Rejoice! January is finally over and there’s loads to enjoy this week. There’s family friendly shows at The Lowry, kitchen takeovers in Stockport and Lunar New Year celebrations at The Portico Library.
If you’re off out to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday night, check out our round-up of the best places around town to see every touchdown, live.
Luke Saxon Harmony Exhibition Launch at Smolensky Gallery
Head down to Smolensky Gallery on Monday 3 February for the launch of new exhibition Harmony. Winter, a time of darkness and concealment, is transformed through the lens of Rochdale-based photographer Luke Saxon, who finds beauty in its stillness by capturing both nature and the everyday. Luke considers winter as a moment of pause and reflection, a time when the world feels fragile yet enduring. Using flowers as a recurring motif, he symbolises resilience and renewal, showcasing their delicate strength even in the harshest conditions. The preview will include an opening drinks reception at the gallery, a walk around Spinningfields’ newly unveiled artwork, and an afterparty at Australasia.
The Shark Is Broken at The Lowry
Critically acclaimed Olivier award-nominated West End and Broadway production The Shark Is Broken will embark on a UK and Ireland tour in 2025, stopping off at The Lowry in Salford. The show is inspired by Robert Shaw’s experience of playing Quint in iconic blockbuster Jaws, which celebrates it’s 50th anniversary next year.
Co-written by Ian Shaw – son of Jaws icon Robert Shaw – and Joseph Nixon, The Shark Is Broken is the brilliantly funny play which celebrates movie history as it peeks at the choppy waters behind Hollywood’s first blockbuster, and imagines what happened on board The Orca when the cameras stopped rolling.
Elijah Presents: Close The App, Make The Ting at YES
Writer, DJ and lecturer Elijah celebrates the release of his debut book Close The App, Make The Ting at YES. His learning from running a grime label, managing artists and being an artistic director and cultural documenter are distilled across his project Yellow Squares, a short form notes project on Instagram. Elijah has shared over 1000 Yellow Squares on creativity, music scenes, the future of social media, and the culture industry over the last three years, and has compiled the best of those in his new book Close The App, Make The Ting.
Jazz and Chess Night at Ōdiobā
Ōdiobā in Stockport host a Jazz and Chess night on Wednesday 5 February. Head to the Underbanks venue for good vibes soundtracked by plenty of jazz vinyls. All skill levels are welcome.
Floella Benjamin’s Coming To England at The Lowry
Baroness Floella Benjamin’s award-winning and iconic book Coming To England comes to life in a joyful stage adaptation with music, storytelling and song. Adapted by David Wood, the show tells an inspirational story of hope, determination and triumph. Much loved by children and families, Coming to England tells Floella’s own story of moving to England as a child.
‘Aged just 10, she and her siblings left Trinidad and sailed alone to join their parents. But Floella’s excitement for her new life in England is short-lived, with her family subjected to racism and intolerance in 1960s’ London. Guided by her mother, and working twice as hard as her classmates, Coming to England tells the story of how a young Floella overcame adversity and grew to become Baroness Benjamin of Beckenham.’
Little Yellow Rice Co at Stockport Gin
Little Yellow Rice Co invite guests to celebrate Lunar New Year as they host a pop-up at Stockport Gin. The evening will centre around a set menu of Ooi Klan family favourite dishes, alongside traditional festive dishes. Enjoy three courses of Peranakan-inspired dishes showcasing the flavours of Penang and Malaysia, alongside Stockport Gin’s selection of drinks.
Big Flame: Building the Movement, New Politics Book Launch at the Working Class Movement Library
Join the folk at the Working Class Movement Library to mark the publication of a new book on the history of libertarian socialist group, Big Flame. They will welcome authors and former Big Flamers Max Farrar and Kevin McDonnell for the Salford launch of the book, which is out now. Big Flame: Building the Movement, New Politics authors said: “Our book is for those in radical movements of all kinds who are deeply engaged with political ideas and their connection to struggle. It aims to support those who continue to challenge racist, patriarchal capitalism and work toward a future rooted in love and equality.”
