As is customary of Pen: Chant’s proudly pluralist events, the programme comprises music, spoken word, comedy and more. January’s offering features Manchester’s soulful chanteuse Josephine Oniyama, lyrical, laugh-out-loud stand-up poet Dave Viney and glitter-mouthed, charmingly vicious stand-up comic Jonathan Mayor.
Pen:Chant is a night of eclectic, alternative cabaret programmed and hosted by award-winning writer and performer Ben Mellor.Touring national and international fringe festivals Pen: Chant cherry-picks incredible artists from the world’s spoken word, live music, comedy, cabaret and performance scenes, bringing them to Manchester under one roof to wow fans of all genres. Pen: Chant strives to cater to existing tastes and create new artistic appetites, presenting diverse bills of different disciplines as varied as the audiences who come to see them.
PUSH Festival is HOME’s annual two-week celebration of the North West’s most creative talents. Pen: Chant contributes to this dynamic showcase, with a bill comprised of two native Mancunians (Josephine Oniyama and Dave Viney) and one proud long-term adoptive (Jonathan Mayor). In addition to local success and proud roots, all artists are nationally acclaimed, with Josephine appearing on Later…with Jools Holland and her recent album winning rave reviews from The Sunday Times, Mojo, Q and Uncut. Dave Viney is the former poet laureate of Kendall Calling and Jonathan Mayor is currently comedian Sarah Millican’s go-to event host.
Since 2013 Pen: Chant have presented some of the best local, national and international acts including sketch comedy star Gein’s Family Giftshop and Norris & Parker, MOBO award-winning Soweto Kinch, World Champion beatboxer Bellatrix and spoken word YouTube sensation Harry Baker. As well as showcasing established acts, Pen: Chant provides a platform for local emerging talent through open mic slots at every event and regular workshop opportunities.
On Thursday 11th January, participants are offered a three-hour stand-up comedy masterclass with twice BAFTA-nominated comedian, actor and comedy writer Victoria Cook. The workshop will guide participants through writing, devising and performing their own stand-up material.
Pen: Chant featuring Josephine, Dave Vine and Jonathan Mayor
Saturday 13th January 2018- HOME
HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester, M15 4FN
