It seems like only just five minutes ago since we were enjoying the four-day Easter Bank Holiday weekend. So, it will come as music to many people's ears that the next public holiday is almost upon us.
While the weather might not be all that promising - you never know, stranger things have happened - Manchester is pulling out all the stops to make the most of the three-day weekend.
If you've not made your mind up yet as how to spend your extra day off, our quick guide might just serve as some timely inspiration.
Saturday, April 30
Food & Drink: The Vurger Co. lands in Manchester
Popular vegan, fast food eatery The Vurger Co. opens its doors this weekend, following plant-based success in the capital and Brighton. Opening in the heart of the Northern Quarter, the concept is driven by a mission to revolutionise fast-food through the power of plants, and promises a variety of dishes, from burgers such as the New York Melt and Crispy ‘Chicken’, to shakes including the Dream Egg and Mango Exotic.
The Vurger Co. Manchester / 0161 542 1154 / Opens Saturday, 30 April
Pride: Bury Pride
One of the first events on Greater Manchester’s pride calendar this year is Bury Pride, which takes place at Castle Armoury Drill Hall, and this year’s celebrations of LGBTQ+ culture promises to be bigger than ever. There’ll be live entertainment from 10am, with singer and BBC Radio presenter Jsky, Vivienne Lynsey and a host of tribute acts performing the likes of Arianna Grande, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift all on the bill.
The parade will set off at 1pm and take a route through the Rock, past the Millgate, into Bury Market, past the Art Gallery and then up Silver Street to return to the start point. The event is free but you need to pre-book your tickets here.
Bury Pride / Bury Pride Facebook page / Saturday, April 30/ time / tickets
Comedy: The Lounge Allstars
The Lounge Allstar comedy event makes its return for 2022 this Saturday evening at The Lowry Theatre. Featuring five brilliant comedians, the evening aims to celebrate urban comedy and shine a light on local talent. The evening has been described as “one of the best nights out and favourite places to perform” by Mo Gillighan and this Saturday’s line-up will feature Kamilah5StaR, David ‘Sideman’ Whitley, Aurie Style andEshaan Akbar and Slim.
The Lounge All Stars / The Lowry / 0333 320 2838 / Saturday, April 30, 8pm / tickets from £29.50
Food & Drink: New cocktail menu at Mecanica
Based on Swan Street, newcomer Mecanica, recently took over the space formerly occupied by The Quick Brown Fox. Their new cocktail menu has just landed and it takes inspiration from the most celebrated hotels from across the globe.
‘Volume II - Show You To Your Room’, promises a refined experience, with each drink reflecting a famous hotel room. From the Monroe cocktail - a glamorous mirror of the ‘Pretty in Pink Suite’ nestled in the Palm Springs Hotel - to the Italian Noble - an aromatic twist on the Negroni, inspired by The Hotel Villa Carlotta - there really is something for everyone.
Partnering with the very best local suppliers, Mecanica also offers a selection of charcuterie and cheese deli boards, served with freshly baked breads. All items feature British meats and cheese from regional favourite, Butcher’s Quarter; artisan breads from Companio Bakery; Slattery’s famous cakes; and coffee from just around the corner, at Grindsmith.
Volume II - Show You To Your Room Cocktail Menu / Mecanica / 0161 806 1492 / the new menu is available now
Sunday, May 1
Music: Sounds From the Other City
Salford’s much loved Sounds From the Other City makes its return this weekend. Both the 2020 and 2021 festivals were cancelled due to the pandemic, so this year it is going to be bigger than ever, with many expected to come out to Salford’s well known and less well known venues.
Included on the line-up of brilliant artists performing across the weekend is Gracie T, LayfullStop, Land Yacht Regatta, Jazztronica and Jenna G, plus a raft of musical curators. Among them are Manchester institution Band On The Wall, iconic record label Heavenly Recordings, Now Wave and Reform Radio.
The gigs will take place in a host of Salford bars, pubs, restaurants, churches and everything in between. Venues taking place include Bexley Square, Seven Bro7hers Beerhouse, fivefourstudios, Hot Bed Press, Old Pint Pot, Partisan, Porta, Regent Trading Estate, Saint Philip's Church and The New Oxford.
Manchester International Festival will also be hosting its own stage, on Chapel Street, called The Factory, after its new facility which will open next year.
Sounds From the Other City / Chapel Street, Salford / 2pm-4am / Tickets are on sale from £34.45
Food & Drink: Spring Food & Drink Fair at Platt Fields Park
This Sunday, Platt Fields Market Garden in Fallowfield will host the Spring Food & Drink Fair, bringing together an assortment of Manchester’s favourite food and drinks names. The gastronomic gathering will celebrate the best of spring produce, with eateries including Isca, Blackbird Pantry, MUD Kitchen, Umezushi and pop-up restaurant Wildfire in attendance.
DJs, tastings, workshops and kids activities will also be on the bill, including a tour of Platt Fields Market Garden. All profits from the foodie event will go to Eat Well MCR, the hospitality collective that has provided chef-made meals to help people most affected by the pandemic.
Spring Food & Drink Fair / Platt Fields Market Garden / Sunday, May 1, 11am-8pm / Tickets £10
Arts & Culture: SICK! Festival
In a first for north Manchester, an open-top bus menopause choir will be performing as part of a multi-arts festival, which kicks of this bank holiday weekend. SICK! Festival - an arts and health event that faces up to the complexities of mental and physical health - will be based in Harpurhey, Charlestown amongst other places in Greater Manchester.
