Spinningfields Ice Rink returns

From November 18th – January 2nd 2012, Spinningfields will once again be transformed into a winter wonderland with the arrival of the ice rink and the brand new Moose Bar.

Returning to Spinningfields for its fourth successive year, the ice rink, situated in Hardman Square, will be open seven days a week from 10am until 11pm. The only open air rink in the city centre, it features a 600sqm ice surface, which will be able to host over 200 skaters per hour. The prices have been frozen for 2011, giving skaters even more value and there are special rates for students, groups and the ever popular schools scheme.

A brand new addition this year will be the Moose Bar, a log cabin-themed pop up bar serving hot cocktails, mulled wine, spiced cider, beers, wholesome seasonal food and offering corporate packages for the surrounding offices. Perfect for those wanting to rest their weary legs, The Moose Bar is bound to be a popular haunt with a rustic environment, live music and a warm atmosphere.

The Top 10 Things to Do in Manchester this week

The nights are getting longer, and the temperature’s getting lower – so that can only mean one thing – Christmas is on its way....



The Manchester10 iPhone app gives you the top ten things to do in Manchester each week direct to your phone for free.

1. On Thursday 10th November, Manchester’s streets will be welcoming in the festive spirit –with the Christmas Light Switch-On in Albert Square. Free music, and fireworks!!

2. There will be even more shine and sparkle in Bolton from the 8th – 12th November, as Britain’s Got Bhangra comes to the Octagon Theatre.



3. The Bridgewater Hall welcomes Van Morrison back to Manchester on Saturday 12th November.



4. And there will be a very different kind of Moondance taking place at the RNCM – as they welcome the English Youth Ballet’s performance of Giselle on the 9th and 10th November.



5. Friday Night is Movie Night this week, even in the more unusual of locations. Why not check out the Noir Classic, They Made me a Fugitive, at the Whitworth Art Gallery?



6. Lee Evans is at the MEN Arena all week, showcasing his unique blend of physical comedy – in his new show Roadrunner.

7. A small piece of the Lake District starts its residence at one of Manchester’s architectural gems, as a new exhibition of Beatrix Potter artwork has just gone on display at Lyme Park.



8.A Beautiful Thing starts at the Royal Exchange on the 9th November – Head there on Friday to see an exciting pre concert performance by the Manchester Gay and Lesbian Chorus as part of their free Special FX series.



9. Allow some time for reflection in the run up to Remembrance Sunday. The Imperial War Museum will be hosting various events – including daily Remembrance tours of the building.

10. And finally, if the thought of all that snow, and Christmas cheer is just too much – why not set your sights on Summer 2012 instead, and sign up to be involved in the next Manchester Day Parade. Next year’s theme is The Sky’s The Limit – but why stop there?!....

The Top 10 Things to Do in Manchester this week

The clocks may have gone back - but there's no need to let the dark nights stop you enjoying our amazing city!

The Manchester10 iPhone app gives you the top ten things to do in Manchester each week direct to your phone for free.



1. This week sees the skies of Manchester lighting up with bonfires and fireworks. Stay safe if you are having a fireworks party at home – or why not go to a local organised event. Our tip, Platt Fields Fireworks, on Friday 5th November.



2. Or if sparklers aren’t your thing, why not try Mr Scruff’s Keep it Unreal at Band on the Wall, the alternate way to spend Guy Fawkes Night.


3. The Asia Triennial is now on and includes Dark Matters at the Whitworth


4. There’s a rare opportunity to truly see inside the John Rylands Library on Friday 4th November.


5. Take a nostalgic trip into the 1950s, with Dreamboats and Petticoats at The Lowry all week.


6. Go back a little further, and attend the Victoria Bath’s Open Day on Sunday 6th November.



7. Or venture back even further, and experience Tudors Live! at Ordsall Hall, also on Sunday.



8. If you missed out on Stone Roses tickets, why not catch another of the homecoming gigs taking place in the city this week, with two evening with James at The Bridgewater Hall on the 31st October and the 1st November…


9. ...Or the Travelling Band at Academy 3 on Wednesday 2nd November.


