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It might be getting pretty cold out, but resist the urge to stay inside within touching distance of the radiator. Get out there and enjoy these amazing cultural things to do in November.
Manchester International Festival have announced their first commissions for MIF19, but before then, get in the mood for Skepta and co with Special Edition, an impressively programmed collaboration with The Warehouse Project which looks the polar opposite of their most recent takeover of Mayfield Depot in October.
Meanwhile, Manchester Jewish Museum closes to make way for their £5 million extension and renovation, they sign off in style with The Festival of Leaving, a new, diverse and thought-provoking programme of live performance, music and installations. Another newcomer arrives in the shape of MACFEST, a 10-day celebration of art, literature, music, film, food and heritage relating to the Muslim diaspora, which will open in venues across the city.
The music scene in the North is looking as vibrant and varied as ever with even more brilliant classical concerts alongside a booming choice of gigs. We are especially excited about the 41st Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and Kamaal Williams’ show at Gorilla. Really, there’s too many great gigs to round up here, head over to the music section for all our top picks.
Finally, the Christmas warm up has begun, with The Producers at Royal Exchange and Liverpool Everyman’s Rock N’ Roll Panto both landing at the end of the month. If the thoughts of the festive season is already inducing a little panic, we’ve rounded up the best Christmas theatre and concerts as well as some Christmas shopping ideas too.
The November Longlist
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Jadé Fadojutimi at The Hepworth Wakefield
The Hepworth Wakefield will present an exhibition of new work by British artist Jadé Fadojutimi.
The Not So Ugly Sisters at Waterside
The Yorkshire based theatre-company Wrongsemble bring this wonderful new take on the well-loved classic to audiences for Christmas 2021.
Shame at O2 Ritz
In support of their long-awaited second album, abrasive London five-piece Shame are performing at the Ritz.
Sheila Hicks: Off Grid at The Hepworth Wakefield
Drawing together over 70 pieces from international public and private collections, this major exhibition will explore the many facets of Hicks’ ground-breaking work – from her intimate Minimes, small woven drawings she creates on a hand-held frame, to large-scale installations that fill gallery spaces with vibrant colour.
Sheila Hicks (b.USA, 1934) is one of the world’s foremost artists and sculptors working with textiles, fibre, colour and form.
Drawing together over 70 pieces from international public and private collections, this major exhibition will explore the many facets of Hicks’ ground-breaking work – from her intimate Minimes, small woven drawings she creates on a hand-held frame, to large-scale installations that fill gallery spaces with vibrant colour.
The exhibition will provide insight into how Hicks’ extensive travels across several continents, where she studied vernacular textile traditions and construction techniques through observing and collaborating with local artists, as well as experimenting on her own, has deeply informed and inspired her work.
Collapsing the boundaries between art, architecture and design, Hicks has increasingly engaged with public spaces outside of art gallery environments. She will respond to the spaces inside The Hepworth Wakefield building, designed by David Chipperfield, with a major new commission.
Still showing this month
Trading Station: how hot drinks shape our lives at Manchester Art Gallery
Trading Station at Manchester Art Gallery charts the history and changing social role of hot drinks in our lives.
These Lancashire Women are Witches in Politics with The Turnpike
A collaborative project that takes inspiration from the history of the Leigh Female Reformers of 1819 and the monstrous representations of them in the media of the time.
The Little Library in Spinningfields
Take your pick from The Little Library’s carefully curated collection of classics and new releases, adding a recently read book of your own as a replacement.
What is Manchester Art Gallery? at Manchester Art Gallery
Manchester Art Gallery reopens with a thought-provoking new exhibition that delves into the history of the public institution and its role within the city.
Blackburn Open Walls
Over 3 years, forgotten walls of Blackburn were brought to life with the creation of a vibrant outdoor gallery, by international, national and local artists, who together over 2 weeks, created a collection of large scale murals and art walk trails for the residents and visitors of Blackburn to enjoy.
Pendle Hill Witch Experience Tours
Group tours of Lancashire in the area surrounding Pendle Hill. Through visiting the countryside and villages of Pendle, visitors learn all about the dark deeds and wicked plots surrounding the Pendle Witches in the 1600s.
Discover Buxton Tram Tours
Enjoy a journey through time on Discover Buxton Tour’s unique vintage tram.
Discover Buxton Character Tours
These colourful character guides offer unique and entertaining insights into the history of some of Buxton’s most iconic buildings.
Discover Buxton Walking Tours
Have your history delivered by expert guides whose passion for the heritage of Buxton spills into the unexpected.
Discover Buxton Roman Tours
Join local historian Brian Shepherd for a walk around the town and learn what Buxton may have looked like during Britain’s Roman occupation.
Discover Buxton Audio Tours
Discover Buxton’s audio tours of The Peak cover the area around Buxton and are designed to be enjoyed from the comfort of your own vehicle.
Hardeep Sahota: Bhangra Lexicon – Online
The world’s first ‘visual dictionary’ of movements found within Bhangra, compiled by World Bhangra Day founder, Hardeep Sahota.
Doodle Den: Playful Protests Online
Pick up a pen and encourage the whole family to explore the art of peaceful protest.
Science Learning at Home with Jodrell Bank
Science Learning at Home with Jodrell Bank is a perfect way to keep children (and their adults) busy while learning from home.
Queer Treatment
To coincide with LGBT History Month, Heart of Glass launches Queer Treatment, a new animated short film by the amazing Amy Pennington. Queer Treatment is inspired by conversations with members of the LGBTQIA+ community and explores connection, identity, representation and celebrating queer icons past and present.
PUSH Festival 2021 at HOME
Thrilling and challenging, HOME’s annual festival is a glimmering reminder that new performance continues to be developed, despite ‘you-know-what’.
Ad Minoliti at BALTIC in Gateshead
Argentinian artist Ad Minoliti’s immersive exhibition draws upon queer and feminist theory to offer new understandings of the world around us.
Book sale at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House
Elizabeth Gaskell’s House and award-winning garden is a must-see, with the famous book sale scheduled for 9 May, 13 June, 11 July, 8 August, 12 September, 10 October, 14 November and 12 December 2021, 11am-4pm.
Related Guides
Exhibitions
From the most prestigious painting prize in the UK to a cinematic experience with an original live score, check out this month’s picks.
Christmas Theatre and Concerts
Theatres and concert halls all across the North West are now selling their Christmas wares – and with the big day fast approaching, it is best to plan ahead as the top tickets sell out faster than Santa on a speeding sleigh.
Cinema in Manchester and the North
Online film festivals, brand new streaming film and a Titanic watch-a-long feature in our latest cinema guide.
Music
Livestreamed gigs continue to help us connect with our favourite artists and venues, while supporting the industry around them.
Things to do right now
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