FEBRUARY HAPPENINGS
Welcome to the second month of telling stories at NOMA as part of our READING AND WRITING programme.
If you are in any doubt about the power of story consider Manchester, the rainy city.
This is a story we all know and we all share. Factually speaking, Manchester is only the eighth rainiest city in the UK but the story is better. Facts are heavy but stories stick.
For every city, there are two cities – one fact and one fiction. A city exists as much in the mind of its citizens as it does in architectural terms. Both are real and both deserve equal consideration.
If we want to change the city around us, we need to read new stories and share new stories.
Trust facts, believe fiction.
In collaboration with our friends at Jot Book Shop we’re bringing you free to attend events, clubs, talks and workshops that explore Reading and Writing beyond the margins throughout February.
Here is your February reading list:
HAPPENING ONE : READING AND WRITING
HAPPENING ONE : READING AND WRITING
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Join Christian Chalfont from MensRetreatsUK for this 4 week journey that will dig deep into your sense of self and purpose, asking where you are in life right now and where you want to be.
Christian’s a professional counsellor and facilitator specialising in working with men. This series of workshops is bringing a group of guys, or anyone that identifies as a man, together to think, chat and share as much or as little as you like.
One thing’s for sure, you’ll come away with some stuff written down that will set you off somewhere you probably didn’t expect.
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Where and how do we find inspiration when we write?
And how can we harness our subconscious to do so? Join Tom Conaghan, publisher of the short fiction series REVERSE ENGINEERING, to explore how acclaimed authors open themselves to possibilities and listen to the energies of their story. By giving space to the unconscious, learn how to create writing that’s richer and more resonant, then explore how we can use our conscious mind to shape our fiction. This workshop will use ideas from Tom’s conversations with Tessa Hadley, George Saunders, Yiyun Li, Sarah Hall, Jon McGregor, Wendy Erskine and many others. Please bring along something to write with.
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- an open mic poetry evening (free)
We are inviting people to share their writing with a friendly and receptive audience. This is your five minutes! Compared by Rob from Evening Gardneing Club.
At New Century Kitchens in the Boyson Bar.
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Every Friday in February 12 - 2pm. We are busy building book swap libraries to be installed around the NOMA neighbourhood, please join in. Tasks include woodwork, fettling, painting, tea drinking and faffing every Friday between 12-2pm in February.
JOIN IN HERE
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Work up to writing your first bits in this two-hour joke writing circle. Entirely inclusive, low stakes, exercise-based comedy writing session. Led by the undeterrable Michael Mannion.
Perhaps our first new regular club of 2025! JOIN IN.
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Practicing city writers bring creative tools and techniques to build a collective narrative of Manchester. Featuring Skyliner, Laura Mansfield and Nicky Moore.
READING AND WRITING IS ALWAYS HAPPENING
READING AND WRITING IS ALWAYS HAPPENING
As well as the highlighted passages above we also have JOT BOOK SHOP frequently in session throughout the month. Keep an eye out for details. We also have book clubs meeting regularly -
READING AND WRITING Contemporary Reading and Writing club. The first Wednesday of every month.
THE MYTHIC NEXUS Sci Fi and Fantasy meet up. The second Wednesday of every month.
AFRILIT BOOK CLUB African Literature book club. The third Wednesday of every month.
MANCHESTER GIRL BOOK CLUB Occasionally! Check socials for details.
LARKING ABOUT
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LARKING ABOUT ---
Can’t read? Wont read? All of our regular clubs involving cooking, gardening, weaving, making, skating etc etc are always happening. Join in here
