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Bob's Blog No. 21 'Plan your time out in Manchester!'

- 17/03/2010


Plan your time out in Manchester!

I recently took my two sons into Manchester for a trip to the cinema although as a “late in the day” decision we had not planned what we would watch. As we were tight for time we visited the Odeon cinema in the Printworks and used the automated machine to purchase tickets, a quick scan through what`s on and the boys said they would like to see “wolfman” sounds OK I thought and duly purchased 3 tickets.
After collecting the usual bucket of popcorn and drinks we headed into the cinema. The movie started and it soon seemed to be quite frightening as my youngest son aged 5 started to cover his eyes and peep between his fingers, however there was no swearing or “love scenes “ so I just thought it was a little more scary than the usual kids films. As the film continued I became more concerned that perhaps in my hast to get into the cinema I had not checked the rating for the movie. This was soon to be confirmed as I was approached by a member of the Odeon staff and asked if I would mind going outside  as she needed to speak with me, as I got up to leave she said I would need to bring the boys as well.
Embarassingly it was explained that the film was a certificate 15 and obviously the boys aged 5 and 12 shouldn`t be watching it. The Odeon were very nice about it and even offered me a refund and in future I will plan my trips to the cinema or Manchester more carefully.
There is loads to do in Manchester – take a look at the latest “what’s on”  (I should have!)


EASTER EVENTS

THE MANCHESTER MUSEUM www.museum.manchester.ac.uk
250 Oxford Road
Easter Holidays: Animal mania
Monday 29 March-Thursday 1 April & Tuesday 6-Friday 9 April 11am-4pm
Most activities are free and drop-in. Some activities may need to be booked on the day and may cost up to £1.50. All ages. Discover how animals adapt to their surroundings and how we preserve the Museum's animals.

MANCHESTER ART GALLERY www.manchestergalleries.org
Mosley Street
Mushroom Magic- 30 March – 1 April, 6 – 9 April, 1-3pm
Easter holiday workshops. Suitable for families with children aged 0-11.Inspired by Army of Mushrooms by Takashi Murakami, on show in Facing East, create giant colourful mushrooms and shrink them into cute key rings and badges to take home.

MOSI www.mosi.org.uk
Liverpool Road, Castlefield
Easter Holidays- 29 March – 11 April 2010
Take part in lots of hands-on workshops and events as we commemorate the work of Manchester ‘Local Heroes’ in the theme of energy. Visit www.mosi.org.uk for more information about the programme.

EXHIBTIONS & ENTERTAINMENT

PEOPLE’S HISTORY MUSEUM www.phm.org.uk
Left Bank Spinningfields
Living History- 28 April 2010
Living history performance: strike a light! A match girl's story. Commemorate workers Memorial Day by finding out how Maggie Mc Callow campaigned for better rights for workers. Free

CASTLEFIELD GALLERY www.castlefieldgallery.co.uk

David Osbaldeston: Out of Time (The Light of Day / The Action of the Play)-
16 April - 6 June 2010
Castlefield Gallery is pleased to present a solo show of new work by David Osbaldeston, Out of Time (The Light of Day / The Action of the Play). Through manipulated images of news photography and a print series of interpretive book cover designs from Luigi Pirandello’s celebrated play Six Characters in Search of an Author, the exhibition will explore relationships between the gallery and theatre staging, displacement, reality, illusion and social discord.

MANCHESTER ART GALLERY www.manchestergalleries.org
Mosley Street

A World Observed 1940 - 2010: Photographs by Dorothy Bohm-
24 April - 30 August 2010                                                                                                                               This is the first comprehensive retrospective tracing one exceptional woman's career across six decades and several continents. From vintage portraits through jewel-like Polaroids to colourful images of contemporary life, our absorbing exhibition features around 200 prints by leading photographer Dorothy Bohm. Free entry.

Women Like You- 6 March - 9 May 2010
Charlotte Newson’s photo-mosaic portrait of Manchester suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst is formed from thousands of images of other inspirational women, supplied by people around the world. The portrait, also displayed on poster sites across the city, is the first public artwork in Manchester commemorating this remarkable woman and her pivotal role in our history. Free entry.

