Workshops

 

Talks, cookery demos, films, children's activities and entertainment

There will be two separate rooms for talks, cookery demos, children's activities and films. Entertainment will be downstairs in the seating area.

Jefferson Room upstairs

11am - 11:25am  Devotional vegan chocolate truffles with the Shiva Trust
Did you know that the most important ingredient in any food is the energy and intention with which it is made? Devotees of Satguru Sri Ramana have learnt that the secret of making truly ‘Divine food’ is to make it with devotion. They will share their experience of devotion, including some of their favourite devotional songs (bhajans). All participants go home with their very own bag of delicious homemade vegan chocolate truffles!

11:30am - 12:20pm Saving Cows and Badgers with Kate Chabriere
Why are we facing another badger cull? What are the chances of preventing it? What are the alternatives, and how veganism is inextricably linked to the cull. Kate Chabriere brings her knowledge of fighting the badger cull down in Cornwall to the Northern Vegan Festival.

1pm - 1:25pm Sweet Mandarin Sauces with Lisa Tse
Lisa Tse together with her twin sister, Helen, have a natural knack of making cooking fun. Survivors of Dragons' Den and winner of Gordon Ramsay's Best Local Chinese Restaurant, they have recently launched three vegan registered Chinese sauces (sweet chilli, barbecue and sweet & sour) into 500 Sainsbury's. Lisa will show you how to make the most ordinary of ingredients into extraordinary dishes, and throw in an exotic mix of tofu, udon and bok choy using her vegan sauces. Even the most experienced cook needs a little inspiration from time to time, and during this cookery demonstration Lisa will share some of her trade secrets. Helen will also advise how to pair Chinese food dishes with wines that compliment and bring out the flavours of your favourite vegan recipes.

1:30pm - 1:55pm Hemp Smoothies with Tim Barford from Yaoh
Tim has been living on a plant-based lifestyle for the best part of 30 years - and hemp is the mainstay of his diet. In his demos he shows how to whip up several hemp smoothies packed full of nutrients and tasting absolutely fabulous. Tim also explains the basics of hemp nutrition and why this amazing seed is truly the superfood of the century. Expect a lot of fun, loads of info in an informal and easy fashion, and some most excellent smoothies to sample. Take away the recipe to recreate at home!

2pm - 2:25pm Right on Rhymes with Chrissy Leyland
Fed up of singing about Old McDonalds Farm?  Come and sing along to “Old McVeggie” instead!  With puppets, instruments and songs kids will have fun while learning how to look after each other, animals and the planet! This workshop is for young children from babies to 8 year olds accompanied by their parents/ carers.

2:30pm - 2:55pm Storytelling with Chrissy Leyland
Find out why Benji Beansprout doesn’t eat meat and hear other animal friendly stories in this interactive workshop.  Share your favourite tales and help to create a brand new story!  Aimed at 5-9 year olds but kids of all ages are welcome.

3pm - 3:50pm Dominic Berry Poetry
2012 has seen vegan word-smith Dominic Berry perform his poetry on CBeebies 'Rhyme Rocket'' and Channel 4's 'My Daughter, The Teenage Nudist'. He has two books of adult poetry and one for children. He is winner of New York’s infamous Nuyorican Poetry Cafe Slam (2011) and Manchester Literature Festival’s Superheroes of Slam (2009). Dominic is very proud to be bringing his upbeat, funny, energetic and passionate performance poetry to the Northern Vegan Festival. His set will include many of his award winning poems and offers plenty of laughs, lyrics and lively entertainment.

4pm - 4:25pm Zen Flow Yoga with Jill Phillips
A short flowing yoga class to release tension, find balance and improve circulation. Using a combination of yoga and tai chi, reconnect with yourself and the earth you walk upon, whilst gaining flexibility to keep an open body and mind. Suitable for all!

4:30pm - 4:55pm Taco bowls with with Jenny Gradwell,  Didsbury Dinners and Cottage Cupcake 
Jenny will whet your appetite by showing you how to rustle up a veritable vegan banquet of taco bowls, chilli and sides. And this is just a taster of things to come: Didsbury Dinners is offering free (vegan) 6-week 'learn to cook' courses throughout South Manchester this year. Visit www.didsburydinners.com for further details and to apply!

5pm - 6pm  Vegan Speed Meeting hosted by Sean from Fat Gay Vegan
If you don't know any other vegans, or would like to extend your circle of friends, or perhaps you're looking for a partner then don't miss the Vegan Speed Meeting. It will not be specifically for singles, but for people looking to meet other vegans, whether it's for friendship or dating. Anyone wanting to continue their conversations can move on to the After Show Party at The Thirsty Scholar.

Roosevelt Room upstairs

11am - 11:25am Setting up a vegan community cafe with Brett Lund from Beautiful Planet, Preston
Preston volunteer-run veggie/vegan cafe, Beautiful Planet, was set up with the help of a grant from the National Lottery. Find out how this was possible and get some advice for setting up your own vegan community cafe.

