Welcome to our ‘Bumper’ edition of Things To Do this week, bumper in so far that this week sees the last bank holiday before Christmas – and, as usual, there’s LOADS going on in and around the city.
Probably the biggest event hitting the streets this weekend is Manchester Pride, but there’s lots more going on – so I’ll just let you crack on having a look at this lot and deciding your plans for the extended weekend…
£1 Sides at The Black Friar
ALL WEEK
Salford’s renovated boozer, The Black Friar is offering all guests dining in this week any side dish for just one pound! This includes its addictive Truffle Fries, Grilled Courgettes, Sautéed Potatoes, Ceasar Salad or the Heritage Tomato Salad, which we had the pleasure of finding all about last week…
A Sustainable Vegan Feast at The People’s History Museum
Wednesday 24th August
This Wednesday, Open Kitchen and Bar, one of the city’s most sustainable restaurants located inside The People’s History Museum is hosting a seven course taster menu built around local, seasonal, sustainably produced fruit and vegetables. The evening begins at 7pm with a welcome drink and a talk by Kindling Trust Directors Chris Walsh and Helen Woodcock on sustainable farming and the future of food. You’ll then investigate different aspects of sustainability, in the most delicious way possible, through the 100% plant-based feast. Tickets are £55 per person.
Salford Rum Pride Drinks Tasting at Harvey Nichols
Thursday 25th August
Thursday evening sees the experts at Salford Rum guide customers through their interesting brand history, teaching guests the intricate processes needed to mix a range of rum-based cocktails. Tickets are £25 with £20 redeemable on Salford Rum purchases during the event, as well as a £5 donation to Salford Pride.
Exclusive Breakfast Burger for National Burger Day at Foundation
Thursday 25th August
This Thursday is a celebration of everyone’s favourite naughty tea, the BURGER. There’s loads of amazing burger-based eateries to book into to celebrate, but the breakfast burger is one that often reigns supreme. Foundation’s Old English Breakfast Burger, available this week only, comes on a toasted brioche bun, with an old English sausage patty, bacon, tomato chutney, avocado, a fried egg, American cheese and crispy shallots. The burger is available from Thursday 25th – Sunday 28th August!
Art’s A Drag at HOME
Thursday 25th August
Part of the British Art Show 9, this FREE live art extravaganza of drag, magick and queerness looks to explore what the future could hold. Responding to our current exhibition, British Art Show 9 and the theme of ‘Inventing New Futures’, some of Manchester’s finest drag and performance artists have created responsive work for an exclusive showcase in our ground floor gallery. Cheddar Gorgeous, House Of Spice and OOrya are creating brand new commissions responding to the themes of the show to be performed live and exclusive for one night only.
FREE Burgerism to Celebrate National Burger Day
Thursday 25th August
Another burger institution celebrating National Burger Day properly this week is Salford’s very own Burgerism. On Thursday they’ll be taking over a yet-to-be-confirmed Northern Quarter location to give away 200 FREE BURGERS, so keep an eye on the restaurant’s socials to figure out the exact date, time and place to be.
Banger Bingo at Loaf Manchester
Thursday 25th August
They have Bingo-Queen, Chanel O Conor, putting a musical spin on your chance to win some amazing prizes, plus Gaydio DJ Nick Charles will be bringing the music to help kick off the Pride celebrations. All proceeds from this event will go to The Proud Trust.
Bank Holiday Weekend
Friday 26th – Monday 29th August
The long weekend is finally (almost) here, which means an extra lie-in and three days of work-free bliss, unless you work in hospitality, in which case you’re probably dreading it. There’s loads to do, from food festivals, to Pride, craft markets and some ace club nights hosted by the likes of High Hoops, Homoelectric, The Derby Brewery Arms and Kiss Me Again
Greater Manchester Pride 2022
Friday 26th – Monday 29th August
Pride is back and taking over the city once again this weekend with a ferocious and exciting line-up of events! Of course the inaugural parade is scheduled for Saturday, but to save you a bit of time trawling through the internet looking for the best place to spend your weekend, we’ve put all of our top picks into a handy list, which you can view below.
