Events
Manchester Art Fair
Friday 19th – Sunday 21st November
This weekend, Manchester Central will be taken over by Manchester Art Fair – selling modern and contemporary artworks by national and international artists. It’ll be a great place to grab some art for your front room. But looking to disrupt the traditional art scene – we’ve teamed up with KnownOrigin to bring the first NFT (Non-Fungible Token) presence at this year’s art fair. The collaborate exhibition ‘WTF is an NFT’ will serve as an opportunity for attendees to talk to the KnownOrigin team about NFTs and get advice on how to get started in this emerging digital space. Get your FREE ticket here:
Altrincham Xmas Lights
Saturday 17th November
Altrincham’s Christmas lights are being turned on this Saturday, and there’s going to be a big party in the newly renovated Stamford Square. Featuring Coronation Street’s Cath Tyldesley, internet sensation Braydon Bent, and headliner Gareth Gates – this should be a top night for all the family. Once done – head over to the brand-new Winter Village at One Central – where you can grab some boozy mulled wine, Christmas specials and pop into one of their Apres-ski ‘Carole-oke’ booths for a sing-song.
6th Birthday at Cottonopolis
Thursday 18th November
Cottonopolis are SIX this week and so they’re having a massive party on Thursday with 600 FREE BAO BUNS to give away, plus FREE DRINKS on arrival. There’s also a FREE KEG from Kirin, and immersive performers from their Paradiso nights to add an element of theatre to the whole thing. It’s a free party and it starts at 7pm.
Arts & Culture
Dial M For Murder
From Monday 15th November
Made famous by Alfred Hitchcock’s world-renowned 1950s movie, ‘Dial M for Murder’ comes to the stage with this sizzling new production at The Lowry this week. Tom Chambers stars as the charismatic and manipulative Tony Wendice, a jaded ex-tennis pro who has given it all up for his wife Sheila. When he discovers she has been unfaithful his mind turns to revenge and the pursuit of the ‘perfect crime’.
Manchester Animation Festival
From Monday 15th November
The Manchester Animation Festival is already in full swing this week, culminating in an awards ceremony on Thursday 25th November. Before then though, you’ll find LOADS of events and screenings with UK previews and premieres of animated short and feature films from across the globe along with masterclasses, talks, workshops and an international competition of short films. This year MAF is 100% online so there has never been a better time to indulge in all things animated.
Riverdance – The New 25th Anniversary Show
Monday 15th & Tuesday 16th November
The Irish Jig is back in Manchester, as Riverdance heads to the Palace Theatre for two nights this week. This new 25th Anniversary Show is said to “catapult Riverdance into the 21st century and will completely immerse you in the extraordinary and elemental power of its music and dance.” Whether that means they’ll be using their phones and on TikTok whilst dancing – I’m not sure. Expect plenty of innovative and spectacular dancing though – alongside award-winning lighting, projection, stage and costume designs.
Stretford House 50++ at Stretford Public Hall
From Saturday 20th November
You’ve probably seen Stretford House loads of times and completely disregarded it. My wife and I call it ‘Divorce Towers’ – primarily because it’s a common stop off for lonely bachelors who’ve just been divorced by their wife, and kicked out of their house in Chorlton, Didsbury or Altrincham. It’s also actually a site of serious historic importance – as this new photography and film exhibition will how. Featuring original photographs of Stretford from the 1960s & ’70s, accompanied by a new film produced using both archival 8mm & recent digital footage. From Saturday 20th to Friday 26th November, 11.00 am to 5.00 pm, at Stretford Public Hall, there will be hourly film screenings of ‘A Short Film About Stretford House’ and an opportunity to view the exhibition of photographs.
Food & Drink
Miracle On Cross Street Bar
Wednesday 17th November
A proper, fully-fledged Christmas-themed bar is opening up in the city this week, as ‘Miracle On Cross Street’ swings open its doors for the very first time. The grown-up Christmas bar will be adorned in festive fairy lights, tinsel, and a Christmas tree that’s bursting with baubles, not to mention stockings, snowflakes and candy canes. Guests can tuck into festive nibbles whilst working their way through the Christmas cocktail menu such as the bar’s Espresso-Ho-Ho-Ho Martini. Miracle on Cross Street will also be hosting special Christmas movie nights where guests can watch their favourite festive films. Think Elf, Home Alone, Love Actually and more!
