Homobloc, one of the biggest nightlife celebrations of the LGBTQ+ scene in Manchester, returns to Depot Mayfield on Saturday, September 26. The event will feature performances from Honey Dijon, Kim Petras, Cobrah, DJ Fat Tony, and Horse Meat Disco, alongside a Hacienda celebration marking the 35th anniversary of Manchester's pioneering LGBTQ+ club night FLESH, with Kath McDermott, Tim Lennox, Guy Williams, Mike Hux, DJ Paulette and Adeva all set to appear. The event runs from 5pm to 4am, with tickets from £44.45.
Sankeys kicks off Autumn/Winter season
Sankeys will kick off its Autumn/Winter season with a big opening party on Saturday. The revamped 500-capacity space will feature appearances from the likes of Low Steppa, Pirate Copy, and Mike Morrisey B2B Luca606. It will also be a chance to experience the new clandestine 'Room 2', designed for raw and intimate sets, as well as the expanded Room 1 with a new signature LED matrix. The venue continues on the strict no-VIP, no-phones policy it launched with last season.
Yangzhou Scholars' Garden opens at RHS Bridgewater
Over in Salford, RHS Garden Bridgewater will be opening its new Yangzhou Scholars' Garden this weekend. Over eight years in the making, it is the centrepiece of the seven-acre Chinese Streamside Garden, which is the largest and most comprehensive classical Chinese garden in Europe. Designed by Chinese landscape architects, it will feature over 200 trees and shrubs, as well as a six-metre-tall Ginkgo biloba, conveying messages of good luck, health and happiness. Over the weekend, there will be family-friendly activities to mark its arrival including a traditional Chinese lion dance, lantern-making workshops, storytelling sessions, live music, and guided tours.
Medieval Faire and Gaia installation
The Manchester Medieval Faire will be returning on Saturday, taking up residency in the city's Medieval Quarter. There will be food, drink and craft stalls, birds of prey demonstrations, shield decoration workshops, live reenactors, and music from the Manchester Troubadours, as well as the chance to partake in walking tours. There will be a chance to take part in a tour (£8.50) of the Chetham's Library, which is the oldest public library in the English-speaking world. The John Rylands Library will also host drop-in sessions.
It is the last weekend to see Luke Jerram's seven-metre floating earth installation before it ends its run at Trafford Palazzo on October 2. Backed by an immersive surround-sound score by composer Dan Jones, the NASA-detailed 'Gaia' artwork is all created to evoke the feeling when astronauts look down on Earth from Space. Visitors can also stop by other nearby attractions, shops and cafes while there.
