QED. Manchester. Question. Explore. Discover.

QED comes to Manchester in February. We spoke to Dr. Janis Bennion, a neuroscientist from the University of Manchester to find out exactly what QED is.

If this all sounds very cerebral, don't worry. It certainly will be but it sounds like it will a lot of fun too. Dr. Janis Bennion explains.

What is the QED conference and how did it come to be?

QED, or Question. Explore. Discover. is a two-day science and skepticism event, being held in Manchester in February next year. It'll be a huge amount of fun; we've put a lot into bringing interesting, inspiring, and entertaining speakers from all sorts of backgrounds to Manchester to talk about their passions. From Jon Ronson (pictured) discussing new material from his upcoming book, to BBC favourie Jim Alkhalili and even Eugenie Scott, over from the USA to talk about her battle against creationism in the science classroom. At the same time, we still want to keep it accessible and fun for everyone, so there'll be lots of mingling, and a breakout room for panel sessions and workshops. For those unfamiliar with the term, skepticism is a questioning attitude, and 'skeptics' need claims to be well supported by evidence. If you're interested in critical thinking, and love the role science plays in understanding the world around us, helping to explain the 'unexplainable', this is for you!

QED came about from a discussion between two non-profit organisations; our 'Greater Manchester Skeptics' and 'The Merseyside Skeptics'. We'd enjoyed having support from each other or the monthly events we put on, and we agreed that something like this was certainly lacking from the North West. Despite it being a rather daunting task for small fry like us, we decided that we could make it happen as a collaborative effort.

There's a whole weekend full of great speakers and sessions. Are there any particular guests or events about which you are particularly excited?

It's hard to know where to begin with this, but since I got interested in skepticism after listening to 'The Skeptics Guide to the Universe' podcast, I have to admit that I'm thrilled that SGU host Steve Novella (pictured) will be speaking at QED... Actually I can't quite believe it! On the other hand, as a scientist interested in science communication, you can't help but be floored by the magnificent Eugenie Scott. If you're not sure- just go and find her on youtube- you'll be in awe too! Okay, I'm going to have to be careful here because I could easily go through the whole list and tell you why I think they're amazing...but then, that's kind of the point!

Manchester has got so many close links with science and progressive thinking. Is that why you chose to hold the QED conference here?

When we got together to talk about QED for the first time, we discussed possible locations for the event. The North West in general is a fantastic place for science these days, with fantastic Universities all over the place, and great 'buzzing' cities. Ultimately, we chose Manchester for the event because it had pretty much everything we were looking for- great venues, for the event itself and the fringe events we were planning, fantastic transport links- both for our speakers and for those wishing to attend the event from outside the area. There's also great bars and restaurants for those wanting to venture into the city.

Getting back to the science part of your question; Manchester is certainly a great place for a science and rational thinking event. We have great universities, but also- and often more relevant to people in the city day-to-day- we have great opportunities for people to get together and discuss issues, and learn new things in groups scattered across the city. We're organising some outreach activities around QED as fringe events with groups like these, and also with the Manchester Museum. It's really wonderful how approachable all these groups have been. I'm certainly learning a lot about Manchester as we progress with QED, and I really like what I see.

Thanks to Dr. Janis Bennion. For more information, visit www.qedcon.org

Last Minute Christmas ideas for Mancunians

It's getting late now so here's some last minute christmas ideas:

You could, of course, buy everyone socks or an Xbox but you could support the local economy and give some truly brilliant gifts at the same time. We think that's a good way to go so we're putting together a list of gift ideas with a difference which support Manchester businesses and celebrate everything that's good about this fine city of ours.

One for nature lovers (tickets to a World Premiere)

The ideal last minute Christmas presents is tickets. You can buy as many as you like for as many people as you like and not have to worry about postage or fighting through the crowds. What better then than tickets to a World Premiere of a stunning new concert?

Manchester-based World Class Service Ltd have teamed up with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the world's best Natural History film makers to make this stunning new live concert experience. The World Premier is in Liverpool on January 8th. There's a matinee at 2.30pm (as well as one at 7.30pm) so it's easy to get to and from Liverpool and makes for an excellent family outing or even a Hot (cold) date.

Experience the mighty RLPO playing the likes of Sibelius, Beethoven and Bach set to the most stunning footage of the Polar regions.



For tickets, visit www.polarconcert.com

Something for your Science-obsessed friends

The QED conference is a brand new 2 day celebration of all that's true and interesting in Manchester in February. Speakers include Jon Ronson of "The Men Who Stare at Goats" and Simon Singh who decided to try to bring about Libel Reform in the UK.

Tickets are £99 for the whole weekend of talks and activities. Not your average Christmas present but that's not what this list is about. Imagine the joy on the face of your sceptical friend on Christmas morning...and the pub conversations you'll be having for weeks after the event...

Not to mention the fact that any profits go to Sense About Science and The National Autistic Society

Something for the film buff

Manchester's Cornerhouse is something for us Mancunians to be proud of and the recent announcement of the alliance with The Library Theatre brings together two greats of the Manchester arts scene. For the film lover on your present list, there can be little better than membership of the Cornerhouse. For £25, you get exclusive offers and discounts and the chance to experience simply brilliant opportunities like having a Q&A with Chris Morris


A handmade gift, made right here in Manchester

Manchester Craft Centre is home to all sorts of independant, creative people. It's in the Northern Quarter and is the place to be if you want an individual, beautiful, hand-made gift. Jewellery, art, scultptures etc. Take a break from the high street shops and find something out of the ordinary for someone you love's stocking.

We'll keep looking for more and updating the list so keep checking back.

Over a thousand people use the Manchester10 iphone app

The free Manchester10 iPhone app is no stranger to regular visitors to this blog and it is growing in popularity and usage across the city. Over a thousand people now use the app regularly to give them quick look at what's happening in Manchester.

