NQ Jazz is one of my favourites things. Yes we have Matt and Phred’s and I give thanks to the gods of live jazz that we do. But Manchester needs even more and NQ Jazz gives us that more in a gloriously dark, underground befitting location that is The Whiskey Jar. To speak in New … More Preview: NQ Jazz – 21.10.2019 – Sue Rynhart & Huw Warren
Last year I shared my immense joy at what was an evening of entertainment, enlightenment, education and laughter (I couldn’t find a synonym for lolz beginning with ‘e’, ok?): Penguin Pride – less a review, more a tribute Well it’s back and I’ll be there and you should be too. And I’ll tell you for … More Preview: Penguin Pride 2019 (part of Pride at HOME)
A funny and frank autobiographical solo-show, First Time (from Dibby Theatre) is written and performed by theatre-maker and HIV activist, Nathaniel Hall and returned to Sale Waterside Centre as part of Refract Festival. Diagnosed just two weeks after his 17th birthday and only months after coming out as gay to his family, Nathaniel kept his HIV … More Review: First Time (Refract Festival 2019)
Those who have already discovered this award-winning arts festival will be thrilled to hear that Refract is back for its third edition in and around Sale, this July. Those who haven’t yet discovered Refract – you’re in for a treat. Running from Thursday 18 July to Saturday 27 July, this unconventional 10 day festival, curated … More Back with a Bang! Refract festival returns to Sale this Summer
Bank Holiday Monday and I was whisked back to the 1960s last night. A time when Woolies was still a thing, Donovan was number 3 in the charts and who you loved or even just fancied could consign you to a prison cell and a place of deep shame and castigation in society. All I … More Review: All I See is You
Tensions were reaching fever pitch last night. Two words, two cities – on everyone’s minds, on everyone’s lips, up and down Deansgate, in squares… Albert, Exchange, Peter’s, Anne’s – all the squares. Manchester Barcelona And as we headed to the theatre of dreams, we knew that this date would be imprinted on our memories for … More Review: Kingdom – part of Viva festival at HOME
My mum told me this story of being at the cricket at Old Trafford. Frank Sidebottom had made a glorious appearance (actual Frank – there were many pretenders to the papier-mâché head aesthetic with ‘hilarious’ consequences…) In fact in Being Frank… John Thomson tells us of Chris Sievey getting out a scrap book he kept … More Review: Being Frank: The Chris Sievey Story
