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27.04.2018.

Drum & bass: Metalheadz showcase at Band on the Wall ft. Artificial Intelligence.

26.04.2018 - 27.04.2018.

Nightclubbing: Rachael Young's explosive Grace Jones inspired performance at The Lowry.

Sarah & Duck © Karrot Entertainment Distributed by BBC Worldwide Ltd.

31.03.2018 - 13.05.2018.

Top 4: Spring 2018 family shows at Waterside ft. Sarah and Duck.

If you’re stuck for ideas on keeping the younger generation entertained this Easter and beyond, pop the chocolate bunnies to one side and head to Waterside for some family fun. Here are four of our favourite child-friendly shows landing in Sale this Spring – and most are perfect for big kids as well as the little’uns… Red Riding Hood and the Wolf The classic fairytale is reimagined with a Wolf that’s neither big nor bad, just broken-hearted and a tiny bit bashful – until Robyn chooses to believe in him. Little Angel Theatre’s production of Jon Barton’s retelling makes the ordinary extraordinary. Sat 31 Mar, 11.30am & 2pm, £7-9, book here. The Sagas of Noggin The Nog Heaped with plenty of praise, this production is made up of two Noggin the Nog legends, one in each half, told by the Men of the Northlands in the best story-telling tradition – in the dark around a roaring log fire and with puppets for extra charm. Tue 3 Apr, 2.30pm, £7-9, book here. Sarah & Duck’s Big Top Birthday This brand-new stage show promises a magical adventure with Sarah and Duck from the BAFTA award-winning CBeebies favourite. Joined by their pals to organise a surprise party for Scarf Lady’s birthday, think puppetry, storytelling and music. Thu 3 May, 2pm, £10-12, book here. John Hegley: All Hail The Snail (And Other Creatures) The mandolin-playing poet creates a weird and wonderful world of wordplay as he leads the way through his living library of verse, songs, stories and drawings. Expect plenty of laughs for kids, young people and adults alike, and the bonus of a special guest. Sun 13 May, 11am & 2.30pm, £7-9, book here. Sat 31 Mar-Sun 13 May, Waterside, 1 Waterside Plaza, Sale, Manchester, M33 7ZF, Tel: 0161 912 5616, times and prices vary, watersidearts.org

Todmorden-Folk-Festival-2016-with-Oakenhoof-Blu-Planet-photography-1

04.05.2018 - 06.05.2018.

Book tickets: Todmorden Folk Festival 2018 on May Bank Holiday weekend.

During the first May bank holiday weekend, a celebration of folk arts is happening a short train journey away from the city. Todmorden Folk Festival returns for its fourth year, offering a packed schedule of traditional folk, Americana, and world music as well as clog, sword and Morris dancing. Held over 15 venues in the town, it’s easily navigable to catch a variety of live performances. A ceilidh kicks things off on Friday night with a local folk band providing the music and calling the dances for those that need reminding when to do-si-do. There is also an Irish trad session and a trio of folk performers happening across Todmorden. Saturday brings a packed schedule of performances, highlights include traditional melodeon and fiddle music, early music, banjo Americana, and an a cappella band with barbershop singing. Sunday sees more events featuring a folk artist previously a support for Van Morrison, an activist folk singer songwriter, a folk duo with cinematic soundscapes and Irish fiddle. There is a Saturday craft fair alongside the festival cafe and many Todmodern eateries to keep the festival goer going. The programme is a showcase of quality and is worth scouring to pick your way through a fantastic festival in the picturesque setting of Todmorden. Fri 4-Sun 6 May, venues across Todmorden, full adult/child weekend ticket - £38.23/£16.73. Individual event tickets are available to buy, check the link below for details. Information and programme: www.todfolkfest.co.uk Tickets: www.eventbrite.com

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19.07.2018 - 28.07.2018.

Refract:18 festival - 10 must-see music & performance events at Waterside.

Following the success of last year’s Refract arts festival, the Waterside-curated showcase is back with a jam-packed 10-day line-up of live performances, art installations and making sessions for audiences of all ages. Refract:18 runs from Thursday 19 to Saturday 28 July and features a creative programme bursting with music, comedy, theatre and family events inviting you to see things differently in and around Trafford’s vibrant arts venue. Expect the unexpected, from some secret spaces and a pop-up puppet show in a magical canvas dome to intelligent amphibians taking over the world (War with the Newts, Sat 21 Jul & Sun 22 Jul, 6.30pm) and a silent disco with painting on the side (Make, Do & Bop, Fri 27 Jul, 10.30am & 1.30pm). There’s clowning and circus skills with Long Shot (Thu 19 Jul, 7pm), and cabaret courtesy subversive queer artists Mother’s Ruin (Fri 20 Jul, 8pm) and international collective Cabaret from the Shadows (Sat 21 Jul, 9.30pm). The main theatre welcomes the likes of brand-new two-hander Stuntman (Tue 24 Jul, 8pm) and the ingenious Showstopper! The Improvised Musical (Thu 26 Jul, 7.30pm), plus music from the funk-fuelled Tankus the Henge (Fri 20 Jul, 8pm) and reggae-popsters Jeramiah Ferrari (Fri 27 Jul, 8pm), while you can join talented multi-instrumentalist Minute Taker for an immersive gig in the Art Deco delight that is the upstairs Chambers hall (Sat 21 Jul, 8pm). The whole shebang comes to a close with a special party on Saturday 28 July, with details yet to be announced. Sit tight… Thu Fri 19–Sat 28 Jul, Waterside, 1 Waterside Plaza, Sale, Manchester, M33 7ZF, Tel: 0161 912 5616, times and prices vary, www.refract.org.uk For more events at Waterside click here.

10.04.2018.

Free exhibition: 120 Years of Disabled Living at Redbank House.

The charity Disabled Living celebrated its 120th birthday last year, and to cap things off they’re hosting an exhibition of archive material surrounding the charity’s history at their Redbank House location. Disabled Living has existed under various names since 1897, starting out as the Band of Kindness and Children’s Help Society - a group that used animal welfare as a means to teach kindness to children - before eventually transforming into the modern disability advocacy and support charity that they are today, providing impartial advice on equipment and services to those who need it. This exhibition, launching on Tuesday 10 April, uses photography, blogs and historical documents to bring to life the true story of Disabled Living. Support from The Heritage Lottery Fund has helped the charity, whose own official archives were tragically destroyed in a fire in 2009, assemble a dense catalogue charting not just the history of the charity, but also the evolution of disability rights. Amongst the pieces on display, you’ll find documentation on the first wheelchair loan service (1903) and the first residential home for disabled adults (1949). Entitled ‘From Donkeys to Innovators’, the exhibition also includes film material, with a specially-commissioned documentary narrated by Corrie actor Cherrylee Houston being screened at the launch event. Following a run at Red Bank house, the archive materials will be moved to Central Library’s Archives+, where they will be accessible to anyone indefinitely. Wed 11 and Thu 12 Apr - then dates and times vary - Red Bank House, 4 St Chad's Street, Manchester, M8 8QA. 10am-3pm, FREE, www.disabledliving.co.uk

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16.02.2018 - 03.06.2018.

New art exhibition: Anthony McCall's Solid Light Works at The Hepworth.

This Spring, The Hepworth Wakefield welcomes the UK premiere of new work by acclaimed British artist Anthony McCall. The new solo exhibition, Solid Light Works, marks the first major UK appearance of McCall’s work in over a decade. The work consists of light projections which hang in mid-air, seemingly solid, turning mathematics into emotionally resonant artwork. McCall withdrew from the art world at the end of the 1970s, after making his name with a series of ‘solid-light’ sculptures throughout the decade. Three decades later, witnessing the developments in digital projection and haze machines, McCall finally had the means to realise his ambitious artistic goals. The work from this period culminated in a mesmerising body of ephemeral, geometrical work. Three of the installations at The Hepworth are on show for the first time in the UK. These solid-light works invite audience interaction, as they blur the boundary between the physical and the intangible, sculpture and cinema. Anthony McCall is now based in Manhattan, and has exhibited throughout Europe and the United States in the last decade. Given how sporadically McCall visits the UK these days, this is a rare chance to witness the work of a uniquely ambitious contemporary artist, and well worth the trip out to Wakefield. Fri 16 Feb – Sun 3 Jun, The Hepworth Wakefield, Gallery Walk, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF1 5AW. Tel: 01924 247360, times & days vary, FREE, www.hepworthwakefield.org For more arts and culture in the North West, click here.

Ordnance Pavilion by Studio MUTT at Langdale Estates. Image by Steve Barber

01.03.2018 - 31.07.2018.

Lakes Ignite 2018: World Heritage status celebrated with art installations & more.

Grab a map and flag down an open-topped double decker – we’re off on a magical mystery tour of World Heritage Site the Lake District. To celebrate the shiny new UNESCO crown, various tourism and cultural agencies under the umbrella (note to self: probably needed on this trip) of Lakes Culture have co-curated a smorgasbord of specially commissioned art installations around the region. Six separate pieces are yours to tick off for free at Cumbrian gems from Blackwell, The Arts and Crafts House, with Di Mainstone’s interactive Time Mirror, to Grizedale Forest, where Charlie Whinney’s steam-bent oak creation Mountains We Made will become part of the permanent collection. Each piece in the Lakes Ignite 2018 programme responds to one or all three themes for which the status for outstanding landscape was bestowed last year: identity, inspiration and conservation. Praised for its own green credentials, multidisciplinary arts space and culture hub Rheged is home to Michael Shaw’s playful site-specific inflatable Slung. OS fans will enjoy Studio MUTT’s Ordnance Pavilion at Wainwrights’ Inn in the Lansdale Estates (pictured), while YSP-based Brian Fell and son George have contributed a steel sculpture of a shoal of ancient fish, Arctic Char, to the calming bubble that is Ambleside Salutation Hotel and Spa. Across town at the University of Cumbria campus, Philip Stanier and the Strange Names Collective have created an art project of three parts, comprising exhibition, VR experience and performance, which you can catch on Sunday 27 May (7pm), Friday 29 and Saturday 30 June, and Sunday 1 July (2.30pm and 7pm). Bus pass at the ready... Until Tue 31 Jul, various venues and times, free, www.lakesculture.co.uk

26.01.2018 - 21.07.2018.

Top 5: Manchester theatre shows in Spring 2018 ft. Hamlet & Maxine Peake.

Manchester has never been short of options for theatre aficionados. Whether it's HOME's cutting edge contemporary arts, reinventions of the classics at The Lowry and The Royal Exchange, or song and dance at The Palace, there's always something for everyone. Our top five Manchester theatre shows for the first half of 2018 include the RSC's latest reimagining of Hamlet starring Paapa Essiedu, a double-bill of Maxine Peake at The Royal Exchange, and a queer cabaret courtesy of Dancing Bear at The Palace. Here's our round up of the best theatre shows the city has to offer in the coming months: 1. Award-winning contemporary drama at HOME Opening at the beginning of March, Circle Mirror Transformation is a touching and humorous piece written by Annie Baker and directed by Bijan Sheibani. Baker is considered one of the most talented playwrights to emerge in recent years and Circle Mirror Transformation won the 2010 Obie Award for Best New Play. Now bought to HOME’s stage by Sheibani, it explores the relationships between five strangers in Vermont as they take a creative drama class for adults. Fri 2 - Fri 16 Mar, HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester, M15 4FN. Tel: 0161 200 1500, times and prices vary, www.homemcr.org 2. Hamlet refreshed by the Royal Shakespeare Company at The Lowry The Royal Shakespeare Company is bringing Hamlet to the Lowry after a successful run in Stratford-upon-Avon. Paapa Essiedu who takes up the title role, is said to be riveting and fresh in his approach. Having gained a long list of 4* reviews, this is not one to be missed. Mon 26 Jan - Sat 3 Feb. The Lyric Theatre, The Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ. Tel: 0843 208 6000, times and prices vary, www.thelowry.com 3. Maxine Peake double-bill: historical drama and one-woman show at The Royal Exchange Maxine Peake will be taking to the Royal Exchange stage twice in 2018. Her first gig will be in Samuel Beckett’s one-woman play, Happy Days, before she embarks on her own play, Queens of the Coal Age, which she wrote and stars in. Following four women as they take a stand against the closure of the coal mines in 1993, the play is said to be full of Northern wit and charisma. Happy Days: Fri 25 May - Sat 23 Jun, Queens of the Coal Age: Thu 28 June to Sat 21 July, Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, M2 7DH. Tel: 0161 833 9833, times and prices vary, www.royalexchange.co.uk 4. Political power play from Juliet Stevenson at The Lowry Mary Stuart with Juliet Stevenson and Lia Williams will open at The Lowry. This follows a critically acclaimed run in the Almeida's 2016-17 season. Taking place during the 16th century's political turmoil and exploring the relationship between Mary Stuart and Elizabeth I, Stevenson and Williams explore the two women at the helm of British power. The two stars exchange roles, deciding with the toss of the coin each evening. In doing so, this performance explores the pure chance that may have saved Mary from her execution. From Tue 17 - Sat 21 Apr, The Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ. Tel: 0843 208 6000, times and prices vary, www.thelowry.com 5. Queer cabaret with Divina De Campo at Contact Part of the Queer Contact Festival of 2018, Dancing Bear is a musical exploring the intersection between faith, identity and sexuality. Featuring Divina De Campo, this cabaret styled play is both humorous and heart-breaking. Audio-described and signed performances are also available. Tue 6 - Wed 7 Feb, The Palace Theatre, 97 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6FT. Tel: 0844 871 3019, times and prices vary, www.atgtickets.com For more things to do when it comes to art and culture in Manchester, click here.

27.02.2018.

Review: Treetop Nets Manchester in Heaton Park.

Every imagined swinging through the trees in Heaton Park? Us neither. Not until this weekend, at least, when we booked a two-hour session on Treetop Nets' Manchester complex just beside the top car park at Heaton Park. The nets are made for bouncing - they’re ridged with springs, as well as being literally tied to the trees in the forest - and there's loads to do as well as leaping about. Whizz down rope slides and climb up ladders into tree house hideaways, play dodge ball with giant exercise balls and chase each other around the bouncy, human race track as fast as you can. Our instructor explains that 10 minutes bouncing burns as many calories as a 5k run - so that's a bonus - and it's great for keeping kids entertained. We took 4 year old twins, one adult and a 13 year old and had to bribe everyone to leave after 120 minutes with the promise of lunch in the nearby Heaton Park Cafe (Treetop adventurers get a 10% discount). Treetop Nets Manchester is part of a group of adventure parks that launched in the Lake District in Windermere. There are three outlets, including one in Ripon. Other facilities in the 600 acre historic park include a petting zoo, 18 hole golf course, adventure playgrounds and boating lakes; it's the ideal place for a big day out close to home. Treetop Nets is suitable for visitors aged 3 and over, while an adjacent high ropes adventure experience, called Treetop Trek Manchester, is available for those aged 5 and over. Treetop Trek and Treetop Nets Manchester, Heaton Park, St Margaret's Road, Manchester, M25 2GT. Tel: 015394 47186, opening times vary, cost 3-4 years £13, 5 and over £20, supervising adults with under 7s £13, www.treetopnets.co.uk

30.03.2018 - 31.03.2018.

Bollywood farce: The Game of Love and Chai at The Lowry ft. Adam Samuel-Bal.

If it’s farce you’re after, you’ve come to the right place, as The Game of Love and Chance is re-imagined for a 21st-century multicultural audience. Nigel Planer (most famously of The Young Ones and most recently of Inside No.9, playing an unhappy immortal) drags Pierre de Marivaux’s 18th-century classic high-kicking and singing into modern-day Britain, swapping two Asian families in the London suburbs for the original French nobles. Retaining the comedic tale of mistaken identity and the foolish things falling in love can pre-empt, this Tara Arts update adds in Uber, Primark and another new twist in the guise of a Bollywood score. So it’s singing and dancing a-go-go for The Game of Love and Chai – or when Rani met Raj. Rani is a successful, shall we say slightly square solicitor, due to be marrying the equally high-flying (and equally emotionally awkward) Raj – only thing is, she’s never even set eyes on the man, let alone spoken to him, so how can she agree to spend the rest of her life with him? In order to find out if he really is the one for her, Rani convinces her cousin Sita – who is rather more straight-talking than strait-laced – to act as the bride-to-be, so Rani can watch from the wings, with her mother, widow Kamala’s blessing. It just so happens that Raj has had the very same thought, swapping places with Nitin, his driver – with his father’s go-ahead. As class and passion clash, the story unfolds and the jokes flow. For more shows at the Lowry, click here. Fri 30 Mar - Sat 31 Mar, The Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ. Tel: 0843 208 6000, 8pm (& 2pm Sat), £15.50-19.50, thelowry.com

18.11.2017 - 25.02.2018.

Last chance: Humans Being Digital art exhibition (& hipster test) at The Lowry.

Have you always wanted to know what Armageddon might smell like? If the answer is 'yes' then pop along to the Lowry's winter exhibition Humansbeingdigital, a show exploring the intersection between people and technology with a selection of provocative digital artworks. It is here that Thomson and Craighead present their apocalyptic perfume which takes the biblical description of Armageddon as its inspiration, and features notes of blood and animal horns. Similarly unnerving is Korean artists U_Joo+LimheeYoung's 'Machine with hair caught in it' - an oddly serene and hypnotic piece, despite the obvious wince factor. Berlin-based artist and composer Thom Kubli renders sound visible in a meditative sculpture featuring suspended black gramophone horns which let out low haunting tones, and with each peel release a giant bubble. By bringing together a selection of artworks probing the space where the digital and the human meet, Humansbeingdigital asks the viewer to scrutinise their own emotional reactions to technology. And not to worry, if you’re in need of a drink after all this, Max Dovey's Hipster Bar installation will use facial recognition software to see if you're 'hipster' enough to get in. Sat 18 Nov 2017 - Sun 25 Feb 2018, The Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ. Tel: 0843 208 6000, times vary, FREE, www.thelowry.com

09.02.2018 - 25.02.2018.

Book tickets: Circus Extreme at Manchester Event City.

This February, Manchester’s Event City welcomes Circus Extreme, a two-hour romp through some of the world's finest daredevil stunts and gymnastics - and we have 10 pairs of tickets up for grabs. Branded 'The World’s Most Extreme Circus', Circus Extreme combines the classic circus fare – clowns, trapeze, dance - with hair-raising stunt-based theatrics. On the more traditional side of things there’s the now-legendary Henry the Prince of Clowns hosting the show throughout. There’s also Laserman, whose laser fingers turn Event City’s big top into a sci-fi wilderness. As for extremes, FMX (stunt-bike) riders with the G-force of a fighter pilot on the Globe of Death are sure to get the adrenaline pumping. There’s also the high-wire antics of Danguir Troupe, including the 'double wheel of death'. Led by Mustafa Danger, the Troupe have never performed in the UK before, so this is definitely not one to miss. And let’s be honest – when are you next going to witness a contortionist shooting a bow and arrow with her feet? Event City is the country’s second largest venue outside London, and Circus Extreme will take place in the venue’s Circus Big Top, the biggest in the UK. The show runs for 17 nights from Friday 9 February. We have 10 pairs of tickets to give away. To be in with a chance of winning, simply enter your details below. Deadline for entry is Wednesday 7 February at midnight. Winners will be notified the next day. [gravityform id="1" title="false" description="false" ajax="false"] Fri 9 Feb – Sun 25 Feb, EventCity, Phoenix Way, Manchester M17 8AS. Tel: 0203 3753970, times and prices vary, www.circusextreme.co.uk For more thrilling events in Manchester and the surrounding area, read our 'wildcard' guide.

19.10.2017 - 17.02.2018.

Last chance: Cosgrove Hall's Puppet Master exhibition at Waterside.

Celebrate Manchester’s animation heritage with a colourful Cosgrove Hall exhibition at Waterside Arts Centre. Waterside Arts Centre now holds the archive of the former Chorlton cartoon studio that brought us Noddy, Count Duckula and the reboot of Postman Pat. Cosgrove Hall was a major player in UK children’s television, with Danger Mouse broadcasting on ITV for over a decade. Puppet Master is packed with original puppets, story boards and behind-the-scenes insights into the craft of animation. The exhibition is free to view and runs until 17 February 2018. This Sat you can meet some of the puppetmasters who bring these creations to life at a special conference. Get tickets here. Thu 19 Oct - Sat 17 Feb 2018, Waterside Arts Centre, 1 Waterside Plaza, Sale, Greater Manchester M33 7ZF. Tel: 0161 912 5616, times vary, FREE, www.watersideartscentre.co.uk

04.03.2018.

Book now: Pug Cafe Chinese New Year party at Pen & Pencil.

The Northern Quarter has become quite the hot spot for dog owners to be able to take their four legged pals into a bar for some canine friendly service so it seems fitting to be the place for a pop up pug cafe to celebrate Chinese New Year in March. For one day only The Pen & Pencil on Hilton Street plays host to a special 'Year of the Dog' party with delicious treats for bipeds and quadrupeds alike including Pug Cafe's famous 'Puguccinos' for free! There will be a whole menu dedicated to pugs FOR pugs that will include delicious pupcakes, dognuts, cookies and lots more in the always dog-friendly surrounds of P&P. There is a strict booking only policy which opens on Sat 10 Feb at 11am so make sure to grab your slot as they will no doubt fill up fast with pug owners and lovers alike. Sun 4 Mar, The Pen & Pencil, Fourways House, 57 Hilton St, Manchester M1 2EJ. Tel: 0161 660 3303 The event is organised into 70 minute time slots that start at 10am, 11.10am, 12.20am, 1.30pm, 1.40pm, 2.50pm, 4pm and 5.15pm Booking fee: pug owners £7 each (if you bring 1 pug you are allowed 2 people at pug owner rate each) additional pug owner guests £10, pug lovers £14. www.PugCafe.co.uk For more weird and wonderful events happening in Manchester click here.

16.01.2018.

New trampoline park: Flip Out Manchester Sportcity ft. laser maze & soft play.

The UK’s biggest trampoline and adventure park, Flip Out Manchester Sportcity, is now open close to the Etihad Stadium. The 35,000-square foot venue has masses of trampolines, a 'Ninja Obstacle' course, slides, and a laser maze and much more. For visitors with families, there is a special trampolining area for under sevens plus a soft play area for toddlers. The park also offers kids’ party sessions, and also ‘do’s for grown-ups, including stag/hen nights and corporate events. Fancy something a bit more organised? Book one of their bouncing classes, or fitness sessions. Of course, fit people will already know that trampolining can burn up to 800 calories per hour, so this is the ideal place to recover after your seasonal indulgences and 'Flip Fit', for example, is a conditioning class, designed to work on full body definition (Tuesdays 7pm & 9pm, £6 a session). There's also a cafe, viewing gallery and range of themed party rooms. Flip Out is the fastest-growing trampoline park operator in the world with 80 outlets in seven countries around the world. For more great things to do in Manchester, click here. Now open, Flip Out, Ashton New Road, Clayton, Manchester, M11 4BD, times & prices vary, www.flipout.co.uk A partnership post.

02.12.2017 - 27.01.2018.

Last chance: Mayfield Depot tours with Jonathan Schofield.

Fancy some urban exploring? The derelict Mayfield Depot is set for redevelopment, but in December you can explore its neglected past in a series of weekend tours. Author Jonathan Schofield will delve between the iron columns and crumbling bricks to tell a story of history, industry – and even zombie movie shoots thanks to the buildings’ cameo in 1970s Spanish horror ‘The Living Dead’. Hailed as “Manchester’s most spectacular abandoned building”, the Mayfield site was a pre-war railway station and, later, a parcel depot. Grub Food Fair can now be found underneath the Mayfield Arches, and the space is even becoming home to a community garden. Schofield’s tour will make the best of the venue’s civil engineering chic, leading you down its huge causeway up to the disused platforms. Sensible footwear is recommended, and your ticket includes a factsheet to take home. Sat 2 Dec –Sat 27 Jan, Mayfield Manchester, Fairfield Street, Manchester. Check website for full dates and times, £10, www.mayfieldmanchester.co.uk

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29.09.2017 - 10.06.2018.

City-wide South Asian art exhibition: North and South at Manchester Art Gallery & more.

To mark the 70^th anniversary of Partition, Manchester is drawing on its rich history of South Asian culture and artistry with an ambitious exhibition stretching across various museums and galleries across the city. The Whitworth showcases South Asian Modernists (1953-1963) featuring artists such as Avinash Chandra, Ram Kumar and Laxman Pai, and the featured painting by Anwar Jalal Shemza, while Manchester Art Gallery hosts solo shows by five artists and a performance lecture from Tentative Collective. Reena Saini Kallat’s solo exhibition Earth Familites will be at Manchester Museum and performance artist Nikhil Chopra will be at the Museum of Science and Industry creating a one-off 48 hour performance based around a steam locomotive. Alongside all of this there is an independent Indian cinema showcase at HOME (read our preview) and Band on the Wall are programming a series of contemporary South Asian music events. Fri 29 Sep, various galleries and museums across Manchester. For more info visit: www.newnorthandsouth.org

12.01.2018 - 27.01.2018.

