Image: Halloween in the City

From Friday 23 October Greater Manchester enters the tier three “very high” category of the UK government’s three alert levels. There are various implications of the new restrictions and we recommend that you familiarise yourself with our Know Before You Go page as you plan your trip to make sure that you have the latest information. 

One of the main implications is that people are advised to not travel to regions within tier three and likewise those in tier three should not travel to other regions. Whilst this means that there will be less visitors, residents of Greater Manchester can still in enjoy much of the region’s tourism offer and this week’s blog outlines just some of the many things that residents can STILL do safely in the coming week. 

When out and about in Greater Manchester, please remember to keep your distance from others, wear a face covering and wash your hands regularly.  

1. You can still enjoy a meal out with your family household or housemates. The new restrictions allow restaurants to remain open as well as many pubs and bars as long as they offer a substantial meal, such as one that would be eaten at dinner or teatime. Our top pick for the week is Vermillion over in New East Manchester which has just launched a new menu developed by Masterchef hero Chef Bobby Retnakumar Geetha. If you fancy something different check out the Food and Drink section of the website and don’t forget that many of your favourite restaurants are relaunching their make-at-home dining kits if you would rather stay at home. 

2. You can still visit our wonderful art galleries and museums. With half term upon us, we’ve pulled together a list of some of the best things do to across Greater Manchester to keep the kids entertained – from amazing science to treasure hunts, dinosaurs to pumpkin picking – just make sure you plan in advance and pre-book tickets where necessary. One of our top cultural picks right now is the timely White Psyche exhibition at The Whitworth, which takes a new look at the story of Cupid and Psyche and addresses white dominance in its own collection of art. 

3. You can still take in the beauty of our abundant green spaces. Greater Manchester is packed with amazing green spaces to enjoy in groups up to six people. Our recently launched #GreenSalford series of films is well worth checking out for inspiration, with great places to walk, run and cycle including Clifton Country Park, Kersal Wetlands, Peel Park and Worsley Delph. Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, in Oldham we are super excited about Northern Roots, a 160-acre work-in-progress site offering lush urban green space that looks out onto the foothills of the Peak District. 

4. You can still shop and enjoy some retail therapy. With Christmas fast approaching Greater Manchester’s shops are all still open and ready to welcome you safely. From the high street to quirky boutiques, the Shopping section of the website has loads of inspiration. Wherever possible we recommend getting behind smaller businesses and organisations that need the most support, so our pick for this week is Northern Quarter icon the Manchester Craft and Design Centre which is open Tuesday to Saturday throughout October and November. And remember that some of the best gifts can be found within gift shops at our museums and galleries! 

5. You can still celebrate Halloween. Yes, it’s that time of year when The Monsters descend on Manchester city centre making a great day out to find them all – look out, look up, beware! Of course, there’s lots of other great Halloween events still planned and you can find details about them all on the dedicated Halloween in the City section of the website. Outside of the city centre, our top Halloween pick is Ordsall Hall in Salford where they have an outdoor Scarecrow Trail, spooky tours of the hall and pumpkin painting workshops. 

6. You can still treat yourself to a night in one of our fabulous hotels. Whilst it’s advised that those from outside of Greater Manchester should avoid staying overnight in the region, there’s nothing to stop you booking a night away and enjoying a bit of local hospitality. The Where to Stay section of the website is packed with ideas and there are some great offers to take advantage of. 

7. You can still take part in outdoor events. 50 Windows of Creativity is a new city-wide art trail showcasing the work of artists and makers and will see spectacular mosaics, installations, fine art, photography, craft, and murals displayed in a series 50 windows and spaces across the city centre. Brought to the city by the same organisation that create the Bee In the City Trail back in 2018, you can download an app or map, then get exploring from Monday 26 October. 

8. You can still join a walking tour. Limited to groups of six people, one of the best ways to explore Greater Manchester is on an organised tour with a guide and there are loads to choose from. Manchester Guided Tours are running their Discover Manchester tour every Saturday and Sunday at 11am, offering an ideal way to get reacquainted with the city. For an alternative viewpoint, tour guide Hayley Flynn has recommenced her hugely popular Street Art: The Modern History of the Northern Quarter with a selection of tour dates across autumn. Emma Fox is offering bespoke tours, covering places such as Southern Cemetery and the Bridgewater Canal Trail around Worsley. Jonathan Schofield has a vast array of tours to choose from, but one of his most popular explores the abandoned majesty of Mayfield Station, running on selected dates throughout November. Ed Glinert who runs New Manchester Walks has several varied tours planned, with highlights this upcoming week including ‘Manchester Music: The Hacienda Years’ and ‘Angel Meadow’. And Free Manchester Walking Tours are running daily, starting from the Alan Turning Memorial in Sackville Gardens. 

9. You can still get behind some of our cultural institutions that have yet to open. Unfortunately, there are still many places like theatres and music venues that have not been able to open yet and need our support. Oldham Coliseum has been closed for over six months, with no ticket income and is crowdfunding to secure its future. Contact youth theatre has Coronation Street actor Julie Hesmondhalgh amongst its many high-profile backers urging audiences to donate to help complete the renovation of the theatre which has been closed for three years and was due to reopen in 2020. If you can spare the cash, these organisations will greatly benefit from your donations. 

10. And you can still be confident that all of the places and spaces you visit across Greater Manchester are Covid-safe and ready to welcome you. But if for whatever reason, you don’t want to travel around Greater Manchester, are shielding or live outside of the region; you can still enjoy our Manchester Misses You series packed with our favourite ideas, inspirations and resources so that you can continue to enjoy Greater Manchester from home. 

How will it work? Tickets holders will be able to tune in from 6pm each evening and watch the specially curated selection of horror movies (featuring over four hours of material each night!) with the ability to even pause, stop and restart content! And Grimmfest are certainly pulling out all the stops by treating viewers not just to exciting horror picks, but proper film premieres – adding all-the-more to the special cinema experience. Bold new content is much more likely to spook than something predictable, after all…

 The dark and delightful line-up opens with two feature film UK premieres; the first being the bold and bloody satire Beast Mode, exploring the crassness of celebrity culture with some cruel twists, delivered by an all-cult-star-cast…. and some monsters too! Homewrecker is the second film, an exploration of an uneasy relationship between two yoga classmates that turns toxic, directed by Zach Gayne. This is social awkwardness, turned savage.

There will also be a selection for short films for each evening, so even more variety! Cottonmouth will bring the intensity of night terrors to the screen in its UK premiere, whilst the perils of parenting are explored in the English premiere of Shhh. Air B&B horror is the contemporary subject of In The Mirrors which will be having its international premiere, whilst fans of supernatural thrillers can feast on Abracitos. The Shade will also have its international premiere, and with a world premiere there is the nightmarish “Home”.

Halloween night itself the 31^st October, then follows with two more feature film premieres and a selection of shorts to get audiences in the spooky mood! Urban myths come together with raw reality lessons in the UK premiere of Bad Candy, an anthology movie ideal for the season. Alternative music fans may well delight at the other offering of the evening – Spare Parts – a film that sees an all-girl punk band faced with having to fight to the death in a modern-day gladiatorial arena, complete with a high-adrenaline soundtrack! Expect gaudiness, gore and plenty of gusto!

Halloween evening’s short film selection includes a dark tale of body disposal in the form of Pelican Milkshake, the fearful side of false promises in Re-home, and alienation-turned-liberation in A Witch Is Born. Fancy some grisly comedy? Green Cobra may be the answer, a funny-frightful flick following the antics of a hitwoman, whilst there is also macabre farce in the countryside in the form of The Doe. All these films are premiering in the UK for the first time!

These two evenings of intense and evocative horror mark a fitting follow-on from Grimmfest's impressive 2020 Online Edition which took place earlier in October, and marked the festival’s twelfth year, in new virtual circumstances (an innovative measure in response to the Covid-19 pandemic circumstances). Read more about the 2020 edition and the award winners at their website. 

Dare to be scared? Tickets for the Halloween horror evenings are available online, with full details here: https://halloweenhorrornights.eventive.org/welcome

]]> stuart.aiken@marketingmanchester.com (Visit Manchester) http://www.visitmanchester.com/ideas-and-inspiration/blog/read/2020/10/grimmfest-announces-halloween-horror-nights-with-a-range-of-films-to-thrill-from-home-b1425#comments1425 Thu, 22 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://www.visitmanchester.com/ideas-and-inspiration/blog/read/2020/10/visions-of-the-vampire-an-anthology-of-immortal-tales-is-published-in-time-for-halloween-b1424 Exploring beyond the stereotypes and delving into the depths is a brand new anthology  – published on 22 October ­– Visions of the Vampire: Two Centuries of Immortal Tales. Vampires are characters that have fascinated people across time and across cultures; sinister creatures with a penchant for the life forces of others.  We may think of them as the blood-sucking aristocratic villain popularised by Dracula, or perhaps the shady figures of folklore… but exploring beyond the stereotypes and delving into the depths is a brand new anthology  – published on 22 October ­– Visions of the Vampire: Two Centuries of Immortal Tales.

Edited by Dr Sorcha Ní Fhlainn and Dr Xavier Aldana Reyes (both founding members of the Manchester Centre for Gothic Studies, Manchester Metropolitan University), this collection of short stories spans over 200 years, highlighting the metamorphosis of the vampires through the short story form. From early depictions to contemporary examples, it is a bold volume offering an evocative encounter with one of fiction’s most-feared characters, from multiple perspectives.

The book is the latest in British Library Publishing’s hardback horror fiction series, dedicated to exploring the many literary angles of the horror genre, with this volume just in time for Halloween!  There is also a digital launch planned for the 30th of October, with more details to follow.

Horror fans, literature lovers and the curious alike are set to be intrigued by this impressive  collection, with just over 300 pages of content. Are vampires all bad? Do they affect their victims in the same way? The variety of stories shed light on this fascinating subject; from the genre-defining classics of Bram Stoker and John Polidori, to the menacing modernity found in the work of contemporary authors such as Anne Rice and Angela Carter.

This is an opportunity to see the vampire figure evolve across the pages, with stories spanning folkloric beginnings, the nineteenth century ‘craze’, consequent character experiments, and much more besides.

Here at Haunt Manchester, we decided to speak to the Editors behind the choosing of the tales, to hear their side of the story…  

Hello Sorcha and Xavier – news of Visions of the Vampire: Two Centuries of Immortal Tales is incredibly exciting! What defines a vampire… or is that a contentious question?

Xavier: "We had to ask ourselves that very question. Should we simply go for the more traditional model of vampirism (the long cape and fangs, the suave, blood-sucking aristocrat), or would we allow for other forms of life-draining too? Would the latter not prove too expansive? In the end, we decided that a more nuanced understanding of the vampire was preferable, both because it would make the collection more varied and because some of the classics we were keen to include, like ‘Luella Miller’ and ‘Good Lady Ducayne’, definitely push the boundaries of what we might understand by that term. I would say the vast majority of vampires in these stories fit the elements we have come to associate with them, like the imbibement of blood or supernatural longevity, but we have deliberately kept in a couple that will gently prompt readers to question their assumptions."

Given that the anthology covers over 200 years, what do you think it is about these creatures that makes them so enduringly fascinating?

Sorcha: "Vampires have changed shape and form in many ways over two-hundred years, from shape shifters to children, and vary significantly in their typologies! I think that the best way to think about a vampire is that they drain you of vitality – be that energy, blood, body fluids, or hope! Not all vampires are terrible companions, of course, but they do require some form of sustenance that requires a sacrifice of some kind in order to sustain themselves. We see so many of our fears and desires through their eyes – the desire for power, influence and control, and to defy death by any means possible. Some are apologetic and slip away, while others remain defiant about their place in the world – one great example of this is where two different vampires debate undead justice: Suzy McKee Charnas’s Dr Weyland shares philosophical musings with Chelsea Quinn Yarbro’s savant vampire Saint Germain when they meet under dire circumstances in one of our included tales, 'Advocates'. I refuse to spoil it for any readers but it does demonstrate how vampire variants can collide not only in their undead biology but also in their competing and contradictory worldviews. That vampire fiction offers us these imaginative philosophical and cultural debates makes them endlessly appealing in Gothic literature!"

Further considering the time-span of the book, has the human relationship with/perception of vampires changed in a significant way over the centuries. Why do you think this is, and is this shown in the tales at all?

Sorcha: "I love the fact that vampires continue to evolve with the times – it makes them endlessly appealing as no two are completely alike. Vampires continue to adapt with the mood of the times, slip into our world in various guises —as beautiful women, aristocrats, longed-for companions, feared-elders, and occasionally encounter others of their own kind — and alter our perceptions of the possible. Unlike other revenants, vampires rarely present death as an end; it is a new form of life beyond the mortal coil, and that is an exciting and often quixotic dream in Gothic fiction. The tales each vampire tells is absolutely informed by the political, social and cultural philosophy of the era in which they emerge in print or on-screen. Stoker’s Dracula is as much fascinated with the coming of the twentieth century as it is about the anxiety of the shrinking of the modern world (the Empire and its European boundaries), bringing political and social power into contestation against a fantastical world (Romania and beyond) that cannot be quelled. In more modern tales, vampires become increasingly more human and act as cultural reflections for our own isolation and fears, and offer hope and a voice to those who feel marginalised. Vampire fiction has thrived for so long because it appeals to the outsider in all of us — it brings to bear painfully human feelings for vampires as well as their human counterparts in the tales. 

Can you tell us about why you are each drawn to the study of vampires – and what can exploring their cultural significance potentially bring to a wider audience? 

Xavier: "It is hard to study the Gothic and not have to deal with those pesky bats! Ever since Bram Stoker connected the motif of the ancient ancestral castle with the aristocratic version of the vampire in Dracula, they have evolved together as stalwarts of barbaric orders and foreign ‘Otherness’. In my research, for example in Gothic Cinema, I have been interested in why we keep returning to a small number of monster myths that we recycle endlessly. It partly has to do with the fact that they have become universally recognisable, and tried-and-tested formulas are good formulas in the industry. But it also has to do with the fact that it is possible to update them in ways that speak to our present times and concerns. Across the centuries, vampires have to signify everything from anxieties about the afterlife, immigration, dangerous forms of sexuality and gender subversion. Hopefully the readers Visions of the Vampire will be able to appreciate this evolution, as well as the myriad permutations of the monster."

Sorcha: "I have been obsessed with vampires in fiction and film since my childhood! For me, vampires have always possessed an outlook on life (and death) that I have found gives voice and empathy to the various points of view. I find their disclosures intriguing and reflective of many modern philosophies of how to organise the world, survive human pain and loneliness, and to imagine existence beyond death. In my monograph Postmodern Vampires: Film, Fiction and Popular Culture, I was keen to examine how vampires are deeply attracted to modes of power and contemporary socio-cultural discourse – in my findings, vampires tend to either ape or mimic structures of power in the American imagination, with the American president in particular as a site of vampiric inspiration because they feed upon the attention it attracts; as Nina Auerbach notes: ‘Vampires go where power is’.  In my findings, vampire evolution changes with the shifting emphases on religion, scarcity, gendered expectations, cultural capital and marginalised points of view in culture as they rise to the surface. Readers of Visions of the Vampire will note their ascension into a variety of powerful roles in the tales, from aristocrats to barristers, to influential friends, patrons and neighbours. They are consistently with us in a variety of guises."

What considerations were you trying to make when selecting the tales for the anthology… as this must have been a difficult choice!? Can you perhaps tell us a little more about the chronology and selection process?

Xavier: "The collection came together very organically and effortlessly. Sorcha is our resident vampirologist, and the first essay of any substantial length I ever wrote (for school) was on Dracula adaptations! Sorcha and I have long contributed to each other's research, but we wanted to collaborate on a project that would centre on our common interests. When the British Library got in touch with the idea for this anthology, all the pieces fell into place. We decided we wanted to create a collection that would work as an introduction to vampire short stories for the general reader, but also appeal to the horror aficionado. We have therefore included classic writers like John William Polidori, Bram Stoker, Anne Rice and Angela Carter alongside lesser-known ones like Ernst Raupach and P. Schuyler Miller. Visions of the Vampire spans two centuries, from 'The Vampyre' (1819) to John Ajvide Lindqvist's 'Let the Old Dreams Die' (2011), which continues his much-loved novel Let the Right One In. We are particularly delighted with the international and gender spread of the stories. We dug up so many of them that we probably have enough left over for an encore."

Sorcha: "You can’t ever keep a good vampire down… an undead encore may surface (in true Gothic style)."

The book is available to order online here.   

]]> stuart.aiken@marketingmanchester.com (Visit Manchester) http://www.visitmanchester.com/ideas-and-inspiration/blog/read/2020/10/visions-of-the-vampire-an-anthology-of-immortal-tales-is-published-in-time-for-halloween-b1424#comments1424 Thu, 22 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://www.visitmanchester.com/ideas-and-inspiration/blog/read/2020/10/national-lottery-gives-green-light-for-rochdale-town-hall-revamp-b1423 Rochdale Town Hall, one of the most historically significant buildings in the country, is in line for a major restoration after The National Lottery Heritage Fund approved an £8.3m grant to redevelop the Grade I listed masterpiece.

Rochdale Town Hall, one of the most historically significant buildings in the country, is in line for a major restoration after The National Lottery Heritage Fund approved an £8.3m grant to redevelop the Grade I listed masterpiece.

The funding boost, made possible thank to National Lottery players, will support ambitious plans, led by the council and Rochdale Development Agency (RDA), to restore the building’s many historic features, which have been described by Historic England as being rivalled in importance only by those contained within the Palace of Westminster.

David Renwick, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We’re delighted that, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, we are able to support the restoration of the magnificent Rochdale Town Hall. Grand and impressive town halls like Rochdale’s are an iconic part of the north’s rich heritage and signal the splendour and importance of our towns' and cities' role in the Industrial Revolution.

"But as well as being a sign of past glory, they can be a crucial part of how heritage can inform and enrich our futures - boosting the local the economy and reaching communities through the opening up of these special civic spaces. Rochdale Town Hall is one of the country’s finest examples, and we've been impressed by plans to use the building as a hub for engaging diverse audiences and celebrating the fascinating heritage of the town.

"We know that investment in heritage can have a tremendously positive impact on local economies and the revamp of Rochdale Town Hall will provide a further boost to the ongoing regeneration of the borough.”

Precious parts of the 149-year-old structure set to be restored include the magna-carta mural and ornate ceiling panels in the Great Hall, as well as the building’s historic rooms, including the Mayor’s Parlour.

The project will also bring neglected parts of the building into public use for the first time in many years, with a new ‘Bright Hall’ being created in the old library. This brand new facility, with capacity for 150 people, will complement the great hall by offering a smaller area which can be used as a community, educational or commercial space.

Ground floor areas previously used as meeting rooms will be turned into a brand new exhibition area, with interpretation set to tell the story of Rochdale, its people and its history.

Access will be dramatically improved, with new lifts and terracing making it much easier for people to get in and around the building.

The redevelopment will also create a number of additional benefits, through jobs, training and volunteering opportunities which will be delivered as part of the project. These include the creation of a new qualification for students called Design, Engineer, Construct, (DEC)©, which will be delivered in collaboration with Falinge Park High School. An ongoing programme of activities will also enable residents to be part of the town hall’s transformation.

A brand new Heritage Conservation Skills Studio will be created in the basement to enable ongoing restoration works to take place once the project is complete. Training opportunities in highly specialised areas like stained glass and antique furniture restoration will be created in collaboration with local training providers.

Council leader, Councillor Allen Brett, said: “Quite simply, the town hall is part of Rochdale’s DNA. It has played a major role in our past, detailing through its intricate features both our radical political traditions and our role in the global cotton industry which have shaped the borough we see today. This project means it will now also play as big a part in our future.

“By creating brand new spaces for community use and making it easier for more people to move around the town hall, to understand it and to enjoy it, this project will give this wonderful building back to the people of Rochdale, to whom it always has and always will belong.

“I’m really grateful to the National Lottery for their support and to the team here who have worked so hard over a number of years to make this happen.”

With planning permission for the project already granted, the town hall will close to the public at the end of this year, to enable work to start on the site in January 2021. The building is expected to reopen to the public sometime in 2023.

The area around the town hall will also be redeveloped as part of the project, through the creation of a brand new public square which can be used for events and as a stunning open area for visitors and residents to relax.

The restoration of the town hall is part of the ongoing £400m regeneration of Rochdale town centre, which includes the completion of the new shopping and leisure development, Rochdale Riverside, and the re-opening of the River Roch and its historic bridge.

The next phase of regeneration will focus on the continued restoration of the town centre’s extensive heritage, major public realm improvements and the creation of new homes.
 

First established in 1972 and a famous landmark on Manchester’s Oxford Road corridor, Contact is a leading UK theatre and arts venue, recognised nationally and internationally as a place that puts young people first.

Contact has been closed to audiences for three years, so that the building can be extended and refurbished to create an environment that puts young people at the heart of the organization

The contractors completed their work on the expanded and refurbished Contact building in July 2020. Julie’s video is specifically asking the public to donate £20 help throw open the doors to young people across Greater Manchester.

