The ‘What’s on in Manchester’ blog will give you a heads up for selected highlights of where to be and what to see in Manchester for the coming month – published every month on behalf of Visit Manchester.
Exhibitions
Mortality: Death and the Imagination // 8 July – 18 August @ The Holden Gallery
Rather than using death as a blunt end-point, this exhibition turns its attention to mortality and the ways in which death appears (or is obscured) through being in the midst of life.
Brains: The Mind as Matter // From 26 July @ MOSI
Featuring a range of objects, audio-visual installations and beautiful artworks, this fascinating exhibition explores what humans have done to brains in the cause of medical intervention, scientific enquiry, cultural meaning and technological change.
Horrible Histories // From present until 31 December 2012 @ Imperial War Museum (IWM) North
Daily at 11am with an extra showing at 2pm during weekends and school holidays, meet Rattus Rattus as he takes you on a journey back to the woeful Second World War, where you can discover foul food, dig for victory, and make do and mend.
Music
The Smashing Pumpkins // 1 July @ Manchester Academy
The Smashing Pumpkins will be performing at Manchester’s Academy One venue on 1 July 2013. The performance will start at 19:00. The Smashing Pumpkins have created one of the most acclaimed bodies of work in musical history and sold over 30 million albums.
Rihanna // 15 and 16 July @ Manchester Arena
Following her four sold-out Manchester Arena dates in winter 2011, the international R’n’B star returns to showcase tracks from her latest album Diamonds, alongside the chart-topping hits Umbrella, Don’t Stop The Music, Only Girl (In The World), SOS, Disturbia and Shut Up And Drive.
Devendra Banhart // 17 July @ The Ritz
Banhart first attracted international notice with his 2002 debut album, Oh Me Oh My… The Way the Day Goes By the Sun Is Setting Dogs Are Dreaming Lovesongs of the Christmas Spirit – a collection of recordings he had made for himself.
BUFF // 12 – 14 July @ TribeCa, Saville Street
BUFF is a weekend aimed at the trans masculine community. They aim to bring trans masculine identified people and S.O.F.F.A’s together through various events such as club nights, lunches and other gatherings.
Picnic Concert: The Human League with special guests // 20 July @ Tatton Park
The Human League and special guests for an astounding evening of much loved electro classics in the stunning surroundings of Tatton Park. The concert will conclude with an amazing fireworks display.
Picnic Concert: Katherine Jenkins // 21 July @ Tatton Park
Katherine will be performing a selection of much-loved Last Night classics such as Rule Britannia, Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory. In addition, the concert will feature some of her favourite pieces including Les Filles de Cadiz, Someone To Watch Over Me and I Could Have Danced All Night. This fantastic finale to the weekend comes complete with the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Anthony Inglis and culminate with a stunning fireworks display.
Performance
Too Clever By Half // 10 – 17 August @ Royal Exchange
Too Clever By Half is a biting satire about Gloumov, a young scoundrel who is out to climb to the top of bourgeois society, regardless of what it takes to rise through the ranks and who he steps on to get there.
Momentous Musicals // 25 July @ The Palace Theatre
With an accompanying cast of the highest West End calibre, this year’s show will feature brand new arrangements of classic and recent musical theatre songs including Let Me Be Your Star from Smash, What I Did For Love (A Chorus Line) and One Day More (Les Misérables).
My Generation: The Glory Years of British Rock // Present until 15 September @ The Lowry
As Top of the Pop’s resident photographer from 1964 – 1973, Harry Goodwin documented some of the most important musical stars and performances of this crucial time in rock history.
Ghost // 2 – 20 July @ Manchester Opera House
Sam is trapped as a ghost between this world and the next trying to communicate with girlfriend Molly through a phoney psychic in the hope of saving her from his murderer.
Festivals
RHS Flower Show // 25 – 28 July @ Tatton Park
Set in the height of the summer in the grounds of one of Britain’s most historic estates, the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park is a stunning blend of inspirational gardening with all the magnificence and grandeur of a garden party.
Greater Manchester Fringe Festival // 1 – 31 July @ Various
Greater Manchester Fringe Festival is back in July 2013 and buzzing with new venues and new shows – sponsored by Manchester City Council and Outstanding Beers of Bury. For 31 days The Briton’s Protection, Fab Cafe Kings Arms, Kraak, Lass O’Gowrie, O’Shea’s Irish Bar, The Salford Arms, Satan’s Hollow, Taurus, Tiger Lounge, Retro Bar and TV21 will be hosting live drama, music, comedy and other events.
24:7 Theatre Festival // 19 – 26 July 2013 @ Various
11 premieres, eight days, featuring fire stations, period dramas and made-up monsters. 24:7 is a unique theatre festival that brings innovative drama to the people of Manchester and nurtures the writing, directing, performing and producing talent of tomorrow. In 2004, the first Festival took place in bars and clubs around Manchester city centre. With no finance but bags of determination, we managed to attract 1,600 audience members in one week.
Out Of Town
The Magic of Beatrix Potter // Present until 1 September @ Tatton Park
Tatton Park celebrates Beatrix Potter this summer with an enchanting exhibition of family events and activities. Look out for characters and scenes from her stories and follow trails in the mansion, farm and gardens. Find out about her life and legacy of countryside conservations. Enjoy rare opportunities to see an exhibition of Beatrix Potter’s original water colours and drawings, on loan from the National Trust collection.
Worn To Be Wild // Present until 13 July @ Gallery Oldham
This unusual combination was created by dress designer and textile artist Kate Plumtree. From a medieval deer to a contemporary hedgehog, each costume has been carefully designed and constructed by observing the movement, behaviour and habitat of each animal. Other stunning creations include an elegant 18th Century Mute Swan, a dramatic 1930s Golden Eagle and a sultry Victorian Fox.
Bird Song // 1 – 6 July @ Oldham Coliseum
A mesmerising story of love, courage and sacrifice brought to the stage in this critically acclaimed version of Sebastian Faulks’s bestselling novel, an epic tale of love and war set both before and during the Great War.
Bugs at Chester Zoo // Until 3 November 2013 @ Chester Zoo
Mind-bogglingly big Bugs are in residence at Chester Zoo this summer. The amazing exhibition of robotic giants includes stupendous scorpions, extra-large ladybirds and spiders that are anything but incy-wincy.
Sports
Greater Manchester Swim // 20 July @ City Centre
Swimmers and spectators can enjoy live music, try amazing street food and browse retail outlets. This is a wet-suit only event. No walls, No lanes, No Chlorine. Just the great outdoors!
Top Tours
Wandering Duck’s Through the Middle: The City Tour
Wandering Duck is offering a great 1 night unique insight into the Manchester city centre canal as well as escaping to the picturesque surroundings of Worsley. Tours take place at various times throughout the season through until October.
South Cemetery Tour
Whilst the graves of those famous for music, football, cotton, philanthropy, flight, the Ship Canal, painting, politics, and property. Meet at the gates of Southern Cemetery. Price is £7/6. Tour starts at 10:30 – booking essential.
New Openings
Sea Life Manchester now open at intu Trafford Centre // Now @ intu Trafford Centre
The newly opened Sea Life Manchester will transport you into the amazing underwater world. Come nose to nose with sharks, and prepare for astonishingly close views of everything from humble starfish and seahorses to graceful rays. To get any closer you’d have to get wet!
Rekorderlig Summer Garden // Until 1 September 2013 @ Great Northern Square, Deansgate
Perhaps more of a ‘temporary opening’ than a ‘new opening’, the Rekorderlig Summer Garden is open throughout the season in the prime Great Northern Square spot – where Rekorderlig, Swedish lager brand Abro and Manchester favourites The Liquorists have come together to provide an array of refreshing beverages to serve throughout the summer months.
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