What’s On in Manchester this Summer

There’s always something going on in Manchester and I love posting about as many different events as I can get chance to go to. But rather than just write about them once I’ve been, I thought it would be nice to share some of the ones that have sparked my interest this summer before they actually happen – in case you fancy enjoying them too!

Screenfields does Disney

The outdoor cinema has been back in action in Spinningfields Manchester this summer, and although there are only a couple of films left on the main schedule, they are now also screening some Disney films on Saturday mornings. It’s in association with Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic (which is on at the Phones 4u Arena in October, and of course, I already have my tickets). Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy these Disney classics for free on the lovely Spinningfields lawns.

• The Little Mermaid – Saturday 16th August , 11am
• Finding Nemo – Saturday 23rd August, 11am

Spinfest August 2014

The final instalment of 2014’s bank holiday live music festivals will take place at the Oast House stage in Spinningfields, and promises a great line-up with live rock, pop, jazz, funk and soul classics from across the decades. Given the location this promises to be a popular event!

• Sunday 24th August, 12pm until late

The Manchester Picnic

The annual picnic is back in Piccadilly Gardens at the end of August, where an exciting collection of food vendors takes over the whole of the space. This will be its fifth year and I enjoyed calling in to the last two for a tasty lunch followed by ice cream from Ginger’s Comfort Emporium. It’s always worth stopping by!

• 29th – 31st August, from 11am-6pm each day

Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience, at the Lowry Theatre

This immersive theatrical performance/three-course dinner sounds interesting. If, like me, Fawlty Towers has a special place in your heart, this might be right up your street. Be waited on by Basil, Manuel and co., and become part of the comedy performance (a third of which will be unscripted and improvised allowing the possibility for anything to happen!)

• Friday 29th August – Sunday 31st August

Victoria Park Band Concert

The last of three free live band concerts in the beautiful Victoria Park setting in Swinton will take place on 7^th September. Hopefully the weather will be nice so people can turn up with their own seating and a picnic and enjoy the free live music. Refreshments will also be available at the Veterans Hut, and more information is available by contacting the Friends of Victoria Park on 0161 281 1208.

• Sunday 7th September, 2-4pm

Opera Dinner at Carluccio’s

I love the idea of an opera dinner and enjoyed one in Manchester a couple of years ago, so it’s great to see another popping up. For the ticket price of £35 you can enjoy a three-course Carluccio’s dinner along with canapés and a glass of Prosecco, whilst being serenaded by classical vocal trio Opera A Tavola who will sing opera and musical theatre classics. It sounds like a fabulously refined affair.

• Wednesday 10th September

Romeo and Juliet at Victoria Baths

This should be an exciting and original piece of theatre from HOME MCR – a new arts venue created from the merger of the Cornerhouse and the Library Theatre Company. This production from their first theatre season will actually be performed in the listed Edwardian swimming pools at Victoria Baths, which are undergoing restoration, and it’s said to be a contemporary fairytale interpretation of Romeo and Juliet set in Eastern Europe. It all sounds very intriguing, and I discovered yesterday that tickets are selling really quickly, so don’t miss out!

• 10th September – 4th October