What's On in the area

Below are events happening in and around the Royal Mills area. If you know of an event which you would like listed, please use the contact form located here.

Medlock Valley Art Project
Date: 1st May 08 - 30th May 08
Every day
Location: East City Library

Exhibition

Art, photography and poetry inspired by the Medlock Valley, created by Ashbury Meadow Primary School, Ardwick Youth Club and Grange Art Club, working with community artists, Brian Raymond and Chanje Kunda.

Venue: East City Library, Whitworth House, MANCAT Openshaw Campus, Ashton Old Road, M11 2WH. Telephone: 0161 234 550.

Cost: Free

Art by Carers
Date: 1st May 08 - 31st May 08
Every day
Location: Miles Platting Library

An exhibition

Photography, grafitti artwork and canvas art by carers from the Young and Unique Manchester Young Carers Forum, Twentyfourseven Young Carers project and Manchester Carers Forum.

Venue: Miles Platting Library, Varley Street, M40 8EE. Telephone 0161 254 7021.

Cost: Free

Health Walks in Manchester's Parks
Date: 1st Mar 08 - 31st Aug 08
Every day
Location: Various parks in Manchester
Time: 09:30 - 15:00

Our Health Walks in Parks should carry a health warning - they're seriously good for you!

Good for your health
Good for socialising
Half an hour's walking per day cuts the risk of heart disease by up to half, as well as reducing risk of some cancers, diabetes, obesity and helps improve mental health.

The walks are led by experienced Park Wardens and have been developed with the Health Promotion Group.

The listings show start/finish times, which allows you to choose how long you want to walk - half an hour, one hour or two hours.

To join, just turn up at the meeting points listed. To be safe, call beforehand to check the walk is on.

The meeting point and contact details for the Health Walk and parks are listed in this leaflet.

Cost: Free

Family History Helpdesk
Date: 24th Apr 08 - 18th Dec 08
Every week
Location: Central Library, Archives and Local Studies
Time: 11:00 - 15:00

Want to trace your family history, but not sure where to start? Free, expert advice from the Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society.

Please note: Family History Desk will close at 1pm on 5 June.

Address: Central Library, St. Peter's Square, Manchester, M2 5PD. Telephone: 0161 234 1900 (switchboard).

Cost: Free

Queer Up North International Festival
Date: 5th May 08 - 25th May 08
Every day
Location: Various venues

Queer Up North is Europe's most ambitious queer festival.

It opens with a world premiere from Sandra Bernhard and closes with a UK premiere from the Stephen Petronio Company: in between are two and a half weeks of maverick talent, provocation, glamour, entertainment and art, from French puppets to lesbian pulp, from Bette Bourne to Billy Bragg. See you there!

Information: 0161 234 2942

Cost: Please see website for ticket information.

UEFA Cup Final 2008
Date: 14th May 08
Location: City of Manchester StadiumRangers v FC Zenit St. Petersburg

On 14 May, the City of Manchester Stadium will host the UEFA Cup Final 2008. Rangers will play FC Zenit St. Petersburg in a thrilling final of the world's largest club football competition. This will be the conclusion to a historical and exhilarating tournament, which has involved 144 football clubs across Europe. The UEFA Cup Final 2008 in Manchester will be televised live in over 200 countries worldwide.

For more information visit the UEFA Cup Final 2008 website (External site)

Cost: Tbc

UEFA Cup Final 2008 – Final of the Manchester 3v3s
Date: 14th May 08
Location: Cathedral Gardens

Look out for fast and furious football action as children from Manchester’s schools compete in the grand final of the UEFA Cup Final 2008 Manchester 3v3s.

The best squads from the secondary school girls' cheerleading competition will perform alongside the grand final, so there will be plenty of skills and flair on show.

9.30am - 11am: Boys Under 16 Final

11am: Presentation to winners of Boys Under 16 Final

11.15am: Cheerleading Display

11.30am - 12 noon: Disability Final

12 noon: Presentation to winners of Disability Final

12.15pm: Cheerleading Display

1pm-3.30pm: Primary School Girls and Boys Finals

3.30pm: Presentation to winners of Primary School Girls and Boys Final

Cost: No Cost

Poetry @ Central Library
Date: 15th May 08
Location: Central Library (2nd Floor, Committee Room)
Time: 13:00 - 14:00Jane Routh and Mike Barlow

Jane Routh
Jane is a poet and photographer who manages woodlands and a flock of geese in the Forest of Bowland, where she's lived for the last thirty years. Her first collection, Circumnavigation, won the Poetry Business Competition and was shortlisted for the Forward Prize for best first collection. Her second book, Teach Yourself Mapmaking (Smith/Doorstop), is a Poetry Book Society recommendation.

