Launch parties, sample sales and Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Body Confidential with your March diary
In the month that marks International Women’s Day, there's a host of activities on offer celebrating Manchester women, alongside fashion, beauty and lifestyle events thrown in for good measure.
From marches to masterclasses, these are the events you need on your radar this month.
That's What She Said MCR: The best writing by women | Tribeca, 1 March
Calling all spoken word enthusiasts: the biggest spoken word night for women in London is now making its mark on the Manchester scene. This month’s event promises captivating performances from Emily Morris, author of My Shitty Twenties, Hafsah Bashir, a poet who uses creative expression to help vulnerable groups in the community and short story writer Kate Feld.
Tickets £5 – get them here
Missguided Sample Sale | Missguided HQ, Trafford Wharf Road, 3 and 4 March
This is not a drill. Fast fashion megastars Missguided are back this month with another sample sale. Prices will be dropping, millennials will be screaming and the more reserved shoppers amongst us will be wondering what the heck is going on. Expect trend-lead threads for under £10 and brace yourselves for the mother of all queues – the event runs 9.00am-3pm, but getting there early is advised. With clothing going for as little as £4, be prepared for a frenzied fashion experience. Elbows at the ready, people…
Tickets free – get there early to bag the best stuff
Location: Missguided HQ, Trafford Wharf Road, Manchester, M17 1ES. Signposts from the main entrance will direct you to the sale.
Walk For Women | St Peter’s Square, 3 March
To kick off the International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrations, Manchester City Council is inviting residents to take part in a ‘walk for women’; a parade to celebrate past and present Manchester women. Meet at St Peter’s square at 1:30 pm, before the walk starts at 2pm – fancy dress, singing and dancing is actively encouraged. Groups will make their way across the city centre to Castlefield Bowl, where speeches and performances from strong Manchester women will complete the activities. Confirmed appearances include singer Claire Mooney, poet Shirley May and Councillor Sarah Judge, the lead member for Women for Manchester City Council.
Free – register here
Women in Media conference 2018 | People’s History Museum, 3 March
Initially founded by Manchester University students, the Women in Media conference has grown over three short years into becoming a collaborative, innovative project to celebrate women’s voices in the media. After last year’s horrifying revelations of prevalent sexual assault in the media industry, there’s no time like the present to strengthen female roles within the media – something that the conference strives to do. Confirmed speakers this year include Christina Lamb, Chief Foreign Correspondent at the Sunday Times, Alex Crawford, Special Correspondent at Sky and Nafeesa Shan, BBC journalist.
Tickets from £11 – get them here
Charlotte Tilbury masterclass | Selfridges Exchange Square, 8 and 9 March
Unlock the secrets of masterful makeup at Charlotte Tilbury’s exclusive masterclass. From how to create a cover girl complexion to skincare essentials, spend an evening learning covetable makeup tips from the brands local MUA’s. If you want to contour like a Kardashian or just work out what the heck to do with your eyebrows, then the Tilbury team at Selfridges are ready and waiting.
Tickets £15 – redeemable against product Email exchangebookings@charlottetilbury.com or call 0161 838 0600 to book
International Women’s Day screening of Suffragette| The Whitworth, 8 March
Mark IWD with a tribute to some of the most prominent women in history at The Whitworth’s screening of Suffragette. Just yards away from 62 Nelson Street, Emmeline Pankhurst’s residence and where the very first Suffragette meeting took place, the screening will coincide with the 100 year anniversary of when women won the vote. A wine tasting reception hosted by Morgenrot will commence the evening, before the movie starts at 7pm.
Tickets £20 – buy them here
Upfront and Onside: The Women's Football Conference | National Football Museum, 8 and 9 March
With a whopping 4 million viewers tuning in to watch England’s Lionesses at the Euro 2017 final, it’s safe to say that women’s football is finally gaining recognition. But for the sport once branded as ‘quite unsuitable for females’ by the Football Association, the rise of women’s football has been a turbulent journey. To highlight the history of women’s football and prospect the future, the National Football Museum is hosting the biggest conference on the history and heritage of women’s football. As part of the Hidden Histories project, Upfront & Onside features a programme of influential keynote speakers from across round the globe focussing on over 150 years of the women’s game.
