We know, we know, it's Halloween weekend. But you'll get none of that hocus pocus here because we've already done that: BEST OF MCR - Top 5 For Halloween
Cat On A Hot Tin Roof
Perhaps Tennessee William's best-known work, this Pulitzer Prize winning (1955) play is full of bubbling, raw, intense emotion and some hugely uncomfortable scenes. Maggie and her husband Brick return to his home of the night of the patriarch Big Daddy's 65th Birthday. The evening spirals into disaster as the family scramble to secure their futures and their relationships with one another. Sharpe's Daragh O'Malley is sensational as Big Daddy.
Cat On A Hot Tin Roof | Royal Exchange | St Ann's Square | 30 Oct to 29 Nov | Tickets here
Cat On A Hot Tin Roof
#HookedOnMusicLate
A collection of Manchester DJs, including Dave 'Hacienda' Haslam, will lead a debate about what makes a toe tapping tune with scientists who have been working on that very question. Granted, it's not the usual way to present scientific findings, but when there's live DJ sets, drinking and a silent disco, it's a whole lot more fun than Science Illustrated.
#HookedOnMusicLate | MOSI | Sat 1 Nov | 7-11pm | hookedonmusic.org.uk
Hooked
Nightcrawler (15)
Jake Gyllenhaal's portrayal of Lou Bloom in this edgy psychological thriller is already receiving Oscar whispers. Bloom enters the lurid world of freelance crime journalism, taking to the streets of LA with the philosophy ‘good things come to those who work their asses off’, he gets more than he bargained for as he becomes increasingly embroiled in morally deficient world.
Nightcrawler | Cornerhouse | Opens 31 Oct | Tickets here
Adidas SPEZIAL curators talk
Following the overwhelming response to the Adidas Speziale exhibition in Northern Quarter and curator Gary Aspden's talk earlier in the week, Design Manchester are offering one final chance to get involved with the show by announcing an additional talk from Aspden this Saturday. The exhibition, featuring 650 pairs of rare and vintage styles from personal collections,has already attracted over 4000 people in its short stint, including big name fans including Ian Brown, RUN DMC and Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream.
Adidas SPEZIAL in conversation | Sevendale House | Dale Street | NQ | Sat 1 Nov | 11am to midday | FREE tickets going fast - book here
Cup North
The saving grace of early mornings, hangovers and the daily grind, it's time to celebrate coffee in its own right. Organised by the local coffee community, this 'two day coffee party' gives people the chance to sample the best coffee the region has to offer, amongst other delicacies from the city's tea and chocolate merchants, independent street food vendors and brewers.
Cup North | Artwork Building | Greengate | Sat 1 to Sun 2 Nov | 11am - 8pm/6pm | cupnorth.co.uk
Cup North
The Jam (tribute) 35th Anniversary
Calling all Jam fans and mods of past and present. A chance to witness a piece of musical history being played in full. The Jam tribute band - who feature original Jam bassist Bruce Hoxton - will be celebrating the 35 year anniversary of the famous album Setting Sons by playing out the album in all its glory from start to finish. An essential night for any fans of the band.
The Jam Tribute | Setting Sons in full | Gorilla | Sat 1 Nov | 7pm |Tickets here
Derby Day
The bitter rivals go head-to-head in what is still THE biggest game in English football. City's dominance and the Red's downfall over the past year or so have given the Blue's the edge, but following their recent poor form and crashing out of the Capital One Cup on Wednesday night in a shock defeat to Newcastle, Van Gaal's new look United will be looking to make a statement and build a foundation on which to give their season a much needed kick start. Both have leaky defences, but look terrifying going forward so expect goals, or maybe none. Who knows, it's the Manchester derby.
City VS United | Etihad Stadium or on the box | Sun 2 Nov | 1.30pm | Sky Sports
Rooney's derby 'wonder goal'
Victoria Baths Arts & Crafts Fair
Just in time for the holiday season, a chance to get stuck in to Christmas shopping somewhere a bit different. With a range of stalls selling a whole host of quirky items, from hand drawn children's books, stained glass decorations and original stitched wood artwork all under the roof of one of Manchester's architectural triumphs. Just in case the huge collection of stalls isn't enough, tours will be run throughout the day, giving visitors the chance to see a piece of Mancunian history.
Arts & Crafts Fair | Victoria Baths | Sun 2 Nov | midday to 4pm |More here
Victoria Baths
Film Quiz
So you think you know your movies? Know your Fight Clubs from yourBreakfast Clubs? Why not put your money where your mouth is and get down to the Cornerhouse cafe bar and take on some fellow budding film buffs and see how you fair up against them in this monthly competition.
Film Quiz | Cornerhouse | Tues 4 Nov | 8pm to 10.30pm | cornerhouse.org
Cornerhouse
Pizza Express Singles Night
Tired of looking for 'the one' at uncomfortable singles nights? "Oh so what do you do?” *feign interest* "Where are you from" *look at watch*. Well here's a chance to meet singles in a completely different way. An expert pizza chef will give a walk through in preparing the perfect Italian pizza, giving singles the chance to mingle as they prepare their creations. And even if you don't score, you've still scored a pizza.
Pizza Express Singles Night | Weds 5 Nov | South King St | 6.30-9.30pm | More here
Pizza singles night
Xmas lights switch on
It's getting to that time of year again (whether you like it or not), so if you're a big Santophile what better way to see it in than with another huge party hosted by Key 103 in Albert Square. Proceedings will be lead by home grown comedian Jason Manford, as well as other names including Britain's Got Talent winners, Collabro, An Idiot Abroad's Warwick Davis, stars from hit show, Shrek the Musical and many, many more. All rounded off by a spectacular ten minute fireworks display.
Xmas Lights Switch On | Albert Square | Fri 7 Nov | 7.30pm | Preview here
Xmas lights switch-on, Albert Square
Interstellar
The latest piece of work from The Dark Knight trilogy director, Christopher Nolan, deals in space and time. So there's a fair amount of scope to work with. Food is running low on earth and everyone is growing corn and moaning about it on twitter. So Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway wind up on a journey through a wormhole to scope out a distant solar system for new planets to call home. Basic stuff, really.
Interstellar | Various cinemas | Released on Fri 7 Nov
