Around this time last year, a group of artists moved into an Urban Splash house in the new Springfield Lane development as part of a 12 month project called Tenancy, sponsored by Urban Splash and Tom Bloxham.*
They were to explore 'what it's like to live in a city negotiating rapid change' and 'who is benefitting?'... Now, as the project draws to a close, contemporary theatre company Quarantine with curator, 'dramaturge' and writer Florian Malzacher, is holding a whole weekend of events on 9th and 10th November to draw some conclusions.
Meet the Neighbours: The Weekend begins on Saturday 9th with a series of guided walks and visits to different locations across the city, revealing, organisers state, "unique perspectives on life in Manchester and Salford".
Saturday daytime has an event called People and Cranes – "A performative response to the social and political issues created by Manchester's rapid growth" they explain "Join us for guided excursions, expert provocations, food and conversation exploring how the city's development is changing the way we live...
"Audiences might find themselves on a hard-hat site visit, meeting the bees living on the top of Manchester Cathedral, having a cup of tea with the person who has lived in the city centre the longest, or being guided through the streets by asylum seekers" they add "There will be expert provocations from The Guardian's senior economics commentator Aditya Chakrabortty, future transport researcher Dr Ransford A. Acheampong (University of Manchester), and leading Belgian artist Sarah Vanhee (Lecture for Every One; Oblivion), with other speakers still to be announced...."
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On the Saturday night, there's a Noisy Neighbours event at Sacha's Hotel, with 'music reflecting a slice of Manchester's current live scene today'.
Throughout Sunday daytime there's an event called People and Places..."An open meeting addressing neighbourliness as an artistic and social practice. Join Meet the Neighbours project partners artists, thinkers and researchers in the iconic Sacha's Hotel for an exhibition of work, provocations and guided conversation..."
The Sunday event will also be drawing together some conclusions from the whole three year EU funded project that has taken place in five cities across Europe and North Africa: Manchester and Salford in the UK; Béthune, France; Lublin, Poland; Marrakech, Morocco; and Groningen, the Netherlands.
It will also be "opening up conversations on the shifting place of artists in our cities; art as a form of social action; and neighbourliness as a response to rapid social change..."
Richard Gregory, co-Artistic Director of Quarantine, says: "We set up Quarantine in 1998 from the spare bedroom of our council flat in what has since been branded the 'Northern Quarter'. Then, the estate we lived on was one of a few pockets of housing in Manchester City Centre. When the shops shut, with the exception of a handful of bars and restaurants, the city centre closed with it…
"Now, we're in a very different city" he adds "In some ways, an economic boomtown, the heart of the Northern Powerhouse initiative and a magnet for foreign investment. Meanwhile, the Northern Quarter has become a cultural hotspot and a must-see destination for visitors… We're interested in what lies behind this boom. How is the city being shaped? Who is growth benefiting – and who is disadvantaged? What are these changes doing to the life and character of the city? What does all this mean for neighbourliness and how we live together?"
"We want to offer people new perspectives on life in the city and to bring people together who might not necessarily agree" he explains "The weekend will be a moment to reflect but also to look to the future. We're interested in how we want to live, how we want to influence the culture of the city we live and work in. What will our cities be like in ten years' time and should we – can we? – steer change in a different direction?"
Meet The Neighbours: The Weekend
Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th November
Manchester and Salford inc some secret locations
Tickets...
Full weekend ticket: £35 (£17.50)*
Saturday full day ticket (People and cranes + Noisy neighbours gig): £25 (£12.50)*
Saturday just gig ticket: £8 (£4)
Sunday daytime ticket (People and places): £12 (£6)*
Ticket sales will close for the Saturday event at 10am on Thursday 7th November.
*The ticket prices include lunch and dinner on the Saturday and lunch on the Sunday.
The 50% off concessionary rate is available to seniors (aged 60+), under 18s, students in full-time education, job-seekers and those with disabilities.
The Saturday event will begin and end in Manchester City Centre, people who book will be given exact start time and location at least 24 hours before the event begins via email and/or text.
Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult
Quarantine do not wish price to be a barrier to anyone attending. A number of free places are available for those who wouldn't otherwise be able to attend. To enquire about a free place, please email info@qtine.com
To book and for further information - click here
* For a full background see previous Salford Star article - click here
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