Manchester International Festival

[jrb]

The worlds first international festival of original, new work. 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 trailblazer events presented from late 2005, this city's first biennial festival will launch in July 2007.

Welcome... to the Manchester International Festival

http://www.manchesterinternationalfe...om/background/

http://www.manchesterinternationalfe.../trailblazers/

http://www.marketing-manchester.co.u...t_-_Final1.pdf

Sounds interesting and exciting!

[Accura4Matalan]

I hope its better than last years Preston International Festival which was utterly awful.
I've been looking forward to this for some time now

[neil]

Can't wait!!!

[Potato Man]

It's probably worth posting this from last weeks Sunday Times

For Manchester, a festival with character
Dan Cairns meets the man with a vision for an ‘anti-Edinburgh’ showcasing new work


As the kid with first dibs on a new and very well-resourced candy store, Alex Poots can be forgiven for beaming from ear to ear. The founding director of the Manchester International Festival, which will premiere in July 2007, the 37-year-old Scot is in the enviable position of watching his wildest public-funding-of-the-arts dreams come true. As evidence of the persuasive powers that surely contributed to his appointment, Poots has cajoled Damon Albarn’s Gorillaz into launching the festival this autumn by performing their Demon Days album in its entirety.
“The council wanted something ambitious,” Poots says, “and just said, ‘We want an international festival, and we’ve got the money — who wants to come up with the ideas?’ It seemed obvious to me that it should be the world’s first commissioning festival.”



In a nation not exactly starved of cultural shindigs — from Edinburgh down, we are glutted with festivals devoted to pop, film, television, opera, theatre, literature — the new Manchester event may have its work cut out in persuading culture vultures it has something new to offer. Several key factors, argues Poots, help, not least MIF’s ambition to stage only new work. “The festival I’m trying to create is the antithesis of Edinburgh,” he says. “

Manchester is about finding artists who want to step outside what they’ve been doing. I’m just a glorified doorman, in a way.”

Poots comes to his job with an impressive track record. Currently the director of contemporary arts at English National Opera, where he commissioned an opera about Colonel Gadaffi, he has also curated the Only Connect and Elektronic festivals at the Barbican and the artist/musician collaborations at Tate Modern. But if Poots is a maverick, he is also an operator. And this duality is mirrored in the person of Howard Bernstein, the city council’s eccentric but ruthless chief executive — a man whimsical enough to display his old seats from Maine Road football stadium in his panelled office, but who also brought together a factional city and dragged it, phoenix-like, out of the ashes of IRA bombs and political turf wars.

The city is already, of course, famous for music, not to mention enlightened money men. The Hallé, after all, was founded after a group of 19th-century businessmen clubbed together and invited the German pianist Charles Hallé to form an orchestra. And Anthony Wilson’s annual music-business get-together, In the City, continues the tradition of making Manchester a gathering place for artistic innovation and brainstorming.

Poots insists that MIF, which will take place every two years, is artist-led. But the man who put Anish Kapoor, Arvo Pärt, Jessye Norman and PJ Harvey in the same concert series will very likely end up influencing the outcome, if only through sheer enthusiasm. City and curator have, I suspect, found their perfect partners.



Gorillaz perform Demon Days at the Opera House, Manchester, November 1-5

[EarlyBird]

Just looking at what they have planned for this festival is really exciting. There won't be anything like it anywhere else in the world, though I have no doubt some will try to copy it. I can see this becoming one of Europe's if not the world's biggest festivals. I can't wait for this.

[Northbeach]

Couple of linkies about the wholly (it seems) successful simian aperitif, including channel 4 video reports.
It could be quite something; it's already hit the floor running and this Poots fella knows his chips.

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/revie...635141,00.html

http://www.channel4.com/news/special...ge.jsp?id=1078

[SleepyOne]

Im liking more and more the sound of this Manchester Internation Festival - particularly the strong links being forged to the city's newly adopted 'Original-Modern' City theme which is probably one of the more sophisticated marketing strategies dreamt up in recent years.

Exe/05/163 Manchester International Festival

The initial work to establish the Manchester International Festival has now been completed, including incorporation of the company, recruitment of the festival team and additional programme planning and research. The visual identity of the Festival has been developed with Peter Saville, ensuring that it is closely linked into his work on the Image of Manchester "original and modern". Good progress has been made on fund raising.

