Art Party
Cornerhouse has announced the UK-wide release of a new artist film by Bob and Roberta Smith, directed by Tim Newton. Art Party is part documentary, part road movie and part political fantasy. The film captures the spirit of the Scarborough alternative art conference held in November 2013, championing the importance of art and its place in education and modern politics.
Art Party/Cornerhouse/Thursday 21 August/More information here
'Michael Grove' in Art Party
Jane’s Addiction
Jane's Addiction are an American alternative rock/alternative metal band from LA formed in 1986. They will be playing their 1988 debut album Nothing’s Shocking in full.
Jane’s Addiction/02 Apollo/Thursday 21 August/7pm/Tickets here
Bolton Food and Drink Festival
A host of celebrity chefs will descend upon Bolton for this staple in the North West food calendar, including John Torode, Gino D’Acampo, James Martin and Michael Caines. Alongside chef demonstrations there will be a large speciality food and drink market and free street entertainment.
Bolton Food and Drink Festival/Bolton/Friday 22 August-Monday 25 August/More information here
Manchester Pride
To celebrate the year of equal marriage and the idea that love has no boundaries, the theme of this year’s parade is 'LOVE' ('HATE' was unavailable this year). The parade is open to absolutely everyone and those with tickets can enjoy the Big Weekend celebrations featuring perfomances from Pixie Lott and All Saints. For those who prefer quieter surroundings there will be a market area on Chorlton Street, the LGF Hub will be opening its doors and the Expo will have stalls for various organisations.
Manchester Pride/City Centre/Friday 22 August- Monday 25 August/More information here
Pride
Fill Your Face Up At Up In Your Grill
This Bank Holiday weekend will see the final UIYG with a three-day-long summer block party to celebrate the close of the series at NQ's Brownsfield Mill. El Gato Negro, Solita and Viet Shack are amongst the vendors, while Dance Lady Dance will be laying down the sounds.
Up In Your Grill/Brownsfield Mill/Friday 22 August- Sunday 24 August/Free entry/More information here
Finding Nemo in Spinningfields
The Lawns at Spinningfields in Manchester city centre will be turned over to the kids as the Family Film Club screens Finding Nemo. Families can bring along their own picnic blanket or sit back and relax on one of the deckchairs as they watch the film.
Finding Nemo/Spinningfields/Saturday 23 August/11am/Free entry
PF21 at The Albert Hall
To celebrate the twenty-first birthday of Paradise Factory there'll be one last show night at the Albert Hall. M People’s Heather Small will top the bill with a 30 minute show and eleven DJs will keep the party going through the night. The night will also be an official Manchester Pride fundraiser.
PF21/The Albert Hall/Saturday 23 August/10pm-4am
English Country Weekend at the Farm
Celebrate English country life at Tatton Park’s traditional English fayre. Bring out the family’s competitive side in the egg and spoon race and tug of war competition. For a bit of novelty fun, be sure to take in the sheep racing. For traditionalists there will be Shire horse and sheep dog displays as well as bee keeping, spinning and dry stone walling demonstrations.
English Country Weekend at the Farm/Tatton Park/Saturday 23 August-Monday 25 August/Normal entry charges and £5 car entry charges apply/More information here
Haunted MCR
In a dark and mysterious undercroft of the city centre old stories are coming alive. Tales might include those of dead artists, sinister magicians, tragic lovers and body-snatchers. Expect the unexpected and also lots of laughs. People who are brave enough to come on the tour should try not to faint - this has happened before. The Haunted UnderWorld Tour is lead by Confidential editor Jonathan Schofield (not recommended for kiddiewinks under-10, unless they're 'well 'ard')
The Haunted Underworld/St Ann’s Square/Sat 23 August/Meet by the War Memorial 1:30pm/£8.00 tickets here
Manchester's dark side
Teddy Bear’s Party
If you go down into the woods today... scrap that. If you go down to Bury today the East Lancashire Railway are hosting a teddy bear party at the Bury Transport Museum. On offer will be fairground attractions, teddy bear parades with prizes for the best dressed teddy and a treasure trail up the railway line. Kids with a teddy travel for free when accompanied by a full line return holding adult.
