Nols sits down in HWK in Hackney Wick to speak to MIKE the beautiful soul that has allowed MPWA to take up residence in their venue over the summer for the HOLD SPACE POETRY FESTIVAL FUNDRAISER OPEN MICS (see link below for tickets)

mike runs HWK, a venue in hackney wick and the home of hold space open mic nights through summer 2026. he talks to nols about what it takes to run a space that holds poetry the logistics, the losses, and the unexpected joys.

they get into wedding poems: why people want them, and what it means to write something true for someone else’s most public moment. and they talk about the poetry of running a venue the rhythms, the silences, the crowd energy that doesn’t show up on a spreadsheet.

HWK is a third space, cafe, bar, venue and courtyard and our summer residence. The pizza is great too.

www.hwklondon.com

hold space open mic starts on the 13th May 2026 6-9pm tickets below.

bi-weekly at hwk, hackney wick, through summer 2026. free to attend. all welcome.

find out more and grab your spot →HOLD SPACE: OPEN MIC Tickets | Multiple Dates @ HWK LONDON, London | Pay What You Can | OutSavvy