Aaaaah May – a glorious month of transitions, where the weather keeps improving and summer starts making its introductions. You can’t beat it! And with the end of term approaching, it’s nice to get some activities in the diary to welcome summer with open arms! To help you with that, I’ve made a round-up of some of the events going on around Manchester this May. Let’s go!
Lockdown Restrictions are easing again!
We all know this has been an ‘unprecedented time’ (I’m annoyed at myself for even using that phrase), but finally, things are on the up. Vaccine rollouts are going well, and on the 17th more restrictions will be eased, meaning we’re one step closer to ‘normal’ life. Socialising indoors, indoor dining and drinking, and larger outdoor gatherings are all on the horizon! Get me in that pub is all I’m saying – I’m sick of wearing my raincoat to go for a drink!
Homeground is coming
Been thinking about how much you’re missing live theatre? Well fear not, because multi-arts venue Home is opening Homeground, a brand new outdoor theatre space ready to host a whole bunch of live performances! Set up just around the corner from Home’s theatre venue, Homeground is an 80,000ft2 site, featuring a 400-seater socially distanced performance space. Performances are already being planned for the summer, and here are a few to look out for in May;
IBIBIO Sound Machine presented by Band on the Wall – Saturday 29th
“Fronted by Nigerian singer Eno Williams, Ibibio Sound Machine is a clash of African and electronic elements inspired in equal measure by the golden era of West-African funk & disco and modern post-punk & electro.” A chance to enjoy some good music and have a bit of a (socially distanced and seated) boogie. More information about tickets can be found here.
Henge – Sunday 30th
Aliens playing ‘Cosmic Dross’ – I know, it does sound crazy. “HENGE are extra-terrestrial beings who fuse electronic dance music, prog and psychedelia into a new genre called ‘cosmic dross’ and throw wild, sci-fi themed raves.” Does this not sound like exactly what we need right now? To party with the aliens, find information here.
Bourgeois and Maurice – Sunday 30th
“Cult cabaret sensations Bourgeois & Maurice return to planet earth for one spectacular night at Homeground!” This is cabaret done properly, blending the lines between contemporary cabaret, alternative comedy and prancing around in sequins to bring any audience a spectacular show. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a Sunday evening. Tickets for the show are available here.
Hope Mill Theatre
Also getting ready to open its doors to us is the Hope Mill Theatre, with a combination of online and in-person events planned throughout May to keep us theatre goers happy. In-person catch ‘Meet Me At Dawn’, a show about two women who wash ashore after a boating accident, and have to understand the unfamiliar land where they’ve ended up. Online, you can catch ‘An Hour with Divina de Campo’, an hour of cabaret fun from the comfort of your sofa. Who can refuse such fun after a busy week?
Lunar Cinema
If you have a car and are itching to get out and about, Lunar Cinema is hosting a drive-in cinema in Tatton Park until the 19th May! With plenty of films to see, including musicals such as Grease, Dirty Dancing, and The Greatest Showman, it’s the perfect way to spend a few hours on the weekend. You can even order food to the car, so no need to worry about dinner afterwards! Find out what’s on here.
There we have it! Plenty of things to be keeping busy with, and with indoor dining coming back you’re going to have plenty of places to explore! Make sure to enjoy the sunshine as much as you can, and get out and enjoy yourself after your assessments – you deserve it!
Author: Charley Morgan, ICTheatre Graduate 2020
