Manchester Procession online
Procession also has its own website full of information about the event and its exhibition. Click here to explore.

Photo © Tim Sinclair

‘This show is a genuine eye-opener’
Mark Powell – The Metro

Click here to view images from this event.

(Video clip below.)

Following the iconoclastic Il Tempo del Postino in 2007, MIF returns to the crossroads of visual art and performance, inviting world-renowned artist Marina Abramović to curate an epic group show featuring some of the most innovative live artists working today.

For this groundbreaking event, the Whitworth will empty every gallery space in order to create room for this unique work to develop and breathe. The show begins with an hour-long performance initiation with Marina Abramović, leading up to a series of extraordinary encounters between artists and audience. Quite unlike anything staged before in the UK, this will be a provocative and visceral experience.

Featuring: Marina Abramović, Ivan Civic, Nikhil Chopra, Amanda Coogan, Marie Cool Fabio Balducci, Yingmei Duan, Eunhye Hwang, Jamie Isenstein, Terence Koh, Alastair MacLennan, Kira O’Reilly, Fedor Pavlov-Andreevich, Melati Suryodarmo and Nico Vascellari.

Dedicated to Tehching Hsieh, who will be in attendance for the opening weekend.



In Conversation
Sun 5 July 11am-12.30pm
Marina Abramović and Gustav Metzger interviewed by Hans Ulrich Obrist in the Whitworth Art Gallery.
Free: advance booking not required.

Symposium – returns only
Sun 12 July
A one-day symposium led by Marina Abramović with Hans Ulrich Obrist and Maria Balshaw.
Booking required: please visit the Whitworth Art Gallery’s website. Please note that there are currently no tickets for the symposium available.

Concept by Marina Abramović with Hans Ulrich Obrist and Maria Balshaw

Commissioned and produced by Manchester International Festival
and the Whitworth Art Gallery.

Image © Marco Anelli

‘Flailing Trees speaks with stentorian authority about a world turned on its head and the violence humanity inflicts upon nature’
Marisa Bartolucci – Artinfo

Click here to view images from this event.

Video clip below.

Walking or driving the same streets every day, many of us take our surroundings for granted. Artist Gustav Metzger will challenge this sense of security with Flailing Trees, an arresting and poignant new piece of public art, standing in the Manchester Peace Garden for the duration of the Festival.

Flailing Trees comprises 21 inverted willows, a subversion of the natural order that brings nature and the environment into sharp focus. With flourishing branches replaced by dying roots, the sculpture is both a plea for reflection and a plaintive cry for change, and is sure to provide a catalyst for debate.

The Festival is delighted that the Whitworth Art Gallery is acquiring this work for its permanent collection. After the Festival, Flailing Trees will be sited in the Gallery grounds for continued free public viewing.

Commissioned by Manchester International Festival.
Produced by Manchester International Festival and CUBE.

Photo © Karen Wright

• Food and drink in the Festival Pavilion and the Bright Stripes Café (provided by Heathcotes Outside – menu below)
• DJs ’til late every night – free (schedule below)
• Free Wi-Fi internet access
• The Pavilion Theatre hosting several of the Festival’s live music gigs and other events
• Festival information and box office

It’s the perfect place to eat, drink and relax during the day and night, either in our large outdoor seating area or within the stunning Festival Pavilion (designed by award-winning architects Stephenson Bell). And, best of all, admission to the site is free.

The Festival Pavilion is open from 11am ’til late, every day until Sat 18 July.

In 2009, the BBC’s Culture Show covered Manchester International Festival, documenting world premiere performances and specially commissioned projects.

Heathcotes Outside – Menu
Bright Stripes Café – Food served 11am ’til late daily
Festival Pavilion – Food & licensed bar 11am ’til late daily

Heathcotes have used ingredients from suppliers in Lancashire and Cheshire wherever possible, so you’ll know that you are getting the best and freshest food from the North West.

To download a more detailed menu, click here.

