Starting on 10 June we’ve got a sparkly new DJ night:
‘FUNKED-UP FRIDAY!’

Description: 80s and 90s Soul, R ‘n’ B, Motown and New Soul.
Time: 9pm – 2am.
Every Friday.
Admission: FREE

Get your groove on!!!

AND…

Starting this week, and running every Sunday after that, we’re launching a new night of music and merriment, with live Greek folk music from Pascal Paschalis and Chris Cristakis, playing guitar and bouzouki for everyone to dance to.

As a special treat, we’re keeping the kitchen open well past its usual bed time, so food will be available for you to buy till 10:30pm. Lots of yummy Mediterranean favourites for you to choose from: tapas if you just fancy a nibble, and main meals if you’ve worked up an appetite on the dance floor!

Plate smashing optional! (Please bring your own though)!

Get that holiday feeling and dance the night away!

Sunday 12 June. 8pm-12am.

Admission FREE

This Wednesday Last Exit will be screening a night of independent films as part of the Chorlton Arts Festival. We have several shorts to screen and two main features.

The shorts will be shown from 5pm til 6:30pm with some lovely, funny and delightful snippets from Rich Howe and co. including an extended trailer for his ongoing feature Reali-tease.

The first feature is “1599″ previewing it’s first public showing, which we are very excited about. This will show at 7pm with some further shorts to follow and a DJ set afterwards from our very own Max!

The films will read like a book and the popcorn will flow like wine. The kitchen will be open throughout the day from 12pm until 7pm. If you haven’t tried any of the fare, I highly recommend it.

Our aim is to give aspiring film makers a free and accessible platform from which to show their wares. Drop me a line if you would like your work shown in future showcases.

Hope to see you there.

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4pm-6.30pm

A collection of shorts and trailers by aspiring North West film makers.

7pm

’1599′

This is an Elizabethan docu-drama, shot in historic locations Ordshall Hall and Haddon Hall, and narrated by Christopher Eccleston. It tells the compelling true tale of twins Alexander and Margaret Radclyffe, living at the end of the 16th Century in Manchester. The story, a blend of historical reconstruction drama and documentary footage, provides a fascinating insight into both everyday life in Elizabethan times, and the intrigue of the royal court.

The exquisite music in the production is from the late 16th century
repertoire of John Dowland, and performed by specialist period ensemble La Brigata.

Peter Syrus – Music Director, Bass
Sue Tyson – Soprano
Kristine Szulik – Alto
Tom Salmon – Tenor
Hugh Cherry – Lute

People who attend Iguana’s music nights may well recognise the leading man in this film (or maybe not, as he’s wearing tights and a ruff), yes it’s Iguana’s own open mic and acoustic showcase host Charlie Allen-Wall. His leading lady is up-and-coming actress Anarosa De Eizaguirre Butler.

The film also features interviews with Manchester personalities, including ex Joy Division bassist Peter Hook, who talks here about Elizabethan lute music.

The film had its premiere last week at The Green Room, where it had the privilege of being the last film ever to be screened at the historic arts venue, which sadly closes its doors at the end of the month, due to lost funding.

This film is in the last stages of post-production, so is not the final cut, but other than a few editing touch-ups, it’s 99% finished.

Prodcuced Paul Turley (Most Haunted, Locks and Quays, Made in England).

More info at the film’s web site.

http://www.1599.org.uk/

8:45pm

A further collection of shorts and trailers by aspiring film makers.

10pm-11.30pm

DJ Maxabillion to play us out.

Admission to all films is FREE.

Continuing a long tradition of supporting local talent, Iguana is once again offering a platform to showcase creatives and performers. We start today in the genres of visual art and live music as we officially launch two art exhibitions, and welcome an 8-piece band to our stage.

Firstly we have an exhibition of black and white hypnotic Escher-esque line drawings by Chorlton artist Lee Grant Durand-Millington.

Lee’s intricate monochrome mazes, interwoven with fractal-like designs, irresistably pull you into them, and take you on a trip through your imagination.

They will be exhibited in the snug to the rear of Iguana.

EXHIBITION OF BLACK AND WHITE LIVE MUSIC AND PERFORMANCE PHOTOGRAPHS, BY RACHAEL MAGOWAN

This is a collection of 16 monochrome photographs of performance artists. They were primarily shot at live entertainment venues in Manchester, including Night and Day, The Hard Rock Cafe, Iguana Bar, and the Chorlton Arts Radio (now Chorlton FM) studio, where Rachael was station photographer and live music co-ordinator in 2010.

