7 December 2014

Polly Checkland Harding

Introducing our Advent Calendar – the seventh post in a cultural countdown to Christmas. Today: Game-changing art and a sing off.

It’s Castlefield Gallery’s 30th birthday – and we love the look of its new exhibition, 30 Years of the Future. Put together by some starry names in the art world, including artist Ryan Gander, critic JJ Charlesworth and curator Hans Ulrich Obrist, the show promises to focus on the artists most likely to be serious influencers over the coming years. Castlefield Gallery, 1pm-6pm. Free.

Balance out some deep, intellectual musings with a cocktail: Elixir might be a little “Deansgate”, but they do serve treats with their drinks (and the ladies loos are pretty ace, too). For food, The Botanist is only a short stroll down the road. We’re still thinking about their salt and pepper onion curls…

Do more. The Choir of the Year Grand Final is being held at the Bridgewater Hall this evening, co-presented by Josie D’Arby and that bloke off the telly, Gareth Malone. Watch six choirs from across the UK battle it out to become the overall winner. Bridgewater Hall, 5pm. Tickets from £13.

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...