Friday 16 - Saturday 24 September 2022
All the info
Ed Glinert presents Orwell's 1984.
Friday 16 September, 2pm
Author, historian and tour guide Ed Glinert is one of the most entertaining speakers on the circuit, armed with remarkable stories and unforgettable pictures.
His books include The Manchester Compendium and Literary London. Today, he’ll be talking about George Orwell’s chilling tale of authoritarianism that’s as relevant today as it was when it was published in 1949.
The Manchester Poets, with Copland Smith and guests
Friday 16 September, 7.45–9.30pm
This award-winning group has delivered diverse and exciting live poetry for over 40 years. Hundreds of poets have guested there, while many more have found their voices by picking up the mic.
£3/£1 pay on the door.
Chorlton Pride
Saturday 17 September, 12-5pm
St Clements Church
Chorlton has always been exciting, diverse and colourful - and we all love a party! Enjoy a glorious day of glam, family fun, music and entertainment celebrating LGBTQ+ life.
This is Chorlton’s first Pride - but it won’t be its last!
Family Fun Pride Saturday
Saturday 17 September, 1-4pm
St Clement’s Church
We’re thrilled to be part of Pride! The library team has been collecting feathers, ribbons and every sort of sparkly thing for you to make a magnificent mask so you can be part of it too!
Get creative with artist Mandy Cleveland too.
Chorlton History Walk
Sunday 18 September, 2–3pm.
Join Andrew Simpson for dark deeds, silly stories and a place called Martledge. Revisit a lost hamlet, encounter historic Chorlton individuals and uncover an awful murder.
Learn about the first Sedge Lynn, a place called the Isles - and when Chorlton had its very own Ice Rink!
£7.50, including refreshments at the Dressing Room Café after the walk.
Okechukwu Nzelu
Sunday 18 September, 7-8pm
Instagram Live
We loved Oke’s first novel, The Private Joys of Nnenna Maloney, which won a Betty Trask Award, made the Desmond Elliott Prize shortlist and the prestigious Portico Prize longlist.
His new book is Here Again Now, described as ‘an immensely powerful novel about lovers, fathers and sons’. If you liked The Vanishing Half, Shuggie Bain or Moonlight, you’ll love this.
An Evening with Flapjack Press
Monday 19 September, 8–9.30pm
We asked them back because you love them! This award-winning group serves up a feast of entertaining and thought-provoking poetry, from an array of talented performers.
The Quiz
Monday 19 September, 8pm
The Beer House
Quizmaster Copland Smith hosts his special literary quiz for Chorlton’s bibliophiles. If you know your Sally Rooney from your Wayne, then this is the quiz for you!
Northerners: A History
Tuesday 20 September, 7–8.30pm
Is being a Northerner about geography - or a state of mind? Stretford-born Brian Groom, a former Financial Times journalist, has taken a deep dive into what makes the North special. His book, Northerners: A History from the Ice Age to the Present Day is the essential biography of our region and identity.
Chorlton Good Neighbours
Wednesday 21 September, 10.30am
The CGN Drama Group is busy working on another of its wonderful, unique shows. Check our website, or visit chorltongoodneighbours.org for details. All welcome.
An Evening with Boshra Ghgam and Friends
Wednesday 21 September, 7–8pm
Fearless performance poet and Rio Ferdinand Foundation ambassador Boshra Ghgam presents an explosion of creative expression. Celebrate the spoken word with her hand-picked line-up of our city’s diverse voices.
This is all about positivity: step away from all the nonsense and find some truth.
Writers’ Cafe
Wednesday 21 September, 1.00–2.30
Thursday 22 & Friday 23, 9.30–11.00
Saturday 24, 10.00–12 noon
The Edge Theatre and Arts Centre
Buy a drink (cake delicious, but optional), settle in and soak up the creative atmosphere. There’ll be authors dropping in to inspire you, including Jackie Kay, Elaine Bousfield, Martin Griffin and Rosie Garland. We’ll even offer writing prompts if you need ideas! The Writers’ Café has been organised by the brilliant Jo Somerset and we’re hoping it will become a regular fixture.
Places limited and booking is essential.
David Gaffney
Thursday 22 September, 7-8pm
Famous for his powerful flash fiction, David’s intriguing new novel is Out of the Dark. Holed up in his tower block, Daniel can’t stop watching an old B-movie on repeat. As film noir and real life begin to blur, is he being pulled into a similar whirlpool of deceit, corruption and violence?
David is introduced by writer and poet Sarah-Clare Conlon, literary editor at Creative Tourist.
Storytime Special
Friday 23 September, 10-10.30 and 11-11.30
Cat Weatherill is a best-selling author and one of the UK’s best-loved storytellers. Combining a passion for language with a playful spirit, she has delighted thousands of children in hundreds of schools and festivals. A hot ticket for the little ones - under-5s and their carers welcome.
The Great Miss Lydia Becker
Friday 23 September, 2pm
Biographer Joanna Williams presents the story of the extraordinary Manchester woman who inspired the Pankhursts.
In the 1860s the idea of giving women the vote was compared to persuading dogs to dance! Undeterred, Lydia Becker spent her life campaigning for the vote, for women’s equality and for an education for every girl.
Learn more about this amazing, yet little-known woman, and find out how the trolling of female activists is nothing new.
Northern Noir: T. S. Hunter & Alex Caan
Friday 23 September 7-8.30pm
Chorlton Central Church
The North continues to inspire new generations of thriller writers. Sean Coleman (aka T S Hunter) has written and produced for Sony Pictures, Fox, the BBC and Channel 4 and won multiple awards.
He’s the author of the Alex Ripley mysteries and tech thrillers The Code and DownTime. As T.S. Hunter he wrote the smash-hit mystery series Soho Noir.
Mancunian Alex Caan works in Information Systems Security for government organisations. When he’s not fighting real-life crime, he’s fighting it in his fiction.
Alex is the author of tense thrillers, Cut to the Bone, First to Die and The Unbroken, featuring DS Moomy Khan and DI Sarah Heaton.
Rob Parker is your host for the evening.
Family Fun Saturday
Saturday 24 September
10.30-11.30am - Alfie’s First Fight
A treat for children aged 5+ with a knockout one-man show, written and performed by Oliver Sykes. Will Alfie find his brother in time for the boxing match, or will he have to step into the ring himself?
This funny and heart-warming show packs a punch!
2-4pm - join artist Mandy Cleveland for free crafting sessions.