Design for Life- Until 2 May 2010
Lighting created by young people from across Manchester together with lighting designer Daniel Davis James.

THE WHITWORTH ART GALLERY www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk
Oxford Road
Takhti- Until 25 April 2010
Contemporary Iran has a vibrant art scene and this exhibition showcases a remarkable work by one of Iran's leading artists, Khosrow Hassanzadeh (b.1963), recently acquired by The British Museum. Free

ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE www.royalexchange.co.uk
For telephone booking call 0161 833 9833.
St Ann’s Square

The Mezzanine Gallery presents an exhibition
NEW AND OLD CITY BY DAVID DUNNICO AND HOWARD BARLOW – 31 March – 8 May 2010
David Dunnico and Howard Barlow combine their black & white photography in a unique exhibition of photographs of Manchester. David Dunnico's photographs of Manchester's new landmarks juxtaposed against Howard Barlow's photographs of the city in the 1970s and 1980s shows how far Manchester has come in just a few decades!

The Craft Shop Colonnade presents
SUGAR AND SPICE AND ALL THINGS NICE – 2 March – 1 May 2010
A sweet and spicy exhibition celebrating Mothering Sunday using floral ceramics and textile accessories, as well as gorgeous jewellery, from a host of exhibitors and makers, including manchester-based company Don’t Bitch Stitch with floral bags; North-West maker Lucy Smethurst with embroidered jewellery boxes and spring coloured flower brooches; mother and daughter team Naïve with wool, fabric and felt cupcakes and ice-creams; and Alice In Wonderland themed bags and purses by Nicola De Cruz.

CHINESE ARTS CENTRE www.chinese-arts-centre.org                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Gottlieb-Cheung- 26 April – 9 May 2010                                                                                                      Within her films, Cindie Gottlieb-Cheung scrutinizes the broader aesthetic relationship between object and gesture. Her work is drawn from her interest in the historical trajectories of the representation of women in lens-based media which is presented through sculptural interventions within her films.

CORNERHOUSE www.cornerhouse.org                                                                                                        Lucy Ridges & Adam Vaughan- Until 10 April 2010                                                                                          We host two artists whose work explores alternative methods of manipulating traditional photographic film. Lucy Ridges’ new series of images are the result of unconventional dark-room experiments. Blending fiction and autobiography, her interventions with the process of development create one-off photographs that stand apart from the abundant digital modifications.
Adam Vaughan displays a series of prints from his photographic events, which capture individuals performing written instructions to camera. Holding the shutter release they decide on the moment their performance will be captured and in turn leave behind a new set of instructions for the following person. Free

IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM NORTH http://north.iwm.org.uk/      
Meet the artist: Sean Sutton- 10 April 2010                                                                                                  Sean Sutton talks about the display at imperial war museum north and his work as a photographer of conflict. This free event is open to the public with no need to book but spaces are limited so arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Special edition in focus interpreting photographs- 18 April 2010                                                                Learn how to interpret photographs throught the work of Don Mc Cullin with Hilary Roberts, exhibition curator. Free

THEATRE

PALACE THEATRE www.livenationtheatres.co.uk
Oxford Street. Manchester. M1 6FT
Telephone: 0161 245 6600

Riverdance- 12- 17 April 2010
The legendary Riverdance continues is Farewell Tour across the UK, marking its 15th anniversary. An innovative and exciting fusion of Irish and International dance.

Cinderella- 21- 24 April 2010
Michael Corder’s award-winning production of Cinderella tells the favourite rags-to-riches story in a beautiful three-act ballet.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang- 27 April – 15 May 2010                                                                                           The most fantasmagorical stage musical in the history of everything, hits the road in top gear in a brand new high flying tour. With a cast orchestra and crew of 100 (including ten dogs), sensational sets and stunning special effects, this action-packed adventure is the story of the magical car, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE www.livenationtheatres.co.uk
Quay Street. Manchester. M3 3HP
Telephone: 0161 828 1700
Tap Dance- 21 April 2010                                                                                                                              Tap Dance Fever takes the audience on a whistle stop tour of the greatest tap dance moments in show business history.

