This Easter weekend, The Refuge will celebrate a spectacular line-up of events and entertainment, launching with a lunar landings showcase on Thursday 18th April. Manchester’s iconic hangout, The Refuge will combine wellness activities, a stellar line-up of DJ sets, and a collaboration with one of the UK’s leading festivals, Bluedot.
To celebrate 50 years since the first Moon Landing, Bluedot and The Refuge have curated a one-off exhibition of photographs from the Apollo 11 mission, which have never previously been displayed. The collection will be shown in The Refuge, from Easter Thursday until May 31st.
In the summer of 1969 one of the most momentous events in the history of science and exploration took place, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin set foot on the moon. The special collection features twenty images taken by the crew themselves – Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins – on the Hasselblad 500EL Data cameras, issued to them by NASA. The images displayed are hand-scanned to 1800 DPI by the Johnson Space Center in 2005. This summer, Bluedot marks 50 years since the Apollo 11 moon landings with a weekend of music, science and cosmic culture at Jodrell Bank Observatory, in July 2019.
Over Easter, The Refuge will pay homage to this monumental moment in time, with a Bluedot takeover on Sunday 21st April. In collaboration with the creative minds at Bluedot and Our Kids Social, there will be children activities and intergalactic entertainment – all free to enter.
Spot the walkabout alien and spacemen performers, and explore the themes of science and technology, space, and identity and friendship with a specially commissioned performance by renowned dancer & choreographer Ruth Jones & dancers – all from 11.30am. The Den will welcome back Ruth Perkins from Science Made Simple, to host a day of pop-up science busking and interactive experiments for both kids and parents to get involved with. Expect plenty of whiz pop bangs from 12:30pm, free entry.
Other highlights for the Easter Weekender include:
Thursday 18th April:
The Easter Weekend will kick-off with Dr Sid’s Honey Cooler in the Public Bar, on Thursday 18th from 5pm-10pm; playing the best soundtracks in Big Band Swing, Jump Rhythm & Blues, Jukebox Mambo and Killer Calypso. The evening will unfold with A Refuge Arms Pub Rave, as Steve Davis, snooker legendand his wingman Kavus Torabi takeover the decks in The Basement, free entrance starting from 8pm-12.30am.
Friday 19th April:
Dedicated to wellness throughout the day – create positive vibrations in the Reggae Yoga class, express yourself in thunderous tribal energy with the Heart Rhythms class, experience a Gong Bath Relaxation & Meditation class with Jane Blackburn, and satisfy your sweet-tooth at a Raw Baking class. Finally, ease yourself into the Easter weekend at the Yin & Tonic Yoga class.
Refuge residents Chris Massey & Tim Lawton will takeover The Public Bar on the Friday evening, whilst the Basement will see The Refuge favourite, Zutekh return once again with ‘A Love From Outer Space’ featuring Andrew Weatherall & Sean Johnston.
Saturday 20th April:
The Refuge collaborates with The Hallé, who will be holding a free singing meet-up, from 2pm-5pm, in The Basement. The Hallé Choral Conductors will be inspiring Manchester to sing, guiding guests through chorus and verse. Pick up tips from the masters, on how to use your voice and learn songs that will be performed at the end of the meet-up. Saturday will also see a live performance of the nationally revered, The Hallé Ancoats Community Choir, in The Public Bar, along with local DJ sets starting from 3pm-1am.
Pioneers of ultimate family party-makers, Our Kids Socialwill bring free family fun to the weekend with arts and crafts, Lino Postcard Printing workshop, and Circus Skills class from 11am-1pm, all held in The Den. Face painters will also be on hand.
Sunday 21st April:
Easter Sunday sees a jam-packed line-up at The Refuge, with the Bluedot takeover, exploring everything from science, space, arts and crafts, fashion and music, including a Vinyl and Vintage Clothing Fair in the basement, from 12pm – 5pm. Browse stalls from 89 Vintage, Dirty Disco, Suzy Loves Milo, Lord Chester, Tom Lyn, Irfan Rainy, Neil Diablo, Basement Wax, Dig Deep Records & many more.
From mid-afternoon, The Public Bar will come erupt with DJ sets from Refuge friends & heroes including A Certain Ratio, Graham Massey, Katbrownsugar, Hughsey aka Paul Hughes and Clarkey aka Clampdown Records.
The Refuge is curated by DJs-turned-restaurateurs, Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford – the team behind the award-winning Volta restaurant. This outstanding programme of events has something for everyone, from family-friendly fun and wellness retreats, to renowned food and those looking to celebrate the bank holiday weekend in style.
For tickets and further details on all events visit https://www.refugemcr.co.uk/news/we-are-family-easter-weekender/
