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.

Pillock at Contact
Spotlight on

Fringe Theatre in Manchester and the North

Check out our top picks of shows previewing in the North West before heading to Edinburgh Fringe Festival later in the summer.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Rebecca Watson author photo
Literature Events in Manchester and the North

In between working out, then working through, your holiday reading pile this summer, find inspiration for your next bookish acquisitions from our selection of live events and exhibitions.