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The UK’s largest Earth sculpture ‘Floating Earth’ is coming to Salford Quays this week
The artist behind the sculpture hopes it can encourage people to have ‘difficult conversations’ about climate change and the planet
The UK’s largest Earth sculpture is coming to Salford Quays this week with the aim to give people a glimpse of the beauty of our planet from afar.
Following its display at Pennington Flash last week, Floating Earth will be taking residency on the Quays as a part of Lightwaves 2021, a ten-day-long light and illuminations festival showcasing a whole array of artistic installations.
The cultivating sculpture was created by Bristol-based artist Luke Jerram, who has spent the last six months making his vision a reality.
Photographic Leigh
Luke Jerram
Having being completed just a few weeks ago, Floating Earth measures in at a staggering ten metres in diameter and features high resolution NASA imagery as well as a surround-sound musical track by BAFTA award-winning composer Dan Jones.
Jerram, an artist of over twenty-five years, spoke to Proper Manchester from the wind and the rain in Salford about the inspiration behind his sculpture, explaining how he hopes it can encourage people to have ‘difficult conversations about what we can do to save the planet.’
He said: “Floating Earth was inspired by something called ‘the overview effect’, which is what astronauts experience when they first go into space and look down on the Earth from afar.
“They become overwhelmed by the beauty and the wonder of what they see, and when they return to Earth they often become environmental campaigners.
Recon Images
Gemma Audley
“So Floating Earth is designed to give people this overview effect, and let them experience what it might be like for an astronaut up in space.”
Floating Earth will be arriving at Salford Quays this Friday, December 3rd, where it will remain for ten days until December 12th. It will be joined by a number of bold new commissions at Lightwaves, which supports international artists alongside local and emerging talent.
This year’s commissions are all taking a focus on the message of protecting the planet and building a sustainable future.
For more information and to see the artistic lineup in full, visit the Quays Culture website.
What's On
Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season
Get in the festive spirit in Stockport!
Stockport’s free, one-day Christmas festival is returning this festive season, with 200 performers and more than 50 shows.
Spectacular Sunday will return to the town on November 17th at various sites and venues.
Following the success of last year’s event, hundreds of performers will take over Stockport, with everything from giant roller-skating presents to a living snow globe and roaming Christmas dolls.
There will also be street theatre, including grumpy Christmas grandads, a gigantic balloon man and water show.
Matthew Nichol Photography
Produced by carnival arts organisation Global Grooves and organised by Stockport Council, Totally Stockport, Merseyway and Stockport Market, the town centre will be buzzing with Christmas excitement.
Events will be happening in iconic Stockport locations like Market Place, Underbanks, Merseyway, Redrock and Suffragette Square.
A grand finale in Merseyway will bring together the brass bands of Stockport, ending the day with a huge flash mob and rendition of All You Need Is Love.
Cirq Delight
Cllr Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport, said: “We’re so excited to bring this event back after last year’s amazing success.
“It’s such a fun way to get everyone in the festive spirit and really shows off what makes Stockport special – our sense of community and joy.
“With loads of free performances and activities, plus a chance to enjoy the newly improved areas of Merseyway, it’s a perfect day out for families.
“Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday is all about having fun, making memories, and starting the holiday season in style.”
Spectacular Sunday is happening from 11am to 5pm on Sunday November 17th – find out more HERE.
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Boom Battle Bar: Ultimate games destination for perfect birthday, stag do or work party
Boom Battle Bar has got it all!
If you’re stuck for somewhere to go this Christmas party season, or for any birthday, stag or hen do, or even a regular weekend with your mates, we’ve got the perfect spot.
Boom Battle Bar is a massive games bar in the Printworks, with axe throwing (£45 – £80), shuffleboard (£15 – £25), augmented reality darts (£40 per lane), beer/prosecco pong (£30 per table), and even karaoke booths (£6 – £9 per person).
Manchester’s Finest Group
They also do a bottomless brunch at weekends, alongside a street food offering, including halloumi fries, parmesan and truffle mac and cheese bites, chicken tenders, wings, loaded bacon parmesan fries and dirty BBQ loaded fries.
There’s an impressive array of drinks as well, with cocktails like the Basic B*tch, Honey It’s Time To Party, and GOAT Punch, as well as plenty of beer, wine and even big sharers.
Get yourself booked in HERE.
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The Cube Live adds three exciting new games for the perfect team day out
Everything you need for an incredible day out
Urban Playground has taken things to the next level, revealing three brand new games for thrill-seekers to sink their teeth into.
The Manchester Arndale entertainment venue, which is already home to an impressive array of games, has added even more fun to the line up.
From mini golf to arcade games and loads of food and drink, Urban Playground has everything you need for an incredible day out.
Manchester’s Finest Group
They’ve now added three new games to The Cube Live experience, ahead of the upcoming Christmas party season.
‘Pass’, ‘Exit’ and ‘Locate’ are the three new nail-bitingly tense games, and you’ll recognise them all from TV.
In Pass, two players rapidly weave a foam brick back and forth between free-standing poles, avoiding knocking the poles over as they go – requiring agility and great communication.
Exit sees two players work together manoeuvring a ball out of a maze testing their patience to the max.
Manchester’s Finest Group
Lastly, Locate is a single player game where players must memorise an illuminated white square’s location, before placing a block on it while blindfolded.
They’re all deceptively straightforward, while also fiendishly addictive, and perfect for a team day out.
Get booked in HERE to try the new games for yourself.
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Boom Battle Bar: Ultimate games destination for perfect birthday, stag do or work party
