Culture – Dalai Lama at the MEN
The Buddhist spiritual leader and former Nobel Peace prize winner will appear at the Manchester Arena to address thousands of people during his three-day stay in Manchester. His holiness will be themes of non-violence and a dialogue of peace in a talk specifically aimed at young people. Russell Brand will be joining the Dalai Lama on stage as the master of ceremonies on June 16, 17 and 18 with tickets available here.
Russell Brand Will Be Joining The Dalai Lama On Stage At Manchester Arena
Music – Best Coast at HMV Ritz
Beach bum surf-poppers Best Coast will be importing their blissed out California tunes to Manchester this Sunday in promotion of their second album The Only Place. Having refined their lo-fi sounds over the last few years Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno are set to envelop the HMV Ritz in their unique blend of sun drenched tunes regardless of what the British weather throws at us. Best Coast will appear at the HMV Ritz on Sunday 17 June, tickets are on sale for £16.00 each and are available here.
Best Coast At Hmv Ritz
Sport – Sportingfields Euro 2012 Group Stage Matches
The Euro 2012 Group Stage Matches are being shown all week at Spinningfields on their purpose built outdoor screen. Between 15-17 June Ukraine face France, Greece play Russia and Portugal take on the Netherlands.For anyone wishing to partake in this communal sporting spectacle there is no charge for entry and there are plenty of food and drinks on sale nearby. Information regarding the match times and directions to Spinningfields can be found here.
Performance - Carnival Divine Burlesque at Matt and Phreds
Trying to paraphrase the event which takes hold of Matt and Phreds jazz club this Friday 15 June is an ambitious project. The off-the-wall burlesque group Carnival Divine will be exhibiting their wildest talents ranging from contortionism, puppet shows and the extraordinary routines of their burlesque starlets. All of the action taking place inside the jazz bar’s comfortable, lively and laid back atmosphere. Accompanying this riotous show will be stalls, projections and plenty of Matt and Phreds‘ delectable cocktails. Tickets are available here.
Father’s Day - Black Dog Ballroom
For those of you who may have somehow let the arrival of Father’s Day slip your mind (it’s Sunday 17 June) have no fear. Black Dog Ballroom have been kind enough to let you and your favourite male parent enjoy two pints, a sharing platter and an hour of pool for the more than reasonable sum of £15. The offer is available at both the old venue in the Northern Quarter and the recently completed bar on Wakefield Street which is looking impressive, to say the least. Directions and information regarding both bars can be found here.
Fitness - PiccFit
Friday 15 June is the last chance to get involved in the informal fitness sessions which have been taking place in Piccadilly Gardens over the past six weeks. The final day will feature exercise programs including circuits, Zumba and primal fitness. The activities are free and open to everyone with no experience or equipment required to join in the fun. PiccFit is a unique event bringing people together for the joy of exercise during what is set to be a year of unparalleled British sport. A timetable for the event can be found here.
Piccfit
Art - Manchester School of Art Degree Show
Beginning on Saturday 16 June visitors are invited to witness the work of this year’s Manchester Metropolitan University arts graduates as they bare their artistic souls in their final displays. The exhibition will be split across the university’s All Saints Campus and Quay House in Spinningfields. The event runs until Wednesday 20 June and offers not only the chance to appreciate the next generation of artistic talent but a fantastic opportunity for those deliberating moving in to higher education to have a look around MMU. All details of the event can be found here.
Music - Citizens! at The Deaf Institute
London indie five-piece Citizens! have begun a remarkable ascension of late. Having recently joined cooler-than-thou French electro/fashion label Kitsuné and releasing their debut album Here We Are with the help of Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos the band are on top form for their appearance in Manchester. Grandiosely aspiring to reinstate pop as a ‘holy word’ the band will be bringing their idiosyncratic blend of guitar music to The Deaf Institute on Friday 17 June. Tickets and further details can be found here.
Sport - Horwich Festival of Racing
Conveniently aligning with the Queen’s Jubilee and the apex of Olympic fever the 2012 Horwich Festival of Racing’s tenth year is shaping up to be its best yet with more races and activities designed to involve participants from all areas of life than ever before. Races will be held for professionals and para-cycling champions in addition to youth races and a fun run. Previous years have seen penny farthing and street orienteering challenges spicing up the ceremonies, what two-wheeled innovations will be revealed for this year’s festival is anyone’s guess. More details and times available here.
Horwich Festival Of Racing
Music - Chris Cornell at The Lowry
The ethereally husky-voiced grunge legend Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and Audioslave fame is making a noteworthy appearance at The Lowry on Saturday 16 June. Cornell is touring the UK in support of his fourth solo album Songbook which features recordings spanning Cornell’s entire career and new tracks recorded on tour. Visitors to The Lowry can expect a chilling acoustic set complimented by Cornell’s unforgettable haunting drawl. Tickets can be purchased here.
Medieval Fayre at the Old Hall
For a true weekend of escapism one would struggle to travel any further back than to the dark ages for the Medieval Fayre at Tatton Park between the 16-17 June. Over the course of the weekend gunners, minstrels and bedraggled mercenaries will populate the scenic grounds to quaff mead, exhibit their flare for archery and generally revel in history before descending into an epic battle reenactment. Meanwhile visitors can partake in the local wares offered by over forty authentic merchants. Tickets and details of the event can be found here.
Food - 101 Brasserie
The editor went to this place this week and while he thought the decor a bit low key he thought the nosh superb. He particularly liked the pork, the terrine and the cheesecake. We also like the sound of fruits of the sea dish, the starter of slow cooked duck and the side of sauteed broccoli with toasted almonds. Check out his review here together with all the contact details.
Pork lovelies
