SPRING 2018
14
STING IS BACK
The music legend returns to his Northern roots
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A - FA M I LY L E T T E R A s always, issue fourteen is filled with the best of Manchester, but if you still need convincing then music legend Sting is quite literally singing the North’s praises with his new musical, The Last Ship, inspired by his Northern upbringing (page 49). Now, you can’t really argue with Sting, can you?
Because 2018 marks one hundred years since some women won the right to vote in the UK, we wanted to celebrate this - but with an MCR twist, of course. Our spring issue sees us chat to some of Manchester’s very own wonder women (page 14), and fashion blogger, Sophia Rosemary along with her boyfriend, Blossoms’ drummer, Joe Donovan (page 34). We’re not fans of all that couple goals nonsense, but we think it’s safe to say that these two are Manchester’s new power couple. Oh, and make sure you get some serious holiday outfit inspo from our gorgeous ‘Mystic Muse’ editorial with Next (page 20). Have an amazing spring! Much love,
@Amagazineuk
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84
20
97
6 FASHION & BEAUTY
A-MAGAZINE 1. A-Family Letter 4. A-Family
12. Top Ten at Coggles
93. Join the A-Family
20. Mystic Muse with Next 28. Style Her
MANCHESTER
30. Spring Beauty Essentials
6. MCR Social
32. Spring Trends
10. A Weekend Escape
42. Style Him
14. MCR’s Women of the
46. The Grooming Guide
Year
54. North West Audio Show
LIFESTYLE
88. Umbrella Ball 2018
56. Cool Tech
90. What’s On?
57. Simba
58. Colour of the Year
INTERVIEWS
71. Just for Kids
34. MCR’s New Power Couple
FOOD & DRINK
49. Sting is Back
62. Let’s Eat Manchester
96. 5 Minutes with Calum Scott
66. Comptoir Libanais’
A-BUSINESS
70. Spring Smoothies
Accountant?’
A-TRAVELS
Recipes
60. ‘Do I Need An
WIN
97. Artisan 2 | A-MAGAZINE
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74. A Texas Adventure
80. Chamonix Mont-Blanc 84. The Langham London
UMBRELLA BALL 2018
Join Manchester’s famous faces and successful businesses for a fun night of celebration and connection
07.07.18
6.30pm – Late RADISSON BLU EDWARDIAN MANCHESTER
Ticket includes
On the night
CHAMPAGNE RECEPTION
CELEBRITY HOST & GUESTS
THREE-COURSE MEAL
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UMBRELLA BALL
A-MAGAZINE| 3
THE A-FAMILY This spring, we ask the A-Family: if you were a film, which film would you be?
SPECIAL THANKS EDITORIALS
Narita Savoor Jade Kewley Ella Palmer Matt Jones
Chester Lilley Isobel Hinks
OLIVER LILLEY
Akash Khadka
Leila Milne
CONTENT
Editor
BETHANY LEE
Content Writer
DANI CORBETT
“I’d say I’m more of a box set - I take a while to get into.”
“Inception - like me, it thinks it’s a lot smarter than it really is.”
“Rocky! Like all good underdog stories, I’m stubborn, tenacious and full of heart.”
DR. MARTENS Men’s 101 Straw Lace Up Boots
‘Make Someone Happy’ by Emily Coxhead
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Round-Frame Gold-Tone Sunglasses
RICHARD LISTER
STEVEN SPENCER
LOUISE MCCANN
“I’d be Sex and The City 2 because it’s flamboyant and fabulous, but a bit of a disaster too.”
“My Best Friend’s Wedding. I’d like to think I’m Kimberly but I’m more Julianne; I always need my gay best friend to save me!”
Designer
Ash Howson
Ingrid Lisman Emily Ingram
Hannah Quirk
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“It would have to be Kes. For me, you never lose that part of you from where you were brought up and Kes represents that.”
SIMON CARTER Laser Etched Honeybee Cufflink
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Stylist
HOLIDAY BOILEAU Printed Sweatshirt
Makeup Artist
MASTERS OF MAYFAIR The Sleep Mask Luxe
A L L
D A Y
D I N I N G
From
D A W N
T O
D U S K
Beat hunger with our delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings. Theatre served from 9am - 11pm. | Until 10pm on Sunday.
1 NEW YORK STREET | MANCHESTER | M1 4HD T E L 0 1 6 1 2 2 8 3 8 5 6 | N E W YO R K S T @ T H E A LC H E M I S T. U K . C O M | T H E A LC H E M I S T. U K . C O M
WONDER WOMEN 2018
creativetourist.com/event/ wonder-women/
Dubbed the ‘Year of the Woman’, 2018 marks 100 years since some women first won the right to vote in the UK. In celebration of this, Manchester’s feminist festival ‘Wonder Women’ is going all out with tours, debates, exhibitions, screenings and performances happening all over the city that celebrate women the world over.
MCR SOCIAL The best of Manchester this spring
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FJÄLLRÄVEN
15-17 Old Bank Street, M2 7PE 0161 819 2001 fjallraven.co.uk/ thesportinglodge. co.uk/products/brands/fjallraven/ Like us, Fjällräven think Manchester is dead good (we’re sure that’s exactly how the Swedish clothing brand put it), choosing MCR as the location for the UK’s first-ever Fjällräven shop. Selling cool clothes that’ll protect you from the elements, our rainy reputation might have had something to do with Fjällräven’s choice. Regardless, we’ll be looking fly in the face of April showers – thanks guys!
MANCHESTER DUCK RACE 2018 brainwave.org.uk/Event/2018manchester-duck-race
Now in its ninth year, Manchester Duck Race sees Mancs flock to watch 5,000 rubber ducks bobbing along the River Irwell in aid of children’s charity Brainwave. Head down with your family for celebrity appearances, street food, fairground rides and children’s entertainment from 11am on 30 March and see the first ducks take to the water at 2pm. Make sure to purchase your duck online before the event.
NORTHERN VEGAN FESTIVAL
Manchester Central, Windmill Street, M2 3GX northernveganfestival.com/ A day of plant-based goodness is ripe for the picking this April. For just a fiver, browse 200 stalls, listen to inspirational talks, watch cooking demos, stretch it out with some yoga, or get stuck into some great vegan grub. Best of all, every penny of ticket money goes to animal welfare charities so get your good on and head to this festival.
ARCADIS GREAT CITYGAMES MANCHESTER greatcitygames.org/Manchester
Manchester’s city centre will be transformed into an urban arena for an epic weekend of sport. Deansgate will become the site of the Great City Games track where top athletes from all over the world compete before busy streets of Manc supporters.
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TOUR DE MANC tourdemanc.co.uk
Cycling fans far and wide are sure to be mad for this monster of a challenge. Spanning 103 miles over all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester, this year’s route will be the toughest (and best) yet, with around 8,700 ft. of climbing, free food and refreshment stations and plenty of incredible scenery along the way. Plus, there’s prizes available for those who show the most grit and determination – so grab your helmet and get going!
THE DAISY Smithfield Building, Tib Street, M4 1NB thedaisynq.com
Bored of working in packed-out
cafes and tired libraries? Then look no further than The Daisy as a fresh site for your daily grind. Located at the heart of Manchester’s creative Northern Quarter, with free coffee and artisan cocktails galore, this luxurious membersonly venue is the perfect place to get it all done in style.
NEXT SUPERSTORE
Arndale Centre, 100 Corporation Street, M4 3AJ
NOTHING ALL AT ONCE
PLANT NOMA, Redfern, Dantzic Street, NOMA, M60 0AE. plantnoma.com neilgreenhalgh.com ‘Go big or go home’ was clearly the thinking behind the fabulous makeover of Manchester’s flagship Next store in the Arndale. Add a touch of luxury to your shopping experience thanks to Gino D’Acampo’s pizza and prosecco bar on the top floor of the store. Pop in for a bubbly pick-me-up that’s sure to make your shopping sesh a little merrier.
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Get arty at PLANT NOMA, courtesy of painter Neil Greenhalgh. A decade of his work will hang together before being completely erased and transformed into ‘Nothing All At Once’ – an immersive white corridor. Come for a dose of culture and a great coffee to boot. Viewing time is limited so get down to NOMA whilst there’s nothing left to see.
IMAX VR EXPERIENCE
ODEON, intu Trafford Centre, Stretford, M17 8DF 0333 006 7777 imaxvr.imax.com/locations/manchester
This is next-level virtual reality. The only experience of its kind in Europe, get ready to lose yourself in the game thanks to the most advanced VR headset and motion-tracking technology around. Grab your mates and take on an epic challenge: square up to Stormtroopers, make mincemeat out of zombies, or wipe out invaders. No light sabers or baseballs bats required.
GIN FESTIVAL MANCHESTER
Victoria Baths, Hathersage Road, Chorlton-on-Medlock, M13 0FE ginfestival.com/events/gin-festivalmanchester-2018-part-1 Calling all gin lovers, this is the place to become a to boss-level gin expert. Try gins from all over the globe, whilst enjoying live music and tucking into some great grub too. Become a gin nerd and meet gin distillers to quiz them about the spirit at one of the festival’s masterclasses. This is one gin session we’re definitely into.
BUNDOBUST
61 Piccadilly, M1 2AG. 0161 359 6757 Bringing the vibrant, spicy foods of India to MCR, Bundobust do Gujarat-inspired street food that’s served tapas-style with lots of small dishes that are ideal for sharing. It’s one of the few restaurants where veggies have just as much choice as meat-eaters. The winning combination of India and Manchester is best seen in Bundobust’s must-try ‘raghda pethis’: spicy mushy peas and potato cake, topped with turmeric noodles tomato, onion & tamarind chutney. The ‘egg bhurji’ – Indian scrambled egg cooked with peppers, chilli, cumin and coriander – was an unexpected A-Mag favourite. Make sure to wash down your Gujarat-feast with one of Bundobust’s great craft beers.
If you’d like to be featured in MCR Social, email info@amagazine.co.uk
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A Weekend Escape to Oddfellows On The Park
Best for
What
Inspired by a society for the ODD fellows – those who aren’t afraid to stand out from the crowd – this luxury boutique hotel is bursting with quirky character and is set in the gorgeous grounds of Bruntwood Park. Oddfellows restored Bruntwood Hall with its history in mind: playful décor nods to the building’s past with paintings of drinking ducks and a huge horse statue that echoes the Hall’s time as a private equestrian centre.
Where to eat
Named after the Hall’s second owner, the intimate Galloping Major restaurant is set in the Hall’s original ballroom: a beautiful room in which to tuck into some top-notch food and sip on one of Oddfellows’ great wines with your other half.
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The buzz
A kooky bunch ourselves, the A-Mag team headed to Oddfellows to see if we really felt like we were on a countryside break just nine miles away from Manchester’s city centre.
Couples looking to escape the city without actually having to leave the city at all. Get the beauty and relaxation of the Lakes without the long drive. Enjoy the fresh air with a stroll in Bruntwood Park, then jump in a taxi for the hustle and bustle of Cheadle high street or the buzzing bars of Alderley Edge. Make sure you save time for a roll around in The Pigsty too – Oddfellows’ salon and spa that is. Their cleansing mud treatment will revive your skin, leaving you glowing from head to toe.
What to order
Head Chef Ian Moss and his team mean serious business with Oddfellows’ signature sense of fun found in their seasonal dishes. Try their quirky take on risotto which replaces rice with squid, and the venison loin with hazelnut milk puree, Jerusalem artichokes, and wild mushrooms.
T H E V ER
DICT
Turns out yo ur luxury ‘c ountryside’ break is onl y ten minut es away th to Oddfello anks ws On The Park. We’re the stuffy an over d serious – Oddfellow prove that s you can get the grandeu a historic m r of ansion along with a sens of playfulne e ss and first -class servic too. We ca e n’t wait to check out th e next Oddfellow s venture! oddfellowso nthepark.co m
MCR NEWS INTERVIEWS FOOD & DRINK TRAVEL GUIDES FASHION RECIPES & more Manchester goodness at amagazine.co.uk
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GUCCI MEN’S FLIP TOP AVIATOR SUNGLASSES, £335
A-MAG’S TOP TEN
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ISABEL MARANT FACE SHORT DRESS, £640
AT
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remium fashion retailer Coggles takes it up a notch with its brand-new flagship store in Alderly Edge. Coggles’ General Manager, Marisa Strutt says “the store is absolutely an extension of our online site, Coggles.com,” so expect a whole lot more than just fashion with a handpicked selection of luxury menswear, womenswear, homeware and beauty brands on offer. Stars of the Coggles’ store include A-Mag favs, Helmut Lang, Christopher Kane, Acne Studios, Aesop and Tom Dixon. Coggles’ must-have buys are sure to add a touch of luxury to your home, wardrobe and beauty routine. Take a look at our Coggles top ten!
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HELMUT LANG MEN’S TECHNO JUNGLE JERSEY, £160
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AXEL ARIGATO CLEAN 90 EMBROIDERED LEATHER SNEAKERS, £170
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TOM DIXON ELEMENT SCENT CANDLE LARGE IN EARTH, £150
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SEE BY CHLOÉ WOMEN’S SUEDE SHOULDER BAG IN CHEEK, £360
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MCQ ALEXANDER MCQUEEN MEN’S BILLY FLORAL PRINT SHIRT, £250
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PERRICONE MD COLD PLASMA PLUS SERUM, £129 (30ML)
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GANNI WOMEN’S PASSION BIKER JACKET IN PINK, £535
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Y-3 SAIKOU TRAINERS, £330
Visit the store at 52 London Road, Alderley Edge, SK9 7EF, or shop online at coggles.com
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women MANCHESTER’S OF THE YEAR
2018 marks one hundred years since some women first won the right to vote in the UK, so A-Mag are celebrating women in our usual MCR way. We asked some of Manchester’s most successful women to share their thoughts about what being a woman in 2018 means to them.
