Delight yourself with a wonderland of events when Refract:17 shows a new side of Waterside Arts in Sale. Stages for the creative nine-day festival include a giant bird’s nest, a trampoline and a static caravan. We took a closer look at the all-age programme to bring you these highlights.

1. Jan Ravens: Edinburgh Preview

Get dozens of celebrities for the price of one when impressionist Jan Ravens previews her Edinburgh Fringe show (Fri 21 Jul, 8pm, £10). Ravens is the star of Dead Ringers on the BBC, and appeared on Skins, Midsomer Murders and, at the Royal Exchange, boarding school drama The Children’s Hour. Support comes from rising comedy circuit star Eshaan Akbar.

2. Flit, Flap & Fly

Let your little ones squawk along to Flit, Flap & Fly (Sat 22 Jul, 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm, FREE), a live music adventure taking place inside a bird’s nest. Learn birdsongs and experience a young bird’s unsteady journey to adulthood. This all-singing show is aimed at under-7s: parents, who won’t need a ticket, are politely asked to perch outside the nest while their children enjoy the feathery fun.

3. Ren Harvieu

Salford singer Ren Harvieu (Sat 22 Jul, 8pm, £14-£16) once fought a broken back to become a BBC Sound of Music shortlistee. She has appeared on Later with Jools Holland and has taken on James Bond themes with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Come and see why she has been compared to Dusty Springfield and Ella Fitzgerald.

4. Max Calaf Seve presents Anyday

Jump on tickets for this unique family show by Spanish circus star Max Calaf Seve (Wed 26 Jul, 7pm, £11-£13). Anyday is an all-bouncing story set on a trampoline about a man’s relationship with his pet bird. Expect plenty of prop play with books, chairs and suitcases. This evocative one-hour show is set to an original score by BBC documentary soundtracker Matt Huxley.

5. Family Rave

Swap the glow sticks for dummies at the ultimate baby party – a Family Rave (Thu 27 Jul, 10.30am, £2.50). This two-hour session will include toddler dance-offs and loads of disco fun. All members of the family will need a ticket for this event, although if you are under 12 months old, the bouncers will let you in free. Sorted.

Fri 21 – Sun 30 Jul, Waterside Arts Centre, 1 Waterside Plaza, Sale M33 7ZF. Tel: 0161 912 5616, check website for prices and times, www.watersideartscentre.co.uk

Fri 21 Jul - Sun 30 Jul
Words:
Fat Roland
Published on:
Sat 22 Jul 2017