A Rave in a Bagel Shop ~ Japanese Disco
Friday 23rd November
There’s usually only around 3 things you can do in a Bagel Shop. One is to eat bagels. The other is to just look at the bagels. And finally you can have a little drink if you want. Well, you can now add another thing to this list which is ‘have a rave’ as Surco head to Eat New York on Oldham Street for the Japanese Disco Rave. They’ll be transforming the newly opened upstairs bit into a Tokyo Disco Dream complete with Japanese inspired props, Anime visuals and tunes from the likes of Zephyr, Lyle Sutherland and Scott Forrest most likely playing the Pokémon theme tune over and over again. Obviously they won’t be doing that but if they did – it would be brilliant.
The Greatest Showman Singalong
Friday 23rd November
Unfortunately for myself right now as I begin writing this sentence – I’ve not seen The Greatest Showman. This is going to make it extremely difficult to talk about the film, considering I don’t know much about it except it’s got Hugh Jackman in it, Zac Efron and it’s about circuses or something. People have told me that it’s proper good though and, as a fan of musicals in general, I should watch it. This weekend sees an immersive screening of it complete with dancers, stilt walkers, fire breathers and even a choir, alongside the chance to actually watch the film and I’m presuming – sing along.
La Discothèque
Saturday 24th November
Certainly one of the greatest nights in anyone’s calendar, La Discotheque are celebrating their 2nd birthday in style (as usual) with a massive night at Albert Hall. They’ve been touring all around the place over the last couple of months but now – just like Gloria Gaynor’s ex – they’re back! The line-up is immense with the likes of Kenny Dope, Prins Thomas, Detroit Swindle and Pillowtalk, as well as High Hoops in the VIP Bell Tower. There’s also the welcome return of La Piscothèque down in the bogs as Chris Massey and DJ Paulette team up to play tunes for people while they have a massive pish.
Brian Gorman’s One Man Bond
Saturday 24th November
Right, this guy Brian Gorman has made this stage show where he goes through the entire James Bond movies, playing over 200 characters, all by himself. So he goes from doing Sean Connery in a fight on a train, through to Blofeld stroking a cat, that rubbish one – Roger Moore, right up to that bit in Afghanistan in the 80’s, Sean Bean’s death in GoldenEye and finally ending on Daniel Craig and his very boring face and personality. Impressive that isn’t it!? I want to see it. In fact, I’m going to go – I’ve just convinced myself.
Bottomless Brunch Weekend
I’ve got a pretty busy weekend ahead of me what with La Discotheque, a bit of gardening and that visit to the cobblers that I’ve been putting off for months now. Another thing to add to my list though will certainly be a bottomless brunch somewhere in town – I’ve had a massive craving recently for some form of egg and meat related dish with endless glasses of Prosecco. There’s loads to choose from should you want to do the same, but my favourites are the brilliant Japanese inspired one at Cottonopolis, the one at The Bay Horse because their sausages are gorgeous, the one at Black Dog Ballroom because I can have bottomless fizzy lagers and the Pen & Pencil one because it’s not just bottomless booze but bottomless food too! Decisions, decisions.
10 Places to get a Bottomless Boozy Brunch in Manchester
Hungry Heart at Alphabet Brewing Company
Saturday 24th November
I was once feeling a little worse for wear after a heavy night at a club, I think it was La Discotheque actually, and I was on my bike on the way to the cobblers to fix the heel on my Cubans. While I was riding I was listening to a bit of Bruce Springsteen and when ‘The River’ came on I burst into tears at the powerful lyrics and as my tear-filled eyes were robbed of their clarity, I plonked my front wheel into a pot hole and went arse over tit and broke my legs. Now, whether that story actually ever happened or not is not important right now. What is important is that there’s an actual, proper Bruce Springsteen club night on and it’s this weekend.
Strongbow Dark Fruits Cakery Pop-Up
Saturday 24th November
A good one this for anyone who is a fan of cider, fruits and cakes. Which is pretty much everyone in the world. I found myself drifting away a little bit from cider recently, instead heading down the commercial lager route with its impending beer gut and man boobs. I’ve been trying to ween myself back on to the cider and this one-day pop-up shop will certainly help somewhat. Held down at Barton Arcade, they will be banging out special Strongbow Dark Fruit doughnuts, ice cream and cakes, with all proceeds going to a local Manchester charity. See you there.
Our Kids Social Silent Disco at The Refuge
Sunday 25th November
Children should be seen and not heard. Loads of people used to say that to me when I was a kid, but I’ve not heard anyone say it for years now. I think the general consensus is that children should now both be seen AND heard, and any trip down to Didsbury on a weekend will confirm this. Personally I don’t care what little 4-year-old Rupert thinks of his plate of quinoa – he should be eating spaghetti hoops in silence like I did. I find it unlikely that anyone taking their kid to this Silent Disco will feel the same though – they will most likely love and cherish their children and want them to be happy. And happy they will be with a mix of channels to listen to, loads of families and a nice big dancefloor to skid down on your knees.
The Whisky Festival at The Whiskey Jar
Sunday 25th November
If you’re a fan of whiskey, then you’re in for a bloody good treat this Sunday as The Whiskey Jar in the NQ open up their doors and put on a big festival for you to enjoy. They’ll be showcasing over 450 different whiskeys from all over the world including Scotland, Japan and err… Iceland. There’ll be so many different brown liquids flying around that if you don’t manage to find one that you like then I’ll get my hat, boil it for 20 minutes, grill it for 2 and then eat it. There’ll be loads of whiskey based events and ideas flying around too so get yourself down from 2pm on Sunday and try not to worry about the hangover on Monday morning.
One Deck Wednesday Social with Graham Massey (808 State)
Wednesday 28th November
It’s time again for the Electrik One Deck Special and as you’ve probably read above – this month it’s 808 State legend Graham Massey hitting up the turntable. Bringing along his massive vinyl collection, you should expect some “wonky and left of field vibes along with a few acid house numbers for later.” One Deck’s are always a top night and you should probably expect this one to be no different. Also, because it’s free it will also likely be proper busy – so get there early!
Nasty Gal Sample Sale
Wednesday 28th & Thursday 29th November
Contrary to popular belief I’ve stopped wearing women’s clothes now – mostly because I can’t squeeze my massive darby into them any longer. I therefore don’t have much of a clue who ‘Nasty Gal’ are but I went on their website and there’s actually some quite good stuff on there. And who can say no to a sample sale? Held down at the University of Manchester Students Union, they’ll be there all day on Wednesday and Thursday with all money raised going towards Manchester Mind. I’ll be working so if anyone can buy me THIS – I’ll be eternally grateful.
Mama Z x ÖL Boodle Fight
Thursday 29th November
I had no idea what a ‘Boodle Fight’ was until around 12 seconds ago when I Googled it. Isn’t the internet wonderful! Not only does it help 13-year old boys work out how to chat up girls when driving a taxi, it also answers every question ever in seconds. So, a Boodle Fight is a Filipino thing, basically the practice of throwing away your plates and cutlery and instead eating with your hands and off banana leaves. So this event down at Hatch will be exactly that – sitting down on a massive table and getting stuck in to Mama Z’s legendary grub while chatting the night away.
