Events to listen out for...
Manchester 2007
Presented by Manchester City Council and its event partners, this year's Programme
is bursting with action, outdoor music, dance and theatre extravaganzas, multicultural
festivals and speciality markets.
 Wheel
of Manchester
Exchange Square
The 60m high, contemporary, big wheel has 42 capsules, which seat up to eight
people, all with wheelchair access, air conditioning and heating. With spectacular
views across Manchester and beyond, it's an unforgettable experience for all the
family.
Visit the website for information and tickets:
Adults £6, Children (Under 12) £4, Children (Under 4) FREE, VIP
capsule (max. 4 people) £65 with champagne, £50 without. www.worldtouristattractions.co.uk
 Manchester
Literature Festival
4-14 October
Various venues
Last year's inaugural festival turned Manchester into the literary hot
spot with a celebration of the best in new writing across all genres. Building
on its success, a cutting edge programme of events will feature some of the world's
most inspirational and well-loved poets and authors, as well as showcasing regional
talent. It will include a strand of Freeplay activities exploring collaborations
between writing, film and new media and opportunities to develop your own creativity
or put your hand to DIY publishing.
Information 0161 236 5725. www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk
 Manchester
Food and Drink Festival
5-15 October
Various venues
The most exciting Festival yet in celebration of its tenth anniversary. Whatever
your tastes, there is something for everyone! Enjoy the local producers markets
in St Ann's Square; watch celebrity chefs reveal their culinary secrets in the
demonstration marquee; and be stimulated by the Taste Pavilion's exciting events
programme on Albert Square. If that is not enough to fill you up, enjoy hundreds
of special offers and Festival menus in the region's restaurants and bars.
www.foodanddrinkfestival.com
Urban Screens
10-14 October
Citywide
Your city becomes the backdrop to an out of the ordinary media experience with
Urban Screens, this October. Four screens, including The Big Screen in Exchange
Square, will be filled - from early to late - with the latest interactive digital
content and new film work from all over the world. From public places to unexpected
spaces, Urban Screens is an exiting opportunity to experience the latest in digital
media, whilst out and about. Urban Screens accompanies an international conference
in Manchester between 11-12 October.
www.manchesterurbanscreens.org.uk
Supported by Cornerhouse and BBC. Funded by Arts Council England and Marketing
Manchester.
 Manchester
Comedy Festival 2007
18-28 October
Various venues
Now in its 6th year, the Festival is set to be the biggest and best
yet. A brand new venue in Albert Square, in the shape of a huge, upside-down,
purple cow called Udderbelly, will serve as a performance space, box office and
Festival information point. This multiple venue, 11-day event features comedy
plays and productions, stand up shows from household names such as Jimmy Carr
and local talent like Justin Moorhouse, performing alongside a host of other comics.
Information 0161 839 9595.
www.manchestercomedyfestival.co.uk
In The City
20-22 October
Various venues
Founded in 1992, by Yvette Livesey and Factory maverick Anthony Wilson, In
The City (ITC) is the world's premier new music convention. Returning with the
Unsigned, Urban, Interactive, Breakthrough and Break In The City strands, ITC
will once again debate the present and plot the future of the music industry.
In The City 2007 will take place at the Midland Hotel and various venues across
Manchester.
Information: 0161 839 3930. www.inthecity.co.uk
Dashehra Diwali Mela
21 October
Platt Fields Park, Rusholme
Dashehra is an important Hindu Festival, commemorating the victory of good
over evil. The celebrations include entertainment, music and dance from professional
artists and community groups, street performers, jugglers, fire dancers and stilt
walkers. At dusk, an 8m effigy of the demon king Ravan will be set alight, followed
by brilliant fireworks.
www.indianassociation.org.uk
Manchester Christmas Lights Switch-on
8 November
Albert Square
Join in the celebrations to mark the arrival of the festive season. Enjoy live
music and entertainment, family fun, special celebrity guests, costumed characters
and spectacular fireworks.
www.manchesterlive.co.uk
 On
Ice
Mid November 2007 - Early January 2008
Manchester City Centre
After the success of last year's ultimate winter experience in Piccadilly Gardens,
Manchester's open-air ice rink returns to the city centre, so grab a partner and
go for a twirl on the ice. Tickets will be on sale from early October.
www.manchesterlive.co.uk
 Manchester
Christmas Markets
15 November - 20 December
Albert Square, St Ann's Square, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, Brazennose
Street
Get into the Christmas spirit while you browse the traditional wooden chalets
and twinkling stalls and soak up the unique bustling atmosphere. You'll find enticing
gifts including decorative pottery and ceramics, handcrafted toys and decorations,
jewellery and Christmas trees, plants and bulbs from Holland. Continental sausages,
roasted almonds, crêpes as well as Bavarian beer and Glühwein provide the perfect
alfresco snack.
www.manchesterlive.co.uk
exposures UK Student Film Festival
3-6 December
Cornerhouse
exposures is THE UK Student Film Festival, bringing the very best of new talent
from filmmaking courses all across the nation to Manchester. The festival has five
main competitive categories - Drama, Documentary, Animation, Experimental and
North West. Each year the festival also holds events to inspire and further new
British talent, with special guests from the Film and TV industry judging the
various categories and introducing screenings. The festival also comprises underexposed,
a strand reserved for North West filmmakers aged 19 and under.
www.exposuresfilmfestival.co.uk
 Chinese
New Year
February 2008
Chinatown
The year of the rat is welcomed with a glittering array of festivities including
Dragon and Lion Dances, Kung Fu demonstrations, folk dance performances, fireworks
and the spectacular Golden Dragon Parade.
www.manchesterlive.co.uk
Manchester Irish Festival
March 2008
Various venues
A city-wide showcase of Irish culture and celebration of all things Irish.
Highlights include the St Patrick's Parade, which sees over 70 floats, bands and
walking groups wind their way through the city, and the popular Irish Festival
Market bringing arts and crafts, gifts and speciality foods from across the Irish
Sea.
www.goingirish.com
 ¡Viva!
Spanish and Latin American Film Festival
March 2008
Cornerhouse
¡Viva! is the UK's only festival dedicated to Spanish-speaking cinema from Spain
and Latin America. Taking place over 10 days, the festival features the best films
of the past two years, a themed section, archive screenings, short films programme,
talks and parties. ¡Viva! is also an occasion for audiences to meet significant
filmmakers and actors during panel discussions and Q&As.
Film fans unable to make it to Manchester can see the festival's highlights
around the UK and in Dublin with the ¡Viva! Spanish and Latin American Film Festival
Tour.
www.vivafilmfestival.com
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