The Top Ten Things to Do in Manchester This Week

It may be scarf and gloves weather, but that doesn't stop Manchester's vibrant festival scene from getting in full swing for 2012.

The Manchester10 iPhone app gives you the top ten things to do in Manchester each week direct to your phone for free.

1. Manchester History Festival starts this week, with exciting events happening across the City.

2. Exposures, the UK's leading student film festival, takes place this week at the Cornerhouse.

3. The Boutique Weekender, curated by Creative Tourist, brings together the top cultural events taking place in Manchester from the 23rd - 25th February.

4. One of the Weekender's main events is Manchester Art Gallery's new exhibition by Turner Prize winning artist Mark Leckey. This exhibition is entitled Work & Leisure, and is open now.

5. Why not combine this with a trip to the Whitworth Art Gallery for COTTON: Global Threads

6. For those of you who had to wait an extra week for your half term, why not reward the family with a trip to George's Marvellous Medicine at the Opera House.

7. Or for the grown ups, there's The Daughter-in-Law - the Library Theatre Company's new production which is on at the Lowry from this week.

8. It's a big week for football in the City, as the top teams welcome two former European Cup Winners. It'sManchester City v Porto on Wednesday, and Manchester United v Ajax on Thursday.

9. If the supernatural is your thing, Ordsall Hall are hosting a Ghost Night on Saturday 25th.

10. The HMV Ritz plays host to Rodrigo y Gabriela on Wednesday - perhaps the hottest ticket in town this week.

The top ten things to do in Manchester this week

It's half-term so there's plenty for families but it's Manchester so there's plenty for the rest of you too.

The Manchester10 iPhone app gives you the top ten things to do in Manchester each week direct to your phone for free.

1. Celebrate Valentine's Day with a night under the stars at MOSI

2. It's half-term and the best thing to do at half-term is to head over to the Creative Tourist website and check our their Half-Term Survival Guide

3. Chen Man is one of the most celebrated Chinese photographers of the 21st Century and her new solo exhibition is at the Chinese Arts Centre

4. Global Threads is a major new exhibtiion at the Whitworth Art Gallery

5. Green Lady is at the RNCM. A musical for children aged 7 and up and their families

6. If you like musicals, head on down to The Palace Theatre for Oliver!

7. Another major new exhibition opening this week is Once Upon a Wartime and the IWM

8. Manchester Loves February is a campaign which brings lots of offers including 2 for 1 on the Metrolink.

9. There's an Open Day at the Quays on Saturday 18th including BBC Children's Big Birthday Bash

10. Noel Gallagher is at the MEN Arena

Spinningfields Ice Rink returns

From November 18th – January 2nd 2012, Spinningfields will once again be transformed into a winter wonderland with the arrival of the ice rink and the brand new Moose Bar.

Returning to Spinningfields for its fourth successive year, the ice rink, situated in Hardman Square, will be open seven days a week from 10am until 11pm. The only open air rink in the city centre, it features a 600sqm ice surface, which will be able to host over 200 skaters per hour. The prices have been frozen for 2011, giving skaters even more value and there are special rates for students, groups and the ever popular schools scheme.

A brand new addition this year will be the Moose Bar, a log cabin-themed pop up bar serving hot cocktails, mulled wine, spiced cider, beers, wholesome seasonal food and offering corporate packages for the surrounding offices. Perfect for those wanting to rest their weary legs, The Moose Bar is bound to be a popular haunt with a rustic environment, live music and a warm atmosphere.

The Top 10 Things to Do in Manchester this week

The nights are getting longer, and the temperature’s getting lower – so that can only mean one thing – Christmas is on its way....



The Manchester10 iPhone app gives you the top ten things to do in Manchester each week direct to your phone for free.

1. On Thursday 10th November, Manchester’s streets will be welcoming in the festive spirit –with the Christmas Light Switch-On in Albert Square. Free music, and fireworks!!

2. There will be even more shine and sparkle in Bolton from the 8th – 12th November, as Britain’s Got Bhangra comes to the Octagon Theatre.



3. The Bridgewater Hall welcomes Van Morrison back to Manchester on Saturday 12th November.



4. And there will be a very different kind of Moondance taking place at the RNCM – as they welcome the English Youth Ballet’s performance of Giselle on the 9th and 10th November.



5. Friday Night is Movie Night this week, even in the more unusual of locations. Why not check out the Noir Classic, They Made me a Fugitive, at the Whitworth Art Gallery?



6. Lee Evans is at the MEN Arena all week, showcasing his unique blend of physical comedy – in his new show Roadrunner.

7. A small piece of the Lake District starts its residence at one of Manchester’s architectural gems, as a new exhibition of Beatrix Potter artwork has just gone on display at Lyme Park.



8.A Beautiful Thing starts at the Royal Exchange on the 9th November – Head there on Friday to see an exciting pre concert performance by the Manchester Gay and Lesbian Chorus as part of their free Special FX series.



