CityLife

MIF: A potted rundown of events

manchester Procession is on Sunday, July 5

FESTIVAL PAVILION: Throughout the festival live performances and DJs will be entertaining the crowds at the Pavilion. Plus the site is home to the box office. Daily 11am-late. Albert Square.
 

IT FELT LIKE A KISS: The story of America’s rise to power in the golden age of pop and the unforeseen consequences it had on the world and in our minds. A daring production unfolds across five floors, blending music with documentary and the disorientating whirl of a fairground ghost train. Fri 5pm-11pm, Sat 4pm-11pm, Sun 2pm-9pm, Tue-Thu 5pm-9pm. £25. Spinningfields. To July 19. Returns only.

EVERYBODY LOVES A WINNER: An affectionate exploration of the world of bingo by Neil Bartlett starring Sally Lindsay. Mon-Fri 7.30pm, Sat 8pm, mats Wed 2.30pm, Sat 4pm. £9.50-£29. Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square. To August 1.
 

MARINA ABRAMOVIC PRESENTS…: Following the iconoclastic Il Tempo del Postino in 2007, MIF returns to the crossroads of visual art and performance, inviting world- renowned artist Marina Abramovic to curate an epic group show featuring some of the most innovative live artists working today. Wed-Fri, 7pm-11pm, Sat & Sun 2pm-6pm. Whitworth Art Gallery, Oxford Road. Free, booking essential. To July 19.
 

ZAHA HADID ARCHITECTS: JS BACH: A major new commission by Manchester International Festival with Manchester Art Gallery. Bach’s sublime solo works for piano, violin and cello will be performed in a unique environment created by Zaha Hadid Architects. The accompanying installation is on show daily throughout the festival. Each week Fri-Sun 7.45pm. £12.50/£28.50. Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street. To July 18.
 

ANTONY AND THE JOHNSONS: With the inimitable Antony Hegarty and co (pictured above) working with Manchester Camerata and Paul Normandale. for these inventive couple of dates. Fri & Sat 8pm. £15-£32.50. Opera House, Quay Street.
 

FLAILING TREES: Walking or driving the same streets every day, many of us take our surroundings for granted. Artist Gustav Metzger will be challenging this sense of security with Flailing Trees, an arresting and poignant new piece of public art that will stand in the Manchester Peace Garden for the duration of the Festival. St Peter’s Square. To July 19.
 

THE MANCHESTER REPORT: Over two days prominent experts in the fields of science, business and world affairs cross-examine advocates representing a wide range of extraordinary carbon-reducing schemes from giant solar-power stations in the Sahara to light-reflecting white roofs. The results form the basis of the Manchester Report, a low-carbon road map to be published at the end of the festival in advance of December’s UN climate change conference in Copenhagen. Sat 10am-1pm, 3pm-6pm, Sun 10am-1pm, 2pm-5pm. Free, ticket required. Manchester Town Hall, Albert Square. 
 

MIF PROCESSION: Celebrate the launch weekend of MIF by lining the Deansgate mile to witness a free and uniquely Mancunian procession, created by Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller. Manchester City Centre. 2pm. Free. See preview page 6.
 

ELBOW AND THE HALLE: One of the highlights of the Manchester International Festival where Bury’s finest collaborate with the symphony orchestra. Wed & Thu, July 8 and 9. 7.30pm. Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street. SOLD OUT.
 

CARLOS ACOSTA: The greatest male ballet dancer of his generation returns to the Manchester in an exclusive programme of works both classic and modern. Thu-Sat 7.30pm. £12.50-£46.50. The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays. From Thursday, July 9.
 

For tickets visit mif.co.uk or call 0844 815 4960.