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PROFESSOR FIONA DEVINE
Head, Alliance Manchester Business School
“2018 means choice. Women can choose many things we could not a hundred years ago, including the choice to vote. We can also choose to open a bank account or apply for a loan, work in the legal profession, claim equal pay for doing the same work as men, or serve on a jury; amazingly all things we could not have done 100 years ago.”
PAULETTE CONSTABLE
DJ, Reform Radio & Gaydio
“Being a woman in 2018 means using my voice, stepping up and stepping into my power, gender and sexuality with renewed confidence. It’s accepting who I am, being proud of what I do and have achieved and it is the positive reinforcement of everything my mother, sisters, friends and associates represent.” CARA WILLIAMS
Deputy CIO, Greater Manchester Combined Authority
“We deliver public good through our talent and creating space for innovation. The limitations placed upon us are that of legacy systems and thinking. The achievements of people in technology, from Ada Lovelace to Alan Turing know no bounds. They thought and acted beyond the barriers they faced and created something amazing. 2018 for me is another step on the developmental and transformational journey of digital in Greater Manchester…and I happen to be a woman.” DEEPA PAREKH Director, Manchester Hall “Being a woman in 2018 is of course exciting as people are waking up and recognising that women have been role models, inspirations and figureheads for generations, just like men. In business, I put my success down to valuable lessons from the greatest influencers of my life - my parents. Having succeeded in the world of football, media and hospitality, I have come to understand the importance of navigating all types of personalities in order to achieve the commercial goals of the organisation I represent irrespective of gender. It can only get better.”
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PHOTO: M20 Photography
ROSE MARLEY CEO, Sharp Futures “Being a woman in 2018 I believe is the same as for many of my male counterparts. I am full of hope and excitement for the future whilst apprehensive about the challenges presented by the complex world that lies ahead of us. I appear to be in a lucky minority. I’ve never had cause to declare #metoo, despite working in male dominated worlds from the music business to digital and tech, and my career has never been hampered by unequal pay or opportunity. So, my mission is to share this experience with all the diverse young people I know and work with them to help educate the next generation, that being equal as a woman, could actually become the norm.”
GILL THOMSON-WOOLLEY SALLY PENNI
Barrister at Law, Non-Exec Director & Founder of Women in the Law and Business UK
“Being a woman in 2018 means to me, more than having the right to vote, it means having rights and access to health care, access to education and access to funds. But being a woman in 2018 means understanding there is still a long way to go. For example, there are still huge gender pay gaps in industries, our boards and courts do not quite represent the diversity of society we serve. Above all, it means having the sense and feeling that women can be whatever they want to be. To me, it also means being a visible positive role model to other women. I hope the Pankhurst would approve of this.”
LOU CORDWELL MBE
CEO, magneticNorth
EMMA DEGG
Chief Executive, North West Business Leadership Team
“This is the best time ever to be a woman; we have more power and opportunity than our mothers and grandmothers - we stand on their shoulders. That is why we must keep striving for an even more equal, fair and just society - for our sons and daughters in turn.”
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“The remarkable sequence of events in 2017 – from Trump to Weinstein – have created an unprecedented spotlight on women that culminated in the condemnation of the infamous President’s Club event at the beginning of this year. All of this shapes what it means to be a woman in 2018. I think we have an unmissable opportunity, and a real responsibility, to collaborate and to leverage this momentum so we can redesign the mainstream view on what a fair and happy society looks like. This year is our chance to define a new normal.”
Managing Director, AKA North & AKA Scotland
“For me, being a woman in 2018 is extremely exciting. As a Managing Director within a global advertising agency, I have the pleasure of working with an amazing team of extremely talented people on some of the biggest entertainment brands in the world. Every day brings new challenges and I am very lucky to be inspired and empowered by an amazing group of women, from my group CEO, to my wife, mum and sister, who support me and give me the strength to constantly strive to achieve more.”
SEEMA MALHOTRA
Design Director, Forever Unique
“It’s 2018 and I can confidently say that I’ve never felt more empowered to be a woman. As a businesswoman with over 20 years’ experience in fashion, I’ve learnt to overcome the challenges faced with being heard in such a competitive industry. Today, more than ever, women are standing up for what they believe in and are finally being listened to. We’ve come a long way to strive for gender equality and there’s still a long way to go, but I’m proud we’ve got this far. I live by the mantra ‘empowered women empower women’ and that’s the exact message I choose to portray through my designs.”
JULIE WILSON Founder, Rule 5 PR “We are fortunate to live in a society where our gender does not, need not, define us. Gender roles have changed greatly over the years and today women, and men, have opportunities past generations were not afforded. Emmeline Pankhurst provided women with a voice and it’s a voice that continues to shout loudly through the achievements of so many others today. It’s a voice that is increasingly heard. We’re some way from achieving equality, but we have made progress. We should never stop striving for a fairer, more balanced world, for everyone.”
JENNIFER ATKINSON CEO, ITC Travel Group “For me it’s all about recognising and seizing the opportunities that life throws my way, encouraging the talent and unique qualities of those around me, recognising my limits and not being afraid to ask for help and support, and sharing and celebrating successes to inspire others.”
LIZ WHITELEY
Business Development Director, Methods
“2018 is being part of a gender balanced workforce in the tech industry. I had the freedom and confidence to take the leap to join Methods, a digital SME, and open a Manchester office to be part of the digital community. All my roots are in the North and I believe women are less afraid now than 10 years ago. The combination of being a mother of three and having a career is really important to me.”
LAURA SMART ACA CTA Director, KPMG “Battling the constraints and unconscious bias that we face as professional women, and in particular, combating the imposter syndrome that so many of us experience daily. Plus, acting as a role model in all aspects of my life whether that’s working in an office of over 1,000 people, as mum to two children, or supporting my local community.”
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ANGELA RAYNER
Shadow Secretary of State for Education & MP, Ashton-Under-Lyne
“Manchester has a long association with women’s equality campaigning. Many key local figures like Elizabeth Dean, Hannah Mitchell and Annie Kenney, were unusual as they were working class. Today the fight for equality goes on. The underrepresentation of women in boardrooms, the pay gap and the passive acceptance of misogynistic comments by President Trump show there is still a way to go. Being a woman in 2018 is about continuing that fight and my working-class Mancunian background makes me particularly determined.”
LISA TSE MBE
CEO, Sweet Mandarin JANINE SMITH
Head of Growth Services, Business Growth Hub
“I’m proud to be a woman in 2018 who is recognised for what I have achieved through working hard and always over-achieving through my teams regardless of my gender. At work, I truly don’t feel I receive positive or negative discrimination due to being female. Within society, there is still a huge way to go though.”
NICOLA GRAHAM Former
Specialist Child Abuse Detective & Director, Training Consultancy Company
“I recently retired from GMP in the post of Specialist Child Abuse Detective. Serving 30 years in a predominantly male environment, having to stand up for myself back in the early days of my career as a female was always a challenge. Being a female starting up a safeguarding consultancy business in 2018 has been easier. In this era, my experience has been that there are less barriers for women and more opportunities. Women in 2018 are given greater respect and better opportunities to make a difference.”
“Being the third generation of women restauranteurs, there is a sense of upholding standards and family tradition. Success is all relative, but in the food business it is about serving the customers to the highest standard with a friendly attitude. As a woman in a fast-moving business such as Sweet Mandarin it ensures you keep innovating, tests your patience, builds self-discipline and enduring persistence during the highs and the lows in the business journey. I’m honoured to be continuing the family legacy through our awardwinning restaurant, sauce brand and as a role model for other women. Running a business is hard and being a Chinese woman, you must do what you need to do to run your own race. My motto has always been: nothing is impossible.”
JO AHMED COLLETTE ROCHE
Chief of Staff, Manchester Airports Group
“Being a woman in business in 2018 feels empowering. Women are starting to stand proud, speak up and challenge the inconsistencies and inequalities in and out of the workplace. Furthermore, male leaders and partners are also ‘stepping up to the plate’ by supporting, opening doors and promoting more women - something I am lucky to have had first-hand experience of.”
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Partner in Global Employer Services, Deloitte
“From a business perspective, being a woman in 2018 to me means choice, opportunity and challenge without worrying about a glass ceiling and feeling valued as part of a diverse team, knowing that your opinion matters and your voice is heard.”
DIANE MODAHL CEO, Diane Modahl Sports Foundation “Manchester to me is a city of hope regardless of whether you are a minority or not, and the last thing we ever want to lose is hope. I am a woman, I am a mamma, I am winner. I am whatever I want to be.”
CHRISTINE CORT MD, Manchester
International Festival
“2018 will be an important year for women globally. I really admire the women who are speaking out about gender imbalance, the strength they are showing in supporting and empowering others. As Managing Director of MIF it’s so rewarding to see the women here thriving and supporting each other.”
GERALDINE RYAN
Head of Commercial Litigation & Manchester Office, Hill Dickinson LLP
“It is a tremendously exciting time to be a woman, the current level of debate around equality issues is unprecedented and I am encouraged to remember how far we have come since Edith Berthen - one of the first 10 women solicitors to qualify in 1927 who worked at my firm. She was a true trailblazer and the path to equality continues!”
GEMMA GORE
JENNIE JOHNSON MBE
“I think 2018 will be a year where women will be even more engaged, energised and resolute than ever before. Issues that were long ignored are finally coming to the surface, and women are beginning to speak up and use their voices and influence to demand real change.”
“Being a women in 2018 is exciting; a sea change is taking place that feels historic. Feminism is no longer a dirty word for most and we are finding our voice and strength as never before. We want to walk shoulder to shoulder with men, not as better, but certainly as equals.”
Director, We Are Indigo
Chief Executive, Kids Allowed
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Green Cropped Jumpsuit £65 Gold Tone Wooden Cluster Necklace £12.50 Natural Mini Circle Straw Bag £26
Sponsored by NEXT CREATIVE DIRECTOR Oliver Lilley PHOTOGRAPHER Narita Savoor narita-savoor.format.com MODEL Sofia from J’adore Models STYLIST Steven Spencer stevenspencerstyling.com wrappagency.com ASSISTANT STYLIST Leila Milne wrappagency.com MAKEUP & HAIR Louise McCann louisemccann.com ASSISTANT PHOTOGRAPHER Akash Khadka LOC ATION Comptoir Libanais, Manchester 20 | A-MAGAZINE
MYSTIC MUSE
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Berry Animal Print Scarf £12
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Red/White Stripe Jumpsuit £30 Monochrome Statement Jacquard Cardigan £40 Blue/Yellow Geometric Short Necklace £14
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Black Beaded Tassel Drop Earrings £10 Ochre Embroidered Top £34 Monochrome Spot Print Button Through Midi Skirt £28 White Baseball Trainers £25
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Berry Animal Print Scarf £12 Multi Stripe Fringe Hem Sweater £32 Multi Print Knot Midi Dress £38 Pale Pink Casual Bucket Bag £26 Gold Tone Cuff Bracelet £12
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Blush Brush Stroke Print Scarf £12 Navy Beaded Long Pendant Necklace £12.50 Navy Long Beaded Necklace £16 Ecru Bird Print Shirt £26 Aztec Cardigan £30
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Neutral Fringe Hem Sweater £30 Navy Long Beaded Necklace £16 Lilac Mini Lock Tote Bag £34 Yellow Lace Pencil Skirt £45 Neon Embroidered Socks Five Pack £12 Ivory High Pointed Courts £42
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Louboutin Beauty
Bring a pop of Louboutin’s iconic red shade to your latest makeup look thanks to this new addition to The Rouge Louboutin collection, Loubibelle Lip Beauty Oil, and let your eyes do the talking with Les Yeux Noirs Lash Amplifying Lacquer mascara. Head to Selfridges to pick up your new beauty favs!
Travel in Style
Ted Baker’s latest collection of antique-inspired luggage will have you begging for a trip to sunnier shores. Ditch your plain old baggage for this gorgeous dusky rose motif. Shop the collection at Selfridges.
Tie the Knot with French Connection
Say goodbye to puffy dresses and hello to a brand-new bridal look thanks to French Connection’s first ever bridal collection. With boho-inspired, romantic gowns, as well as a lace trouser and pussy-bow blouse combo, there’s something elegantly cool for every kind of bride and her bridesmaids too. Get shopping at the Royal Exchange.
Spring Glow
Get ready to expand your daily skincare routine - Lucia Magnani’s collection of beautifying goodies have arrived at Harvey Nichols, and we’re all over it. Combining the delicate beauty of nature with nourishing antioxidants, you’re sure to be glowing - even on those rainy Manchester mornings.
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1 GUCCI crystal, bead and felt brooch, £495. 2 GIAMBATTISTA VALLI bow-embellished silk-georgette midi dress, £1,685. 3 CHLOE double-breasted leather biker jacket, £3,220. 4 MONCLER stripe cotton sweater, £375. 5 CAMI NYC racer lace-trimmed silk-carmeuse camisole, £155. 6 CHLOE Rylee cut out woven leather knee boots, £1,849. 7 OSCAR DE LA RENTA embellished merino wool sweater, £1,490. 8 KENZO striped ribbed cotton-blend midi skirt, £260. 9 CHLOE ruffled printed silk mini dress, £2,615. 10 JIMMY CHOO Dhelie cat-eye rose gold-tone and acetate glasses, £335. 11 ISABEL MARANT nirvana gold-plated cuff, £180. 12 PRADA metallic-trimmed suede mules, £495. 13 MOTHER OF PEARL Corinne striped ribbed-knit sweater, £295.
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BENEFIT PRECISELY, MY BROW PENCIL £20 (0.08G) Craft effortlessly natural brows with a few strokes of this ultra-thin pencil – no one will ever know you’re faking it!
CLINIQUE PEPSTART EYE CREAM £22.50 (15ML) Rejuvenate your tired peepers with the cool touch of this magic wand. It’s like a good night’s sleep in a tube.