Artists featured in the exhibitions include Harper Simon (son of Paul Simon), Soul/Gospel singer songwriter Krystyna Myles, Paula Darwish (Country & Eastern Band), Charlie Allen, newly-signed classic rockers Stolen Peace, poet Kieren King, and many more faces familiar to South Manchester’s gig-going crowd.

A preview evening for the exhibitions will be held at Iguana on 19th May, at 7pm, and the installations will remain in place till 30 May. Admission to both exhibitions is FREE.

Also today we have a special edition of George Linton’s ‘Iguana Party.’ This week the increasingly popular night of live Caribbean-flavoured music plays host to Chorlton Arts Festival act, the 8-piece Sargasso Township Band, who will be playing live Jazz/Afro/Funk.
As usual, George and the Mento B Band will also be playing a combination of upbeat Calypso, Mento, Blues & Soul. So get your dancing shoes on!

9pm-12:30am
Admission: FREE

Below is our programme of events, in association with the Festival. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page for amendments and updates.

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VISUAL ARTS
19-30 May

EXHIBITION OF PAINTINGS BY LEE GRANT DURAND-MILLINGTON

Lee’s exhibition will consist of 8 A4 black and white prints of his hypnotic Escher-esque line drawings, which pull you into them and take you on a trip through your imagination.
They will be exhibited in the snug to the rear of Iguana.
A preview for the exhibition will be held on the launch night of the Festival, 19th May, at 7pm, and the installation will remain in place till 30 May.

Admission FREE.

EXHIBITION OF BLACK AND WHITE LIVE MUSIC AND PERFORMANCE PHOTOGRAPHS, BY RACHAEL MAGOWAN

A collection of monochrome prints, primarily featuring Manchester-based musicians and performers, plus a few from further afield, playing live at Manchester venues. Featured artists inlcude: Harper Simon (son of Paul Simon), Gospel singer songwriter Kristyna Myles (former Iguana resident artist, now signed for a five album record deal with Decca), newly-signed classic rock band Stolen Peace, former Iguana resident artist Paula Darwish, and many more.

Admission FREE.

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LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

THURSDAY 19 May
9pm-12:30am ‘Iguana Party’ a night of Soul, Reggae, Calypso and Blues, with Calypso George Linton and the Mento B Band and friends. Plus very special guests Chorlton Arts Festival artists The Sargasso Township Band (8-piece: Jazz/Afro/Funk).
Bring your dancing shoes!
Admission FREE.

FRIDAY 20 May
8pm-11:30pm Paula Darwish and the Country & Eastern Band.
A unique fusion of Western country music and percussion-driven Turkish/Kurdish folk, with sweet vocals, Eastern rhythms and exotic instrumentation. Paula and her band enjoyed a very successful and lengthy residency at Iguana before moving on to a busy schedule of recording and touring. The band’s performances are always immensely popular and full of fun!
Admission: £3.00

SATURDAY 21 May
7:30pm Chorlton Arts Festival artist, hip-hop performance poet, Chanje Kunda.
Chanje is working on a collection of poetry called ‘Amsterdam’ in collaboration with Crocus books. This Mancunian poet croncicles her adventures in the underground hip hop and reggae scene in Amsterdam, bringing the roots culture to life in a vibrant collection of cinematic spoken word. Chanje will also perform tracks from her hip hop poetry EP One Voice, which has toured nationally.

http://myspace.com/chanjekunda

Admission: FREE

9pm DJ night. With Peace FM DJ Sam Brown. The night is a special attraction for birthday celebrations and parties, with Old Skool, Soul and some nice Reggae flava.
Time: 9pm-2am.Admission: £5

SUNDAY 22 May
Chorlton Arts Festival Acoustic Showcase Special.
Hosted by Charlie Allen.
Guests:
Chorlton Arts Festival artists: Blue Souk. (Blues/folk fusion). (Time onstage 8:00pm)
Chorlton Arts Festival artists: Charmed Voices. (Four-piece female close vocal harmony group).
Laying Down the Law, (acoustic rock and blues band, featuring Charlie Allen, Jim Lawley and special guests).
Time: 8pm
Admission: FREE

MONDAY 23 May
9:00pm ‘Baby Mirth.’
Stand-up comedy hosted by Des Sharples.
Guests: OWEN RANKIN + JAMES CHRISTOPHER + MIKE NEWALL.
Admission: £1 Members /£2 Non Members/£5 Lifetime Membership available on Comedy Nights.

TUESDAY 24 May
Chorlton Arts Festival Open Mic Special.
It’s a slightly different format this week, in honour of the Chorlton Arts Festival. As always, in true open mic tradition, everyone is welcome and we’d like to encourage performers to come down and give our stage a try, whether they’re old friends of Iguana, or brand new to the night.