The Council has previously agreed to commit funding of £2 million and a further £1.65 million has been firmly secured or committed in principle. This means that £3.65 million of the target budget of £5 million has now been achieved. The Festival has been warmly received by the private sector and discussions are in hand with a number of companies who are interested in giving their support. The first top tier sponsor has agreed in principle and it is hoped to announce both this sponsor and a second major sponsor in the near future.

The uniqueness of the Festival will be that it is entirely focused on the creation of original new work. The programme will be created by leading artists from across the spectrum of credible popular culture, innovation and the arts. No other Festival is solely composed of new work produced by the Festival itself, which will give it a clear and unique brand, not only in the UK but also internationally. Building on the concept of original and modern it will be a popular celebration with which the people of Manchester can engage and which will draw from Manchester's pivotal role in music, popular culture and innovation to create a wider platform across arts, culture and creativity. Many of the Festival's productions will world premier in the city before touring to other international destinations such as Paris, New York and Berlin but, recognising that engaging local creativity is a key to the economic future of the city, it will also reach into local communities and connect with things happening there.

A program of three inaugural events will be presented starting later in this year up to the launch of the festival in July 2007. This will start with the first ever live performance by the band 'Gorillaz'. This will also involve local children's choirs, gospel singers and string players from the Royal Northern College of Music. The next few months will see more detailed development of the programme and the announcement of top tier sponsors following which a further report will be brought back to us .

Decision
1. To note the significant progress to-date in establishing the Company, recruiting to the Senior Management Team and securing the partnership funding required

2. To endorse the overall themes and values of the Festival as set out in the report

3. To request a further report early in the new year that will outline the progress on the structures being developed within the Council to ensure the greatest synergy and benefits;

4. To approve a spend of £ 0.5m from the 2005/06 contingency budget as part of the overall Council investment of £2m over 3 years.

[jrb]

Rock and religion in city spectacle



OASIS: Could be in the line-up.RELIGION and rock have never mixed that well, but the BBC is hoping to change all that with a spectacular live televised event in Manchester this Easter.

Manchester Passion will be a huge public spectacle, with streets closed to traffic as a Good Friday procession and a huge crucifix make their way through the city centre, and the promise of music by major Manchester bands being involved in the parade.

The event will mix the words of the Bible with versions of popular songs by Manchester bands from the last 30 years - perhaps the likes of Stone Roses' classic I Am The Ressurrection.

It's the BBC's follow-up to award-winning public opera event Flashmob that caused a stir in London and Sheffield, and will be produced by the same TV team.

TV bosses hope "major artists" will be involved in this retelling of the last few hours in the life of Jesus - and are targeting the likes of Oasis, New Order, The Hollies and ex-members of 10CC.

Modern

Outgoing BBC3 controller Stuart Murphy said: "It should be an amazing public spectacle.

"We plan to tell the story of the crucifixion in a way that is a lot more modern. It will involve lots of crowds and an enormous cross - and, hopefully, a lot of big names."

Explained a BBC spokeswoman: "The music will be given a vibrant new twist and is performed by the characters in the drama, accompanied by a string band and well-known local musicians. It takes its inspiration from the way Bach and other composers fused music and the Passion story."

The public will be encouraged to join the procession, which will end up in Albert Square.

BBC commissioning editor for arts, music and religion Adam Kemp says: "We are excited by the possibility of introducing a new audience to the rich history of the Passion Plays. We're encouraging people to look on familiar songs with fresh eyes."

[neil]

Do not ask me how and where i got this information. It will become public on Monday.

5th Demember 2005

United Utilities, Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and Bruntwood have today announced a £1.8 million sponsorship agreement with the Manchester International Festival - the world's first international festival of original, new work designed to place Manchester firmly at the centre of the international cultural scene.

Arts & Business reports that these agreements represent the largest sponsorship deal for a single festival in the UK, with the sponsorships being confirmed eighteen months in advance of the event. (Source: Arts & Business Survey 2005).

This major sponsorship deal is in addition to over £2.5 million funding already awarded to the festival from Manchester city council and the Urban Cultural Programme.

