aPpEARANCEs

I love hosting, performing, compering, reading, chairing panels and getting involved in conversation and debate. If you’d like me to do that as part of your project, please contact me. Here are some great events I’ve been a part of:

Dave Haslam In Conversation, Saul Hay Gallery.
I interviewed Dave in depth about his immaculate ‘Art Decades’ collection of micro-books which explore overlooked or undervalued elements of popular culture, politics and art from Plath to Picasso, politics to pop.

Launch of ‘Dear Neighbour’ by Jane Claire Bradley, Feel Good Club.
I was honoured to read as one of the opening artists for Jane’s debut novel launch. I read ‘Fire Island’ a family memoir essay published by Banshee Press which reflects on queer and Irish ancestry.

‘How Can The Private Sector Support Manchester's Arts & Culture Scene in its Post-Covid Recovery?’, HOME.
I was very keen to take part in this scintillating and important conversation alongside panelists from the arts, politics and private sector, focusing on arts and cultural recovery in post-pandemic times, generously hosted by Slater Heelis and HOME. You can watch our conversation on YouTube here.

‘Queer Fictions’ with Queer Research Network Manchester, MMU.
Queer Research Network Manchester is an interdisciplinary research network uniting the Manchester Universities. As an alumna of both institutions I was flattered to be invited to talk about my fiction writing. I focussed on the notion of queer yearning and my short stories which zoom in on fragments of queer history. A wonderful supportive event. You can find out more about my writing at my writing pages here and here.

‘Three Sailors’ at The Seamus Heaney Centre, Outburst Arts Festival.
My story ‘Three Sailors’, a partly-imagined ménage-a-trois tale from the very early years of AIDS, was published by Foglifter literary journal in San Francisco, in a collection later shortlisted for a Lambda Literary Award. I read my story before a wonderful audience at ‘Queer’, a live lit event for Outburst 2019. Gorgeous experience.

Launch of ‘We The Youth: Keith Haring’s New York Night Life’ by Dave Haslam for Manchester Literature Festival, the Whitworth.
Hosting the sell-out launch of this exciting new work on Keith Haring’s life was such a rewarding night. Great rapport, moving conversations around Dave’s book, and a lovely festival audience.

Pride & Glory, Royal Exchange Theatre.
I gave a reading of my short story ‘Three Sailors’ (Foglifter, 2019) for a very appreciative audience at this annual LGBT live literature and theatre event.

Truth To Power Café, Royal Exchange Theatre.
Reflecting on a provocation – ‘Who has power over you, and what would you like to say to them?’ – this emotional participatory theatre show gave twenty people, including me, the chance to voice some of our deepest life experiences, under the guidance of theatre-maker Jeremy Goldstein.

Compere for ‘Propel’, PUSH Festival, HOME.
Theatre 1 was the venue for this astonishing showcase of performance work from a diverse range of artists from community groups. Music, theatre, poetry and more. I felt very proud to host such a loving and challenging event in Manchester, with fantastic feedback.

The RebeccaNeverBecky Guest List Podcast, Episode 1.
Had a great time talking with Rebecca Swarray and Oskar Marchock on this conversation podcast. Listen in here.

Chair of the panel, ‘First Time’ by Nathaniel Hall.
I chaired an incredible discussion with playwright/performer Nathaniel and members of the George House Trust Positively Speaking project. A rare chance to have a grown-up honest public conversation about HIV in Manchester, I was honoured to play a small part.

Compere for ‘Mind Yourself’, ThoughtWorks.
I compered this original talent night for LGBTQIA artists in Manchester, showcasing work with a focus on mental health and stigma in the community. Brilliant work was shared and we built a really loving, fun and supportive atmosphere.

Conversation Circle with Rosanne Robertson, AIR Gallery.
Part of Rosanne’s excellent ‘To The Ground’ show. I led a conversation with the artist about the show and her practice, taking in materials and materiality, lesbian art, queer objects and working class art, eventually absorbing the whole room in conversation which was our ambitious intention!

Author interview with Dave Haslam.
I hosted this fun anecdote-filled on-stage interview with the author and DJ about his new memoirs, Sonic Youth Slept On My Floor, for Manchester's King Street Festival.

Sex, Drugs & Criminality, The Lowry.
Part of ‘Teentalitarianism’, the young programmer's takeover at Week 53 Festival, in which I was a panellist on a gameshow-style discussion event looking at these most thorny of subjects. Brave and exhilarating programming!

Artist Inspiration Day, Manchester Jewish Museum.
I was selected to join a group of 15 artists to devise and brainstorm creative solutions for Manchester Jewish Museum during their temporary relocation to Manchester Central Library and forthcoming exciting capital expansion. 

De(Construction): Developing the Creative Scene, DIY Style.
I gave a talk about the many projects I’ve been involved in as a creative practitioner with a DIY approach, which led me to a more paid and supported field of work.

Radical Space is the Place, Texture.
I was a guest panelist on a discussion of the subcultural roots of nightlife, focussing on what has happened to nightlife in the context of austerity, gentrification and dispossession.

Working in the Arts, Salford University.
My lecture for Salford undergraduates on working in the arts, cultural production, freelancing and establishing a cultural presence.