Queer Tongues: film & poetry - LGBT+ History Month 2025

Ernesto Sarezale presents Queer Tongues, a film and poetry event at The Divine in celebration of LGBT+ History Month 2025 (https://lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/events/queer-tongues-film-poetry/)

The event will kick off with the screening of Ernesto’s documentary, “Queer Tongues”, about the queer spoken word scene in London (and beyond). This is the first time the film will be screened in front of a live audience – even if it was originally premiered online in the lockdown edition of Film Pride, Brighton & Hove Pride’s LGBTQIA+ film festival. Also, a shorter version of the documentary won an Audience Choice Award at Leeds Queer Film Festival.

In the second part of the evening, the stage of The Divine will welcome LGBTQ+ poets and performers to participate in a spoken-word open-mic session.

If you want to participate in the open-mic, register using the Outsavvy ticketing link:
https://www.outsavvy.com/event/23921/queer-tongues-film-poetry

Tickets for open-micers are FREE. Everyone is welcome, but priority will be given to those who identify as LGBTQ+.

ADMISSION: £0-Pay as you can-£7

TICKETS: https://www.outsavvy.com/event/23921/queer-tongues-film-poetry

SCHEDULE:
Doors open: 7pm
Film screening: 7.20pm
Live performances: 8.30pm

Virtual Tongue

 Velvet Tongue is back in 2020 as VIRTUAL TONGUE, one-off "new normal" edition on Zoom: 

https://www.outsavvy.com/event/4935/virtual-tongue-tickets

It is a FREE event. But donations are very much welcome.

We are looking for contributions for the virtual open mic slots: Have you got an erotic poem, a sexy short story, a salacious monologue, a sexually charged section of your novel, a provocative comic strip, a risqué stand up routine? Would you like to share a piece of erotica from an author you admire? Come and read it in front of an appreciative online audience.

To sign up for the open mic slots, email Ernesto: ernesto@sarezale.com 

(or send a message via the Facebook event)

Velvet Tongue celebrates the hot, the sweet, the viscous, the carnal, the sexy, the racy, the provocative, the lustful, the voluptuous, the libidinous, the playful, the flirtatious, the teasing, the suggestive, the explicit, the cheeky, the romantic, the bold, the brash, the brassy, the flashy, the risque, the pervy, the licentious, the queer, the depraved and the downright kinky.

Keep your velvet tongue hot & viscous! 

What is Velvet Tongue?

Besides a slang term for a delectable oral sex practice, Velvet Tongue was the name of London's Erotic Literary Soiree between 2011-2015, the subject of many enthusiastic reviews.

Presented by Erotic Award winning poet Ernesto Sarezale, Velvet Tongue was dedicated to erotic writing and performance, with poetry, fiction, spoken word, plays, stand-up, comic strips, cabaret, monologues,…  

It featured some of the country's most exciting writers and performers of erotica together with plenty of sexy open mic slots for anyone who wanted to join in! 

Velvet Tongue kicked off on Sunday 6 February 2011 at Ten Gales gallery in Bethnal Green and then moved to Bar Kick in Shoreditch for its May edition, where it ran until 2014. In the summer 2014 we moved again, this time to The Book Club, also in Shoreditch, until March 2015.  

For a while, Velvet Tongue even had an exciting branch in the Antipodes: Velvet Tongue Australia (in Melbourne).

There were two spin-off events of Velvet Tongue in 2015: Queer Tongue and Velvet Kink.

Then, in 2017, 'Velvet Tongue' became 'Velvet Tongues' and traveled to Nottingham and Manchester.

In 2020, Velvet Tongue was back as: VIRTUAL TONGUE (one-off "new normal" edition on Zoom).

Velvet Tongue celebrates the hot, the sweet, the viscous, the carnal, the sexy, the racy, the provocative, the lustful, the voluptuous, the libidinous, the playful, the flirtatious, the teasing, the suggestive, the explicit, the cheeky, the romantic, the bold, the brash, the brassy, the flashy, the risque, the pervy, the licentious, the queer, the depraved and the downright kinky.

Keep your velvet tongue hot & viscous! 