The biennial Manchester International Festival will launch in July 2007 with a series of high profile large-scale new commissions from the world's leading artists in music, film, theatre, visal arts and creativity. The soldout and critically acclaimed Gorillaz: Demon Days live gig at Manchester Opera House from 1 to 5 November marked the first of three trailblazer events in the build up to the inaugural festival.

United Utilities, the NWDA and Bruntwood share a commitment to local industry, business and development in the Northwest; all three were previously involved in the sponsorship of the hugely successful Commonwealth Games in 2002, which attracted 1 million visitors to Manchester for the 10 days of the games, and is subsequntly estimated to attract an additional 300,000 new visitors to the region each year.

John Roberts CBE, Cheif Executive, United Utilities, stated:

"We are keen to build on the special relationship we developed with the city during the Commonwealth Games in 2002, and in particular our sponsorship for the festival will focus on their volunteering programme.

"Manchester is a vibrant city, right at the heart of our core utility operations here in the Northwest. As a key employer and provider of essential services we are already an important part of the community - our support for the Manchester International Festival will be a natural extension of this."

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive. Northwest Regional Development Agency commented:

"The NWDA is pleased to provide its support for this major festival. It is extremely fitting that the event is being held here in England's Northwest - one of the most culturally diverse regions in the world.

The unique festival will showcase the wealth of artistic talent, diverse culture and world class innovation that exists both here in the region, nationally and internationally to a world-wide audience, placing the Nortwest firmly on the map as a leading region for creative industries."

Chris Oglesby, Chief Executive, Bruntwood said:

"Manchester has now established itself as a city that plays host to true world class events. At Bruntwood, we are proud of the part that we have played and continue to play in these events. They have a real tangible effect on local 'feel-good', whilst bringing major national and international recognition.

The Manchester International Festival will introduce world class artistic and cultural events in a manner that as never been seen before, whilst at the same time, appealing to a broad audience. This ambitious combination is typically Manchester and typically Bruntwood."

Tom Bloxham MBE, Chair, Manchester International Festival, commented:

"A great festival needs the backing of the public, good financial stewardship, and critically, to be an artisitic success. Therefore progress on the festival has been fantastic. We have now raised over £4m, presented Gorillaz: Demon Days Live as our first traillblazer, and proved that Manchester International Festival can, and will, stage true world class events. We're thrilled that such respected companies have come on board and their support will enable us to deliver this ambitious festival in 2007 and present two more trailblazers next year."

Richard Leese, The Leader of Manchester City Council, said:

"We have clear objectives about how an International Festival would assist us in further respositioning Manchester internationally as a major destination centre and how a festival would be a major opportunity for further community participation. The support of our backers is most welcomed and i congratulate them, the board of the festival and the festival team, led by Alex Poots for the extraordinary impact which is already being made."

[jrb]

Nice one Neil!

Its events like this that put Manchester on the map!

[neil]

Press releases

This is from the Manchester International Festival website:

www.manchesterinternationalfestival.com

Manchester to premiere monkey... with director Chen Shi-Zheng, Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett // 28 February 06

Monkey: Journey to the West - a groundbreaking new circus production based on the Chinese literary classic - will receive its global premiere at the inaugural Manchester International Festival in 2007.

Monkey will be set to a musical score by Damon Albarn and visual setting designed by Jamie Hewlett - the artists behind the award-winning animated band Gorillaz. The show will also feature Shaolin Monks and singers from the Peking Opera.

Written and directed by Chinese theatre director, Chen Shi-Zheng, the production is based on the story of the Monkey King and is co-produced by Manchester International Festival, Theatre du Chatelet Paris and Berliner Staatsoper den Linden.

MONKEY: JOURNEY TO THE WEST - FIRST NIGHT OF WORLD PREMIERE AT THE MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

28th June 2007

Chen Shi-Zheng - widely acclaimed for his Peony Pavilion production that premiered at the Lincoln Centre Festival, New York, before touring internationally - is currently directing his first feature film with Val Kilmer and Merly Streep. He is joined by Theatre de Complicite's world renowned set desiger Tom Pye - currently designing for the upcoming Sinatra show at the London Palladium - to form an unparalleled artistic team.