On any given night or day, Manchester is packed to the brim with a wide variety of special events, restaurants, concerts, places to have a drink etc. etc. etc. To produce a website to cover it all is tantamount to trying to create a Death Star. Great fun, obviously, but ultimately all too cumbersome. That's why we produce the Top Ten Things to do in Manchester and make it available for free on this blog and to iPhone users.

The iPhone version is updated throughout the week and the blog version is updated on a Monday. Nobody pays to be on the list. The only way events, places and things are listed is by being outstanding.

Thanks to everyone who uses and enjoys the list. It's a labour of love for us. This is our city and we're simply pinpointing 10 great things to do in it each week.

The Library Theatre has a new home

This looks like fantastic news to us so here's the press release in full:

Plans have now been confirmed for the Library Theatre Company’s new home and we are delighted to announce our brilliant and exciting new opportunity.

From 2014 a brand new building situated at the top of First Street*, will be The Library Theatre’s permanent base.

And it won’t just be a theatre. Cornerhouse are looking for a new home too and our two organisations will be working in partnership in this new world-class arts facility.

The building will boast a 500 seat-theatre, up to five cinemas, 600 sq m of contemporary gallery space, an education space and informal and outdoor performance spaces as well as an impressive café and state-of-the-art back of house facilities. It will enable LTC and Cornerhouse to work collaboratively, creating a major cross-artform production centre and ‘arts factory’.

Investigations into the refurbishment of the Theatre Royal, (the original proposal for the LTC’s relocation), and further architectural work have proved that it would not be possible for the building to match the ambitions of the company.

The relocation to the new cultural facility will allow The Library Theatre Company to enrich the theatre programme and extend and broaden the community and education offer.

Chris Honer, Artistic Director of the Library Theatre Company, said: “This is terrific news for Manchester audiences and the Library Theatre Company. It will enable the company to develop and expand its work and achieve its aspirations. The artistic potential of the collaboration with Cornerhouse is immense.”

Dave Moutrey, director and chief executive of Cornerhouse, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to create a unique, audience-focused centre for the arts and we are thrilled to be at the heart of it. We’re looking forward to collaborating with the Library Theatre Company to make the best use of our skills and resources to develop a financially sustainable artistic and social hub, that secures Manchester’s position as a leading destination on the UK’s cultural map.”

Councillor Mike Amesbury, Executive Member for Culture and Leisure for Manchester City Council said “These are extraordinarily exciting proposals which will create a world-class new cultural attraction. Combining the undoubted strengths and growing audiences of the Cornerhouse and the Library Theatre Company will allow the two companies to expand and flourish.”

Our next gathering is October 22nd at Manchester Art Gallery

Manchester Made It Easy
Lecture Theatre
Manchester Art Gallery
October 22nd at 10am

The next Manchester Made it Easy gathering is at Manchester Art Gallery at 10am on Friday 22nd October 2010.

With radical cuts to current levels of arts funding and increasing pressures to budgets, the focus of the next MMIE will be to examine how cultural organisations can further develop new and mutually beneficial partnerships with hoteliers and retailers around the city, and provide a forum for information sharing and networking.

Howard Raynor (Managing Director, World Class Service) and Kate Farmery (Head of Services, Manchester City Galleries) will open the discussion with a look at the opportunities, including a look at the mission and future plans of the Creative Tourist initiative.

Anyone with an interest in developing new ideas and partnerships are welcome and there is no cost to attending this meeting.

If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Louise If you're not able to make it, please feel free to send a colleague along. We hope you can make it....

The Labour Party Conference in Manchester

Manchester City Council has made the following statement regarding road closures for the Labour Party Conference:

"Manchester is hosting its third Labour Party Annual Conference from 26-30 September 2010 at Manchester Central - the city's world-class exhibition and conference hub.

The success of the 2006 and 2008 Labour annual conferences meant that the organisers had no hesitation in returning to our city for a third time. Furthermore, they have stated that its 2012 and 2014 annual conferences will be held in Manchester .

More than 11,000 delegates and 2,000 media representatives will attend Europe's largest political conference and many will participate in the hundreds of fringe events being held within the convention complex and surrounding venues.

This conference is expected to generate more than £15.5 million of economic benefit for the region and increase the city's international perception as a quality conference destination.

Manchester's city centre will be extra busy during the five days of conference and roads close to Manchester Central and its surrounding hotels and restaurants will be affected.

Traffic and pedestrians will be diverted away from some streets and some buses will be rerouted."

Manchester United vs Rangers. 14th September 2010

In anticipation of Manchester United's UEFA Champions League match against Glasgow Rangers on 14 September (KO 19:45), Greater Manchester Police (GMP) will be leading Operation Surround.

"We want all genuine fans to enjoy themselves, whilst sending a message that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in our city."

GMP is working in partnership on the Operation with Strathclyde Police, the official fan clubs from both teams, Manchester City Council, Piccadilly Partnership and Cityco.

GMP is not expecting Piccadilly to become a meeting place for a huge number of fans; it is more likely that the fans using the area will be doing so as a pass-through to the tram stops or bus station in order to get to Old Trafford. Part of the the Operation will involve taking the travelling fans to a reception area in Wigan, where they will be issued with tickets and escorted to and from the match.

Barclays Live searches for Manchester's hottest dance acts

Barclays is celebrating the ongoing investment in its branch network with a competition to find the country’s hottest dance acts, and it's coming to Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester on Saturday 4 September.

The competition is open to anyone who thinks they've got what it takes to become Britain's next dancing superstar, be it as an individual, duo, group or troupe.

The top ten entries will be put through to live auditions, which will take place on Saturday 4 September on a stage at Piccadilly Gardens. These contestants will perform in front of a celebrity panel of judges including Strictly Come Dancing's Brendan Cole, as well as an audience made up of the great people of Manchester!

The top five acts will then be subject to a public vote to decide the winner via the Barclays Live website www.barclayslive.co.uk

The winning act will be waltzing away with a pair of VIP tickets to see Brendan Cole in action as well as dancing all the way to the bank with a cool £1,000!

The Barclays Live auditions will form part of a day-long programme of events, including a dance master class by Brendan Cole and performances by a variety of fantastic dance acts.

