THE WHITAKER MUSEUM
HERE at the Whitaker we have an exciting month ahead of us, starting this weekend with The Whitaker Words Weekender. A first for Rossendale, our very own Spoken Word Festival running from Friday, June 16 to Sunday, June 18 features some of the best performance poets around.
With gripping storytelling and writing workshops, underlined with some rather fine music throughout, it really does promise to be a treat for your ears and coax a laugh from your larynx with plenty to get involved with.The event opens Friday from 7pm with our host for the weekend, poet and author of Nobel Savage, Tony Curry, with special appearances from Charlie Pink and Neil Bell, a UK actor best known for his roles in Dead Men’s Shoes, Downton Abbey and Pan. Finishing the night, we have the pleasure of William Neary performing his First World War story ‘Far more grace than me’, following the lives of three teenagers from life in a quiet Lancashire village, through the turmoil of The First World War and over to America. Based on a true story, the tale is narrated and interspersed with songs. With the fabulous vocal of Evie Rapson and Tom Metcalfe.
Our Saturday events open from 2pm with poetry writing workshops with John G. Hall, Manchester-based poet and editor of Citizen 32.
This a pre-bookable event with tickets costing £5 per person, with limited places so be quick. Through the late afternoon, from 4pm - 6pm Tony Curry hosts our open mic event, joined by our spoken word competition winners as well as special guest appearances from Gordon Zola (performance poet and comedian), Emma Decent (writer and performer), George Melling (Th’owd Chap Poet), John G. Hall, Sharon Lowe (Wiganbased poet) and Charlie Pink. A jam-packed afternoon and completely free to attend.
After a short break the evening continues from 7.30pm with our ticketed event, when Tony will be joined by Cathy Crabb (award-winning playwright), Gerry Potter (Poet and author of hit play Miracle), Rev Porl (a punk poet with tunes) and Thick Richard (Potty-Mouthed writer and performance poet) all rounded off nicely with the warm sounds and gentle harmony from Sarah Grundy of Joan the Wad. Tickets cost £5 per person and can be pre-booked or paid on the door and it’s definitely not to be missed. As a special mention, following on from our exciting Words Weekender we would like to share an open invitation for readers to come and join us on the evening of Thursday, June 22, for a drink celebrating the confirmation that we have been awarded the first round of our Heritage Lottery Fund bid, which will allow us at least to start the development of the stable buildings and surrounding grounds. A small step to a big future for us all and something that wouldn’t have been possible without the continued support of the entire community.