Did I mention that it’s 40 years since the Hacienda and all it entails was realised? Oh yes here’s where I mentioned it…Happy big 4-0 Hacienda! The night I entered Manc Mecca… Well here’s its sister from the same mister and if you haven’t heard, been or listened to Hacienda Classical, you don’t know whatContinue reading “Hacienda Classical at Castlefield Bowl – name something more Manc”
Category Archives: Festivals
Greater Manchester Fringe is back with a bang (and I done a weak hair pun)
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…. Fringe.Is.Back. And not just any old Fringe. Greater Manchester Fringe. All that creativity, talent and in all those exciting and unique spaces around Manchester. The Greater Manchester Fringe Festival returns for its 11th year, in its original summer slot from Friday 1st until Sunday 31st July. OverContinue reading “Greater Manchester Fringe is back with a bang (and I done a weak hair pun)”
Review: Balloon Animal at Manchester Film Festival
As a child I used to marvel at the concept and sheer artistry of those who could transform balloon into beast (ridiculous but alliteration, I can’t not). Even more so when I tried to do it myself not realising that a special type of balloon can only be used, and concluding that only those touchedContinue reading “Review: Balloon Animal at Manchester Film Festival”
Review: Spaghetti Junction at Manchester Film Festival
There’s a rich history of films centred around the ‘stranger visits town’ trope. Sometimes that trope is literal; a mainstay for many a Western. Sometimes, that stranger is coming from somewhat further afield, swapping out a small town for Earth itself. Starman, Superman, E.T. Close Encounters of the Third Kind – the list is prettyContinue reading “Review: Spaghetti Junction at Manchester Film Festival”
Manchester Film Festival 2022
This week was monumental. After what felt like a long, long dark winter, the sun set AFTER 6pm. Today is also monumental as Manchester Film Festival 2022 throws open its literal and metaphorical doors to us Mancs, honorary and actual, and all those visiting our fine city. From 12 – 20 March, over 130 filmsContinue reading “Manchester Film Festival 2022”
Review: The Same Rain that Falls on Me (Greater Mcr Fringe)
I’ve written my love letter to fringe theatre before and my opinion never changes. I love you all, theatre concepts, venues, genres…but fringe is definitely a head turner for me… Apart from the opportunity for writers to write and actors to act with a no holds barred emotional, brave and raw approach to the subjectContinue reading “Review: The Same Rain that Falls on Me (Greater Mcr Fringe)”
Review: Manchester Rum Festival
Rum and Rummer. A rum do Comfortably numb. From rum. Dare I say young, dumb and full of rum? Seems I do. Ok the puns are out of my system now. Which is hopefully also the case for the sheer amount of rum I consumed last Saturday at the Mercure Hotel, Piccadilly Gardens. The ManchesterContinue reading “Review: Manchester Rum Festival”
Exclusive Manchester rum for lucky festival-goers this weekend
If you’re heading to Manchester Rum Festival this weekend [Saturday 28th August] you’re in for a very exclusive treat. Festival owner Dave Marsland and The City of Manchester Distillery have created an entirely unique, never-tasted-before rum solely for ticket holders. Just 100 bottles of The Double Distillery Pot Limited Edition Column Still Rum will be availableContinue reading “Exclusive Manchester rum for lucky festival-goers this weekend”
It’s a Rum Do in Manchester as Festival returns this August bank holiday
2020…events…pandemic…cancellations and so on and so forth. Stick a pin in that. It’s 2021, it’s the August bank holiday weekend and the Manchester Rum Festival is on! Bringing with it over 30 rum brands from around the world, this year’s festival takes place in the 4-star Mercure Hotel on Saturday 28 August, at the heartContinue reading “It’s a Rum Do in Manchester as Festival returns this August bank holiday”
Review: The Patience of Trees at MiF – now available to stream
Only a few days earlier, I’d enjoyed the wonder that was the Damon Albarn gig, as part of the very special Manchester International Festival. Friday it was back to GMEX (am I being tedious refusing to get upto date with this? Such a mouthful) and the space had been transformed into a very different place.Continue reading “Review: The Patience of Trees at MiF – now available to stream”
Review: Damon Albarn, Manchester International Festival 2021
A few firsts for a Monday night. First day of leaving the house in 2 weeks after not quite managing to avoid COVID’s touch. First time at a live music gig since Supergrass, February 2020, because, you know… First time that Damon Albarn has played a gig in two years and he looked as insanelyContinue reading “Review: Damon Albarn, Manchester International Festival 2021”
Preview: Trans Vegas, 9-11 July
Unless you’re currently self-isolating like my good self (COVID got me good, got me real good), you can’t have failed to notice the billboard/bus stop takeover across Manchester City Centre of Jamaican trans duo, Kyym and Emani. Our presence is our resilience is the mantra of these strong fashion activists. The visually striking and uncompromisingContinue reading “Preview: Trans Vegas, 9-11 July”
FilmFear festival returns to Manchester – tickets now on sale
It’s back. FilmFear returns to HOME this Hallowe’en and this year, slightly beyond, with an extended programme of chills, thrills and downright blood spills. Running from Wednesday 28 October to Thursday 5 November, Film4 and HOME have co-curated a line-up (coined Scream Now, Think Later) of modern genre classics that sink their teeth into politics,Continue reading “FilmFear festival returns to Manchester – tickets now on sale”
An Escape to Freight Island for Headstock opener
It feels like there’s precious little to look forward to or enjoy at the moment (yes Debbie Downer at your service), but much of what we have had to look forward to in Greater Manchester has been courtesy of the brilliant platform United We Stream. And so, this Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October, HeadstockContinue reading “An Escape to Freight Island for Headstock opener”
News: The Lowry offers 20 Salfordians chance to headline WEEK 53 Festival
It’s something we’ve known for a long time – there’s a lot of talent in our region but it’s not just the household names I’m talking about. Thanks to a project called The Twenty, people who dwell in the city of Salford will be provided with the exciting opportunity to turn their creativity into aContinue reading “News: The Lowry offers 20 Salfordians chance to headline WEEK 53 Festival”
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