The little big club- 24 April 2010                                                                                                              Featuring all your favourite characters including: Bob the Builder, Barney the Dinosaur, Angelina Ballerina, Fireman Sam, Fifi forget me not & Pingu- all on stage together in this fantastic fun filled live show!

How Now Mrs Brown Cow- 27 April – 8 May 2010                                                                                         She's back for PART FIVE of the Mrs Brown trilogy. Come and have a great fun filled night out at the World Premiere of How Now Brown Cow. How Now Brown Cow is the fifth play in Brendan O’Carroll’s hilarious Mrs Brown series, following the huge success of For The Love Of Mrs Brown, Brendan has chosen to come back to Manchester yet again.

THE LOWRY THEATRE www.thelowry.com
For telephone bookings call, 0843 208 6000
The Quays

Beverley Knight- 5th April 2010
UK soul queen Beverley Knight will be undertaking her first UK tour in two years after completing her 6th studio album, entitled “100%” in September.

Sean Lock- 7 & 11 April 2010
Following the sell-out success of his last visit in 2007, Sean Lock returns to The Lowry with his unique mix of hyperactive imagination, surreal imagery and insightful observations on the human condition.

Swan Lake- 16 & 17 April 2010                                                                                                                      The Lowry is delighted to welcome Ballet Nacional de Cuba, one of the world’s most prestigious dance companies, to its stage for the first time. They will be joined by Carlos Acosta for a special appearance in the performance on Thu 15 April at 7.30pm.

Boy George- 22 April 2010                                                                                                                             The eccentric yet well-loved Culture Club frontman who as an eighties icon brought us classic such as Kharma Chameleon and Do You Really Want To Hurt Me, helping him to become one of the most notorious and significant pop acts of all time.

A Chorus Line- 29 April- 8 May 2010                                                                                                             This award-winning musical hit tells the story of seventeen Broadway dancers all auditioning for spots in a chorus line. Set on the stage of a Broadway theatre during an audition for a musical, the audience is given a glimpse into the personalities of the performers and the choreographer as they describe the events that have shaped their lives and their decisions to become dancers.

THE ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE www.royalexchange.co.uk
For telephone booking call, 0161 833 9833.
St Ann’s Square

The Comedy of Errors- 31 March 2010 - 08 May 2010
Shakespeare's ANARCHIC and MAGICAL comedy
Many years ago, Egeon, his wife Aemilia, their twin sons and twin servants were shipwrecked.  Egeon, one son and one servant were separated from the rest and have travelled the world in search of their other halves ever since.  Now, with the most chaotic of consequences, fate is finally about to bring them all together - and with no-one sure who's who and what's what, confusion is sure to threaten the reunion in Shakespeare's ANARCHIC and MAGICAL comedy.

Seabright Productions and LMP present
THE WORLD’S WIFE – 7 – 10 April
A new stage version of the acclaimed poetry collection by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, imagining the wives’ perspective of famous men through the ages. From Mrs Faust and Frau Freud to Queen Kong and Mrs Midas, this delightful show slices through history and myth, whilst also casting an astute glance over the modern world. Laced with dark humour and acerbic wit, this passionate exposé will enthral lovers of Duffy’s poems and newcomers alike.

CAROL ANN DUFFY AND FRIENDS – 12 and 19 April, and 17 May
Three special evenings of poetry and music presented by Manchester's well loved Poet Laureate. Carol Ann will be reading her own work and presenting some of the country's very best newly emerging talent - each evening will also feature a guest appearance from a poet of national stature, details to be confirmed.

Lisa Hammond and Rachael Spence
NO IDEA – 15 – 17 April
A revealing glimpse at what we can (and can't) imagine when we look at someone
Armed with a tape recorder, Rachael and Lisa went on to the streets and asked people what they thought their show should be about. What they heard and recorded was funny, heartfelt, sometimes staggering but always very very revealing…

Lone Twin Theatre presents
THE CATASTROPHE TRILOGY – 22 – 24 April
A unique collection of works by an ever-surprising international ensemble.
ALICE BELL (22 APRIL) – one woman, 8 ukuleles – part DIY musical, part fairy-tale, an evening to show why life is something to sing and dance about   DANIEL HIT BY A TRAIN (23 APRIL) - Inspired by a Victorian collection of 53 true stories about people losing their lives in the act of saving another
THE FESTIVAL (24 APRIL) An episode in the life of a character where chance and coincidence leave an indelible mark


THE LIBRARY THEATRE www.librarytheatre.com
Saint Peter's Square

Morecambe - the man what brought us sunshine- 15- 17 April 2010
Bob Golding’s extraordinary portrayal of Eric Morecambe, direct from the West End, commemorates the 25th anniversary of his untimely final curtain and celebrates the wonderful life of Britain’s best loved comic.

