Issue 1 April 2009
F R E E
Find your community...
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Issue 1 April 2009
welcome to large manchester...
HELLO THERE MANCHESTER FOLK, Welcome to Large, Manchester’s only community guide, providing you with in the know information, what’s new in town, what’s happening right under your nose and Manchester’s best bits. Large has been created purely to guide you and build a sense of community in our humble city, to get you out and about, socialising and being a little bit adventurous, maybe it’s trying a new sport or just sampling a new restaurant, we want you to live, work and play in Manchester and we make sure you don’t have to wade through the rubbish by shining our Large spotlight on the finest purveyors you will find! You won’t see countless pages of property advertisements here or features on over priced lampshades, just plain, simple and informative reads that will make your journey around the city that little more exciting. In our attempt to bond the city centre community, we’re launching our own Large Socials where you can come and mingle, make new friends and be dazzled by some of Manchester best venues, more details later in the magazine. We also want to encourage you to get active as we launch LargeOutdoors.com the perfect site for you to have ago at Outdoor Pursuits from walking & horse riding, to climbing & kayaking we will be offering loads of day trips, weekends away and foreign trips to place like Nepal and Morocco. We’re the new kid on the block so we welcome your thoughts, suggestions and comments on the magazine, get in touch at: editor@largemanchester.com Until next month, enjoy Mancunia! Editor: Kelly Byrne, Contributors: Gareth Williams, Sam Connell Snail mail: Large Manchester, Suite 700, 275 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EL Website: www.largemanchester.com Emails: editor@largemanchester.com, advertising@largemanchester.com Advertising: Ollie on 07515 911 458 Editor: Kelly on 07754 897 800 Copyright - Large Manchester 2009, all rights reserved. Large Manchester accepts no responsibility for inaccuracies or complaints arising from any advertisements featured.
NEW TO MANCHESTER...
Brand, Spanking New Openings The decor is very opulent purples and crushed velvet draping, Bijou: creating an intimate feel for a 1-7 Chapel Street, MCR, M3 7NJ venue so large. The aim is to bring On the old site of the former Manhattan to Manchester with Cocoa Rooms, the current owners lots of relaxed, dimly lit offerings bring to you Bijou, the new jewel around the venue, and a guest in the crown of Manchester or so list as impressive. The owners are they say. Marbella born Sintillate playing on the closeness to the has taken over Friday nights so neighbouring MEN Arena and expect a young crowd of ‘beautiful hosting many an exclusive after people’. No doubt about it, this is party for the music maestros a superb venue, multi level, multi themselves. roomed with a champagne bar There are big plans in the pipeline and VIP room on the upper level for this super hot spot with the and the stunning balcony area legendary club giants Pacha and on the ground floor perfect for Miss Moneypennys being added summer BBQ’s (when we get the to the mix for the summer. weather!) It’s nice to see such a fantastic
Corridor: 6-8 Barlows Croft, MCR, M3 5DY Corridor is Manchester’s newest edition to the back street bar collection. Nestled discreetly off Chapel Street, head towards the Lowry and you’ll find it.
ENJOY A BOOTH AT BIJOU
Corridor is situated in an old textile warehouse and is the brain child of the people behind SocioRehab in the Northern Quarter. Corridor replicates the intimacy of its older sister but has a more cocktail lounge feel that wouldn’t be out of place in a smoky jazz bar in New York. The interior is decadent and the impressive cocktail list will leave you begging for more. Try the Corridor Pink Grapefruit Daiquiri or Corridor Blackberry and Apple Margarita, these guys know their cocktails inside out and have put the best ones on the menu. www.corridorbar.co.uk
NEW TO MANCHESTER...
venue back open for business and hopefully sticking around for longer than its predecessor. The crowd is young, sophisticated clubbers with a passion for shaking it up on the dance floor and looking uber- gorgeous, so if that floats your boat and you fit the bill then get yourself along! www.bijouclub.co.uk
NEW TO MANCHESTER...
