MediaCityUK is gearing up to hostVan Gogh Alive next month, and tickets are already being snapped up fast.
It’s “the world’s most visited immersive, multi-sensory experience” that exhibits the life and work of the seminal Dutch artist and after having welcomed over eight million visitors in 70 cities around the world – including sell-out runs in London and Birmingham – the art and culture experience is now destined for Salford.
Van Gogh Alive takes people on a trip through the periods of Van Gogh’s life that defined him as an artist and showcases 3,000 images, including some of his most iconic works like Starry Night and Sunflowers, and lesser-known paintings inspired by his love of Japanese woodprints.
Created by Grande Experiences, Van Gogh Alive has been called a “glorious, stunning, but also very moving” exhibition.
It’ll feature a state-of-the-art gallery technology set to an evocative classical score delivered via a 3D sound system, and an interpretive area where visitors can learn more about Van Gogh’s life, as well as interactive art stations that let people create their own art with the help of expert video tutorials.
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The exhibition is also home to a life-sized walk-in representation of Van Gogh’s ‘Bedroom in Arles’ painting and a ‘Sunflower selfie room’ – a 360° mirrored space complete with hundreds of sunflowers.
Van Gogh Alive has been called a “glorious, stunning, but also very moving” exhibition / Credit: Van Gogh Alive
Van Gogh Alive is supporting The Christie charity and is using the experience as a platform to help raise vital funds so the charity can continue its incredible work leading the way for cancer care, research, and education.
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Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to make a donation to The Christie charity either when purchasing tickets, or while at the exhibition.
Speaking ahead of Van Gogh Alive’s arrival at MediaCityUK next month, Bruce Peterson – Owner of Grande Experiences – said: “After mesmerising a global audience of over eight million people and selling-out cities all over the world, including Rome, Sydney and of course our most recent location at Kensington Gardens in London, we’re incredibly excited to be bringing Van Gogh Alive to MediaCityUK.
“This is an unforgettable cultural experience for all the family.”
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Marie Toller – Head of Major Relationships at The Christie charity – also said the experience “looked absolutely stunning”.
“This is an unforgettable cultural experience for all the family.” / Credit: Van Gogh Alive
“We are delighted that Van Gogh Alive has chosen to support The Christie charity,” she stated.
“The Christie relies on the support and donations from the public to provide our patients with the very best care, treatment and access to research options. Monies raised from the Van Gogh Alive exhibition will go towards making life that little bit easier for cancer patients and enhancing their experience while at The Christie hospital.”
“It’s wonderful to be welcoming such an impactful art experience as Van Gogh Alive to Salford’s MediaCityUK,” added Paul Dennett, Salford City Mayor.
“Communities have really missed experiencing arts and entertainment, with the hospitality and creative industries being amongst the hardest hit from the impacts of COVID-19, so it is brilliant to be seeing the creative industries launching new and innovative experiences for all to enjoy within a safe framework [and] I look forward to being transported into the fascinating world of Van Gogh.”
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Van Gogh Alive takes people on a trip through the periods of Van Gogh’s life that defined him as an artist / Credit: Van Gogh Alive
Van Gogh Alive opens its doors from 22 October 2021 – 23 January 2022 at MediaCityUK, and tickets are on sale now.
Tickets are priced at £22 for adults and £15 for children, with concessions and school group discounts available.
Manchester’s biggest outdoor ice rink will be returning to the city centre this winter
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s massive outdoor ice rink has been confirmed for a return to the city centre once again this winter.
We may still be awaiting news on the return of this year’s world-famous Manchester Christmas Markets, but what we do know is that the city’s biggest outdoor ice rink will be back in Cathedral Gardens for the festive season, and there’s also a flurry of other frozen events and activities planned for 2024 too.
Skate Manchester is a festive staple of our city centre, and skaters can expect to glide across a gleaming ice path and spin around a dazzling seven-metre Christmas tree taking centre stage in the middle of the rink for another year.
Families, friends, and festive fun seekers will be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas whatever the weather has in store for our city this year too, as although the rink will be outdoors in the heart of Cathedral Gardens, the ice is fully covered.