10. Or if all of that just seems too much like hard work – why not relax in one of Manchester’s newest, and most unusual bars, The Oasthouse, just opened in Spinningfields?

"Be inspired by the beauty of our World" at Manchester Science Festival

Manchester Science Festival begins in earnest on October 22nd and we managed to grab a minute or two with the festival's understandably busy director Natalie Ireland. Read on to find out what's in store for audiences at the festival;

What is Manchester Science Festival all about?

It’s a chance for people to have a great time exploring science. The Festival is full of brilliant events from comedy and music to hands-on science and installations. You could learn something new, be inspired by the beauty of our World, make a robot, question a scientist… there’s lots going on for families and adults across the nine days of the Festival, and there’s bound to be an event near you. And many events are free!

What are you particularly looking forward to in the festival this year?

There’s a few things that I’m really looking forward to. Polar will be beautiful – music and film from the polar regions – it will be a nice chance for me to sit back and relax for an hour! Out of this World will also be a really fun night for adults – we’ve curated a space themed evening full of comedy, local research, knitting and a space/time machine – a bit of an experiment, but it will be great fun. Families have got some brilliant opportunities to explore the latest science and universities and get up close with real, hands-on science. It’ll be great fun.

If you could bring one scientist from history to the festival, who would you like to invite and why?

It would have to be Charles Darwin. I would get him to tell us about his adventures and how he developed his theory of evolution. Then I’d like to go on an adventure round the World with him and learn more about our natural environment.

Visit www.manchestersciencefestival for more details and to get your tickets for the events.

MFDF Awards: And the winner is...

The Manchester Food and Drink Awards took place last night and the winners are as follows:

1) Restaurant of the Year

WINNER: Ramsons, 18 Market Place, Ramsbottom, Bury, BL0 9HT

2) Chef of the Year

WINNER: Laurence Tottingham & Mary-Ellen McTague, Aumbry, Prestwich

3) Pub of the Year

WINNER: The Parlour, 66 Beech Road, Chorlton, M4 1LE

4) Bar of the Year 2011

WINNER: Electrik, 559 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 0AE

5) Newcomer of the Year 2011

WINNER: Cicchetti, Ground Floor, House of Fraser, Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2QG

6) Best Coffee Shop or Casual Dining

WINNER: The Chocolate Café, 2 Bolton Street, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9HX

7) Best Food and Drink Retail Outlet

WINNER: WH FROSTS THE BUTCHERS.

8) Best Wine List

WINNER: Harvey Nichols Second Floor Restaurant, 21 New Cathedral Street, Manchester, M1 1AD

9) Best Family Friendly Venue

WINNER: Croma

10) Manchester Food Hero Award

WINNER: Katie Brunt and Gastroclub

11) Truly Good Food

WINNER: Shlurp, 2 Brazenose House, Greater Manchester, Manchester M2 5BP

12) The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement

WINNER: Dimitri Griliopoulos

The Outstanding Achievement Award was renamed this year to commemorate two of the Festival's dear friends and supporters who sadly passed away this year - Howard Raynor of World Class Service and Ruth Cooper from Manchester City Council.

Win Tickets to a stunning concert by showing how beautiful our planet is

Manchester Science Festival presents the Polar live concerts on October 23rd at the RNCM, with stunning footage of the Arctic and Antarctic as the backdrop for a live performance by the Manchester Camerata.

"As Polar celebrates the beauty of our planet, we want to highlight the beauty of the natural world around us here in the North West. We're looking for your best photographs of the wildlife and landscapes of our region. Just send them to photos@polarconcert.com and the three best photos, chosen by the Polar and Manchester Science Festival teams will win a free ticket to the Polar concert."

Manchester Science Festival Director Natalie Ireland and Polar's Andrew Glester talk about Polar and what those fortunate to have got tickets can expect in this video

Polar Interview from RNCM Live on Vimeo.

The closing date is 5pm on Friday 19 October. Winners will be informed by 2pm on Saturday 22 October.
The entrant must include their name, address and contact details along with their photo to photos@polarconcert.com.
The judges’ decision is final.
The prize is as stated.
There is no cash alternative and it cannot be sold or transferred.
The prize does not include any costs such as travel and accommodation.

