And Here I Find Myself at The Lowry (no kidding)

My partner and I moved recently. From suburbia to ‘urbia’. From a house to an apartment. I think like a lot of people about a lot of life choices, a penny dropped, at some point, over the pandemic. I won’t speak for my partner, Actual Manc, but have sought his blessing to light-touch invade hisContinue reading “And Here I Find Myself at The Lowry (no kidding)”

Happy big 4-0 Hacienda! The night I entered Manc Mecca…

1982 was a very special year. My brother was born in the January, the Hacienda was born in May. And the rest is history. That said, history came alive Saturday night when the shutters flew up on what is now the Hacienda apartments car park, and 1000 of us flooded in (note a last minuteContinue reading “Happy big 4-0 Hacienda! The night I entered Manc Mecca…”

Preview: Manchester Open Exhibition returns HOME this week

Can it be two years since the inaugural exhibition? And what a two years it’s been. Well let’s not go into that, but the first Manchester Open Exhibition was so super, I even walked away with a purchased piece. A piece that soon began to take on layered and multiple meetings in the 12 monthsContinue reading “Preview: Manchester Open Exhibition returns HOME this week”

Review: Forgotten Voices at Hope Mill Theatre

Forgotten Voices is something special. To listen to the story of somebody’s life experiences is already a privilege. For that story to be written by that person’s grandson, moreso. But when that story is important, powerful, heartfelt, beautifully written and acted, it’s a whole other level. Written by David Moorhouse, directed by Margaret Connell, andContinue reading “Review: Forgotten Voices at Hope Mill Theatre”

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”

Music: Denise Johnson’s final gift with posthumous release of debut album, Where Does it Go

The world of music, in particular our own very special part of that world, here in Manchester, was recently rocked and hugely saddened by the news that hugely acclaimed, simply stunning, vocalist, Denise Johnson, had passed away. Best known for the two albums she recorded and toured with Primal scream in the 90s, Screamadelica andContinue reading “Music: Denise Johnson’s final gift with posthumous release of debut album, Where Does it Go”

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”

Preview: HOME is where the People’s Art is – the first Manchester Open Exhibition

Whilst works, appreciation, opinions and afforded gravitas come in all shapes and sizes, art should be inclusive and HOME is bringing this ethos to life by celebrating the amazing talent of Greater Manchester. In the first region-wide exhibition of its type, HOME welcomed submissions from all across all 10 boroughs, for the inaugural Manchester OpenContinue reading “Preview: HOME is where the People’s Art is – the first Manchester Open Exhibition”

More than a building…Chorlton Bee Gee landmark needs your help to stay alive!

The Bee Gees belong to Manchester, well Chorlton to be specific. Yes, ok, they flirted with being born in the Isle of Man,  emigrating to Australia, living in LA, travelling the world, but it was in Chorlton, Manchester,  that the magic first happened. These fellow honorary mancs formed their first band, the skiffle/rock and rollContinue reading “More than a building…Chorlton Bee Gee landmark needs your help to stay alive!”

Preview: Jon Sopel – Inside Trump’s White House (Penguin live)

If like me (I do miss Denis Norden – I interviewed him by fax once…) you are obsessed with all things West Wing (including The West Wing), you’ll be fascinated by the upcoming book by BBC North America Editor, Jon Sopel, A Year at the Circus. Not only that, you’ll be fascinated to get aContinue reading “Preview: Jon Sopel – Inside Trump’s White House (Penguin live)”

*Preview* Penguin Pride comes to Manchester

Penguin Pride is winging its way to Manchester next week, with a wonderful line-up of LGBTQ+ writers, poets and performers to celebrate the city’s incredible diversity. Taking place at Z-Arts on Thursday 23 August, poet and playwright Toby Campion hosts this special event which will showcase some of the UK’s most exciting queer talent. Presented in partnershipContinue reading “*Preview* Penguin Pride comes to Manchester”

Theatre review – Diamond – HOME Mcr

I have two things in common with performance artist, David Hoyle; we’re now both Manchester based and we both grew up and spent our formative years on the Fylde Coast – he in Layton, me in Thornton-Cleveleys, both a pebble’s throw away from Blackpool. Oh a third – we were both in Theatre 2 at Manchester’sContinue reading “Theatre review – Diamond – HOME Mcr”

My Manchester in 2017 – in pictures

The highs, the lows and the love that stemmed. Beautiful Manchester. .

The Tram Tribes – a Manchester subculture. 

The Manchester Metrolink. It has its knockers but I’m a fan and think, in general, it’s pretty good. Pretty good doesn’t include when it terminates early at Timperley or Navigation Road (Alty commuters, right?). But as a service, it mostly works. Whilst crowding and cancellations can drive you to the brink at times (or not, ifContinue reading “The Tram Tribes – a Manchester subculture. “

Mancs vs Food – aka my Saucy Sunday 

Sunday, Bloody Sunday.  You wake up in the morning, you’ve got to read all the papers, the kids are running around, you’ve got to mow the lawn, wash the car, and you think  Sunday. Bloody Sunday With a few adjustments to the woes listed by Alan Partridge , I often do think the same. They’reContinue reading “Mancs vs Food – aka my Saucy Sunday “