As we launch our Autumn season, let’s have a quick look back over this Summer at Z-arts…
Shows at Z-arts
This season we had five Big Imaginations theatre shows. In May rhyming genius Dommy B returned to Z-arts with Aaaaaaaaaaaaagh Dinosaurs! It was all systems go as we launched into space with One Small Step and Tidy Up burst into our theatre dancing with glitter, ping pong balls and confetti. Our feet were stomping and our toes tapping with the tunetastic MiniFest and we welcomed back musical maestro David Gibb with his brand-new show, Climb That Tree.
Good News
In July we launched our Amazon Wishlist, which has seen many of you send us gifts of books, felt-tip pens and crayons for our children’s arts classes. A big thank you to everyone who has so far bought us something from our Wishlist! In other exciting news, we launched our updated website and our brand new booking system! This is to help make sure you have a great experience with us from as soon as you think about coming to see a show or come to a class.
Holiday activities
Our May half term The Milky Way Fun Day was an astronomical success with the Daresbury Lab mobile planetarium wowing audiences in the theatre and space-themed arts and crafts for the whole family. In Summer, our Captain Planet holiday week saw a group of intrepid green-conscious superheroes trying their hand at eco-friendly and environment themed art activities. Then, at the start of August, our building was bursting with clowning, miming and circus-skills with The Circus is Coming To Town activity week.
Photo Credit – Chester Files and Library Live
Ministry Of Lost and Found
On Saturday 23 June The Ministry of Lost and Found took over Manchester Central Library with Z-arts and Library Live. Audiences lost themselves in the twisting corridors of the library with the mysterious ministry staff as part of the first-ever ‘lost and found expedition’, where you could unlock the secrets of the most classified department in history.
Photo Credit – Emily Armstrong
Z-access
June saw the return of Z-access, our family fun day designed especially for families with disabilities and access requirements. There were lots of free activities including dance, drama, music and visual arts and a special performance of Tidy Up. Our next Z-access fun day will be on Sunday 21 October and there will be a relaxed performance of A Square World.
INUK
In July Z-arts partnered with Manchester International Festival to bring Belgian company Studio ORKA to Manchester with their critically acclaimed show, INUK. A beautiful, immersive site-specific show at Manchester Communication Academy in Harpurhey, INUK delighted school and public audiences ages 8+ and we look forward to seeing them back to the UK at next year’s Manchester International Festival.
Photo credit – Holly Sharp
Hulme Is Where The Art Is Family Fun Day
Hulme Is Where The Art Is returned on two weekends this July, with Hulme Garden Centre hosting an outdoor interactive arts day, full of activities. Then Z-arts hosting a jam-packed fun day for the whole family including a performance of David Gibb’s Climb That Tree. The theme of the day was caterpillars, red and black moths and trees with all activities will having an environmentally friendly focus and taking inspiration from the great outdoors. Activities included printing workshops, a photography treasure hunt, 3D prop making and much more.
It’s been a fantastic Summer and we’re looking forward to an awesome Autumn! Click here to read our brand-new Autumn season brochure.