Noire State x Scuffed Recordings: Ayesha & LUXE at Stage & Radio
Friday 26th August
Noire State are teaming up with London label, Scuffed Recordings, to warm up the August Bank Holiday at Stage & Radio in the NQ. Scuffed have made a name for themselves as one of the UK’s most compelling underground labels of recent years, with their arsenal of wonky club sounds and seriously relentless release schedule. Heading up the lineup on the night is NYC’s Ayesha, making her Manchester debut with her blend of hard-hitting breaks and weighty club music. Also appearing is one of the UK’s most exciting talents, LUXE – whose eclectic approach to DJing and production has seen her release with labels like Banoffee Pies, Femme Culture, and HAAi’s label Radical New Theory. Rounding off the lineup are Scuffed co-founders Wager and Ian DPM – fresh off the back of a packed-out night at London’s Corsica Studios and a Rinse FM residency – and Noire State residents, Burgess and AZUSA.
Subterranea at Eastern Bloc
Friday 26th August
The finest deep electronic vibes as Subterranea host this all nighter at Eastern Bloc on Friday. Resident DJs will be in full effect, joined by one of Leeds’ finest DJs – Roya Brehl. £5 in.
Festa Italiana
Friday 26th – Sunday 28th August
Festa Italiana, the free-to-enter weekend-long festival, brought to you by Salvi’s, celebrating Italian food, drink and culture returns to Festival Piazza in Cathedral Gardens this August Bank Holiday weekend. Across the three days, there’ll be Italian food and drink, cooking masterclasses, feasts, family activities and live music – featuring some of Manchester’s best Italian restaurants, including; The Pasta Factory, Lucky Mama’s, I Knead Pizza and Café Cannoli.
Moovin Festival
Friday 26th – Sunday 28th
Big names, booming basslines, boutique festival in a bull field, Moovin takes place at the eco-friendly Whitebottom farm in the stunning countryside in Compstall. Through a magical canopy of trees, past lakes with waterfowl to greet you and with a breathtaking gorge welcoming you at the entrance, and that’s when the special weekend adventures really begin. The line-up includes Jazzy Jeff, Orbital, Sugarhill Gang, Jazzie B, Don Letts, Werkha, and LOADS more.
Foundation’s Pride Unity Bottomless Brunch
Saturday 27th August
Foundation Coffee House is putting on a Pride party bottomless brunch this weekend with unlimited drinks and drag artists that will be hosted by resident DJs of Pikes Ibiza’s night, Flash. Taking place from 12pm – 1.30pm with 90 minutes of unlimited drinks, the food on offer includes a breakfast bowl, eggs florentine, smashed avocado on toast and eggs benedict, all served with a Croissant or Pain au Chocolat. For the unlimited booze, you’ve got the choice of Mimosas, White Peach Sangria, Mr Black Negroni, Jalapeno Rosé, Camden Hells and Camden Pale as well as white wines and Prosecco. The brunch will cost you £35, and £5 from each brunch booking will be given to the LGBT Foundation.
Explore the Art of Mycology at The Talleyrand
Saturday 27th August
A double bill over at The Talleyrand on Saturday kicking off with Dr Nathan Smith with a talk on the interrelated history of mycology (the study of fungi) and art in the UK. He will explore how mycologists have contributed to art, and vice versa, and delve into the many instances of personnel conflict, fraud, and dedication that pepper its lively history. Then it’s a screening of a rare Japanese early-60s horror film – Mantango – “one of the most atmospheric horror films to ever come out of Japan”, that follows the exploits of a group of shipwrecked survivors as they are transformed by mutagenic mushrooms.
Left & Right presents… Slowpo at RAMONA
Saturday 27th August
Special guest Slowpo heads to RAMONA for the second instalment of Left &Right Presents. Slowpo has built a solid reputation for himself in Manchester over the years with his ‘Slowpo Soundsystem’ club night collaboration with Size?, city centre residencies and drive time radio show on Unity FM. This FREE event will also feature residents TURNA + Mr_WM.
