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Month: September 2019

Top 5 reasons to see the theatre

Written by Sam Bronheim on . Posted in Theatre.

 

1.You will feel classy AF.

The stereotype is not necessarily true, but it’s well known: if you go to the theatre, you’re cultured. Now, I could argue against this by making a case for the lovely gentleman sat next to me at a ballet who removed his shoes and socks at the start of the performance, but I won’t. Arriving at the theatre, its reputation for sophistication really sinks in. You’ll find yourself thinking, “wow, I’m cultured and loving it”. So, if you go for nothing else, go to relish in the feelings of pride and maturity. You never know, that little ego boost might be enough to convince you to return.

 

 2. It’s impressive!

Whether you love it or hate it, going to the theatre expands your conversation inventory and, quite simply, “looks good”. Since theatre can be draining, it’s considered a very respected thing to do. Playing the theatre-card is an especially great way to impress older generations. Having any kind of opinion (for, against or neutral) allows for interesting conversation. Even saying nothing can mean something: if a show triggers absolutely no emotional response, argue why that may be. Whoever you’re talking to won’t just think, “great, they’ve seen a play”. They will see that you’ve given it actual thought (even if that thought was passionate dislike).

 

3. It can make for an interesting and different date.

Just think of it as a classier cinema outing but way less cliché: watch the performance and discuss it afterwards over dinner or drinks. Most of Manchester’s theatres are in great proximity to restaurants and bars. If you don’t believe me, going to the Lowry, followed by Pizza Express, scored me a boyfriend (he sat through two hours of opera, so I had to give him a chance).

 

4. Go to get starstruck.

In my opinion this is possibly the best reason to see the theatre, and how I, myself, got into it. I watched lots of films growing up, so I was good at recognising celebrities. My mother didn’t ask what shows I might like to see; instead she asked if I wanted to see an actor I knew live onstage. I got to see Nick Jonas in Les Misérables (a life-changing experience for a ten-year-old girl) and Rowan Atkinson in Oliver, amongst others. Recognising cast-members engages you in the show because you’re thinking about how close you are to a person you admire. Use theatre not only as a platform for new experiences, but as an excuse to see some celebs!

 

5. You might like it.

It seems obvious, but most people I meet who tell me they don’t enjoy theatre have never actually been, or they’ve started off with the wrong shows. A girl once told me she didn’t get the lead role in her year four play and has hated theatre ever since. Quite simply, if you don’t like it, you just haven’t found what works for you. It goes without saying that everyone has different tastes; the same goes for theatre. Big musicals get a lot of hype, but they might not be your thing.  There is such a range of amazing theatre out there and what you find may surprise and delight you…

 

 

Artefact of the Week: The Red Stripe Can

Written by Chess Bradley on . Posted in Arts.

Is there anything quite as ubiquitous to Fallowfield as the empty Red Stripe can? As the less environmentally concerned students return to Manchester, the streets will soon be littered with Red Stripe cans and empty NOS canisters.

Within the Whitworth, lies another empty Red Stripe can. On top of it lies a Special Brew can, making them look like two lusty freshers after their first night out at Fifth.

Why is this Red Stripe can in the Whitworth? Is it special? Or a pretentious ode to Duchamp?

The answer is neither. It is simply there because it had been left there after the demolition of the Reno. You can read some significance into a Jamaican beer being drunk at a predominately mixed-race club, but whoever drank it probably did so because, for reasons we all do, it was a cheap way to get bladdered.

So, what can a simple 30-year-old can of Red Stripe in the Whitworth tell us? Well, it tells us that fundamentally there’s nothing much that differs us from the generations before us. The venues may change, the music might be different, but ultimately we do the same stuff. We dance, we sing, we drink, we chat, we pull. There is more that unites us than divides us.

Preview: Awkward Conversations with Animals I’ve F*cked

Written by Jay Darcy on . Posted in Theatre.

After sold-out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last year, followed by a five-star run at the King’s Head Theatre in London earlier this year, Awkward Conversations with Animals I’ve F*cked is now coming to Manchester.

This critically-acclaimed fringe hit comes from self-funded company Awkward Productions. A darkly comic production, it explores love, acceptance and boundaries.

Going by the synopsis, the play’s provocative title is not a metaphor, but the actual subject of the play. “One-night stands are awkward. One-night stands with animals are more awkward.”

The play’s sole-character  has “too much love to give, and a burning desire to give it to consensual adult mammals.”

The tragi-comedy takes the form of a one-hour long monologue. Linus Karp is both the play’s sole actor and one of its producers. He plays the awkward Bobby, dressed only in his vest and underpants.

Created by Rob Hayes, the play is said to be ‘a hilarious and disturbing psychological examination of loneliness’. It will tackle mental health, focusing on ‘how toxic masculinity can undermine loving and healthy social connections,’ whilst simultaneously illustrating ‘the absurdity of society’s treatment of animals.’

The piece has received praise from the likes of Simon Amstell, Edgar Wright and Mark Gatiss. It has also received notable positive reviews from Time Out, The Stage, and Gay Times, amongst others.

This production will see the reunion of the creative team from previous runs, with Linus Karp returning to his celebrated role of Bobby.

Awkward Conversations with Animals I’ve F*cked runs at the King’s Arms in Salford from 15th until 16th October.

 

Manchester: the most Instagrammable city in the North?

Written by Chess Bradley on . Posted in Arts.

The streets of Manchester are paved with gold. With a neo-gothic Victorian library, red terraced homes made famous by Corrie, towering corporate-looking skyscrapers, and street art on every corner, there’s truly something for everyone.

Transpennine Express has described Manchester street art as the most ‘Instagrammable’ in the North. With this in mind, here are The Mancunion’s Art contributors’ favourite pieces from around the rainy city.

Liam Gallagher by Akse. Photo by: @paulando on Instagram.