Where is the best food and drink in Manchester?

The Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards provide a benchmark for excellence in the hospitality industries throughout Greater Manchester. The Judges had some tough decisions to make this year, resulting in a very strong set of contenders in all categories.

And now you get a chance to have your say! Below we have a list of all shortlisted venues and now is the time to tell the Judges which is your favourite.

You can vote via the Manchester Food and Drink festival website

The Gala Dinner and Awards ceremony will be held on October 17 at The Lowry Hotel Manchester where the award winners will be announced.

You can only vote once, so make yours count!

Voting Closes Monday 3rd October at 12pm.

The nominations are…

Restaurant of the Year

Damson
113 Heaton Moor Road, Stockport, SK4 4HY
Michael Caines Restaurant at Abode Manchester
107 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2DB
The Mark Addy
Stanley Street, Salford, M3 5EJ
Ramsons18
Market Place, Ramsbottom, Bury, BL0 9HT
Gaucho
2A St Marys Street, Manchester, M3 2LB
Harvey Nichols Second Floor Restaurant
21 New Cathedral Street, Manchester, M1 1AD

Best Bar

Black Dog Ballroom
Corner of Tib Street/Church Street, Manchester, M4 1PW
The Alchemist
3 Hardman Street, Spinningfields, Manchester, M4 1PW
Electrik
559 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 0AE
The Molly House
26 Richmond Street, Manchester M1 3NB
Port Street Beer House
39-41 Port Street, Manchesterm, M1 2EQ
The River Bar, Lowry Hotel
50 Dearmans Place, Salford, M3 5LH

Best Newcomer
Australasia
1 The Avenue, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3AP
Bistro 1847
58 Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3HZ
Cicchetti
Ground Floor, House of Fraser, Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2QG
Port Street Beer House
39-41 Port Street, Manchester, M1 2EQ
The Rose Garden
218, Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2LW
Vertigo
36 John Dalton, Street, Manchester, M2 6LE

Chef of the Year

Bryn Evans Rhubarb
Laurence Tottingham & Mary-Ellen McTague Aumbry
Ian Armstrong Vertigo
Robert Owen Brown Mark Addy
Pete Taylor Room
Stuart Thomson Harvey Nichols Second Floor Restaurant and Brasserie

Best Pub

Bar Fringe
8 Swan Street, Manchester, M4 5JN
The Castle Hotel
66, Oldham Street, Manchester M4 1LE
The Angel Pub
6 Angel Street, Manchester. M4 4BQ
The Briton's Protection
50 Great Bridgewater Street, Manchester, M1 5LE
The Nursery Inn
258 Green Lane, Heaton Norris, Stockport, Sk4 2NA
The Parlour
66, Beech Road, Chorlton, M4 1LE

Best Coffee Shop or Casual Dining Venue

The Chocolate Cafe
2 Bolton Street, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9HX
Jack Spratt
St James House, John Dalton Street, Manchester, M2 6WH
Kebabish
49, Hilton Street, Manchester, M1 2EF
North Tea Power
36 Tib Street, Manchester, M4 1LA
Tampopo
16 Albert Square, Manchester, M2 5PF
Teacup on Thomas Street
55 Thomas Street, Manchester, M4 1NA

Best Food and Drink Retail Outlet

Barbakan Delicatessen
67-71 Manchester Road, Chorlton cum Hardy, M21 9PW
Bradley's Bakery
225 King's ROad, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 9EE
The Cheese Place
Unit 6, Radius Building, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 1AY
J.A. Hyman (Titanics)
123-129 Waterloo Road, Cheetham, Manchester, M8 8BT
Out of the Blue
484 Wilbraham Road, Manchester, M21 9AQ
W.H. Frosts Butchers
14 Chorlton Place, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 9AQ
Best Wine List