Hot & cold filled baguettes & ciabattas from £4 Dry-cured Lancashire farm bacon on ciabatta Heathcotes ploughman’s sandwich (ham hock terrine, Mrs Kirkham’s creamy Lancashire cheese, tomato pickle Glasson Dock smoked salmon, cream cheese, cucumber, fennel salad Summer salads from £4.50 Heathcotes ploughman’s ham hock terrine & creamy Lancashire cheese Summer leaves, blushed tomatoes, feta cheese, olives and Northwich asparagus Drinks & snacks from £1.50 A selection of cakes, pastries, coffees, teas, juices and soft drinks. The teas available at the Pavilion have been supplied by Pukka.

Grazing-platters to share from £11.50 for two people BBQ platter Sweet chilli chicken wings, barbecued sticky ribs, onion bhajis, pork brochettes, garlic and herb ciabatta, blushed tomatoes, summer leaves Vegetarian Black and green marinated olives, stuffed mini peppers, seared artichokes, mushroom arancini, onion bhajis, garlin and herb ciabatta, mini mozzarella and cherry tomatoes Antipasti Italian salami, seared globe artichokes, aioli, char-grilled peppers and courgettes, stuffed baby peppers, pesto sauce, crostini, grissini & flat breads and marinated olives Plus… from £3.50 Daily specials Fresh summer fruit salad with natural yoghurt & honey Strawberries & cream

FREE DJs

Come and listen to some of the city’s best DJs every night at the Pavilion Bar. All DJ nights are FREE to attend.
 

Fri 3	‘Contort Yourself’ with resident DJs, plus BICEP (Ghost Town NYC) DJ set Playing the best in cosmic pop, wobbly electro and floorfilling punk funk, ‘Contort Yourself’ has established itself as one of Manchester’s most exciting and forward-looking club nights.
Sat 4	‘Sweet Sensation’ with Dave Haslam & special guest Leo Outcast (Disco Outcasts) ‘Sweet Sensation’ has become something of a word-of-mouth success in Manchester in recent years, building a loyal and enthusiastic following with a perfect Saturday night selection of classic funk, soul, and house.
Sun 5	DJs Hewan Clarke & Dr D (Reno, the Gallery, The Soul Club) Two giants of the Manchester soul scene, with glorious pasts at clubs like the Reno and the Gallery, still flying the flag at their current residency, ‘The Soul Club’.
Mon 6	‘My Bag’ featuring DJs Justine Alderman & Martin Glynn ‘My Bag’ is a relaxed, truly eclectic, and well-established night fronted by two SubSpace residents.
Tue 7	DJ Mike Chadwick (JazzFM / Band on the Wall) Mike Chadwick is probably Manchester’s finest jazz DJ – from Decoy Records, to JazzFM and now Band on the Wall.
Wed 8	Fujiya & Miyagi DJ set Fujiya & Miyagi’s Lightbulbs was one of 2008’s most acclaimed albums. This is their first DJ set in Manchester.
Thu 9	DJ Phil Beckett (Radio Republic) The Pavilion welcomes Phil Beckett, one of Manchester’s taste-makers, renowned in recent years for his work at ‘The Rock & Roll Bar’ and the original 96.2 The Revolution.
Fri 10	‘Micron’ featuring guest DJ Justin Robertson ‘Micron’ is one of Mixmag’s favourite underground clubs, and this evening they host Justin Robertson, one of the big names in clubland since his early days at groundbreaking Manchester clubs like ‘Most Excellent’.
Sat 11	DJs Dave Haslam & Natalie Brogan (Venus) Natalie is a rising star on Manchester’s funky house scene with residencies in Ibiza this Summer, but flies back to go head to head with the Hacienda’s Dave Haslam.
Sun 12	‘Carry On’ with resident DJs, plus special guest Merka Breaks, beats, electro and dub, with the full ‘Carry On’ collective, plus guest DJ Merka
Mon 13	‘Chips with Everything’ DJs Their inspired booking policies and the Chips DJs’ messy, imaginative, sets have established ‘Chips With Everything’ as one of Manchester’s most exciting and unpredictable club nights.
Tue 14	DJ Don Letts (the Roxy, BBC 6 Music) A rare Manchester appearance by Don Letts, a music legend who played reggae at the Roxy, managed the Slits, founded Big Audio Dynamite, and is now an acclaimed film maker.
Wed 15	‘Redbricks’ with special guest DJ Cherrystones A Manchester & London club night awash with acid-folk, psychedelia, krautrock, progrock, and freakbeat.
Thu 16	‘Development’ v ‘Out of the Gloom’ Two of Manchester’s true believers in quality underground house unite, with a line-up including Chris E, Mike O’Mara, Chris Feinmann, Tom Lynch, and Steph Holland.
Fri 17	‘Community’ featuring DJ Irfan plus Republic of Swing Irfan plays broken beats, hip-hop and salsa, alongside the unmissable Republic of Swing.
Sat 18	‘Yellow’ hosted by Dave Haslam, with special guest Ashley Beedle (X-Press 2) An exceptional finale to the DJ series, featuring DJ and producer Ashley Beedle.

