UnlockMcr

17/04/2025

09/04/2025

🎨 We’re thrilled to present CONNECTING SPACES, a new exhibition in collaboration with !

📍 Manchester Craft and Design Centre, 17 Oak Street, Manchester, M4 5JD

📅 12th April – 23rd August 2025 | 🎟 Free entry

Bringing together 11 artists from AWOL, this exhibition explores the creative spaces that shape our work and connections. From the rich history of Manchester’s studios to the communities that form within them, CONNECTING SPACES is a celebration of the people and places behind the art.

Join us for a celebration event on 17th May – more details coming soon! 👀

08/04/2025

25 Years ago our glorious Plaza looked like this....a closed and derelict venue that needed just a little bit of love...... We didnt get a little bit of love......We got a HUGE amount of Love from YOU and our amazing Community in Stockport and beyond....

The Stockport Plaza Trust which is a Charitable Trust that receives no external funding was created and 25 Years on we say THANK YOU to everyone involved in the saving and restoration of The Plaza over the last 25 years and also to everyone that supports us by visiting events or making donations....

We shall be sharing with you some very exciting features about our amazing Plaza this year so keep following us to find out more....Huzzah!

26/03/2025

I'm getting in touch with a new photography exhibition called Never Work With from Alex Grace and Scott Kershaw running 3rd– 28th April 2025 at The Carlton Club, Whalley Range, with a private view opening on 3rd April 6:30 – 11pm.

Music at the opening by: Julie Wills (Disco Mums), Gemma ‘The Mighty’ Quinn & Il Bosco (Red Laser Records).

Never Work With
Alex Grace and Scott Kershaw first crossed paths as photography assistants, forging a friendship and professional bond that has thrived for over two decades. Today, both are accomplished photographers in their own right, and their work comes together in Never Work With. Featuring highly stylised portraits of animals and children, the work references moments in time and life.

Scott’s series Gummy explores the transition of childhood, capturing children at the moment they lose their baby teeth — a physical marker of growth and change. These vibrant and humorous portraits celebrate each child's individuality, highlighting the charm of this transformative stage.

Presenting two projects, Alex uses her quirky animal portraiture to engage with political and social issues. In her latest work, she captures dogs adorned with keffiyehs and draped in flags, symbolising resistance and solidarity. Meanwhile her series, Lockdown With Luna, shot during the COVID-19 pandemic, features her dog Luna wrapped in household essentials like toilet paper and face masks—symbols of that unique period in history.

18/03/2025

Just announced concerts:
Stevie Wonder live in the North West UK.
DEtails and tickets via

Buy Stevie Wonder tickets from Ticketmaster UK. Stevie Wonder 2025-26 tour dates, event details + much more.

06/03/2025

IT'S BIG. IT'S BOLD. IT'S BATHED IN GLITTER. ❤️‍🔥✨

Introducing MARDI GRAS – the brand-new, high-glam, high-energy addition to your Manchester Pride Bank Holiday Weekend! 🪩🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Taking over Depot Mayfield for two unmissable days (Sat 23 & Sun 24 Aug) in partnership with the Mayfield Partnership and Broadwick Live, we’re bringing world-class artists, electrifying DJs and drag royalty to three massive indoor stages. Expect secret day raves, VIP hideaways, and a buzzing food village to keep you going all night long.

Don’t panic, darlings – the Gay Village Party is still ON 🩷 Mardi Gras ticket holders get a FREE Gay Village Supporter Band to experience the absolute best of both worlds.

IT’S GOING TO BE CAMP. IT’S GOING TO BE GLAM. THIS IS MARDI GRAS.

Find out more at manchesterpride.com ✨

03/03/2025

02/03/2025

10cc's GRAHAM GOULDMAN ‘Heart Full of Songs’ comes to MANCHESTER – Royal Northern College of Music on Saturday 15th March!
Details and tickets https://www.thegigcartel.com/Artists-profiles/10ccs-Graham-Gouldman.htm

02/03/2025

10cc's GRAHAM GOULDMAN ‘Heart Full of Songs’ comes to MANCHESTER – Royal Northern College of Music on Saturday 15th March!
Details and tickets https://www.thegigcartel.com/Artists-profiles/10ccs-Graham-Gouldman.htm
   

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21/02/2025

Feature Film: Mr Doom - Behind the 8 Ball, featuring Manchester legends Clint Boon and Smug Roberts & starring stand up Danny Sutcliffe
This March sees the release of Mr Doom – Behind the 8 Ball, a British comedy that reimagines The Color of Money in a small-town setting, with a modern-day spaghetti western twist, where pistols are swapped for pool cues.
This film is a homecoming for first time writer director Leif Johnson. Born and bred in Hyde, he did his rite of passage working in South nightclub, where he met Clint Boon, who agreed to star in his early short film ‘Ring Road’.
This is Clint Boon’s second foray into acting, and Leif’s first feature film, so it’s a landmark moment for them both to come back together.
You can view the film’s trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR-irDE3JGo&t=5s
World premiere screening with cast Q&A: HOME Mcr 27th February 15:30-17:30

MR DOOM l Official Trailer (UK Theatrical Release 2025)MR DOOMGenre: Comedy, DramaWritten & Directed by: Leif JohnsonProduced by: Djonny Chen & Leif JohnsonI...

19/02/2025

Festival of Libraries has announced its dates for 2025, with the joyous celebration of libraries set to take place across Greater Manchester from Wednesday 4 June to Sunday 8 June. This year’s festival will take audiences to galaxies far away with Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock and unlock the transformative power of reading with Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce. They will be joined by a whole host of authors, poets, performers, artists and historians all sharing their love of libraries with audiences in a free events programme.
Learn more at https://www.manchestercityofliterature.com/project/manchester-libraries-festival/
MCRCityofLit

12/02/2025

MASSIVE FREE FAMILY FESTIVAL LANDS IN MANCHESTER NEXT WEEK
EXTRA EVENTS ANNOUNCED AND HALF TERM DEALS REVEALED
Manchester is about to be transformed into the ultimate playground for families as The Super Duper Family Festival arrives next week, promising four days of extraordinary, free family fun across the city from Saturday 15th – Tuesday 18th February 2025.
Spanning some of Manchester’s most iconic spaces, the festival will feature six unique, immersive play zones - The Carnival, The Garden, The Playground, The Arcade, The Sports Hall and The Party - featuring everything from a giant hedge maze, a traditional steampunk Victorian carousel, high-energy sports challenges, electrifying gaming, roaming performers, schoolyard games and even a family rave party!
Open daily from 10am – 5pm, each zone is completely free to experience, making it easier than ever for families to dive into half term fun, whatever their budget.
Learn more https://www.visitmanchester.com/super-duper-family-festival/

12/02/2025