Waterside Arts

It is the final day of Refract24!

What an amazing festival it has been. Thank you so much to everyone who has come down to enjoy it, but it isn't over yet!

Today we have Yoga Rave, say no more! Running Showers are back and then the afternoon outdoor Bandstand - new for Refract - will be hosting Arun Ghosh and his Indo Jazz Family Gig, Zoe Kyoti delivering mellow summer vibes plus Stretford's own Psychederek!

What's not to love - see you there!

refract.org.uk

🚿D A Y F I V E 🐉

Today is all about the outdoor performances, and we have three sensational free, family friendly shows for you.

First up is Running Showers, a super sudsy, super silly performance by Teatro Pomodoro who will charging around Sale town centre, bursting into song and hopefully not splashing Brimstone the Dragon, who is a fearsome, smoke breathing creature from a hidden island...or is he?

We'll also have two performances of Unboxed by Linden Dance Company, an explosive piece that explored prejudice and judgement.



All show are free, no need to book 😍

https://www.refract.org.uk/2024

Last chance to catch our current exhibitions which will close on Sunday!

In the Lauriston Gallery, Great Northern Graduates, in partnership with Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair, is an exhibition of handmade contemporary craft, shining a light on talented graduates from craft and design courses predominantly from the north of the UK.

And Mindscape, an exhibition by emerging photographer Tom McMahon, in Gallery '74 and 'Sup Bar.

watersidearts.org/exhibitions

If you are at Waterside for Refract:24 Festival, make sure you pop into the Gallery too during your visit!

Day 3 - what a day we had yesterday! The fabulous Autin Dance Theatre joined us on the Plaza for free fun and games.

They’re back today with more Street Games as well as Brimstone - giant dragon puppet! 🐉

Last night we were wowed by the phenomenal sounds and vocals of The Untold Orchestra with their Summer of Soul. I think everyone in the room had an AMAZING night 🎤🎶

We’re loving so far? Are you?

Images courtesy of Jason Lock

🐉D A Y F O U R 🤸‍♀️

Fabulous Friday features tons of free, family fun including Brimstone the smoke breathing dragon, Street Games from around the world and music and dance from The Old Time Rags. All free, no need to book.

In the evening we've got the soulful Kyla Brox bringing her own blend of Blues to ease you into the weekend.

Tickets for Kyla are on our website https://www.refract.org.uk/kylabrox

⛹️‍♂️D A Y TH R E E🏐

Today at Refract we're getting into the major sporting event spirit (but not using any trademarked names) with Street Games!

Expect fun, accessible games from around the world hosted by three awesome Game Hosts from Autin Dance Theatre. No experience is required and the games are suitable for all ages and all abilities.

There'll also be party music sets from EIF Sound and Music. No need to book

In the evening you can kick back with cool grooves from The Untold Orchestra, who will be serving up summer soul classics from Marvin Gaye, The Temptations and more. Featuring vocals by Nicole Battick and Dija Bhlue. Tickets on the Refract website.

https://www.refract.org.uk/2024

🧙‍♀️D A Y T W O 🔮

We were absolutely blown away by Ben Hart last night - so much that we invited him back again tonight!

There are about 5 tickets left so grab them before Ben disappears up to Edinburgh Festival Fringe by magical means...

https://www.refract.org.uk/hex

🔮H E X🪄

We have NO idea how he does it, but we LOVED it 😻

absolutely blew our minds tonight, loads of laughs, loads of fun and loads of MAGIC.

Ben's back here tomorrow before he heads off to Edinburgh Festival Fringe - catch him if you can!

Refract Festival 2024 is supported by

A hauntingly beautiful start to Refract Festival with , the incredibly talented Palestinian oud player. We could listen to her melodies all night 😍

Absolute privilege to welcome Reem to this year's festival. ❤️

Refract Festival 2024 is supported by

D A Y O N E 🤩

Refract Festival starts tonight, at 7pm and we're pretty much sold out...

Snag the last few tickets for Reem Anbar and friends, or watch Ben Hart weave his magic in HeX. Two very different, equally awesome shows.

https://www.refract.org.uk/2024

🥳Refract Festival starts tomorrow! 🤩

We've got a banger of a line up for you this year, kicking off with Reem Anbar and Ben Hart tomorrow - two very different artists but equally amazing artists.

On Wednesday Ben is back again, and on Thursday we've got The Untold Orchestra covering some super soul classics, along with free Street Games from around the world for all the family to enjoy.

More Street Games on Friday, plus loads of fabulous free outdoor entertainment for kids - Brimstone the dragon, more Street Games and music from The Old Time Rags.

On Friday evening the inimitable Kyla Brox will be bringing her soulful grooves to Waterside, then on Saturday we're ready to do it all over again!

Running Showers outdoor dance will be causing sudsy chaos, Brimstone is back breathing fire and Unboxed dance show will be performing on the Plaza.

Shapes will be thrown on Sunday at the early morning yoga rave, there's more outdoor silliness with Running Showers, Unboxed are back and we've also got a family friendly music bandstand for everyone to enjoy.

