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Outdoor Arts at Just So Festival 2017

Gemma Gibb, Associate Editor

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Just So Festival

18-20 August 2017

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

From £20.00
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Just So Festival (as part of the acclaimed Without Walls and Northern Festivals Networks) is annually one of the best places in the UK to see the finest new boundary breaking outdoor arts for families.

Our top picks include Matthew Harrison’s The Actual Reality Arcade – a life-sized interactive game zone for all ages, inspired by classic arcade games and the intimate experience of Theatre For One from Horse & Bamboo.

We can’t wait to get involved with The Jukeboxes from Bootworks Theatre – a live re-creation of classic pop videos, spot Wilford, a “rockabilly tree planting anarch-nomad” in Seed, the brand new show from Pif-Paf and explore Unlimited Theatre’s Space Shed in How I Hacked My Way To Space to be inspired by how small people can achieve big dreams.

Contemporary circus and theatre company Dizzy O’Dare  will be presenting Baba Yaga’s House – a ramshackle old cottage which roams the land on chicken legs while Baba flies in her giant pestle and mortar.  We have heard that she will either tell our fortune or eat us.

Seed. Courtesy Pif Paf

We love that the tiniest of festivalgoers have been considered with new performance The Adventures of Snigel – a bubble-loving snail who will be based in the Peekaboo Garden by artist and choreographer Caroline Bowditch and Flit Flap Fly by Fine Chisel – learn birdsong and get ready to take flight for the first time.

Our last pick is to take time out to walk through Between Stillness and Storm, a newly commissioned,  large-scale sculptural installation by artists Aiden Moesby and Tim Shaw. Situated by the stunning Rode Pool,  experience changing sound, light and motion made by a range of historic and contemporary instruments for “sensing” the weather.

Where to go near Outdoor Arts at Just So Festival 2017

Deansgate
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Podium

Podium delivers high-end, seasonal dishes, largely geared around produce and ideas from the British Isles, but with a few deft twists and turns.

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Tai Wu

Long-standing, trend-swerving Chinese restaurant on Manchester’s Upper Brook Street, with a reputation for authentic dim sum and traditional Cantonese cuisine.

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BAB Korean Food

A highlight of Manchester’s K-Food space, Bab Korean Food serves up authentic, well-made dishes at the Kargo MKT food hall in MediaCity.

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Dimitri’s

Longstanding Greek taverna Dimtri’s delivers traditional, fuss-free Greek food, aimed at everyone from courting couples to multi-generational families in Manchester.

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Kong’s NQ

Kong’s isn’t like other chicken shops. This much-loved Northern Quarter restaurant is all about high-grade ingredients and expert preparation.

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Trading Route

Trading Route serves up time-honoured Sunday grub, in a modern Manchester setting. Worth a visit for the expertly-curated soundtrack alone.

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Burnley Youth Theatre

Burnley Youth Theatre is a vibrant youth arts organisation based at our purpose built venue in Burnley, Pennine Lancashire.

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Arcadia Ale house is a sports bar located in the Headingly area of Leeds with a range of drinks offers throughout the week.

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Pasta Romagna

Pasta Romagna is a family owned, independent restaurant in the heart of the city centre. Bringing you homestyle Italian cuisine since 1982.

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Farrands

Farrands is an independent bar located in the heart of Leeds city centre, specialising in a range of fine wine, beer and specialist cocktails.

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