11 min readTake a look at Part 1 here.
‘Gothic Times’ is the theme of the 7th annual Gothic Manchester Festival, bringing a packed events programme to the city for October 2019… all the way into early November! Get ready for freaky film screenings, immersive art exhibitions, haunted heritage, unique writing workshops, lectures in some of the city’s landmark buildings and so much more, exploring The Gothic through time – organised by the Manchester Centre for Gothic Studies. It will also feature a conference at Manchester Metropolitan University on the subject of ‘Gothic Times’ on the 26 October, as organised by Dr Linnie Blake (and tickets for the whole day are still available for just £10).
But what is The Gothic? And why does it matter to Manchester? Seeking to explore this question is the Manchester Centre for Gothic Studies, based at Manchester Metropolitan University – one of the biggest centres of its kind in the world, responsible for organising the festival, along with RAH! (Research in Arts and Humanities at Manchester Met).
The Gothic, although a genre often associated with the culture of the 18th and 19th centuries, still has crucial relevance today. It may have associations with themes including darkness, marginal places, fear and The Uncanny; emerging across art forms such as film, fiction, performance and plenty more. The Gothic remains an area of evolving ideas, as marked by the recent 'Absent Presences' conference organised by MA and PhD students studying the Gothic at Manchester Met- as well as The Gothic being the subject of ongoing academic research, debate and popular culture. It has provided ample inspiration for previous editions of the Gothic Manchester Festival, which has included everything from an enormous GOTHIKA ball, to an evening of horror film scores recreated through classical music at the stunning Stoller Hall. (Artwork above with thanks to Jessye Persse, previously featured in our 'HAUNT’s Highlights of Manchester School of Art Degree Show 2019')
The range is especially exciting. 2019 marks the first time the Gothic Manchester Festival will be running for a whole month, rather than a series of days, highlighting the popularity of its innovative approach. Manchester seems to be making its mark as an ever-growing Gothic destination, especially considering the festival follows on from the International Gothic Association (IGA) bringing its conference to Manchester in 2018! The city’s Gothic credentials extend to its impressive architecture, extensive alternative cultures and vibrant communities.
Here HAUNT Manchester have put together even more of the upcoming highlights of the Gothic Manchester Festival 2019 – so book now to avoid disappointment!
‘Manchester Gothic Arts Group Presents: Gothic Times’ and Launch of Gothic Manchester Festival 2019
Be part of the launch of the Gothic Manchester Festival 2019, with an innovative gothic-inspired art exhibition inside one of the city’s much-loved bars! ‘Manchester Gothic Arts Group Presents: Gothic Times’ is at Sandbar, just off Oxford Road, opening on the 1st October (with the launch event from 6-8.30pm) and the exhibition itself runs all the way until the 31st October 2019. This means a whole month to enjoy a range of intriguing artwork responding to the theme of ‘Gothic Times’ – expect plenty of postmodern and postpunk delights. From pieces delving into Gothic-inspired music and culture to artwork drawing on the literature and life of previous centuries, there will be lots to see. Manchester Gothic Arts Group (known as M:GAG and previously covered by HAUNT here) are known for their passionate, powerful work. Entry to the exhibition is free, just book a ticket online to confirm numbers for this exciting festival launch event.
Want to be part of the festival launch? Book your free ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/manchester-gothic-arts-group-presents-gothic-times-exhibition-tickets-65104378950
Ruskin, Manchester and the Gothic
Organised by Dr Rachel Dickinson and Professor Dale Townshend, this is a unique opportunity to find out more about the figure of John Ruskin (1819-1900), his connections to Manchester and the Gothic – delivered in the form of a fascinating talk inside the historic setting of Elizabeth Gaskell’s House! Taking place on Thursday 10th October (6.30-8.30pm), this is set to be an inspiring evening exploring the life of one of England’s most influential Victorians. Ruskin was indeed a man of many talents: a renowned public speaker, author and artist (amongst other things) whose work inspired everything from architecture to establishing the National Trust. This talk will also expand on how Manchester influenced Ruskin… in a year that has also seen the Ruskin in Manchester Festival (read our earlier article here) take place, marking 200 years since his birth. Tickets are free and available online.
Book now: https://www.visitmanchester.com/whats-on/ruskin-manchester-and-the-gothic-p423901
Meet HAUNT Manchester - Networking Fair and Gathering
Immerse yourself in the world of HAUNT Manchester and come meet alternative local artists, businesses, organisations and individuals who are all part of the HAUNT network – the site seeking to celebrate Greater Manchester’s more mysterious side. And you can join yourself too! This bustling networking fair is free and open to all to come and explore, taking place at the Northern Quarter's hidden haven The Peer Hat on the afternoon of Saturday 19th October (12-4pm). Enjoy alternative culture and want to discover the latest related offerings and opportunities in Manchester? This may well be for you. There will be an array of stalls from existing network members, offering everything from homemade clothes and jewellery to photography and art exhibits. This will include Kiku Corset Boutique, homemade items from Mary’s Jewellery Bakery and Hotchpotchpanda (both also traders who feature at Levenshulme Market), information from The Woodland Trust, books from horror-inspired authors J.J. Wray (also a HAUNT writer who featured on this previous RAH! Podcast here) and Drew Forest, artwork from Jane Samuels, Michelle Shore (one of the Gothic Manchester Festival 2019 featured illustrators) and Brian Gorman, plus information about the likes of Grimmfest and Halloween in the City.