The Monkey King is an epic journey of enlightenment - as iconic for China as Dickens to Britain - and by retelling the tale in this unique way through circus, martial arts and music, the production will open this festival of world premieres.

A new version of 1980's cult TV show Monkey is currently wowing audiences in the east and is forecast to return to British screens this year - highlighting the huge popularity and enduring nature of the story.

"It's a pleasure to be working on this unique project with international partners in Paris and Berlin," comments Manchester International Festival Director Alex Poots, "I'm glad that Manchester will be getting the world premiere of this international new work."

[Northbeach]

Good call Neil - my water tells me this Poots fella will ensure this festival will be as bold and successful as the hype machine told us. Fortunately, we won't have to pay exorbitant prices for hotel rooms .
Monkey was ace.
Bet the monks aren't genuine mind.

[spank_the_monkey]

We could make it like the Edinburgh festival but with a bit more industrial twist!
Full cast of SSC members...straight back from Broadway!
What do you reckon!

[Sir Miles Platting]

Only a wild crazy guess, but this guy....Spank the Doka...maybe??

[jrb]

A bit of topic, but you'll understand why.

City centre boss quits after a year.

The boss of Manchester city centre has quit after just over a year.

Paul Rice, chief executive of Manchester City Centre Management Company, is resigning to "pursue opportunities in consultancy" at the end of the month.

He will be replaced by Gordon Reid, who as chief executive of Edinburgh City Centre Management Company has helped turn the city into an international capital of the arts.

It is understood the directors of MCCMC believe Mr Reid's experience in Edinburgh will make him ideally suited to building Manchester up ahead of a massive international arts festival planned for 2007.

The event is expected to be worth up to £34m a year for the local economy and is set to rival Edinburgh's world-famous festival in size and scope.

The decision was announced 14 months after Mr Rice transferred from Liverpool, where he worked in a similar role. He said the Manchester job was "the biggest in the industry" and would be a "huge challenge".

Fallen

It is understood his stock has fallen among members of MCCMC's board, which is made up of senior figures from local government and business. His leaving is believed to be a matter of mutual agreement.

Mr Rice personally spearheaded the campaign for late-night opening hours across the city centre, which was dealt a blow when flagship stores including Kendals and Harvey Nichols refused to sign up to the project.

The campaign was recently relaunched after figures showed those stores that had been opening until 8pm had enjoyed increased trade.

MCCMC chairman Michael Oglesby said: "Gordon brings with him a great deal of experience and will be a great asset to Manchester during a time of continual, fast-paced development."

MCCMC is a not-for-profit, public-private partnership charged with ensuring the "continued vitality, prosperity and development" of Manchester city centre.

Mr Rice's predecessor, Gordon McKinnon, left to take the top role at the Trafford Centre - sparking fears he would be able to exploit Manchester's plans for the future to give the out-of-town shopping mecca a significant commercial edge.

[neil]

Gorillaz: Live in Manchester. The cartoon band's recent concert at the city's Opera House. Is on TV tonight on E4 at midnight and is on C4 on Friday at 11.40pm.

[b4mmy]

Originally Posted by neil

Gorillaz: Live in Manchester. The cartoon band's recent concert at the city's Opera House. Is on TV tonight on E4 at midnight and is on C4 on Friday at 11.40pm.

Nice one Neil, did you watch Morrissey last night! Absolutely hilarious, there was a great bit of film of this guy trying to shake his hand and Morrissey kneeled down to touch him and the bloke got carted off without getting close to contact! A few seconds later another guy comes up begging for Morrisseys hand and manages to get it! And then gets carted off. Great tv, had me smiling for ages!

[BeardedGenius]

Originally Posted by b4mmy

Nice one Neil, did you watch Morrissey last night! Absolutely hilarious, there was a great bit of film of this guy trying to shake his hand and Morrissey kneeled down to touch him and the bloke got carted off without getting close to contact! A few seconds later another guy comes up begging for Morrisseys hand and manages to get it! And then gets carted off. Great tv, had me smiling for ages!

I was there that nice - great gig...

[neil]

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

[CharlieP]

Originally Posted by neil

What do you think?

Mad fer it, kid!