Manchester Science Festival is returning in 2021 with a jam-packed programme exploring our changing climate and ideas for a better world.
The annual festival – which is produced by the Science and Industry Museum, is a highlight of the city’s cultural calendar and is one of the most popular science festivals in the UK – is now planned to take place from Friday 12th – Sunday 21st February 2021.
The first details of the 2021 event have been now been unveiled, revealing a programme that will explore the role of science, technology and communities in finding solutions to our changing climate, which is branded “one of the world’s most urgent challenges.”
As the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, Manchester was the catalyst for scientific innovation and unprecedented change all over the world and now, with Greater Manchester’s vision of becoming carbon neutral by 2038, the city is uniquely placed to influence future progress across the globe once again.
Visitors will witness some of science’s most cutting-edge developments in the fight against climate change. They will be treated to an unmissable line-up, including premieres and immersive arts, fashion, food, theatre and sustainable living experiences, as well as the chance to talk to leading scientists and climate campaigners during a series of special events and debates.
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All activities will inform, engage and ignite curiosity about our changing climate.
?Manchester Science Festival is back from 12 – 21 February 2021.
This year, it will explore our changing climate and ideas for a better world through a packed programme of arts and theatre, family activities, talks, debates and more.
Most will take place across the Science and Industry Museum’s city-centre site – where visitors have been safely returning since August – and the museum is collaborating with a wealth of contributors to deliver the exciting programme.
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The first key partner to be unveiled is The Royal Photographic Society (RPS), whose mission of “promoting the art and science of photography” has formed the basis of its work since 1853.
In support of the festival, The RPS has, for the first time, introduced a ‘climate change’ subcategory to its prestigious Science Photographer of the Year competition. The inclusive competition encourages photographers of all ages and abilities from across the world to capture images that show science in action, depict its impact on our everyday lives and illustrate how photography helps to record scientific events.
The additional category of climate change will also welcome submissions that tell the global story of climate change, showcase how science, technology and engineering are addressing this urgent issue and reveal its effects on our natural world.
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The shortlisted photographs will be used to create an exhibition for Manchester Science Festival and bring together science, climate and art in a stunning showcase of images. After its first showing at the museum – which will continue beyond the festival’s closing date – it will tour the UK and internationally.
The competition is now open for entries until 4th December 2020.
Anyone aged 17 and under can enter the Young Science Photographer of the Year category, and those aged 18 and over into Science Photographer of the Year.
?️Shortlisted images will be displayed in an exhibition as part of Manchester Science Festival.
Sally MacDonald – Director of the Science and Industry Museum – said: “Our museum is home to ideas that change the world and continues to reflect and inspire innovators of the future through our exhibitions, activities and events.
“Manchester Science Festival is a major part of this, supporting citizens, scientists and activists to come together to explore and advance ideas for a better world.
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“As we all continue to navigate the ongoing pandemic, Manchester Science Festival may look and feel a little different this year, but we are working closely with partners across the city and the UK to create a compelling public programme that will deliver memorable experiences to visitors, whatever their interests.”
Sir Richard Leese – Leader of Manchester City Council – added: “We are proud of our long tradition of scientific innovation in this city and Manchester Science Festival is one of the boldest, most creative and thought provoking festivals in the country.
“What better way to explore the theme of climate than bring together artists, scientists, citizens, businesses and visitors to the city to play, talk and make the future together.”
You can find more information ahead of the festival via the Manchester Science Festivalhere.
What's On
An event designed to make dating ‘less sh*t’ is coming to Manchester
A dating event with a difference is heading to Manchester this week, designed to bring all the fun of dating without the endless swiping to our city.
Haystack Dating promises to blend good old-fashioned meeting-people-in-real-life with all the fancy technology that helps to match-make people online.
At each event, you’ll be placed in a group of up to 12 people who all have similar interests to you, based off a short survey you fill out before you attend.
You can grab a drink, have a natter, get stuck into some friendly competition (the event is hosted at Sixes Social Cricket Bar) and get to know each other – and potentially meet the love of your life.
Worst case scenario, you come away with some new mates and have a decent night in one of the city’s top venues.
Haystack Dating are on a mission to make ‘dating more fun and less s**t’, promising that you might meet your soulmate over a Baby Guinness and a few round of virtual cricket.
They also want to make dating more inclusive and take a good step away from toxic dating apps and awkward dating events.
Previous Haystack Dating events. Credit: Supplied
The company launched earlier this year in London with more than 2000 people passing through its events looking for love and a laugh – and now it’s Manchester’s turn.
This is the only dating company that uses a matching algorithm on the evening – so it’s basically the best bits of online dating, but in real life.
While this particular event is taking place at Sixes Social Cricket, previous activities have included live music, arcades, and even bucking broncos (that’s not a euphemism).
Every venue Haystack Dating uses is also fully accessible.
There’ll be a team of reps on hand on the evening to oversee, make intros and remove any awkward vibes.
And Haystack Dating has a solid success rate – around one in five people go on a date after the event.
Haystack Dating was found by Lucy Rout, an entrepreneur who gained a 50k following on Instagram after surviving cancer, documenting her dating life and then finding the love of her life.
Haystack Dating will be in Manchester on Friday 23 May – you can find out more and book your tickets HERE.
You can also follow them on Instagram HERE and Tiktok HERE.
Featured image: Supplied
What's On
A club night where you can’t get in without a hat is making its way to Manchester
There’s a club night happening in Manchester where you won’t be let in unless you wear a hat, and they really mean it, too.
Anyone wanting to go to this club night better get their thinking caps on as well as a physical hat too, because you’re actually not allowed into the venue without one of these fashion accessories on.
Club rules change over time and typically include your usual “No trackies, no joggers”, but instead of permitting you from the clothes you can wear, this club night wants you to bring an item with you: a hat.
They say home is wherever you lay your hat, turns out the party is too.
You could have your own bucket hat moment at this Manchester club night.Everyone has a cowboy hat hanging around somewhere… right?Credit: The Manc Group
Boldly-named club night ‘Don’t F**k with Disco’ is coming to Manchester and has one very simple rule “No hat, no entry”, so if you’ve bought your ticket you better get trying on some headpieces, stat.
One headwear item that never seems to go out of style is the cowboy hat, partly thanks to flurries of fans sporting these at Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour, Chappell Roan’s ‘Pink Pony Club’ phenomenon, the resurgent country music scene and so on.
Or why not box off two outfits at once by getting yourself a bucket hat, which has you covered for this hat-wearing night out and Oasis’ gigs, if you managed to get your hands on those pesky tickets.
There’s an endless list of headwear you could sport to this hat-wearing club night, and we’re sure anyone thinking of attending will see some bold and beautiful bonnets.
The venue hosting ‘Don’t F**k with Disco Manchester’ is Un:Titled Studio in Salford which is trading in its photography studio title for one night and transforming itself into a clubbing hotspot.
A Manchester club night all about hats? This Guinness one seems very fitting. Why have one bucket hat when you can have two?
This photography studio can host up to 700 guests in its largest room, titled ‘Studio 1’, with two other smaller indoor rooms and a larger outdoor space which boasts an impressive 750 capacity, wow.
This hat-wearing club night frenzy is coming to Un:Titled Studio on Saturday, 24 May from 10pm all the way through to 4am, so you can top your night off by dancing until the early hours.
Anyone looking to attend ‘Don’t F**k with Disco Manchester’ can find tickets HERE, just remember the golden rule… “No hat, no entry”.
See you on the dancefloor – we’re thinking something like a rhinestone Stetson…
Emily Sergeant -
18th September 2020 