In addition this week though we’re teaming up with the famous Chorlton Arts Festival to showcase some of their stable of the best in the North West’s talent, so we’ve got a specially extended set from the Festival’s featured artist, experimental electronic musician Alexx O’Shea, AKA ‘The Stereo Surrealist.’
Alexx is a familiar face on the Manchester music scene, and we guarantee that her unique sound is something you’ll remember! You never know quite what to expect from her performances. Playing on unusual instruments such as the Renaissance era crumhorn, or a theremim, or sometimes weird and wonderful home-made creations, Alexx blends non-mainstream instruments with alternately ambient and wild electronic loops, with the overall effect often likened to a 60s psychedelia prog rock flashback! We love it!

Some of our regular performers have also already committed to coming down, and these include:
Gareth Llewellyn Armstrong (singer songwriter)
Al MacDonald (instrumental guitarist)
Kurtis Starkie – (singer songwriter)
Kieren King – (performance poet)
Simon Mayne – (singer songwriter)
Rachel Burton – (stand-up comic)
Helen Monks – (singer songwriter)

We’ll be starting earlier this week, and not ending till 12:30am, so there’s still plenty of room for performers who’d like to turn up on the night; just make sure you get down early to book a slot!
As per usual, all the performances at our open mic are digitally recorded in stereo, and will be made available as podcasts for free download on our brand new podcast web site http://charliecast.co.uk/ which went live at Midnight on Friday 13th of May. (Yes, we chose the date deliberately)! Share your live show all over the world with friends, family, record labels, journalists and talent scouts!

Time: 7:00pm -12:30am
Admission: FREE

WEDNESDAY 25 May
Chorlton Arts Festival Last Exit Film Night Special.
Our regular film night goes all indie with screenings of locally-produced indie films, inlcuding the feature film ’1599,’ an Elizabethan docu-drama, shot in historic North West locations Orshall Hall and Haddon Hall, and narrated by Christopher Eccleston, and starring Charlie Allen-Wall and Anarosa De Eizaguirre Butler.

http://www.1599.org.uk/

Start time: 7pm
Admission: FREE

THURSDAY 26 May
7pm: “Nubidu” with DJ Dave Tragen
A DJ set with a blend of nu funk, latin, soul and jazz designed to get people up and dancing.

9pm-12:30am ‘Iguana Party,’ Chorlton Arts Festival Special.
A night of live Soul, Reggae, Calypso and Blues, with Calypso George Linton and the Mento B Band and friends. Plus very special guests Chorlton Arts Festival artists Jazzworks, (6 piece jazz band).
www.myspace.com/jazzworksband
Admission: FREE

FRIDAY 27 May
7pm: Rochdale band, The Fellons (Soul, funky house, who played The Charlatans after show party in Brixton, October 2010.). http://www.myspace.com/thefellonsuk
Admission: FREE

9pm-2am: DJ night with Peace FM’s Sam Brown.
The night is a special attraction for birthday celebrations and parties, with Old Skool, Soul and some nice Reggae flava.
Time: 9pm-2am.Admission: £5

SUNDAY 29 May
8pm-12:30am: Chorlton Arts Festival Acoustic Showcase Special.
Compered by Charlie Allen.
Special Chorlton Arts Festival guests: Chris Layhe and Nic Elsby.
Special Chorlton Arts Festival guest, experimental guitarist Mark Dennis.
AND
Stolen Peace: a rapidly rising and hotly-tipped classic rock band from New Mills, compared to Led Zep and Deep Purple, with a lead vocalist whose voice will make the hair on the back of your neck stand on end.
Fresh from their packed-out album launch at the Hard Rock Cafe, the band play a rare Festival special acoustic set in the venue where they signed their album deal earlier this year.
Listen to them here: http://soundcloud.com/ambiel-music/sets/stolen-peace-bones
Admission: FREE

MONDAY 30 May
9:00pm Mirth on Monday.
Live stand-up comedy, hosted by Des Sharples.
Parrot + Andy Niner + Adam Rowe + David McAndrew.
Admission: £4 – Non Members. £2 Members £5. Lifetime Membership available on Night of Show.

Offers available 29 April, 10am-6pm:

£1 off all the sandwiches on our yummy new menu.

Tea or coffee and cake for just £2.00.

BEERS:

All draught beers £2.50

WINES:

Merlot £8 a bottle (normal price – £12)

Sauvignion Blanc £8 a bottle (normal price – £10.95)

Come down to Iguana and celebrate in style with a right royal nosh-up.

Food served 10am-7pm.