The Welcome Daily – Saturday 11 November

The Welcome is a celebration like no other – nine days of music, art and culture to mark the opening of Aviva Studios. With events taking over every inch of the building, how do you choose?

Introducing The Welcome Daily. We’ll tell you what to read, watch, listen and do with input from the curators Factory Assembly.

Prefer a surprise? Just pop by Aviva Studios – there’s always something on.

Discover more at Factory+.

READ: HELLO

Hey there. All of us from Factory Assembly want to say a big hello and welcome to our nine-day event The Welcome.

We hope you and your friends and family will enjoy exploring the amazing space that is Aviva Studios – created for the people of Manchester. If you’ve never been, you’re in for a treat and if you’re a return visitor, welcome back!

Most of the events are free so you can drop by and chill, have a laugh, find joy, meet interesting people, take part in stuff if you want to, see some amazing sights and be entertained by some fantastic Manchester and international talent.

We can’t wait to see you there!

WATCH

Get a taste of what's to come with our official trailer – featuring gravity-defying moves from the incredible Kalabanté Productions, who kick off their circus show Afrique en Cirque tonight!

From poetry slams to silent discos, drumming workshops to DJ sets, The Welcome has it all.

Find our full listings here.

LISTEN

At the heart of our celebration is The Welcome: Soundtrack – an exciting showcase of music from across Greater Manchester and beyond.

We’re filling the Social with every genre of music from hip hop to soul and afro-funk to punk. And the best part? It’s all free.

This is the place to discover the city's hottest up-and-coming talent.

Can't wait? We've put together a handy playlist The Welcome: Soundtrack. Have a listen and discover a new favourite.

Find the full music listings here.

Photograph of Wingspread performing on stage

Photo of a performer playing drums on stage

DO

Saturday is circus day!

Kalabanté Productions take a break from rehearsals to host West African Rhythms – a beginner’s dance workshop. Then it’s the opening night of their spectacular, high-energy celebration of Guinean culture Afrique en Cirque.

Elsewhere, Dawn Walters of Factory Assembly recommends Silent Disco: Silence of the Jams.

“I mean, who doesn’t like a bit of old school disco dancing? What a great way to kickstart The Welcome with a silent disco on Saturday night.”