Now Then in Gorton: Event Photography

We staged the first event of our summer series on Saturday 24 May in Gorton.

Below is the story of the day told in photos by Ged Camera.

The t-shirt design screen printing workshop set the wheels in motion, facilitated by Upper Space.

Artwork from past Now Then issues was projected onto the back wall as DJs James Owen, Biff Roxby and Joe Who selected songs throughout the day.

The audience listened intently to Ruth Daniel's talk on her work with grass roots music, from Un-Convention to Agencia, which has all aimed to encourage a 'Do It Together' attitude.

North West folk-pop trio Ivan Campo concluded the event. A unique suitcase kick drum is one one their many idiosyncrasies.

Words: Ian Pennington
Photos: Ged Camera

Now Then Magazine expansion: Gorton event

We're excited to be working with the Arts Council England to stage a trio of events this summer. The events are connected to a wider project to expand Now Then magazine across the city.

As part of this we'll be distributing more copies of each issue in more locations and it will be our first opportunity in a while to get out and stage some events featuring local art, poetry, music and discussion.

At St Philip's Church hall, where we will be staging the Gorton event this Saturday 24 May, we have constructed a day mixing art and music, including a talk by Ruth Daniel, who founded the Un-Convention events and will be speaking about the impact of digital and social media on the music industry, how this has transformed the music industry landscape and opened up opportunity for musicians to form networks, work together and become empowered. There will be chance to ask Ruth questions around these topics of cultural entrepreneurship following her talk.

Early in the afternoon, the local art activism group Upper Space will be leading a screen printing workshop. In the past they have been involved with campaigns to promote social justice and intervene with the status quo by presenting opportunities to question and discuss society. Leaving their more political cultural work to one side for this event, on Saturday they will be teaching you to design a t-shirt that you can then take home with you.

Finally, North West folk-pop trio Ivan Campo will perform their harmonious songs until we finish the day at 7pm. They have performed at Now Then events before at both Antwerp Mansion in Rusholme and Dulcimer in Chorlton, as well as supported the likes of Stealing Sheep, Alt-J and Roddy Woomble. Across their recorded output, they specialise in seven-track EPs, and have recently signed with Manchester label Debt Records, whose affiliated sound engineers WR Audio will be providing the soundsystem.

The whole event will be free for everyone to attend and there will be DJs invited by Now Then all day to fill in the gaps.

Later in the year we'll be visiting Moston and Stockport and will divulge more information on those nearer the time.

Ivan Campo photo by Ged Camera

The venue address is St Philip's Church, Brockhurst Road, Gorton, M18 7ER. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.

Preview: Nexus Night Café

Two years ago a friend and I found ourselves stumbling out of a bar in the Northern Quarter not wishing to go home but no longer able to find an open bar or particularly interested in walking about looking for a taxi and avoiding fights and vomit.

We were handed a flyer for a place down the road. Normally I'll take a flyer and then throw it away but I liked the vibe coming from this person and the flyer had a pretty picture. I’m very easily persuaded.

That place was Nexus Art Café which runs a Night Café on Saturdays, open from 2am to 6am. We were welcomed into the warm space, where we bought hot chocolate and delicious cake. We had a few slices of cake.

There were industrial sized rolls of paper on the floor and plenty of crayons and here we all were; adults, merry and playing like kids. 4am Scrabble, art installations on the wall and good music.

The Café has also been open weekdays from 2008 and holds regular community and arts events. The food is great. You can bring your own mix tapes and put them in the jukebox. There are books and games, regular art exhibitions, music and theatre.

All of this is run not-for-profit. It is one of the friendliest and most important venues in the city but funding cuts mean the Night Café has been running at a loss for over a year.

Please help Nexus Night Café to stay open beyond December by making a donation to the charity, either using the box at the counter or by contacting emily@nexusartcafe.com for further information.

They are also holding a fundraiser on Saturday 3rd December from 8pm 'til 6am. Tickets are £7 and available from Skiddle.com in advance.

The event will see performances from PYJAMA PARTY, sublime songtresses HAT + EL, young whippersnappers BROUHAHA and late night DJ sets from FAUST, RK and GREENY.

They'll also be holding a raffle with some cool prizes, including a whole year of life drawing classes, tickets to Bright Club Manchester, a brew a day 'til 2013, a year’s membership with our jazzy neighbours Matt and Phred’s and vouchers for other NQ businesses, as well as cakes and boxes of delicious Teapigs tea.

If you care about Manchester and you care about interesting and exciting things happening where you live or if you just care about having somewhere to play board games and eat really good chocolate cake at four in the morning then go along or donate.

Words: Sean Mason
Image: Nexus poster