The Reno at the Whitworth

For a period of one year Linda Brogan and a group of local residents, who went to the Reno nightclub in the 1970s and 80s, occupied the Whitworth.

The Reno, located in Moss Side, was known as a space for young mixed-race Mancunians. The project stems from Brogan's recordings of Reno regulars reminiscing about their experiences of the club, and the subsequent archaeological excavation of the site led by Salford University Applied Archaeological unit. This work was celebrated on 23 November 2017 at the Whitworth, when the idea for a sustained relationship between the Reno and the Whitworth was born.

Artefacts, video, works from the Whitworth's collection, music and other materials developed over the residency were on display in the gallery which was also used as a space for developing further ideas. The Reno @ the Whitworth is led by playwright Linda Brogan, with the Reno Regulars Barrie George, Brian Thorn, Carmen Jones, David Trigg, Dionne Richardson, Ivan Smith, Jeff Bassey, Myra Trigg, Persian, Philip Collins SNR, Steve Cottier, Susie Prouse, Suzy Mousah, and includes the photography of Karen Rangeley, films by John Lloyd, digital support by Sean Clarke, curatorial support by Nikita Gill, and a forthcoming publication by Bound Books.

15 March 2019 – 17 March 2020

PODCAST | One Conversation Please

By Linda Brogan & John Lloyd

The Reno was a legendary funk and soul, cellar club in Moss Side, Manchester. Predominantly populated by mixed race born in the 1950s. ...2020 we reflect on our journey to lead us to the next steps.

Find out more and listen to the podcast - click here

The Reno @ the Whitworth

The bridge between the ghetto and the arts has to be two-way traffic.

1970s, The Reno was a soul & funk, cellar club in Moss Side. Stronghold for us half-caste teens born in 1950s no blacks, no Irish, no dogs, stigmatised by the 1930s Fletcher Report: 'offspring of interracial relationships are born with mental and physical defects.' Demolished 1987.

2016 we filmed Reno memoirs. October 2017 we excavated the Reno. November 2017 we colonised the Whitworth obliterating their art with our memoirs. Our teen photos walked up their stairs. Excavation footage played on their huge exterior screen. Our artifacts lay in museum cases, while we danced to Reno DJs in their main hall. 

March 2019 to March 2020 the Reno and the Whitworth collaborated as a living exhibition to tell the Reno story through its generated materials and Whitworth art.

Memoirs and excavation are available on http://thereno.live

Linda Brogan
Instagram: @ExcavatingtheReno
Twitter: @Excavatingreno

Reno @ the Whitworth is supported by Arts Council England, Manchester Age Friendly Neighbourhood Team, One Manchester Housing Association, Manchester History Festival, Manchester International Festival, Royal Exchange Theatre, Battersea Arts Centre, Contact Theatre, Niamos, Bluemoose Books, Bound Books and Salford University Applied Archeology.

Image: Alex Darke, The Reno 1971-81 Collage, 2017. Courtesy, alexdarke.co.uk