THE WRITER’S BENCH

The Writer’s Bench is a live performance concept, designed to present a colourful blend of various arts [including: music, spoken word, poetry, film, live visual art and dance].
The name [The Writer’s Bench] comes from the 149th Street Grand Concourse subway station in The Bronx, where graffiti artists [writers] used to meet from the 1970s until the late 1980s. Writers from all over the city congregated at the bench to meet, make plans, sign black books and watch art on the passing trains.
In short, The Writer’s Bench is a place where artists meet.

The purpose of The Writer’s Bench is to bring artists together, crossing countries, cultures, creative genres and beyond. For this we have created a unique quality performance platform that reflects the modern way that people like to experience art.
The Writer’s Bench began as an independent arts project in 2006 and became an official event organisation in 2009. We host approximately 8 events per year in various European cities.
Our organisation currently has two main ongoing productions ‘The Writer’s Bench’ and ‘but is it jazz?’ we also host workshops in connection with the events.

BUT IS IT JAZZ?

‘When was the last time a jazz concert made you want to pogo like a lunatic or made you laugh out loud?’
but is it jazz? is a new live concept and event hosted by The Writer’s Bench presenting the best in cutting edge jazz influenced music and beyond. For each edition a prominent artist or group from the world of crossover jazz is selected to headline a concert. These concerts are currently held at the Arenberg Theatre, Antwerp and The Hnita Jazz Club in Heist o/d Berg. 

Previous artists

Acoustic Ladyland
Amar Kavi
Amorphine
Andy Fierens
Anthony Joseph feat. Silvano Matadin + Joe Bowie
Babar Luck
Benny Van den Meulengracht-Vrancx
Black Mango
Blackie & The Oohoos
Chris Hibbert
Colonel Red
DJ Courtasock 
DJ Grazzhoppa‘s DJ Bigband Jamsession
Easton Davy
Echo Beatty
Elyas Khan
Elitsa Ganeva
Esperanzah
Faustine Hollander
Flavio Silva Quartet
Frederic Bourgeois
Frederik Schnieders
Frown-I-Brown 
Gloria feat. Band
Grimm
Hägga
Halve Neuro
Julia Kent
Kain the Poet
Karima Francis
Kim Theuns
La Boutique Fantastique
Liesa Van der Aa
Luanda Casella
Marques Toliver
Mike Redman
Oban
Phynt feat. Erwin Vann
Poetry Circle Nowhere
Polar Bear feat. Jyager [Jyager Bear]
sam*
Sebastian Dicenaire
Simon Van Buyten & Max Pairon
Sista Flex & The Amazing Flexmachine
Soweto Kinch
Spraypaintartists
Stöma
The Flying Horseman
True Bypass
United Vibrations
You Raskal You