Other celebrity supporters of the campaign include Dr Who star Mandip Gill, Hollyoaks actor Haiesha Mistry and poet Louise Wallwein MBE, all of whom started their careers at Contact.

Part of the money raised will go towards completing a purpose-built recording studio for free, young people’s music and media projects. Donating £20 will buy a mic stand, and donating £100 will put a microphone in that stand, which will allow the voices of young people across Greater Manchester to be heard.

The fundraiser will also go towards properly fitting out and equipping a brand new rehearsal studio, which will be available for Contact’s Young Company to create new performances and shows. CYC usually perform three entirely new public shows per year, both at Contact and other cultural spaces around Manchester, which in recent years has included Manchester Art Gallery and the Science and Industry Museum. In addition, other young artists will be able to hire these spaces to work on and showcase their performances.

Funds raised will also help finish a brand new Arts, Health and Science space, the first of its kind in a UK theatre. This space, supported by Wellcome will bring young people, artists, healthcare professionals and scientists together to research and explore issues relating to young people and local communities, informing arts and wellbeing projects and future theatre productions.

A successful fundraising campaign will enable Contact to reopen in late 2020 for socially distant participation and creative activities, with performances scheduled to start in 2021.

The video can be viewed in full here:

https://youtu.be/0hIS9pTSbKE

Julie Hesmondhalgh said ‘I’m a proud supporter of Contact, Manchester, having seen the work at close quarters through many years, and having witnessed so many people’s lives being changed beyond measure by the incredible work of that building.

Now, more than ever, we need to keep that service alive, and well and thriving. Contact is part of the artistic fabric of the culture in Manchester, and the build is nearly complete. Please, if you can do anything to help, do it.’

Matt Fenton, Chief Executive and Artistic Director at Contact said: ‘It’s vital we’re able to welcome young people back safely to our building this Autumn. For the price of a few drinks, you can make a real difference to the creative life of a young person in Greater Manchester. Please help us raise £20,000 to kit out our spaces by the end of the year, and continue to support young people from all backgrounds to stay active and stay creative.’

]]> stuart.aiken@marketingmanchester.com (Visit Manchester) http://www.visitmanchester.com/ideas-and-inspiration/blog/read/2020/10/actor-julie-hesmondhalgh-backs-fundraising-campaign-for-young-peoples-theatre-in-manchester-b1422#comments1422 Tue, 20 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://www.visitmanchester.com/ideas-and-inspiration/blog/read/2020/10/obstructions-new-exhibition-announced-at-castlefield-gallery-b1421 Earlier this year, Castlefield Gallery invited 15 artists from the North West of England to re-make an existing piece of their work with one condition: they had to accept a bespoke ‘Obstruction.. Earlier this year, Castlefield Gallery invited 15 artists from the North West of England to re-make an existing piece of their work with one condition: they had to accept a bespoke ‘Obstruction’ given to them by another artist in the exhibition. Inspired by a long history of artists using self-imposed restrictions to aid creative or free thinking, it also riffs off the restrictions and disruptions caused by COVID-19.

Selected from Salford Scholars who are supported by University of Salford Art Collection, Castlefield Gallery Mentees from Manchester School of Art, and the gallery’s bOlder programme, all the artists are either under 30 or over 50 years of age, creating the opportunity to foster a conversation between two distinct generations. At a time when perceptions of different generations may be fraught with misconceptions, this process has enabled them to learn from each other.

Artists: Heather Bell, Maya Chowdhry, Tara Collette, Alena Ruth Donely, Jack Doyle, Jane Fairhurst, Sarah Feinmann, Tina Finch, Sabrina Fuller, Parham Ghalamdar, Claire Hignett, Paddy O'Donnell, Chris Rainham, Katie Tomlinson, Ian Vines.

Each Obstruction varies: most are short, a few are long and detailed with sub points and several stages. Some are specific and practical while others are more conceptual and abstract, such as ‘…you must tell us a story which must include a Goddess and full-on, uninhibited anger’.Image Credit: Alena Donely, (She)ela (2020). Image courtesy of the artist.

With a desire to be supportive but also to challenge each other, each Obstruction has been received with mixed reactions. Some chose to push back against them, playfully interpreting them or taking them overly literally. What may appear to be a subtle request, may in fact be a great challenge for an artist as they are pushed out of their comfort zone, either with the materials they have to use or the way they have to think.

Artists who would normally rely on the support of the wall are having to make works that will ‘stand up on their own’. Those who usually make good use of colour are now seeing only in monochrome or have been simply forced to paint without their brushes. Others have had to work with washed up plastics or only the things they have acquired in the last six months. Often the obstructions have sent the artists in oblique directions finding themselves meeting up with their childhood imaginary friend in meta-narrative film works or constructing a war time bunker for one. The potential for failure is part of the excitement of the project. The artists know well that the benefit from risks taken now may have a long-lasting effect on their future work.

Castlefield Gallery continued to nurture contemporary visual artists during the lockdown period, taking its exhibitions online, generating paid work for artists in a time of great uncertainty, contributing to non-digital activity to reach out to vulnerable communities in the region as well as developing plans for connecting artists within the North West region and Greater Manchester with artists. As the artists in this exhibition are North West-based with the majority in Greater Manchester, the gallery focused its support with an opportunity to show their work and to connect with their peers and other artists locally that they might not otherwise encounter.

Obstructions

22 November 2020 – 17 January 2021

Preview Saturday 21 November (pre-booking, tickets to be released)

Castlefield Gallery will be closed from 21 December 2020 – 5 January 2021

Last year, For The Love Of Horror put on a massive horror convention at Manchester's Bowlers Exhibition Centre (covered by Haunt by Dr Sorcha Ní Fhlainn here), but 2020 has presented a whole new challenge, with the pressures of Covid-19 especially. Yet the team behind it have responded with innovation, determined to bring a Halloween highlight to the city, developing a huge scare experience  featuring four scare zones – all managed in a Covid secure way.

Step into a world of iconic horror legends, evocative imagery, dark delights… and plenty of scares. Whether you are a film fan, love the literature or just want to embrace the Halloween mood, there is something for everyone in a visit of Into The Dark. 

Live actors add to the intensity of the experience, as well as an opportunity for photos, with social distancing maintained throughout. Into The Dark combines our fear of the unknown with genre favourites for a unique and exciting choice for 2020’s spooky season.

The ticket price of £20 includes all four scare zones (for the extreme addition, add on £10) and has limited allocation on each session. Sessions are split into 30-minute blocks to comply with government guidelines.

The limited number of tickets per session, available via the website here, means that participants really are in for a personal and intense experience.

To find out more visit  www.fortheloveofhorroruk.com

50 Windows of Creativity, a new art trail celebrating Manchester’s rich creative culture will see a huge array of spectacular mosaics, installations, fine art, photography, craft, murals and more pop up in windows, venues, businesses and spaces across the city centre from 26th October to 5th December 2020.

Created by the team behind the award-winning Bee in the City event, 50 Windows of Creativity will transform Manchester into an innovative art gallery taking you on a colourful, inspiring and safe journey around the city centre. The trail,  supported by Manchester City Council and event partners Auto Trader and Dandara Living, will raise money for the artists involved and The Lord Mayor of Manchester Charity Appeal Trust - We Love MCR Charity.

Visitors to the trail will be able to explore via the 50 Windows of Creativity app, available to download from 26th October, and an interactive trail map, available now at beeinthecitymcr.co.uk/50windows

The 50 Windows of Creativity displays are in windows and spaces around Manchester city centre and can be enjoyed within social distancing regulations. All visitors are encouraged to maintain a safe distance, wear a face covering when appropriate and be respectful to other trail visitors.

The trail celebrates the rich and varied culture of Manchester itself and visitors passing ChriSalon, Princess Street might spot Ric Facchin’s miniature Manchester Builds, which immortalise some the city’s best buildings at their moment in time, whilst Kimpton Clocktower Hotel will display a mosaic work by Mary Goodwin featuring a tryptic of historical Mancunians - famous by name, not so famous by face.

Classic Football Shirts will present mosaicist Mark Kennedy’s replica of the 20/21 Premier League Manchester City Football Club shirt, the design of which was inspired by his work, and Sarah Connell’s Manchester cityscapes of the Etihad Stadium and Old Trafford can be seen at Wesley Barrell, both on Deansgate.

Many of the works showcase creativity sparked by lockdown; Sneaky Raccoon’s work in Hobs Repro is inspired by the plants and  flowers that she photographed while on walks around her neighbourhood, reflecting the sentiment of re-wilding and regrowth.

Others bring a sense of fun and discovery; Playhouse, from Barney Ibbotson Illustration, Ben Clark Design and Playground, shown at Hilton House in partnership with Design Manchester, brings to life some of the entries to a global reaching competition to design something to enable people to play at home during lockdown, and artist and maker Lazerian (Liam Hopkins) will present Curiosity Killed the Cat, a conceptual art piece that will morph and change throughout the duration of the project.

Meanwhile, Tim Denton’s giant drawing pantograph at Dandara Living explores family connections, friendships and other relationships which create the communities we live, laugh, love and work in, and Guy McKinley celebrates humans in all their guises of the present in beautiful colourful stained glass windows at No. 1 Canal Street.

At RNCM, Sumit Sarkar presents a series of sculptures created with a mix of cutting edge digital technology and analogue techniques, taking inspiration from a variety of sources, including religious iconography, science fiction and graffiti.

Large scale visual artworks will pop up around the city, including a mural of Ste Wing by acclaimed photorealistic street artist Akse, on Little Lever Street, and award winning photographer Benji Reid’s work which will be displayed on the facade of the National Football Museum.

Atelier Bebop will take over Selfridges Exchange Square with large-scale graphic work Cosmos inspired by the sunset of summer, and the autumn season, whilst Caroline Dowsett’s mural at Hatch wraps around the whole inside of its container to create an immersive experience and Hammo has created a sequence of playful little adventurers, clambering over rocks, climbing trees, crossing streams at Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports, Castlefield.

Manchester’s ever-present music influence can be seen in the Moovin’ Festival Visual Art Collective’s installation at KSMCR which captures some of the festival’s madness and magic, whilst one of the many pieces at RNCM includes a photography show from the Manchester Hip Hop Archive.

Elsewhere, in the Northern Quarter, artist Lei-Mai LeMaow’s mural at Yard and Coop takes inspiration from old rave flyers and touches on the current precarious situation regarding the music sector.

Other works challenge the viewer to think; at the Atrium, Library Walk, the Seashell Trust, a national charity supporting children and young adults with complex learning disabilities and communication, has worked with artist Lauren Mullarkey to develop a mixed media sculpture that invites the viewer to consider what safety means and feels like to a blind person, whilst Tara Collette’s banner installation ‘No one is illegal’, at HOME, is a direct provocation against the treatment of non-white and non-western people and groups in Western democracies.

All pieces on display will be available to buy directly from the artist or maker and the project culminates with an auction on 10 December 2020 streamed live from the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel which will see a selection of pieces auctioned with proceeds going to their artists and makers, and to The Lord Mayor of Manchester Charity Appeal Trust - We Love MCR Charity (registered charity number 1066972) which supports disadvantaged communities and individuals to be the best they can be.

Ben Reed, Head of Creative Development at Wild in Art said “We are delighted to have the privilege of working with the many incredibly talented artists, designers and makers and we are excited to reveal their work and displays. This project will transform the city’s windows and spaces into an innovative art gallery taking people on a creative journey around Manchester.”

50 Windows of Creativity is being delivered by global public art producers Wild in Art, whose previous work includes the award-winning Bee in the City art trail which took over the city in 2018, in partnership with Manchester City Council. Building on Manchester’s reputation for innovation and the key strategic role that art and culture plays in the social and economic life of the city, the event will help residents to reconnect with places and spaces in the city centre again as part of the Council’s recovery programme.

Councillor Luthfur Rahman OBE, Executive Member Culture Leisure and Skills, Manchester City Council said, “Now more than ever it is so important that we show support for the arts community and I hope that people will take the time to safely explore 50 Windows of Creativity and appreciate the incredible talent that Manchester has to offer.”

The project is supported by Event Partner Auto Trader and Dandara Living with other businesses including Hobs Repro, Ocean Outdoor, Jamieson Contracting, TfGM and Kimpton Clocktower Hotel also stepping forward to support the project.

Download the 50 Windows of Creativity app from the App Store or on Google Play from 26 October 2020.

The three-day festival will be broadcast online, in partnership with IMPATV, meaning that audiences can enjoy experimental performances, intriguing artistry, queer creativity and so much more… from home! This is a delightfully distinct and daringly different way to enjoy the spooky season, made possible with support from Arts Council England, Salford City Council, Islington Mill and Samarbeta.

Sadly the festival’s socially distanced live events have had to be cancelled due to Greater Manchester’s COVID Tier 3 restrictions but anyone who bought a ticket will be automatically refunded. 

2020’s edition marks the 9^th year of Fat Out, founded as a DIY punk festival at Islington Mill back in 2011. It has since grown from strength to strength, supporting and connecting with alternative creatives from a range of backgrounds, championing self-expression, experimentation and innovation across music, art and performance. That the festival is still continuing this year and free to watch online (with tickets for the screening of Keyboard Fantasies available on a pay-what-you-can basis) highlights how Fat Out continues to uphold creative collaboration and connection, even during difficult times.

Cutting-edge content and special creative work is on the cards, as the celebrations open on 30 October with a new commission from Birmingham-based noise trio Pretty Grim, selected following an open call in partnership with the Samarbeta residency programme. An immersive AV experience is in the planning, as Pretty Grim (pictured below: image by Sam Wood) have been working with queer experimental music and art platform Queef, to create not just entertainment, but an experience! This will be followed with an impressive 4-hour afterparty, broadcast from Salford’s iconic White Hotel and featuring Glasgow electronic legends Optimo.

A celebration of the North is the theme for Saturday, with a strong regional line-up exploring all things weird and wonderful in this region of Britain.  A deep interrogation into the dialect and ceremonies of West Cumbria is the focus of MARRA! a new show from the powerfully provocative artist Lone Taxidermist (AKA Natalie Sharp), reflecting on her experiences as a first-generation immigrant in a small Cumbrian town, combined with the strange array of rituals and traditions that seem to fizz under the surface of everyday life. There are further music highlights, as producer-meets-vocalist Iceboy Violet channels grime, trap and ambient for an evocative listening experience, whilst violinist and loop pedal artist Rebekah Reid fuses together electronics and jazz with classical string techniques – highlighting that this festival offers an opportunity to hear some of the freshest new sounds.

An after-party broadcast will also follow Saturday’s celebrations, returning to the White Hotel for a co-curated evening of evocative delights. There will be drag, live music and spoken word from the queer coven of The Creatures of Catharsis, featuring the likes of Cheddar Gorgeous, Beau, Lill, Grace… and plenty of surprises too! Audiences tuning in can also enjoy DJ sets from Manchester’s much-loved party purveyors Bollox, High Hoops and Jungle J, plus the immersive creepiness of Adrian Flanagan’s new project Adult Entertainment, and a live set from Charlotte Cannon.

Sunday follows, embracing the themes of joy, unification and queer power – concepts that Fat Out Fest has long-upheld and explored in its content. Broadcasts for the day will include a screening of the emotive coming-of-age film Keyboard Fantasies: The Beverly Glenn-Copeland Story, considering the life of Beverly Glenn-Copeland – now Glenn Copeland –who wrote and self-released the intriguing folk-electronic hybrid Keyboard Fantasies whilst living in near-isolation in Huntsville, Ontario in 1986. The album went on to inspire a cult following and continues to have an impact many years later, inspiring various creative responses and new generations. There will also be content curated by Decolonise Festival including panel discussions, debates and Q&As, plus a presentation of the short film Queer All About It: HIV 30+ Years of Change. Additionally, even more content is set to be announced as the festival approaches, so viewers can be sure of an energy-packed and vibrant weekender of wonder, championing alternative culture, the North and a heart made in Salford.

According to Fat Out Director Emma Thompson:

“We invite you to join our Halloween ritual and together we can ward off 2020 gloom, praying for a time when we can all reunite to push each other round the dance floor whilst listening to ear bleeding riffs. But until then, you can turn your home into your personal venue and join us on a sonic journey as we navigate the unknown.”

New additions to the line-up also include ‘The Juicy Boyz’ with their own unique takes on classic pop videos, tribal-inspired performance from Ritual Maya, and on Sunday there will be sonic meditations from AHRKH. Short films by Guildhall graduates Rebekeh Allero and Kookie Blu will also feature.

To register for the digital festival and find out about tickets for the live events go to fatout.co.uk.

Opening each day from 10.30am to 4.30pm the Festive Winter Fair will feature up to 30 stalls selling a fantastic variety of art, jewellery, ceramics, homewares and festive decorations.  Handpicked by Victoria Baths’ Events Team, it will feature high-quality makers from the Manchester area and Victoria Baths’ own stall will have everything from stocking fillers to fine art, all inspired by the building and its history.

The Festive Winter Fair is just in time for those finalising their Christmas lists.  It gives everyone the chance to “shop local” and support independent creative traders at the end of what’s been a very tough year for small businesses. For added festive cheer, mulled wine and mince pies will be amongst the treats on offer in the Tea Room, where visitors will enjoy a warm welcome from the Baths’ team of award-winning volunteers. 

Elizabeth Sibbering, Operations Manager at Victoria Baths, says, “We’re delighted to be opening our doors again, for what has to be one of our favourite events of the year. The beautiful tiles and stained glass found throughout the building make a really stunning backdrop to all the maker’s stalls.  There’s lots of spaces for people to explore – including the Turkish Baths suite and two of the former swimming pools, despite some areas needing to be closed for Covid safety reasons – and we aren’t dependent upon the weather.

“Victoria Baths is incredibly lucky to have had such amazing support over the years, from those who campaigned to save this building right through to those who’ve helped us to face the many challenges of 2020. This event will be an opportunity for those who love Victoria Baths as much as we do to enjoy spending some time in one of Manchester’s favourite buildings.”

Timed entry tickets, capped visitor numbers, signposted one-way routes, hand sanitiser stations, friendly volunteer ushers and more will all ensure a relaxed and safe visitor experience.  The Festive Winter Fair at Victoria Baths takes place on Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 November and Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 November.  To book visit www.vbfestivefair.eventbrite.co.uk

All the money raised from Victoria Baths’ events helps to keep this beautiful building open for everyone to enjoy. For further information on Victoria Baths visit www.victoriabaths.org.uk

To support the safe reopening of Greater Manchester’s tourism industry, we’re providing a weekly list of ten things that you can plan and enjoy for the week ahead, starting Saturday 17 October.  

All businesses mentioned in this blog are following the relevant government guidance but please familiarise yourself with our Know Before You Go page as you plan your trip to make sure that you have the latest information.  

When out and about in Greater Manchester, please remember to keep your distance from others, wear a face covering and wash your hands regularly. 
 

1. Hidden in the Northern Quarter is the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art, which has recently reopened its doors with two new free exhibitions. Multiplicities in Flux explores identity and belonging in Britain through portraits and photography, and a film on ‘Britishness’. The second exhibition, Omid Asadi: Autopsy of a Home is an immersive experience highlighting the experience of migrants in new places, both run from the 15 October, every Wednesday – Sunday.

2. Do something a bit adventurous and try skiing or snowboarding at the UK’s longest indoor ski slope! Chill Factore uses real snow to cover its 180m long slope, where novices can book a taster session with an instructor, or those more experienced can book hourly slots. Find out more about the ‘cool’ experience and all the Covid-safety measures on their website.  

3. The Whitworth are running their newest exhibition White Psyche, which takes a new look at the story of Cupid and Psyche and addresses white dominance in its own collection of art. Visitors to the gallery can also enjoy the surrounding park, Whitworth Café and other ongoing exhibitions, with free tickets available to pre-book online.  

4. Get out and enjoy the autumn colours in one of Greater Manchester’s leafy parks; stretch your legs at Heaton Park with its historic tramway and working farm; visit Whitworth Park, just a short walk from the city centre; take a tram to Fletcher Moss in Didsbury where you will also find a Japanese zen garden; for waterside walks try Oldham’s Etherow Country Park; or take in the natural wildlife and an abundance of birds at Kersal Wetlands in Salford. Check out our Find Your Space guide for outdoor inspiration.  

5. The Imperial War Museum North have recently opened their latest temporary exhibition, Aid Workers: Ethics Under Fire, which explores the ethical dilemma’s aid workers encounter whilst working in conflict zones. The fascinating exhibition is part of the museum’s Refugees Season, and is open daily by free in-advance ticket.

6. Ahead of Half Term and Halloween, the People’s History Museum is hosting Where’s Wally? Spooky Museum Search! where kids will be able to spot Wally throughout the museum’s exhibitions. For the grown up’s, this museum charts the history of the UK’s democracy and ideas worth fighting for, and holds some fascinating stories and objects including the Suffragette’s, Peterloo Massacre, and politics in football. Pre-book a free space to visit the museum online.  