What a line up!

Loads of the events are free and drop in, check out the website for more details.

https://www.refract.org.uk/2024

And just like that...another school year is done! 😱

Six weeks is a looooong time, but we've got fire breathing dragons, music and theatre, street games and a family bandstand to keep the kids entertained at the start of the summer holidays. 😎

🎟 Free
📆 23 - 28 July
📱Check out the Refract website for more info
https://www.refract.org.uk/2024

Britain's Got Talent finalist and illusionist Ben Hart will be at Waterside for Refract:24 festival ahead of his Edinburgh Fringe run, with two intimate shows. Last few tickets remaining!

🐉Here be dragons!🐉

Come face to face with a 6 metre, smoke breathing, roaring dragon at Refract Festival this summer.

Brimstone the dragon is a fierce beast from a hidden island, but is Brimstone really as frightening as everyone thinks? Or is Brimstone just misunderstood?

Watch Autin Dance bring Brimstone to life on 26 and 27 July at Refract Festival.

Free, no need to book.

30 minute show suitable for ages 5+.

🧘‍♀️🎶 Join qualified yoga teacher H**e Reilly and Disco, Funk & House DJ Misscothèque for a Yoga Rave jam-packed with your favourite 90s and 00s rave classics.

Yoga Rave is a fun fusion of guided floor-based yoga moves and stretches, free-style movement, and dancing with a live DJ.

The session lasts for two hours and will finish with a guided cool down and relaxation, guaranteed to start your day with a stretch and a smile. 😊

Everybody is welcome - plenty of accessible options and space for freestyle movements. 💃🧘‍♂️

📅 Sunday 28 July, 10.30am

🎟£10. Booking essential via Refract website.

https://www.refract.org.uk/yogarave

**eReilly

Dare you book to see HeX? 🧙

Internationally acclaimed magician Ben Hart is bringing his unique blend of humour, darkness, and mind-boggling magic to Refract Festival on 23 and 24 July.

HeX is a curated collection of Ben's favourite and most exciting material from the last decade, along with brand-new illusions straight from his laboratory. 🧪

Funny, dark and truly baffling, don’t miss your chance to see Ben before he heads off to Edinburgh Festival Fringe for his tenth magical year as the Festival's 'real life witch.'

Prepare to be spellbound! 🔮✨

https://www.refract.org.uk/hex

🎤Who needs a Pyramid Stage when you've got a Bandstand?! 🎸

New for 2024 at Refract Festival is The Bandstand, an afternoon of free music on Sunday 28 July from three very different musicians.

First up is Arun Ghosh, a charismatic and communicative performer whose Indo-jazz grooves have been specially programmed for families and young people.

Then, Zoe Kyoti and her band bring dramatic and uplifting tales of lost love, rebirth, rebellion and adventure.

Finally, PsycheDerek will perform his genre defying blend of live instruments and electro sounds, creating a heavy, dream-like atmosphere.

The Bandstand starts from 1pm and it's all completely free - no need to book, just turn up and enjoy the music! 🪇

There are also unconfirmed rumours that Shania Twain may be riding into Sale on a horse during Refract 2024...

https://www.refract.org.uk/bandstand

🌟We're hiring!🌟

Come and work with us! We're looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious Duty Manager.

For more information and how to apply:
watersidearts.org/jobs

Continuing with our Waterside vs Worthy Farm theme, today we're spotlighting The Untold Orchestra, who will be appearing at Refract Festival on Thursday 25 July.

Fresh from performing at the dazzling House of MCR event last weekend, The Untold Orchestra will be serving up a slice of summery soul classics from Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and more. Joined by guest vocalists, Nicole Battick and Dija Bhlue.

Tickets £20. https://www.refract.org.uk/summerofsoul

ARTFUL PLAYGROUND SUMMER SCHOOL!

Mon 19 - Fri 23 August
From ages 4 up to 15

Children will have sessions in acting, singing, and dance/movement, text and character and work together with course leaders to put together a show! On the last day there will be a performance for friends and family!

To book your place, visit the box office or call 0161 912 5616.

Find out more here: watersidearts.org/summerschool

This year we're really excited to welcome back the award winning Kyla Brox to Refract Festival, after an absolute banger of a gig with us in 2021.

Hailed as 'the finest female blues singer of her generation,' Kyla blurs the boundaries between pleasure and pain with her tender, urgent and gritty voice and lyrics.

An absolute treat. 😍

Friday 26 July, £20.

https://www.refract.org.uk/kylabrox

Didn't get a ticket to Glastonbury this year?

Not to worry, we've got some cracking acts lined up for Refract 2024 and tickets for a (re)fraction of the price!

First up is Reem Anbar and Friends - an internationally renowned oud player from Gaza and leader of Gazelle Band who will be bringing soulful, heritage Palestinian sounds to the opening night of Refract Festival on 23 July - 🇵🇸

Tickets cost £10, book now https://www.refract.org.uk/reemanbar