Still skint from Christmas, freezing cold and already sick of sticking to your new year’s resolutions? We get it!
So, here’s a few things to get you out of the house this week. BAB are offering half price hangover cures, Kultura Collective are throwing their first party of 2022 and, if art’s your thing, the Leven Hotel and the Castlefield Gallery have some ace exhibitions opening this week, too. You’re welcome!
Food & Drink
BAB
From Monday 10th January
BAB’s mint January offer starts this week which will see the restaurant offer a whole 50% off their wonderful kebabs between Monday and Wednesday. Their menu has loads to be excited about, from the Lamb Adana to the spicy Aleppo Chicken, and all you have to do is pre-book yourself a table to claim the discount and enjoy the wonders of their unique kebab creations.
This Charming Naan
From Wednesday 12th January
The Deaf Institute will open its doors again from Wednesday this week and, alongside all the class club nights, gigs and good vibes, the venue will also be offering 50% off all food at This Charming Naan. You can get aptly named curries including the ‘Madras is Murder’ and sides including ‘We Wanna Get Loaded’ Loaded Fries and ‘Last Night I Dreamt Some Bhaji Loved Me’ all for half the price!
GRUB – Espresso Martini Masterclass
Thursday 13th January
GRUB is hosting its first cocktail masterclass night of 2022 – an evening of Espresso Martinis with the folks from Zubrowka Vodka! You will enjoy a fascinating Zubrowka talk and tasting before learning to make their perfect serve Espresso Martini. Guests will then team up with the rest of their table to make the best twist on the classic with prizes up for grabs for the best tasting ones. Tickets are only £10 per person, which includes all tasters and cocktail making ingredients.
Cibo Great Northern Opening
The brand-new Cibo location finally opens up this Friday – their all-singing, all-dancing new restaurant in the old ‘Home Sweet Home’ spot in the Great Northern Warehouse. They’ll have a bigger kitchen, more seating and just generally much more square footage to offer more excellent Italian dishes and drinks. They’ll also be introducing an Italian Bottomless Brunch – which we’re looking forward to immensely.
Bundobust
Bundobust recently announced their collaboration with vegan ‘meat’ brand, Meatless Farm, and it’s available right now just in time for Veganuary! The popular veggie Indian street food restaurant already has a whole host of tasty plant-based dishes for you to tuck in to, but the Meatless Farm collab brings with it the Shami Kebab, Butter Chicken, Keema Mattar and the Mushroom Pilau if you need something to calm your meat craving this month.
Music & Clubs
Nicky Blackmarket DJ Hybrid B2B Conrad Subs, BLOC2BLOC + MORE at Rebellion
Friday 14th January
Fancy a rave this weekend? ALWAYS I hear you say. WA3 are back for their next instalment of Drum and Bass, always bringing you only the best talent the scene has to offer! This time, they’re collaborating with brands such as Kartoonz Recordings, Deep in the Jungle, Audio Addict Recordings, Bloc2bloc, Nu:Reality and Off-License Recordings, and the line-up this Friday includes; Nicky Blackmarket, DJ Hybrid, Conrad Subz, plus loads more.
Kultura Collective w/ G33, Sharnie & Auracul
Friday 14th January
After a few months away, Kultura Collective are back with a very exciting party at XLR to kick off 2022. With a low ceiling basement, huge Funktion One soundsystem and cheap bevs all night, it’s gonna be a good’un! Expect a variety of UK and global club sounds over the night – funky, bass, hip-hop, amapiano, afrobeats, dancehall, reggaeton, baile funk and more from G33 and Sharnie and Auracul.
Sounds of the Underground @ The Old Abbey Taphouse
Saturday 15th January
Dust off those apple-bottom jeans and boots with the fur because the early noughties are calling baby! Forget throwback Thursdays, The Old Abbey Taphouse will host a night of nostalgia this Saturday, with tunes from Girls Aloud, Avril Lavigne, Vengaboys, Gwen Stefani, plus loads more early pop QUEENS.
Arts & Culture
Life Drawing in Albert Square
Wednesday 12th January
Is a new hobby on your list of new year’s resolutions? For experienced and novice artists alike, this relaxed arty social is a chance to use your chosen medium to capture the ultimate subject: an actual human person. Pencils and paper are provided, however feel free to bring the materials you like to work with. There’ll be interlude snacks provided and a jazz playlist included, too, as well as a small bar.
Great to Meet You at Leven Hotel
Wednesday 12th January – Sunday 16th January
Great to Meet You is an exhibition of newly emerging British art unshackled by the fist of the institution. In an age of blockbuster exhibitions and NFTs, Great to Meet You gets down to brass tacks – exciting art by talented, new, British artists. While not united by medium, the work shown tends toward a dark sense of humour and touches on more risque themes. To get in on the action, book your ticket on the Great to Meet You page. Pre-show, swing by the Leven hotel lobby bar and lounge and show your ticket for two-for-one drinks. The lounge is open for all, so drop in and put your feet up.
Linocut Print Making Workshop at ÖL Nano Brewery & Bar
Thursday 13th January
All levels are welcome at this event where you’ll connect with a friendly local expert and discover a whole host of helpful tips and tricks as you carve your own piece of linocut and get creative with printing in a variety of colours and styles. There’ll be a selection of reference pictures for your inspiration, from stunning scenery to fabulous flowers, and your teacher will be by your side to provide guidance and answer any questions you might have. You’ll even be able to take home your masterpiece to hang on your bedroom wall.
Jocelyn McGregor: Mantle at Castlefield Gallery
Friday 14th January
The first major solo exhibition of work by Jocelyn McGregor debuts at the Castlefield Gallery this Friday. McGregor’s work involves sculpture, installation and animation. Taking inspiration from folklore, surrealism and supernatural fiction, she investigates the ways in which female identity is associated with nature, the home and the machine. Originally planned for early in 2021 Jocelyn Mcgregor: Mantle, was selected from proposals submitted by Castlefield Gallery Associates by guest selector Mariama Attah (curator at Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool) and Castlefield Gallery Curator Matthew Pendergast.
Events
Trapdoor Comedy presents Dan Nightingale at the Old Monkey
Wednesday 12th January
Dan Nightingale is widely regarded as one of the best performers working on the comedy circuit today. Mixing fiendishly accurate observation with energetic characterisations and killer punch lines, his comedy is original, playful, intelligent, poignant and exciting; sometimes ridiculous… but always hilarious.
Victoria Scone @ Cruz 101
Thursday 13th January
With a well rested knee, Drag Race UK Season 3 queen, Victoria Scone will be at Cruz 101 this Thursday! Expect an evening of fabulous drag fun full of hilarious punchlines, INCREDIBLE looks and sickening lip syncing. What a way to spend a Thursday!
Escape to Freight Island All Star Weekender
Friday 14th January – Saturday 15th January
Escape to Freight Island is reopening again exclusively this weekend and next to host a weekender featuring some great DJs, performers and, of course, its amazing line-up of street food vendors! You can expect all your faves soundtracked by some great tunes and good vibes this Friday and Saturday.
Stress Management Workshop at Seesaw
Sunday 16th January
Three established names in the Manchester wellness industry combine to bring this unique and holistic workshop to Seesaw on Sunday 16th January 2022. Eirian Collinge of Cariad Yoga, Dr Jessicarr Moorhouse – NHS Doctor, Personal Trainer and founder of TRIBE.MCR and Emily Brinnand of Matter of Mind Coaching are coming together to explore our relationship with stress and how to regulate stress-responses through mindset, movement and rest.
