Theatre: Full Monty, The Lowry, 18-20 April
Hot on the heels of fellow BAFTA award winner Calendar Girls, The Full Monty makes it way from the big screen to the stage. Return to Sheffield to join the six unemployed steel workers as they prepare to bare all, and earn a bit of respect. The stage adaptation is the work of award winning writer Simon Beaufoy and features music from Hot Chocolate, Donna Summers and Tom Jones. Tickets are available here.
Film: Good Vibrations, Cornerhouse, Oxford Road, 18 April
Why not get in the mood for Record Store Day early with Good Vibrations at the Cornerhouse? Good Vibrations explores 1970s Belfast, with one man turning his back on the escalating violence and focusing on his love of music. This biopic of Terri Hooley, a pioneer of Northern Ireland’s music scene, features stunning performances from Game of Thrones’ Richard Dormer and comedian Dylan Moran along with an outstanding soundtrack to match. Tickets are available here.
Gig: Sacred Tarts, The Nook, Chorlton, Saturday 20 April, 8pm
If hard hitting soul and screeching guitars are your thing then head down to The Nook in Chorlton for a night of record spinning from Sacred Tarts. Sandy Green and Olivia Chell will be manning the decks, to bring their usual brand of loud tunes to the pint-sized venue, with the tattooed twosome playing a host of lesser known gems to keep your ears ringing until Monday. More information is available here.
Event: Record Store Day, Saturday 20 April
Support your local record shops this Saturday with a host of events happening around the Northern Quarter and beyond. Piccadilly Records will be kicking off proceedings with discounts in store and DJ sets from Tusk and Ruff Dug. They’re also working with Common Bar to offer customers a ten per cent discount on Piccalilli Burgers and Quiff Ale. The Edge street favourite will also be hosting a number of live bands including; Bernard + Edith and Emperor Zero throughout the day.
Elsewhere Kraak Gallery will have performances from local bands and is open 4.30pm until late. From 11am Stevenson Square neighbour, Soup Kitchen, will play host to Kult Country, Weird Era and a host of others. A variety of record stores will also be hosting events with Kingbee in Chorlton, and Eastern Bloc on Stevenson Square both offering discounts along with a number of special releases. More information on Record Store Day events in Manchester is available here.
Exhibition: Noise Festival presents The Art of Protest, People’s History Museum, Saturday 20 April
Protests don’t have to be out and out violence, they can range from a mural on a wall to staying in bed. Now in it’s third year, The Art of Protest by Noise Festival explores this. Originally launched as a pop up in 2011, Art of Protest was a response to the Manchester riots and through peaceful protests gives young artists a chance to showcase their work in a variety of mediums including installations, drawings, paintings and song.
As well as up and coming art work there will also be work on display such as Turner prize winner Gillian Wearing, singer songwriter Billy Bragg and master of the silent protest Banksy. More information on the event and Noise Festival is available here.
Food: Dogbowl, Whitworth Street
It’s safe to say that Manchester has gone mad for burgers, and Dogbowl is no exception with their debut menu guaranteed to satisfy your carnivorous cravings. This weekend indulge in the part restaurant, part bowling alley’s take on Americana with wings, rings and its highly recommended burger, which has even crept onto our best burgers list. See Confidential Edtior, Jonathan Schofield’s, take on Dog Bowl’s stateside menu here.
Tour: The Tour of Uninteresting Objects
Ah yes, the unregarded things that make a city. This tour reveals odd sculptures, mad details, washed up remnants of things inside and outside buildings. It’s different – guaranteed. Each tour will tackle a different area of the city centre and environs and uncover massive quantities of uninteresting objects. £8. Meet outside Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, City centre, M2 3JL. 3.30pm. Sat 20 April-King Street and Riverside. Sat 18 May-Castlefield and Deansgate. Sat 15 June-Cathedral and Victoria. Led by Confidential editor, Jonathan Schofield, you can pay here or just turn up on the day.
A big hen
Tour: Haunted Underworld - the best ghost tour in Manchester
Manchester’s premier ghost tour, delivering dark, dastardly and moving haunted tales, is re-starting. There'll be public tours most Saturdays from 1.30pm meeting at the War Memorial in St Ann's Square. So what happens? 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. £8. Book on Haunted Underworld Tours here or just turn up on the day.
Spooky
Market: Friday Food Market and Saturday Craft Market, Piccadilly Gardens, 11-5pm 19 and 20 April
Explore the latest additions to Piccadilly Gardens’ thriving food market from this weekend onwards. Expect a host of local suppliers throughout the weekend with a special produce market on Friday, and a craft market the following day. Goods on offer include Orchard Pigs’ porky pastries, Sweet Octopus’ quirky Japanese deserts, and Mrs Kirkham’s hand crafted Lancashire cheese. Saturday includes a similarly astounding range of stalls with Eaten? and Eddie O’Hara designs. Take a look at other goods on offer here.
