Polari secures ACE funding for UK tour

London’s leading LGBT literary salon, Polari, has this week been awarded Arts Council England (ACE) funding for a seven month series of events outside of the capital: Polari on Sea in Hastings, and a second nationwide tour.

STARTING June 30, Polari on Sea, will see the award-winning movement begin a six month residency in Hastings, while a second national tour will run September to December, ending at the Southbank Centre, the salon’s London home.

This will be the second time Polari has gone on the road, following last year’s tour that included sold-out events in Brighton, Birmingham, Liverpool and Newcastle.

This year’s events will showcase local LGBT literary talent and help raise further awareness of The Polari First Book Prize, which is now in its fifth year.

Awarded for a first book that explores the LGBT experience, the prize is open to any work of poetry, prose, fiction or non-fiction published in English by a writer born or resident in the UK between February 2, 2014 and February 1, 2015. Self-published works in both print and digital formats are eligible for submission.

Deadline for submissions is May 1, 2015.

Host of Polari and founder of The Polari First Book Prize, Paul Burston said: “I’m delighted that Arts Council England is continuing to support Polari. After eight successful years in London, it’s great to be taking our show on the road, encouraging new literary talent and showcasing the best LGBT writers and spoken word performers around the country.”