Bold Queer Poetry Soirée - ABOVE THE STAG

Inkandescent

serve up spectacular spoken word with a side of film and music.

Host

Nathan Evans

is joined by novelist, post-punk and poet

Rosie Garland

, queer Manx poet

Simon Maddrell

, and virtuoso violinist

Kate Conway

to bring the current season to a musical finale.

“one of the most compelling LGBT+ writers in the UK today”

— Val McDermid on Rosie Garland

“has things to teach me about being human, about how to live with trauma, loss and love”

— Will Harris, RENDANG (Best First Collection, Forward Prize 2020) on Simon Maddrell

“poetry which addresses vital issues of our time with biting wit and electrifying passion”

— Matthew Todd on Nathan Evans

“a wonderful collection of fascinating stories by unique voices”

— Kathy Burke on Inkandescent’s Mainstream anthology, edited by Justin David & Nathan Evans

 

Inkandescent were founded by Justin David and Nathan Evans to champion diverse writers underrepresented in mainstream publishing. Recent publications include Address Book by Neil Bartlett and the Mainstream anthology featuring writers including Kit de Waal, Kerry Hudson, Paul McVeigh, Bidisha and Juliet Jacques. 

Nathan Evans is a writer, director and performer whose work has appeared at venues including The Royal Court, The Royal Festival Hall and The Royal Vauxhall Tavern. Publishers of his poetry include Royal Society of Literature, Manchester Metropolitan University and Dead Ink. He was longlisted for the Live Canon International Poetry Competition and his collection Threads was long-listed for the Polari First Book Prize.

Rosie Garland is a writer and singer with post-punk band The March Violets. She is author of three novels & poetry collection What Girls Do in The Dark, shortlisted for the Polari Prize 2021. She’s received the Diva Award for Solo Performer and been blessed by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

Simon Maddrell is a queer Manx man, thriving with HIV and living in Brighton. He’s published in numerous anthologies and publications including AMBIT, Butcher’s Dog, Under the Radar, The Moth and Morning Star. In 2020, Simon’s debut, Throatbone, was published by UnCollected Press and Queerfella jointly-won The Rialto Open Pamphlet Competition.

Kate Conway is a violinist and educator. She specialises in performing classical music in unusual places—including Pentonville Prison and Latitude Festival. She works regularly with Duckie and—as Artistic Director of Hackney Proms and founder of a kids’ music school—she is committed to improving diversity & inclusion in classical music.