Manchester

The cafe in the trees at the Whitworth — Image courtesy of The Whitworth

Oxford Road, Manchester

Creative Tourist

Last Updated 8 September 2016

Stretching all the way from the Curry Mile – with its glittering sari emporiums, Indian sweet shops and mixed reputation for actual curry – up toward the city centre, Oxford Road is not only home to two Universities, the Royal Northern College of Music, an Olympic-sized pool and a good number of the city’s best music venues, it’s also the busiest bus route in Europe. Yes, this is student land, but cultural institutions such as The Whitworth art gallery, Manchester Museum and International Anthony Burgess Centre also make the area a real draw for locals and tourists alike. There are also two parks: Whitworth Park, which dates back to 1890, and Grosvenor Square, a small patch of green that was once a church and where now, on sunny days, the locals come out to bask in bookish style.

The Oxford Road Corridor is the site of serious scientific innovation; here, you can visit the place where the atom was split, and doff your cap to the building dedicated to pioneering computer scientist and code breaker Alan Turing. Once home to philosopher Friedrich Engels and writer Elizabeth Gaskell, the area can boast its fair share of artistic prestige, too. Here, history and innovation still exist side by side.

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Theatre 27 September 2016–2 October 2016, from £12.00

Akram Khan’s Giselle

in Khan we’ve got a real master of the craft. Pair him up with the immaculate dancers of the English National Ballet and it is hard to see what could go wrong

Lemn Sissay at the 8th Black and Asian Writers Conference

Literature 8 October 2016, from £7.00

Lemn Sissay at Contact

Join poet, author and MBE Lemn Sissay as he closes this year’s Black & Asian Writers Conference.

Education 17 October 2016,

PR in Manchester at Number 70 Oxford Street

A spotlight on the local legendary fondness for musicals – revealing little known historical connections.

Exhibitions 1 December 2016,

Straight Outta Manchester at Number 70 Oxford Street

This public lecture will be in the form of a panel discussion focusing on the role that Manchester music, fashion and ultimately youth cultures have played in forming the Manchester global (and local) brand image.

slung-low-contact-theatre-christmas-2016

Families 15 December 2016–22 December 2016, from £5.00

The Siege of Christmas at Contact

Here’s the premise: someone has kidnapped the spirit of Christmas and you have to help find her. Where would you look? In a castle of course – or rather Contact and its crenelated roofline.

Exhibitions 30 September 2016,

Science Uncovered 2016 at Manchester Museum

A spectacular night showcasing Manchester’s finest researchers and their work. There will be research on show, music, drinks and a lively atmosphere.

Exhibitions 30 September 2016, FREE

Science Uncovered Manchester European Researchers Night at Manchester Museum

A spectacular night showcasing Manchester’s finest researchers and their work for an adult audience. There’ll be research on show, music, drinks and a lively atmosphere.

Theatre 25 October 2016–26 October 2016, from £7.00

Upswing: Bedtime Stories

Is there anything more magical than a bedtime story? Get under the covers and snuggle up with your family for this new production aimed at kids aged 3-10.

Education 10 May 2017,

Manchester as Cosmopolis at Number 70 Oxford Street

This event will be a One Day Symposium on Global Migration to put forth a number of perspectives on how global skilled migration affects the local economy and society.

Exhibitions 13 March 2017,

Manchester, Ireland and the World at Number 70 Oxford Street

In this event, we will explore the social and cultural identity of the North West Irish community, as well as its interactions and intersections with other minorities, both local and global.