Spoken Word in September 2016

There are some wonderful back-to-term events happening this September. As usual, there’s a generous helping of spoken word loveliness to feast upon as well as some delectable one-offs. Notable highlights include New York-based independent press great weather for MEDIA bringing their new anthology to 3MT on the 2nd, as well as Anti-Slam in the same venue the day after. PEN:Chant returns, this time to new venue Gorilla, and the Rooftop Project of Spaceport X hosts a performance of ‘Speaking of Empty Fields’, which will be a delightful way to spend a few hours if the weather keeps up.

For more details do check through the links. Some nights have strict prior sign-up open mic policies, whereas at others open mic places will be available on the door. Don’t turn up and be too late. Plan your month of poetry loveliness now.

1st September. Word Central. Central Library. 18:00. Free. Event.

A relatively new night, Word Central happens the first Thursday of every month in association with Manchester Central Library and Flapjack Press. Hosting will be done by Tony Curry, and the night will also feature Marvin Cheeseman as special guest.

1st September. Speak Easy XI. Stretford Sip Club. 19:30. Open mic. Free. Event.

Pop over to Stretford for a friendly spoken word night at the Stretford Sip Club. For more information see the event page.

2nd September. The Careless Embrace of the Boneshaker. 3MT. £5. Event.

Manchester-based spoken word collective Three Minute Theatre (3MT) are set to celebrate the publication of New York-based publishing house ‘great weather for MEDIA’s’ latest anthology, “The Careless Embrace of the Boneshaker” – a fearless and dynamic collection of poetry and short fiction. Special guests include Rosie Garland, Harry Jelley, Amy McCauley, Rebecca Audra Smith, Chris Steward, Nadein West, Emma Wootton and Jane Ormerod.

3rd September. The Anti Slam Manchester. 3MT. 19:30. £5. Event.

The Anti Slam is a slam where the lowest scoring poet wins. Hosted by Paula Varjack and Kieren King, the night will also feature not-to-be-missed performances from Slammers Saquib Chowdhury Ella Otomewo Jack Nicholls Jasmine Chatfield Joseph Daly Ros Ballinger Nuala Maguire and Joy France.

6th September. Word War 3MT Heat 8. 3MT. £3. Event.

A Word War heat is a night well spent: always a thrilling and entertaining evening of competitive poetry.

12th September. Evidently. Eagle Inn Salford. 19:00 £3. Event.

Salford’s spoken word mecca brings Steve Pottinger and Steph Pike to a powerhouse performance night. If you don’t know Evidently, literally where have you been? “Forget what you learned in school. This is poetry at its best.”

13th September. “What We Quiz About When We Quiz About Quizzing”. Blackwells Bookshop. £1. BYOB. Event.

This isn’t a performance opportunity, but certainly will be of interest to the literary minded, with the added opportunity to win books and book vouchers. Pub quiz style for literary lovers, the night is hosted by the amazing Fat Roland.

13th September. Quiet, Quiet, Loud! The Lloyds. 19:30. Open mic. £3. Event.

Featuring guest poets Ciarán Hodgers and Anne Caldwell.

15th September. Wordlife Anthology Launch. Gullivers Bar. 19:00. Pay What You Can. Event.

Featuring Thick Richard and Helen Mort, Wordlife is one of the leading literature organisations in the country. Over the last ten years it’s been dedicated to showcasing original work to new audiences through a diverse programme of events, projects and publications. It runs the creative writing section in both Now Then Manchester and Sheffield. The Manchester edition launched four years ago and its editor Elspeth Vischer welcomes poetry and short story submissions to monthly themes. To celebrate reaching ten years, they’ve published an anthology of the best writers they’ve worked with over the years including the winners of prestigious literary prizes such as Helen Mort and Andrew McMillan alongside International Slam winner Buddy Wakefield and spoken word viral sensation Hollie McNish.

15th September. The Word. Home Community Café. 20:00. Free entry. Event. Open Mic. BYOB.

As usual, there’ll be ten open mic slots (we never know what to expect, but are never disappointed) as well as a headline act to top it all off. As it’s a BYOB event, bring along a bottle of whatever you fancy, and throw a few quid in the hat as you leave if you want to support Home’s wider charitable work.

17th September. Say A Little Prayer. The Carlton Club. 20:00. Event.

A fundraiser night in aid of Refugee Action Manchester, Say A Little Prayer will feature special guest performances from Jackie Hagan, Neil Bell, Rev Porl and Tony Curry, live music from Tony Curry & Charlie Pink and The Bleenees and a selection of DJs.

21st September. Pen:Chant. Gorilla. 19:30. Tickets. Event. Open mic.

Pen:Chant has a stellar line-up of spoken word, comedy and musical talents including MOBO-winning and Mercury-nominated Award-winning alto-saxophonist and MC Soweto Kinch, one of the most exciting and versatile young musicians in both the British jazz and hip hop scenes. Multiple World and UK Beatbox Champion, vocalist and bassist Bellatrix will also be using live looping with voice, bass and synth to conjure images of an abstract world drenched in sounds you can taste. And last but not least, multi-award winning sketch group Gein’s Family Giftshop will be applying their warped world vision to the hilarious subject matter of abject misery and human tragedy.

23rd September. Speaking of Empty Fields. SpaceportX. 19:00. Event. Open mic.

At this event, Ian and Colin will be performing their critically acclaimed Spoken Word/Music show at the Roof Top Project, on top of the SpaceportX building in Stevenson Square. The show will be in two sections, the first of which will feature special guest Joy France for some light-hearted poetic relief. Following a break, Ian M Bailey will be performing his fourth studio album “Empty Fields” in its entirety, with pieces by Colin Davies performed between the tracks to create a complete work that has been described as “incredibly emotional”. With only fifty tickets up for grabs and at £3 each, the night is sure to sell out quickly. Tickets can be purchased from Ian or Colin, or from Afflecks Creatives in Afflecks Palace on Oldham Street. 70p from every ticket will be donated to Acting on Impulse. 

26th September. Stirred: The Living World. 3MT. 19:30. Event.

Feminist collective Stirred run a monthly spoken word event at Three Minute Theatre, as well as facilitating workshops and making zines as Stirred Press. This month’s event theme is The Living World, which will look to explore the earth’s flora and fauna through amazing guest poets Sarah Hymas and Maya Chowdhry as well as an open mic section.

29th September. Bad Language & EHUP Presents: 10 Years of Edge Hill. The Portico Library. 19:00. Tickets. Event.

Manchester’s multi award-winning live literature organisation Bad Language celebrates ten years of the Edge Hill Short Story Prize by launching the Head Land anthology in collaboration with Edge Hill University Press. Starring at this very special event on September 29 is: award-winning author and editor of the literary journal The Letters Page Jon McGregor; Zoe Lambert, author of The War Tour, founder of cult Manchester literature night Verberate and active campaigner for the rights of asylum seekers; and multi-award winning short story author and playwright Rachel Trezise.

If you want to see your night listed in next month’s round up, message Ciarán Hodgers here.