FutureEverything 2010

FutureEverything has launched bringing hundreds of music, art, digital and creative events to the city centre.

Previously known as Futuresonic for 15 years, the festival has changed its name to allow it to expand to everyone interested in digital and innovative arts.

Organised by Drew Hemment, this event brings together some of the world’s most visionary thinkers, artists and musicians to celebrate the creativity and innovation being used to drive social change in the digital age.

From making DIY electronic instruments to a tour of the last remaining K6 red telephone boxes in Manchester, we bring you five of the best events to check out this week.

1. GLONET FRONT ROOM
When: Thurs, May 13, 10am-7pm
Where: Contact Theatre
Cost: free, just turn up.

A part of the overall GloNet event, artist Paul Sermon is creating a living room set at Contact Theatre. Sit down in the armchair and you will magically see someone from the other side of the globe transported into the chair next to you.

The virtual-studio technology brings people together between Manchester and Sao Paulo and will involved both programmed and ad-hoc interaction.

GloNet Front Room is created especially for FutureEverything 2010 and is supported by the University of Salford, British Council and Northern Net.

GloNet is a prototype of globally networked event, using new digital communications.

For more information click here.

2. MANCHESTER KIOSK WALKING TOUR
with Manchester Modernist Society
When: May 13-15, 2pm – 4pm
Where: Start at Central Library
Cost: free

In 2006 the traditional red telephone box was ranked among Britons’ top ten 20th century design icons. However, there are only five k6 telephone kiosks left in Manchester city centre.

Based around the concept of ‘conversations we wish we’d had’, Irish artist Ailís Ní Ríain has created a sound installation of spoken stories, cello and piano in the red phone box at MOSI.

Starting each day at the Central Library Steps, trace the route between the city’s four remaining K6 phone with Manchester Modernist Society as your guide, ending up at the MOSI kiosk and its temporary sound installation.

Place are limited and can be booked for free here.

For more information:
MCR Modernist Walks
Manchester Kiosks

3. GOOGLE STREET VIEW
Exhibition by Jon Rafman
When: May 12-23, 10am-6pm
Where: The Hive, Northern Quarter.
Cost: Free

Artist Jon Rafman has built a collection of extraordinary pictures taken by the nine-eyed cameras of Google Street View.

The scenes provide moments of humour, crime, and beauty, which Rafman relates to essential questions around visual culture. jonrafman.com.

For more information click here.

4. DIRTY ELECTRONICS
When: Saturday, May 15, 4-8pm with performance at 10pm
Where: Contact Theatre.
Cost: £5

Dirty Electronics is part of PlayEverything, a free day to bring together artists and geeks to explore the wonders of the digital space.

This is a workshop for music lovers, where you can build a DIY instrument from scratch. No knowledge of electronics needed – just a love of music and some imagination!

Register here.

5. KONONO NO1
When: May 13, 7.30-11pm
When: Club Academy, Oxford Road
Cost: £14.50 (£1.70).

This is event celebrates innovative world music and features legendary Angolan/Congolese band Konono No1. Appealing to fans of avant-rock, experimental and world music enthusiasts alike, their sound draws influence from traditional Bazombo trance music, created using unconventional equipment including likembe thumb pianos and a rhythm section of percussion crafted from salvaged sheet metal.

Their distinctive sound is raw and distinctive - a thundering sonic attack of 21st century African music that sounds like nothing you've ever heard before. Also performing is Bass Clef, the Bristol based musician known for his ethereal take on the dubstep genre and Manchester's own Jon K.

For the full programme click here.

Full conference tickets range from £50 to £150.
All art exhibitions are free and music events can be accessed with a festival pass, or by buying individual tickets.
Click here to buy your tickets.