Following the success of their first two pop culture experiences, (Mean Girls, 2016 and Bridesmaids, 2017) Girl Gang Manchester proudly present their third immersive film screening and most ambitious event to date
Girl Gang Manchester #3: Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion. Programmed by The Lowry as part of their biannual Week 53 Festival, the event will transform the venues unique scene dock space into a 90’s paradise, blending reunion chic, with 80’s prom. Utilising decor, performance, workshops, speakers, participation, party bags, dressing up, dancing and much much more, the event is a tribute to the 90’s slacker gal comedy, celebrating life long friendships, repairing youthful wounds and providing the helpful reminder that it’s OK to be awesomely average.
Girl Gang Manchester is a collective of female artists, activists, academics and party instigators who produce accessible, fun and meaningful events. From creative club nights, skill sharing and speed mate-ing sessions, to exhibitions, live art, online projects, zines and rapid responses, their work encourages creativity, collaboration, confidence and community. The collectives ethos is to foreground the talents and achievements of women, supporting and inspiring their community to be resilient, happy, contented and connected in life, work and society.
Girl Gang Manchester #3: Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion combines pop culture, live art, DIY community, craft, discussion, participation and partying to bind audiences together in a true live experience where ideas and skills are shared and formed, friendships celebrated and fostered, and hair is well and truly let down for the evening.
Working under the premise that everyone is an artist, this collaborative event aims to create a space for people to be creative, safe, nostalgic and nurtured with friends old and new.  Involving over 30 local interdisciplinary female artists across it’s production, audiences are invited to join the gang for an unforgettable evening of sisterhood, skill sharing, silliness and surprises. Expect big wows, business woman specials, a fun and frisky use of colour, and a totally tremendous time!
Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion is a popular 1997 film, starring Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino. The plot follows two inseparable but unremarkable friends who return to their high school reunion armed with a poorly conceived plan to impress their former classmates. Adored for its offbeat humour and quotable one liners, the film is a love-song to the life-long friendships, unusual for an absence of romantic plot and notably featuring excellent 80’s and 90’s fashion and soundtrack.
Doors open at 5pm where audiences can enjoy the fully decorated venue, themed food and drink and an array of Romy and Michele themed interactive features and drop in activities. These include: a giant yearbook, spin class competition, fortune teller making, confession board, best friend bracelet making, photo-booth, Girl Gang’s signature party bags, roaming performances from Pull Your Finger Out Productions and a crowd sourced “adulting” podcast recording with Brown Girls Do It.
From 6pm there will be a number of limited capacity workshops and bookable advice sessions inspired by themes in the film and the idea of “Coming of Age”, this years Week 53 Festival theme. These include: style advice from Smart Works charity, challenging self perception and building self esteem, a best pals dance class, nurturing resilient friendships, clothes customisation and idea generation.
At approximately 8.30pm, the screening itself will be presented by Dr Kirsty Fairclough, head of Media and Performance at The University of Salford and followed by a reunion style knees up of 80’s and 90’s female fronted classics played by Thirsty Girls Collective. As with all Girl Gang events, audiences are encouraged to participate with the spirit of the event with themed costumes, come willing to try new things, speak to new people and expect the unexpected.
Girl Gang Manchester’s Artistic Director Megan Marie Griffith said of the event:
“We are so excited to be part of The Lowry’s Week 53 programme. This is our first time big commission and we can’t wait for people to see how much more ambitious this support will enable us to be. Like our previous immersive screenings, Romy and Michele will be a show stopping event produced with masses of passion and creativity. Our events are built with a Do It Yourself ethos, with community cultivation and collaboration at their heart. We are always blown away by the atmosphere at our events and how giving our audience are to us and to one another! We’re extremely proud to say we’ve never met a more fun, friendly, receptive or curious crowd. Come along and join our gang, we’d love to have you!”
Listings information:
Venue: The Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ
Tickets: £10 advance. On track to sell out well in advance!
Dates: May 19th, 5pm til 1am, last entry 8pm.
Guidance: Over 15’s 

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