Diesel Wall
12 June–20 July and September
Exterior of Urbis
Manchester joins Barcelona, New York and Zurich in an internationally acclaimed project for new talent. The exterior of Urbis has become a giant Diesel Wall and budding artists, designers and decorators will see their creative ambitions realised and displayed to gigantic proportions.
www.dieselwall.com
COMMUNITY ARTS NORTH WEST PRESENTS EXODUS EVENTS 2008
Showcasing the arts of Manchester’s diverse refugee communities including dance, music, poetry, film and drama performances. Events include:
EXODUS SHORTS REFUGEE FILM FESTIVAL 2008
16–22 JUNE: VARIOUS VENUES
Now in its fourth year, this unique film festival presents the talents of refugee filmmakers as well as short films that give a fresh and diverse perspective on the lives of Migrant communities. The programme includes screenings, talks and film masterclasses.
Exodus Festival
31 August
Urbis and Cathedral Gardens
A celebration of arts and culture brought to you by Greater Manchester's refugee communities. Share music, dance, theatre, spokenword, film, food, children’s activities and workshops.
Event times: 10am – 5pm.
For more information go to www.can.uk.com/exodus
ROMEO & JULIET PERFORMED BY SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE THEATRE
17–22 JUNE
HEATON PARK
Globe Touring brings its unique style of open-air performance to Manchester for the first time when a small troupe plays out Shakespeare’s tragic tale of star-crossed lovers in the rolling landscape of Heaton Park.
The violence and the passion, the humour and the tragedy; the world of Shakespeare’s fair Verona is brought vividly to life in a new production from Shakespeare’s Globe. This scaled-down, open-air performance recreates the fun and excitement of Elizabethan touring theatre for the twenty-first century.
The stage is set, so bring a rug and a picnic and settle in to experience one of Shakespeare’s best loved plays against the backdrop of one of Heaton Park’s beautiful restored buildings.
Event times: 17–22 June at 7.30pm and matinees on 18 and 21 June at 2.30pm.
Tickets: £15, call 0207 401 9919 or online at
www.quaytickets.com
www.heatonpark.org.uk
www.shakespeares-globe.org
WILSON MEMORIAL
REIFICATION *
MIDDAY. MIDSUMMER. MANCHESTER
21 JUNE
PAVILION, CATHEDRAL GARDENS AND URBIS
At noon on 21 June some of the biggest names in design, creative industries, media and the arts will launch a 24 hour conversation and debate in the centre of Manchester in memory of broadcaster, entrepreneur and creative champion, Anthony H Wilson.
Designed to stimulate, inspire and engage the next generation of cultural innovators, the event takes place in the Pavillion, Cathedral Gardens, with other related public access activities taking place in Urbis.
Big names taking part in the event include designer Peter Saville, actor Steve Coogan, artist Liam Spencer, musician Peter Hook.
www.tonywilsonexperience.com
*making the abstract, concrete
HEARTBREAK PRODUCTIONS: OUTDOOR THEATRE
PETER PAN
10–13 JULY: WYTHENSHAWE PARK
A new adaptation of JM Barrie’s children’s classic. Now’s your chance to become a member of the gang of Lost Boys, indians or fairies and let your imagination run riot! Suitable for ages 5 to 95.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
23–24 JULY: WYTHENSHAWE PARK
Magical, enigmatic and hilarious - Heartbreak's new production of Shakespeare's outstanding comedy promises to enchant audiences of all ages. Set on the estate of a stately home, this radical, modern production will be fitted with all the Heartbreak hallmarks of live music, masks, magic tricks and a heart-stopping rendition of the tango!
HENRY V
26–27 JULY: FLETCHER MOSS GARDENS, DIDSBURY
A brand new adaptation taking you from boarding school to battlefield, this inspirational and enriching story about the triumph of human spirit against overwhelming odds will provide an outstanding evening of extraordinary entertainment.
CHARLEY’S AUNT
7–10 AUGUST: FLETCHER MOSS GARDENS, DIDSBURY
A summer evening in a sleepy Oxford cottage is interrupted by a frantic series of mistaken identities, ill-fitting disguises and unexpected romances. A bright, intoxicating and frothy farce - laughs are guaranteed in this brilliant and world-renowned comedy.
Tickets: Advance: adults £10, concessions £7.50, under 16s £5. On gate: adult £12.50, concessions £10, under 16s £7.50. Limited covered seating is available at an additional £3 per ticket. To book call the Library Theatre Box Office on 0161 236 7110, Quaytickets on 0870 066 6843 or book online at
www.quaytickets.com
For more information about the productions go to www.heartbreakproductions.co.uk
HAZARD
12 JULY
MANCHESTER CITY CENTRE
A micro-festival of incidental intervention and sited performance, with a hint of mischief! Chance encounters, random occurrences and risky ventures around and about the city centre. Cheeky, thought-provoking and sometimes raunchy sprees of eccentricity…
In 2007 we wrapped Cathedral Gardens in yellow and black tape, stopped Market Street with burlesque shop mannequins and set a cowboy and a giant rabbit loose in the Northern Quarter. Keep your wits about you and catch what we unleash this year!
www.myspace.com/hazardmcr
Produced by hÅb, greenroom and the artists.
