Your bumper briefing of news and what to look out for
Shaun Moffat becomes Head Chef at MAYA
Shaun Moffat has been announced as the new Head Chef at MAYA.
Known for his modern twist on British classics and creative use of seasonal ingredients from his time at Edinburgh Castle, Shaun’s new menu will launch on Wednesday 23 November, featuring ‘elevated bistro favorites, indulgent Sunday Roasts, and hearty winter dishes.'
As I said back when we first reported this may be happening, it promises to be a very interesting partnership.
"We are incredibly excited to welcome Shaun to MAYA,” said a spokesperson. “His passion for Modern British cuisine, combined with his commitment to showcasing the best local ingredients, is a perfect match for our vision. His new menu will offer guests a unique dining experience that’s both comforting and sophisticated."
Manchester Camerata becomes an official partner of Classic FM
Manchester Camerata has been given a further boost following news (in our previous Front Page) of the rollout of its Music Cafes for people living with dementia and their carers to all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester.
It now has the backing of Classic FM, the UK’s most popular classical music station, having been made an official partner.
This will see the station, owned by radio behemoth Global Media and Entertainment, support and promote the Camerata in its community-based programme aimed at showcasing the transformative power of music for those living with dementia.
Classic FM also becomes the principal media partner of the Camerata’s Music Champions recruitment campaign, which will see them work to engage and train members of the public and care professions in the art of music therapy.
It will also be promoting Manchester Camerata’s Monastery series at its Gorton venue, featuring a collection of concerts including Handel’s Messiah (Sunday 1 December) and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with violinist Daniel Pioro (Sunday 19 January).
Philip Noyce, Classic FM’s Managing Editor, said: “The team at Manchester Camerata echo our vision and enthusiasm to make classical music accessible and relevant to everyone, regardless of age or background, so this is a very exciting new partnership. From their captivating live concerts to their impactful community-based work, Manchester Camerata is blazing a trail in classical music and we are thrilled to welcome them as one of Classic FM’s official partners”.
Bob Riley, CEO of Manchester Camerata, said: “Classic FM has been synonymous with the UK orchestral landscape for over 30 years. We are constantly striving to create positive change within the industry and push beyond the traditional expectations of an orchestra – so to have Classic FM’s support with us on this journey is just magic."
Have your say on Ryebank Fields proposed plans
One of my first stories for Manchester Confidential, back in March 2023, was about the opposition to plans to build 120 homes on Ryebank Fields, the greenbelt land between Chorlton and Stretford’s Longford Park.
Jonathan gave an update back in July after enraged residents blocked the path of developers looking to start survey works apparently without appropriate permits.
Now in the latest act of this saga - taking in everything from freely-given land and its uses by institutions, to the housing crisis and our place in nature - you can have your say.
Consultation on the revised plans for Ryebank Fields is open, and will be until 23:59 on Friday 1 November.
So if you want to have your say, visit the website to fill in the feedback form ahead of their submission of planning permission.
You can also visit the Save Ryebank Fields website.
Oxygen Activeplay to open in MediaCity
One change of scenery I can’t imagine there being too much uproar about is the replacement of the I’m a Celebrity Jungle Challenge at MediaCity.
It closed back in November 2022 after only 15 months, with ITV explaining it had become “financially unviable”, presumably after the broadcaster had stumped up for Matt Hancock’s appearance fee.
Now after nearly two years sitting empty, it’s set to become Oxygen Activeplay in February 2025 thanks to a £2.5m investment. The space, which will be above Kargo MKT, will be home to over 30 trampolines and a high ropes course among other activities.
Stephen Wilson, Chief Executive Officer at Oxygen Activeplay, said: “With Oxygen at MediaCity being our 10th park, we knew we had to do something really special, so we have some really big and exciting plans.”
‘24 Year Party People’ Exhibition at Electrik
A photographic look into the past years of Manchester’s party scene will be on show from Thursday at Electrik in Chorlton.
20 Year Party People, an exhibition by photographers Richard Kelly and Jonny Black, will showcase previously unseen photographs of Manchester's nightlife from the early noughties through to present day.
Kelly, who teaches at Manchester Met’s Manchester Fashion Institute, also worked with renowned fashion brands such as Fred Perry and Dr Marten, and has photographed some of the most recognised faces in the music industry including Arctic Monkeys, Florence Welch and the late Amy Winehouse.
Speaking about his latest exhibition, he said: “It’s been fantastic to be able to dig out the 20-odd year-old photos I took while on duty for magazines back in the noughties and compare them to the nightlife photos I’ve taken recently.
“What struck me is the relative lack of inhibition people had on nights out back then. This wasn’t just because of their high spirits but due to the fact there was no social media, and no opportunities to check and edit shots on a phone!
“It’s been interesting to note the trend changes over the decades too, and with the re-emergence of ‘Y2K’ fashion there should be some familiar styles on display in the images, as well as some more nostalgic looks.”
Homobloc and Islington Mill offering space for creativity
Homobloc has announced the launch of HOMOMILL, a collaboration with arts charity organisation Islington Mill Foundation that looks to provide creative spaces, resources and opportunities for the city’s queer community.
Running throughout autumn, the residency will serve as a platform for emerging queer artists and offer spaces for club events, artist residencies, workshops and much more.
Sophie Bee, Creative Director of Homobloc, said: “Islington Mill has a huge place in the hearts of the Homobloc production team. It’s been a safe space for over 20 years for us to experiment, from the early days of parties in the club space to drag labs and studio spaces for our commercial projects.
“It has fantastic links to the art courses at the city's universities and is a space for experiential fun. We are so happy to be putting back into the source where many of us started our professional careers, supporting the next generation of makers, doers and explorers.”
For more information on upcoming events at Islington Mill visit their website.
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