Top 3: PUSH Festival 2018 ft. the best poetry, visual art & film in the NW at HOME.

Contemporary arts centre HOME continues to assert its authority on the Manchester arts scene as it welcomes PUSH festival back for another feast of contemporary cinema, theatre and visual art from the North West's leading creatives. The festival takes place over 14 days in January 2018: here are our three picks of shows not to miss. See the full programme here: homemcr.org Performance: Forrest (pictured) Dealing with addiction, and the related themes of compulsion and guilt, Forrest is a conversational performance from Salford University graduate James Monaghan. As one half of the enigmatic Sheep Knuckle, Monaghan made art out of computers and code with humanity and compassion, and his solo venture Forrest promises to be just as ambitious. Sat 13 Jan, HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester, M15 4FN. Tel: 0161 200 1500 (box office), 2:30pm, £3/£10 (day ticket), www.homemcr.org Poetry: Young Identity present Hatch Home showcase Manchester spoken word collective Young Identity bring a showcase of fiercely original new poets to PUSH. Young Identity have collaborated with such diverse artists as Lemn Sissay and Kate Tempest, and acclaimed dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson. Hatch Home captures the essence of Manchester in verbal form through performances that are both tragic and comic. A “microcosm of the human experience”. Mon 15 Jan & Fri 19 Jan, HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester, M15 4FN. Tel: 0161 200 1500 (box office), times vary, £12.50/£10, www.homemcr.org Dance, music & installation: 20 Minutes of Action One half of MAS productions, musician and multidisciplinary artist Nwando Ebizie’s latest dizzying performance piece brings together dance, electronic music and a gallery installation. Through the psychodrama of African and European folklore, Ebizie explores the rare neurological condition of "visual snow" and memory. Sat 20 Jan & Sun 21 Jan, HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester, M15 4FN. Tel: 0161 200 1500 (box office), 1pm/6pm, £5.50/£4, homemcr.org

08.12.2017 - 04.02.2018.

Last chance: Peter Hodgson's Making: A Life at Castlefield Gallery.

Making: A Life exhibits the folk art of Peter Hodgson. For over four decades, the Cumbrian artist has expressed his love of the animal world through a diverse range of materials including leather (leatherwork being his day job), ceramics and glass. Using his self-taught talents he has developed a unique approach to British folk art drawing on the heritage and traditions of communal artisanship and handicraft of the North West. Making: A Life presents a retrospective of Hodgson's work in ceramics, leather, textiles, wood, text and film, alongside collaborations and responses from other artists. These collaborators include Turner Prize-winner Laure Prouvost and Manchester-based designer Joe Hartley, whose installations also feature in the exhibition. Running alongside the show will be a programme of related talks and demonstrations. For more British art, see Wyndham Lewis at IWM North, or if more crafty artisanship is what you're after, don't miss Kate Colin's Art of the Fold at the Craft Centre. Fri 8 Dec 2017 – Sun 4 Feb 2018, Castlefield Gallery, 2 Hewitt Street Manchester, M15 4GB. Tel: 0161 832 8034 times vary (preview Thu 7 Dec, 6–9pm), FREE, castlefieldgallery.co.uk

10.02.2018 - 25.02.2018.

Top 5: February 2018 half-term ideas ft. robots, treetop nets + more.

Manchester Wire's round up of things to do this February half-term 2018 includes everything from football skills to a Victorian fairground, robots and a nature trail. Read on to find something for all ages in that tricky holiday period... Visit a mid-air playground at Treetop Nets Treetop Nets at Heaton Park boasts over 2000 square metres of netted trampolines, slides and tunnels suspended amongst the trees, and they're walled, so you won't need a harness. Entry for adults and children aged 5 and above is £20 each, while for 3-4 year olds and their adult supervisors it's just £13. The park, and the nets, are open every day during half-term - although times are limited, so be sure to book well in advance. Mon 19 - Fri 23 Feb, Heaton Park, Middleton Road, Manchester M25 2SW. Tel: 01539 447186, times vary, £20/£13, www.treetopnets.co.uk Explore nature at Dunham Massey Dunham Massey has a jam-packed weekly programme of events for all ages, including a Curiosity Kids Trail, a guided Winter Walk, and a Garden Exploration. Entry to events is free, but the National Trust charge admission to Dunham Massey itself. An adult ticket generally costs around £13.50, but there are plenty of group discounts and concessions. Every day, Dunham Massey, Woodhouse Lane, Altrincham WA14 4SJ. Tel: 0161 941 1025, times and prices vary, www.nationaltrust.org.uk Discover toys from throughout the ages at Tatton Park Tatton Park is an ideal half-term family spot - there's a deer park, adventure playground, and a whole range of events throughout the year. On Fri 23 Feb, it's home to Toys Through Time, a chance for 3-5 year olds to explore the ways children played in the past, ending in a group game and a story. Entry costs £10 per child, which includes entry for one accompanying adult. Fri 23 Feb, Tatton Park Gardens, Mereheath Drive, Knutsford WA16 6QN. Tel: 01625 374400, 10:30am and 1pm, £10 per child, free for one accompanying adult per child, www.tattonpark.org.uk Ride a Victorian fairground at MOSI (pictured) The Museum of Science and Industry's half-term offering includes a Victorian fairground and a series of industrial revolution-themed workshops for kids. There's also a child-friendly interactive element to its current robotics exhibition. The fairground costs £2 per person per ride, while the exhibitions and workshops are free. Take home your handmade clockwork toy, or get a Victorian portrait taken. Sat 10 - Sun 25 Feb, Museum of Science and Industry, Liverpool Road, Manchester M3 4FP. Tel: 0161 832 2244, times and prices vary, www.msimanchester.org.uk Learn some new tricks at the National Football Museum Alongside the National Football Museum's ongoing Pelé exhibition, there are also free football skills sessions for young visitors every day during half-term. There are three sessions a day between 11am and 3:30pm. These are drop-in and aimed at kids aged 5-12, but places are limited, so it's best to ask ahead of time. Mon 19 - Sat 24 Feb, National Football Museum, Urbis Building, Cathedral Gardens, Todd Street, Manchester M4 3BG. Tel: 0161 605 8200, times vary, FREE, www.nationalfootballmuseum.com For more things to do for families in Manchester click here.

16.02.2018 - 18.02.2018.

This weekend: Chinese New Year parade takes over the city.

Get ready for Chinese New Year on Friday 16 February, which will commence the year of the dog. You’ve got to head over to Chinatown for that evening. Once the parade leaves Piccadilly gardens, it ventures back to its home turf, where the dragon visits all the restaurants and has to be beaten out by the owner of the establishment. It’s a display not to be missed. Our choices for the eve: Han Dynasty, Siam Smiles, Happy Seasons or Red Chili. With the number of restaurants in Chinatown, you're never short of foodie things to do. The Sunday is the true show stopper though with festivities kicking off at 12pm in Albert Square with a 175ft dragon that will make its way through the city completed with a breathtaking fireworks display in Chinatown at 6pm. Fri 16 Feb - Sun 18 Feb, Chinatown (and across the city), Manchester, M1. www.visitmanchester.com For more family events in the city click here.

Dance: Sampled Jesús Carmona. Photo by Foto Robisco

17.02.2018.

Dance: Sampled at The Lowry with world-class dancers, taster sessions & more.

Lose yourself in movement this February with a one-off dance event at the Lowry called Dance: Sampled. This live performance is a compilation of the very best in dance, celebrating some of the biggest names in the artform. Showcasing dance in all its guises, this special event is perfect whether you’re already pretty pro in the twinkle-toes department or you don’t know your ballet from your breaking. There will be bite-sized performances by international talent including one of the world’s biggest flamenco stars, Jesús Carmona (pictured), and BBC Young Dancer 2017 Nafisah Baba; iconic duets such as The Sugar Plum Fairy out of The Nutcracker, courtesy the Scottish Ballet national dance company, and other extracts of longer pieces, from Humanhood’s Zero to Gandini Juggling’s Smashed, a mesmerising mix of circus and theatre. As well as being able to watch the performance, visitors can join in and tread the hallowed Lowry boards themselves with various dance activities to get involved in all day long. Free events include pop up dance and circus skills workshops throughout the Lowry building from 10am until 4pm. There will be a screening of perhaps the only film ever made about a tap-dancing penguin, Happy Feet (11am, click on the link below for booking details) and a screening of the Bollywood-style dance-packed Bride and Prejudice at 5pm. Free taster sessions for absolute beginners (and anyone else inclined to take part) include tap (11am), hip hop (noon), flamenco (12.15pm), ceilidh (12.45pm), Bhangracize (1 & 4pm), Lindy hop (5.30pm), and salsa (6.30pm). Other activities and sessions include circus skills (noon & 4pm), a post show dance panel in which participants in Dance: Sampled talk about their experiences of a career in dance (4pm). Two paid for sessions include ZooNation, an improvers class for hip hop dance fans, with a focus on developing narrative ( 1.15pm, £5, book here). No experience is required for live music, experimental dance and improvisation masterclass, Improv #10, presented by NorthSide UK (from 3.30pm, £3 to take part, free to watch). Click here to discover more events at the Lowry. Sat 17 Feb, The Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ, Tel: 0843 208 6000, Dance: Sampled performance 2pm & 8pm, £5-10, www.thelowry.com/sampled. Other activities on the day are available to book through the website and most are free.

08.01.2018 - 14.01.2018.

Last chance to visit: Manchester Town Hall is closing until 2024.

Manchester Town Hall closes to the public on Monday 15 January 2018 for a six-year programme of restoration and renovation works. A classic example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture, the Grade I listed building celebrates its 140^th birthday this year. The building is famous for its cinematic appearances, standing in for Westminster Palace in 2008’s Sherlock Holmes and 2011’s The Iron Lady. The Great Hall is home to the murals by Ford Madox Brown while the Sculpture Hall includes busts of countless notable Manchester residents, including scientists James Joule and John Dalton. Along with the Great Hall and Madox Brown’s murals, the renovation will restore all the State Rooms, the Lord Mayor’s Suite and the stained-glass windows. A selection of sculptures and plaques will remain on show elsewhere in the Town Hall complex - location TBC. So – when can you squeeze in one final visit before its slated reopening in 2024? While the building is accessible 24/7 until Monday 15 January, the famous Sculpture Hall, the visitors centre and are open 9am – 5pm Mon – Fri, so be sure to take advantage before it’s too late. Get more info about the building and the intended works from the Council and Town Hall sites. Closes Mon 15 Jan, Manchester Town Hall, Albert Square, Manchester M60 2LA. Tel: 0161 234 4343, Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm, FREE, www.thetownhallmcr.co.uk

01.01.2018 - 22.03.2018.

Top 10: Adult courses in Manchester ft. south Indian cooking, sewing, coding & more.

The phrase 'New Year, new me' is often met with a raised eyebrow - but, let's face it, there's no better time to learn a skill or find a new passion. Luckily enough, there are courses in Manchester offering everything from computer programming and tai chi to life drawing and improv comedy, many of which are free. We've picked out a few highlights to get you started - so read on and discover a new side to yourself in 2018. Sew | Elizabeth Gaskell’s House | weekly | FREE w. £5 annual pass Elizabeth Gaskell’s House hosts a weekly sewing group to help build a collection of replica Victorian clothing. Whether you’re an embroiderer extraordinaire or a needle novice, you can literally make history at this workshop every Thursday for nothing more than the price of a ticket (£5 yearly). No need to book. Thu 11 Jan – Thu 13 Dec, Elizabeth Gaskell House, 84 Plymouth Grove, Manchester, M13 9LW. Tel: 0161 273 2215, 1.30-4pm, £5 for yearly ticket to the House (£4 conc). www.elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk Computer coding | CodeUp Manchester | monthly | FREE CodeUp is a free mentoring programme for adults of any ability who want to learn to code. If more structure is what you’re after, MadLab serve up a host of workshops in coding and more throughout the year. This one, however, is a drop in. Second Monday of the month, Code Computerlove Ltd, Sevendale House, Dale Street, Manchester, M1 1JB. 7pm, FREE, www.madlab.org.uk Singing for the over 50s | Golden Voices choir | Band on the Wall | weekly | £3.50 Golden Voices describes itself as Manchester’s most welcoming choir. They meet at Band on The Wall’s Picturehouse bar every Thursday for a fun, sociable rehearsal for novices and experienced singers alike. No need to book. Thu 11 Jan – Thu 22 Mar, Band on the Wall, 25 Swan Street, Manchester, M4 5JZ. Tel: 0161 834 1786, 10.30am – 12.30pm, £3.50 per session (drop-in), www.bandonthewall.org Beginners’ improv comedy | Friends' Meeting House | 8 weeks | £90 Learn the art of improv comedy with ImproQuo. Their eight-week course covers all the basics of creating character and stage presence. They also hold more informal weekly workshops if you can’t commit to the full programme but fancy giving it a shot. See their website for booking info. Wed 3 Jan - Wed 28 Feb, Friends’ Meeting House Manchester, Manchester, M2 5NS. Tel: 07834 001 980, 6-9pm, £90 for 8 weeks, www.improquo.co Foraging, vegan south Indian cooking, bread making & more | Cracking Good Food | times & prices vary Community group Cracking Good Food continue their packed programme of diverse, 1/2 day cooking courses in 2018. Herbalist and forager Jesper Launder leads all-ages groups in Didsbury, Chorlton, Sale and Hebden Bridge, teaching you to find and cook edible plants in the most unexpected corners of the city and there are a huge range of other inspiring courses too, from a South Indian vegan session, where you can learn how to make popular dishes such as masala dosa from scratch. Booking required. From Sun 14 Jan, dates, times and venues vary. Tel: 07900 544 826, times and prices vary, www.crackinggoodfood.org Yoga and Tai-Chi (pictured) | The Whitworth | weekly | £5 The Whitworth Gallery hosts a range of wellness-oriented classes to keep you relaxed and energised through the new year. The location in Whitworth Park is a tranquil setting for Tai-Chi and yoga classes, which take place outdoors – weather permitting. No need to book. Wed (Tai-Chi), Thu (yoga), The Whitworth, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6ER. Tel: 0161 275 7450, 8.30 - 9.45am, £5, www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk Life drawing for creative development | Independent Art School | weekly | £15 Join the Independent Art School for their workshops aimed at professionals, aspiring artists and amateurs alike. The School host a variety of art classes all over town – check their website for more details and to book. Every Wed, Central Buildings, Oldham Street, Manchester M1 1JQ. Tel: 0161 401 2055, 6.30 - 8.30pm, £59 per month. www.theindependentartschool.com Introduction to film studies | HOME | 8 weeks | £80 Love film? Get a deeper understanding of the art form with this eight-week course at HOME, which includes screenings and discussion groups. Book online. Wed 17 Jan – Wed 14 Mar, times vary, HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester M15 4FN. Tel: 0161 228 7621, £80 (£60 conc). www.homemcr.org Afro-Ancestral Ritual Movement | HOME | workshop | £10 As part of HOME’s PUSH Festival 2018, this one-off workshop from artist and performer Nwando Ebizie (one of our top picks from the festival) explores Haitian folklore and ritual movement in this fun, active and informal event. Book online. Tue 16 Jan, HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester M15 4FN. Tel: 0161 228 7621, 10am-2.30pm, £10 (£8 conc). homemcr.org Running technique course | Manchester Holistic Clinic at the Y Club | 6 weeks | times & prices vary Been meaning to pick up running in the new year? Get off on the right foot with this six-week running technique course, a holistic programme designed to kick start your jogging career, avoid injury, or simply up your game on the track. Manchester Holistic Clinic, Y Club, Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester, M3 4JR. Tel: 07884187991 (text only), times and prices vary. mcr-holistic.co.uk

09.01.2018 - 30.04.2018.

Manchester food and drink news ft. Mollies (Soho House), Wander Beyond Brewing & more.

It might only be the start of the year but 2018 looks set to be a big one on the food and drink scene. We're only in the second week and there have already been announcements about Mollies, the Soho House venture to open on the Old Granada Studios Development, and a Now Wave bar and club on the cards. Not to mention Jave's, a family-friendly cafe for Urmston, and a new home for one of Manchester's favourite brunch places Another Heart to Feed and a new beer operation, Beyond Wander Brewing. Opening in 2018: Now Wave Venue Manchester promoters Now Wave recently announced plans to open a standalone live venue in a 1912 auction house just off Oxford Road. Rumour has it that the handsome red brick building on Charles Street will be split across three floors to include a gig area, a bar and nightclub. There's also mention of a rooftop terrace for summer sipping. With Now Wave in charge of the programming - these are the guys who bring the likes of Kelela, Mac DeMarco, Four Tet and King Krule to the city – we expect good things from this one. Not much has been confirmed yet, but Manchester Wire have done some sleuthing; check here for more information. Name TBC, opening towards the end of 2018, Charles Street, Manchester M1 7DB, www.twitter.com/nowwave New motel and restaurant: Mollies (Soho House) at Old Granada Studios development (In)famous London based private members club Soho House have confirmed that they will be adding a northern string to their bow at the Old Granada Studios development. It had been thought that we would be welcoming all the glitz and glam of the original soho house hotel ventures, but it seems they have something else in mind for the the city. The eight storey development will have a 'well-designed retro feel', and take a 1920s motel and diner as it's inspiration. A pretty well-worn concept, perhaps, but in The Soho House group, it should be in safe hands. Opening 2019. Address TBC. Opening soon (apparently): The Quick Brown Fox Craft beer bar The Quick Brown Fox has been on the cards for a while and the boarded-up site on the corner of Oldham Street and Swan Street has been waiting to start its new life for nearly two years. Problems with the building delayed it's opening in 2017, but 2018 looks promising for the keg bar. Not sure what a keg bar is? The clue is in the name, as there will be around 30 craft beers, wine and cocktails, all served by tap – yes, even the cocktails. The venture comes from the same team behind Kosmonaut and PLY. Good news for Alphabet Brewery fans as they plan to continue their partnership with the manchester brewery, and promise to feature plenty Alphabet specials on the roster. Opening 2018. 1-3 Swan Street, Manchester, M4 5JJ. www.tqbf.co.uk Now open: Jave's cafe Urmston Jave's opened at the end of 2017 in Urmston and is proving popular with local residents. The caff caters for kids and adults alike with a menu of that changes daily. Nothing too fancy, just classic brunch options, such as mushrooms with stilton sauce and poached eggs on potato rosti. With a very palatable children's menu (homemade pizza, mac n' cheese) and a play area at the back, it's a welcome family-friendly addition to the neighbourhood. Now open. Jave's Cafe, 34 Brook Road, Urmston, Manchester M41 5RY. Opening times vary. Opening soon: Another Heart to Feed (pictured) Much-loved Manchester brunch hangout Another Heart To Feed opens in West Didsbury at the end of January. Following a price hike at their previous premises on Chapel Street in Salford, the Melbourne inspired cafe was forced to find a new home. Luckily for us, it didn't take too long and on the 25^th of January, Another Heart to Feed will be up and running on Burton Road to serve the neighbourhood with top notch coffee and breakfasts. For those sad to see the place leave the city, it's a short tram ride, and worth travelling for. Exact location TBC. Burton Road, West Didsbury, M20. anotherhearttofeed.com Deal of the week: The Albert Square Chop House, Sam's Chop House and Mr Thomas's Chop House Manchester's three favourite chop houses are running a 50% off deal throughout January. So take your pick from the menu of hearty british favourites, or go straight for a half-price sirloin, medium rare, thanks. Book on their website to get the deal. There's a whole host of January deals going down, and so much choice for eating on the cheap this month that you can really take your pick. We've gathered the best of the bunch together here for you. Offer available Mon – Sun (excl Sat evenings). The Albert Square Chop House, 14 Albert Square, Manchester M2 5PF. Mr Thomas's Chop House, 52 Cross St, Manchester M2 7AR. Sam's Chop House, Back Pool Fold, Manchester M2 1HN. Opening times vary. IN SHORT Book now: Manchester Beer & Cider Festival Forego Dry January and support 'Tryanuary' at manchester's beer festival. With tastings, testings and talks, its everything the beer enthusiast could ask for. Read our preview here. Thu 25 – Sat 27 Jan 2018. Manchester Central, Windmill Street, Manchester, M2 3GX. mancbeerfest.uk For the diary: Grub ExtraVEGANza Grub are back in January with their ever popular ExtraVEGANza. The line-up features Manchester's most celebrated street-food vendors all out to prove how well they can rustle up some vegan 'grub'. See here for more information. Fri 26-Sun 28 Jan, Fairfield Social Club, Archway 6, Temperance Street, Manchester, M12 6HR. FREE, www.grubmcr.com New brewery: Wander Beyond opens its doors Eye catching bobble hat makers and delicious beer makers Wander Beyond have opened up their brewery for some events coming real soon. See here for more info. Now open: Wander Beyond Brewing, 98 North Western Street, Manchester M12 6JL. Tel: 0161 661 3676, www.wanderbeyondbrewing.com

13.12.2017 - 20.12.2017.

Last day: Contact's immersive, building-wide The Siege of Christmas.

If you're after an alternative, immersive, invigorating Christmas show, there are limited tickets left for Contact and Slung Low theatre's acclaimed production, The Siege of Christmas which is suitable for those aged 5 and over. The performance makes use of the Contact proper castle shape, taking in performance and public spaces, encouraging children and adults to work together to find out where the spirit of Christmas is being held captive. The adventure (- expect a lot more than your typical theatre show) includes live interaction, human Christmas tree decorations, dancing and that's just the thin end of the wedge. The action starts outside the building before roaming through the space, taking in, among others, places that are usually off limits to the general public. For more Christmas shows and ideas of what to do this festive season, read our guide to the best regional productions here. Wed 13 Dec - Wed 20 Dec, Contact, Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6JA. Tel: 0161 274 0600, times vary, £13 (£7 concs, £5 u10), www.contactmcr.com

04.03.2017 - 07.01.2018.

Mumbai photography exhibition: Sooni Taraporevala's Home in the City at the Whitworth.

Exploring everyday life in India, Home in the City is the first solo exhibition from Sooni Taraporevala, who you may know from her work as a screenwriter, for films such as The Namesake and Mississippi Masala. Since 1976, alongside her career in movies, Taraporevala has been photographing the city in which she grew up: then known as Bombay, now called Mumbai. Through a series of black and white images, she presents a personal document of the city's landscapes, children, elderly, and eccentrics. Her street-style work explores how the metropolis has changed over four decades to become one of the most populous and diverse cities in the world. The exhibition launches the New North and South festival, Manchester University’s three-year-long programme of events that celebrate the shared heritage of Northern England and South Asia. Sat 4 March 2017 – early 2018, The Whitworth, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6ER, Tel: 0161 275 7450, 10am – 5pm, FREE, www.manchester.ac.uk

05.12.2017 - 06.01.2018.

Book now: Raymond Briggs’s The Bear at Waterside.

There’s a polar bear loose at Waterside. No need to panic, though – this bear has a furry and fun show in store for all the family. The Bear, based on the book by Raymond Briggs, asks all the important questions. How do you give a bear a bath? What’s it like to clear up bear poo? And why is Tilly not afraid when an enormous snowy bear climbs into her bedroom? This is a show packed with comical puppetry, paw-tapping music and enchanting storytelling – an ideal first theatre experience for your young ones. It’s brought to the Waterside by early-years entertainers Pins & Needles Productions. Tue 5 Dec – Sat 6 Jan, Waterside, 1 Waterside Plaza, Sale, Greater Manchester M33 7ZF. Tel: 0161 912 5616, times vary, £12.50–£16.50, thebearlive.com

01.12.2017 - 30.12.2017.

Book now: Christmas at Dunham Massey ft. singing trees, 100,000 fairy lights & more.

Dunham Massey is being transformed into a sparkling winter wonderland after dark this Christmas. The gardens of the 400-year-old hall will become a one-mile light trail with super-size snowflakes and singing trees. Father Christmas will lead you and your family through twinkling tunnels and past a scented fire garden. You'll journey all the way to Pealight Heaven, a forest canopy festooned with over 100,000 fairy lights. As a grand finale, colourful fountains will dance to classic Christmas songs while you toast marshmallows on an open fire. If it gets a little nippy after the illuminations, pop into the Visitor Centre for a hot chocolate treat or last-minute Christmas shopping. The light trail comes courtesy of classical music promoter Raymond Gubbay and there’ll be nine bookable showings per day. Fri 1 – Sat 30 Dec (weekends only until 14 Dec), Dunham Massey, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 4SJ. Tel: 08712 301 553, 4.45pm–10pm, £10–£16, www.nationaltrust.org.uk

05.12.2017 - 15.12.2017.

Japanese Christmas menu at Shoryu Ramen in Piccadilly Gardens.