Sprayed upon the door of the Northern Quarter’s iconic Roadhouse venue is the equally iconic Liam Gallagher, by acclaimed street artist Akse. Living in Manchester, you can’t avoid being introduced to the Mancunian band Oasis. You will hear them being played in every pub and will soon find yourself singing (or screaming) your heart out to “Wonderwall” or “Don’t look back in Anger”. I love this particular piece because of how Oasis’ music has become such a big part of my Manchester Experience. – Lisa Habernik

22 Bees by Qubek. Credit: @saturnmoons19 on Instagram

Qubek’s 22 bees mural is a demonstration of the Mancunian identity through the iconic bee symbol. In response to the city’s tragic events, this work embraces northern unity and celebrates the city and its people. Located on Oldham street within Northern Quarter, this mural is accompanied by other socially and politically inspired works. This piece, as with many others in the Northern Quarter, reflects the creative energy that Manchester bursts with. – Emily Anderson

Amy Winehouse by an anonymous artist. Credit: @streetart.sweetheart

Amy Winehouse’s image has become as iconographic as the pop culture icons before her. Her beehive and eyeliner are almost as recognisable as Marilyn Monroe’s bleached blonde curled hair. This anonymous piece of street art has memorialised Amy as a pop culture figure, surrounding her with a collage of magazine cutouts. In a culture and city that celebrates the fleeting trends of pop art, this work reminds us of a true modern icon observed in a transient art form. – Chess Bradley

 

Further findings on the most instagrammable street art in the North can be found here.

Rafael Nadal wins 19th Grand Slam at US Open

Written by James Gill on . Posted in Sport.

Rafael Nadal beat Russian Daniil Medvedev in an incredible US Open final to secure his 19th Grand Slam title.

The Spaniard now moves to within one Grand Slam of Roger Federer’s men’s record.

It looked as if it would be a fairly routine three-set win for Nadal after winning the first two sets 7-5, 6-3. A fourth US Open title almost within reach.

Despite being broken by Nadal in the third set, Medvedev showed great resilience and physicality, coming back to win not just this set, but the one after too.

In a thrilling fifth set, Nadal finally overpowered his opponent, winning the final set 6-4. The final lasted four hours and fifty minutes, just four minutes shorter than the US Open final record.

The capacity crowd, who helped build up a raucous atmosphere as the match progressed, rose to cheer one of the best matches of tennis seen at the Arthur Ashe Stadium as Nadal fell to the floor exhausted.

After the match, Nadal said: “It has been one of the most emotional nights in my tennis career. It has been an amazing final. It has been a crazy match.”

Elsewhere in the US Open, Serena Williams lost in straight sets to Bianca Andreescu, meaning she will continue to look for the Grand Slam that will take her level with Margaret Court’s all-time record. The next opportunity will come at the Australian Open in Melbourne next year.

Jamie Murray won his fourth consecutive Open title this time alongside Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the mixed doubles, and there were two Open titles apiece for Paralympic silver medallist Alfie Hewett and Andy Lapthorne in the wheelchair and quad singles followed by the quad doubles.
Кирилл Венедиктов@Wikimedia commons

England internationals: Bulgaria and Kosovo

Written by James Owen on . Posted in Sport.

England’s national team saw off Bulgaria and Kosovo in highly entertaining fixtures that continued their 100% euro qualifying record and left them top of group A.

Thrilling, yet perhaps unchallenging victories over Bulgaria and Kosovo mean that Gareth Southgate’s men look to go into the 2020 Euros as a top seed after dominating their qualifying opposition.

Saturday evening’s game against Bulgaria did not hold quite the challenge as it once did, with Bulgaria once a top national team, fielding excellent World Cup sides.

The Bulgarian team of today, however, did not hold the same quality as England were able to easily dispatch of them 4-0 to get the run of international fixtures off to a flying start.

Harry Kane started off the scoring on Saturday after Raheem Sterling picked up on a poor miss pass from Bulgarian keeper Georgi Iliev, the Manchester City star composed himself and found Kane in the box who subsequently slotted home.

The second half saw Kane fire in two penalties to complete his hat-trick whilst Sterling also got on the score sheet. The win marked an impressive attacking display that saw Kane, Sterling and Marcus Rashford combine beautifully in Southgate’s counter-attacking system.

Tuesday night’s fixture against Kosovo was expected to be more of a test, with England up against a side unbeaten in their previous 15 fixtures. A nervy start saw England go a goal down after a poor Michael Keane back pass was intercepted. However, the Kosovo excitement was short-lived as England’s interlinking front three of Sterling, Kane and Jadon Sancho put five past Kosovo before half-time.

Although the game looked dead and buried, Kosovo struck back twice to bring the game to 5-3, highlighting some key individual errors from the England defence.

Southgate has recently discussed the constant ‘evolution’ of his team, aiming to revolve his system around his players rather than fit those players into a system. The 2014 World Cup saw England attempt a back three that aimed to solidify a previously unconvincing defence.

This previous season, however, we have seen the emergence of Sancho, giving England an abundance of world-class attacking options. This has lead to Southgate dropping the three at the back in favour of a front three, with blistering counter-attacks, high pressing, and skilful forwards. Rather than attempting to solidify a weakened defence, Southgate is channelling our play through the ability of our world-class forwards.

This system was optimised by Sancho’s first goal on Tuesday night as Declan Rice won the ball deep for England before feeding Sterling on the left, who then drove through the opposition before finding Sancho to slot home – a quick turnaround in possession and a devastating counter-attack to follow.

Likewise, there was a similar play for England’s third goal against Bulgaria, Kane won back possession before Rashford drove at the opposition, found Kane on the left who then pulled it across to Sterling in a showcase of ruthless football.

Whether it was Sancho or Rashford that started the attacking show England put on over the international break, the Three Lions are showing why they are amongst the favourites for the European Championships this summer. With creative midfield prospects such as James Maddison and Mason Mount yet to be fully blooded into the international set up, it’s hard for England fans not to be excited in the build-up to this summer.

Manchester students handed free cash to gamble

Written by Josh Sandiford on . Posted in Investigations.

“The betting thing is back,” a friend texts. They’ve spotted a student promoter outside Manchester Students’ Union handing out flyers and £5 notes, offering unsuspecting peers a free bet for signing up to gambling apps. 

The young promoter looks shifty and says it’s only his second time promoting. It’s unclear who’s paying him to be there, and when contacted, the betting companies whose logos are brandished over his flyers insist they didn’t know students were marketing their products. 

Promoters have now been spotted at both Oxford Road universities and other student hotspots. 

In June, there were reports of undergraduates being bought pints in a Fallowfield bar as a bribe for signing up to the popular betting apps Kwiff and Betbull. 

Charlotte, who studies at the University of Manchester, said she was given gifts by student promoters for signing up: “They were [giving out £5 notes] for your first bet and a drink to sign up [to the betting sites], it was such a good offer that I couldn’t say no.” 

