Bear Hunt, Chocolate Cake & Bad Things at Z-arts

Gemma Gibb, Associate Editor

Book now

Bear Hunt, Chocolate Cake & Bad Things

Z-arts, Manchester
17 September-17 December 2016

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Michael Rosen - Image courtesy of Z-Arts
Book now

Z-arts’ new interactive exhibition promises all kinds of different bookish adventures this autumn. Celebrating the much-loved stories and poems of former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen, the experience is a series of immersive environments based on We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Chocolate Cake, The Book of Bad Things and Uncle Gobb and the DreadShed.

With detailed set design you can step into the worlds of the stories themselves (brave enough to tiptoe, tiptoe, tiptoe into the bear cave?). Highlights other than the Bear Hunt trail include a ginormous chocolate cake, secret larder and some Bad Things in the Dread Shed. Secret rooms will show the inspiration behind Rosen’s writing including his childhood classroom and Grandparent’s sitting room.

It doesn’t matter if you are an uber-fan (although if you are you can meet Rosen himself at the poetry event on Friday 7 October), new to, or just familiar with some of the stories, we love that younger ones will be thrilled and older ones inspired by dedicated missions and literary endeavours just for them.

What's on at Z-arts

Where to go near Bear Hunt, Chocolate Cake & Bad Things at Z-arts

Venture Arts
Hulme
Gallery
Venture Arts, Manchester

Venture Arts is a progressive visual arts charity based in Hulme, Manchester, with a small exhibition space. It works alongside learning disabled artists to create and show exciting new collaborative visual artwork.

Clay Studio Manchester
Manchester
Event venue
Clay Studio Manchester

Clay studio was founded in 2016 to provide a dedicated workshop for new graduates, hobby ceramicists and experienced makers. The studio also offers a range of classes for students of all abilities.

Hulme
Hulme Playhouse Theatre

The Playhouse Theatre, originally known as the Hulme Hippodrome opened its doors on 6 October 1902. In 2018, the historic venue was relaunched as a community arts centre by NIAMOS – a collective of artists, musicians and local residents.

Manchester
Event venue
Niamos Centre, Manchester

Niamos is a co-operatively run exhibition, arts, and performance space with a micro bakery, music studio’s, a kitchen and a holistic well-being space in the midst of transformation.

The Curling Club - Vinegar Yard
Castlefield
The Curling Club

New Jackson in Manchester is having a full scale seasonal takeover. Think curling lanes, lively bars and a packed line up of DJs and performances.

Homeground
Manchester
Event venue
Homeground

Homeground is HOME’s brand new outdoor venue, providing an open-air space for theatre, food, film, music, comedy and more.

What's on: Families

Culture Guides

Theatre in the North

Classic texts and new work meet in this month’s Theatre Guide, with a bumper crop of shows shaped by power, consequence and collective action.

A doll with makeup peeks out of a hanging wall of butter yellow fabric. Red and black threads descend and cascade around the doll.
Exhibitions in the North

This season, exhibitions across the North West feel attuned to the world beneath the world – the forces and stories shaping how we see, feel and imagine.

Food and Drink in the North

Hear ye, hear ye. Take some eating-out tips from our wintertime guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.

Music in the North

We have an eclectic mix of gigs for you this month, moving from experimental electronics and noise rock to synth pop, opera, and hyper-local R&B.

A performer in a bright red costume sits on a snowy stage set, holding a large snowball between their legs with a surprised expression. The colourful winter backdrop features snowflakes, hills, a snowman, and a traffic light with glowing lights.
Family things to do in the North

Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.