Another week and another round up of what’s going on over the next 7 days. After the weekend things start drying up, probably because all the students go back home – but we can still have a good time without them. Check it…
Tropadelica Weekender @ Cottonopolis
Friday 9th – Sunday 11th June
I’m terrible at writing, and I’ve eaten too many raisins so I’ll just let the Cottonopolis people explain what’s going on: To celebrate the launch of their new summer beer menu, Cottonopolis are going all tropical and throwing a weekend full of beer tasting, live music, record spinning, body painting and all day brunching on June 9th until June 11th. Sounds pretty good eh?! So starting on Friday there’s a North v South Juicy Beer Takeover – where you can sample loads of beers from all over the country as well as funk, afrobeat, reggae and Latin tunes from Captain Stingray’s Groove Machine. Saturday sees an All-Dayer starting with a Bottomless Brunch, a Glitter Station (ready for Parklife) and then moving onto live music and DJs right until 2am. Finally Sunday is Bottomless Brunch again, but this time you can choose from a selection of tropical beers to accompany your lunch alongside the usual Prosecco’s and Bloody Mary’s. The Glitter Station will be back, as will some soul and reggae tunes from 5 piece band Sol Colectivo.
Cottonopolis, 16 Newton St, Manchester M1 2AE
0161 236 5144
www.cottonopolis-nq.com/
The Lady Boys of Bangkok
Starts Friday 9th June
I’m not sure what happened last year but the Lady Boys of Bangkok unfortunately weren’t in the city with their usual collection of singing, dancing, boozing and eating which was a shame really. Another reason why 2016 is likely to go down as one of the worse years ever. Not to worry though, they’re back this year and they are in a big tent over on Chester Road. I went to this a fair few years ago and had a very enjoyable evening – I do remember getting a little too drunk and trying to out sing some of the ladies though – bad idea – I just ended up looking like a complete knob. Standard night then really. Tickets can be bought here.
Parklife 2017
Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th June
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, licking moss and eating ear wigs in order to get enough nutrients to survive, you’ll know that it’s Parklife this weekend. Looking out of the window at the moment it looks certain to be a muddy cacophony of warm cider, sneaky Evian bottles full of vodka, festival-standard headbands, a ton of gear and some top acts including the absolutely mental Elrow. If you’ve got a ticket – well done, if you don’t then you’re buggered because it’s sold out. Afterwards it seems that every bar, restaurant and bus stop is putting on a ‘Parklife After Party’ so no matter where you go – it will be busy and you’ll be able to continue your night in much dryer surroundings.
Heaton Park, Middleton Rd, Higher Blackley, Manchester M25 2SW
https://parklife.uk.com/
Pay What You Like Jumble Sale @ Wonder Inn
Saturday 10th June, 11am – 3pm
The Wonder Inn over on Shudehill are having a massive clear out and will be selling off 2 years’ worth of tat on a ‘Pay What You Like’ basis. I don’t think this means you can get stuff for free though – both parties have to agree on the sum I imagine. They claim to have Clothes, Art, Art Materials, Plates, Shoes, Comics, Chairs, Tables, Cafe Equipment, Vases, Paints, Tools, Fabrics, Shelving, Heaters and loads more so I reckon it will be well worth a little potter around. Entrance again is ‘Pay As You Wish’ with proceeds going directly to their Homeless Pot that feeds the homeless people of Manchester directly.
Wonder Inn, 29 Shudehill, Manchester M4 2AF
07743 000707
www.wonderinn.co.uk
Pen and Teller
Sunday 11th June, 6.30pm
When I was growing up the only magicians I ever came into contact with were Paul Daniels on the telly and some guy called ‘Dan, Dan the Magic Man’ who Michael Haywood booked for his 9th birthday party. I also remember the Christmas of 1994 being extra special because I received a Paul Daniels’ Magic Kit and then subsequently struggled to do even the most simple of tricks. Nowadays though there is a lot more choice – mostly trendy looking blokes with black t-shirts and a tendency to just roam the streets throwing playing cards at car windows. There throughout all of this was Penn and Teller, who have been going for 40 years now, and although one of them can’t even be arsed to speak – people love ‘em. They’re in Manchester at the Apollo on Sunday if you’re interested.
O2 Apollo, Stockport Rd, Manchester M12 6AP
0844 477 7677
https://academymusicgroup.com/o2apollomanchester/
Sunday Film Reel @ Odd
Sunday 11th June, 2pm
This Sunday sees two legendary films grace the screens of Odd for their Sunday Film Reel feature, which can be coupled with their new brunch menu and selection of cocktails. Kids classic Flight of the Navigator is first at 2pm which tells the story of a lad who goes missing and then reappears 8 years later without aging and with the ability to fly a terribly designed alien spaceship featuring a rather annoying commander called Max. It’s nowhere near as good as you remember it being when you were a kid – but then again, nothing is. Next up at 5pm is Lost Boys, which is a vampire movie featuring Kiefer Sutherland, Bill S. Preston Esq. and Corey Feldman. Good film and good soundtrack. Oh, it’s free too.
Odd Bar, 30-32 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1ER
0161 833 0070
www.oddbar.co.uk/
46th Birthday @ Hard Rock Cafe
Wednesday 14th June, 12pm – 1pm
Regardless of what you think of all of the Hard Rock Cafe’s all over the world, they must be doing something right because they’ve now being going for 46 years. This Wednesday sees their official birthday and so to celebrate they will be offering their Original Legendary Burger for only 71p. 71p is apparently how much one of them bad boys cost in 1971 – so if you turn up between 12 and 1pm on Wednesday – you can get one. It’s got bacon on it, cheese, an onion ring and some salad. I also believe you get fries too! I’ll probably be there.
Hard Rock Cafe, The Printworks, Exchange Square, Manchester M4 2BS
0161 831 6700
www.hardrock.com/cafes/manchester/
