As the youngsters go back to school this week, and Greater Manchester’s parents let out an exhausted sigh of relief, there’s plenty of grown up events to get stuck into around town. From the brilliant team at Six By Nico launching their new tasting menu to the opening of a Shakespeare classic on stage with a rave twist, you’re spoilt for choice.
Here’s the best things to do in Manchester this week…
Six By Nico Toyko Menu Launch
Six by Nico’s next menu launches on Monday 2 September, this time inspired by Japan’s bustling capital city. Travelling to Tokyo for a research trip, Nico and the team were able to find a bounty of inspiration for these new dishes, which have been adapted and curated to celebrate Japanese food and ingredients. The tasting menu concept will include dishes inspired by chicken karaage and Six By Nico’s take on the classic ramen.
Dork’s Home & Away Series at Deaf Institute
Dork Magazine (in conjunction with Scruff of the Neck and CloseUp) bring their Home & Away series back up north for a second year. With the same line-up spread across two nights in Manchester and London, it will find the Dork crew inviting us to celebrate the very essence of the zine – a love of new music, live moments and ‘proper fun nonsense’. Taking over the Deaf Institute, Glasgow’s own VLURE are this year’s esteemed headliners, with fine support from Frozemode, who follow their appearance at Reading last week.
Lucy Wright’s Future Folk Archetypes at The Portico Library
Leeds-based artist Lucy Wright will create two sculptures for The Portico Library as part of the Weird As Folk exhibition. The multi-disciplinary artist sits at the intersection of folklore and activism, and has spent over a decade documenting lesser-known contemporary and female-led folk customs. Lucy will share her new sculptures on Thursday 5 September.
Three Little Words 5th Birthday Party
Celebrate five years of Three Little Words and join them for a big birthday party on Thursday 5 September. Head down to the exceptional city centre drinks spot and enjoy music from live DJ as well as some of their finest cocktails. They are also bringing back beloved tipples from their last five menus, allowing guests to rediscover their favourites. The event is free to attend, and if you sign up online, you’ll be automatically entered into a mega prize draw to win a 4.5 litre bottle of jeroboam of Manchester Gin.
Extending the festivities, TLW will treat guests to a variety of weekly sessions throughout the month, highlighting the best of the bar’s offerings.
KERB X The Norah Store: Sip + Shop with AW24 First Look
Every first Thursday of the month, The Norah Store opens late and invites customers to enjoy a glass of natural wine from KERB and drink next door whilst they shop. In September, guests will also be able to take a sneak peek at the store’s first collections of Autumn Winter 2024, including pieces from new designers.
The Utopia Strong at The Yard
Psych-electronica, Krautrock vibrations and bleepy ambience from The Utopia Strong – the band made up of Michael York of Teleplasmiste, Gong’s Kavus Torabi and, yes, six-time snooker world champion Steve Davis – return to the auspices of Mancunia for this show at The Yard, brought to us by local label of some repute Sprechen. Davis and co bring to bear their love of modular synths and awesome soundscapes, with support from Konformer and DJ sets from Jason Boardman and Yas from Small Press. Expect the unexpected.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Royal Exchange
The Royal Exchange hosts a chaotic and euphoric adaptation of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream this autumn. Expect a production with plenty of magic and mischief, coupled with sweaty dance-offs and drum and bass love anthems, celebrating the vibrant tapestry of Manchester’s contemporary rave scene.
Murder On The Orient Express at The Lowry
The Lowry theatre in Salford hosts the brand-new production of Agatha Christie’s classic Murder On The Orient Express. Starring Michael Maloney as the famous Belgian detective, the play will be directed by Lucy Bailey, who has previously worked on productions including Witness For The Prosecution, And Then There Were None and The Other Boleyn Girl.
Joy Unspeakable at The Edge
Head down to The Edge creative space in Chorlton for Joy Unspeakable, a dynamic, all-female theatre show exploring the subject of disordered eating. Based on real-life experiences, the show encompasses large doses of anger, hope and joy. Ordinary Glory present the true testimonies of four women, each with a different eating disorder, and each at a different stage of recovery.
Picturing Eccles Exhibition at Eccles Library
Picturing Eccles celebrates the life and culture of the Salford town through photography. For the past six months, Open Eye Gallery’s photographer-in-residence Paula Keenan has been working with residents to capture the diversity of people and places that make up the community.
A host of local community groups and the general public have explored the town through photo walks, creative workshops, collecting archived and donated images. The exhibition brings together images, both old and new, which celebrate the residents, diverse and creative community groups and initiatives, key buildings and landmarks of the area.
Rhys Nicholson at HOME
Aussie comedian Rhys Nicholson brings his brand new stand-up concert Huge Big Party Congratulations! to Manchester this September. The award-winning comic, who has previously been seen on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, Roast Battle UK and Netflix, will play at HOME’s Theatre 1 on Friday 6 September.
