Intersections at International Anthony Burgess Foundation

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor
Poet Tom Jenks. By Gwen Riley Jones.
Poet Tom Jenks. By Gwen Riley Jones.

Intersections: Local and International Poetry in Manchester at International Anthony Burgess Foundation (IABF), Manchester 5 August 2017 Entrance is free — Visit now

One-off event Intersections, aka Local and International Poetry in Manchester, unites four award-winning poets from Canada with three writers living and working in the North West, and aims to explore how words connect people from different backgrounds and different parts of the world, identifying where their work intersects – if it actually does.

The international collaboration is the brainchild of Jonathan Mann, researcher and editor of the poetry of our very own Anthony Burgess, and organiser of monthly London-based poetry series Capital Letters (CapLet), which focuses on linguistically innovative/experimental styles and promotes dialogue between poets from different traditions.

Says Jonathan: “Intersections combines two very different communities of writers, and seeks to explore whether and – indeed – how their work intersects. Perhaps we’ll find it doesn’t, or perhaps surprising commonalities will emerge. Either way, the event promises to create a fascinating insight into the nature of poetry in practice.”

From across the Pond come Ian Burgham and Catherine Graham, who Jonathan met at the Congress of Language and Literature in Mexico, and who are members of The Shaken and The Stirred collective, a group of prize-winning poets whose work is an important part of the Canadian contemporary literary establishment. They will be joined by Jeanette Lynes and A F Moritz. Meanwhile in the UK corner, we have Amy McAuley, Tom Jenks and Scott Thurston.

Ian Burgham is the author of six collections of poetry, with a new collection due in 2018. Catherine Graham’s sixth poetry collection, The Celery Forest, is out this year, and she teaches creative writing at the University of Toronto. Jeanette Lynes is the author of seven books of poetry and director of the MFA in Writing at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada. With 20 books of poetry to his name, multi-award-winning A F Moritz in 2009 received the Griffin Prize, one of the world’s most prestigious awards for a volume of English-language poetry.

Amy McCauley is poetry editor for New Welsh Review and the recipient of a 2016 Northern Writers’ Award. Part-time PhD student at Edge Hill University, Tom Jenks (pictured) has published seven books of poetry and administers the avant objects imprint zimZalla. He runs experimental poetry reading series The Other Room at The Castle (next outing Wednesday 23 August, celebrating Robert Sheppard’s European Union of Imaginary Authors, aka EUOIA, with live and filmed readings by Robert Sheppard, Alan Baker, Joanne Ashcroft, Patricia Farrell and more) along with the final of tonight’s readers, Scott Thurston, author of three collections, lecturer at the University of Salford, and Jonathan’s PhD external examiner. Ah – the UK link!

As well as creating dialogue between and within the two sets of poets, the event will allow audience members to have the opportunity to join in, so that the “on- and off-stage” roles become indistinct, with both sides central to the performance. Expect the unconventional, and we’re sure you’ll be just fine!

Intersections: Local and International Poetry in Manchester at International Anthony Burgess Foundation (IABF), Manchester 5 August 2017 Entrance is free Visit now

Where to go near Intersections at International Anthony Burgess Foundation

Mandarin
Blackpool
Restaurant
Michael Wan’s Mandarin

Think of Blackpool and what springs to mind? Whatever it is, it’s probably not top tier Cantonese dining. But a visit to Michael Wan’s Mandarin might just change that.

Dirty Blonde's
Blackpool
Restaurant
Dirty Blonde’s

Dirty Blonde’s is a dive bar and pizza joint that feels more downtown New York than British seaside town.

gallery 2
Liverpool
Gallery
Bridewell Studios

Bridewell Studios is a gallery space and artist studios located in an old police station, hosting regular contemporary art exhibitions.

Blackpool South Pier courtesy of Visit Blackpool.
Blackpool
Tourist Attraction
Blackpool South Pier

Offering something of a mini theme park to visitors, Blackpool South Pier has a ton of white-knuckle rides to get stuck into.

Interplay works across all definitions of exclusion to create a special theatre that places the audience at the centre of the experience.
Leeds
Theatre
Interplay Theatre

Interplay works across all definitions of exclusion to create a special theatre that places the audience at the centre of the experience.

SEA Life Blackpool Seahorse
Blackpool
Tourist Attraction
SEA LIFE Blackpool

Deep dive into the wonders of the ocean – without getting wet. Meet stunning sea creatures including tropical sharks, colourful reef fish, majestic rays, and Phoenix, the green sea turtle.

Bailey's
Blackpool
Restaurant
Bailey’s Cheese & Charcuterie

Serving exceptional meats, cheeses and wines from all over the world, Bailey’s Cheese & Charcuterie offers a laid-back, sophisticated experience you’ll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in Blackpool.

The Buccaneer
Blackpool
Restaurant
The Buccaneer

Set in Coral Island, The Buccaneer isn’t just family-friendly, it’s above above-and-beyond family-friendly, thanks to the very generous kids eat free offer.

Coral Island
Blackpool
Coral Island

When you think of Blackpool, Coral Island is the type of place that takes front and centre: big, bold and flat-out fun.

Bar and pub 2
Liverpool
Restaurant
Hobo Kiosk

Hobo Kiosk is an independent pub in the heart of the Baltic Triangle, celebrating all things bohemian with its décor, drinks and events.

Doric Hotel Blackpool
Blackpool
Hotel
Doric Hotel

Previously ranked TripAdvisor’s number 1 family hotel in the UK, Blackpool’s bright and airy Doric Hotel offers breathtaking views of the Irish Sea.

Cliffs Hotel
Blackpool
Hotel
Cliffs Hotel

A hit with families seeking the all-inclusive treatment, this Baroque-style hotel on the north shore is one of Blackpool’s oldest and most popular.

What's on: Literature

Kate Mosse
Until
LiteratureLeeds
Farsley Lit Fest at various venues

As part of the 2024 Farsley Literature Festival, join us in the shop as cosy crime writer Jonathan Hall chairs an evening of discussion with Tom Hindle and Rachel North. The panel will explore the lure of a glamorous location for thriller writers.

from £8.00
Poet Maria Sledmere.
LiteratureManchester
Peter Barlow’s Cigarette at the Carlton Club

For Peter Barlow’s Cigarette #46, the organising team – Tim Allen, Joey Frances and Rachel Sills – have invited Maria Sledmere, Harriet Tarlo and Lucy Wilkinson along to read.

free entry
David Gaffney
LiteratureManchester
Blue Diode readings at Saul Hay Gallery

This special one-off features readings from four writers, and includes launches on Blue Diode Press by Olga Stehlíková and Christopher Crawford, with two special guests David Gaffney and Lydia Unsworth.

free entry

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in Manchester and the North

Alongside experimental performance, new writing and free arts festivals, we take a look at some of the Christmas shows happening in the North.