7. Newly renovated Contact Theatre opens its Black Gold Arts Festival on 23 October to mark Black History Month, with a series of virtual events including a Vogue workshop, a Black queer Manchester Garden Party, and an immersive grime rave from the comfort of your own home, alongside other events running until 25 October.  

8. Football lovers rejoice - the National Football Museum is currently open every Thursday to Sunday from 11am-4pm. The reopening will give you a chance to catch the amazing Strip! How Football Got Shirty exhibition which has been extended until December and features more than 200 football shirts.

9. With two new restaurant openings, the historic Corn Exchange now has a collection of 12 eateries to choose from, alongside the Escape Hunt experience that challenges you and your team to free yourself in just 60 minutes! Stop by the Corn Exchange for a pre or post-bite after a shopping spree at the adjacent Manchester Arndale or New Cathedral Street, where you will also find Selfridges and Harvey Nichols.

10. Treetop Adventure Golf are back in the swing of things, welcoming mini golf fans back to play one of the 18-hole trails. With no need to book in advance, visitors have the choice of two themed courses – a tropical trail or ancient exploration! Visitors can also enjoy food and drink from Treetop’s Bar and Café and can expect to see enhanced cleaning and other Covid-compliant measures to make guests feel safe.

Whether it’s music, art, performance, comedy, poetry or any other entertaining skill, MancSpirit want to hear from people of all ages in and from the Trafford community who would like to have their talent showcased! Individuals, community groups, businesses and organisations are all welcome to apply to participate, with submissions to be directed to ourtrafford@mancspirit.com.

Trafford is an area many people may know for landmarks like The Trafford Centre and Old Trafford football stadium… but #OurTrafford is determined to emphasise that it is so much more than that! After all, the borough covers over 40 square miles and is rich with community creativity, hidden histories, grassroots involvement and heritage. Cornbrook, Streford, Urmston, Sale and Timperley are just some examples of the settlements that sit within Trafford, and considering it is a place with over 200 listed buildings, as well as traces of Bronze Age, Roman, and even Neolithic activity, there is plenty to discover!

#OurTrafford marks the opportunity to be part of an innovative new festival that is already accumulating an exciting line-up, with the world premiere of  writer Dave Viney’s short film ‘Love Bugged’ set to feature. A new song has also been written especially for the online event by singer-songwriter and musician Scott Lloyd, and the festival is supported by the GMCA Culture fund; highlighting its contribution to the continuous cultural celebration of Manchester.

Why Trafford? This vibrant borough of the city deserves more recognition, according to co-founder of MancSpirit and local Sale resident Paul Ludden:

“I chose Trafford as a place to make my home and raise my three children, and I see all the time the incredible talent and community spirit that exists in the borough. I wanted to give that talent, dedication and passion a platform through developing this festival.”

“The festival is an excellent opportunity for everyone across the borough to share their talents and take part in an inspirational and positive week of online activity. Whether that is exploring the festival throughout the week or by sending in some of your poetry, art, music or anything fun and ‘creative’.”

A key supporter of the festival is Trafford Housing Trust, whose Business Partnership Manager Sarah Millican reflected:

 “MancSpirit has been an inspiration throughout what has been a challenging last six months, bringing much needed creativity and enjoyment to the residents of Trafford, and in particular some of Trafford Housing Trust’s customers.  We’re delighted to support the festival, and we will be encouraging our customers and colleagues to get involved.”

So how does the online festival work?  Attendees can watch the entertainment unfold through a series of social media streams, as well as on the MancSpirit YouTube channel and podcasts… meaning all-the-more opportunity to experience what is on offer. Viewers can also join in by using the #OurTrafford hashtag throughout the week, to share festival content.

Damian Carr, co-founder of MancSprit, added:

“MancSpirit is Greater Manchester’s mental wellbeing charity, and we know people will find something entertaining, inspiring and encouraging with what’s on offer. Seeing and hearing what’s already coming through has put a huge smile on my face, and that’s certainly something we could all do with at the moment.”

Both Paul and Damian insist that the #OurTrafford festival is just the start of an exciting programme of legacy projects, designed to benefit the people of Trafford for years to come, and they have already started on an idea for a #CaringForOurCarers programme. There are also plans to go beyond Trafford and into other boroughs, including Wigan, Bury and Stockport.

For more information, visit the MancSpirit website at www.mancspirit.com, Twitter @MancSpirit and @MancMade or @MancSpirit and @MancMade on Instagram.

By Emily Oldfield 

Here at Haunt Manchester, our writer Rebecca Wynne-Walsh went along 'virtually' and gives her overview below... 

What was immediately striking about Grimmfest Online Edition 2020, was the variety of content on offer! On top of the diverse and high-quality array of features and shorts screened, there were also several online events, Q&As, seminars and panel discussions, some tied to individual films, others addressing the state of the contemporary horror industry. While it is of course disappointing that this year’s ‘attendees’ were not able to indulge in in-person ‘meet and greets’ after screenings, the festival went to great lengths to ensure interactive filmmaker question and answer sessions after each screening.

This of course begs the question, how did the online platform work and indeed, did it work out? The majority of the content on offer was streamed ‘live’ at set times, then made available to ticketholders for up to forty-eight hours after the original screening. This method worked a (trick or) treat! The online layout was both easy to navigate and aesthetically pleasing thus creating a highly accessible festival. This year’s offering was indeed perhaps the most accessible iteration of the festival in quite some time, given the fact that all the content was enjoyed from the comfort of one’s own home, though comfort may be a poor choice of word in the context of the films that were shown! The sheer array of cinematic thrills on offer was as wide ranging as it was entertaining... and of course terrifying!

Every year Grimmfest also offers a deviously delicious array of horror shorts, and the Online Edition was no exception. This year’s selection of shorts presented viewers with jump scares, insidious tension, poignant uses of practical effects, clever incorporation of CGI and impressively high production values. Among the most enthralling and indeed frightening of the shorts screened this year were Antique (Morten Haslerud, 2020), Witches in the Window (Nikki Born, 2020), The Chrysalis (Michael Squid, 2020), and Dead End (Jack Shillingford, 2020); films which explore everything from possessed furniture to childhood traumas, dementia and of course that genre classic... werewolves! The shorts selections were certainly not to be missed this, or any other, year.

Among other full-feature highlights of the festival were the offerings of Hispanic horror, which had a respectable presence at the Online Edition. José Luis Montesinos’ Ropes (aka Prey, 2019) was a hit at the genre-essential Sitges Festival and has now graced the Grimmfest stage in all of its Cujo (Lewis Teague, 1981) meets Hush (Mike Flanagan, 2016) glory. The film follows quadriplegic young woman Elena (Paula del Río) as she is trapped alone in her dilapidated family home, fighting for survival at the mercy of a rabid dog. Another iteration of Hispanic horror was brought to the table by Alejandro Ibáñez, son of the iconic, prolific horror director, Narciso Ibañez Serrador. Ibáñez’ Urubú (2019 - film poster pictured below) was produced as a tribute to his father’s genre classic ¿Quién puede matar a un niño? (Would You Kill a Child?, 1976) and follows two parents and their daughter on a photography trip through a remote Amazonian forest, the situation spirals out of control, moving into graphic violence and sheer panic as the daughter goes missing, her parents believing her to be captured by locals. The use of animal horror in Ropes and eco-horror in Urubú exemplify these recurrent festival themes also seen in such films as Alone (John Hyams, 2020), Fear of the Woods (Titus Paar, 2020) and Unearth (John C. Lyons and Dorota Swies, 2020).

A popular approach taken by some of the films on show was a sense of nostalgia for retro-horror fare in the style of the genre’s golden era of the 1970s and 1980s. Erik Bloomquist’s rollercoaster 1980s set horror acid trip Ten Minutes to Midnight (2020) follows an aging, late night rock and roll radio DJ Amy Marlowe (played by Caroline Williams in a fun intertextual nod to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) as she is bitten by a bat on her way into work. Her night soon devolves into an apparently chaotic psychological break. Pure flamboyance and indulgence aside, Ten Minutes to Midnight presents a lucid commentary on sexism and ageism in the entertainment industry. This is in-keeping with what must be commended as a powerfully diverse roster of films in this year’s festival. Given the current global socio-political context of mass cultural upheaval such polyvocality is not only appreciated but essential. Grimmfest gives space to the representation – both diegetically and extra-diegetically – of a wide range of characters, performers and creators with diverse nationalities, disabilities, genders, age ranges, races, and sexualities.

Another highlight of the features on offer was Death Ranch (Charlie Steeds, 2020) from the director’s own Dark Temple Motion Pictures production company, a specialist in ‘new retro’ horror for genre-buffs feeling nostalgic for a by-gone era of indie US slasher fare. Death Ranch offers an ode to canonical texts such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre infused with the contemporary ideological leanings and racial discourse of such modern classics as Get Out (Jordan Peele, 2017) and Antebellum (Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz, 2020). Death Ranch follows three African-American siblings as they return to their abandoned family ranch in the deep US South where they encounter a cannibalistic sect of the Ku Klux Klan, and a glut of gore and racial revenge ensues.

Revenge was, as the name suggests, also a key theme in Revenge Ride (Melanie Aitkenhead, 2020 - film poster pictured below), a horror-thriller following a vigilante female motorcycle gang who traverse the country enacting vicious vengeance on rapists whose crime has gone unpunished. This highlights the massive, and massively appreciated, trend of female-centred horror at this year’s festival. Another example of this is the murder-mystery cum lesbian kidnapping thriller cum bigfoot movie, Monstrous (Bruce Wemple, 2020), starring Anna Shields, who also wrote it! The strong female representation at this year’s festival peaked with the Female Horror Icons panel which showcased a lively discussion between stars of the genre whose careers have been both on-camera and behind it. The heavy female-focus of the Online Edition is furthermore incredibly timely given recent movements such as #MeToo and the release earlier this year of Mark Cousins’ landmark Women Make Film (a fourteen-hour long documentary highlighting the work of almost 200 female filmmakers).

The Female Horror Icons panel was certainly a big highlight of the non-film content at this year’s festival. The virtual Zoom event featured female actors, writers and directors such as Krista Allen, Caroline Williams, Tiffany Shepis, Pollyanna McIntosh, Kelli Maroney and Natasha Halevi. These icons, known to Grimmfest fans for films such as Revenge Ride, The Final Destination and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, engaged in a lively discussion on topics from their personal heroes, to characters they’d love to play, to ageism and sexism both within the horror genre and filmmaking industry. Another impressive event was the interactive question and answer session with this year’s recipient of the Grimmfest Lifetime Achievement Award, the ‘master of horror’ himself, Mick Garris.

In another exciting development, the Grimmfest Online Edition also saw the release of the brand new Grimmfest Comic. The comic’s first ever edition was made available for free to festival pass holders, with over twenty-four pages of exclusive artwork and stories!

Whilst most of the festival content such as the shorts showcases, many features and the comic were available to all pass-holders, there was also some ‘exclusive’ pass-holder content on offer as well. Two outstanding films on offer here were the Russian feature Stray (Olga Gorodetskaya, 2019) and the American documentary, The Horror Crowd (Ruben Pla, 2020). The superb timing, high production values and tense subtlety of Stray established it rather rapidly as one of the bone-tinglingly terrifying films of the whole festival. A pensive rumination on grief that gets under the skin of the audience as it explores the true horror that is the loss of a child and the difficulties of ‘letting go’. Stray is also peppered with a handful of well-timed jump-scares that truly pack a punch. Despite the genre’s penchant for excess, Gorodetskaya’s film is a masterclass in less, more often than not, being more in order to create a fear and dread that last long after the credits have rolled.

The documentary-style choice of The Horror Crowd then provided further food for thought, especially when thinking about the implications of the horror genre.  The film follows horror filmmaker and performer Ruben Pla as he interviews some of the biggest names in the contemporary American horror industry. Pla speaks to a massive array of performers and creators including (but most certainly not limited to) Lin Shaye, Greg Grunberg, Russell Mulcahy, Oren Peli, Adam Robitel and Clare Kramer. The Horror Crowd is not just a film about filmmakers, it is also a film by, about and for horror fans. It provides a highly personal insight into what makes the horror ‘crowd’ tick, so to speak. The documentary is divided into multiple thematic sections looking at what inspires contemporary horror creators such as being the ‘weird kid’, relationships with parents, women in horror and race relations. Some of the most intriguing discussions included in the documentary centred on the disparity felt between working in the studio system versus independent horror filmmaking and the sense of true comradery within the horror community. Fittingly, given the Grimmfest exhibition platform, most filmmakers interviewed cited the importance of genre film festivals in promoting filmmakers both young and established as they seek funding, distribution and general career progression. The documentary highlights that which most horror fans are well aware. That despite the gore, violence and fear on which the genre is based, the surrounding community of filmmakers and fans are among the warmest and most welcoming around. As Grimmfest aptly puts it, ‘when it comes to horror, we really are all in it together’, and that horror fans from far and wide could unite virtually to enjoy the array of offerings at Grimmfest Online Edition 2020 highlights its great and unifying success.

By Rebecca Wynne-Walsh

Images provided by Grimmfest

Experience the epic Erik’s Trail for the very first time at Chill Factor^e. If your little one is already a skier or snowboarder, this brand new exciting challenge is the perfect adventure for them. Featuring a combination of arches, gates, limbo, high-fives and small ride-on boxesthat will change on a daily basis, guests can weave and whizz down the slope in a unique way every time they visit. 

With a Junior Lift Pass discounted to just £15 for one hour, £20 for two hours and £25 for four hours, kids can enjoy hours of fun on Chill Factor^e’s 180m real snow slope – and these discounted Lift Passes are valid for Erik’s Trail. Passes must be booked online due to COVID regulations and the course will be available Monday 26^th October – Wednesday 28^th October, 12noon - 4pm. 

If sledging’s more your style, enjoy a £15 early bird offer on family favourite, Snow Park. With four lanes to race down, the whole family can go head to head on the downhill donuts, or whizz down the real snow slope on sledges. Suitable for adults and children aged 4+,  Snow Park is the perfect place to make memories this Half Term. With a strict cleaning regime in place, parents can relax and enjoy family time in this COVID secure environment.  

First time on the slopes or want to improve your skills? Learn to ski or snowboard with the help of Chill Factor^e’s expert and friendly instructors. With reduced class sizes, the new lesson format follows the ‘Rule of 6’ guidelines and allows guests to learn a new skill in a safe and encouraging environment. 

Lessons are perfect for beginners putting on a pair of skis for the very first time and completing their first exciting run of the beginner slope, or improvers learning to perfect their turns and speed control. If you’re curious to give skiing or snowboarding a go, try a Fun Taster, which introduces you to the basics in just 50 minutes, or if you’re passionate to really get to grips with skiing or snowboarding book a full day Lesson for just £99 midweek, and £119 during the weekend.

Still able to offer its much loved core activities – Lift Passes, Lessons and Snow Fun – albeit with some adjustments, Chill Factor^e has seen increased overall guest satisfaction across its activities by +14% YoY, whilst introducing new guidelines that ensure the safety of all team members and guests. 

On the Governments latest announcement regarding a new three-tier lockdown approach in local regions, Chill Factore CEO, Morwenna Angove, said: “At Chill Factore we are fully committed to staying open and welcoming snowsports fans to our fantastic real snow slope, and yesterday’s announcement has confirmed that we are still able to do that safely, here in Manchester. 

“We’ve received our “We’re Good To Go” accreditation, and have a number of safety measures already in place to ensure the safety of our guests and staff, including reduced lesson sizes and sanitising equipment. We ask that all guests follow the rules when visiting, but most of all we are that you enjoy spending time on the snow."

All guests must book online and wear face coverings around the attraction and on the slope. 

 To find out more and book, head to Chill Factor^e’s website here: 

https://www.chillfactore.com/whats-on/half-term-2020/

]]> stuart.aiken@marketingmanchester.com (Visit Manchester) http://www.visitmanchester.com/ideas-and-inspiration/blog/read/2020/10/have-an-ice-half-term-at-chill-factore-b1414#comments1414 Tue, 13 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://www.visitmanchester.com/ideas-and-inspiration/blog/read/2020/10/find-your-space-3-day-itinerary-city-centre-b1413 Enjoy a break in Manchester with our 3 day/2 night city centre itinerary Day 1

Morning

Start your day in Castlefield. Explore the roman fort of Mamucium, the original heart of the city, where you can see the fort ruins and a recreation of what the fort would have looked like when the Romans first settled here.

Make your way to The Science and Industry Museum, just on the other side of Liverpool Road. Discover amazing objects and revolutionary ideas that helped to change the world forever. Explore Manchester’s rich legacy of innovations and discoveries in the Revolution Manchester Gallery, find out how the city's heritage is interwoven with the cotton industry in the Textiles Gallery and see science brought to live in Experiment, our family friendly interactive gallery.

If social history intrigues you more, head to the People’s History Museum. The national museum of democracy, telling the story of its development in Britain: past, present, and future. The museum provides opportunities for all people to learn about, be inspired by and get involved in ideas worth fighting for; ideas such as equality, social justice, co-operation, and a fair world for all.

Alternatively, spend some time exploring Castlefield Gallery. Established by artists in 1984, Castlefield Gallery is Manchester’s first public contemporary visual art gallery dedicated to the advancement of contemporary visual art and artists.

Lunch

Head to Spinningfields for a bite to eat, Manchester's number one destination for shoppers, foodies and party-goers, unwinding in some of the city's best restaurants and bars, including The Ivy and Dishoom.

Alternatively head to one of the city’s Chop Houses - Albert Square or Thomas’s - where they serve traditional pub grub, including their famous 10-day-in-the-making corned beef hash.

Afternoon

Set some time aside to discover Central Library and Manchester Art Gallery. Be awed by the magnificent Wolfson Reading Room on the first floor of Central Library, opened in 1934 the Grade || listed building has been brought into the 21st century by combining historic features with cutting-edge design. Be inspired by the outstanding pre-Raphaelite collection at Manchester Art Gallery, housed in spectacular Victorian and contemporary surroundings, sharing the space with unique craft & design displays and early 20^th century British art.

Alternatively head to the Northern Quarter – full of street art, great coffee, restaurants and bars, boutiques, record stores and specialist shops. Make sure you save some time to hit the well-known ‘emporium of eclecticism’, Afflecks and the Manchester Craft and Design Centre before they close. Why not book yourself onto a Skyliner walking tour to discover the unseen parts of the city, from the history of Street Art to a walking essay following nature in spaces of urban decay.

Evening

You’ll find Mackie Mayor in the Northern Quarter, the perfect place to while away an evening, or find a quick meal before sitting down for a film. There are a variety of cinemas in the city, from independents such as HOME, playing everything from the latest blockbusters to art-house films, to mainstream cinemas Vue and Odeon, or the luxury offering of Everyman Cinema, where you can relax in style with in-seat food & drink service.

Alternatively, treat yourself to a Michelin star meal at Mana, a creative British restaurant serving seasonal produce in a magnificent way, and balancing art and science in their 10-course menu.

Late Night

Stay in the Northern Quarter to experience the buzzing nightlife, with seating now taking over Stevenson Square, Edge Street and Thomas Street, to allow for table service and easy social distancing. Enjoy a cocktail in Cane & Grain or Cottonopolis, or a speciality beer in 57 Thomas Street Bar.

Or head to Flight Club on King Street, the home of Social Darts and a great place to indulge in a cocktail or two.

Day 2

Morning

Start a day of shopping on Market Street where you’ll find all of your favourite high-street brands and department stores, including; Debenhams, Office, Primark, Uniqlo and M&S. Head inside Manchester Arndale where you’ll find more high-street brands, including Next and Topshop.

Lunch

Head to King Street for lunch where you’ll find El Gato Negro and Tast, two of the city’s best Spanish restaurants serving up unique styles of tapas and Tastets. You’ll also find Kala, serving humble bistro food, and Grand Pacific a colonial style bar serving dishes inspired from around the world.

Afternoon

Spend some time in the luxury department stores Harvey Nichols on New Cathedral Street and Selfridges in Exchange Square, then wander down through to St Ann’s Square and to Barton Arcade or King Street where you’ll find independent businesses and high-end boutiques respectively. Including stores such as; & Other Stories on St Mary’s Gate, Molton Brown on Market Street, Patagonia and The Whisky Shop on Exchange Street.

Stroll on to Deansgate for more shopping, you’ll find the likes of House of Fraser and Waterstones here. Or why not find the perfect gift in the Jewellery Quarter, home to the boutiques Boodles and Mappin & Webb.

If you’ve shopped till you dropped take a break to rest your feet at Pot Kettle Black, one of the city’s most loved independent Coffee Houses in Barton Arcade, or why not take time out to see if you’re the next Tiger Woods at Treetop Adventure Golf in the Printworks.

Alternatively, take some time to indulge in afternoon tea. The Midland serves up afternoon classics  in their Tea Room, similarly the Library Curated by Assouline at the Edwardian Hotel Manchester serves the classic with a twist, or try Cloud 23 at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate for views across the city.

Evening

After a freshen-up at your hotel head to Spinningfields, Manchester's number one destination for shoppers, foodies and party-goers, unwinding in some of the city's best restaurants and bars. Head up to the terrace at 20 Stories for spectacular panoramic views over the city whilst sipping an expertly crafted cocktail.

