Antics Clubnight x The Streets Spezial @ YES
Saturday 11th January
Nice and simple this one. It’s a club night at YES with loads of The Streets tunes. There will (of course) be other songs playing from other people but there will be a disproportionate amount of The Streets. Perfect if you are a fan of said band. Here’s a playlist to get you in mood…
The NoSleep Podcast Tour
Saturday 11th January
‘NoSleep’ refers to a bit of Reddit where people tell scary stories – true or perhaps not true – with the intention of giving people ‘no sleep’. Some of them are fucking terrifying. Some of them are shite. Well, the NoSleep Podcast has become the most listened to horror storytelling podcast in the world and the team behind it are heading to the city this week. Each performance features stories never-before-heard on the podcast. Here’s some blurb – “With a full musical score and immersive sound effects, the NoSleep team will transport you into the terror which lurks within the dark hours when you dare not close your eyes.” Nice.
Ghosts of Garage: Bday Bash @ Zizzy Sixx
Saturday 11th January
Taking place in that pub that used to be The Ram & Shackle, this Ghosts of Garage night will feature some big hitters in the urban scene – who all seem to be celebrating their birthdays at the same time. Bricks from LEVELZ is 40, Truthos is 30 and I’m sure there will be a few more people jumping on the bandwagon looking for a slice of birthday cake on the night too. Metrodome will be putting on a Garage to Grime set, as well as appearances by Rich Reason and NG.OMA. Tickets start at one shiny English pound.
NFL Live: Playoff Sunday @ Bunny Jacksons
Sunday 12th January
I can’t really pretend that I enjoy American Football – mostly because it would be glaringly obvious that I was lying when it became clear that I don’t know the rules, have zero patience for it and don’t really care what a bunch of blokes called Lance and Chad are doing over in Tennessee. There is one saving grace of NFL though, the games last SO long that you HAVE TO eat lots of food and drink lots of beer. Dem’s the rules. So, head on over to Bunny Jackson’s this Sunday (who will be showing all the games) and tuck into the best chicken wings in the world and a fair few fizzy lagers.
Shen Yun
Monday 13th January
This is a show that apparently features one of the world’s oldest art forms – classical Chinese dance. Set alongside some modern ‘scenographical effects’ and all-original orchestral works – this looks like it’ll be a rather special chance to witness a unique form of dance. Read this and tell me that you’re not excited – ” Enter a world where maidens danced with ethereal grace and generals fought with explosive athleticism. Where timeless tales of valor and virtue were born.” Sounds like a Disney film.
An Inspector Calls
Tuesday 14th – Saturday 18th January
I’m sure most people will remember reading An Inspector Calls in school – a welcome break from the tedium of Macbeth and the sheer monotony of Lord of the Flies. It’s a play written by JB Priestley, one that involves a group of people (all of whom are sods of varying degrees) having their dinner interrupted by an ‘inspector’ who informs them of the death of a young woman. It’s actually a really rather good play and is excellent on the stage. This multi award-winning production by Stephen Daldry will be hitting up The Lowry next week.
Art of the Brick @ Great Northern
On until April
I’ll be heading down to The Art of the Brick next week so I thought I’d add it here in case any of you lot want to go. Maybe you can come with me? Send me an email if you want to. Please. Anyway, The Art of the Brick is an art exhibition by an American bloke called Nathan Sawaya, who’s made some proper art using the humble LEGO brick. There are original pieces in there, alongside recreations of many of the world’s most famous art works. The statue of David is a particular highlight – as is the LEGO pit at the end.
Playtime: In aid of Wood Street Mission
Friday 17th January
This week will see a big charity event over at Stage & Radio – raising money for the brilliant Wood Street Mission which aims to provide care and support for vulnerable children living in poverty in the UK. Friday will see a range of DJ’s, promoters and clubs descend on the NQ venue for a night of music, dancing, boozing and general frivolity. All proceeds go to the Wood Street Mission and you can even donate clothes, books, toys and other items on the night too.
Flecky Bennett’s Manchester Ghost Walk 2019
Friday 17th January
Flecky Bennett is certainly a character. You’ll probably have seen him taking people around the city on a cold evening, dressed like a cross between Captain Jack Sparrow and that leather-clad one from the Village People. He might look a bit weird but he’s an absolute legend and his Ghost Walks are brilliant. This week sees him kick of 2020 with his ‘original’ tour, taking in such delights as ‘The Mummy of Manchester’, ghosts, ghouls and even the Devil himself. Good old Beelzebub. Mephistopheles. The geezer with the horns and the goat legs. That one.
Sinderella
Friday 17th January
A unique take on the classic Cinderella story, this adaptation, which is definitely more of a pantomime than a bit of serious theatre, features my favourite Drag Race UK contestant – Davina De Campo – who, if we’re all being honest – was robbed of the crown in this year’s competition. She’s playing the wicked Step Mother in this – and I’m positive she will be absolutely brilliant. The whole thing sounds like it would be an awful lot of fun – with glittering sets, sparkling costumes and more innuendo than all the Carry On films put together.
Weissel Festival @ NOMA
Friday 17th January
This is basically a 900-year-old festival where people sing and dance around an apple tree to try to ensure that the apple harvest for the year is a good one. It originated in the South West of the country – all those places that make cider and sound all weird – with the aim to drive away all of the bad spirits – leaving the apple trees to do their thing. Apparently, it’s still a big thing down there, and NOMA are getting in on the act with a big celebration around their orchard. It’s free, there’s cider and there’s an after party at The Marble Arch Pub. What more could you ask for?