Brendan Cole says "The Barclays Live competition is a great opportunity for talented dancers in Manchester and I am really looking forward to experiencing some fabulous performances. If you haven't entered the competition already, make it the very next thing you do, and I'd like to invite anyone in the area on Saturday 4September to pop down to Piccadilly Gardens to join me for a whole host of dancing fun."

Children under the age or 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Metrolink extensions confirmed

Manchester has confirmed that three Metrolink extensions will go ahead. The extensions will see the system running to Oldham, Rochdale town centres by spring 2014 and Manchester Airport by mid 2016.

The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) confirmed funding of £0.5 billion from the Greater Manchester Transport Fund to deliver the three new tram lines.

Chair of the AGMA Executive, Lord Peter Smithsaid: “Public transport has a crucial part to play in supporting Greater Manchester's economy and these Metrolink extensions will give a huge boost to the region. I am delighted that these vital projects can now go ahead. These new Metrolink lines in particular will also be the catalyst for regeneration in several areas, so the announcement is great news.”

Manchester Airports Group has also agreed to provide a contribution to funding for the Airport line.

Chief Executive of the Manchester Airports Group, Geoff Muirhead said: “We are delighted at this news, and have been long standing supporters of the Metrolink extension since it was first proposed. We have consistently maintained that support and are pleased to see it coming to fruition, as it will make us one of the most accessible destinations in the region.”

14 new trams will be ordered to serve the extensions to Manchester Airport and Oldham and Rochdale town centres. The total number of new trams for Manchester’s expanded Metrolink is 62.

For much more detail and a list of the stations see LRTA.org's pages on the Oldham and Rochdale extensions and the spur taking the tram out to the Airport via Chorlton and Wythenshawe

Manchester10 The Top Ten app for your iPhone

We're delighted to announce the release of our first iPhone app, available free to download from iTunes now. The app gives you a weekly top ten things to do in Manchester. The app includes links to enable users to find out more information and book tickets for the events. World Class Service have developed the application with La Factory del Software

Nobody pays to be included in the Manchester10 app. The only way you can be included is to do something outstanding.

Manchester10 is made in Manchester by Mancunians so that you can have the pick of what's on in this world class city at your fingertips every week.

Download the app now

For more information, contact Andrew Glester

Manchester Jazz Festival 2010

The Manchester Jazz Festival opens on Friday 23rd July 2010.

With Band on the Wall reintroduced to the city, the 15th Manchester Jazz Festival covers more ground than ever before. Venues include The Bridgewater Hall, Matt & Phreds and the Midland Hotel.

Most events are free so if you have any spare time at all in the next 2 weeks, just go and feel the festival buzz.



For full listings see here

24/7 Theatre Festival: The plays

	The Bluest Blue A young bookseller is tackled by a predatory traffic warden, and a street cleaner sweeps up the pieces
	The Fading Hum Two estranged brothers struggle to face up to their father's death. Set against the backdrop of a world without bees...
	Hatch A haunting, lyrical drama, charting the heartbreaking homecoming of an absentee father and his grown up children.
	The Inconsistent Whisper of Insanity If at fifteen you 'slept' to wake aged seventy-six, to what ends would you go to find out what happened in those 'lost years'?
	Islanders A dark comedy about three wardens on a nature reserve on the remote Farne Islands off the Northumberland coast.
	Make Believe If you let it your mind can take you anywhere... A comedy that leaves a lot to the imagination.
	No View From The Window Armed with a fish slice and a bottle of Matey there is something Louise needs to do. A powerful, disturbing and witty one woman play.
	Pawn A robbery goes wrong, leading to a hostage situation. One hell of a venue for a school reunion.
	Reeling A play about nostalgia, family, mistakes... and ninety minute cassette tapes. To understand the past, you have to relive it.
	Sheepish Stuck wearing fancy-dress in the middle of field - what would EWE do? Follow your dreams or follow the herd.

Intimate I am Kloot gig at Piccadilly Records

The new I am Kloot record "The Sky at Night" is released today and frontman John Bramwell is playing an intimate solo gig at Piccadilly Records at 5pm tonight.

Tickets are only available via the shop in advance along with the new album and the shop will shut at 4.30pm to get set up for the gig.

The new album is produced by Elbow's Guy Garvey and you can listen to it via the Guardian website

Martin Amis on Literature and Violence and LGBT composers

The summer is in full swing and Manchester has some great events in July and August. The Martin Harris Centre at Manchester University has a series of events over the summer months.

Thursday 1st July 2010, 6.30pm
Martin Amis Public Events: Literature and Violence
with guests Blake Morrison and John Gray

World famous novelist Martin Amis will be discussing the relationship between Literature and Violence at his next University of Manchester debate on Thursday 1st July 2010. The writer will be joined by high profile guests Blake Morrison and John Gray for the evening event at the University’s Martin Harris Centre. The event will offer a unique chance to hear Professor Amis and his guests discuss the psychological and cultural roots of violent acts, and consider the ways in which writers from Shakespeare to JG Ballard depict and respond to violence.

Tickets: £7 (£5 concessions)
Tickets are available from the Martin Harris Centre box office on 0161 275 8951 or e-mail boxoffice@manchester.ac.uk. You can also contact Quay Tickets on www.quaytickets.com or 0870 428 0785.

Monday 23rd August 2010 - Friday 27th August 2010, 1pm
Manchester Pride Chamber Music
A series of lunchtime recitals celebrating music by LGBT composers past and present.