When you’re ready to eat stay in 20 Stories or discover one of the many high-end restaurants or casual dining eateries. Discover The Ivy, multiple floors of luxe restaurants and bars, each individually and exquisitely designed, serving Modern British dishes alongside sharing plates of Asian-inspired cuisine. If you’re more of a fan of Indian food seek out Dishoom. Serving up classic dishes that pay loving homage to the Irani cafés and food of Bombay.

Alternatively, head to Deansgate where you’ll find a selection of excellent restaurants. For British classics, and their speciality – steak, head to Hawksmoor.

Late Night

Stay in Spinningfields to explore the areas many high-end bars, known for being celebrity haunts.

For a more relaxed atmosphere head to Escape to Freight Island. Hidden in plain sight, the inspiring urban landscape has been rebuilt and rethought around a visionary food market, a unique selection of bars and inventive culture spaces. Reimagined as a cultural space for the future this is a place where you can escape, just when you need it most.

Day 3

Morning

Spend a leisurely morning wandering through one of the city’s parks. To the south of the city, just off Oxford Road, you’ll find Whitworth Park, home to the Whitworth Gallery. Discover work by some of the world’s leading artists in the gallery and throughout the gardens that surround the building.

Close by you’ll find the Manchester Musuem, with 4 floors of displays and exhibitions in 15 galleries, featuring collections from all over the world. From a fossilised Tyrannosaurus Rex named Stan, anthropology collections from South America to the Museum's Manchester gallery; the museum will leave you desperate for more.

Lunch

Head to Princess Street in Chinatown for lunch. You’ll find a plethora of East-Asian restaurants here, alongside Peru Perdu, a colourful and vibrant Peruvian-inspired restaurant offering a memorable culinary experience, serving dishes suitable for everyone.

Alternatively make your way to Piccadilly Gardens where you’ll find the veggie eatery Bundobust, serving delicious Indian street food in a relaxed atmosphere, as well as Shoryu Ramen, bringing authentic Hakata tonkotsu ramen to the city.

Afternoon

If you have time before you say goodbye to Manchester discover the National Football Museum. Whether you’re a die-hard football fan or prefer other sports, the museum is full of fascinating social and cultural history for you to delve into, with intriguing objects and changing exhibitions showing how football became the game of our lives. You can also try your hand (or foot) at a penalty shoot-out, along with the museum’s other interactive exhibits.

Evening

Why not explore one of the city’s newest neighbourhoods, Ancoats, if you’re not quite ready to leave yet. You’ll find a wide selection of independent neighbourhood restaurants here, including Canto, Elnecot, and Sugo.

Find out more of what Manchester has to offer and where to stay for a weekend break.

This became Michala’s ambitious attempt at ‘Finding the Peterloo Eleven’ – the title of her project – starting out in August 2018 and setting the deadline of August 2019, the 200th anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre, for completion. This would involve not only tracing the relatives, but contacting them and arranging a photograph. The result was her own remarkable image featuring an impressive nine living relatives of the eleven veterans, a piece of great historic significance that has now been shortlisted for the Research Project of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards 2020 (in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences category).

The project also provides a fascinating way to learn more about the Peterloo Massacre itself and the lives it has impacted, across generations. On 16 August 1819, thousands of people – men, women and children – gathered in Manchester’s St Peter’s Field (close to where St Peter’s Square now is) to peacefully protest for parliamentary reform and improved social justice. Yet the authorities responded heavy-handedly, and there were tragic consequences as yeomanry panicked and charged into the crowd. Hundreds of people were injured as a result, and at least 18 people lost their lives, with the events becoming known as ‘The Peterloo Massacre’. All the Peterloo Veterans in the photograph would have been in the area on the day; all of them passionate about reform, yet made to witness a horrific series of events they never envisaged. That these eleven people gathered for a photograph long after the massacre, suggests that they still retained this dedication to the cause, even late into their lives.

‘Finding the Peterloo Eleven’ therefore marks another step in the Peterloo story and legacy, with the shortlisting further increasing awareness of this historic, yet often under-covered, event. The shortlisting also is testament not just to the remarkable recreation of the photograph (pictured below), but Michala’s months of dedicated research, requiring her to delve into census data, family trees and electoral records, as well as social media and online archives, to find the living descendants. Michala is after all no stranger to delving deep into the secretive and so-often obscured aspects of the past, having authored the likes of A Bloody British History Manchester (2016) and A Grim Almanac of Manchester (2014), alongside her extensive Genealogy work.

Yet finding the relatives proved no straightforward feat. There were plenty of twists and turns along the way, including untraceable records, surname changes, dead ends and Michala having to balance the project with a range of other commitments… including her PhD! Another challenge was the time frame, combined with even more questions - even if the descendants were found, would they be willing to come together for a photograph, and where?

Months of painstaking research initially led to no luck. Yet Michala was determined to find the relatives of these Peterloo Veterans, people who had proudly stood for social justice in the face of great hardship. Just eight days before the project deadline, Michala traced the first descendant… and more hard work was to pay off.

Writing letters, posting on social media and even knocking on doors, Michala was joined by her friend and former MMU Heritage MA student Zoe Willock, to attempt to still find as many of the relatives as possible, in just over a week. Six people was the minimum required for the photograph to work, and another key element was the location, with Michala determined to use a site near Wrigley Head in Failsworth, as that is where the original photograph was taken in September 1884. With just a week to go, a visit to Wrigley Head initially seemed to show that a photograph point might be trickier than initially thought – as a road now cut through the area! However, the Landlord of a nearby pub called The Church Inn agreed to be the place for the picture-taking… but what about the descendants themselves?

Hours of work, lengthy discussions with genealogists on Ancestry, radio broadcasts and plenty of painstaking research later, Michala had managed to connect with an impressive nine descendants of the Peterloo veterans; with all of them agreeing to come and be a part of the picture. Some lived only a short distance away from where the original photograph was taken, others travelled from as far as North Yorkshire and even Warwickshire; all were united for an afternoon of making history and capturing a unique photograph.

The project also highlights the level of skill as well as the exciting potential involved in the study and practice of Genealogy; the study of family history and lineage, using a variety of records and means – something Michala has long-practiced, in increasingly innovative ways.

Read more about Michala’s project on her blog here. Haunt Manchester also decided to speak to Michala about the ‘Finding the Peterloo Eleven’, as well as the shortlisting news:

Hello Michala. Congratulations on the shortlisting! Why were you drawn to finding the descendants of the Failsworth Veterans in particular - and what do you think can be learned from connecting history with the contemporary in this way? 

 “This project was important because it connected a group of strangers to their ancestors and also to a significant historical event that previously to this, they had not connected to. What also made this project special, is that the descendants could actually see what their ancestors looked like. We were also able to take the descendants back to the place where their ancestors lived and worked.

 “It was also important to share the stories of the Veterans with their descendants and also the wider public because they really were remarkable. Not only did they live through the horrors of Peterloo, some 60 odd years later, they were still protesting and campaigning for a fairer society.”

 
What was the biggest challenge? And the most rewarding thing? 

 “There were several challenges with this project. The first challenge was trying to find all the descendants and then it was convincing them to take part. Ten days before the scheduled shoot to recreate the photograph, I think I only had one confirmed descendant and the whole thing looked like it wasn’t going to happen. Then it was trying to find a suitable place to take the photograph. Unfortunately, the original weaver cottages were no longer standing, so I had to think of an alternative.

 “The most rewarding thing or things, was seeing everyone sat in the seats of their ancestor and watching the recreation of the photograph. The second thing was watching the descendants connect with their ancestors, which at times was quite emotional.”

 
 Did you learn anything new/surprising about Peterloo in this process?

“I think was surprised me the most is that these people were still campaigning for reform in their late 70s and 80s. Even after the horrors that they witnessed at Peterloo, they still felt the need to fight for a fair and equal society.”

Dr Michala Hulme is also a key member of the Manchester Centre for Public History and Heritage (MCPHH), part of the History Research Centre at Manchester Metropolitan University – and has been involved in a wide range of public history projects, specialising in the 19th century. This includes her new blog series ‘Our House’ – considering the pasts of buildings, which is also available in podcast format. Other podcasts she has worked on include ‘Behind the Headlines of History’ with co-host Brad Argent, now in its second series. No stranger to the screen, recent months have also seen Michala involved in ITV’s Pandemic Story, Channel 4’s ‘Britain’s Most Historic Towns’ and a discussion with CNN anchor Richard Quest, which will be broadcast on CNN in October 2020.

https://michalahulme.com/

Morning:

Start the day by heading out to one of Greater Manchester’s many picturesque country walking spots. Rivington Pike in Bolton, Dovestones in Oldham, Hollingworth Lake in Rochdale, Reddish Vale Country Park in Stockport, all offer spectacular countryside walking trails. Find the perfect spot to view the whole of the city from afar or explore winding woodland and reconnect to nature.

Lunch:

When you’re ready to rest your feet and refuel head back towards the city centre and make your way out to Salford Quays or Castlefield in Manchester City Centre. Both locations have a lot of choice for eating out, from big name chains to independent eateries, most overlooking the city’s expansive canal network.  

If you’ve got time after a bite to eat take the short journey from Salford Quays to Ordsall Hall, built in the 1300’s it is one of Greater Manchester’s oldest buildings, home to some friendly ghosts and a fascinating history.  Wander around the beautiful gardens and allotment – an oasis in the centre of Salford.

Alternatively, if you’re in Castlefield why not take the time to explore the city’s origins at the Roman Fort of Mamucium, part of the Castlefield Urban Heritage Park. Discover the replica fort and the original fort ruins.

Afternoon:

Spend a leisurely afternoon wandering through one of the city’s parks. To the south of the city, just off Oxford Road, you’ll find Whitworth Park, home to the Whitworth Gallery. Discover work by some of the world’s leading artists in the gallery and throughout the gardens that surround the building.

To the north of the city centre you’ll find Heaton Park. More than just a park the green space offers all the attractions needed for a full day out for all ages. Including play areas, golf course, pitch & putt, boating lake, Treetop Trek and a plethora of historic buildings dotted throughout the park.

Evening:

Head back into Manchester City Centre to freshen up before an evening of winding down in style.

Make your way to Spinningfields, home to luxury restaurants dishing up everything from South American barbeque, to traditional Spanish Tapas, to a modern take on Chinese cuisine. Alternatively, discover Cathedral Gardens and The Corn Exchange and all its original Edwardian beauty, home to a mouth-watering mix of restaurants dishing up cuisines from around the world

Extend your visit:

Find out more of what Manchester has to offer and where to stay for a weekend break.

NHS frontline workers will help mark the beginning of the festive season in Manchester and turn on the city’s Christmas lights.

The normal switch-on event - which attracts more than 20,000 people into the city centre - will not go ahead this year due to Covid-19 social distancing restrictions. 

However, determined to mark the start of the season in the city, the Council is working with BBC Radio Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust to choose three NHS key workers from their Hospitals across the city to do the honour. 

The small, socially-distanced event will take place on Tuesday, 17 November and will be live on BBC Radio Manchester and live streamed on social media for people to enjoy safely from home. 

Last week, the Council confirmed the festive events that could not go ahead - including the usual Christmas Lights Switch-on event and the fireworks event on New Year’s Eve. 

However, there will be Christmas Lights in the city centre as usual, and of course the Giant Santa will return - along with a trail of light sculptures through the city. 

The Skate Manchester ice rink in Cathedral Gardens - which can limit entry numbers to ensure social distancing - will go ahead and tickets can be booked at www.skatemanchester.com

And tickets for Lightopia in Heaton Park - an award-winning lantern and light festival - are already on sale at www.lightopiafestival.com

To note: all events are subject to covid regulations and restrictions, and could be affected if local Covid-19 guidelines change. 

Hosted by the Manchester Centre for Gothic Studies at Manchester Metropolitan University and in affiliation with the ‘Romantic Bicentennials’ initiative, Melmoth’s Afterlives gets underway on Wednesday 14th October with the first of three virtual book groups.  And further events in November include a special online seminar featuring Maturin scholars of global influence, a plenary lecture by Dr Christina Morin (University of Limerick), and an interview with the award-winning novelist, Sarah Perry, whose novel Melmoth (2018) reimagined Maturin’s Faustian character for a contemporary audience.

Co-organiser of Melmoth’s Afterlives, Dr Sonja Lawrenson, commented:

"We’re absolutely delighted to host this bicentenary celebration, which will see a wide range of international experts on Maturin coming together to provide exciting and insightful conversations on the text and its author. We also look forward to encouraging newcomers to the text to engage with its elusive and enigmatic narrative for the first time!"

Please see below for the full schedule of events.

‘Melmoth’s Afterlives’: Schedule of Events

14/10/20, 16:30 – 17:30

Reading Group 1:

Charles R. Maturin, Melmoth the Wanderer (1820)

Pre-register for free on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/melmoths-afterlives-book-group-1-charles-maturins-melmoth-the-wanderer-tickets-122294368749

21/10/20, 16:30 – 17:30           

Reading Group 2:

Honoré de Balzac, Melmoth Reconciled (1835) & Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890)

Pre-register for free on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/melmoths-afterlives-book-group-2-honore-de-balzac-and-oscar-wilde-tickets-122301329569

4/11/20, 16:30 – 17:30

Reading Group 3:

Sarah Perry, Melmoth (2018)

Pre-register for free on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/melmoths-afterlives-book-group-3-sarah-perrys-melmoth-2018-tickets-122301748823

11/11/20, 16.00-18.30          

North-West Long Nineteenth-Century Seminar Special Session on Melmoth’s Afterlives.

Contributors include James Kelly (Exeter), Catherine Lanone (Sorbonne), and Lisa Lampert-Weissig (California, San Diego)​

Pre-register for free via the Seminar’s Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/536508213171152/

18/11/20

Plenary Event

This plenary event will consist of two sessions: a plenary lecture by Dr Christina Morin & an interview with Sarah Perry, author of Melmoth.

14:00 – 15:00    Lecture by Dr Christina Morin (University of Limerick)

15:30 – 16:30    Interview with Sarah Perry, author of Melmoth (2018)

Pre-register for free on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/melmoths-afterlives-plenary-event-dr-christina-morin-and-sarah-perry-tickets-122709454281

For further information contact Drs Sonja Lawrenson and Matt Foley via the address melmoth2020@mmu.ac.uk

The organisers would like to thank the KSAA and BSA for their generous support of this project.

]]> stuart.aiken@marketingmanchester.com (Visit Manchester) http://www.visitmanchester.com/ideas-and-inspiration/blog/read/2020/10/join-the-bicentenary-celebrations-of-charles-r-maturins-gothic-novel-melmoth-the-wanderer-b1407#comments1407 Thu, 08 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://www.visitmanchester.com/ideas-and-inspiration/blog/read/2020/10/black-history-month-and-autumn-season-at-contact-theatre-b1406 An autumn season of digital and live events presented by Manchester’s Contact Theatre kicks off this October with a celebration of Black History Month, Black Gold Arts Festival, headlined by Metro columnist and trans performer Travis Alabanza. Plus, there’ll be a chance for the public to get a glimpse of Contact’s newly extended and refurbished theatre spaces, with their first socially-distanced performance tour. An autumn season of digital and live events presented by Manchester’s Contact Theatre kicks off this October with a celebration of Black History Month, Black Gold Arts Festival, headlined by Metro columnist and trans performer Travis Alabanza. Plus, there’ll be a chance for the public to get a glimpse of Contact’s newly extended and refurbished theatre spaces, with their first socially-distanced performance tour.

Contact has also teamed up with legendary Mancunian poet Tony Walsh aka Longfella (who famously penned a poignant tribute to the victims of the Manchester bombing) to highlight the devastation of the live events industry during Covid-19, putting the careers and livelihoods of artists, freelancers and cultural practitioners in jeopardy.

Tony Walsh aka Longfella. Image Credit: VisionHaus

Using Longfella’s poem ‘Arts and Minds’, Contact will be spearheading a cultural rallying cry from Northern arts venues. Arts and Minds is a heartfelt celebration of the arts, and caused a stir when it was performed live during his set at Our City Speaks, a livestreamed poetry event presented by Contact, Manchester City of Literature and Young Identity as part of United We Stream GM in May 2020.

To kick off the season during Black History Month, Contact hosts the return of Black Gold Arts Festival on Friday 23 - Sunday 25 October. The festival theme of Decolonising Theatre is explored through an important symposium event, and the festival includes an opening event with Travis Alabanza, new artist film commissions, a female-DJ-MC extravaganza, and a Black queer Manchester Garden Party.

The festival will features a performance of High Rise Theatre’s show, Lil.Miss.Lady. An immersive grime rave, held in the comfort of your own home, the show is part rave and part drama. Initially penned for a UK tour following performances at Latitude Festival and the Roundhouse, the concept has been revitalised for digital audiences.

All event are on sale now on a pay-what-you-decide basis, and income goes towards supporting the work of Black Gold Arts.

Contact’s own award-winning Young Company return with The Starter Kit, their first ever online performance. Created via workshops and discussions throughout lockdown with artists Amy Vreeke, Keisha Thompson and Javaad Alipoor, they’ll investigate social movements, and the tools we need to re-imagine the future, via a frisky, funny and interactive show. The Starter Kit takes place Wednesday 4 - Saturday 7 November, with performances at 6pm and 8.30pm. Tickets are on sale from early October.

On Saturday 21 November, Contact and Word of Warning present Emergency 2020, the first live performance to take place at the venue since Contact completed their two-year building expansion project. Around ten brand new live works have been created for a socially distanced audience who will experience each work in turn via a guided tour through the venue. Tickets are on sale from Friday 13 November.

LINK UP is a chance to catch up with the work of four young Contact artists as a trailblazer event in advance of Contact’s annual Queer Contact Festival in 2021. Apple TV’s Adam Ali, Mandla Rae, Mark Croasdale and Roma Havers will be in conversation discussing their new projects at this digital event on Wednesday 25 - Thursday 26 November.

From there, Contact will be heading into the festive season via a disco with a difference, and the whole family’s invited.

Fully inclusive, and back after its premiere performances in 2018 at Hope Mill Theatre, Forest of Forgotten Discos! returns Friday 4 - Saturday 5 December to bring the show right into your homes. This zoom-based family dance party features a cast of reimagined fairytale characters, from three grumpy bears to fearless runaway Red - plus a helping hand from a digital assistant!

Forest of Forgotten Discos! is a fully inclusive show for ages 4+. Performance are accessible to D/deaf audience members through the use of creative sign language, and visual storytelling, and accessible to blind and visually impaired people through the integration of creative audio description. Tickets on sale from November.

Finally, following two successful digital versions earlier this year One Mic Stand - Online is back on Friday 11 December, from Manchester’s foremost young spoken word collective, Young Identity. In this fast-paced poetry slam, ten performers are given only three minutes each to impress both the audience and judges with their mastery of words and rhyme, alongside some very special guests.

Contact’s Artistic Director and Chief Executive Matt Fenton said:

‘“Since lockdown our staff have been working flat out to deliver our young people’s and community activity without interruption, first online, and now in the new creative spaces of the refurbished Contact. After two years of building works, it was gutting not to be able to welcome the public to our planned re-opening in

September. Instead, we’re delighted to announce an alternative Autumn programme online.

With a theme of decolonising theatre, Black Gold Arts Festival is a burst of energy and activism this Black History Month. It’s followed by some of the things that make Contact great – a new show from Contact Young Company with Keisha Thompson and Javaad Alipoor; a taster of Queer Contact Festival; and an accessible family Christmas disco courtesy of Jackie Hagan and Nickie Miles-Wildin. We’ve even got a live performance tour of the building itself for Emergency 2020, featuring 1ten north-west artists. We hope you can join us, in any way you can.”

All businesses mentioned in this blog are following the relevant government guidance but please familiarise yourself with our Know Before You Go page as you plan your trip to make sure that you have the latest information.  

When out and about in Greater Manchester, please remember to keep your distance from others, wear a face covering and wash your hands regularly. 

Ten things to do in Greater Manchester this week 

1. Bolton has had a bit of a time of it in recent months, with the boroughs hospitality industry having taken a particularly hard hit. Why not plan a day trip to explore Bolton Museum’s fantastic galleries including the acclaimed Bolton’s Egypt exhibition, then take a wander around popular filming location Le Mans Crescent, pop into Bolton Market to pick up some lovely local produce and finish up with a drink and tea at one of the towns many great pubs. The museum is currently open 9am-5pm on Tuesday to Friday and 10am-4pm on Saturdays. 

2. The beautiful Edwardian Manchester, A Radisson Collection Hotel has been welcoming guests again for just over a month. Peter Street Kitchen, the hotel’s Japanese and Mexican inspired restaurant is open for bookings, as well as The Library curated by Assouline bar space for luxe drinks and nibbles. Plus the spa – arguably one of the best in the city – is now open for residents. Why not book in for an overnight stay, dinner and spa package? 

3. Sightseeing Manchester – the city’s hop-on, hop-off bus tour – has returned operating Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The tour takes in a route that covers most of Manchester city centre, parts of Salford including Salford Cathedral and The Quays, as well as Old Trafford and the Imperial War Museum North. 

