Art - The Manchester Contemporary
This is art at the edge. Anybody who wants to see the direction contemporary artists are taking will want to scoot into Quay House and seek out the first floor and be entertained. Entertained because some of the work will have you scratching your head in bemused astonishment while others will make you yearn to purchase. The contrast is perfectly displayed by the three carpet grips piled on each other from Susan Collis in the Seventeen gallery area, and Rachel Goodyear's delicate work and exquisite drawing in the International 3 area. Something for everybody to debate. Fascinating exhibition. Seek it out. Admission is free. First Floor, Quay House, Quay Street.
Carpet grips as art - albeit carpet grips that have been gilded and polished by the artist
Art – Buy Art Fair
To pick up an original art work visit Manchester’s only commercial art fair which is returning this weekend. The Buy Art Fair is now in its fifth year and brings together galleries and artists from across the UK in a purpose built marquee in Spinningfields Hardman Square. Supported by the Arts Council and running until Sunday the exhibition is curated by Manchester’s The International 3. The focus on new work can be seen in the stands taken by galleries such as Art Republic, Ceri Hand Gallery and The Bowie gallery. Admission is free.
Food - Manchester's Top Ten Burgers
Why not start working your way down our list of the Best Of Manchester Burgers this weekend? Gordo had a lot to say about burgers this week but managed to whittle his favourites down to just ten. We're starting with this juicy looking offering from Gorilla...
Party - Cirque De Works
Fresher’s week may have finished but there’s still room for one big night out in Manchester with Cirque De Works at the Printworks. 7,000 students are expected to descend on the Printworks to party across six venues including Tiger Tiger and Entourage. Expect plenty of freebies, face painting, stilt walkers and other children’s birthday party entertainment you’ll pretend to enjoy purely at an ironic level. Cirque De Works takes place on Sunday from 9pm to 3.30am and tickets can be bought here for £10.
Culture – Hulme History Month
To know your city you must learn its history and Hulme History Month is a great place to start. It begins on Saturday at 2pm with an event, hosted by poet and performer Chanje Kunda, celebrating a decade of Hulme Mural at Hulme Library on Stretford Road. The 84ft long mural chronicles the history of Hulme; from Roman times via post-War immigration and into the numerous regeneration projects of recent years. Other events during the month include a walking tour of Hulme and a panel discussion and debate about the future of the area. Find the full programme here.
Television – Boardwalk Empire
With cold winter nights already upon us it might be worth investing in a satellite or cable package as Sky Atlantic seems to have hoovered up all the best TV exports from America. First up is the third series of prohibition-era crime epic Boardwalk Empire which returns this Saturday at 9pm on the aforementioned channel. Where the story will go after the tragic climax to last season is anyone’s guess but one thing’s for certain is it will be essential viewing. Hou$e of Lies, a sitcom which takes a scathing look at the employees of a top management consultancy firm, starts this Tuesday at 10pm and next month Sky Atlantic will finally broadcast the most blogged about show of the year, Lena Dunham’s HBO comedy Girls.
Club Night - Dj Qbert at Sound Control
The famous Filipino-American turntabalist is the headline act at this Hench in the Game event at Sound Control on Friday 28 September. The most documented DJ in the world, DJ Qbert has helped raise the DJing art to its new form. Don't miss this opportunity to see his incomprehensible turntable skills in the flesh. Supporting acts include a plethora of Manchester DJs playing a mixture of hip hop, electro, bassline, dubstep, DnB and jungle from 11pm-4am. Tickets cost £10. Click here to buy.
Exhibition – The Finest Piece of Black Ribbon
Photographer Moy Williams, know for his work in fashion and advertising, is exhibiting his latest collection of photographs at the Chinese Arts Centre. In a departure from his usual work this collection, The Finest Piece of Black Ribbon, comprises his journey through one of America’s oldest coast-to-coast roads, Route 50. The photos cover the shop fronts of small town USA, the boardwalks of Ocean City through to the ghost towns of the Rockies and the surf of the Pacific. It runs until Saturday, 10pm-5pm and entry is free.
The Finest Piece Of Black Ribbon
Rave - Warehouse Project
Following a hugely successful five-year stint beneath Piccadilly Station’s Victoria Arches the Warehouse Project is returning this weekend at a new location. Of all the disused warehouses in Manchester the WHP chose to upgrade to a three-room 2,000 capacity place on Trafford Wharf Road near Old Trafford Stadium. The line-up for opening night on Friday includes Katy B, Diplo, and dubstep pioneer Skream. Details and tickets can be found here.