Things to do this weekend
IF YOU HAVEN’T PLANNED YOUR TIME OFF, HERE’S OUR PICK OF EVENTS IN THE CITY AND BEYOND
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: OVO – UNTIL TOMORROW
Acrobatic insects have rolled into town with Cirque Du Soleil’s latest OVO show at the AO Arena.
The family-friendly delight focuses on the world of bugs with an array of jaw-dropping dancing and aweinspiring circus acts. It’s the troupe’s 25th show so far, and has received rave reviews since its inception. Tickets can be booked here.
MANCHESTER PUNK FESTIVAL 2024 UNTIL SUNDAY
Live music, poetry, comedy and podcast takeovers will all take centre stage as the Manchester Punk Festival 2024 descends on venues across Manchester City Centre on the Easter bank holiday weekend.
Running from March 29 to 31, the event will see performances at The Union, Gorilla, The Bread Shed, Yes, Zombie Shack, Rebellion and Sandbar with the line-up featuring bands such as Hot Water Music, A Wilhelm Scream, Tsunami Bomb and King Prawn.
SISTER ACT – UNTIL TONIGHT
The ever-popular musical rendition of Sister Act is currently playing at the Palace Theatre.
Starring Landi Oshinowo as Deloris Van Cartier and Coronation Street’s very own Sue Cleaver as Mother Superior, everyone’s favourite nun on the run stage show is here in the city.
If you haven’t seen it already, expect a bit of Motown, some glittery outfits, and plenty of laughs.
DRAGARET, REVOLUTION DEANSGATE LOCKS – TODAY
Drag queens will be at the ready for an evening of cabaret and bottomless brunch at Revolution on Deansgate Locks.
Fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will get to enjoy performances from Baga Chipz and Vanity Milan, alongside burlesque performances from Baby Daisy. The event, hosted by Ruby Murry, will also feature a DJ slot from Girls Night Out’s Monopoly Phonic and live music from Chris Lafferty.
Taking place from 3pm to 6pm, customers will get a brunch menu dish alongside 90 minutes worth of bottomless booze as they enjoy the entertainment for £45 per person. Oh, and the dress code is ‘fabulous’.
R&B BLOCK PARTY – TODAY
Hosted by Trevor Nelson, some of the biggest names in R&B, will be performing as part of a special party at Bowlers Exhibition Centre.
Thong Song singer Sisqo, Blackstreet, Tweet, 702, Dru Hill, Musiq Soulchild and MiC LOWRY will be amongst the stars to grace the stage. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster. There will also be an afterparty taking place at AREA, on Sackville Street, afterwards too.
EASTER WEEKEND BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH, FLIGHT CLUB – UNTIL TOMORROW
Flight Club, on King Street, will be offering something a little different this Easter – by offering people an hour of fast-paced darts alongside bottomless pizza and a bottle of prosecco each.
Their Easter Weekend Bottomless Brunch costs £35 per person, and will also see the bubbles and pizza continue for another hour after the darts conclude to give you a good chance to de-brief on the winning (and losing) moments. Slots are available between 12pm-2pm or 2.30pm-4.30pm on both Saturday and Sunday (March 30 and 31).
BLACK CAT CLUB – UNTIL TOMORROW
Manchester’s newest social gaming venue will be opening its doors for 50% off gaming from Sunday to Thursday until the end of March. This means you can enjoy the likes of fly-by darts and shuffleboard alongside the sounds of live vinyl DJs and a bustling menu of food and drink.
The venue on Brown Street, just off Market Street, will also be screening live sports – with the Premier League games between Newcastle and West Ham (12.30pm today) and between Liverpool and Brighton (2pm tomorrow) set to have a big turn-out.
DAY TIME DISCO WITH FAT TONY – TODAY
On Saturday (March 30), Manchester music legend Fat Tony will be hosting a Day Time Disco at Joshua Brooks. Taking place from 4pm to 12pm, the event will see the DJ take you on a ‘six-hour musical odyssey through the best disco, funk, and soul’ via a state-of-the-art sound system in the venue’s intimate basement.
Truly a different way to celebrate Easter. Tickets from £9.
