Nina: An Orchestral Rendition at The Niamos Centre

Philip K Marzouk

Book now

Nina: An Orchestral Rendition

21 April 2019

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

Book now

Celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Niamos Centre and the 16th anniversary of Nina Simone’s death, The Untold Orchestra has arranged her works for a fitting tribute to both the artist and the space where they’ll be performing.

Having developed a reputation among Manchester’s music scene as stellar collaborators, The Untold Orchestra have worked with many musicians worth keeping an ear out for. Jazz band Artephis, kora player John Haycock, vocalist LIVI and vocalist Dominic Lawson are amongst the musicians they’ve worked with who should be at the top of any Manchester resident’s ones to watch lists.

Such a synergy between venue, performers and the artist to whom they are paying tribute is an incredibly rare thing.

The Untold Orchestra’s contributions are unique in how they combine both traditional, orchestral arrangements with modern sampling to bring audiences classical music with a contemporary spin. This deft combination of the modern and traditional speaks to the pedigree of musicians that form the sometimes 40 strong session orchestra. Made up of many Royal Northern College of Music alumni, it’s no wonder that their works are so revered. Even Bill Laurance, Grammy award winner and Moogician, is a fan.

But this show is about more than just Untold’s talents: this is a celebration of the astounding life of Nina Simone and the similarly forward-thinking space of Niamos: an extremely fitting venue for the artist this show pays tribute to. Both share philosophies of equality, inclusion and encouraging people to fight for what’s right.

Nina Simone’s misgivings with the state of 60’s and 70’s America are well-documented. Always an extremely vocal activist challenging the hardships faced by African-Americans, her legacy became as much about her politics as her astounding music. It is this fact that makes Niamos the ideal venue for a performance of her work; a venue Nina Simone once re-opened as the Nia centre in 1991 after the BBC moved out.

The wellbeing centre, formerly the Playhouse theatre in Hulme, has become a co-operative space supporting community arts initiatives. In divided times, the ethos of Niamos is to bring people together and create a thriving artistic community in Hulme, historically a cultural hot-spot in the heyday of Madchester’s wildest years.

Such a synergy between venue, performers and the artist to whom they are paying tribute is an incredibly rare thing.

Where to go near Nina: An Orchestral Rendition at The Niamos Centre

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.

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.

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.

Manchester
Theatre
Z-arts

Z-arts was formed in 2000 as a ‘creative space for young people’ with a priority on providing participatory activity.

Manchester Metropolitan University Brooks building, Birley Campus in Manchester
Manchester
Event venue
MMU Birley Campus

Birley is Manchester Met’s world-class centre for Education and Health Professionals and the university’s flagship community campus.

Manchester
Restaurant
The Old Abbey Taphouse

STEAM focused – pub, hub and event space, food, local ale, recording studio, rehearsal room, urban farm + micro-brewery. Food served 11.30am-3pm and 5-10pm.

Manchester
University
MMU Student Union

Manchester Metropolitan University Students’ Union building houses a bar and various other facilities for students and staff.

Manchester
Gallery
Manchester School of Art

The Manchester School of Art, of which the Holden Gallery is a part, is a beautiful neo-Gothic building that’s part of MMU’s All Saints campus.

What's on: Music

MusicManchester
John Talabot at The White Hotel

A quietly radical force in contemporary club culture, John Talabot returns to The White Hotel for one of his signature all-night sessions.

From £13.00
NightGarden Festival
Festivals
NightGarden Festival

Somewhere in Trafford, behind an unmarked gate, a former garden centre hosts one of Greater Manchester’s most original festivals.

From £20
MusicManchester
Manchester Psych Fest 2025

Manchester Psych Fest, the UK’s trailblazing psychedelic music and arts festival has announced a massive bill for its 2025 edition.

From £44.80
Summer at Aviva Studios
Until
ActivityManchester
Summer at Aviva Studios

From global dance and live music to storytelling, skateboarding and football, get ready for a dream summer on the banks of the River Irwell.

Free entry

Culture Guides

Two women stand next to an orange car.
Cinema in the North

August brings a huge LGBTQ+ film festival, plus a reggae classic and a spotlight on Japanese animation.

Theatre in Manchester and the North.
Theatre in the North

From outdoor shows to drama in the dark, our theatre guide celebrates genre-pushing work, new writing and contemporary performance.

Author portrait
Literature Events in the North

Our latest round-up features plenty of one-off live literature events to wrap your ears about, so get those diaries ticking over...

Blondshell by Hannah Bon.
Music in the North

From Lyra Pramuk’s sacred synths to the sugar rush of YAANG, our latest music picks bring ritual, rebellion and ridiculous levels of fun.