Silk Screens
19 July
Exchange Square
A celebration focussed on British Chinese culture through film, vibrant performance, delicious food, and arts and crafts in the lead up to the Beijing Olympics.
www.manchesterlive.co.uk
24:7 Theatre Festival
21–27 July
Midland Hotel and Pure
“The 2007 Festival… another triumph” Kevin Bourke, Theatre Editor, Manchester Evening News.
Once again, this award-winning festival will present a series of never-seen-before productions in unusual surroundings around the city. Tickets and full details will be available from mid June. Information 0845 408 4101 or sign up for updates at www.247TheatreFestival.co.uk
URBAN MOVES INTERNATIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL
25–27 JULY
MANCHESTER CITY CENTRE
The second Urban Moves International Dance Festival will surprise Manchester crowds again with its unique blend of outdoor dance and spectacle. Some of the best companies from Brazil, France, Spain and Britain will be out on the town to entertain and astonish - in the parks, in the fountains and on the walls of city buildings. True to form, Urban Moves will feature some of the thrilling aerial dance it is renowned for with a breathtaking performance using skyscraper cranes!
With shows that are suitable for everybody, the adventurous Urban Moves is following in the footsteps of other big European dance festivals in Barcelona, Zurich and Genoa. It’s a big summer event for shoppers, families and anyone who thought walking on air wasn't possible! Free.
www.urbanmovesfestival.co.uk
Presented by Dance Initiative Greater Manchester with Manchester International Arts.
An official festival of worldwide Cities That Dance, Urban Moves is funded by Arts Council England North West, Manchester City Council, Instituto Cervantes, Alliance Française, Piccadilly Partnership, Carcoons SSI Ltd, Salford University and the Metropolitan Borough Councils of Oldham, Bolton and Bury.
PROCESS08
4–16 AUGUST
THE MARTIN HARRIS CENTRE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER AND CONTACT THEATRE
A unique international Hip Hop Theatre festival, presenting a rich and diverse platform of master classes, lecture demonstrations, performances, hip hop films, graffiti art and music.
Featuring: WILL POWER (USA), compelling actor, rapper, playwright and Hip Hop Theatre pioneer; TY (UK), critically acclaimed MC, producer and innovator; BABA ISRAEL (USA), Beat Box and improvisational theatre extraordinaire; WALID (FRANCE), Popping and Boogaloo master; KWIKSTEP AND ROKAFELLA (USA), quintessential B Boy and B Girl from New York City.
www.breakingcycles.co.uk
Hosted by: BREAKING CYCLES AND BENJI REID
NICOLE ET MARTIN CIRCUS (Switzerland): Tall Tales in the White Tent
21–25 AUGUST
PLATT FIELDS PARK
A treat for all at the end of the summer holidays, this delightful family circus from Switzerland were the winners of the Tapwater-Award and the Sold Out Award at Edinburgh in 2006. Using the famous Grimm’s Fairy Tales, they perform three different shows at different times - Hansel and Gretel, The Bremen Town Musicians and The Fisherman and his Wife, Nicole et Martin tell stories with acrobatics, music, mystery and magical moments.
Box Office: 0161 274 0600. Recommended for children age 5 and over (with their family.
www.streetsahead.org.uk
NEW ISLINGTON FESTIVAL 08
6 SEPTEMBER
OLD MILL STREET, NEW ISLINGTON
An urban festival for the folk of East Manchester and beyond. Taking place just behind the Northern Quarter, in the city's newest community, this groundbreaking multi art event features arts, music, literature, poetry, media, street theatre and more. Come along and get involved!
www.urban-folk.com
ART CAR PARADE 2008
October
MANCHESTER CITY CENTRE
Returning to Manchester for its second year, the Art Car Parade will see amazing and astonishing ‘transports of delight’ take to the streets once again. Vehicles will be decorated, sculpted, adorned, illuminated and bejewelled by artists from all over the UK. See them up close parked in the pits, then watch the motor mischief as they parade through the city.
www.artcarparade.co.uk
The Art Car Parade is created by Walk The Plank.
exposures – NEW TALENT IN MOVING IMAGE
23–27 NOVEMBER
CORNERHOUSE AND URBIS
exposures is the UK’s leading competitive festival for student filmmaking and moving image work, now in its 15th year. This buzzing five-day festival not only showcases the best work made by students over the previous year (call for entries deadline is 31 July), it also offers the chance to debate with some top guest speakers from the film world, take part in practical workshops and network until you drop. Download an entry form and more information at
www.exposuresfestival.co.uk
¡VIVA! – SPANISH AND LATIN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL
MARCH 2009
CORNERHOUSE
¡Viva! is the UK’s only Spanish and Latin American film festival. Screening the best in Spanish language cinema, including many UK premieres and preview screenings, the festival also features short films and archive screenings alongside talks and panel discussions.
www.vivafilmfestival.com