Students promoting for betting sites have also been seen at Platt Fields, All Saints Park and at the University of Manchester’s Main Library. 

People familiar with the scheme say that the student promoters are employed by third-party marketing agencies, who are commissioned by betting firms to market their apps.

Promoters can apparently earn up to £12 for every person they sign up, all fellow students have to do is sign up to the app on their phone and place their first bet, they’re then handed a five-pound note for their troubles. 

It’s not known if handing out free cash is encouraged by these agencies, or if outgoing students have taken the matter into their own hands, but none of the student promoters The Mancunion spoke with were prepared to reveal who they worked for. 

The Mancunion understands that betting firms aren’t supposed to be touting for business on Oxford road and that Manchester City Council dispatched enforcement officers in March to find anybody in breach of regulation.

One student promoter claimed they were given little guidance upon accepting the job: “the goal is to get people to download the app and make a bet. As far as methods go, it’s pretty much up to us.”

Both Kwiff and Betbull denied any involvement in students being recruited to promote their products, saying they had no knowledge it was happening and promising to look into the claims further. 

Betbull went as far as to say that the flyers containing its logo were unauthorised: “Nobody at BetBull was aware of, or sanctioned, its production or distribution.” 

There are now fears within the Students’ Union that the tactics of targeting students could resume this September when returning students and a fresh batch of impressionable freshers descend onto campus.

Manchester SU’s Welfare & Community officer Adam Haigh, whose role it is to “promote a community feeling” within the Union, said he worries some students may resort to “alternative sources of revenue” to fund their time at University. 

He told The Mancunion: “I think, as this becomes more common for students, the existence of gambling promoters on campus may be quite worrying and could co-opt some students who are really struggling into gambling.”

Adam Haigh added that while the SU can’t stop students gambling, it can try to encourage students to gamble responsibly and reach out to any students struggling with finances. 

A University of Manchester spokesperson said: “The University’s Careers Service has never advertised jobs from the companies mentioned in this piece or any of the related positions, and neither has the Students’ Union Job Shop. We would urge any students to think carefully before taking up such roles.”

Manchester Metropolitan University declined to comment.

If you’re worried about gambling or affected by a problem gambler, Manchester SU’s advice service is running a drop-in service from Monday 16th to Friday 27th September. The service will be open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm.

Specialist support and advice is also available through GamCare.

October election date ‘to limit student vote’

Written by Josh Sandiford on . Posted in News.

An October election could benefit the Conservatives by limiting the number of students on the electoral register, Boris Johnson’s campaign team have reportedly admitted.

According to The Times, the Prime Minister’s aides said that if a general election is called next month, this could limit the time available for students to register to vote.

During the private conversations, the Prime Minister’s advisors added students would be unlikely to return home and vote if they were on the electoral roll at their home address.

The 2017 general election saw a large turnout in younger voters, many of which flocked to support Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour party, partly causing the then Prime Minister Theresa May to lose her majority and resulting in a hung parliament.

Boris Johnson has said in recent weeks that he believes a general election is the only way out of the Brexit impasse and has repeatedly said that he would refuse to seek an extension to Brexit despite a law passed by parliament mandating him to do so.

Over a million people have registered to vote since Johnson became prime minister in July, and there is likely to be a big push to get students on the electoral roll if he is successful in forcing a general election.

At the last general election Labour promised to scrap tuition fees, and the party has recently blasted student debt as “eye-watering.”

According to figures from think tank Onward, just 28 per cent of the general student population will even consider voting Conservative, and only then 16 per cent actually do.

Manchester and Protest – getting engaged in your new city

Written by nimoomer on . Posted in Opinion.

A latent political history covers every inch of Manchester. Each alley, street and square holds its own story, preserving the tales of radicals and revolutionaries, of battles and massacres and most importantly of people coming together steadfast in their unity, fighting for what they believe is right. Whether it’s new ideas being created or old ideas being reborn, Manchester is the city that has ultimately influenced political and social thinking not just in Britain but also across the world.

As the birthplace of the industrial revolution and it’s fiercest criticisms, this city holds a unique and unshakeable bond to both the modern social and economic orders that exist, and those that are trying to disrupt it. This tension only makes Manchester a more interesting place to be. In fact it has become a city that does not know stagnation or inertia, for two centuries it has maintained its pace of change and that can be frightening. But I personally have found a sense of calm in the chaos.

19th century Manchester, home to some of the most famous radicals in modern history, was all about the new. New ways to manufacture, new ways to dissent, new ways of thinking and new ways of existing both as individuals and in the way we relate to authority. Two centuries later I see that same restlessness permeating many of the buildings and and people I come across here. So perhaps I misspoke earlier – Manchester’s restlessness and inability to stay the same is perhaps the one thing that has never changed.

It seems unlikely that students in spoons will come up with momentous or significant ideas – as much as we’d like to think we are, we’re not quite Marx and Engels – but that is almost irrelevant. We may not be historic thinkers but the desire to subvert and rebel remains, and in such tumultuous political times there are plenty of places to go and people to meet who share those same desires.

Whether it is anti-racism, LGBTQ liberation, feminism, Brexit, or anti-capitalism that drives your longing for change, there are more groups and movements based either in Manchester or with a significant presence here than ever before. It was only last week that extinction rebellion garnered nationwide attention with their protests on Deansgate and a series of “Stop the Coup” protests sprung up in almost immediate response to the prorogation of parliament.

Protest is certainly not university-specific; in Manchester it’s for the whole city, representing a unified voice. So don’t feel limited to certain student advocacy groups or on-campus organisations if you feel they aren’t right for you. Below, in no particular order, are suggestions of campaigns, organisations, protests and everything in between with branches in Manchester that you can get involved in for you to get involved in.

  • Misogyny is Hate – Campaign working with Greater Manchester Citizens to get misogyny recognised as a hate crime in Greater Manchester.
  • Manchester for Europe – we are a pro-EU organisation representing Greater Manchester & aligned with Britain for Europe.
  • Our Future Our Choice (Manchester) – young people’s campaign for a people’s vote on Brexit.
  • Extinction Rebellion – a non-violent protest group, against the governments of the world, for climate and ecological justice.
  • Traditional political societies (Labour, Lib-Dems, Greens etc.) are all easily available and accessible on the SU website.

