A Lovely Word @ Homotopia

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor
Poet Jade Anouka
Poet, actor and writer Jade Anouka.

11 November 2020 Entrance is free — Visit now

Head to the mouth of the Mersey for a very special special of A Lovely Word, as Liverpool’s most eclectic spoken word night teams up with Homotopia Festival 2020, taking place 29 October to 15 November. Also based in Liverpool, the UK’s leading and longest-running LGBTQIA arts and culture festival this year takes “show your working” as its theme – in other words, you may not have the answer, but you are making a plan for how to get there.  

A Lovely Word welcomes Jade Anouka into the headliner limelight… As an actor on both stage and screen, it’s something Jade should be well versed at – she also uses those talents to write her own plays, poetry and prose.

The collective behind A Lovely Word definitely have a plan. The Everyman’s long-standing live literature night has already been online, in May, June and July, it’s been in the park, during the halcyon days of August and September, and it’s been back online since the start of October, when Polari-shortlisted poet Dean Atta helped mark Black History Month. For November, A Lovely Word welcomes Jade Anouka into the headliner limelight.

As an actor on both stage and screen, it’s something Jade should be well versed at – she also uses those talents to write her own plays, poetry and prose, including an essay – Hotspur, Superwoman – in the Virago anthology I Call Myself A Feminist: The View from Twenty-Five Women Under Thirty, published in 2015, and the TED Talk Being Black, Being a Woman, Being ‘Other’, which she performed in 2018.

On the acting front, London-born Jade’s TV credits include Doctor Who, His Dark Materials and Channel 4’s Chewing Gum, while her most recent work is Her & Her, commissioned as part of the BBC Arts Culture in Quarantine series. She has been commended in the Ian Charleson Awards, rewarding the best classical stage performances in Britain by actors under the age of 30, for her performance as Ophelia in Hamlet at Shakespeare’s Globe and for her take on Mark Anthony in Julius Caesar at The Donmar Warehouse – part of an all-female Shakespeare trilogy, directed by Phyllida Lloyd, in which Jade also played The Tempest‘s Ariel and Hotspur in Henry IV

Jade published her first collection of poems in the form of the 32-page pamphlet Eggs on Toast in 2017, with Poetry Space. Fellow poet and author Laura Dockrill says: “Jade’s beautiful poetry is no frills. Brave, raw and exposing, Jade’s writing is an open book where the words are carefully plucked pearls, fit for the neck of any human just growing, falling and making their way in the world.”

A Lovely Word @ Homotopia will be livestreamed on Facebook and Youtube (search for A Lovely Word). Online open mic slots of four minutes maximum are available and performers should sign up in advance between now and midday on 6 November – get in touch by emailing alovelywordpodcast@gmail.com and note that for this Homotopia special, poets identifying as LGBTQIA will be prioritised. “Show your love and appreciation for all other poets,” say the ALW team, no hateful language is tolerated. If you fancy building your skills in performing poetry before then, A Lovely Word’s Alex will be running a free scratch session exclusively for LGBTQIA folks, giving you a chance to workshop your poem and explore your voice as a performer. The workshop takes place via Zoom on Saturday 31 October, 12-2pm – there are just 10 places available, so get in touch ASAP to reserve your place via alovelywordpodcast@gmail.com.

A Lovely Word is completely free, supported by the Everyman & Playhouse and Arts Council England.

11 November 2020 Entrance is free Visit now

Where to go near A Lovely Word @ Homotopia

Originally built as the country retreat for the Vavasour family, Wood Hall still remains a place where today's pressures seem an age away. Set down a long private drive Wood Hall is perched high on the hill set amongst 100 acres, with fine views of the surrounding area.Set apart from the distractions of the office, Wood Hall is the ideal spot for business events, or simply some fresh thinking. The 2 AA Rosette Georgian Restaurant at Wood Hall Hotel creates a special atmosphere in which to enjoy a fine dining experience to mark a special occasion or just for the pleasure of it!Unwind in the spa, tone up in the gym, or step out and make the most of the beautiful Yorkshire surroundings. On sunny days you can dine al fresco with a specailly prepared picnic hamper in the Italian Gardens.
Hotel
Wood Hall Hotel

Originally built as the country retreat for the Vavasour family, Wood Hall is set amongst 100 acres, with fine views of the surrounding area.

Gallery
Leeds
Gallery
BLANK_

BLANK_is a Leeds-based gallery, run by the School of Creative Arts at University Centre Leeds. It encompasses a physical exhibition space and a publication that showcases new contemporary visual art…

Chancellors Hotel is a Grade II listed Victorian mansion located in South Manchester surrounded by five acres of beautiful landscaped gardens, in a relaxed, scenic and picturesque setting.
Manchester
Hotel
Chancellors Hotel

Chancellors Hotel is a Grade II listed Victorian mansion located in South Manchester surrounded by five acres of beautiful landscaped gardens, in a relaxed, scenic and picturesque setting.

Kōdo Entrance
City Centre
Restaurant
Kōdo

Kōdo, a secret bar like no other. It is all about discovery. The only way to enter is with a special code, which changes weekly.

MediaCityUK
Café or Coffee Shop
Blanconero

High-level Italian food in Salford Quays, with no less than seven different lasagnas to choose from.

Yoga classes for all levels and aims.
Leeds
Yoga Hero

Yoga Hero offers various classes, including within their studio and online for all levels and all aims.

What's on: Literature

Poet Mike Garry. Photo Paul Wolfgang Webster
Until
LiteratureManchester
Word Central at Central Library

Word Central is a long-standing live literature favourite at Central Library and features open mic performers and a special guest, brought to you by Manchester Libraries and Flapjack Press.

free entry
LiteratureManchester
Crime Central at Central Library

There’s murder and mayhem in the library! Manchester Libraries’ monthly event Crime Central welcomes new guests every month at Central Library, hosted by Rob Parker.

from £2.00
Poet Zaffar Kunial.
LiteratureManchester
Poets & Players at Burgess Foundation

Poets & Players is a must-go for lovers of words and music, presenting poets established and emerging, with the latest readers Zaffar Kunial, Hannah Copley, Rachel Davies and Hilary Robinson.

free entry

Culture Guides

Poet Evan Jones
Literature Events in the North

Some of our favourite leftfield live literature regulars are back with their first events of the year – we’ve picked a weird and wonderful heap we think you’ll love.

Good Fridaze Family Social at Freight Island
Family things to do in the North

As we edge towards spring we take a look at the best events and activities for families, from theatre to festivals, dinosaur adventures to family raves.

NEXT: A Primer on Urban Painting production still
Cinema in the North

Street art, LGBTQ+ History Month, and the first film festivals of the year are amongst our cinema highlights this month.

A painting of a young child being bathed in a sink of a 197s style kitchen. Around the sink are a rubber duck, a bottle of  washing up liquid, a jug, a kettle and a mug.
Exhibitions in the North

Galleries are racing to announce new exhibitions so check out our top picks, from art films and nostalgic paintings to Hockney's collages.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Feminist farce, a magical circus show and Oldham Coliseum return with a brand-new off-site show. All in our latest theatre guide.

FKA TWIGS
Music in the North

Masters of minimalism, leftfield electronica and cutting edge pop. We bring you the lot in our latest live music round up.