Brand Sparkling, New People The capital of the North is the place we all call home so if you’re new to the city then trying to build up a new network of friends may seem an extremely daunting task but fear not, Large is here to make that a little bit easier for you. Even if you just want to widen your existing network of friends or find new people with similar hobbies to yours then here’s the low down on the best networks in the city
City Socialising: All done through the wonder that is the world wide web, City Socialising is free to try and gives you access to organised events in relaxed surrounding where you can meet other likeminded
individuals. You can even create your own events and invite people along or message people online that you want to know more about. City Socialising holds regular events from salsa clubs and pub tours to dinner parties and walking tours, there is something to suit everyone and it’s so easy to get involved. Everyone is in the same boat so making friends is easy. City Socialising was created in London to help people integrate more easily into city life and the concept was so successful they’ve brought it up north. To find out more visit: manchester.citysocialising.com
Thirsty Thursday is the best way to stay socially and professionally connected in the city. Created 6 years ago as a way for old work friends to keep in touch, the religious monthly socials on the last Thursday of the month are now an event in the diary not to be missed. Thirsty Thursday is a women’s only networking group for savvy like minded ladies to connect at social events in the cities most beautiful venues. The evening usually entails great company and delicious refreshments providing the perfect surroundings for you to talk shop, meet new friends or both! The members are made up of professionals from varying backgrounds so whatever your
NEW TO MANCHESTER...
Thirsty Thursday:
NEW TO MANCHESTER...
job role, you’ll find someone at their events who has a similar professional outlook. Thirsty Thursday isn’t in the slightest pretentious and really is a great opportunity to unwind and escape from your hectic lifestyle. Membership starts from £5 per month. To find out more visit www.thirstythursday.co.uk
Large Socials:
Why not try a bit of socialising ‘Large’ style! We’re heading to Bijou for our first social event EVER and it’s sure to be a good night so come and join us with friends or to make new friends and check out the swish new venue whilst saying hello to the Large team. Tell us what you think of the mag and what you’d like to see in our baby. Come along on Thursday 16th My Manchester: April for a bit of drinking and a little My Manchester is a community mingling. Large Socials will soon based site offering a variety become a firm date in the diary so of services, one of them being become part of the Large massive networking groups. The straight away. All the details are groups vary from healthy living further in the magazine. workshops for women, Europeans in Manchester meet up group and community dance classes. The meet ups are held across the city but you can join in an existing event or even post your own on their forum board. The meet ups are usually free of charge so maybe it’s time to remove yourself from behind the screen and get out there making new friends! For more information take a look at www.mymanchester.net
NEW TO MANCHESTER...
LARGE SOCIALS...
Large Manchester brings you a new frontier on the social scene, our very own Large Socials. It’s an opportunity to relax and enjoy yourself in great surroundings. We want to get the people of Manchester mingling, bridging new relationships, meeting new friends, catching up with old friends and checking out some of the city’s best venues. Be part of Large history and join us for our very first social event which is also our launch party, on Thursday 16th of April at Bijou (formally the Cocoa Rooms) 69pm. Come along for a free drink on arrival (first 100 people) and good times! The socials will continue on a regular basis and we’ll be trying out all sorts of weird and wonderful activities and exploring new venues to ensure you stay on top of the action in town. To rsvp for this event please email socials@largemanchester.com
Would your venue like to work with Large Socials to showcase your business? Why not a social? If this is something you would like to discuss further please contact Gareth on: socials@largemanchester.com or by calling 07779 040 396.
Bijou advert
WISTFUL WONDERING AT THE WEEKEND...
So you work in Manchester, you live in Manchester, you socialise in Manchester, come the weekend, you’re a little bit ‘Manchester-ed’ out, but fear not, our humble city has enough life to keep you going 24/7. Manchester has a wealth of alternative activities to do during down time, you might just have to search a little bit to find them but we’ve done a bit of digging and here are our favourite finds:
CORNERHOUSE - The first two Sundays of the month at The CornerHouse are Breakfast Club where you can enjoy a classic film and a full English breakfast or vegetarian breakfast with tea, coffee or fruit juice for the bargain price of £9.50. You choose to eat before or after the film so just sit back, relax and read the Sunday papers whilst indulging in a classic movie. Past movies have included of course The Breakfast BEST BRUNCH: Club, Withnail and I and The Big Sunday brunch, the perfect way Lebowski. All washed down with to cherish your last day of the a cup of English tea (£1.35) and weekend before it’s back to the an energy surge fruit smoothie office so don’t stay in watching (£3.00) for good measure! hangover TV, get yourself down to our favourite food hot spots.
WISTFUL WONDERING AT THE WEEKEND...