Upon coming here as a fresher myself I did not necessarily realise just how vast the political landscape is here, so take advantage. Whether you’re coming back to Manchester or you’re saying hello for the first time, get involved because there’s something for everyone.

 

Mr Stephen @Wikimedia

Engels and the worker bee: the importance of engaging with Manchester’s past

Written by George Walker on . Posted in Opinion.

For 15,000 years virtually everything humans consumed was produced in their immediate community: the foods we ate, the clothes we wore, and the means by which we travelled were all very insular. This changed during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries as a new generation of entrepreneurs and inventors left their mark on the world.

When the Industrial Revolution began in Britain, old manufacturing processes were dumped in favour of the new speed and efficiency afforded by things like new machinery, steam power, and mechanised factories.

Manchester’s rise to industrial pre-eminence; as coined by Victorian era Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli “as great an exploit as Athens”; is largely tied up in its geography. Manchester’s location situated near the valley hills in the Pennines; combined with its damp climate; made it perfect for new water powered cotton mills. Manchester soon became the natural centre for production of cotton and yarn, as well as slowly becoming a hub for trading the fruits of this burgeoning industry. Textile mills were often described as ‘hives of activity’, with the workers inside being the busy bees making everything run. This was a metaphor that stuck as the emblem of the bee came to signify all that is Manchester: industriousness, innovation, and solidarity.

In contemporary Manchester the worker bee can be seen across the city: from the clock face of the Palace Hotel to the mosaic flooring of Manchester Town Hall. Yet the Bee isn’t a simplistic representation of the Industrial Revolution, it’s inseparable from the solidarity amongst the new Mancunian working class. It was in Manchester that philosophical giant Friedrich Engels researched for his indictment of the Industrial Revolution: The Condition of the Working Class in England. In this book Engels fleshed out the concept of ‘social murder’: how an economic system predicated on the profits of industrialists pushed workers to their deaths. Many working in the mills passed away needlessly: things like the collapse of squalid housing, being trapped in factory machinery, and the prevalence of diseases such as scarlet fever were all common causes of death.

Therefore, Manchester has become the site of a wider revolutionary and critical understanding of the Industrial Revolution. Engels’s work resonates around Manchester and the world over today: as testament to his statue outside Manchester’s HOME cinema. Furthermore, it would be remiss not to connect Manchester’s past to the contemporary. You’d be forgiven for thinking that the shining lights of Salford’s Media City and the metropolitan opulence of the Northern Quarter are evidence that Manchester has left behind the smog and squalor of the Industrial era. Yet a recent UN report had Britain as one of the most unequal places in the world, with Manchester itself suffering from a homelessness epidemic.

The symbols of the Worker Bee and Engels are massively interconnected: Manchester was the physical and intellectual centre of the Industrial Revolution. Therefore, to understand and get the most out of Manchester you must engage yourself with its Industrial history, its troubles past and contemporary. Visit the John Rylands Library, the mills in Ancoats, attend that march, donate to local charities, and don’t ignore that person with the empty coffee cup. Make sure your time in Manchester is spent as a member of the historically rich centre that it is: rather than as a visitor of a safari.

 

 

Unsworth Park

New University accommodation opened in Fallowfield

Written by Nicole Wootton-Cane on . Posted in News.

The University of Manchester has officially opened Unsworth Park, its new student accommodation on their Fallowfield Campus.

The £90 million development was opened by the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, on 6 September, and is made up of 1,122 ensuite bedrooms, 792 of which will be open to students starting this September.

It is set to replace some of the older Halls on the Fallowfield Campus, including the now vacant Owens Park Tower.

Ron Unsworth, whose name has been given to the Halls, is an alumnus of the University who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics in London. Professor Rothwell described Unsworth, who studied History during his time at Manchester, as “a great advocate for the University and its sporting legacy.”

However, the development has had its problems, most notably after the collapse of contractor Carillon in January 2018. The project was picked up by VINCI Construction UK, whose regional director John Roberts said:

“It’s been an example of real partnership with the University to overcome some of the issues, but the work also gave us a chance to help the community too. We worked with local agencies to help unemployed people by creating around 60 new jobs.

“The whole experience has been very rewarding and we’re looking forward to completing the remaining rooms later this year.”

The development of the Fallowfield Campus is only one part of a university-wide Campus Masterplan, started in 2012 and set to span ten years with the aim of creating “an inspiring and progressive environment, designed for the 21stcentury.”

The University website calls the developments in Fallowfield “an important part of the £1 billion Campus Masterplan and will help ensure that Fallowfield remains a destination of choice for students.”

The halls are self-catered, and are made up of eight blocks of flats for students. The remaining rooms are set to open in December.

Game over for initiations as fresh measures introduced

Written by Nicole Wootton-Cane on . Posted in News.

The University of Manchester (UoM) is to strengthen its approach to dealing with freshers’ initiation ceremonies.

The practice is already banned but British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) – the governing body for university sport – says the rituals are becoming more extreme.

BUCS and Universities UK (UUK) are introducing fresh measures to help raise awareness of the dangers and make it easier for students to report their concerns. UoM says the steps will help it uphold its, “strict ‘no tolerance’ approach to initiations.”

Initiation ceremonies have been under scrutiny following the death of Newcastle University student Ed Farmer in 2016 after an agricultural society bar crawl. His father has since campaigned for bans on initiation ceremonies to be enforced more stringently.

Distinguishing between a banned initiation ceremony and a welcome social can be difficult, and enforcing the ban even harder, particularly when some students don’t see the practice in such a negative light.

“I believe being initiated into a club helps you feel part of the team if they’re done right, it’s usually just a fun night out with some challenges and games,” the social secretary of a large sports society at UoM told The Mancunion.

“The focus of my [freshers’] initiation was the costume. [We] had to dress for a specific theme, and the more creative and embarrassing your costume was the better. There were some drinking challenges and I remember being covered in baby powder at some point. It was a really good bonding moment between the freshers’ as at that point we didn’t know each other very well. I definitely don’t remember being forced to do anything I didn’t want to do.”

She added there were alternative options for freshers’ who don’t drink, but acknowledged that the ceremonies can be problematic.

“I think it’s really sad that some people are deciding not to join societies in fear of initiations. I think sometimes they can be taken too far, especially if the people on the committee let the power go to their heads. If any point a fresher is too scared or intimidated to say no or to walk away then I believe it has been taken too far.”