Monday 23rd August, 1pm
David Maxwell Anderson (tenor) with Ditlev Rindom (piano)
Tchaikovsky - At the ball / None but the lonely heart / To forget so soon / Mezza notte
Hahn - Chansons en dialecte Vénitien Nos 1, 2, 4
Hahn - L’allée est sans fin / L’heure exquise
Poulenc - Air Champêtre / Air Grave / Voyage à Paris / Hotel
Barber - Mélodies Passagères, Op.27
Tchaikovsky - Rondel / Déception / Again, as before, alone / Don Juan’s Serenade

Tuesday 24th August, 1pm
"Nocturnes, Ballades & Mazurkas" – a PianoFest, with performances by Alasdair Beatson, Philip Fowke, Ian Jones, Leon McCawley, Ditlev Rindom, Emmanuel Vass and Ashley Wass

Wednesday 25th August, 1pm
Nicholas Daniel (oboe) with David Quigley (piano)
Poulenc - Sonata for oboe & piano
Berkeley - Sonatina for oboe & piano, Op.61
Britten - 6 Metamorphoses after Ovid for solo oboe
Barber - Canzonetta for oboe & piano

Thursday 26th August, 1pm
John Myerscough (cello) with Alasdair Beatson (piano)
Barber - Sonata for cello & piano, Op.6
Henze - Capriccio per Paul Sacher

Friday 27th August, 1pm
CHROMA: Marcus Barcham-Stevens (violin), Stuart King (clarinet) & Martin Cousin (piano)
Menotti - Trio for clarinet, violin & piano
Rorem - End of Summer
Marc Yeats - schlick's approximation (World Première - Manchester Pride Commission.

The Martin Harris Centre, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL
Tel: 0161 275 8951
www.manchester.ac.uk/martinharriscentre
boxoffice@manchester.ac.uk

Crain's RIP

World Class Service Ltd are sad to see the end of Crain's Manchester Business; for it's ability to have an opinion, for getting the local story, for getting it out there weekly, for talking about the hotels and restaurants, for amusement and for saying who did what to who and for how much. You will be missed. I hope the team are able to find a great new outlet for their talent.

From all of us here at World Class Service.

New Visitor Centre for Manchester

Visit Manchester unveil Manchester's new Visitor Information Centre on June 20th. Here's a preview of the sort of new technology you'll be able to find in there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN83DQs0yCo&feature=player_embedded

24:7 Theatre Festival Media Launch, Live Online.

The 24:7 Theatre Festival returns on July 26th and the Media launch is this Tuesday 15th June. To join the launch, all you need to do is go to 247theatrefestival.co.uk at 6:15pm and refresh the page.

The Manchester Digital Development Agency will be cranking the handles to make it all happen.

So, wherever you are, as long as you have a computer with Internet access, you'll be able to see the event unfolding.

Key Dates for 24:7 2010

media launch: Tuesday 15 June;
previews: Sunday 25 July;
Festival Week: Monday 26 July - Sunday 1 August.

Keep up to date with developments here on the eNews and on the 24:7 website, where you can see the names of the ten productions and their writers: 247theatrefestival.co.uk

Big Chip Awards recognises cream of North West talent

The North West digital sector gathered at Manchester’s Palace Hotel to celebrate the 2010 Big Chip Awards.Manchester Digital, the trade association for the region’s digital sector, organised the event and it was backed by media partners Insider and New Media Age.

Chairman of Manchester Digital Shaun Fensom said: “There is a highly-skilled and very creative pool of talent in the North and North West region and Big Chip provides a showcase for the very best projects and organisations.”

The winners Click on the name of each winner for more information.

Best E-Business Project
Winner: 11 Out Of 10 with Pure Gym
Shortlist: KMP Digitata with Jetparks.co.uk, Manchester Airport budget car parking; KMP

Best Public Sector Project
Winner: Lightbox Education with MP for a Week
Commended: Manchester Museums Consortium & Visit Manchester with Creative Tourist
Shortlist: Pennine Telecom with Bridging the Digital Divide Net@BOSC; Studio Distract with Wrecked

Best Not For Profit Project
Winner: Cahoona with Band on the Wall Website Redevelopment
Shortlist: Fudge with English Rose; LOVE with Acting on Impulse website; Sigma Consulting

Best E-Learning Project
Winner: Stardotstar with Things to Come for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Shortlist: Shira Rubin with learn2lingo

Best Use of Visual Design
Winner: Digital Blah Blah with Adam Rix Website
Shortlist: Cahoona with the Cahoona website; Fudge with English Rose; RealtimeUK with LG’s Behind the Picture

Best Application of Technology
Winner: Stardotstar with Nosey Parker
Shortlist: 4i Security with the OMC Online Security System; Code Computerlove with myebook.com – digital technologies for online automated tailoring service; Scraperwiki with Scraperwiki; Stephen Henesy with PiP Interactive

Best Use of Animation
Winner: The Neighbourhood with Nord Anglia
Commended: Craig Knowles and David Ridges with Bon Appetit
Shortlist: MediaCityUK with Take Note; RealtimeUK with LG’s Behind the Picture; The Neighbourhood with Angel

Best Use of Search
Winner: PushON with Love Those Shoes
Shortlist: Lakestar Media with Parcel2Go.com’s SEO campaign; PushON and The UK Wedding Shows with The UK Wedding Shows' campaign

Best Digital Marketing Campaign
Winner: iris Manchester with Wonderbra – Ultimate Strapless
Shortlist: Mobious with Carling weekly email; PushON and Brazen PR with 30 Beats: Mechanical Music; Righttxt with Mobile for a Small Organisation

Best Online Brand Development
Winner: Manchester Museums Consortium & Visit Manchester with Creative Tourist
Shortlist: IAS b2b Marketing with Beat the Wolf; Mando Group with United Utilities rebrand; Xentum with X marks the spot

Best Newcomer (enterprise)
Winner: Wooshi.com
Shortlist: 4i Security; Cahoona; Digital Blah Blah; Stephen Henesy; WebVideoMarketing (webVM)

Best Freelancer / Micro Enterprise
Winner: Digital Blah Blah
Shortlist: Fat Heads Creative Studio; Kilogramme; Moo Marketing; Robin Hayward

Best New Media Agency
Winner: Stardotstar

Big Green Chip Award
Winner: The DTP Group with Managed Print & Copy Services at Leeds Metropolitan University

Little Chip Student Award
Winner: Andreas Linden, University of Central Lancashire

Game of the North
Winner: Connect2Media with Arachnadoodle

Big Chip International Award for Innovation
Winner: Studio Liddell and Magic Lantern for BBC Children’s Bugbears

Tasty Website
Winner: Cahoona
www.cahoona.co.uk

Grand Prix
Winner: Lightbox

Anthony Wilson Original Modern Award
Winner: Kilogramme

The 2010 FIFA World Cup in Manchester.

