Here’s your chance to learn how to fly...
DUST off those leg-warmers and leotards – the New York School of Performing Arts from hit 80s film Fame is coming to Manchester for one night only.
Deansgate’s hidden arts hub 53two is hosting an immersive screening of the 1980 musical drama complete with street food, cocktails, performance and dancing, organised by former Hollyoaks star Darren Jeffries.
FLICK does Fame promises to be ‘the closest you can get to an audition for the school without buying a plane ticket’ – and ‘vintage gym chic’ fancy dress is strongly encouraged.
Guests will be guided to enrol and wait for an audition slot, when they will get the chance to strut their stuff in front of a panel of teachers before taking their seats for the screening. There’ll be a bar serving Triple Threat cocktails to calm the nerves and street food from Eat New York (flamboyant bagels, presumably) to settle the stomach while the hopefuls wait to find out their fate.
After the film, those who have made the cut will be revealed and will get to star in a final performance as part of the afterparty.
Organisers are promising plenty of surprises on the night, as well as retro prizes for the best costumes.
FLICK founder Darren, who played Sam O’Brien, better known as OB, on Hollyoaks, said: “Fame is an iconic film and one that everyone loves.
“At FLICK we build the fun around the film and we want to welcome people in, give a nod to nostalgia, transport the audience to their New York School of Performing Arts audition and, most of all, create a fun authentic environment for them to watch their favourite film and have a party.
“London is full of immersive screenings like this, but us northerners are catching up and I want Manchester film fans to enjoy the same experience.” The event takes place this Thursday from 5pm. Tickets cost £15 and are on sale now from fatsoma.com/flick. ANCOATS bar SecondCity has announced plans to nearly double in size as the neighbourhood’s food and drink scene blooms around it.
The venue, which is based on Blossom Street with a terrace on Cutting Room Square, is expanding into the Mexica unit next door in September.
Owner Sam Janes, who opened SecondCity last summer, said: “We’ve been getting busier and with the area coming up there were a few other places interested in it so I snapped it up.
“When there’s football playing we’re constantly having to knock people back so this will give us much more space.”
The reinvented sports bar is styled on an old-school gymnasium - the bar itself is made from a gymnasium floor and decorated with baseball, basketball and boxing murals by street artist Russell Meehan, AKA Mural Life.
More comfy seating made from upcycled gym furniture will be going in as part of the expansion, which will also see the entrance moved.
Sports games including late licence events such as the upcoming Mayweather vs McGregor fight are shown on four TVs, including a giant 136-inch screen.
An American-style food menu featuring burgers, corn dogs and fried chicken accompanies a range of craft beers and cocktails behind the bar.
SecondCity is part of a growing community of independent food and drink businesses in and around Cutting Room Square, alongside Neapolitan pizzeria Rudy’s, Se7en Brothers Beerhouse and the soon-to-open restaurant Elnecot.
“Everyone is really supportive, there’s definitely a community feel in the area,” said Sam, 30, a former manager at Sankeys nightclub.
“We’ve got a good product here, I can’t wait for other places to join us.”