Manchester Caribbean Carnival 2019
Saturday 10th & 11th August
Ah yes. This is more like it. The Caribbean Carnival is BACK this weekend and it promises to be just as brilliant as it always is with a host of music acts performing, loads of street food, an electric atmosphere and of course – the parade. If you’ve never been to the Carnival, then you really should give it a try this weekend – you won’t regret it. If you don’t end up full, drunk, tired and smiling from ear-to-ear then you’ve not done it properly I’m afraid. The weather forecast says it’s going to piss it down all weekend so pack your waterproof knickers.
Yanks Are Back In Saddleworth
Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th August
In 1979 Richard Gere took a break from sticking gerbils up his bottom to film a box office flop called Yanks in Uppermill and Dobcross in Oldham and ever since then they’ve had a massive knees-up to celebrate the whole thing. This weekend sees the Yanks return to the picturesque villages complete with history reenactors, vintage military vehicles, dancing, period stalls and probably an abundance of rollers and bright red lipstick. It’s a good laugh and there’s plenty of top pubs in the area in which to sink a few pints in too.
Rochdale Feel Good Festival
Saturday 10th August
It’s another good year for the organisers of Rochdale Feel Good Festival as they’ve managed to wrangle Liverpool rockers The Coral as headliners, alongside The Hoosiers (remember them!?), Alias Kid, The Northern Soul Train and more. They’re doing a bit inside too just in case the weather is as shite as always. Oh yeah – it’s FREE too! No matter how horrible your week has been or even how nasty you’ve been – you can forget it all this Saturday and really ‘Feel Good’ about yourself!
Sadler’s Yard Summer Jam 2019
Saturday 10th August
This Saturday there’s a really rather odd get together down at Sadler’s Yard – but odd in a good way, not in a ‘I want to batter you with a hammer’ way. I mention hammers not because I’m a sadistic serial killer but because this Summer Jam features a wide range of workshops throughout the day including things like ‘Make a stool’, ‘How to fix you bike’ and ‘Dumpster Diving for the Under 10s’. There’s a long list of weird and wonderful events knocking about throughout the day – all with similar titles. If you’re looking to do some self-improvement – this is the place.
MeadowSide Bite + Bark
Saturday 10th August
There’s that old saying – “His bark is worse than his bite” which is absolute rubbish. I’ve never met a dog where his actual teeth sinking into your flesh is less bad than him just barking at you. And trust me – I’ve been bitten by a lot of dogs. I mention this because it’s the name of a ‘Thing to do’ this weekend, down at MeadowSide just near Angel Meadows. Bite street food have teamed up with Manchester and Cheshire Dogs Home to bring a day of doggo events alongside street food from Bhaji Box, Mio Pizza, I am Thai Kitchen, Spicy Jack Deli and beers from our good friends at Beatnikz Republic.
Afro BBQ Festival
Sunday 11th August
Billed as the UK’s largest festival of African street food, this Afro BBQ Festival will feature all sorts of African delights for your mouth and taste buds. Taking place at Albert Park in Salford, there promises to be treats from the streets of Nairobi, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana and plenty more – alongside drinks, music, fashion, art and performances. Again, the weather might not be the best but a bit of BBQ’ed food should lighten the mood!
Dachshund Diner at Jessie Heywood’s
Sunday 11th August
If you have a dachshund, like dachshunds or just like dogs in general then head on over to Jessie Heywood’s this Sunday to capture them in all of their freakishly long glory. It’s basically the posh name for a sausage dog and considering the massive increase in their popularity in recent years – it’s going to be a busy one. There’s a list of rules and tickets that gave me a headache so I’m not going to even bother repeating them here – just head to their event page and get ready to take some serious notes.
Dave Draws – Doodle Masterclass
Wednesday 14th August
I’m a little perplexed as to how you can have a masterclass on doodling but if one person is qualified enough to educate you – it’s Dave Draws. Finest friend and all round bloody good bloke, Dave has made a name for himself recently with his brilliant doodle maps that you’ve probably seen dotted around offices and buildings all around the city centre (and further afield). He’s hosting the Doodle Masterclass this Wednesday at Seven Brothers in Ancoats, so not only can you have some lovely beers but you can learn some art skills along the way.
A-Levels Result Night
Thursday 15th August
I’m not sure how old our readers are but I’m positive they’re not 17 and awaiting their A-Levels results. I imagine 17 year olds don’t bother reading words like these anymore – especially when they’re so shoddily put together and feature references only a 34-year-old TRON cosplayer would understand. Nevertheless, I think it’s important to let you all know that this Thursday is A-Levels results night and so be prepared for the city to be inundated with a load of youngsters wearing their dad’s Ben Sherman shirts and smelling of Lynx Voodoo. Or more likely – a load of well-dressed, eloquent and healthy youngsters looking to celebrate all of their hard work. If you want to get involved – I recommend 42nd Street’s A-Level Results All-nighter which is open until 6am.
eden Launch Party with Mark Wright
Friday 16th August
Another week and it’s another launch in the city, this time down in The Printworks with eden – taking over the old Tiger Tiger spot with 3 floors of botanical-inspired drinks, food and dancefloors. This opening night will feature a DJ set from that Mark Wright fella off the telly – who will probably get his shirt off at some point in the night so be prepared for that. We have 50 EXCLUSIVE VIP TICKETS to give away for it too (which include a FREE welcome drink). To enter – click the button below…
Levenshulme Pride Gin Festival @ The Klondyke
Friday 16th August
Next weekend sees Levenshulme take on their annual Pride celebrations and Friday sees The Klondyke get in on the action with a massive Gin Festival featuring DJ’s, Live Music, Food and probably the odd rainbow bouncy castle knocking about too. Oh and of course there’ll be gin. That’s all you’re really interested in isn’t it?! Getting drunk on gin, making a fool of yourself and then crying yourself to sleep with a kebab from Persian Grill while watching Bill & Ted. Bogus Journey of course.
OBL Beer x Noisey Karaoke @ Jimmy’s
Friday 16th August
I must admit that if ANY event features karaoke – I want to be there. It does sometimes get me in some bother though, like the time I attended the 34th Annual Nazi & Dog Kickers Society Grand Ball because I wanted to belt out some Bon Jovi on the karaoke machine. There’ll be none of that this Friday though as Jimmy’s host the Old Blue Last Beer lot with a track list co-curated with VICE show Noisey and ranging through grime, dance and metal anthems. Absolutely nothing like your usual karaoke then and certainly without some Bon Jovi.
Cotton Clouds Festival 2019
From Friday 16th August
Cotton Clouds has been SO popular over the last couple of years that they’ve had to add another night on the Friday – meaning they get to go into this week’s Things To Do and not next weeks. Probably for the best seeing as next week’s will be jam-packed full of Manchester Pride stuff and they might get a bit lost in all the rainbows and Ariana Grande stuff. Held at Saddleworth Cricket Club, this year’s line-up includes Peter Hook, The Wailers, Ash, Reverend and the Makers and loads more. Just look at the poster above.
