“Revelatory and very funny” - The Guardian

Next up on the stage will be deadpan comic Dan Bland, with his beautifully delivered razor-sharp humour. Since his first gig in March 2005, Dan has peddled his comedic wares across the country.

“If you imagine the late Ian Curtis had chosen to do stand-up (rather than join Joy Division) that should give you an idea of Bland’s appeal” - bbc.co.uk

Top Compere Jo Wilson and the ‘Mackem motormouth’ Mark Rough will also be gracing the stage to provide audiences with even more comedy and gags. Be careful those sides don’t literally split!

Tickets for the evening are priced at £8. Make sure you guarantee yourself a seat by calling the ticket office on 0161 761 2216, visiting The Met website ww.themet.biz or by telephoning Quaytickets on 0844 815 4870.
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A wide range of jazz, blues and folk will keep audiences captivated over those wintry months ahead. There will be a spectacular combination of salsa, world and jazz provided to those who manage to snap-up tickets for Salsa Celtica (29 October). Also, Sandi Thom graces The Met with her powerful melodies and razor-sharp lyrics on 24 September. With their highly powerful rhythm section, internationally acclaimed fiddle group Fiddlers’ Bid take audiences to the core of their folk roots on 3 October.

Rock and pop is also high on the agenda this Autumn, with one of the world’s leading progressive rock bands IQ returning to provide the public with some extremely dramatic and acutely admiral music (2 October).

We all need a good laugh, so it would be outrageous for us to ignore the need for comedy next season! The consistently popular First Thursday Comedy Club will provide you with some customary top class entertainment from some of the UK’s finest comedians.

To get families involved in the fun next season, The Met have lined-up a range of enchanting family shows. On 25 September, The Lost Forest tells a tale of magic and the fantasy doesn’t end there! The Dragon’s Daughter comes to The Met on 25 October. This timeless adventure will whisk you away to a world of magic and make-believe.

If the autumn excitement is a bit too much to take in all at once, quench your thirst in between the manic months by visiting Bury’s Beer Festival, which is set to take place on 20 and 21 November.

The new season will go on sale at the end of this month. To book tickets call the ticket office on 0161 761 2216, visit The Met website www.themet.biz or ring Quaytickets on 0844 815 4870.
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* A romantic duet between a dancer and a giant mechanical digger

* Animated shop windows

* Daring aerial feats on walls and in the air

* Romance and dance on the platforms and escalators of Piccadilly Station

* Music from opera to hip hop, classical Indian, electronic and more

This July, the third Urban Moves, an international dance festival with a difference returns to Manchester and Bury, with an outstanding line- up of dance from the UK and Europe.

Urban Moves has put together three days of professional, contemporary dance performed OUTDOORS, against the architectural backdrop of the city.

Twenty companies from the UK and Europe will perform in variety of venues:
In Manchester: Castlefield, St Ann’s Square, Exchange Square, Piccadilly Gardens and Piccadilly railway station.

In Bury (Friday 23): Market Square, Kay Gardens, The Rock, Bury Bus Station

The weekend’s highlights include: Beau Geste from France - prepare to be amazed when Transports Exceptionnels brings to life the ultimate children’s fantasy - a duet between a dancer and a giant mechanical digger!

Etant Donne from France, Aspecto’s shop window in The Triangle comes to life with naughty antics, as dancers mercilessly send up the word of fashion and the hard sell in La Vitrine.

Dancing in the air, from Circo Delicio from Spain performing daring aerial feats in walls and in the air and UK based Gravity and Levity with Re-Flex.

A journey back in time - local company Resonance Dance perform Forgotten Ghosts, an Urban Moves new commission, a taste of romance on the platforms and escalators of Piccadilly Station.

The Bicycle Ballet, a 30 minute dance performance, celebrating the dance that is cycling, will take place on Sunday 25 in Castlefield, Manchester. See bicycles dance in a performance reminiscent of Busby Berkeley’s stunning synchronized film choreography, illustrating the highs and lows of city cycling: the sheer joy of swerving downhill on a bike, the wind behind you and the sun on your face, tempered by the gritty reality of urban cycling. The performance is funded by Manchester City Council as part of the Cultural Olympiad open weekend

For performance times and a full programme visit www.urbanmovesfestival.co.uk

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‘follow us on twitter @manchesterdance’

www.urbanmovesfestival.co.uk

BURY LISTINGS
Bury Bus Station
12.00 Bury Youth Dance
Kay Gardens
12.30pm Company Decalage
1.00pm Latin Vybez Salsa Class
2.00pm Company Decalage
2.30pm Bridget Fiske
Market Square
12.30pm Axial Dance
1.45pm Axial Dance
The Rock
1.00pm Beau Geste