THE MALMAISON - Again sticking with the lunch theme, The THE NORTHERN - Ok a bit of a Mal makes Sunday’s easy and filled twist on brunch but who’s to know with joy with their special Sunday what time you’ll rise on a Sunday Roast. To start with, it’s soup, then so if it’s too late for brunch then moving onto your main washed The Northern do THE best Sunday down with half a bottle of wine lunch. Touted as Manchester’s per person for £15 per person. The finest homemade lunch, it will give menu runs every Sunday in the your grannies a run for her money. opulent resturarant from 12-4pm. You get two meat choices and a You really can’t find a better way veggie option and lunch is served to spend a Sunday and the best with a large dose of market fresh bit....you’re off the hook with the veggies, mashed swede and carrot washing up! and dependent on season, it may come with cauliflower cheese or CHILL FACTOR-E: braised cabbage and then to top it So technically a little bit out of the all off honey glazed parsnips, roast city in Trafford but easily accessible potatoes and the all important by public transport or free parking gravy all for £9, can’t say fairer than if you have your own wheels. This that! place is just a bumper bundle of fun in one. You can ski, snowboard,
WISTFUL WONDERING AT THE WEEKEND...
climb, shop, eat and drink under one roof! Chill Factor-e is home to the UK’s longest and the world widest real indoor ski slope at 180 metres long and 100 metres wide at the bottom but unlike a lot of ski resorts, you can ski year round here and don’t have to keep an eye on weather warnings! They have slopes to suit any level, so if you’re a complete beginner, have lessons, master the nursery slopes and you’ll be a pro in no time! Those who are a little more experienced then, just go for it and get stuck in. If you don’t fancy ski-ing or boarding, you can copy “Cool Runnings” and whizz your way down the toboggan run or slide down the slope in a huge rubber ring. It’s not all about going down; you can also go up on the 12 metre high climbing wall as well! Finish the day off with a little shopping to top up your all important winter wardrobe and finally after such an adrenalin packed day you’ll be a bit peckish so don’t forget to refuel at one
of the many eateries in the Alpine Village and reflect on your adventurous day. www.chillfactore.com
NING COOKERY SCHOOL: Ning, one of our favourite restaurants in Manchester situated at the top of Oldham Street, is more than just a quality eating establishment, it’s also home to Manchester’s only Malaysian cookery school. Under the expert guidance of Head Chef Norman Musa, you’ll get a crash course in Malaysian cuisine. There are courses for meat eaters and
mediums such as design, graffiti and photography. In tribute to our great city, “Reality Hack: Hidden Manchester” by photographer Andrew Paul UNIQUELY URBIS: Brooks documents the journey of We all know it’s there but very few what’s behind the scenes of this of us will have ventured inside city. Beneath the polished surfaces the glass walls of that funny of glass and steel, it exhibits the shaped building nestling next hidden world that supports our to The Printworks. Urbis is just a contemporary views of what mind field of wonder with each Manchester is now and what we floor comprising of a different may have forgotten when relishing layer of knowledge. Urbis was in our wonderful city. opened back in June 2002 as part The exhibition is on until May of Manchester’s regeneration 2009 every day from 10am-6pm program and has an evolving and entrance is free, yes free so program of exhibitions focussing get yourself to Urbis now! Urbis on culture in cities, its people and changes its exhibition program voices and brings to life what is regularly so visit: interesting about city life through www.urbis.org
WISTFUL WONDERING AT THE WEEKEND...
vegetarians and classes start 10am Saturday morning and last for 4 hours. You’ll get tour of the kitchen and learn all about the culture of Malaysia and how this transfers to the food followed by a cooking session where you cook your own 4-5 dish meal of Malaysian starters and main meals. You need to pre book for this little treat so call Ning on 0161 238 9088, rumbling tummy anyone? www.ningcatering.com
TUMMY RUMBLES...
