Manchester Jewish Museum has announced is 2016 Cultural Programme, a mix of live ‘Syna-Gigs’ performed from the heart of the hidden venue.

Launching on 27 January, Holocaust Memorial Day, the museum’s first live event of the year invites visitors to experience the museum as never before – transformed into a 1930s Cabaret style club for an evening of Degenerate Music: Music Banned by the Nazis.

Devised and performed by Manchester born baritone, Peter Brathwaite, one of the UK’s most exciting,  up and coming new musical talents, this acclaimed and captivating show features  songs and music from the Weimar cabaret, Jazz, Opera and protest song genres. Accompanied by atmospheric and original video footage of everyday life during the days of the Weimar Republic,   this unique and timely event offers a rare and fascinating insight into the Berlin political cabarets of the 20s and 30s, highlighting the extraordinary range of musical styles unjustly branded by the Government of the time as “degenerate.”

The international flavour continues on the afternoon of 28 February, when the critically acclaimed Sacred Sounds Women’s Choir brings its joyous harmonies to the museum. Celebrating the many languages, cultures and religions represented across the city, this vibrant 40 strong choir aim to promote peace, compassion and understanding through song. Joining them for this afternoon of musical delight is Berlin based percussionist, Renu Hossain. Admission also includes tea and Kosher cake!

Music is very much at the heart of the museum’s March events programme starting with three concerts from 3 March, featuring the delightful fusion of Klezmer and Irish folk. Starring Capercaillie front man and folk legend, Mike McGoldrick, alongside students and professional musicians from the city’s rich musical scene, these three toe-tapping performances celebrate the roots and the rhymes of Celtic and eastern european folklore.

As part of the city’s annual Wonder Women season, which runs every March to shine a light on the incredible, creative and campaigning women working in and from Manchester today, the museum presents Written in the Margins on 10 March.  This live music event and panel discussion celebrates and explores female writers across the spectrum – from songwriters and journalists to poets and performers.

Contribute a collage, a cutting or some copy to a limited edition Wonder Women Zine, created and printed during Written in the Margins. Led by Manchester based artist and creator of the Chapess zine, Cherry Styles, this hands on drop-in workshop will introduce beginners and inspire novices in the art of zine-making.

Hear acclaimed poet Clare Pollard perform her version of Ovid’s Heroines – based on a series of letter poems written in Rome around 20BC and take part in a lively debate discussing the impact of written media on female representation. The panel discussion, organised by Brighter Sound, will be chaired by BBC broadcaster, writer and author Stuart  Maconie and panel members include singer/songwriter Roxanne Du Baston, freelance cultural commentator Laura Snapes, Vanessa Read (CEO PRS Foundation) and Chris Long from BBC Manchester Introducing. This lively and thought-provoking evening concludes with the very first live performance of an original piece of music from renowned musician Serafina Steer, commissioned by Brighter Sound and inspired by Pollard’s translation of Ovid’s Heroines.

Following a sell-out night of Jewish Comedy at the museum last year, March’s musical month ends with a night of jokes and japes on the 24 March, provided by MC Gareth Berliner who will be joined on the night by fellow leading stand-ups Josh Howie  (“A name to watch” – The Times) and Bennett Arron – the only Jewish Welsh comic on the UK circuit.

Laughter lovers are also in for a treat on 7 April, when celebrated comedy actor Simon Schatzberger brings his critically acclaimed one-man show: Woody Allen-ish to the museum for one night only, uncannily performing Woody’s legendary 60s stand-up comedy routines. Opening the evening is a mesmerising performance by his sister, jazz vocalist Julie Schatzberger accompanied by guitarist Andrew Hedges who, together, bring Allen to life performing songs and music from his many wonderful, timeless movie soundtracks.

One of Manchester’s most popular live literature nights – Bad Language – comes to the museum on 12 May as part of the city’s celebrated Manchester After Hours event.  Join new and established writers, including renowned authors Marli Roode and Rodge Glass as they blend fact and fiction, weaving tales into the fabric of a new and exciting piece of multi-sensory work. Hear and see stories inspired by archival footage of Manchester from the collections at North West Film Archive and images from Manchester City Council. Recently named the Best Spoken Word Night in The UK, a night at the museum in the company of Bad Language is a fitting way to spend the city’s annual late night exploration of culture after dark.

Concluding the first half of the museum’s 2016 Cultural Programme on 26 May is a not-to-be-missed insight into one of the footballing world’s most famous clubs and most notorious family’s – The Glazers. Join writer Tehsin Nayani, the Glazer’s spokesman for six years, as he reads extracts from his illuminating book – The Glazer Gatekeeper – an honest and intimate account of Manchester United during a historic period for the club.

Manchester Jewish Museum CEO Max Dunbar comments: “ We were so thrilled by the popularity and success of our 2015 autumn arts programme at the museum. It was particularly exciting to see the museum buzzing at night with live audiences of all ages and backgrounds enjoying a completely different cultural experience in our synagogue – from Banghra drumming to Video Jam’s haunting multi sensory installation. This year’s programme is every bit as diverse and surprising and we cannot wait to open up our doors at night again from 27 January to show off the space as never before.”


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