A night at The White Hotel and the future of alternative venues

“I love coming to Manchester,” Ben Cowper says. “You guys are lucky to have a place like this – it’s special.” I catch the Bristol-born DJ, known as Count van Delicious, after an infectious set alongside Get Serious partner, Harry Fitz. It’s part of a buzzing night at Salford’s White Hotel, hosted by self-described ‘Manctalo’…

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Northern Voices: The legacy of Len Johnson and radical activism at The Old Abbey Taphouse

Breaking Barz has the most electric atmosphere of any gig I have been to in Manchester in the past few years. It started life as a series of workshops and talks by local historians celebrating the life of boxer and activist Len Johnson, before evolving into one of the most exciting nights in the city.…

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How a coven of artists brought tarot reading to the Northern Quarter

The Order of the Fool (TOOTF) identify themselves as a ‘coven of pictorial alchemists’. Their latest interactive exhibition, Street Tarot, arrived in the Northern Quarter in October. Anyone with an open mind and heart was welcome to explore the outdoor exhibit, which featured 22 works of art, and have their fortune read. Tarot cards were…

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Fayre Share Fayre: A Modest Show’s ‘main course’ at The Whitworth

A Modest Show explores food, hospitality, consumption and dining across multiple venues in Manchester. It’s the local counterpart to the British Art Show, a national touring exhibition organised every five years by Hayward Gallery.  The exhibition features 42 artists living and / or working in Greater Manchester who were chosen following an open call out…

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Sour Grapes: Making psych tapes on the third floor of Afflecks Palace

As you navigate the warren of walkways and stairwells in Afflecks Palace – the Northern Quarter’s alternative indoor market – you hear Sour Grapes’ sound-system before you see it. The DIY record label and promoter is tucked in a corner on the third floor, amongst a myriad of independent vendors, vintage boutiques and fashion traders.…

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An architectural snapshot of brutalism at UMIST

In February, the University of Manchester and Bruntwood SciTech signed legal documentation to build a £1.5bn innovation district named ID Manchester. Place North West reports that a masterplan for the project is expected later this year. The proposed site is located off Oxford Road, next to the Grade II listed Sackville Building. Early concept design…

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