Thrilled to be nominated for The Polari Prize 2021, for 'What Girls Do in the Dark'.

And such a stellar list, too!

The Polari Prize 2021 Longlists
Now in its tenth year, the Polari Prize is the UK’s first and largest LGBTQ+ book award. Established to promote writing that explores the LGBTQ+ experience, Polari also focuses on amplifying diverse voices through a series of literary events, including the regularly touring Polari Salon.

https://www.waterstones.com/category/cultural-highlights/book-awards/the-polari-prize

Polari Literary Salon / Bona to Vada your Dolly old Eek! Double bill

Fri, 22 November 2019
King Edward Street Chapel
4 King Edward Street
Macclesfield
SK10 1AB

An exclusively bona double bill from some of the best-known names in LGBT+ writing and performance in the beautifully intimate surroundings of King Edward Street Chapel. Troll on in!
Polari Literary Salon with Paul Burston
London’s award-winning LGBT+ literary salon comes to LIT. Founded in 2007 by author Paul Burston, Polari showcases the best in emerging and established LGBT+ literary talent. Named Best Cultural Event in the Co-Op Respect Loved by You Awards 2013, the salon is based at London’s Southbank Centre and also tours regularly. Tonight’s event is programmed and hosted by Burston, with guest performers including award-winning authors Rosie Garland, VG Lee and Okechukwu Nzelu.
Bona to Vada your Dolly old Eek! with Jez Dolan
Take a troll, stretch your lallies, vada the omipalones and enter the bijou world of Polari artist Jez Dolan. With music, art, and a liberal sprinkling of performing stardust, Jez creates a unique and original show using Polari as his inspiration.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/polari-literary-salon-bona-to-vada-your-dolly-old-eek-double-bill-tickets-77170074771

https://litmacc.org/

Polari at Birmingham Lit Fest

Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Centenary Square,
Broad Street,
Birmingham, B1 2EP

8 October at 19:00–21:00
Tickets: £8 / £6.40 concs
Festival Pass: Free

Polari returns to Birmingham as part of Birmingham Lit Fest and our Tenth Birthday Tour, supported by Arts Council England.

Hosted by Paul Burston with Rosie Garland, Scott Campbell, Laura Wake, Karen Mcleod and more.

Polari has come a long way from its humble beginnings above a Soho pub. Now celebrating its 10th year, the award-winning LGBT literary movement calls London’s Southbank Centre its home and tours regularly.
Tonight’s show is part of the salon’s tenth anniversary tour, funded by Arts Council England. Curated and hosted by author Paul Burston with guests Scott Campbell, Rosie Garland, Karen McLeod, Gerry Potter and Laura Wake.
In association with SHOUT festival.

https://www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org/event/polari-literary-salon/

Polari with The Time-Travelling Suffragettes!

Stein Bier Keller
Morley St,
Bradford BD7 1AJ

Friday, 7th July 2017
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Polari: The LGBT Literary Salon
Paul Burston with VG Lee, Kirsty Logan, The Time-Travelling Suffragettes and David McAlmont

Polari founder and your host for the evening, Paul Burston, will introduce acclaimed vocalist and songwriter, David McAlmont; novelist, poet and performer, Kirsty Logan; writer, singer and post-punk poet, Rosie Garland, accompanied by Eilish McEvil and award-winning author and stand-up comedian, VG Lee, for a night of thought-provoking discussion and outrageous entertainment.

https://www.bradfordlitfest.co.uk/event/polari/

The first Polari of 2017, now in its tenth year!

Curated and hosted by author Paul Burston with Stella Duffy, Rosie Garland, Nathan Evans, Chris Chalmers and Ann Mann

Level 5 Function Room at Royal Festival Hall
The Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road,
SE1 8XX London

£5

You’re guaranteed mischief and sparkle as this beloved LGBT literary salon returns for its 10th year.

Stella Duffy reads from her new book, London Lies Beneath, as the first headliner appearance for Polari at Southbank Centre in 2017. Inspired by real events, this is the story of three friends, and a tragedy that will change them forever. It is also a song of south London, of working class families with hidden histories, of a bright and complex world long neglected. London Lies Beneath is a powerful and compelling novel, rich with life and full of wisdom.

Joining Stella with readings from their latest works are Rosie Garland, Nathan Evans, Chris Chalmers and Ann Mann.

London’s award-winning LGBT literary salon continues to showcase the best in emerging and established testimony to queer hearts and lives. Polari is curated and hosted by author and journalist Paul Burston.

Recommended for ages 18+

http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/polari-100002

Polari On Tour

Grand Theatre, Blackpool
33 Church Street, FY1 1HT
Blackpool

20:00–22:30
Tickets £6

Part of this year's Polari National Tour, funded by Arts Council England
London's award winning LGBT literary salon Polari comes to The Grand as part of a national tour funded by Arts Council England.
Curated and hosted by author Paul Burston with guest performers representing the best in established and emerging LGBT literary talent, Polari has been described by Sarah Waters as "Always fun, always thought-provoking – a guaranteed good night out"
with readings from Rosie Garland, Jonathan Harvey, Karen Mcleod and more.