It all kicks off (update:) TODAY! The hosts take on Mexico in the opening fixture and England start their campaign on Saturday evening against the USA. If you're not interested, worry not. We'll be producing the Top Ten Things to do in Manchester each week throughout the tournament and you can rest assured that there are plenty of things to fill your time if the beautiful game is not your thing.

However...if you find yourself burning with national pride, have painted the front of your house as the St George's Cross or simply want to enjoy the carnival atmosphere that goes along with the biggest sporting occasion in the World, you don't have to worry either. What's more, you don't need to be in South Africa. Manchester is getting into the spirit of things and, as anyone here to witness the Commonwealth Games will testify, we know how to love our sporting events.

Manchester's Fan Park is at Catlefield Arena and is screening every single one of the 64 matches across the tournament and access is free but you will need tickets for the screenings of the England matches. These are available from www.quaytickets.com with a limit of 4 per household and a transaction fee of £1.50.

Of course, if you are in town and feel the need to celebrate, there are hundreds of bars, clubs and restaurants available. There's also a fair few hotels in the city centre where you could bed down for the night and wake up to a hearty breakfast.

We're looking for ideas for football fans to get into the spirit of things over the month of the tournament so don't hesitate to let us know if you have heard of any particularly good ideas. We'll add them below, in the order that they arrive with us:

Local football fan and DJ Terry Christian has teamed up with Phil Beckett with an all new club night in Chorlton called "Bop Local" which happily coincides with England's first match of the tournament. So, if you find yourself in South Manchester with an urge to celebrate, "The idea is simple: Start early, have lots of fun and a darn good time without spending a fortune on drinks and taxis in town. Then get home at a reasonable time for the babysitter! Or if you have no kids, in time for an impromptu kitchen party!" Update: The doors are now opening at 8pm and they will be showing the game on their big screen so why not go down early and catch the second half (It kicks off at 7.30pm).

Base Cafe Bar on Charles Street have a happy hour during every World Cup game, not just the England ones and will be showing them all in HD.

Manchester Made it Easy Meeting

The next gathering will take place at the Midland Hotel on Friday 25th June at 09.00. All are welcome.

As agreed in our last meeting we will be evaluating the 2010 Summer Campaign progress so far. We will be looking at the innovations, activities, partnerships, website activity and sales for 2010 and establishing a summer business club for 2011.

If you'd like to come along, please rsvp to louise at this email address.

We hope to see you there.

The Aumbrey comes to Chorlton

Following the success of Beth Creedon’s ‘Wild Food’ last month, Electrik presents Guestrant (No 5) on Monday 21^st June. Husband and wife chef team, Laurence Tottingham and Mary Ellen McTague take a night off from Aumbry in Prestwich and offer their food expertise in the Electrik kitchen for this one-off gastronomic experience.

They will be delivering a 3 course meal of culinary surprises for one night only.

Aumbry has become a destination restaurant since it opened in October 2009, Laurence and Mary Ellen spent 4 years as part of the 3 Michelin-star team at Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck restaurant in Berkshire, before they decided to open their own place in Prestwich. Although the food they cook at Aumbry isn’t like the Fat Duck, as such, they do use a lot of the cooking techniques leant there including using Sous Vide and a water bath to cook meat and fish.

Laurence and Mary Ellen wanted to use the opportunity that Guestrant provides to show some very typical Aumbry dishes, using lots of great Lancashire and Cheshire produce. There will be no specific theme for the night ~ they will be simply offering a different audience a snapshot of what they do at Aumbry.

Tickets for this gastronomic event are £25 each. Places are strictly limited.

Purchase advance tickets from Electrik or via paypal: info@electrikbar.co.uk

Electrik is at 559 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, Manchester M21 0AE.

Go see this: a new website

All About Audiences, the people formerly known as Arts About Manchester, have launched a new website, designed to be the one-stop-shop for tickets for shows in Manchester. You can buy multiple tickets for multiple venues and put them all in one basket. It's certainly a great idea. Have a look www.goseethis.com and use it and let us know what you think.

Adidas Original Coronation Street Party

Nice to know that Manchester can still turn it on globally. Gary McClarnan and the Sparkle Street team deserve a huge cheer from all of us in Manchester for creating a truly original street party for Adidas on Saturday night. The Whip, Badly Drawn Boy, Bad Lieutenant and host of VIP's and 500 party goers made for a fun night that was transmitted globally from the Corrie at the old Granada HQ on Quay Street.

Adidas Original Street Parties have been popping up around the globe since March,for Manchester even Snoop Dogg sent a personal message. Surreal; certainly. Original; no doubt about it. Well done to Sparkle Street and everyone involved in a truly original street party. Well done for the Corrie team for letting this astonishing party happen.

We loved the cup cakes, Craig Charles' intro and Bernard Sumner doing Regret in a black and gold Adidas shirt to a crowd of umbrella waving party folk.

Mad.

Awardness

The fabulous ballroom at the Hilton was the setting for the Manchester Tourism Awards last night, our respect and applause go to our friends:

Richard Hoffman at The Lowry Hotel for Outstanding Customer Service Award
Manchester Christmas Markets for being Tourism Retailer of the Year
Manchester International Festival for the Sustainable Tourism Award
The River Bar and Restaurant at The Lowry Hotel for the Taste of Manchester Award
Manchester International Festival for Tourism Event of the Year
The Atrium by Bridgestreet Worldwide for Serviced Apartments of the Year and
Radisson Edwardian Hotel for Large Hotel of the Year.

All worthy winners and we look forward to working with you in the years ahead.

