Manchester launches its first international festival next year. Cheak out the website: Manchester International festival (http://www.manchesterinternationalfestival.com)
What do you think? Will you come? Do you think it is a good idea? please let me know.

What do you think?

Mad fer it, kid!

As a person from Glasgow (and someone who doesn't really care for that other city in Scotland) I think Manachester should go for it with their festival, but at the end of the day the UK already has the world's largest international festival (in Edinburgh) so not too sure if we need another one

Me is a bit mixed on that one!

I agree with Gorgu. If it was something a bit more original then I might be bothered to visit!!

From Manchesterinternationalfestival.co.uk

ruth mackenzie obe appointed as general director // 25 July 06

Manchester International Festival - the world's first international festival of original, new work - has today announced the appointment of Ruth Mackenzie OBE as General Director.

Ruth will use her wealth of experience within the arts to develop partnerships within public and private sectors, as well as international arts organisations around the world.


For the past four years Ruth has been Artistic Director at the Chichester Festival Theatre, since which she has been working on a consultancy basis for the Arts Council, BBC, Tate and City University. She was awarded her OBE for services to theatre in 1995.


Before her role at Chichester Festival Theatre Ruth was Special Adviser to Chris Smith and Tessa Jowell, Secretaries of State for Culture, Media and Sport; General Director of Scottish Opera and Chief Executive of Nottingham Playhouse.


Ruth's role takes senior executive responsibility for the Festival's sponsorship. A record £1.8m sponsorship deal has already been secured with United Utilities, Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and Bruntwood and recently the Festival announced its first Official Supporter, the Manchester Airports Group. Negotiations are underway with a number of international brands to complement the Festival's international aspirations.


"I'm thrilled to be taking up this role in such a brilliant festival and am looking forward to developing partnerships which will enable the Festival to reach markets and opinion formers around the world," comments Ruth "Manchester has always been one of my favourite cities, from when I worked in the North in the 1980s, and it is great to be back at such an exciting time for the city."


On Ruth's appointment Festival Director Alex Poots commented:
"Ruth's experience and knowledge is invaluable and she will have a vital role in securing funding and building relationships with regional and international arts organisations. It's a great pleasure to welcome her onto the Festival team."

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Website has been updated www.manchesterinternationalfestival.com

Festival Background

The Industrial Revolution forged the world's first modern city, which in 2007 will launch the world's first international festival of original, new work - created by leading artists from across the spectrum of credible popular culture, innovation and the arts.

Drawing from the city's pivotal role in music, the Festival programme will have a focus on new music - premiering work by established and emerging international musicians. In step with the city's history, the Festival will focus on the important issues and stories of our time, through debates and new commissions. It will also reaffirm the city's 24 hour party spirit by working with the city's clubs, bars, cafes and restaurants.

Many of the Festival's productions and events will world premiere in the city before touring to other international destinations, such as Paris, New York and Berlin. The Festival programme will also feature on National TV and Radio, in newspapers and magazines, on digital platforms and the internet, in books and in cinemas.

Following a series of three pre-festival commissions presented from late 2005, this city's first biennial festival will launch on 28 June 2007.

What is the Manchester International Festival?

The Manchester International Festival is the world's first international festival of original, new work - specifically created for the Festival by an extraordinary shortlist of the world's most celebrated and innovative artists, and carefully commissioned from across the spectrum of the arts, popular culture and music. In step with the city’s history and culture, the Festival will focus on music and the important issues and stories of our time – and will become one of the key events on the international cultural calendar.


What are the dates of the Festival?

28 June to 15 July 2007 (after Glastonbury and before the Proms). The Festival will be preceded by a series of pre-festival commissions leading up to 2007 – the first took place in November 2005 – the hugely successful sell out exclusive Gorillaz: Demon Days Live gigs at Manchester’s Opera House Theatre.


Whose idea was it?

The idea to launch an international festival was first conceived by Manchester City Council, who appointed Alex Poots to create a unique festival for Manchester. Alex has considerable experience of programming seasons, festivals and series on a national and international scale, working collaboratively with artists, producers and venues including work for English National Opera, Tate Modern, BBC, Channel 4, and the Barbican.


What type of events will be in the Festival?

