal Tree Press 2001) included a Forward Prize award winning poem. Her latest collection Ship Shape (Peepal Tree Press 2008) seeks to understand the life-changing impact of the Trans Atlantic slave trade. Her video/poetry installation at the Museum of London Docklands in 2009 also explored the Atlantic Ocean as natural phenomenon and as a transporter of dreams and peoples. Described as 'accessible and dynamic'.

Jacob Ross, born in Grenada, has lived in Britain since 1984. A poet, playwright, novelist and journalist, his books include the acclaimed short story collections, Song for Simone and A Way to Catch the Dust. As well as editing Artrage, Britain’s leading Intercultural Arts magazine, he has also co-edited or co-authored books with Joan Anim-Addo and Kwesi Owusu. Hailed as 'a writer of formidable technical range and emotional depth', he lectures in creative writing and international literature. In 2006 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and his first novel, Pynter Bender (Harper Collins 2008).

Roger Robinson lives between London and Trinidad. His first collection of poetry, Suitcase, was published in 2004. His latest collection is Suckle (Waterways 2009). His one-man shows include The Shadow Boxer, Letter from My Father's Brother, and Prohibition. He is amongst the most influential Black British writers. He has toured extensively all over the world with the British Council. His poetry workshops were part of the Webby awardwinning Barbican's Can I Have A Word collaboration.

Alexander D.Great, born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, Alexander grew up in London. A professional musician, composer and arranger for more than 30 years he returned to his calypso roots in the late ‘80’s creating his own fusion of calypso, soul and blues which he calls Socablues. Alex divides his time between running a 10-piece band, his own small record label and doing calypso workshops in schools and colleges. Since February 2000 he has been Calypsonian-in-Residence for the BBC.

The Island Voices event is taking place at Goodenough College, Mecklenburgh Square, London WC1N 2AD from 6.30pm on Thursday 28th January 2010. The poetry reading itself will start promptly at 7.00pm.

Nearest tube stations are Russell Square (on the Piccadilly Line), Chancery Lane (on the Central Line) or Euston Road (on the Circle Line).

The Island Voices event is FREE of charge, but it is necessary to RSVP to:

Poet in the City
c/o Cathy Galvin/Anmar Frangoul,
News International,
1 Pennington Street,
London E98 1ST.

07908 367488 or info@poetinthecity.co.uk

Island Voices is a poetry event featuring contemporary UK poets, and forms part of Poet in the City’s successful and innovative New Audiences initiative. The event has been programmed by Nkechi Ebite at The Books Project www.thebooksproject.wordpress.com.