The silence of the city centre was almost eerie on my morning commute to work today, as anyone who ventured into town this weekend will know of the utter carnage that ensued, with over 200,000 revellers hitting the city for various events.
In the hazy aftermath of Parklife, Ed Sheeran and The Killers, many of us will still be nursing a hangover, meaning that today might well and truly be a write off. However, there’s loads of great stuff happening across Manchester this week for you to fill your diary with once you’ve pulled yourself together, of course.
Salford rediscovered festival kicks off this Thursday, which is set to be a celebration of the city’s green spaces and art projects from across the past couple of years, queen of disco herself, Diana Ross will grace the AO Arena tomorrow and brand-new Japanese restaurant KITTEN will finally open its doors on Friday.
That’s just a fragment of what’s going on this week, though, so we’ve put together our picks in a handy list below…
Art & Culture
First up is the Overdrawn Interactive Art Pop Up at Hip Hop Chip Shop tomorrow. Hosted by PeteObsolete – an artist from Manchester who specialises in creative illustration that combines lyrics, symbolism and portraiture – you’ll get the chance to watch him create his original pieces, as well as have a go yourself! Art supplies will be provided by CASS Art and there’ll be fish and chips flowing all night alongside a great selection of drinks, too.
Another celebration of local art, Salford Rediscovered Festival is taking place this Thursday from 4pm – 10pm. The festival will feature music, film, workshops, tours and performances alongside food from GRUB, who will be on hand to provide loads of great, independent street food.
There’ll also be live music that will carry on the party late into the evening, with DJ sets from the likes of P-Ro Jones, Honey Bee Jazz, Katie Cheung and Lissie Nicholson. The festival is free to attend, and you can register now via the link below!
GULP Magazine is celebrating the launch of issue 6 this weekend at YES. The magazine was born in 2019 and is a celebration of local artists, championing the weird and offbeat individuals immersed in music, art and film. On Saturday it will take over the venue’s Pink Room with music from Farfisa and Ahmed and the Romans, as well as DJs and free magazines for guests!
Rounding up the art events this week is The Talleyrand’s Life Drawing class, which takes place on Thursday from 6pm – 8pm. Tickets are £15 and include all art supplies as well as a drink of your choice. The pub makes a wonderful, serene setting to get creative no matter what level of experience you have, so book your ticket and explore the realms of your experimental art side.
Events
Not to panic you all, but it’s Father’s Day this weekend meaning that you’ve only got a mere 6 days to get a present sorted. There’s nothing Dad’s love more than a decent bit of food and a couple of beers, and I’d say we’re spoiled for choice in Manchester at the moment for incredible bars and restaurants – some of which have some very special deals on this weekend, too.
Almost Famous are offering Dad a free burger, Ramona has a bottomless slice deal from 12pm – 5pm on Sunday and The Black Friar is offering bottomless pints of Boddingtons all day. However, if your Dad is more into music or sports don’t fret, as we’ve put a handy list together of all the best events to take him to across this Father’s Day weekend, which you can check out here.
The Best Ways to Treat your Dad in Manchester this Father’s Day
Aside from Father’s Day, on Saturday Platt Fields Park will host a Summer Solstice Garden Party featuring Workshops from Palestine Action, Gaskell Garden Project and No Borders MCR. There’ll be lush music from Anna Bailey, Duo Chuva and Kites to soundtrack your afternoon, alongside folky sounds, strings and harmonies for your ears all evening.
You’ll also find a second-hand book and vinyl store and food and drink for all of your needs. The workshops are free and the music events are pay as you feel all evening, so pop down and bask in the glory of summer with your mates!
Everyone’s favourite Irish podcaster, Blindboy is performing at Manchester Academy this coming Friday. Known for his work with Irish comedy hip hop duo, the Rubberbandits, nowadays you’ll find him in front of a desk microphone chatting to some interesting individuals from across the creative industries.
He’ll be bringing his insightful chat to The Academy this weekend, and tickets are still available to purchase via the link below.
Finally, Adelphi Lads Club is reopening its doors to the public on Friday, and this is one event you won’t want to miss! The building has sat empty for a number of years, but has now been reinvented by Broome Events Group. From Thursday, the venue will host musicians, artists and DJs Thursday – Sunday each week, alongside a bar and restaurant serving food from some of the city’s very best independents.
Food & Drink
Speaking of great independent eateries, KITTEN will open its doors to the public this coming Friday, too. Based on Deansgate Square, the restaurant is a modern fine-dining and contemporary Japanese cocktail bar, complete with a visually striking interior.
Sushi will take centre stage as guests will be able to dine with a front-row seat to chefs handcrafting dishes, and see one of the largest charcoal Robatayak grills in the city in action through the semi-open kitchen. There’ll also be an exquisite fresh raw menu with the likes of Black and Blue Tuna with pickled kohlrabi and squid ink tuille, and Wagyu Beef Tataki with truffle ponzu, sliced truffle, chives, and crispy shallots.
Another restaurant with an exquisite menu offering is Corn Exchange’s Delhi House Cafe. Its brand-new Delhi-inspired menu features dishes such as Champaran Meat, a kitchen gem one-pot curry, which consists of slow-cooked lamb flavoured with onions, mustard and whole spice and the chef’s favourite Goan Prawn Curry that comes with simmered prawns in a highly fragrant, fiery, tangy, coconut sauce. It launches tomorrow so get booked in ASAP!
Another idea for Dad this weekend is WOOD’s wonderful Father’s Day hampers. You can choose between the Woodkraft Breakfast Box or the Steak & Cheese at home box, which consists of the highest quality, local produce all hand-picked by Simon Wood himself. Each box comes with a detailed set of instructions so that you can recreate restaurant-style meals from the comfort of your kitchen, but be quick if you’re interested in grabbing a hamper as tomorrow is the final day to order the boxes!
Music & Clubs
This is a big one this week, and I’m gobsmacked that there are still tickets available, but Diana Ross will make an appearance at the AO Arena tomorrow night! Armed with all of the dancefloor classics, the now 78-year-old icon will surely put on a gorgeous show celebrating everything stunning about her career, from incredible costume changes to karaoke hits. Grab a ticket now via the link below!
There’s more disco vibes in Northern Quarter this week, as Besso, Bonsai and Rich Reason take over Wilson’s Den this Friday as part of the Disco Puss event, which even gives the first 100 revellers through its doors a free pair of kitty ears. Taking place from 11pm – 3am, tickets are currently on sale for FREE, but you’ll also be able to grab one for £5 on the day.
Bringing together the very best young talent in the city, Cut Loose Festival is taking place this Saturday 18th June. Featuring the likes of Big Foot, Furrowed Brow, Brand New Legs and Blondine, Cut Loose will celebrate the success stories of each band with live music all evening for just 12 quid.
The last music event of this week is a nostalgic glimpse back to being 14 and learning guitar for the first time, as Tigers Jaw were one of the original ‘sad’ bands I found myself angstily relating to. The band are still going strong, bringing their melodic, uncategorised catchy songs to newest album ‘I Won’t Care How You Remember Me’, which is likely to be celebrated in full at their YES show this Thursday.
