Thursday, 29 May 2008

Live Music

I went to see a band last week called Blues and Beyond. They are a live 4 peice band who play a really good set! I saw them in a local pub and they were brilliant. The musicians were top notch, very competant and i really enjoyed the music. They had a definite bluesy feel to them, with a nice topping of rock and roll to round things off, playing songs by artists like Cream, Derek and the Dominoes and Albert King!

They are playing again this friday at the Garricks Head near Urmston from 9.30pm, check them out if you have a chance!

I must say it was refreshing to see a band that was doing something a little bit different for a change. Im getting really bored of all these silly so called indie bands who look the same and sound the same, come on its not great when there are 3 million bands whose names all begin with "the" and who attempt play bloody good quality instruments and fail miserably! This band were not about image, it was clear that this band were all about the music and that was visible throughout. These guys felt the music, and that is what it is all about!!

Highly recommended 11/10 from me!!

A bit of respect to another Mancunian!

It makes a nice change for our fellow Mancunians to be in the press for good reasons! And we seem to be on a roll!!

First we had United winning the championship, then Ricky Hatton winning his come back fight and now......(drum roll please)

GEORGE SAMPSON!!!!!!!!!

Anyone who is a frequent visitor to Manchester at the weekends will know George, he is a 15 year old lad who dances in the middle of Market Street in the city centre every Saturday. He does break dancing and is normally wearing a red jump suit!

Last year he auditioned for the reality TV show Britains Got Talent which finds an act to perform at the Royal Variety Performance in front of The Royal Family. Unfortunately, he didnt get through to the semi finals. He was told by the judges to come back this year which he did and got through to the semi finals!!!! But wait....

On Wednesday night he performed an amazingly brilliant routine in front of a live audience and millions of viewers. The public voted for him to be put through to the live final on saturday night!!!!! The final takes place on saturday night and is shown live on ITV1. You can phone on the night to vote for him to win.

GET BEHIND THE LAD!!!!!!

GO GEORGE!!!!!!

The Trafford Centre

I thought it was about time I gave all of you "TC Virgins" the heads up on what you are missing out on!!

Firstly there is the endless amounts of shops!! Everything from the Apple store to the Early Learning Centre, Debenhams to DKNY and so very much more!

There is a Creche and Play area for kids to go to whilst you are free to shop in peace! For people with babies there are plenty of baby changing facilities and there is also a breast feeding area.

The new Barton Square is now open which is exclusively for the home section. Here you will find furniture, electricals and anything else you might need for your home! It is also home to the largest Marks and Spencer Home department in the UK, that cant be bad!!

For entertainment, there is always something going on. At the moment there is the Viva Italia festival taking place, which rolls Italian fashion, food, design and passion for life into a fab festival. There are cooking classes, fashion shows and Italian films being shown.

There is also the Odeon cinema if after a long day of shopping til youre dropping you fancy watching one of the weeks new releases at the cinema!

For more activities you will find Laser Quest which is fun for all the family!!!

If youre feeling peckish, you can grab a bite to eat at the usual haunts of McDonalds and Subway or you can dine in a restaurant such as Barburrito a lovely mexican or RICE an oriental experience to name a few!

This place is so huge you will need at least a day if not more, but it is a good place to bring the family as there is something for everyone and all ages. It is easy to get to from Manchester City Centre and has plenty of parking if you want to drive!

Give it a go!!

More Random bits...

Chris Rock heads back to the Manchester Apollo on Friday night for an eveing of no holds barred comedy. You might be able to get last minute tickets by calling the Apollo box office.

Thers a new club in Deansgate called Club V. Its a basement venue and claims to be the citys first boutique superclub. Its open on Friday and Saturday night and plays Ibizia kind of tunes!

Check out Rock @ the Ruby Lounge. Its a slice of primitive rock ' n ' roll for all you rockers!!

For a taste of Africa, check out Afrika! Afrika! which is showing at the Trafford Centre from July 23rd 2008. You can get tickets online or from the MEN arena box office. The show is a mixed bag, a circus, artists, dancers and singers from 17 African nations. The show is famous for its dance, theatricals, acrobatics and athleticism.

Thats your lot for now!!

Tuesday, 27 May 2008

Bits and Bobs...

I always like to give you a quick heads up on the more random things going on that I’ve heard about, and now it is that time again!!

Starting of with some music, The Foo Fighters are playing at The City of Manchester Stadium on June 2nd. There are still tickets available for both seating and the general admission (standing) areas. Tickets are roughly £45.00.

