Getting Out

[poliphilo]

It was easier when Ailz was working towards her OU degree; then we had a compelling reason to get out of bed early at regular intervals and go into town and be edified. Now we have to create our own motivation- and our own programme of events.  But- as I've found by digging around (which the Internet makes so easy)- there are plenty of occasions for edification out there. The Whitworth gallery (my favourite gallery in the region) has a programme of Tuesday Talks- featuring biggish names- artists, critics and gallery folk- and most of the other local galleries and museums lay on something similar. Then of course there are all the exhibitions- which are constantly changing- and all the fixed things- stately homes and churches and  monuments-  we still haven't visited. Really there's no reason- except sloth- why we shouldn't do something cultural once or twice a week. 

Yesterday we went to a Tuesday Talk. The speaker was Roderick Buchanan- a Glaswegian artist who mostly does installations and videos. He's currently working on a commission for the Imperial War Museum- looking back at the Irish Troubles through a study of Catholic and Protestant marching bands. I didn't fall in love with his work, but I found it interesting and engaging and he's a lovely man. Besides, the point was simply for us to be there- and not sitting at home in our dressing gowns. 

I've seen how old people dry up and curl in on themselves- I don't want that to happen to us.

Comments

[glitzfrau.livejournal.com]

Come to Evensong at the cathedral some Sunday and point and laugh at me in my blue robes! Evensong doesn't really count as church, after all. Else I wouldn't be there.

But seriously - there is so much on in Manchester. I wish I'd been a student here just because of that. Enjoy.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I used to get about the city much more- for instance I always in and out of The Cornerhouse- watching foreign language movies. I need to make up some lost ground.

[pondhopper.livejournal.com]

One of the delights of age is being able to go to what one likes when one wants to. And there is so much happening these days that is attractive. Manchester must have loads of cultural opportunities. Enjoy!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Yes. Manchester is an exciting city. :)

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

It's so annoying for us working folk. There's so many museums and galleries that do great free lectures at lunchtime!!!! Huh!!! The Burrell had some really good ones on Ancient Greece...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I suppose they're mainly catering for students and retirees.

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

[Sigh]. Oh, to be a student or a retiree...

oh how wonderful-

[shullie.livejournal.com]

sadly I can't find much on in Sheffield that doesn't charge a great deal - as there is only me in employment ( at present), having to watch the pennies :(

Re: oh how wonderful-

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Have you checked the museums and galleries? The Tuesday Talks at the Whitworth are free.

Tomorrow we have a choice of lunchtime talks at Manchester City Art Gallery and Bolton Museum- and they're both free as well.