Over the last two years, The Refuge has not only established itself as a revered Manchester restaurant, but also as a destination for lovers of truly great music, art and performance.
From Friday 28th through to Sunday 30th of September, this 2nd year celebration will feature the finest entertainment that has become synonymous with The Refuge since its launch.
Friday 28th September will begin in the public bar, with your musical host and Refuge favourite, Paulette. Alongside will be an extra special guest, former DJ and ‘beat finder’ for Portishead, Andy Smith will be presenting Reach Up, Disco Wonderland (featuring Andy Smith and Nick Halkes) the famed producer, remixer and the first DJ to release a multi-genre mix album on a major label has been plying his trade as a genius selector for nearly 40 years, and will bring his bag of treasures for the opening night of the birthday. Nick Halkes, playing alongside Andy, was the co-founder of XL Recordings, a label that signed The Prodigy and hundreds more of the finest acts to come out of the UK. Together as The Reach Up Disco Wonderland they have been firm favourites on this year’s festival circuit, such as Beatherder, Blue Dot, Festival No.6 and many more.
For something a little bit different, The courtyard on Waterhouse Way, which has proven credentials as a full-on melting-pot rave party venue, will open its doors from 5pm-10pm with a focus on live music for the first time, an ideal after-work gathering for families and friends to ease into the weekend. The very first live act to play the courtyard will be Zacc Rogers, an artist with a strong blues sound with elements of Soul, Jazz, Yee-Haa, Rock & Roll, Gospel, Folk and Reggae alongside beat boxing & harmonica, whilst Refried Beats are a meeting of Afro-Cuban and contemporary western grooves, played out live and served with a sprinkling of the spontaneous.
The Refuge has carefully curated a selection of drinkable delights from the best of Manchester’s local craft breweries, under the guise of – King Of The Beers by Volta and West Didsbury’s finest craft beer emporium The Epicurean; alongside pop-up food throughout the day and night.
Saturday 29th September brings in the heavyweights. With a combined record collection that would be the envy of any music aficionado, Jane Weaver, Bill Brewster and Dave Haslam will hold the fort in the public bar from 3-8pm, and closing off until 1am will be Kiss Me Again Vs Supernature Disco – two of the city’s most recent, yet finest LGBT club gatherings, both of whom have played at Come As You Are, as well as hosting their own sell-out events over August bank holiday weekend.
Saturday in the courtyard, 4pm-10pm, from day to dusk will be The Refuge’s very own – The Unabombers. Luke and Justin will be your musical guides from open to close, expect a spiritually intense journey through a dazzling array of genres, and delivered with a warm energy that has become a trademark of The Unabombers.
The basement will be open throughout the day and night with two special ticketed events, the first being held 2pm-4pm – The Playhouse Project, a family rave where you’re invited to bring your little ones to meet the legendary LED Robot Electron. The Playhouse Project is a family rave company based in Manchester, organised by a crew of ex-ravers and DJ’s that are now parents, expect club lighting and visuals, soft play area, craft table, face painting, free glow sticks, baby changing facilities and much more.
Having been host to some of the world’s most respected DJs, Saturday 29th September from 10pm-4am will be no different, The Refuge have invited over one of NYC’s best ever selectors to provide the vibes in the basement, give it up for long-standing friend of The Electric Chair, and back after a long Manchester hiatus, Mr Danny Krivit! DJ – Producer – Remixer – Editor and one 3rd of Body & Soul with Francois K & Joe Clausell, he is a legendary key player in the history of NY night life & most definitely one of the very few people who can honestly say he’s consistently DJ’d in all the hottest clubs in NY for the past 40 years including; Area, Dancateria, The Limelite, Red Zone, Studio 54, Tracks, The Tunnel, Twilo, The Warehouse, The Loft & The Paradise Garage (to name just a few!).
The Refuge are truly excited for him to be back in Manchester to play the intimate setting, and especially as joining Danny will be one of the very best DJs in Manchester, Kath McDermott. Hot off the back of her explosive performance in the courtyard at the recent Come As You Are party, this is set to become a night to remember. Tickets available from – https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Manchester/The-Refuge/Refuge-2nd-Birthday-with-Danny-Krivit–Kath-McDermott/13300289/
To close off the third day and night celebrations, on Sunday 30th September, the exquisite Sunday roast of The Refuge will be served from 12pm, to a soundtrack by Zoe Kyoto live, and the public bar from 4pm-8pm will be Vintage 78 DJs.
The Refuge would love to see all of our friends, family and newcomers to help celebrate and say thank you for the last two years, as it is YOU that makes the community what it is.
