10 December 2014

Polly Checkland Harding

Introducing our Advent Calendar – the tenth post in a cultural countdown to Christmas. Today: Vintage music and Indian sweets.

There’s something uplifting going on at RNCM this evening. It’s exactly 40 years since the Northern Dance Orchestra, formed by the BBC in 1956, last played – so, to honour years of much-loved performances for both TV and radio, the RNCM Big Band will be bringing some of the NDO’s unique music library back to life. Go for the stirring sound of a whole orchestra having fun – and to relive the kind of show that, 40 years ago, would have raised the roof. RNCM, 6.30pm. Tickets from £15.

Do more. If you’re able to wait it out and go for food afterwards, it’s worth thinking about heading further down Oxford Road to the Curry Mile. While the quality here can be patchy, we’re fans of Mughli. Go off piste after your meal and seek out those ridiculously sticky, delicious Indian sweets that wink brightly from every window. For which ones to choose, see our Curry Mile Guide.

Festive Happening Camerata
Spotlight on

Christmas Theatre and Concerts

As the big day approaches, you can count on theatres and concert halls across the North to pull out all the festive stops.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Exhibitions

It’s a good season for contemporary art fans in Manchester, with many of our favourite small galleries launching something big.

Theatre

The nights are drawing in. Theatre across the North is refusing to play it safe. November brings experimental performance, queer comedy and plenty of surprises.

Music

Grubby dance music meets high-gloss hyperpop and wildly ambitious opera in our latest music guide.

Food and Drink in the North

It's autumn and time to get scheduling those hearty meals. Here's the October guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.

Emily Lloyd-Saini as Grace in Space and Harrie Hayes as Lieutenant Strong in Horrible Science
Family things to do in the North

Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.

Poet Helen Mort.
Literature Events in the North

One to add to your TBR pile, our latest round-up is a bumper edition and features some amazing events in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and beyond...