SOL DE JANEIRO BRAZILIAN CRUSH BODY FRAGRANCE MIST £18 (90ML) One spritz of this light and fruity fragrance, and you’ll be ready to take the beach with you.
FENTY BEAUTY MATCH STIX TRIO £46 (7G) Conceal, contour and shine with this featherlight trio, available in four incredible shades.
BOBBI BROWN CREAMY CONCEALER KIT £26 (5.9G) Need a quick fix? Camouflage your tricky blemishes with this dynamic duo of creamy concealer and pressed powder.
A-MAG’S SPRING BEAUTY ESSENTIALS ALL YOUR BEAUT Y MUST-HAVES
SPECTRUM FLAWLESS FINISH C03 £8.99 A must-have for any beauty buff - use the tapered tip to dust the finishing touches over your flawless features.
ESTÉE LAUDER DOUBLE WEAR STAYIN-PLACE MAKEUP SPF 10 £33.50 (10ML) Available in a huge range of shades with a mighty 24-hour lifespan, it’s no wonder this is the UK’s number 1 foundation.
CHANEL HYDRA BEAUTY CRÈME £51 (50ML) This intensely hydrating moisturiser is all you need to protect your skin from the tumultuous Manchester weather.
KAT VON D TATTOO LINER £16 (0.55ML) Create striking definition and devilish demure with this life-changing liner. Trust us, it’ll be your new best friend.
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SPRI NG MISSONI ALICE + OLIVIA CHANEL FENDI MICHAEL KORS THE ROW
CHASING RAINBOWS
MARC JACOBS
PLASTIC FANTASTIC
GUCCI GUCCI HALPERN
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BOOTY BAGS
SPARKLE AND SHINE
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TR ENDS Our favourite runway looks to upgrade your style this season
GIORGIO ARMANI
THOM BROWNE
BALENCIAGA PAUL SMITH MARTINE ROSE LOUIS VUITTON
EARN YOUR STRIPES
GUCCI PER GÖTESSON
HAWAII DREAMING
VIRGIL ABLOH
GIORGIO ARMANI
BIKER BOYS
THINK PINK
WHITE OUT
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PHOTOGRAPHER Richard Lister CREATIVE DIRECTOR Oliver Lilley MODELS Sophia Rosemary & Joe Donovan STYLIST Steven Spencer stevenspencerstyling.com wrappagency.com ASSISTANT STYLIST Jade Kewley wrappagency.com MAKEUP Louise McCann louisemccann.com HAIR Isobel Hinks Sassoon Salon Manchester ASSISTANT STYLIST Ella Palmer WRITER Bethany Lee Jewellery available @onie_jewelry’
Sophia: Vivetta lips & heels dress from Harvey Nichols. Joe: Balenciaga bleu-blanc jumper from Selfridges. Glasses stylist’s own.
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MANCHESTER’S NEW
POWER COUPLE We met up with fashion blogger Sophia Rosemary and drummer of indie hitmakers Blossoms, Joe Donovan, to talk love, music and, of course, MCR.
HOW DID YOU MEET? Sophia: I went to an Arctic Monkeys gig a few months before meeting Joe. We’re both from Stockport and I heard about this band from Stockport that were really good, so I went to check them out. Before I went, I put up a picture of my outfit saying ‘Off to see this amazing band tonight’. After the gig, Joe came up to me and I thought ‘God, what a friendly guy!’. We just hit it off. Joe: I went to the Arctic Monkeys gig a few months before our gig. Me and my mate Tom saw Sophia and I was like ‘Wow. She’s top, her’. I was dead sweaty, so I was like ‘I’m not gonna go speak to her’. We didn’t know her name, so she was known as Arctic Monkeys girl. When it came to the night of our gig, we were going through our [band’s] Instagram, then we saw Sophia’s photo and we were like ‘It’s Arctic Monkeys girl!’. After the gig, I went out to speak to my mum and saw Sophia. I’d just come off stage and I was like ‘I’m doing it!’. I said to her ‘We’re going next door if you want a drink?’. Sophia: And the rest is history…I mean it could have been something really embarrassing that we’d both gone to see. Joe: Britney Spears! Sophia: Little Mix. It’s not got as much credibility to it as Arctic Monkeys.
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Sophia: Joseph suit jacket and suit pants from Harvey Nichols. Malone backless leather shoes from Harvey Nichols. Joe: Gucci slim-stretch snake shirt and strand bee shoes from Harvey Nichols. Trousers stylist’s own.
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Joe: Kent & Curwen gold jacket, Dolce & Gabbana black shirt from Harvey Nichols. Sophia: Free People brightest star skirt, Alice & Olivia Pearl button shirt & Coach stripe bag from Harvey Nichols.
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR FIRST DATE. Sophia: Joe was late. Joe: I said, ‘Do you want to come for some drinks at Almost Famous?’, and Sophia went to the other Almost Famous. I didn’t realise there was two Almost Famouses. It was two hours later and Sophia was walking home, but it just so happened that her route home went past the other Almost Famous, so I think Sophia just thought ‘Oh, I’ll go in’. Sophia: I was cursing you all the way home, like ‘Screw you! I’m going home with cheesy chips’. Joe: So, then you ate your cheesy chips and met me and I was like ‘I’m so sorry!’. I was at a gig and my phone signal had gone. I was really panicking and then when I found out there are two Almost Famouses I was devastated. When I explained it to Sophia, thankfully, she understood. I thought I got forgiven really easily but I don’t get forgiven as easily anymore. My one big forgive had gone on the first date. [Laughs] It was quite bad. I am sorry Sophia. Sophia: You’re forgiven. Joe: Thanks….You met all my friends and everything dead quick. All my bandmates are from the same school. We were all born in the same hospital. We’re very loyal boys, Stockport boys. DO YOU HAVE ANY COUPLEY THINGS THAT YOU DO TOGETHER? Joe: We love a boxset! An Idiot Abroad. Sophia: Madmen. Joe: I reckon every couple watches boxsets. [Laughs]. Pretty generic. Sophia: We do like to go to a gig. Joe: And art gallery. Sophia: We like a fry-up. Joe: Hmm, a Stockport fry-up. WHAT’S THE BEST GIG YOU’VE BEEN TO TOGETHER? Joe: Father John Misty. Sophia: No, Liam Gallagher at the Ritz. Joe: But then Noel Gallagher at the Apollo
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LONDON AND MANCHESTER? Joe: I look forward to going to London, but I know that if I moved there I’d hate it. I love Manchester. There’s no better place. WHAT MAKES MANCHESTER SO SPECIAL? Sophia: The thing with Manchester is that it’s a people city. We’ve got amazing music culture and an amazing film culture, amazing bloggers [laughs]. It’s the vibrancy behind the city. Joe: For me, it’s the music scene. I think that’s a massive part of us doing so well as a band. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE PLACES IN MANCHESTER? Joe: I love Corbieres. Not on a Friday, because it’s too busy there. Sophia: I like Ezra & Gil on my own. It’s a proper ‘me time’ place to go. Get a poached egg on sourdough. Joe: How indie was that answer? Sophia: It wasn’t avocado! Joe: I’m more like - get me a bacon and sausage sarnie and I’ll eat it walking to the next place. IF YOU WERE TO HAVE THE SUPERPOWER OF BEING INVISIBLE IN MANCHESTER FOR A DAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Joe: I’d watch [Manchester] City’s training. Pep Guardiola - I’d go there and be like ‘What are you doing?’. Apparently, it’s dead secret. Sophia: I’d be really sly and go to all my mates’ and family’s houses and see what they’re doing. Joe: You have the power of being invisible and you’re like ‘I’m gonna go to my friends’. Would you not sneak backstage into gigs? Sophia: It depends who was on on the day. Joe: Taylor Swift’s playing the Etihad Stadium. Sophia: Maybe I’d go and have a side stage view. I wouldn’t overstep my boundaries. Joe: You would with your friends and family, but not Taylor Swift. Fair play. [Laughs].
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Joe: Dolce & Gabbana leopard shirt, Acne black jeans from Harvey Nichols. Sophia: Alice & Olivia mini hearts dress, Amanda Wakely crimson jacket from Harvey Nichols.
ARE YOU SIMILAR? Sophia: We’re stubborn. Joe: We have a lot in common, but personality wise, we’re definitely different. Sophia: When we like something, we really like it and when we dislike something, we really dislike it. We’re not fickle. I’m quite a pedantic person, and I don’t think you are. If we’re getting a train, I want to be there ten minutes before that train is going to go. Joe wants to be there the minute it leaves the platform. It’s just little things like that. Joe: Sophia would be sat on the platform freezing. If I’m on my own, I’d get there as the train is pulling up. I like things running seamlessly.
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WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? Joe: Getting free tickets to City [laughs]. I’m joking. I do love City though. For me, it’s travelling around the world with your best friends. Sophia: Working with designers that I’ve just dreamed of wearing, never mind working with. DO YOU THINK PEOPLE HAVE MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT YOUR JOBS? Joe: I think people underestimate how much hard work it actually is. They think it’s all partying and drinking. When the reality is, there is a lovely amount of that, but also, you’ve got a gig the next day, or you’ll have to get onto a flight to Japan the next day. It’s such
Joe: Dsquared jacket from Harvey Nichols. Balenciaga stripe jumper from Selfridges. Sophia: Joseph Mini Hearts dress from Harvey Nichols.
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Sophia: Vivetta lips and heels dress from Harvey Nichols. Joe: Balenciaga Bleu-blanc jumper from Selfridges.
hard work especially in this day and age with social media. If you have one bad gig that could be filmed on fifty-odd phones. That could ruin anyone’s career. Sophia: I think blogging is one of those things where people only see it from the side of your Instagram, but then the other side of it is that you’re running a business and you’re a one-man band. It’s an amazing job, but it’s 24/7. It’s definitely not for the faint-hearted. IF YOU HAD TO DO A DIFFERENT JOB, WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Sophia: I was always into fashion. I worked in merchandising, so I’d probably still do that. Joe: I’d be at my old job again. I used to be a tailor. I did love it. My family always did that, so I thought I could always carry on with that. My dad wasn’t a tailor, he sold haberdashery back in the day. I was always fascinated by it and my mum’s always sewing, making curtains, things like that. WHAT ARE YOUR TOP STYLING TIPS? Joe: My personal one is – I hate navy and black together. Sophia: You shouldn’t walk out of the house in anything that you don’t feel one hundred percent comfortable in. You’ll only get regret. I think you should take inspiration from other people’s style but always dress like you. Invest in staples. Always spend a bit of money on a navy crew neck jumper, a Breton top, the perfect pair of jeans that fit you right, and then work everything else around that. Joe: Yeah, I agree with that. I hate cheap belts, like pleather that are all cracked. Just don’t do it.
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WHAT OUTFIT DO YOU FEEL MOST CONFIDENT IN? Joe: I’ve got a black denim jacket. I’ve had it since I was like seventeen. It’s just a Topman one. I’ve re-dyed it about seven times, cause every night out I’m always struggling for what to wear and the black denim jacket comes out and I’m like ‘yeah!’. Sophia: I feel like my most comfortable when I wear dungarees. Dungarees, converse and a striped top. If I was a cartoon character, that’d be what I’d wear all the time. When I can, I like wearing the Charlotte Olympia slippers that Joe got me. They were everything I ever wanted. Joe: I’d been roaming around London looking for them. I surprised her with them, but I’ve held them against her to this day. If there’s something that I really want I’m like ‘Charlotte Olympia slippers!’. I do use them against her - I’m not all nice. WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THE NEW BLOSSOMS ALBUM? Joe: It just sounds mint. [Laughs]. Because the first album stemmed from 2013 to 2016, for us it felt like a ‘best of’. ‘Blow’ was written three years before ‘Getaway’ so that album felt like the songs that were the best of our career up until that point, whereas this one feels more knitted together and I’m really excited about that. For me, it sounds dead 80s. It’s really poppy. I’m proper into it. IF YOU FORMED A MUSICAL DUO, WHAT WOULD YOU BE CALLED AND HOW WOULD IT SOUND? Sophia: Jophia! Joe: It would sound like Taylor Swift meets Arctic Monkeys. Sophia: I was thinking Sonny and Cher.
Sophia: Alice & Olivia rainbow stripe dress, Versace Medusa leather pouch bag, from Harvey Nichols. Joe: Kenzo short sleeve shirt, Vivienne Westwood cropped striped trousers from Selfridges.
Joe: I’m a drummer for a reason. I’m sorry to break it to you Sophia, but you can’t sing either. Sophia: I was trying to get you to duet The Pogues with me in the car. We can’t just purely be a Christmas band. Joe: It’d be dead poppy. We’d get the lead singer of my band, Tom [Ogden] to write our songs. We’d be one of them outfits. It’d be me on drums. Actually, you’re quite good on drums Sophia. I did give her two drum lessons and she was mint. Sophia was well better than me after my second ever drum lesson. I was like ‘You’re gonna be good’, but she wasn’t interested after two. [Laughs]. HAVE YOU GOT ANY MORE COLLABORATIONS TOGETHER COMING UP? Joe: No. Never again. [laughs]…Sophia designed our last lot of merch. Sophia: I thought ‘What t-shirts is my wardrobe lacking?’ [laughs] and I think I know what teenage girls want so I asked you if I could make them. Joe: That was quite a cool collaboration. I think we’re probably going to do that again. WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN? Sophia: My mum told me, ‘You can’t find happiness with others before you find it in yourself’. I feel like, especially with me and Joe, we’ve kind of gone out there and done what we needed to do with our free years and we’re very supportive of each other. Sometimes when you’re in a relationship where you’re uneven, you can sometimes lean too much on a person. Joe: With the band, I was working, and I said to my mum and dad ‘Look, I might have to leave work’. I thought they would have turned around and said ‘Get in the real world’, but they said ‘Go for it!’. I think that was the best piece of advice. If you’ve got a dream or some sort of passion I wouldn’t wait, I’d do it as soon as possible…And learn a skill. I learned how to make clothes - use a sewing machine and all that. No one can take a skill off you. WHO DO YOU LOOK UP TO? Joe: I really look up to my Mum and Dad - them two as a couple. I love the way they are together. Sophia: I’m one of four sisters. All my sisters and my mum have played quite an integral part in who I am. Women I look up to - Tay Tay, Taylor Swift. Power woman of all power women. I think it’s such a great time at the minute though because women are coming into their own. I feel like we’re all supporting each other and we’re all girl crushing on each other and it’s pretty amazing.