UoM guidelines dictate that activities must not be “humiliating, unlawful or degrading”, involve “forced consumption of any fluid/substance”, and that participation must have no bearing on acceptance onto a team/squad, or any subsequent selection.

The initiations policy also states that “social activities such as welcome evenings, team meals, social nights, trips away and celebration events that welcome new members and a positive first impression of university life are encouraged.”

From December students will be able to submit their concerns anonymously over the BUCS website, with universities risking exclusion from BUCS competitions if they fail to respond appropriately.

Speaking to The Observer,  Mr Mayne said: “We’ve often received complaints but our response has previously been, ‘it’s not our problem: contact your institution’. I can fully understand why students might not want to report it internally. They may worry about reprisals, or about not being selected if they speak out, but they can report it to us and we can raise it with their institution on their behalf.”

When asked about how UoM plans to manage the difficulties in regulating initiation ceremonies, a University spokesperson said: “We are aware of the actions being taken by BUCS and UUK … we have been working to integrate the AU Code of Conduct into wider university disciplinary processes.

“In addition, our Sport Sabbatical Officer is having meetings with club captains and social secretaries to ensure they understand what is expected of them, and the penalties for not complying. The Athletic Union (AU) and UoM Sport should be fully inclusive to all, and we will continue to work with staff and students to achieve this.”

EU students urged to secure settled status as Brexit looms

Written by Anja Samy on . Posted in News.

European Union students are being urged to apply for the right to carry on studying in the UK after Brexit through the government’s EU Settlement Scheme, which is free of charge.

The UK leaves the EU on 31 October 2019 and students have until 30 June 2021 to register for the scheme, unless it becomes a ‘no deal’ Brexit, in which case the deadline changes to 31 December 2020.

The University of Manchester and its Students’ Union are encouraging those who haven’t yet applied to do so sooner rather than later, to secure their status and continue to enjoy rights such as access to NHS services.

EU students can apply for the scheme through the government website or by downloading the app for information about who is eligible to apply, how to do so, and what happens afterwards.

The application is a three-step process requiring the following:

  • Prove your identity and nationality through your passport or National ID card and provide a digital photo of your face
  • Prove your residency in the UK through the likes of a student status letter and National Insurance number
  • Provide information about any criminal convictions, if applicable. This is checked against the UK’s crime databases.

Manchester SU Exec Officers said: “It is vital that EU students everywhere sign up for the scheme before the deadline. Acting quickly also allows time for the student and the Union to appeal in the unlikely event of a rejected application.

“We pride ourselves on the support we offer students to enhance their experience, and we passionately promote diversity, equality and inclusivity. We are here to help our EU students with their registration so they can get peace of mind and enjoy their time here post-Brexit.”

Torvald Romeis is going into first year in Manchester, studying Management with International Business Economics. He has Swedish nationality with South African heritage and successfully applied for settled status last month, after a previous attempt earlier in the year.

“I applied once in March but my passport had expired, ” he told The Mancunion, “I made an appointment to renew my passport and did so in August, […] once I finally got my passport, I did it practically on the street outside the embassy.”

Romeis, who has lived in the UK since 1999, spoke to The Mancunion about the effect Brexit has had on him: “At the announcement of Brexit when I wasn’t aware of there being any settled status provision or equivalent, I felt panicked and hurt as I’ve lived in the country for so long. Once settled status was made free I felt a little more at ease.”

“Once I got the settled status I felt a lot more secure and comfortable as I knew that as the legislation and so on stands, I’m here to stay, I can continue to study here and I will, as far as I know, be charged the same as a UK student for my tuition fees.”

The Students’ Union is working with Manchester University to raise awareness of the scheme amongst EU students, as well as offering to print and photocopy documents for the students’ applications, and providing android phones and tablets on campus for those who can’t access the app on their own devices.

This offer from the SU comes in response to numerous complaints about the ‘EU Exit: ID Document Check’ app. The app was released by the government in 2018 to streamline the application process, but was found to be incompatible with certain makes of phone, including iPhones.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid released a statement earlier this year promising that the app will work on iPhone by the end of 2019.

The Mancunion‘s Film Editor, Tobias Soar spoke about the technical issues he experienced when aiding his mother in applying for settled status:

“You scan your passport with your camera, then you scan your passport’s chip with your phone’s NFC chip and, finally, you scan your face with the selfie camera. The process is pretty straightforward and takes about 10 minutes, however, it’s limited by phone hardware.

“My mum’s iPhone 5c doesn’t have this chip, nor does my brother’s phone. So, my mother had to wait for me to visit to do this on my phone.”

Opinion Editor, Nimo Omer, also applied for settled status this year as she was born in the Netherlands but moved to the UK in 2002. She encountered similar technical issues when applying:

“It seemed quite straightforward at first, but actually was quite unclear in places and crashed a lot, so I had to start over. Also I only did it by myself because I used someone else’s Samsung phone – if you have no access to a Samsung the entire process becomes a lot lengthier.”

These technical issues can cause delays in the application process, as people may have to resort to manually submitting their official documents for approval, through passport checking facilities or by posting their originals.

Students at the University of Manchester who encounter issues with their settlement application are encouraged to visit the Advice Centre on the first floor of the Students’ Union.

Photo: Palácio do Planalto @Flickr

The Amazon: ecocide and an emboldened far right

Written by George Walker on . Posted in Opinion, Features.

Apocalyptic footage of burning woodland in the Amazon Rainforest reached our screens last month in what can only be described as a crisis in Brazil and the world over.

The story begins in July this year when Brazilian president Bolsonaro had a row with his own space institute about the scale of deforestation in the Amazon. The National Space Research Institute (Inpe) released satellite data that showed more than four hundred square miles of rainforest had been cleared in the first fifteen days of July, a 68% increase on last year. The director of the agency, Ricardo Galvao, was consequently sacked over the row. The Institute has also released data showing that the Amazon has had a record number of fires this year, an 84% increase from the same period last year.

To understand what is happening, it’s illuminating to dig into the nature of Bolsonaro’s presidency up until now. In the past Bolsonaro has particularly pleased Brazilian agribusiness giants with his stance on climate change and the environment. In the run-up to the Brazilian election, he pledged to take Brazil out of the 2015 Paris Climate accord, called global warming “greenhouse fables”, and wanted the evisceration of Brazil’s environmental agency and its Chico Mendes Institute: which oversees fines for deforesters.

