CityLife

Take to the streets!

MANCHESTER Live, a fizzing, fun-packed nine-day fiesta of music, family entertainment and surprises in the heart of Manchester, begins this weekend as part of Manchester City Council's year-long programme of events and supported by the Manchester Evening News.

Almost exactly a year since the party atmosphere spread through Manchester during the Commonwealth Games and following hot on the heels of the hugely popular Festival Europa celebrations, when thousands of people poured into the city to enjoy the party atmosphere, Manchester Live is about to transform familiar places before your very eyes.

The free Festival line-up includes:

Castlefield-on-Sea - all the fun of a jolly seaside resort in the centre of Manchester with beach huts, sandcastles, inflatable sea sculptures and a special surf simulator. A Family Friendly event with music, street theatre, interactive games and a whole host of entertainment. Tomorrow and Sunday. Castlefield Arena and Roman Granary and Fort, 4pm- 9pm

Albatross - As dusk falls a giant ship's hull will appear in Castlefield Arena, as the epic drama Albatross, a tale of heroes from a bygone age, unfolds before you. An amazing open-air spectacle features live music, aerial artists, sea monsters, icebergs and a firework finale. Tomorrow and Sunday. 9-10.15pm Castlefield Arena. Space is limited so arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Countryside Properties Salford Triathlon ITU World Cup - The triathlon is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and this fantastic event will be the first of its kind ever to be held in the UK. 150 of the world's best athletes compete in this exciting, demanding and extreme sport, which includes a people's race with over 1,000 competitors. Sunday, Lowry Plaza. People's Race 7am; Women's Elite 10.30 am; Men's Elite 12.45 pm

Manchester: International - A heady cocktail of international street-theatre performers who will bring you a refreshingly different programme of entertainment, from the familiar to the unexpected! There's music and street theatre shows to watch and strolling performers to follow in St Ann's Square (2-5pm), Exchange Square and Cathedral Gardens (1-6pm). Daily highlights include:

Monday, July 28, Icarus (Australia) - a pair of inquisitive kangaroos bounce into the action. Dave Southall (Manchester) - intrepid acrobat-turned explorer attempts Niagara and the highest mountain peaks of the world! Axial Dance (Manchester) - street dance duo. Plus: Born in a Taxi (Australia), and from Manchester - The Weathermen, The Mahoney Brothers, The Whalley Range All Stars, Danny Zapparelli, Crazy Tramps, Artizani.

Tuesday, July 29, Nusantara (Malaysia) - beautiful and melodic gamelan with dancers, Erre que Erre (Spain) - delightful street dance group from Barcelona, The Whalley Range All Stars (Manchester), plus: Born In A Taxi (Australia), and from Manchester - The Weathermen, The Mahoney Brothers, Dave Southall, Crazy Tramps, Artizani, Straightjacket Circus, Spurting Man.

Wednesday, July 30, Les Sages Fous (Canada) - strange birdlike creatures searching for a place to lay their eggs, Spurting Man (Manchester) - a statue, the 1812 overture and lots and lots of water! Plus, Nusantara (Malaysia), Cie Mungo (France), La Paranza del Geco (Italy). From Manchester - The Mahoney Brothers, Dave Southall, Crazy Tramps, Artizani, Danny Zapparelli, Curious Eyebrows, Urban Expansion, DNA.

Thursday, July 31, Cie Mungo (France) - French concierge lets you meet the residents of her flats and tells you a few of their daily dramas, Nakupelle (Holland) - delightful comedy chef more acrobat than cook! Urban Expansion (Manchester) - capoeira, hip hop, acrobatics, live music, locking and popping {hellip} the language of the street. Plus: Gamarjobats (Japan), Les Sages Fous (Canada), The Primitives (Belgium). From Manchester - The Mahoney Brothers, Axial Dance, Artizani, Curious Eyebrows, DNA, The Weathermen, Dave Southall, Straitjacket Circus, Mr Lucky.

Tuesday until Thursday, Le Phun: Bringing their family, their home and even their vegetable garden, this Toulouse based company will instruct you in the finer points of French agriculture, when the pleasures of the countryside arrives in Albert Square.

Manchester Live continues until August 3. You can get more information from 0161-234 3157 or by visiting the website below. For further information on the Triathlon, please call the Triathlon Hotline on 0161 909 6510.