This event will be BSL interpreted

https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/event/polari/

Polari on Sea tour 2016

Venue: The Printworks Hastings
Where:
14 Claremont,
America Ground,
Hastings,
East Sussex
TN34 1HA

Time: 7.30 – 10.30pm

Polari returns to Hastings for a second season, funded by Arts Council England!

Opening night - Hosted by Paul Burston with Rosie Garland, VG Lee, Keith Jarrett and Nick Maes.

Booking soon.

Please note: this event is wheelchair accessible and will be BSL interpreted

"A stimulating and fun night out" – Hastings Independent

http://www.polariliterarysalon.co.uk/Polari/Polari_on_Sea.html

NOTTINGHAM Writers' Studio
25 Hockley,
Nottingham, NG1 1FH
7.30pm – 10.30pm
With Rosie Garland, Gregory Woods, Hayley Green and VG Lee

Hosted by Paul Burston with readings from Gregory Woods, Rosie Garland, Vg Lee and Hayley Green.
Part of this year's Polari National Tour, funded by Arts Council England

This event will be BSL interpreted by Elvire Roberts

£8 (£5 conc) from
http://nottinghamwritersstudio.co.uk/event/polari-literary-salon-event-space/

0115 837224

Polari

The Southbank Centre,
Belvedere Road,
London SE1 8XX

Time: 7.30 start
Level 5, Function Room

Tickets: £5 (concessions £2.50)

Rosie Garland heads the bill.
Plus Helen Humphries, SJ Naude, Carl Stanley and Talim Arab

Rosie Garland reads from her second novel, Vixen.
Described as poetic, sexy and deeply moving, Vixen finds a natural home with Polari audiences. It's a tale of superstition and devotion in the time of the Black Death.
Garland is joined by Helen Humphries, Talim Arab, Carl Stanley and SJ Naudé.

Polari is London's celebrated literary den showcasing new and established queer talent across literature and spoken word. Resident at Southbank Centre, the award-winning LGBT salon was described by the Huffington Post in 2014 as 'The most exciting literary movement in London... crackling with energy, ideas and excitement'.
Polari is curated and hosted by author and journalist Paul Burston and won 'LGBT Cultural Event of the Year' in the Co-op Respect 'Loved By You' Awards 2013.
Level 5 Function Room at Royal Festival Hall
Please note that Polari contains adult themes. For ages 18+
Book Tickets Now
http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/polari-230615-89943?dt=2015-06-23

Click to go to Polari website

PRAISE FOR POLARI

"The most exciting literary movement in London... crackling with energy, ideas, excitement" – Huffington Post

Winner 'LGBT Cultural Event of the Year' in the Co-operative Respect 'Loved by You' Awards 2013

Winner 'Golden Kitty Award' for 'Best UK Event (Local)' 2013

"Always fun, always thought-provoking – a guaranteed good night out" – Sarah Waters

Huddersfield Literature Festival

When: Saturday 7 March
Time: 7.45pm (doors 7pm)
Venue: Byram Arcade,
Westgate, Huddersfield,
Yorkshire HD1 1ND

In partnership with The Blue Rooms, which will remain open for refreshments during the evening.
Tickets priced at £5 (£2.50 conc) are now on sale from the Lawrence Batley Theatre box office (www.thelbt.org; 01484 430 528).

Exciting, thought provoking, moving, funny: Polari is all these things and more – and it's making a welcome return to Huddersfield. Hosted by award-winning journalist and novelist, Paul Burston, Polari showcases the work of LGBT novelists, short story writers and poets, and has a broad appeal to anyone who enjoys an entertaining night out with excellent performers.

Festival Director Michelle Hodgson said: "We were delighted to have the opportunity to host the first ever Polari in the north and we're thrilled that Paul Burston will be returning with a new set of authors for HLF2015. Polari Up North was one of the highlights of this year's festival and we are looking forward to another highly entertaining evening of performances next March."

The performers for 2015 are:
Rosie Garland – Born in London to a runaway teenager, Rosie is a novelist and poet, sings in post-punk band The March Violets and performs twisted cabaret as Rosie Lugosi the Vampire Queen.

VG Lee – Critically acclaimed author of four novels and a collection of short stories, VG Lee recently won the Ultimate Planet Award for Best Author 2014 and is a regular contributor to The Lady Magazine.

Diriye Osman – A British-Somali short story writer, essayist, critic and visual artist, Diriye Osman won the 2014 Polari First Book Prize with his critically acclaimed debut, Fairytales For Lost Children.

Gerry Potter – Currently touring his new book of autobiographical theatre verse, The Chronicles of Folly Butler, Gerry Potter has been wowing audiences nationally with his own unique brand of domestic-fantastic free verse.

Polari
"The most exciting literary movement in London... crackling with energy, ideas, excitement" – Huffington Post
"Always fun, always thought-provoking – a guaranteed good night out" – Sarah Waters
Click to go to Huddersfield Literature Festival site