4. A brand new opening came to Manchester on Thursday 24 September when Napoleons Casino & Restaurant opened on Portland Street. The 24-hour Manchester casino, situated next door to Hotel Brooklyn, has a huge range of gaming tables, including American Roulette, Blackjack, Three Card Poker and Punto Banco, plus the latest market-leading Slot Machines and Electronic Roulette. A luxurious restaurant overlooking the buzzing gaming floor offers delicious gourmet grills, creative vegan and vegetarian dishes and a variety of world cuisines. 

5. The Maker’s Market roams various locations across the North West offering a chance to support small businesses selling crafts, jewellery and food and drink. Check the site and make a note of their calendar where you can find them interchangeably outside the Great Northern Warehouse in Manchester city centre, outside The Lowry at Salford Quays, in Stevenson Square in the Northern Quarter, as well as in Stockport, Sale, Cheadle, Chorlton and West Didsbury. 

6. The People’s History Museum, the national museum of democracy is now welcoming visitors to explore the past, present, and future of ideas worth fighting for. Opening hours are now Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm and to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience the team have introduced an online registration system where you can select a date and time up to two weeks in advance to visit the museum. Starting Friday 9 October and running until Sunday 1 November, People’s History Museum is taking part in the national Where’s Wally? Spooky Museum Search, to celebrate the release of the new Where’s Wally? book, Spooky Spotlight Search. 

7. Over at HOME, the art centre’s resident company Young Identity are launching their brand-new poetry collection, offering an amazing retrospective of the work they have produced over the first five years of HOME. Working from HOME is a one-off special event to launch their new book of poetry on Tuesday 13 October featuring performances from the hearts of some of the finest emceeing poets in Manchester. 

8. All the big shops and retail centres across the region are open and if you visit the Trafford Centre you can make a day of it with a visit to Sea Life Centre, Legoland Discovery Centre, Dino Falls Adventure Golf or Treetop Adventures. If you fancy more of an indie vibe, Northern Quarter icon the Manchester Craft and Design Centre is now open each Tuesday to Saturday throughout October and is the perfect place to pick up gifts or treats from a range of fantastic independent makers. 

9. Manchester Art Gallery threw open its doors on Thursday 20 August and is now open five days a week, Wednesday to Sunday. Visitors are able to see the gallery’s much-loved displays of British and European art and design, including the world-famous Pre-Raphaelite paintings by Millais, Holman Hunt and Rossetti, and other highlights including works by Stubbs, Turner, Landseer, Lord Leighton, and Wagner’s The Chariot Race. See the gallery’s website to pre-book a slot. 

10. And finally… walking tours are back and there are loads to choose from. Manchester Guided Tours are running their Discover Manchester tour every Saturday and Sunday at 11am, offering an ideal way to get reacquainted with the city. For an alternative viewpoint, tour guide Hayley Flynn has recommenced her hugely popular Street Art: The Modern History of the Northern Quarter with a selection of tour dates across autumn. Emma Fox is offering bespoke tours, covering places such as Southern Cemetery and the Bridgewater Canal Trail around Worsley. Jonathan Schofield has a vast array of tours to choose from, but one of his most popular explores the abandoned majesty of Mayfield Station, running on selected dates throughout October and November. And Ed Glinert who runs New Manchester Walks has several varied tours planned throughout October with highlights this upcoming week including ‘The Pankhursts: Suffragette City’, ‘Strangeways: No Escape!’, and ‘L.S. Lowry’s Manchester’.  

Image credit: Bevan Ross

The Walk is an epic theatrical journey of a nine-year-old refugee girl from the Turkish-Syrian border to Manchester, in the form of a giant living artwork.

Manchester International Festival (MIF) announces its first event for the 2021 edition of the Festival (1-18 July 2021), with The Walk, the culmination of the extraordinary journey from Gaziantep in Turkey to Manchester of nine-year-old refugee girl, Little Amal in the form of a giant living artwork.

Working together with renowned theatre company Good Chance – creators of critically-acclaimed The Jungle – and world-famous creators of War Horse, Handspring Puppet Company, The Walk will see Little Amal – a 3.5 metre tall puppet and an emblem of the millions of displaced refugee children separated from their families - travel 8,000km across Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and the UK in search of her mother. Embodying the urgent message ‘Don’t forget about us’ Little Amal will be welcomed by over 70 cities, towns and villages with art – from major street parades and city-wide performances of music, dance and theatre, to intimate community events, between April and July 2021.

The poignant finale moment on Sunday 4 July – forming a highlight of MIF21’s opening weekend – will be marked with a free large-scale outdoor event in the heart of Greater Manchester, a place that has long welcomed its diverse and dynamic population of refugee and migrant communities, and has the highest concentration of dispersed asylum seekers in the UK outside of London.

A programme of creative engagement activity in the lead up to, and across the Festival’s opening weekend with communities from across Greater Manchester will help to create Little Amal’s welcome.

The Walk will shine a light on the region and its people, as a home and refuge for those who need it. It will build on the legacy of MIF projects such as the Beating Wing Orchestra, ToGather (MIF17), The Welcoming Party (MIF17) and most recently School of Integration (MIF19) which saw over 100 people from over 50 countries take over Manchester Art Gallery to deliver unique classes, from food and customs, to ethics and politics.

John McGrath, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Manchester International Festival said “We’re delighted to be a major partner on The Walk, our first event to be unveiled as we plan for MIF21, and to welcome Little Amal to Manchester for the conclusion of her extraordinary journey. At MIF, we have a proud history of creating large-scale participatory events that bring the city together. As we continue to navigate these uncertain times, a project like this feels more important than ever – encapsulating everything that the arts can do; crossing borders, starting important conversations, and bringing communities together.”

“We hope that families, communities, schools, friends and neighbours - everyone who calls Greater Manchester their home, will help us welcome Little Amal.”

Amir Nizar Zuabi, Artistic Director of The Walk stated “It is because the attention of the world is elsewhere right now that it is more important than ever to reignite the conversation about the refugee crisis and change the narrative around it. Yes, refugees need food and blankets, but they also need dignity and a voice. The purpose of The Walk is to highlight the potential of the refugee, not just their dire circumstances. Little Amal is 3.5 metres tall because we want her to inspire us to think big and to act bigger.”

At this time of unprecedented global change, The Walk is an extraordinary artistic response: a cultural odyssey transcending borders, politics and language, to tell a new story of shared humanity - and to ensure the world doesn’t forget the millions of displaced children, each with their own story, who are more vulnerable than ever during the global pandemic.

FilmFear, HOME’s annual celebration of big-screen scares, returns for Halloween with a provocative programme that mixes thrills and chills with plenty to think about.

This year, FilmFear runs from Wednesday, 28 October to Thursday, 5 November, with Film4 and HOME co-curating a line-up of modern genre classics that sink their teeth into politics, race, sexuality, social issues and more. So, prepare yourself for the ‘Night of the Living Subtext’ - the real world can be unsettling at the best of times and, as FilmFear proves, horror cinema faces it all without flinching.

FilmFear is curated by Film4’s David Cox and HOME’s Creative Director for Film and Culture, Jason Wood. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, 6 October.

David said: “Even though what many of us are experiencing day-to-day may feel unprecedented, the horror genre has already seen it, done it and no doubt re-imagined it as either a city-devouring monster or an undead infestation. And somehow, these extreme representations of our worst fears and most unimaginable realities have the power to make us feel better – or at least distract us from the terror outside for 90 minutes.”

Among the terrifying treats on show will be Wes Craven’s The People Under the Stairs, a savage slice of Reagan-era urban Gothic, and Philip Kaufman’s 1978 sci-fi thriller Invasion of the Body Snatchers, starring Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams and Jeff Goldblum.

From Parasite Oscar-winner Bong Joon-ho comes The Host, an aquatic creature-feature that says as much about Korean society as it does about beasts from the deep. Staying under the earth, a murder on the London Underground alerts authorities to the possibility of some sort of creature living in the long dark tunnels in Death Line which brings a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘mind the doors!’

In lieu of the remake, which should have been in cinemas this month, HOME will present a restored version of early 1990s horror classic Candyman, in which the vengeful, hook-handed title character proves that some urban legends are actually true. Karyn Kusama and Diablo Cody’s Jennifer’s Body makes a well-deserved return to the big screen. Starring Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried, and critically disregarded on release, the film has been reappraised as a feminist cult classic in the wake of the Me Too movement. And in The Stuff, a tasty, healthy and fun new dessert might seem irresistible but the truth behind what it is and what it does to you is the starting-point for a fiendishly original and darkly comic monster movie like no other.

And this year, FilmFear extends to Thursday, 5 November – Guy Fawkes Night – for a special screening of Attack the Block, writer/director Joe Cornish’s social-themed sci-fi/monster movie that’s set on this very night. As a special Bonfire Night bonus, Cornish will take part in a live video Q&A.

Crossing over with the ¡Viva! Spanish & Latin American Festival for only the second time, FilmFear also celebrates Chicho, Spain’s horror maestro.

Narciso Ibáñez Serrador is one of the most well-known, and best loved, names in Spanish film and television history. Forever linked to the horror genre, ‘Chicho’, as he was known to all, was responsible for the legendary TV series Historias para no dormir which ran intermittently from 1966. Chicho passed away in 2019, and ¡Viva! and Film Fear have linked with the Instituto Cervantes to bring to HOME a celebration of one of Spanish film and television’s most distinctive voices.

In the double bill of El asfalto and La residencia a young woman is sent to a gothic boarding school, where she finds a headmistress intent on keeping everyone in line with firm, physical discipline. With La residencia, one of the most atmospheric European horror films of the late 1960s, Ibáñez Serrador scored a major hit at the Spanish box-office, significantly contributing to the cycle of horror film production in Spain in the 1970s. The film is accompanied by El asfalto, one of the best-remembered episodes of Ibáñez Serrador’s legendary TV series, Historias para no dormir. And in 1972’s Who Can Kill a Child?, an English couple on holiday in Spain find more than they bargained for when they visit a beautiful island that seems to have no adults, only children.

FilmFear runs from Wednesday, 28 October to Thursday, 5 November. For more information, visit https://homemcr.org/event/filmfear-2020/

Celebrity hairdresser Adee Phelan is coming back to Manchester after 15 years. Adee created one of the most iconic haircuts on Manchester Unit- ed’s David Beckham and has always had a strong connection to the City.

Adee Phelan has been giving back to the NHS throughout the COVID-19 pandemic by setting up his ‘Thank You to the NHS’ gift box campaign and now for the last few months the NHS Pop-ups campaign.

At the beginning of Lockdown Adee had an idea that he would like to give something back to the NHS heroes, so began collecting hair and beauty products to gift to NHS workers.

After his appeal on social media went viral, multiple product companies showed their generosity by donating pallets of products to Adee who then packaged them up and delivered gift boxes to hospital NHS workers.

Having donated over a staggering 10,000 boxes to 46 hospitals, equating to more than £1,000,000 worth of retail donations Adee has taken the giving back campaign one step further and has launched the first Pop-Up Salon for the NHS.

After two successful pop-ups in both London and Liverpool Adee is bring- ing the NHS love to Manchester for a week in October at the Holiday Inn Manchester City Centre. The lucky guests are not only treated to drinks, a free haircut and blow-dry, but receive a gift box filled with hair and beauty goodies to take away too.  

Support has come from; David Haye, Paddy McGuinness, Max Beesly, Chef Tom Kerridge, Pete Wicks, Joey Essex, Piers Morgan, Kenny Dalglish, The Prodigy to name just a few.

Guests can expect to spot a few celebrities attend the pop-ups, with Calum Best and Paddy McGuinness both promised to make and appearance 

“At the beginning of Lockdown I could not quite believe what was happen- ing and just felt like I had to do something to give back. My expertise is hairdressing so I thought why not call upon all my contacts and see what we can pull together and do. I had no idea it would be such as success and cannot believe how generous the manufacturers have been,” said Adee.

Thanks to the kind donations of the public and his sponsors Calum Best, David Haye and Neon Management this has been all made possible.

“They deserve to be treated and recognised. They are our heroes.“

To help spread the good will even further, a Just Giving page has been set up. To donate, go to: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/adee- phelan

Follow Adee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adee_phelan_5/ 

Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants, the leading global boutique luxury brand from IHG® Hotels & Resorts, this week opens Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester. Kimpton Clocktower Hotel brings the brand’s cosmopolitan style, cool culture and heartfelt service style to Manchester.

Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is a magnificent terracotta Grade II listed building with a history dating back to 1890, when it first opened as The Refuge Assurance Company headquarters. The grand clock tower at the centre of its striking Victorian architecture is an unmistakable landmark on Manchester’s skyline. All 270 loft-style bedrooms, including 11 suites, were designed to make the most of the stunning, double and triple-height ceilings. Other original, period features including glazed bricks, tiles and faience, stained glass and carved wooden staircases, are combined with contemporary fittings and interiors. In the hotel’s lobby, there is a three-metre-tall bronze horse by artist Sophie Dickens which represents a horse-and-carriage ‘turning circle’ that once stood on the same spot.

An unrivalled stay experience

Guest rooms offer an homage to Manchester’s iconic music scene, with vinyl records of the city’s most iconic bands - from the Stone Roses and Oasis to Elbow and Take That – available to play on record players in each room. Each room borrows design inspiration from the spirited and renowned Manchester party and music scene, with vibrant, bespoke textiles designed by Timorous Beasties, which incorporate the iconic Manchester worker bee and bold contemporary graphic prints adorning the walls.

Hotel guests will enjoy Kimpton’s signature perks such as in-room yoga mats and the ‘Forgot It? We’ve Got It!’ service offering important guest essentials. Free tuck boxes of treats in all rooms, as well as fresh milk and mineral water in the fridge make for a relaxing in-room experience. Guests can also expect the brand’s industry-leading pet-friendly attitude and service that’s personal, unscripted and meaningful, fuelled by a hotel team who is committed to delight in surprising ways.

A 10-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly Station, Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is in the heart of the city, opposite Oxford Road Station. Visible from all around thanks to its clock tower, it is less than five minutes by foot from the world-famous LGBTQ area of Canal Street, and close to the city centre’s shopping areas and department stores. For those looking to explore Manchester on two wheels, Kimpton-branded bikes are available for hire free-of-charge.

Restaurants & Bars

Kimpton is renowned for its award-winning portfolio of local, seasonally-inspired restaurants and bars. At the heart of Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is The Winter Garden, a space full of natural light, where guests can sit back and relax for a drink or a meal, whatever the time of day or night. Destination bar and restaurant, The Refuge by Volta, serves globally inspired small plates, craft beers and cocktails curated by the award-winning team from Volta and has a uniquely curated programme of events and happenings. Those wanting to make human connections can meet fellow visitors across socially distanced tables at the nightly Kimpton Social Hour to bond over hosted drinks from 5-6pm.

The hotel also offers 17 meeting rooms featuring charming Edwardian detailing alongside the latest technology, with capacity from four to 1,000 (as meeting and event restrictions allow) with the hotel boasting the largest hotel ballroom in the northwest of England.

There are currently 72 Kimpton hotels open worldwide with a further 34 in the pipeline to open in the next 3-5 years*. Kimpton Clocktower Hotel closely follows the opening of Kimpton Vividora Hotel, which opened its doors in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona this Summer.

Double rooms at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel start from £120 inclusive of VAT, service charge and Full English Breakfast. Bookings are now available at www.kimptonclocktowerhotel.com

The safety and wellbeing of our guests and colleagues is our top priority so we've introduced the IHG Clean Promise giving guests extra reassurance. Find out more at www.kimptonhotels.com/Clean

Created by artists Filthy Luker and Pedro Estrellas from Designs in Air, these monsters are a much-loved part of Manchester’s Halloween celebrations, organised by Manchester’s Business Improvement District – Manchester BID – which represents over 400 city centre retailers and restaurants.

See the city skyline transformed into an eye-catching array of Halloween-worthy wonder as the monsters make their way back. This year they will be appearing at Spinningfields, Moda Angel Gardens, Manchester Arndale, The Printworks, Selfridges, Great Northern Warehouse and 111 Piccadilly, which is about to launch as a Bruntwood Works Pioneer building. As part of 111 Piccadilly’s redevelopment, this will include commissioned art by Artin Light – a huge 200ft lighting installation made all-the-more impressive in that it is powered by sustainable energy via photovoltaics, a first for Manchester!

Visitors to the city centre will be able to see some old favourites including Filthy Luker’s iconic giant tentacles, along with new commissions for this year… which means even more freaky features in the MCR Monsters family!

The monsters will add to the array of pumpkin lanterns already decorating sites across the city centre including Market Street, St Ann’s Square, St Ann’s Street, Spinningfields and First Street.

Jane Sharrocks, Manchester BID Chair and General Manager of Selfridges Exchange Square added:  

"Manchester BID are incredibly excited to bring this event back in what will be the first major calendar date we’re been able to celebrate in the city since the start of the pandemic. This is an incredibly challenging time and obviously we’ve had to make changes to this year’s overall event programme but we’re confident that the return of the Manchester monsters will be a fantastic and safe way to surprise and delight visitors and celebrate Halloween across the city centre.”

Sure to liven up anyone’s shopping or walking experience, visitors to the city centre can share their pictures of the monsters on Twitter and Instagram, using the hashtag #MCRMonsters, with a chance to win a shopping weekend in Manchester!

Dr Xavier Aldana Reyes is Reader in English Literature and Film at Manchester Metropolitan University and a founder member of The Manchester Centre for Gothic Studies. He is also the author of Gothic Cinema – the first chronological, transhistorical and transnational study of its kind, published as part of the Routledge Film Guidebook series (read our earlier interview with him about the book here). During his academic career he has also authored and edited a number of books, including Spanish Gothic (2017), Horror: A Literary History (editor, 2016), Horror Film and Affect (2016), Digital Horror (co-editor, 2015) and Body Gothic (2014). Xavier has additionally worked with the British Library as an Editor for many of their Tales of the Weird anthologies. Here at Haunt Manchester, we decided to speak more to Xavier about some of his upcoming plans and how you can get involved…

Hello Xavier. It certainly sounds like a busy spooky season! You are part of a public lecture at the Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies on the 8 October, discussing 'Spanish Horror: Industry, Political Critique and the Gothic Imaginary'. Can you tell us a little more about this and perhaps advise us where to start if we are not acquainted with much Spanish Horror?

"The Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies is an international educational community made up of directors, critics and horror enthusiasts, with classes taking place regularly in London, Los Angeles and New York. Filmmakers and journalists I really admire, like Mark Gatiss and Kim Newman, have participated in the past, so it’s a real privilege to be able to give a talk for them. For the first time ever, their classes have gone fully digital, so my paper is via Zoom. That’s another potential world of new horrors awaiting…

"When Miskatonic got in touch, they were keen on getting someone on board who could present Spanish horror to an audience with a working knowledge of the topic. For this reason, my lecture is introductory, but centres on the two pillars that, to my view, have articulated the look and themes of Spanish horror: the industry context of the late 1960s and early 1970s (still under Francoism), and unresolved political tensions (say, between Catalonia and centralist Spain) that are deeply connected to the Spanish Civil War. I am hoping that the talk will prove an interesting introduction for those who may have an interest in this national manifestation of the genre but would like a little bit more background to films like Tombs of the Blind Dead (1972) or Guillermo del Toro’s co-productions The Devil’s Backbone (2001) and Pan’s Labyrinth (2006). Incidentally, these films might be a good place to start for anyone who has never watched Spanish horror films before."

Another piece of exciting news is that the book you edited for the British Library in 2016, Horror: A Literary History, is being reprinted in a trade paperback edition. Why do you think there is such an appetite for exploring the literary history of Horror? And what can learning about the literary history teach us about our own relationship with the genre?

"I have been very pleasantly surprised by the reception of this book. When I edited it, my aim was to bring together academics who were experts in specific literary periods to write about significant movements and authors that helped shape horror. It was also, naturally, a love letter to a genre that has meant so much to us. Although there have been many attempts at mapping out Gothic literature and fantastic and supernatural fiction, I felt that there was no up-to-date history of horror understood as its own distinct genre. All collections have their gaps, and this is by no means a definitive or exhaustive history (I would have needed 5 volumes), but I feel we were able to provide something for everyone. This might be one of the reasons the book has been well received by both academics and fans. I think there has always been an interest in the history of literary horror, but it’s been perhaps relegated to magazines, fanzines and website. The modern appreciation of what this genre tells us about fear, repressed desires and dominant ideologies have legitimised its study. The history of horror literature is really the history of minoritarian literature more generally, and is certainly comparable to the evolution of science fiction. Many of the films that have come to form the horror canon derive from horror novels too – not just Dracula (1897) and Frankenstein (1818), but more modern classics like I Am Legend (1954), Psycho (1959), Let the Right One In (2008) and Annihilation (2014). I guess you could say that shifting the attention back to the stories and novels is a way of acknowledging horror’s formative past."