Tickets £85 – get them here
Beaumont Organic SS18 launch night | 49 Hilton Street, 8 March
Refined basics sourced from beautiful organic fabrics; Beaumont Organic is the go-to Manchester independent for elevated wardrobe essentials. This March, the Northern Quarter store is hosting an SS18 launch night, complete with plenty of prosecco and personal styling tips from Stylist Emma Carr of Crave Personal Styling. Meet Erica Singer, the designer of the collection, to hear about her inspiration and ethical sourcing process and the peruse the collection as you enjoy tasty treats from Niki Charnock of Cultured Kitchen.
Tickets free - RSVP to mail@beaumontorganic.com
Mother’s Day Beauty Brunch and Afternoon | Selfridges Exchange Square, March 10
If your typical Mother’s Day routine is an on-the-day dash into town to scoop up a heavily discounted gift set, then why not try treating your mum to something a little more thoughtful this year. Selfridges are hosting two treat-worthy events this Mother’s Day, bursting with beauty tips, nibbles and must-have products. For the early birds, there’s a beauty breakfast; a sophisticated soiree of breakfast bites, beauty treats and tips from beauty insiders including former Stylist beauty Director Joanna McGarry, blogger Lily Pebbles and Anna 'Mother Pukka' Whitehouse. In the afternoon, there’s a champagne and nibbles with beauty tips from model Daisy Lowe and her mum designer Pearl Lowe.
Beauty breakfast: 8.00am – 9.30am
Pamper afternoon with mum: 2.00pm – 3.30pm
Tickets both £50, with £25 redeemable against product – book here
An evening with Andrew Lloyd-Webber | Royal Northern College of Music, March 15
If you’ve ever set foot on the West End, then chances are you’ve encountered one of Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s masterpieces. Reigning over the theatre world for nearly five decades, Lloyd-Webber is arguably one of the most successful musical theatre composers of our time, with several of his shows running for a decade on the West End and Broadway. This March, the distinguished artist is visiting Manchester for an exclusive meet and greet, offering fans the chance to hear insights into his extraordinary career as well as extracts from his new book, Unmasked.
Tickets £28 – book here
Mean Girls Brunch comes to Manchester | Secret Location, 17 March
It may be over ten years since the movie first aired, but we still can’t get enough of Mean Girls. And now, the movie bursting with bitchyness and a host of quotable lines is hitting Manchester this March, complete with pink dress code. The Mean Girls brunch promises a day filled with “rainbows and smiles”, as guests are invited to write in the burn book, sample ‘Glen Coco’ cocktails and compete to win the crown of spring king or queen. Booking tickets early is strongly advised, otherwise “you can’t sit with us”.
Tickets £37.27 – get them here
Manchester Repair Café | Stitched Up, Wilbraham Road, 17 March
Got a big ol’ holey jumper that’s been worn to death but you can’t bear to throw away? Then take a much-needed trip to the Manchester Repair Café. The volunteer-run event is inspired by free cafes across the globe and is designed to get people together to share tips on how to repair beloved goods. Be less wasteful, pick up some new skills and revamp the goods you cherish at this two hour event hosted by Stitched Up Manchester.
Time: 10am – 12am
Location: Stitched Up HQ, 527B Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, M21 0UF
Tickets free – visit here for more information
Magpie Wedding Show: watch a fake wedding at Victoria Baths | Victoria Baths, 18 March
This is a wedding fair with a difference. Watch wedding suppliers in action as Victoria Bath’s hosts an elaborate fake wedding. See what kind of entrance the bride makes as she graces the aisle, soak up the atmosphere as you masquerade as a guest, try the cake – heck, even catch the bouquet if you want to. From photographers to food suppliers, the Magpie Wedding Show is the ultimate way to try a host of suppliers before you buy them for your own big day.
Advanced tickets £4, tickets on the door £5 – click here for more information