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RI: Ditch the Label
We’re loving River Island’s new anti-bullying campaign, championing the slogan ‘labels are for clothes’. We couldn’t agree more! Get involved and express yourself by picking up one of the fab charity tees in-store.
Timeless Switzerland Style
The new showroom in St. Ann’s Square boasts two floors of gorgeous timepieces. As the only place in Manchester to stock Hublot wristwatches, as well as having Swiss watch brands like JaegerLeCoultre, IWC, and Omega on offer, this is the place to head for your next timepiece!
Lanigan & Hulme Hits MCR
This one-stop shop for British heritage brands lands in the Royal Exchange. L&H caters to Manchester men looking for premium, quality clothing. Refresh your wardrobe this spring with pieces from the likes of Crombie, Sunspel and John Smedley.
Becks’ Grooming Goals
David Beckham steps up his game with a first global grooming collection in partnership with L’Oréal. These 21 products for hair, skin, body and beard are sure to help you tackle a brand-new look. Get down to Harvey Nichols to reach your grooming goals!
Simon Carter: Essential Accessories
Express your individuality with Simon Carter’s latest range of quirky accessories. Inspired by lazy days at the beach, playing card cufflinks and a silver anchor necklace are just two of the playful pieces that’ll add a fun twist to your look.
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STING’S MUSICAL THE LAST SHIP DOCKS AT THE LOWRY
Music legend Sting revisits his roots with Northern-inspired musical The Last Ship WORDS BY BETHANY LEE
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T
he North has a rich history of creating great things, from coal to textiles, steel to ships… and even the music legend Sting. Drawing on his own upbringing in Tyneside, Newcastle, Sting has written original music and lyrics for musical, The Last Ship, that are “very much steeped in the folk music of the North East”. The story explores the demise of the shipbuilding industry upon a community in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear. The Last Ship first set sail to Chicago and later Broadway in 2014, and returns to its native shores for the first time this year. Sting explains that the story is about “the shipyard workers who in the 80s were all made redundant. Whole generations of skill sets were thrown on the scrapheap for very abstract economic reasons”. The musical, he says, asks questions that we’re all wondering about the future: “What happens to communities and societies when work disappears? Who are we? What is left?”. With more Grammys than you can shake a stick at, it’s hard to imagine Sting (or Gordon Sumner as he was then known) as a young lad growing up in Tyneside, but those round Geordie vowels and the odd ‘aye’ creep in from time to time, reminding you that he is in fact one of our own. Of the seemingly endless projects that Sting has been a part of, he says “I’ve never been so passionate about anything I’ve ever done. I’m fiercely proud of my heritage in Tyneside. It’s like Mancunians – you’re fiercely proud of where you come from, and you want to honour where you come from.” Sting left Tyneside at eighteen to follow
his dream to become “a writer of songs and a singer of songs”. Now that dream has well and truly been realised, he returns to his roots to “pay the debt” he feels he owes to the people and the place that made him. Sting grew up, quite literally, in the shadow of ships being built in the shipyard at the end of his street. A young man’s career options in Tyneside at that time were very limited: you became a coal miner or a shipyard worker – and certainly not an international musician. Despite rejecting the life that Tyneside offered him, the symbolism of the shipyard had always been hovering somewhere in Sting’s mind. But it was only eight years ago when everything clicked: “I wanted to give the community of where I come from a voice, tell their narrative in this form because it’s a story that hasn’t been told.” It was a task that Sting took very seriously. He tested his material out on ex-shipyard workers in Newcastle. Of that early audience, he says “most of them had never been to the theatre – ever. They sat there with their pints, and they watched me sing, and I said ‘well, shall I carry on with this?’, and they said ‘Aye. You’re doing a grand job’. And with their blessing, Sting went full steam ahead with the project. Sting is quick to admit though that he’s never been a shipyard worker or a sailor, joking that the only time he’s spent at sea is as “a musician on a cruise ship”. Instead, he sees himself as the “ship’s doctor” tasked with “refitting The Last Ship for British waters”: tinkering with songs, adding new parts,
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“IT’S LIKE MANCUNIANS, YOU’RE FIERCELY PROUD OF WHERE YOU COME FROM” reshaping characters ready for UK audiences. He is very much aware that the lives of the characters in his musical could quite easily have been his own: “Kids that I went to school with are still there. I recognise that I was lucky.” He rather modestly puts the difference down to “good fortune”. Still, there are biographical elements of the story that have “crept in subconsciously”. Like Sting, The Last Ship’s protagonist, Gideon, abandons his family and the shipyard. Gideon returns fifteen years later to find the shipbuilding life he once knew in turmoil. The tension between Gideon and his father is drawn, in part, from Sting’s relationship with his own father, and captured beautifully in the song ‘Dead Man’s Boots’. Sting says, “Like most working-class dads, he would say ‘You can’t make a living doing that [music]’. It’s hard for a man to admit he’s wrong, or to say he’s proud of you, but he was. He couldn’t tell me that, but he was [laughs].” You may be forgiven for thinking that this is a story solely about men, but Sting points out that his mother’s influence – as well as his father’s – is very much present. He describes his mother as his “musical muse”. She was a piano player with a passion for musical theatre that encouraged the young Sting to fall in love
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with the musicals Carousel and Oklahoma. He says, “One of my earliest memories is of my mum’s feet on the piano pedals, listening to her. She used to play tangos all the time for some reason. I adored my mother. I adored music. She was really the reason I became a musician.” The music of The Last Ship brings together “folk music of the North East” with those traditional musical theatre influences that Sting was exposed to through his mother. Reconnecting with his past by creating The Last Ship allowed Sting to get a deeper understanding of what his upbringing gave to him: “I’m grateful for it because it was a surreal, industrial environment that was a gift to me as a song writer: seeing something as big as a street being launched into a river with a noise that sounds like the end of the world. Even though the work was appalling, those men were very very proud of what they did, and I’m proud of them too”. The musician has shown pride for his Northern roots in a way that only Sting could do. The Last Ship is at The Lowry from 3 – 7 July 2018. Tickets are available at thelowry. com/events/the-last-ship.
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C I S MU S R A E S ’ R E T S E H C N A M TO ve r’s blood. Our lo e st e ch n a M in Music runs ur history, it’s o in re e th is s d of great soun heard in our d n a s, g in d il u b painted on our am celebrate te is h d n a i k ic streets. Kris Saw y organising b r e st e ch n a M in the joy of music how. h West Audio S rt o N l a u n n a e th
Now in its fifth year, the free event seeks to show just how great sound systems make listening to your favourite tunes that much better. Get ready to experience music in a whole new way as Kris explains his role in the show “is to allow people to listen to music in a way they have never listened before”. No need to be a music tech whizz, Kris says the show is for anyone with “the desire to change the way they’re listening to music at home”. Whether it’s blasting your party playlist with your mates on a Friday night, or enjoying chilled out tunes on a Sunday afternoon, it’s about finding the right audio tech that’ll kick your listening experience up a notch or two. On Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th June 2018, the beautiful De Vere Cranage Estate in Cheshire will be abuzz with a whole host of sound systems brought to life by brilliant live music. Hear high-end (Mark Levinson, TAD) and more affordable sound systems (ProJect, Ovation) in action, listen to interesting lectures, grab a drink at the bar, or pick up some records for your collection. For all you audiophiles out there, the North West Audio Show gives you a chance to discover more underground brands too like Kralk Audio and SJS Electroacoustics. We know music can take you to a whole different place, and for Kris, that’s exactly what the event is all about: “When you put someone in front of a great system and play them music they know, it really is a magical thing to see them lose themselves in the moment”. With people travelling from as far afield as France for the event, it’s fair to say that the North West Audio Show is a big date in the calendar for music lovers far and wide.
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DJI SPARK DRONE
Let’s be honest, who doesn’t want their very own drone? This one is the best of the bunch: no remote control necessary - it uses intelligent flight control and an ingenious rotating camera to take to the air with a simple hand gesture, capturing amazing aerial shots along the way. £629.99, selfridges.com
SNAPCHAT SPECTACLES
These specs are the perfect accessory for any snapchat fiend on the go. Complete with a builtin 115-degree camera, these shades have the ability to record and upload 10-second snippets of video to your snapchat memories. Plus, the retro-style rounded frames come in three different colours: teal, coral and classic black. £129.99, selfridges.com
HONOR VIEW 10 As an affordable and stylish alternative to the new iPhone X, the Honor V10 boasts 3D facial animation similar to animoji that gives Apple a run for its money. The V10’s studio portrait feature automatically identifies your surroundings for that perfect selfie and with an intelligent gaming suite that filters your unwanted calls, you can play Candy Crush to your heart’s content. The V10 couldn’t be any cooler! £519.98, hihonor.com
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JAM ULTRA TRULY WIRELESS EARPLUGS
Wireless headphones are a must-have, and you can’t get much better than these. With no wires and no restrictions, these sleek Bluetooth buds are perfect for a gym session, a slow day at the office or just enjoying your favourite tunes wherever you are. Best of all, they come with a carry-case that doubles up as a charger. £99.99, uk.jamaudio.com
Get a Good Night’s Sleep with
Simba’s resident psychologist and mindfulness expert, Hope Bastine, shares her top tips for getting those dreamy eight hours The Simba Hybrid®Duvet
Stay cool and wake up refreshed with Simba’s smart duvet regulating your temperature throughout the night. From £195
What makes a good night’s sleep?
A ‘good’ night’s sleep is where we get the right number of hours that takes us through the sleep cycle at least five times undisrupted. We know we’ve had enough sleep when we wake up naturally, feeling refreshed, without an alarm.
What should our sleeping environment be like?
Creating the right environment is crucial for efficient, undisrupted sleep. Our sleeping environment needs to be cool, quiet, comfortable, and dark.
What are the benefits of a good night’s sleep?
Simba Hybrid®Pillow
Support your spine by adjusting the height and firmness of your Simba pillow. From £65
Healthy and complete sleep cycles allow us to make connections to complex problems. During deep sleep, the neuronal connections crucial to learning are strengthened, while the less critical information is discarded. The final stage in the sleep cycle – REM-sleep (Rapid Eye Movement) – sees our subconscious mind and intuition come to the surface. Your dreams will become more visual because the logical, reasoning and working memory part of the brain is quieter, while the visual cortex and emotional centres light up. Throughout the night, your brain is pulling the facts to find the missing link to problems you were puzzling over in the day.
What role does temperature play in getting a good night’s sleep?
Sleep is a type of human hibernation where your body temperature reduces so that essential maintenance and regeneration can take place. Our bedroom temperature needs to be between 16-18 degrees centigrade to not only mimic the hibernation state but also maintain a calmer state of mind.
How much sleep do we need?
Simba Slippers
Give your feet a massage as you walk and stay warm with Simba’s cosy slippers. £45
We are all different but the research unequivocally points to a range between 7.5 - 9.5 hours a day for our brain to sufficiently pass through the whole sleep cycles five times. We also have a unique Chronotype to consider which is our propensity for sleepiness at a particular time. Taking Simba’s Sleep Quiz (simbasleep.com/blogs/night-life/the-sleepquiz) to find out if you are a Dolphin, Lion, Bear, or Wolf is essential to figure out optimal times to fulfil your sleep needs and perform at your best. The Bear is most common accounting for 50-55% of the population.
Should we expect our sleeping needs to change over time?
Our sleep needs alter considerably across the lifespan! Children need up to 14 hours of sleep, but this is rarely continuous sleep - naptime is required. Adolescents are hardwired to be night owls and late risers but need 10 hours. Adults need between 7-9 hours. As we mature through our life cycle, our sleep quality becomes less robust, but our sleep quantity needs do not alter. Shop Simba at simbasleep.com
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COLOUR OF THE YEAR:
ULTRA Violet
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2018’s got no time for shrinking violets, it’s all about being bold and inventive as Pantone choose ultra violet for their colour of the year. The brainboxes at Pantone consider everything from fashion to food, and technology to travel before picking the exact colour that reflects the ‘mood of the people’. This cosmic colour represents inventiveness, originality and creativity so it’s no wonder that it was favoured by music legends David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix and, of course, Prince. Ultra violet has a touch of magic about it, echoing the night sky and far away galaxies. It encourages us to think outside the box and imagine a future for ourselves that’s entirely of our own making. Look out for ultra violet on the runways, in lipstick and nail colours, and popping up in homeware collections. Celebrate the celestial or head out to the stars, but whatever you do this year, do it boldly. Let ultraviolet light the way into 2018!
1 MARC JACOBS Beauty Highliner Matte Gel Eye Crayon, £20. 2 PREEN LINE Aria Ruffled Chiffon Maxi Dress, £425. 3 URBAN DECAY Flash Eyeshow, £15. 4 MISSONI Metallic Stretch-Knit Straight-Let Pants, £750. 5 BALENCIAGA Knife Spandex Sock Boots, £875. 6 BIBI MARINI Primrose Bead and Silk Earring, £265. 7 LIPSTICK QUEEN All That Jazz Lipstick Whoopee Spot, £24. 8 DEBORAH LIPPMANN Nail Polish Purple Rain, £18. 9 ROBERTS Revival Uno Digital Radio, £159.99. 10 GUCCI Pintucked Silk Crepe De Chine Shirt, £790. 11 WATERFORD W COLLECTION Heather Vase, £170. 12 NARS Audacious Mascara Park City, £21. 13 OLIVER BONAS Le Cocktail Velvet Chair, £425.
