Spoken Word Event - Northern Voices and Identity

Schedule

Sat, 07 Feb, 2026 at 02:30 pm

UTC+00:00

Location

Spotland Library | Rochdale, EN

Advertisement
Come and join us at Spotland Library for a very special afternoon of poetry and spoken word, where we’ll be putting the mic firmly in the hands of powerful Northern voices, and exploring what identity means to us in 2026.
Hosted by Rochdale’s Poet Laureate Sammy Weaver, this event is part of a borough-wide series celebrating bold new poetry and creative voices.
Expect striking words, bold and creative Northern perspectives, and performances that will stay with you long after the final line.
Words with a local beat
The theme of identity invites a range of stories and styles, from playful to profound, from personal to political.
Confirmed performers include:
Hafsah Aneela Bashir, award-winning poet, playwright, and performer
Mike Garry, poet and poet-librarian
Alende Amisi, young poet in residence
Local poet Yasmin Hussain
Local poet Sid Calderbank
Meet the poets and explore the exhibition
And don’t forget to dive into the poetry exhibition featuring writers from across the borough! You can even and meet some of the poets, who will have books available for sale.
This event is part of a partnership between Rochdale Borough Libraries, Rochdale Borough Council, and Rochdale Development Agency, funded by Arts Council England and Flexible Funds, and forms part of Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture programme for 2025/26, celebrating Rochdale’s role as the region’s cultural heartbeat.
Together, we’re creating space for Northern voices to inspire and connect our community.
And it's free!
This event is free of charge and open to everyone. So why not get yourself a ticket, come along and catch the poetry bug.
Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Spotland Library, Ings Lane,Rochdale, United Kingdom

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Icon
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Rochdale Borough Libraries

Host or Publisher Rochdale Borough Libraries

Ask AI if this event suits you:

Discover More Events in Rochdale

Biffy McClyro - Live at Empire Rochdale
Fri, 06 Feb at 08:00 pm Biffy McClyro - Live at Empire Rochdale

Empire Rochdale

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Devil Hound Blues
Fri, 06 Feb at 08:30 pm Devil Hound Blues

The Pig and Whistle- Heywood

Fastpitch Skills Clinic
Sat, 07 Feb at 11:00 am Fastpitch Skills Clinic

Soccer Factory Sports Ltd

Queering Archaeology (Research Talk)
Sat, 07 Feb at 11:00 am Queering Archaeology (Research Talk)

Rochdale Town Hall

LGBT-PRIDE
Charlie May - Empire Saturday Showcase
Sat, 07 Feb at 03:00 pm Charlie May - Empire Saturday Showcase

7 Packer Street, Greater - Manchester, OL16 1NJ Rochdale, United Kingdom

LIVE-MUSIC
Artist Night at the Royle
Sat, 07 Feb at 08:00 pm Artist Night at the Royle

Royle Bowling & Billiards Club

ART
Ultimate Reggae - Live at Empire Rochdale
Sat, 07 Feb at 08:00 pm Ultimate Reggae - Live at Empire Rochdale

Empire Rochdale

REGGAE
Retro Sports  Day Fundraiser event
Sun, 08 Feb at 10:00 am Retro Sports Day Fundraiser event

Trident Health & Performance

SPORTS NONPROFIT
Spoken Word Event - Pennine and Nature Poetry
Sat, 24 Jan at 02:30 pm Spoken Word Event - Pennine and Nature Poetry

Wardle Branch Library

ART LITERARY-ART
Open Mic Night
Wed, 28 Jan at 08:00 pm Open Mic Night

498 Market Street, Whitworth

OPEN-MIC PERFORMANCES
Spoken Word Event - Northern Voices and Identity
Sat, 07 Feb at 02:30 pm Spoken Word Event - Northern Voices and Identity

Spotland Library

ART LITERARY-ART
Rochdale Town of Culture in Poems
Sat, 21 Mar at 01:30 pm Rochdale Town of Culture in Poems

Rochdale Central Library, Number One Riverside

ART LITERARY-ART

What's Happening Next in Rochdale?

Discover Rochdale Events