All events and works in the Festival will be new and original. Commissions will be large-scale, both indoor and outdoor, and will be presented by world-class artists and co-producers. Whilst there will be a focus on music and important issues and stories of our time, events will span across all areas of arts, culture and innovation.


Why is Manchester holding an International Festival?

The Manchester International Festival aims to build on the legacy of the hugely successful Commonwealth Games held in 2002, celebrating the city’s pivotal role in music, culture, innovation and the arts. The aim is for the Festival to become a major cultural event in the international calendar, encouraging local, national and international visitors to Manchester, whilst providing opportunities for local communities to participate, be volunteers and/or see world-class artists in their city.


There are many festivals; can Manchester International Festival be compared to any of them?

No. Manchester International Festival will be the world’s first Festival to consist solely of work commissioned specially for the programme. Plus the Festival aspires to become a carbon positive festival by 2011 and is working with partners to work towards this ambitious aim.


Which international partners is the Festival working with?

The Festival is currently working with co-producers in Paris – the State Opera House -Théâtre du Châtelet (lead producer for Monkey) and Berlin’s State Opera House – Staatsoper Unter den Linden - and is in advanced discussions with potential co-producers in New York, Beijing, Amsterdam and Vienna.

What is a pre-festival commission?

The Manchester International Festival pre-festival commissions are a series of 3 high profile events to build excitement prior to 2007. The 2nd pre-festival commission is for a large-scale schools chorus to be announced in late October. The final pre-festival commission will be announced in early October and will run from 28 February – 15 July 2007.


How many people are expected to attend the Festival?

We will attract thousands of visitors – locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Cambridge Policy Consultants carried out an economic impact assessment that estimated that the Festival will attract approximately 160,000 visitors in the first year with an economic impact of £28.8m.


How many events are there likely to be?

It is estimated that across the Festival there will be at least 10 major new commissions, as well as a number of strands, including a debates strand.


Where will the events take place?

The events will take place in a range of established venues across Manchester including major venues such as Bridgewater Hall, Palace Theatre, Opera House Theatre, Manchester International Convention Centre and small to mid-scale venues including Cornerhouse, Manchester Museum of Science and Industry, Royal Exchange Theatre, Castlefield Gallery and some non traditional locations.


Why is the Festival a biennial event?

The Festival will be showcasing solely original work on a large-scale, which takes time to develop, create and produce. Artists working with the Festival are internationally renowned, therefore long-lead times are needed in order to fit in with schedules. A two-year run-up provides the opportunity to bring in funders and sponsors to work with the Festival. The timing also allows the Festival the opportunity to evaluate and plan for the next Festival and seek out new talent.


Will there be any free events?

Yes, there will be some free events including a major free event for families.


When will the programme be announced?

The second and third pre-festival commissions will be announced in October 2006. The full 2007 Festival Programme will be announced at a press conference in March 2007.


How is Manchester City Council involved in the Festival?

The idea of a festival in Manchester was first conceived by Manchester City Council in order to enhance the national and international reputation of the city. Manchester City Council's aim is to improve cultural and economic opportunities for everyone who lives, works, invests and enjoys themselves in Manchester. The Festival also builds on the legacy of the successful Commonwealth Games in 2002.


What other partners is the Festival working with?

The 3 universities – University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Salford – have, with the support of the Northwest Regional Development Agency, funded a Higher Education Festival Liaison Manager – Dr Jennifer Cleary, to work as part of the Festival team to identify and foster links with the three universities from programming, staff and student engagement, to volunteering opportunities, placements and other opportunities. The Festival team is working closely with the city region’s audience development agency Arts About Manchester to develop innovative ways to engage with local communities and to work in partnership with venues and cultural organisations to develop new audiences. The team is also working with the city region’s tourist board Marketing Manchester to target regional, national and international visitors to the Festival.


Where is the funding for the Festival coming from?

The Festival is a limited company and registered charity with funding from the public and private sectors. The operating budget for the inaugural Festival is £6m. Manchester City Council, Urban Cultural Programme (Arts Council England, Millennium Commission). Festival top tier sponsors: United Utilities, Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and Bruntwood. Festival supporters: Manchester Airports Group. Festival suppliers: Cobbetts law firm.


How can local people get involved?

