Reading The Other at The Old Monkey

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor

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Reading The Other

12 January 2023

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Reading The Other
Reading The Other
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Writers of poetry, prose fiction, flash fiction, drama, non-fiction, essays, journalism, biography – anything that is their own writing – are paired up and swap sets to read each other’s work.

Now this literary night with a twist is going regular in real life and it’s definitely worth a look-in, giving a new slant to voices you may have heard in other contexts.

It’s been part of Didsbury Arts Festival, it’s been in the Northern Quarter, it’s popped up at Victoria Baths, it’s been on tour to Wigan, Warrington and Liverpool’s Open Eye Gallery, heck, The Other has even gone virtual… and now this literary night with a twist is going regular in real life and it’s definitely worth a look-in, giving a new slant to voices you may have heard in other contexts.

Planned to take place every two months upstairs at The Old Monkey in Manchester city centre, The Other is free and you’re invited to email in advance to bagsy a tag team slot. Readers are given their texts in advance to get some practice in, and hosting duties are shared between Warrington-based photographer Eli Regan and her poet pal Michael Conley, from Manchester.

Michael’s poetry has appeared in magazines including Rialto, Magma, Butcher’s Dog, Strix and The Interpreter’s House. His first pamphlet, Aquarium, was published by Flarestack; his second, These are Not My Dreams and Anyway Nothing Here is Purple, is out with Nine Pens Press. His poetry has been Highly Commended in the Forward Prizes, while his prose has been shortlisted for the Manchester Fiction Prize, and his collection of short stories, Flare and Falter, was published by Splice in 2019 and longlisted for the Edge Hill Short Story Prize.

Tonight, expect that he’ll be joined by various luminaries of Manchester’s vibrant literary community. Previous readers have included The Real Story’s Kate Feld, Speakeasy’s Dave Hartley and Steve Smythe, First Draft’s Abi Hynes, queen of flash fiction Tania Hershman, Manc poet Lou Mach and Fly On The Wall-published Louise Finnigan.

Where to go near Reading The Other at The Old Monkey

Stevenson Square
Manchester
Stevenson Square

Stevenson Square, the central hub of bars and cafes in Northern Quarter. Home to some of the best bars in the city.

CUPRA City Garage DJ Decks
City Centre
Café or Coffee Shop
CUPRA City Garage

Already based in Paris, Mexico City, Sydney and Vienna, CUPRA’s international expansion is driven by culture as much as cars, and Manchester’s creative energy has clearly caught their attention.

Ancoats
Restaurant
Bruco

Bruco is a new restaurant in Ancoats, serving up stylish Italian small plates.

Samsi
Manchester
Restaurant
Samsi

Long-standing Japanese restaurant on Whitworth Street in Manchester with a pleasingly affordable menu.

The Pavilion Gardens, which also houses the Pavilion Arts Centre, is a beautiful, historic venue dating back to 1871 which superbly shows off the Victorian splendour of Buxton. Set within twenty three acres of magnificent, landscaped gardens and play areas, the venue provides the perfect setting for fun and relaxing family days out, with great food and drink, shopping and over 100 events and festivals throughout the year.
Buxton
Cinema
Pavilion Arts Centre

A historic gem in Buxton’s Pavilion Gardens, Pavilion Arts Centre houses an intimate 360-seat theatre and cinema.

Leeds
Gallery
The Sculpture Gallery

The Sculpture Gallery is an outstanding new gallery, of pure sculpture, showcasing the work, not only of the six owners but guests also.

A club bedroom at Malmaison Leeds
Leeds
Hotel
Malmaison Leeds

Malmaison Leeds is a historic and dramatic building, full of character and individual style. Beautifully refurbished quirky bedrooms with power showers, blackout curtains and great beds.

On The Wall is a funky independent shop that sells a wide range of creative and artistic items including, posters, art prints, canvases, greeting cards and merchandise/gifts. They also offer a bespoke framing and canvas printing service and a screen printed t- shirt service. If you are looking for something more unique and inspiring they also sell work by local artists.
Leeds
Shop
On The Wall

Bright, bold and full of character, On the Wall pairs expert framing with prints, posters and gifts inside Leeds Corn Exchange.

Leeds
Restaurant
Canned Heat

Canned Heat is an independent bottle-shop & bar in the heart of Chapeltown, Leeds. Born out of a passion for Music, Art and Community.

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