There’s lots to keep busy with this week
A number of events are taking place at Aviva Studios this weekend(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Following the horrific tragedy in Manchester on Thursday, this weekend is likely to be an opportunity for many of us to seek out time with loved ones or find ways to come together as a community.
But, for some of us, the need to stay busy may also be an important consideration over the next few days. There are a range of events taking place on Saturday and Sunday which will offer a chance to come together with like-minded people, whether you’re into music festivals, or soaking up some arts and culture.
However, it will perhaps be worth keeping an eye on the weather this weekend. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for strong winds covering a large part of the UK on Friday and Saturday.
The Storm Amy warning will be in place until 11.59pm on Saturday, and will cover parts of the North West, including Greater Manchester. As a result, a number of events have already been forced to be cancelled or altered.
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Storm Amy may make for a bit of a windy weekend in Manchester(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
Eat Good West’s Moon Festival, at the Merseyway Shopping Centre in Stockport, is one such event and has been postponed due to storm concerns. Originally set to take place on Saturday, the cultural celebration was due to coincide with the Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is one of the most cherished celebrations across East and Southeast Asia.
Here’s a round-up of five things taking place this weekend that you might want to seek out if you’re looking for something to do. As always, and especially so right now, it’s important to check all dates with organisers and on event listings before heading out in case things have changed.
25 years to the day for John
Famed Liverpool comedian John Bishop will take over the Co-op Live for two of the biggest shows of his career this weekend.
His new ‘25’ show will also mark a pretty big local landmark too because not only will it celebrate his 25 year career but it will also pay homage to the show that started it all for him.
The Manchester show will come pretty much bang on 25 years from his first ever comedy gig, which was held at the beloved city centre venue the Frog and Bucket on October 2, 2000.
John will play the Co-op Live on Saturday and Sunday night (October 4 and 5). Tickets can be bought via Ticketmaster here, starting from £23 before fees.
Comedian John Bishop will play Co-op Live on Saturday and Sunday night(Image: neil reading pr)Get a head start
Those who are into their running will be more than well aware now that there are just mere days until the Manchester Half Marathon takes place (it will ‘run’ next Sunday, October 12).
With that in mind, Up & Running will be starting runners off earlier with a celebration and pop-up event ahead of next week. Joining forces with PUMA, they will take over Barton Arcade in Deansgate for the whole week – starting this weekend.
The X Run PUMA House will officially launch on Saturday (October 4) from 11.30am with a group 5km run, which will be held at an easy pace with all levels welcome. The run will also give a chance for some people to try the new PUMA trainers too, but these are first come, first serve so you’ll need to turn up right on time if you want a chance to give them a whirl.
The event will also feature a Refuel & Relax post-run session with refreshments from Pot Kettle Black and OTE. There will also be a live DJ set, as well as giveaways, T-shirt personalisation stations and plenty of photo ops.
It has been described as ‘a great opportunity to connect with the wider Manchester running community’. People have been advised to turn up between 11.30am and 12pm. More information can be found via Instagram.
Barton Arcade, 51 Deansgate, M3 2AY
‘A surreal, Lynchian exploration’
The UK premiere of a new film which will be backed by a live soundtrack will take place at Aviva Studios, the home of Factory International, on Sunday evening as part of Black History Month.
Valentin Noujaïm’s latest film Opera Omnia, starring Axelle Fanyo, will be screened alongside a performance from Space Afrika and the award-winning soprano Nardus Williams.
The film tells the story of two Black teenagers who find themselves amidst a ‘strange and dark’ night in Manchester that transforms into a surreal exploration of the city’s underground.
The event will also feature a reading from Dante’s Inferno and a collaborative set with Manchester Camerata featuring new and unreleased music.
Tickets can be bought here. Event begins at 7pm.
A celebration of the carnival
Manchester’s Caribbean Carnival has been a popular annual event since the 1970s(Image: Jason Roberts / Manchester Evening News)
Also at Aviva Studios on Sunday will be a special all-day celebration of the Caribbean Carnival.
Roy Alexander Weise MBE will lead the Carnival: The Art of Rebellion event, which will feature lectures and events, including the chance to make your own carnival costume and take part in a special parade.
Whilst it is free to attend, tickets are required in advance here. The event will run between 11am and 6pm.
If you’re still after more carnival celebrations elsewhere in Manchester this weekend, the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel has also just this week unveiled a new exhibition that is free to visit.
Running throughout October, the city centre hotel will host the Colours Of A Carnival: Past, Mas & Future exhibition, which highlights how Manchester Carnival has celebrated diversity, cultures and tradition since launching in the early 1970s. It has been created in partnership with Manchester Carnival chair Julia Burke.
15 years of Rong
Big trance fans will be joining forces at Victoria Warehouse on Saturday for the return of a now-legendary music festival.
Following a special club night at Joshua Brooks on Friday (October 3), The Rong Indoor Festival will be taking place across Saturday from 4pm until 3am with three stages of live acts.
Now in its 15th year, the 2025 festival will feature performances from the likes of Ciaran McAuley, Maria Healy, Paul van Dyk, Kimmick, Factor B and an exclusive from Craig Connelly presents Collider.
The last remaining tickets can be bought here.
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