Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and while there’s all the usual events on at bars and nightclubs, we like to bring you things that are a little bit different. So, below are 10 of the best ‘alternative’ nights out for Valentine’s Day…
Immersive film screening: Dirty Dancing at Old Granada Studios (pic)
This is not just a film screening, but a full-on evening event. Visitors can enjoy a complimentary glass of fizz on arrival, and table service waiters will be on hand with themed cocktails and specially prepared street food. Guaranteed to be enjoyed by at least 50% of any heterosexual couple.
Fri 10 Feb - Sat 11 Feb, Old Granada Studios, Quay Street, Manchester, M3 3JE, various show times, £14.99 (entry), www.dirtydancingexperience.com
Pop-up cinema: Moonrise Kingdom & more at Victoria Baths
Upping the ante in the pop-up cinema stakes is Victoria Baths. Over Valentine’s week, 'The Village Screen' is hosting a mini season of romantic movies at this iconic venue. On the programme are: Beauty and the Beast, Moonrise Kingdom, and two screenings of 10 Things I Hate About You. Popular food vendors, including the NQ’s Ginger’s Comfort Emporium, will be there, as will a bar serving Prosecco and craft beers. N.B. Tickets are going fast for the screening of Ten Things... on the 14th.
Fri 10 - Tue 14 Feb, Victoria Baths, Hathersage Road, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester, M13 0FE, Tel: 07811 957204, various show times, from £10.50, www.thevillagegreenevents.com
Film double bill: Romeo + Juilet & Heathers at Gorilla.
You might be noticing a trend: it's another film night. We like the look of this one so much - in particular young Leonardo Dicaprio - that we've covered it in depth here.
Tue 14 Feb, Gorilla, 54-56 Whitworth Street, Manchester M1 5WW. Tel: 0161 826 2998, 7pm, £6, www.seetickets.com
Film screening; High Fidelity at Band on the Wall
One last film screening for your delectation. This total classic of music obsession is based on the book by Nick Hornby. Read our full preview here.
Tue 14 Feb, Band on the Wall, 25 Swan Street, Manchester M4 5JZ. Tel: 0161 834 1786, 7pm, £3, www.bandonthewall.org
Dance performance: Smother (part of Queer Contact) at Contact
As part of the theatre's nine-day-long Queer Festival, Contact is presenting the show 'Smother', from the 201 Dance Company. Choreographer Andrea Walker directs a cast of seven dancers in a fast-paced hip-hop performance. Touching on themes of addiction and obsession, it tells the story of a broken encounter between two young men. After sell-out performances in New York, London, and Edinburgh, the show is coming our way for one night only.
Tue 14 Feb, Contact, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6JA, Tel: 0161 274 0600, 8pm, £15, contactmcr.com
Comedy: Queer Comedy special ft. Desiree Burch at Contact
Another part of Queer Contact, the night features some rising stars of LGBT comedy. Hosted by Jonathan Mayor, the acts include Desiree Burch (Funny Women Winner), Mawaan Rizwan (YouTube star/BBC Three's 'How Gay Is Pakistan?'), and Sophie Willan (Magners New Act of the Year).
Mon 13 Feb, Contact, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6JA, Tel: 0161 274 0600, 7.30pm, £7, contactmcr.com
Classical: The Hallé's From Broadway With Love at Bridgewater Hall
Star vocalists Matthew Ford and Emma Williams front a programme packed with romantic classics from American musicals. Featured songs include Cole Porter's ‘Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye', and 'Moon River' from 'Breakfast at Tiffany’s'. Other favourites include pieces by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Stephen Sondheim.
Sat 11 Feb, The Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3WS, Tel: 0161 907 9000, 7.30pm, from £13.50, www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk
Classical: Chetham’s Sinfonia & Ensembles at Manchester Cathedral
If you’re looking so something a little more highbrow, then you should head to the Cathedral, where the precocious prodigies from nearby Chetham's School of Music will be performing. The concert will feature the school's sinfonia, wind band, and several other small ensembles.
Tue 14 Feb, Manchester Cathedral, Victoria Street, Manchester, M3 1SX, Tel: 0161 833 2220, 7.30pm, www.manchestercathedral.org
Dance: Richard Alston Dance Company's An Italian in Madrid at the Lowry
The Richard Alston Dance Company presents this fusion of different styles and cultures. BBC Young Dancer grand finalist Vidya Patel and others will be accompanied live onstage by the acclaimed pianist Jason Ridgway. The show features brand new piano pieces inspired by the sonatas of the Italian composer Scarlatti, who was hugely influenced by Spanish music.
Mon 13 Feb - Tue 14 Feb, The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ, Tel: 0843 208 6000, 8.00pm, £19.50 - £21.50, www.thelowry.com
Thrash metal: Anthrax at Manchester Academy
Because nothing screams 'romance' like... Anthrax. Joey Belladonna and his merry band of 50-something thrash metallers will be performing their acclaimed 1987 album Among the Living, plus a bunch of their other hits.
Tue 14 Feb, Manchester Academy, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PR, Manchester, M13 9PR, Tel: 0161 275 2930, 7pm, £30.25, www.ticketline.co.uk