Conceptual sketch © stephenson / bell architects

Manchester International Festival and The Guardian invited scientists, engineers, campaigners and members of the public to submit their climate-saving ideas during May 2009. A shortlist of 20 of the most promising applicants have been invited to present their ideas, which involve everything from algae to cloud seeding to hydrogen fuel.

Over the weekend of 4 and 5 July at Manchester Town Hall, each will give a 10-15 minute presentation to a panel of experts in front of a live audience, before responding to questions. The results will form the basis of The Manchester Report

The Manchester Report’s panel of experts has now been finalised. Read it here.

Watch videos of all the climate ideas


THE EXPERTS

Chair:

Lord Tom Bingham Ex-chief law lord. Previously barrister, Master of Rolls and Lord Chief Justice.

Panel:

Dan Reicher Director of climate change and energy at Google.org; co-chairman of the board of the American Council on Renewable Energy; previously assistant energy secretary (and other DOE posts) under Bill Clinton.

Chris Goodall Editor of carboncommentary.com, author of books including the Green Guide for Business, Ten Technologies to Save the Planet and How to Live a Low-Carbon Life.

Bryony Worthington Founder of sandbag.org.uk. Previously worked on sustainability at Scottish & Southern; helped draft Climate Bill at DEFRA; chief climate campaigner at Friends of the Earth.

In addition to the panel, Ed Miliband, the UK’s Climate & Energy Secretary will be attending for part of the weekend to observe many of the presentations and to discuss implementation of major climate solutions with the panel.

THE REPORT

The Manchester Report will be published at the end of the Festival drawn from the reactions of the panel to the 20 solutions.

The report will be made available to the world online but will also be printed and distributed to policymakers in advance of the critical Copenhagen summit in December. Recipients will include British MPs, American members of Congress and policymakers in India, China and other regions; business leaders, think tanks and many others.

400,000 copies of the report will also be distributed to Guardian readers in a special supplement in July. Read it here.

Commissioned and produced by Manchester International Festival and The Guardian.

‘Vintage Deller and, somehow, pure Manchester’
Charlotte Higgins – The Guardian

Watch a clip of Jeremy Deller’s Procession on Sun 5 July.

Click here to view images from this event.

Celebrate the launch weekend of MIF by lining the Deansgate mile to witness a free and uniquely Mancunian procession, created by Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller’.

‘I love processions – as humans, it’s almost part of our DNA to be instinctively attracted to big public events that bring us together. A good procession is in itself a public artwork: part self-portrait and part alternative reality.’
Jeremy Deller

Procession will last approximately 1 hour and will start at the Liverpool Road end of Deansgate. Expect the noise, the colour and the excitement of a typical parade – but with a Mancunian twist. Here are just a few of the things to look out for:

Procession also has its own website. To explore the event and its accompanying exhibition (see below) further, visit Manchester Procession online.

Start time
2pm prompt.

Route
Procession will start from the Castlefield end of Deansgate and will end at Manchester Cathedral.
Click here to view a map of the route.

Duration
Procession will last approximately 60 minutes.

Families
Procession is suitable for families and children and will contain loud music, floats and vehicles. We recommend Great Northern Square as a suitable family viewing place. Lost Children service will be based there.

Disabled Access
Disabled viewing bays will be positioned next to John Rylands Library.

Jeremy Deller’s past projects have included Acid Brass, a collaboration with Stockport’s Williams Fairey Brass Band that linked acid house with brass band culture; The Battle of Orgreave, a 1,000-person re-enactment of the notorious 1984 battle between police and pickets during the miners’ strike; and Folk Archive, an exhibition that investigates British vernacular art.

