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these shoes were made for walking

 Anyone who knows me will know I love a good pair of trainers. Yet I think I might be struggling to get my mitts on a pair of these extremely exclusive numbers anytime soon. St Ann’s Hospice have teamed up from names from the world of showbiz to create their Star Shoes collection – to raise the profile of the Manchester Midnight Walk, which takes place on the 2nd of July 2010. Designs have been created by twinkle toes herself Alesha Dixon, Tess Daly and Michael McIntyre to name just a few. All these fabulous creations are up for grabs by entering a free prize draw or if you’re feeling…

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get digital: volunteering opportunity in online marketing

 If you didn’t know already for the day job I spend my days at All About Audiences (formerly Arts About Manchester), the audience development agency for the North West. One of our biggest projects is our annual Family Friendly Film Festival which happens every summer in Manchester. As part of the festival we recruit a team of dedicated volunteers to ensure the event is a fantastic success. This year is no different and as part of our volunteer team we are looking for someone to support us with Online Marketing for the festival. This is an exciting opportunity for anyone looking to gain experience in this field and work on…

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film fun for little monsters

 Screenfields is returning to Spinningfields this summer with even more to offer the kids. New this year is the Screenfields’ Family Film Club, screening family classics at 11am every Saturday during the summer holidays. Here’s what’s in store: 24th July – Hannah Montana the Movie (U) 31st July – Up (U) 7th August – Spirited Away (PG) 14th August – Madagascar (U) 21st August – High School Musical (U) 28th August – Fantastic Mr. Fox (PG) Screenfields will also be showing a special one-off screening of Jurassic Park on the 1st of August in association with the Family Friendly Film Festival. Roll on summer!!! Image c/o massdistraction licensed under Creative…

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i’m with ‘the band’

 You may have seen me tweeting recently about the The Northern Song Collective (NSC). I have recently started giving them a hand on their social media activities – so I thought it was high time I gave them a plug here. The NSC are a co-operative of talented songwriters and musicians with the simple aim of writing and producing exceptional tunes. To get a taste of the NSC’s talents check out two of the members at the Northern Quarter’s Hungry Pigeon festival. The festival takes place from 28th until 30th of May 2010 across a range of venues. First up, on Friday night, you can catch Dan Pye performing as…

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da bomb

 I saw this wooly handrail at Manchester Craft & Design Centre the other week – an installation by ArtYarn. Wondering what the knit-masters had planned next I delved deeper into the world of pass slipped stitch over. Over this Bank Holiday weekend (Sunday 2nd of May, 2010) as part of Salford’s Sounds From The Other City music festival they’ll be undertaking a spot of Yarn Bombing. Yarn Bombing you ask? Well basically think wooly graffiti (like this) which will be installed in and around the festival site. Surely worth a look? And if you get inspired ArtYarn are back at the Ministry of Craft later next month with a Knit 123 course…

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it’s happening

 Writer Adrian Slatcher is launching his new collection of poetry ‘Extracts from Levona‘ published by The Knives Forks and Spoons Press by hosting a shindig. A Happening is taking place at the Northern Quarter’s MadLab, the Manchester Digital Laboratory, on the afternoon of Saturday the 8th of May. Taking place between 3 and 5pm event will feature readings from Adrian as well as lots more goodness that will be announced in the coming weeks – all are welcome! c/o Markus Rodder licensed under Creative Commons.

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‘friends’ of dorothy…

 No not that Dorothy… but rather I am referring to Dorothy Bohm. For those of you unfamiliar with Bohm she is a photographer born in 1924 who emigrated to England in 1939. She began her career here in Manchester, graduating from the Manchester College of Technology in 1942 and later opening Studio Alexander, on Market Street. Manchester Art Gallery are holding a retrospective of Bohm’s work, A World Observed 1940-2010, from the 24th of April – 30th of August 2010. In conjunction with the exhibition Jennifer Boyd, Research Assistant at the gallery, will be blogging for Bohm as part of a research project surrounding this prolific photographer. The aim of…

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oh danny boy

 His fans include members of  I Am Kloot and The Charlatans as well Guy Garvey and Badly Drawn Boy… the man in question Danny Cawley. Danny is a Manchester based former musician turned abstract artist producing powerful and energetic pieces in a mix of media including oils, acrylics and spray paint. He also takes this energy into the production of his work painting several canvases at the the same time. Following on from his exhibition at Mooch ‘Beauty By Mistake’ Danny’s latest show takes place over the weekend of the 24th and 25th of April at Hope Mill* The preview on Saturday 24th will be a feast for both the eyes and the…

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step into the light at the greenroom

 A exciting new exhibition kicks of at Manchester’s greenroom next week – in the openspace. From 15th April – 19th June 2010 (Public preview 14th April: 5-11pm) this corker of a venue will be playing host to ‘Raggaphoto‘ AKA Kyle Saxton and Marcus Ali. Curated by the Black Media Collective this exhibition showcases Raggaphoto‘s unique take on graffiti. Taking to Manchester’s streets under the cover of darkness Raggaphoto use various light sources including torches, fairy lights and cold cathodes to put their unique stamp (though all be it for a moment) on the city. Then capture it in their stunning and magical photos. So check it out before the lights go out!…

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