The Steampunk Opium Wars extravaganza at the Greenwich National Maritime Museum 16th Feb 2012

Britain's craving for chinoiserie in the 18th and 19th centuries resulted in a trade imbalance that threatened to empty the treasury. To pay for the tea, silks, spices and porcelain we liked so much, the East India Company sold enormous quantities of cheap Bengal-grown opium to China, turning an aristocratic vice into a nationwide addiction.

The profits from the opium trade made fortunes, earned revenues for the British government, paid for the administration of the Empire in India and even financed a large slice of Royal Navy costs. When the Chinese tried to halt the import of the drug, the narco-capitalists persuaded Foreign Secretary Palmerston and Lord Melbourne's government to go to war in 1839. The first military conflict, lasting a bloody three years, resulted in the Treaty of Nanking and the transfer of territory including Hong Kong to British rule.

Want to find out more about this dark period in Anglo-Chinese history? To celebrate Chinese New Year and mark the opening of the National Maritime Museum's new Traders Gallery, I'm presenting The Steampunk Opium Wars extravaganza with songs poetry and music from legendary writer Charles Shaar Murray; The Plague's Marc "The Exorcist" Jefferies; Deborah Evans-Stickland performing her Flying Lizards mega-hit "Money (That's What I Want)"; Gary Lammin of The Bermondsey Joyriders; and DJ Zoe Baxter AKA Lucky Cat from Resonance FM.

Historical characters will be slugging it out in verse to persuade us of the pros and cons of waging war to push drugs: with John Crow Constable, Paul Anderson, Hugo Trebels, John Paul O'Neill and Louise Whittle.

The evening is centred around Farrago Poetry's History Slam where the audience will have a chance to write poetry on the theme in workshops led by the historical characters, and then perform them in the slam.

Come and play with us.

Free entry but places have to be booked in advance.

Anna Chen presents "Traders"
National Maritime Museum, Sammy Ofer Wing
Greenwich
6.30-10pm
Thursday 16th February 2012
Tickets: Free but book in advance
Tel: 020 8312 6608

The Steampunk Opium Wars Facebook and webpage

SU flags up the event here.

Farrago Poetry Slam: Anna Chen's bits

Last night's Farrago Summer Poetry Slam, hosted by the tireless John Paul O'Neill, was another wonderful evening of poetry from a wide range of performers. I love these events as they allow beginners to try their material in a friendly atmosphere, as well as veterans of the circuit like Fran Landesman, now in her 80s, to strut their magnificent stuff. I discovered Las Zorras, two Edinburgh-based super-talented women poets and musicians reminiscent of a multilingual Laurie Anderson. Hope to see a lot more of them.

Congratulations to joint winners Christopher Kraken & Richard Marsh.

Some of the young slammers are producing astonishingly good work so do try out the next one, next week on August 12th 7:30pm.

I was invited to perform as a featured poet so I did Poe, Daddy Freud, Yellowface and Anna May Wong Must Die! [especially apt considering the rehashing of the tired old stereotypes I lampoon in this poem, broadcast as Sherlock at the weekend]. Thanks to the audience for getting all my jokes and making it a thoroughly enjoyable night. The only thing that could improve it is if the RADA Café bring back Happy Hour. Thanks to the staff and everyone including AngloNoel and Loved One for support.

Winners Christopher Kraken & Richard Marsh by John Paul O'Neill

FARRAGO POETRY SLAM: Anna Chen and Daddy Freud

Went to Farrago's excellent Poetry Slam last night and busted my competition cherry with Daddy Freud and Anna May Wong Must Die! I was a bit nervous with Daddy Freud but AMWMD was going great guns and I was well into my stride when disaster struck and I forgot the last verse.

But, here for your delectation, perusal, praise or raspberries, is Daddy Freud.

I didn't win but I got a respectable score and I won a bendy Li'L Ludwig Van Beethoven doll, so I will be doing this again.

The Farrago slam is a monthly bundle of fun organised by MC John Paul O'Neill who has performed the magical task of assembling much awesome young and diverse talent. Some of the writing and performances blow you away with their energy, originality and wit, brilliant enough to keep me on my toes. A far cry from the po-faced establishment poets we saw recently at a Haiti benefit gig in central London. That was for a great cause but, boy, some toe-curling pomposity made it a bum-acher. I'd like to see former poet-laureate Andrew Motion talking about sitting as a young boy on his mother's Aga in front of last night's audience, oh yes.

Anyhow, HarpyMarx, AngloNoel and Loved One provided support and took video on my mobile phone. They were impressed as well and we will all be going to the next one in April.