Kulning: Winter Songs – First Draft and The Real Story at The Castle
Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor
Around this time last year, two of Manchester’s live lit scene regulars came together to throw a Yule log on the festive fire and get the season’s shenanigans under way. This year, they’re doing it again, with a special night of winter songs and storytelling. First Draft is a bi-monthly cabaret night showcasing new work from poetry and prose to drama and comedy. Music is thrown in for good measure and, sometimes, even some daft magic. Their pals at The Real Story promote a “celebration of creative nonfiction” and have hosted some humdingers of headline acts, including Jenn Ashworth, Laura Barton, Amy Liptrot, Michael Symmons Roberts, Stuart Maconie and, most recently, Horatio Clare as part of Manchester Literature Festival.
This year’s Christmas collaboration pairs up writers and musicians for a bit of a Kulning knees-up. Kulnings, we’re told, are haunting herding songs used to call cattle down from the mountain slopes of Sweden and into the valleys for safety over the winter months. Think hygge for heifers. This evening will see the back room at The Castle echoing with creative writing and carol-singing from a specially curated line-up of local talent, with performers announced soon.
