Recently I was invited to the My Generation night at Band on the Wall – Manchester’s coolest over 50’s night. When I was asked to report on this event I instantly thought, I used to go there, it was a great night out! Band on the Wall has served many generations of Greater Manchester over the years. So I went down to the My Generation night to check it out!
When I arrived I was greeted by Tim, Learning and Development Officer, who had helped organised the ‘In the Mood 1940’s to 1950’s night. The night consisted of a themed talk on ‘Manchester after the Blitz’, a very interesting presentation and an interactive discussion, put together and presented by Mr Steve Little. Steve showed the audience old photographs of Manchester before and after The Blitz and for many people there these brought back a lot of nostalgia and old memories.
After The Blitz talk, at 7pm Wilfe, the Manager and Tim put on aLive Jazz Night with a great professional band, Quintessentially Swing including singer Debbie Wilson performing classic 1940s & 1950s songs.The dance floor was packed with all ages dancing and swinging the night away. A lovely couple I was sat with, got up to dance and put me to shame, especially when the Gentleman told me he was 86!...and boy could this couple dance! (There’s hope for me yet I think?)
All in all it was a great nights entertainment, in a well run and safe environment, with people being greeted by one of the organisers Tracey, as they arrived. The night was only £4 entrance fee and even a tasty hot pot supper was served with bread and pickle cabbage at just £2 pounds which was fantastic value I thought.The venue had a really good lounge area when you came in, with a nice bar and just sit and chill if you want to, or go through to the dance club which has plenty of tables on its two floors, all giving a really good view of the stage and dance floor.
This is just one of the many themed nights at The Band on the Wall, have a look their website at: www.bandonthewall.org
You will see they put on many different themed nights, catering for all ages and tastes in music from; Jazz to Motown, and many more (too much to mention here!)
Band on the Wall also have events on in the daytime, which I find is such a great idea using the building as a social venue in the day time, making great use of the building for the Greater Manchester community. It is a hive of activity and as a registered not for profit organisation, I can see this is just what’s needed in Manchester for marginalized groups. I myself am over 50 and now there are many such places that personally cater for the over 50s.
Check out the website and get down to one of the great My Generation over 50s nights and don’t just sit at home and think you’re a bit old for all this, as it is a great venue for a good evening out in a safe environment. I personally will most certainly be going there again and can certainly recommend it!
The next My Generation event will be:
Sunday 18th December 2011
My Generation Christmas Twister with The Kasuals and DJ sets
Doors open: 7pm
Ticket price: £4
http://bandonthewall.org/events/3403/
To contact Band on the Wall or for pre-booked tickets go to: www.bandonthewall.org or call: 0845 2 500 500
Or visit them on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/mygenerationatbandonthewall
I also did a short video about the night, so watch this space it will be uploaded soon!
Reported and photographed by Community Reporter –
Phil Hamer, the Salford Lad