Dwight's Levenshulme Blog

Just been looking at Dwight's Levenshulme Blog, a brand new blog that is his thoughts on life in Levenshulme and includes a couple of posts so far...

Dwight kicks off his posting by highlighting a postcard of Lovely Levenshulme and asking for comments...

Find out more here

This week's ALL FM 96.9 Community Show and news of TWO new shows...

An email from David Armes which was a reminder of this week's Community Show which is live on Wednesday, November 15th, 11am-noon. You can also check the repeat to make sure you didn't miss anything - Thursday, November 16th, 3-4pm.

Also on ALL FM this week, two new shows...

Friday November 17th : 11am
The Two Degrees Show - a new weekly show discussing climate change. The first show is all about the basic science & includes an interview with David Griggs, Director of the Hadley Centre (Met
Office Centre for Climate Prediction & Research).

Friday November 17th : 11.45am
Crowcroft Park Primary School - the year 6 pupils present their weekly show, bringing you a mix of news, reviews & jokes.

Another gig at Klondyke Club...

Monday 20th November sees Duracell (from France) joined by Microsoft (from Manchester) plus others to be confirmed at the Klondyke Club, Burnage Range 8.00pm-12.00midnight.
£4 in.

Attila the Stockbroker at M19 Bar

Following the Levenshulme Christmas Lights switch on Attila the Stockbroker a "performance punk poet" from Brighton makes a return visit to M19 Bar (having played their earlier this year) from 7.30pm on Thursday 23rd November.
The gig is presented by ALL FM 96.9's Under the Pavement Radio Show and David and Spike from the show will be providing the music.
It is £5.00 on the door but for organised folk advance tickets are now on sale at:
Piccadilly Records, Oldham Street, Manchester
M19 Bar, Stockport Road, Levenshulme, Manchester

For more information see:
http://www.underthepavement.org/gig/gig.html

To watch a video of Attila performing one of his poems click below:

‘Oasis’ venue seeks bands for annual competition

‘The Packhorse’ in Levenshulme which was once the favorite haunt of the chart topping South Manchester band ‘Oasis’ is once again host this years Boddingtons ‘YGG Unsigned 2007’ as part of this years Manchester Irish Festival www.manchesteririshfestival.co.uk

Boddingtons ‘YGG Unsigned’ is the festivals annual search for the next chart topping Rock band with Irish roots. The competition with a £1,000 worth of prizes was by founded by the award winning Irish promotions company ‘Young, Gifted & Green’. A demo tape from a then unknown Irish Mancunian band called 'Oasis' led the company to organise this annual event which aims to uncover the next world conquering super group.

Since starting the competition the company has invested close to twenty thousand pounds in supporting new bands on the rocky road to stardom and just over four hundred bands have been showcased in the event.
Manchester has a rich history of bands with Irish roots, as well as ‘Oasis’ other chart topping bands with Irish roots include ‘The Smiths’, ‘Morrisey’, ‘The Stone Roses’ and ‘Happy Mondays’. Morrisey even named one of his albums ‘Irish Blood English Heart’ as a testament to his Irish background.

The three hundred capacity Packhorse Pub celebrates its centenary next year and this is just one of the many events it has planned to celebrate its one hundred years of existence. It has recently undergone a major refurbishment to convert it into a purpose built late night entertainment center hosting regular Live Music, Comedy and Club nights. Venue owner Lawrence Hennigan said “I do not know whether Liam and Noel will recognise the venue now, but I think they would approve the fact that we are keeping the live music alive in the area. They are more than welcome to pop in for a drink anytime they are passing through.”

‘YGG unsigned’ is now in its twelfth year and regularly attracts entries from all over the UK and Ireland. Bands entering the competition must have at least one member of the group with Irish roots (parents or grandparents). It is open to any musical style but all bands must be over 18.

The event organiser Tony Hennigan said “The inspiration behind the competition was from a demo tape from a then unknown local Irish Mancunian band called 'Oasis'. The tape is now in the club’s musical archives and the rest as they say is Rock n Roll history. It seems appropriate to stage this years heats and final in the venue where ‘Oasis’ spent most of their youth. The regulars still get VIP tickets for the bands homecoming gigs. Some of the World’s biggest Music stars such as U2, The Corrs, Westlife, Ash, The Smiths, Happy Mondays, Badly Drawn Boy and The Doves, all have Irish roots and we want to continue to support the next generation of superstars.”

Heats start in December 2006 and continue into the new year, with the final taking place on St Patrick’s eve the 16th March 2007. Bands wishing to enter the competition can contact the competition Hotline on 0161 225 0706 or email rockfest24@hotmail.com or visit the website www.24rockfest.com. They should also send a demo and biog to YGG Unsigned 908 Stockport Road, Levenshulme, Manchester, M19 3BF

Competition's history

In previous years the heats were held at the Manchester's famous Boardwalk, the same venue that discovered 'Oasis'. The competition has now outgrown the Boardwalk since people without advance tickets had to be turned away. Oasis drummer Tony McCarroll has been one of the competition’s previous sponsors. "I just to put something back into the community. I know how hard it can be for young bands starting off and if I can offer them a little help along the way- I'm happy." "My parents come from Tyrone and Offaly so was delighted to help sponsor the competition in the Irish festival".

