Boy, oh boy
Now and then a film sneaks up on you. No press, no red carpet, no premiere 'nip-slip', no frills. And blows your socks off (No not Shawshank, it's not even that good). Boyhood, it would appear, is about to not only blow your socks off, but stick them to the nose of an X-15 jet and put Superman in the cockpit. With an unprecedented 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 100% on Metacritic, the Telegraph called Richard Linklater's film 'the achievement of a lifetime', while Empire called it 'unmissable'.
Linklater worked with his cast on and off over a staggering 12-year period to produce Boyhood, tracking Mason (Eltar Coltrane) and his family through his formative years, from six-year-old boy to man.
Boyhood/Cornerhouse/Various times/More here
Pride Fringe
Highlights of this week’s festivities include Twisted Tubes performing the first moving gig on the Metrolink, La Voix cabaret at Grill on New York Street, Hazel's Karaoke and They've Just Nipped Out For Fags, a play about a useless fella, a drag queen and a lip-synching cowgirl at RNCM.
Pride Fringe/Throughout August/Download the full guide here
Snoop-da-loop
Following a storming Parklife set, the US rapper is coming back to Manchester to perform a DJ-set at the Albert Hall this Sunday. Snoop is expected to perform a three hour set with a half hour of live stuff thrown in at the end. Tempa T and MC Shakespear will also feature.
Snoop Dog DJ Set/Albert Hall/Sunday 10 August/£30 tickets here
Vader liked to drop it like its hot - except his saber, that'll cost you a toe
Waterside Food and Crafts Market
Gourmet food and craft stalls are filling up the Lowry Outlet’s Plaza on the second weekend of each month. Over 30 stalls offer products which have been sourced from across the country, from local cheeses and organic drinks to handmade jewellery and seasonal plants. It’s a family-friendly market and on Saturday 9 August children can enjoy the All Flight Stuff event, welcoming the release of Planes 2: Fire and Rescue.
Waterside Food and Crafts Market/Lowry Outlet Plaza/Second weekend of each month until 17 November 2014/More here
Waterside Food and Crafts Market
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, learn how to slice like a master in a Yo Sushi masterclass or design your own cheesecake with the Lancashire Cheesecake Company. Here's the listings. Full programme here.
Meet the Makers/Selfridges/Trafford Centre/Throughout August
Around the world
Aside from making crisps, Phileas Fogg is Jules Verne's eccentric adventurer who wagers his life's fortune that he can circumnavigate the globe in only eighty days. The problem being that this is 1872, one hundred and thirteen years before Ryanair started shafting plebeians. A tale of adventure, a cast of eight will take yoy across the globe, through 108 characters, 33 scenes, six boats, five trains, three fights, a circus and an Indian sacrifice.
Around The World In 80 Days/Royal Exchange Theatre/Until 16 August/Tickets £14.50
Dig the City
Flowers, fashion and food feature in this delightful urban gardening festival. For the Monty Don’s among us, the show gardens are a must see but for those not blessed with the green fingered touch there are pop-up picnics and bars, sampling sessions and activities for kids. For context and a gallery - see here
Dig the City/Manchester City Centre/Until 10 August/Follow the action at @digthecitymcr
The Optical Illusion Garden
We’ll Meet Again
Step back in time this weekend at The Swan Inn as they relive the 40s in top-tapping style. Lynne Sheldon is back by popular demand on Sunday, taking the audience through all the wartime classics. A fun day of nostalgia for the whole family.
1940s Festival/The Swan Inn/Oldham/Sunday 10 August/8pm/Tickets are £4
Party on, dudes
Feel like going on an excellent adventure? Want to meet tons of historical figures, some super babes and save the most important band in history, Wyld Stallyns? Then join R.A.D for a double bill of Bill and Ted at Gorilla on 10 August. The totally bodacious Twister competition will certainly make it memorable.
Bill and Ted Double Bill/Gorilla/Sunday 10 August/4pm/Tickets here
Bill And Ted - Poster Web
A Land Fit For Heroes: War and the Working Class 1914-1918
In light of the World War One centenary, this exhibit examines the impact of war on the structure of society and people’s political outlooks. It highlights the mass popular support that the war initially received and its role in securing votes for women, amongst wider social discussions. A must see for anyone intrigued by recent media coverage of the commemorations.
A Land Fit For Heroes/People’s History Museum/Until 1 February 2015/Open 10am-5pm
Peoples History Museum
Big Blues Bash
Johnny Marr, legendary musician and City supporter, has been announced as the headline act for City Live - Manchester City’s season launch party. Jason Manford will host the evening which will also feature the presentation of the end-of-season awards and the appearance of the team’s newest signings.
City Live/Manchester Central/Thurs 14 August/Tickets start from £15 and are available here
Josh’s Superhero Birthday Party
Is it a bird, is it a plane... it’s SuperJosh! The Joshua Wilson Brain Tumour Society is hosting a Superheroes Birthday Party to celebrate Josh’s fourteenth birthday and the charity’s first. There will be an auction, entertainment and raffle with all welcome. Funds raised by the charity go towards improving support for children with brain tumours and post surgery disabilities.
Josh’s Superhero Birthday Party/The Village Hotel, Bury/Saturday 9 August/7.30pm/Tickets are £15 for adults and £5 for children here
In The Night Garden Live
The characters of In The Night Garden might have bizarre names like ‘Iggle Piggle’ and ‘Makka Pakka’, but the children seem to like them. In this theatrical experience families can immerse themselves in the magical world and relax for a few hours. The purpose-built inflatable Showdrome has been designed with the needs of young children and their parents in mind, allowing them to enjoy a bit of quality time.
In The Night Garden Live/The Trafford Centre/Saturday 2 to Saturday 23 August/Tickets here
You can follow Anna Carruthers on @AnnaECarruthers
