At the beginning of 2008, a group of loosely-associated poets met in Manchester to discuss the possibility of setting up a reading series dedicated to experimental and innovative writing. The poets concerned were not only writers but also publishers, editors, lecturers and arts professionals with a commitment to this kind of writing and a belief that an audience could be built for it in north-west England.

This discussion led to the formation of The Other Room, a regular poetry event in Manchester which, since its inception in April 2008, has presented dozens of writers to a steadily growing audience. The writers include established figures such as Tim Atkins, Caroline Bergvall, Maggie O’Sullivan and Robert Sheppard and also new and emerging writers and performers from Manchester and beyond.

The group has its own press and published an anthology marking the first year of the series in April 2009. It has also produced an ever evolving online resource (www.otherroom.org) which is archived by the British Library and holds audio-visual records of all of the readings as well as providing an information hub and a space for discussion and debate.

The Other Room have brought together three readers to perform at The Oxjam Manchester takeover on Sunday the 25th. Based downstairs in Apotheca Stuart Calton, James Davies and Tony Trehy will provide an intimate performance for those lucky enough to get in.

Manchester based Norwegian artist Lotte Karlsen will bring a piece of Alexandra Park (Whalley Range) to this years Oxjam. In the form of a leaf covered sculptural seat.

Lotte has set up Alexandra Arts in Alex Park, with the main aim to, (in an art context), engage new audiences and deepen their experiences of this ‘green lung’.

She is currently developing temporary artwork across the park in collaboration with some of the local schools, through a series of art ‘Happenings’. These workshops will be open to the rest of the public early next year.

The performance piece, which will feature as part of the Oxjam Manchester Takeover on the 25^th October, displays a unique handcrafted oversized dress raised from the ground with a performer inside painted Oxjam’s theme colour blue.

On the ground, both live and sculptural figures will protrude from the draping fabric representing the W8. The figures will move, play music and become interactive.

Daniel Taylor, a member of the art group, said: “We feel the Manchester Oxjam festival is a fantastic opportunity for us as local artists to show art and performance as well as music in relation to world issues.”

Daniel Taylor, Helena Barrett, Hollyanda Philips and Amy Poole have previously exhibited at Manchester’s Victoria Pool.

The W8 is a group of women from Mali, Thailand, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Malawi, India, Bangladesh and Georgia that fight for health and education improvements in their countries.

Visit www.oxfam.org.uk for more information.

OXJAM Manchester has teamed up with unique art collective negotiationofspace, to gather the finest in photography and dance for this year’s festival.

On the festival date, October 25th, negotiationofspace will be presenting a unique collection of emerging photographers and dancers to celebrate Manchester and raise awareness of climate change.

Creators Amy and Hannah hope to create a event that reflects Manchester’s international influence and connections. Alongside Manchester based artists creative individuals have been invited from Vancouver, New York and Berlin.

Participants of both the dance and photography sections have been asked to interpret the theme:

1 + 1 = 2

Each individual making a small change collectively makes a big difference to the whole.

Any artists interested in creating work for the project should submit a proposal, CV and examples of previous work to negotiationofspace.twin@googlemail.com

As a relatively new collective negotiationofspace is a work in progress. Recently they have had installations at the Figement festival in NYC and the Bradford Playhouse.

You can also join negotiationofspace’s facebook group or check out their blog at www.negotiationofspace.blogspot.com