Your bumper briefing of news and what to look out for
English National Opera launches up north
The English National Opera launched in Manchester yesterday (Thursday 21 November) and announced the first wave of plans for a major new partnership between the company and the city-region of Greater Manchester for the next three years, enabling ENO to be firmly established within Greater Manchester by 2029.
The ENO Greater Manchester partnership, which includes projects across the city-region, covers every aspect of opera production and ‘celebrates new possibilities for the artform’. This announcement sees the beginning of longer-term strategic partnerships with venues and organisations across Greater Manchester.
It will see a raft of exciting productions taking place at venues across the region including The Bridgewater Hall, Aviva Studios, The Lowry and the Royal Northern College of Music.
Jenny Mollica, Chief Executive of English National Opera, said: “Working together over the last year, we could not be more clear that Greater Manchester is the right place to put down roots, a place where we can develop, expand and innovate.
“Where, building on the region’s legendary reputation as the heart of music making in this country, we can make a difference to audiences and communities, help invest in the next generation of talent and break new ground in the future of the artform – locally, nationally and internationally.”
Li~ly by Aiden Byrne opens in Knutsford
Li~ly by Aiden Byrne opened last week with the Mayor of Knutsford, Sir Alex Ferguson and our own Lord Garner in attendance on King Street.
With a mission “to create a warm, inviting space where regional and fresh produce take centre stage”, Aiden and wife and business partner Sarah thanked all involved in getting Li~ly on its feet.
They said: “Our deepest thanks go out to everyone who helped make this milestone possible. It was truly special to see so many friends, partners, and supporters celebrating with us. Huge gratitude to the Mayor of Knutsford for officially launching our journey with the ribbon-cutting — a perfect start to this new chapter!
“A heartfelt thank you to the incredible pre-opening team: from our visionary designers, builders, electricians, plumbers, and fit-out crew, to the dedicated marketing and PR teams. Every detail reflects your hard work and talent.
“To our local food and beverage suppliers, thank you for being the perfect partners! Working with you has been a dream, and your passion for quality is woven into every bite and sip we offer.”
HOME Arches set to open early next year
HOME arts centre has announced its latest project, HOME Arches, will be completed in early 2025.
The project will see three arches on Whitworth Street West be converted into free-to-use artist development spaces, with 50% devoted to developing artists from groups underrepresented in the creative industries.
The new space, funded by the UK Government, Manchester City Council, The Wolfson Foundation, The Foyle Foundation, The Granada Foundation alongside trust, corporate, individual and anonymous supporters, will deliver 5,000 free hours of making, studio and development space for artists and creative freelancers, with space for residencies, supported co-working and networking opportunities, plus access to technical equipment and expertise.
Karen O’Neill, CEO of HOME, said: “Since opening in 2015, HOME has been committed to supporting, investing in, and providing opportunities for artists across Greater Manchester and the North, from weekly drop-in sessions to commissions across theatre, film and visual arts. HOME Arches has been a key part of our strategy for artists’ development for many years, so to be opening these new spaces in 2025, our 10-year anniversary, is really special.
“HOME Arches will provide high quality free space and facilities for artists to develop work, create, share ideas and continue to be supported by HOME’s Artist Development programmes. The investment and support for the Arches by our funders, donors and supporters confirms that Manchester values culture, and the city continues to grow as a place that artists and creativity can thrive in. HOME is excited for the Arches to be part of Manchester’s world leading cultural sector.”
Manchester Cathedral staging charity Christmas concert
On Tuesday 10 December Manchester Cathedral will be hosting a Christmas charity concert in support of The Christie Charity.
Hosted by broadcast journalist Michelle Eagleton, the annual Christie Charity Christmas Concert will see a selection of music and carols be performed by The Beeline Trio, the Next Generation Youth Theatre as well as staff from The Christie hospital, with local singer Jo Farrow leading the ensemble.
The evening will also feature Christie patient and Charity fundraiser Lee Penrose as guest speaker who will be talking about his experience at The Christie following his cancer diagnosis, as well as his fundraising activities.
Nichola Doran, Community Development Manager at The Christie Charity said: “Our Christmas concert holds a special place in the festive season for so many people. We’re incredibly grateful to all the talented performers, our host Michelle, our guest speaker Lee and everyone involved in making this fundraising event possible. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas while supporting The Christie Charity’s mission.”
To support the work of The Christie Charity, visit their Donate page or ring 0161 446 3988.
Children for Change at Aviva Studios
On 3 December Aviva Studios will host the launch of a free e-book, Children for Change, aimed at educating primary school children about climate change.
The e-book is a collaboration involving Manchester Metropolitan University’s publishing lecturer Dylan Calder and a variety of writers and celebrities including former Blue Peter presenter and writer, Konnie Huq.
Edited by Huq, the e-book features 80 writers, illustrators, experts and young people and includes an impressive line-up of contributors including The Gruffulo illustrator Axel Scheffler, Young Bond author Charlie Higson and naturalist and TV presenter Chris Packham.
Konnie Huq said: “It’s been great working with Dylan and the students on this launch. I really believe that children are the key to changing the future. Armed with the right values, goals and mindsets, they can make a difference.
“This book is full of inspiring stories of hope and action that can help them start to make positive changes and decisions to build a greener and healthier future for our planet. It was amazing to share the messages with so many passionate and engaged young people.”
Visit here to download your free e-book.
Volunteer callout for project remembering end of Section 28
North West arts company IAP:MCR want to meet anyone affected by Section 28 for a new project; ‘the stifled students, the silenced teachers, the organisers, and the tireless activists who fought right up until its repeal in 2003’.
They are particularly looking for the queer voices and untold stories that will enrich and refine the history of LGBTQ+ protest. These stories will be recorded and find a permanent home in Manchester’s public archives.
As part of this project, IAP:MCR will also recruit volunteers to conduct these brand-new interviews with LGBTQ+ people in the Northwest who were at the demonstration, or who have engaged in dissent, or who were affected by social attitudes and prejudice over the past 25 years.
Working alongside Manchester City Council’s curatorial teams at Archives+ and Manchester Art Gallery, as well as the library services in Trafford, PROTEST! will also be delving into the public record to find ways in which dissent has already been documented.
Jez Dolan, Artistic Director of IAP:MCR, said: “We are passionate as artists to reveal and explore the untold histories of LGBTQ+ people and the ways in which protest and dissent have shaped our lives and promoted our human rights.
“Section 28 was an appalling and hugely misjudged piece of legislation, and one which had the unexpected outcome of bringing our communities together in protest, in unity and in collective action for the first time. We know as a community we have so much to say about this and so PROTEST! will be our largest project to date in terms of scale and ambition – and we cannot wait to launch this next month.”
To find out more about how to get involved in PROTEST! as an interviewee or as a volunteer interviewer, please contact Rosheen O’Hanlon at volunteer@iapmcr.co.uk
The Met Bury announces annual panto
Bury’s independent arts venue The Met has announced its annual Christmas panto and will be staging Rumplestiltskin from Friday 6 December to Thursday 26 December.
It will be produced and performed by The Big Tiny Production Company following the success of their previous two productions, Aladdin and Dick Whittington.
For tickets and more information visit The Met website.
Creative networking event at Affinity Living
A free creative networking event is taking place on Wednesday 27 November at Affinity Living from 6pm to 9.30pm.
It will be hosted by award-winning paint brand, YesColours, and attendees will gain insights into YesColours’ products, learn about exclusive incentives for design professionals, and enjoy networking with fellow designers and artists.
To book your free ticket click here.
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