Beautiful House- 22 April - 8 May 2010
So that their seriously ill daughter can spend what might be her last months in her childhood home, Ronnie and Bridgette have vacated their dream house in Delph for a Salford tower block.

CONTACT THEATRE www.contact-theatre.org
Oxford Road

Raspberry- 23 - 24 April 2010
Inspired by the life and songs of Ian Drury, Raspberry is a juicily gothic piece of music theatre that muses on the idea of perfection and perfectability.
Crying in the Chapel- 26 April- 8 May 2010
Ten years after it was first performed at Contact, Fink On return with theatre that pulls no punches in highlighting the conditions and the treatment of the inmates before, during and after the Strangeways riots of 1990

GREENROOM www.greenroomarts.org
54-56 Whitworth St West
BIG VaudeVille- 30 April 2010
Drown your bitterness in the strong liquor of VaudeVille.  This is new electronic cabaret; a selection of the best new performance, video & music from VaudeVille collaborators.


LIVE EVENTS
SPECIAL FX www.royalexchange.co.uk/specialfx
Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester

Friday 9 April 6.00pm - FREE
COMIC FX – our monthly stand-up comedy slot with headliner Andy White – sill voices, funny faces, observational humour, topical humour and a mad afro!
 
Friday 16 April 6.00pm - FREE
THE COUNTRY AND EASTERN BAND return to Exchange with traditional Turkish and Kurdish music with original songs in English.

Friday 23 April 6.00pm - FREE
Young couple TIPITINA play a mix of pop music, jazz & blues via New Orleans

Friday 30 April 6.00pm - FREE
Strange and great sounds from AT SWIM TWO BIRDS who love to play in unusual places

MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS ARENA
www.men-arena.com
For telephone bookings call, 0844 847 8000
Whitney Houston- 8 & 9 April 2010                                                                                                          Whitney Houston began singing in her church choir, before becoming a backing singer for artists like Chaka Khan. Her first single was a duet with Teddy Pendergrass, released in 1984, but it wasn't until her second solo single, You Give Good Love that the public really began to take notice.

Dancing On Ice- 22- 25 April 2010                                                                                                          Probably the most famous ice dancers of all time, Jayne Torvill & Christopher Dean captivated TV audiences in 2006, dancing together for the first time in nearly a decade in the smash hit ITV show, Dancing on Ice.

MANCHESTER APOLLO www.manchestertheatres.com/apollo
Stockport Road
N-Dubz- 9 April 2010                                                                                                                                   MOBO Award-winning Hip-Hop group from London, touted as the future of UK Hip-Hop. N-Dubz began as three friends from Quintin Kynaston School in St John's Wood. Winning the MOBO for Best Newcomer and signing to Polydor, the trio released their debut single 'You Better Not Waste My Time'.

Ricky Gervais- 13 & 14 April 2010                                                                                                                      A darkly brilliant comedian: someone who has made a career out of saying the most embarrassing and cringeworthy thing in the vain attempt to impress. As writer and star of BBC2's outstanding fake docu-soap 'The Office', Ricky - and his character David Brent - have achieved worldwide acclaim resulting in the winning of two Golden Globe Awards in 2004.

ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC www.rncm.ac.uk                                                                                                                                                                              Manchester Camerata - Night and Day- 24th April 2010                                                                                  The shimmering images of a hot afternoon and the poetry of romantic love on a summer evening form the heart of this concert, alongside the intensely rich textures of a Brahms sextet arranged here for larger string forces. Pre-Concert: Talking Point, 6.30pm

THE BRIDGEWATER HALL
www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk
Lower Mosley Street
Shakespeare's Musick Musicians of the Globe- 7 April 2010                                                                  Experience the joy, sadness, love and madness of Ariel, Desdemona and Ophelia evoked by a colourful ensemble of Renaissance instruments, recreating the Heavenly Noyse which enraptured audiences at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.

