Books, Poetry

Traditional song, poetry and storytelling competitions, plus an evening ceilidh.

The legendary Mancunian punk poet, who is a spiritual godfather to the likes of Mike Skinner and Plan B hauls his insatiable laconic wit on tour.

Avant-garde spoken word, film and music fusion night describing itself as 'playing host to the sinister and the sanguine'.

An interactive installation featuring a study desk containing drawings from Evans' The Spirit Is A Bone series, inspired by natural history specimens from the nearby Fragments Of Bone display, with words by Dr Jones based on ancient Anglo-Saxon riddle poems.

Writer, perfume expert and jogger Alex Musgrave talks about his life in poetry and scent (he's Business Manager of Penhaligon's), with a chance to smell the perfumes he mentions. Ages 16+. Booking is essential.

Featuring performaces by multi-media punk band Jackdaw With Crowbar and Formby.

The award-winning American singer-songwriter and poet preforms her best known punk-rock hit alongside a selection of her poetry.

An eclectic and experimental night of poetry, performance and spoken word, held on the second Friday of each month.

A relaxed session of oral storytelling, poetry by memory, music and song.

A showcase of award-winning local poets, featuring Jean Bleakney, Moyra Donaldson, Maria McManus and Deirdre Cartmill.

Two of the pillars of contemporary music come together for an intimate evening of poetry, music and song in tribute to their friend, the great Beat Generation poet Allen Ginsberg. Punk poet and provocateur Patti Smith performs both her own and Ginsberg’s poetry, with accompaniment and solo pieces for piano from founding…

StAnza is a literary festival that focuses on verse. Joining the locals for readings, performances, slams and open mics, jazz, films, workshops and poetry-related art exhibitions, installations and films are a host of local and international wordsmiths.

A rare opportunity to see charismatic German chanteuse Ute Lemper. Famed for her interpretations of Kurt Weill, Marlene Dietrich, Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel and Stephen Sondheim, Ute Lemper presents an atmospheric evening of song based on the love poems of Pablo Neruda. This very delicate and beautiful songbook is…

The UK premiere of Enrique Gonzalez Medina's evocative work will be performed by the Cuban guitarist Ahmed Dickinson, along with nine poetry readings from actor Jamie Nicols.

Poetry writing workshops for aspirant storytellers and performers.

A fusion of experimental music with poetry by the two guitarists and poet.

Take one enlightened rap poet artist and all round freedom guy, put him in a sauna live on stage, turn up the heat, bring in the audience, cue the action! It's hot, it's hip, it's a happening. A lyrical journey of pure delight. Better come prepared to be inspired! (Towel not required.).

A rare recital by the Leeds-born poet, introduced by fellow local writer Anthony Clavane.

John Burnside reads from Melissographia - a sequence of poems scattered with embossed, hand-painted, pollen maps. This is his long-standing collaboration with artist Amy Shelton. He also reads Bee Myths, a new work which reflects on the role of bees in the evolution of myth, husbandry, cultivation and healing. Sean…

The Beguilers fill The Front Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall with tender, mellifluous singing and finely wrought harmonies inspired by the poems of Blake, Shakespeare, Joyce, Clare and others. Composed by Fred Thomas, these songs invite your imagination to be moved, released and ultimately beguiled. The Beguilers are…

The poet presents a journey around the human anatomy, using poems set to music.

Poet and translator Constantine and Brecht expert Tom Kuhn read the playwright's German-language poetry, with live musical settings from composer Dominic Muldowney and theatre director Di Trevis.