Notes to editors

DANCE INITIATIVE GREATER MANCHESTER
DiGM is the central dance organisation for Greater Manchester. The agency runs creative projects throughout the region, and provides advice and information. Current active projects include:
STRIDE - Greater Manchester Young Men’s Dance Project; Signatures Youth Dance Showcase, District Dance Forums; Greater Manchester Community Dance Network; CONNECT - a network for Greater Manchester dance
practitioners and artists; www.digm.org

MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL ARTS AND STREETS AHEAD
EVENTS
MIA is a leading promoter of international performing arts in the North
West, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The organisation continues to bring the best international work and local community arts to a widest possible public audience. MIA festivals have an all important goal - to create an exciting, energising atmosphere in a town or city centre that maximises its existing potential, (shops, cafes, restaurants, open spaces and squares), by the addition of carefully chosen special events. These are all free or nearly free, with an inclusive family-friendly atmosphere and an appeal to people from many different cultures. Almost all of MIA’s work is outdoors and branded as Streets Ahead Events.www.streetsahead.org

Mill Gate’s sponsorship also includes a very exciting competition for local schools where one lucky student could win the transport to the show!

David Agnew, Director of The Met, comments, “We are delighted to have Mill Gate involved in one of our biggest projects of the year. The shopping centre’s continued support has once again allowed us to increase our promotion and bring more people into the town centre to experience a truly enchanting show.”

Colin Nichol, Manager of the Mill Gate Shopping Centre, concludes “The Mill Gate is very pleased to support The Met’s Christmas production for another year and prides itself on community involvement, demonstrating a committed approach by teaming up with and supporting local businesses and charities. The partnership with The Met establishes this commitment and reinforces the long term intentions of the centre.”
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We present contemporary and classic theatre, music and comedy touring nationally and internationally. Many of these new and exciting artists will go on to become household names, but we also showcase established artists performing to sell-out audiences all over the world.

The Met is also responsible for running weekly participatory workshops for the local community and organizing outdoor events and festivals including the Ramsbottom R&B Festival, The Bury Beer Festival as well as regional events of national festivals (Urban Moves, Family Friendly Film Festival).

We are currently in an exciting period of development and now require a Marketing and Events assistant to join our busy marketing team. The successful candidate will assist and co-ordinate the planning and marketing of special events and projects. The job will also entail supporting the marketing for our weekly events and workshops, helping to market our new studio space and to assist on the promotion of our new recording studio.

The ideal candidate will have a qualification or limited experience in marketing, PR, the arts or events management. You will have excellent design and copy writing skills and be looking for your first step into a career in the arts.

This is a full time position until March 2011, £10,278 - £10, 668 pro rata, funded through the Future Jobs Fund, which means that the candidate will need to be claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance. The closing date for applications is Friday 16 July.

Click here to download the person specification, or call 0161 761 7107.

Please apply with CV and covering letter to Victoria Robinson, Marketing Manager at victoria.robinson@themet.biz.

The Met is run by Bury Metropolitan Arts Association, a company limited by guarantee (No. 2370868) and a registered charity (No. 701879).

A modern day Woody Guthrie, his songs based in people experience and their struggles. Strong in socialist beliefs - put Gibbs in the company of Bob Dylan, The Clash, and Chuck Berry. Gibbs will be performing songs from his current album, Joe Hill’s Ashes. Cited as his best album to date, the album showcases Otis’ pure song writing ability coupled with his gravely, sunny voice.

“…music that mixes Bob Dylan and Neil Young-esque acoustic with bluegrass, country and polished-up blues.” Emo corner

This event and the Ramsbottom R&B Festival are promoted by The Met. Tickets are available from The Met box office priced at £8 in advance, or on the door at the event from The Grants Arms priced £10. Guarantee your place now for this fantastic artist by calling the ticket office on 0161 761 2216, visit The Met website www.themet.biz or ring Quaytickets on 0844 815 4870.
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Suitable for most people over seven. Tickets cost 12, 10 concessions - get yours now by calling The Met on 0161 761 2216, or online via http://themet.biz
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‘Typically brilliant songs and stories about a Gallic small-town hero with a dog called Chirac’ The Guardian

The audience are invited to sing along. But not to dance. Much.

Hegley is known as a poet and singer with a common and comedic touch, hence the quotation from The Observer, ‘Awesomely mundane’

He has produced ten books of verse and prose pieces, two CDs and one mug, but his largest source of income is from stages on his native island. An Edinburgh Festival regular, he is noted for his exploration of such diverse topics as dog hair, potatoes, handkerchieves and the misery of human existence.

Suitable for most people over seven. Tickets cost £12, £8 concessions - get yours now by calling The Met on 0161 761 2216, or online via http://themet.biz
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The band is fronted by roots singer songwriter Graham Robins, who has toured with members of Van Morrison’s band and family. Wavelength magazine called him “the finest interpreter of Van you could ever wish to see!”

Don’t miss this great night of music, including Van Morrison classics like as Moondance, Have I Told You Lately, Domino, and Bright Side of the Road.

