From breast painting to a trainer festival, Body Confidential's top event picks for the month
It’s safe to say that spring has [finally] sprung. Which means it’s time to shake off the groggy head fog of winter and liven up your lifestyle with something new. Fortunately, this month’s calendar has a host of fashion and lifestyle events designed to brighten your spring agenda.
From painting body parts to watching live art to incorporating chocolate into your workout routine, these lifestyle events will inject a sense of newness into your diary this spring.
YOGAhour by Holistic Manchester | Grindsmith, 3 May
Make May the month you truly master your yoga journey with this back-to-basics wellbeing workshop. Get the toolkit you need to complete basic poses and enjoy a 45-minute yoga practice, before learning the benefits of the workout in a 15-minute chat. Beginners welcome.
Tickets £8 including a drinks voucher for Grindsmith – register here
5.30pm – 6.30pm
2Squared pop-up sample sale | Barton Arcade, 4 – 7 May
Fashion brand agency 2Squared is hosting its first ever pop-up shop, offering up to 90% off brands including Cruyff, Creative Recreation, Android Homme, Swims, Cortica, BALLIN and more. Join the launch party on Friday 4th May from 4pm to be the first to browse the rails of on-trend collections alongside a glass of prosecco and live music. Prices start from as little as £5, available until 6pm on Monday 7th May.
Visit the pop-up brand sale at Barton Arcade, Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2BH
Manchester Art Jam | Hatch, Oxford Road, 4 May
If you appreciate art but find walking around a gallery a drag, then try this live art performance. Top local artists will have just 40 minutes to paint, draw and create a work before voting from the audience commences. Set in the courtyard of Hatch, the show will be surrounded by street food stalls, drinks venues and music shops, making for a full evening out.
Tickets £6 - buy them here
Breast painting | The Peer Hat, Faraday Street, 8 & 28 May
Fancy yourself as a free-spirited soul who’s ready for the next empowering yet rather unusual experience? Then it’s time to try breast painting (yes, you heard us correctly). Sessions see groups of women paint their breasts in vibrant hues before prostrating themselves on a white canvas to deliver a unique boobie print. The experience promises to unite women with their feminine identity, embracing body positivity and tuning in to the heart chakra located in the chest. Strictly women-only, sorry lads.
Tickets £15 – register here
Pregnant Then Screwed Live | The Bright Building, 12 May
54,000 women a hear are pushed out of work for falling pregnant, according to government research. When women do head back to the office, 77% of working mums encounter negative or discriminatory treatment in the workplace. Pregnant Then Screwed is Manchester's answer to tackling this discrimination - the not-for-profit was established after founder Joeli Brearley was sacked from her job whilst four months pregnant. This weekend, the group is hosting a free workshop to help women understand their employment rights.
Tickets free - register here - 3.45pm - 6pm
Know The Origin sustainability pop up shop | 49 Hilton Street, 18 May
Do you know where the clothes in your wardrobe were made? If you shop from the mainstream high street, then chances are you don’t. Fortunately, Manchester-made ethical brand Know The Origin is hosting a pop up shop this month to help consumers find more ethical brands. Shop from carefully selected brands that all have a positive ethical impact and learn more about transparency in the fashion industry.
Tickets free – find out more information here 6pm – 9pm
Crepe City Sneaker Festival | New Century House, NOMA 12 May
Europe’s biggest trainer festival is descending on Manchester this month, bringing with it thousands of rare and exclusive deals on trainers and sneakers. Thousands of visitors are anticipated to visit the festival to get their hands on designs from both top name brands and local designers. A trainer cleaning service will also be on hand to ensure your current sneakers look sleek. Cash only event.
Tickets start at £7.50 – get them here 11.00am – 6.00pm
Manchester Fashion Week opening night show | 21 May
Manchester’s fashion week returns again this year in a bid to bolster the city’s growing fashion credentials. This month sees budding designers from across the world come together to showcase fashion for all sizes, ages and styles. Hosted at the Manchester Metropolitan University’s Student Union, the event offers an interesting insight into the world budding fashion.
Tickets £16.73 – get them here
Thursday lates: ‘Oh Sh*t… What Now?’ creative talk | Whitworth Gallery, 24 May
The latest addition to the Whitworth’s Thursday Lates sessions is a must-see event for students, graduates and young creatives. Oh Sh*t… What Now? Is an honest and direct life lesson on how to break into the creative industry, as told by author and designer Craig Oldham.
Tickets Free – register here
7pm - 8.30pm
Paint like Banksy | Common, 15 May
Wine glass in one hand, paintbrush in the other; welcome to the perfect evening combining a swipe of culture, a bit of booze and an unusual night out. PopUp Painting hosts arts and crafts workshops across the UK, with the latest venture visiting Northern Quarter’s Common for an evening of Banksy-inspired painting.
Tickets £25.99 – register here
7.30pm – 10pm
Chocolate yoga flow | Withington, 19 May
You’ve heard of goat yoga, beer yoga and even yoga for the face. But now it’s time for a yoga trend that is as delectable as it is wellness-friendly. Introducing chocolate yoga flow, a Vinyasa-style workout that sees participants knock back a shot or raw cacao to eradicate toxins before following a flow yoga routine. The raw chocolate is an ancient superfood and is credited with purging the body of any nasties, resulting in a more meaningful, full body workout. Finally a yoga trend we can get on board with.
Tickets £15 – get them here
10am – 12pm