Kenyan Boys Choir- 11 April 2010                                                                                                                   The Kenyan Boys Choir, brought to worldwide fame after performing at President Barack Obama’s inauguration in November 2008, constitutes of 24 choir boys formed in Nairobi in 1998.

Paul Brady and Band- 16 April 2010                                                                                                              Paul Brady, singer, songwriter, musician and producer, has for over forty years been at the forefront of popular music in Ireland.

THE MARTIN HARRIS CENTRE FOR MUSIC AND DRAMA http://www.arts.manchester.ac.uk/martinharriscentre/music.php
The University of Manchester, Bridgeford Street

Oliver Coates (Cello) - 22 April 2010- 13.10- Free- The Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall
This concert includes the premiere of a solo acoustic piece by Richard Whalley, with pieces by Squarepusher, Emily Hall, maybe some improvisation too.

GAMELAN DEGUNG- 29 April 2010- 13.10- FREE- The Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall
University of Manchester Music students, with Rachel Swindells and guests, offer a dynamic programme of music for gamelan degung, a small gamelan orchestra unique to the mountainous region of Sunda in West Java. The performance includes both traditional and contemporary Sundanese repertoire, together with original compositions by members of the group.

Psappha: Beat the Rush Hour concert- 30 April 2010- 17:00- Free-
The Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall
One of the UK’s leading new music ensembles is at it again, premiering cutting-edge works by emerging postgraduate composers from the University's Music Dept.  Be prepared to hear highly original and memorable music while the rest of the world whizzes by.


COMEDY STORE MANCHESTER www.thecomedystore.co.uk
Deansgate Locks

Thu 1st April 8pm - £10.00 / £5.00 Stand Up Thursday
MC Markus Birdman, Louis Ramey(USA), Mike Gunn plus open spot

Fri 2nd April 8pm - £16.00 / £8.00 The Best In Stand Up
MC Alun Cochrane, Louis Ramey(USA), Mike Gunn, Markus Birdman, Mitch Benn

Sat 3rd April 8pm - £20.00; Late Show (11.30pm) - £12.00 / £6.00 The Best In Stand Up
MC Alun Cochrane, Louis Ramey(USA), Mike Gunn, Markus Birdman, Mitch Benn(8pm show only)

Sun 4th April 8pm - £6.00 King Gong
MC to be confirmed

BAND ON THE WALL www.bandonthewall.org
25 Swan Street, The Northern Quarter

Sarah Borges- 26 April 2010                                                                                                                Americana from the wrong side of the tracks as punk honky tonk renegade Sarah Borges heads into town. Expect it to rock as she mixes her own bad-ass songs with Smokey Robinson, The Lemonheads and more.


OTHER
EUROPEAN BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIPS 2010
www.manchesterworldsport.com
MEN Arena
14-18 April 2010
The world’s fastest racket sport will hit the North West as Manchester is set to stage one of its premier tournaments, the European Badminton Championships. The MEN Arena Manchester will play host to the European Individual Championships from April

MAPS FESTIVAL 2010 www.mapsfestival.co.uk
Northern Quarter
30 April - 3 May 2010
Now in its third year, MAPS Festival is Manchester's very own May Day carnival, set across 4 fun filled days and nights in the Northern Quarter, the creative heart of Manchester City centre. This showcase of creative arts includes gigs from banjo-driven knees ups to melodic acoustic soirees and full rock n roll nights at the Northern Quarters best venues as well as unusual secret locations. With headline bands including Liam Frost, Baddies and iLikeTrains and Jay Jay Pistolet this year will bring more emerging talent to the Northern Quarter. Daytime events include exploration walks, craft workshops at Manchester Craft & Design Centre, art exhibitions from experienced and developing artists at Kraak Gallery and Odd Bar, and a Jubilee style tea party. There's even circus performance on the streets and some May Day dancing, celebrating the sheer eclecticism the area has to offer.

 

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