Cllr. James Hennigan, Lawrence Hennigan, Cllr. Peter Cookson, Cllr. Juliet Reid, Cllr. Bernard Stones, Sir Gerald Kaufman and Cllr. Aftab Ahmed
An Irish venue in Levenshulme, Manchester brought together an array of Cultures to help launch this years’ 14th annual Levenshulme Festival on Friday 26 October at M19bar & Venue. Performers representing Ireland, Iran, Mauritius, Eqypt and Levenshulme helped entertain the capacity filled venue.
Levenshulme which is home to one of the biggest Irish communities outside of London, is also home to an array of different cultures and faith groups. Its annual community festival which is one of the biggest in Europe is a celebration of that diversity.
The Right honourable Sir Gerald Kaufman MP officially launched the 2012 Levenshulme Festival on Friday 26 October at M19 Bar & venue in Levenshulme village. The event featured live performances from Persian Percussionist – Arian Sadr playing the Goblet and Frame Drums, whilst the area’s Mahabat Egyptian Dance troupe and the Keegan Academy of Irish Dancing entertained the audience with some dancing displays. Other performers on the night include the Mauritius-born Blues guitarist – Zacc Rogers and the Levenshulme based singer songwriter – Claire Mooney.
When asked about the festival and his inclusion in it Sir Gerald replied “I am delighted to have been invited to launch the Levenshulme Festival. This is always a wonderful event in the life of Levenshulme, and I congratulate those involved in its organisation. Levenshulme has a very special identity and this Festival celebrates that identity.”
Levenshulme councillor, James Hennigan who was stage managing the event commented “It was great to see such a diverse range of performers, they were fantastic and really embodied what the festival is all about. Levenshulme is very much a thriving multi-cultural suburb, where different cultures are celebrated.”
Other highlights during the opening weekend included a Charity Art Auction in aid of Cancer Aid and a special Levfest Community Market and Outdoor Buskers Ball. The 17 day multi cultural celebration coincided runs until Sunday 11 November and features over 200 Art, Community, Clubbing, Dance, Food, Music, Sport, Literature and Theatre events, making it the biggest and most diverse community festival in Europe. The annual Community extravaganza which takes place in South Manchester, is now in its fourteenth year. It annually attracts over 10,000 visitors to the small suburb situated in Manchester’s Creative corridor.
Festival highlights still to come include an Outdoor Halloween Party and Fireworks Display for 5,000 in Cringle Fields on Wednesday 31 October and the ‘Mayo’ weekend which will give visitors a free taste of Irish Culture from the West of Ireland from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 November.
For more information log onto www.levenshulmefestival.co.uk
