CityLife

LevFest returns

PERHAPS it’s the diversity of Levenshulme’s residents or the legacy of the area’s diverse cultures that encourages a strong community spirit, but if there’s one thing that the south Manchester suburb does well it’s community events.

None, though, are more of an epic event to arrange than the annual Levenshulme Festival – a meeting of music, arts, comedy, dance, theatre, literature, health and fitness.

Opening on Friday and celebrating its first decade, the festival is aimed at the whole family and expected to attract around 10,000 visitors before it closes on November 9.

A fat schedule awaits over the next fortnight, and it kicks off tonight with a 10 year anniversary party with music from Claire Mooney & The Moving House Band. 

The family fun begins on Saturday as the Creative Art Carnival comes to town, bringing workshops in drawing, painting, clay and collage taken by professional artists (make something particularly impressive, and the organisers are going to add your work to the Bankley Studios Gallery show, which opens on Friday, October 31).

M19

By night, M19 Bar hosts Standing In The Shadows Of Lev with music from The Beep Seals, John Stammers Band, Voluntary Butler Service, Neil McSweeney, Patrick Briscoe and Aidan Smith for a night of acoustic music, with interlude support from DJs Mog and Graham, from Levenshulme community station ALLFM 96.9.

If that all sounds a bit cutting edge, The Sidings is paying homage to the King with a night of Elvis tribute artists (there’s even open mic slots!) or, on Sunday, M19 has roped in dozens of local heroes for a full day of Beatles songs. 

The high brow stuff starts on Monday, with a charity art exhibition from Guardian Award-winning photographer Paul Reed. But there’s still room for plenty of fun and games: the half term sports week, the Tradfest Irish Sessions and the Folk Train (yes, that’s folk music courtesy of The Hatstand Medicine Band on a train from Manchester to Goostrey) all follow before the week is out.

One of the highlights of the week ahead, though, is the fireworks and funfair on Thursday at Cringle Fields Park. A free event with fireworks from 7pm, the outdoor event also boasts live music and entertainment plus dancing displays from experts in Irish, Egyptian and Samba moves.

From Friday, various venues/times/prices. For the full guide, visit levenshulmefestival.co.uk.