What's on in Manchester: August 2012

By Christopher Wosu

Your definitive guide to what’s on in and around Manchester this August.

August 1

Transport Festival, Museum of Science and Industry, All Day, Tickets...free

Something for the whole family to enjoy, the transport festival includes daily events such as steam train rides, transport displays, costumed character performances, hands-on activities and scalextric displays.

For more information visit http://www.mosi.org.uk/whats-on/transport-festival.aspx

August 3

The Manchester Picnic, Piccadilly Gardens, 11am, Tickets £Free

Hosting sixteen gourmet street food traders, the family friendly food festival will be selling a range of ‘street food’ from around the world. As well as a large variety of stalls, family friendly entertainment will also be provided.

For more information visit http://www.visitmanchester.com/articles/whats-on/the-manchester-picnic-2012/ 

August 4

Modern Faces, Dry Bar, 7pm, Tickets £6

Mancunia Promotions have handpicked bands to play a line up of amazing new indie music. The line-up is made up of three bands: Modern Faces, Daystar and Modern Alarms who provide all their unique style and original set list.

For more information visit http://www.drybar.co.uk/calendar.php?eid=206

August 5

King Gong, The Comedy Store, 7.30pm, Tickets £4

Manchester’s famous and brutal open mic night.  Justin Moorhouse aka Young Kenny from Phoenix Nights is MC, as upcoming comics battle their wits against the audience, and the Gong.

For more information visit http://www.thecomedystore.co.uk/page.php?id=66&location=2

August 10

Charlotte Church, Sound Control, 10.30pm, Tickets from 12.50

Be among the first to witness an exciting reincarnation of the former child star, and one of the world’s most famous sopranos who has performed for the Pope, President Clinton, the Queen – and with Pavarotti.

Charlotte hits Sound Control with a bold and unique sound. Big drums, big guitars, and that exquisite voice and performance that sold over 10 million records.

For more information visit http://www.seetickets.com/Event/CHARLOTTE-CHURCH/Sound-Control-Manchester/642119

August 16

Trembling Bells, Band on the Wall, 8pm, Tickets £8.50

Trembling Bells synthesise and fuse an eclectic mix of early music and traditional folk with improvisational layers of 1960s psychedelic references, pop and beautiful vocals to create a truly unique musical experience.

For more information visit http://bandonthewall.org/events/3624/ 

August 18

Underground Manchester, Midland Hotel Steps, 11am, 12 noon, 2pm, 3pm, 4.30pm, Tickets £9

New Manchester Walks has devised a unique and remarkable two-hour tour beneath the city’s streets. Access is not available to the public unless on this tour. Rediscover the Manchester you know and love as you delve deep down and through a subterranean canal and find yourself in the city’s largest WW2 air-raid shelter where tens of thousands of Mancunians huddled in safety from the Nazi bombs inside its vast chambers.

For more information visit https://www.quaytickets.com/Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=0123F7FF-F921-41D2-A41C-D3973BA9ABC4

Street Dancer finals, The Printworks, 

Contestants from the open audition will be whittled down to just 10 who will perform again in front of the celebrity judges for the chance to win the £1000 cash prize.

For more information visit http://theprintworks.com

August 22 & 23

Float-in Movie, Piccadilly Basin, 6pm, £Free

Manchester sees it first float-in-drive-in-walk-in cinema arrive at Ducie St Car Park, in association with The Printworks and the Northern Quarter’s famous Malaysian restaurant Ning. Residents and workers will have a choice of a variety of films to vote on ranging from Captain America to Finding Nemo.

For more information visit http://www.urbanexchange.co.uk/events.php

August 25

The Manchester Pride (Dance Party Federation and Beyond), Sankeys, 10.30pm, Tickets £16

Manchester Pride celebrates Federation reaching double figures and is celebrating with two huge parties over the Manchester Pride Weekend. With a line up boasting DJs Nick Denton, Gregg Holden and Lee Harris from Federation as well as Paul Heron and Jonny M from Beyond, this is sure to be a big night.

For more information visit http://www.sankeys.info/events/the-manchester-pride-dance-party-federation-beyond/

Bank Holiday weekend – August 24–27

Manchester Pride - The Big Weekend

Over 70 hours of non-stop partying throughout the Big Weekend. Manchester's Gay Village will come alive in celebration of all things LGBT – this year with the 'Queer'd Science' theme for Alan Turing's centenary.

Acts already confirmed on the Gaydar main arena include pop legends Steps – so you can guarantee one of the biggest turnouts ever.

Visit here for more information.

August 30

Zadie Smith Book Launch, Manchester Town Hall, Tickets start from £6

Award-winning Zadie Smith, the acclaimed author of White Teeth and On Beauty, launches her much anticipated new novel, NW at the Manchester Literature Trailblazer at Manchester Town Hall. NW is a tragic-comedy which traces the movements of four Londoners as they grow out of their childhood council estate and into their adult lives. This event will be chaired by writer and journalist, Anita Sethi.

For more information visit http://www.fullcirclearts.co.uk/whatson/zadie-smith-book-launch/ 

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