VELVET TONGUES in the Midlands

Monday 20th November 2017
19:30 at ROUGH TRADE, 5 Broad Street, Nottingham

Hosted by Dan Webber and Ernesto Sarezale

Queer Spoken Word -- Open Mic

Celebrating LGBTIQ+ voices in the Midlands

RSVP on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/events/126453084693993/

5 minute open mic slots - open to everyone

To participate, sign up between 7:30-8pm

£3 donation on the door 

(free to open mic participants and students/pensioners/unemployed)

Doors open 7:30 - Show starts at 8pm

Any questions, email: ernesto [at] sarezale.com 

29 October 2015: VELVET KINK, a kinky open mic event in South London.

Two days before Halloween, ERNESTO SAREZALE brings

you VELVET KINK, a kinky one-off spin-off of Velvet Tongue, at an arty dungeon in South London: THE FLYING DUTCHMAN. Thursday 29 October 2015, 7pm. Click to RSVP on Facebook.

VELVET KINK focuses on the darker side of erotica: the kinky, the fetishistic, the submissive, the dominant, the sadistic, the masochistic, the sadomasochistic, the paraphiliac, the deviant, the bizarre, the perverted, the perverse, the pleasure in pain. We welcome pieces on: bondage, corporal punishment, flogging/spanking/caning, genital torture, electricity play, medical fetishes, voyeurism/exhibitionism, infatilism role play, water sports, scat, necrophilia, foot worship... and any other paraphilias and sexual taboos you may want to explore.

NO more pre-booked slots available!

For a chance to participate: give your name at the door on October 29th, 7pm onwards. 

Confirmed contributors are:

Tara Fleur, Cathy Flower, Open Minds, René L'Amour, Tom Smith, Andy Fiver, Tom Bland, Gideon K, Ant Smith, Graham Buchan, Steven Pottle, Bliss Abrahams, Philip Bedwell, Trudy Howson, Quinn Agathoni, Chiara Scuro, Jazzman John Clarke, Jane Fae, Keith Jarrett , Alison Brumfitt, Pat Cash, The Hanging Gardener of Babylon, Tony Peter Laing, Greg London, Derek Collins, Amy Neilson Smith.

Contributors get a 5 or 10 minute slot to do poetry, fiction, performance, spoken word, comedy,...


Dress code suggestions: fetish, kinky, sexy, rubber/latex/leather,...

This is a FREE non-profit event.

Needless to say: 18+

12th July 2015: QUEER TONGUE: A one-off spin-off of Velvet Tongue

Ernesto Sarezale celebrates the publication of his poetry collection “In The Name of The Flesh” with... QUEER TONGUE, a multidisciplinary showcase of queer voices featuring four wonderfully talented contributors: JONATHAN KEMP, PAT CASH, RICHARD SCOTT and RENE L'AMOUR, each representing a different side of spoken word: FICTION, DRAMA, POETRY and PERFORMANCE ART.

Together with an OPEN MIC session where everyone is welcome to participate. Sign up at the door on the night.

On Sunday 12 July 2015 at Tipsy, Dalston. Doors open 7pm, show starts at 7.30pm. Free entry but a hat will be passed around for voluntary contributions (to support the performers).

RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1438875236432355/

Fiction: JONATHAN KEMP is the well known author of the highlyacclaimed novel “The London Triptych”, a literary sensation. He is also a DJ and teaches creative writing, literature and queer theory. Jonathan will read from his celebrated new novel “Ghosting”, which will be available for sale at the event.

Drama: PAT CASH is a playwright, a spoken word artist, a freelance journalist and the host of hugely successful events such as “Spoken Word London”, “Let’s Talk about Gay Sex and Drugs” and more recently “NSFW”. Pat will perform a monologue from his 5-star Edinburgh Fringe play “The Fag Ash Monologues”.

Poetry: RICHARD SCOTT is an award-winning poet, radio broadcaster and opera connoisseur. His poems have been published in outlets as varied as “Poetry Review”, “BUTT magazine”, “The Poetry of Sex” (Penguin Anthology) and “Best British Poetry 2014” (Salt Anthology). Richard will read some of his sexier poems for us.

Performance Art: RENÉ L’AMOUR is a multidisciplinary performer and entrepreneur who combines spoken word with music, drag, rap, body art - and whatever comes his way - in his memorable, hugely inventive performances. René will preview parts of his forthcoming Edinburgh Fringe show “Me, me, me”.

Host: ERNESTO SAREZALE, Erotic Award Winning Poet and former promoter of Erotic Literary Soiree “Velvet Tongue”, will read from his book “In The Name of The Flesh”, which will be available for sale at the event.

