Free Festivals are Finally Here!
Article published: Monday, October 5th 2009
Siobhan McGuirk takes a look at October’s ‘cultural calendar’ and finds more than ever to hail at the grassroots.
After the Manchester International Festival came along to take a chunk out of the City Council arts budget, many feared slightly ‘lesser’ festivals would suffer. Yet flyer stands are spilling their contents into the floors of bars and cultural institutions across the city. Perhaps the opposite has occurred? New and inventive arts celebrations have sprung up, and this month share the city-wide stage with established events such as the Manchester Comedy and Food and Drink Festivals.
The latter of these two seems to have lost its grounding and packing out already-successful restaurants seems to be the order of the day. Gone are the free taster menu sessions and the £5 wine tastings of previous years. Celebrities are rife but ‘celebrations’ of food are largely absent, or available only to the wealthy. The once lustrous MFDF Awards shortlists uncomfortably overlap with those venues offering special deals inside the brochure. It leaves an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
Comedy Festival organisers have taken a back to basics approach. They know that big name shows will sell out and advertising is at a minimum. Did you know it was on? No. Are there things worth catching? Hmm. Some. Richard Herring’s controversial, Guardian-baiting show Hitler’s Moustache stands out. Again, though, the line ups are so familiar that the Festival suffix is barely warranted. Largely established acts are playing mostly established venues, which is a regular occurrence here anyway. And, yet again, high prices will be a barrier to many.
So, what are we left with? Stand up, take a bow and do a wheelie, because these new pretenders demand our attention and support: The Free For Arts Festival and I Bike MCR Mini-Fest. The are bringing entertainment to the masses with inventiveness to spare.
Free For Arts Festival
Now – October 9th
Various venues. See here for more details.
Free Entry!
Already underway, this new addition to Manchester’s bursting arts scene is doing things differently and very innovatively indeed. The festival is split into Exhibitions and Events but both strands are equally dedicated to previewing the most up-and-coming elements of the city’s arty scenes. The work should be taken seriously, of course, but the organisers are clearly aiming to have some fun. It’s about time too – there’s no reason the arts can’t be laughed along and partied with, right?! Instead of heading to a regular night out, stick your head into a Free For Arts event and discover the talents of the city’s more hidden performers. They promise a good time. At this price especially, you won’t be disappointed.
Events:
Mon 5th, 8pm at Odd Bar: Live Soap Opera
Tues 6th, 8pm at Odder Bar: Quizimodo Arty Pub Quiz Special
Wed 7th, 8pm at Odd Bar: Mini Cine Picture Show (best international short film weirdness)
Thur 8th, 9pm at Mint Lounge: Gesamped, a night of sound art. Beats and bleeps, rhythms and rhymes, noises and nonsense.
Fri 9th 8pm at Bar Centro: Closing party. Live bands headlined by the Tigers that Talked.
Exhibitions
Far too many to list. See website for details of installations; photography; painting and graffiti in, on and around unexpected city centre locations.
I Bike MCR Mini-Festival
Now – Sunday 11th October
Various venues. See www.ibikemcr.org.uk or email info@ibikemcr.org.uk for more details.
Free Entry!
I Bike MCR is a grassroots community group of cyclists who have been organising events since 2006. They aim to cater to everyone using pedal power, regardless of age, background or ability. The events lined up for the festival are designed to be as accessible as possible.
Organiser Nes Brierley explains: “In the same way that the bicycle enables people from all backgrounds to move around the city, we aim for things to be free by using community spaces and materials that are donated to us.”
I Bike MCR run events throughout the year, from weekly and monthly bike rides to film screenings, and host a month long festival in March-April. This Mini Fest is designed as a precursor to particularly encourage just-arrived students to get on their bikes. There’s far more on offer than there’s space for here, so see the website for details. Whatever your experience of cycling, it’s definitely a good time to saddle up.
Timetable Highlights
Introduction to Bicycle Polo (Sat 10th, 3pm) stands out for sporty types.
Bicycle Film Screening (Mon 5th, 7.30pm) for those looking to chill out.
Moonlight Ride (Sat 10th 8pm) for those romantics out there.
Bike History Tour of Manchester (Tues 6th, 5.30pm) for those looking for an educational experience.
Instructor-led Morning Commute (daily) from Fallowfield to the University along with
Cycle Confidence training (Wed 7th 12pm) are on hand for those getting started.
More: Culture, Exhibition, Manchester, Screen
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