SICK Festival

SICK Festival Lives Reimagined Through Art

Confronting the physical, mental and social challenges that we face in our individual and collective lives, the festival will present an outstanding international arts programme, weaving in perspectives from academic research, clinical practitioners, public health professionals, charities and those with lived experience of the issues we address.

17/10/2025

🎭✨ We’re so excited to team up with Contact to bring Zoo Co & Improbable’s Perfect Show for Rachel to Manchester!

Rachel, a theatre-loving, enigmatic, learning-disabled 35 year-old is in charge — literally. She runs the show with a button. Expect chaos, cabaret, biscuits, and a whole lot of heart 💖

🌈 Relaxed as standard.
💬 Creative captioning.
🤟 BSL-interpreted moments.

📅 19–22 Nov
📍 Contact, Manchester
🎟️ Book now 👉 https://contactmcr.com/events/perfect-show-for-rachel

  in Harpurhey Neighbourhood Project - The Centre - a brilliant organisation and team, doing super important work in the...
09/10/2025

in Harpurhey Neighbourhood Project - The Centre - a brilliant organisation and team, doing super important work in the area.

3 Voluntary Trustee vacancies for Harpurhey Neighbourhood Project. Treasurer, Chair and Secretary for 3 year terms.

🎉 Introducing SICK!'s next chapter...Lives Reimagined Through ArtWe’ve been busy behind the scenes.Our vision is evolvin...
06/10/2025

🎉 Introducing SICK!'s next chapter...

Lives Reimagined Through Art

We’ve been busy behind the scenes.

Our vision is evolving, our award-winning year-round programmes are growing, and a bold new chapter is unfolding with our new brand.

SICK! is more than a festival. We’re a North Manchester-based arts organisation with local roots and global collaborations, using arts and creativity to connect people, communities, and artists, making everyone creators of fairer, healthier futures.

Stay tuned for more announcements on our new direction and ways you can get involved.

Logo designed by Chris Hall ❤️

Love games? Want to make your own?We’re back with MINDGAMES 4.0 — the fourth edition of our free, hands-on intro to vide...
01/08/2025

Love games? Want to make your own?

We’re back with MINDGAMES 4.0 — the fourth edition of our free, hands-on intro to video game design!

🎮 Build your own game prototype
🎨 Explore storytelling, coding, music & character design
💬 Learn from artists and a pro Games Developer
🤝 Meet new people in a relaxed, supportive space
🍴 Free lunch & travel included!

📍 Harpurhey Neighbourhood Project
🕛 Tuesdays 12–2pm | Starts 2nd Sept
📣 Open to anyone aged 16–30 in North Manchester — especially those with lived experience of mental health challenges.

📩 To sign up or find out more:
📧 [email protected] | 📱 07949 546 135

📽️ NEW DOCUMENTARY ALERT!Six brilliant student interns from The University of Manchester have teamed up with SICK! and F...
15/07/2025

📽️ NEW DOCUMENTARY ALERT!

Six brilliant student interns from The University of Manchester have teamed up with SICK! and Freshrb Health Media to produce a powerful short documentary celebrating community spirit in North Manchester 🎨💬

From vibrant murals on shop shutters in Moston & Harpurhey to on the ground stories from locals, the film captures creativity, resilience and hope 🧡

📰 You may spot the much-loved Conran Street Market, featured in the film just before the announcement of its forthcoming closure. The market, a key part of the area's working-class heritage, was the site of one of the murals — now recognised as a community asset. While we’re saddened by the closure and concerned about the future of this important site, we’re proud that the artwork will be preserved thanks to SICK!’s commitment to local legacy.

Each intern chose one word to describe the journey: ✨ Enlightening. Lesson. Collaborative. Meaningful. Hopeful. Inspiring.

🎬 Watch the full film now via https://vimeo.com/1099356356?share=copy =0

Credits:

Production Team/Interns:
Maleehah Maryam Rehman
Munkuti Kaisi
Oluwatofunmilayo Akingbade
Scarlett Beaney
Nomoya Nzuza
Esme Freeman

Interviewees:
Mattew Stallard - Local Historian
Grace Harvey - SICK! Community Producer
Ella Horniman - SICK! Now Fellow, Creative Director of 1922
Reece Clarke - SICK! Now Fellow
Joe Hartley - Local Resident, Moston Matters
Jeanette Don - Owner Conran Street Market

Shops:
Conran Street Market
Pizza Lane
Sharon’s Hair and Beauty
Tom Clarke & Co

Mural Artists:
FOLIE
KELzO Graffiti Street Artist
Yasaman Mollasalehi
MikeSian Studio

Filming locations:
Simpson Memorial Hall
Harpurhey Market
Number 93

The Funders:
University of Manchester
Historic England
Arts Council England
Oglesby Charitable Trust.