9. Allow some time for reflection in the run up to Remembrance Sunday. The Imperial War Museum will be hosting various events – including daily Remembrance tours of the building.

10. And finally, if the thought of all that snow, and Christmas cheer is just too much – why not set your sights on Summer 2012 instead, and sign up to be involved in the next Manchester Day Parade. Next year’s theme is The Sky’s The Limit – but why stop there?!....

The Top 10 Things to Do in Manchester this week

The clocks may have gone back - but there's no need to let the dark nights stop you enjoying our amazing city!

The Manchester10 iPhone app gives you the top ten things to do in Manchester each week direct to your phone for free.



1. This week sees the skies of Manchester lighting up with bonfires and fireworks. Stay safe if you are having a fireworks party at home – or why not go to a local organised event. Our tip, Platt Fields Fireworks, on Friday 5th November.



2. Or if sparklers aren’t your thing, why not try Mr Scruff’s Keep it Unreal at Band on the Wall, the alternate way to spend Guy Fawkes Night.


3. The Asia Triennial is now on and includes Dark Matters at the Whitworth


4. There’s a rare opportunity to truly see inside the John Rylands Library on Friday 4th November.


5. Take a nostalgic trip into the 1950s, with Dreamboats and Petticoats at The Lowry all week.


6. Go back a little further, and attend the Victoria Bath’s Open Day on Sunday 6th November.



7. Or venture back even further, and experience Tudors Live! at Ordsall Hall, also on Sunday.



8. If you missed out on Stone Roses tickets, why not catch another of the homecoming gigs taking place in the city this week, with two evening with James at The Bridgewater Hall on the 31st October and the 1st November…


9. ...Or the Travelling Band at Academy 3 on Wednesday 2nd November.


10. Or if all of that just seems too much like hard work – why not relax in one of Manchester’s newest, and most unusual bars, The Oasthouse, just opened in Spinningfields?

"Be inspired by the beauty of our World" at Manchester Science Festival

Manchester Science Festival begins in earnest on October 22nd and we managed to grab a minute or two with the festival's understandably busy director Natalie Ireland. Read on to find out what's in store for audiences at the festival;

What is Manchester Science Festival all about?

It’s a chance for people to have a great time exploring science. The Festival is full of brilliant events from comedy and music to hands-on science and installations. You could learn something new, be inspired by the beauty of our World, make a robot, question a scientist… there’s lots going on for families and adults across the nine days of the Festival, and there’s bound to be an event near you. And many events are free!

What are you particularly looking forward to in the festival this year?

There’s a few things that I’m really looking forward to. Polar will be beautiful – music and film from the polar regions – it will be a nice chance for me to sit back and relax for an hour! Out of this World will also be a really fun night for adults – we’ve curated a space themed evening full of comedy, local research, knitting and a space/time machine – a bit of an experiment, but it will be great fun. Families have got some brilliant opportunities to explore the latest science and universities and get up close with real, hands-on science. It’ll be great fun.

If you could bring one scientist from history to the festival, who would you like to invite and why?

It would have to be Charles Darwin. I would get him to tell us about his adventures and how he developed his theory of evolution. Then I’d like to go on an adventure round the World with him and learn more about our natural environment.

Visit www.manchestersciencefestival for more details and to get your tickets for the events.

MFDF Awards: And the winner is...

The Manchester Food and Drink Awards took place last night and the winners are as follows:

1) Restaurant of the Year

WINNER: Ramsons, 18 Market Place, Ramsbottom, Bury, BL0 9HT

2) Chef of the Year

WINNER: Laurence Tottingham & Mary-Ellen McTague, Aumbry, Prestwich

3) Pub of the Year

WINNER: The Parlour, 66 Beech Road, Chorlton, M4 1LE

4) Bar of the Year 2011

WINNER: Electrik, 559 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 0AE

5) Newcomer of the Year 2011

WINNER: Cicchetti, Ground Floor, House of Fraser, Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2QG

6) Best Coffee Shop or Casual Dining

WINNER: The Chocolate Café, 2 Bolton Street, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9HX

7) Best Food and Drink Retail Outlet

WINNER: WH FROSTS THE BUTCHERS.

8) Best Wine List

WINNER: Harvey Nichols Second Floor Restaurant, 21 New Cathedral Street, Manchester, M1 1AD

9) Best Family Friendly Venue

WINNER: Croma

10) Manchester Food Hero Award

WINNER: Katie Brunt and Gastroclub

11) Truly Good Food

WINNER: Shlurp, 2 Brazenose House, Greater Manchester, Manchester M2 5BP

12) The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement

WINNER: Dimitri Griliopoulos

The Outstanding Achievement Award was renamed this year to commemorate two of the Festival's dear friends and supporters who sadly passed away this year - Howard Raynor of World Class Service and Ruth Cooper from Manchester City Council.