We’ve got Monday off. Monday off! Because of that one simple change to the weekend’s proceedings everyone’s gone a bit nuts, and accordingly, we’ve got a bumper roundup including cocktails, live music and gravy wrestling.
Bolton Food and Drink Festival
This weekend Bolton welcomes its 9th annual Food and Drink Festival, boasting star power from the likes of John Torode, James Martin, Michael Caines, Gino D’Acampo and others. Bolton will be brought to life by a host of speciality markets, live music performances and street entertainment, plus cooking demos from regionally and nationally known chefs.
Fri 22 – Mon 25 Aug, Bolton Town Hall, Victoria Square, Bolton, BL1 1RU, Various times, FREE entry (some events have a charge), www.boltonfoodanddrinkfestival.com
Finding Nemo at Spinningfields Family Film Club
Every year we ransack the M&S picnic food selection and flock to Hardman Square with a blanket, wide-eyed and ready for the genius that is Screenfields. But this Saturday’s screening is even better than usual. Why? Because what normally costs you just three of your precious pounds will now cost you nothing. Aces! With music, face painters and balloon modellers, it’s a family-friendly event, but with a dose of everyone’s favourite clownfish Nemo, it’s more than likely to attract some big kids too.
Sat 23 Aug, Spinningfields lawn, 10.15am (Film starts 11am), FREE, www.spinningfieldsonline.com
Lock-in at The Alchemist
As one of Manchester’s favourite molecular cocktail joints, The Alchemist gets in on the bank holiday action this Sunday with a lock-in. This, of course, means extra time for lapping up a Smokey Old Fashioned, a twist on one of the simplest but tastiest classic cocktails, slurping from a hipflask of Negroni or puckering from the popping candy of a Bubblegum Martini. And with the extended opening hours comes an obligatory DJ to keep things moving along nicely.
Sun 24 Aug, The Alchemist, 3 Hardman St, Spinningfields, M3 3HF, 10pm – 2am, FREE, www.facebook.com
SpinFest ft. Absolute Funk, Twisted Tubes + more
Soak up some of the best free music that money doesn’t have to buy as Spinningfields hosts its fourth SpinFest. This time round you’ll find live music from the likes of 4-6 piece Absolute Funk, acoustic duo Blake’s View, brassy Manchester-based band Twisted Tubes and 21 year old Tom Seals taking to the Disaronno stage for the last event of 2014. Throw in plenty of food and drink and we’re onto a winner.
Sun 24 Aug, The Avenue Courtyard, Spinningfields, M3 3AY, 12pm – late, FREE, www.facebook.com
Eighty Six: The Last Days of Summer at The Beagle
It certainly feels as though we saw off the last hint of summer a long time ago, but forget the recent cold spell and head down to The Beagle’s terrace this Sunday for a sunny soundtrack from the Eighty Six DJs. Along with good beer and a Mexican menu that nods towards warmer climes, you’ll soon forget how cold you’ve been in the office this week.
Sun 24 Aug, The Beagle, 456-458 Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton, M21 0BQ, 4pm – 12am, FREE, www.facebook.com
World Gravy Wrestling at Rose ‘n’ Bowl (pictured)
Yup, you heard right. The now world-famous World Gravy Wrestling competition has transformed what could have been a sleepy little pub known only for its carvery dinners into something with quite the reputation. Raising money for the East Lancashire Hospice, we suspect this event may involve a compulsory donation of a quid or two, but should be a good laugh whether you’re a smug bystander or fully-committed contestant. If you want to be the latter, email info at worldgravywrestling dot com to secure a place.
Mon 25 Aug, Rose ‘n’ Bowl, Rose ‘N’ Bowl, Newchurch Rd, Stacksteads, OL13 0UG, From 12.30pm, Small entry fee may be charged, www.facebook.com
- Words:
- Jess Hardiman
- Published on:
- Wed 20 Aug 2014