This short documentary, created by student interns from the University of Manchester in collaboration with SICK! Productions and Fresh RB, explores a mural project…

15/07/2025

📽️ NEW DOCUMENTARY ALERT!

Six brilliant student interns from University of Manchester have teamed up with SICK! and FreshRB to produce a powerful short documentary celebrating community spirit in North Manchester 🎨💬

From vibrant murals on shop shutters in Moston & Harpurhey to on the ground stories from locals, the film captures creativity, resilience and hope 🧡

📰 You may spot the much-loved Conran Street Market, featured in the film just before the announcement of its forthcoming closure. The market, a key part of the area's working-class heritage, was the site of one of the murals — now recognised as a community asset. While we’re saddened by the closure and concerned about the future of this important site, we’re proud that the artwork will be preserved thanks to SICK!’s commitment to local legacy.

Each intern chose one word to describe the journey: ✨ Enlightening. Lesson. Collaborative. Meaningful. Hopeful. Inspiring.

🎬 Watch the full film now via: https://vimeo.com/1099356356?share=copy =0

Credits:

Production Team/Interns: Maleehah Maryam Rehman, Munkuti Kaisi, Oluwatofunmilayo Akingbade, Scarlett Beaney, Nomoya Nzuza, Esme Freeman

Interviewees:
Mattew Stallard - Local Historian
Grace Harvey - SICK! Community Producer
Ella Horniman - SICK! Now Fellow, Creative Director of 1922
Reece Clarke - SICK! Now Fellow
Joe Hartley - Local Resident, Moston Matters
Jeanette Don - Owner Conran Street Market

Shops:
Conran Street Market
Pizza Lane
Sharon’s Hair and Beauty
Tom Clarke & Co

Mural Artists:
Folie Art and Design /
Kelzo /
Yasaman Mollasalehi / .mollasalehi
MikeSian Studio / .studio

Filming locations:
Simpson Memorial Hall
Harpurhey Market
Number 93

The Funders:
Manchester University
Historic England
Arts Council England
Oglesby Charitable Trust.

💥 AFTERPARTY ANNOUNCEMENT 💥Join us straight after HighRise Entertaintment's  Lil.Miss.Lady (feat. Lady Lykez ) on the 13...
06/06/2025

💥 AFTERPARTY ANNOUNCEMENT 💥
Join us straight after HighRise Entertaintment's Lil.Miss.Lady (feat. Lady Lykez ) on the 13 June for the official Afterparty – a night BIGGING UP Greater Manchester’s unstoppable female MCs 💪🏾.

🎤 Hosted by Meduulla
🔥 Headlined by Lady Ice
🎧 Music by DJ Ethan Hill
🎶 Live sets from Freequency3, FOXI and mamba.exe

📍 The Lowry
🎟️ FREE for Lil.Miss.Lady ticket holders
⏰Lil.Miss.Lady starts at 7:30PM
⏰Afterparty kicks off at 9:00PM

Click for tickets: https://thelowry.com/whats-on/305//highrise-entertainment-lil-miss-lady

Let’s bring the to the .

🚨 ANNOUNCEMENT: AFTERPARTY LINE-UP JUST DROPPED! 🚨As part of our partnership with HighRise Entertaintment , we’re turnin...
31/05/2025

🚨 ANNOUNCEMENT: AFTERPARTY LINE-UP JUST DROPPED! 🚨

As part of our partnership with HighRise Entertaintment , we’re turning up the volume in Salford 🎤🎶

Join us at Lil.Miss.Lady on Fri 13 June at The Lowry, then stay for the AFTERPARTY where we spotlight some of the 🔥🔥🔥 women in Greater Manchester's UK rap & Grime scene.

🎤 Headliner: – Manchester royalty bringing pure fire
🎤 Host: – rising star with razor-sharp bars & magnetic energy
🎧 Beats by: – setting the tone for a night you won’t forget

SICK! is proud to platform these fierce Northern artists and champion their voices as part of a genre-defying show that reclaims space and redefines live performance.

🎭 Lil.Miss.Lady = Theatre + Rave + Real Talk

🎟️ Tap for tickets: https://thelowry.com/whats-on/305//highrise-entertainment-lil-miss-lady

🎉 Calling Artists in Oulu and Manchester!SICK! Festival, in partnership with Kulttuuriosuuskunta ILME ,  Finnish Institu...
29/05/2025

🎉 Calling Artists in Oulu and Manchester!