Mike Barlow
Mike won first prize in the Amnesty International Competition 2002 and first prize in the Ledbury Competition 2005. His first collection, Living on the Difference, was short-listed for the Jerwood Aldeburgh Prize. He has read at the Troubadour, Lancaster Literature Festival and the Aldeburgh Festival. Mike was the 2006 winner of the National Poetry Competition. His second collection, Another Place, has recently been published by Salt.

More information from Darren Rawcliffe: Telephone 0161 234 1981; email d.rawcliffe@manchester.gov.uk.

Venue: Central Library, St. Peter's Square, Manchester, M2 5PD. Telephone: 0161 234 1900 (switchboard).

Cost: Free

Chorlton Arts Festival
Date: 16th May 08 - 14th Jun 08
Every day
Location: Chorlton Library
Exhibitions

The Chorlton Bench Project
Photography by Gill Moore. Months of unscientific research has revealed Chorlton's favourite bench. This documentary project features Chorltonians, flasks of tea, sad dogs, snow and sun. It may feature you too - it just depends on where you've chosen to sit!

Toes in the Water
A mixed media exhibition from eight members of ARC, Arts for Recovery in the Community, an arts for health organisation.

The Wednesday Class
Chorlton Park Adult Learning Centre's gifted art and design students exhibit their work. Be inspired!

Plus Creative Writing Workshops Saturdays 17 and 24 May, 11.30-1.30. Please phone 0161 881 3179 for more information.

Venue: Chorlton Library, Manchester Road, M21 9PN. Telephone: 0161 881 3179.

Cost: Free

Mini and Junior Great Manchester Run
Date: 17th May 08
Location: Sportcity
Time: 11:00 - 13:00

Get active and have fun - young people can be part of the Great Run action by entering Manchester's biggest junior running event.

There are races for children aged 3-8 (1.2km) and 9-14 (2.2km) following a route around the City of Manchester Stadium, home to Manchester City Football Club.

All finishers will receive a goody bag and medal and there are lots of great prizes to be won.

Entries are now open: £12 per child, spectators free. All entrants must pre-register.

Call 0845 389 2200 or enter online and download a paper entry form at the Great Run website (external site).

Cost: £12 per child, spectators free.

BUPA Great Manchester Run
Date: 18th May 08
Location: Manchester City Centre

Britain’s biggest and most prestigious 10km race, recognised as one of the world’s greatest road running competitions.

Britain's biggest and most prestigious 10km race is recognised as one of the world's greatest road running competitions, with elite race performances and an all-star cast of celebrities and thousands of charity and fun runners taking part to raise money for charity.

Entries are now full but come and watch some of the best in the business on one of the world's fastest courses.

Go to the Great Run website (external site) to enter.

Cost: Tbc

Jobs Fair for Disabled People
Date: 22nd May 08
Location: Great Hall, Manchester Town Hall, Albert Square
Time: 11:00 - 16:00

The 22 May 2008 sees the return of the annual jobs fair for disabled people organised by Manchester City Council.

The event is being delivered in partnership with Stepping Stones, Barclays Contact Centre Manchester and Manpower.

Increase your independence and confidence when applying for jobs. Find out what's on offer from a wide variety of employers from the private, public and voluntary sectors, who will be available to answer queries about specific job and career opportunities. A wide variety of job vacancies will be available on the day.

Visitors can also obtain advice on employment related matters, training and educational opportunities. Free workshops will also take place, offering practical advice on completing application forms and interview techniques.

Details of organisations attending the jobs fair

For more information about the jobs fair, contact Kate Fowler:
tel 0161 234 1885;
textphone 0161 234 3353;
email k.fowler@manchester.gov.uk

Cost: Free

Asia Triennial lunchtime tour
Date: 22nd May 08
Location: Manchester Art Gallery

Join exhibitions curator, Clare Gannaway, for a short lunchtime introduction to the four art works displayed on the ground floor as part of Asia Triennial Manchester.

Explore art works by Choe U Ram and Gwon Osang.
Cost: Free

Eurocultured
Date: 25th May 08 - 26th May 08
Every day
Location: Manchester city centre

Spearfish proudly presents Eurocultured, the street festival that brings you treats from the continent.

The festival celebrates the diversity of European culture via live art, dance, food and drink, music and performance.

This is the festival's fifth year and it's bigger than ever with two streets, seven venues, two stages and a new arts market. There will be live appearances from over 150 artists, dancers, performers, bands and DJs, all packed into a unique city centre space underneath Oxford Road Station.

For two days expect everything from breakdance to can can, Balkan beats to French pop, live street art to cabaret, from top performers from 14 different European countries.

