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Sniff out operatic fun

13/ 2/2008

THERE’S a free family fun day for all young opera fans at The Lowry on Saturday, as visiting company Opera North marks European Opera Day.

The newcomer may think opera is a little confusing. But Opera North is challenging those misconceptions with a day of fun events to coincide with its new production, The Adventures of Pinocchio – an enchanting retelling of the famous story of the wooden boy who makes good.

On Saturday a wide range of activities will keep youngsters entertained and give them an appetite for a first step into the world of opera. A circus skills workshop provides both children and adults a chance to try things out for themselves from riding a unicycle, juggling and Diablos.  Regular readings of the captivating story will enthral youngsters, while a face painter will make sure everyone is looking good.

A Treasure Hunt around the theatre is also a recipe for some lively fun. Tours of the Pinocchio set provide a real insight into the workings of the show. For those who think they can string a few notes together there will be Opera Karaoke – move over Placido Domingo! The event runs at the Salford Quays arts venue from 1pm to 4.30pm.

WANNABE detectives are being given the chance to meet the Greater Manchester Police forensics team and have a go at taking their very own fingerprints. The event – aimed at ages five and upwards – will take place at GMP Police and Archives Museum on Newton Street, central Manchester, on Tuesday, February 19 between 11 and 2.30pm. For further information, ring 0161 856 3287/500 or email police.museum@gmp.police.uk.

CULTURE vultures will be able to check out the highlights of Manchester Art Gallery this weekend. Take a tour on Saturday, February 16 with a trained guide from the Friends of Manchester City Galleries. Each guide has his or her own style and favourite artworks, so it’s a different experience each time. And if you are new to the gallery, the tour provides a great introduction. Entry is free, and those who are interested should meet by the information point on the ground floor. Manchester Art Gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Call 0161 235 8888 or go to www.manchestergalleries.org for more information.

AS part of celebrations around the 150th anniversary of the Hallé Orchestra, education director Steve Pickett is giving a talk about the Hallé’s award-winning education programme. By placing Hallé musicians in schools, youth clubs, community centres and young offenders’ centres, where they compose and perform music alongside project participants, the programme aims to create a wider enjoyment and understanding of music throughout the whole community. Last year more than 20,000 participants, mostly young people, came to see the Halle Orchestra perform. The free event takes place on Monday, February 18, from 1pm to 2pm, in Manchester Central Library’s second-floor committee room. For more information ring 0161 234 1900.

SPORTS fans are invited to go along final to the few days of the National Squash Championships. The competition, which began on 11 February, runs until Monday, February 18 at Manchester’s National Cycling Centre in Eastlands. The Championships will see some of the world’s best players battling it out for the coveted British Champion titles. Jenny Duncalf and James Willstrop will be looking to defend the titles they won last year and are sure to face fierce competition. World Open semi-finalist Tania Bailey and world number six Nick Matthew are just two of the top names expected to feature in the cast of star players taking part. For information and tickets go to the National Squash Championships website at www.nationalsquashchamps.co.uk.

THE MYSTERIES of Japanese dance are coming to Tatton Park. Torifune Butoh-sha, the internationally acclaimed dance company, will perform Kenka: Consecration of Flowers in its Japanese Garden. Butoh, founded in the 1950s by Kazuo Ono and Tatsumi Jijikata, is a provocative mix of Japanese theatre and Western dance forms. Kenka is the tragic story of a dead mother who wanders between this life and the next in search of her baby. The event will take place on Saturday, February 16 from 2pm to 4pm and normal garden entry prices apply. For more information call 01625 374 400.

EXPLORE the Tameside countryside with Down the Tame, a comfortable 10-mile walk setting off Reddish Vale Country Park on Sunday, February 17 from 9.30am-4pm. Ramble through the lower reaches of the River Tame, from the industrial heartland of Tameside, along the flood plain to its confluence with the River Goyt. This 10-mile walk from Ashton to Stockport will be taken at a comfortable place. The trip will cost £3 for transport back to the to the start, and ramblers should meet at Tiviot Dale car park. For more information, contact Reddish Vale Country Park on 0161 477 5637 or email parks@stockport.gov.uk.

JOIN John and Margaret Morrison on a moderate 10-mile walk over the hill to Rowarth. Ramblers can enjoy extensive views over Tameside, Kinder Scout and the Cheshire Plain to the distant Clwydian Hills. Admission is free, and walkers will set off from Lymefield Visitor Centre, Broadbottom at 10am. The walk is expected to finish at 4pm. For more information ring 0161 330 9613.