SICK! Festival, in partnership with Kulttuuriosuuskunta ILME , Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland and (European Capital of Culture), is commissioning 3 artists for a bold new international project:

🌍 BEYOND SURVIVAL: INTERNATIONAL TIME TRAVEL
We’re looking for socially engaged artists interested in creating participatory artworks that respond to themes of:
🔹 Sustainability
🔹 Migration
🔹 Industry

💼 Who can apply?
• Artists based in Oulu (Finland)
• Artist based in Manchester (UK)

🗓️ Key Details:
• Artist fee: €10,639
• Travel, accommodation + production costs covered
• Residencies in Oulu & Manchester
• Public presentations at SICK! Festival 2026 & Oulu2026

📆 Apply by: 25 July 2025 (5pm UK)
💬 Info session: 4 July, 12 noon (UK time) on Zoom
📧 Full info pack can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LxIIHES8--s1_EoEAw33HquphnpyXsP1/view?usp=sharing

Come help us connect the past, present and future of two post-industrial cities!

🔊Absolutely buzzing🐝 to share that SICK! is teaming up with HighRise Entertaintment to support the Northwest premiere of...
19/05/2025

🔊Absolutely buzzing🐝 to share that SICK! is teaming up with HighRise Entertaintment to support the Northwest premiere of their hit show Lil.Miss.Lady, coming to The Lowry on 13–14 June 2025! 🎤🔥

Part , part , HighRise are hitting up Manchester with an immersive history of Grime, told through the eyes of a trailblazing female MC. Starring the electrifying Lady Lykez, this is a show that tears up the rulebook—fusing storytelling, live performance and bass-heavy beats to challenge the male-dominated narrative of UK music culture. 💥

Grime’s roots run deep, but its women have too often been left out of the story. Not this time. Lil.Miss.Lady puts them centre stage. 🙌🏾

💡 And here’s the exciting bit—SICK! is collaborating with HighRise on a very special opportunity for YOU to get involved. Stay tuned later this week for how to plug in and be part of it.

14/05/2025

🎮 For hashtag , we’re proud to share the wrap-up of Mindgames — a powerful 22-week creative programme supporting young people’s mental health through game design.

Delivered by SICK! Festival and supported by a Video Game Designer, Mental Health Practitioner, and Engagement Manager, Mindgames brought together like-minded young people to develop skills in coding, storytelling, and character creation — all while exploring their mental health in a supportive, structured environment.

Participants heard from creative industry experts, formed new friendships, and built confidence as they collaborated to design their own prototype video games. The resulting artwork showcases their full journey: from initial ideas to final concepts.

This programme was proudly funded by the UK Government and Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Video by Quincy Blake.

🎥 Watch the full wrap-up video here: https://vimeo.com/1083613986?share=copy =0

🙏 A huge thank you to all our participants, collaborators, and funders who made Mindgames possible.

🔜 We’re excited to tease that more opportunities to get involved are on the horizon — stay tuned!

🔥AUDITION CALL 🔥EXXY by Dan Daw Creative ProjectsDan Daw Creative Projects is seeking 3 extraordinary performers with Ce...
31/03/2025

🔥AUDITION CALL 🔥
EXXY by Dan Daw Creative Projects

Dan Daw Creative Projects is seeking 3 extraordinary performers with Cerebral Palsy or similar motor disabilities to join their 🎉 new production, EXXY – premiering in the UK and internationally from Autumn 2025.

📍 Audition Locations:
🟣 Leeds – 21 May @ Leeds Playhouse
🟢 Glasgow – 22 May @ CCA
🔴 London – 24 May @ Battersea Arts Centre

EXXY is a major new performance led by Dan Daw and co-directed by Sarah Blanc, exploring imposter syndrome, ambition, self-worth, and the power of Crip and Q***r bodies taking centre stage. They're casting performers who reflect Dan’s physicality and lived experience — because representation matters!

✨ They're looking for:

▶ Three male presenting and/or nonbinary performers, who are comfortable portraying men, with personal lived experience of Cerebral Palsy or other similar motor related disabilities.
▶ Confident movers (formal training not necessary)
▶ Lived experience of working-class life is a plus
▶ Open to collaborative devising, touring internationally, and sharing your story

💥 Fee: £700/week
🛏 Travel, accommodation, per diems + access support included
⏳ Deadline to apply: Friday 4 April 2025
🔗 To apply head over to: https://dandawcreative.com/exxy-by-dan-daw-creative-projects/

!

***rPower

Address

Red 3, The Sharp Project, Thorp Road
Manchester
M405BJ

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About SICK! Festival...

SICK! Festival places art at the heart of positive health and health at the heart of outstanding art. Through creation, presentation and public conversation, we empower diverse communities to confront the physical, mental and social challenges that we face in our individual and collective lives.

We deliver an outstanding international arts programme, weaving in perspectives from research, clinical practitioners, public health professionals, charities and those with lived experience of issues addressed – culminating in a high-profile, biennial international festival. Themes are explored through many art forms – dance, theatre, public installation – and through lectures and debates.

SICK! takes the conversation into the heart of the communities where the subjects matter most and to major cultural centres, providing common ground where differing perspectives come together in shared exploration. The issues we examine are difficult: sexuality, identity, mental illness, ageing, death – the very stuff of being human. They are also deeply personal and often kept away from public debate. We exist to change that.