Agribusiness has a huge presence in Brazil’s legislative bodies. According to a survey conducted by Reporter Brasil, around two-thirds of federal deputies seeking re-election last October either introduced or voted for bills harmful to the environment and indigenous communities. Out of the 248 candidates running for re-election, 138 were part of the Parliamentary Agricultural and Livestock Front – the notorious agribusiness Ruralistas; known for their regressive agenda on the environment.

What sort of global atmosphere has allowed us to get to this point? Bolsonaro is not an isolated incident, but part of a rising far-right international cabal that has called the bluff of the old consensus of political establishments across the world. Whether it be Brazil, the United States, or large swathes of Europe, far-right charlatans have taken significant political capital at the expense of old elites.

This brings me back to something posted on Twitter by economist Paul Krugman about Trump. He analyses how mainstream conservatives sold their agenda to the public through racist lies. George Osborne’s austerity programme was backed up by the idea that unfettered migration causes an unsustainable drain on the public sector and Trump won the 2016 election through a race to the bottom on rhetoric.

This is all irreversibly linked to the plundering of the Amazon. The dog whistles on racist rhetoric have been called out: the Overton Window – the range of ideas considered acceptable by the public – has moved to the far right. This equally applies to areas such as the environment.

The effort to eviscerate the Amazon is being bolstered by a racist government campaign to demonise indigenous people. A meeting of government officials used a PowerPoint presentation which details how President Bolsonaro’s rhetoric will be weaponised against indigenous people to undermine their access to Amazonian land and justify deforestation. Tactics cited in the presentation say that the government wants to redefine indigenism and environmentalism through realist theories of liberalism and conservatism, to quote: “Brazil above everything!”.

The interconnection between racist rhetoric and the depletion of natural resources by a government in cahoots with big business is nothing new. To call it anything other than fascistic would be dishonest.

Stack of books for bookshop.org article

£1000 National Book Tokens Prize

Written by Shaheena on . Posted in Books.

You may have already heard of the National Book Tokens Scheme. It comes from the same people who bring you World Book Day and now they’re offering book-specific financial aid for students.

Uni is very much about books, books, books. They’re expensive, but you definitely need to be reading. They’re mainly for academic purposes, but having a non-degree related book on the go can provide some much-needed relief.

The National Book Tokens Scheme is providing an unmissable opportunity for students. To help ease the cost of learning, National Book Tokens are offering a £1000/€1100 award for students to spend on books. According to The National Student Money Survey, 79% of students have money worries, so a little help here can go a long way!

All you need to do is find somebody who will nominate you for the award. They can access the National Book Token website and fill out a quick form on their website. If you win, they’ll also receive a £50/€60 gift card to spend on books. You could even band together with a couple of coursemates and buy the books you all need for the year. There are 26 bookshops around Manchester that will accept the book tokens, so places to spend them are plentiful.

The competition closes on the 20th of October 2019. Awards will be announced shortly after this.

So, visit the website, ask your nearest and dearest to nominate you, and secure the opportunity to fund your book expenses for the academic year.

Best of luck!

Top 5 Recent Releases

Written by Lily Martin on . Posted in Music.

POLO: Hula 

Released in August, this catchy feel-good synth-dance track epitomises the skill of the Yorkshire-based trio. Cemented in the combination of eclectic synth patterns and lead singer Kat’s pure vocals, this is a release that has been firmly praised and crept into Spotify’s Alternative Pop Playlist within days. Firmly established as a band to watch at the moment, Polo play the Castle Hotel on the 31st October. Definitely worth a listen.

Saytr Play: Second Hand Emotion

Manchester-based locals Saytr Play show a level of dynamic within this track which has felt absent from recent work. It’s true to its roots, but displays a new depth of songwriting which shows a significant step forward towards future releases. This recorded track possesses the energy and gravitas that they have become known for onstage, reflecting the potential their writing has to offer. Ingeniously toe-tapping.

Bombay Bicycle Club: Eat Sleep Wake (Nothing But You)

This is the first release in five years from the quartet and it doesn’t disappoint. There’s an eerily infectious melody, some seriously decent guitar-based writing and clipped, poignant lyrics. This is a multi-faceted love anthem with a new dynamic that may have just won over an unsuspecting fan.

Mahalia: I Wish I Missed My Ex

Rooted in strong themes surrounding love, romance and empowerment, this EP release is grounded by fierce and poignant lyrics in firm collaboration with great songwriting. There’s a grittiness to the Caribbean heritage she draws from, paired with her distinctive vocals, culminating in I Wish I Missed My Ex. This is a soulful track with haunting vocals, which displays a clarity which is memorable.

Shoreline Mafia: Wings

The LA rap collective Shoreline Mafia have recently released this track within their latest project, titled Party Pack Vol. 2. The cult following the sporadic releases from the group have mustered, is testament to the quality of their work and, comes in partnership with the announcement of their ‘Paid in Full Tour’. It’s an understated but powerful release which is convincing enough to inspire future interest for those unaware of their tracks.

UoM to host world’s first Graphene Hackathon

Written by Shivani Kaura on . Posted in Science & Tech.

Manchester University’s Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) is to host the world’s first Graphene Hackathon, in which teams will compete to develop and prototype innovative product ideas using conductive graphene inks.

The GEIC, which specialises in the rapid development and scale up of graphene and other 2D materials applications will host the event over 24 hours.

IP, business and technical expertise will be on hand to help develop your innovative ideas, requiring no prior experience with graphene or programming.

This weekend of high intensity innovation will be held on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 November 2019.

The aim of the Hackathon is for motivated competitors to work in teams of 4-6 participants to design and prototype a product idea that incorporates Versarien conductive graphene inks.

Versarien conductive graphene inks have the capability to create the next generation of electronics, including bendable smartphones, touch-sensitive smart devices and sensors. The inks can simply be painted onto surfaces or screen printed onto fabrics, and quickly dry to form flexible, conductive tracks.

Christopher Castle, PhD student and Hackathon team member said: “So far the team have been involved in all aspects of organising the event itself – getting sponsorship, purchasing equipment, booking speakers from companies like Google Digital Garage and Mewburn Ellis and ensuring participants have access to all the relevant buildings and facilities.

