MANCHESTER: the free list

Put the purse away and discover all the free things going on in Manchester this month

By Alison Bell

May 2009

Ole Ole!
The Spring Bank Holiday weekend will see a taste of Spain come to Albert Square in the city centre, hopefully bringing with it some Spanish sun too. Discover the Balearic Islands is a three-day (and Friday evening) event that showcases Balearic life and culture. Festivities take place in the event marquee in front of Manchester Town Hall to accommodate the varied events, music and entertainment that includes authentic Balearic music, horse dressage in the arena area, artisan demonstrations, and food and drink sampling. Each day there will be a parade of more than 100 people through the city streets in authentic costume including giants, devils, musicians and circus performers.

www.manchester-discover-majorca-menorca-ibiza-formentera.com
Pretty face?
If you’ve got a gorgeous face and a bod to die for, then you should be shot. Er, I mean, head on down to the Arndale shopping centre on Saturday morning. Vauxhall, sponsors of Britain’s Next Top Model, are searching for the Face of Tigra 2009. If you think you've got what it takes to impress TV judges Lisa Snowdon and Huggy Ragnarsson. You’ll have the chance to take part in couture fashion shows from 11am and get tips from top industry professionals. The regional winner of the Face of Tigra will be fast tracked into Britain’s Next Top Model Series 6 and get to work the catwalk at London Fashion Week in September 2009. There will also be hair and make-up demonstrations from Toni & Guy and Benefit and goody bags. From 9.30am.
Hit the streets
You don’t have to even break out in a sweat to enjoy the Bupa Manchester Run on Sunday, May 17. As a spectator you can try to spot the obscure Hollyoaks celeb or the obligatory Coronation Street star as they pound the city streets for this 10km run. The first batch of runners start at 10.05am on Portland Street and the last batch at 11.20, so plenty of time to catch the action. It’s normally a fantastic atmosphere with plenty going on around the finish line on Deansgate near the Hilton Hotel. And if watching loads of deely-boppered amateurs isn’t your idea of fun, you could try and catch the blur of the world’s fastest ever man Usain Bolt, in the Great Manchester 150, a new annual sprinting event for the city taking place in the afternoon on Deansgate.
Arty Farty
From May 19 to 26, Chorlton is the place to be for fun things this month, as the sixth Chorlton Arts Festival will put on a range of free events to cater for all the family throughout the week, with an extensive programme running in local schools and other Chorlton locations. Log on to the website for further details

www.chorltonartsfestival.com
Easy rider
If you fancy getting some fresh air and some exercise (and maybe a cooling ice cream), you could take a trip out to the city to the Middlewood Way. The former Macclesfield, Bollington and Marple Railway line has been transformed from 10-mile track into a picturesque pathway that winds through the Cheshire countryside, perfect for cyclists or walkers. There’s plenty of cafes and pubs along the way to pick up some refreshments. Take the train to Macclesfield and head off from there.

www.macclesfield.gov.uk
Acoustic Sundays
Nexus Art Café is now running acoustic sessions on the first Sunday of every month from 3pm till 6pm, featuring some of the best acts from across the North West completely unplugged. Entry to the sessions is free so go along and discover some new music, or maybe even hear someone a little more well known as you've never heard them before. Dale St, Northern Quarter, Manchester.

www.nexusartcafe.com
Cobbles to canvas
The Northern Quarter is a fantastic place to meander in the sun but one place to catch some shelter if it’s raining is the Richard Goodall Gallery. Coronation Street star Jayne Tunnicliffe has her pop-art inspired exhibits on show throughout May. Corriecatures - Weatherfield meets Warhol is on from May 4 to June 2. Richard Goodall Gallery, Thomas Street.

www.richardgoodallgallery.com
Hot and spicy
Indian saucy company, Uncle Ben’s, is bringing a taste of India to Central Peel Square at The Trafford Centre over the Spring Bank Holiday. Witness Bollywood-style dancers jiggling to the beat of traditional Dhol Drummers. What’s more you can go home with tea. The Uncle Ben’s marketing team will be handing out samples of Uncle Ben’s New Tikka Masala sauce and Express Basmati Rice.

www.traffordcentre.co.uk

Post new comment