Tina Turner (legend!!) has also announced a tour for the beginning of next year and will be doing two shows in Manchester on the 30th and 31st of March 2009.

Coldplay have announced two dates that they will be playing later in the year at the M.E.N Arena on the 11th and 12th December before heading to the O2 arena in London to finish their tour. Tickets go on sale at 9.30am on Friday 30th May.

Next up. GO ON THE LAD!!!! Big congrats to our very own Ricky Hatton who defeated Juan Lazcano on Saturday night in a tremendous boxing match in front of his home crowd at the City of Manchester Stadium . Its good to be Mancunian!!

Of course the brand new Indiana Jones film was released last week if you fancy going to the flicks.

I also discovered this weekend that there is a new Manchester radio station dedicated to classic rock. There are advertisements all around the city for “ Manchester ’s New Classic Rock Station.” I haven’t had a chance to listen myself yet, but I have heard from others that’s its pretty bang on! The names advertised such as Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and many more!!! You can find it at 106.1 FM or listen online!

Another Idea for Half Term..

Another idea for a great hands on half term day out for the kids.

The Horrible Histories First World War exhibition is on at the Imperial War Museum North.

Marking the 90 Year anniversary of the end of The First World War, the show is based on a book from the Horrible Histories collection by Terry Deary. The books are very well known to young people, they offer an alternative way to learn about history, using the gory bits, the gross bits and making them fun to learn!

This exhibition is ideal for younger visitors. You can discover, see, smell, explore, hear and learn!! There is all sorts to do and see such as follow beetle racing, you can smell a battlefield latrine and learn why the words “never again” must never be forgotten. You will also discover how the enemies would call a treaty and enjoy a game of footie, hear ropey rhymes and war songs and see what clothing was worn and what it felt like.

The show runs from 24/05/08 right up until 18/01/09 and is FREE to all!!

Ideas for Half Term.....


It is half term this week, and if you want to do something that is fun and educational then this is a great day out for the family.

Gunther Von Hagens world famous Body Works is back for the fourth time. Exhibiting real human bodies at the Museum of Science and Industry in the centre of Manchester .

There are over 200 authentic specimens on show, both individual organs and whole bodies which have been preserved by the ground breaking system of Plastination. Von Hagen invented this system himself in 1977. It preserves the body by removing all bodily fluids and fats etc and replaces them with a vacuum system in order to preserve them. The Exhibition shows an emphasis on sports exercises.

As well as the exhibition itself there are lectures, workshops and school classroom activities available exploring issues such as healthy living, anatomy and the ethics of Plastination.

Ticket Prices for Kids are £7+
Adults £10 +
Group tickets are also available for groups of over 4 people.

You can also opt for an audio tour for the small price of £3.00, which talks you through the exhibition in detail as you walk around it.

The exhibition runs until 29/06/08 and it is open until 5pm on most weeknights and 9pm at weekends.

Please note: As this exhibition shows genuine bodies and body parts it is advisable to think carefully before bringing very young children.

For more info you can check out www.msim.org.uk.

Thursday, 22 May 2008

A bit of sport for a change...

I have to say i'm not the worlds biggest sports fan but when it comes to supporting your city, thats a little different!

Firstly, COME ON YOU REDS!!!!!!!!!! As the whole world knows by now, Manchester United won the Champions League on Wednesday night after beating Chelsea in an exciting match in the pouring rain in Moscow. What an exciting finish! And come on, any United fan who says didnt have a smirk on their face when John Terry missed, and then started blubbing is lying! It was classic! A perfect end to our victory!

Speaking of hometown glory, on Saturday 24th May Manchesters own hero Ricky Hatton or "Ricky Fatton" as he is known to the worlds press is fighting against Juan Lazcano in his homecoming fight. He has a lot to prove, although not to his legion of loyal fans, after his defeat in Las Vegas against Floyd Mayweather earlier this year. Where better to celebrate his comeback fight than in his beloved Manchester Citys Football grounds. In front of roughly 55,000 spectators, fingers crossed Ricky will proove why we all love and support him!

There are still tickets available for Rickys homecoming fight, ticket prices range from £35.00 all the way to £500!! If you cant get tickets most of the pubs in and around Manchester will no doubt be showing the fight, which starts at 7.30pm. And if you dont fancy watching it in the company of many over excited mancunians you can watch it on Sky Box Office channel 755!!!

Thats enough of that for now!!!