Forget the mince pies and book yourself in for a festive treat with Shoryu Ramen's Christmas menu. The three-course, set menu is a steal at £20 per person. Choose from crispy marinated fried chicken karaage or the Shoryu or Hirata bao buns to start. Next up has to be a bowl of Shoryu's signature ramen; noodles in tonkotsu pork broth, simmered for 12 hours for maximum flavour, and topped with barbecued pork belly. Or go for the cleansing white natural ramen with miso, fried tofu, nori seaweed and bamboo. For afters, team matcha cheesecake with a specially created red berry and sparkling sake cocktail only available this Christmas, called 'the Ginza Snowflake' (£5). Fancy Prosecco on the side? It's only £20 a bottle, so why not treat yourself. To be in with a chance of winning three courses from Shoryu Ramen's Christmas menu for four people, simply follow the instructions. Enter your email address into the top righthand corner of our home page to sign up to our mailing list. Send an email to competitions [at] ManchesterWire [dot] co [dot] uk. Please write ‘Shoryu Ramen Competition’ in the subject line and include your name, age (over 18s only), and Twitter name. Competition closes at midnight on Friday 15 December. Winners will be notified via Twitter and email the following day. The Christmas feasting menu is available until Tuesday 2 January 2018. For more great places to eat in Manchester, and the latest restaurant reviews, click here. Until Tue 2 Jan 2018, Shoryu Ramen, 1 Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, M1 1RG. Tel: 020 3405 7550, opening times vary, www.shoryuramen.com Terms and conditions - Competition closes at midnight on Friday 15 December 2017 - Winner will receive a Christmas feast (the three-course Christmas menu) for four people at Shoryu Ramen Manchester and the prize must be taken by close of business on Tuesday 2 January 2018. - Entrants must be over 18 to enter - Winners will be notified via email (and Twitter) within two working days of closing and will be required to respond within 48 hours or the prize will be offered to another entrant. A partnership post.

01.01.2018.

New Year's Day: Tuck into Electrik roast dinners & sharing boards in Chorlton.

When you found out that New Year's Eve fell on a Sunday, did you immediately think, 'how can I possibly fit in a roast dinner and yet still maximize my going out abilities'? Well, the award-winning Sunday Roasts at Electrik are the perfect solution to this predicament. Served all day on Monday 1 January (instead of Sunday as usual) choose from locally sourced meats - such as topside of Cumbrian Fell bred Dexter beef - or go for the vegetarian option of half roasted Harlequin squash with all the trimmings. Electrik's epic roast boards are the ideal solution if you are happy to share. Go for half a roast chicken, roast beef and pork for £24 or go epic with a whole roast chicken, double helpings of beef and pork for £46. Not so hungry? Try a hot bap, and don't forget desserts such as mocha cheesecake with marshmallows or sticky toffee pudding (all £3.50). Booking is essential so plan accordingly. See you at the bar. For more events at Electrik this festive season, click here. Mon 1 Jan, Electrik, 559 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, Manchester M21 0AE. Tel: 0161 881 3315, served from noon until they run out www.electrikbar.co.uk A partnership post.

15.12.2017 - 24.12.2017.

Top 5: Northern Quarter shops for Christmas gifts ft. Deadstock.

Still looking for that elusive gift? Why not support local businesses by making a purchase in one of the Northern Quarter's many independent stores and boutiques. 1. Homewares, breads & cards at Fig and Sparrow A pared-down range of copper, glass, textiles and ceramics to buy. If you're into the Kinfolk magazine look, this is the one. 20 Oldham Street, Manchester M1 1JA. Tel: 0161 228 1843, www.figandsparrow.co.uk 2. Necklaces, lamps, teddies & giftwrap galore at Oklahoma (pictured) The Northern Quarter's most colourful gift shop stocks a quirky array that takes in everything from cult US cookbooks to handmade jewellery by local artists such as Aliyah Hussain. Other treats include ceramic lamps, blinds and teddies from JellyCat. 4-76 High Street, Manchester M4 1ES. Tel: 0161 834 1136, www.okla.co.uk 3. Shaving kit, pencils, satchels & time pieces at Deadstock This alteration shop sells everything a dapper lady or gent could desire in terms of grooming products, and useful objects to have about your person. Perfectly designed watches, satchels, pens and notepads abound and there's a range of lanterns, candles and dustpans to enjoy too. Functional objects become must buys in this enclave of times gone by. 46 Edge Street, Manchester M4 1HN. Tel: 07925 577054, www.facebook.com 4. Stationary, art materials, jewels & new hobbies at Fred Aldous There's much to enjoy at Manchester's most famous artist's supplies store. Choose from tools and materials for all manner of hobbies from cross stitch to street art, as well as a bumper range of gifts, wrapping papers, cards, diaries, games and more. 37 Lever Street, Manchester M1 1LW. Tel: 0161 236 4224, www.fredaldous.co.uk 5. Homewares and Breton tees at Ezra to Go Did you know that Northern Quarter coffee shop, Ezra and Gil has a homeware and clothing shop and cafe on Tib Street? Breton-t-shirt-tastic. 106 Tib Street, Manchester M4 1LR www.ezraandgil.com Shopping is hard work, of course, and Tib Street's new Siop Shop cafe is selling coffee and a home made mince pie doughnut for £4.20 (one of our recent food deals of the week). Artwork is available to buy in store too, from artists including Textbook Studio, Dr. Me and John Powell-Jones.

16.12.2017 - 24.12.2017.

Book now: Breakfast With Santa at Hard Rock Cafe Manchester.

With so much delivering to do, Santa Claus is known for his early starts. This December, you can grab breakfast with Santa at Hard Rock Cafe Manchester. The Printworks restaurant will put on a full breakfast spread along with plenty of treats for your young ones. Enjoy festive face painting, balloon modelling and a spot of seasonal magic. And yes, there will be a special guest appearance from Father Christmas himself. This event lasts 90 minutes and tickets are £10.95 a head. One weekend is already sold out, but there are still four sittings available in the lead-up to Christmas. To book, call 0161 831 6700. Sat 16, Sun 17, Sat 23 & Sun 24 Dec 2017, Hard Rock Cafe, The Printworks, Exchange Square, Manchester M4 2BS. Tel: 0161 831 6700, 10am, £10.95, www.facebook.com

21.11.2017 - 24.12.2017.

Top 5: Meet Santa in Manchester 2017 ft. Trafford Centre & Quarry Bank Mill.

Calling all mums and dads, kids, carers and Santa fans. This is the season to meet the original dude, so we've rounded up five places that we think offer good value for money and a special experience. If you can face a bit of a journey (and chilly weather), we also recommend Portmeirion's Santa, (pictured) who you visit by special train (£3 per child). So. First up is (1) Santa at the Chill Factore (£15 per child, pictured), tucked away in a heated cabin on the slopes. There's the obvious (2) Arndale Centre experience too (£5.50 per child). Just remember - Santa is only going to get busier, so we recommend booking sooner rather than later. 3. Intu Trafford Centre (YouTube link below) Located in Barton Square, Santa's arctic world includes CGI whales and sea lions as well as a host of cute animals, including a puppet experience where you get to meet a baby reindeer called Norbert. There's a Playmobil present for everyone too. Until Sun 24 Dec, intu Trafford Centre, Manchester, M17 8DA. times vary, £7.50 child, £5 adult. Book online: www.tickets.eskimojoevents.co.uk 4. Quarry Bank Mill Out of town and atmospheric, Santa is tucked away in the historic textile mill, just near Manchester Airport. Each 30 minute session includes games, storytelling a gift and more. Be warned, this one is nearly sold out. Sat 2 & Sun 3 Dec dates left only, Quarry Bank Mill and Styal Estate, Styal, Wilmslow, SK9 4LA, Tel: 0344 249 1895, times vary, £9 per child, adults free, Booking online essential: www.live.advancedticketing.co.uk 5. House of Fraser Grotto Manchester's most elegant department store oozes Christmas cheer, and once again, Santa's back in his bespoke grotto on the sixth floor. Visits include a meet and greet and a gift. Until Sun 24 Dec, House of Fraser, 98-116 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2QG. times vary, £10 per child, buy tickets from the Childrenswear Dept on the 6th floor, www.houseoffraser.co.uk

21.03.2017 - 31.12.2017.

Top 5: Art day trips from Manchester inc Japanese House, The Hepworth & Martin Creed.

Fancy a trip out of Manchester, with some world-class art on the side? Look no further than our guide to the best exhibitions, all within a two hour (ish) drive of Manchester city centre. 1. Disobedient Bodies: JW Anderson curates the Hepworth Wakefield This group show explores the artistic interpretation of the human body in art and fashion over the last 100 years (or thereabouts). Figurative works, sculpture and fashion by Jean Arp, Lynn Chadwick, Barbara Hepworth, Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier and more have been selected by London-based designer Jonathan Anderson in the gallery's most critically acclaimed exhibition to date. Sat 18 Mar- Sun 18 Jun, The Hepworth, Gallery Walk, Wakefield WF1 5AW. Tel: 01924 247360, times vary, FREE, www.hepworthwakefield.org 2. House Style: Five centuries of fashion and adornment at Chatsworth House We never need an excuse to visit this glorious stately home in the Peak District - but this wide-ranging fashion exhibition is compelling reason. Curator is Hamish Bowles, International Editor-at-Large for American Vogue and the show includes items from the wardrobes of 16th century icon, Bess of Hardwick, the sister and dance partner of Fred Astaire, Adele Astaire and model Stella Tennant among others. Entry is free with a visit to the house - but the gardens, which include waterfalls and contemporary sculptural works are breathtaking too. There's a children's farm and excellent adventure playground, while June sees the world premiere of the RHS Chatsworth Flower Show. House Style: Sat 25 Mar - Sun 22 Oct, Peak District National Park, Bakewell DE45 1PP. Tel: 01246 565300, www.chatsworth.org. RHS Chatworth Flower Show: Wed 7-11 Jun, times and prices vary, www.rhs.org.uk 3. The Japanese House: Architecture and Life after 1945 at the Barbican (pictured) It's only 2 hours (and 7 minutes) from Manchester on the train - and who can resist the chance to see 40 of the most incredible and experimental houses built in Japan over the last 75 years, including a specially commissioned tea house by Terunobu Fujimori inside this Brutalist gallery in the heart of London? At the exhibition's heart is a full-sized recreation of Moriyama House by Ryue Nishizawa who won the Pritzker prize. Be inspired and envious in equal measure. Thu 23 Mar - Sun 25 Jun, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS. Tel: 020 7638 4141, times & prices vary, www.barbican.org.uk 4. Various events: Hull City of Culture 2017 There's loads happening in Hull in 2017. This weekend includes a free festival of live and media art called Rerooted, featuring new and existing work by more than 25 artists, including Alexandre Burton and Alastair MacLennan but the website is full of ideas, including weekly highlghts and listings. Rerooted: Fri 24-Sun 26 Mar, Humber Street Gallery, 64 Humber Street, HU1 1TU. Tel: 01482 323484, times vary, FREE, www.hull2017.co.uk Hull City of Culture: Until Sun 31 Dec, www.hull2017.co.uk 5. Martin Creed at the Harris Museum and Art Gallery in Preston Our art writer, Fran Blythe, recommends a visit to the Harris Museum and Art Gallery to see the fun and though provoking Martin Creed retrospective. Read more: www.manchesterwire.co.uk Until Sat 3 Jun, Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Market Square, Preston, PR1 2PP. Tel: 01772 258248, Mon 11am until 5pm, Tue to Sat 10am until 5pm, Sun 11am until 4pm, closed on bank holidays, FREE, www.harrismuseum.org.uk

30.11.2017 - 23.12.2017.

Manchester food & drink news ft. George's fish & chips, Magic Rock Brewery, Winterlast Christmas Fest & more.

This week's food and drink news features a new restaurant for John Dalton Street, heaps of Christmas markets, a brew tap just a train ride away and a vegan supper at a football club. Coming soon: George’s Great British Kitchen Set to arrive in Manchester early next year, the family-run restaurant is the creation of two Nottingham school friends with the flagship restaurant in their city (pictured). Now open in Newcastle, Liverpool and Leeds, they were originally traditional fish and chip restaurants. With a broader menu on offer, dishes served include chicken in a basket, runny-yolked Scotch eggs, a stacked fish burger as well as traditional desserts such as steamed puddings, crumbles and tarts. A fully stocked gin bar will offer variants from across the country, specialising in gin cocktails. Watch this space for an official opening date. Opening early 2018, 29 John Dalton Street, Manchester, M2 6DS. www.georgesgreatbritishkitchen.co.uk GRUB Food Fair: Christmas edition Hello December, hello festive GRUB. The first of three Christmassy weekends, Read our preview here. Fri 1-Sat 2 Dec, 12-10pm, Fairfield Social Club, Archway 6, Temperance Street, Manchester, M12 6HR, noon-10pm www.facebook.com Every day in December: Winterlast Christmas festival at Sadler’s Yard A wooden winter grotto is arriving on Sadler’s Yard square this Friday. Open up to Saturday 23 December, there is loads of time to check out the changing food menu and seasonal drinks, as well as checking out a classic Christmas film in the new 40-seater cinema at NOMA. Read our preview here. Fri 1-Sat 23 Dec, Sadler’s Yard, Hanover Street, NOMA, Manchester, M60 0AB, 4-11.30pm, www.eventbrite.com This Saturday: Levy Christmas Market Held in the usual spot at Levenshulme train station car park, this week’s Levy Market is offering the chance to tackle present buying early, from social enterprises, local artists and independent traders. There will also be Christmas trees to buy plus street food and mulled cider. Sat 2 Dec, Levenshulme Market, Levenshulme Train Station car park, Levenshulme, M19 3AB, 10am-4pm, www.facebook.com This Sunday: Huddersfield’s Magic Rock Brewtap With Magic Rock beers featuring heavily on bars across the city, journey out to the original brewtap this Sunday for their annual food and drink festival. Street food served at the event will come from the Low ‘N’ Slow barbeque, Fritto Italian Street Food, vegan fare from Wholesome Junkies, and The Great North Pie Company. Plus there will be stalls from Dark Woods Coffee, The Unusual Chutney Company, The Handmade Bakery and more. Launching at the event will be collaboration between Magic Rock and local raw milk ice cream makers Dixon’s. Together they have created a milk ice porter called Dairyfreak which will be available on draught, alongside the usual tasty Magic Rock suspects. Sun 3 Dec, Magic Rock Tap, Willow Park Business Centre, Willow Lane, Huddersfield, HD1 5EB, noon-7pm www.facebook.com Supper club: Nicely Kitchen's Vegan Christmas feast at Altrincham football club Back with their second festival, Nicely Kitchen is holding an all vegan party and you’re all invited. Serving up their own cakes, cocktails and mulled wine, they’ve also being joined by some of their fellow vegan foodie mates. Expect healthy fare from Rosie & Organic, Wholesome Junkies, LovingFood, Bounceback Food, as well as A Kind Mama vegan bakery, Pimpin’ Pancakes, and Vork Pie. With plenty of arts and crafts stalls, there will be DJs playing all night, and some of the money raised is being donated to local charity Dogs 4 Rescue. Fri 8 Dec, 5-11pm, £2 entry, Altrincham Football Club, J. Davidson Stadium, Altrincham, WA15 8AP, www.facebook.com IN SHORT The Refuge Arms presents Art of the Brew: Thu 30 Nov, Magic Rock x Thornbridge collaboration & party for £5 - read our preview: www.eventbrite.co.uk Seven Bro7thers Christmas Brewback: Fri 1 Dec, 5-11.30pm, Seven Bro7hers Brewery, Daniel Adamson Road, Salford, M50 1DS: www.eventbrite.co.uk Lancs Mead Tasting: Sun 10 Dec, Beer Nouveau Brewery Tap, 75 North Western Street, Manchester, M12 6DY: 2-5.30pm, £15, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Larry Shiu, Cascade Mountain, Banff National Park

10.02.2018 - 10.03.2017.

Book tickets: Banff Mountain Film Festival at Stockport Plaza.

Banff Mountain Film Festival returns to Stockport Plaza as part of a world tour in January 2018. Expect a programme packed with the most exhilarating adventure short film. Canada’s prestigious Banff Festival screens the best of mountain cinema, films following the world’s most intrepid explorers on their quests around the globe’s wildest corners. The festival tour begins in Edinburgh and makes its way through UK locations, including two evenings at Stockport’s Plaza cinema. Though the full film line-up is yet to be announced, highlights include The Frozen Road, which follows Yorkshire’s Ben Page on his journey across the Canadian Arctic with nothing but his bicycle for company. Also featured is the breathtaking cinematography of Into Twin Galaxies, a story of the northern most river ever paddled. A must-see event for thrill-seekers and outdoors enthusiasts alike. For more film and art events in and around Manchester, click here. Sat 10 Feb & Sat 10 Mar, The Plaza, Mersey Square, Stockport, SK1 1SP. Tel: 0161 477 7779, times vary, £13.25 www.stockportplaza.co.uk

24.11.2017 - 30.12.2017.

Book tickets: Wild Rumpus' The Lanterns Christmas spectacular at Chester Zoo.

This Christmas, Chester Zoo is transformed into an illuminated winter wonderland – a Magical Sorting Office – with the return of its festive event, The Lanterns at Chester Zoo. Part theatre performance, part adventure playground, The Lanterns features live music, dance and theatre: as the sun sets over Chester the zoo comes alive, with life-sized animal lanterns guiding the audience down a magical route through the fairy-tale origin story of the Magical Sorting Office, with the chance to even post a letter to Father Christmas. Alongside such lantern-lit theatrics as the Andean Bear Airship and an Insect Orchestra, a series of animated shorts narrated by Lauren Laverne will be released alongside the event on organisers Wild Rumpus’ social media accounts, to spread the festive magic for those that can’t make it and make the event an even more engrossing experience for those who can. Like the sound of this? There's another evening spectacular for all the family closer to home too in the shape of Christmas At Dunham. Read our preview here. Fri 25 Nov – Sat 30 Dec, Chester Zoo, Upton-by-Chester, Chester, CH2 1LH. Tel: 01244 380280, times and prices vary, www.chesterzoo.org

08.12.2017 - 10.12.2017.

Free things to do this weekend ft. Bill Kelliher, No Parking + more.

Lightwaves 2017 at Salford Quays Salford Quays’ Lightwaves - a huge installation of digital light art - returns to Salford Quays this weekend. Free and fully open to the public, you’ll be able to take in the dazzling light sculptures every night until Sunday 17 December. See our full preview for more information. Fri 8 Dec – Sun 17 Dec, The Quays, Salford, M50 2EQ. Tel: 0161 876 2106, 12pm – 10.30pm, quaysculture.com Didsbury Winter Market at Ivy Church The Ivy Church in Didsbury is hosting a winter market this Saturday, which is the perfect place to pick up any festive artisanal gifts you might want. As well as the usual stalls and street food, this market also boasts a genuine real-life reindeer. Check out our full preview for all the details. Sat 9 Dec, Ivy Church, 97 Barlow Moor Road, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2GP. 11am - 5pm, www.facebook.com Bill Kelliher Guitar Clinic at PMT Manchester This Saturday you can catch a free guitar clinic at the PMT music shop with Bill Kelliher, the rhythm guitarist from vaunted Atlantan heavy metal band Mastodon, just ahead of their evening show at the Academy. Kelliher will be performing live in-store, and also taking audience questions, so whether you’re a serious metalhead or a casual guitar fan, this should be a fascinating hour. If you’re feeling flush, there will also be an opportunity to buy a BK-600, Bill Kelliher’s signature guitar manufactured by the ESP Guitar Company. He might even sign it for you - and for the £1163 price tag, it’d be bold of him not to. Sat 9 Dec, PMT Manchester, 5 Red Rose Retail Centre, Regent Road, Manchester M5 3GR. 6pm - 7pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk No Parking Exhibition Launch at RedBankCo (pictured) Hidden Green Quarter café bar RedBankCo hosts this exhibition launch on Saturday evening. It’s called No Parking and it's a showcase of new work by local artists Caroline Dowsett and Samuel Clements. Dowsett is an ilustrator who’s produced work for many organisations, including Manchester Print Fair and this very website, and Clements is an accomplished textile artist. They’ve collaborated on a number of pieces for this show, which pushes the limits of what can be done with grayscale, but they’ll be displaying some individual pieces too. DJs from Manchester NTS radio show Hangin’ Out in Space will be providing the soundtrack to this preview night. Sat 9 Dec, RedbankCo, 22 Red Bank, Green Quarter, Manchester, M4 4HF. 6pm - 11pm, www.facebook.com Harry Potter Day at Central Library You can enter the wizarding world of Harry Potter this Sunday at Central Library, as the historic St. Peter’s building is taken over by the denizens of J.K. Rowling’s gangbusters fantasy stories. Actors will be portraying many of Rowling’s beloved characters, including Harry, Snape, Dumbledore and half-giant Rubeus Hagrid (who here will be represented by an ordinary-sized man). Throughout the afternoon, they will be hosting a number of themed activities such as the battle of the wizards, the sorting hat, as well as free magic-themed arts and crafts. Sun 10 Dec, Central Library, St Peter's Square, Manchester, M2 5PD. Tel: 0161 234 1983, 12pm - 4pm, www.librarylive.co.uk Odd Bod Art Market at Common Curated by Common’s art group Colouring Club, The Odd Bod Art Market returns to the Northern Quarter Bar for another afternoon of reasonably-priced, reasonably-strange art goodies. Experimental art, jewellery, textiles and zines are all on offer from a roster of over 20 contributing artists including heavy hitters like Nous Magazine and DR.ME, with more stalls to be announced on the day. Sun 10 Dec, Common, 39-41 Edge Street, Manchester, M4 1HW. 4pm - 8pm, www.facebook.com

08.12.2017 - 09.12.2017.

This weekend: Grub Christmas Food Fair at Fairfield Social Club.

Grub Christmas Food Fair at Fairfield Social Club kicked off last weekend - and it's back with two days of pure banqueting this Friday and Saturday. Alongside local craft ales, mulled everything and toe-tapping tunes, there will be another great selection of street food courtesy of the country's leading traders. Tuck into Canadian goodness in the way of The Gravy Train Poutine and York's finest, Street Cleaver. Head down after work on Friday (or during the day, we won't judge) to grab some South Manny Flavaz, Drizzle City Bakes and fried calzones from Fritto Italian. On Saturday, enjoy burgers from What's Your Beef, Latin American creations from Yakumama and ChouChoux's fine patisserie. See you there. To read more about Manchester's food and drink scene, click here. Fri 8 & Sat 9 Dec, Fairfield Social Club, Archway 6, Temperance Street, Manchester, M12 6HR. noon-10pm (food until 9pm), FREE, www.grubmcr.com

09.12.2017.

Weekend fun: Didsbury's Winter Market ft. real reindeer at Ivy Church.

The fourth installment of the Winter Market sets up in the idyllic Ivy Church in Didsbury for their latest Christmas pop up. There'll be the usual ornate artisanal finds from stall holders as well as a host of street food traders and beverage makers to keep you warmed plus there's a wreath making course that is filling up fast. The real draw though is the genuine reindeer that will be making an appearance. Nothing says Christmas quite like Lapland's favourite magic sled pullers so make sure you get down to the Ivy in Didsbury to get in the festive spirit. Sat 9 Dec, Ivy Church, 97 Barlow Moor Rd, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2GP. 11am-5pm www.facebook.com

04.12.2017 - 08.12.2017.

Free things to do this week ft. Paul Hanley, The Russian Revolution + more.

Paul Hanley at Central Library For the final Library Lounge session of the year, Central Library invites former The Fall drummer Paul Hanley to talk about his life and career. Having drummed on some of the band's most influential records, Hanley went on to perform with a number of other groups and is now a celebrated music writer. Check our our full preview for more details on this free event. Mon 4 Dec, Central Library, St. Peter’s Square, Manchester, M2 5PD, Tel: 0161 234 1983, 6.15pm, www.librarylive.co.uk Russian Revolution at Working Class Movement Library The Working Class Movement Library is Salford has been hosting its free Invisible Histories talks all year, and the final one will be this Wednesday. For this talk, they’re inviting historian Neil Faulkner to provide A People’s History of the Russian Revolution, an on-the-ground account of this epoch-making event, which happened 100 years ago - this talk marks exactly a century since the imprisonment of the czar. See our full preview to find out about past talks in this series. Wed 6 Dec, Working Class Movement Library, 51 Crescent, Salford M5 4WX. Tel: 0161 736 3601, 2pm, www.wcml.org.uk Sean Kaye at The Whitworth As part of their Wednesday Talks series, Oxford Road gallery The Whitworth have invited artist and lecturer Sean Kaye to hold the floor. Kaye teaches at Leeds University of the Arts, and is also a collaborative artist, working as part of the art project Leeds United project - not affiliate with the football team - and as one half of Sean Kaye & Jenny West, who together produce pieces exploring translation, symmetry and reflection. He will be talking about his career and his efforts to fuse the worlds of art and art teaching. Wed 6 Dec, The Whitworth,Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6ER. 12.30pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk Control of the Going Album Previews at Mirabel Studios Manchester-based psychedelic group Control of the Going are launching their new album at the next year on an undisclosed record label, but you can get in for a listen with a two preview listening parties at PS Mirabel Art Gallery this Thursday. I Love You But It's Going To Rain is the name of the album, and rather than a traditional run-through-the-hits knees up, this is a much more sober affair, with musos being invited to listen as they peruse the wonderful art on display at PS Mirabel. If you can’t catch either of these sessions, they’ll also be having listening parties on Friday and Saturday. Thu 7 Dec, PS Mirabel Gallery, Mirabel Street, Manchester, M3 1PJ. 6.30pm/8.30pm, www.facebook.com Nicholas Rankin at Burgess Foundation One final talk for the week: This Thursday evening you can catch this free talk from writer Nicholas Rankin at the International Anthony Burgess Foundation. After decades working as a producer for the BBC World Service, Rankin has gone on to pen several historical novels, particularly focusing around the Second World War. Part of the foundation’s Manchester Writing series, this talk will take you through the techniques Rankin employs to get his books written, and some of the issues arising from his work. Thu 7 Dec, International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Chorlton Mill, 3 Cambridge Street, Manchester, M1 5BY. 7pm -8.30pm, www.eventbrite.com

10.11.2017 - 17.12.2017.