Evuna
277-279 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4EW
Harvey Nichols Second Floor Restaurant
21 New Cathedral Street, Manchester, M1 1AD
Gaucho
2A St Marys Street, Manchester, M3 2LB
Michael Caines Restaurant at Abode Manchester
107 Picadilly, Manchester, M1 2DB
Ramsons
16-18 Market Place, Ramsbottom, Bury, BL0 9HT
The River Bar and Restaurant, The Lowry Hotel
50 Dearmans Place, Salford, M3 5LH

You can vote via the Manchester Food and Drink festival website

Manchester Tourism Awards 2011

The winners of the Manchester Tourism Awards 2011 are:

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year: The Fusilier Museum
The mystery shoppers reported that the venue and staff went way beyond expectation and they were extremely impressed with both the museum and every member of staff they came into contact with. The judges loved the workshops which bring the museum to life and the military precision in cleanliness and the way the museum is set out.

Large Tourism Retailer of the Year: The Trafford Centre
An outstanding application, The Trafford Centre continues to go from strength to strength. The centre has exemplary staff training and environmental policies, and has delivered some really innovative marketing activities over the last 12 months. Customer satisfaction levels have risen to an impressive 91% in 2010 and a continued investment of £50 million is planned over the next few years.

Outstanding Customer Service Award: Sherman Willian, The Lowry Hotel
Sherman is an excellent ambassador for the Manchester hospitality industry. He has won The Lowry Hotel's employee of the year award every year since he started in 2007 and the endorsements from his colleagues and friends are really heartfelt, describing Sherman as 'a real star'.

Independent Retailer of the Year: Manchester Craft and Design Centre
The Craft and Design Centre is a distinctive venue, offering a unique shopping experience to visitors to Manchester. The centre works as a great ambassador for Manchester and promotes the work of local craftspeople outside of the region.

Small Tourism Event of the Year: Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair
The biggest craft fair in the North is improving year on year. The event has a great volunteer programme and the levels of customer service are highly praised by the visitors to the fair. The team take part in lots of joint marketing with other galleries, museums and hotels and is really engaged into the wider offering.

B&B of the Year: Meadowcroft Barn B&B
Kath has put her heart and soul into Meadowcroft Barn and her passion for the business shines through. The facilities are in pristine condition and the commitment to using local produce is commendable. Meadowcroft Barn has achieved 5* Gold VisitBritain rating - a phenomenal achievement for a business that has been open for just 18 months.

Serviced Apartments of the Year: SACO Manchester
The clean, spacious and up-to-date accommodation was a real hit with the mystery shoppers. The judges praised their involvement in local partnership activities and the training that staff take part in. They also cater very well for guests with disabilities.

Tourism Marketing Campaign of the Year: The Manchester Weekender
The joint collaboration between the museums and galleries to deliver The Manchester Weekender was very popular with the judges. The design creative, national advertising campaign and use of social media created a fresh, innovative campaign which shows promise for the future.

Tourism Restaurant of the Year: Michael Caines Restaurant
The judges praised the grazing menus' dishes and presentation of the food and also commented that and the service, décor and furnishings were all superb. Michael Caines reputation is second to none, and he is a great name to be associated with dining in Manchester.

Best Night Out: Taurus Bar
Located in the heart of the Gay Village, Taurus Bar is where the community meet. Enjoyed by all ages, genders and orientations; it is a melting pot of those who share a mindset. A relaxed atmosphere with excellent food & drink, Taurus is the place to convene.

Large Tourism Event of the Year: Manchester Christmas Markets 2010
The growth of the Christmas Markets over the last few years has led them to become a outstanding retail experience in Manchester, attracting national and international visitors to the city. There is real pride in what the Christmas Markets has achieved and the team have a future vision to where they are going with lots of plans to make the markets bigger and better year on year.

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year: MOSI (The Museum of Science & Industry)
MOSI is very popular attraction with a great standard of fixed exhibits and special exhibitions. There is an understanding of what people want to see in a museum and how they want to be entertained. The mystery shoppers were impressed by the enthusiasm and knowledge of the staff and had a very enjoyable and informed visit.

Business Tourism Award: The Lowry Hotel
The judges couldn't find fault with their approach to business tourism. The hotel has a strong ethos of treating all business tourism customers as individuals with a personal approach to service. The hotel has a first class reputation for food and accommodation and should also now be recognised as a premier business tourism venue.

