It’s all a bit fringe-y: this month’s best independent arts events

Phoebe Hurst

Who says you need a festival to have a fringe? One-off performances, book readings and new theatre productions happen in Manchester all year round. The folks behind 24:7 Theatre Festival help us to round up this month’s best fringe events.

Proving theatres don’t have to go dark in the summer, Contact stages Lounge Fest, a festival-style take over that showcases two nights of new-writing. Featuring 24:7 alumni Ian Winterton as well as Liverpool’s Annexe Writers, the festival centres around Contact Compacts, a series of short plays from the North West’s brightest writing talent.

And we couldn’t talk fringe without mentioning Manchester Pride. The Big Weekend returns this Bank Holiday with its infamous parade but Pride Fringe runs throughout August with a programme of exhibitions, film screenings and performances. Highlights include Identity Parade at the Lass O’Gowrie, an evening of storytelling, poetry and comedy that explores Queer identity, and Chris Hoyle’s latest play, The Other Team. Portico Library also tempts bookworms with a fund-raising book fair this Friday and Manchester magazine, Nous continues its As We Are Away Festival with readings, screenings and live performances.

And for anyone venturing North of Hadrian’s Wall, Manchester theatre company Leading Van takes its slice-of-life comedy, Loving Dick to Edinburgh Fringe and the Royal Exchange Theatre flies the flag for Manchester at the Northern Stage with a production of Chris Thorpe’s There Has Possibly Been An Incident. Articulate Elbow also represents the city with its production of Mother F, a celebratory tale about mothers and 24:7’s very own David Slack speaks as part of the Edinburgh Showcase at Waverley Gate.

Culture Guides

Cinema

We look at the ingenious, atmospheric outdoor screenings popping up across the North this summer.

Exhibitions

The spring season in museums and galleries continues, with an abundance of new exhibitions all over the North.

Winnie the Pooh at Manchester Opera House

Families

The sun has finally got his hat on! Enjoy our top picks of family-friendly events and activities, both indoors and outdoors.

Anita Sethi

Literature

Festival fever has live literature land gripped, and libraries get their very own celebration in Greater Manchester, so you have your pick of performances from a star-studded cast this month…

Music

Some excellent bands descend on Manchester this month, with the old and new guard of post punk in particularly strong supply.

Theatre in Manchester

Theatre

Check out our updated guide for lively theatre festivals, rip-roaring rooftop circus and dreamy outdoor shows.

Classical Music

We preview the standout classical music events and venues in Manchester and the north.

Food and Drink

Plan your May Bank Holidays with the best restaurants and bars in Manchester and the North.

Tours and Activities

New in our Tours and Activities section – drink and draw sessions, political reading groups and tours of some of Manchester’s most unique museums.