While the festival takes place across the month of May, organisers have already given us a taste of what to expect. From an open-top Menopause choir led by Gospel songwiter Tosin Akindele and Sbiyelle Aeberli, to award-winning photographer Allie Crewe’s I Am photo series developed in partnership with domestic abuse charity SafeLives, the series of events, exhibitions and activations are shaping up to be a fantastic showcase of art, culture and activism, confronting the social, physical and mental challenges we face in our individual and collective lives.
SICK! Festival / 1-31 May / for more information on schedules and events head to the festival website
Gigs: James Blake at O2 Apollo Manchester
Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer James Blake is heading to the 02 Apollo this weekend with songs from his new album Friends That Break Your Heart. Having first received recognition for a series of EPs back in 2010, he has gone on to be nominated for numerous accolades thanks to his moody vocals and fragmented electronic works, and has also produced cuts on Frank Ocean’s Blonde and Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN, Jay Z’s 4:44 and Beyonce’s Lemonade.
James Blake at the O2 Apollo / 0161 273 6921 / Sunday, May 1, 7pm / Tickets from £34.35
Music / F&B / Pets: Moxy Pooch Party
Yes, you read that right, the newly opened Moxy Hotel in Spinningfields is hosting its first ever pooch party this Sunday, and you - and your four-legged friends - are more than welcome to join. The first in a series of pup-friendly events kicks off on May 1, with tickets costing £25 for entry for one adult and one of any age, with festivities lasting from 1-3pm.
There will be a DJ, interactive games to play with your dog, including a ball pit and tunnels, plus a photo booth to mark the occasion with unlimited pictures. Food-wise, you can expect ‘bottomless’ treats for canine attendees and, of course, a glass of ‘pawsecco’ on arrival.
Pooch Party / Moxy Manchester City / 1-3pm / tickets can be purchased here.
Food & Drink: May Day at The Pen and Pencil
Over in the Northern Quarter meanwhile, Pen and Pencil will be celebrating May Day with three all important things - music, cocktails and dancing. From 7pm to 1am, they’ll have sets from Will Tramp and Veba, bringing the best house, disco and soul tunes to see in the Bank Holiday Monday.
The Pen and Pencil / 0161 660 3303 / 7pm-1am / Entry = free as a bee
Music: Luke Una Presents: É Soul Cultura Launch at Escape to Freight Island
This Sunday will see Escape to Freight Island host a massive line-up of DJs, in celebration of Luke Unabomber's new compilation album, É Soul Cultura. He'll be joined by Gerd Janson, Maurice Fulton, Alexander Nutt, Lil Minx, Aficionado, and Disco Mums in Electric High Chair, and will be playing some of the very best Brazilian, outsider pop, cosmic, street soul, boogie, spiritual jazz, disco, deep velvet US garage, house and sunshine music.
The former railway depot turned outdoor urban beer garden and food hall, recently welcomed a host of new operators for the spring season, and they're well worth checking out. New grill concept Carnival from acclaimed chef Richard Turner are joined by Salford Burger heroes Burgerism, grilled chicken concept Lucky Foot and bakers Batard who are setting up at Piccadilly with their new diner concept.
Luke Una Presents: ,É Soul Cultura Launch / Escape to Freight Island / 0161 806 0078 / Sunday, May 1, 12am-12pm / Free but but book tickets here
Food & Drink: Pie Takeover at Blossom Street Social
Baldy's pies are considered to be some of the very best in Wigan and this weekend they'll coming to the city centre for a pop-up at Blossom Street Social in Ancoats. From 2-6pm you'll be able to pick up one of their delectable pies, from The Big Jam - think braised beef shin, bone marrow and confit onion - to The Chicken Kiev - an assembly of chicken breast, buttered leaks, homemade herb béchamel and garlic and parsley crumb.
Baldy's Pies / Blossom Street Social / 0161 392 0889 / Pies need to be pre-ordered by message on Facebook or over the phone - 07743727551
Monday, May 2
Food & Drink: Visit the revamped Browns Brasserie and Bar
Only a short stroll from the Northern Quarter, the newly refurbished Browns Brasserie and Bar, might just be the ticket this weekend. Housed in a Edwardian former banking hall, the new interiors borrow from the 1920s, with Art Deco styling and opulent finishes.
Here, you’ll find a seasonal British menu, extensive cocktail list, and plenty of fine wines and Champagnes. Whether you’re in the mood for breakfast, a spot of afternoon tea or just a cocktail at the glamorous new bar, the team at Brown’s have you covered.
Browns / 0161 819 1055 / now open
Film: HOME - Resistance and Protest screenings
Over at HOME, they’re joining the celebration of International Workers’ Day with a season of films, and this year it’s focused on the theme of ‘resistance and protest’. The selection includes works of documentary and fiction that reflect the tradition of resistance and protest that has marked the struggle of workers and marginalised communities around the world.
Curated by Andy Willis, Professor of Film Studies at the University of Salford and HOME’s Senior Visiting Curator: Film, the three films will be played across the weekend. The programme features a selection of documentary and fiction work with some of the screenings accompanied by Q&A sessions.
Resistance and Protest / HOME / 0161 200 1500 / Showing Saturday, April 30 to Monday, May 2
Gigs: Tool at AO Arena
One of the most influential rock acts of all time, Grammy-award winning Tool has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, with albums such as Lateralus and 10,000 Days. This Monday they’re headed to the AO Arena to play their experimental alternative metal, so if you're at all interested in eye-popping visuals and plenty of theatrics then you're in for a treat - expect a multi-media show like no other.
Tool / AO Arena / 0161 950 5229 / Doors 6pm / Two tickets from £74.85
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