MENTALK Festival

MENTALK FESTIVAL

Friday 24 – Saturday 25 October

MENtalk is a stimulating and entertaining mini festival of talks, debates, comedy and performance exploring issues that men and boys are grappling with in today’s world. Its informal atmosphere offers the chance to hear stories, ideas and life experiences from men of all backgrounds and get involved in the conversation about how to make life more positive for men and boys. Festival Director Robbie Bird.  Kindly sponsored by Ibiza Calm. 14+.

BRINGING UP BOYS

Friday 24 October | 7:30 pm  | £18 – £20

Following the global conversation that erupted after the screening of the TV show Adolescence, the MENtalk festival has invited songwriter, author and campaigner

Billy Bragg to headline a conversation about how today’s political big players are shaping ideas of masculinity and the impact of social media and AI on boys and young men. He’s joined by radio broadcaster and journalist DJ Nihal Athanayake, author of Let’s Talk: How to Have Better Conversations, and special guest, the internationally celebrated writer Laura Bates, whose book and project Everyday Sexism became a viral sensation. Her latest book The New Age of Sexism: How the AI Revolution is Reinventing Misogyny, uncovers shocking and worrying facts that we all need to understand as we help young people – and ourselves – navigate the world. This fascinating and urgent discussion chaired by Nick Isles, Director of Policy Institute for Men and Boys, will be of crucial interest to everyone involved in raising children or understanding the jeopardies of the online world.

MENTALK FESTIVAL DAY

Saturday 25 October | 10 am – 5 pm  | £25

A day-long men only event consisting of workshops, talks, lunch and activities (including a men’s choir and a group of AA bikers driving by). A resident FREE counsellor will be on hand to talk to anyone triggered by any issues that arise during sessions. Confirmed guests: Kent Bray, Chris Difford (Squeeze), Paterson Joseph, Nick Love, Jimmy Mulville, John McKeown, Ivor McKay, David Morrissey, and David Westhead.  Discounted tickets will be made available, contact Box Office for details. See website for updates.

This is a men only event, and there will be a dry bar for the day. 

MENTALK FINALE

Marcus Brigstocke: Vitruvian Mango

Saturday 25 October | 7:30 pm  | £18 (Priority booking for festival attendees)

Join us for the closing event of the MENtalk Festival with a hilarious night of comedy.  Sit back, relax and enjoy an evening of laughs with British sell-out comedian, Marcus Brigstocke, who will be getting to the bottom of ‘what are men for’!

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