Teddy Bear’s Party/Bury Transport Museum/Monday 25 August/More information here
Summertime Ladies Day at the Grill
The Grill invites all ladies to an afternoon of bubbly, food and fashion in aid of the Royal British Region to commemorate the WW1 centenary. Trevor Sorbie, Molton Brown, Benefit and other local businesses will have stalls and there will be the opportunity to take part in tutorials with make-up professionals. Tickets are £10 and include a donation to the charity and a glass of Proseco.
Summertime Ladies Day at the Grill/The Grill on New York Street/Thursday 28 August/4-6pm/Call 0161 228 1444 for tickets
The Stockport Old Town Fringe Festival
A successful Portas Pilot bid has allowed Stockport to undergo a degree of revitalisation and this festival embodies that. Featuring across the weekend will be artisan food and drink, live music and entertainment, sellotape art installations and comedy, with the main focus being on Foodie Friday.
The Stockport Old Town Fringe Festival/Stockport Old Town/Friday 29 August-Sunday 31 August/More information here
Stockport Old Town Festival
The Manchester Picnic
Returning for its fifth year and with over 25,000 people expected over the three days, the city’s biggest picnic is back. Gourmet picnic pop-up traders such as Ginger’s Comfort Emporium and Piggy Smalls will be selling alongside live music and entertainment, including an appearance by Baby Ballet’s Twinkle the Bear at Sunday’s teddy bear’s picnic. The overall theme of this year’s event is Play in order to celebrate the opening of the new playground near the Victoria Memorial.
Manchester Picnic/Piccadilly Gardens/Friday 29 August- Sunday 31 August/More information here
Rochdale Feel Good Festival
Live music and cooking demonstrations are at the centre of this year’s festival. Scouting for Girls are the musical headliners and will take to the main stage against the backdrop of the Town Hall, with other musicians being featured at a community stage on the Esplanade and various indoor venues. Meanwhile, Ainsley Harriott has been announced as one of the stars offering a live cooking demonstration.
Rochdale Feel Good Festival/Rochdale Town Centre/Friday 29 August- Saturday 30 August/More information here
Scouting For Girls
SpinFest
A music festival that's mud-free, tent-free, and well, free. We like the sound of that. Spinfest is back at The Oast House on Sunday 24 August, bringing us a day of live music from the best local talent. We've got a VIP drinks package to giveaway too. See here.
SpinFest/Oast House/Sun 24 Aug/More here
Manchester 100 Bike Ride
The Christie Charitable Fund has organised a charity ‘Century’ ride - a choice of either 100 miles or 100km cycling through winding Cheshire lanes. The route begins and ends at Wythenshawe Park but takes in Northwich, Delamere Forest, Nantwich and Middlewich. You can refill your water bottle and purchase food and drinks at the official refreshment stops along the way. September weather can be mixed, so you may want to bring waterproofs along with your sunscreen. All riders are required to wear a helmet.
Manchester 100 Bike Ride/Wythenshawe Park/Sunday 31 August/Tickets and information here
The routes
Meet the Makers
The Meeting the Makers campaign has begun at the Trafford Centre’s Selfridges, giving customers the chance to meet the people behind their favourite foods. Sample the treats of three chocolatiers and learn how to slice like a master in a Yo Sushi master class.
Meet the Makers/Selfridges/Trafford Centre/Throughout August/Full programme here.
The Alice in Wonderland Maize Maze
Designed around the White Rabbit this 500,000 plant maze is perfect for the kids. When they’ve found their way out again there are a host of other attractions to keep them occupied including a barrel train, climbing wall, laser quest and bouncy castle. In case you get peckish, there are award-winning tea rooms and a BBQ on-site.
The Alice in Wonderland Maize Maze/Red House Farm/Dunham Massey/Open daily until 2nd September/10am-6pm/Tickets here
Reactions 14
This season of events, live performances and high quality artworks at Imperial War Museum North looks to commemorate the First World War. Bill Fontana’s Vertical Echoes is a unique sound sculpture that uses eight loudspeakers and vibration sensors to project the roar of a Sopwith Camel Biplane and the echoes of a field gun from the trenches that rises and falls as visitors enter. Also featuring will be works by Mark Anstee and Jennifer Vickers.
Reactions 14/Imperial War Museum North/Until 21 September/Full listings here
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