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BUSINESS
Why Do I Need An Accountant? with
ANSAR MAHMOOD Director
With nineteen years’ experience in chartered accounting, Ansar started Pomegranate Consulting five years ago with a huge drive for success and zero investment. Growing from a solofounded startup to now having sixteen employees, Pomegranate’s clients range from social media marketing agencies to football commentators, tech startups, Coronation Street actors and big corporate clients. Ansar and his team have built a solid reputation of helping businesses to grow and achieve their potential, working as trusted advisors to clients that are happy to leave their finances in Pomegranate’s safe hands.
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COMMON MISTAKES TAKING A CHANCE
“Your business finances aren’t something to take a chance on; mistakes now can come back and sting you later. Common mistakes we see include poor record keeping and late filing of tax returns which can lead to fines and penalties, as well as missing out on benefits you can claim like allowable expenses. If you’re guilty of this, don’t worry too much - Pomegranate can straighten things out for you.”
GIVING OUT SHARES
“Resist the urge to give shares to friends, family or employees straight away. Make sure to give shares out wisely - if circumstances change it can be very difficult to take them back at a later date.”.
FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN
“Lots of start-ups think that the business community will look down on them for asking what seem to be basic questions, but the truth is we’ve all been there. Ask your trusted Pomegranate advisor and they’ll help you to work it out.”
NOT FOR NEW BUSINESSES
“Many people believe they don’t need an accountant until later on in the life of their business – first year-end or VAT return date – but it’s best to sit down with an accountant to discuss your thoughts before even starting your project. It’s wise to get in the habit of good practice from the very start.”
“AT POMEGRANATE, WE TAKE THE STRESS AWAY TO LEAVE CLIENTS MORE TIME TO CONCENTRATE ON WHAT THEY DO BEST.” MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT ACCOUNTANTS
WHAT MAKES POMEGRANATE DIFFERENT? MORE THAN JUST NUMBER CRUNCHING
“The fee of an accountant can seem like an unnecessary expense, but in the long run it should be much more cost efficient. People often don’t realise that a good accountant should make you money, rather than cost you money.”
“At Pomegranate, we take the stress away to leave clients more time to concentrate on what they do best. We aren’t just here to crunch the numbers and tell you how much tax to pay, Pomegranate offer expert advice on everything from setting pricing structures, to raising finance, as well as helping if you decide to sell your business later down the line.”
WON’T ACCOUNTANTS PULL MY BUSINESS APART?
TRUSTED ADVISORS
AREN’T ACCOUNTANTS JUST ANOTHER EXPENSE?
“We aren’t here to deliver bad news about your business’ financial state. In reality, a good accountant will stop this bad news from happening. At Pomegranate, we work with you to put practical solutions in place so you don’t find yourself in that situation.”
AREN’T ACCOUNTANTS ONLY FOR LARGE BUSINESSES?
“Accountants aren’t just for big businesses - small businesses and individuals should use accountants to make sure they comply with the rules and regulations set out by HMRC and Companies House. Any accountant that’s worth their salt should treat your business with equal respect whether you’ve got one employee or one thousand. Pomegranate work with self-employed individuals and companies with hundreds of members of staff. With us, there’s no nervewracking phone calls - you’ll have a personal advisor that you’ll build up a relationship with to help guide you and your business to success.”
“Our clients look to us as trusted advisors rather than accountants. We consider it our duty to find ways to help businesses run more efficiently in terms of time and finance. This could be something as simple as changing the way they use their accounting software through to looking at R&D or Creative Industry Tax Reliefs.”
FREE CONSULTATION & SOCIAL EVENTS
“We don’t charge for our initial consultation and before any work is started we will give you a fixed fee quote. Most of our new work comes from referrals from our existing clients and we show our gratitude by organising social events like mass cinema trips, BBQs and our annual birthday party. It’s a great chance to network and get to know the wider Pomegranate family.” Call Pomegranate on 0161 974 0735 to book your free consultation.
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LET’S EAT M PHO
7 Hanging Ditch, Unit 15, The Corn Exchange, M4 3TR. 0161 464 9779 Set across three floors, this quirky Vietnamese street food restaurant serves a whole host of healthy dishes. Named after a delicious and nutritious noodle soup, Pho is at the heart of their menu. To soothe those hunger pangs in a healthy way, try spring and summer rolls, salads and wok-fried noodles.
healthy hideaways FRISKA
St Peter’s Square Independent restaurant Friska are looking to make us Mancs ‘feel good’ with their healthy fast food. For breakfast, tuck into toasties, muffins and breakfast boxes, and wraps and burritos for lunch. Grab a great coffee there to set you up for the day.
OKÉ POKÉ
59 Church St, Manchester M4 1PD. 0161 879 7735 Pronounced poh-kay, this traditional Hawaiian street food restaurant is sure to replace those fast food cravings. Treat yourself to a Korean Napa Cabbage specialty bowl, create your own or just tuck into a yummy burrito. This Northern Quarter restaurant can help keep those summer bod goals on track!
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KETTLEBELL KITCHEN
Nuovo, 5 Great Ancoats Street, M4 5AB. 0161 236 6171 This fitness freaks’ favourite serves on-thego low-carb meals that are high in protein. Specialising in guilt-free treats like protein burgers and gluten-free protein pizza, Kettlebell is the perfect snack site for gymgoers, with a second branch inside DW Sport Fitness at Trafford Park.
ANCHESTER KOFFEE POT
84-86 Oldham St, M4 1LE. 0161 236 8918 Home to a ‘legendary’ full English fry-up, as well as Scottish lorne sausages and tatty cakes, Koffee Pot offers a twist on your usual weekend brunch. Tuck into Canadian poutine – known to us as chips, gravy and cheese curds – on their evening menu. Oh, and they also serve buttermilk pancakes, need we say more?
ALABAMA’S ALL AMERICAN EATERY
10 Newton St, Manchester M1 2AN. 0161 236 4666 This sweet home of American-inspired fry-ups serves your classic breakfast, as well as buttermilk pancakes for all you sweet tooths. Vanilla waffles or French toast make for one of the best breakfasts in Manchester at a price that won’t break the bank.
FRESS
62 Oldham St, M4 1LE. 0161 236 0856 This very Victorian restaurant is open from breakfast through to dinner and serves a whole host European-style food. From a full English (and a veggie version) to egg benedict, Fress is the perfect place to head for a lazy breakfast on a Sunday morning.
best breakfasts EVELYN’S
44 Tib St, M4 1NB. 0161 834 3303 Pop in great grub (and coffee) in an elegantly cool setting. Get stuck into potato hash with confit duck, or their green bowl with kale, spinach and avocado for a healthier option. Make sure to book in advance as this popular spot is packed out every weekend.
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glam dining
AUSTRALASIA
The Avenue, Spinningfields, M3 3AP. 0161 831 0288 Dive into a slice of modern Australian-inspired dining in the heart of Manchester. Expect Indonesian and Japanese influences too, with Squid tempura, Szechuan beef fillet skewers, Bok choi with oyster sauce and Cornish crab salad among their stylish dishes.
MANCHESTER HOUSE
18-22 Bridge St, Spinningfields, M3 3BZ. 0161 835 2557 Manchester House serves modern British dishes like sea trout, duck breast and shorthorn ribeye on their fantastic seasonal menu. Make sure to try their signature cocktail: The Honey Pot - scotch, lemon juice and honey create a delicious drink with a real Manchester twist.
MENAGERIE NEIGHBOURHOOD
The Avenue North, Spinningfields, M3 3BZ. 0161 832 6334 Dine, drink and dance at this European and US-influenced restaurant. In a Manhattanstyle bar and eatery, you can enjoy brunch, express lunch or a Sunday roast. Chow down on crispy duck rolls, tostadas or seafood linguine washed down with a signature Neighbourhood cocktail.
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One New Bailey, New Bailey St, Salford, M3 5JL. 0161 832 3818 Menagerie offers dining with that added touch of glam that’s going down a treat with us Mancs. It offers American interpretations of international dishes, from open temaki nachos to lobster rockafella, but it’s Menagerie’s catwalk that’s home to dancers, singers and aerial acrobats that really makes this a dining experience to remember.
FABLE IN MANCHESTER HALL
PHOTO: Rebecca Lupton
Manchester Hall 36 Bridge Street, M3 3BT Fable brings Japanese cuisine and East Asian mythology to Manchester Hall. Digging into the deep lore of Asian fairy tales, Fable whisks you off to another world full of lavish interior, giant dragon sculptures and, most importantly, great Japanese-inspired food.
THE CREAMERIES
406 Wilbraham Road, Manchester, M21 OUF A trio of foodie masterminds have taken over Edwardian building, The Creameries, to breathe fresh life into the historic building. From 8am, you can get your hands on a breakfast pastry at their open bakery or a selection of soups and sandwiches at lunch. When they’re not feeding you, you can get involved with workshops and events like life-drawing classes, a secret cinema and bread making master courses.
PLATZKI
Great Northern Warehouse, Liverpool Road, M3 4EJ. 0771 973 1662 Platzki is Manchester’s hottest Polish retreat with a new menu each week showcasing their modern twist on Polish food. Bite into potato dumplings or their delicious spicy pork. Once a month, they also host fun events and live music. Its’ safe to say that this Polish hideaway really has thought of everything!
what’s new? 20 STORIES
No. 1 Spinningfields, 1 Hardman Square, Spinningfields, M3 3EJ. 0161 204 3333 Like the name suggests, 20 Stories is Manchester’s highest restaurant, boasting panoramic views of the city. Two distinct areas – a restaurant and a grill – are both headed by acclaimed chef Aiden Byrne. Veal carpaccio, pork rillettes and oxtail doughnuts are set to be the stars of the 20 Stories menu. We can’t wait to head up there and get stuck in!
If you’d like to be feature in Let’s Eat Manchester email info@amagazine.co.uk
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Comptoir Libanais’ Middle Eastern Feast Founder of Comptoir Libanais, Tony Kitous, shares his favourite recipes from his latest cookbook ‘Feasts from the Middle East’
SEA BASS WITH SPICED RICE Serves 6
INGREDIENTS For the sea bass 2 garlic cloves, crushed Juice of 1 lemon 1 tsp cumin Small bunch of coriander, chopped 25ml olive oil ½ tsp salt Good pinch of black pepper 6 large sea bass fillets - ask the fishmonger for the bones Small handful of chopped flatleaf parsley and pomegranate seeds, to serve For the rice 25ml olive oil 2 onions, finely chopped 500g basmati rice 1 tsp salt
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1 tsp cumin Juice of 1 lemon For the stock and sauce 50ml olive oil 2 onions, sliced 1 garlic clove, chopped 500g fish bones 1½–2 litres boiling water 1 lemon, chopped 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp cornflour METHOD • Start by making the stock. Heat the oil in a large saucepan and sauté the onions until they turn a dark golden colour. Scoop out a spoonful (about a third) to use as garnish later. • Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the fish bones, the boiling water, the lemon and the cumin, and cover the pan with a lid. Bring to
the boil and simmer, halfcovered, for 1 hour. • Next, marinate the sea bass. Put the garlic, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, oil, salt and pepper into a shallow container. Stir everything together. Add the fillets and toss to coat. Cover and chill until you’re ready to cook them. • When the stock is cooked, strain it into a bowl. Now it’s time to cook the rice. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan and sauté the finely chopped onions until golden. Stir in the rice, the salt and cumin and cook for 1 minute. Pour 1 litre of stock into the pan and stir everything together. • Cover with a lid and bring to a simmer. Turn the heat down very low and cook for 12 minutes. Turn off the heat, squeeze over the juice of a
lemon and leave the rice to steam. • While the rice is cooking, heat the grill until it’s very hot. Take the fish fillets out of the marinade, lay them on a baking sheet and grill until the flesh is opaque, 5–10 minutes. • Pour the rest of the stock into a clean saucepan and place over a low heat. Put the cornflour into a small bowl and stir in a couple of tablespoons of the cold stock. Stir this to make a thick sauce, then pour it back into the stock to thicken it slightly. • When you’re ready to serve, spoon the rice into bowls, top with the fish, then spoon over the sauce and finish with a few of the reserved onions and a sprinkling of parsley and pomegranate seeds.
AUBERGINE SHAKSHUKA Serves 6
INGREDIENTS Olive oil, for frying 2 large aubergines, sliced into rounds ½ red onion, sliced 1 garlic clove, finely chopped 8 large tomatoes on the vine, chopped 125ml tomato juice ½ tsp salt ½ tsp black pepper ½ tsp cumin (optional) 6 large eggs 100g feta cheese, roughly chopped
To Serve Parsley sprigs 1 large mint sprig Warm pitta bread Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas mark 7. METHOD • Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large frying pan. Season the aubergine slices and fry them in batches for 3–4 minutes on each side, until golden and tender, adding more oil as necessary. Transfer the slices to a plate as they are cooked. • Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a medium frying pan and sauté the onion gently over
a low-to-medium heat for about 8 minutes, stirring every now and then, until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for a further minute. • Tip the tomatoes into the pan along with any juice and stir into the onion. Cook for 8 minutes until the tomatoes have broken down and softened – they should be a pulp. Pour in the tomato juice and cook, again over a low heat, for 5 minutes. The sauce will be quite thick by this stage. Season with salt, black pepper and the cumin, if using. Spread a layer of
aubergine slices over a large, ovenproof dish, then spoon over half the tomato sauce. Repeat to make two layers. • Make a hole in the sauce with the back of a large spoon and crack an egg into it. Do the same all round the dish until you’ve positioned all the eggs. Scatter over the feta. Bake in the oven for 5 minutes. Pick the leaves off the parsley and mint sprigs, and chop roughly. Scatter over the shakshuka and serve with the warm pitta bread.
