Connect Fest

Ben Williams, Managing Editor

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Connect Fest

11-15 May 2020

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

Connect Fest
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The Royal Exchange presents Connect Fest. Directed by Nickie Miles-Wildin and written by Testament, five different groups of people, with different passions, tastes and favourite bands are making their way to the festival. All heading in the same direction with one goal in mind – to make it to the gig on-time, to meet new people, listen to music they’ve never heard before and make memories that will last forever.

Following on from the success of past intergenerational productions Adieu and The Space Between Us the Royal Exchange Young and Elders Companies collaborate in a uniquely inventive way to create an original piece of online work that celebrates the importance of staying connected.

Connect Fest is part theatre show, part music festival and part soap-opera rolled into one. Made up of five individual online episodes which are released every day this week, watch Connect Fest on the Royal Exchange’s website now.

Where to go near Connect Fest

shop
Stretford
Shopping Centre
Stretford Mall

Stretford Mall has undergone a major transformation, turning a 60s shopping centre into a vibrant, community-led town centre. Led by Trafford Council and Bruntwood Works.

Penistone Hill Country Park
Bradford
Park
Penistone Hill Country Park

As part of Bradford 2025’s UK City of Culture programme, Penistone Hill plays host to outdoor events that celebrate the enduring connection between landscape, identity and creativity.

Threshold is an artist-led project space for sculpture, located in the front garden of a traditional back-to-back house in Burley, Leeds. Exhibitions are open for all to view. Encounter sculpture on your daily walk, or way to work or school.
Leeds
Event venue
Threshold Leeds

Threshold is an artist-led project space for sculpture, located in the front garden of a traditional back-to-back house in Burley, Leeds.

The Engine Room Notice Board
Southport
Event venue
The Engine Room

The Engine Room is a creative community hub in Southport’s Wayfarers Arcade, offering co-working space, cultural events and collaborative opportunities for artists, freelancers and educators.

Leeds
Gallery
The Mill Gallery

The Mill Gallery is an artist-run space in Leeds, supporting emerging artists to develop and showcase their work authentically.

Church congregation at St George's Church in Leeds
Leeds
Place of worship
St George’s Church

St George’s is a lively city centre church in Leeds with three services every Sunday and a midweek programme that includes groups, courses and events. We’re here to help people

Picante
Liverpool
Restaurant
Picante

Picante is a sun-soaked Mexican restaurant at the trailblazing Cains Brewery Village in Liverpool.

Miru Mill
Manchester
Event venue
Miru Mill

Miru Mill is an event space and micro-factory based at Churchgate Mill in Stockport.

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