And that’s not all! You are also working with Dr Sorcha Ní Fhlainn on an upcoming anthology of vampire fiction for the British Library… Visions of the Vampire: Two Centuries of Immortal Tales. Can you tell us more about this – and why do you think we have been so fascinated by vampires throughout the centuries?

"The collection brings together Sorcha’s vampire expertise with my long-held passion for these monsters and interest in the short story form. As with Promethean Horrors: Classic Tales of Mad Science, the intention was to create a ‘best of’ anthology that could be of interest to the horror aficionado. We have also dug deep to offer an anthology that should appeal to the vampire enthusiast. We mostly know vampires through films and television, but there is a long history of vampire short stories people are less familiar with. Most anthologies tend to be quite specific (Victorian vampire stories) or end in the late twentieth century. We wanted to produce something that was also contemporary and up-to-date. We are delighted that the British Library has been able to negotiate the copyrights for the more modern stories. It’s a real delight to see Bram Stoker, Anne Rice, Angela Carter, Robert Bloch, Suzy McKee Charnas and Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, and John Ajvide Lindqvist all under the same cover! Vampires explore many human obsessions: immortality, blood and its symbology, eternal youth, sexuality and dangerous passions. Increasingly, they have been used to explore identity and social inequality too. This is all a testament to their versatility and endurance in popular culture."

Do you think our experiences of the pandemic, lockdown and generally ‘being closer to home’ will affect the appreciation and development of the horror genre? For example, you are involved in Brazil's Week of the Image (Semana da Imagem), hosted by Unisinos University, with a lecture on found footage horror this November. Perhaps found footage horror, with its emphasis on human recording and intensity, may be perceived as even more disturbing?

"We have already seen the birth of the first Zoom horror film, Host (2020). It’s effectively a desktop horror in the style of Unfriended, but told entirely through the duration of a Zoom call. The film is interesting for various reasons: it is an indication not just of how fast horror moves in being able to capture and catalyse the zeitgeist, but also of how deeply the Covid-19 pandemic will affect the stories we tell in the future. Once filmmaking can resume safely, there will be a flood of horror films exploring alienation, social discrimination, captivity, the horrors of digital life, domestic abuse and so on. Interestingly, recent research suggests horror fans are coping better with the pandemic, and it would be interesting to see if there has been a correlative rise in horror consumption too. Many people did indeed rush to watch pandemic films like Contagion (2011) and Outbreak (1995) at the beginning of the pandemic, and when I last checked Amazon, the horror top best sellers were all pandemic dystopias: Stephen King’s The Stand (1978), Paul Tremblay’s Survivor Song (2020), Robert R. McCammon’s Swan Song (1987). And as I discussed recently in a RAH! Podcast, we have long been fascinated by that close neighbour: post-apocalyptic zombie films. There is definitely something about these narratives that draws people in. Perhaps it’s simply about working out possible worst-case imaginary scenarios, from a safe distance. Perhaps they give us a false sense of control over the unprecedented and fast-changing events still unfolding worldwide. Perhaps horror’s honesty, its lack of a veneer of propriety, is particularly appreciated during these strange times."

"My interest in found footage goes back to, at least, 2016, when I co-edited Digital Horror: Haunted Technologies, Network Panic and the Found Footage Phenomenon, with Linnie Blake. I’m interested in the system of immersion encouraged by the diegetic camera, as well as in what I’ve begun to refer to as ‘the crisis of the image’ in times governed by fake news and deepfakes. My paper in Brazil explores this idea in relation to found footage’s false claims to veracity and appeal to pure, mediated affect. I don’t know if desktop horror is any more intense or effective than previous found footage horror, but it definitely speaks to the ways we live our lives now: through our computers and a world of online misinformation we must navigate carefully."

Can you tell us about any other projects you are planning or working on?

"The most exciting thing I’ve done recently is write the text for two forthcoming Blu-ray releases by Arrow Video, [Rec] (2007) and Beyond Re-Animator (2003), both of which intersect with research areas of mine: found footage horror, affect, Spanish horror cinema and body horror. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed writing for a different audience and, as someone who admires what Arrow do for cult and horror cinema, hope to get to work with them again. I’ve also been writing short pieces on ‘Body Horror’ for the Cambridge Companion to American Horror and on Carlos Ruiz Zafón’s books for a forthcoming collection on The New Urban Gothic. My main plan, though, is to get on with this year’s blended teaching model, which is exciting and challenging in equal measure."

As October is Halloween month… do you find yourself returning to any books/films in particular? What would you recommend to our readers?

"Unsurprisingly, Halloween is my favourite festivity! And this even though I don’t dress up and didn’t ‘trick or treat’ as a child (I was raised in Spain, where it is not really celebrated). For me, Halloween captures the joyous yet melancholic nature of October, and marks autumn’s arrival. ‘Look at all the beautiful colours and leaves!’, but also, ‘Brr, it’s getting cold, wet and dark again!’ Since October is usually high teaching season for me, I don’t get to re-read Halloween books and re-watch Halloween films as much as I’d like, but some classics and all-time favourites include Ray Bradbury’s The Halloween Tree (1972); the manga comic I Luv Halloween (2005), written by Keith Giffen and illustrated by Benjamin Roman; and the films The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) and Trick ‘r Treat (2007). For anyone who might be interested, I once wrote a list of some of my favourite Halloween stories and films for The Conversation: Trick or treat? A guide to Halloween’s hidden (and not so hidden) gems. Oh, and enjoy the witching hour! It always goes by way too quickly."

The Grade II* listed Regency-style villa is the perfect setting, with the stunning house to relax in and pretty heritage gardens to enjoy.  The drawing room is the focal point for weddings at the moment; one of the grandest rooms of the house boasting attractive outlooks all around and as the autumn colours of the garden emerge, it's a really joyful place to be.

Sally Jastrzebski-Lloyd, House Manager of Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, says, “This is a family house that was much loved by writer Elizabeth Gaskell when she lived here, so nothing makes us happier than seeing it used for weddings, which has been a real highlight for us this summer.  It’s been wonderful to see the delight of couples and to know that we have ensured that they have enjoyed the happiest of occasions, despite some of the challenges Covid-19 has created for us all in 2020.”

The words of Claire Myers bring to life the experience through the eyes of a bride, who got married just a few weeks ago, “After a visit to Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, we both knew we’d found somewhere very special for our wedding. A gorgeous Georgian villa in the heart of the city. A secret, hidden gem of loveliness with character and history. It felt grand and yet still somehow cosy - a house that felt like a home and made us feel at home.”

“What none of us had banked on when planning our wedding was a global pandemic throwing everything into chaos! So it was third time lucky when we tried again for a date in mid-August. Throughout the team at Elizabeth Gaskell were simply amazing. They went above and beyond to support us and work with all the ever-changing announcements with flexibility, humour and genuine compassion to help us get married.”

“The day came and it was simply magical. Ellie and the volunteers were just fantastic and provided lovely little touches whilst adhering to all guidelines so all our guests felt safe. Robert playing the piano added a really special element to the day. I’d been worried it might feel too stripped back and clinical but everyone went to such lengths to ensure it wasn’t. The sun shone and the house and garden felt like an oasis in the midst of everything that had been happening in the world.”

Also still glowing about their wedding experience are Alex and Gazz Davies-Huyton, saying, “Thank you for making yesterday such a brilliant day.  The house was just the perfect venue for our wedding and everyone had an absolutely amazing time.  Thank you so much for all the effort you went to and the volunteers, they were just the best.  If we could have another wedding we would do it all again at E G House.”

In selecting Elizabeth Gaskell’s House for your wedding, not only is it all about the venue, couples are also contributing towards the upkeep of this historic building, which has been open as a visitor attraction since 2014.  It is a house that represents not only the life of Elizabeth Gaskell, but gives a glimpse of Victorian society as a house frequented by visitors such as Charlotte Brontë, Charles Dickens, John Ruskin and Charles Halle.

Frank Galvin, Chair of Manchester Historic Buildings Trust, says, "There are challenges for heritage venues at the best of times, but now more than ever the support that we receive from wedding couples and visitors can make a huge difference.  We also like to think that Elizabeth Gaskell would be overjoyed to see her house being used to create cherished memories.”

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is taking enquires for marriage and civil partnerships with the Drawing Room accommodating up to 12 guests.  All necessary safety measures are in place and all government guidelines are being followed. For further information email enquiries@elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk. The house is also open for visitors every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 11:00am to 4:30pm, with tickets pre-bookable up to two weeks in advance via www.ticketsource.co.uk/elizabeth-gaskell-house.

Find out more about wedding venues in Manchester.

To support the safe reopening of Greater Manchester’s tourism industry, we’re providing a weekly list of ten things that you can plan and enjoy for the week ahead, starting Saturday 3 October. All businesses mentioned in this blog are following the relevant government guidance but please familiarise yourself with our Know Before You Go page as you plan your trip to make sure that you have the latest information. When out and about in Greater Manchester, please remember to keep your distance from others, wear a face covering and wash your hands regularly.

Ten things to do in Greater Manchester this week

1. What was previously the Principal Hotel Manchester has been rebranded by leading global luxury brand Kimpton over lockdown and threw open its doors as Kimpton Clocktower Hotel on Thursday 1 October. Restyled rooms and cool new features such as vinyl records from the city’s most iconic bands in each room and signature perks including in-room yoga mats take the hotel to a new level for guests. Still within the hotel, the iconic Refuge by Volta bar and restaurant serves globally inspired small plates, craft beers and cocktails – our pick of the week to grab brunch and relax.

2. If you’re a fan of old houses, Salford’s Ordsall Hall, which dates back more than 750 years, has now reopened. Visitors need to pre-book a one-hour ‘stewarded’ tour online in order to be shown around and you will be able to roam the gardens freely. There are three tour slots each Sunday-Thursday for a maximum of eight people composed of either your own household or a ‘bubble’ of two households.

3. One of the most highly-anticipated reopening’s of the summer, Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum is now welcoming visitors back to their vast site. Initially, the museum is focused on bringing the galleries in its New Warehouse building back to life. This includes the Revolution Manchester Gallery, where the city’s rich legacy of world-changing innovations, discoveries and ideas are on display. Advanced booking is essential via the museum’s website.

4. There’s never been a better time to explore nearby neighbourhoods and towns across Greater Manchester. You’ve probably already visited the likes of Chorlton, Didsbury and Altrincham at some point, so why not make a beeline for somewhere lesser known, spending your money with independent cafes, restaurants and shops in places like Levenshulme, Urmston, Sale, Ramsbottom, Salford’s Chapel Street, or Heaton Moor.

5. If you want a tour with a difference and one where you are in complete control of what you see and do, book in for a Manchester Taxi Tour with the legendary John Consterdine. John’s fun and flexible tour style allows you to pick and choose to visit anywhere in Greater Manchester, whether you want to follow music threads at places like Salford Lads Club and Sifter Records, visit Corrie filming locations, see the best football pubs, or just have a standard history tour that isn’t confided to the city centre. What’s more, John has recently upgraded his taxi to a roomy electric vehicle with huge glass roof that glides quietly through the streets as you take everything in from the comfort of your back seat.

6. To celebrate its reopening, popular Bombay café Dishoom are presenting guests with ‘random acts of kindness’ cards offering complimentary surprises. The ‘act of kindness’ will most likely be food or one of their famous tipples, which will be decided by your server during your visit to ensure it’s as personal to you as possible. These ‘acts of kindness’ can be redeemed by reservation on Monday to Friday, 12 to 6pm until 30^th October. Booking via this link.

7. In Oldham, five minutes from the town centre, lies a hidden wilderness waiting to be discovered. Northern Roots is a 160-acre site offering lush urban green space that looks out onto the foothills of the Peak District where you can walk, run, bike or ride. Alternatively, you could visit one of Greater Manchester’s National Trust properties such as Dunham Massey just outside of Altrincham; or Haigh Woodland Park in Wigan which is now also mostly open including the Children’s Woodland Adventure Play Park.

8. The Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester in Cheetham Hill – a leisurely walk north from the city centre – contains over 70 vintage buses, coaches, trams and historic objects, all housed within an iconic 1930s bus garage. It’s a fantastic day out for kids who’ve grown up only knowing newer forms of transport and offers a nostalgic trip down memory lane for those a bit older. The museum is initially only opening Saturdays and Sundays, but no pre-booking is required.

9. The National Football Museum is currently open every Thursday to Sunday from 11am-4pm. The reopening will give you a chance to catch the amazing Strip! How Football Got Shirty exhibition which has been extended and features more than 200 football shirts.

10. The fantastic East Lancashire Railway is back up and running with limited services. The heritage railway, which runs along a track through the beautiful Irwell Valley, had a very difficult few months during lockdown so plan a visit, buy a ticket or just have a few pints in the excellent Trackside pub or Buffer Stops Bar in order to support their reopening and help to secure their future.

The covid-19 pandemic and restrictions have meant that the Coliseum has been closed for over six months, with no ticket income – a harsh change to this usually buzzing hub of creativity; home to a popular annual pantomime, as well as a year-round programme of comedy, drama and music. As the pandemic continues, it is difficult to gauge the future security of theatres and performing arts, with even the usually packed Christmas season in doubt.

That is why collective support of Oldham Coliseum is crucial, people coming together to celebrate and help sustain not only a venue that offers so much to The Arts, but a place that is also a charity, regularly engages with the local community, offers training, and has provided a point of togetherness, for years. For example, a survey by The Audience Agency indicated that 95% of audiences thought that the Coliseum was good for Oldham’s image, whilst 63% said that they thought it enhances the sense of community in the town.

To lose Oldham Coliseum would be a tragedy, given its role in the locale as well as in arts and culture, for a huge 135 years. In turn, a range of famous faces connected to Oldham and the theatre itself have pledged their support for The Coliseum, which is aiming to raise £40,000 through the Crowdfunder, to secure it for the times ahead.

Image below: from 'Halloween Horror'. Photo credit: Shay Rowan 

According to Comedian Dave Spikey:

 “I asked if I could get involved in the campaign because, whether you know it or not, Oldham Coliseum has played a massive role in my life. My first ever gig there very early in my comedy career… the memory of walking onto that stage in that beautiful auditorium to that sort of audience has always stayed with me.”

The Coliseum certainly is a place of many memories. It also has had many names and guises of its own over the years! It began life in 1885 with a slightly different title, ‘the Colosseum’, originally on Henshaw Street. However, it was only two years later that the Council wanted to use its location as a marketplace – now Tommyfield Market – and thus the theatre had to move! This process was carried out, with owner and builder Thomas Whittaker seeing that the entire wooden building was shifted plank by plank to a new site: where it now stands on Fairbottom Street. It then became an increasingly popular entertainment venue, bought by Peter Yates (of Yates’ Wine Lodge) in 1903, developing into a much-attended Music Hall also, attracting many icons of the day. Yet this glamour faded, and by the 1930s, after a short period serving as a cinema, it closed, with much of its interior removed and sold.

Below: From The musical 'Bread & Roses'. Photo credit: Joel Chester Fildes

The stripping of the theatre within meant that when it finally was given a fresh start in 1938, as Oldham Repertory Theatre, much of the space inside was even lacking floorboards… meaning that the auditorium actually had a floor of earth for a while! Therefore, even though the new direction of Douglas Emery was giving the place new energy, the nature of its old design and lack of fittings (especially as it was made almost entirely of wood and lacked conventional fire escapes), meant it could only function as a private members club.

Yet as Oldham Repertory Theatre, the venue did develop to attract wide-spread acclaim, with actors involved there over the years such as Jean Alexander, Pat Phoenix and William Roache going onto star on television and in other performances. Hence, the theatre has supported and shaped the creative careers of many… and became its current namesake in 1978: the Oldham Coliseum Theatre. It has gone on to work with many innovative artists and present a broad range of content, with features spanning from family-friendly shows, to dark dramas and even evenings of energetic comedy.

Below: from Charles Dicken's 'Hard Times'. Photo credit: Joel Chester Fildes

Actor, director and twice former Artistic Director Kenneth Alan Taylor added: “It [the Coliseum] is the jewel in the crown of Oldham and if it went it would be a tragedy. The heart of Oldham would be ripped out.”

Although the theatre has been closed from the 16 March this year due to the pandemic,  it is still determined to maintain its reputation for engaging and innovative performance. An example of this is how it is planning to welcome audiences back into the building on Friday 20 November - Saturday 21 November (tickets must be pre-booked) for a unique and immersive experience: a 360° virtual reality show titled PETRICHOR, combining live action and animation. Created by Manchester’s ThickSkin, this is set to be a powerful performance, which will go ahead with social distancing in place. This means a maximum capacity of 20 people per show, all sitting separately and each with a VR headset, made medical-grade safe prior to each use. In order for such cutting-edge work to continue at the theatre, and for it to develop forwards in turbulent times, further support matters.

The ‘Get Behind Us’ Crowdfunder can be accessed online now, helping to support this venue at a time of uncertainty. To find out more about the theatre, visit the website: www.coliseum.org.uk

By Emily Oldfield 

]]> stuart.aiken@marketingmanchester.com (Visit Manchester) http://www.visitmanchester.com/ideas-and-inspiration/blog/read/2020/10/get-behind-us-how-to-help-the-historic-oldham-coliseum-with-their-first-ever-crowdfunder-b1392#comments1392 Thu, 01 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://www.visitmanchester.com/ideas-and-inspiration/blog/read/2020/10/half-term-adventures-at-manchesters-museums-and-galleries-b1390 The world is at your fingertips through unmissable experiences at museums and galleries across the city. Visit this half-term to explore how Manchester has changed the world and how the world has changed Manchester through history, science, sport, art, ideas, creativity and people-powered collections. The world is at your fingertips through unmissable experiences at museums and galleries across the city. Visit this half-term to explore how Manchester has changed the world and how the world has changed Manchester through history, science, sport, art, ideas, creativity and people-powered collections.

The Science and Industry Museum

Discover amazing objects and world changing ideas at a safe and enjoyable visit at the Science and Industry Museum.

Play and explore in Experiment, an interactive gallery designed for the whole family to enjoy together. Stare into the mirror of infinity, find out if you've got the strength to lift a Mini, watch your own skeleton ride a bicycle and more.

Unravel science secrets with expert Explainers at Science Stops around the museum and uncover some of the incredible stories behind the historic site. Explore the Textiles Gallery in a fun and interactive way with a free children’s activity trail and find out how cotton transformed the city of Manchester.

Don’t miss the incredible story of our nearest star in The Sun, a blockbuster exhibition which is due to close on 29 November. Pick up a free activity trail and guide yourself through the exhibition’s stunning objects and digital interactives with fun games and challenges.

Get up close to a very early Rolls-Royce motor car, made in Manchester and driven by Henry Royce himself, just one of the big ideas on display in the Revolution Manchester gallery. Visit the Air and Space Hall, which will reopen from 24 October, and see the cars, motorbikes and aeroplanes that got industrial Manchester moving.

There will be lots for you to do, see and discover during half-term, however, certain areas of the Science and Industry Museum remain temporarily closed. Find more information about what you can expect to see on your visit at scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk/whats-on.

Doors to the museum will be open every day over half term, between 10.00 - 17.00 from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November.

Plan your visit and book your free museum admission tickets before your visit.

People’s History Museum

Look out for family fun at People’s History Museum.

Explore two galleries full of treasures representing the ideas of those who have fought for rights and representation over the last 200 years; from the Peterloo Massacre in Manchester to global events in recent weeks.

Pick up and play I Spy with our free self-guided quiz. There are 16 treasures to find in this new and fun way to experience the national museum of democracy.

Where’s Wally? Join the search by taking the Kids in Museums challenge this half term to find the illusive Wally in the museum galleries. Purchase your copy of the all new Where’s Wally? book, Spooky Spotlight Search in the museum shop.

Try out new digital experiences that bring to life the stories of the 1888 Match Girls’ and the 1970s Grunwick strikes. Find yourself on the production line of the Bryant & May match factory in east London, where most of the workers were girls under the age of 15.

Visit family favourites, the suffragette kitchen and Co-op shop and play records on a vintage jukebox. Find new activities added in the galleries to encourage your young visitors to use their imaginations, and to move and shake around whilst learning about the people who have shaped our democracy.

There is also lots to do if you are looking for an interactive experience you can enjoy from home. Our award winning, Family Friendly museum has created imaginative ways to involve younger visitors with Doodle Den challenges, My First Protest Song sessions on Facebook and for the first time online is Bedtime story: Mr Ordinary’s Prize, for under 5s.

Find out how to register your free visit and what not to miss.

IWM North

Make the most of your family's visit to IWM North this October half term and get involved in our exciting and educational activities.

IWM North is packed full of stories but we need your wits and imagination exploring our collections and finding connections. Get hands-on with real artefacts and find moving and surprising stories from people who braved shark-infested waters to ingenious nurses and those who built machines of conflict. Story Seekers is a free activity, running from Saturday 24 October until Sunday 1 November. Drop in between 10am and 4pm to learn about the global effects of conflict, from the First World War to the present day.

Alongside our Main Exhibition Space and Big Picture Show, visit our new exhibition Aid Workers: Ethics Under Fire, which brings together powerful stories from conflict zones to explore these challenges from an insider perspective.