FOUND MOMENTS Art Exhibition Launch Night at 283 Deansgate
Toni Miller launches their brand-new art exhibition at creative space 283 Deansgate on Friday. Antonia draws her inspiration from the natural world, with a particular focus on landscapes and birds. Her work is characterised by bold, vibrant colours and a playful simplicity that captures the essence of joy and beauty. Her current series of still lives captures ‘found moments’ from the back corners of cafes and restaurants—scenes often overlooked, now brought to life with vibrant colour and thoughtful composition. Each piece is meticulously drawn and painted by hand, celebrating the beauty in the everyday.
You can also take part in one of Toni’s painting workshops, Mindful Mondays and Sunday Portrait Sessions, where guests will be encouraged to get creative whilst meeting like-minded people.
Green Island Festival Vol III at Hulme Community Garden Centre
Grassroots festival Green Island presents the third and final event in its annual three-part series of all-day festivals. Showcasing underground, underrepresented and emerging artists from across the UK, it promises an enriching musical and cultural experience. Taking place at the idyllic Hulme Garden Centre an the Niamos Centre next door, the third edition of this year’s festival will see performances from artists including Janet Kiyo, Gnawa, Lovescene, Jade Li and Mikoudi, and DJ sets from Ruf Dug, Tia Cousins, Private Joy and Abigail Ward.
Carnival Flow: A Celebration of Water at The Vale, Mossley
Join the lovely folk at The Vale in Mossley to celebrate their third birthday. Enjoy a fun-filled day of activities, with a line-up which will feature carnival elements including drumming, gong baths, arts, crafts, music and more. Explore Rimmon’s Water Wall and interact with the walkabout acts around the site.
Time Flies x Persona with Nicolas Lutz
MCR party peoples Persona and Time Flies club together for this all-night number at The Loft. Louie G will be back-to-back Ryan Ingleby, while Berlin types Levat and Nicolas Lutz will be turning out too, the former playing live. For those wanting to make a full day and night of it, they’ll be at the DBA in Cheetham Hill from 3pm, with DJ Rino, Daura, Lucy Cook and Ethan on the ones and twos.
An Apple Gathering at Sadlers Yard, NOMA
Altogether Otherwise, the dedicated city centre ‘hobby house’, has teamed up with NOMA to host the inaugural Apple Festival at Sadler’s Yard. The space will be transformed into an apple-fuelled party, with apple dishes, apple-centric activities and even apple-orientated drinks – including pouring pints from The Fine Cider Company. Guests can also enjoy live music all afternoon curated by Folklore Tapes.
MEAT FREE x FRIXXXION: BYOB with Blasha & Allatt
The gang at Meat Free will be teaming up with FrixXxion for a huge party at a secret warehouse location this September. The audio will be supplied by the most excellent Blasha and Allatt and, as the name might suggest, it’s BYOB, which, weirdly, feels like a pretty exciting novelty.
Home Run Soul Club All Dayer at The Refuge
Home Run Soul Club present their very first all-dayer at The Refuge in September. Expect an incredible line-up, including Epsilon Records’ Yann Vatiste as well as Phil Shield and Tom Page of Rugby Soul Club, one of the best soul nights in the country. Joining them will be the talented Dean Chalkley, who will not only be spinning records but showcasing his short film, Young Souls as part of the Wigan Casino 50th anniversary celebration. Liverpool Soul Weekender’s Martin Haddock joins the fold, as well as Bret Franklin, Claire Kalvis, Rob and Paul McKeever as well as the Home Run Soul Club residents too.
As part of this special event, they will be collaborating with Manchester arts collective We Are Willow, include a full range of merchandise like a special edition Seven Brothers IPA, t-shirts and tote bags.
Spring/Summer at Freight Island: Sit & Bun
Freight Island has announced a series of free gigs taking place across the summer, showcasing the finest music selectors and artists from across the city. Join the Sit & Bun DJs(a spin-off from the legendary Hit & Run crew) on Sunday 8 September with special guests to be confirmed. As always at the venue, enjoy al fresco dining, drinking and dancing.
Coffee and Poems Club Fundraiser at Haunt MCR
The final Coffee and Poems Club event of the year will take place at Haunt on Sunday 8 September. Since coming together in quiet corners of cafes across the city, the event has now spread to more tables across bigger venues. Guests are invited to share a coffee, chat about writing and hear work from a group of talented guest writers and get tips on how to approach writing poetry.
Rare Finds Flea Market at Altogether Otherwise
Rare Finds Flea Market comes to Altogether Otherwise in the city centre on Sunday 8 September. Browse stalls selling secondhand and handmade items, furniture, fashion, art, gifts and more. Follow them on Instagram for all the latest updates & announcements.
Make Tracks at Walkden’s Parr Fold Park
Salford City Council and From The Other have teamed up for Make Tracks, a free day of live music and activities. Taking place at Parr Fold Park in Salford, the event will celebrate the new and improved walking, wheeling and cycling links between Walkden, Worsley, Boothstown and RHS Garden Bridgewater.
For one day only, Parr Fold Park will be filled with the sounds of some of the region’s best musicians and DJs as they take over the bandstand and start a party in the park, as part of a very special event curated by From The Other (the team behind Sounds from the Other City) in collaboration with Salford City Council and the Friends of Parr Fold Park.
