Club: Lucky Voice, The Printworks, 15 March
Indulge your inner Beyonce and start your weekend with a song at Lucky Voice karaoke bar. Belt out your favourite guilty pleasures with a Lucky Voice virgin and get an hour free every Friday night. Call 0161 385 8080 and quote 'first time'.
Event: Vintage Home show, Victoria Baths, 17 March, 11-4 pm
Explore kitsch home ware at Victoria Baths, and rummage among retro textiles, art and ceramics. You could also take this opportunity to explore the baths themselves with guided tours on offer. The cost is £3 on the door, or £5 trade price before 10.30am. For more information click here.
Exhibition: Escape, 2022 NQ, Northern Quarter, 15 March- 23 March, 12-5pm
Leave the busy shopping streets behind and head to 2022NQ for the Escape exhibition. This week long exhibition explores how to escape normal existence and look at things from another angle. Twelve artists will be exhibiting their work based on the theme of escape and perspective, as well as an escape walk at the exhibits end on 24 March at 2pm from 2022NQ.
Food: Habesha, 29-31 Sackville St
Habesha is one of Manchester’s very few African restaurants and the only Ethiopian inspired offering in the city. Confidential writer Jo Milligan sampled their delights this week and recommends the Doro Wat (£5.90), a chicken leg and thigh marinated in a spicy sauce with a bonus boiled egg lurking in the depths, and Kitfo (£6.50), a minced beef dish which were also accompanied by rolled pancakes. Click here to read the full review.
Theatre: The Beginning, The Lowry, Salford Quays, 15 March, 8pm
Michael Pinchbeck presents this final performance of his trilogy inspired by Shakespearean stage directions. The Beginning is a take on how everyone begins in performance, romance and their careers. He is joined by live artist and musician Ollie Smith and Trace Theatre member Nicki Hobday. Students from the University of Salford will also be performing in Debut, which looks at the beginning from the perspective of performance with all the nervous energy included. Tickets cost £9 and are available here.
Gig: Bill Ryder Jones, The Castle Hotel , Oldham Street, 17 March, 8pm
Join former member of The Coral, Bill Ryder Jones at an intimate evening at The Castle. After perfecting his composition skills through phenomenal work with the Liverpool Philharmonic on his album If... Ryder Jones has returned to his singer/songwriter roots with the imminent release of his debut solo album A Bad Wind Blows Through My Heart. Tickets are available from here or Piccadilly Records.
Cinema: Stoker, Cornerhouse, Oxford Road 17,18 March, Daily
A must for Oldboy fans is Park Chan-wook’s first foray into English language, a suspense-filled psychological thriller exploring one of his favourite subjects, the family. After the death of her father, India Stoker(Mia Wasikowska), is left alone with her emotionally unbalanced mother (Nicole Kidman). The unfamiliar uncle Charlie (Matthew Goode) turns up and ingratiates his way into the family circle turning his attention on his young niece. Tickets are available here.
Shopping: Shoe Carnival, Selfridges,Trafford Centre, 16 March
Get a new pair of shoes with a difference. Selfridges are having a shoe carnival and will customise ant brand new pairs of Converse. You can also have a go at making your own shoe bag to glam up those old pumps.
Club Night: Black Bee Soul Club, Kraak Gallery, Stevenson Square, 15 March, 10.30pm
Head down to Manchester’s hidden venue Kraak Gallery for ‘Northern Soul with a Sting’. Black Bee Club brings you Pete Eccles and Louie Thompson showcasing the best of soul for old and young fans alike, with a night of Northern Soul classics to keep you dancing all night. Entry £5.
