There’s an awful lot of things to get through this week so I’m just going to get straight to it, starting with the best ‘events’…
Events
Let’s kick things off with something that promises to be A LOT of fun and probably a right good laugh – An Evening with Bez over at The Bowdon Rooms in Altrincham. He’ll be getting interviewed on stage, regaling everyone with his mad stories and rock and roll capers. Quite how he remembers it all though is a mystery.
Bez must have got some great exercise dancing around on stage like a loon, but today it’s all a bit different – with yoga and wellness being very popular ways to keep your health in check. Opening up this week is LiveWell on Stevenson Square and to celebrate they’re going to give away FREE wellbeing sessions and crystals throughout the week. Get all the information you need right here:
LiveWell is Offering FREE Wellbeing Sessions & Crystals at its Launch Party Next Week
manchestercraft/Instagram
Another celebration in the Northern Quarter is that of the Manchester Craft & Design Centre, which celebrates its 40th year this week with a big party on Saturday 14th which will include live music, food & drink and craft activities alongside an interactive exhibition where you can share your memories, craft something yourself and see how the Centre has evolved since 1982.
The Northern Quarter’s Craft & Design Centre celebrates 40th Anniversary with a FREE Party!
Apparently, it’s National Home Buying Week and if you’ve managed to stop eating avocados and cancelled Netflix then you might have some money for a deposit burning a hole in your pocket. This Saturday 14th sees a show come to Old Trafford that’s perfect for first-time buyers.
Featuring talks from industry experts, presentations, independent financial advice and even interior designers – it’s got everything you need if you’re thinking of getting a house at some point soon. It’s FREE too.
Comedy
There’s seemingly loads of live comedy on in the city this week so I thought I’d bring it all together into its very own subcategory. First, there’s the balding Hobbit himself Bill Bailey at The Lowry with his new show ‘En Route to Normal, as well as local comedian Dan Nightingale doing some ‘New Bits’ down at The Edge in Chorlton.
Another local lad, Steve Coogan will be bringing Alan Partridge to the AO Arena with his new ‘Stratagem’ show – which promises to be a TED Talk kinda thing. Chris Rock is in town too – but there are no tickets left – probably because Will Smith smacked him across the chops at the Oscars. You might be able to find some on Twickets if you’re lucky.
Arts & Culture
Hebden Bridge in the snow, 1978
Wandering Palate in Monton will, this Thursday 12th, be showcasing the work of award-winning Guardian photojournalist Denis Thorpe. Called ‘A View From The North‘ the images will primarily feature the North of the UK, however, they’ll also take in his travels over the years, from Europe to the Middle East, the Soviet Union and China.
Coming to the Science & Industry Museum from Friday 13th is Amazônia, a critically acclaimed major exhibition exploring the work of world-renowned Brazilian photographer, Sebastião Salgado.
It celebrates the indigenous peoples and breath-taking landscapes of the Brazilian rainforest – through over 200 black and white images and interviews with indigenous leaders, accompanied by a specially commissioned immersive soundtrack from acclaimed French composer Jean-Michel Jarre, which brings to life the sounds of the rainforest.
This Friday is the 13th, which means people who salute magpies and avoid 3 grids on the road will be shaking in their boots – expecting something bad to happen when it definitely won’t. To celebrate this special day Flecky Bennett will be hosting a special Ghost Walk through the city centre, whilst independent cinema Chapeltown Picture House is having a Friday 13th Double Bill.
Equally as frightening for some people is a bit of musical theatre, and this week sees the classic movie Singin’ In The Rain come to The Lowry as a proper theatrical production. It’ll include the glorious MGM score including songs such as Good Morning, Make ‘em Laugh, Moses Supposes and the legendary Singin’ in the Rain.
Finally, Frankenstein has been given a modern makeover by a group of 6 young performers at Contact Theatre. Battersea Art Centre and BAC Beatbox Academy’s Frankenstein will make you really question the true monsters in life today and examines what (or who) we should fear. It takes place from Tuesday 10th to Saturday 14th.
Food & Drink
This week sees the launch of a brilliant new collaboration between Bundobust and Maray, one that’s only available for two weeks – so you’d better get yourself down to Piccadilly Gardens or Oxford Road sharpish.
Valafel Pav
They’ve re-designed the legendary Okra Fries (Jazzy Fries with tahini, tamarind and chilli), the Vada Pav (now with falafel) and the Bhel Puri is now DISCO Bhel Puri with caramelised cauliflower.
Bundobust collaborate with Maray for Middle Eastern-Indian Fusion Specials
The Smithfield Social have extended their 50% OFF Food offer until the end of this week (Friday to be exact) – and so if you want to get your hands on their excellent dishes, now’s your time…
Book A Table Smithfield Social
The newly opened Wild Goose in Altrincham is famed for its modern take on French cuisine and will be launching a new menu offer and live music evening this Wednesday 11th – this week with Paul Pashley – a man who has appeared on The Voice and even sang at Wayne Rooney’s wedding. For £40 you get 3-courses, a cocktail and live music – not bad eh?
To book a table, please email Wild Goose at hello@wildgooserestaurants.co.uk.
Food Sorcery over in Didsbury is hosting a Pasta Making Cookery Class on Wednesday 11th, so you can learn some vital skills (kneading, drying, shaping) and how to colour it, make different shapes and just generally become an expert in the stuff. Perfect for the next time you have to rustle up a Spag Bol to impress someone round your gaff.
On Wednesday 11th. Tast will be uniting 3 incredible chefs with the help of Estrella Damm, with a gastronomic 10 Course Dinner event. From 1pm – 4pm, Executive Chef Paco Pérez and Liz Cottam from Home in Leeds will be in the Bar Area cooking special ‘tastets’.
In the evening they’ll be joined by Paul Askew from The Art School in Liverpool with a menu a special menu that will take you on a journey through Catalan and English Cuisine, all well paired with a freshly poured Estrella Damm!
Music & Clubs
One of the biggest and best events of the Manchester calendar returns this week, as Hit & Run’s Food 4 Thought comes to Six Trees in Trafford.
It’s been going for a fair few years now and essentially forces you to pay for entry with either food or toiletries – which then goes to the Salford Foodbank. Additionally, 100% of the pre-booked ticket profits go to the Yemen Appeal. The line-up for this thing is amazing – you should go.
Primarily because I love him, but also because it’s going to be brilliant, the Untold Orchestra does Prince is something you should definitely get involved in this week at Escape to Freight Island. They’ll also be hosting Jazzie B from Soul II Soul on Sunday at their weekly ‘Better Days’ festival too.
KSI at Manchester Academy
Back in the 60s Manchester was probably most known for one thing – The Twisted Wheel Club. The home of Northern Soul will be returning with a classic daytime party, this time at Band on the Wall on Sunday 15th. So grab your old clobber, get some talcum powder on the soles of your shoes and get dancing like it’s 1964 (and you’ve not got a bad hip).
Following the release of their brand-new album, Radiate Like This, Warpaint will be back at the Albert Hall once again this Thursday 12th May. Get your tickets here.
Finally, KSI is on at the Academy on Sunday 15th, and the one and only Rebecca Black will be making a rather random appearance at The Deaf Institute on Monday night. I wonder if she still sings ‘Friday’?
