Congrats to Citizen 32 editor John G Hall on an excellent first night of his “Poetry Party” event held upstairs at the groovy little Fuel café bar on Wilmslow Rd in Withington, South Manchester.

The night, which has arisen from John’s new series of poetry workshops at the same venue, not only attracted some of Manchester’s finest poets, but that rarest of creatures – the Lesser Spotted Non-Poet Audience Member! About 25 people comfortably filled the atmospheric, boho-vibed upstairs room to see events ably compered by talented actor/poet/singer/John’s fellow workshop facilitator Kate Gilbert.

First up was co-organiser of the Freed Up nights at The Green Room, a top-hatted Dominic Berry who’s highly expressive and energetic performance was a hard act to follow. Wish I’d seen his recent “Lovely Fruit Salad” show at the Contact Theatre now!

Next up was bearded Northern Irish poet Michael Wilson who impressed with poems ranging from the “back-story” to an REM song to the respective merits of both ECT therapy and the humble cheese sandwich.

Closing the first half was Manchester-based Canadian Lisa B who, you may recall, graced one of our recent Octagon nights. (Check out Lisa’s very impressive CV, newly posted here on WOL.) Lisa’s warm, thoughtful and affecting poetry mixed the personal with the political to great effect and great applause. A welcome addition to the Manchester scene, expect to hear a lot more from Lisa in the near future.

After the break came a 15 minute set of largely new and new-ish poetry by my good self - fresh from causing a stir at the rear of the venue where a posse of waiters had questioned my nervous pacing and mumbling around their cars! Reading from the page, I felt well outside the comfort zone of tried and tested material (not a bad thing) but was heartened by laughs in most of the right places plus the odd tear and requests for copies of one new piece in particular. Coming soon to a poetry night near you!

John Hall always impresses me. I marvel at both the quality and quantity of the man’s output and the way his brain works in such a different way to mine and most other mortals - managing to be both high-brow and accessible in equal measure. I particularly liked his new poem “Diatribe” with its “This is my diatribe” riff listing the faults of humanity’s “dire tribe” whilst ending “This is my diatribe, and I love them.”

Workshop regular Roger had me with him all the way with his final poem about Elvis before MC Kate wowed us with her bluesy/soulful acapella vocals within a quality poem/song – or “pong” as Chloe Poems would have it.

Progressing into the last section of the evening provided a clear indication of the quality of the Manchester and NW scene with a procession of regionally and nationally recognised writers tonight happy to take up open mic slots.

Organiser of the fab, sadly now defunct Verberate nights, Zoe Lambert, read an entertaining short story about over-sexed guinea pigs. Pesky little breeders! Former Merseyside poet of the year and current organiser of Apples and Snakes NW “Inside Out” project Morag Reid made a welcome Manchester appearance with her empowered and consciousness raising words whilst Manchester’s own Amanda Milligan performed two familiar pieces in her inimitable, dulcet tones. I could listen to Amanda read the phone book!

Bringing the evening to an excellent close was Akil “Scorcha” Chinelo who started with a quirky West African tale about a guy seeking a girl’s hand in marriage followed by a beautiful piece in tribute to the sadly missed Manchester poet, the late, great Dike Omeje.

A fitting end to a great night which will only get better. I once spent a lovely hour in Withington gaffa-taped up with a gun at my head (seriously) - this was rather more enjoyable! Be sure to check the Gig Guide for details.

Sorry if I’ve missed anyone from memory, but I did polish off not one but two bottles of very strong sparkling water!