Lion Dance for Lunar New Year at The Portico Library
Master Tang’s Lion Dance is coming to The Portico Library this February. Join the team at the historic city centre venue for a traditional Chinese song and dance to mark the Lunar New Year of the Snake. Watch the Dance of the Red Lion come to life with musical accompaniments, and see in the Lunar New Year in style.
EXHBTN 360 LIVE at Exhibition
Expect a carefully-curated and high energy blend of live music, interactive performances and premium cocktails at EXHBTN 360 LIVE. Exclusively for over 21s, running every Friday and Saturday night from 9pm, the night will see the venue come alive. The award-winning dining destination will combine its exceptional food offering with electrifying live entertainment. To celebrate, get the Exhibit Eight cocktail range for just £8 each at the sessions until the end of March, or the house-made signature Shorts on 2 for 1.
Transatlantic Sessions at Aviva Studios
Folk musicians from Scotland, Ireland and the US come together for an intimate live show in Manchester. Next year’s Transatlantic Sessions returns for 2025 with a stop at Aviva Studios – join them for a celebration of the rich musical traditions that connect the communities across these countries.
Launched as a TV show in 1994, Transatlantic Sessions is now an annual focal point of the Celtic music festival Celtic Connections. The live show combines guest singers and the celebrated house band, inviting them to interweave original material with age-old tunes and songs as they explore shared roots and find new common ground.
The show’s seasoned house band, guided as ever by Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas, features renowned Celtic and Americana roots musicians Phil Cunningham, John Doyle, Michael McGoldrick, Tatiana Hargreaves and Allison de Groot, John McCusker, Donald Shaw, James Mackintosh and Daniel Kimbro.
Bowling For Soup at Aviva Studios
Aviva Studios host punk rock legends Bowling For Soup in February as they celebrate 20 years of their legendary album A Hangover You Don’t Deserve. Hailing form Texas, the band have enjoyed a hugely successful career since they formed in 1994, attracting a global fan base. The High School Never Ends singers perform in Manchester on Saturday 8 February 2025 at the home of Factory International.
Manchester Digital Skills Festival 2025
The north’s largest tech and digital skills festival has announced that it will take place in February 2025, bringing together tech leaders, universities, colleges, and job seekers to connect, learn and develop the tech sector of tomorrow.
A number of new events for the festival have already been announced, including a Digital Skills Feast for tech leaders, a weekend hackathon called Hackafuture, Digital Her: Driving Diversity day and Future Innovators Day – an exciting tech competition for school children.
There will also be the flagship event Talent Day, which welcomes job seekers, from students to career changers, to meet more than 40 of the leading tech businesses from across the region. This year’s Talent Day will take place at New Century.
Katie Gallagher OBE, Manchester Digital’s managing director, said: “Manchester, one of Europe’s fastest-growing tech hubs, is home to over 86,000 tech professionals and the Digital Skills Festival is the perfect platform to reflect and focus on the workforce that we need to build and skill for the future.
“It’s an opportunity for tech businesses to showcase their commitment to innovation, diversity and community impact while strengthening the link between industry and education.”
Inhaler at O2 Apollo
Indie rock band Inhaler have announced their biggest ever UK tour, including a date in Manchester. The four-piece from Dublin will release their third album Open Wide on 7 Feburary 2025, before embarking on dates across the globe. The My Honest Face hitmakers will play at O2 Apollo in Manchester on Saturday 8 February 2025.
Glamorous Chinese Restaurant
Glamorous Chinese Restaurant host a celebration of the Year of the Snake on Saturday 8 February. The Ancoats eatery, on top of the Wing Yip supermarket, will host a traditional Lion Dance as well as live entertainment and a martial arts demonstration. They will also be serving a set menu with dishes including hot and sour soup, deep fried prawn won ton, aromatic crispy duck, fillet steak in Cantonese sauce and more.