Look out for more information on the Eurocultured website (external site)

Cost: £2.

Learn Bollywood Dance!
Date: 27th May 08 - 30th May 08
Every day
Location: Selected libraries across the city

Half-term activities for chidren and young people in Libraries

Bollywood, the Hindi film industry, is famous for its colour, drama, excitement and lavish dance numbers. Dance like top star Aishwarya Ray at these free, half-term sessions, taught by Amrit Kaur.

All children - boys and girls - aged 5 and over are welcome (under 8s accompanied, please).

It's going to be great fun! Come in Indian clothes, scarves etc, if you like!

Sessions at:

Chorlton Library - Wednesday 28 May, 3.15-4.15pm
Clayton Library - Thursday 29 May, 1.30-2.30pm
Didsbury Library - Wednesday 28 May, 1.30-2.30pm
Forum Library Wytehnshawe - Friday 30 May, 1.30-2.30pm
Hulme Library - Tuesday 27 May, 3.30-4.30pm
Levenshulme Library - Friday 30 May 11am -12noon
Longsight Library - Tuesday 27 May, 11am -12noon
Miles Platting Librray - Thursday 29 May, 3.15-4.15pm
New Moston Library - Wednesday 28 May, 11am-12noon
North City Library - Thursday 29 May, 11am-12noon
Powerhouse Library - Tuesday 27 May, 1.30-2.30pm
Rack House Library - Friday 30 May, 3.15-4.15pm
View the full half-term programme of activities in Libraries

Cost: Free

BP Summer Big Screens 2008: The Royal Ballet – Romeo And Juliet – Live From The Royal Opera House
Date: 1st Jun 08
Location: Exchange Square
Time: 15:00

'For never was a story of more woe Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.'

Romeo and Juliet is the very essence of love and tragedy, a wild ride of violence, romance and death. But have you seen Kenneth MacMillan's ballet?

Set to one of the most memorable and emotive scores in history, it will sweep you off your feet as Prokofiev's music fills you with the passion and heartbreak of the star-crossed lovers.

The BP Summer Big Screens are here for you to enjoy live world-class ballet. Come early - bring your friends and a picnic and enjoy this live screening - it is absolutely FREE!

Find out more at the BP Summer Big Screens website (external site)

Cost: Free

Family Art Club
Date: 7th Jun 08
Location: Manchester Art Gallery

Play games, get messy and be creative at our family* art club on the first Saturday of every month.

*Aimed at 6-11 year olds and their families/adult carers. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

All sessions are free and drop in, but places are limited so turn up early to make sure you get a place.

To find out more call 0161 235 8869.

Cost: Free

New Scottish Poetry
Date: 12th Jun 08
Location: Central Library
Time: 13:00 - 14:00

Gerrie Fellows & Gerry McGrath read from their work

Gerrie Fellows
Born in New Zealand, Gerry Fellows now lives in Scotland with her husband and daughter. She trained as a painter at art schools in London and then worked in various countries as a life model, a secretary and a writer-in-residence. Gerrie has had three collections published: Technologies and other poems, (Polygon 1990), The Powerlines (2000) and The Duntroon Toponymy (Mariscat Press 2001). Her work has appeared in a number of Scottish poetry anthologies. Her latest collection, Window for a Small Blue Child, is published by Carcanet.

Gerry McGrath
Gerry McGrath was born in Helensburgh, near Glasgow, in 1962. He studied at Strathclyde University before becoming a teacher. He now lives in North Ayrshire with his wife and young son. He received a Robert Louis Stevenson Memorial Award in 2004. His poems have appeared in the Edinburgh Review, Being Alive and PN Review, and a selection in in Carcanet's New Poetries IV: An Anthology (2007). A to B is his first full collection.

Location Details: 2nd Floor, Committee Room, Central Library, St. Peter's Square, Manchester, M2 5PD. Telephone: 0161 234 1900 (switchboard).

Cost: Free

And then he kissed her ... 100 Years of Mills & Boon
Date: 6th Jun 08 - 31st Jul 08
Every day
Location: Central Library

The exhibition explores the evolution of 20th century social and sexual mores in Britain, alongside the development of the world's leading romance publisher. You'll also find a company history and centenary time line, a fascinating collection of books and cover art, writer biographies, manuscripts, original correspondence between authors and editors and associated memorabilia.

Real Life Romance

Tell us about your own real life romantic story for the chance to win an intimate dinner for two plus a hamper of Mills & Boon Centenary prizes! Find out more about the competition.

Central Library Opening Hours

Location Details: Central Library, St. Peter's Square, Manchester, M2 5PD. Telephone: 0161 234 1900 (switchboard).

Cost: Free