Marble Beers – Decadence Day!
Saturday 20th November
Head on down to the Marble Beers Brewery down near Salford Quays this Saturday and you can enjoy ‘Decadence Day’ – a very special day where they uncork their barrels of very special ‘Decadence’ Beers for 2021. Each Christmas they unveil 5 new beers that have been aging in the barrels for the year, and they’re super-strong and mega tasty. For the event they’ll be serving up the beers, there’ll be street food traders and there’ll even be Brewery Jewellery offering up gifts. Oh, and live music will start at 6pm.
An Introduction to Natural Wines at Wandering Palate
Wednesday 17th November
What exactly is Pet Nat? Does orange wine taste of oranges? What’s the difference between natural, organic and biodynamic? All these questions and more will be answered at Monton’s Wandering Palate this week with their ‘Introduction to Natural Wines’ event. You will be guided through a tasting of Pet Nat, orange wine, natural white and red by Italian wine expert Andrea Asciamprener. Expect a fun and interesting evening to get you started on your natural wine exploration.
Elnecot x Keaton Cooper Supper Club
Wednesday 17th November
Ancoats neighbourhood bar and kitchen, Elnecot, are set to host a special supper club later this month, calling on the talent of Keaton Cooper from Michelin-starred restaurant, The Angel at Hetton. The impressive menu features Leek and English Truffle with black trompette and horseradish to start, followed by Red Mullet with fig, foie royale, kale and salsify. Next up is Venison Loin and Braised Shoulder, which comes with cranberry, beetroot and chicory. Closing things out for dessert is Toffee Apple with raisin and lemon thyme. Spots are incredibly limited and cost £65 per head. A wine-pairing option is available to go alongside each course for an additional £30.
Kylie Minogue Wine Tasting Masterclass
Thursday 18th November
While Kylie Minogue OBE may be more familiar as the Princess of Pop—rightfully so, may we add—the musician also launched her own successful range of wines back in 2020. More than a million bottles were sold in the line’s debut year, so it’s fairly safe to assume she must be doing something right. For anyone wanting to immerse themselves a little further, a special Wine Tasting Masterclass will be held on Thursday 18th November, which will see guests taken on a journey through four carefully curated varieties of fine wines and fizz from the popstar’s collection.
Taco Tuesday & Wednesday at El Capo
Tuesday 16th & Wednesday 17th November
Not content with just one day of £1 Tacos – El Capo have extended their offer to now include Wednesdays too! Actually, they were SO busy on Tuesdays that there were always queues – so now you can take advantage of these super-cheap and super-tasty TACOS over the two days instead. Thanks guys!
Music & Clubs
WHP21 – Boiler Room
Friday 19th November
The Boiler Room have partnered with The Warehouse Project once again as part of 6 new showcases for the WHP21 season at Depot Mayfield. This week’s showcase will feature DJ EZ, a-z, Angel D’lite, Dr Banana, Interplanetary Criminal, Jess Ajose, P-rallel, Vanessa Maria and Yung Singh.
Eastern Bloc Showcase
Friday 19th November
On Friday 19th November, Krysko & Greg Lord – long time resident in Manchester’s club scene – will takeover the intimate space at Manchester’s institution Eastern Bloc and welcome Domenic Cappello from Sub Club / Subculture to join them at their special showcase. The legendary resident of probably the worlds greatest club, Glasgow’s Sub Club, will be coming down to join them all night. Domenic Cappello has been at the helm of the longest running weekly house night on the planet, Subculture, for nearly 30 years, and to boot, is undoubtedly one of the worlds finest DJs.
Untold Orchestra play Amy Winehouse at Escape to Freight Island
Wednesday 17th November
It’s all change over at Escape to Freight Island as they launched their spectacular new ‘Winter Island’ – a Christmas village with hog roasts, bratwurst, mulled wine, Christmas trees, market stalls, an actual ICE RINK and loads more. The Untold Orchestra will also be back on stage every Wednesday, this week performing an orchestral rendition of all of your favourite Amy Winehouse songs.