Shopping weekends: Spinningfields' Christmas Makers Market.

Put some creativity into your Christmas shopping when the Makers Market brings a seasonal twist to Spinningfields. The Spinningfields' Christmas Makers Market launches this weekend with four days of local bakers, makers and artisans throughout the festive period. Explore the Alpine-flecked Bar Hutte village for dozens of stalls containing unique home crafts, vintage finds and quirky modern stocking fillers. Children – and pets – are especially welcome to browse the inspiring designs, family gifts and doggie treats. You’ll work up an appetite too so soak in the gluhwein among a feast of food and drink stalls. Fill your belly with cheese or chocolate, puddings or pies, or vegan and gluten-free goodies galore. Between now and Santa’s big day, watch Spinningfields Square and The Avenue transform into the coolest alternative Christmas market in town. Fri 10 Nov – Sun 17 Dec, Spinningfields Square, Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH. Thu–Sun 11am–7pm, FREE, www.themakersmarket.co.uk

01.12.2017 - 23.12.2017.

Alternative Christmas market: Winterlast at NOMA & Sadler's Yard.

Want to avoid the Christmas market mayhem? NOMA has a grotto just for you. Winterlast in Sadlers Yard is an alternative festive experience centred around a shining seasonal shed. The rustic hideaway offers a tummy-warming Christmas drinks menu designed by kegmeisters at The Pilcrow. There’s also a 40-seat moviedome to watch films in HD, with a Chrimbo classic showing every day along with special family screenings on Saturdays. There’ll be competitions and special events too – get ahead of the pack like Rudolph and sign up to Eventbrite to hear about these first. Winterlast was built by creative elves at design studio PLANT NOMA. It will open from 4pm every day in December until the Saturday before Christmas. Fri 1 – Sat 23 Dec, Sadler's Yard, Hanover Street, NOMA, Manchester M60 0AB. 4pm–11.30pm, FREE, www.eventbrite.com

08.12.2017 - 30.12.2017.

Family show: Little Angel Theatre's Red Riding Hood and the Wolf at HOME Manchester.

Little Angel Theatre's new family show at HOME Manchester turns the story of Red Riding Hood on its head by taking the wolf's point of view. But rather than being the fierce and hungry wolf every child knows, the star of the show is actually a rather gentle kind of wolf, with a broken heart. The production company, Little Angel Theatre, will be familiar to those who saw Wow! Said the Owl at HOME last year. Theatre goers can expect more of the same, gentle fun this time around with a show punctuated by the inventive use of props, puppets and flights of fancy. Recommended for ages 6+, Red Riding Hood and the Wolf is around an hour long, with no interval. Star of the show is accomplished physical theatre performer and puppeteer, Charlotte Croft. We’re lucky enough to have a set of family tickets (two adults, two children) to give away to the performance of your choice (depending on what's available as a number of performances have sold out) and extra tickets for other children can be bought at a cost of £6.50 per ticket. To be in with a chance of winning, simply sign up to our mailing list in the top right hand corner of our homepage and send an email to competitions [at] manchesterwire [dot] co [dot] uk, with your name, age and Twitter handle. Competition closes at midnight on Thursday 14 December 2017. We will notify the winners by Twitter and email the following day. For more Christmas show ideas, read our guide to the city's best shows here. Fri 8 Dec - Sat 30 Dec, HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester M15 4FN. Tel: 0161 200 1500, times vary, £8.50 adult, £6.50 child, www.homemcr.org

02.12.2017 - 18.12.2017.

Top 5: Alternative Xmas shows ft. Manchester Camerata & Cinderella.

Look beyond the panto dames for brilliant Christmas entertainment in Manchester. We’ve picked the coolest yuletide happenings this December, from family entertainment that will delight the little ones, to cultural treats for those who are perhaps too old to sit on Santa’s knee. Fill your stocking with tickets now before they sell out. Check individual venues for family tickets and relaxed shows. Manchester Collective: The End of Time Discover a stirring seasonal experience as the Manchester Collective presents Messiaen’s ‘Quartet for the End of Time’. The French composer wrote this while interred by the Nazis and premiered the piece to prisoners and guards in the pouring rain. This evening of rich chamber music also features music by Ravel and Stravinsky. Sat 2 Dec, The Stoller Hall, Hunts Bank, Manchester M3 1DA. Tel: 0333 130 0967 (Mon-Fri, 2-4pm), 8pm, £12, www.stollerhall.com Cinderella (Cendrillon) You shall go to the ball with Jules Massenet’s operatic take on the classic fairytale Cinderella. ‘Cendrillon’ features the RNCM Chorus and is sung in French, with a strong emphasis on comedy, drama and even sarcasm. As with other RNCM events, there are discounts for group bookings. Wed 6 Dec - Sat 16 Dec, Royal Northern College of Music, 124 Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9RD. Tel: 0161 907 5200, 7.30pm, £21 – £34, www.rncm.ac.uk Red Riding Hood and the Wolf Wow! Said the Owl was such a big hit last year, Little Angel Theatre return with a story about a gentle wolf with a broken heart. Bring the whole family to hear the wolf’s side of the classic Red Riding Hood tale. He won’t gobble you up. Promise. Thu 7 Dec – Sat 30 Dec (excl Sun, Mon & boxing day), HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester, M15 4FN. Tel: 0161 200 1500, 10.30am & 1.30pm, £8.50, www.homemcr.org Manchester Festive Happening: A Gospel Christmas Manchester Camerata will raise the roof with the AMC Gospel Choir in the majestic converted Wesleyan chapel, Albert Hall. Tuck into mince pies and mulled wine to the heavenly strains of ‘Handel’s Soulful Messiah’ while classic Christmas carols are liberally sprinkled with uplifting gospel music. Sun 10 Dec, Albert Hall, 27 Peter Street, Manchester, M2 5QR. Tel: 0161 817 3490, 3pm, £22 – £38.50, www. alberthall.com Christmas No.1 (POP) Singalong! If you missed him on The One Show, don’t forget to catch The Rainer Hersch Orkestra for a rip-roaring ride through Christmas number one singles. This family show is a fully interactive affair, as you clap, stamp and sing along to ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, ‘Jingle Bells’ and more. Mon 18 Dec, The Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley St, Manchester M2 3WS. Tel: 0161 907 9000, 7.30pm, £17 – £35, www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk

24.11.2017 - 26.11.2017.

Free things to do this weekend ft. Kinofilm, Magic Rock + more.

Spanish and Italian Short Films at Instituto Cervantes The Kinofilm Short Film Festival finishes this weekend, but they’re packing a lot into the last couple of days, including these free screenings at the Instituto Cervantes on Friday night. The Deansgate language school will host two sessions featuring short films from Spain and Italy respectively. The Spanish programme contains six dark tales from up-and-coming directors, with themes of stolen identity and Francoist clowns. The five films in the second screening unpick the minutiae of Italian life, and our followed by Italian wine and pasta salad tasting. The two events follow one another, but you have to register separately for each. Fri 24 Nov, Instituto Cervantes, 326-330 Deansgate, Campfield Avenue Arcade, Manchester, M3 4FN. 5pm - 6.30pm (Spanish), www.eventbrite.co.uk, 7pm - 9.30pm (Italian), www.eventbrite.co.uk Magic Rock Takeover at Café Beermoth This Friday and Saturday city-centre craft beer specialists Café Beermoth will be hosting a tap takeover from Magic Rock Brewery. The Huddersfield-based brewery will be taking over all 16 lines, with a range of wild keg and cask ales with exciting names like Cherry Cola Vice and Dancing Bear. They’ll also be offering three variations on their rocketfuel-strength Bearded Lady dessert beers, with chocolate, hazelnut and salted caramel flavours on offer. Booze aside, street food pop up Howlin Tacos will also be bringing the heat with a truckload of Tex Mex goodies. Fri 24 Nov - Sat 25 Nov, Café Beermoth, Brown Street, Manchester, M2 1DA. 12pm - 12.30am, www.eventbrite.co.uk Gestured Workshop at Chetham’s Library If you’re looking for family-friendly activities this weekend then look no further than this free workshop at the historic Chetham’s Library. To coincide with Brass Art’s Gestured installation at the library, this hands-on session explores the installation’s themes through shadow puppetry, craft activities and a treasure hunt. See our full preview for more details. Sat 25 Nov, Chetham’s Library, Long Millgate, Manchester M3 1SB. Tel: 0161 834 7961, 11am - 3pm, library.chethams.com Peace & Craft Fair at Birch Community Association The Birch Community Association, near Birchfields Park, is hosting its seventh annual Peace & Craft Fair this Saturday, offering a range of treats in order to raise money for a selection of good causes including Manchester CND and Palestine Solidarity. Gifts, ceramics, art, books, as well as veggie and vegan food all feature. Check out our full preview for more information. Sat 25 Nov, Birch Community Association, Brighton Grove, Manchester, M14 5JT. 11am - 4pm, www.facebook.com Gavin Searle Talk & Screening at University of Manchester (pictured) For one of the final events of Kinofilm, documentary-maker Gavin Searle comes to the University for a free preview screening of his latest work followed by a Q&A. A Manchester University alumnus himself, Gavin is a multi award-winning filmmaker, perhaps best known for his work on Tribe and Meet The Natives. He’ll be talking about the value of TV anthropology and its future, within the context of his own career and forthcoming series Last Treehouse. Sat 25 Nov, Lecture Theatre A, 3rd Floor, University Place, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL. 5pm - 7pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk

24.11.2017 - 26.11.2017.

Modern circus extravaganza: Pirates of The Carabina’s Flown at The Lowry.

Watch out for high-flying frills for everyone when Flown takes to the air at The Lowry. Pirates of the Carabina’s circus extravaganza features flying ironing boards, aerial hula-hooping and gravity-defying drum kits. Disaster and disagreements befall the acrobats as they get into ever-more tangled trouble – expect tumbles, tightropes and slapstick aplenty. Despite the breath-taking chaos, you’re in good hands – the company has played Glastonbury and Cirque Jules Verne, and won best Physical/Visual Theatre at the Edinburgh Fringe. Flown has enjoyed sell-out runs across the UK, Australia, the Middle East and Europe, and even got its very own Big Top tent at Pontio’s first ever circus festival in Bangor. This three-day appearance in Salford includes matinees and, as a captivating music-filled circus show, is suitable for anyone aged five upwards. Fri 24 – Sun 26 Nov, The Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ. Tel: 0843 208 6010, 8pm (& 2.30pm Sat & Sun), £12.50–£17, www.thelowry.com

17.11.2017 - 25.11.2017.

Mostly free: Chorlton Book Festival 2017 ft. Once Upon A Crime & Laura Wilkinson.

There will be plenty of words from the suburbs at the 13th Chorlton Book Festival. The annual book bash brings literary fun for all the family to the historic Chorlton Library. Expect author signing sessions, spoken word, craft activities, historical insights and even scary stories for kids during the nine-day festival. After Dark Entertainment invites children aged 14 and over to become a sleuth for Once Upon A Crime (Mon 20 Nov, Chorlton Library, 6.30pm, FREE), an immersive theatre experience featuring some well-known characters such as the Mad Hatter, Cruella de Vil and Captain Hook. And the shadows of the old Hulme crescents will be felt at An Evening with Laura Wilkinson (Wed 22 Nov, Chorlton Library, 7pm, FREE), as her novel explores ideas of ugliness and beauty. Unless stated on the Book Festival website, all the events are free. Fri 17 – Sat 25 Nov, Chorlton Library, Manchester Road, Chorlton, Manchester M21 9PN. Times vary, FREE, www.chorltonbookfestival.co.uk

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01.12.2017 - 02.12.2017.

This weekend: Get Christmassy with Grub's winter wonderland.

Whether you like it or not, Christmas time is upon us so you might as well do it right with Grub's festive makeover at Fairfield Social Club this weekend. There'll be carol singing, a promise of 'loads of mulled stuff', some vegan 'Baileys', the unveiling of their huge Christmas tree and on Saturday the 2nd Grub's pals at Bud Garden Centre from Levenshulme will be in attendance selling real Christmas trees to take home. All that before we've even got to what foodstuffs they'll be slinging through the various venues. Highlights this weekend include El Marchador Tacos, Pietanic and The Hip Hop Chip Shop on Saturday, and Mac Daddies and Sam Joseph Chocolatiers on Friday as well as more great choices. Fri 24 & Sat 25 Nov, Fairfield Social Club, Archway 6, Temperance Street, Manchester, M12 6HR. noon-10pm (food until 9pm), www.grubmcr.com

20.11.2017 - 26.11.2017.

Top 10 things to do in Manchester this week ft. Thanksgiving, NTS & more.

1. Watch: Spike Lee's In the Jungle at Home Home will be showing Spike Lee's seminal work Jungle Fever as part of the 60 year celebration of the American auteur. Mon 20 Nov, Home, 2 Tony Wilson Place, First Street, Manchester M15 4FN. Tel: 0161 200 1500 www.homemcr.org 2. Gig: The Moonlandingz at O2 Ritz Krautrock band The Moonlandingz play the O2 Ritz on Tue, not bad for a band initially conceived as a concept outfit. See more gigs of the week here. Tue 21 Nov, o2 Ritz, Whitworth Street West, Manchester M1 5NQ. 8pm, £15, www.seetickets.com 3. Free talk: Flemish artist Gert Robijns at the Whitworth For the latest instalment of The Whitworth’s Wednesday Talks series, they’ve invited along the Flemish sculptor and installation artist Gert Robijns to talk about his work. Full preview in our free things to do guide here. Wed 22 Nov, Whitworth Art Gallery, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6ER. 12.30pm – 2.30pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk 4. Free Adam Menzies exhibition & launch party at Electrik Electrik’s new Yadda Yadda menu, packed with gourmet kebabs, comes with a sharp design aesthetic and the artist behind the concept, Bradford illustrator Adam Menzies, launches a solo exhibition in the Chorlton bar with colourful artworks that explore surrealism and subversive humour. Full preview here. Thu 23 Nov 2017 – Thu 11 Jan 2018, Electrik, 559 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, Manchester M21 0AE. Tel: 0161 881 3315, FREE, www.facebook.com 5. Eat: Thanksgiving supper at Hard Rock Cafe That mecca of Americana Hard Rock Cafe is hosting the most American of celebrations with a Thanksgiving dinner this Thursday. Ex pats and America-philes welcome. Full preview here. Thu 23 Nov, Hard Rock Café, Exchange Square, Manchester M4 2BS. Tel: 0161 831 6700 www.hardrock.com 6. Comedy Festival: Mach 5 at The Lowry The small Welsh town's big comedy festival comes to The Lowry for one night with five great comics including Nish Kumar and Lou Sanders for the Machynlleth Comedy Festival Showcase this Fri. Full preview in comedy picks here. Fi 24 Nov, The Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ. Tel : 0843 208 6000 www.thelowry.com 7. Spoken work & cabaret festival: Pen:Chant's Home takeover Nomadic cabaret and spoken word night, Pen:Chant, presents at two-night takeover of HOME, headlined by Rosie Carrick, joined on the Friday by Jerusalem-born multi-instrumentalist Avital Raz, while Saturday support comes from world-record-breaking beatboxer and playwright, Testament. Full preview here. Fri 24 & Sat 25 Nov, HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester M15 4FN. Tel: 0161 200 1500, 9pm, £10, www.homemcr.org 8. Clubbing: NTS 2nd Birthday party ft. Jon K at The White Hotel. NTS Manchester celebrate its 2^nd birthday with an eight-hour bash at Salford’s White Hotel. It’s obviously an important anniversary, featuring a grand total of nine acts, culminating in a genre-spinning back-to-back set by experimentalist Jon K and the NTS regular and Soup Kitchen resident Annabel Fraser. Full preview here. Fri 24 Nov, The White Hotel, Unit 3 Dickinson Street, Manchester M3 7LW, £7/10, 11pm-7am, www.residentadvisor.net 9. Sing & act-a-long: Make a Scene presents Absolutely Fabulous at Texture (pictured) Make a Scene rounds out another fantastic season of film line ups with a marathon showing of Eddie and Patsy at Texture this Fri & Sat with lipsyncing, singing along, acting out and much more. Full preview here. Fri 24 & Sat 25 Nov, Texture, 67 Lever Street, Manchester M1 1FL. 3.30pm (Sat only) and 7.30pm, £10 www.skiddle.com 10. Circus thrills:Pirates of the Carabina's Flown at the Lowry The 'acro-batty' Pirates of the Carabina bring their new high flying show, Flown, at The Lowry this weekend with matinees on Sat & Sun. Fun for all the family. Full preview here. Fri 24 – Sun 26 Nov, The Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ. Tel: 0843 208 6010, 8pm (& 2.30pm Sat & Sun), £12.50–£17, www.thelowry.com

23.12.2017.

Free Christmas concert: all ages & backgrounds African-inspired Amani Choir in Moston.

The Amani Creative collective is a Manchester-based group of professional musicians and vocalists hailing from various countries in Africa. They have recently set up the all ages, all backgrounds Amani Choir who will be performing a Christmas concert this weekend, totally free, in Moston. Expect Christmas classics from countries around the world, with an African bias, this Saturday. It's also an early kick off of 4pm so gives you time to do all those other things that you still haven't taken care of because of your lack of Christmas spirit. For more free things to do this week, click here. Sat 23 Dec, Simpson Memorial Hall, 361 Moston Lane, Moston, Manchester M40 9NB, 4pm, FREE, www.facebook.com

20.11.2017 - 24.11.2017.

Free things to do this week ft. Chorlton Book Festival, Gert Robijns + more.

Chorlton Book Festival The Chorlton Book Festival has been running at Chorlton Library - and a handful of other venues - since last Friday, and boasts a packed programme of free and inexpensive events. There’s a couple of standout free shows running this week, both on at the Library: On Monday you can catch an immersive theatre experience aimed at youngsters, featuring many of your childhood’s favourite villains, and on Wednesday you can catch a talk with novelist Laura Wilkinson. See our full preview for more details. Fri 17 Nov – Sat 25 Nov, Chorlton Library, Manchester Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 9PN. Times vary, www.chorltonbookfestival.co.uk Sci-Fi Shorts at The University of Manchester Another festival is also happening this week: The Kinofilm Manchester Short Film Festival, with many screenings happening all over the city, covering every available style and genre. One of the free screenings you can catch is this one at the Manchester University’s John Casken Theatre, where they will be showing nine different science-fiction and fantasy shorts from all over the world. This screening showcases the breadth and imagination of the genre, including both a British film about a woman lost in space, and a Spanish film about a talking Virgin Mary statue. Tue 21 Nov, John Casken Theatre, 2nd Floor, Martin Harris Building, University of Manchester, Bridgeford Street, Manchester, M15 6FH. 6pm - 7.30pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk Gert Robijns at The Whitworth (pictured) For the latest instalment of The Whitworth’s Wednesday Talks series, they’ve invited along the Flemish sculptor and installation artist Gert Robijns to talk about his work. Gert’s work is big and ambitious - one of his sculptures is a 1:1 recreation of his grandparents house placed right next to the real building - and he’ll be talking through his ideas process, and how he actually gets these huge projects off the ground, in what should prove to be a fascinating afternoon discussion. Wed 22 Nov, Whitworth Art Gallery, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6ER. 12.30pm - 2.30pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk Last Chance to See Aficionado Recordings Exhibition at Electrik Electrik bar in Chorlton has had record sleeve designs from jazz-donk label Aficionado Recordings on display since the start of this month, but that exhibition comes to a close this Thursday. This is your last chance to catch the stylish, minimalist designs of Aficionado artist Sarah Salkeld. Check out our full preview for more information. Until Thu 23 Nov, Electrik, 559 Wilbraham Road, Manchester, M21 0AE. Tel: 0161 881 3315, 12pm - 12.30am, www.facebook.com Hidden Treasures preview at The Portico Library From one exhibition closing, to another one opening: The Portico Library’s latest exhibition opens this weekend, and you can catch a free advance preview this Thursday evening. It’s called Hidden Treasures, and on display will be a selection of unique and strange pieces from the library’s collections, with documents, prints and illustrations going back hundreds of years. This preview is also the launch of the library’s Adopt-a-Book appeal, where you will have the opportunity to help fund the vital restoration work the library performs on its burgeoning archive. Thu 23 Nov, Portico Library, 57 Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3HY. Tel: 0161 236 6785, 6pm - 8pm, www.theportico.org.uk

25.11.2017.

Free: Manchester Peace & Craft Fair at Birch Community Association.

The seventh annual Manchester Peace & Craft Fair will be arriving on Saturday 25 November, with stalls selling foodie goodies to take home, ceramics, art, books, embroidered goods from Palestine, local honey and a plethora of gifts for yourself and others. The Peace Café will be serving food to keep you fuelled up, with plenty of veggie and vegan options available plus live music. The event is raising funds for groups fighting for social justice and peace such as Greater Manchester & District CND, Manchester Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Manchester Friends of the Earth. Sat 25 Nov, Birch Community Association, Brighton Grove, Manchester M14 5JT, 11am-4pm, FREE, www.facebook.com

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18.11.2017.

Free art, workshops & clubnight: Generic Greeting's 7th Bday at Partisan & Soup.

Arts collective Generic Greeting have been a strong underground creative movement in the city for seven years now, and are celebrating their anniversary with some goings on over the day on Saturday 18th November. Partisan is a cooperative space for independent, community led projects located on Cheetham Hill Road, not far out of town and near the Jewish Museum. There will be workshops suitable for both children and adults based around Autumn visual storytelling, lino and mono printing, headdress making and poetry. Talks will take place from Tash Wilcocks (from creative business school Hyper Island), Michael Holland (Ono), Jane Bowyer (Women In Print) and Ava Szajna-Hopgood (Guac n Roll). There'll also be an exhibition showcasing art from members of the Generic Greeting crew. The focus turns to music in the evening, with Szajna and Big Peace DJing upstairs at the Soup Kitchen from 8pm. Sat 18 Nov, Partisan, 19 Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester, M4 4FY. noon-6pm, free. After party: Soup Kitchen, Spear Street, Manchester M1 1DF, 8pm-late, free, www.facebook.com

14.11.2017.

Top 5: Best food & drink at Mackie Mayor ft. Honest Crust.

We popped down to the stunningly restored Mackie Mayor building to find out about the best food and drink at Altrincham Market's new NQ offshoot. It's a beautiful space with a great feel and is perhaps more peaceful than its Alty market sister. This might be down to the the plentiful seating with its additional galleried upper floor, or the natural light from the domed glass roof serving to soften the heavy industrial furnishings. There are 9 food traders who've set up shop at Mackie, some stalwarts like Honest Crust pizza, and a couple of newbies that we were keen to try out. Here's a top 5 of succulent treats to try out as soon as you get the chance... The bao: Bao House's Hoisin pork belly bao with rice cakes and tenderstem broccolli Bao House offer something a little different with their Taiwanese soft pillowy steamed buns. You can choose from a variety of flavourful fillings; avocado and roast pineapple, cornmeal fried hake with jalapenos, and Sichuan chicken. We opted for the hoisin pork belly, cooked meltingly well, with a sweetness set off by sharp pickled cucumbers, plenty of fresh coriander and spring onions. All tucked up in a snowy white soft bao bun. We had a side of korean fried rice cakes and tenderstem brocolli for a bit of chilli miso punch. The pizza: Honest Crust's marinara Altrincham market favourite Honest Crust serve up their usual top notch pizzas. They have a great selection of adventurous rolling specials, but be really brave and let the ingredients shine by taking it back to basics with a cheeseless marinara; perfectly sweet-yet-tart tomato sauce, thinly sliced garlic, a generous sprinkling of fresh oregano and a drizzle of olive oil to finish. Simple but stunning. The fish dish: Fin's fish finger sandwich Fin has been making waves at Mackie Mayor with their selection of sustainably sourced whole fresh fish dishes. The fish finger sandwich is just about as good as it gets with buttery flaking beer battered hake complimented by bright flavour from peas and peppery rocket. The dessert: Wolfhouse Coffee's cheesecakes Dessert should be something sweet from the spectacular display of treats at Wolfhouse Coffee; beautifully fruit-topped friands, gooey brownies and tarts that look too good to eat. The lemon merengue cheesecake is so pretty it feels a shame to stick a spoon in, but when you do it's a silky sweet, tangy delight. The beer: Jack in the Box's Buxton x Dugges Ramberget IPA Manchester's own Blackjack Brewery has a firm handle on the beer selection with the Jack in the Box bar. It's a carefully curated choice of drafts with smaller local breweries represented amongst the Blackjack big hitters. Try the Buxton / Dugges Ramberget IPA with citrusy notes and a smooth finish. A nice light pairing for the fish dishes from Fin. Mackie Mayor, Eagle Street, Manchester M4 5BU, Tue- Sat 9am-10pm, Sun 9am-6pm, FREE entry, www.mackiemayor.co.uk

17.11.2017 - 18.11.2017.

