DOT TO DOT FESTIVAL | Various Locations | Fri 22 May | Tickets £25
Since starting in Nottingham nine years ago Dot To Dot Festival established itself as the UK’s premier festival for unearthing new talent alongside established acts from all over the globe and counts putting acts such as The xx, Mumford & Sons, Florence & The Machine and Jake Bugg on the map. This bank holiday weekend, Dot To Dot festival will be hitting three cities over three days with a line-up of exciting emerging artists to celebrate its tenth birthday. Rae Morris, Saint Raymond, Hudson Taylor and more will be performing at various locations throughout the city.
Rae Morris headlinesDJANGO DJANGO | Manchester Cathedral | Sat 23 May
Critically-acclaimed guitar act, Django Django, are to play what looks set to be an electrifying performance at Manchester Cathedral this May. The four-piece, who have had an unstoppable rise to the top since forming in 2009, are to play their celebrated mix of indie electronica in the historic confines.
MANCHESTER RATHA-YATRA CARNIVAL PROCESSION | Manchester Cathedral Gardens | Sat 23 May
Hindu festival Ratha-yatra has been an annual highlight in Manchester for the last few years. This year’s activities
will include a grand procession through the streets of Manchester City Centre starting from Cathedral Gardens at 12. The Procession will return to Cathedral Gardens for a colourful celebration from 1-4 pm that will include chanting, dancing, drama and other entertainment. Expect various stalls of face painting, Henna, books and gift shops. A free vegetarian feast will be served throughout the festival from 1pm onwards. Everyone is welcome.
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD | The Lowry | Sat 23 May | Tickets: £18 - £30
Set in the Deep South, Harper Lee’s much-loved story To Kill a Mockingbird sees racial injustice envelop a small-town community. Through courage and compassion, lawyer Atticus Finch seeks the truth, and his daughter, Scout – a young girl on the cusp of adulthood – brings new hope to a neighbourhood in turmoil. Now To Kill a Mockingbird gets new life in this award-winning stage adaptation by Christopher Sergel.
To Kill A Mockingbird
FIRST STREET'S FIRST STREET PARTY | First Street | Sun 24 May
As part of its 'HOMEwarming weekend', Manchester's new neighbourhood First Street and new contemporary arts centre HOME will have its first street party. Throughout the day, HOME theatre will be alive with storytelling, games, film, workshops and performances. Outside, Tony Wilson Place will be host to some of the city’s favourite street food vendors, giving you the chance to sample a range of delicious food and drink. The square will be decked out in contemporary street party style, with long communal tables, giant games of Chess and Jenga, roaming performers, and a bandstand featuring live music. During the family-friendly party, there will be space to spread out and enjoy a picnic. For those who would rather enjoy a cocktail whilst kicking back on a deckchair head to the roof of Q-Park First Street, which will be hosting a rooftop garden party.
JP COOPER | Manchester Academy | Sun 24 May | Tickets: £11.50
Blending a harmonious mix of folk, soul and Gospel, Middleton acoustic guitarist JP Cooper is one of Manchester's most exciting vocalists. With song-writing and vocal ability championed by America's most successful soul artists, JP Cooper's performances have proven to be dazzling.
JP CooperBENJAMIN CLEMENTINE | RNCM | Mon 25 May | Tickets: £15
Pianist, poet and spoken word artist Benjamin Clementine is a rare talent. Following sold-out shows at London’s Purcell Rooms, Koko and Emmanuel Centre and a UK television debut on Later… with Jools Holland, resulted in one of the most talked-about appearances by a new artist in recent years.
