So, what is on the agenda?
Thursday 29th March
Long Weekend with Dr Sid
Thursday will see guests are welcome to ease themselves into the long weekend with Dr Sid Honey Cooler, a record collector of over 40 years who will take control of the public bar from 5 pm until late. Taking listeners on a musical journey from the 1920s to the 50s with a soundtrack of blues, swing, big band, original R&B, mambo, calypso and various oddities that are impossible to categorise.
Friday 30th March
Independent Record Fair & Evening Social
Friday sees the basement host a Record Fair featuring Hi-Tackle, the city’s newest and most mysterious go-to record emporium set up by Manchester’s finest collectors – Ruf Dug and Randy Brunso. Featuring alongside these guys will be London’s hottest new shop – Ransom Note – as well as Manchester’s beloved Beatin Rhythm, the UK’s number one outlet for all the Northern Soul heads.
As a special treat for the passing seasoned digger, or merely the curious collector, there will be a one-off Charity Shop Stall run by charity 10,000HRS with all records priced at £1. Not your usual charity haul, this will be a selection of records kindly donated from esteemed selectors such as Mr Scruff, Unabombers, DJ Paulette, Krysko, Justin Robertson, Jason Boardman, James Holroyd and many more, with all proceeds going to the charity. The FREE Evening Social in the basement will be hosted by Hi-Tackle featuring Ruf Dug, Randy Brunson and friends.
The record fair is from 3 pm and the evening social is from 8 pm.
Saturday 31st March
Yoga, Art & A Love From Outerspace
Saturday will kick things off on Waterhouse Way with an All Strala Yoga Class, hosted by the talented Lisa Stannard. The Den will then be host to ‘Overdrawn’ – an interactive drawing social featuring local artists, art battles, auctions, a pop-up shop and more.
Saturday night will be a ticketed all night long takeover from A LOVE FROM OUTERSPACE, with Andrew Weatherall and Sean Johnson, who are back again following a stellar gig in 2017. Over the last two years, The Refuge has built a fine reputation of carefully thought out collaborations when it comes to these special events, and this weekend is no exception.
Yoga is from 10 am, Overdrawn is from 3 pm and things kick off in the basement at 10 pm.
Sunday 1st April
The Refuge X Bluedot Festival
The Refuge will be welcoming Bluedot Festival to curate the final day of their weekender with families in mind. Bluedot, hosted at the stunning location of Jodrell Bank, is the UK’s only festival of science, art and music and since its inaugural event just two years ago, has quickly become one of the most eagerly anticipated festivals of the summer.
Down in the basement, Bluedot will be hosting a range of exciting science experiments and intergalactic interactive children’s entertainment. Our Kids Social will host “I am the Eggman”, a psychedelic egg hunt for children of all ages, followed by an interactive Family Silent Disco, circus skills, arts, crafts and more.
Day activities start at 10.30 am all day across the entire Refuge site. Full details of times can be found here.
The Refuge, Oxford St, Manchester M60 7HA
0161 233 5151
www.refugemcr.co.uk/