PKB’s Patron Brunch
Saturday 27th August
This Saturday, Pot Kettle Black on Angel Gardens presents a Mexican Brunch filled with Patrón Tequila cocktails, Mexican dishes and a live DJ – kicking off from 12pm. The menu features some incredible brunch plates, including; Beef Birria Tacos, Oysters, Quesadillas, Churros and Avocado Toast Esquites, and the drinks menu is just as good, featuring a huge list of tequila-based tipples.
$EAMU$ & FRIENDS – ALL DAY TERRACE PARTY 2 at YES
Saturday 27th August
A huge all-day terrace party kicking off at 2pm with some of the city’s most exciting selectors and party starters. Expect an array of electronic music, from afro and house, to electro, hyperpop, techno and trance, to Bandcamp’s most outrageous bootlegs – a 12-hour celebration of diversity, silliness and terrible dance moves.
Halal Food Festival
Saturday 27th – Sunday 28th August
Set up by a team of young British muslims, the Halal Food Festival is coming to Manchester this weekend with a programme of workshops, an outdoor funfair and, of course, lots of delicious food. Taking place at Bowler’s Exhibition Centre in Stretford, the festival will represent British muslims and introduce wider cultures to their cuisine. Across the weekend you’ll find Asian, African and Middle Eastern dishes – alongside special guest chefs, live cooking demonstrations and workshops for you to try your hand at brand-new cooking techniques.
Doki Doki – The Manchester Japanese Festival
Saturday 27th – Sunday 28th August
Taking place at Sugden Sports Centre on Saturday and Sunday, The Manchester Japanese Festival will host talks, demonstrations, parades, martial arts, film, music and MORE as it celebrates past and present Japanese culture. There’ll also be a range of traditional cuisine available by local, independent businesses. The proceeds from the events at Doki Doki 2022 will be donated to its supported charity, Aid for Japan, which provides long-term support for orphans of the 2011 Tohoku disaster.
Hidden’s 7th Birthday
Sunday 28th August
Hidden’s 7th birthday promises to be a bigge, with British Murder Boys (Surgeon + Regis), DJ Stingray, Objekt, Asquith, Charles Green, Aletha, Mixtress, Bakey + Riz La Teef.
Alma Surco presents La Tarreza at Six Trees
Sunday 28th August
Alma Surco presents ‘LA TERREZA’ at the Six Trees in Trafford, for some bank holiday madness! Filled with some of the most up-and-coming talent in Manchester including resident DJ’s Harry Charlton & Louis Glass as well as Jelsen, who is really making a name for himself in the scene at the moment. Jelsen will be alongside familiar face Luco, who is mainly known for his producing skills. The last DJ on the roster is Ollie Bentley who has most recently just played in the garden of Studio 338 in London.
Back By Dope Demand – 15th Birthday
Sunday 28th August
Taking over the Kable Club on Sunday, Back by Dope Demand is back by demand – celebrating their 15th birthday in style. Expect Grimmy, Candy & Grundy, Butty & Recca, Pianoman, Sarasota, Rob Tissera and Stu Allan.
Drum Chums All Dayer with Eddie C at The Old Abbey Taphouse
Sunday 28th August
A proper bank holiday bonanza – the DRUM CHUMS ALL DAYER with twelve hours of weirdo disco, cosmic nonsense and Balearic fun at Hulme’s best boozer. Standing atop an all-star DJ lineup is edit legend and disco don Eddie C, who stops by to celebrate a forthcoming masterpiece on Drum Chums under his new Captain Attractive alias. If that wasn’t enough to get your dopamine dancing, new signings Hypnagogia and Bobby Snacks are on hand to set the tone and boost your mood, working through ambient bathers, heavy yachters and cosmic boogie in the afternoon sun.
Shingri-La (Part 4) at Adelphi Lads Club
Sunday 28th August
Tucked away off the beaten track in Salford, the beautifully restored Adelphi Lads Club is a little slice of paradise. The beer garden catches the sun all day long. Moroccan-influenced rich blue walls and bedouin decor, alongside the green foliage, create the perfect summer oasis. The Shingri-La event (with ShinDigger) continues this Bank Holiday week with turns from Ruf Dug and Dr Banana.