Understand the global story from interviews of individual experiences in the field, displayed alongside photographs and unique objects – recorded and sourced specially for this exhibition. On your visit you’ll encounter a Médecins Sans Frontières Land Cruiser, an iconic vehicle associated with aid work, and the IKEA Better Shelter, an innovative shelter designed for refugees. See aid workers’ personal belongings and equipment which give an insight into the conditions they face, and the mental and physical trials of working in the field.

HOME

Find a magical, mystical world of stories and surprises with HOME this half term.

Storyteller Ella McLeod introduces Celina and the Spider, a series of three tales broadcast online, featuring handmade puppets and mythical gods.

When Asae Ya the Earth Mother, Nyame the Sky God, and Brother Death come to Anansi the Spider with a problem, the trickster’s usual genius strikes. They pay a visit to their best friends, Celina the Moon Goddess and make a plan to help their elders – with a healthy dose of mischief!

Join Anansi and Celina, as together they hatch a plot to have some Halloween fun....and change the world forever.

The series starts on Monday, October 26, and is suitable for ages 5 to 11. One ticket gets you access to all three sessions released across half-term and tickets are available on a pay-what-you-can basis.

Ella McLeod is a writer and performer who has recently been signed by Curtis Brown Literature and is currently working on her first novel, a Young Adult fantasy fiction.

National Football Museum

Football continues this half term with plenty of footie themed activities for families! There’ll be plenty of footie themed activities for families this half-term at the National Football Museum. The museum will open from Wednesday 28 October to Sunday 1 November for the October break (10am-5pm with last entry at 4pm).

Enjoy fantastic exhibitions, get your photograph with the museum’s Premier League trophy and learn about the Beautiful Game across four floors. New additions on the galleries include a Wolverhampton Wanderers shirt with the Black Lives Matters message worn by player Jonny Castro Otto in a recent Premiership match.

Family activities include:

Production Line (October 28, 30 and November 1): Families can see more than 200 shirts in our Strip! How Football Got Shirty exhibition and then design their own in this Production Line activity. Be inspired by brash and beautiful shirts from different eras then create your own version under the guidance of the museum team. The very best designs will be entered into a competition and the ultimate creation will be turned into a real kit for the winner by manufacturers Owayo.

Pop-up Polaroids (October 29, 31): Make your own card polaroid camera inspired by the latest exhibition about women’s football. These crafty cameras will feature images from the Goal Click photographic exhibition which focuses on the biggest stars in women’s football.

Families can also test their nerve from the penalty spot. The museum has invested in a new projector in its Penalty Shootout making the experience from 12 yards even more realistic. Soak up the pressure of Wembley and go for glory… Two excellent family trails can be enjoyed. One looking at the two giants of Manchester football and a journey around the current Strip! football shirt exhibition. Pick up a leaflet in gallery or download your trail in advance.

Safety is the number one priority and visitors can be reassured that all family activities can be enjoyed safely with social distancing measures in place.

Tickets allow admission for twelve months and can be purchased in advance: nationalfootballmuseum.com/tickets

Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art (CFCCA)

For something a little different this half term, why not investigate one of Manchester’s hidden cultural gems. CFCCA’s two new and intriguing exhibitions investigate themes of belonging and citizenship in a globalised and hyper-connected society. Housed in CFCCA’s Northern Quarter galleries, the exhibitions are ideal for families with older children, and are just a few minutes walk from the Arndale Shopping Centre.

Multiplicities in Flux brings together works by contemporary artists Grace Lau and Eelyn Lee in a dialogue around identity and belonging. Lau’s series of photographic portraits 21st Century Types reflect the diversity of contemporary British society, while Lee’s film Britishness investigates the notion of what it is to be British.

Meanwhile, Autopsy of a Home by Omid Asadi explores the experiences and domestic spaces of migrants using the concept of heterotopia (literally meaning ‘other places’). When people are disconnected from their roots and familiar environment, cultures and communities are brought together, creating a unique and distinct reality.

Both exhibitions are free to attend and CFCCA’s galleries are open Wednesday to Sunday, 11am till 4pm. To find out more, visit: cfcca.org.uk.

Castlefield Gallery

Explore digital technologies this half-term, with Castlefield Gallery’s exhibition Soft Bodies.

Soft-body dynamics is a field of computer-generated graphics which creates simulations of soft materials such as muscle, fat, hair, vegetation and fabric. Increasing access to this kind of software has given artists new tools to make work; manipulating ‘digital clay’ in limitless space.

Art works made with these digital technologies are shown alongside photography, painting, drawing, and print in order to consider the shared limitations as well as the artistic potential of these mediums, in particular their ability to call forth worlds beyond their two dimensional surfaces.

This exhibition recognises that we all have a body and are all continually working out how we understand it, and how it informs our experience of the world. Art and technology can offer us tools to explore the world and ourselves.

Please be advised this exhibition contains content that may not be suitable for young children. For more information, visit castlefieldgallery.co.uk

Alongside our main exhibition, Castlefield Gallery is taking part in the 50 Windows of Creativity project with Wild at Art. 50 Windows of Creativity is a curated display of original artists’ work in windows and on walls throughout Manchester city centre. Castlefield Gallery’s window will be occupied with a work by Soft Bodies artist George Gibson. George Gibson is a Manchester based artist, Manchester School of Art graduate and one of our Castlefield Gallery alumni mentees. She is also part of Shy Bairns, an artist collective who curated the exhibition Fanspeak at the gallery last year.

It's FREE to visit Castlefield Gallery. You don’t need to pre-book, however visitor numbers are limited to ensure social distancing. You can find out more about our COVID-19 safe measures here.

Formed as a collective in 2005, the concept for the group emerged out of Manchester’s Gothic social scene, especially ArA – a  Gothic club-like night held in Sacred Trinity Church and previously covered by Haunt here. With Arts Council funding, Liz, Kolyn and Matt first exhibited together in 2007. They were later joined by Neil, Julie and Carl,  going on to produce work for many exhibitions through-out Manchester and Salford over the intervening years. This has included the city’s annual Gothic Manchester Festival, with the seventh year last year seeing M:GAG launch proceedings with an exhibition at Sandbar: Gothic Times.

Above - Installation 

As part of Unmasked, M:GAG  produced some collaborative group work - a precious experience that  they have not had opportunity to repeat much since. That included a large acrylic and mixed media work comprising 6 canvases on the themes of Manchester and Underground. Also a couple of installations to represent both the traditional gothic and futuristic gothic (cyber) styles often seen at clubs like ARA. This photo is of a part of the trad goth installation. 

To contact the group about purchases or exhibitions, please send a direct message via www.face-book.com/ManchesterGothicArtsGroup or contact them via the website: www.mgag.org.uk 

*

Manchester Gothic Arts Group – a retrospective

Beheading 

This was the promo image used for the very first MGAG exhibition, Unmasked in 2007. It's Matt, Kolyn and Liz and recreates the beheading of John the Baptist with a gothic twist. 

Unmasked aerial shot 

This is a photo from above the 'Unmasked' exhibition. Kolyn's studio was and still is in Sacred Trinity, Salford, and the nightclub Kolyn and Matt started with their wives, ArA, is held there. It was a natural location to start the group and hold Unmasked. The group constructed everything themselves, including the walls and lighting, staffed the week-long exhibition, were filmed by Channel M and produced a full colour catalogue for it! This was only possible with an Arts Council grant, but that gave them a great start. There was also a grand opening event with the wonderful Rosie Lugosi giving a guided tour to the exhibition in her inimitable way. 

Crafting the Weird 

This photo is of the MMU-commissioned exhibition M:GAG produced with Professor John Hyatt for the Gothic Manchester Festival in 2015, the Lovecraft inspired 'Crafting the Weird'. MGAG took over a wing of the Holden Art Gallery with John and this shot shows a long wall of artwork, wrapping around the edges of the room. There was also artwork in the display cases that can be seen in the shot (and another 2 behind camera), a central artwork for people to walk around too, more pieces from MGAG on other walls out of shot, and some video art playing in front of the couch just on the edge of the photo. 

*

MEET THE ARTISTS

*

Kolyn Amor

Concept - Content - Context  

Seeing is believing or believing is seeing? To be or not to be - that is the question? So what is the answer?  

The world can be seen as a fixed objective reality and/or a subjective experience - an endless cycle of being, doing and becoming. To Kolyn, the layering, juxtaposition and manipulation of canvases, objects, physical spaces and images all aim to create alternative meaning, exploring both the known and the unknown - whatever that might be from one moment to the next... or even back.  

Having gained a BA(Hons) in Theatre Studies and Dramatic Arts, Kolyn first worked in care homes for people with brain injuries and vulnerable children. Subsequently, he became an actor/writer in a professional theatre company, performing in a wide variety of venues including: schools and youth centres nationwide, the O2 Apollo, Wembley Conference Centre and the Phones 4U Arena.  

Later, he established The Altaer: a continuing exploration into creativity, individuality and spirituality. This was established in Hulme, within an artists’ co-operative, then found an independent home in Sacred Trinity. Since then he has regularly exhibited and curated artwork (for over a decade now), not only within the church, but in many other spaces including: The Lowry, Manchester Cathedral, Corn Exchange and the Northern Quarter (including Nexus Art Cafe, Cord, The Bay Horse). With supportive stars he also runs a monthly event for goths/alternatives at Sacred Trinity, called ArA. You might even catch him on ‘Songs of Praise’...  

‘That Voodoo People’’ 

Digital Art, 2020 

Magic people, voodoo people! The shimmy lights through you. Influenced by many religions, notably Christianity. Surprised? Shake, wobble or vibrate, and let the lights of the Spirit shine.  

‘The Hanging Garden (Syber Styx)'

Photography and Digital Art, 2020 

Lost in a forest? Or a marsh? Then pick up your styx and help Charon paddle you across from Earth to Underworld. But don’t forget to have a coin in your pocket, or there might be hell to pay.   

‘What’s That Coming Over The Hill’ 

Digital Art, 2020  

So you think you’re safe from a reptile invasion? Common Lizard, Sand Lizard, Slow Worm, Adder, Grass Snake. All around you. Once bitten, twice shy. So maybe don’t have a swim in the Irwell (AKA ‘Black Lake’). You don’t know who you might encounter- perhaps even The Giant Gila Monster!  

*

Liz Watkin

I am an artist and collector of images, ideas and fragmentary evidence of past lives. I love the alchemy of creating something new from disparate and unexpected elements. I am fascinated by layers; I use them in my work to build up meaning, colour and textures. I enjoy the freedom to work with materials that will express my ideas and build up the narrative.  Old ideas can be expressed in new ways with different mediums. The layers I build may be in paint or print, with acrylics, inks or cold wax medium or altered photography. I work on paper, canvas and board. Sometimes I include three dimensional objects in my work.  My inspiration comes from many sources: history and culture, spirituality, nature, landscape, and the sea. I have always been particularly drawn to darkness and mystery, Victorian times, the horror genre and Goth culture. 

Spiral 

Spiral was the first painting I sold as an MGAG artist from our exhibition Unmasked in 2007. This work developed from exploration and research around archaeology and artefacts found in the layers of earth that were uncovered at the sites.  Ancient landscapes and rock paintings informed my work. The skull is one of the most identifiable parts of human remains and is key to placing the work in both the past and the present. The spiral is an enduring symbol that links us over the vast amount of time that has elapsed. The clock face draws attention to the inescapable passage of time. As we seek to understand our past we learn more about how we came to this point in time.  

Phantom 

Almost everyone knows the story of Phantom of the Opera. A beautiful, tragic and haunting tale about love and loss.  Sadness and heartache is woven through the story despite the glamour, grandeur and excitement of the Paris Opera. The artwork ‘Phantom’ conveys my thoughts and feelings about the Phantom, loveless and disfigured, unable ever to achieve his heart’s desire.  The sheet music background is a poignant reminder of the link which binds the main characters. This interpretation of the story incorporated steampunk genre elements to contemporize its setting. 

Portal 

Portal is a mixed media work, incorporating layers of altered photography and painting in acrylic and inks. The idea of portals is intriguing, a doorway to another place, another time or dimension. There are two doors what might they mean?  Past and Future are one set of possibilities. You are in the present, where would you go, back to the past or forward to the future? Would you go back to change decisions you have made, right wrongs and see people who you have lost?  Would you really like to know what your future may hold? 

*

Matt Carson

Along with Kolyn and Liz, I founded the Manchester Gothic Arts Group around 15 years ago. Both individually and with the group, I have exhibited across Manchester and Salford in places such as the Lowry Lyric Theatre, Manchester Cathedral, Stockport Art Gallery, the Corn Exchange, Sacred Trinity, the Holden Art Gallery, No 70, Sandbar, The Peer Hat and Nexus Art Cafe. 

Exhibiting since 2002, my work is inspired by nature and the human form, expressed through layering, digital manipulation and occasionally the written word. While focussed on photography and digital art, I have also experimented with kinetic sculpture, painting, drawing, installation and collage.  

My Christian belief structure blends with a penchant for the gothic to produce works that sometimes reveal mysterious or spiritual elements. I enjoy exploring the line between these two apparently opposing cultures, finding more commonality than is first apparent. 

Sabden Graveyard 

Digital Art, 2007 

One of my very earliest works, produced for the very first MGAG exhibition in 2007, Unmasked, at Sacred Trinity in Salford. A wonderful, colourful graveyard scene from the Lancashire birthplace of my maternal grandmother, Sabden, blended with other images to bring mystery - what do you see in the image...? 

 
Forbidding 

Photograph, 2016 

An option considered, but not used, for the Manchester Gothic Festival 2016 exhibition, Gothic North, at No 70. The work I displayed in this exhibition was inspired by my local landscape of the Pennines. This particular piece gives the feel of a moon-full nighttime, fairy tales of forests full of wonder and danger, the claustrophobia of a dense forest. 

Graveyard Psychedelic 

Digital Art, 2018 

An option considered, but not used, for the Manchester Gothic Festival 2018 exhibition, Gothic Hybridities, at Sandbar. A simple combination of classic gothic tropes, skulls and graveyards. Through the psychedelic colours, open your mind to what's beyond the gates of this centuries old overgrown graveyard. 

*

Neil Watkin  

I am a photographer, digital artist and writer. Photographs are merely a snapshot of time, so whether it is portrait or landscape I like to explore the scope to alter the perception of the 'real' image. 

My inspirations come from the gothic, vampire and steampunk sub-cultures as well as religious symbolism, literature and film. Nature and the natural landscape also feature heavily in my work. 

I am always looking to explore and work in new mediums. I conceptualised and directed a music video for the gothic rock band ‘Vampyre Heart’ and am also the creator and writer of the 'Charity Bizzare' series of ribald Victorian Steampunk adventure stories. 

Memorial 

The Ian Curtis memorial artwork was exhibited as part of the Gothic North exhibition in 2017 and explored the subject of the cult of celebrity and humanities long established traditions of creating shrines and monuments to the memory of past kinfolk.  

Hellblazer triptych 

The Hellblazer tryptch was exhibited as part of the Gothic Times exhibition in 2019 and took inspiration from the Hellblazer graphic novels and their Faustian, chain smoking anti-hero John Constantine. 

Demonic possession, occult machinations and devilish con jobs all woven into a modern gothic melodrama of guilt, regret, redemption and damnation. The Hellblazer digital art triptych pays homage to the graphic novels, movie and TV series. 

“I'm the one who steps from the shadows, all trenchcoat and cigarette and arrogance, ready to deal with the madness. Oh, I've got it all sewn up. I can save you. If it takes the last drop of your blood, I'll drive your demons away. I'll kick them in the bollocks and spit on them when they're down and then I'll be gone back into darkness, leaving only a nod and a wink and a wisecrack. I walk my path alone... who would walk with me?” 

John Constantine, Master (petty dabbler) of the dark arts. 

A beautiful start to the end of the world 

It started out as one of my first ever photos of a beautiful rose in full bloom and steadily over the years it has acquired the digital layers of decay of the ages with the original beauty of the image ever more obscured from view. I find it strange that I am drawn back to this image time and again to add ever more digital detritus to it as if it has become some Dorian Gray portrait metaphor.   

*

Carl Pugh

The story of Carl Pugh (aka Dark Grail) began in the lush valleys of the 80's Manchester ad agency circuit. Moulded by the dystopian punk and early electronica scene he presented a respectable dis-guise to all. The seed was planted when working in a video store through the 'video nasty' period. Deep inside the call of the 'Old Ones' proved irresistible and he started to collect the underground comix of the 70’s. 

From then the progression to appreciate dark art proved irresistible and he started to work in the art dept at Ocean Software, one of the best video game publishers of the day. He stayed there through various incarnations of the company for eleven or so years until with 3 friends he left to create a new agency and provide creative assets for video game marketing. Working on titles like Resident Evil, Dead Rising and Devil May Cry nurtured the darkness until the transformation into the Dark Grail was complete. His mission is to spread the darker side of things through illustration. 

Cosmic 2

Digital artwork, 2020 

The blessing and curse of imagination. 

 
Moors 

Digital artwork, 2020 

A story of how loneliness and isolation can lead to arcane interests. 

*

Julie Dawson 

As an active member of the Steampunk and Gothic communities, Julie takes her inspiration from the music, history, film, architecture, art and literature of these subcultures along with an emotional element influenced by her mental health and spirituality.  

She is a mixed media artist and teacher and enjoys working with a wide variety of materials, substrates and textures, often using papers and fabrics, found objects, household items, photographs and personal memorabilia. Her creations include collage, assemblage pieces, altered books and acrylic paintings. Her assemblage pieces include seemingly disparate elements which she brings together to form coherent works. She is also a keen Art Journaler and uses words and quotes as a starting point in much of her work. Julie is currently exploring digital elements.  

Lonliness Will Sit Over Our Roofs With Brooding Wings - Bram Stoker, Dracula 

Mixed Media Canvas, 51cm x 41cm, 2016 

Decadence and Decay at Satis House 

Three Canvas Triptych, 2017 

Duplicity - When Good People Do Bad Things... 

Three Canvas Triptych, 20cm x 50cm, 2018 

Morning:

Start your day in Castlefield. Explore the roman fort of Mamucium, the original heart of the city, where you can see the fort ruins and a recreation of what the fort would have looked like when the Romans first settled here.

Make your way to The Science and Industry Museum, just on the other side of Liverpool Road. Discover amazing objects and revolutionary ideas that helped to change the world forever. Explore Manchester’s rich legacy of innovations and discoveries in the Revolution Manchester Gallery, find out how the city's heritage is interwoven with the cotton industry in the Textiles Gallery and see science brought to live in Experiment, our family friendly interactive gallery.

Lunch:

When you’ve worked up an appetite, head to the Northern Quarter for a bite to eat on foot, or on the free metroshuttle bus. Edge Street and Thomas street are home to many independent eateries, now with seating taking over the street to increase capacity and allow easy social distancing, serving everything from Vegan junk food to fried chicken, there’s something for everyone.

If you’re looking to satisfy your sweet tooth why not treat yourself to a milkshake or sundae at Home Sweet Home or an ice-cream at Ginger’s Comfort Emporium in Afflecks.

Afternoon:

Once everyone is refuelled take the short walk down to the National Football Museum at Cathedral Gardens.  Whether you’re a die-hard football fan or prefer other sports, the museum is full of fascinating social and cultural history for you to delve into, with intriguing objects and changing exhibitions showing how football became the game of our lives. You can also try your hand (or foot) at a penalty shoot-out, along with the museum’s other interactive exhibits.

Evening:

Discover the Corn Exchange and all its original Edwardian beauty, home to a mouth-watering mix of restaurants dishing up cuisines from around the world, plus Escape Hunt – the perfect activity to extend your evening – with just 60 minutes to find and solve a series of clues, the pressure is on you and your teammates to crack the escape code.

Extend your visit:

Find out more of what Manchester has to offer and where to stay for a weekend break.

The conference offers a crucial opportunity to discuss key issues of life, dying and death, including how death is considered in society, the processes and industries involved, and developments that can be made. There is also an additional article about the conference which can be read on Haunt Manchester here.

Conference themes:

In increasingly fractured and confusing times, this conference seeks to promote an inclusive approach to death as the one intersection that truly touches us all. The covid-19 pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement, Brexit, economic recession, the rise of right-wing populism and the re-emergence of culture wars are both shaped by and reproduce or seek to ameliorate deep inequalities at local, national and international scales. In this context, the conference aims to focus on forefronting issues of diversity and decolonisation in Death Studies.

In this spirit, papers and panels are welcomed which focus on the following (non-exhaustive) list of possible topics, as they relate to death, dying and disposal:

• Animals
• LGBTQIA+
• Race
• Colonialism/decolonisation
• Cultural appropriation
• Environmental emergency and extinction
• Grievability and bare life
• Disability
• Gender
• Intersectionality
• Representation(s)
• Class
• Economies
• Neoliberalism
• Migration
• Inequalities
• The post human
• Radicalism
• The covid-19 pandemic
• New forms of care, solidarity, community and support
• The role of technology eg. the internet, social media, online funerals, support networks etc.

