Friday 8 November 2013

POLLFest at the People's History Museum


The People’s History Museum in Manchester is delighted to announce details of our exciting politics festival POLLfest. Visitors are invited to join us from Friday 15 to Thursday 21 November as we celebrate Parliament Week with a series of events, activities and unfamiliar goings on to explore this year’s theme of Women in Democracy.

Women in Democracy tour - Friday 15 November
Celebrate Parliament Week on this special tour of our main galleries celebrating women’s contribution to UK democratic life. Stick around afterwards to see unique material in the Labour History Archive & Study Centre and go behind the scenes in our archive tour.
Suitable for adults
Booking advised
Free. Donations to the museum gratefully received
1.15pm – 2.00pm, archive tour 2.00pm – 2.30pm

Our friends at the Working Class Movement Library will be holding a Women in Democracy event, highlighting the lack of women MPs which is often a complaint about parliament. With women making up over half of the population, so it goes that they should make up half of parliament. Visitors can see collections relating to those pioneering women who fought against this inequality, from the first female councillor in Eccles, to the women in the Co-operative movement, explore how women have fought for an equal say.

Women in Democracy at the Working Class Movement Library - Saturday 16 November
The lack of women MPs is a constant complaint about parliament. With women making up over half of the population, so it goes that they should make up half of parliament. On Saturday 16 November between 10.00am and 1.00pm, visitors to the Working Class Movement Library can see collections relating to those pioneering women who fought against this inequality. From the first female councillor in Eccles to the women in the Co-operative movement, come and explore how women have fought for an equal say.
Suitable for adults
Drop in event, no booking required
Free. Donations to the library gratefully received
Please note this event is at the Working Class Movement Library
10.00am – 1.00pm



Q & A with Lucy Powell MP - Saturday 16 November
Come along to hear Lucy Powell, MP for Manchester Central give her views on what it’s like to be a female MP in parliament today. In a Q & A with the museum’s Director, Katy Archer, Lucy will chart her journey from joining the Labour Party, to becoming the first ever female Labour MP in Manchester, to taking up her new role as shadow minister for childcare.
Suitable for adults
Booking required via Eventbrite – http://lucypowell.eventbrite.co.uk/
Free. Donations to the museum gratefully received
2.00pm – 2.45pm

In the evening, we are excited to be hosting Pecha Kucha Manchester.

Pecha Kucha - Saturday 16 November
Pecha Kucha Manchester is coming to the People’ s History Museum! Pecha Kucha is an informal presentation event where people are invited to talk about any subject they wish (in this case, politics) as long as they follow one simple rule – you can only use 20 slides and each have to be up for 20 seconds. This allows for quick, straight to the point presentations which both engage and educate.
Suitable for adults
Booking required via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/event/8811323907
Free. Donations to the museum gratefully received
6.00pm – 8.00pm

On Sunday 17 November we turn to the funny side of politics at our Comedy Spectacular! where we will showcase the best up and coming comedy talent. Warm up for the evening by coming along to our Politics Show Off – an open mic night with a twist!

Comedy Spectacular!
From political cartoons to Spitting Image puppets – we love the funny side of politics at the PHM. Come along to a very special night where we showcase the best up and coming comedy talent.

4.00pm Politics Show Off
Warm up for the evening by coming along to our Politics Show Off – an open mic night with a twist! Performers get seven minutes to strut their stuff before the buzzer goes off. If you’d like to sign up to perform please contact catherine.odonnell@phm.org.uk. Slots are limited so first come first served!


6.00pm Do Not Adjust Your Stage
In this very special performance, comedy troupe Do Not Adjust Your Stage will improvise scenes and stories inspired by the People’s History Museum.



7.00pm GrĂ¡inne Maguire’s One Hour All Night Election Special
Sad there’s no big election this year? Us too. Join stand up comedian, comedy writer and columnist GrĂ¡inne Maguire as she condenses all the fun of staying up late to watch democracy in process. Expect needlessly complicated graphics, politicians dancing awkwardly and humiliated grown ups trying not to cry in public. There will be Swingometers…
Suitable for adults
Booking required via Eventbrite – https://pollfestcomedy.eventbrite.co.uk/
Free. Donations to the museum gratefully received

Please visit our website to find out more about POLLfest. Follow us on twitter @PHMMcr #PHMPollFest for all the latest updates.