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.
Fashion lovers can browse a variety of items at a huge pop-up vintage market in Manchester this Sunday.
Glass Onion vintage pop-up is back in town and thrifters can get their hands on all sorts of gorgeous garments and fantastic retro-wear to add to their wardrobe.
The UK’s largest vintage retailer will bring its abundance of vintage clothing and accessories to New Century on Sunday December 3rd.
Shop vintage brands, Y2K, American and European vintage, designer clothes, premium and rare clothing items, including Tommy Hilfiger, Adidas, Burberry, Diesel and North Face.
Glass Onion Vintage
Founded in 2004 selling vintage gems from a coal shed in Barnsley, Glass Onion has been sourcing and selling items on market stalls and festival pop-ups, processing up to 20,000kg of second hand clothing every single week.
Now Glass Onion has its own in-house remade factory, where they recycle and transform damaged and unwanted clothing into something wardrobe-worthy, saving items destined for landfill.
It even has its very own premium vintage boutique with exclusive pieces curated especially by GO’s product team.
Glass Onion Vintage
The vintage retailer has become renowned for its pop-ups, held all over the country attracting hundreds of vintage hunters at every event.
Browse through the deals area with items at £10, £15 and £20 – buy two of the same price and get £5 off, as well as more great offers.
Glass Onion Vintage
Early access tickets are £5 for those who want to get down first and check out the incredible stock, tickets are then just £1 after the first hour and free for the last hour. For tickets, click HERE.
The vintage pop-up event is on Sunday December 3rd, 11am – 4pm at New Century Hall, 34 Hanover St, Manchester, M4 4AH.
Follow @glassonionvintage on Instagram for some sneak peeks at what’s to come.
Avril Lavigne is coming to Manchester to perform a huge outdoor gig at Castlefield Bowl next summer.
The Canadian singer-songwriter has announced two outdoor shows in the UK in 2024.
She will be performing at Cardiff Castle on July 2nd before heading to Manchester to play at Castlefield Bowl on July 3rd, as part of the Sounds Of The City series.
The star will be supported by Canadian rock band Simple Plan, best known for their song ‘I’m Just a Kid’.
@avrillavigne / Instagram
Lavigne enjoyed success with her pop-punk songs in the noughties, including the hits ‘Sk8er Boi’, ‘Complicated’ and ‘Girlfriend’.
She is best known for her monochrome punk-style, smokey eyes and long blonde hair – something every skater girl wannabe copied.
The punk-pop star shared her latest studio album back in February 2022 under the title ‘Love Sux’. She later released an expanded deluxe version of the LP in November of that year.
She has received eight Grammy Awards nominations, including Best New Artist.
The UK tour will be a celebration of her Love Sux album and will be part of wider touring throughout Europe in 2024, taking place at festivals including I Days in Milan on July 9th, Festival de Nîmes in Nîmes on July 10th, and Festival Cruïlla in Barcelona on July 12th.
The singer is yet to announce any more UK dates as of yet, but the upcoming dates in Manchester and Cardiff won’t be her only shows lined up for next summer.
Tickets to see Avril Lavigne perform next year will go on sale this Friday, December 1st, at 10am and will be available to buy HERE.
The Trafford Centre has the festive season covered with plenty of events planned for all the family – check out what’s on.
From Santa’s Grotto to Tinsel Town, as well as exciting new store openings, book signings and exclusive brand pop-ups, there’s always something new to discover.
Here’s what’s happening at the Trafford Centre this festive season:
Black Friday Sales
November is coming to an end and Christmas shopping is well underway, so why not head over and grab some deals while you’re on the hunt for presents – you could even treat yourself.
Many sales have already gone live with the rest happening this Black Friday, November 24th.
Trafford Centre
Black Friday highlights include up to50% off at Lakelandand Levi’s, 30% off everything at Ted Baker, and 25% off at Molton Brown and Carvela.
