Arts and Literature

It was such a success he's looking for more artists to take part this summer, in a ten day trailblazer event this July. Those ten days point towards the bigger “Not Part Of Festival” in 2009, which again will run alongside the next Manchester International Festival. Gareth says anyone and everyone can apply – as long as they stick to the “Not Part Of” manifesto;

“It's all about giving a platform to any artist from any genre – and every artist works together to promote each other. “Not Part of” is a grass roots DIY kind of festival. If people have got the drive and the wherewithal to put on a show - and back up everyone else's part in it, they're in. We ask them to take an oath – a gentleman’s agreement - to promote each other and do the things that make a festival run. But we don't earn any money out of it - we're poor but honourable!”

Bicycle Dance troupe The Spokes

You've got to admire Gareth's drive. He set up Not Part Of after discovering his play couldn't be part of the official international festival line up. Gareth's play was shown in the Briton’s Protection pub in Manchester City centre and around forty five other events ended up taking part too – all of which benefited from the joint promotion they could offer each other. But it wasn't about knocking the official festival – merely enhancing it, as Gareth explains,

“A lot of people – because it starts with a negative word – put us in that camp, but we're not saying Manchester International festival is a bad thing. It’s a different festival and a different vibe which attracts different audiences. We hope one day to be as big as that, but at the moment we're about helping people in and around Manchester see the stuff that's happening all the time - but you just might not know about it because it's happening in isolation.”

Comedian Tom Davies

Regular events can take part in Not Part Of too – Gareth is quick to point out that a regular music night at Taurus bar has already been booked for this summer. Aside from that he's expecting a broad range of entries. Last year saw everything from the musician Star Fighter Pilot, to "The Pillow Man" - a sock puppet musical which, according to Gareth, was very moving!

The success of “Not part of” has proved that David and Goliath don't have to have to have a scrap - they can co-exist quite happily after all.

The next “Not Part Of Festival” takes place from 3 – 12 July 2008