This weekend: GRUB food fair at Fairfield Social Club ft. Bake O Rama & more.

As the night's draw in and the weather gets more inclement you'll be happy to know there is a place to go and warm yourself for the winter as Grub continues in their new home in the arches of Temperance Street. Having headed down to sample the new gaff on the weekend just gone we can confirm that it's a mecca for food and drink enthusiasts, and cosy to boot! This weekend Grub have grabbed some of the best street food slingers from around the country including Street Cleaver and Sugar Spun Sisters from Yorkshire, Buddha Belly from Birmingham and The Sghetti Monster from the North East. Mixing it with local legends like Bake O Rama (warm cookie s'mores pictured), Holy Crab and Diamond Dogs as well as music from Night Fantasy on Friday and Iwan Roberts and Jeff O'Toole on Saturday it's another bumper weekend of food, drink, music and general good times. Fri 10 - Sat 11 Nov and then every Fri and Sat, Fairfield Social Club, Archway 6, Temperance Street, Manchester, M12 6HR. noon-10pm (food until 9pm), www.grubmcr.com

13.11.2017 - 16.11.2017.

Free things to do this week ft. Virtually Reality, Manchester Histories Festival + more.

Virtually Reality at RNCM (pictured) This Monday, the Royal Northern College of Music will be hosting a free evening of new music from international composing talent. The event is part of the college’s New Music North West festival, and as its name Virtually Reality implies, it focuses on technology and digitally-manipulated sound. A new composition from Polish composer Jagoda Szmytka entitled ‘sky-me, type-me’, which uses conversation snippets routed through four megaphones to create its eerie sound will be presented in full at the show. There will also be world premiere of a new composition by local experimental composer MICHAELBRAILEY (his caps) and the first live performance of Sam Kidel’s call-centre bothering track Disruptive Muzak. Mon 13 Nov, RNCM, 124 Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9RD. Tel: 0161 907 5200, 7pm - 8pm, www.facebook.com Beats & Pieces Big Band at Band on the Wall The Bits & Pieces Big Band are coming to Band on the Wall this Wednesday for a young people’s masterclass in arrangement. The fourteen-piece band, led by composer and conductor Ben Cottrell - whose musical direction work can be heard in the last series of Peaky Blinders - met as students at Manchester University and have played together for around a decade, amassing a wealth of experience. This masterclass opens with a discussion of their approach to arrangement, followed by group workshops where young conductors will get the chance to arrange their own piece. Parents are welcome to watch, but participation in this event is locked down to 13-18 year olds. Wed 15 Nov, Band on the Wall, 25 Swan Street, The Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 5JZ. Tel: 0161 834 1786, 5pm - 9pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk Manchester Histories Festival Announcement The biannual Manchester Histories Festival doesn’t return until June 2018, but you can catch a little sneak preview of the lineup on Thursday at this announcement event hosted by Manchester Art Gallery. The theme for next year’s festival is protest, free speech and democracy, and this event will take you through the highlights of what you can expect to see there. The event will also feature a guest appearance from poet and Manchester University chancellor Lemn Sissay. Thu 16 Nov, Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3JL. Tel: 0161 235 8888, 6pm - 8pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk Censorship and the working class reader at WCML The Working Class Movement Library commemorates an important but largely forgotten moment in British legal history this week. This year marks the two-hundredth year since the trial of satirist William Hone, who successfully defended himself against charges of blasphemy and libel, opening up the possibilities of British literature in an age of heavy censorship. Edinburgh University’s Dr. Katherine Inglis will be giving this free talk, looking at another less fortunate case - the case of Henry Vizetelly, imprisoned in the 19th century for translating books - and how censorship laws have historically been used to target working class readers. Thu 16 Nov, Working Class Movement Library, 51 Crescent, Salford, M5 4WX. 6.30pm - 8pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk

25.11.2017.

Free family workshop: Gestured at Manchester's Chetham's Library.

Explore the books, nooks and crannies of Chetham’s Library with a free family workshop. ‘Gestured’ is an exhibition of artworks secreted around the library (click here to read our preview). Artist collective Brass Art has hidden fabrics, blown glass objects and mysterious historical vessels amid the shelves and shadows of the 17th century building. On Saturday 25 November, bring your family for a free hands-on workshop exploring the ideas behind the installation. Join the artists for a treasure hunt in the library and its surrounding medieval buildings, and let your inner artist loose with imaginative drawing, shadow puppetry and craft activities. The workshop is suitable for all ages – under-14s, bring your adult – and you can drop in any time. Sat 25 Nov, Chetham’s Library, Long Millgate, Manchester M3 1SB. Tel: 0161 834 7961, 11am-3pm, FREE, www.library.chethams.com

Fairfield Social Club Free opening weekend

Free things to do this weekend ft. Gabriel Birch, A Grand Exposition + more.

Gabriel Birch Exhibition at Caustic Coastal Salford gallery and studio Caustic Coastal launched its biggest ever solo exhibition this week, handing over all three exhibition spaces to London-based sculptor and installation artist Gabriel Birch. Birch’s work looks at structure and urbanism, and he tries to reflect the city outside his studio in his pieces, often working with unusual materials. This free exhibition, entitled 'Second Skin', will not only be taking over the gallery: Birch has also provided a new semi-permanent outdoor sculpture at Caustic Coastal’s front entrance. Tue 24 Oct - Sun 26 Nov, Caustic Coastal, Unit 2, Regent Trading Estate, Oldfield Road, Salford, M5 4DE. 1pm - 5pm (Thu & Sat only), www.causticcoastal.biz Gothic Studies Books Launch at 70 Oxford Street The Manchester Centre for Gothic Studies - based at Manchester Metropolitan University - is hosting a bumper literary event at 70 Oxford Street this Saturday, where they’re launching not one, not two, but FIVE new publications. The Centre has been an international driving force in the study of gothic literature over the past decade, and the diversity of their research is reflected in these new books, which cover everything from classical Spanish gothic literature, through to contemporary authors like Clive Barker. This free event is a must-attend for anyone with an interest in tales of the macabre. Sat 28 Oct, 70 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 5NH. 6pm - 7pm, www.eventbrite.com Fairfield Social Club Opening Weekend (pictured) This weekend, Manchester celebrates the opening of a brand new venue: The Fairfield Social Club on Temperance Street. Like many of the city’s best watering holes, it’s an archway venue that transforms out the battered remnants of Manchester’s industrial glory into a charming DIY space. As well as hosting the extensive roster of DJs, and the vast selections of local ales on offer - we are in the heart of th brewery district, after all - the venue will also be taking up its role as the new home of GRUB Food Fair on Friday and Saturday. You can read more about GRUB in our full preview. Fri 27 Oct - Sun 29 Oct, Fairfield Social Club, Archway 6, Temperance Street, Manchester, M12 6HR. 1pm - 8pm, www.facebook.com A Grand Exposition at Talbot Mill Billing itself as an “Art Fair, Fun Palace, Science Salon and Techno Theatre” Talbot Mill’s Grand Exposition opens its doors this Friday, promising a weekend packed with all things art and science s part of the Manchester Science Festival. Throughout the weekend there’s going to be a number of activities, talks and family-friendly workshops to get stuck into, as well as the launch of new artworks, including visual and sonic art that can’t be experienced anywhere else. In addition to this, there’s also going to be a steampunk fair - should you be looking to pick up some goggles or a phone case that looks like it’s made of cogs - and an artisan gin bar. The daytime events are free to enter, but they’re also offering some evening events which can be attended at £8 a ticket. Read our preview. Fri 27 Oct - Sun 29 Oct, Talbot Mill, 44 Ellesmere Street, Manchester, M15 4JY. 11am - 6pm, www.facebook.com

23.10.2017 - 28.10.2017.

Free workshops: The Science Studio at Manchester Craft & Design Centre.

Your kids will be in their element with a week of science workshops at the Manchester Craft & Design Centre. The Science Studio presents printmaking, pewtersmithing, jewellery-making and more in a run of hands-on half-term experiments. The workshops are designed to inspire adults and children over 7 about the chemistry behind art, with a different craft activity – and a different artistic expert – every day from 2pm. There’s no need to book: just drop in, then walk away with your handmade beads, bracelets, keyrings or custom prints. This is part of Manchester Science Festival which runs from Thursday 19 to Sunday 29 October. Mon 23 – Sat 28 Oct, Manchester Craft & Design Centre, 17 Oak Street, Manchester M4 5JD. Tel: 0161 832 4274, 2pm–5pm, FREE, www.craftanddesign.com

19.10.2017 - 15.04.2018.

Top 3: Manchester Science Festival 2017 ft. robots & a giant spider web.

Manchester Science Festival - the event that brought you a disco in an ball pool for adults last year - returns with more curiosities for all ages this month. The programme is large and brilliant, and we've picked out just three highlights to get you in the mood. Immersive web experience: Live the life of a spider with Tape (pictured) Award-winning artists Numen/For Use have transformed the 1830 Warehouse into a giant spider's web made from sticky tape. Climb through a translucent “stretched biomorphic skin” strung above the ground and crawl along winding networks of cocooning passageways to get your spidey-sense a tingling. Thu 19 - Sun 29 Oct, Museum of Science and Industry Liverpool Road, Manchester, M3 4FP. www.msimanchester.org.uk New exhibition: The history of robots uncovered with more than 100 examples of robots from the last 500 years Though the idea of automatons might be a distinctly 21st century notion, it turns out the world has been harnassing the power of robots for the last 500 years. This exhibition showcases a unique collection of more than 100 robots from as far back as the 1600s. Thu 19 Oct - Sun 15 Apr, Great Western Warehouse, £8/5, www.msimanchester.org.uk One-off evening performance: The Music of Proof This evening event, aimed at adults, includes a string quartet performance and a debate about whether you really can hear maths in music. Tue 24 Oct, Great Western Warehouse, FREE, 7.30pm, adv booking required, www.msimanchester.org.uk

29.10.2017.

Book now: Little Monsters Ball at Hard Rock Cafe Manchester.

Give your family’s Halloween a spooktacular start with Hard Rock Cafe’s Little Monsters Ball. The Manchester diner will open its doors at 10am on the last Sunday in October for its ever-popular phantasmal feast. Tuck into a full English breakfast while your little ghouls are entertained with ghostly games and frightfully fun face painting – indeed, you may want your youngsters in fancy dress for this one. This popular family breakfast is reservation-only, so do make sure to book. The event lasts for 90 minutes at Hard Rock Cafe Manchester in the Printworks – just in time for the adults to sleep off their breakfast over lunch. Sun 29 Oct, Hard Rock Cafe, The Printworks, Exchange Square, Manchester M4 2BS. Tel: 0161 831 6700, 10am, £10.95 per person, www.theprintworks.com

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27.10.2017 - 29.10.2017.

Book tickets: Talbot Mill's A Grand Exposition ft. illuminated talks, Paddy Steer & more.

Artists descend on one of Manchester’s largest surviving cotton mills, Talbot Mill, to revive the spirit of The Great Exhibition of 1851 as part of Manchester Science Festival. Starting on Friday 27 October and entitled 'A Grand Exposition', the weekend-long event sees the worlds of art, science and technology collide in a grand expo. The event includes artwork created by brainwaves, a dancer controlled by social media, and a self-portrait made from an artist’s personal microbes. There are family-friendly activities to get stuck into as well with craft workshops - some bookable, some just drop-in - and a Steampunk Market packed with collectable contraptions. Daytime events are free, and tickets are available for the evening entertainment. ‘Illuminated Talks’ will kick things off every night at 7pm. Then enjoy ‘Expotronic’ with Test Dept’s Prolekult on the Friday, Spaceheads and avant-musical talent, Paddy Steer heading ‘A Grand Night Out’ on the Saturday, and a Sunday cabaret with Kino Film Club, Sam Illingworth and more. Friday and Saturday ticket-holders get a free drink – and look out for beer tasting sessions too. Fri 27 – Sun 29 Oct, Talbot Mill, 44 Ellesmere Street, Cornbrook, Manchester M15 4JY. 11am - 11pm, FREE before 7pm, £8 Fri & Sat eve, £5 Sun eve, www.agrandexposition.cornbrookcreative.uk

21.10.2017 - 04.11.2017.

Top 3: Big Imaginations family theatre fest at Z-Arts ft. Catapluf's Musical Journey.

It’s less than a week until the Big Imaginations family theatre festival comes to Z-Arts and venues across the North West. With theatre for tiny tots to tweens, this festival (Thu 19 Oct - Sun 5 Nov 2017) promises a colourful clash of culture, music and storytelling. Performances take in varied venues, from huge auditoriums to rural village halls stretching from Southport to South Yorkshire. We look closer to home to bring you three family-friendly Big Imaginations highlights at Manchester’s Z-Arts family-friendly theatre space. These are the NW premiere of Child of the Divide (ages 8+), Catapluf's Musical Journey (aimed at children 5-7 years old) and Tales of Birbal (6 years+). Look out for free arts and crafts fun before each show and explore the full programme here www.bigimaginations.co.uk North West premiere: Child of the Divide The Big Imaginations Festival marks the 70th anniversary of the partition of India and Pakistan with a dramatic family story. The North West premiere of Child of The Divide tells the tale of young Pali who gets separated from his father amid political upheaval. This Z-Arts theatre show is suitable for children aged eight and over. Fri 20 Oct, Z-Arts, 335 Stretford Road, Manchester M15 5ZA. Tel: 0161 226 1912, 5pm (party), 7pm (theatre show), theatre tickets £9 / £7, www.z-arts.org Brilliant Brazilian theatre: Catapluf’s Musical Journey Everything is music in this global journey for children aged five to seven. Watch the bow-tied Catapluf wrangle sounds from saucepans, water and bottle tops – even drainpipes hit with flip flops. Multi-instrumentalist Adriano Adewale as the titular will Catapluf lead the audience in a journey of samba, jazz and the energetic Eastern European tradition of klezmer. Children, get ready to move in this noisy 50-minute show. Sat 21 Oct, Z-arts, 335 Stretford Road, Manchester M15 5ZA. Tel: 0161 226 1912, 11am & 2.30pm, £9 adult, £7 child, www.z-arts.org Fables from India: Tales of Birbal Watch Mashi and Bhanji pull up their trinket-filled cart to tell timeless fables from the Indian sub-continent. Mashi Theatre uses humour, puppetry and music to bring alive the enchanting world of Moghul King Akbar. In this colourful show by Mashi Theatre, the storytellers are accompanied by a family of naughty crows – and the occasional false beard. Ideal for young travellers aged six and over. Sat 4 Nov, Z-arts, 335 Stretford Road, Manchester M15 5ZA. Tel: 0161 226 1912, 11am & 2.30pm, £8 adult, £6 child, www.z-arts.org

24.10.2017 - 29.10.2017.

Book family theatre tickets: Slava’s SnowShow at The Lowry.

International clowning sensation Slava will bring a blizzard of family entertainment to The Lowry in October. Slava's SnowShow has scooped awards for the most unique theatrical experience from Time Out, Olivier and Drama Desk. His fun-packed winter wonderland received worldwide acclaim, visiting 80 cities from Moscow to Madrid and Sao Paolo to Shanghai. Russian performance artist Slava Polunin, Artistic Director of the St Petersburg Circus, is the man behind the big red nose: he recently came to the UK to launch his illustrated memoir Alchemy of Snowness. This will be the ninth time this sell-out show has been performed in the UK. Want to treat your family? We have four tickets to give away to one lucky Wire reader. All you need to do is sign up to our mailing list in the top right hand corner of our home page, then send an email headed ‘SnowShow competition’ including your name, age and Twitter handle to competitions [at] manchesterwire [dot] co [dot] uk. This competition closes at midnight on Friday 20 October. Winners will be notified via Twitter and email the following day. This competition is now closed. Tue 24 – Sun 29 Oct, The Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ. Tel: 0843 208 6000, 7pm, also Wed, Thu, Sat & Sun at 2pm, £13.50 – £41.50, www.thelowry.com

21.10.2017 - 29.10.2017.

Top 5: October 2017 half term ideas ft. Craft Centre & Ordsall Hall.

So it's half term again - and once again, there's loads to get your teeth into, from hands on workshops at the Craft Centre exploring the secrets of jewellery making, to a giant spiders web at MSI and fun happenings at Waterside Arts Centre. 1. Science and art drop ins at Craft & Design Centre There are free craft/science workshops at Manchester Craft & Design Centre this October half term as part of Manchester Science Festival. Explore chemicals, reactions and elements used by artists in the Science Studio alongside demonstrations and hands-on experiments. Read our preview. Mon 23 - Sat 28 Oct, Manchester Craft and Design Centre, 17 Oak Street, Manchester M4 5JD. Tel: 0161 832 4274, 2-5pm, free, drop in, no booking required, www.craftanddesign.com 2. Family theatre: The Lowry’s Family Arts Festival The Lowry’s annual Family Arts Festival takes in Slava's Snowshow, Michael Morpurgo's Why The Whales Came on the stage, and much more. We have a family ticket for Slava's Snowshow up for grabs - click here to enter. There are also free family events and activities taking place in The Lowry's devoted kids area, The Lookout. Check website for full listings. Sat 21 - Sun 29 Oct. The Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ. Tel: 0843 208 6000, times and prices vary, www.familyfestival.org.uk 3. Spook fest: Halloween Grotto at Ordsall Hall Visit Tudor Manor House, Ordsall Hall, and enjoy Halloween activities to get you in the mood for trick or treating. Options include a 'The Magical Door Trail' (Mon 23 – Sun 29 Oct) workshops and drop ins exploring how to make a magic wand (and other things, Mon 23 – Tue 24 Oct). There's even a Halloween Grotto this year, which is home to the Ordsall Hall witch (Wed 25 – Thu 26 Oct). Mon 23 - Thu 26 Oct, 322 Ordsall Lane, Salford M5 3AN. Tel: 0161 872 0251, www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk 4. Kids cabaret: Duckie (Le Gateau Chocolat's Ugly Ducking - pic) at Contact This new piece of children's theatre explores themes of identity and belonging, as well as showcasing plenty of glamour and glitz with cabaret star, Le Gateau Chocolat, at the helm. This is the artist's acclaimed re-working of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Ugly Duckling. Tue 24 & Wed 25 Oct, Contact Theatre, Oxford Road, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6JA. Tel: 0161 274 0600, 2pm/7pm, prices vary (£5 under 10s), www.contactmcr.com 5. Autumn fun at Waterside & our guide to the best kids shows Waterside Arts Centre’s has a host of family friendly theatre shows, live music, workshops and drop ins taking place during half term. Stage shows include Micheal Morpurgo's King Arthur (Sat 21 Oct, 2pm) and What Became of the Red Shoes (Tue 24 Oct, 11.30am & 2.30pm). Read our 'top 4 kids shows' guide or just pop in and see what's going on. Ongoing, Waterside Arts Centre, 1 Waterside, Sale M33 7ZF. Tel: 0161 912 5616, www.watersideartscentre.co.uk

Just opened: Inflata Nation the UK's first inflatable theme park in Trafford Park.

300,000 plastic balls will fill up a new giant inflatable theme park. Inflata Nation features extreme drop slides, giant bouncing balls, gladiator battle sticks and a climbing wall, all set under one Trafford Park roof. The family fun venue even has a dedicated under-six arena, and will host ‘Inflata Tots’ sessions for the tiniest feet in the family. If you want a little more bounce in your birthday party, the venue is available for celebratory packages. And if you spend half your time chasing after your young ones, there are also fitness classes on offer. Inflata Nation takes the place of trampoline park Jump Nation after a half-million pound renovation project. One hour sessions cost £6.95 an hour for under-sixes and £9.95 for older children and grown-ups - spectators' entry is free. Inflata Nation, Trafford Park, Textilose Road, Stretford, Manchester M17 1WA. Tel: 0161 710 2360, 8am–10pm, www.inflatanation.com

09.09.2017 - 22.10.2017.

Top 4: Family shows at Waterside Arts ft. King Arthur & Body of Light.

Waterside Arts Centre has plenty of family entertainment to keep young minds inspired. We’ve picked four highlights from their new season, including the drama of ancient Greece, the heroism of King Arthur, an eye-catching light show and a day of free family fun. From table-top puppetry to energetic dance sessions, there’s something for every age at the Waterside. Cbeebies star show: There & Back Again – An Odyssey ft Patrick Lynch CBeebies star Patrick Lynch brings a one-man show that takes us back to the thrilling world of ancient Greece. Using table-top puppetry magnified in eye-popping splendour, There & Back Again (Sat 9 Sep, 2.30pm, £9, www.watersideartscentre.co.uk - pictured) revives famous battles, magical islands and the one-eyed giants that once ruled all. This one-hour performance is brought to life with the help of designer Marcello Chiarenza, and is best suited to children aged 6 to 11. Free fun: Waterside’s Big Family Open Day Watch the Waterside come alive with a grand Family Open Day (Sat 16 Sep, 11am–4pm, FREE, www.watersideartscentre.co.uk) just two weeks into term – a great way to beat the new class blues. There’ll be dance and drama taster sessions, circus skills, balloon modelling – and face painting to turn your little tykes into tigers. Expect fast-paced improvisation games for toddlers from ComedySportz too. The full line-up for the day will be announced soon, but expect oodles of free fun. Theatre: Michael Morpurgo’s King Arthur The award-winning Story Pocket Theatre presents an epic tale of heroism and betrayal – Michael Morpurgo’s adaptation of the King Arthur legend (Sat 21 Oct, 2pm, £12, www.watersideartscentre.co.uk). Watch as the young king, under Merlin’s charge, pulls the sword from the stone and gathers his Round Table knights to save the future of Camelot. Story Pocket is on a national tour of this fast-moving show of adventure, puppetry and storytelling – don’t miss out. Immersive experience for young children: Body of Light A visual treat for younger eyes, Body of Light (Sun 22 Oct, 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm, £9, www.watersideartscentre.co.uk) is a never-ending landscape where graphics warp and weft around the arcs of a live dancer. This is a clever mixture of physical movement courtesy of Darren Pritchard Dance, a home-gaming device and a simple use of pixels. The performance itself is 20 minutes, followed by 30-minutes of stay-and-play for families mesmerised by the pretty shapes.

25.10.2017 - 29.10.2017.

Book £1 tickets: The Great Energy Escape Room Game (age 8+) at Manchester Museum.

Room escape games are all the rage at the moment, and a brand new one coming soon to Manchester Museum has an educational twist. The Great Energy Escape, which is aimed at adults and children over eight, is set to be a half term highlight. The premise is this: The city’s electricity grid has gone down and you only have half an hour to reboot it. Entrenched in a control room from the 1970s, your team will have to transform the grid into a new, cleaner system. In an echo of current political issues, using compromise and collaboration you must keep the lights on whilst reducing emissions. Don’t worry: mad scientists may have left some clues for you to follow. The game was created by Energy Democracy Greater Manchester and Carbon Co-op, and is part of Manchester Science Festival. Booking is required, and you can book tickets via the website below. Wed 25 – Sun 29 Oct, Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, 11am – 4.30pm, £1 min. charge per person, carbon.coop

25.10.2017 - 29.10.2017.

New family show: Why The Whales Came at The Lowry.

Author Michael Morpurgo will set sail with award-winning storyteller Danyah Miller for a new nautical show at The Lowry. ‘Why The Whales Came’ is a one-woman storytelling show about being lost at sea, based on a simple wooden set that hides some adventurous surprises. Writer Morpurgo is best known for ‘War Horse’, his acclaimed novel which took to the stage at The Lowry, the West End and Broadway. This new Morpurgo adaptation comes from Danyah Miller’s Olivier award-nominated Wizard Presents, whose ‘I Believe in Unicorns’ enchanted audiences across the UK. Choose from ten daytime one-hour shows over five days, suitable for ages seven-plus. Wed 25 – Sun 29 Oct, The Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ. Tel: 0843 208 6000, 11am & 2pm (Wed 2pm & 4pm), £16 (family ticket £54), www.thelowry.com

20.10.2017 - 22.10.2017.

Free arty fun: DM17 Design City Weekender at Upper Campfield Market.