Hotel of the Year: Mint Hotel Manchester
The service and room standards are exceptional for the price and the food was of high quality. The staff were particularly praised by the judges as being very helpful and nothing was too much trouble. The hotel is committed to building local partnerships and is a well established, quality hotel in Manchester.

Top Ten Things to do in Manchester this week

Weatherwise, it's going to be a scorcher and there's plenty to do, as always in this great city of ours. 2 festivals, comedy theatre, free music...

The Manchester10 iPhone app gives you the top ten things to do in Manchester each week direct to your phone for free.

1. There are two performances of The Boy With Tape on his Face on Monday 26th at the Lowry. Don't miss it.

2. Nominated for the Manchester Tourism Awards, the New Manchester Walks cover all aspects of the city. Check their calendar to see what's on when. Take note: it's going to be hot and sunny this week...

3. Dodgy are doing a free gig at Band on the Wall on Friday 30th September...If it's good enough for them...

4. Do not miss out. Take a look at the stunning line-up for this year’s Manchester Science Festival which includes Prof Brian Cox (now SOLD OUT), Polar and BBC’s Bang Goes the Theory. Get your tickets now, the festival takes place Oct 22-30.

5. Christopher Marlowe’s Edward II is now playing at the Royal Exchange

6. It's a great week for musicals with Grease at the Palace Theatre and Sister Act at the Opera House

7. If you're one of the new students recently arrived in town, you might not yet know about Odd, Odder and Oddest. You should.

8. Peter Kay is performing 20 shows at the MEN Arena

9. Didsbury Arts Festival is on this week including an exhibition from Willie Runte at Gusto

10. The Asia Triennial starts on October 1st and includes Dark Matters at the Whitworth

THE MANCHESTER WEEKENDER 2011

With six of the city’s festivals including an art triennial happening, the opening of high-profile art exhibitions and the start of the city’s music and theatre seasons, Manchester in October has always been culturally rich. To showcase this, the city’s ambitious festivals and cultural institutions collaborate on a full weekend’s worth of extra special events, resulting in three days of constant cultural celebration hand-picked by Creative Tourist. It’s all about engaging conversations, big questions, daring performances, secret places and cool spaces.

These are some of the highlights from a full programme of more than 70 events, ranging from exhibitions, talks, workshops, performances, walking tours, boat trips, cycle rides and screenings:

The Manchester Weekender 2011 launches with a decadent evening of cabaret and cocktails at the opening of Adolphe Valette: A Pioneer of Impressionism in Manchester at The Lowry with music from the divine Swing out Sister. Corinne Drewery and Andy Connell will serenade the city with a selection of songs from iconic Mancunian bands including Joy Division, The Smiths, and New Order, all performed with a glamorous French twist. Speaking of The Smiths, erstwhile drummer Mike Joyce is curating an intimate night of the finest indie music talent at Ruby Lounge. Performances take place under a pavilion of light, the first of a series of installations that will be produced in collaboration between CUBE gallery and the Manchester School of Architecture.

Closing The Manchester Weekender this year is an in-conversation with Jarvis Cocker - one of the most iconic performers of the last twenty years.

There’s a literature-music mash-up of the highest order with Manchester Literature Festival’s Portrait of Music and Words at the RNCM and the ever-popular Whitworth After Hours has invited photographic collective BlackLab to respond to its Dark Matters exhibition. Watch as images collide and collude with film, soundscapes, slogans and texts.

Check out the homespun folk and grassroots jazz performed by local chanteuse Liz Green (and enjoy retro high tea at the same time.) From the intimate and acoustic to the grander in scale: Manchester Cathedral will echo to the voices of cloistered nuns, as Sarah Dunant and early music group Musica Secreta present a semi-dramatised version of Dunant’s novel Sacred Hearts for Manchester Literature Festival.

Be transported to a different place entirely with The Beating Wing Orchestra, a Manchester based international music collective that includes musicians from refugee and migrant backgrounds.

