WEEK 53 | The Lowry | 28 April - 8 May
Week 53 Festival brings together 200 international artists over eleven days, comprising 63 performances and exhibitions. With innovative and provocative content shown in a series of spaces, including those normally off-limits to the public, it’s all about rewarding the ‘compulsively curious’. Full programme here.
The Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ (various times and prices).
INTERNATIONAL PHOTOBOOTH CONVENTION | Fred Aldous | 9-13 May
In an age of digital, there’s something very nostalgic about the printed photo; hence why cramming into a photobooth for a film strip souvenir is an increasingly popular pastime. Fred Aldous celebrates the art of the analogue photo through workshops, discussion, exhibition and film in this quirky convention, led by photobooth artists Mr Mixup and Kate Tyler along with the store’s Ali Gunn.
Fred Aldous, 37 Lever Street, M1 1LW (9am-5pm; free).
Fred AldousMANCHESTER AFTER HOURS | Citywide | Thursday 12 May
A mixology of odd couplings and unexpected combos, Manchester After Hours incorporates everything from the Bard in neon to throwing darts at art in the Whitworth, as venues across the city throw open their doors for a series of after-dark adventures. More info here.
Various; check the website.
CASTLEFIELD FOOD FESTIVAL | Liverpool Road | 12-15 May
If a line-up of delicious street food, celebrity chefs, live music and masterclasses wasn’t enough temptation to visit Castlefield Food Festival, Confidential are also offering a free pint when readers download the voucher. You can’t say we don’t spoil you.
Castlefield Bowl, Rice Street, M3 4JR (various times, check the website; free entry).
Castlefield Food FestivalPARADE THE MUSICAL | Hope Mill Theatre | 17 May - 5 June
London’s Aria Entertainment has joined forces with James Baker Productions and Hope Mill to spearhead the Ancoats venue as a fresh new platform for musical theatre. How better to kick off the exciting new partnership with Tony award-winning classic Parade? Alfred Uhry’s tale of love and hope against a backdrop of 1913 racist America is portrayed with a high-profile cast, nine-strong orchestra and Brown’s rousing score.
Hope Mill Theatre, Hope Mill Theatre, 113 Pollard Street, M4 7JA (various times; tickets from £16 at ticketsource.co.uk).
THE MAIDS | Waterside Arts Centre | Wednesday 18 May
In Square Peg Theatre’s radical new telling of Jean Genet’s seminal play we delve into the surreal world of Solange and Claire. Deeply resentful of their social position they plot to kill their beloved Madame, creating a fantastical world of revenge and sadomasochism that drives them to the brink of madness and murder. A classic example of French absurdism, The Maids remains as chilling and relevant as ever.
Waterside Arts Centre, 1 Waterside Plaza, Sale, M33 7ZF (8pm; tickets from £10 at watersideartscentre.co.uk).
The MaidsAN EVENING WITH AYLESBURY DUCK | Pen & Pencil | Wednesday 18 May
One to pencil in the diaries for all vodka lovers, Pen & Pencil welcomes the 86 Company’s Dan Warner on Wednesday 18 for an exclusive tasting evening. Enjoy Moscow Mules on arrival, plus three vodkas and a cocktail flight of the popular spirit’s greatest hits.
Pen & Pencil (7.30pm; tickets £10, email info@penandpencilnq.co.uk to book).
COCKTAILS IN THE CITY | Old Granada Studios | 19-20 May
Cocktails in the City brings together 24 of the city’s finest bars - plus one London guest - to compete for your vote and your tokens. With both 2015 winners and emerging talent clamouring to serve you the best cocktail in town, that you’ll have plenty of fun judging is guaranteed. There’s even a beach (well, kind of) and BEAT STREET will be on hand with a fine selection of street food for that all important stomach-lining.
Old Granada Studios, Quay Street, M3 3HN (6-11pm; tickets £12 inc a cocktail from designmynight.com).
Cocktails in the CityCHORLTON ARTS FESTIVAL | Chorlton | 20-29 May
Chorlton Arts Festival is back for its sixteenth year with the same eclectic medley of music, comedy, art and performance. From the Rubber Duck Orchestra to Doolally cabaret nights, Lip Service theatre to laughter yoga, there’s some to tickle everyone’s fancy.
Various; check the website.
WHISPERS OF HEATON | Heaton Hall | 26-30 May
A site-specific premiere within the iconic Heaton Hall over bank holiday, Whispers of Heaton comprises two short plays by award winning writers Cathy Crabb, Lindsay Williams and Peter Kerry. The exclusive promenade performance moves from room to period room, revealing - in collaboration with Tangled Dance Company - an evocative tale of a time when the First World War and the Somme changed lives forever.
Heaton Hall, Middleton Rd, Higher Blackley M25 2SW (various; tickets from £7.77 at jumblebee.co.uk).
Whispers of HeatonDOT TO DOT FESTIVAL | Citywide | Friday 27 May
D2D has established itself of one of the UK’s foremost celebrations of fresh talent and has previously unearthed the likes of Ed Sheeran, James Bay and Years & Years. Headlining this year’s eleventh edition will be Mystery Jets, Augustine and The Temper Trap; supported by more than 130 bands across eighteen stages.
Various venues (3pm-late; tickets £25 at alt-tickets.co.uk).
CITIES OF HOPE | Northern Quarter | 21-29 May
The Northern Quarter will transform into a riot of colour this month as nine of the world’s most renowned street artists descend on Manchester to paint walls, create landmarks and make a stand by championing local grassroots organisations. As well as fantastic street art, visitors can expect a host of thought-provoking tours and events. Not one to miss.
Various; check the website.
Cities of HopeGREAT MANCHESTER RUN | City Centre | 22 May
Pull out your trainers and get pounding those streets because Europe’s biggest 10K run is back. Broadcast on BBC, the event has seen more than 250,000 people take part for charity: namely Cancer Research UK, The Christie and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. Participants not only raise money for a great cause, they pass some of the city’s most iconic sights too.
Portland Street, nr. Oxford Street Junction, M1 (10am; tickets £38 from greatrun.org).
HIGHASAKITE | The Deaf Institute | Monday 23 May
Norwegian indie pop band Highasakite won the country’s Grammy equivalent for ‘Pop Group of the Year’ and continue to garner critical acclaim. Camp Echo is the quintet’s third album, due to be released this month, with first single Someone Who'll Get It already surpassing two million plays on Spotify. Support comes via singer-songwriter Gordi.
The Deaf Institute, 135 Grosvenor Street, M1 7HE (7.30-11pm; tickets £9.50 from thedeafinstitute.co.uk).
HighasakitePINT OF SCIENCE | Citywide | 23-25 May
Manchester is European City of Science this year, which makes Pint of Science the perfect celebration. Established in 2012, the three-day festival now takes place countrywide, promising insightful discussions on topics spanning suicide to sneezes. Bring your thinking caps and prepare for some surprising revelations.
Various; check the website.
Looking for more things to do in Manchester? Take a look at our Arts & Entertainment section...
