Poets & Players with Hannah Silva at The Whitworth

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor

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Poets and Players

The Whitworth, Manchester
24 March 2018

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

Poet Hannah Silva. Photo by Field and McGlynn
Poet Hannah Silva. Photo by Field and McGlynn.
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Appearances by top-notch performers of words and music while you gaze out over a park view through the floor-to-ceiling picture windows of an art gallery, you say? Welcome to one of Manchester’s best-looking poetry gatherings – what’s more, it’s absolutely free!

This month’s smorgasbord of entertainment comes courtesy RNCM’s Septentrion Duo of harpists Kathryn Mason and Alice Roberts, the London-based founder of Menard Press Anthony Rudolf (whose collected poems European Hours came out on Carcanet last year), and playwright, poet and performer Hannah Silva. Known for her innovative explorations of form, voice and language, Hannah’s solo performances layer up vocal sounds and poetry, creating sonic explorations of meaning and sense, while on the page, her collection Forms of Protest, out on Penned in the Margins, was highly commended in the Forward Prizes.

In the morning, Hannah will also be leading a workshop, when she’ll be introducing a variety of techniques to help poets keep their words alive in the moment, and find “the antidote to autopilot”. Sound Like Yourself runs 10.30am to 12.30pm, and costs £20 – email davidborrott@btinternet.com if you fancy signing up for a fully action-packed day for the literature lover about town.

Meanwhile, pop Poets & Players’ next event in your diary – headlining is Bloodaxe-published Pascale Petit, creator of a whole collection of poems inspired by Frida Kahlo. She will read alongside the winners of this year’s P&P poetry competition at the event on 12 May.

What's on at The Whitworth

Where to go near Poets & Players with Hannah Silva at The Whitworth

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Big Hands

Big Hands is the one-time haunt of legendary Manchester band Elbow; it’s shabby, loud and dark, with a jukebox and excellent roof terrace.

The Giving Tree
Manchester
Restaurant
The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree is a cafe and community hub based in Rusholme, a short walk from the city centre.

Pankhurst Centre
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Museum
The Pankhurst Centre

The Pankhurst Centre houses a small museum and heritage centre that remains as a legacy to the Pankhurst family and the Suffragette movement born in this city.

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Music venue
Manchester Academy 3

Brilliant venue for catching a touring band on the rise. The boringly titled Academy 3 or more interesting Hop and Grape, as it was once known, is a self contained…

Manchester Academy music venue on Oxford Road Manchester.
Manchester
Music venue
Manchester Academy

The Manchester Academy is a mid size, modern warehouse venue adjacent to the University of Manchester Students’ Union. It lacks any architectural merit and has always been a difficult place…

Cafe at the Museum
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
The Cafe
at the Museum

Manchester Museum’s cafe is run by the people behind award-winning cafe Teacup Kitchen. The menu features home-baked cakes, the finest loose leaf teas and breakfast, as well as a wide selection of mains and meals for kids.

Whitworth Park, Manchester
Manchester
Park
Whitworth Park

This 18-acre park opposite the Manchester Royal Infirmary provides a welcome patch of green in an otherwise densely populated and heavily used part of the city.

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