The DM17 Design City Weekender takes over Upper Campfield Market this weekend with a family-friendly mix of affordable artworks and activities. Try your hand at animation, embroidery or papercraft with a flurry of workshops, and keep an eye out for the live artworks popping up throughout the huge market hall. Try frog making with Ben Clark, three-minute portraits from Northern Quarter craft shop Fred Aldous, or visit the University of Salford’s boutique fashion studio. There’s even a doodle wall. Manchester Print Fair will be there too, celebrating its sixth birthday with dozens of illustrators and independent magazine-makers. There's lots to check out, so keep your right-brain awake with the Foundation Coffee House and organic vegan food from Rosie and Organic. Then, once the workshops wind down at 6.30pm, enjoy the DM17 bar until 9.30pm on Friday and Saturday with tunes from Manchester DJs Dance Lady Dance, Pasta Paul and Stu Richards. General entry is free, as are most of the workshops: check the website for availability. Fri 20 – Sun 22 Oct, Upper Campfield Market Hall, Campfield Arcade, Manchester M3 4FN. Fri preview 3pm–9.30pm, Sat 10am–9.30pm, Sun 10am–6pm, FREE, www.designmcr.com

21.10.2017 - 22.10.2017.

Tickets OTD: International Manchester Swim Meet at Aquatics Centre.

The City of Manchester Swim Team (COMAST) take on the world's best swimmers at the Manchester Aquatics Centre this weekend. This major event will give the local group the opportunity to test their mettle against the elite of the sport, and evaluate their progress in the race to qualify for the Commonwealth Games. Spectators are welcome to go and cheer on COMAST as they face off against several members of the World Championships’ Team GB squad. Star entrants include Siobhan-Marie O'Connor, and world record holder Adam Peaty MBE. The swimmers will be competing for a total prize pot of £10,000. There is a packed schedule of many different races over the two days, building to exciting evening finals. Please see the website below for full details. Tickets can be purchased at the Aquatics Centre on the day. Sat 21 Oct – Sun 22 Oct, Manchester Aquatics Centre, Booth Street East, Manchester, M13 9SS, Tel: 0161 641 6310, 9am – 5pm (six sessions), £13 (day)/£24 (weekend), cityofmanchesterswimteam.co.uk

17.10.2017.

Now open: Mackie Mayor food & drink hall in Manchester's Northern Quarter.

The Northern Quarter has waited with bated breath ever since it was announced that Altrincham Market would be setting up a sister venue in the iconic Grade II listed Mackie Mayor building on the edge of Swan Street. Thankfully it can collectively exhale and then gorge upon the delights being served out of nine artisan traders in the sun-dappled dining hall at the heart of the NQ. Blackjack Brewery provide the beers with their Jack in a Box bar which includes some of their favourite beers from around the country, whilst Alty mainstays Reserve Wines provide an impressive array of whites, reds and rosés and Wolfhouse Coffee provide the non-alcoholic caffeine beverages you may desire. Foodwise you can choose between seafood from Fin, burgers from Tender Cow, pork belly baos from Baohouse, pizzas courtesy of Honest Crust, sourdough flatbreads from Little Window or French rotisserie from Nationale 7. So what are you still doing reading this? Get involved now. Mackie Mayor, 1 Eagle Street, Manchester M4 5BU. Open 9am-10pm everyday except Mondays. Follow @MackieMayor for more info and updates.

21.10.2017 - 22.10.2017.

This weekend: Makers Market in Spinningfields ft. vintage finds, street food & more.

Gear up for Halloween and treat yourself to the best street food around, as Makers Market takes over Spinningfields with a two day celebration this weekend. There’s something for everyone at the extensive market as over 100 traders from around the North West and beyond offer up food, drink, arts and crafts, vintage finds, canine fashions from Paw & Hounds, and DJs all weekend with Pasta Paul and Stutter and Twitch will be spinning the wheels of steel. Vegan shoppers can partake of Veega’s delicious treats; meat eaters may enjoy black pudding slices from Cumbrian Pie Co. Everyone will enjoy vintage finds at Vintage What Nots, handmade textiles from Hare in The Forest or Arabic Scents from Azafia UK. It may only be late October but it's ok to whisper ‘Christmas is coming’ - and there’s no place better to get some unique gifts than the Makers Market this weekend. Plus you'll be one step ahead of the crowd. Sat 21 & Sun 22 Oct, Spinningfields, M3 3EH. 11am-5pm. Free entry. www.themakersmarket.co.uk

20.10.2017.

Family theatre: North West premiere of Child Of The Divide at Z-Arts.

The Big Imaginations Family Theatre Festival marks the 70th anniversary of the partition of India and Pakistan with a dramatic family story. The North West premiere of Child of The Divide tells the tale of young Pali who gets separated from his father amid political upheaval. This Z-Arts theatre show is suitable for children aged eight and over. Read our Big Imaginations Family Theatre Festival guide here. Fri 20 Oct, Z-Arts, 335 Stretford Road, Manchester M15 5ZA. Tel: 0161 226 1912, 5pm (party), 7pm (theatre show), theatre tickets £9 / £7, www.z-arts.org

17.11.2017 - 19.11.2017.

Book tickets: Tatton Park Christmas Foodies Festival.

Tatton Park is turning winter wonderland with the first Christmas Foodies Festival this November. Get the ultimate inspiration for Christmas dinner with three days of Santa’s favourite street food and guest restaurants. Leading an all-star line-up is MasterChef winner Simon Wood and Bake Off champ Luis Troyano. Get tips from the region’s best eateries with the Chef’s Theatre, including turns from Manchester House, Adam Reid at The French and the award-winning modern Indian cooking from Asha’s. There will be over 200 stalls tempting you with everything from smoked salmon to local cheeses and melt-in-your-mouth brownies - so that's everyone's presents sorted. You can even learn to make Christmas wreaths before disappearing down Gin Alley for that perfect tinsel-topped tipple. And before your stomach leads you down Street Food Avenue or into the irresistible Cakes & Desserts Theatre, treat your children to Elf Cookery School at which they’ll get to decorate snowballs and gingerbread men, and make cookies for Santa and festive treats for his hardworking reindeer. Fri 17 – Sun 19 Nov, Tatton Park, Mereheath Drive, Knutsford Cheshire, WA16 6QN. Tel: 0844 995 1111, Fri 5pm–9pm, Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 10am–5pm, £10–£38, www.seetickets.com

22.10.2017.

Win tickets & £25 voucher for Vintage Home Show at Victoria Baths.

Let your interior designer loose by winning free entry to this year’s Vintage Home Show at Victoria Baths. Read on to find out how to bag tickets to the ever-popular fair packed with retro furniture, lighting, textiles and more. Not only that, we’ll even give you £25 spending money. The Vintage Home Show is all about discovering classic mid-20th century brands such as G-Plan and Ercol, famous for their heritage sofas and sideboards. Expect functional finds like cushions and footstools alongside collectible homewares and inspiring artwork. This all takes place in Manchester's historic Victoria Baths, extending from the balcony right through to the Turkish baths. There’s even a cake shop. We have two early-bird entries worth £10 to give away to one Wire reader, which gets you in half an hour before regular ticket holders. This comes with a £25 voucher to spend at the show, which will be waiting for you when you arrive. All you need to do is sign up to our mailing list in the top right hand corner of our home page, then send an email headed ‘Vintage Home Show competition’ including your name, age and Twitter handle to competitions [at] manchesterwire [dot] co [dot] uk. This competition closes at midnight on Wednesday 18 October. Winners will be notified via Twitter and email the following day. Sun 22 Oct, Victoria Baths, Hathersage Road, Manchester M13 0FE. Tel: 07880 910361, 11am – 4pm (10.30am early-bird), £3-£5, www.vintagehomeshow.co.uk

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17.10.2017 - 23.10.2017.

Book now: Rochdale Literature & Ideas Festival ft. Terry Waite & Jenny Eclair.

Just a tram ride from the city this year’s Rochdale Literature and ideas festival brings the best in drama, comedy, music, theatre, poetry, visual arts and of course literature to the South Pennine town. Highlights at this year’s festival include Terry Waite and his poetry and musings on the five years he spent as a hostage in Beirut, Jane Austen comedy ‘Thrills and Quills’ from award winning theatre company LipService and a Q&A with comedian Jenny Eclair. There are children’s events throughout with puppet shows and a tie in with Manchester Science Festival and Chester Zoo putting on workshops at Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre. Spanning a wide variety of tastes and subjects there’s something for everyone across the town for the six day festival. Tue 17 – Mon 23 Oct, various venues, Rochdale, www.rochdaleliteraturefestival.co.uk

13.10.2017 - 15.10.2017.

Weekend fun: Lakes International Comic Art Festival in Kendal.

A colourful celebration of comic art will draw artists from across the world to the Lake District. The Lakes International Comic Art Festival features live draws, pictorial trails and plenty of free family fun. Scores of sharp-penned producers will feature, including a masterclass from MAD Magazine artist Tom Richmond, a revealing chat with Spider-Gwen artist Jason LaTour, a premier of new work from Mal Earl and Kermit ‘Black Grape’ Leveridge, and a very special visit from 2000AD and Justice League Dark writer Peter Milligan. Creative kids can enjoy the free Family Zone's workshops and shows for all ages, and there'll be fun distractions in the Brewery’s Cartoon Café and the Comics Clock Tower market. Fans of superheroes, satire or simply the Moomins will find plenty to see and do throughout the weekend – if you want a taster, pop to Friday’s Gala Opening Night where US cartooning superstars have frantic fun with Sergio Aragonés, a man considered the fastest comic artist on the planet. Fri 13 – Sun 15 Oct, various Kendal venues. Tel: 01539 725133 or check website for programme, day passes £19–£22, weekend pass £35, opening gala £8, www.comicartfestival.com

05.11.2017.

This Sunday: Great Northern Makers Market ft. Christmas gifts, street food & gin.

Kick off your Christmas shopping this weekend at the independent traders Makers Market at the Great Northern. After launching at the start of October, the monthly Great Northern Makers Market takes over the plaza outside the historic goods warehouse showcasing the best in art, crafts, gourmet food and drink - and much more - on the first Sunday of the month. From gifts for the hip home to vintage design, highlights include retro art from No 71 Legend Rooms, framed festive gifts from Devil Design, and Cocoband innovative hairwear. The pick of the food crop includes chilli sauce kings Daddy Cools, Cheshire’s Bibble Bakes and the Manchester Cheesecake Company while live music comes courtesy of guitarist, Byron. Sun 5 Nov, Great Northern Warehouse, 235 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN. 11am – 5pm, FREE, www.themakersmarket.co.uk

06.11.2017.

Award-winning immersive theatre: What Once Was Ours at Waterside Arts Centre.

What does it mean to be young in the age of Brexit? An immersive show at Waterside Arts uses the voices of young people from across the UK in a tale of identity and belonging. In ‘What Once Was Ours’, Katie and Callum are distanced by different backgrounds and cities – until Callum finds himself in need of urgent help. The production is a collaboration between leading youth theatre creators Zest Theatre and Half Moon, using the words and opinions they gathered from young people about the effect of politics and national values on family life. Expect strong language and emotive themes in an acclaimed show that was nominated for an Off West End Award for Best Production for Young People. Mon 6 Nov, Waterside Arts Centre, 1 Waterside Plaza, Sale, Greater Manchester M33 7ZF. Tel: 0161 912 5616, 7pm, £9, www.watersideartscentre.co.uk

07.10.2017.

Book tickets: Hallé's Best of British Cinema at Bridgewater Hall ft. Harry Potter, Bond & more.

Slow-motion athletes, the golden plains of Africa and a plasticine dog on the moon – the Hallé orchestra is set to evoke great movie moments when The Best of British Cinema comes to The Bridgewater Hall. Hallé Pops conductor Stephen Bell joins Britain's Got Talent singer Rodney Earl Clarke to present a feast of British film favourites, with soundtracks by Vangelis, David Arnold, John Williams and more. Theme tunes from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Wallace and Gromit offer dramatic contrast with epic scores from films such as Chariots of Fire and Out of Africa. You’ll also hear memorable melodies from James Bond, Harry Potter, Love Actually and Sherlock. The Best of British Cinema will be one of the first concerts to kick off the Hallé Pops season, with a run of crowd-pleasing spectaculars by the Manchester symphony orchestra including celebrations of science-fiction soundtracks, horror themes and the work of legendary producer Quincy Jones. Best available seats (usually priced at up to £42) will be available exclusively to Manchester Wire readers for only £22, using the Promo code WIRE either online or at The Bridgewater Hall box office. (Offer subject to availability. Available on full price tickets only.) Sat 7 Oct, The Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley St, Manchester M2 3WS. Tel: 0161 907 9000, 7.30pm, £14, www.halle.co.uk

01.10.2017.

New: Makers Market at Great Northern ft. art, street food & more.

The monthly Makers Markets in the Northern Quarter, Spinningfields and Didsbury have become weekend musts. Over 70 independent traders make each event unique, serving up the best in street food, crafts, vintage goods, fine art, jewellery, gifts and much more. Everything on offer is made by the region's finest makers - and, as of this weekend, there's a new market to enjoy in Manchester city centre. The Makers Market is expanding with the first ever Sunday market in the historic Great Northern Warehouse on Deansgate. For fans of art, vintage wares, street food and gourmet booze, it's a reason to celebrate. Plus, the former railway goods warehouse brings a special charm to proceedings too. Expect everything from frills and frocks to macarons, foraged ingredients for sale, urban photography and everything in between. Sun 1 Oct, The Great Northern, Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN. 11am – 5pm FREE entry, www.themakersmarket.co.uk

29.09.2017 - 01.10.2017.

Free things to do this weekend ft. Science Uncovered, Dusted + more.

Science Uncovered at Manchester Museum This Friday, Manchester Museum are hosting another of their once-in-a-blue-moon Science Uncovered events, and you can attend for free. Science Uncovered is an after-hours event, where the museum becomes a carnival of live research, as scientists from all over Europe, and from Manchester, come to show off their work in a relaxed social setting. As well as a lot of learning on offer, there’s also drinks provided and some promised musical entertainment. Fri 29 Sep, Manchester Museum, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL. 5pm -10pm, www.eventbrite.com Dusted’s Sochal Gig at Gorilla (pictured) Manchester promoters Dusted are throwing a party at archway venue Gorilla this Friday. German DJ and legendary dance music producer Matthias Tanzmann is headlining, with a set that’s likely to full to the brim with his passions of deep house and tech house. Supporting slots on the night are filled by Dusted residents Pete Smith and Karl Frampton. Usually such a show at such a venue would set you back at least £15, but this night can be accessed for free by signing up to new social networking site sochal.com - billed as ‘the healthy social network’. To gain entry to the gig, you book a free ticket on the Skiddle link below, and you simply have to flash your new Sochal profile to the doorman on the way in. Fri 29 Sep, Gorilla, 54-56 Whitworth Street West, Manchester, M1 5WW. 11pm - 4am, www.skiddle.com Autumn/Winter Exhibitions Opening at Manchester Art Gallery Manchester Art Gallery’s latest Autumn/Winter exhibitions opens up this weekend, with work from a trio of contemporary Asian artists. First up is Hetain Patel, a funny, energetic British Indian performance artist and filmmaker: A number of his films are installed at the gallery, including brand-new commission Don’t Look At The Finger. Next is Lahore-based artist Mehreen Murtaza, who has filled the ground floor gallery with plants as part of her continuing work exploring plant behaviour. Last is Waqas Khan, whose achingly precise drawings are produced while the artist is in a trance-like state. Sat 30 Sep - Sun 4 Feb 2018, Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3JL. Tel: 0161 235 8888, 10am - 5pm, www.manchesterartgallery.org Family Book Launch at Waterstones This Sunday you can catch this family-friendly event at Waterstones Deansgate. Authors Jane Schaffer and Paul Morris are launching their latest book Time Travellers and the Crystal Dome: The latest in their series of time-travelling children’s thrillers. The books draw on real historical events, and make use of real historical figures to drive the story, particularly the founders of Manchester’s Portico Library, including Elizabeth Gaskell. In addition to readings from the book, there will be quizzes and other fun activities to keep your little Doc Brown happy. Sun 1 Oct, Waterstones, 91 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2BW. 2pm - 4.30pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk

06.10.2017 - 22.10.2017.

Book now: Manchester Literature Festival ft. Sarah Millican, Nigella Lawson & Michael Morpurgo.

Manchester Literature Festival is back for 2017 with bigger book stars than ever before. The festival, over two author-packed weeks in October, will celebrate “divas, dissidents, pioneers and radicals.” Leading the charge will be debut author and comedy legend Sarah Millican, Nigella Lawson musing on food with Jeanette Winterson, Jon Savage reviving the spirit of punk through the works of Anthony Burgess and the Sex Pistols, leading human rights campaigner Shami Chakrabarti, a special Castlefield Manchester Sermon from War Horse writer Michael Morpurgo, and iconic Irish writer Roddy Doyle talking about his new novel ‘Smile’. A stream of events will make a noise about activism and protest, with actor Maxine Peake presenting Comma Press's ‘Stories of Resistance’, blogger Reni Eddo-Lodge on her book ‘Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race’, Michael Rosen remembering his communist parents, Howard Jacobson on the art of satire in an era of Trump, George Monbiot launching his new book ‘Out of the Wreckage: A New Politics in an Age of Crisis’, Paddy Armstrong on how he became one of the Guildford Four, and The Real Story presenting Dead Ink’s crowdfunded anthology ‘Know Your Place: Essays on the Working Class by the Working Class’. If you're not full of books by the end of the festival, there's a run of post-festival breakouts with Armistead Maupin, Rebecca Solnit, Jennifer Egan and more. If you’re digging into the 2017 Manchester Literature Festival brochure for the first time, here are five Manchester Wire picks for you to bookmark. 1. How To Be Champion: An Evening With Sarah Millican From South Shields to sell-out national tours, comedian Sarah Millican had a meteoric rise to fame. She won Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Fringe, and ‘The Sarah Millican Television Programme’ was nominated for Baftas. In a special Literature Festival in-conversation with poet and comedian Kate Fox, Millican will talk about her debut book ‘How To Be Champion’. Expect oodles of anecdotes and advice on how to get over life’s unexpected humps – like school fall-outs, the excitement of IBS and how divorce is not the end. As with many Festival events, you can opt for a ticket or a ticket/book bundle if you don’t want to miss out on a copy. Fri 6 Oct, RNCM Concert Hall, 124 Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9RD. Tel: 0843 208 0500, 7.30pm, £12/£10, www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk 2. Jon Savage: Burgess, Punk and the Sex Pistols Ever get the feeling you’ve been treated? Writer and broadcaster Jon Savage is the author of ‘England’s Dreaming’, the ultimate book on punk, and ‘Teenage: The Creation of Youth Culture’. For Manchester Literature Festival, he delivers a specially commissioned talk reflecting on the subversive works of Manchester author Anthony Burgess. Burgess’s 1962 novel ‘A Clockwork Orange’ was made into a much-debated film by Stanley Kubrick, and he wrote widely on youth culture throughout the 1970s. Savage will start with Burgess then explore punk, youth culture, and the influence of a movement led by The Sex Pistols’ royalty-ribbing album ‘Never Mind The Bollocks’ – which astonishingly turns 40 this year. This event is now SOLD OUT. Tue 17 Oct, International Anthony Burgess Foundation, 3 Cambridge St, Manchester M1 5BY. Tel: 0843 208 0500, 7pm, £8/£6, www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk 3. Nigella Lawson in conversation with Jeanette Winterson Bestselling cookery writer Nigella Lawson explores the pleasures of eating with ‘Oranges Are Not The Only Food’ author Jeanette Winterson. Lawson shot to fame with her ‘Nigella Bites’ television series, and is the author of ten bestselling cookery books including ‘How To Eat’ and ‘How To Be A Domestic Goddess’. Her new book ‘At My Table’ heralds home cooking and hosting friends at home. For her part, Jeanette Winterson is a slow eating advocate and has her own grocery store Verde & Co in Spitalfields: her latest book ‘Christmas Days: 12 Stories And 12 Feasts’ features short stories and favourite recipes. This event is now SOLD OUT. Fri 20 Oct, RNCM Concert Hall, 124 Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9RD. Tel: 0843 208 0500, 7pm, £17/£15, www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk 4. Shami Chakrabarti: Of Women Britain’s leading human rights campaigner Shami Chakrabarti knows more about inequality than most from her 13 years as director of human rights organisation Liberty. Chakrabarti – now Baroness Chakrabarti of Kennington – was called “probably the most effective public affairs lobbyist of the past 20 years” by the Times. Her latest book ‘On Women’ takes on the gender gap and its effect on health and wealth throughout the world. In this afternoon talk at the Royal Exchange with Eleanor Marx biographer Rachel Holmes, Chakrabarti reveals the roots of the problem and the radical actions that we can all take to right the balance. Only restricted seats remaining. Sun 22 Oct, Royal Exchange, St Ann's Square, Manchester M2 7DH. Tel: 0843 208 0500, 3pm, £10, www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk 5. Castlefield Manchester Sermon: Michael Morpurgo Former Children’s Laureate and acclaimed author Michael Morpurgo delivers this year’s keystone Manchester Sermon, an annual talk previously given by Kamila Shamsie, Lionel Shriver and Ali Smith. The sermon ‘All Things Bright And Beautiful’, read amid the extravagant architecture of Manchester Cathedral, will look at our reliance and exploitation of our natural surroundings – and the growing crisis that we can’t ignore. Morpurgo, whose most famous book ‘War Horse’ marched onto cinema screens and the West End to great success, is no stranger to giving talks to people of all ages, so expect to be riveted to your pew. The sermon will be followed by a conversation with Carol Ackroyd. This event has been postponed. Fri 13 Oct, Manchester Cathedral, Victoria St, Manchester M3 1SX. Tel: 0843 208 0500, 7pm, £10/£8, www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk

14.09.2017 - 24.09.2017.

Free: Hidden Altrincham arts festival ft. animation, life drawing & ghost stories in a morgue.

Hidden Altrincham is a major 10-day long event taking over venues in the suburban centre. The arts festivals includes more than 30 exhibitions which take in painting, sculpture, new media and performance, as well as an arts trail, live experiences and one-off, hands-on events each day. Highlights include an animation day at the FabLab creative space where families can make a plasticine character and animate it as part of an effort to break the Guinness World Record for a 'community animated film' (Sat 18 Sep, 10am-4pm, free, more info), a mass life drawing session (Sat 23 Sep, click here for more), and a ghost stories event in Belgium beer bar, Mort Subite, which is not only hugely atmospheric - thanks to a basement location and lashings of red velvet - but used to be the local hospital morgue (Sun 17 Sep, 8pm, FREE, more info) Most events are free. Thu 14 Sep – Sun 24 Sep, Various locations around Altrincham, event times vary, www.hiddenaltrincham.co.uk

15.09.2017.

Free: Levy Night Market ft.vintage stalls, street food & live music..

The Levy Market team are putting an evening bash on this Friday, to welcome in the weekend. Held in the usual spot at Levenshulme train station car park, the night is called Shop, Pop & Hop. To achieve all three, there will be a selection of vintage and artisan stalls, plus beer, prosecco and cocktails from neighbouring bar The Buttery, all with the soundtrack of acapella vocal group The Lovenotes. There will be plenty of street food on offer to scoff on the night: paella and pinchos from Tapas y al a Carta, South American fare from The Hungry Llama, Two Thai, Winter Tarn Cheese, Yes Doughnuts, French pastries from ChouChoux, vegan street food from Ispice, Caribbean BBQ from Hungry Little Critters, Lush Brownies and Cakes, Mio Pizza, Malaysian food from Nasi Lemak, Kenyan grill from Nyama Choma, Middle Eastern mezze from The Otto-Men, pancakes and waffles from Lekker EatDutch, Gujarati cuisine from Samosa Shack, and traditional Syrian delicacies from Siwan’s Hot Kibbeh. Head down to join the party. Fri 15 Sep, Levenshulme Market, Levenshulme Train Station Car Park, Levenshulme, M19 3AB, 5-9pm, FREE, www.facebook.com

10.09.2017.

This Sunday: Makers Market in the Northern Quarter's Stevenson Square.

Eek out the summer this Sunday with the independent Makers Market in the Northern Quarter’s Stevenson Square. The monthly event showcases the wares of more than 90 traders and caters to all your food, drink, arts, craft and vintage needs, complete with an essential soundtrack spun by NQ mainstay, DJ Tareck. Helping to keep the good times rolling will be the best smoked salmon in the city from MCR Smoke House, cannon ball-sized bhajis from Hezzy, authentic South African treats from Weston Biltong and to really let the sunshine in (whether that big ball of light is present or not) you can top it all off with a delicious ice cream cone from Ginger’s Comfort Emporium. As usual expect a huge range of arts and crafts, including photography, jewellery, posters, re-jigged vintage clothes - and much more. Sun 10 Sep, Stevenson Square, Northern Quarter, Manchester M1 1DN. 11am – 5pm themakersmarket.co.uk

16.09.2017 - 17.09.2017.

This weekend: Mutts & Makers Market at Spinningfields ft. crafts, street food & dog pageant.

Get your paws on doggie treats and puppy pampering at the Mutts and Makers Market this weekend. The monthly Spinningfields edition of the NW's biggest independent traders market goes barking mad in September with dog-themed traders selling woofy wares, and even a canine caricaturist on hand to capture the best side of your dog. Enter the Doggy Awards or just kick back and watch mutt-themed movies on the Oast House Courtyard’s big screen. Two-legged friends will enjoy the market too, with the usual great Makers Market selection of craft and vintage stalls, tasty street food, and live entertainment in Spinningfields Square with DJ Tareck. Whether you’re shopping early for Christmas, after inspiring art for your home, or wanting a new outfit for your pup, you have two days to enjoy this bustling – and free – weekender in the heart of the city centre. Sat 16 – Sun 17 Sep, Spinningfields Square, Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH. 11am–5pm , FREE, www.themakersmarket.co.uk

12.10.2017 - 15.10.2017.