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SLOW-COOKED SHOULDER OF LAMB
“We’ve been serving this in our restaurant for more than 18 years. In our culture we don’t serve our meat pink or medium; it’s always well done. So in this recipe the joint is cooked until crispy on the outside, moist on the inside and soft enough to be shredded with a fork.” Serves 4 INGREDIENTS For the marinade ½ onion, roughly chopped 3 garlic cloves ½ bunch of coriander, roughly chopped 20g root ginger, chopped ¼ tsp cumin ½ tsp ras-el-hanout ¼ tsp cinnamon ¼ tsp turmeric ¼ tsp Lebanese sevenspice mix 1 tsp salt ¼ tsp white pepper ½ tsp black pepper 50ml vegetable oil 2–2.5kg shoulder of lamb, bone in For the sauce 25ml vegetable oil 25g butter
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½ red onion, chopped 1 carrot, chopped 2 garlic cloves, chopped 4-5 sprigs of thyme 2 tbsp tomato purée 400g tin chopped tomatoes Small handful of coriander, chopped Small handful of flat-leaf parsley, chopped For the dried fruit 4 each dried apricots, dried figs, dates and prunes Handful of golden raisins 1 cinnamon stick 2 whole star anise 1 tsp rose water 2 tbsp honey For the rice 1 tbsp vegetable oil ½ onion, finely chopped 150g lamb mince 1 tsp salt ½ tsp black pepper Good pinch of Lebanese Seven-spice mix 1 tsp ras-el-hanout 200g basmati rice 25g toasted mixed nuts Handful of fresh mint leaves To serve Greek yoghurt Harissa Toasted sesame seeds
METHOD • Up to two days before you serve the lamb, marinate the shoulder. Put the onion, garlic, coriander, root ginger, spices, salt, peppers and oil into a mini blender and whizz to make a paste. Put the shoulder into a large sealable container and rub the paste all over it. Cover and chill for at least 24 hours and up to 48 hours. • Take the lamb out of the fridge so that it comes up to room temperature – if it’s too cold, it will take longer to cook. When you’re ready to cook it, preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas mark 7. • Put the lamb in a roasting tin and roast in the oven for 20 minutes until it has coloured on all sides. • While the lamb is cooking in this short blast of heat, make the sauce. Heat the oil and butter in a medium saucepan and sauté the onion, carrot and garlic for 10 minutes over a medium heat until starting to soften and turn golden. Stir in the thyme sprigs, tomato purée and the tin of tomatoes, then fill the tin with hot water twice (making about 800ml of water in total)
and pour that into the pan, too. Stir in the coriander and parsley, and bring to the boil. Simmer, half covered with a lid, for 15 minutes. Blend until smooth using a hand blender. • When the lamb has cooked for 20 minutes, take it out of the oven and pour the sauce over it. Cover the tin tightly with foil, reduce the temperature to 170°C/150°C fan/gas mark 3 and return the lamb to the oven. Cook for about 3 hours until very tender. After each hour, remove the tin to check the meat and pour in 500ml boiling water, stirring it into the sauce. Turn the shoulder over, and spoon the sauce all over it. You’ll know it’s ready when you can push your finger through the side of the shoulder easily because the lamb has become very tender. • The next step is to prepare the fruit to go on top of this dish. Put all the dried fruit into a small saucepan, add the cinnamon, star anise, rose water and honey and enough cold water to just cover the • fruit. Cover the pan with a lid and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10–15 minutes to allow the fruit to plump up. Set aside to cool. • About 45 minutes before the lamb will be ready, cook the rice. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan and sauté the onion for 5–8 minutes. Add the lamb mince, breaking it down with a spoon so it browns • evenly, then stir in the spices and seasoning. Cook for about 1 minute, then stir in the rice. Once the rice is coated with oil and mixed into the spiced onion and lamb mixture, cover with 500ml boiling water. Put a lid on the pan, bring the liquid to the boil, then turn the heat down low and simmer for 10–12 minutes. Turn off the heat under the pan and set aside. • When the lamb is ready, take the roasting tin out of the oven and strain off the sauce. Keep it warm. • Take a large platter and spoon the rice all the way round the edge. Lift the lamb into the middle. Arrange the dried fruit around it, then scatter the nuts and mint over the top. Serve with the warm sauce, yoghurt, harissa and a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds.
ZA’ATAR-CRUSTED HALLOUMI “When you’re making a big spread of dishes for a mezze, it’s good to have some that are simple to make but still full of flavour. This one ticks these boxes. It’s made by coating slices of halloumi in the spice blend za’atar (made from thyme, sesame seeds, sumac and salt), then baking them until golden. They are delicious! Plus, if you fancy garnishing them with a little extra something, dot each piece with rose-petal jam.” Serves 6 INGREDIENTS 250g block of halloumi olive oil, for brushing 4-5 tbsp za’atar A little rose-petal jam, to serve METHOD • Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas mark 7. • Cut the halloumi into 12 slices. This can be tricky, so I cut the block through the middle first, then cut each half into six slices. • Brush each slice with olive oil. Scatter the za’atar over a plate and press the slices in it until they’re all covered. Spread them out on a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake for 8 minutes. Serve with a little rose-petal jam on each slice.
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Spring smoothies Ditch those winter blues and get your spring on with these fresh and fruity smoothies.
Berry Blast
Workout Wonder If you’re in need of a
Get that tropical taste thanks
no further – this smoothie
smoothie that’s the perfect
to this healthy, refreshing
post-gym reward, look
afternoon pick-me-up.
will have you rearing to
go for your next workout
INGREDIENTS
sesh in no time.
1 tray of ice cubes (use frozen coconut water
INGREDIENTS 1 frozen banana
for extra nutrients
65g frozen pineapple
1 large ripe pink guava
and sweetness)
65g frozen cherries
Breakfast Boost Bored of the same
old cereal? Shake up your morning with this rejuvenating
cup of goodness!
INGREDIENTS
15g fresh spinach leaves 1 frozen banana
½ small avocado
(pitted & peeled)
60ml almond milk
½ tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp ground cinnamon
METHOD
Slice the banana and
avocado. Blend each of the ingredients until smooth, adding extra almond
milk until it reaches the desired consistency.
Serve in a tall glass or pour into a reusable
bottle and get going!
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chunks
65g low-fat Greek yoghurt 295ml coconut water ¼ banana to garnish
METHOD
Blend the ingredients
together until smooth, adding extra coconut water if the mixture
is too thick. Serve in
a glass, garnish with
banana slices and enjoy a well-deserved break.
Coffee Cream
Need a treat that won’t
4 strawberries
1 tbsp coconut water
METHOD
Wash your fruit and allow it
compromise your spring
to dry on a paper towel, then
smoothie over a caramel
the seeds and use the flesh.
diet? We’d take this macchiato any day!
INGREDIENTS 1 banana
32g rolled oats
1 cup of strong brewed
coffee (instant is fine too!) 1 tbsp cocoa powder 1 tbsp flax seeds
250ml almond milk
METHOD
Freeze the coffee in an
ice cube tray overnight. Once frozen, combine
each of the ingredients
and blend until smooth. Garnish with an extra
dash of cocoa powder or fresh mint, sit back and
enjoy this guilt-free treat.
chop up the guava, remove Place the guava and
the strawberries in your
blender with the water or
coconut water, add the ice and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust if
required; you can add
some coconut sugar for
added sweetness. Enjoy!
EXPLODING KITTENS GAME £19
POCKET MONEY UNION JACK TROLLS FIGURINE £30
BALENCIAGA MOLLETON THINK BIG COTTON HOODY £235
‘BAD DAD’ BY DAVID WALLIAMS £12.99 FENDI WATERMELON COTTON T-SHIRT £90
‘GOOD NIGHT STORIES FOR REBEL GIRLS’ BY ELENA FAVILLI & FRANCESCA CAVALLO £17.99
GUCCI WEB STRIPE COTTON T-SHIRT £100
Just for
UNO EMOJI £10
KIDS Our favourite picks for rebel kids this spring
GUCCI GG SUPREME CAT PRINT TOTE BAG £315
THE WHITE COMPANY LONDON SLIPPERS, £22
STELLA MCCARTNEY LOHAN DONKEYS PATCHES JEANS £77
MOSCHINO TEDDY BEAR T-SHIRT £46
‘STRONG IS THE NEW PRETTY’ BY KATE T. PARKER £13.99 SELFRIDGES EXCLUSIVE MONOPOLY £65
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EXPLORE IN S T Y L E
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A
TEXAS ADVENTURE
L
ike Manchester, Texas is known for its independent spirit, earning it the nickname - the lone star state. Whilst us Mancs probably know the Texas stereotypes – cowboys and country music, rodeos and ranch life – the state had a whole lot more to offer than this. Even though you can find all these things in the state’s history, the Texas of today has a lot of surprises up its sleeve, making our Texas trip something totally different – better, we hasten to add – than we’d imagined. A thriving modern art scene and tons of museums, made sure we left the lone star state full to the brim with culture, and, of course, top-notch seafood. You’d be forgiven for thinking that a trip to Texas means haggling with your boss for two weeks off work, but thanks to Singapore Airlines’ direct flight from Manchester to Houston, less time is spent traveling and more time getting a real taste of Texas. Forget multiple flights and long layovers, Singapore Airlines’ streamlined services makes heading to Houston a breeze for us Mancs. Five weekly non-stop flights from Manchester airport mean that five days is all you need to experience the lone star state. Here’s our insider guide to a five-day Texan adventure in Houston and Galveston, including the best hotels, restaurants, sights and experiences that all deserve a place on your Texas to-do list.
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DAY 1 STAY HAMPTON INN HOUSTON DOWNTOWN
Part of the Hilton family, the hotel’s location put us right at the heart of the action. From here, you’re walking distance from baseball stadium, Minute Maid Park and Discovery Green Urban Park. hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/ texas/hampton-inn-houston-downtownHOUDWHX/index.html
EAT XOCHI
Kick off your Texas trip in an epic way, with dinner at XOCHI. Set in the gorgeous Marriot Marquis Hotel – the Texan flagship for the 5-star brand –, XOCHI celebrates foods from the Oaxaca area of Mexico reimagined for Texan taste buds by award-winning chef Hugo Ortega. Simply put – it’s some of the best Tex Mex you’ll ever taste. xochihouston.com
DO HOUSTON URBAN EXPERIENCE MURAL FESTIVAL
We have to say, we weren’t expecting many parallels between Manchester and Texas, but this festival’s celebration of Houston’s colourful arts community reminded us of home. Artists from around the world have 190 hours to transform concrete spaces across Houston into a rainbow of colour. Like the vibrant murals dotted around the Northern Quarter, spotting graffiti style art around the city was another reason to get out there and explore. Whilst the festival happens over November, never fear, these artworks are lasting additions to Houston. huemuralfestival.com
DAY 2 Unlike Manchester’s museums that are dotted around all over the city, Houston’s Museum District groups all the top spots on your culture to-do list together so you can take it all in in one go. We recommend buying a Houston CityPASS which gives you admission to lots of the city’s top attraction, including Space Center Houston, Downtown Aquarium, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston Zoo or Museum of Fine Arts, and Kemah Boardwalk or Children’s Museum of Houston.
DO THE MENIL COLLECTION
Flooded with natural light to showcase its artworks at their most beautiful, The Menil strives to make art accessible for everyone so entry is free. The museum’s own collection is made up of art collected by The Menil’s founders, John and Dominique de Menil, between the 1940s and 1990s. Look out for Surrealist paintings and sculpture here. menil.org
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DO CONT. HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE
Founded in 1909, this very popular museum has something for everyone with exhibitions on astronomy, Texas wildlife and palaeontology. You have to make time to visit the Cockrell Butterfly Centre! Inside is the Rainforest Conservatory that simulates a tropical rainforest complete with 50-foot waterfall, exotic plants and butterflies from all over the world. hmns.org
MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS
GERALD D. HINES WATERWALL PARK
Impressive is an understatement: this 64foot, horseshoe-shaped fountain pumps thousands of gallons of recycled water that makes for a striking display in The Galleria area. Surrounded by huge oak trees, this is the ideal spot for a picnic in the sunshine. visithoustontexas.com/listings/water-wall
ROTHKO CHAPEL
An interfaith sanctuary and art museum rolled into one, this is the place to go for calmness and contemplation. Don’t let the name deceive you, the chapel itself is an octagonal building showcasing fourteen abstract expressionist paintings by Mark Rothko that plays host to weddings, lectures, conferences and memorial services – having even been graced by the Dalai Lama – when it’s not open to the public. Head here for a reflective moment and make sure to take in Barnett Newman’s ‘Broken Obelisk’ sculpture that’s dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr. outside the chapel’s entrance. Look out for the bronze Mahatma Gandhi sculpture across the lawn. rothkochapel.org
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Bursting with art from all over the world, you’ll be browsing these rooms in wonderment. Whilst we were there, we saw the ‘HOME – so different, so appealing’ exhibit that celebrates the universal idea of home. The exhibit featured sections of maps printed on household furniture, and would you believe we even managed to find a little piece of home here, spotting our very own Stockport and Macclesfield on one of the maps. mfah.org
MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE
You can see a lot of great performances around Manchester but our rainy reputation makes outdoor performances a little trickier - that’s why it’s a real treat to experience the Miller Outdoor Theatre. Crowds gather in Hermann Park to enjoy performances from Houston’s best performers. Whether it’s an opera, Motown music or Shakespeare, every performance here between March and November is free. milleroutdoortheatre.com/
DAY 3
DO
HOUSTON SPACE CENTRE
No trip to Houston is complete without visiting its Space Center. Entry is covered by the Houston CityPASS. Check out the ‘Astronaut Gallery’ to see space suits, and the ‘Starship Gallery’ to see flown spacecrafts like Faith 7, Gemini V and Apollo 17. If you’re visiting on a Friday, we recommend you upgrade to the ‘Lunch with an Astronaut’ package: dine with a NASA astronaut, hearing amazing stories of their cosmic life. At the top of your Houston Space Center hit-list has to be the NASA Tram Tour. Take in the most powerful rocket ever built, the Saturn V, in ‘Rocket Park’ at NASA Johnson Space Center. If you’re lucky (tours stops are subject to availability), your tour will include a stop at Historic Mission Control, the place where NASA monitored every Apollo lunar mission. See the monitors and control systems where Neil Armstrong’s famous words “Houston, Tranquillity Base here. The Eagle has landed” were received. spacecenter.org/
After ending our time in Houston in such stellar fashion, we took the hour-long drive to Galveston.