“We’ve also been working on our own projects to see what ideas we can come up with using graphene inks. For example, we made a smart novelty calendar printed with graphene ink, which syncs to your Google Calendar through a Raspberry Pi and reads out your agenda when you touch on a given day. We’re excited about graphene inks because they represent the first opportunity for non-researchers to really get to work with graphene outside of laboratory conditions.

“The Graphene Hackathon has already generated interest from scientists, programmers and dancers and we hope that combining all these diverse skillsets will provide new perspective on what’s possible with this amazing material.”

Participants will compete for cash prizes, sponsored by big-name cooperations, such as the likes of Google Digital Garage, Mewburn Ellis and Versarien. These companies will also be giving keynote speeches, as well as providing workshops to give competitors access to world-class business advice for taking their product forward.

The event is open to University students, staff and external applicants, given that they are over the age of 18.

Anyone that would like to apply would need to sign up on their website, Graphene Hackathon, before October 15th. You can apply as a ready made group, or as an individual and they will help you form a group once applications close.

How to get cheap theatre tickets for students and young people

Written by Jay Darcy on . Posted in Theatre.

Lots of people love the theatre, but not everybody can afford to go as much as they would like – especially students. I personally spend lots of money on theatre tickets, but theatre is my passion (I’m a theatre editor, so you’d hope so!), and not everybody can afford to prioritise theatre. You might prefer sports, or the movies, or perhaps you’re not in a good financial state for any hobbies…

Most people just want to go to the theatre sporadically for some fun (unless you’re going to watch Les Misérables. That’s not fun – ‘miserable’ is literally in the name…), but they worry that they won’t be able to afford the tickets, or that they should be spending their money on more practical things.

Manchester arguably has the best theatre scene outside of London, though, of course, I’m biased… Whilst tickets here are much cheaper than in the West End, “cheap” is relative. Fortunately for us youngsters and students, Manchester’s theatres recognise this. There are schemes, memberships and discounts available, but make sure you pay attention to the requirements…

The city’s landmark theatres are ‘sisters’ the Palace Theatre and the Opera House. Most of the ‘big’ shows visit these theatres. I’m talking Wicked and Les Misérables. If you’re not fussed about being a part of the action, seats in the Circle and Gallery can be as cheap as £13! But even for those theatre-snobs amongst us, many shows offer discounted tickets (including good seats) for students and under-25s, but be sure to bring ID to prove this!

The Lowry, in Salford, is home to two theatres and a few studios. The Lowry receives a huge variety of shows, including ‘big’ ones, like War Horse (and they’re also getting Les Mis!). They have relationships with Opera North and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Most impressively, they offer £5 and £10 tickets for under-26s, if you become an Under 26 member (for free!). You can also bring along somebody else (including non-students and people over 26) for the same price!

The Royal Exchange Theatre offers £7 tickets for students and under-26s for all of its weekday shows in the main theatre. Its studio offers some discounted tickets too, but they’re not always £7. They also do the odd free or pay-what-you-decide show, as does the Lowry.

Home offers a limited number of £5 ‘Advance’ tickets for students for almost all of its shows. Once these are gone, there are ordinary student tickets, but these will only save you a few pounds. Likewise, Hope Mill Theatre offers concession tickets (which includes students) that will save you a few pounds. Contact Theatre, which also offers concession tickets, is currently running a pay between £5-15 scheme, with audience-members who pay £15 supporting cheaper tickets for other audience-members.

Lastly – come write for The Mancunion’s theatre section! If you’re a student of the University of Manchester and want to review plays for our theatre section, you’ll get free press tickets for some amazing shows and get to write down your feelings in a review.

So, don’t think that theatre is unaffordable and not for youngsters and students. If you like theatre, and have some money to spare, there are schemes, discounts and offers to make sure you don’t miss out.

Maryam Nassir Zadeh show SS20

New York Fashion Week Round Up (Spring 2020)

Written by Alice Porter on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Whilst Manchester might feel a million miles away from the fashion capitals, there’s lots of ways to get involved with Fashion Week from the comfort of your own bed, the library or at the back of a lecture theatre. We’re making it easier for you to catch up on all the shows at The Mancunion with our fashion week round ups, starting with New York…

New York Fashion Week has kicked off fashion month with five and a half days of shows comprising unique locations, lots of 80s inspiration and a move to more inclusive casting.

The shows began on the evening of Friday the 6th of September, with Jeremy Scott’s playful 80s inspired show: think thigh-high boots and bodysuits, colourful wigs and statement earrings.

In complete contrast, the Khaite show opened the first official day of New York Fashion Week – a brand that has gone viral over the week prior after Katie Holmes was spotted sporting their cashmere bra and cardigan set.

Khaite have made a name for themselves by creating luxury, high-end clothing that you can actually wear on a day-to-day basis. And while their SS20 collection didn’t completely move away from this, there was something a little bit more sexy about the pieces in this collection, from barely-there blouses to deep v-necks and sheer fabrics.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2MLui5gwje/

Kate Spade also showed her SS20 collection on Saturday and it felt very New Yorker off-duty, with models (as well as influencers and other personalities) carrying plants and huge tote bags.

The first day of shows ended with a very Saturday night appropriate collection – Ralph Lauren AW19 Ready-To-Wear. Its black-tie theme was accompanied by a stellar line up of models including Gigi and Bella Hadid, and Taylor Hill.

Sunday began with Tory Burch’s Princess Diana inspired collection which maintained the brands use of prints, pairing them with 80s silhouettes that were most noticeable by the puffed sleeves of many of the dresses.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2KGkLQHbYa/

Mansur Gavriel’s AW19 Ready-To-Wear collection was by far the most wearable, and comfortable, collection of the entire week, with printed, oversized knitwear (the cloud sweater has proved very popular on Instagram) and oversized fluffy coats. Shortly followed by Tibi, whose silhouettes were more structured, but nevertheless, effortlessly casual.

The most instagrammable show of the week also took place on Sunday the 8th. With babies, dogs and streakers, the Collina Strada SS20 show has put the brand on everyone’s radar, if only because of the amount of coverage it received from influencers, which can only be a good thing with sustainability at the heart of their brand’s focus.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2RgiR_A8c3/

Collina Strada is clearly not interested in conforming, setting out to make a statement, as exemplified by the bold, colourful designs, mainly comprised of pastels and neons that made up their SS20 collection. The Central Park location also removed the exclusivity from NYFW as passers-by could watch the show, and the casting was commendably inclusive and diverse.

