[Netnews-action] June & July: Manchester's Great Outdoors

[michael]

Manchester's Great Outdoors

Summer in the city brings you more spectacular indoor and outdoor
entertainment.  The line up includes premiere performances, music and
dance, theatre and festivals and much more.

Exodus Festival 2005
18 June
Hulme Park, Stretford Road, Hulme

Part of National Refugee Week, EXODUS FESTIVAL 2005 includes world music
and dance from Zimbabwe, Somalia, the Congo, Eritrea, Uganda, Bosnia,
Afghanistan, Kurdistan, Pakistan and other countries across the globe.
There will be interactive workshops, children's activities, international
food, crafts and stalls. A great day out for everyone!

Royal Opera Live on the Big Screen
Exchange Square
21 June: Rigoletto
30 June : La Bohème

Covent Garden comes to Manchester!
In Exchange Square, you can enjoy opera performances from the
world-renowned Royal Opera, broadcast live on the Big Screen direct from
the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

The special broadcast starts at 7.15pm and from 6pm there will be live
musical entertainment on stage in Exchange Square including local opera
supremo Jon Christos, classical guitar quartet Aquarelle, violin duo Duel,
soprano Liz Phillips and violinist Misha Lindan.

Each event is free so bring your friends, or a picnic and enjoy some of the
best opera in the world. Refreshments available (no alcohol). For
information call 0161 234 3157 or visit www.bbc.co.uk/manchester

Manchester's German Food and Drink Market
23 June?10 July,
Albert Square, 11am-9pm.

Dine al fresco and sample an assortment of tasty dishes and a superb
selection of specially imported German beers. You can also stock up on
German cheeses, specially produced bottled beers and other delicious
delights.

Manchester's European Market
30 June-3 July,
Albert Square and St Ann's Square, 11am-9pm

Enjoy outdoor shopping with a European twist.  You'll find traditional and
contemporary wares, arts and crafts and a mouth-watering selection of
European food and drink.

International SWAP (Songwriters and Publishers) Festival
1-3 July
Manchester Acadamy 1,2 & 3

Manchester hosts the very first International SWAP Festival, with some of
the world's all-time great songwriters performing alongside emerging talent
from across the UK.  Live performances include Steve Earle, Shane MacGowan,
Alison Moorer and Kathryn Williams.  There's publishing master-classes,
panels, demo review sessions and song writing workshops. Information: 0161
244 5795 www.swapfestival.co.uk

Much Ado About Nothing, Hamlet and The Importance of Being Earnest
6, 8, 10, 20 & 21 July
Wythenshawe Park and Fletcher Moss Gardens

Heartbreak Productions present magical and atmospheric outdoor productions
of Much Ado About Nothing, Hamlet and The Importance of Being Earnest.  For
tickets call 0161 236 7110 or visit www.heartbreakproductions.co.uk

URBAN MOVES ? Manchester's Dance Festival with a difference!
15-17 July
City Centre

Dance performances will take place in the most unexpected of places from
underground car parks, bars and on scaffold towers to the outdoor walls of
city buildings! There may even be a splash or two in a fountain?.  Most
performances are free. Information: www.urbanmovesfestival.co.uk

Dracula ? The Blood Count
21 July ? 7 August
Heaton Park, 7.30pm

Award-winning Feelgood Theatre Productions present Dracula ? The Blood
Count, a brilliant, blood-curdling outdoor spectacle surrounding audiences
in an epic adventure of gothic horror and heart-stopping love. Come if you
dare on this walk-about production that will take you deep into the woods,
entranced by gypsy music, fire and the power of darkness. There's also a
series of Drop into Dracula Workshops at Manchester Town Hall (22-23 &
29-31 July) and Heaton Park (5-7 August). All workshops are family-friendly
and free but places must be pre-booked. To book tickets for the show and
the workshops, call 0161 236 7110 or visit www.feelgoodtheatre.co.uk

Futuresonic 2005
22-24 July
Bridgewater Hall and Northern Quarter

The UK's international festival of electronic music and media arts,
celebrates the creativity, energy and talent in today's club and music
scene. Highlights include inspirational performances from some of the
world's leading electronic artists at the Bridgewater Hall, and venues
across the Northern Quarter will be taken over with a showcase of the best
new and cutting-edge events from around the world. Visit
www.futuresonic.com or call the Box Office: 0161 907 9000

The Starbucks Manchester Jazz Festival
22-30 July
Various Venues

The Starbucks Manchester Jazz Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary this
year with 9 days of contemporary jazz performances in 9 venues around the
city centre.  Highlights include the Tord Gustavsen Trio (Norway), Alex
Douglas's 'Songs of the Heart' featuring 2 gospel choirs and Zoe Rhaman
(Britain) in Manchester Cathedral, and the amazing 27-piece Orquesta
Timbala (Anglo-Cuban).  Don't forget to take a seat, relax and enjoy the
free outdoor jazz performances taking place each day alongside the Jazz
Festival Market in St Ann's Square and in Albert Square for the Festival's
finale on 30 July.  For information call 0161 228 0663 or visit
www.manchesterjazz.com

24:7 Theatre Festival 2005
24-30 July
Various venues

This award winning refreshingly different theatre festival returns with
exciting premiere performances of 21  brand-new one-act plays, performed in
exciting, non-traditional venues.  For information visit
www.247theatrefestival.co.uk

Manchester Mela
30-31 July
Heaton Park

This year's Manchester Mela will be an inspiring celebration of Asian arts
and culture with music, entertainment, cultural performances from local and
international artists, food and fashion, stalls and much more. FREE.
Information: 0161 256 4518.

D.percussion 05
6 August
Castlefield

The biggest free party in the north returns and this year it's bigger and
better than ever with 100 artists performing on 5 stages. It's a showcase
of the best new talent, as well as established names in rock, indie, house,
hip-hop, drum n bass and R&B. www.dpercussion.com

Urban X
6 August
City Centre

The ultimate urban adventure sports race experience. Watch in awe as
athletes from the climbing world scale Manchester's buildings and traverse
the skyline, whilst at ground level the adventure race competitors cross
the city in the most unconventional way. The adventure race is open to
everyone, with participation categories for rookies, youths and
adventurers. For entry information visit www.manchesterurbanx.com

Caribbean Carnival
13 August
Alexandra Park

The Caribbean Carnival is a vibrant celebration of Caribbean music, dance
and costume. Information: 07939 620289

BBC Proms in the Park
10 September
Heaton Park

Beautifully restored Heaton Park hosts a magnificent outdoor classical
music concert BBC Proms in the Park featuring the world renowned BBC
Philharmonic with special guest Hayley Westenra. Bring along your picnic
for a night of unforgettable magic. The popular classics will be
accompanied by stunning fireworks before a spectacular live link-up to the
Royal Albert Hall gives you the opportunity to sing along to those Last
Night favourites. Tickets: Adults £10, under 12s free with an adult. To
book tickets contact the Library Theatre Box Office, call 0161 236 7110 or
online at www.bbc.co.uk/proms


For more information and updates, please visit or call Manchester Visitor
Information Centre on 0161 234 3157 textphone 0161 234 3355

Or visit www.manchesteronline.co.uk/entertainment
-- 
Michael
Networking Newsletter
http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk