There’s still time for little Mancs to head on down to theScience and Industry Museum and “explore ideas that change the world” before summer is out.
With just a couple of weeks left before the summer holidays are over and the new school year begins, families are being encouraged to make their way to Manchester’s very-own Science and Industry Museum in the heart of the city centre and get involved in a fun summer of creativity, as they get to unpick the history the region’s textiles heritage, discover how the industry is woven into the fabric of the city’s unique identity, and so much more.
Textile City is the place to create moving machines that support modern-day textiles production, meet the local makers keeping Manchester’s textiles industry alive, produce unique print designs, and rediscover traditional manufacturing techniques.
You’ll get to put your stitching skills to the test during free drop-in activities and workshops happening every day.
Head on down to the Science and Industry Museum to “explore ideas that change the world” / Credit: Science Museum GroupFamilies can get involved in a brand-new immersive art project designed by artist Jenny Steele / Credit: Drew Forsythe (via Science Museum Group)
As always, the museum’s team of expert Explainers will be hosting interactive activities to demonstrate the skills used in Manchester’s creative industries, and explore some of the ideas that started at the site of the museum and went on to change the world.
Before the summer’s out, there’s also the chance to recreate the city’s skyline using foam blocks covered in textiles print inspired by Manchester’s unique architecture by getting involved in a collaborative art project that’s been designed especially for the museum’s summer programme by artist Jenny Steele.
Make, create and play this summer☀️🪡🧵
Be inspired by the city and get involved in a new immersive art project designed by artist @jennycsteele.
— Science and Industry Museum (@sim_manchester) August 17, 2022
Fashion and textiles not really your thing though?
Away from that, the summer holidays are also the perfect time to check out the Museum’s free interactive gallery, Experiment, which is designed for the whole family to enjoy together and has recently just undergone a revamp to add some new interactive elements – including the chance to experience heat vision with a thermal camera, play with magnetic art, and throw some shapes to tell stories with a shadow wall.
Youngsters can also build sturdy bridges and tall towers, make music with their body, try to see through walls and find out how they can shake hands with themselves, test their senses, flex their superpowers, and discover whether or not they’re strong enough to lift a car with one hand.
They can even play songs on musical pipes, and get creative with glow-in-the-dark art.
The summer is also the perfect time to check out the Museum’s free interactive gallery, Experiment / Credit: Science Museum GroupNew interactive gaming experience, Power UP / Credit: Science Museum Group
But by far one of stand-out exhibitions to make the most of at the Science and Industry Museum this summer has to be the new interactive gaming experience, Power UP, where players can enjoy the very-best video games from the past five decades and try out over a hundred different consoles to rediscover childhood favourites and test out some of the latest developments in virtual reality.
A new section dedicated to the Manchester-based people and companies who changed the face of the city’s gaming industry has also been added to Power UP – which is open every day during school holidays and on Saturdays and Sundays during term time.
The Science and Industry Museum is open every day throughout the summer holidays up until Sunday 4 September, and you can find out more and book tickets in advance through its website here or by calling 033 0058 0058.
Featured Image – Drew Forsyth (via Science Museum Group)
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Hit theatre production set at a house party to visit Manchester on UK tour
Daisy Jackson
Alright then, 24 hour party people, we’ve found a theatre production you might like the sound of – it’s called The House Party, and it’s set in (you guessed it) a house party.
This smash hit production by pioneering theatre company Headlong is set to land at HOME in March as part of the arts venue’s 2025 theatre season.
It tells the tale of a wild 18th birthday party, where Christine is trying to pick up the pieces of her best friend, a newly-dumped Julie (who happens to be the birthday girl).
Themes of class, power and privilege are all explored with a raw intensity as the cast on stage plough through shots and dive head-first into a night that will change everything they know.
The House Party, which has received glowing reviews from previous showings, is filled with ‘privilege, desire and destruction’.
When it stops off in Manchester, its cast will include Bridgerton’s Sesley Hope as Christine, Synnøve Karlsen (Miss Austen, Last Night in Soho) as Julie, and Tom Lewis (Gentleman Jack, Patience) as Jon.
The ensemble of Frantic Assembly performers includes Ines Aresti, Oliver Baines, Cal Connor, Micah Corbin-Powell, Rachael Leonce, Jaheem Pinder and Jamie Randall.
The House Party is written by Laura Lomas and is a reimagining of August Strindberg’s Miss Julie for today’s generation.
It’s directed by Headlong’s artistic director Holly Race Roughan, who directed the Royal Shakespeare Company’s world premiere of David Edgar’s major new political play The New Real.
The House Party. Credit: Ikin YumThe production will be at HOME. Credit: Supplied
Movement direction will come from Frantic Assembly’s Scott Graham.
Prior to the UK tour of The House Party, Headlong celebrated its 50 year anniversary, including the hit production of A Raisin in the Sun which played nationwide.
The House Party will be at HOME in Manchester between 25 and 29 March, 2025 – you can get your tickets HERE.
Greater Manchester’s annual Repair Week is back to make you fall back in love with your stuff
Daisy Jackson
If you’re not a handy person, when something breaks, the temptation is often to abandon or bin it straight away.
But that’s just not how we’re gonna do it here in Greater Manchester any more, with the return of the annual Repair Week to help you learn valuable repair skills and save money at the same time.
Whether it’s tinkering with your bicycle, fixing up your small tech items, or having your furniture re-varnished and upcycled, there are so many places and people who are on a mission to help you fall back in love with your belongings.
There are even workshops to help you put flat-pack furniture together.
Taking place between 3 and 9 March, Repair Week will be the chance to learn skills, fix your stuff, gain repair confidence and find local fixers.
Events throughout the week (and beyond) will be hosted by community groups, businesses and plenty more.
You can sharpen knives, fix zips, and un-wobble chairs with a little hand from local repair heroes.
JillyGDesign Jewellery in Heaton Moor will fix up your sentimental and special jewellery items, while Rag Revival will help you turn unusable textiles into new creations with basic sewing skills.
There are repair cafes popping up all over Greater Manchester where you can take your belongings.
Greater Manchester’s annual Repair Week is back to make you fall back in love with your stuff. Credit: Supplied
Repair Week will highlight schemes like the Manchester Library of Things, where you can borrow the tools and equipment you need for those repair jobs at home.
During the week you’ll also be able to take a behind-the-scenes tour of the incredible Renew Hub, the UK’s biggest reuse hub, where donated items are brought back to life.
Similarly, you’ll be able to get inside the textile recycling centre run by homelessness charity Emmaus Bolton, where you can choose your own fabric from the scrap store and turn it into a very handy draught excluder to keep costs down and your heat in.
Recycle for Greater Manchester’s Repair Week will take place between 3 and 9 March, with workshops, events and resources to help you revive your belongings.