A screening of the BBC’s breathtaking Planet Earth II series is coming to Manchester AO Arena on 25 March, accompanied by live music performed by an 80 piece philharmonic orchestra.
Viewers will be treated to spectacular scenes from the Bafta and Emmy-award winning series, alongside a live soundtrack scored by Oscar winner Hans Zimmer, Jacob Shea and Jasha Klebe.
As part of the event, a philharmonic orchestra will appear on stage alongside science and natural history TV presenter Liz Bonnin.
There are may be as few as 3500 snow leopards left in the wild. They are famously illusive and difficult to film and have become increasingly threatened by climate change and human disturbance.
Liz will share behind-the-scenes insights from Mike Gunton, the BBC television series’ executive producer, whilst magnificent scenes of natural life are projected onto a giant, state-of-the-art screen for all to see.
The award-winning series, narrated by national treasure David Attenborough, takes viewers from the frozen tundra in the north to the dry forests of the equator – with Attenborough giving his own unique and compelling perspective on the planet throughout.
ADVERTISEMENT
Now, fans can experience it live in Manchester at the AO Arena as part of this special live tour – this time with narration from Liz Bonnin.
Showing the wonders of the natural world in breathtaking detail, its 2006 predecessor Planet Earth I was one of the very first nature documentaries to be filmed in.
Over a decade later, Planet Earth II zoomed in even more on wild and inaccessible landscapes, elusive animal behaviours and the city-dwelling habits of those creatures that have adapted to urban life – making history as the first-ever BBC documentary to be filmed in ultra-high definition.
Sloths are adept swimmers, as this pygmy three-toed sloth demonstrates. Found only on the tiny island of Escudo de Veraguas, Panama, the pygmy sloth is the smallest of all sloth species and is considered endangered.
Speaking on the upcoming show, wildlife expert Liz Bonnin said: “I’m delighted to be finally on the road with this as it’s been a long time coming. We’ve had to postpone it three times now.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I’ve been just so excited to do it from the moment I was asked, through the initial rehearsals and shaping the script, it’s been really special for me.
“Especially since the pandemic, to have such a multi-sensory experience that really celebrates not just nature, but the arts and the best aspects of humanity, where we can recognise the beauty of the planet around is something I’m really delighted and grateful to be involved with.”
This alpha male Rhesus macaque rules this part of town. Here in Jaipur, India, he not only takes the food he wants from the street markets but he, and his troop, have also taken over a house and been squatting it for the last 5 years!
Conductor Matthew Freeman added: “Seeing the footage in these huge arenas on an enormous LED screen, with all that colour and those underwater worlds so closely photographed, accompanied by a 64-piece orchestra and a 16-voice choir through a huge, state-of-the-art PA system, it really is a phenomenal and powerful experience.
“We have extraordinary visuals, heightened with music that takes the viewer to another level. It’s really quite emotional.”
ADVERTISEMENT
To find out more and book tickets, visit the website here.
Feature image – Supplied
City Centre
AJ Tracey is playing a VERY intimate gig in Manchester next month
Thomas Melia
London rapper and respected grime artist AJ Tracey is ‘live and direct’ once again, announcing a whole host of UK dates, one of which is a rather intimate gig right here in Manchester.
It’s official: one of UK rap’s leading gents is getting back on the road and he’s showing a ‘Little More Love’ to lots of cities, including Manchester.
In a post on the UK star’s socials, AJ Tracey trades his music persona for that of a sports pundit as he announces the dates for his upcoming tour while impersonating an F1 commentator.
Anyone looking to attend Tracey’s ‘Not Even A Tour’ can catch the star up and down the country on his over 20-date tour with a stop in Manchester as soon as this month.
The rapper has reached phenomenal heights since dropping the unforgettable ‘Ladbroke Grove’ in 2019 and is heading out across the nation to make sure everyone knows about it.
Get ready to spit bars left and right as this rapper’s discography is stacked with serious tunes like ‘Dinner Guest’, ‘West Ten’, ‘Thiago Silva’ and more.
More recently, he collaborated with Walsall’s finest Jorja Smith for a flirty garage beat also known as ‘Crush’ with the video being the two artists talking it out in a good old fashioned caff.
The latest collaboration with Smith marks the start of a new era for Mr. Live and direct as it fell in line with the announcement of his third studio album.
Titled Don’t Die Before You’re Dead, we’re sure he’ll be “building a vibe” wherever he goes and probably previewing a few exclusive tracks from his upcoming project too.
This gig may come as quite a surprise for any hardcore fans of the ‘Ladbroke Grove’ star as the venue in which he’s performing is definitely intimate only, holding just over 250 guests.
This rap giant is bringing his unbelievable beats to none other than the legendary small-cap city centre live music venue, The Deaf Institute, at the end of this month.
It’s safe to say you won’t get many more chances, if any, to see him in such a tight-knit space again.
AJ Tracey is bringing ‘Not Even A Tour’ to Deaf Institute in Manchester on 30 April, with tickets on sale Friday 4 April from 12 noon.
Manchester City’s Nathan Aké donates piano to grassroots music venue
Thomas Melia
Footballer and Manchester City star Nathan Aké has donated a piano to an iconic city centre grassroots venue in Manchester.
To celebrate ‘International Piano Day’, the Dutch defender has teamed up with legendary instrument-makers Casio by donating a state-of-the-art piano in one very lucky music venue.
Aké and Casio are donating pianos across the UK through their joint project titled ‘Playing For Change’.
The iconic grassroots venue that’s receiving this prestigious instrument is none other than Band on the Wall, which has been pumping out live music under this name since 1975.
Processed with VSCO with kp5 presetProcessed with VSCO with kp5 presetCredit: Supplied
This new addition will help the venue as a whole, but more importantly, it will come in very handy for their Saturday Music Club.
Running every weekend, this session helps young people discover music and develop their skills, now via the fantastic PX-S7000 Casio piano.
Band on the Wall is a much-loved and adored Manchester city centremusic institution, and they aren’t the only place benefitting from the Manchester city star and Casio.
So far, 12 disadvantaged schools in the UK have benefitted from this joint effort from Aké and Casio, all of which were surprised with their very own digital piano.
This newest partnership won’t come as a surprise to fans of the Man City centre-back, as he’s been known to play the piano since teaching himself in 2020, and now he’s spreading his love of music to communities nationwide.
Neil Evans, Head of Casio EMI, commented:“It’s exciting for us to support Band on the Wall with a gift of a brand new Privia piano.”
“We’re hoping it’s used often and inspires people into learning the piano and increasing their access to the joys of music, which is at the core of Playing For Change.”
As for Aké, while he might be sidelined for the foreseeable following surgery on a fractured foot, the Netherlands international will hopefully be able to get lots of practice playing those keys.
Georgina Pellant -
15th March 2022 
