Manchester is Full of Life

Manchester’s Full of Life Festival, the largest free festival in the UK celebrating Manchester’s older people is back for the seventh year running and this year includes a club night for the over 50s.

Starting on Monday 27 September 2010 until Sunday 10 October 2010, the Festival is the city's way of saying thank you for the contribution that older Mancunians make to their communities as volunteers, carers and community activists.
 
This year, the packed festival programme is grouped into three different areas of activity - Grub and Gossip, Movin' and Groovin' and Culture Vultures.
 
With over 90 events across the city over the fortnight of the Festival, there is something to suit everyone - from aerobics and rambling to cycling and food tasting sessions.
 
Residents can try a whole range of new activities including a free Zest t'ai chi/chi kung taster class or enjoy a more sedate tea dance, learn some dance steps at a Ceilidh or Come Line Dancing in Northern Moor.
 
This year, Full of Life has joined forces with Food Futures to encourage more people to enjoy eating together. More than 70 'grub and gossip' events are planned to celebrate food and share skills such as growing and cooking.
 
Activities to get tastebuds tingling include a Continental food festival to sample food from Caribbean and Polish to South Asian and 'Come Dine with Us' for breakfast, lunch or tea, which aims to bring residents together and socialise as well as snack,
 
For the culture vultures, explore the Museum of Science and Industry, take a trip to Manchester Art Gallery or go behind the scenes at the Royal Exchange.
 
One of the highlights of the festival is set to be in the city centre at Band on the Wall, where the legendary venue will help celebrate the music of the older generation.
 
The Picture House bar will host a trip down memory lane (Sunday 3 October 5pm) to relive the fashions of decades past, show footage from Wigan Casino and jog memories of Manchester's diverse club scenes. At 7.30pm the evening will pick up the pace with a club night for the over-50s, featuring live music and DJ Mike Shaft playing favourite sounds until 11pm.
 
Councillor Glynn Evans, executive member for adult services at Manchester City Council said: "The festival goes from strength to strength and this year's fantastic range of events not only celebrate our older generation but encourage people to get involved and feel part of the community."
 
You can find out more about what's on offer in the free VOP citywide newsletter, call 0161 234 3391 for a copy or visit:
www.manchester.gov.uk/vop and click on the Full of Life Festival 2010 link.