Red Ceilings Press Poetry Reading at Burgess Foundation

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor

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Red Ceilings Press Poetry Reading

9 November 2019

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

Poet James Roome.
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This afternoon of poetry readings will showcase the work of seven writers published by the exciting independent press Red Ceilings. Based in New Mills, teetering on the edge of Derbyshire, Red Ceilings publishes contemporary poetry (and, promised, flash fiction) in pocket-sized, limited-edition numbered chapbooks and is described as being “underground”. Poets in the A6 format include Robert Shepphard, Colin Herd, Scott Thurston and SJ Fowler, who organises the now annual European Camarade, which also takes place at the International Anthony Burgess Foundation (now replete with a Stanley Chow portrait of the A Clockwork Orange author, no less). The event is being co-run with Wordlife, the live lit organisers based in Sheffield and there will be a stall selling Red Ceilings Press titles – plus plenty of breaks to catch up with the poets and get your books signed.

This afternoon of poetry readings will showcase the work of seven writers published by the exciting independent press Red Ceilings

Treating audiences to extracts from his debut collection, Bull, will be James Roome, whose work is described as reading “like Ted Hughes crossed with James Tate”. Recently honoured with a second printing by Red Ceilings, Bull was listed on the Poetry Book Society’s website as a Summer 2019 selection. James will be joined by Sally Barrett, who just launched the second in her Mid Life Crisis Zine Series tomes, “The Alice One”, following up from “Flora & Fauna”, and featuring work by Anna Percy (who promises to revive popular feminist poetry night Stirred as soon as she can find a suitable venue to replace the much-missed 3MT) and your very own CT Literature Editor, alongside Tim Allen and Rachel Sills, both on the bill for this Red Ceilings afternoon. Tim and Rachel (who runs poetry workshops at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House) are co-organisers of the reading series Peter Barlow’s Cigarette, which we’re told will be back in 2020; their next foray being the organisation – along with Joey Frances – of north west radical poetry festival Poetry Emergency 2 on 22 November (at the University of Salford) and 23 November (at Man Met’s No 70).

Senior Lecturer at Man Met’s Manchester Writing School Nikolai Duffy – where he teaches poetry, American literature and creative writing – has a chapbook with Red Ceilings called the little shed of various lamps and he has provided a cover quote for alumnus James’s Bull. Another quote – “A fabulously funny and oddly moving first collection” – comes from another academic, Dr Ian Seed, Creative Writing tutor at the University of Chester, himself also reading. Meanwhile, the last billing of the day goes to Tom Jenks, formerly of The Other Room reading series and author on Red Ceilings of the rather special Crabtree and Crabtree (the libretto), which features a bear as a butler, played, when it was performed live last year, by Alec Newman of Knives, Forks & Spoons Press.

 

 

Where to go near Red Ceilings Press Poetry Reading at Burgess Foundation

Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Burgess Cafe Bar
at IABF

Small but perfectly-formed café – which also serves as the in-house bookstore, stocking all manner of Burgess-related works, along with recordings of his music. It’s a welcoming space, with huge glass windows making for a bright, welcoming atmosphere.

Dog Bowl bowling alley and restaurant Manchester.
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Dog Bowl

A bar and 10-pin bowling alley combined, Dog Bowl is a neon-lit venue that serves up cocktails and Tex-Mex food to go with your time on the lanes.

The Ritz Manchester live music venue
Manchester
Music venue
The Ritz

The Ritz was originally a dance hall, built in 1928, has hosted The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and The Smiths and is still going strong as a gig venue now.

Gorilla, Whitworth street Manchester
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Gorilla

Gorilla is a good choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner. From a hearty full English to meaty burgers via good vegan and veggie options. It also hosts some of the best gigs and events in Manchester.

HOME Manchester
Manchester
Theatre
HOME Manchester

Offering a packed schedule of events and things to do, HOME Manchester is one of the city’s leading hubs for arts and culture.

Manchester
Restaurant
Indian Tiffin Room, Manchester

Indian Tiffin Room is a restaurant specialising in Indian street food, with branches in Cheadle and Manchester. This is the information for the Manchester venue.

The Modernist shop
Manchester
Shop
Modernist Society

The bricks and mortar The Modernist shop opened in May 2019 in the Northern Quarter and is the only bookshop in Manchester specialising in architecture and design.

Rain Bar pub in Manchester
City Centre
Bar or Pub
Rain Bar

This huge three-floor pub, formerly a Victorian warehouse, then an umbrella factory (hence the name), has one of the city centre’s largest beer gardens. The two-tier terrace overlooks the Rochdale canal and what used to be the back of the Hacienda, providing an unusual, historic view of the city.

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