MEDLOCK CANTEEN, DEANSGATE TOWERS
Pay a visit to Medlock Canteen at Deansgate Towers A new all-day eatery from the people behind hit restaurants Madre and Belzan will be opening its doors this weekend over at Deansgate Towers.
An informal, laid-back space with American style booths; the canteen will welcome diners from dawn until late. Medlock Canteen starts the say with its all-day breakfast menu including large plates of duck egg hash and classic full English, before sandwiches of roast chicken and beef, as well as grilled cheese are served up at lunch.
RHS BRIDGEWATER
If the weather holds up this weekend, one place to check out spring coming into bloom is RHS Bridgewater. It covers an impressive 154-acre site in Salford, which was formerly the estate of Worsley New Hall, and if you visit at this time of year you’ll spot a sea of daffodils in the Orchard.
One of its main features is the Weston Walled Garden – one of the largest Victorian walled gardens in the UK. It contains two inner walled gardens, the Paradise Garden and the Kitchen Garden, along with a series of connecting gardens around the perimeter, enclosed by a lower-level outer wall.
After taking in the flora and fauna, you can grab a refreshment at the Bridgewater Cafe, Garden Cottage Shepherds Hut or the Stables Cafe.
It’s free for RHS members, while adult tickets start from £13.85 and children (aged 5-16) from £6.95. A family ticket (two adults and two children) starts from £33.30.
EASTER WEEKEND AT DIECAST – UNTIL TODAY
Diecast, Manchester’s creative neighbourhood home to Leno Ex Machina, Brooklyn Beer Hall, Warehouse Kitchen, House of Daiquiri and Beer Garden is celebrating the long weekend with a host of Easter activities.
On Sunday, a 22-piece party playing Beyonce’s 25-year hit catalogues all night long, and supported by Manchester dance crew Ghetto Fabulous, makes for a rather special Easter. Alongside all the activity, there’s also Diecast’s main bar and restaurant and the chance to try your hand or just warm up your vocal chords with a bit of karaoke. Tickets can be booked via the Diecast website.
SIT & BUN, FREIGHT ISLAND – TOMORROW
An Easter weekend takeover will take place at Freight Island on Sunday (March 31) from Manchester-based collective Hit & Run. Featuring a line-up of yet-to-be-unveiled DJs, the event promises to bring the good ‘spring summer vibrations’ as it becomes an ideal spot for alfresco dining, drinking and dancing.
Many of the hub’s food and drink vendors will be up and running throughout the day too so you can get your fill of whatever you fancy – from burgers, curries, Sunday Roasts, pizzas, cocktails and ice creams.
The event will run from 12pm to 12am, free entry but bookings are advised.
EASTER EXTRAVAGANZA AT SEXY FISH – UNTIL MONDAY
Starting as they mean to go on, Good Friday will be all about Sexy Fish Manchester’s iconic Jungle Cabaret Dinner Party from 10pm. Expect live DJ set with performances from mesmerizing dancers, and a very special guest performance from Manchester legend DaxOnSax.
Easter Sunday and Bank holiday Monday will see the restaurant’s newly introduced Bottomless Sushi Brunch served all day, from 12-5pm. The limitless sushi brunch costs £52 per person, with low-key entertainment with Sexy Fish’s signature DJs and live musicians.
Bookings can be made on the Sexy Fish website.
EASTER ROASTS AT MOTLEY – TOMORROW
While we’ve already lined up a whole host of family-friendly events to do with the kids over the Easter holidays, this one is a good one to include here.
MOTLEY, based in the YOTEL Manchester Deansgate hotel, will be hosting Easter roast dinners with a free bottle of Prosecco for all pre-bookings on Sunday. There will also be a free kids cinema club screening Disney classic Moana and a special kids menu on offer too. You’ll want to get there for 12pm if you want to enjoy the cinema club.
EASTER WONDERLAND AT ZOUK – TOMORROW
Zouk Tea Bar & Grill will be transformed into an Easter wonderland this year complete with a whimsical Alice in Wonderland decor. The much-loved restaurant will be serving their indulgent roast this Easter Sunday with an array of Easter desserts on offer, as well as an Easter Egg Competition.
To keep the kids entertained between courses, Zouk will also be running an Easter Egg Decorating Competition. All the details can be found over on Zouk’s website.