Culture Guides
Destination Guides
Unmissable things to do in Manchester and the North
Discover acclaimed music and stand-out exhibitions, groundbreaking theatre, family, cinema and literary events in Manchester and the North.
Our top picks
SparkPlug at HOME
Inspired by autobiographical events, SparkPlug is a punchy and poetic monologue which explores family, race, identity and love.
Mother Courage and her Children at the Royal Exchange
A sharp new adaptation of Brecht’s classic – Mother Courage and her Children – written by Anna Jordan and headed up by Julie Hesmondhalgh in the title role.
Manchester Vocal Weekend at The Stoller Hall
Over the final weekend of February, award winning baritone Marcus Farnsworth will lead the very first Manchester Vocal Weekend.
Sixteen – around Manchester
Presented at venues across Manchester, ‘Sixteen’ is a nationwide photographic project that gives voice to the next generation of young people across Great Britain, who will live in a politically reshaped country divorced from the European Union.
Schumann | Robin Holloway | Valentin Silvestrov at The Bridgewater Hall
The BBC Philharmonic celebrates Robin Holloway’s 75th birthday with a brand new work by the treasured English composer, given its world premiere by guest soloist Håkan Hardenberger. Also tonight, a rare performance of Valentin Silvestrov’s transcendent Fifth Symphony, one of the best-kept secrets in contemporary music.
Chinternet Ugly at Centre for ChineseContemporary Art
CFCCA presents Chinternet Ugly – a group exhibition that offers a rare glimpse behind the biggest digital boundary in the world: the Great Firewall of China.
Actress at Gorilla
For the second night in the Marcus Intalex Music Foundation’s WK:END series, the inimitable Actress will play at Gorilla, alongside Martyn and dBridge.
Simeon Barclay: Life Room at The Holden Gallery
The Holden Gallery presents ‘Simeon Barclay: Life Room’, featuring new work by an artist from Huddersfield who discovered glamour, theatricality and a sense of aspiration between the pages of ‘Vogue’, and a love for industrial fabricating techniques during 16 years spent on the factory floor.
Bigger Than Life/ Four Films by Stephen Cone at Number 70, Oxford Street
Bigger Than Life and Research in Arts and Humanities at Manchester Met present the first UK retrospective of the films of American independent film director Stephen Cone, at No. 70, Oxford Road this February.
Kannan Arunasalam: The Tent at The Tetley
‘Kannan Arunasalam: The Tent’ at The Tetley explores the lasting impact of the civil war that raged in Sri Lanka for over 25 years, claiming the lives of an estimated 80,000-100,000 people and leading to the forced disappearance of more than 20,000 Tamils.
James Blake at Victoria Warehouse
Following his acclaimed new album ‘Assume Form’, James Blake’s gig at Victoria Warehouse will be one of the most exciting of the spring season.
Wise Children at HOME
Acclaimed director Emma Rice will bring her adaptation of Angela Carter’s Wise Children to HOME this February.
William Stott of Oldham: Great Painters are Rare at Gallery Oldham
Exactly 120 years after his death, the work of the world-renowned William Stott of Oldham returns to his hometown as part of an exhibition dedicated to his legacy.
Storyhouse Women at Chester Storyhouse
International activist, author and actor Rose McGowan is headlining the second Storyhouse Women Weekend festival taking place at the city arts venue 26 to 28 April, discussing her bestselling memoir/manifesto Brave.
Macbeth at the Epstein Theatre
After two critically acclaimed seasons of Shakespeare, Daniel Taylor Productions will return to the Epstein Theatre with Macbeth.
Culture Guides
Exhibitions
Fairy tales, contemporary dance and the mysteries of the night sky all feature as themes among this month’s pick of exhibition highlights from across the north.
Literature
Those darling buds are coming back to life in live literature land as 2019 gets properly underway, and we’ve plenty to look forward to – from performance poetry and soundscapes to readings from magazines, memoirs and award-winning short stories.
Tours and Activities
In this month’s roundup of best Tours and Activities in Manchester and the North, we highlight the pottery and craft workshops giving you some cathartic and creative opportunities to get making.
Destination Guides
Things to do right now
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