Live From Worktown in Bolton

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor

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Live From Worktown Short Story Course

11 October-22 November 2016

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Image of David Gaffney copyright Kezia Tan.
Image of David Gaffney copyright Kezia Tan.
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Throughout October and November, and into December, Greater Manchester borough Bolton won’t know what’s hit it as literature pops up everywhere, from the streets to the Socialist Club. Live From Worktown is a local arts organisation that encourages creative writing and performance, and highlights include Bolton’s monthly poetry showcase, Word Cabaret, with host Jodie Smith-Richardson, and the Into The Light anthology launch in December, when open submissions published alongside work from the ongoing creative writing programmes, led by Julie McKiernan, will be presented to the public.

Meanwhile, flash fiction expert David Gaffney, whose Powerlines project showcased at Manchester Literature Festival, is heading up a four-date short story course, in conjunction with Business Bolton and Creative Industries Trafford. Everyone is welcome at the final workshop on Tuesday 22 November (6.30pm, £5 on the door for no-course members), when acclaimed author David will be joined by publisher Nathan Connolly, of Dead Ink Books, and live literature promoter Fat Roland, co-host of monthly Manchester night Bad Language, for a panel discussion and Q&A about publishing, promotion and performance.

Where to go near Live From Worktown in Bolton

Manchester
Restaurant
Maki & Ramen

Japanese sushi and ramen restaurant on High Street, Northern Quarter, founded by Teddy Lee. House-made noodles, eight-hour broths, plus sushi, donburi and vegan options.

Restaurant Orme
Manchester
Restaurant
Restaurant Örme

A hidden gem in the suburbs of Greater Manchester, serving high-level British small plates to a soundtrack of indie rock and roll.

The Abbey
Manchester
Restaurant
The Abbey

Historic Hulme pub with a very good live gig space, brought to you by the very capable team behind YES, Gorilla, Now Wave and Manchester Psych Fest.

Manchester
Bar or Pub
Pigeon Beer Wanderer

Pigeon Beer Wanderer brings wine-level ceremony to Manchester’s new “Beermuda Triangle”, courtesy of Joshua Lightfoot and his crack team of booze experts.

Image courtesy of Unitom.
Castlefield
Gallery
UNITOM Projects

The exhibition arm of Manchester indie bookshop UNITOM is a dedicated space for contemporary visual culture in the St John’s neighbourhood.

City Centre
Restaurant
Portfolio

Portfolio is a Champagne boutique on Manchester’s Bridge Street, offering a set menu of fine-dining small bites.

Manchester
Gallery
Bridge 5 Mill

Bridge 5 Mill is a sustainable event space and community hub on Beswick Street in Ancoats, hosting independent cultural projects and ethical supper clubs.

1853 gallery 1
Manchester
Gallery
1853 Studios

1853 Studios and Gallery is a Creative Studios and community of creative professionals occupying the 3rd floors of Osborne Mill, Oldham.

Deansgate
Restaurant
Podium

Podium delivers high-end, seasonal dishes, largely geared around produce and ideas from the British Isles, but with a few deft twists and turns.

Tai Wu
Manchester
Restaurant
Tai Wu

Long-standing, trend-swerving Chinese restaurant on Manchester’s Upper Brook Street, with a reputation for authentic dim sum and traditional Cantonese cuisine.

Culture Guides

A large white room with a colourful lit ceiling above a wooden coffin shaped oversized sculpture.
Exhibitions

From local painting to Chinese folklore on film, sound art to otherworldly installation – this month's guide covers the full spectrum.

Food and Drink in the North

It's heatwave time, so set your small talk phasers to 'weather' and get out there and grab some cold drinks and delicious food.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre

Discover the summer's most rewarding theatre in libraries, pubs, Fringe venues and unexpected spaces across the North.

“the ripple” artwork by Crowns & Owls courtesy of Good Machine.
Music

From post-industrial romance to experimental country, here's a hot new batch of weird gigs in small venues.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.

Emily Lloyd-Saini as Grace in Space and Harrie Hayes as Lieutenant Strong in Horrible Science
Family things to do in the North

Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.