On Saturday, cult theatre company and award-winning comedy duo LipService are guides on The Hysterical Historical Tour, a live promenade theatre piece commissioned for The Weekender. Elsewhere, Weekender walking tours are designed to show the city in a new light. At Debenhams and the Royal Exchange, Primitive Streak will be shown, a provocative collection that tells the story of the first 1000 hours of human life.

There’s a chance to drift lazily down the Irwell on A Taste of Modern History’s foodie boat cruises with local chef Robert Owen Brown, part of the Manchester Food & Drink Festival. There’s a family day cruise from the museums of Castlefield to The Quays, and an evening cruise with a three-course meal.

The Weekender has plenty on offer for kids, with family-friendly workshops, performances and readings galore. Children’s author Tom Palmer will be reading from his new novel Scrum! at MediaCityUK on Sunday, with support from Rugby League team Sale Sharks and the BBC Sports broadcasting team. There’s also a rugby-themed quiz and drop-kick contest. T

The Weekender has also teamed up with the Family Friendly Film Club for a special screening of Studio Ghibli’s anime classic Howl’s Moving Castle (Cert. U) in the spooky gothic surroundings of John Rylands Library and there’s something for all ages at the Manchester Museum’s Urban Harvest, part of Manchester Food & Drink Festival.

For a full schedule complete with booking information and ideas about where to eat, sleep and chill in Manchester, visit creativetourist.com

Statement from greenroom

It is with great sadness that we bring you the following statement from greenroom:

Statement from greenroom

Following the recent disappointing news that greenroom is not part of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio for 2012/13 onwards, the Board has made a decision that greenroom, Manchester, will close to the public at the end of May this year.

We would like to have continued but are unable to do this without confirmed funding or alternative income going forward.

greenroom, since its inception, has been at the forefront of discovering and pioneering Manchester, national and international ‘firsts’. We have been consistently committed to developing and presenting new and experimental performance, and more recently supporting and enabling artists at the start of their careers to be innovative, take risks and experiment with new ideas.

Our aim is to ensure that this important work continues through other organisations and individual artists/ artist companies, producers and promoters.

We are working with the Arts Council to provide information for people interested in the future production of this work and this will be available shortly on request by emailing enquiries@artscouncil.org.uk

It is with regret that we find ourselves in this situation almost 25 years since the venue opened , and would like to extend our thanks to all of you who have recently sent us words of support. To view or add to these comments, please visit greenroomarts.tumblr.com

We would like to thank our long-standing funders: Arts Council England, AGMA and Manchester City Council, who have shown a significant commitment in supporting greenroom.

The current Board and staff feel proud and privileged to have been part of greenroom; and we’d like to thank everyone – including artists, audiences and partners – who have contributed to its rich history, and particularly to those who have at some point called greenroom ‘home’.

Further enquiries:
0161 615 0500
info@greenroomarts.org

Tourism Strategy Released

"An action plan to help the British tourism industry achieve its potential as part of Britain’s growth strategy has been unveiled by Tourism Minister John Penrose.

The strategy aims to exploit the opportunities of next year’s Olympics and Diamond Jubilee to help attract an extra four million overseas visitors over the next four years, bringing in an extra £2 billion of spending and creating thousands of jobs.

Proposals include simplifying the process of getting tourist visas, helping to improve staff skills in the tourism sector and consulting on whether to lengthen the tourism season by moving the May Day bank holiday."

Read more on the DCMS website

Howard Raynor to be remembered at the Bridgewater Hall

Howard Raynor and his extraordinary life will be celebrated at the Bridgewater Hall on Friday April 1st at 11am. Friends, colleagues and family will join together to remember Howard in the venue where he made his name in the city he loved.

During the first 5 years of World Class Service, so many of you will have got to know Howard, either directly or through one of our many projects. The celebration at the Hall is open to anyone who would like to join us to remember him.

If you would like to attend, please get in touch

Manchester Core Strategy 2012-27 available now

The Core Strategy is the key document in Manchester's Local Development Framework and covers a period of 15 years from 2012 to 2027. It describes Manchester today and outlines the council's vision for Manchester in 2027 along with the planning policies which will be used to deliver that vision.

You can view and comment on it here