The Mini Van band can bee seen at The Met on Friday 25 June at 8pm. Tickets cost £10 in advance (£12 on the door). Get yours now by calling The Met on 0161 761 2216, or online via http://themet.biz
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It’s Beijing, capital of China, in the summer of 1966 and the Cultural Revolution is impacting every aspect of life. We see it through the eyes of Guo Yue, an eight year old boy who plays with his friends, runs errands for his family, flies kites, and plays the flute, desperately hoping that the bird he keeps in a cage will accompany him. Through hard lessons, Yue learns that the bird can only sing when it is free.

Little Leap Forward is a thought provoking and visually stunning play about freedom and creativity, that has both charm and universal appeal in equal measure.

Created by Horse + Bamboo Theatre, last seen at The Met with In the Shadow of Trees and Deep Time Cabaret, the story incorporates mask, puppetry, animation and original music. The music also includes the distinctive playing of Guo Yue (recorded), now an internationally renowned flautist.

Little Leap Forward is based on the celebrated book Little Leap Forward, co-written by Guo Yue and Clare Farrow published last year.
Tickets are priced at £10, £6 concessions. Guarantee your place now by calling the ticket office on 0161 761 2216, visit The Met website www.themet.biz, or ring Quaytickets on 0844 815 4870.
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A Boy Struggles for Freedom in Communist China
The Met welcomes back Horse + Bamboo Theatre Company with its beautiful new show Little Leap Forward on Friday 18 June at 7pm.

“Wouldn’t you rather be free, just for a day, than spend a lifetime in a cage?”

It’s Beijing, capital of China, in the summer of 1966 and the Cultural Revolution is impacting every aspect of life. We see it through the eyes of Guo Yue, an eight year old boy who plays with his friends, runs errands for his family, flies kites, and plays the flute, desperately hoping that the bird he keeps in a cage will accompany him. Through hard lessons, Yue learns that the bird can only sing when it is free.

Little Leap Forward is a thought provoking and visually stunning play about freedom and creativity, that has both charm and universal appeal in equal measure.

Created by Horse + Bamboo Theatre, last seen at The Met with In the Shadow of Trees and Deep Time Cabaret, the story incorporates mask, puppetry, animation and original music. The music also includes the distinctive playing of Guo Yue (recorded), now an internationally renowned flautist.

Little Leap Forward is based on the celebrated book Little Leap Forward, co-written by Guo Yue and Clare Farrow published last year.
Tickets are priced at £10, £6 concessions. Guarantee your place now by calling the ticket office on 0161 761 2216, visit The Met website www.themet.biz, or ring Quaytickets on 0844 815 4870.
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Chvostek has released six solo albums, all to great acclaim. Her new album Resilience was nominated for Contemporary Album of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards.
“A powerful solo artist …her new recording is a fantastic piece of work. Despite being acoustic, it rocks fiercely.” Collected Sounds

In addition to pursuing her solo music career, Annabelle continues to work in a variety of other projects including a new media performance piece “The Automated Prayer Machine” and composing music for dance companies.
“A contemporary urban folk alchemist … “Musicworkz

Tickets are priced at £10, £8 concessions. Guarantee your place now by calling the ticket office on 0161 761 2216, visit The Met website www.themet.biz, or ring Quaytickets on 0844 815 4870.
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Each member of the quintet is absurdly accomplished - and they all sing too, sometimes all at once. A Baghdaddies gig promotes a healthy increase in heart rate, inducing an irresistible urge to dance uncontrollably and smile benignly on your fellow man (and woman).

‘With hints of Eastern European at its brassiest, Tango at its raunchiest and full blown dance beats this band have attracted and played to thousands.’ - Continental Drifts

The band are just about to release their new album Dancylvania and guarantee an uplifting evening of musical frolic and cavortment. Don’t forget your dancing shoes!

Tickets are priced at £10, £8 concessions. Guarantee your place now by calling the ticket office on 0161 761 2216, visit The Met website www.themet.biz, or ring Quaytickets on 0844 815 4870.
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Following their hugely successful national tour of Moll Flanders Brute Farce return to the road with another exhilarating adaptation.

Suitcases, boxes, steamships, trains and elephants…Brute Farce’s startling new re-working of Jules Verne’s classic tale whisks the audience from rainy station platforms in nineteenth century London to a Technicolor, Bollywood vision of the tropics and the frozen wastes of North America.

With trademark invention and frantic multi-role characterisation, a cast of five bring Phileas Fogg, his faithful servant and various pursuing police officers, Indian princesses and Wild West bullies garishly to life.

“Hilarious….there is finely-crafted and executed invention in every scene….cheeky, charming and very clever.” What’s on Stage

Tickets are priced at £10, £6 concessions. Guarantee your place now by calling the ticket office on 0161 761 2216, visit The Met website www.themet.biz, or ring Quaytickets on 0844 815 4870.
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