YOU could be a star of MIF
FESTIVAL’S ORGANISERS WANT PUBLIC TO TAKE PART IN OPENING NIGHT PERFORMANCE
ORGANISERS of this year’s Manchester International Festival want the public to put themselves forward for the opening night performance – walking down a 100 metre catwalk in Piccadilly Gardens.
As the working day ends on Thursday June 29, MIF17 starts, for three weeks of cultural entertainment all across the city.
And festival bosses want the people of Manchester to become the star attraction of the opening event. An open day will be held next month to audition potential candidates.
What Is the City but the People? ‘will capture and celebrate Manchester as never before,’ according to the MIF team.
High above the pavements, a unique selection of individuals from across Manchester will walk along a runway stretching more than 100 metres through Piccadilly Gardens, with live music from Graham Massey and ‘an unexpected mix of local musicians.’
The work is being curated by Jeremy Deller, who organised Procession as part of the 2009 festival.
“I am thrilled that the opening event of MIF 2017 will be an ambitious new artwork, open to everyone in the city to enjoy,” said John McGrath, artistic director of Manchester International Festival.
“With Jeremy Deller’s great imagination as the starting point, and the people of Manchester as the creative force of the event, our opening in Piccadilly Gardens should be a Manchester moment to remember for years to come.”
Residents who are interested in walking the runway can email whatisthecity@mif.co.uk to book into an open day – to be held in Manchester city centre on April 1 from 11am.
The performance itself – at 6.30pm on June 29 – will be free.
Other highlights at MIF17 include a gig from New Order with a synth orchestra at Old Granada Studios, Jane Horrocks in a musical tribute to Manchester’s industrial heritage, an opera for babies and an immersive art project giving us essential party skills for the apocalypse.