The Grotto: Dear Santa
Step into the immersive wonderland of Santa’s Grotto this Christmas. Families will journey through the Candy Cane Land and Enchanted Forest in search of Santa’s Merry Mailroom.
The Grotto can be found on Lower Peel Avenue, near the Dolphin Fountain. ‘Whispering Winter’ inclusive sessions are also available for those families who prefer a more relaxed experience.
The Grotto is open now until December 24th. Tickets cost £25 for children / £7.50 for adults and are available now, click HERE.
Trafford Centre
Tinsel Town
The huge festive fairground is back and has plenty of exciting rides suitable for younger kids and older thrill-seekers too.
Open now until January 1st, 2024, attractions include teacups, a caterpillar rollercoaster and funhouse. There is also the thrilling Snow Jets ride or the Starflyer, as well as a brand new attraction VOID – calling all you dare devils!
Christmas market stalls will be dotted around with a variety of food and drink vendors selling Yorkshire Pudding wraps, bratwurst, burgers pancakes, donuts, mulled wine, hot chocolates and plenty more.
Tinsel Town entry costs £2 if booked online in advance, or £2.50 on the day, with ice skating sessions sold separately. Purchase tickets by clicking HERE.
Trafford Centre
Skate at Tinsel Town
This ice rink is covered in a traditional-style canopy decorated with twinkling fairy lights and is open now until January 1st, 2024.
Take to the ice on a 25m x 20m shimmering, covered ice rink for a 45-minute ice skate session to celebrate the winter season. Glide away under a sky full of twinkling lights whilst festive music transports skaters to a whimsical, festive haven.
Ice skating tickets are £12.50 for adults and £10 for children off-peak / £15 for adults and £12.50 for children peak, for a 45-minute ice skating session, with entry to the Tinsel Town fairground sold separately.
Don’t miss this sensational ice-skating show live from the heated theatre big top, on 200 sq. meters of shimmering real ice. Be wowed by this all new production featuring 16 ice skaters, international circus stars, amazing special effects, and the return of the massive ice bears!
The show begins on November 24th and runs until January 1st, 2024. Tickets can be purchased by clicking HERE.
Big Wheel
It’s back and it’s here until January 7th, 2024.
You’ll be able to enjoy all the glittering lights and sights as you soar above the ground at a staggering 55 metres high. Take in the incredible views and a little piece of magic this Christmas.
Trafford Centre
Letters to Santa at Selfridges
Bring the little ones along to post their Christmas lists to Santa. Don’t forget to include your return address – Santa just might write back. Make sure to get them in on time; last posting date is Monday, December 4th. Find out more on the Selfridges website HERE.
Charity gift wrapping
This handy service will be here to help with a dedicated team of volunteers from a number of North West charities from December 14th – 21st.
Volunteers will expertly wrap your gifts in return for a donation. Find them on lower Regent Crescent, outside JD Sports.
Chemical Engineer / Wikimedia
Ladbaby book signing at WH Smith
Ladbaby will be in-store on November 25th.
Social media phenomenon Ladbaby, aka Mark and Roxanne Hoyle, are the creators of the bestseller ‘Greg the Sausage Roll: Santa’s Little Helper’ and will be joining WHSmith for a Christmas signing of ‘Greg the Sausage Roll: 12 Days of Christmas: A LadBaby Board Book’.
Tickets are £7.99 includes entry and a of the bookto be collected at the event.
Parents accompanying their children do not require a ticket (one accompanying adult per child with ticket.) Find out more and book HERE.
@ladbabyofficial
Get Prepped for Party Season at Selfridges
Don’t miss Selfridges Beauty Workshop Series from November 22nd – 26th where beauty brands CHANEL, Dior & YSL Beauty and more will be sharing their expert tips and favourite looks for party season. Find out more and book HERE.
New store openings
Lululemon and Lounge have opened new stores, ‘Skinwear’ brand Narvvi will be joining the centre this month, and Holland & Barret has had a store makeover. LEGO fans of all ages will love discovering their brand new store, and Marks and Spencer’s much anticipated new store will open on November, 30th.