Velvet Tongue - Winter 2015: LA LENGUA DE TERCIOPELO (Hispanic special)

London's erotic literary soiree is back in 2015. And, this time with a with a special Hispanic flavour. 

On Monday 2nd March at The Book Club, 100 Leonard Street, EC2A, at 19:00. 

Entry: £5/£3/free to participants

RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/732806103499055 

With: 

Keith Jarrett (bilingual poetry slam winner)
Diana Junyent (pornoterrorist poet and performer)
Gabriel Moreno (bohemian poet and singer songwriter)
Ernesto Sarezale (erotic award winning poet and host of the event)

...special contributions from: Ascen Arriazu, Isabel del Rio, Mabel Encinas, Angel Samuel and more poetry & prose.

With the all-important OPEN MIC slots.

NOTE that the pre-booked open-mic quota for March's Velvet Tongue has already been met, which means that anyone requesting a spot after 5th December 2014 will be added to a "RESERVE LIST". There are always drop-outs on the night, so most people on the reserve list will most likely have the chance to read/perform anyway (and will get in for free). At the last few events EVERYONE who turned up got to read...

What people are saying about Velvet Tongue: 
http://velvettongueuk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/reviewspreviews-and-reports.html

Velvet Tongue celebrates the hot, the sweet, the viscous, the carnal, the sexy, the racy, the provocative, the lustful, the voluptuous, the libidinous, the playful, the flirtatious, the teasing, the suggestive, the explicit, the romantic, the cheeky, the bold, the brash, the brassy, the flashy, the risque, the pervy, the licentious, the queer, the depraved and the downright kinky. And flesh exposure is always encouraged on and off the stage... As bare as you dare.

pre-Velvet Tongue Eroticism

While you wait for the next edition of Velvet Tongue on the 2nd of March... here are some erotic offerings in London in the next few weeks :

• Poet in the City's 'Eros: The Poetry of Sex', a celebration of the relationship between poetry and sex, on Monday 9th February,  7pm, at Kings Place, 90 York Way, N1 (Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/836666106391632)

• Nairobi Thompson's 'The Art of LOVE!', where she she performs her seductive poetry on Saturday 14 February, 9pm, at Charlie Wrights, 45 Pitfield Street, N1  (Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1537892093139899)

Looking into 2015

RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/732806103499055

Pre-Halloween VELVET TONGUE (2014) – Thanks!

What an amazing (and packed) pre-Halloween Velvet Tongue! 

I know I keep on saying this but London’s Erotic Literary Soiree just seems to be getting better and better. There was humour, there was kink, there was poignancy, there was tease, there were surprises, there were shocks, there was darkness, there was light, there was provocation, there was sensuality, nipple tassels, unorthodox nipple clamps, lots of flesh on display… and lots of food for thought too. 

Thanks a lot to all the wonderful performers (features and open-mic slots alike) who consistently blew my mind last night. Thanks also to the always sexy, always welcoming, always encouraging Velvet Tongue audiences; you are vital. And, yet again, pleased that everyone on the open mic list who turned up got the chance to read, including those on the reserve list. Thanks to the venue, The Book Club, for their support and to Bica for efficiently managing the door. And, indeed, Thanks! to John Fraser for the pix and everything.

The next Velvet Tongue is scheduled for MONDAY 2^nd of March 2015.

Contributors in order of appearance were:

Ernesto Sarezale (the host), Jacky Donovan, Jonna Nummela, Nairobi Thompson, Randolph Hott,  Cathy Flower, Ania + Ashleen, Ant Smith, Richard Perkins, Elizabeth Aaron, Robert Yates, Tara Fleur, Tom Smith, Rene L'Amour, Roberta Francis, Tom Nash, Bel Lore, Tereza and Paul Reynolds.

See a picture of each participant below (in order of appearance):

(more pictures at:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152361549146401.1073741893.571036400&type=1 )

Velvet Tongue - Autumn 2014 (pre-Halloween)

For its pre-Halloween edition, VELVET TONGUE, London's Erotic Literary Soiree, will provide a taste of the whip... and of leather .

RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/848893111795079/?fref=ts

Featuring:

Jacky Donovan + Daniel Richards + Nairobi Thompson + Jay Walker + Randolph Hott (from Boylexe)

We will hear: tales from a dominatrix, poems on chem sex and bonobos, discussions of penis size, suggestive verses on Sapphic love and... a very teasing monologue - among other dark and sensual delights.

Plus the all important OPEN MIC SLOTS.

