Manchester keeps on dancing

On 14 January 2017 The Refuge by Volta will be hosting the world premier of Manchester Keeps on Dancing, a feature length film that documents – in exceptional detail – the arrival of House music into Manchester from Chicago in the 1980’s, through to the Acid House explosion of 1988 and the following 30 years of its phenomenal rise to today.

The documentary by Madrid filmmaker Javi Senz goes much deeper than the Hacienda, and instead digs into archive footage that has never before been seen on film, alongside in-depth interviews from highly respected DJs, producers, promoters and social commentators such as Colin Curtis, Mike Pickering, Greg Wilson, Luke Unabomber, Carl Craig, Andrew Weatherall, DJ Heidi, Marshall Jefferson and Laurent Garnier.

The initial screening of this film will take place at The Refuge by Volta, curated by Manchester music legends, The Unabombers, with an additional public screening at the AMC Manchester.

Luke Unabomber said: “An understated but beautiful film looking at the underground story of Manchester, about an effervescence that burst under the City’s pavements finally bubbling through the cracks in the late 80s, uniting a movement that turned the black and white town into colour and changed everything. “This isn’t another story boring on and on about how good it used to be but more an explanation of a beautiful journey of blood sweat and tears that took us from 300 kids in various cellars and basements to where we are today. A story from the soul.”

Filmmaker Javi Senz said: “I have been a lifelong lover of House music and because I not actually from the city of Manchester itself, but I have spent many years living here and experiencing its current and musical history, I felt I could give an objective view of the story, something which I hope shines through the film and gives it a comprehensive and interesting overview.”

You can join us for the offical after party in The Refuge Public Bar from 2pm – with a great line up of DJs:

2-6pm: Dave Walker

6-9pm: The Unabombers and Krysko

9pm-2am: Darryl Marsden/Ghetto Child