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The free Friday night soul club with a massive happy hour
Some of the world’s best soul musicians have taken to the stage
Manchester’s very own soul club has just marked its first birthday and, to celebrate, will be throwing an epic party complete with its own resident soul band.
Since opening in the former Walkabout site down Quay Street last year, Blue’s Kitchen has experienced massive success, mainly thanks to its tasty Deep South-inspired menu, vast cocktail list and ever-changing roster of live music and entertainment.
In the past year, 80,000 of the iconic Blues Kitchen burgers have been demolished and half a million of their signature Buffalo chicken wings have been devoured, while 250,000 cocktails have been drunk.
@theblueskitchenmcr / Instagram
And Blues has the answer to the current cost of living crisis with £5 cocktails on Wednesday evenings, and a tempting happy hour on Fridays from 5pm-7pm.
Beneath its restaurant, Blues Kitchen has also hosted over 500 live performances in its debut year in Manchester, with musicians from over six continents having taken to the stage.
But is is the venue’s weekly Manchester’s Got Soul events that have proven to be the biggest hit in the city, with different DJs spinning timeless soul, rhythm and blues classics across both floors until the early hours each and every Friday.
@theblueskitchenmcr / Instagram
Speaking on the inspiration behind the opening of Blues Kitchen in Manchester, co-founder Liam Hart told Manchester’s Finest: “We really wanted to be part of the Manchester music scene, so we were over the moon when we stumbled upon this incredible venue a couple of years ago.
“We’ve all been huge fans of the city’s musical cultural heritage for years, so it felt right to open a Blues Kitchen here. I grew up in the 90s listening to music from Manchester, so I’ve always had a real love for the city.”
So, to celebrate its birthday in style, the concert hall will be hosting world-renowned blues and soul legends for the next week, kicking off with a rare performance from American funk and soul-jazz hero Roy Ayers tonight, May 25th.
@theblueskitchenmcr / Instagram
Tomorrow, Thursday May 26th, the Chicago hip-hop brass band Hypnotic Brass Ensemble will bring their incendiary live show to Manchester, off the back of their outstanding new album ‘Bad Boys of Jazz’.
And on Tuesday May 31st, the North Mississippi Hill Country blues guitarist, singer and songwriter, Cedric Burnside, will be performing ‘I Be Trying’ – a thirteen-track album treatise on life’s challenges, pleasures, and beauty.
You can check out the full list of events happening over at Blues Kitchen here.
What's On
The new FREE Christmas night market with over 40 traders from across our region
Get in the festive spirit!
Get in the festive spirit with a brand new FREE Christmas makers night market, with over 40 traders and small businesses from across the region.
Brought to you by Renaker, the Manchester Made Christmas night market is coming to New Jackson, Deansgate Square from Friday December 6th to Sunday December 8th.
Following on from a successful summer market in May, the Manchester Made Market is returning bigger and better than before but with a Christmassy twist.
Manchester Made Market
Expect a ‘cosy and magical’ Christmas night market experience, with food, drink, live music and even a grotto for visits to Father Christmas.
There’ll be Christmas trees galore, glittering with lighting, with one huge show-stopping tree taking centre stage.
Bringing together over 40 artisanal traders and small businesses from across the region, the three-day event will showcase a plethora of food produce, homewares, crafts and creations.
Manchester Made Market
Visitors will be sure to find unique Christmas gifts that support local businesses, including from The Cole Men and their award winning sauces, Moon & Sixpence’s handmade jewellery, and fine art photography by Craig Barker.
There’ll be live music from a 20-piece choir, playing Christmas classics, cocktails from Manchester Gin and Gooey’s sweet treats.
The experts from Millington Hall Farm in Altrincham will be bringing a taste of their Wild Grill experience, including live sausage making demonstrations and an array of German sausages served from a festive BBQ trailer.
Manchester Made Market
Families with children can visit the Christmas grotto, where Father Christmas himself will be waiting in a cosy tipi – kids will get a gift from Santa, and bookings can be made online for £8.50 per child.
Manchester Made Market will be open from 4pm to 9pm on Friday December 6th, and 1pm to 9pm on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th – pre-register for a free guest list ticket and 50% off a hot chocolate HERE, or book the Christmas grotto HERE.
What's On
Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season
Get in the festive spirit in Stockport!
Stockport’s free, one-day Christmas festival is returning this festive season, with 200 performers and more than 50 shows.
Spectacular Sunday will return to the town on November 17th at various sites and venues.
Following the success of last year’s event, hundreds of performers will take over Stockport, with everything from giant roller-skating presents to a living snow globe and roaming Christmas dolls.
There will also be street theatre, including grumpy Christmas grandads, a gigantic balloon man and water show.
Matthew Nichol Photography
Produced by carnival arts organisation Global Grooves and organised by Stockport Council, Totally Stockport, Merseyway and Stockport Market, the town centre will be buzzing with Christmas excitement.
Events will be happening in iconic Stockport locations like Market Place, Underbanks, Merseyway, Redrock and Suffragette Square.
A grand finale in Merseyway will bring together the brass bands of Stockport, ending the day with a huge flash mob and rendition of All You Need Is Love.
Cirq Delight
Cllr Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport, said: “We’re so excited to bring this event back after last year’s amazing success.
“It’s such a fun way to get everyone in the festive spirit and really shows off what makes Stockport special – our sense of community and joy.
“With loads of free performances and activities, plus a chance to enjoy the newly improved areas of Merseyway, it’s a perfect day out for families.
“Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday is all about having fun, making memories, and starting the holiday season in style.”
Spectacular Sunday is happening from 11am to 5pm on Sunday November 17th – find out more HERE.
The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year next month, bringing with it a vibrant gallery space showcasing thousands of works from over 500 artists.
One of the biggest and most significant events in the UK art world calendar, it’ll take over Manchester Central for three days, from Friday November 15th to 17th.
The city will be flooded with art from all corners of the world, championing everything from local heroes to new emerging talent, as well as international artists with worldwide acclaim.
Manchester Art Fair
A wide range of artistic disciplines will be represented at the event, from painters, illustrators, and sculptors to graffiti artists and everything in between.
Expect exhibitions, workshops, Q&A sessions, demos, book signings and parties happening across the event.
Tickets include free access to art workshops and talks from leading artists and cultural experts, and are on sale now.
You can grab them HERE.
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The VR gaming experience at airport where you can escape reality
The new FREE Christmas night market with over 40 traders from across our region
Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season
Simmons Bar opens first Northern site in Manchester with free drinks at launch party
The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year