The 80s inspiration overwhelmed NYFW and was championed by Pyer Moss, who opened their SS20 show with a glittery two piece with huge shoulder pads and turned up cuffs. The rest of the collection followed in a similar suit: including a leather guitar shaped cross body bag and bright yellow silk fabrics coming in the form of v-neck dresses, wide-leg trousers and sleeveless jumpsuits. The collection was inspired by Sister Rosetta, who rose to popularity in the 1930s and 40s and was described by Vogue as ‘the godmother of rock and roll’.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2PR3rcAVmf/

Monday morning began with Jonathan Simkhai’s pastel dream of an SS20 collection, the type of clothes that make you wish for one more month of summer. Other highlights of the day included Lela Rose, whose models walked down a runaway of yellow rose petals, wearing clothes comprised of equal amounts of florals and pastels, with some of the dresses featuring illustrated skylines.

In contrast, Maryam Nassir Zadeh’s runway was the public courts of the Lower East Side, the unrefined venue mirroring the neutral colour pallette, with a few neon looks thrown in there for good measure; a collection which felt at once romantic and masculine.

Monday ended at an abandoned subway stop where Tom Ford staged his SS20 collection; the location exemplifying the brands flair for simple, modern luxury.

Tuesday began with a sea of neon orange, which formed the backdrop for Sally LaPointe’s SS20 show, her collection made up of a strict colour palette of beige, baby pink, orange, and emerald green.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2SnJGMlMsg/

The day continued with similar amounts of colour from Christian Cowan’s show, characterised by glittery mini dresses, sheer fabrics and outrageous feathered sleeves, really bringing the party to a Tuesday afternoon.

The Coach SS20 collection, taking place on Tuesday afternoon, felt very New York, as models walked The High Line. And if there was any doubt that leather is coming back in a big way, this collection proved it, with leather pieces in almost every look. The printed vests felt very 80s and the photos from the collection feel like they could have been taken straight from 80s New York, well apart from the HD quality and the sea of smartphones in the background.

The final day of NYFW was opened by Michael Kors, whose collection had a nostalgic feel to it, particularly referencing the 40s as Vogue reported that Kors felt that ‘that was the last moment that [America] felt united’. This political sentiment was echoed by the definably modern slogan sweaters, with the crossed out words ‘I HATE’ printed onto them.

Brock Collection, a 5-year old brand, also managed to bag a spot on the final day of NYFW. It’s easy to see why as their SS20 collection comprised a selection of clothes that were at once wearable and eccentric, epitomised by the first look in the collection, a square-necked Elizabethan-esque gown paired with straight leg trousers.

Perhaps the most unusual show of NYFW was the Batsheva show, that took place in a New York Law school lecture theatre, with lectures being given by various academics as the models walked through the aisles. The clothes themselves are hard to pin down: eclectic and bold yet confusingly modest. It shouldn’t work but it does.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2St76Eguxs/

New York Fashion Week came to a close with the Marc Jacobs SS20 show, which saw models swarming out from backstage altogether, and walking straight past the audience. The collection was colourful, daring and fun and it felt like a reminder, after a week of varied and unique shows, of what a quintessential fashion show is and should be.

Review: Hide and Seek Festival 2019

Written by Shivani Kaura on . Posted in Music.

Hide and Seek, located in the ‘enchanted forest’ of Capesthorne Hall, Cheshire, lived up to its theme on arrival: fairy lights were hung from the trees along a bridge at the entrance which crossed a stunning lake outside the venue, and silver tinsel was draped between the woodland, hanging over our heads whilst we danced beneath it.

After a year of planning and hard work, of course the newly announced dance festival, situated just outside Manchester, experienced typical northern torrential rain for the first 2 hours. But this didn’t stop Mancunians from dancing in the mud whilst the sun seeped through the clouds for the rest of the day.

There were four stages – three of which made sure the DJs were at the same level as their fans, which gave it a more interactive feel, and the raised up main stage which was for the bigger names. Each stage had its own unique design, including one which was situated inside an Eden Project-like dome with plants hanging from the sides of the stage. Although this was a charming aesthetic, at times the dome felt a little too much like a palm house in the heat of the day.

One of the first acts was creator of the festival and founder of You&Me brand, Josh Baker, who did not disappoint. Baker’s raw talent for DJ-ing came naturally on the main stage, starting the day off in a good mood with catchy beats and dance moves.

Next up in the stretch tent, was Jamie 3:26, who attracted a substantial crowd during his three hour set. Showcasing remixes of well-known tunes, he really got the crowd going as he experimented with different genres.

The festival trialed the idea of tokens, as opposed to using cash at the bars, and although this was a good concept at first to reduce queue times, it seemed a  number of people were still paying with their cards for drinks. This was a little frustrating for those of us who had queued for their tokens and then again for their drinks, whilst some chose to ignore the idea and just head straight to the bar with their cards.

About halfway through the day, festival-goers were informed that the two headline acts, Dan Shake and Francesco Del Garda, were no longer attending the festival due to flight delays from Dutch festival, Dimensions. However this did not stop people from raving when Ingi Visions hit the decks.

Samuel Deep and Julian Alexander, both brothers from the Netherlands, brought their individual talents to the set to showcase a remorseless and energetic sound which transformed into pure dance floor music that satisfied everyone’s ears.

The festival closed with Shonky taking to the main stage for a reasonable three hour set. The last hour was probably the best, as the crowds flocked to the ‘contour stage’ to experience an epic laser show that was worth the wait at night. Given Shonky’s impressive discography it came to no surprise that his headline act would be the best set of the night, bringing the festival to an honourable close.

For a first-time festival, the organisation, hard-effort and commitment to making the festival as perfect as it could be was definitely exhibited throughout the day.

Festival goers could recharge their energy supplies with cheaply priced food trucks which offered restaurant quality Thai food and vegan options, catering for all tastebuds. There was even an onsite record shop which sold vinyls of the DJs that were playing, a first I’ve seen at a outdoor festival.

The only thing I could have wished for when it ended was a tent to go back to and so that I could experience it all over again the next day, so here’s to hoping that Hide and Seek will only get bigger and better each year from here on out.

9/10