Polari returns to G-A-Y Manchester for a night of poetry, prose and LGBTQ story-telling.
Hosted by Paul Burston with Will Belshah, Jay Gadhia, Rosie Garland and Hook.
WILL BELSHAH is a Manchester-based multidisciplinary artist and writer exploring the intersections of mythology, history and contemporary technology. Working across painting, poetry, drawing and installation, he combines ancient symbolism, digital culture and imagined histories to examine power, identity and systems of meaning. He has exhibited across the UK, including at HOME Manchester and Firstsite Essex, and develops collaborative work around accessibility, neurodivergence and shared authorship.
JAY GADHIA is a QPOC poet, artist and teacher.
His artwork and poetry tend to focus on the Asian queer experience and explore cultural and racial history.
A great deal of his work focusses on faith, as well as unpicking the complications of relationships.
ROSIE GARLAND writes poetry, short and long form fiction, and sings with post-punk band The March Violets.
Her poetry collection ‘What Girls Do in the Dark’ (Nine Arches Press) was shortlisted for the Polari Prize 2021.
Her latest collection is ‘This Is How I Fight’ (Nine Arches Press)
Val McDermid has named Rosie one of the most compelling LGBT+ writers in the UK today.
In 2023, she was made a Fellow of The Royal Society of Literature.
HOOK (they/them) is a northern based, trans, neurodivergent, multidisciplinary artist creating queer-led work at the intersection of cabaret and theatre. They are particularly driven to craft imaginative, transformative trans worlds where artists and audiences are invited inside to play, question, and dream. Hook is a specialist artist with York Theatre Royal, a recent Soho Writing Labs Alumni, and is currently developing their new play ‘Panic Arcadia’ – a messy, queer forest fantasy turned horror inspired by the god Pan.
About Polari
Founded in 2007 by author Paul Burston, Polari has appeared at the Southbank Centre, Heaven nightclub, The British Library and at book festivals, bars, nightclubs and theatres across the UK and beyond.
Inspired by the gay slang of the same name, Polari is a multi award-winning celebration of LGBTQ+ words and voices – whether written, spoken or sung. The salon also runs The Polari Prize awards – the UK’s only book awards for LGBTQ+ writing.
Tonight's event is part of the Polari Prize 15th Birthday Showcase, funded by Arts Council England.