Altrincham’s recently launched community social hub “Not So Secret Garden” situated in Stamford Square, in the heart of the town, is hosting an exclusive free gig with one of the North’s most powerful poetic voices, Mike Garry and his Cassia String Quartet on Friday 23rd July 7:30pm. 

The combination of a classical quartet set against Mike's critically acclaimed poetry has been a hit at festivals worldwide for the last five years, so Altrincham is in for a very special midsummer night of spoken word. The group’s live performances go beyond music and poetry to create a sense of theatre with  the audience taken on a journey through sound.  The outdoor performance in the “Not So Secret Garden” will be one of Mike Garry’s performances of the year with the quartet ahead of the release of their eagerly-awaited new album out in the Autumn.

Mike Garry

Mike Garry has worked with artists from John Cooper Clarke to Iggy Pop, but it was his collaboration with the Cassia String Quartet which earned him a number one single in the UK charts with their ‘Ode To Saint Anthony’. The tribute to Anthony Wilson has become a beloved eulogy to one of Manchester’s most important musical figures and raised money for The Christie Hospital. You can watch the video to Saint Anthony here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cYNI8s_vo4

The Friday evening performance will be taking place in the “Not so Secret Garden” a sustainable green suburban oasis in the heart of Altrincham’s Stamford Quarter. The area offers cover and al fresco seating are all created from sustainable materials and centred around a solar-powered pergola, complete with seating, festoon lighting and a lush flower wall. The space has taken over the whole of the Square to completely transform this previously under-used part of Altrincham town centre, and provide a new green public space for shoppers, families and visitors to enjoy.

Stutter and Twitch will be serving drinks and food from their new bar and converted caravan alongside popup food and drink traders.

Mike Garry will also be at “Not So Secret Garden” on Saturday 24th July to host an afternoon workshop for young people (aged between 13 and 19) entitled “Taking the Pi**: The Power of Figurative Speech”. It will be a two hour workshop looking at the power of figurative speech. Spaces will be limited at 20 and you can book a space and find out more info by emailing: stamfordquarterevents@bruntwood.co.uk

Mike Garry said: “Altrincham has certainly changed a lot in recent years and the “Not So Secret Garden” is a great initiative to bring the community together for free performances. Giving people access to the arts in these sorts of environments is great.

“My workshop on the Saturday is open to young people, aged 13-19 as this group is often forgotten at bigger festivals, with just stuff for the younger kids.  I want to show them just how powerful and emotive words can be.”

Cassia String Quartet are a young, passionate, talented, classically trained, award-winning group of musicians from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. They formed in 2010, born out of a passion for the string quartet repertoire. Recipients of the 2013 Musiciens Entre Guerre et Paix Award from the International Académie Ravel, they were finalists in the Trinity Laban Intercollegiate Competition and winners of the 2013 Nossek String Quartet Prize. They have also worked with New Order (alongside Mike), plus The Charlatans and Daughter.