previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 01 JULY 2023
MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL 2023
PREVIEW By Steve Cooke
Curiosity starts here until 16 July.
The eagerly awaited MIF23 [Manchester International Festival 2023] is upon us - there is definitely something for everyone across the cultural spectrum.
WHAT'S ON
YAYOI KUSAMA: YOU, ME AND THE BALLOONS - until 28 AUGUST - One of the world’s most loved artists takes us up and away as part of Factory International’s opening summer programme.
FESTIVAL SQUARE - until 16 JULY - The buzzing heart of MIF is back this summer with a new riverside home.
UNTITLED F*CK M*SS S**GON PLAY - until 16 JULY. - Smash through a hundred years of bloody narratives with this award-winning play.
THE FAGGOTS AND THEIR FRIENDS BETWEEN REVOLUTIONS - until 2 JULY - Fantasy meets liberation in this queer retelling of world history.
KAGAMI - until 9 JULY - A ground-breaking mixed-reality concert event created by legendary composer and musician Ryuichi Sakamoto in collaboration with Tin Drum.
RYAN GANDER: THE FIND -until16 JULY - Take a quest across the city in search of artist Ryan Gander’s latest works.
TINO SEHGAL: THIS ENTRY - until 16 JULY - Tino Sehgal presents a playful exchange between different masters of their craft.
WE CUT THROUGH DUST - until16 JULY - Venture through the streets of Manchester and be confronted with a version of the future in this interactive work.
ECONOMICS THE BLOCKBUSTER: IT’S NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL - until 22 OCTOBER - Exploring new ways of being, working and doing business.
MODELLING QUEER UTOPIAS: A BLUEPRINT FOR A FUTURE - until 15 JULY - SOLD OUT - Islington Mill invite you to explore new ways of living and working together.
SONICS, STORIES AND SCENES OF THE DIASPORA - 1 JULY - Our friends at SEEN Magazine and Manchester Museum shine a spotlight on the sounds of the South Asian diaspora.
ANGÉLIQUE KIDJO AND GUESTS - 4 JULY - A world-class visionary makes a glorious return to Manchester.
THEY - 5 – 9 JULY - Limited Availability - Step into a dystopian world where Maxine Peake performs an afterhours reading of, They.
AFRODEUTSCHE WITH MANCHESTER CAMERATA CONDUCTED BY ROBERT AMES - 5 JULY - A night of musical innovation from three creative forces.
JUSTIN VIVIAN BOND: ONE NIGHT IN TRANS VEGAS - 6 JULY - A living legend of cabaret headlines a night of trans excellence.
ALL RIGHT. GOOD NIGHT. - 6 – 8 JULY - One of the biggest mysteries in modern travel merges with a personal story in this meditative performance by Rimini Protokoll.
SONIC GEOGRAPHY - 7 JULY - Lose yourself in a world premiere by John Luther Adams, alongside new commissions from world-class performers - all performed by the BBC Philharmonic.
ANNA MEREDITH: FIBS WITH THE RNCM FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA - 8 JULY - The powerhouse composer is joined by the Royal Northern College of Music Festival Orchestra for a one-off spectacular.
SANAM MARVI - 8 JULY - The renowned Pakistani folk and Sufi singer makes her MIF debut.
MANCHESTER COLLECTIVE AND SLUNG LOW: NOAH'S FLOOD - 9 JULY - Expect floods of joy in this hand-crafted opera with community at its heart.
JOHN GRANT SINGS THE SONGS OF PATSY CLINE WITH RICHARD HAWLEY AND BAND - 11 JULY | SOLD OUT - Two of the best live artists around come together in celebration of the legendary country star.
THE COMET IS COMING AND DAISY DICKINSON PRESENT HYPER-DIMENSIONAL EXPANSION BEAM - 12 JULY - Prepare to be transported to other realms as cosmic sound and vision collide.
BENJI REID: FIND YOUR EYES - 12 – 16 JULY - Conflict meets beauty in this live photography and dance show.
R.O.S.E: SHARON EYAL, GAI BEHAR AND YOUNG WITH BEN UFO - 13 – 16 JULY - Celebrate the freedom, energy and intimacy that run through club culture and dance.
ALISON GOLDFRAPP - 14 JULY - SOLD OUT - An icon returns to MIF with her electrifying solo project.
BALMY ARMY - 1 – 15 JULY - A movement for youth-led mental health – this is art and activism rolled into one.
50 HOURS OF FREEDOM - 14 JULY - Celebrate International Non-Binary People’s Day with a creative lock-in at Contact.
DESI FACTORY - 15 JULY - Discover future sounds with an unmissable night of British South Asian music.
THE TREQUARTISTA – ART AND FOOTBALL UNITED - Football and art come into play in this two-year project that kicks off at MIF23.
RETHINKING ECONOMICS: IT’S NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL - 5 JULY - THE WHITWORTH
BALMY ARMY: HOW DO WE CREATE A MOVEMENT FOR MENTAL HEALTH? - 6 JULY -HOME
RECOMMENDED
Sunday 02 July
All You Need Is Love
P.A.V.E Dance Presents “All You Need Is Love”. A showcase featuring our talented dancers plus special guest performers. You will be treated to a range of dance styles plus a selection of our favourite love songs.
Tickets from £11
Phone: Middleton Arena 0300 303 8633
Visit: https://www.yourtrustrochdale.co.uk/whats-on/events/all-you-need-is-love/
6pm
Middleton Arena, LCpl Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton M24 1AG
Sunday 02 July
Friends of Hare Hill Park Band Concert - Friezland Brass Band
Kick back and relax to the sound of a brass band in Hare Hill Park.
Refreshments will be on sale. Please bring your own chair or picnic blanket as we only have a limited number of chairs available.
All these events are possible thanks to volunteers who give up their time to make them happen. If you would like to get involved and help with the events in Littleborough, please submit your details here: https://forms.gle/8uMawutP9SmMkjbY8.
Free
Phone: LEAF 07931 992393
Visit: https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/sites/littleborough-events-and-association...
3pm - 5pm
Hare Hill Park, Hare Hill Road, Littleborough OL15 9HE
Wednesday 05 July
Wednesday Art Group
The weekly Art Club will regularly explore a variety of topics using collage, drawing, painting, and mixed media drawing from Touchstones Rochdale’s current exhibitions and the borough’s collections. All materials will be provided.
The sessions are designed to reduce stress, build confidence, and meet others through creativity.
Creative Health and Well Being Ltd is a not-for-profit organisation based in Rochdale. They run art sessions that are informal and relaxed whilst ensuring the topics are informative and help participants to build skills.
Free
Visit: https://www.yourtrustrochdale.co.uk/whats-on/events/wednesday-art-club/
11am
Touchstones Gallery Rochdale, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AQ
Celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing - https://www.allacrossthearts.com
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