For full details on all the winners take a look at the fabulous new Marketing Manchester web site.

Also let's hear it for John Thomson the magnificent awards host.

New New York Flights

Manchester and New York are getting closer. American Airlines has been a loyal travelers friend at Manchester Airport for 25 years. The Summer New York flight is daily and the service started last week. It's important for us as a city to make sure these Boeing 757's are full in both directions and that business class passengers choose Manchester as a preferred exit point for New York.

For guests in Manchester New York JFK is not only a great gateway to one of America's great cities but serves as a hub to over 40 other destinations. For American visitors taking advantage of the strong dollar Manchester provides an easy and comfortable entry point for three great British cities as well as the outstanding natural beauty of the Lake District.

Congratulations to everyone at the airport and at American for this great daily service.

We are also looking forward to seeing the new Escape VIP lounge at the airport. Watch out for more news on how to make your guests more comfortable at the UK's best airport.

Spearfish Nets Dough

The mighty EuroCulture festival which is run by Manchester tribe Spearfish, have managed to attract a huge grant to help them deliver their unique brand of creative engagement with young people in Manchester Romania, Slovakia, Belfast and Finland. The funds have come from the proud town of Turku in Finland who incidentally are celebrating their Capital of Culture status by supporting people like Spearfish.

Well done to Ben and the team at Spearfish for getting the funds and for creating some worthwhile youth projects. Without you we would all be poorer.

Manchester Made it Easy meeting

The next Manchester Made it Easy meeting is on May 10th.

The meeting will update on progress being made to package and promote Manchester as a desirable, Family Friendly destination, in particular over the mid July - early September period.

The gathering will take place at the Malmaison (Mal1 meeting space) on Monday 10th May at 10.30. If you'd like to come along and haven't done so already, please rsvp to louise at World Class Service

You can keep in touch with the Manchester Made it Easy movement at the website, the blog and via twitter and facebook.

Food & Drink Summit. May 24th 2010.

The Food and Drink Summit is a new event in Manchester for the very first time on May 24th 2010. It is "an opportunity to participate in the debates that really matter… and have a bit of fun too."

The summit is put on by the industry for the industry and is aimed at:

• Restaurant & Bar Owners
• Students & Academics
• Retailers
• The Hospitality Sector
• Food & Drink Producers
• Tourism Officers
• Hotel Employees
• Media
• Online Foodies
• Serious Food Enthusiasts

Highlights include Lloyd Grossman, Fergus Henderson (pictured) and Matthew Fort (judge of the Great British Menu).

The afternoon includes a celebrity panel: Twelve Bar Blues: The last waltz of the great British boozer?

Tickets for the day are £30 each. For more information and to book, visit www.thefoodanddrinksummit.com

Linekar, Shilton, Pearce, Gazza, Butcher, Waddle, Platt... One night in Turin

'One Night in Turin' with live Q&A
Screening at ODEON Manchester Printworks for one night only!
Tuesday 11th May 2010
Time 20.30

Derived from Pete Davies’ bestselling book 'All Played Out': described by Time Out as the “best football book of all-time”.

Davies was a journalist given unprecedented access over 9 months to the England camp both in the run up to, and during Italia 90 – the iconic tournament that changed our footballing nation forever.

Spring 1990, and the London streets are torn up by poll tax rioters. With an unpopular premier and in the midst of the recession, England is torn apart by civil strife. Meanwhile, the rest of the world wakes up to a new dawn, the Berlin Wall has fallen, Mandela walks free from prison, and the Soviet Union is in its death throes. And to celebrate this new world order, there is Italia '90.
Over the course of six weeks, led by the reinvigorated Bobby Robson and the mercurial Paul Gascoigne, a small band of brothers overcome scandal, political intrigue and even the mighty Dutch, to reach a semi-final in Turin - the home of Juventus, and the place in Europe that has the most reason to hate the English after the Heysel disaster of '85 - where they must attempt to overcome the mighty Germans.

Constructed from unseen archive footage and specially shot imagery, 'One Night in Turin' is set to a pumping music track that will include the Stone Roses, Happy Mondays and Pavarotti.
This screening of 'One Night in Turin' will be followed by a live Q&A with some of the Italia 90 squad, transmitted by satellite from the World Premiere at the ODEON cinema Metrocentre.
The ticket price includes a donation to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

All tickets £12.00

www.odeon.co.uk 0871 22 44 007
For all group bookings of 10 or more please contact the conference department on
0161 836 2404 or eventcoordinator@odeonuk.com

ABOUT MANCHESTER MADE IT EASY

WHAT "MADE IT EASY" IS ALL ABOUT...

Made it Easy is a self help group for hospitality, cultural, leisure and retail businesses in Manchester to improve performance by working together. By sharing sector specific economic information, collaborating, meeting colleagues, promoting ideas and options, creating awareness of each others activities, targeting specific issues like “Summer Business” joining forces and being Manchester specific we believe we can significantly improve performance and reduce wasted time and resources within our businesses. By meeting once every two months this wide collective of businesses can add value to each other by collaboration.

The benefit is that we get to know each other as businesses and can network more effectively with a wider array of contacts. Also it’s free for as long as one the great hotels in the city is prepared to provide a room, coffee, bacon rolls and a screen.

It’s only 90 minutes of your day. Like we say, we Made it Easy.

It was started by The Midland Hotel and World Class Service Ltd to provide a meeting and action agenda for our business community; hotels, hospitality, culture, retail and leisure. There are network meetings, there is this blog and there is a killer web site and you don't have to subscribe to the web site to attend the meetings that way we can maximise the network impact.