The conference will be accompanied by an accessible, community co-curated arts and culture programme that will address these themes through exhibition, performance, discussions and experiential encounters.*

Submitting panels and papers:

The deadline for submission of panel proposals is 17.00 on Friday 11th December 2020.

Please send initial panel proposals to DDD15@mmu.ac.uk

For panel proposals, please provide:

• The name(s), institutional affiliation(s) and contact details of the session convenor(s)
• A 100-word summary of the panel theme and why it is appropriate for this conference
• A list of proposed speakers, if available (or an indicative list)
• Individual paper titles, if available

You may submit a panel proposal without having identified or committed speakers at this stage, and will be informed by early January if your panel proposal has been accepted. You must then undertake your own Call for Papers and/or invite your panel members and then submit a full panel proposal, including speakers, titles and abstracts, by the final deadline as below. The conference reserves the right to decline panels at the second stage, subject to review.

If accepted as a panel proposal in December, you will be sent an email detailing how to submit the full panel.

The final deadline for individual paper abstracts and full panel details is 17.00 on Friday 16th April 2021.

To submit your individual paper abstracts please complete THIS SURVEY with your details, paper title, abstract and biography.

• There are plans to offer a limited number of subsidised places for applicants who may find it difficult to attend due to reasons relating to equality, diversity and inclusion (as befits the conference themes). If you wish to receive further information about this scheme, please indicate this on your submission.
• There will also be an additional limited number of opportunities to submit pre-recorded video presentations of papers, should applicants not be able to attend due to their circumstances. Please note such submissions will not include access to the conference via digital means, as resources are not available for this option at this time.

You should expect notification about your paper or panel by the start of May 2021.

Conference registration will also open at this time.

For any enquiries please email DDD15@mmu.ac.uk (please do not submit individual abstracts to this address).

*Please note -  a mainly on-site, physical conference is in the planning but due to the ongoing covid-19 pandemic the right is reserved to modify the actual conference organisation.

Photo by Who’s Denio on Unsplash

Day 1

Arrive in Manchester

Get acquainted with the city and drop your bags at your hotel

Lunch:

Make your way to Hatch for a bite to eat, the award-winning food, drink and retail destination located underneath the Mancunian Way. Home to over 30 independent traders, you can find everything from Italian or Mexican street-food, to Manchester favourite Takk espresso bar. If you have time you could even pop in for a haircut or a new tattoo, alternatively take a look around the retail stores to pick up a new pair of shoes, perfectly-worn-in vintage clothing, or hand-crafted jewellery and homewares.  

Alternatively, head towards Piccadilly station where you’ll find Depot Mayfield, a long-forgotten freight depot from Manchester’s industrial past, now home to Escape to Freight Island. Hidden in plain sight, the inspiring urban landscape has been rebuilt and rethought around a visionary food market, a unique selection of bars and inventive culture spaces. Reimagined as a cultural space for the future this is a place where you can escape, just when you need it most.

Afternoon:

You’ll want to put some time aside to explore the Northern Quarter – full of street art, great coffee, restaurants and bars, boutiques, record stores and specialist shops. Make sure you save some time to hit the well-known ‘emporium of eclecticism’, Afflecks and the Manchester Craft and Design Centre before they close. Why not book yourself onto a Skyliner walking tour to discover the unseen parts of the city, from the history of Street Art to a walking essay following nature in spaces of urban decay.

Evening:

After a freshen-up at your hotel head to Spinningfields, Manchester's number one destination for shoppers, foodies and party-goers, unwinding in some of the city's best restaurants and bars. Head up to the terrace at 20 stories for spectacular panoramic views over the city whilst sipping an expertly crafted cocktail, or stay closer to the ground at the quintessentially English The Lawn Club.  

Late Night:

When you’re ready to eat stay in Spinningfields and discover one of the many high-end restaurants on The Avenue, or more casual dining at Leftbank. Highlights include Scene Indian Street Kitchen, Iberica and Tattu.

Alternatively head to Deansgate, the longest street in the city, where you’ll find a plethora of bars and restaurants waiting for you. Hawksmoor, House of Kai, Rosa’s Thai Café are all well  just off Deansgate you’ll find Tast and El Gato Negro on King Street, two of the city’s best Spanish restaurants. A little further down the street you’ll find The Great Northern and a host of independent restaurants such as Platzki, dishing up home-style polish cuisine, Almost Famous for American diner classics, and Siam noodle-bar for authentic Thai dishes. Great Northern is also home to Whistle Punks Urban Axe Throwing – the perfect place to test your daring and get your heart racing.

Day 2

Morning:

Take a stroll through the city aiming to be at Manchester Central Library for 11:00 where you can hop onto the daily Discover Manchester Walking Tour. It’s approximately 90 minutes and covers Manchester’s history and heritage, with an easily digestible level of detail. What’s the bee symbol all about? Why is the architecture so mixed? How did Manchester make its name in the world? Find out all this and much more.

Lunch:

The tour will finish around Exchange Square, a perfect spot to stop for a bite to eat. Discover the Corn Exchange and all its original Edwardian beauty, home to a mouth-watering mix of restaurants dishing up cuisines from around the world. Alternatively head to Mr Thomas’s Chop House, where they serve traditional pub grub, including their famous 10-day-in-the-making corned beef hash.

Afternoon:

Make your way to The National Football Museum and delve into the intriguing social history and culture of the much-loved sport. Discover fascinating objects and changing exhibitions or test your skills at the interactive football challenges, including Penalty Shootout.

Alternatively, if you’re not a sporting fan, the John Rylands Library is free to explore all day. Situated next to the modern glass buildings of Spinningfields, the 19^th century masterpiece of Victorian Gothic Architecture houses a world-class collection of rare texts, including the oldest known piece of the New Testament and a 1476 William Caxton edition of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.  

Evening:

After freshening up at your hotel head to the Northern Quarter where you’ll find a plethora of independent eateries. Edge Street and Thomas street are home to many independent eateries, now with seating taking over the street to increase capacity and allow easy social distancing, serving everything from Vegan junk food to fried chicken and a-la-carte menus, there’s something for everyone.

Late-night:  

Stay in the Northern Quarter to experience the buzzing nightlife, with seating now taking over Stevenson Square, Edge Street and Thomas Street, to allow for table service and easy social distancing. Enjoy a cocktail in Cane & Grain or Cottonopolis, or a speciality beer in 57 Thomas Street Bar.

Alternatively head to Canal Street for a change of scenery - the heart of Manchester’s Gay Village. Home to traditional pubs, luxe cocktail bars and clubs and green spaces set alongside a long stretch of the Rochdale Canal, making it the perfect setting for alfresco drinking and dining.

Day 3

Day trip to McArthur Glen Cheshire Oaks

Morning:

Hop on a direct train to Chester from either Manchester Piccadilly or Manchester Victoria stations. Then take the 1 or X1 bus from outside Chester Train station directly to the Outlet Village.  

Take your time and start exploring the Designer Outlet’s 140+ stores. Home to outlet stores for the likes of Build-A-Bear, Converse, Gap, M&S, Kate Spade, Polo Ralph Lauren and Armani, there’s something on offer for every type of shopper.

Lunch:  

When you’re ready to re-fuel there are plenty of places to stop for a quick coffee or proper meal. From the usual suspects Costa, Starbucks and Pret, to international eateries Wagamama, Yo! Sushi and Comptoir Libanais, plus many more restaurant options to suit every palette.

Afternoon:

Continue exploring the outlet to find your perfect new wardrobe or household items for up to 60% off.

Early Evening:

Stay at Cheshire Oaks for your evening meal if you’re not done exploring. The centre closes at 8pm Monday-Saturday and 6pm on Sundays. Alternatively, head back to Chester train station on the 1 or X1 bus from Platform B, to catch your train back to Manchester.

Late Night:

After a long day on your feet you’ll want to relax in style when dining and drinking. Dine in at one of the city’s luxury hotels, Peter Street Kitchen at the Edwardian Manchester offers a delicious combo of Japanese and Mexican tapas-style tasting plates, perfectly paired with one of their signature cocktails. For a more relaxed atmosphere try Refuge at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, inspired by the restaurant founders’ travels enjoy a range of small and large plates perfect for sharing. Other options include; Mount Street Dining Room and Bar at The Midland, this newly opened restaurant offers a modern take on British classics focusing on great ingredients from local sources, and The River Restaurant at The Lowry Hotel, serving up classic dishes with a twist in luxury surroundings and overlooking the River Irwell.

Day 4

Morning:

It’s your final chance to explore the city or do some last-minute shopping. Spend some time in the luxury department stores Harvey Nichols and Selfridges on New Cathedral Street, then wander down through to St Anne’s Square and to Barton Arcade or King Street where you’ll find independent businesses and high-end boutiques respectively.

Lunch:

If you’re travelling by train stay close to the stations. For Piccadilly why not try Escape to Freight Island if you haven’t already, or Cultureplex in Ducie Street Warehouse for a relaxing lunch before you travel. Alternatively, if you have a little longer to spare, explore China Town and transport yourself to East Asia in one of the area’s many restaurants. Yang Sing is a highlight, famous for their dim sum afternoon tea and traditional Cantonese cuisine. Don’t forget to pick up dessert at one of the traditional Chinese bakeries in the area, Ho’s or Wong Wong.

If you’re leaving via Victoria try the Corn Exchange if you’re yet to visit, or why not try a different restaurant if you’ve been here already. Home to twelve restaurants serving cuisines from around the world; Banyan bar & kitchen is a crow-pleaser with something on the menu for everyone, for authentic Italian cuisine Salvi’s is the place, a family run restaurant and deli offering a slice of Neapolitan life in the heart of Manchester. If you’re short on time the Arndale Market is home to several independent street-food eateries, serving international cuisines for you to take-away.

Afternoon:

It’s time to say goodbye to the city. We know it will be difficult, but we hope you enjoyed your visit, and are planning to re-discover Manchester again soon.

The time capsule takes the form of a beautiful glass jar filled with synagogue papers, newspapers and money, finished with a wax seal. The artefacts within are believed to date from when the synagogue was first founded in 1873, as records show that the capsule was inserted within its cornerstone, during the building process!

Now, nearly 150 years on, that a builder has found the jar buried deep in a wall cavity beside a holy cupboard that houses the Torah Scrolls – the Museum’s Ark – marks a profound and historic moment for what is the only Jewish Museum in the UK outside London.

This discovery also has additional significance, according to Manchester Jewish Museum CEO Max Dunbar:

 “This timely discovery comes at an apt and symbolic period when millions of Jewish people around the world prepare for the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, the Day of Atonement, a reflective and thoughtful time of year when many observers look backwards as a means to move forwards.  We are thrilled and overwhelmed by its discovery and look forward to showing it off in our collection when we re-open next Spring.”

There is a fitting synchronicity in that this find has been made as the building is preparing to begin another exciting chapter in its history. The Museum is undergoing a major Cultural Capital Development project, due to open in 2021 complete with a new extension and full refurbishment of the beautiful former Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue. The new extension will also feature a brand new gallery, a café, shop and a learning studio – emphasising the Museum’s crucial role in sharing the histories of Manchester’s Jewish community, as it has done since it first opened as a Museum in 1984. That the synagogue building itself actually had become redundant by the 1970s, as the local Jewish population moved to other areas, highlights that the Museum really is a place of new opportunity and regrowth.  In turn, the time capsule will be a brilliant addition for visitors to appreciate, and just a short walk from Manchester city centre.

Manchester Jewish Museum after all holds a range of materials, providing a fascinating way for people from all backgrounds to learn about Manchester Jewry’s impact on society, the wider world and ongoing influence. Its permanent collection includes over 31,000 objects, including photographs, historic items, documents and oral histories exploring Jewish life in Manchester. There are over 1750 pamphlets and periodicals, nearly 1000 books – and artefacts of fascinating range, including items of worship, the belongings of a Holocaust survivor who spent the war hiding in a coal cellar, and even a Russian washboard used as a cricket bat.

The Museum provides many opportunities to learn about the history of Jewish life in Manchester, with the community beginning to expand towards the end of the 18th century. This was when Jewish traders began contributing to the city’s increasingly diverse economy as the industrial revolution got underway, selling portable goods and offering skilled services. The population grew as traders arrived from countries such as Holland and Germany, as well as Sephardi merchants from the Mediterranean coast. These people brought valuable skills – with many in the Jewish community offering services as opticians and dentists – and also fascinating cultural contributions to the city’s growth.

As well as a place of trade and opportunity, Manchester also became a place of relocation, of new beginnings. From the 1840s onwards, Jewish immigrants from the Russian and Austro-Hungarian Empires arrived, fleeing discrimination and conflict in their home countries. There was also the arrival of 6,000 refugees fleeing Nazi persecution during the 1930s, and later Holocaust survivors, as well as Jewish settlers from countries such as Egypt, Hungary and Iran. The growth of Manchester’s Jewish community into the 21st Century has meant a significant contribution to the city’s culture and history – a key aspect of focus at Manchester Jewish Museum.

Just as the Manchester’s Jewish community is diverse, the Museum offers a diversity of ways to learn and engage. After all, engagement with the community is just as important as understanding; and even whilst the Museum has been closed for refurbishment, it has been running a number of exciting projects online. For example, it has hosted a new song-writing Summer project, ‘Virtual Picnic’ posts on their blog, and their new ‘Eat the Archives’; an opportunity to learn more about Jewish stories from the collection and connections to food, along with food artist Leo Burtin – launched this September.

Now the discovery of the time capsule highlights another exciting addition to the Museum’s ongoing exciting development. With events, workshops and discussions all in the planning for the spring 2021 re-opening, as well as a vibrant year-round programme, there is plenty to discover. Find out more via the website: https://www.manchesterjewishmuseum.com/

The UK’s largest independent, late night, boutique bowling alley, Lane7, is to launch its latest venue at Manchester’s Great Northern Warehouse this autumn.

The alley will occupy the former site of All Star Lanes, overlooking the Great Northern Square.

Alongside ten pin bowling, Lane7 Manchester will, like its sister sites around the UK, carry a whole host of other exciting gaming and entertainment options. The owners are staying tight-lipped on what guests in Manchester can expect, but at other sites these include alternative takes on karaoke, pool, ping pong, shuffleboard, mini golf, retro arcades and darts.

The new Manchester venue joins the roster of other Lane7 alleys, including its original home in Newcastle city centre and sites in Aberdeen, Middlesbrough, Birmingham, Liverpool, and Sheffield.

Centre Director, Mark Schofield, said: “We’re delighted to add Lane7 and its boutique bowling and entertainment offering to the mix of exciting brands here at the Great Northern Warehouse. We know that this brand of fun is something the city sorely misses after months of staying home to stay safe and we’re sure the venue will prove popular with all of our visitors, whether they’re dropping in for a game of bowling, to enjoy the atmosphere while catching up with friends or eager to try any of the other activities Lane7 will be home to.”

Lane7 founder, Tim Wilks, added: "It's been a long term dream for us to find a city centre site in Manchester and we can’t wait to get the doors open. We're thrilled to be opening as part of the Great Northern Warehouse's varied leisure offering and can’t wait to welcome guests onto the lanes very soon."

Further details of the Lane7 launch, including opening dates, will be announced shortly.

For more information on the Great Northern, including updates on individual brand opening dates and safety procedures, please visit: www.thegreatnorthern.com.

Lockdown forced the cherished heritage attraction in Bury, Gtr Manchester to cease operations between March and August - depriving it of vital income and plunging its future into uncertainty.

The new funding will be used to undertake essential track maintenance, cover the additional costs incurred with making the railway Covid safe and upgrade its online presence.

ELR Chairman Mike Kelly said: “Thanks to the National Lottery and its players we can now ensure the railway keeps running - providing wonderful heritage days out for visitors of all ages.

“Recent months have been the most challenging in our history, threatening our very existence and after a huge effort by our volunteers and a small cohort of staff we were overjoyed to be able to re-launch heritage services successfully last month.

“This funding helps secure the future of our railway by giving us the means to make essential repairs, upgrade our digital presence and cover the investment we have made to make the railway Covid safe and reassure our visitors we are ‘Good to Go’.

“At the ELR we have the determination to survive and so we are hugely grateful and re-energised that The National Lottery Heritage Fund is supporting us at this crucial time – it’s an important and welcome lifeline to our volunteers and staff who are passionate about sustaining a heritage railway for the benefit of all.”

The funding, made possible by National Lottery players, was awarded through The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Emergency Fund. £50million was made available to provide emergency funding for those most in need across the heritage sector.

The UK-wide fund aimed to address both immediate emergency actions and help organisations to start thinking about recovery.

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Heritage has an essential role to play in making communities better places to live, supporting economic regeneration and benefiting our personal wellbeing. All of these things are going to be even more important as we emerge from this current crisis.

“Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players we are pleased to be able to lend our support to organisations such as The East Lancashire Railway during this uncertain time.”

Shortly after lockdown was introduced, the East Lancashire Railway Support Fund was launched in a bid to raise funds to secure the railway’s future. Total donations to date have now reached £145,000, while it also received a further £125,000 from the  East Lancs Railway Preservation Society.

Like The East Lancashire Railway, other charities and organisations across the UK that have been affected by the unprecedented impact of the Coronavirus outbreak are being given access to a comprehensive package of support of up to £600 million of repurposed money from The National Lottery. This money is supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities and spans the arts, community, charity, heritage, education, environment and sports sectors.

Thanks to National Lottery players, £30 million is raised every week for good causes, including heritage of local and national importance. By playing The National Lottery, people up and down the country are making an amazing contribution to the nationwide-response to combating the impact of COVID-19 on local communities across the UK.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Emergency Fund is now closed for applications. To find out more about how The National Heritage Emergency Fund is supporting the sector at this time please visit:  https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/responding-coronavirus-covid-19

To find out more about the National Lottery Good Causes , visit:  https://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/coronavirus-pandemic-response

To view the ELR timetable and book tickets visit: eastlancsrailway.org.uk.

The glass jar, complete with its wax seal intact, was discovered by a builder hidden deep in a wall cavity next to the Museum’s Ark (the holy cupboard which houses the Torah Scrolls).  Filled with money, synagogue papers and newspapers, these original artefacts are dated from around the time when the synagogue was first founded in 1873. Early synagogue minutes show records of the capsule being laid in the cornerstone of the original building.

Manchester Jewish Museum CEO Max Dunbar comments “This timely discovery comes at an apt and symbolic  period when millions of Jewish people around the world prepare for the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, the Day of Atonement, a reflective and thoughtful time of year when many observers look backwards as a means to move forwards.  We are thrilled and overwhelmed by its discovery and look forward to showing it off in our collection when we re-open next Spring.”

The item will become part of the museum’s permanent collection of over 31,000 objects - including a Russian washboard used as a cricket bat, an English/Hebrew teapot and the belongings of a Holocaust Survivor who spent the war hiding in a coal cellar.  It is through the collection of these special and hugely eclectic objects, that Manchester Jewish Museum – the only one outside of London - is able to share and connect the rich and remarkable story of Manchester Jewry to society and the world at large: Showing that their story is a universal one – one of identity, belonging and assimilation.

When Manchester Jewish Museum reopens its doors next Spring, it will house a brand new gallery, learning studio, learning kitchen, café and shop – all built in an extension alongside the existing historic building. The Grade II* listed synagogue – located in the city’s culturally diverse Cheetham Hill district - is also being repaired and restored.  Regular live events, workshops and discussions will run across a packed and eclectic year- round programme.

But what is The Abject? The term derives from a psychoanalytic theory of horror developed by the critic and philosopher Julia Kristeva (author of Powers of Horror). It describes the sense that we have lost something of ourselves, lost what we once were – the distinction between ‘self’ and ‘other’ may break down, and meaning falls into question. To be faced with the reality of this can be terrifying… and that is the horror of The Abject.

Corpses, wounds, body horror, dirt and decay are all examples of fearsome things that present us with The Abject… reminders of own mortality, the awareness that something we can become disgusting, even horrific, to ourselves. In The New Abject stories from a range of authors including Mark Haddon, Lucie McKnight Hardy, Ramsey Campbell and Lara Williams explore this evocative angle of horror; with tales taking on everything from obsessively plucking body hair to a society of ‘the Wretched’ and ‘the Treated’. It is part of Part of Comma Press’ wider Modern Horror series. 

Some stories take the form of a series of short sharp shocks, others are more of a slow burn – all are meticulously crafted. Other authors featured are Alan Beard, Bernardine Bishop, David Constantine, Margaret Drabble, Saleem Haddad, Mark Haddon, Maeve Haughey, Adam Marek, Christine Poulson, Sarah Schofield, Paul Theroux, and Gerard Woodward… highlighting a fascinating range of approaches and encounters within.

As The New Abject follows on from award-winning The New Uncanny –which included the story ‘Possum’ by Matthew Holness, now a major motion picture – cutting-edge stories with captivating content can be expected. It is also an opportunity to explore another side to horror, through one its most provocative, potent and powerful forms.

Whether on the lookout for bold short stories, a horror fan, or just interested in an anthology of something different, 'The New Abject' is likely to enchant a range of readers. Stay updated via the Comma Press website: https://commapress.co.uk/books/the-new-abject

By Emily Oldfield