Polly Checkland Harding

Tramlines music festival in Sheffield keeps its feet firmly on the concrete for its sixth, and most impressive, outing. There are some festival-goers who enjoy getting (and staying) muddy. Those...

An exhibition in Leeds that questions what sculpture really is – and which aims to install a little-known female artist in the canon of art historical greats. Take a line,...

A cake and paint celebration of Art Party, a new artists’ feature film, at Manchester’s Cornerhouse. What’s the connection between Michael Gove, fluorescent paint and a “pornicakor extraordinaire”?

For the 100th anniversary of the First World War, Quays Culture has curated HONOUR, a powerful event in memory of war. Honour – it’s a curiously archaic word that’s become...

This popular, Bruntwood Prize winning play returns to Manchester’s Royal Exchange studio, fixing its audience firmly in its sights for seven performances only. Britannia Waves The Rules is a play...

Untitled by photographer Ricky Adam is our Photo of the Month – a shot that blends skill with opportunism. It seems unlikely that this couple ever imagined their kiss would...

It’s an exhibition that can be looked at in many different ways: Ryan Gander’s new show is all about using your imagination. Ryan Gander’s Make every show like it’s your last...

Video Jam pair live music with short films – with very unexpected results. Truth: horror movies are so much tamer on mute. Sound is used as cue for reactions, a...

Instrumental Manchester-based band PLANK curate The Playlist, our top 5 music recommendations, chosen by taste-makers in the north. It’s always kind of great finding out what songs have influenced a...

Beryl, a new play by actress Maxine Peake, tells the formidable and lesser-known story of cyclist Beryl Burton. Is the fact that cyclist Beryl Burton is so under recognised more...

The festival of all things jazz kicks off next month – we take a look at what’s in store. Manchester Jazz Festival teeters on the edge of a major anniversary:...

Discover a hidden city. Manchester isn’t just about an amazing, cultural programme – it has its secrets too. Are we operating on urban autopilot? According to new research conducted by...