If you’re not too confident on the ice, however, the rink will also offer a variety of skate sessions that are tailored to meet the needs of all visitors.
Dedicated quiet and sensory-friendly sessions designed for a more relaxed environment are among these special sessions, along with discounted tickets for wheelchair users too.
“Skate Manchester marks the beginning of Christmas in the city for many Mancunians,” commented Kelly Baker, who is the Director of Managed Ice Rinks, the company that coordinates the annual event.
Manchester’s biggest outdoor ice rink will be returning to the city centre this winter / Credit: Matt Eachus (via Supplied)
“Hosting Manchester’s biggest outdoor undercover ice rink amongst the world-famous Christmas markets and celebrations is such a joy, and we can’t wait to welcome thousands of skaters onto the ice this festive season.”
Skate Manchester will return to Cathedral Gardens in Manchester city centre from 8 November 2024 through to New Year’s Day (1 January 2025), and tickets are now officially on sale – with prices starting at £14 for adults, £10 for children, and discounts for families available.
From Monday 2 – Sunday 8 December, 10% of all ticket sales will be donated directly Cash for Kids’ annual ‘Mission Christmas’ campaign.
Beloved Manchester club night Funkademia leaves Mint Lounge after 14 years
Danny Jones
One of the best-loved and longest-standing clubbing institutions in Manchester, Funkademia, is relocating once more as it leaves Mint Lounge after 14 years.
Started all the way back in 1995, there isn’t an older weekly club night in the history of this city, but the local weekend event and raver’s rite of passage is about to leave the cult favourite Northern Quarter venue after nearly a decade and a half and set up shop in another new home.
From its infancy at the old Boardwalk on Little Peter Street and popping up in the Mint Lounge back circa 2014, to the continued residency at Exhibition on Fridays, there have been many iterations of Funkademia and now the next chapter beckons from student-central over on Oxford Road.
It’s the start of a new era and it gets started this weekend.
Following in the footsteps of many famous promotions before them, future Funkademia nights will now be hosted by the legendary Deaf Institute.
Celebrating with a launch party on Saturday, 21 September, the iconic event will take over all three floors of the venue; The Music Hall will spin classic funk, disco, and soul beneath the disco ball, while the main bar (a.k.a. The Boombox Room) pumps R’n’B and hip-hop throughout the night.
Then, heading downstairs to the intimate bar and private hire room – regularly used for special events and celebration space – you can expect ‘big boudoir vibes’ and pure grooves spun by an array of special guests every Saturday.
Mint Lounge home held its final blowout at the venue this past spring bank holiday and they bid a fond farewell to the venue in true Funkademia fashion, but we’re glad it’s found such a wonderful new home.
The Deaf Institute is still one of our favourite venues in Manchester and always will be; plus, with almost three decades of dancing history behind them and no sign of slowing down any time soon, the future of Funkademia is in good hands.
Co-promoter Jamie Scahill said of the relocation: “We’re thrilled to be bringing Funkademia to The Deaf Institute, a venue we’ve all spent many late nights at and have long admired. After an incredible run at The Mint Lounge, it felt like the right time to move to a new home where we can continue to evolve and deliver the unforgettable nights that our crowd has come to love.
“There’s nowhere else quite like The Deaf Institute, and it’s the perfect place for us to start this new chapter. We can’t wait to see both familiar and new faces on all three dancefloors.”
As for the new home itself, General Manager Curtis Willson went on to add: “We’re incredibly excited to welcome Funkademia to The Deaf Institute. This is a legendary night that has been a cornerstone of Manchester’s nightlife for nearly 30 years, and we’re honoured to be a part of its next phase.
“Our venue is all about celebrating music and creating memorable experiences, and we know that Funkademia will bring exactly that every Saturday night. It’s going to be something special, and we can’t wait for the party to start this September.”
Tickets for Funkademia’s opening night at Deaf and all subsequent dates are available now at just £5 via Skiddle, with 100 early-bird tickets for all September dates still priced for only £3. You can grab yours HERE.
Doors open from 7pm every week, with DJs playing “all killer, no filler, to keep the dancefloor movin’ until 4am” – and believe us, they always stay true to their word.
Emily Sergeant -
9th September 2021 