Louie Vega & The Elements of Life
One of the very finest to ever do it, native New Yorker and Master At Work Louie Vega will be rolling into town with The Elements of Life. A live, all-star project blending the roots of house and garage music with Latin and afro flavours, it features compositions from the likes of Blaze’s Josh Milan and Latin jazz icon Raul Midón. Support comes from the excellent Ben Westbeech.
The Velveteen Rabbit or How Toys Become Real at Z Arts
Head over to Z-Arts in Hulme to see the enchanting story of The Velveteen Rabbit or How Toys Become Real come to life through dance. Performed by northern dance theatre company balletLORENT, the show is adapted from the 1920s classic children’s story by Margery Williams. This timeless tale of love and transformation will grace the stage for two performances on Saturday 8 February, at 11am and 2pm.
‘The Velveteen Rabbit follows a young boy who returns to his childhood home and reconnects with a beloved old toy—a honey-coloured, floppy-eared rabbit. With its message about the power of love and what it means to be “real,” this festive production promises to delight families with children aged three and above.’
10 Years Of 23 Degrees: Izco & Novelist, Main Phase, Silva Bumpa, G33 & Killa P at Hidden
Marking a decade of shows across Europe, 23 Degrees return to where it all started in Manchester. Celebrating 10 years of 23 Degrees, they will be taking over all three floors of Hidden to deliver a night of UKG, jungle, grime and 140. They have invited some of the key artists from their journey, artists from the roster and new exciting faces, with a line-up including Izco, Novelist, Main Phase, Silva Bumpa and more.
Cyndi Lauper at Co-op Live
80s pop icon Cyndi Lauper brings her farewell tour to Manchester in 2025, after a wild performance at Glastonbury. The American singer, now a spritely 71-years-old, released her debut album in 1986 and is known for her huge hits Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, True Colours and, of course, Time After Time. She plays at Co-op Live on Sunday 9 February.
Sunday Pudding Pop-Up at Yellowhammer
Yellowhammer in Stockport host chef Vic Watkins for a Sunday pudding pop-up. Enjoy as much pudding as you like (including burnt banoffee, rhubarb and creme fraiche fool and hot cacao with smoked marshmallow) alongside plenty of wine.
The Blues Kitchen presents Super Bowl LIX
The Blues Kitchen in Manchester will be hosting a live screening of the Super Bowl LIX on Sunday 9 February. The venue will be showing the whole game from start to finish on the big screen, including the highly-anticipated halftime performance, this year headlined by Kendrick Lamar.
The Blues Kitchen will also be keeping the kitchen and bar open until the early hours, with US favourites on the menu including buffalo wings, burgers and more. There will be live music from 8pm too.
Space: The Sounds of the Stars with Kantos at Gorton Monastery
Gorton Monastery’s Great Nave transforms into a planetarium this week, inviting guests to sit amongst the choir and orchestra to experience music inspired by astronomy, all while gazing at breathtaking projections. Follow the story of discovery that spans from ancient civilisations to the latest images from the James Webb Space Telescope, charting humanity’s enduring fascination with the stars. Joining Manchester Camerata is their artistic partner Kantos, a trailblazing vocal ensemble dedicated to enriching lives by using their voices to tell universal stories and foster human connection.
Bunny Jackson’s Super Bowl Party 2025
One of the most popular spots to watch the NFL championship game every year, everyone’s fave dive bar Bunny Jackson’s returns with a special Super Bowl party. Expect cocktail specials, epic freebies, chicken wings (obviously) until late and, of course, all the action on the big screen.
The Christie Night of Neon
The Christie hospital marks World Cancer Day 2025 with the Night of Neon 2025. They’re inviting people to join Team Christie in their brightest, boldest neon outfits for a 5k glow-in-the-dark adventure around Salford Quays. Starting and finishing at the Lowry Plaza, people can dance, walk, or sashay your way around the illuminated route.
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