Procession: An Exhibition
To accompany Procession, there will be a major exhibition at Cornerhouse.
A specially commissioned film will also play as part of the show, alongside a programme of other special events. Visit the event’s page and www.cornerhouse.org for full details.

This is an MIF Creative project.

Video clips

Above video courtesy of TateShots

Commissioned and produced by Manchester International Festival and Cornerhouse.

Photo © Tim Sinclair

Watch the crowd at Castlefield Arena enjoying the live relay.

The Elbow/Hallé free, live relay to a big screen in Castlefield Arena will be unticketed: entry is on a first-come, first-served basis on the night.

Doors at Castlefield Arena will open at 6pm. No audience will be admitted before this time.

The live relay of the concert will start at 7.30pm and finish at approx 10.00pm.

On the night

For your enjoyment and safety on the night, please note:

• Access to the event is free – though gates will be closed when the venue is at capacity. There is no guarantee of re-admission to the site if you leave.
• Children under 14 are not permitted unless accompanied by an adult.
• The event organisers reserve the right to refuse admission to any person. Persons will not be admitted if in the opinion of the stewards, they are under the influence of alcohol or an illegal substance.
• The special circumstances of this event allows alcoholic drink to be brought in to the arena in reasonable quantities – though glass will not be permitted into the venue.
• There will be no food or alcohol concessions on site – but picnics and food are permitted.
• A security search may be carried out.
• The event organisers reserve the right to make any alteration to the advertised details for the performances.
• The use of photographic or recording equipment in the event arena is prohibited.
• All attendees consent to the filming and sound recording of themselves as members of the audience.
• Portable chairs are permitted but please show consideration in their placement.
• In the interest of safety, glass items, barbecues and flaming torches are prohibited.
• No dogs allowed in the event arena (except guide dogs)

Big Screen Relay produced by Elbow and MIF09 with MCC.

‘Many arts festivals try hard to be engaging for young people. Over the weekend the Manchester International Festival went all out.’
Anthony Tommasini – New York Times

Click here to view images from this event.

One of the great successes of the first MIF, The Great Indoors is back with a brand new and awfully big adventure that lasts an entire weekend.

Held in the stunning surroundings of Manchester Town Hall, The Great Indoors offers a world of events and activities from a host of fabulous international performers, with plenty of opportunity for kids to get involved in the action. It’s suitable for children aged 3-11, but there’s also plenty of stuff that’ll appeal to grown-ups. What’s more, it’s all entirely free.

To download The Great Indoors event guide, click here.
Please note that unfortunately TOF theatre is unable to take part in The Great Indoors. Their place has been taken by TPO from Italy.

Participating artists include:

Curated by Rachel Clare for Crying Out Loud

MIF Creative has commissioned Oily Cart and Ockham’s Razor for Something in the Air, and Walk the Plank and Thingumajig Theatre to work on The Difference Engine…a steampunk adventure.

Both commissions will hold residencies with local schools in the run up to performances at The Great Indoors. Walk the Plank’s work has been co-commissioned by MIF Creative, the Centre for Urban Education (MMU) and the Museum of Science and Industry. For more information about MIF Creative and the schools we are working with, please click here.

Commissioned and produced by Manchester International Festival.

Image © Rude

		Festival Feast – Menu
Dish 1		Claudia Roden’s Ajo blanco con uvas
		prepared by Evuna
Dish 2		Levi Roots’ Jerk Chicken
		prepared by Heathcotes Outside
Dish 3		Fuchsia Dunlop’s Zhong shui jiao
		prepared by Yang Sing
Dish 4		Camellia and Namita Panjabi’s Rogani Murg
		prepared by Zouk Tea Bar & Grill
Dish 5		Paul Heathcote’s Summer Pudding
		prepared by Heathcotes Outside

Note: Due to the unique nature of this event, we are unable to guarantee that this menu is suitable for those with special dietary requirements or allergies.

To download more information on the event, the menu, and the participating experts and restaurants, click here.

Thanks to Paul Levy, co-chair with Claudia Roden of the Oxford Symposium on Food and Cookery.

Commissioned and produced by Manchester International Festival.