STAY
DO
THE TREMONT HOUSE
EAT DINNER AT GALVEZ BAR & GRILL
This historic 4-star hotel began life back in 1839 before being transformed into the elegant building it is today. After a long day sightseeing, you can rest easy in The Tremont House’s elegant rooms and wake refreshed and ready to get back out there and explore. The winning combination of luxury touches and a relaxed atmosphere made it a real hit with us. thetremonthouse.com
The Galvez hotel’s one hundred year history is still felt today with a sense of old-school elegance and charm. Not only that, but the hotel’s beachfront setting means you can get the grandeur and those gorgeous coastal views as well. Go to the Galvez’s Bar & Grill to tuck into some freshly caught seafood, Texas steak or buffalo chicken in a chilled-out atmosphere. hotelgalvez.com
THE ROOFTOP BAR
Get great views of Galveston’s downtown and harbour at the only rooftop bar in the city. At night, The Rooftop bar has a touch of magic about it as it’s aglow with lanterns and a beautiful fairy-light covered Manzanita tree. Sipping on a signature cocktail here whilst watching the sunset is the perfect way to end your day in Galveston. galveston.com/rooftopbar/
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DAY 4
DO
GALVESTON ISLAND HISTORIC PLEASURE PIER
This iconic Galveston landmark is definitely worth an afternoon’s exploring. An updated version of an old-school pleasure pier, it’s home to a carousel, roller coasters and a Ferris wheel, as well as lots and games and shops. If you’re feeling peckish, pop into the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant and market, and make sure to look out for the Forrest Gump references. pleasurepier.com
BISHOP’S PALACE
This is one attraction you’re in no danger of accidentally walking past. The Victorianstyle mansion was built out of stone and steel in 1892 for railroad tycoon Walter Gresham and his family. Pre-book your tour online and look out for the monthly ‘basement to attic’ tours which give you access to areas that are usually off-limits. galvestonhistory.org
GALVESTON’S HISTORIC BEACHFRONT
While away the afternoon with a stroll along the seawall that’s the longest in America. If that sounds a little too slow paced for you, rent a bike and cycle instead. Listen to the sounds of the sea and hopefully soak up some sunshine too.
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THE BRYAN MUSEUM
Delve into the American West with a tour of The Bryan Museum. See art and artifacts from the era, along with guns, spurs and a whole host of cowboy clothing. With 70,000 items on display make sure to give yourself plenty of time to explore the entire museum. thebryanmuseum.org
EAT BLVD SEAFOOD
Come here for spectacular seafood! BLVD source their seafood from worldfamous Katie’s Seafood and Galveston Shrimp Company and, trust us, it makes all the difference. Make sure to try this restaurant’s signature dish the ‘Gulf Coast Flat Fish Stack’ which includes broiled flounder, crab cake, pecans, mornay sauce, wild mushroom risotto and crisp green beans. blvdseafood.com
RUDY & PACO
A must-try dining spot, Rudy & Paco serve seafood and steak with a South and Central American twist. Tuck into one of their signature dishes, like ‘Filete De Pargo’: plantain encrusted gulf red snapper, pan sautéed and served over a raspberry chipotle sauce and topped with jumbo lump crab meat. We recommend going here for dinner before catching a show at The Grand 1894 Opera House next door. rudyandpaco.com
DAY 5
SUNFLOWER BAKERY & CAFÉ
Get stuck into delicious breads and pastries here before exploring Galveston’s East End Historical District. These freshly-prepared delights are perfect for those with a sweet tooth, but if it’s something savory then the hearty ‘Eggs Benedict Surf & Turf’ is sure to set you up for the day. thesunflowerbakeryandcafe.com
DO
MOODY GARDENS
There’s loads to get stuck into here with botanical gardens, 4-D theatres and a live tropical rainforest. A wonderful way to discover more about the world’s ocean life is by visiting Moody Garden’s 1.5-milliongallon Aquarium Pyramid that’s home to steals, stingrays, penguins and sharks. We have to say, we didn’t expect to be surrounded by tropical plants and rainforest animals whilst on a trip to Texas, but Moody Gardens really demonstrates that there’s a whole lot more than meets the eye when it comes to the lone star state. moodygardens.org To discover even more to do in Texas visit traveltexas.com. To book flights visit singaporeair.com
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CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC A-MAG GOES CORPORATE AT LES RIVES D’ARGENTIÉRE
STAY WHERE
The luxury chalets of Les Rives D’Argentiére are nestled in the beautiful Chamonix valley, surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Alps. Home of the very first Winter Olympics in 1924 and now one of the world’s most popular skiing destinations, this year-round mountain town has a lot to offer.
WHAT
Four 5-star luxury chalets make up this cosy hamlet set beside magnificent Mont Blanc. Open all year round, this resort is the place to go if you want to take your next corporate trip up a notch. Take in the beauty of the alps with a hike or put your skiing skills to the test at Les Grands Montets ski station that’s just a fiveminute walk from Les Rives D’Argentiére.
THE BUZZ
In 2018, us Brits are after a whole lot more than the typical sunny Spanish holiday as the popularity of winter breaks is on the rise. Our holiday wants are changing along with our workplaces, so A-Mag went to check out this high-end winter break for corporate clientele.
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BEST FOR
Corporate groups can re-focus and reenergise here in breath-taking Alpine surroundings without having to compromise on luxury. Whether you’re celebrating sales or taking a well-earned break, a trip to Les Rives D’Argentiére is an unforgettable way for you and your team to make memories. The resort’s dedicated events managers mean you can be certain your tailor-made trip will be hassle-free. From the moment you step off the aeroplane in Geneva, your trip is fully organised, leaving you to enjoy adventurous activities and fantastic food all in a stunning
setting. 24-hour onsite staff, drivers, and full catering leave you with nothing to worry about except having a great time with your colleagues. Head out to do a whole host of activities like skiing, hiking or sightseeing, then – if you opt for the fully catered package – return to a feast prepared by your private chef. The chalets’ huge open-plan living room complete with a roaring fire make those morning meetings that much more appealing and are perfect for a pre-dinner party too with unlimited wine, beer and spirits on offer before tucking into a four-course meal. After a
busy day, unwind with a dip in the hottub and soak up those gorgeous Alpine views or have a massage in the comfort of your chalet.
PRICE
Book a single chalet or go big and book the whole hamlet! From £6,000 p/w off season up to £13,500 p/w in peak season both based on 1 chalet, fully catered (excluding flights, ski passes, additional activities, etc.). From £500 £1,125pp p/w week based on 12 people per chalet. Fully catered private hire of the whole hamlet starts from £10,000 off peak and up to £52,000 in peak season.
THE VERDICT
This is an Alpine adventure that’s ready to revitalise you. Head here quickly and cheaply with regular direct flights from Manchester airport. Whether you want to shop, ski or socialise, Les Rives D’Argentiére’s location and 24-hour drivers mean everything is within easy distance, so you can get a taste of Chamonix in just a few days. lesrivesdargentiere.com
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DO STEP INTO THE VOID
Venture up into the Alps without the need for skis thanks to a 20 minute cable car ride that’ll take you 3,824 metres up into the mountains. Once there, enjoy panoramic views of the French, Swiss and Italian alps, or if you’re feeling brave, take ‘a step into the void’: a glass viewing box over a 1,000 metre precipice that’s bound to get your heart racing!
SKIING
Whether you’re a newbie or a pro, the range of different pistes in Chamonix means that everyone can take to the slopes. Les Rives D’Argentiére’s chauffeur service will whisk you from your chalet to the slopes in minutes, usually straight to the largest ski station in the Chamonix valley, Les Grands Montets. Make sure you get the Mont-Blanc Unlimited ski pass to make the most of your time in the snow.
THE TOUR DU MONT BLANC
Unleash your inner adventurer, with the epic TMB walk. Experience the Alpine scenery up close and personal on this tour in 11 daily stages. This 170-kilometre trail takes you 10,000 metres up into the Alps, through France, Italy and Switzerland. To find out more visit lesrivesdargentiere.com
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MONT BLANC TRAMWAY
Forget the cramped trains of your commute, this is one train journey you certainly won’t forget. Set off from Saint-Gervais and wind your way up through beautiful forests and meadows, passing glistening mountain lakes before reaching its highest point, The Eagle’s Nest. Take some seriously good snaps along the way.
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LON DON THE LANGHAM LONDON
STAY WHAT
With a whole lot of history behind it, The Langham London has been the place to go for glamour and grandeur in the heart of the capital since 1865. Get the luxury and as well as the location thanks to The Langham’s 380 elegant rooms just around the corner from Oxford Circus.
THE BUZZ
This London icon has recently undergone an £80 million makeover, marrying the splendour of the past with the needs of today’s guest. The A-Mag team went to see if this historic hotel can still hold its own against the new kids on the block.
BEST FOR
Old school grandeur in the heart of London. The Langham’s sophisticated suites are among the most sought after in the city. Its One Bedroom Suites offer great views over London and its gorgeous free-standing baths are perfecting for unwinding from your working week with a good soak. Best of all though, their One Bedroom Suites give you access to the new Langham Club Lounge. The star of the Langham London show, this private sanctuary always has something special for you to indulge in. You won’t find any restrictions here with Perrier-Jouët and cocktails flowing all day long, along with afternoon tea style nibbles and canapes in the evening.
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THE VERDICT
No gimmicks, no cheesy hooks, just winning service and oldfashioned glamour updated for today’s clientele. It’s a difficult combination to find these days and even harder to pull off, but The Langham London truly is British indulgence at its finest. langhamhotels.com/london
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EAT THE DUCK AND RICE
PHOTO: Marc Sethi
90 Berwick Street, W1F0QB. 02033277888 Ember Yard’s Berwick Street neighbour, The Duck and Rice combines an Asian fusion menu with a Victorian pub setting. Set across two floors decorated in glass and brass, the restaurant boasts – as you might expect – delicious duck dishes as well as a beer cocktails.
EMBER YARD
60 Berwick Street, W1F 8SU. 02074398057 On Berwick Street, just around the corner from The Langham, Ember Yard offers topnotch tapas and a laidback atmosphere to boot. Taking it back to basics and cooking over charcoal is what it’s all about here. Head chef, Jacques Fourie, and his team use different types of wood to infuse flavour into the ingredients used in their dishes, and even their cocktails too. We recommend the smoked bream carpaccio with blood orange and bottarga and a Smoked Vintage Negroni cocktail before heading out for the night. Ember Yard’s ‘Sunday Feasts’ are a refreshing change from your typical Sunday lunch. Tuck into a selection of smoky Spanish dishes along with bottomless Prosecco for just £35.
THE WIGMORE
15 Langham Place, Regent Street, W1B 3DE 02079650198 Inside The Langmore London, The Wigmore upgrades the British pub with a menu curated by celebrity chef Michel Roux Jr. and a makeover by Martin Brudnizki that showcases the space’s original features from its time as a banking hall. This is pub grub updated with a luxury Langham twist. Make sure you try revamped classics like the Stovetop cheese toastie and Masala spiced scotch egg, washed down with a pint of The Wigmore’s finest – their house ‘Saison’, brewed in partnership with Bermondsey’s ‘Brew by Numbers’. To find out more visit thisisoho.co.uk
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PHOTO: Marc Sethi
MED CAFÉ
18 Berwick Street, W1F 0PU. 02074370560 Complete your tour of Berwick Street with a taste of these magical Mediterranean dishes. Head here on a spring afternoon to chill out with a cold beer and falafel, meze or seafood, all locally sourced from some of London’s best markets.
. COM
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UMBRELLA BALL
Join us for the
UMBRELLA BALL 2018 07.07.18 J
oin Manchester’s famous faces and successful businesses for a fun night of celebrating and connecting in support of a charity that’s dear to the city’s heart. Funds raised by the charity go towards ensuring the highest standards of treatment, research and care for 260,000 children and young people across the North West each year.
6.30PM – Late RADISSON BLU EDWARDIAN, MANCHESTER
The 5-star Radisson Blu Edwardian provides the perfect venue to celebrate your successes with colleagues and clients and make memories with your new connections. Sponsoring the Umbrella Ball allows your brand to reach an extensive audience of corporates, celebrities and high net worth individuals. From logo placements, to social media shout outs, the Umbrella Ball allows your company to connect with successful professionals living and working in Manchester’s city centre. Promotional material prior to the event and plenty of time for networking on the night will ensure that you come away with valuable connections as well as great memories. Coverage of the ball will be included on A-Magazine’s website and in our autumn print edition which is distributed directly to the city centre homes, hotels and workplaces where your target market live, work and play.
