Hale Barns Carnival is back this July with its biggest production ever - as well as a special tribute to iconic local nightclub Chequers.
The event, which takes place on the St Ambrose Playing Fields, will take place over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, July 20th and 21st.
On the Saturday evening, an 80s Proms concert experience will feature over 50 performers, dancers, musicians and singers.
Award-winning tributes to Lionel Richie, Tina Turner and Duran Duran will be backed by the Fusion Orchestra and The Music Place’s big band and choir.
Duran have been reproducing the authentic sound of Duran Duran for over 25 years, while Malcolm Pitt as Lionel Richie has previously appeared on ITV’s Sunday Night At The Palladium and The Graham Norton Show on BBC One.
And Paula Randell has performed as Tina Turner all over the world, including her own residency at The Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
The Carnival continues on the Sunday evening with a unique revival of Chequers, the Moss Lane club that achieved legendary status locally in the 80s and 90s.
Chequers started life as the Red Robin Club, a supporters' bar for neighbouring Altrincham Football Club on Moss Lane, but became a nightclub in 1976.
The revival concert will celebrate all things Chequers, with a special DJ set from former Chequers resident DJ Andy James and Happy Radio’s Darren Proctor playing the biggest club classics around.
There will also be headline performances from a number of special guests including Rowetta from the Happy Mondays.
A big part of the Manchester music scene, Rowetta has collaborated with Inner City and Peter Hook’s The Light and lent her voice to artists including Black Eyed Peas, The Amorphous Androgynous, Greco NYC and Will Atkinson.
Hale Barns Carnival, a not for profit festival, is now in its eighth year.
Organiser Max Eden said: “I’m so excited for this year’s festival; we have two incredible productions planned for our evening concerts which are the most feel-good, exciting shows we’ve ever staged.
"This year’s evening shows are about having as much fun possible and connecting our community together and celebrating our local area.
"We’ve got an 80s Proms spectacular and the revival of one of the most iconic local night clubs which spanned decades of memories; its time to go back to Chequers and party!”
The event is supported by local businesses including Benchmark Security Group, Manchester Airport, Full Circle Funeral Partners and BeFibre. Happy Radio UK will be the festival’s official radio partner.
All ticket revenues from the evening concerts will be donated towards community projects and charities.
Further details on the free entry day events will be announced soon but tickets for the evening productions are on sale now here.