YGG Background

Young, Gifted & Green (YGG) was established in 1995 to promote the very best of the UK’s Irish Music, Comedy and Dance talent. One of the companies previous dancers is the three times World champion ‘James Keegan’. James is now the principal dancer with the world famous ‘Lord of the Dance’ show. On the Comedy side it has promoted the likes of the award winning Irish Comedians ‘Ardal O’Hanlon’ and ‘Peter Kay’. Finally the Irish musical acts it has worked with include BBC Radio 2’s instrumentalist of the Year ‘Mike McGoldrick’, along with Sharon Shannon and Davey Spillane of ‘Riverdance’ fame.

Levenshulme Christmas Lights Switch On by Lord Major of Manchester

Update: View www.levenshulme.com for more information

Venue: Levenshulme Village Green, Chapel St, Levenshulme.
Entertainment: Lord Mayor of Manchester, Father Christmas, Local School Choirs, Fire Jugglers, Stilt Walkers and the legendary Joe Casserly from the Full Irish Radio show on ALL FM Radio.



Christmas starts early in Levenshulme with the annual celebration of the turning on of its Christmas tree lights on Thursday 23 November.

The official festive themed traditional Christmas party to celebrate the switch on of Levenshulme's magnificent Christmas tree lights display will start at 4.45pm. Father Christmas will be in his open air grotto to give out 250 free presents to local children. The massive outdoor party is centred around a giant Christmas tree and Marquee on the village green. It is situated on the corner of Chapel Street and the A6 Stockport Road . The display of street lights and Christmas Tree has been funded by Manchester City Council in partnership with local traders.

The Lord Mayor of Manchester 'Councillor David Sandiford' will officially switch on the Christmas Tree at 5.30pm to mark the start of the festive celebrations in the village. Local School choirs, fire jugglers, stilt walkers and local radio DJ Joe Casserly from the Full Irish Radio show on ALL FM Radio will provide the entertainment.

Lawrence Hennigan one of the organisers of the event said "We are very proud of the Christmas Lights display in the village, it brings a real festive glow to the area. It is a real family celebration and brings back the magic of the festive season for both the young and old members of the community. The city council and local traders have worked very hard to make the event happen again this year. The event is open to everyone whatever his or her cultural or faith background. The whole village gets really exited about the event and really looks forward to having the lights and the switch on event."

Levenshulme Bicycle Orchestra

I'd heard the name but now I've found out more by visiting the Levenshulme Bicycle Orchestra's website.
They have mySpace too!

BTW: They are also playing the Klondyke in December!

Pastcord presents...

http://www.myspace.com/kustencoast

Pengo at Klondyke

From MySpace
The Klondyke Club Burnage Range Levenshulme Manchester where you can see... PENGO WITHDRAWAL METHOD STUCKOMETER DIURETICS For £4 or so on Wednesday 15th November.

Find out more:
http://www.myspace.com/smear_campaign

This week's ALL FM 96.9 Community Show

This week's Community Show is live this Wednesday, November 8th, 11am-noon. Check the repeat to make sure you didn't miss anything - Thursday, November 9th, 3-4pm.

* Patrick Hanfling, Community Engagement Development Officer at Manchester City Council, with details of the Sense of Place project.

* A report by the young people who attend the Anson Cabin youth project in Longsight.

* plus your weekly events diary, announcements, jobs, training etc.

On ALLFM 96.9

To raise funds parishioners at the Levenshulme Baptist Church staged a car wash, using the church's leftover holy water.

An old story, from May this year, which I missed first time:

Members of a Manchester church are cleaning cars with Holy water. In an attempt to be environmentally friendly and serve the community, church attendees will use the water from the morning’s Baptismal service to wash local vehicles.

Read more, including press coverage

Sunshine on sundays

Whilst searching for friends on MySpace came across the band Sunshine on Sundays.
A new band to me will check out.

M19 Open Mic Night

Just received an email from James Hennigan re: the new Open Mic Night at M19 Bar...

"OPEN MIC NIGHT EVERY MONDAY @ M19 Bar, Levenshulme from 8pm.

M19 are pleased to announce the Open Mic Night will now be a weekly event every Monday.

Any acts who want to perform just email hennigan3@hotmail.com.

Entry is FREE and there are some great drinks offers on. First Act on @ 8pm.

All Comedians, Singers, Storytellers, singer/songwriters poets welcome.


M19 Bar is situated on Stockport Rd, Levenshulme opposite Albert Rd."