11:30am - 12:20pm Vervet Monkey Foundation with Sarah Jane and Matt
Find out about the work of the Vervet Monkey Foundation in South Africa; the connection between conservation and a sustainable/vegan lifestyle, how the foundation is working with local communities on the ground to change the perception of the Vervet Monkey and how you can get involved.

12:25pm - 1:25pm  Sea the Truth Film
Sea the Truth is the sequel to Meat the Truth, produced by the Nicolaas G. Pierson Foundation. Learn about the consequences of our hunger for animal proteins from the seas and oceans. 

1:30pm - 2:20pm Joining the Fight for Flight to stop mutilation of birds in UK zoos with CAPS' Director Liz Tyson
Director of the Captive Animals’ Protection Society, Liz Tyson, will present the findings of the charity's newest investigation into the widespread practice of mutilating birds in UK zoos in order to prevent them escaping captivity. The investigation led to the launch of a new campaign, the Fight for Flight, to see the practice abolished. Liz will share details of the findings and campaign actions. 

2:30pm - 3:20pm Vegan Baking – How to replace animal products with Ms Cupcake
Struggling to veganise your favourite cake recipes?  Mellissa Morgan (Ms. Cupcake) will take you through the world of vegan baking substitutions and you’ll learn why you don’t need milk, eggs or butter in any recipe.

3:30pm - 4:20pm  Try the Vegan Approach -  with Chrissy Leyland and Kelly Slade
Are you thinking about going vegan?  Have you tried being vegan before but come across some challenges?  Are you a new vegan?  If the answer is yes to any of these questions, then please join us at the launch of the first Manchester Vegan Approach. Volunteers taking the Vegan Approach will make a commitment to go vegan for one month after the workshop. We will outline our 10 simple steps to start you on your vegan journey.  We’ll give you ideas about what to buy and cook and tips for dealing with friends and family.  The Vegan Approach month will end with  a social event where participants can get together to discuss their vegan month and plans for the future. Everyone is welcome at the workshop,  if you are already vegan please bring along your vegan curious friends! For more information contact info@theveganapproach.com.

4:25pm - 5pm Making the Connection Film from the Vegan Society
This 30 minute film explores an exciting lifestyle which combines delicious, healthy food with tackling many of the ethical and global challenges facing us today and into the future. It is divided into eight chapters and features a dietician, an MP, chefs, farmers, an elite athlete, environmental groups and the wonderful Benjamin Zephaniah. It explains how becoming vegan is good for your health, good for the environment, good for the animals and can help to feed a growing world population. Will you make the connection and become part of the solution?

5:05pm - 5:30pm  Eating out in the North with Alex Bourke and Ronny Worsey
Alex Bourke and Ronny Worsey from Vegetarian Guides, authors of the books Vegetarian North of England and Vegetarian Scotland, present the best places to eat out vegan in Manchester and beyond and answer questions on vegan eating out and travel worldwide.  Ronny is a northern vegan chef who has lived and travelled all over Britain. Alex lives in London and has travelled vegan on five continents.

5:35pm - 6pm  Should shark finning be banned? with Abigail Southworth
Exploitation has led to the threat of extinction for many shark species. In Chinese culture shark fins are used in the popular shark fin soup, as well as in traditional medicinal remedies, both of which are centuries old and hold significant cultural importance. Demand for shark fins kills 73 million sharks each year. One third of the shark species that swim in the open ocean have been classified as threatened, with some populations being reduced to 10% of their former size. What's the driving force behind this state of affairs? What's the latest news, legislation and campaigns? What inspiration can you take from the dedicated individuals and organisations working to bring sharks back from the brink?

Entertainment - downstairs in the cafe area
 

12pm - 12:30pm FreeStar (aka Martin the LIvewire)
FreeStar is a vegan, socio-politically, spiritually concious, hip hop lyricist from Nottingham. The majority of his lyrical content aims to bring awareness of animal and human rights. 

12:45pm - 1:15pm Kye Jones
Semi acoustic solo vegan musician from Warrington, inspired by the likes of Tool, Led Zeppelin and Tori Amos. Music for all to feel, with powerfull emotive lyrics, and some epic acoustic guitar bashing, definitely not your everyday singer songwriter.

1:30pm - 2pm Jaz
Jaz is 16, a life long vegetarian and a vegan for three years. She has performed at Bristol vegfest and busks in her spare time, both for charity and to help towards the cost of further education as she has just got a place at one of the most prestigious Performing Arts Schools, Tring in Hertfordshire. Jaz loves animals and helps care for 36 rescued animals from Greece, Romania and the U.K. 

2:15pm - 2:45pm Leanne Bridgwater 
Leanne Bridgewater is not only addicted to yeast extract, but words too. She creates ideas from wordplay and enjoys distorting images. Expect experimental poetry, some forms of movement and a bit of craziness, followed by confusion.