Speak Easy, Stretford - A summer adventure

 Hello!

 Having performed at a number of the central Manchester spoken-word nights, such as One Mic Stand, Speak!, Bad Language, the Poetry Pop Jukebox Co-op and Stirred, I started venturing further out. I recently read at Verbose in Levenshulme, which was lovely, and this week I tried out Speak Easy in Stretford.

 I had never been to Stretford, and as it was a sunny evening, I decided to walk there from the centre of Manchester after work. The journey took me around an hour and a half, and I stopped from time to time to talk photos in the lovely summer light.

 I arrived at Stretford Sip Club and enjoyed a fun and genuinely varied night of performance, with a mix of humour, seriousness, and some singing, which was quite different and refreshing. It was really nice when everyone got the chorus and joined in.

 I enjoyed performing my poetry to a new crowd, and was really happy to be invited back to do a longer set. I hope to return - watch this space! I caught a tram back to Manchester, as walking all the way back might have been a bit much! But I am glad I walked there.

 Thanks to Speak Easy for having me, and to the warm and welcoming audience, and thank you for reading my blog and sharing my adventures.

 Liz x

One Mic Stand - February 2019

 Hello!

Photo by Alex Morgan

 Having been a regular member of Young Identity for around six months now (having previously attended on and off as university life allowed), I was overjoyed to be able to take part in my first One Mic Stand, the collective's showcase poetry slam at Band on the Wall.

 I was one of ten poets competing for a prize of £50, although winning was far from my mind as I performed - just standing on the stage and sharing my poem, "Campfire", which is quite personal and very close to my heart, was an empowering and memorable experience.

 I scored 51/60 overall, including a 10/10 from one judge for my content, which was wonderful. The winner was Saf, whose performance was intense and powerful. I loved hearing all of my friends from Young Identity sharing their work, and overall it was an amazing night.

 Thank you to Young Identity and Shirley May for making this happen, to Nicole May and Reece Williams for hosting, and to the lovely, supportive audience.

 Liz x

MLF18: Rommi Smith and Dave Evans

 Hello!

 It was a great honour to be invited to attend and review Rommi Smith and Dave Evans' event at Whitworth Art Gallery as part of Manchester Literature Festival. The pair responded to the exhibition "Bodies of Colour", Smith through spoken word, Evans through music.

 I attended a Writing Squad performance masterclass with Rommi a year or so ago, and she really inspired and encouraged me, so seeing her again was lovely. The evening was extremely powerful and moving. I hope you enjoy my review for Chapter & Verse.

 As with every year, I've enjoyed being a Digital Reporter for the Festival, and hope to be able to do it again in the future.

 Liz x

MLF18: Michael Morpurgo

 Hello!

 I am very happy to once again be a Digital Reporter for Manchester Literature Festival. My first event this year was Michael Morpurgo's Castlefield Sermon at Manchester Cathedral. 

 It was incredible hearing one of my favourite authors speak on something he is passionate about: nature and the environment. I reviewed the magical night for Chapter & Verse - I hope you enjoy it. 

 Liz x

(In)sane Manchester

 Hello!

 I was very happy to perform some of my poems at (In)sane, an event to raise awareness of mental health issues and wellbeing. It was one of the longer performance slots I've done, and I enjoyed reading a range of poems, as well as sharing some of the stories behind them.

 It was lovely seeing and hearing all the other amazing work - visual art, sound pieces, performances and more. They also had delicious cake!

 Overall, it was a really nice event and I look forward to doing more readings in the future.

 Liz x

Bad Language Manchester

 Hello!

 I had been hoping to read my poetry at long-running Mancunian spoken word night Bad Language, and was thrilled to get the chance last night. I headed to Gullivers, in the Northern Quarter, and had a highly enjoyable evening. 

 I read some poems I hadn't before - about the body, nature, travel and protest - to a nice reception, which was very encouraging. The other work I heard was diverse, with some of the quirkiest, funniest performances I'd come across at spoken word nights sitting alongside some of the saddest and most thought-provoking.

 I hope to return to Bad Language in the future, and to keep trying new spoken word events around Manchester and beyond.

 Thanks to everyone who has supported me in my writing and performance.

 Liz x

LGBT Foundation - Tell It Like It Is

 Hello!

 I had a great evening of performance and fun at Tell It Like It Is, an event organised by LGBT Foundation before Manchester Pride. 

 I read my poetry to a really lovely and warm audience. I also made a scrapbook, and met some new people as well as catching up with friends.

 I'm glad I went - it was cosy and relaxed, and hopefully it might lead to some more nice things happening. Watch this space!

 Liz x

Open Mic Poetry at the Old Courts

 Hello!

 I was very happy to read some of my poems at Open Mic Poetry, at the Old Courts in Wigan. This was my first visit to this monthly event, which is hosted by poet Louise Fazackerley, and I was made to feel very welcome. 

 The line-up was diverse - some writing was comedic, some emotional, and I appreciated the chance to hear it all. I met new people, and the atmosphere was friendly and relaxed. I was also thrilled to discover I had won the poetry competition, which had the theme of "Growth".

 It was a lovely evening and I hope to return in the future.

 Liz x

Mind Full of Art

 Hello!

 I was very happy to have my poem "Soap" chosen for inclusion in Open Mind Manchester's Mind Full of Art project. The poem was featured in an exhibition on mental health and wellbeing at the University of Manchester, as well as in the Mind Full of Art anthology.

 Our mental health is so important, and all too often in today's society it is neglected. Helping to raise awareness about it was an honour.

 Liz x

Introduction X Launch

 Hello!

 I mentioned that I have three poems in Introduction X: The Poetry Business Book of New Poets, and on 14th December I attended the launch of the anthology at Manchester Central Library.

 I read a number of my poems, some from the anthology and some others from my travels in France and Spain. It was a wonderful event and it was lovely to be able to share my work in such a special space.

 I hope to do many more poetry readings. Thanks to everyone who has supported me this year.

 Liz x