To mark 60 years since the doors of Manchester’s New Century Hall opened in 1963, New Century has announced a year of special events and activities. The collaboration with the British Culture Archive will see an exhibition showing the contrast between Manchester then and now, taking place during May 2023 alongside a celebratory birthday party.
The venue was reborn in 2022 as a three floor social destination, but was originally the New Century stood as an iconic building housing a state of the art dance hall in 1963.
The New Century team and the British Culture Archive would like to hear from anyone with memories of the New Century Hall – particularly anyone with images and memorabilia of this legendary venue during the 1960s. Although the exhibition will focus on New Century Hall in 1963, the project will explore all of Manchester life around that year, and so the teams would love to hear from people who have any photographs of their life in Manchester around that time.
A documentary photographer will also be commissioned to capture Manchester as we’re experiencing it in 2023 and the result will be a unique and authentic look at our city from the perspective, then and now, of this cultural giant of a building.
New Century will also be staging special events and gigs across the whole of 2023 to commemorate the original building, with the full programme to be revealed throughout the year. Equipped with its original 60s disco ceiling and sprung floor, as well as a brand new bar and state of the art sound system, the new New Century aims to honour the iconic history of the site, whilst still being functional for the modern customer.
Abby Moore, Managing Director at New Century said: “We’re so excited to be dedicating such a big part of our 60th anniversary celebrations to delving into the heritage of this beautiful building’s incredible past. Working with the British Culture Archive will allow us to do this on a scale never done before and create a completely unique and important piece of work.
“We want to celebrate the Mancunian spirit that is behind New Century and everything we do. We can’t wait to uncover more about New Century and Manchester itself from the people who were there.”
Anyone interested in taking part should email newcentury@siobhanhanley.com with any images and memorabilia that they have, along with a short explanation.
The exhibition will be unveiled in May 2023 as part of a celebratory long weekend all to coincide with the anniversary of the opening of New Century Hall, on May 11th 1963. The New Century exhibition will be the centrepiece and other events will include panel discussions and a street party on Sadlers Yard, promising a good old Manchester knees up.