Manchester International Festival is inviting 160 Greater Manchester residents to take part in Sea Change, a dance event on July 1 for this year’s festival opening day. French choreographer Boris Charmatz and his team of professional dancers will teach participants a set of dance moves to be performed en masse on the city’s Deansgate.
Participants will need to attend eight rehearsals over 10 days from June 19. No dance experience is necessary – and neither is the need to be dance-fit: all fitness and mobility levels are welcome. Find out more about taking part here.
Greater Manchester residents are at the heart of other events in this year’s festival. Portrait of Black Britain will see 100 portraits of Black British people, including many from Manchester, displayed throughout Manchester Arndale and the city, and over 100 Greater Manchester residents are taking part in I Love You Too sharing their love stories for a new book written by eleven Manchester-based writers.
Following a public call for Manchester-based performers, Festival Square – this year in new location Cathedral Gardens – will have a programme of food, drink and free entertainment from Manchester performers alongside international artists.
Taking place from July 1-18, this year's MIF features original new work in the visual and performing arts and music by artists from over 20 countries.