What’s on in Manchester for 2011
Manchester is well known for football, northern humour, Canal Street and of course the UK’s largest pride festival that culminates with a huge 3 day street party right in the heart of the city.
There’s no need to wait until the August bank holiday though to head for the north’s pulsating queer heart. As well as being a great city break destination, Manchester also hosts a whole series of festivals and events to brighten up a weekend away.
I decided to take a look at what was happening in Manchester in 2011 - and found some great events taking place all throughout the year!
National Winter Ales Festival 19-22 Jan 2011
National Winter Ales Festival 19-22 Jan 2011
Real Ales had a rather dower image during the nineties, especially when compared to the flashy premium lagers served in the glittering chrome and glass bars that sprang up everywhere during that decade. Thankfully now though, locally produced small manufacturers are in, and collectively offer much more variety and diversity for the palate than the large breweries own monotonous fizzy offerings.
I know what you’re thinking: The whole shebang will be like a piss up at Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s house with rustic types in the ascendant. OK, so, perhaps leave the Gucci loafers out when you pack for this trip. Anyway, after a couple of pints of Old Harry’s Snodge-Croddler you won’t care what anyone is wearing.
I know what you’re thinking: The whole shebang will be like a piss up at Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s house with rustic types in the ascendant. OK, so, perhaps leave the Gucci loafers out when you pack for this trip. Anyway, after a couple of pints of Old Harry’s Snodge-Croddler you won’t care what anyone is wearing.
Chinese New-Year celebrations 3 Feb 2011
¡Viva! Spanish Film Festival 6-17 March 5-27 March 2011
There’s no denying that Spanish cinema is hot right now, and I am not just talking about Javier Bardem either. Spain is churning out some exceptional cinematic treats and world class actors right now, and there is no better place to catch up on Iberian and Latin American cinema than at Viva! The whole festival takes place for 3 weeks and includes a packed program of contemporary visual arts and film. Once again Manchester's Cornerhouse cinema is home to the proceedings which include, the festival features premières and previews of recent features, plus a special spotlight event.
Bears and their admirers unite for one long weekend of furry fun as the great British Bear Bash arrives in Manchester. The host hotel is the Portland Street Ibis which is the hub for all activities taking place over the long weekend. Expect a packed program of events for this annual event which is now celebrating its 14th anniversary.
FutureEverything 11-14 May 2011
The Dot to Dot Festival is taking in 3 UK cities this May with its unique selection of established and up and coming global music acts and artists. Acts can be seen at a variety of venues in Manchester where the Mystery Jets will headline the festival. Zane Lowe will be taking a break from Radio 1 to hit the decks and local Mancunian rockers Twisted Wheel will add a local flavour to the proceedings.
Without doubt one of the blue-ribbon queer arts event in the country, Queer Up North once again return for 3 weeks of arts and glamour. Venues throughout the village and all over Manchester will throw open their doors to lesbian, gay and queer artists, performers and entertainers of all kinds. New and established acts will be showcasing their talents with shows, cabaret and performance-art to enjoy and there are also a variety of exhibitions, talks and other events to enjoy too.
Pride Games: 4 - 12th June
Sports take centre stage in queer Manchester in June as Pride Games brings sport to the masses. Although the games culminate with international competition in various disciplines the focus of Pride Games is participation. A whole range of workshops and lessons are put on for those who would just like to have a go and see if they would like to continue.Manchester Skins Weekend: 24-26 June
If bleached denims, Doc Martens and shaved heads are your thing then you’ll be in good company at the annual Manchester Gay Skins Weekend. More information on events taking place over this weekend will be released closer to the date on the Manchester Gay Skins website.
Manchester International Festival - biennial 30 June 17 July
Sparkle Manchester 8-10 July
For the seventh year in a row gender diversity is celebrated in style at Sparkles, the biggest transgender event in the UK. For the entire weekend the trans community comes together for a weekend of fun, workshops, interactions and parties in and around the village and Sackville Gardens.
Urbanathlon 31 July 2011
Urbanathlon is a multi-disciplinary test of stamina and endurance through the centre of Manchester. The emphasis of this event is firmly on having fun, although contestants are certainly put through their paces. The course is spread over 5-km and features 12 urban obstacles to overcome. Competitors can enter individually, or find two friends and run as a team and share the fun and raise money for charity.
24:7 Theatre festival 21-29 July
Manchester Royal Exchange 2011 Season until 6 August 2011
Manchester's Royal Exchange is one of the most spectacular and original theatres in the country. With a capacity of 760 people this is the largest theatre-in-the-round in the country, a beautiful seven-sided glass and steel structure is suspended within the Victorian former Cotton Exchange. The 2011 season at the theatre includes works by a diverse range of playwrights including Harold Brig house, Vivienne Franz wood, Noel Coward, Brad Fraser, Arthur Miller, and Shakespeare.
Manchester Pride 19-29 August 2011
Manchester Food and Drink Festival 1-11 Oct 2011
Foodies have long been well catered for in Manchester with the renowned Rusholme Curry Mile, great real ale pubs, authentic world cuisine and excellent world-class restaurants. The 11-day Food & Drink Festival celebrates the city's culinary status in style with venues across the city hosting gastronomic events and showcasing the city’s culinary assets. Look out for celebrity chefs, cookery demos, charity cook-offs, parties, competitions and farmers' markets too.
Manchester Comedy Festival 3-31 Oct 2011
The Manchester Comedy Festival literally is a laugh a minute and sees some of the most talented names in comedy coming and performing in Manchester. International and local talent share stages and venues across the city in what has become one of the most lively and fun festivals to take place during the year in the city.
Manchester is only 2 hours and 7 minutes from London.
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