ABOUT THE WEB SITE

• If you really want to maximise returns you can sign up to the Made it Easy web site a one stop business to business web site for your front desks, sales teams and planners.
• The Made it Easy web site offer the following benefits to your business:
• All the latest information from Manchester Made it Easy, including the latest on the Summer City activity so that you can plan and take advantage of the wider Manchester offer.
• Up to date information on high profile conferences, openings, large scale events and news which means you can plan for big events in Manchester and build your offer and appeal for key audiences.
• Key information for forecasting, planning and sales campaigns.
• A one stop "What's On" shop for front desk teams so that they can accurately recommend and direct guests and customers. The site provides in depth information on a host of shopping, theatre, travel, sport, dining, cultural options.
• A weekly “What’s on” sent every Monday covering key recommendations for this week so that your team are always up to date.
• The site is built, hosted and maintained in Manchester so it's local and accurate.
• The site includes suggested itineraries for different customer groups so that you recommend effortlessly
• There are no pop ups, and no advertising or pay for placement options on the site its just accurate, authoritative information for service professionals. It's fast, clean, easy to use and prevents unnecessary searches. Designed by service professionals for service professionals.
• It provides key links for guest support for travel, lost cards, help making it fast and efficient for your team.

The website is designed so that your team can save time, make confident recommendations and add value for each customer. It allows junior members of the team to provide good levels of service, even without the knowledge of their more experienced colleagues.

The Manchester Made it Easy website is geared to be a one-stop-shop and is updated on a regular basis right here in Manchester so your team can provide interesting and personalised solutions

Cost is £10/wk. Billing is quarterly or annual as preferred.

So there it is – the meaning of “Manchester Made it Easy”. Want to be involved? Call Howard or Louise on 0161 456 6007. If you are interested in the web site call Andrew. Same number or click here

Christopher Rodrigues CBE heads up brand new development programme in Manchester.

Christopher Rodrigues CBE will be heading an outstanding line up of speakers and tutors at the first Strategic Leadership Programme for Hospitality in Manchester this July. Mr Rodrigues who has led Visit Britain since 2007 will be using his 30 years of experience including his substantial experience in banking and the travel industry to explore the challenges of the next 5 years. Other speakers from the Manchester Business School, industry and research organisations will provide vital insights, strategic tools and techniques and personal development advice to an elite group of just 25 hospitality business leaders and business owners.

The residential programme will be based at the five star Radisson Edwardian hotel in central Manchester and includes visits, receptions and dinners.

To reserve your place contact Howard Raynor at World Class Service on 0161 456 6007 or by email

The Odeon and Harvey Nichols team up for girls' night.

We've spotted a couple of slightly out of the ordinary events coming up in Manchester over the next couple of months and thought it might be a good idea to tell you about them now as they are likely to sell out.

The Second Floor Restuarant at Harvey Nichols are celebrating the opening of the Sex and the City 2 film with special menus for the perfect girls' night out on May 28th.

Sex and the City 2
Cinema packages at the Harvey Nichols Second Floor in association with The Odeon Printworks
and Skyy Vodka.
Friday 28 May

What will become of Carrie and Mr Big? What will the girls be wearing?
All will be revealed on Friday 28 May when Sex and the City 2 is released in UK cinemas.
Why not make a night of it with the girls and choose from one of two packages available at Harvey Nichols Manchester on the launch night?

The Girls’ Afternoon Tea Package - £25 per person
4pm

A Skyy Vodka SATC cocktail
A special ‘Cupcake Afternoon Tea’ in the Harvey Nichols Second Floor Restaurant
A ticket for the 6pm Gallery* Showing of the SATC2 Film at the Odeon Printworks

The Mr Big Package - £35 per person
6pm

A Skyy Vodka SATC cocktail
A two course New York themed dinner in the Harvey Nichols Second Floor Brasserie
A ticket for the 8pm Gallery* Showing of the SATC2 Film at the Odeon Printworks
Call our reservations team on 0161 828 8898 or email
secondfloor.reservations@harveynichols.com to reserve your place.

If you prefer something a little more arty, the Odeon has not forgotten about you...

OPUS ARTE AT THE ODEON PRINTWORKS
Royal Opera House & The Royal Ballet - Tsarina's Slippers
25th May 19.00
The Royal Opera and the Royal Ballet come together in a special journey from a snowy Ukrainian picture-book village to the Imperial splendour of the court of Catherine the Great. Vakula, the son of the witch Solokha, attempts to woo and win the beautiful but fickle Oxana. It seems hopeless, but when the Devil, a witch, forest sprites and a host of colourful characters are involved, he could be lucky after all! Tchaikovsky's music is packed with showpiece solos, dances and choruses: from grand polonaise to haunting chorus of water sprites to rustic revels - and there's a true Russian flavour with Alexander Polianichko as conductor and several star Russian singers. Tickets £12.50 adults, Students, Senior, £10.00 Children

www.odeon.co.uk 0871 2244 007
For group bookings of 10 or more please contact the conference department
eventcoordinator@odeonuk.com 0161 836 2404

Shakespeare's Globe - As You Like It
14th June 19.00
'As You Like It' recorded at The Globe theatre in 2009 and on the big screen in high definition and digital surround sound. Rosalind, the daughter of a banished duke, falls in love with Orlando at a wrestling match. Her usurping uncle, jealous of her popularity banishes her from court. Disguised as a boy she leaves with her cousin Celia and the jester Touchstone, to seek out her father in the Forest of Arden. Here she meets Orlando again and, under the guise of a young man, counsels him in the art of love and wooing. A firm favourite among Shakespeare’s comedies, and including some of his best-loved characters, 'As You Like It' runs the glorious gamut of pastoral romance: cross-dressing and love-notes; poetry and brilliant conversation; gentle satire, slapstick and passion. **** 'Thea Sharrock's production is almost continuously enchanting. On a summer's night by the Thames, it is irresistible... There's a constant feeling of wit, mischief and strong sexual attraction... Every role comes to life in a production that combines great gales of audience laughter with magical moments of emotional depth' - Daily Telegraph. All tickets from £10.00

www.odeon.co.uk 0871 2244 007
For group bookings of 10 or more please contact the conference department
eventcoordinator@odeonuk.com 0161 836 2404

We are What We Eat and Drink - Eat North West

We are delighted to see the return of the North West Food Lovers Guide. The office copy of the original edition has become dog eared and frankly its a vital publication.