Book tickets: Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair 2017 at Upper Campfield Market.

The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair celebrates 10 years of creativity when it moves to a new site - Upper Campfield Market - this October. Over 150 of the UK’s sharpest designer-makers will centre on the city with three days of textiles, jewellery, furniture, print-making and much more. Since ‘B of the Bang’ designer Thomas Heatherwick launched the first Fair in 2008, the event has sold £2.5million in contemporary crafts. This year, visitors can enjoy more insight than ever into the fabric of the creative industry, with workshops, pop-up studios and talks by leading designers. There are also curated showcases from specially-chosen ‘Great Northern Graduates’ and the Craft Council’s Hothouse emerging talent scheme. With the Fair running from Friday to Sunday, there will be plenty of time for inspirational browsing in the Grade II listed Upper Campfield Market – however, if you fancy something more networky, then don’t miss the preview evening on Thursday 12 October from 6pm. There are huge numbers of exhibitors: here are some that caught Manchester Wire's eye. 1. The ceramics of Chris Turrell-Watts are moulded through modern eyes: his creations are influenced by Japanese anime. His playful productions, including moon-gazing birds and lions, also take their cue from children’s television. The Liverpool creative has worked with clay for over 25 years and was consultant to Turner Prize winners Assemble. 2. Nottingham artist Rosie Deegan brought a design eye to DIY with her ‘Impotent Tools’, turning saws into delicate mosaics. She’s inspired by the William Morris motto of only owning things that are useful or beautiful. Deegan was a Crafts magazine ‘Talent Spot’ and is part of the Crafts Council's 2017 Hothouse programme. 3. Lucy Gell’s humorous hand-made prints were featured in the Royal Exchange earlier this year. After exhibiting everywhere from Devon to Derbyshire, her comical menagerie now returns to the Craft Fair for 2017. Her dogs, cats and 3D birds are made with a variety of techniques, from acid plate etching to Gocco screen-printing. 4. Laser-cut lampshades add a whole new look to home design, as seen in the works from former dancer Neb Abbott. Keen shoppers will have seen Ned exhibiting at Altrincham market. He looks to nature for mathematical forms – the dramatic shapes cast by his sculptural lighting have to be seen to be believed. 5. Great Northern Graduates are degree show rising stars especially picked to appear at the Fair. One of those stars is Sarah Tommins, who spins a fascinating yarn with experimental knitwear. Her minimal designs go beyond traditional winter and summer clothing, instead looking to urban spaces, function within architecture, and council estate street style. Thu 12 – Sun 15 Oct, Upper Campfield Market Hall, Campfield Arcade, Manchester M3 4FN. Thu 6pm–9.30pm, Fri–Sun 10am–6pm, Thu £10, Fri–Sun £7.50 (£5.50 adv), weekend pass £12, www.greatnorthernevents.co.uk

02.09.2017 - 03.09.2017.

This weekend: Manchester Thai Festival.

Returning to Platt Fields Park, the annual Manchester Thai Festival is bigger than ever with plenty of traditional food on offer, live cooking demos, Thai produce, live music and a Thai beer garden. Running over two days, you can buy tickets via the links below or on the day. Sat 2-Sun 3 Sep, Platt Fields Park, Manchester, M14 6LA, 10am-7pm, £4 Saturday tickets: www.skiddle.com Sunday tickets: www.skiddle.com

02.09.2017.

Doggy Social: BBQ, dog fancy dress & live music at Oddest in Chorlton.

Oddest Bar are hosting a day of doggy fun on Saturday 2 September with free barbecued treats for man’s best friend, a special ‘dog beer’ to drink and a fashion show for dogs, Doggo Fancy Dress, with prizes for the best dressed pup. Humans are in for a treat too with a BBQ and beers on the outdoor terrace. So head down to Oddest this weekend, take in all the swanky hounds (human and canine) strolling around their kingdom. Music to the ears of the two legged and four legged includes a live set from bluesy folk artist Leonard Hammersley (and friends) followed by Saturday residents Ad Hoc DJs. Sat 2 Sep, Oddest, 414-416 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, Manchester M21 0SD. Tel: 0161 860 7515 12noon – 1.30am FREE www.facebook.com

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18.07.2017 - 31.08.2017.

Top 10: Summer holiday activities inc. kids yoga at Dunham, Manchester Cathedral & a teddy bear show.

Out of ideas... and the summer holidays haven't even started yet? Read our guide and get buzzing about summer in the city all over again. We've found a teddy bear exhibition in Ashton, an explorers' trail with magnifying glasses in Manchester Cathedral, family yoga at Dunham Massey - and a whole lot more. 1. Circus skills, music & stories at Elizabeth Gaskell House You might not think there’s much for kids at Elizabeth Gaskell’s house, but this stunningly restored neo Classical villa has a host of activities planned over the summer, including circus, music and reading workshops for young people. 84 Plymouth Grove, Manchester M13 9LW. Tel: 0161 273 2215 Wed, Thu & Sun only, prices vary, www.elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk 2. Octonauts at Sealife & a free sandpit at the Trafford Centre There’s a new Octonauts attraction at Manchester’s SeaLife centre - but, of course, the main attraction is Ernie the turtle who lives in the huge marine aquarium. He shares his home with sharks, rays and a host of smaller and weirder fish. Just next door to SeaLife is LegoLand - another rainy day treat - while outside in the courtyard there’s a giant (free) sandpit to get buried in. intu Trafford Centre, Barton Square Bridge, Stretford, Manchester M17 8AS Tel: 0871 221 2483, times and prices vary, www.visitsealife.com 3. Share food to a swinging soundtrack at Old Trafford Picnic This weekend, Centenary Gardens and the school playing fields next to Seymour Park will be given over to a mass picnic, and music from the Prohibition Swing Band. Free entry, bring your own food. Sat 22 Jul, Centenary Gardens, Northumberland Road, Manchester, noon-3pm, FREE, www.facebook.com 4. Free explorers packs & more at Manchester Cathedral History is carved into the benches and choir stalls of Manchester Cathedral, and free Explorers backpacks for kids, complete with instructions and spyglasses, offer the perfect way to find out more. The visitors centre offers plenty of facts and the cafe is a good one (Teacup's Proper Tea). The playground on the pedestrianised bridge at the bottom of the hill below the cathedral is a oasis in good weather. Manchester Cathedral, Victoria Street, Manchester M3 1SX. Tel: 0161 833 2220, times vary, free, www.manchestercathedral.org 5. Circus trail & family yoga at Dunham Massey Dunham Massey is a wonderful place to visit, with its marvellously preserved stately home, rose gardens and deer. Furthermore, this summer the team behind circus-inspired family show, The Lost Carnival, have created an adventure trail through the grounds filled wth performance, challenges, and installations. There are lots of other activities taking place too including ‘family yoga’ (Mon 24 & Wed 26 Jul, 12.30-3.30pm). Until 30 Aug, Woodhouse Lane, Altrincham WA14 4SJ. Tel: 0161 941 1025, times & prices vary, activities free, entrance fees apply, www.nationaltrust.org.uk 6. Book bench trail - all around Manchester Perhaps you’ve noticed a host of ‘book benches’ - AKA benches in the shape of books - popping up around Manchester. No? Well that’s because each one is designed with children in mind. Download the trail via the link below - and see the city in a bookish light. Various locations, free, www.literacytrust.org.uk 7. Free exercise classes for kids with Park Lives Manchester’s parks are great places to hang out over the summer holidays. They're also home to free exercise classes thanks to the Park Lives programme. Must visit parks include Whitworth Park - which is new to Park Lives this year - Platt Fields and Alexandra Park. Various locations, free, www.parklives.com 8. Dinos take over Philips Park with Jurassic Kingdom Love dinosaurs? Check out 30+ animated giants in Philips Park near the Etihad Stadium. Read our preview. Until Sun 23 Jul, Philips Park, Stuart Street, Manchester, M11 4DJ, from £9.50 (child), www.jurassickingdom.uk 9. Teddy Bear exhibition at Portland Basin Museum Not far from Manchester city centre in Ashton (near Ikea and easy to reach by tram or car), there's a special teddy bear exhibition to explore. Portland Basin Museum, Portland Place, Ashton, OL7 0QA. Tel: 0161 343 2878, times vary, FREE, www.tameside.gov.uk 10. Pay as you feel kids food & a portraiture show at Manchester Art Gallery Manchester Art Gallery has a whole space devoted to kids activities and hands-on fun, alongside a range of family-friendly exhibitions including current portraiture show, To Be Human, which includes new work by Boris Nzebo. Mary-Ellen McTague has recently taken over the food side of things in the gallery cafe - read our preview. The menu now includes 'pay as you feel' kids food and Breville toasted sandwiches. Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3JL. Tel: 0161 235 8888, www.manchesterartgallery.org

28.07.2017 - 30.08.2017.

Last chance: The Lost Carnival at Dunham Massey.

Experience all the thrill of the circus at Dunham Massey – with a distinctly theatrical touch. The Lost Carnival is a free family-friendly trail of tricks and acrobatics which traces the drama of battling carnival families The Birds and The Ingenues. After appearances in Bury and Crewe, the large-scale outdoor adventure comes to the Georgian splendour of Dunham Massey thanks to community festival programmers Wild Rumpus and So It Is. This year the event is called Behind the Scenes of the Lost Carnival and there’s a twist in the tale: the fictional families must come together and unite star-crossed adversaries Sergei Bird and Popou Ingenue. Watch them rehearse fantastical acts, and plunge into a self-led journey through mesmerising circus installations. Don’t be afraid to come dressed up, complete with top hat and plumes. The free carnival runs throughout August, but get an early taster on 28 and 29 Jul when Welcome to the Carnival introduces you to the stars of the show with a ticketed evening of performance. And catch up on the story so far with The Lost Carnival podcast. Behind The Scenes of the Lost Carnival: Mon 31 Jul – Wed 30 Aug, Dunham Massey, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 4SJ. 10.30am-4.30pm, FREE, www.thelostcarnival.org.uk Welcome to the Carnival: Fri 28 & Sat 29 Jul, Dunham Massey, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 4SJ. Tel: 0344 249 1895, 7pm-9pm, £14, www.nationaltrust.org.uk

11.08.2017 - 28.08.2017.

Gamers book now: Power Up! at the Museum of Science and Industry.

Manchester’s premier platform for gaming culture is back with the Power Up! festival at the Museum of Science and Industry. Test your thumbs to the limit with over 160 consoles, including retro big-hitters Pong, Pacman, Minecraft and Mario. Seasoned gamers can plug themselves into the matrix with £15 full-day passes, while families can opt for 90-minute drop-ins for only £5 a session. Accompanied children wanting to power-up their skills should head for gaming workshops held several times a day – choose from hacking Game Boys in the Chipmusic for Beginners workshop, or BASIC programming using classic ‘80s BBC Micro computers. Into gaming but don’t have children in tow? Night owls have the choice of adult-only evening sessions from 7pm on Fridays 18 and 25 August. Check the website for full session times and prices. Fri 11 – Mon 28 Aug, Great Western Warehouse, Museum of Science and Industry, Liverpool Road, Manchester M3 4FP. Tel: 0161 832 2244, 10am–5pm (& 7pm–10pm on 18 & 25 Aug), www.msimanchester.org.uk

19.05.2017 - 28.08.2017.

Last chance: Shirley Baker photographs at Manchester Art Gallery.

Shirley Baker’s photographs of urban dwellings in dilapidated areas, taken between 1960 and 1981, are an important and underrated catalogue of life in working-class Britain. This Summer Manchester Art Gallery celebrates Baker’s work with an exhibition of her documentary photography shot in Manchester and Salford during the years of the urban clearances, when entire communities became disjointed to make way for urban redevelopment. Her observations of this time offer a rare insight into the characters who inhabit these streets: Stray children, old couples, fathers, mothers and gangs. Featuring a series of previously unseen colour photographs, alongside her black white images, there will also be magazine spreads, contact sheets, sketches and a specially commissioned sound score composed by Derek Nisbet. Fri 19 May - Mon 28 Aug, Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3JL. Tel: 0161 235 8888, open daily, 10am - 5pm and Thursdays 10am- 9pm, FREE, www.manchesterartgallery.org

23.06.2017 - 27.08.2017.

Outdoor theatre: Heartbreak Productions' Billionaire Boy, Northanger Abbey & more at Fletcher Moss.

Fancy outdoor theatre in the sun this summer? Look out for five new shows arriving in Manchester from Heartbreak Productions. The West Midlands thespians will bring alive the works of David Walliams, Jane Austen, Shakespeare and more to Didsbury’s picturesque Fletcher Moss gardens. Bring a picnic and something to sit on. Concession, family and covered-seating premium tickets are available for all performances. Billionaire Boy David Walliams’ bestselling children’s book tells the story of Joe Spud, a rich kid in search of a friend whose family is selling up fast. Meet the actors at the helicopter pad outside Bumfresh Towers for a charming tale of love, loss and friendship. Just watch out for The Grubbs – they're bad news! Fri 23 Jun – Sun 25 Jun, Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens, Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2SW, times vary, £16, www.heartbreakproductions.co.uk The Taming Of The Shrew This outdoor adaptation of a 16th century tale, once adapted into the high school movie 10 Things I Hate About You, explores the “perfect” marriage. Shakespeare’s controversial story is more tender than you think, as Heartbreak bring The Taming Of The Shrew to life with live music, humour and audience interaction. Fri 30 Jun – Sun 2 Jul, Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens, Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2SW, times vary, £16, www.heartbreakproductions.co.uk The Secret Garden 2017 Relocated from India to the Yorkshire moors, little orphan Mary discovers a hidden garden in this story of foliage, mystery and friendship. The classic children’s tale, most famous for its 1970s BBC adaptation, is brought to vivid life by Heartbreak Productions: this is bound to add a touch of magic to your summer’s evening. Fri 18 Aug – Sun 20 Aug, Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens, Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2SW, times vary, £16, www.heartbreakproductions.co.uk Murder On The Terrace 2017 Joining Heartbreak’s adaptations this year is an original, interactive murder-mystery. Who did away with wine empire heir Charles, and why was he clutching a parrot? See if you can solve the mystery before sardonic Inspector Back, amid the twists and turns of a funny and entertaining whodunit. Wed 23 Aug – Thu 24 Aug, Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens, Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2SW, 7.30pm, £16, www.heartbreakproductions.co.uk Northanger Abbey There is pleasure in a good novel, and even more pleasure in an outdoor adaptation of a Jane Austen classic that bursts with social commentary, humour and parody. This story of faux friendships and real romance was quite the satire when published, and it’ll make for an excellent August evening’s entertainment as summer draws to a close. Fri 25 Aug – Sun 27 Aug, Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens, Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2SW, times vary, £16, www.heartbreakproductions.co.uk

19.08.2017 - 20.08.2017.

This weekend: Spinningfields Makers Market ft. gifts, DJs, street food & Youth Market.

It’s the middle of summer so it’s time to don the parasol – or umbrella – and head to the Spinningfields Makers Market. Over 100 traders bring bargains, street food and live entertainment to Spinningfields over two days this weekend. Highlights include vintage essentials from Gin and Junk, a lo-fi cigar box guitar from Dirt Pie Guitar, and home some artwork such as Ben Sedman’s photography. There are platefuls of food to tempt you too, from Oh My Glaze to Perfect Samosa to black pudding slices from Cumbrian Pie. This weekend has a special guest: watch young entrepreneurs in action from Manchester Youth Market, with stalls including Old Youth Manchester, Zog Desserts and the vegan street food of Peacock & Juno. Adding beats to your browsing will be DJ Pasta Paul and DJ Tom Malom – and don’t forget: this runs over two days, so you’ve plenty of time to explore. Sat 19 & Sun 20 Aug, Spinningfields Square, Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH. 11am-5pm, FREE, www.themakersmarket.co.uk

19.10.2017 - 05.11.2017.

Book tickets: Big Imaginations - children's theatre festival at Z-Arts & more.

The Big Imaginations Festival is a theatre showcase for children and their families. It takes place from late October to early November at 15 venues across the North West, the nearest being Z-arts in Hulme. There are nine performances, aimed at kids 12 and under, including plays, light shows, music, and puppetry. Everything kicks off with the regional premiere of Child of the Divide, a drama that marks the 70th anniversary of the partition of India. It is 1947, and millions of people are on the move to the newly-formed Pakistan. Amid the disorder, Pali lets go of his father’s hand, and his life changes forever. Other standouts include Fairy Tales Gone Bad, from performance poet Joseph Coelho. He will unravel familiar tales to find the true stories behind the happy-ever-afters, which may not be quite as charming as you remember. Thu 19 Oct – Sun 5 Nov, Z-arts, Big Imaginations, 335 Stretford Road, Hulme, Manchester, M15 5ZA, Tel: 0161 226 1912, Show times and prices vary, www.z-arts.org

06.08.2017.

This Sunday: Memorials for Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

This week marks a very sombre anniversary: it is 72 years since the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. There are a number of events taking place in the area this Sunday to commemorate the bombing. On Sunday morning, Manchester Museum and the city council will be holding a joint event in the Museum's Living Worlds Gallery. Lead by senior councillors, it will include readings, poetry and a minute's silence for all victims of war and terrorism. There will also be a family activity workshop where children can make paper cranes and Manchester bees. Taking place on Sunday afternoon is a memorial picnic in Heaton Park. Attendees should meet by the Peace Tree in the garden centre for readings, poetry and music. Both events are supported by the local chapter of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Sun 6 Aug, Living Worlds Gallery, Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, 10.30am – 11.30am, FREE, gmdcnd.com Sun 6 Aug, Heaton Park, Bury Old Road, Manchester, M25 2SW, 2pm – 4.30pm, FREE, gmdcnd.com

31.07.2017 - 04.08.2017.

Free things to do this week ft. Book Art, Acid Haystacks + more.

Book Art Workshop at Stretford Library Creating works of art from old books has grown in popularity over the last few years, and if you’ve got a little literature lover in your life, this might just be the afternoon activity for them. This child-oriented workshop at Stretford Library, led by Warrington-based artist Kate Bufton, will take kids through the folding, cutting and contorting required to turn your charity shop fodder into spiralling, blossoming works of deep complexity: And all themed around novelist Jane Austen. Booking ahead for this is essential to guarantee a spot Tue 1 Aug, Stretford Library, Kingsway, Stretford, M32 8AP. Tel: 0161 912 5150, 2pm - 3pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk Super Inframan Screening at Hold Fast (pictured) This Tuesday, you can catch a rare public screening of the obscure Asian cinema classic Super Inframan - also known as Inframan, The Super Inframan and Chinese Superman. Presented by the bad film enthusiasts at Certificate X, this film is Hong Kong’s interpretation of the Japanese Tokusatsu science-fiction genre, and the result is a disorienting mess of colour, pyrotechnics and jarring sound. It’s also a wild, wonderful picture that shares some DNA with Superman, Power Rangers and Godzilla, whilst also presenting a unique vision. If you like martial arts, rubber suits and robots stamping on cardboard buildings, you’ll love Super Inframan. Tue 1 Aug, Hold Fast, 50 Newton Street, Manchester, M1 2EA. 7.30pm - 9.30pm, www.facebook.com Acid Haystacks First Anniversary Party at The Railway Local weird folk favourite Acid Haystacks has been running free shows at The Railway in West Didsbury for a whole year now, and to celebrate he’s putting on a special show. Haystacks is joined by ukelele-wielding Montreal musician Karen Chung and Manchester-based psychedelic singer-songwriter Jess Megson, who’s fresh off the back of an overseas tour. With touring commitments, you might not get an opportunity to see a line-up like this for a while, so get yourself down to the Railway this Thursday. Thu 3 Aug, 3 Lapwing Lane, Manchester, M20 2NT. 7.30pm, www.facebook.com Marcus Reed Exhibition at Electrik A new exhibition named ‘Saturday Kids’ starts this Thursday at Chorlton’s Electrik, showcasing the work of illustrator Marcus Reed. The exhibition looks at alternative culture from the early 80s through to present day, all told through clean geometry and stylised portraits. See our full preview for more information on the launch event. Thu 3 Aug – Thu 17 Aug, Electrik, 559 Wilbraham Road, Manchester M21 0AE. Tel: 0161 881 3315, www.facebook.com

28.07.2017 - 30.07.2017.

Free things to do this weekend ft. Biological Hermeutics, Clownfest + more.

Biological Hermeutics at Chetham’s Library This Friday evening you can catch this unique discussion and exhibition of an old text, presented by artist Sarah Craske, along with Professor Charlotte Sleigh and Dr. Simon Park. The text in question is Metamorphoses, an epic poem by the Roman poet Ovid, and this particular copy is over 300 year’s old, but Craske, Sleigh and Park won’t be looking at words, instead focussing on something else found between the pages. Biological Hermeutics looks at the microbial life that can be found on the paper and in the bindings of old books, blending artistic and scientific disciplines to provide new perspectives on bibliography. Fri 28 Jul, Chetham’s Library, Long Millgate, Manchester, M3 1SB. 6pm - 8pm, www.eventbrite.com Gold Teeth Residency at Odd Bar Deaf Institute hip-hop stalwarts Gold Teeth continue their weekly DJ residency at the Northern Quarter’s Odd Bar. Expect a Friday night filled with old-school rap, R’n’B, grime and garage. See our full preview for more information. Fri 28 Jul, Odd Bar, 30-32 Thomas Street, Manchester, M4 1ER. Tel: 0161 833 0070, 8pm - late, www.oddbar.co.uk Clownfest at Exchange Square This very niche festival runs through Friday and Saturday at Exchange Square: If you think clowning is just about greasepaint-smeared children’s entertainers, then think again - as Clownfest aims to expand your horizons in comedy and physical performance, with performances from family-friendly and adults-only acts alike, including the world-renowned Red Bastard (pictured). The festival includes some outdoor shows at the square, whilst the others are hosted in the Omnitorium - a purpose-erected 100 seater big top. Although many of the shows are ticketed and will set you back a very reasonable £5 - £8, all the family shows are Pay What You Want, allowing for some very cheap laughs this weekend. Fri 28 Jul - Sat 29 Jul, Exchange Square, Manchester, M3 1BD. 10.30am - 10pm, www.clownfestmcr.com Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair at PLANT NOMA You can get your craft on all through this weekend, with this fun, free festival in the NOMA district. In a pop-up studio at Sadler’s Yard you can catch three days of stalls from independent makers and craft suppliers, as well as workshops helping you through your own craft projects. Pottery, screen printing, jewellery-making and glass engraving are just some of the sessions you can take part in. Be warned though, advanced booking is required if you want to take part in any of the sessions. Fri 28 Jul - Sun 30 Jul, PLANT NOMA, Redfern, Sadler's Yard, Manchester, M60 0AB. 10am - 6pm, www.eventbrite.com

21.07.2017 - 30.07.2017.

Top 5: Refract:17 at Waterside Arts ft Jan Ravens, Ren Harvieu & a Family Rave.

Delight yourself with a wonderland of events when Refract:17 shows a new side of Waterside Arts in Sale. Stages for the creative nine-day festival include a giant bird’s nest, a trampoline and a static caravan. We took a closer look at the all-age programme to bring you these highlights. 1. Jan Ravens: Edinburgh Preview Get dozens of celebrities for the price of one when impressionist Jan Ravens previews her Edinburgh Fringe show (Fri 21 Jul, 8pm, £10). Ravens is the star of Dead Ringers on the BBC, and appeared on Skins, Midsomer Murders and, at the Royal Exchange, boarding school drama The Children's Hour. Support comes from rising comedy circuit star Eshaan Akbar. 2. Flit, Flap & Fly Let your little ones squawk along to Flit, Flap & Fly (Sat 22 Jul, 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm, FREE), a live music adventure taking place inside a bird’s nest. Learn birdsongs and experience a young bird’s unsteady journey to adulthood. This all-singing show is aimed at under-7s: parents, who won’t need a ticket, are politely asked to perch outside the nest while their children enjoy the feathery fun. 3. Ren Harvieu Salford singer Ren Harvieu (Sat 22 Jul, 8pm, £14-£16) once fought a broken back to become a BBC Sound of Music shortlistee. She has appeared on Later with Jools Holland and has taken on James Bond themes with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Come and see why she has been compared to Dusty Springfield and Ella Fitzgerald. 4. Max Calaf Seve presents Anyday Jump on tickets for this unique family show by Spanish circus star Max Calaf Seve (Wed 26 Jul, 7pm, £11-£13). Anyday is an all-bouncing story set on a trampoline about a man’s relationship with his pet bird. Expect plenty of prop play with books, chairs and suitcases. This evocative one-hour show is set to an original score by BBC documentary soundtracker Matt Huxley. 5. Family Rave Swap the glow sticks for dummies at the ultimate baby party – a Family Rave (Thu 27 Jul, 10.30am, £2.50). This two-hour session will include toddler dance-offs and loads of disco fun. All members of the family will need a ticket for this event, although if you are under 12 months old, the bouncers will let you in free. Sorted. Fri 21 – Sun 30 Jul, Waterside Arts Centre, 1 Waterside Plaza, Sale M33 7ZF. Tel: 0161 912 5616, check website for prices and times, www.watersideartscentre.co.uk

22.07.2017.

Free family fun: Hulme Is Where The Art Is at Hulme Garden Centre & Park.

Enjoy a free afternoon of family fun this Saturday with Hulme Is Where The Art Is. Big hands and little hands alike will enjoy the live music, art stalls and workshops at Hulme Community Garden Centre from noon. For added excitement, don your costumes and follow the Dragonfly Parade from 5pm as it winds from Birley Street to Hulme Park. In the park, there’ll be a child-friendly early evening gig featuring Z-Arts youth music collective Allsorts and soul singer Lily-Jo – she’s previously sung alongside Damon Albarn, Neneh Cherry and De La Soul. There’s no need to book for this event – just pop along from noon. Sat 22 Jul, Hulme Community Garden Centre & Venture Arts, Old Birley Street & Hulme Park, Stretford Road, Manchester. Tel: 0161 232 6089, 12pm – 7pm, FREE, www.z-arts.org

22.07.2017.

Amani Festival: free family day of African music & culture at Sacred Trinity.

Amani is an arts and heritage organisation that promotes African culture and hosts regular showcases at Band on the Wall, and this is the collective's first festival. The all-day event takes over Sacred Trinity Church in Salford (that's the big one off the main road in Blackfriars) in July. Local bands will be performing music from and inspired by Cameroon, Sierra Leone, and South Africa and other African countries. Musicians will also be hosting workshops, covering the likes of traditional drumming and group singing. In addition there will be face painting and storytelling, stalls with food and authentic African produce. Sat 22 Jul, Sacred Trinity Church, Chapel Street, Salford, M3 5DW, Tel: 07868 591070, noon-7pm, FREE, www.amanicreatives.wordpress.com

24.06.2017.

Book now: Manchester Children’s Book Festival at MMU Campus.

Returning for its sixth year is that celebration of all things literary for little ‘uns, the Manchester Children’s Book Festival. Taking place in MMU’s All Saints campus late in June, the event is a full day of readings, performances, and music. There will be special appearances throughout the day from kids' favourite characters, including the ubiquitous Peppa Pig. The award-winning children’s author and creator of the CBeebies series ‘Q-Pootle 5’, Nick Butterworth, will be presenting an interactive show about the magic of storytelling. Also appearing will be the festival’s patron, Coronation Street actress Jennie McAlpine; and the bestselling writer Cathy Cassidy. In addition, there will be arts, crafts, and workshops, alongside a marketplace of stalls to browse. To keep your little mites sustained, the Festival has joined forces with street food events company GRUB, to host a family food fair. General entry is free, but some events and workshops require booking and have a fee. Several shows are already close to selling out, so act fast. Sat 24 Jun, Manchester Metropolitan University’s All Saints Campus, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6LL, Tel: 0161 247 2424, 10am – 4pm, mostly FREE (some shows charge), www.mcbf.org.uk

30.05.2017 - 11.06.2017.

Food & drink news ft. Vegan Beer & Food Fest, Buca di Pizza, Randall & Aubin & more.

This week's food news includes GRUB food fair, a South African wine special at Proof, a vegan beer and food festival and more. In other news: Randall and Aubin seafood bar is now open on Bridge Street (click here for more), and there's a new place called Buca Di Pizza now open on Lloyd Street - click here for more. Grub Food Fair at Mayfield Depot Not only is GRUB Food Fair opening in Mayfield Depot on Fri 9 June, taking care of Manchester’s street food and brewtap needs every Friday and Saturday, they’ve got a trick up their sleeve for Sundays to round off the weekend. From Sun 11 June, they will be holding Plant Powered Sunday, a weekly vegan event serving food, drink and running green-inspired activities in collaboration with local gardening groups. It’d be best just to block off that whole weekend to cover all bases. Opens Fri 9 Jun then every Sunday from 11 Jun, Mayfield Depot, Fairfield Street, Manchester, M1 2QF @GRUBMCR Wine club: South African special at Proof Chorlton bar Proof is running a wine tasting evening, with South African wines specially selected and matched alongside a four-course meal from the restaurant’s chefs. Pierre Nortje of Simonsig Wines is co-hosting the session, and is on hand to discuss the wines. This is a rare tasting, so booking is essential via the link below. Tue 31 May, Proof Chorlton, 30 Manchester Road, Chorlton, M21 9PH, Tel: 0161 862 9333, 7.45-10.45pm, £25, via: www.facebook.com Vegan Beer and Food Fest at Chorlton Brewing Company Chorlton Brewing Company is opening its doors to host a 100% vegan fair, with food and drink delicacies from the brewtap. Alongside the usual range of tasty vegan beers, they will be pouring two taps of beer, as well as concocting sour beer smoothies with your choice of fruit. Peacock & Juno will be serving sausage rolls and mock duck noodles, plus A Kind Mama vegan bakery and The Vegan Food Pod are on hand to provide sweet treats. It’s free to get in but remember to bring cash for the stalls. Sat 3 Jun, Chorlton Brewing Company, 69 North Western Street, Manchester, M12 6DX, noon-8pm, FREE, www.facebook.com Book now: Negroni journey around Manchester In celebration of the summer-packed Italian drink, the Negroni fun bus is arriving to transport you around the city. Guests will be given five Classic Negronis or Negroni twists during the session, and a chauffeur driven gin bus will drive you from bar to bar to sample them, under the tutelage of a certified Negroni expert. Wed 7 Jun, various locations (details given after booking), 6.30-11pm, £50, www.eventbrite.co.uk Book now: Hops Not Hate fundraiser at Beer Nouveau (pictured) It’s been a tough week in Manchester. Beer Nouveau is keen to hold a gathering to unite us in our city by drinking beer, raising money for the families fund, and focussing on hops not hate. Lots of breweries have donated beer to serve alongside Beer Nouveau’s, and every penny raised will be given to the fund. Fri 9 Jun, Beer Nouveau Brewery Tap, 75 North Western Street, Manchester, M12 6DY, 4-10.30pm, FREE register your place here: www.facebook.com

01.06.2017.

New tickets: We Stand Together ft Halle, BBC Phil & Camerata.

More tickets are now available for We Stand Together, the orchestral fundraiser to support the families and friends of the Manchester attack. The Hallé, the BBC Philharmonic and the Manchester Camerata will join forces for an evening of uplifting classical music at the Bridgewater Hall, conducted by Stephen Bell and Hallé director Sir Mark Elder. Stars of the show will be renowned Mezzo-soprano Alice Coote, jazz singer and Van Morrison-collaborator Clare Teal, and the Mercury Prize-winning frontman of Elbow, Guy Garvey. Host on the night will be BBC Radio 3’s Breakfast presenter Petroc Trelawny. Tickets are free and limited to four per household. If you’re quick, you’ll still be able to grab a seat near the front. Meanwhile, if you just want to donate, visit the #WeStandTogether JustGiving page. Thu 1 Jun, The Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley St, Manchester M2 3WS. Tel: 0161 907 9000, 8pm, FREE, www.halle.co.uk/westandtogether

17.05.2017 - 19.05.2017.

Book now: Jack Rooke's Good Grief at HOME.

Writer and comedian Jack Rooke brings his critically acclaimed show Good Grief to HOME in May. Looking at how we treat the bereaved and the state of welfare for grieving families, Rooke’s style blends comedy, storytelling and film to navigate the audience through these complex ideas. It has received wide praise and was nominated for Best Show by an Emerging Artist in the Total Theatre Awards in 2015. Good Grief was subsequently commissioned by BBC Comedy for a Radio 4 adaptation, and it was recently announced that Jack will soon have his own three-part documentary series on BBC3 entitled 'How to Be Male and Happy', as part of the channel's season of mental health programming. Wed 17 May - Fri 19 May, HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester, M15 4FN. Tel: 0161 200 1500, times vary, £12.50, www.homemcr.org

01.04.2017.

Free family fun: Haphazard at Z-Arts ft. blanket castles & kids karaoke.

Judging by the previews we've published recently, nobody will be short of things to do on April Fool's Day. Here’s another event that day. Haphazard is squarely aimed at families, and will surely help to get the Easter Holidays off to a good start. After a successful outing last year, Haphazard returns with a packed schedule of activities for kids of all ages. The venue is Z-arts in Hulme, Manchester’s only dedicated venue for children’s theatre. A host of local artists and performers are taking part in the event, presenting all sorts of fun things, such as sing-alongs, dancing, blanket forts, and even a karaoke funeral. Please see the website below for the full programme. No booking is required: visitors can turn up any time, and come and go as they please. Sat 1 Apr, Z-arts, 335 Stretford Road, Manchester, M15 5ZA, Tel: 0161 232 6089, noon – 4pm, FREE, www.wordofwarning.org

23.05.2018 - 28.05.2018.

Book tickets: The Lowry’s Week 53 festival ft. Nigel Slater’s Toast on stage.

Want to get ahead of the theatre crowd? You can now grab early tickets for The Lowry’s cross-arts festival Week 53. Enjoy the best cutting-edge stage shows as The Salford theatre hosts over 70 performances in May 2018. The programme includes special commissions – including an appearance by a foodie writer Nigel Slater. The Observer scribe will tell the story of a lifetime’s hunger when he brings his bestselling biography ‘Toast’ to the stage (Wed 23 – Mon 28 May, 7.30pm, £20, www.thelowry.com). From the playground politics of sweets to conflict over cake-making, his Week 53 show will tease the taste buds while telling all about a career that includes a nod for BBC Food Personality of the Year. Sticking with the book theme, Graham Greene’s underworld thriller ‘Brighton Rock’ will come to Week 53 as an adaptation by Tony Award-winning dramatist Bryony Lavery (Wed 23 – Sat 26 May, 7.30pm daily and 2.30pm Wed & Sat, £20, www.thelowry.com). The classic tale of teen gang war will be soundtracked by Hannah Peel, composer of space-age brass band piece Mary Casio. Or perhaps check out the Shonen dance group whose choreography is influenced by japanese butô. School of Moon is set on a luminous stage on which children dance with small robots and a grown-up couple caught in zero-gravity slow-motion (Sun 20 May, 2pm & 6pm, £20, www.thelowry.com). Plenty more performances are yet to be announced for Week 53 - tickets for these shows are on sale now. wed 23 - Mon 28 May 2018, The Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ. Tel: 0843 208 6010, www.thelowry.com

19.12.2016 - 31.12.2016.

Theatre: The Man Who Planted Trees at Manchester Royal Exchange.

The Man Who Planted Trees is the stage adaptation of writer Jean Giono’s environmental cult classic short story, first published in 1953. The show comes to The Studio at Royal Exchange Theatre next week and tells the story of a French Shepherd and his dog who venture out to plant a forest to help transform a deserted wasteland. But as war increases throughout Europe their vulnerable new forest comes under threat. The award winning Puppet State Theatre Company have reinvented the story, injecting new life into the tale making it a multi sensory treat suitable for both adults and children. It mixes comedy, drama, and charming puppetry into an original storytelling experience that shows the commitment and perseverance of one man and his dog’s quest to help the earths atmosphere; really proving that man’s best friend is his dog. The show has continuously sold out the Edinburgh Fringe Festival over the years thanks to its popularity among families and its inspiring universal message. Mon 19 Dec- Sat 31 Dec, Royal Exchange Theatre, St. Ann’s Square, Manchester M2 7DH, Tel: 0161 833 9833, times vary, from £12, www.royalexchange.co.uk

04.11.2016 - 08.01.2017.

Ongoing: Ice Rink in Manchester's Cathedral Gardens.

The Christmas Markets are bigger than ever this year and, in addition to all the usual stalls, there is an ice rink in Cathedral Gardens. The rink opens on Friday 4 November - the same day as the city’s big Christmas Lights switch-on. The Gardens can be somewhat overlooked at Market time, but they have a lot to offer, especially for families. With more open space than other sites, the festivities are designed with kids in mind. Along with the ice rink, there is a traditional funfair with a Ferris wheel, carousel, Helter Skelter and tea cup ride. Food and drink on offer includes all your favourites: waffles, bratwurst and mulled wine for the grown-ups - however drinking and skating is not recommended. Booking is essential: visit the website below to select your 45-minute slot. Fri 4 Nov - Sun 8 Jan, Cathedral Gardens, Corporation Street, Manchester, M4 3BG. Tel: 0161 234 1010, 11am - 9pm, £9.50, www.ticketsource.co.uk

03.12.2016 - 04.12.2016.

Scandi-themed Frost Fair at The Whitworth ft. Cloudwater beers, fireworks & family fun.

The Whitworth is taking on a Scandinavian feel for The Frost Fair. New this year, the two day winter fiesta takes place on the first weekend in December and inspired by the Danish concept of hygge. The word loses something in translation, but essentially means a feeling of warmth, cosiness and wellbeing. What's not to like? In this spirit, the event aims to bring families and friends together to enjoy free activities and entertainment in the galleries and creative spaces as well as some great food and drink. Outside the building, there will be an ice rink, screenings of short films in the Art Garden and live music. There will also be market stalls with international street food and craft ales courtesy of Cloudwater Brewery. The outdoor arts company Walk the Plank will present a performance on the Sculpture Terrace, which will feature theatre, puppetry, and light displays. The big finale, on the Sunday evening is a fireworks display. Sat 3 – Sun 4 Dec, The Whitworth, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6ER, Tel: 0161 275 7450, 10am - 5pm, FREE, www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk

14.09.2016 - 23.11.2016.

Free talks: Invisible Histories at Salford's Working Class Movement Library.

The Working Class Movement Library in Salford presents Invisible Histories, a series of free talks which look at some lesser-known areas of local history. The first event, which takes place later this month, is entitled ‘Pit Props’ and it focusses on the miners’ strike of 1984-85. The host, author Granville Williams, will be discussing the creative links between music, politics, and protest which formed during the strike. Also discussed will be the international support which helped sustain the miners and their families during their year of struggle. Following this, there will be four more talks, taking place at fortnightly intervals. These cover a wide range of subjects, such as the Chartists, trade unionism in the inter-war period, and Engels’ relationship with the Irish in Manchester. The Library can be found opposite Salford University, just a short walk from Salford Crescent station. First talk: Wed 14 Sep - Wed 23 Nov, Working Class Movement Library, Jubilee House, 51 Crescent, Salford, M5 4WX, Tel: 0161 736 3601, 2pm, FREE, www.wcml.org.uk

21.10.2016 - 31.10.2016.

Top 6: Half term family events ft. Oxygen Freejumping, Wild Rumpus & Digital Kids.

1. Wild Rumpus' Dr Dee's Secret Curiosity Shop Manchester visitors are challenged to find Dr Dee’s Secret Curiosity Shop, an intriguing establishment run by the famous magician and scientist who was also warden of Chetham's Library in the 16th century. Crack the code and uncover a world of delights from the Wild Rumpus team who run the Just So festival (pictured). Sat 29 Oct, various locations, duration of treasure hunt - around 2hrs, last entry to Dr Dee's shop is 4pm, more details here: www.secretcuriosityshop.co.uk 2. Chester Zoo - new attractions We love Chester Zoo at any time of year but Autumn is really special - and they've got new attractions for half term too, including five new baby otters and another Wild Rumpus immersive experience called The Enchantment of Chester Zoo. Open daily, Chester Zoo, Moston Road, Upton, Chester CH2 1EU, Enchantment event Sat 22 Oct - Mon 31 Oct, times and prices vary, www.chesterzoo.org 3. Digital Kids Show at EventCity Immerse the family in the best of computerised fun at this giant event complete with talks by YouTubers, coding workshops, Minecraft mayhem, VR and much more. Sat 29 & Sun 30 Oct, Phoenix Way, Manchester M41 7TB, times and prices vary, www.digitalkidsshow.co.uk 4. Meet the Fire Brigade, Monsters, Trolls & more at The Printworks Look out for a Monsters vs Trolls flash mob (Mon 24 Oct, with Z-Arts - book here) and a Young Firefighter Experience with the Greater Manchester Fire Service (Thu 27 Oct, from 11.30am, drop in). Mon 24 - Fri 28 Oct, The Printworks, 27 Withy Grove, Manchester M4 2BS, www.theprintworks.com 5. £4 Trampolining offer at Oxygen FreeJumping Trampoline parks are the ultimate way to burn off energy. They can be pricey though, so this £4 half term deal at one of Manchester's newest trampoline parks, Oxygen Freejumping, is a good one. Simply input the code 'AUTUMN' when you check out on the booking page. Fri 21 - Sun 30 Oct, Oxygen Freejumping, Trafford Way, Stretford, Manchester M17 8DD, www.oxygenfreejumping.co.uk 6. Manchester Science Festival is ongoing too. Read our guide to the best free stuff to enjoy here.

19.08.2016 - 21.08.2016.

Book now: Just So family festival at Rode Hall in Cheshire.

Here at Manchester Wire we are quite partial to a festival - particularly when it's run by world-leading theatre and circus company, Wild Rumpus. The team behind A Day at the Lake and The Lost Carnival also host the annual, three day celebration the Just So Festival in the beautiful surrounds of Rode Hall in Cheshire. If you've been to one of their events before you'll know what to expect: incredible costumes, pyrotechnicians and dancers, thrilling, imaginary creatures (think mermaids, packed into a horse trailer and talking hangmen) as well as interactive stage shows, workshops, music and, of course, plenty of great food and drink. Camping is available on site in a stunning setting. This privately-owned estate which is usually only open on Wednesdays and Bank Holiday Mondays. Highlights of this year's Festival include the Just So Bake Off (bring your own creations along and win big), a midnight feast and what looks set to be the world's biggest pillow fight. Fri 19-Sun 21 Aug, Rode Hall, Cheshire, from £50 per day (adult) & £20 per child U3s free, www.justsofestival.org.uk

24.06.2016.

Now open: Our Kid children's cafe & shop in Chorlton.

A new kid-friendly cafe and clothing store has opened on the former Sweet Tooth Cupcakery site on Oswald Road in the heart of Chorlton. Our Kid is a cross between a soft play centre, fashion store and tea-shop. Expect coffee, tea, cakes, lunches and, of course, plenty of crafts and shopping opportunities. This venture follows similar projects like The Hungry Caterpillar in Bristol and is the brainchild of three local mums. Expect a review to follow. Our Kid, 9a Oswald Road, Chorlton M21 9LP, www.our-kid.co.uk

19.05.2016.

Charity fundraiser gig: Action for Children at Revolucion de Cuba.

It was the 1970s when T-Rex sang about the 'Children of the Revolution', but the cause behind Action for Children's Revolucion de Cuba gig is just as relevant today. Action for Children's annual Byte Night sees The Guitar Superheroes topping a bill and bands co-compiled with BIMM. With 80,000 children finding themselves homeless each year in the UK, you can rest assured your entry fee is going to support those in need, and you get to sample a night of live music into the deal. Thu 19 May, Revolucion de Cuba, 11 Peter Street, Manchester, M2 5QR, 7pm, £10, www.eventbrite.co.uk

30.04.2016 - 02.05.2016.

This weekend: A Day at the Lake family festival at Rudyard Lake.

Rudyard Lake in Staffordshire is set to turn back the clocks and return to the place of recreation and pleasure which it was in the late 1800s. Organised by one of our favourite family festival makers, Wild Rumpus, pleasure seekers can expect the very best in outdoor arts and performance. Akin to last year's The Lost Carnival which was organised by the same team, A Day at the Like is a circus-meets-immersive-theatre show. Simply turn up and stroll around taking in spectacles, fine food and craft beer, donkey, train and boat rides and much more in the forest and open spaces that surround this two and a half-mile-long lake. Highlights of the programme include tightrope walking and a floating stage featuring music from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Ensemble as well as 'dry land' synchronised swimming by Yorkshire Life Aquatic, pictured. Look out for walking performers, storytellers and marching bands. There will be a Victorian Bather’s Juggling Show and if you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the famous Rudyard Lake mermaids, accompanied by sea-shanty-singing sailors. Rudyard Lake was previously known as the Blackpool of the Potteries and became one of the most popular day-trip destinations in the region after the North Staffordshire Railway opened in 1849. We are lucky enough to have a family ticket (up to 2 adults and 3 children) to give away to A Day at the Lake on Saturday 30 April. To be in with a chance of winning, simply sign up to our mailing list in the top right hand corner of our homepage (don't worry, we don't share emails with anyone else) and email competitions [at] ManchesterWire [dot] co [dot] uk with your name, age and Twitter handle. Please write 'A Day at the Lake' competition in the email subject line. Competition closes at midnight on Monday 25 April 2016. This competition is now closed. Sat 30 Apr - Mon 2 May, Rudyard Lake, Staffordshire ST13 8XB, 11am-9pm, £14 (adv adult), £7 child. Under 3s free, additional charges for rides and boat trips, www.dayatthelake.org.uk

20.02.2016.

Family Event: Haphazard at Z-Arts.

Z-arts in Hulme is a creative hub for children and young people which features a theatre and gallery. Later this month, the venue is hosting Haphazard, an afternoon of art and performance. With its interactive and immersive activities, this free event is aimed at helping children become ‘part of the art’. Visitors can play a round on a specially-created golf course made of canvases, using golf balls dipped in coloured paint. Every roll of the ball will become a brush stroke in a collaborative artwork. Performance artist Katy Baird will be presenting a show in which she aims to sell every piece of clothing she owns. The twist is that no money will be accepted, only ideas. ‘RATS!’ by Katy Dye is a show that explores whether those most hated of rodents deserve their awful reputation. Please see the website below for full tickets, and details of the many other performances and installations at the event. Sat 20 Feb, Z-arts, 335 Stretford Road, Hulme, Manchester M15 5ZA. Tel: 0161 232 6089, 12pm – 4pm, FREE, www.z-arts.org

26.06.2015 - 05.07.2015.

Manchester Children’s Book Festival ft family fun day, MMU, Ordsall Hall, Portico + more.

This Friday marks the beginning of the Manchester Children’s Book Festival, a nine-day celebration taking place at several venues throughout the city. The first big event, taking place on Saturday, is a free family fun day at MMU’s All Saints Campus. Aimed at all kids, from pre-schoolers to teenagers, the day will feature story-telling, arts, crafts, and workshops. The following day, Ordsall Hall is hosting a Family Book Day, and befitting this Tudor building, it will have a time travel theme. At the Portico Library, Carol Ann Duffy will be introducing Liz Kessler, the author of the young adult story ‘Read Me like a Book’. Liz will be discussing how writers can tackle lesbian and gay issues in fiction. Later in the week, Alex Scarrow will be appearing at Central Library to read excerpts from his popular ‘Time Riders’ series. For other events, times and prices, see the link below. Fri 26 Jun – Sun 5 Jul, Various venues throughout Manchester, Times and prices vary, www.mcbf.org.uk

26.06.2015 - 28.06.2015.

Free things to do this weekend ft. Children's Book Festival, Blackjack Brewtap + MOSI.

Before you spend your entire weekend sulking about not being at Glastonbury (sod 'em, it'll just be raining anyway), check out these free things to do in Manchester this weekend. Family-friendly activities and a piss-up in a brewery sound much better than muddy fields and Kanye, right? Manchester Children's Book Festival (pictured) The Manchester Children's Book Festival returns for 2015, with events taking place at Man Met University and other spots across the city. The core family fun day on Saturday is suited for everyone from pre-readers and nursery age-children to teens and older, featuring arts, crafts, workshops, a bustling market-place of stalls and exhibitions, a travelling storytelling tent, a time travel-themed fancy dress parade and, er, a minature pony. For the full line-up of events, click here. Fri 26 June – Sun 5th July, Various venues and times, Most events FREE, www.mcbf.org Blackjack Brewtap Fresh from the launch of their new Northern Quarter boozer, The Smithfield, Blackjack Brewery opens its doors once again for a right old knees up. No firm details as yet, but judging by their previous events, you can expect a bevy of street food, music and - obviously - a shed ton of beer. Fri 26 - Sun 28 June, Blackjack Beers, 36 Gould Street, M4 4RN, Fri: 6 - 11pm, Sat: 12 - 11pm, Sun: 12 - 6pm, FREE, www.facebook.com The Experimental Weekender at MOSI A weekend packed with 'fantastic forces, superhuman strength, awesome acrobats, magic materials and groovy graphene', The Experimental Weekender explores concepts of strength and flexibility, whilst also stripping back the mystery behind of the world's newest wonder materials, graphene. With an agility arena, a pop-up photo booth, circus performers, a forces funfair (this one's not free, sorry), electric pencils and more, things kick off with the Friday Night Experiment - bringing graphene to the masses with acrobats, science selfies and molecular music. Fri 26 - Sun 28 Jun, Museum of Science and Industry, Liverpool Rd, M3 4FP, FREE (charges apply for the funfair), www.mosi.org.uk Know of any good freebies coming up? Email jess at manchesterwire dot co dot uk with the deets.