Top 3 Free MIF Events

Art and music are great, but it can be expensive – luckily, if you’re on a budget, Manchester International Festival have planned a programme of completely free events, and here we pick three of the best

The Biospheric Project

One of the most impressive events at this year’s MIF, whilst also not costing a penny to get in: The Biospheric Project takes a derelict mill on the banks of the River Irwell and turns it into a thriving centre of agriculture. Unfortunately, walking tours and workshops are both fully booked, but there is still limited availability for the Family Food Weekend (featuring workshops on windowsill gardening and seed bombs among other things) and various talks (including one with the director of the project, Vincent Walsh). Coming on the back of work done for The Vertical Farm at MIF, this promises to be a very special series of events.

Fri 5 Jul – Sun 21 Jul, Irwell House, East Philip Street, Salford, M3 7LE, Various times, £1 booking fee per transaction (not per ticket), http://www.mif.co.uk/

Tino Seghal: This Variation

One of the most vibrant, moving and immersive artists in the world, Tino Seghal won rave reviews for his groundbreaking work These Associations last summer at Tate Modern, where he filled the turbine hall with performers acting as part of the hive mind, humming, moving and chatting with the crowd. Details for this event are being kept under wraps, but those attending must wear sensible shoes and don’t need a ticket, whilst Seghal promises to shift perception before your very eyes.

Fri 12 Jul – Sat 20 Jul, Mayfield Depot, Fairfield Street, M1 2QF, 4pm – 9pm, No ticket required, http://www.mif.co.uk/, #MIFTinoSegal

MIF Sacred Sounds Choir

After the success of MIF 2011’s Sacred Sites, this iteration of the festival has moved on from physical location to sound, bringing in the Sacred Choir for a very special performance. Made up of 75 women from faith communities from around Greater Manchester for an afternoon including Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh chants. The official prose says this will be a celebration of the unified voice, but everything suggests it will be much deeper than that for many.

Sun 14 Jul, Festival Pavilion, Festival Square, Albert Square, Manchester, £1 booking fee per transaction (not per ticket), On sale from midday Mon 17 Jun, http://www.mif.co.uk/