Book your free ticket now: https://www.visitmanchester.com/whats-on/meet-haunt-manchester-networking-fair-and-gathering-p424481
Get Out Film Screening and Introduction
A film screening complete with an introductory talk from the experts – come along to No 70 Oxford Street on Wednesday 9th October (6-9pm) for a unique showing of 2017’s Get Out; a film directed by Jordan Peele and following the story of a young black man Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) meeting the parents of his white girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams) – in what many regard as a powerful, haunting satire exploring racism in the US. As part of this special screening event, Dr Linnie Blake and Dr Sarah Ilott will showcase some of their soon-to-be-published research on Peele’s critically acclaimed film - considering its potential as an example of Gothic Realism and the Female Gothic (with this subject recently explored by Manchester Centre for Gothic Studies experts during a one-day course at HOME). The expert introduction will also foreground the systemic racism that Get Out takes as its subject whilst considering the political and artistic tradition of proactive black resistance in Peele’s work. Tickets for this unique screening are free, though book online to reserve your place.
Book now: https://www.visitmanchester.com/whats-on/get-out-film-screening-and-introduction-p423891
Writing Gothic Fiction: A Workshop for Young Writers
A free Sunday 27th October workshop for young writers who want to explore the spooky and the gothic in their work – led by award-winning Young Adult authors Catherine Johnson and Chris Priestley. It has been organised by organised by Dr Chloé Germaine Buckley (Manchester Centre for Gothic Studies and author of Twenty-First Century Children’s Gothic Fiction: From Wanderer to Nomadic Subject) and will take place at the International Anthony Burgess Foundation (2-4pm). Suitable for young writers of all abilities, this is a Halloween-inspired creative afternoon of exciting reading and writing. Plus an opportunity to create some ‘tales of terror’! For more information on the authors themselves, Catherine Johnson is the writer of several historical novels including Sawbones (2013) and Blade and Bone (2016), whilst Chris Priestley is the writer behind the Tales of Terror ghost stories, the Frankenstein-inspired Mister Creecher and the Maudlin Towers series. We can’t wait! This unique experience is free, with tickets to book a space available online.
Book now: https://www.visitmanchester.com/whats-on/writing-gothic-fiction-a-workshop-for-young-writers-p425041
Ghostly Storytelling Day
Family-friendly ghost stories inside a historic hall in Salford? Sounds like the ideal Halloween-month treat! Come along to Ordsall Hall on Sunday 27th October 2019 (1.30pm – 3.30pm), for a fun daytime event of spooky storytelling and ghoulish poems, presented in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University and HAUNT Manchester. Hear tales of wicked witches, freakish phantoms and eerie animals… you might even see some haunted activity yourself! Ordsall Hall is one of the oldest buildings in Greater Manchester after all, a timber-framed house, in its current form dating back to the 14th century! There is even a Ghost Cam fitted – and eerie activity has been reported. Come and find out for yourself in this immersive free afternoon organised by Dr Emma Liggins and Dr Matt Foley. Book your space online.
Book now: https://www.visitmanchester.com/whats-on/ghostly-storytelling-day-p425051
Faking Gothic Furniture
This intriguingly-titled lecture by historian Dr Peter Lindfield from Manchester Metropolitan University will consider the origins of George Shaw’s Gothic forgeries of various furniture – and will take place inside the beautiful Baronial Hall of Chetham’s Library on Tuesday 29th October (5.30pm – 7pm). Who is George Shaw? Born in 1810, George Shaw was a local lad from Uppermill, who developed an early interest in medieval architecture, sculpture and heraldry. Yet he went on to use his insight in a rather devious way! Drawing on his knowledge of medieval designs, he created mock Tudor and Elizabethan furniture for the Duke of Northumberland, the Earls of Bedford and Derby, and also Chetham’s – in effect, supplying them with fakes! Most of this fake furniture was actually based upon one genuine piece of medieval woodwork: the State Bed of Henry VII originally made for the Painted Chamber in the Palace of Westminster. How did he get away with it? And how did he run a business based upon such deceit? Come and find out – plus there will be time after the lecture to inspect some of Shaw’s furniture, held at Chetham’s Library. Tickets are free and bookable online.
Book now: https://www.visitmanchester.com/whats-on/faking-gothic-furniture-p425061
Halloween Paranormal Study: ‘In Search of the Anomalous’
You may have heard the stories that Salford’s Ordsall Hall is haunted… but what does this mean? Spend Halloween night (31st October 11pm-3am) inside the hall itself and take part in a scientific study to investigate paranormal encounters! Students and researchers from Manchester Metropolitan University will be on-hand to help the public explore the hall and investigate the paranormal. What does it mean to see a ghost? What do we see as ‘supernatural’? The event organisers Dr Kenneth Drinkwater and Fabrizio Cocchiarella from Manchester Metropolitan University will also present current work exploring the territory of parapsychology and perceptual experiences. This is a truly unique research project to be part of, giving opportunity for discussion and first-hand encounters with unusual phenomena. Dare you take part? For an unforgettable Halloween evening like no other. Tickets: £10, £5 student and available online.
Gothic Manchester Walking Tour
A guided walk that explores the gritty city and its fascinating charm! There is a Gothic Manchester Walking Tour on Saturday 2 November 2019 at 6 -7:30 pm, led by local guide Anne Beswick (who previously developed a walking tour with author Rosie Garland, considering Rosie’s 19th century Manchester-inspired novel The Night Brother). Starting off outside Manchester Cathedral, the 2nd November tour is an ideal opportunity to explore the underside of the city and see the urban area like you’ve never seen it before. It will incorporate tales of Gothic architecture, gruesome histories, dark literature and so much more. Tickets are available online at just over £11 per person.
Book now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gothic-manchester-tickets-70771323935?utm_term=eventurl_text
Featured image (top) with thanks to Jessye Persse (who previously featured in HAUNT’s Highlights of Manchester School of Art Degree Show 2019)
By Emily Oldfield
