Teepee tunes

Albert Square is currently hosting around 12 hours a day of the Manchester International Festival events. (see also my post for Saturday 2 July). With free events in the afternoon and after each evening's main shows, DJs are given this teepee to play sets to keep the late night revellers happy. Terry Hall of 1980s Coventry ska band The Specials was on the turntables inside the teepee as I took this photo, choosing an eclectic mix of music. There are several spaces for people to relax, inside and out, at ground level or on a rooftop bar (to the left of the photo). 

Evening stroll

The evening sun in the suburbs gives the houses and gardens a warm glow.

Bluu for you

A leisurely lunch at Bluu bar, which is in Smithfields Market in the Northern Quarter.

Amaizing

It amazes me to think that this undulating field of green shoots will have grown into a field of maize and delicious corn in a couple of months' time.

Wellington School Awards Evening

Last night was the annual Awards Evening for Wellington School, held at the Bridgewater Hall. Over two hours of speeches, presentations, the school band, and the school choir.

This year's school sponsored walk raised an incredible £31,000 for the Francis House Children's Hospice, in Didsbury: http://www.francishouse.org.uk/

The choir are seen in full song here, albeit dwarfed by the Bridgewater Hall organ, which in the 1990s was "the largest instrument of its kind to be installed in Britain for almost a century and is the jewel in the crown of one of Europe's finest concert halls. "

More on the organ and a video of it in use at:  http://www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk/content/Discover/TheBridgewaterHallorgan.aspx

More on Wellington High School at: http://www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk/

Sweet Caroline

Neil Diamond is currently playing three nights at the M.E.N (Manchester Evening News) Arena. Musically I'd have said he was not my cup of tea, but a friend was given tickets so I was happy to go along for a 4th July celebration.

I was impressed with the two hour show performed with Diamond's 13 piece band (brass section, two guitarists, three backing vocalists, drummer, percussionist and two keyboard players). The energy and the powerful voice of a man who turned 70 in January was inspiring.

This photo captures the atmosphere rather than being a particularly good shot, and was taken during the closing number, the early 1970's  "Sweet Caroline".

According to American music critic David Wild common themes in Diamond's songs are "a deep sense of isolation and an equal desire for connection. A yearning for home – and at the same time, the allure of greater freedom."

American Classic cars in Cheshire

To those across the pond, a Happy Independence Day. There was an American classic car show in Cheshire at the weekend. This was one of many on the long drive way to the field they were located in.

I have little interest, and even less knowledge, of current day cars, let alone old ones, so I haven't the foggiest idea what make this one is. But there is something to be said for the style of these older vehicles. Although I fear they are / were just as destructive to the environment.

St. Matthew's Sunday School

The back of St. Matthew's Sunday School on Rice Street.

It's now home to a concert promotion business.

Flying the flag ~ Manchester International festival

The Manchester International arts festival runs until 17th July, It has had plenty of national exposure, such as a free guide book produced by The Guardian newspaper. There is no shortage of local publicity either, including many flags and banners around the city centre, such as these. A series of pop-up venues including a giant teepee has transformed Albert Square into the main festival site. I plan to visit that early next week...

Iceland's Bjork and Ireland's Sinead O'Connor are two famous female singers who are playing several nights. There is a new Victoria Wood drama at the Opera House, and many more acts and artistes, including a fringe festival. For young children there is a Music Boxes activity at the Lowry Centre and for older children a live Dr Who adventure. Full details at: http://mif.co.uk/ and a BBC review at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13984487

Theme Day: The colour green

This photo was taken on the banks of the River Bollin, near Styal in Cheshire, and fits the City Daily Photo July theme day of "green", even down to the colour of the water.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants