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
David Beckham // Until August 2014 @ Manchester United Museum
See some of David’s winner’s medals and commemorative shirts feature; predict where he will place the ball during one of his many famous strikes; and relive some of ‘Becks’ changing hairstyles via the interchangeable portrait of the his famous face.
Forming Words flow freely from London to Manchester // Until 9 November 2013 @ Manchester Craft and Design Centre
Each work in this exhibition was specially commissioned by Flow Gallery, London, and responds to a piece of writing of the artist’s choice, from poetry to a letter to lyrics. MCDC is the exhibition’s first touring venue outside London.
Double Indemnity // Until January 1 2014 @ Cornerhouse
The exhibition will inter-weave images and text from Billy Wilder’s classic film with a selection of photography, video, painting and installation artworks, which expose and subvert the distance between those who desire and are desired.
Catalyst: Contemporary Art and War // 12 October 2013 – 23 February 2014 @ IWM North
Catalyst: Contemporary Art and War reveals how war has been crucial subject matter for contemporary artists in the last two decades. Visitors will explore the rich, varied and moving artistic response to conflict in a media age. Hear from the artists themselves and discover what motivates people to create art about conflict.
Vivarium (Live Animals) // From 26 October 2013 @ Manchester Museum
The new Vivarium provides better displays, enhanced interpretation and reveals more of the conservation work that currently takes place behind the scenes. The new gallery looks at themes such as human impact on the natural world, local and global reptiles and amphibians, how humans help these animals and how these animals help humans.
Music
Bruno Mars // 5 October 2013 @ Phones4U Arena
The Hawaiian-born singer-songwriter will be performing hits including Just The Way You Are, The Lazy Song and Marry Me. Released in 2010, Mars’ debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans was greeted with international chart and critical success and garnered the performer numerous Grammy, American Music, MTV and Billboard awards.
Gabrielle Aplin // 31 October 2013 @ HMV Ritz
Gabrielle Aplin will be performing at Manchester’s HMV Ritz on 31 October 2013. The performance will start at 18:00. She is a whipsmart self taught 20 year old singer songwriter from Bath, Gabrielle has been writing and recording songs since she was 15.
Tom Odell // 19 October 2013 @ Manchester Academy
Tom Odell is a British singer-songwriter. He released his debut extended play, Songs From Another Love, in 2012. His debut studio album, Long Way Down, will be available from 15 April 2013.
Norman Jay MBE // 19 October 2013 @ 2022nq
Sir Norman Jay has been spinning righteous soulful music from many genres and eras since the late 70’s and he has partied and played at some of the most influential clubs around the world.
Birdy // 31 October 2013 @ Academy 2
Eighteen months on from that debut, the 17-year-old Hampshire singer and songwriter is back on tour in line with the release of her new album ‘Fire Within’. It sees her stepping into, and shining in, a new role as songwriter-in-chief. Fire Within’s 11 tracks include her stirring, propulsive new single, Wings, the tender piano ballad No Angel and Light Me Up, the song that, more than any other, emphasises the dramatic developments in Birdy’s musicianship and writing over the past 18 months.
Performance
Educating Rita // Until 12 October 2014 @ The Lowry
Brash, straight-talking hairdresser Rita is determined to change her life. She wants to know ‘everything’ and she thinks the Open University might just be the answer. World-weary, alcohol-fuelled lecturer Frank is a failed poet, a self-acknowledged ‘appalling teacher of appalling students’. In fact, he’s just about given up. In need of extra cash, he agrees to tutor Rita, totally unaware of the whirlwind that’s about to enter his world.
Go Back for Murder // 14 – 19 October 2013 @ Opera House Manchester
This production is a gripping murder mystery packed with intrigue, murder and suspense and one of over a dozen plays from the pen of Agatha Christie. Go Back for Murder was adapted by Christie in 1960 from her novel Five Little Pigs, editing out the legendary detective Hercule Poirot for the stage version.
Festivals
Grimm Fest // 3 – 6 October 2013 @ Dance House Theatre
Grimmfest 2013 will launch on October 2nd with a special preview night at the spectacular 1200-seater Art Deco Super Cinema, Stockport Plaza. This will feature a screening of the fully-restored 40th Anniversary rerelease of cult classic THE WICKER MAN and Q&A with the film’s director Robin Hardy and special preview of the CHILD’S PLAY reboot CURSE OF CHUCKY.
The Manchester Weekender 2013 // 10 – 13 October @ Various
From performance art to pop-up cinema, from music premieres to intimate gigs, from superstar authors to Britain’s best bloggers, from art exhibitions to secret theatre, The Manchester Weekender features dozens of events and hundreds of artists – in some of the city’s most iconic and historic spaces.
North West Food Lovers Festival // 18 – 20 October @ EventCity
The festival will feature all the best chefs from across the North West and UK, as well as showing some of the very best produce available. Over 150 local, regional and UK food and drink producers will share their passion with you at this amazing foodie spectacular. There will be kids cooking classes, wine seminars and of course chef’s cooking up some of the best meals you have tasted.
Manchester Science Festival // 24 October – 3 November 2013 @ MOSI
This autumn Manchester Science Festival returns for the 7th year. Play, create and experiment with your scientific side as Manchester Science Festival brings together a unique blend of art, make-it workshops, performances and big experiences for all ages across Greater Manchester.
Vogue’s Fashion Night Out // 10 October 2013 @ Various
Vogue Fashion’s Night Out, a one-night-only shopping event rolls into Manchester for the first time this October. More than 100 shops, bars and restaurants have signed up and will be open into the night.
Manchester Food and Drink Festival // Until 7 October (from September 26) 2013 @ Various
The Festival Hub will be housed in Albert Square as usual, and will be filled with Manchester’s biggest Street Food Fair, a Beer Festival serving up over 100 different local beers, Robinsons’ Pub on the Hub, an artisan food market, The Festival Tiki Shack, The Birdhouse Charity Cake Sale, and a series of Masterclasses providing practical tips from fileting a fish to plucking a pheasant!
Sports
AJ Bell World Squash Championships // 26 October – 3 November 2013 @ National Squash Centre
The nine day tournament, to be staged at the National Squash Centre with finals at Manchester Central, is one of the cornerstones of what will be another memorable sporting year for the city of Manchester. Reigning champion Ramy Ashour and four-time champion Amr Shabana are set to feature and squash will also find out this year if it makes it into the 2020 Olympics so this is set to be a phenomenal show.
Out of Town
Whitefield Halloween Festival // 20 – 31 October @ various, Whitefield
The North West Premier destination for all your spooktacular needs; activities range from education to creative with something for everyone, alongside the traditional pumpkin carving and lantern making. Join us on a journey of fun and excitement
Homegrown // 17 – 19 October @ various, Bury
The UK’s only English folk Festival previewing the finest English folk from established artists and rising stars taking place at venues across Bury.
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