NOTE though that - as in previous editions - the pre-booked open-mic quota for October's Velvet Tongue has already been met, which means that anyone requesting a spot after 8th August 2014 is going onto a "reserve list". There are usually drop-outs on the night, so most people on the reserve list will most likely have the chance to read/perform anyway (and will get in for free). At the last two events everyone who turned up got to read...

Doors open at 7pm; show starts at 7.30pm. £5/£3, free to participants. At THE BOOK CLUB, 100 – 106 Leonard Street, EC2A 4RH (Old St/Liverpool St tubes, Shoreditch High Street overground).

What people are saying about Velvet Tongue:
http://velvettongueuk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/reviewspreviews-and-reports.html

Velvet Tongue celebrates the hot, the sweet, the viscous, the carnal, the sexy, the racy, the provocative, the lustful, the voluptuous, the libidinous, the playful, the flirtatious, the teasing, the suggestive, the explicit, the romantic, the cheeky, the bold, the brash, the brassy, the flashy, the risque, the pervy, the licentious, the queer, the depraved and the downright kinky. And flesh exposure is always encouraged on and off the stage... As bare as you dare.

Summer VELVET TONGUE (2014) – Thanks!

It was really buzzing down at the basement of The Book Club in Shoreditch last Sunday! And sizzling hot despite the efficient air conditioning. 

I can safely say that Sunday’s Velvet Tongue was the busiest to date. On a couple of past occasions, we have been very close to the 100 mark. But last night, we clearly surpassed it. I estimate we had more than 110 punters through the door! Wow! 


Yet it’s not all about the quantity. The quality of the erotic readings and performances on the night was just spectacular. The featured speakers and the open-micers whose work I already knew not only delivered but actually exceeded my expectations. And the Velvet Tongue virgins, the newbies on stage, definitely kept the standards high. 

London's Erotic Literary Soiree just keeps getting better and better. 


But don't just take my word for it. Here's a review of the night:
http://poetrymonthly.wordpress.com/lunar-poetry-reviews-2/velvet-tongue-270714/

Thanks to everyone who graced the stage and indeed to the ever growing, ever sexy, ever welcoming audience! And thanks also to the new venue The Book Club for all the support and for providing such a wonderful space. 

And Thanks! to John Fraser for the pix and everything.

Contributors in order of appearance were:

Ernesto Sarezale (the host, in cutting edge swimwear), Immani Love, Pat Cash, Silk Worm, Susana Medina, Ruck, Janine Evans-Pollard , Primoz Junez, Rene L'Amour, Greg London, Captain of the Rant, Roberta Francis, Joe Walker, David Turner, Open Mind, Tara Fleur and Keith Jarret.

See a picture of each participant below (in order of appearance):

(more pictures at:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152180331221401.571036400&type=3 
and - with some NSFW content - at:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sarezale/sets/72157645637617069/)

VELVET TONGUE, Summer 2014 - NEW VENUE!

The heat is on and Ernesto Sarezale brings his Erotic Literary Soiree to THE BOOK CLUB on Sunday 27 July for an aestival feast of words and carnality in its Summer Lovers edition. 

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/756579874373117/?fref=ts

The guest readers/performers are (in alphabetical order):

 

 PAT CASH    -    JACOB V. JOYCE    -    SUSANA MEDINA    -    RUCK 

Plus many OPEN MIC slots – NOTE: The pre-booked open-mic quota for July's Velvet Tongue has been met, which means that anyone requesting a spot after 13th June 2014 is going onto a "reserve list". There are usually drop-outs on the night, so most people on the reserve list will most likely have the chance to read/perform anyway (and will get in for free).

NOTE NEW VENUE:
Doors open at 7pm; show starts at 7.30pm. £5/£3, free to participants. At THE BOOK CLUB, 100 – 106 Leonard Street, EC2A 4RH (Old St/Liverpool St tubes, Shoreditch High Street overground).


Velvet Tongue celebrates the hot, the sweet, the viscous, the carnal, the sexy, the racy, the provocative, the lustful, the voluptuous, the libidinous, the playful, the flirtatious, the teasing, the suggestive, the explicit, the romantic, the cheeky, the bold, the brash, the brassy, the flashy, the risque, the pervy, the licentious, the queer, the depraved and the downright kinky. And flesh exposure is always encouraged on and off the stage... As bare as you dare.

What people are saying about Velvet Tongue:
http://velvettongueuk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/reviewspreviews-and-reports.html