There will be many opportunities for the public to get involved in the Festival:As audiences for Festival events and as a volunteer. The Festival will be launching a volunteer scheme through which local people will have the opportunity to participate in some events (register now on www.manchesterinternationalfestival.com/volunteering) Certain large-scale commissions will need local involvement. Opportunities to get involved in creative skills development workshops and arts education workshops with international and local artists.



How are local people being involved?

In addition to the volunteer scheme there will be specific opportunities for local people to work with artists on new work. The Festival’s local producer Billie Klinger will be working to ensure the involvement of local people. The Festival is working with Greater Manchester’s audience development agency Arts About Manchester to develop a new community network and audience development scheme with community partners and community groups.

How have local people been involved to date?

Gorillaz: Demon Days Live provided several opportunities for local people to get involved with the Festival’s first pre-festival commission: Each night there were approx 86 people performing on stage, of which 53 were from Manchester. Two choirs were set up including 44 local children from Wythenshawe schools and 8 children from the National Youth Choir. A brand new gospel choir containing 22 local men and women was set up and the choir now continues as the Manchester Sing Out Choir. 7 musicians from the Royal Northern College of Music joined the strings section of the band and performed every night. Manchester Business School student Zeng Zhen performed the Gu-Zheng (Chinese Zither instrument) on the Damon Albarn solo. Young filmmaker Greg Hall has employed local actors and non-actors to star in his new feature film and he is also working with local companies and students from City College Manchester on the production of the film which will be premiered in the Festival. The Festival has just announced a distinctive strand within the main Festival that celebrates the long-standing commitment of Manchester based artists and organisations who share the Festival’s aims of commissioning and producing innovative, new work. All of the Manchester Firsts projects will have their world premiere at the 2007 Festival and feature an exciting range of work across film, visual and performing arts produced by a mix of leading individual artists and organisations based in Manchester.

What do you think of it? does it sound good? will you come?

Anyway check out the website: www.manchesterinternationalfestival.com

So, basically this is a major cultural festival in Manchester.

A year before Liverpool is going to be European Capital of Culture....

Maybe a bit of a spoiling tactic from Manchester over their neighbour?

Not really. Our 800th anniversary is in 2007, and they're shitting bricks over that.

So, basically this is a major cultural festival in Manchester.

A year before Liverpool is going to be European Capital of Culture....

Maybe a bit of a spoiling tactic from Manchester over their neighbour?

Not in any way. Hopefully the Manchester International Festival will simply build on the success of other recent and successful big events.....nobody in their right mind would suggest Manchester tries to lie low while Liverpool is European Capital of Culture. All the better if both Manchester and Liverpool can aspire to bigger things, for we certainly already know how to pull in the punters in both. It's a non-issue re Liverpool.

From Place North West.

Hadid to design music space for second Manchester festival
9 October 2008, 10:10


Internationally renowned architect, Zaha Hadid, is to create a specially commissioned room on the top floor of Manchester Art Gallery for the performance of solo instrumental works by JS Bach.

The work was commissioned by Alex Poots, artistic director of the Manchester International Festival, for the event's second incarnation in July 2009, as a response to the frustration of hearing supposedly intimate works in large concert halls.

Hadid will work with an acoustician to create a "room within a room" capable of seating 200 for recitals by pianist Piotr Anderszewski, cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras and violinist Alina Ibragimova.

Hadid said: "As an articulation of the rhythmic and harmonic range Bach was able to achieve within the mathematical framework of his music, Zaha Hadid Architects' design will explore this multiplicity by developing a coherent integration of formal and structural logic."

Poots added: "Zaha Hadid Architects consistently come up with the most exciting, innovative ideas for large scale projects - the design for the London Aquatic Centre is already an icon of British architecture. It will be intriguing to see what they produce on this intimate level. The aim is to create a near-perfect visual and sonic environment for the audience to experience some of the world's best loved chamber music."

Corporate sponsors of the first festival, held last year, included numerous property names such as Bruntwood, Allied London, Drivers Jonas and Property Alliance Group. The list of 2009 sponsors is set to be announced later this year.

The programme for the 2009 MIF is due to be published at noon today, on the festival's website, http://www.mif.co.uk/. The festival runs from 2 July to 19 July, 2009.