Eat
Go for a cracking vegetarian meal out on Saturday at the 1847, The Vegetarian Bistro. You could go for the grilled halloumi lollypop with olive and tomato salsa for starters, along with chestnut and shallot pie for a main course. Well, and since it's, Saturday, a Hendrick's gin and tonic cake with cucumber and black pepper granite for pudding. Click here for details.
Drink
Head over to Socio Rehab on High Street in the Northern Quarter and order yourself a superb cocktail from these prize mixologists. Their vast selection include drinks like Love Potion no. 4, maybe a good drink for those looking for a date on Valentine's and Attitude Adjustor for those in need of one. Click here for more info.
Tour
Join Confidential's Jonathan Schofield on his city tour S**t Happens at 3pm on Saturday. He´ll lead you through the down and out side of Manchester, the profane, the vulgar and the darkness with a promise of light at the end of the tunnel and a good laugh or two. The tours cost £6, for more information click here. Meet 3pm Saturday 4 February outside Manchester Visitor Information Centre, Portland Street, City centre, M1 4BT.
Film
Roman Polanski´s newest film, Carnage is a black comedy that takes place in New York, where two sets of parents meet because of a dispute between their children. A polite conversation escalates into verbal warfare as the meeting drags on and the couples turn on each other. The film has an all star cast of Academy Award winners Kate Winslet, Jodie Foster and Christoph Waltz and Academy Award nominee John C. Reilly. Click here to view the trailer.
Outing
Go out to Werneth Low Country Park on Sunday either for a leisurely walk or a good hike with your friends. This 80 hectares park is only 9.5 miles from the city centre and has a view across Manchester and over to Liverpool. The park is a haven for wildlife and has tracks for walking, bicycling and horseback riding. You could also bring a kite with you if the weather is right. Click here for more information on walks and trails in the park.
Concert
Stretch the weekend out a bit and go see The Black Keys at the O2 Apollo on Monday 6 February. The Black Keys is an American rock band from Ohio. Their latest album, El Camino, 2011, came in at number two on the Billboard 200 chart and has sold over two million copies in the States. Tickets cost £24,50, click here to find tickets. Click here to listen to their single Lonely Boy.
Comedy
Stand up comedian Richard Herring performs his show, What is Love, Anyway? at the Lowry on Sunday night. As he has in his former shows sorted out religion, politics and penises he's now on a love mission. A mission to seek and destroy love before it destroys him. Tickets are £15, click here for tickets and information.
Kids
Take the kids, or the kid inside you, to see the Dickens' classic story of Oliver! the boy who asked for more, at the Manchester Palace Theatre over the weekend. Oliver! recently completed a two year run in London where it attracted great reviews. Ticket costs vary from £18.50 depending on seating. Click here for tickets or check out the play´s advertisement.
Museum
The Gallery of Costume at Platt Hall reopened to the public in 2010 after a £1million renovation. The Gallery of Costume houses one of the largest costume collections in Britain, displaying over 20,000 fashion items from the seventeenth century to the present day. It is a perfect Saturday afternoon activity and an opportunity to get fashion inspired before dressing up for a night out. For more information click here.
Club
The Faktion at Islington Mill presents Blacker than Black showcase with a special guest, William Bennett's Cut Hands on Saturday 4 February. Performing are Cut Hands, Regis, Raime, Demdike Stare Dex'n FX and Blackest ever Black DJs. Tickets cost £10 and the venue will be open from 10-05am. For more information check out Faktion on Facebook.
