Barnaby Weekend Roundup

It’s going to be three days of fabulous fun for all the family, packed full of vibrant events from dawn to dusk. Think socks and satire, trapezes and tea-ladies, chocolate and punks, jazz and gothic opera and even pirates and knitting! That’s just a hint of the diverse and culturally rich events taking place from 20 – 22 June during Barnaby Festival’s Big Weekend in Macclesfield.

Here’s a quick roundup of some of the not-to-be-missed events:

Friday 20 June 2014

·       I’m All Right Jack: classic 1950s film with Peter Sellers satirizing British industry

·       Under Silk Wood (première): verse-drama tale of the streets and characters of Macclesfield

·       Vinny Peculiar: music and song from critically acclaimed Vinny, ‘Manchester’s premier forward thinking backward looking song smith’

·       The Blockheads: legendary band performing their classic hits, supported by Macclesfield electro-art-rock duo The Christophers.

Saturday 21 June 2014

• StreetFest & Stage (Market Place): FREE family entertainment from 10am – 5pm including magic, mayhem and madcap comedy from street performers including stilt-walkers, jugglers and the world’s silliest violinist! The Stage plays host to African drummers, local bands and choirs, snippets of theatre and wise words, plus dancing on the cobbles by schoolchildren, Morris dancers and belly dancers!
• Interactive and awe-inspiring fun for the kids includes outdoor theatre onboard a pirate ship with The Revenge of Mr Trout!(£3), hands-on experiments with The Science Busker, gravity-defying Skylight Trapeze and a mask making workshop.
• Barnaby Carnival Parade: at 2pm the Parade snakes through Market Place led by a horse and carriage, Samba band, hand-crafted floats, giant puppets and costumed folk present ‘industry’ as you’ve never seen it before!
• Great Barnaby Treasure Hunt: Macclesfield’s famous fiendish treasure hunt
• Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory: 1971 film of Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s book, especially for the kids (with choccy treat!)
• Tim Peaks Diner (Christ Church Lawns) Tim Burgess’ (The Charlatans) diner is open all weekend for live performances, spontaneous happenings, amazing cakes and incredible coffee! Including Tim Burgess in Conversation and local bands such as Izzie Naylor, Vermillion Tides, Howling Rhythm and Church Party. FREE
• Feast @ Barnaby: eat and drink scrumptious local fare and enjoy at shared tables (Christ Church Lawns)
• Acid Brass: Jeremy Deller’s fusion of traditional brass-band music with acid house FREE
• Pants on Fire: hilarious, outrageous fibbing competition
• Shappi Khorsandi Live: feisty, flirty comedy queen, brings her new sell-out show to Macclesfield
• Under Milk Wood: Stan Tracey’s iconic jazz suite combined with readings by  actors Phylip Harries and Caroline Berry
• Morella (première): haunting gothic opera, adapted from Edgar Allen Poe tale, written and performed by Maxonians.

Sunday 22 June 2014

• Hive of Industry and Live at the Hive! (Market Place/St. Michael’s Churchyard) Hands-on crafts, workshops, displays, activities and live entertainment in a buzzing, interactive celebration of Macclesfield’s industries. Activities include bee-making, steam boat racing, create a jam-jar barometer, knitting, planting, weaving, puppet-making, the ever-popular Craft Café and the Great British Tea Break. The Science Pod is open for sizzling science experiments and inventive workshops, and The Stage plays and eclectic mix of live music from local talent all afternoon (11.30am-4pm) FREE
• Tim Peaks Diner (Christ Church Lawns): Includes special DJ set with New Order’s Gillian Gilbert and Nik Void, Stephen Morris in conversation with Tim Burgess and guest appearances by new and established bands Hot Vestry, Bird to Beast and Matt Thomas Thompson FREE
• Barnaby Sunday Lunch: Delicious food from local vendors
• KEMS Orchestra: performing Silk Impressions by local composer, Adam Gorb FREE
• Macc Nav Challenge: urban orienteering competition
• Shonaleigh: magical story-telling with images and music
• Tim Burgess’ Acoustic Sanctuary: special, eclectic musical finale with Tim Burgess, Jake Evans and Mike Garry performing acoustic sets with string quartet arrangements by Joe Duddell. PLUS special guest Stephen Morris (New Order, Joy Division) playing his first ever town centre gig in home town Macclesfield.

Tickets for all events, as well as the complete listings for the Barnaby Festival 2014, are available at www.barnabyfestival.org.uk. Tickets are also available from the Visitors Information Centre in Macclesfield Town Hall.