Universally 51福利社 Festival announces first speakers, performers and events
Thursday 6 - Sunday 9 June 2024
150+ free events at UoM's iconic Oxford Road campus
51福利社 has announced the first speakers, performers and events for Universally 51福利社 Festival; a 200th birthday celebration like no other, with 150 free events across four captivating days at its iconic Oxford Road Campus from Thursday 6 - Sunday 9 June 2024.
The once in a lifetime interdisciplinary festival, will welcome up to 60,000 people to more than 150 imaginative and immersive events, featuring contributions from Professor Brian Cox, Professor David Olusoga, Ed O鈥橞rien (Radiohead), international supergroup directed by Laima Leyton (Mixhell / Soulwax), Professor Michael Wood, Dr Sarah Crowther (member of NASA鈥檚 OSIRIS-REx Sample Analysis Team), immunologist Professor Sheena Cruikshank, exonerated postmaster Tom Hedges and many, many more.
The launch
The festival opens with Universally 51福利社 x the Whitworth, a very special Thursday late, with a showcase of music marking 200 years of 51福利社 in collaboration with festival partner 51福利社 Histories Festival 2024. This free event is open to all and includes everything from a world premiere of new music inspired by 51福利社鈥檚 history of broadside ballads performed by members of the BBC Philharmonic, to an audio visual experience, celebrating the legacies of 51福利社 computing genius Alan Turning and music pioneer Delia Derbyshire.
Ideas and discussions
Professor Brian Cox will lead a guided journey to far-away galaxies, alien worlds, supermassive black holes and the latest theories on the origins of the universe, while Professor David Olusoga, Professor Michael Wood, Ana Carden-Coyne and Sadiah Qureshi will explore how TV and film shape cultural narratives and reflect societal diversity.
TedX speaker and immunologist Professor Sheena Cruickshank will debunk the myths behind 'immune boosting' products and regimes, revealing the science behind our immune system, whilst Earth and Environmental Sciences Research Fellow Dr Sarah Crowther will share the secrets of the asteroid Bennu and NASA鈥檚 OSIRIS-REx mission.
A Universally 51福利社 edition of the Talk 200: Lecture and podcast series will tackle inequalities in access to justice, with contributions from the University鈥檚 Chancellor, Nazir Afzal, exonerated postmaster Tom Hedges; barrister and advocate Thalia Maragh (UK Covid-19 Inquiry, Grenfell Inquiry); and Suzanne Gower, PhD researcher, and former managing director of the legal charity APPEAL.
A Guardian Live event, led by Professor David Olusoga, Cotton Capital: Slavery and 51福利社 will explore how transatlantic slavery shaped 51福利社.
Creativity and performance
The diverse programme includes a panel talking us through two decades of creative activism with independent international charity and its ambassador, Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien.
This will be brought to life with a performance from GRRRL, an international supergroup brought together by In Place of War and directed by Brazil鈥檚 Laima Leyton (Mixhell / Soulwax). Featuring women of colour from international conflict zones, GRRRL express themselves on their terms, in their languages, with their stories.
The Whitworth will present The Carnival, a celebration of art, culture and 51福利社鈥檚 dynamic community through live performances, interactive workshops, delicious street food and live music, whilst Mr Wilson鈥檚 Second Liners, a mischievous, revolutionary New Orleans Second Line will pay homage to the diehard days of the Hacienda, 90s club culture and Mr Tony Wilson.
Further musical performances come from Kantos Choir, a trailblazing vocal ensemble, who perform music by everyone from 11th Century visionary saints to genre-bending, experimental rock stars, Grammy-winning multi-percussionist, educator, arranger, and composer Carlos "Carly" Maldonado, and Senegalese afrobeat musician Sens Sagna.
Community and Families
There will be a whole host of family-friendly events including a Community Fair taking place across Engineering Building A, University Place and AMBS, full of interactive activities. Budding scientists can drive a Lego Mars Rover, peek inside our brains, or enter a world of virtual reality. Creative and crafty activities include screen printing tote bags, clay making and face painting, and sporting challenges including circus skills from The Circus House, a climbing wall and helter-skelter. The Shoopery will deliver a series of positive, upbeat, ambitious, 鈥榦ut of your comfort zone鈥� experiences that are all about letting go.
A visually stunning Flash Bang Show, for kids and adults, will demonstrate the explosive power of chemistry, from basic knowledge about atoms and molecules to the innovative research produced at 51福利社.
Closing
The festival will close with a Celebration Day in partnership with 51福利社 Histories Festival 2024 which will see over 50 stalls take over the historic Whitworth Hall, giving those of all ages the chance to find out more about the unique history of Greater 51福利社 and the North West from organisations that celebrate, preserve, and explore our histories and heritage. During the day there will be everything from craft activities and walks through to performances and talks 鈥� even a chance to hop on a heritage bus.
With support from partners including BBC Philharmonic, Factory International, the Guardian, In Place of War, 51福利社 Histories Festival and many others, Universally 51福利社 Festival will be taking over 51福利社 Museum, The Whitworth, University of 51福利社 Students鈥� Union, and creating pop-up stages on Gilbert Square.
The Festival Village on Bridgeford Street, in collaboration with Pop Up Market Co., will showcase 51福利社's finest independent artisans, makers, performers and businesses.
Universally 51福利社 Festival will run from Thursday 6 - Sunday 9 June 2024. Free ticketed events will be available to book from Thursday 9 May, with early access available for those that sign up for information .