This marvelous little book published by the lovely people at Food Northwest is now back in stock and it provides all the details on local producers, where they are, what they make, what they grow, where you can get it from and the on-line links to get you closer.

Brilliant idea well executed. How can you live without it.

Get your copy by clicking here

We are here to help.....

Please let me know if anyone needs assistance getting in or out of Europe due to the Volcano ash. We are very fortunate to have available aircraft.

Thank you.


Benjamin Head
Managing Director

ADVANCED jets
One South Ocean Boulevard, Suite 308
Boca Raton, Florida 33432
(561) 962-0118 direct office
(954) 205-4655 24/7 cell
(877) 303-5387 (JETS) toll free
(561) 962-0111 fax
Ben@advancedjets.com
www.Advancedjets.com

Aled Williams comes to Manchester's Harvey Nichols

Harvey Nichols Second Floor Restaurant is pleased to announce an intimate and exclusive dining event with Aled Williams on May 10. Aled is the Head Chef of Plas Bodegroes, Wales’ first five star restaurant with accommodation.

Aled is currently filming the new series of ‘The Great British Menu’, a program in which the nation’s top chefs compete to produce a four course banquet for a high profile figure. The main course and dessert on the night will be revised versions of dishes which are featured in ‘The Great British Menu’.

Aled Williams’ food is made using fresh local ingredients and Aled prides himself on his ability to add modern twists to traditional dishes. The menu on May 10 will comprise of five courses including; pea and parmesan foam; Pan fried sea trout with fennel puree; loin and slow cooked shoulder of mountain lamb; and Champagne poached rhubarb with lemongrass baked custard. The full menu is available to view on the Harvey Nichols Second Floor Restaurant website www.harveynichols.com.

The times for dinner will be staggered with the first table at 7.15, second at 7.45pm, the third at 8.15pm, with the last seating at 8.45pm.

Aled developed his culinary skills at Plas Bodegroes, in 2003. Aled then won the prestigious Gordon Ramsey scholarship in November 2006, and has worked not only in Ramsey’s 3 Michelin Star restaurants in Chelsea and New York, but in several highly esteemed restaurants in Australia and South East Asia. He became Head Chef at Pas Bodegroes in 2008.

Tickets are priced at £60 with only 45 places available, so prompt booking is advised. To book your tickets or for any more information regarding the event, please contact the Second Floor Reservations team on 0161 828 8898 or email secondfloor.reservations@harveynichols.com

Top Ten Things to do in Manchester this week

It's a big week for the Rooneyless Reds and the museums and galleries of Manchester are all providing great content for the Easter holidays.

1. Man Utd attempt to reverse their 1-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the second leg on Wednesday.

2. Da Vinci - The Genius at MOSI brings his famous inventions to life and there's a whole host of activities for families for the Easter break with Heroes of Energy

3. The Evolutionist: A Darwin Extravaganza is a fun and educative day out for the whole family

4. The Gruffalo (Tuesday - Thursday) and Sean Lock (Sunday) are at the Lowry this week.

5. The People's History Museum is back in an impressive new building after a £12.5m redevelopment

6. William Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors ois at the Royal Exchange theatre

7. Witney Houston (now in doubt due to illness) and the WWE Wrestling come to the MEN Arena this week

8. Ron Mueck's art of hyper-real human figures explores humanity's intimate moments at Manchester Art Gallery

9. Ultravox (Thursday) and N-Dubz (Friday) are at the Apollo this week.

10. The IWMN hosts the largest ever collection of highly acclaimed photographer Don McCullin's work

Business Model for the Summer City

There are nine factors we have to get right to successfully transform summer business for Manchester.

We have to be clear about:

1. The Key Partners in the Project; hoteliers, cultural institutions, attractions, event organisers, Visit Manchester and CityCo. We don't need everyone in the field we just need the people who see the opportunity and want to share the market opportunity.

2. Understand the customer need; the UK economy remains in fragile recovery and so are most households; the customers need great new ideas that are imaginative, value for money and exceed expectations. Further, with a Euro worth 90p and a US dollar at 66p Manchester never looked like such great value.

3. Build the value proposition. This project is not about diluting the marketing or just discounting prices we need to build a solid value proposition for the customers; great activities, great hotels and great itineraries that are really easy to book. We have to be able to assemble the packages in to a simple attractive booking format.

4. Understand the customer segment. The priority for the Summer 2010 project is family audiences.

5. Select the Channels to Market. At the moment Visit Manchester, CityCo and Late Rooms offer the easiest channels to market alongside all of the partners own on line and PR activity.

6. Establish the Key Resources. How much will it cost to tackle this project in 2010 bearing in mind the market opportunity going in to 2011, 12 and 13? If we get it right we could grow a significant new element to our businesses every year. Awareness Reliability and Responsiveness are key drivers.

7. What are the key Customer Relationships. What type of relationship does each of our customers expect us to establish and maintain with them? Is this really in the hands of the hotels or can we get in to a resort mindset where we offer a family friendly service at every outlet?

8. Revenue Streams. There are multiple revenue streams coming out of this Summer City business model. Hotel stays, retail purchases, food and drink revenue, car parking, public transport income, institutional visits, venue merchandising.

9. Cost Structure. If we really can figure out a way of working smarter and harder this summer then we will have a small increase in costs arising from marketing activities and staffing, however this is a value based business argument, we are creating value in the city in the summer. If we pull together we get economy of scale and scope.

So there it is, a business model framework and so prototype thinking.

If we do nothing then we face another 6 weeks of revenue drought this summer and pin all our hopes on a cost focused solution, can we stay shut more tightly?

If just a small band of us can deliver something in then we get the chance to build knowledge and capability to grow in 2011.

What are World Class Service doing to contribute? We are building a 5 day residential Strategic Leadership Summer Programme to help hospitality service leaders prepare for their future by hearing from Business School heavyweights and industry luminaries. Why are we doing this? Because we see that if Cornell can do it so could Manchester.

Howard Raynor with thanks to Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur.