Warp Festival at The Whitworth ft. Kaleidoscope Orchestra & more

Famed for its architecture and art shows, the Whitworth is embracing the spirit of summer with a weekend-long programme of music, art, workshops and dance called Warp Festival. The programme, which celebrates the unveiling of a major new sculpture in Whitworth Park by Turner Prize nominated artist, Anya Gallaccio, is split into two day-long events. Saturday (noon-midnight) is a showcase of the best young and creative talent that Manchester has to offer with sets by hip hop crew Cul De Sac and the Kaleidoscope Orchestra, a group of young classical musicians who perform versions of grime and dubstep tracks, in new and unexpected ways. Other attractions include the Teenage Market, art installations, a cinema, skills showcase, and a performance by Whitworth Young Contemporaries’ fire and circus skills group, Whitworth on Fire (NB. if you fancy joining their gang and you are aged 15-25, simply turn up on Sunday afternoons in Whitworth park between 2-4pm – more info is available here). Sunday (11am-5pm) meanwhile is a big day out for the whole family: look out for headliners, Chutney, a fusion of traditional Indian sounds and western influences, family rave purveyors, Big Fish Little Fish, and a collaboration between Whitworth Young Contemporaries and pyrotechnic puppetry experts, Walk The Plank called Art Sheds – which are sheds, with a lot of imagination thrown in. The Manchester Children’s Book Festival will be on hand, and there are film screenings at the WARP cinema too. While the idea behind the festival is to engage and inspire young people in the 15-25 age bracket, the festival is a good reason for the whole family to get out and get involved. Local charities, such as the mental health and wellbeing organisation 42nd Street, will be on hand with their Useful and Beauty Salon, including sessions on how to do CPR on cats (!) – plus there’s the chance to be among the first to see a major new sculpture in the park.

Sat 25 – Sun 26 Jun, The Whitworth, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6ER, Sat, noon-midnight, Sun 11am-5pm, FREE, www.whitworthyc.org.uk