JULY

Putting on the glitz
The Lady Boys of Bangkok have brought sparkle and feathers to the city with their Mile High tour. A specially created tent, otherwise known as the Sabai Pavilion, will house the gorgeous showgirls/boys cabaret performance at the slightly less glamorous NCP car park on Sackville Street, off Bloom Street. Shows run until July 25, with the exception of July 6 and July 13. Adults are £22 and tickets can be bought from Quay tickets on 0871 702 9506. www.ladyboysofbangkok.co.uk

Mind the age gap
Fresh from their tours in the US, Australia and Europe, Young@Heart, the critically acclaimed group of elderly singers (with an average age of 80 don’tyaknow), will be gracing the stage as part of the Manchester International Festival. Sing along to their renditions of classics such as I Wanna Be Sedated and Stayin' Alive at the Royal Northern College of Music on Oxford Road from July 10 to July 18. Tickets are £15/£27.50. www.rncm.ac.uk

Fashion fair
Those who like to wear hats at jaunty angles and bargain hunters should head to the Circle Club at The Barton Arcade on July 11 for a new vintage market filled with vintage and retro treasures for men and women. From 12pm-6pm they’ll also be some free cocktails, courtesy of Schweppes, giving shoppers the opportunity to sample their new mixer while rummaging through the stock. www.thecircleclub.com

Drama with no theatre
From 20-26 July, the annual 24:7 Theatre Festival will present 21 60-minute theatre productions in a variety of exciting non-theatre venues in central Manchester including bar Pure in the Printworks, and part of the Co-operative Group’s head office, New Century House. Full price tickets are £8 but there are early bird tickets for £7 and various discounts available. www.247theatrefestival.co.uk

Drama with no walls
If the heatwave continues you could opt for theatre outdoors. Heartbreak Productions is putting on a performance of Jane Austen’s Emma at Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens in Didsbury. From July 31 to August 2, dip into the gossip and squabbles, grapple with the riddles, blunders and misunderstandings with this adaptation of the hilarious regency rom-com. Tickets are cheaper if you book in advance (£10 for adults and £7.50 for concessions) so call the Library Theatre Box Office on 0161 236 7110 or Quaytickets on 0870 066 6843. For the storm-wary, limited covered seating is available at an additional £3 per ticket.