 | | Heather Stott |
On Friday 20 October, drivetime presenter Heather Scott will be broadcasting her show live from the M19 bar on Stockport Road before the official opening by the newly elected Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor David Sandiford. The Manchester School of Samba along with Levenshulme’s ‘Mahabat Egyyptian Dance Group’ and ‘Refresh Street Theatre’ group will be providing the entertainment to get everyone ready to party. Speaking about the launch, Heather Scott said: "I’m really excited to be involved in the Festival although rumours I'll be belly dancing are completely untrue!" On BBC Radio Manchester After the official launch, M19 bar will be hosting an Acousticfest in aid of Oxfam’s national music campaign called ‘Oxjam’. The evening of Acoustic music will be hosted by Gail Sullivan from the ‘Phil & Gail show’. Gail will be broadcasting part of her show live from the venue, talking to the performers including one of the UK’s hottest female singer songwriter’s – ‘October’, who has already appeared on Radio 1. Other artists on the bill include Adam Kelly, Amida, Tony Reid, Dave Green, Karl Eland, Pendula, Jason Dunkerley, Redwood Thinkers and Native State. Tickets for the ‘Oxjam’ event are a £3 donation to Oxfam and are available from M19 bar or by contacting the festival office on 0161 257 2484.
 | | October: at the Fest |
Other BBC Festival events include an outside broadcast by its new Irish community programme called ‘Irish Night’. Entertainment comes from the Tara O’Carolan branch of traditional Irish musicians, Irish dancing from the Keegan Kennedy School of Irish Dancing and a whole host of special guests. Admission is free to this event. This will be the programme’s first OB and it takes place on Monday 23 October at the Pac Music venue on Stockport Road. The evening starts at 6pm, with the live broadcast at 6.30pm. Talat Awan from BBC Radio Manchester’s Asian show ‘Indus’ will be interviewing people at the special ‘East meets West’ Family Fun day on Sunday 29 October at Arcadia Sports centre. The special family focused day features an Asian food festival, Irish music and dancing plus Eqyptian and Street dancing displays in what will be a real meeting of different cultures. 'Delighted'
 | | Come down for a drink! |
Tony Hennigan the chairperson of the festival said “We are delighted to have the BBC involved again in this year’s festival, which is our eight annual event. It seems to continue to grow and this year we have put together a week of ‘Half term fun for all’. The festival has over 120 Art, Dance, Food, Music, Sport & Theatre events and is one of Europe’s largest community events. The Festival kicks off on Friday 20 October and ends with a spectacular fireworks display on Wednesday 1 November. | 
