Searching for weekend plans? We’ve got you covered and then some. Check out our guide to all the best things going on around Manchester over the next couple of days.

Electrik Sundays in Chorlton

Chorlton hotspot Electrik Bar has announced a new cultural programme that spans both music and exhibitions, and it all kicks off this Sunday at 3pm.

Each weekend’s soundtrack will be curated by some of the city’s most respected selectors; from Magic Island, Aficianado, Devil’s Jukebox, Supernature, Sprechen, FreakOUT Collective and many more.

There’ll also be special happy hour prices and Four Side Vegan Pizza will be slinging their Detroit-style slices ’till late.

559 Wilbraham Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 0AE
Blues legend Victor Brox plays for free at Band on the Wall

Fresh from its big reopening and the revealing of a spectacular £3.5m refurbishment, the iconic Band on the Wall is well and truly back as one of Manchester’s most-loved cultural hubs.

Living up to that reputation, the venue is launching a brand new series of free live performances from some of the planet’s most exciting and eclectic musical talent. The diverse programme will feature global sounds from, and inspired by, the music of cultures from all around the world.

However, it’s actually one of Manchester’s true unsung heroes who will feature this Sat 9 Apr, as local blues legend Victor Brox takes to the venue’s new second stage.

A maverick of his craft, Victor’s genre-defying style has seen him work with an eye-watering list of names: Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore and Ian Gillan of Deep Purple, just to name a few. You can catch him for absolutely nout on Saturday afternoon.

25 Swan St, Manchester M4 5JZ
American folk rockers Midlake come to the Albert Hall

Having just released their long-awaited fifth studio album For the Sake of Bethel Woods—their first since 2013—audiences will finally have the chance to hear new material from Midlake in person, all in the spectacular setting of the Albert Hall on Sunday evening.

27 Peter St, Manchester M2 5QR
Family-friendly comedy with Paul Chowdhry

After barely surviving lockdown, and with two years of pent up killer material, Paul Chowdhry tackles the UK’s handling of the pandemic, why the rules of six only worked for white people, fame, England football fans and Tom Cruise landing his helicopter in someone’s garden. Inexplicably there are still a few tickets left to see this absolute master of the craft so grab yours while you can.

O2 Apollo Manchester, Stockport Road, Ardwich Green, Manchester
Weird and wonderful theatre at HOME

The captivating theatre adaptation of Sophie Anderson’s decorated children’s classic, The House With Chicken Legs, has arrived at HOME, with two performances taking place on Saturday.

A poignant, gorgeous story of traversing loss and grief while growing into an adult, The House With Chicken Legs has been uniquely rendered through puppetry and live music by Les Enfants Terribles, the revered theatre company who deservedly earned an Olivier Award nomination for their glittering take on Alice’s Adventures Underground. Their deft touch and technical mastery invites the audience into Marinka’s life amongst the spirits, captured for the first time in live-action 3D with an intimate yet sprawling vision of family, friendship and how death infuses life with meaning.

2 Tony Wilson Pl, Manchester M15 4FN
Quartet at the Holden Gallery

Throughout a series of special exhibitions, Manchester School of Art offers a glimpse at the city’s next generation of supreme creative talent.

Quartet, a string of four shows each dedicated to a different creative discipline, features the incredible work from more than 250 graduates from the acclaimed school.

Now entering its final weekend at the spectacular Holden Gallery is a programme dedicated to Architecture—a celebration of innovative and eclectic building and landscape design.

The Holden Gallery, Manchester Metropolitan University, Grosvenor Building, Cavendish St, Manchester M15 6BR
Open House at the Whitworth

Check out the launch of the Whitworth’s brand new exhibition, Open House, a project all about connecting the gallery’s wallpaper with the community’s stories of domestic life.

Surprise yourself with some history about the 10,000 wallcoverings looked after at the Whitworth, whether cheap and cheerful or fine and expensive, and get ready for a whole afternoon filled with show and tells, curator tours and some lovely tea and cake to top it all off.

Entry is completely free, too!

Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6ER
Telescope Talks at Jodrell Bank

Learn more about Jodrell Bank’s iconic Lovell telescope as expert explainers dive into the role it played in the space race, along with the objects it studies in space. There’ll even be demonstrations, including a rocket launch and a chance to meet the Jodrell Bank

Sessions take place all weekend at 11am, 12pm, 2.15pm and 3.15pm, and are included with general admission.

Macclesfield SK11 9DL
Cottonopolis celebrates Hanami

Hanami, which translates to “flower watching”, is the Japanese celebration of the cherry blossom and springtime. People gather around cherry blossoms with family and friends to enjoy delicious drinks and food under the beautiful pink trees.

Cottonopolis has created its very own blossoms within the venue; beneath which, guests can sit amongst friends and family and are invited to leave a message of gratitude among the blossoms. In return, Cottonopolis will pick out messages of gratitude each week and gift-back cocktails, food and more.

16 Newton St, Manchester M1 2AE
Sat 9 Apr - Sun 10 Apr
Words:
Bradley Lengden
Published on:
Fri 8 Apr 2022