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Our top tips for making the most of the week ahead, with brilliant things to do across the whole of Greater Manchester… For even more ideas, visit our What’s On page.
1. Orbit theatre festival returns to HOME
Orbit, the annual festival from HOME celebrating extraordinary, award-winning, international artists is set to disrupt the Manchester theatre scene once again. This year’s shows will combine live and digital work, with an online performance of Figs in Wigs’ Astrology Bingo as well as live performances from the theatre including Two Destination Language’s beautiful, flower-filled storm of emotion Near Gone, Xavier De Sousa’s durational performance REGNANT and Sleepwalk Collective and Christopher Brett Bailey’s Psychodrama. The festival takes place at HOME from Tuesday 23 November until Saturday 4 December, further details can be found here.
2. Get festive with Christmas events at Ducie Street Warehouse
Ducie Street Warehouse has announced its four-week extravaganza A Christmas Cracker, with festivities beginning on Friday 26 November and running through until Christmas Eve. The first event at the venue, which is within the Native aparthotel, will be a performance from celebrated Gospel choir, Manchester Inspirational Voices, alongside a quirky Disco Wreath Making where you can make a traditional Christmas Wreath with a difference, plus a Dog Treats workshop for your furry friends from Lola’s Bakery. Events will run throughout December including classic Christmas films, pop-up shops and a specially curated festive menu by chef Andrew Green.
3. Working Class Movement Library celebrates Friedrich Engels
From 22 to 28 November, the Working Class Movement Library in Salford is hosting Engels Week, with a series of events raising awareness of Friedrich Engels, co-author of The Communist Manifesto and German philosopher. Events taking place include a lecture on ‘The place of work in socialist feminism’ on Thursday 25 November, and on Sunday 28 November a radical tour around the Crescent and Chapel Street will explore the history and heritage of Salford and its important links to Engels. More details about events can be found here.
4. Relive 40 years of Postman Pat with a special exhibition at Waterside
40 years since everyone’s favourite Postman and his black and white cat hit our screens, a new free exhibition at Waterside in Sale, Trafford will display for the very first-time original sets and props from the series. Postman Pat: Welcome to Greendale runs until 8 January 2022. Whilst you’re visiting Waterside, why not tie in a visit to The Not So Ugly Sisters, a re-telling of Cinderella from the perspective of the sisters, with original music, puppetry, and magic. The show runs until 1 January 2022, and tickets can be purchased here.
5. Celebrate 600 years of Manchester Cathedral with a special talk
This year Manchester Cathedral celebrates its 600th anniversary, and to mark the occasion Dean Rogers Govender's will present A Living Cathedral – a talk focusing on the history of the Cathedral from the last century to the present day, highlighting some of the personalities who have made the Cathedral and how it has grown to meet the changing needs of the city.
Book now: RNCM Opera Returns after two-year hiatus
RNCM Opera is returning to the stage this December following a two-year absence with a presentation of a double bill programme. Ariadne + The Medium brings the comedy versus tragedy of Richard Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos (prologue), the perfect contrast to the operatic melodrama conjured up in Gian Carlo Menotti’s The Medium. Staged on various dates between 12 and 16 December, tickets can now be pre-booked here.
New opening of the week: Bread Flower at Kampus
Delicious bagels, floral workshops and indie winter markets are in store as Bread Flower brings its pop-up to Kampus from 26 November. The much-loved bakery will be open Thursday to Sunday in the lead up to Christmas with its ‘Merry Kampus’ residency, at The Bungalow at Kampus. Events will take place throughout December including Wreath making, chocolate decorating, Yoga and Indie Winter Markets.
