As lockdown restrictions ease in time for summer, aAh! rounds up its the top five cultural events taking place in Manchester.

With social distancing set to end on July 19th, artists, theatres and galleries are set to host a wide array of events to peak everyone’s interest.

HOMEGROUND BY HOME

HOME has launched a new outdoor venue on First Street. The venue will host theatre events, live music comedy, DJs and poetry reading. The Bruntwood Stage at HOMEGROUND will showcase performances everyday throughout out the summer, including day festivals such as Horizons Festival and Journeys International Festival.

Shakespeare’s classic A Midsummer Night’s Dream, is kicking off the outdoor live theatre this month. Directed by Sean Holmes and Ferdy Roberts, audiences will see the outdoor stage transformed into a fairy forest.

HOMEGROUND will also feature cocktails curated by Northern Quarter bar Wolf at the Door, as well as homemade pizza.

For tickets and more information visit: homemcr.org/homeground

Manchester Art Gallery reopened last month launching an exciting new exhibit, Grayson’s Art club.

Throughout lockdown Grayson Perry hosted the Channel 4 show Grayson Perry’s Art Club, inviting the nation to get in touch with their creative side and attempt art at home. Manchester Art Gallery is now displaying some of the best work from those who participated.

The exhibit gives insight into how lockdown has changed the way we many think and communicate through creative outlets, such as painting. Grayson Perry said in an interview with The Guardian: “I firmly believe that anyone is eligible to enjoy art or become an artist – any oik, any prole, any citizen that has a vision that they want to share.”

Alistair Hudson, Director of Manchester Art Gallery, said: “Grayson’s Art Club brought the country together during lockdown. […] During this extraordinary worldwide health crisis, many people sought solace in making art to express themselves with humour, pathos and imagination, encapsulating life under lockdown. The programme has clearly demonstrated the way people use art as an essential part of their lives.”

For booking and more information visit: manchesterartgallery.org/exhibitions-and-events/exhibition/graysons-art-club/

USE HEARING PROTECTION: THE EARLY YEARS OF FACTORY RECORDS

For any self-proclaimed fan of the Manchester music scene, Use Hearing Protection is a must-see. The exhibit will allow visitors to delve into the history of Factory Records, curate their own playlists, and explore a Hacienda-like backdrop.

The Science and Industry Museum describe the exhibit as: ‘A special exhibition tells the story of Factory Records’ formative years from 1978 to 1982, and how their innovative work in music, technology and design gave Manchester an authentic voice and distinctive identity. Founded by Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus, the label played an influential part in the city’s transformation from an industrial powerhouse to a beacon of art and culture.’

The exhibit will run from 19th June until early next year. An after-hours music event will be held on the 23rd September. Expect to to hear all the Mancunian favourites such as Joy Division, The Fall, Happy Mondays and more.

For tickets and more information visit: www.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/use-hearing-protection

RENT at Hope Mill Theatre

RENT returns to the Hope Mill Theater this summer. After successfully streaming performances online over lockdown, Hope Mill Theatre is reopening with its own version of the 1980s rock musical.

RENT tells the story of a “group of impoverished young artists struggling to survive and create a life in Lower Manhattan’s East Village in the thriving days of Bohemian Alphabet City, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS”.

Performances will run from 6th August until 19th September.

For tickets and more information visit hopemilltheatre.co.uk/events/rent.

Manchester International Festival

The jewel in the crown of Manchester’s cultural offer has to be MIF 2021.

The festival returns with a stellar programme featuring performances from Arlo Parks, Damon Albarn, and Patti Smith, to name just a few.

MIF takes place throughout the month of July, with events including art installations, film screenings and theatre shows taking place across the city, as well as virtually.

For more information visit: mif.co.uk/