• Network with Manchester’s most successful brands • Brush shoulders with celebrities • Enjoy discounts across Manchester
• Fun-filled night with elite entertainment • Key business exposure
• Money-can’t-buy prizes
• Great room rate at Manchester’s 5-star Radisson Blu Edwardian • Complimentary champagne reception • Three-course meal
• Special guests TBC 88 | A-MAGAZINE
SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES
Headline Sponsorship £1,500 (1 Available) • Table of 10 on the night • Front row seating • 5 bottles of wine on the table • Welcome and thank you by host Darren Proctor • Logo displayed on TV leader board screens and tablets during the night • Parallax advert on A-Magazine website for one week (artwork provided by you) • Double page advert or advertorial in A-Magazine’s autumn or winter 2018 issue (artwork provided by you) • Full page inside front cover advert in brochure • A mention in all press releases sent about the event • Link promoting your sponsorship on Umbrella Ball and A-Magazine social media • Discounted rates at the Radisson Blu Edwardian*
Platinum Sponsorship £1,000 (3 Available)
• Table of 10 on the night • Front row seating • 5 bottles of wine on the table • Welcome and thank you by host Darren Proctor • Logo in the thank you page of brochure • Full page advert in A-Magazine’s autumn or winter 2018 issue (artwork provided by you) • A mention in all press releases sent about the event • Link promoting your sponsorship on Umbrella Ball and A-Magazine social media • Discounted rates at the Radisson Blu Edwardian*
Gold Sponsorship £750
• Table of 10 on the night • 5 bottles of wine on the table • Logo in the thank you page of brochure • Discounted rates at the Radisson Blu Edwardian* Individual tickets £80
Contact info@amagazine.co.uk or 0161 504 0662 for more information and tickets
@umbrellaball
*Subject to availability. Discount is at the discretion of the
Radisson Blu Edwardian, Manchester.
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MAR C H 1 March – 24 November GRUB FOOD FAIR Fairfield Social Club 1 March – 15 April ROBOTS Museum of Science and Industry
1 MOSCOW CITY BALLET PRESENTS SWAN LAKE Palace Theatre 1 - 31 ONE FILM WONDERS HOME Cinema
7 THROUGH THE LENS MCR O2 Market Street 7 YOUR PACE OR MINE? RUN CLUB Lululemon
2 BLENDING WORKSHOP The Whisky Lounge
8 – 9 UPFRONT AND ONSIDE: THE WOMEN’S FOOTBALL CONFERENCE National Football Museum
2 – 18 MANCHESTER IRISH FESTIVAL Various Manchester venues
8 - 11 CIRQUE BESERK! Palace Theatre
2-3 MOSCOW CITY BALLET PRESENTS SLEEPING BEAUTY Palace Theatre
8 WILDE WITHOUT THE BOY Waterside Arts Centre 8 WONDER WOMEN TOUR People’s History Museum 9 - 7 FRANKENSTEIN Royal Exchange Theatre
1 March – 13 October LIVE MUSIC AT THE FITZGERALD The Fitzgerald
9 - 10 FAULTY TOWERS DINING EXPERIENCE Palace Theatre
1 March – 13 May SAVAGE INK: THE CARTOON & THE CARICATURE People’s History Museum 1 – 4 THE REFORMATION John Rylands Library 1 – 4 PELÉ: ART, LIFE, FOOTBALL National Football Museum 1 – 31 THE CRYSTAL MAZE LIVE EXPERIENCE Lower Byrom Street 1 – 10 SUFFRAGETTE CITY: PORTRAITS OF WOMEN IN MANCHESTER MUSIC The Refuge, The Principal 1 March – January 2019 ANNIE SWYNNERTON: PAINTING LIGHT AND HOPE Manchester Art Gallery 1 March – 29 April NOW: A DIALOGUE ON FEMALE CHINESE CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS HOME Art Gallery 1 PAUL WELLER Manchester Arena
10 RUNAWAY BREWERY TOUR AND TASTING Runaway Brewery 3 FAMILY BOWIE BALL Gorilla 3 SATURDAY WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE WITH THREE COURSE LUNCH Malmaison Manchester 3 - 4 PEPPA PIG’S ADVENTURE Manchester Opera House 4 INTRO TO BREAD-MAKING COURSE Companio Bakery 6 - 10 HARD TIMES The Quays
13 - 17 MATTHEW BOURNE’S CINDERELLA The Lowry 13 - 17 THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Manchester Opera House 13 – 17 THE SOUND OF MUSIC Palace Theatre
6 - 8 OPERA NORTH: MADAMA BUTTERFLY The Lowry 6 - 8 THE FIRST MEN IN THE MOON International Anthony Burgess Foundation 7, 9 OPERA NORTH: DON GIOVANNI The Quays 7 SING-A-LONG BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Palace Theatre
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10 March - 13 May TIM PEAKE’S SPACECRAFT TOUR Museum of Science and Industry
15 DALISO CHAPONDA: WHAT THE AFRICAN SAID The Lowry
18 WIND IN THE WILLOWS Waterside Arts Centre
3 - 4 DANCING ON ICE Manchester Arena
23 FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS Manchester Arena
3 - 4 THE EMBROIDERY GIRL The Dancehouse Theatre
23 March – 1 April GIN FESTIVAL MANCHESTER Victoria Baths
4 QUIZIMODO Odd Bar
24 - 25 MANCHESTER BIKE SHOW EventCity 27 RALPH DARTFORD: RECOVERY SONGS The Castle 28 BAD LANGUAGE Gullivers 30 MANCHESTER DUCK RACE Salford
5 WIZARD ACADEMY Bury 5 GIN TASTING The Castlefield Hotel 6 THE WALLED GARDENS SUPPER CLUB The Wall Gardens
11 MEET YOUR MAKER Barton Arcade
6 SALSA WORKOUT CLASS The Dancehouse Theatre
11 OINK PUNK BINGO The Blue Pig
7 NORTHERN VEGAN FESTIVAL Manchester Central Convention Complex & The Thirsty Scholar
1 BEST IN STAND UP The Comedy Store
11 KENI BURKE Band on the Wall
6 DISCOVERY COURSE TICKETS The Castlefield Hotel
7 GUNG-HO! Heaton Park
AP R IL
9 THEO KATZMAN PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS Band on the Wall
8 GREATER MANCHESTER MARATHON Longford Park 8 JESS ROBINSON: HERE COME THE GIRLS The Quays
1 – 15 THE HOUSE OF KINGS & QUEENS People’s History Museum
12 PRINCESS ACADEMY Bury Bolton Street Station
13 DREADZONE Band on the Wall 13 SIMON MUNNERY: RENEGADE PLUMBER The Bread Shed 13 - 15 FAST & FURIOUS LIVE Manchester Arena 13 - 15 40S AT 60 Bury Bolton Street Station
1 AFRICAN HEAD CHARGE + NICK SINNA (NTS RADIO) Band on the Wall
14 WHEN IN MANCHESTER FESTIVAL Castle Hotel
3 - 7 BIRDSONG The Lowry
18 BRAHMS’ FIRST SYMPHONY Bridgewater Hall 19-21 MANCHESTER PUNK FESTIVAL Various Manchester venues 8 GIRLI The Deaf Institute
19 THE GIN SOCIETY FESTIVAL Manchester Cathedral
8 CHERIE BEBE’S BURLESQUE REVUE Matt and Phreds
21 ALFA MIST Band on the Wall
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22 PLANT HUNTERS’ FAIR Bramall Hall 22 MABEL PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS Band on the Wall 23 CANAL CRUISE CASTLEFIELD TO ASHTON Castlefield Basin 24 THE GRANDMOTHERS OF INVENTION: FAREWELL TOUR Band on the Wall 25 BAD LANGUAGE Gullivers 26 MARK GUILIANA JAZZ QUARTET Band on the Wall
MAY
15 – 26 BLOOD BROTHERS Palace Theatre
1 RUSSELL BRAND O2 Apollo 2 - 6 THE JUNGLE BOOK The Lowry 3 LAURENCE JONES Band on the Wall 3 GARY BARLOW O2 Apollo
4 PINKSHINYULTRABLAST SPECTACULAR Band on the Wall 4 ULTIMATE 70S VS 80S PARTY NIGHT IN MANCHESTER Malmaison Manchester 4 NOEL GALLAGHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS Manchester Arena 5 BARREL OF LAUGHS Frog & Bucket Comedy Club
5 MARGARITA RUMBLE – BOTTOMLESS MARGARITA FESTIVAL ALBERT HALL 6 SCOTT MATTHEWS Band on the Wall 27 AN EVENING WITH NISHA KATONA Waterstones, Deansgate
6 SOUNDS FROM THE OTHER CITY Various Manchester venues
28 RAIL ALE TRAIL’: PIE AND PINTS Bury
7 - 12 TITANIC THE MUSICAL The Lowry
29 EDDIE HENDERSON WITH THE BRUCE BARTH TRIO Band on the Wall
15 I’M WITH HER Band on the Wall 17 – 28 WEEK 53 FESTIVAL The Lowry 17 SWERVED RIVER PLAYS RAISE AND MEZCAL HEAD Band on the Wall 18 THE ARCADIS GREAT CITYGAMES MANCHESTER Deansgate 19 INCOGNITO Band on the Wall 20 – 3 June BEYOND BORDERS EXHIBITION Whitworth Art Gallery 20 ARTISAN PATISSERIE COURSE Companio Bakery 20 SALFORD DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL Helly Hansen Watersports Centre 24 BRYAN ADAMS Manchester Arena 24 – 27 ED SHEERAN Etihad Stadium 25 DOT TO DOT FESTIVAL Various Manchester venues 30 RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE WERQ THE WORLD TOUR Palace Theatre 30 BAD LANGUAGE Gullivers
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11 SOUTH AFRICAN WINE DINNER Malmaison Manchester
31 WIZARD ACADEMY Bury Bolton Street Station
11 BRANDENBURG CONCERTOS BY CANDLELIGHT Manchester Cathedral
23 TONY WARREN’S CORONATION STREET VILLAINS Salford Museum and Art Gallery
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We are all different but the research unequivocally points to a range between 7.5 - 9.5 hours a day for our brain to sufficiently pass through the whole sleep cycles five times. We also have a unique Chronotype to consider which is our propensity for sleepiness at a particular time. Taking Simba’s Sleep Quiz (simbasleep.com/blogs/night-life/the-sleepquiz) to find out if you are a Dolphin, Lion, Bear, or Wolf is essential to figure out optimal times to fulfil your sleep needs and perform at your best. The Bear is most common accounting for 50-55% of the population.
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PAUL SMITH TAKES ON MANCHESTER
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tt o c S m u Cal You were born and raised in Hull. What do you miss about the city when you’re away? It’s been home to me for twenty-six years, before all this craziness started. It’s still a massive part of my identity. I wrote a song about Hull called “What I Miss Most” because I’m very, very proud of my home city. I miss being where all my friends are and the streets I used to walk down. When I go home, and I see the [Humber] Bridge I’m freaking out [laughs]. What does it mean to you to be from the North of England? I love being a Northerner. The sense of community in the North is so strong. The only thing is that not a lot of people understand what I’m saying. When I’m in America, I try to say “Oh no”, but because I’m from the North it’s “Eer no” [laughs]. What do you like about Manchester? I love coming to Manchester. It’s a really thriving city! If I didn’t live in Hull, I’d probably live in Manchester. The nightlife is amazing. The shopping is incredible. The venues are great! How are you feeling about turning thirty this year? At first I was like “Oh God! Thirty!” [laughs] but now I’m thinking it’s a nice position to be in approaching such a milestone when I’m actually pretty happy. I’ve had a lot of struggles with my sexuality growing up but
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now I’m out and proud to talk about it and I’m in a career that I absolutely love. What motivates you to make music? Life! The ups and downs and everything in-between. For my album, I’ve talked all about my life experiences in a way that other people can identify with, especially the LGBTQ community. I went through a life’s torment before I accepted who I was and now that I have [accepted it] I’ve never been happier. The album is to inspire people to accept who they are. Can you tell us the meaning behind your album’s title ‘Only Human’? ‘Only Human’ is kind of what it says on the tin. It’s a celebration of human emotion, good and bad, and is just about embracing all of it. If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want to have with you? I’d definitely want sun cream. I’m a Northerner - we burn easy. I’d have to have my iPod because you’d go stir crazy if you just had your own thoughts. I’d probably want a notebook or Dictaphone because there’s so
“I WANT TO INSPIRE PEOPLE TO ACCEPT WHO THEY ARE.”
ng After findi GT B n o e m a f e in 2015, th er g n i s n r o b Hull acing talks embr ty his sexuali life and living to the full
much reflection you can do with that much time alone. If I got found, I’d come back with ‘The Desert Island Album: Volume I’ [laughs]. Who are your heroes? Princess Diana is one. I was watching Prince William and Prince Harry talking about their mum and the lives she’d touched. People like that are so inspiring! We need more of those kinds of heroes today. My mum is one of my heroes for everything she’s done for me. I want to buy her a dream home one day and make sure she never has to lift a finger. I’m a soppy guy - I don’t know if you can tell [laughs]? In your opinion what’s the meaning of life? The meaning of life is to have fun rather than all the nonsense that’s going on around the word at the minute. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? The first time I met Sam Smith in Nashville, he said, “The best advice I can give you is to keep family and friends as close as possible.” My family have become a part of the journey with me. I try to get them out to as many shows as possible. For personal advice, my Grandma just said, “Enjoy it all”. We’re only here for a short time, so we might as well enjoy every moment. See Calum Scott at the O2 Ritz on 16 April 2018. Get tickets at calumscott.com
WIN ARTISAN
Combine an artist’s loft studio with a semi-industrial warehouse and you get Artisan. This casual dining spot in The Avenue North building serves a diverse menu that takes it back to basics with flatbreads, meat and fish cooked straight in the fire, along with a sharing roast – including a full joint, all the trimmings, and huge Yorkshire puddings – that’s just what Sundays were made for.
To be in with a chance of winning a sharing roast for four and a bottle of wine at Artisan in Spinningfields, just answer the following question: Which building is Artisan located in? A. Beetham Tower B. No. 1 Spinningfields C. The Avenue North Submit your name and answer to win@amagazine.co.uk
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