Inspired by Libraries with Cheddar Gorgeous
  • Wednesday 7 June 2023, 6pm
  • Baronial Hall
  • FREE
Book tickets
Image Inspired by Libraries with Cheddar Gorgeous

Join Manchester icon Cheddar Gorgeous in conversation with Paul Burston for an intimate evening in Chetham’s Baronial Hall.

Cheddar and Paul will be discussing how they’ve been inspired by libraries and literature in their lives, and how vital these spaces are to the local community. They’ll be discussing their activism and creative practices, plus Paul’s new book We Can Be Heroes, will be on sale at the event

“Our libraries are not only archives of our past, but spaces that encourage word- and world- making.  Library doors are open to everyone and, when we enter, they ask us not only to consider our past but to imagine our future. Through Sci-fi, classics, fantasy, poetry and theory libraries allow us to dream a little bigger. I can’t wait to be involved in Manchester Festival of Libraries this year, and celebrate the endless possibilities that libraries create for us, without expecting anything in return. This festival is a testament to how these spaces are intrinsic to Manchester’s diverse communities, especially as a UNESCO City of Literature.” Cheddar Gorgeous

About Paul Burston
Paul Burston is curator and host of award-winning LGBTQ+ literary salon Polari and founder of the Polari Prize book awards for LGBTQ+ writers, based at the British Library. In 2016, he featured in the British Council’s Global List of ’33 visionary people promoting freedom, equality and LGBT rights around the world’. Before turning to journalism, Paul was an AIDS activist with ACT UP London and regularly risked arrest by blocking traffic, occupying the offices of the Australian Embassy and catapulting condoms over the walls of Pentonville Prison. He was arrested many times and stood trial at Bow Street magistrates court, where he was acquitted. In 1990 he became Gay Editor at City Limits and in 1993 he took over the same post at Time Out, where he worked for 20 years, documenting the changing cultural and political landscape. Nominated for a Stonewall Award for his journalism, in 2008 he accepted the award for Publication of the Year for the magazine’s LGBTQ+ coverage.


Manchester Libraries Festival

For information about visiting Chetham’s and accessibility, please see our Visitor Info page.

Inspired by Libraries with Cheddar Gorgeous
  • Wednesday 7 June 2023, 6pm
  • Baronial Hall
  • FREE
Book tickets
eventbrite.co.uk

Join Manchester icon Cheddar Gorgeous in conversation with Paul Burston for an intimate evening in Chetham’s Baronial Hall.

Cheddar and Paul will be discussing how they’ve been inspired by libraries and literature in their lives, and how vital these spaces are to the local community. They’ll be discussing their activism and creative practices, plus Paul’s new book We Can Be Heroes, will be on sale at the event

“Our libraries are not only archives of our past, but spaces that encourage word- and world- making.  Library doors are open to everyone and, when we enter, they ask us not only to consider our past but to imagine our future. Through Sci-fi, classics, fantasy, poetry and theory libraries allow us to dream a little bigger. I can’t wait to be involved in Manchester Festival of Libraries this year, and celebrate the endless possibilities that libraries create for us, without expecting anything in return. This festival is a testament to how these spaces are intrinsic to Manchester’s diverse communities, especially as a UNESCO City of Literature.” Cheddar Gorgeous

About Paul Burston
Paul Burston is curator and host of award-winning LGBTQ+ literary salon Polari and founder of the Polari Prize book awards for LGBTQ+ writers, based at the British Library. In 2016, he featured in the British Council’s Global List of ’33 visionary people promoting freedom, equality and LGBT rights around the world’. Before turning to journalism, Paul was an AIDS activist with ACT UP London and regularly risked arrest by blocking traffic, occupying the offices of the Australian Embassy and catapulting condoms over the walls of Pentonville Prison. He was arrested many times and stood trial at Bow Street magistrates court, where he was acquitted. In 1990 he became Gay Editor at City Limits and in 1993 he took over the same post at Time Out, where he worked for 20 years, documenting the changing cultural and political landscape. Nominated for a Stonewall Award for his journalism, in 2008 he accepted the award for Publication of the Year for the magazine’s LGBTQ+ coverage.


Manchester Libraries Festival

For information about visiting Chetham’s and accessibility, please see our Visitor Info page.

You may also like

  1. image Peter and The Wolf – Schools Performance
    The Stoller Hall

    Peter and The Wolf – Schools Performance

    Wed 29 November 2023, 11am

    Early one morning a young boy named Peter opened the gate and went out into the big green meadow.  Meet...

  2. image Amore e Passione: Italian Opera and Neapolitan Songs
    The Stoller Hall

    Amore e Passione: Italian Opera and Neapolitan Songs

    Thu 30 November 2023, 8pm

    Manchester opera lovers have an amazing opportunity to enjoy this performance by world-renowned tenor, Fabio Andreotti. Accompanied by the stunning...

  3. image Lodestar Trio
    Carole Nash Hall

    Lodestar Trio

    Fri 1 December 2023, 7:30pm

    Lodestar Trio is a unique collaboration between stars of the Scandinavian folk scene Erik Rydvall and Olav Mjelva, and British...

  4. image Peter and The Wolf
    The Stoller Hall

    Peter and The Wolf

    Sat 2 December 2023, 12pm

    Early one morning a young boy named Peter opened the gate and went out into the big green meadow.   Meet...