First Withington Book Festival has a packed schedule for October 2024..
The very first Withington Book Festival is taking place in October, 2024. The free event is packed with opportunities which, it’s hoped, will invigorate the local community and create a comfortable space where people can learn about books and which will boost literacy.
Organizers have put together a programme of events across four days to entice and delight bookworms. All events are available to browse online https://withingtonbookfestival.wordpress.com/
The programme kicks off with the renowned award-winning VerboseMCR who are leaving their Salford home for the night to put on a Withington-based show on October 2, 7.30pm – the spoken word night is taking place at Fuel Cafe Bar, 448 Wilmslow Road, and features headliners Kate Feld, Quigley Brockbank, Trevor Mark Thomas, David hay, Jemima Foxtrot and Melanie Neads. VerboseMCR operates a ‘pay as you feel’ policy.
The following evening is one for the brainy readers, a free book-themed quiz for you to test your literary knowledge at Cafe Blah, 418 Wilmslow Road, on October 3 from 7.30pm. The quiz is free to attend and features rounds on classics, Manchester and a picture round.
On Friday, October 4, there is an opportunity to meet the team and try one of a specially concocted list of book-themed cocktails at Something More Productive, 9 Egerton Crescent. There will also be a book-themed playlist – and you can make your own suggestions.
Saturday, October 5, sees author talks taking place from 10am-5pm for free at Withington Public Hall Institute, 2 Burton Road. Manchester-based authors speaking on the day are Caroline England, Chris Frost, Nicholas Royle, Trevor Mark Thomas, Reshma Ruia, Sarah-Clare Conlon and Paul Magrs.
Running concurrently at Withington Works – the upstairs workspace at Withington Baths, 30 Burton Road – are author workshops. From 11am-2.45pm, attendees can enjoy free practical classes with creative professionals at 30 Burton Road.
Workshops are Creative Writing with Burton Road Events; Urban Illustration with Len Grant; Self-Publishing with Paul Wheeler; and Poetry Writing with Ailsa Holland.
The event will be rounded off at Withington Public Hall Institute with a special choir concert at 5pm. Attendees can enjoy a series of songs – including some book-themed picks – from Choirs Manchester.
Image used of Len Grant and supplied by Kirstie McCrum – Withington Book Festival.
All events are available to browse online https://withingtonbookfestival.wordpress.com/
These are the social media handles:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/withingtonbookfestival/
