We’re on a bit of a Manchester arts night rampage at the moment, aren’t we? Tonight is the Girls on Film network‘s fifth showcase at Night & Day Cafe on Oldham Street:

Not content with putting on just another film night, Girls on Film showcase work by women artists of all kinds – filmmakers, musicians, DJs, visual artists, photographers, painters, dancers, performance artists, actors, poets, whatever you can think of that is made by women or promotes women, from around the UK and beyond!

Entry is £4 or £3 for concessions and the night begins at 7.30pm. Get yourself down there.

I’m a big fan of the South Manchester suburb of Levenshulme. It’s home to several great second-hand shops and community radio station All FM, which has a few great alternative shows. If I could afford to buy a house, I’d probably buy one there.

Later this month the seventh annual Levenshulme Festival takes place (Oct 20-Nov 1). Though details are vague at present, one event that caught my attention is Beat Your Art Out:

Born out of frustration and an enthusiasm for music, film, theatre and art, this night is designed with the idea of giving the opportunity to and combining diverse talent from musicians, artists, writers and film-makers to produce a eclectic musical and artistic experience for all involved.

The night promises ‘live music/music/videos/animation/experimental and short films’. If it delivers even a fraction of that, it’ll be well worth the £2 entry price. More details at Ents24 and on their own website.

Besides in the press, little seems to have been said about the inaugural Sky Festival, which takes place in and around Manchester this weekend.

Sky TV are stumping up a heap of cash to fund a series of free entertainment events, each tied in with one of their channels. They’re clearly hoping to generate some goodwill towards the Rupert Murdoch-owned corporation.

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