Founded by Jude Kelly, Artistic Director of Southbank Centre, London, the festival is comprised of free talks, workshops, activities and performances that celebrate young people’s voices, rights and ability to influence social change.
Inspired by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the festival provides a forum for children, young people, parents, teachers and professionals involved in caring for under-18s to learn about and celebrate young people’s rights.
This year’s festival offers an exploration into the history of protest songs and the opportunity to write one, a beatboxing workshop and the chance to debate how gender bias affects children. WHY? Festival also welcomes Thirty Pound Gentleman who will be hosting a lively debate about Manchester’s politically radical heritage, from Anarchist-Punks in Hulme to Emeline Pankhurst and the Suffragette Movement.
WHY? Festival concludes with a choice of two shows. BAC Beatbox Academy perform Frankenstein, an innovative meeting of beatbox, gig and theatre that’s asks, in 2017, how do you make a monster? Alternatively, Manchester’s fiercest poets, Young Identity present Hatch. This performance asks: In a world where existential threat hangs on every sunrise, what happens to those of us who aren’t prepared for the apocalypse?
WHY? Festival takes place at Contact on the 21st of October 2017.
BAC Beatbox Academy: Frankenstein, £7/ £4 Conc, 6pm.
Young Identity: Hatch, £10/ £6 Conc, 7:30pm.
Contact Theatre, Oxford Rd, Manchester M15 6JA
0161 274 0600
contactmcr.com