NING RESTAURANT
Manchester has some truly splendid restaurants, we all know that, but what about those that are a little bit hidden, off the beaten track and often off our direct radar so Large got its magnifying glass out and found these culinary delights.
vibrant fuchsia twist on many of the ethnic offerings in the city with ultra modern surroundings and an impressive menu. Ning has special set menus from only £10.95 for 2 courses with accompaniments and the a la carte menu has some weird and wonderful dishes to choose from NING: including Sambal Udang and The Burton Building, 92-94 Oldham Ayam Percik. We tucked into the Street, Manchester Chicken Satay Skewers (£6.25) ningcatering.com the homemade peanut sauce just Next to The Frog and Bucket, delicious and Chicken Murtabak you may have heard the rumours (£5.95), ‘Mamak’ style pancakes around Manchester about this filled with chicken, onion, Asian delight in the Northern end potato and eggs, sounds a weird of town specialising in Malaysian concoction but tastes yummy. and Thai cuisine. Ning puts a For mains we tried out the Ginger
LEONI’s LATIN CELLAR: Bow Lane, Close to Albert Square leonislatincellar.co.uk Blink and you’ll miss this place but it’s certainly worth a visit. Slap, bang in the middle of town is Leoni’s, it’s down an alley close to the town hall and is also in the basement, sounds a bit dodgy but fear not, this is where you should head if you’re dreaming of sunny espania! Leoni’s has been a family run restaurant for nearly 30 years and was taken over 6 years ago by two Chilean brothers. The restaurant is a fusion restaurant with a mix of Latin American and Italian and offers a great combination of some classic Italian dishes alongside the stews, skewers and quality meats from Latin America. The venue is very traditionally decorated and feels like you should step outside onto a beach rather than into rainy Manchester but it has a very ‘tapas’ feel with lots of Mediterranean themes running throughout. To start, we stuck to Italian, Garlic
TUMMY RUMBLES...
Beef (£9.50), marinated beef wok fried with fragrant fresh ginger, peppers and spring onions and the old favourite Thai Red Curry (£8.50), both dishes didn’t disappoint and were so full of flavour from the fresh vegetables and spices used in cooking. The chicken breast pieces in the curry were the size of gobstoppers! We had a portion of Jasmine rice and Rice noodles on the side. The only minor disappointment is that the portions of rice are rather small so don’t attempt to get one between you. The main meal portions are large, so much so that there was no room for desert but for those with a sweet tooth, I’d recommend the Banana Fritters (£4.50) and the homemade Chocolate and Cashew Nut Brownies (£4.50) from the smiles on the other diners faces as they were tucking in, I think the deserts match the quality of the mains! Ning also does a cookery course, more information can be found in our “Wistful Weekend” Feature in this issue of Large Manchester.
TUMMY RUMBLES...
Bread with Mozzarella (£4.25) and Mushrooms in White Wine and Garlic (£4.75). The mushrooms were cooked to perfection, very firm (I hate soggy mushrooms!) and not overpowering with the garlic and white wine. I have to say that the meat served here has to be some of the best in Manchester. It’s Argentinean and the Beef Fillet (£16.95) was so tender and juicy. They also use their own marinades for extra flavour. I opted for the King Prawn Muniere (£16.95) which is 7 huge king prawns, marinated served on a bed of rice, absolutely delicious! Places like Leoni’s don’t get enough credit but the staff are so friendly and accommodating, the prices are reasonable and the portions are plentiful. They run a great weekend offer of £6.95 all you can eat Italian buffet. Keeping with the theme, head down on a Thursday night to listen to the sweet sounds of their resident Latin American musician, strumming away on the guitar.
Pau Brasil
PAU BRASIL: 58 Lever Street, Manchester, paubrasil-restaurant.co.uk As with most good things in this city, they are slightly hidden. Situated in the far end of the Northern Quarter is Pau Brasil, described as a new sensation in dining that’s a ‘big, gastronomic pleasure called Rodizio’. Rodizio is a popular way of eating in Brazil which is basically an all you can eat meat feast! Don’t even bother stepping inside the venue if you’re not a meat lover as this is meat, meat and even more meat. You pay a set price (Monday to Friday lunch time, £12.50, Evenings
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TUMMY RUMBLES...
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TUMMY RUMBLES...
Pau Brasil
£22.50) and then you help yourself to the buffet which comprises of cold salads such as pasta, vegetables, bread, white rice, stewed spring greens, meat stew, potatoes, fish stew, black beans, a meal in itself you might be thinking but then comes the twist....servers circulate with different types of meats on skewers. Each person has a card on their tables, you show green for go (I want more meat) or red for no go (I’m all meated out). So on the meat menu is rump beef, beef ribs, beef skirt, pork ribs, pork tenderloin, pork sausage, chicken breast wrapped in bacon, chicken thigh and heart and leg of lamb. It’s all you can eat so you can keep going and going until the meat sweats set in!
A lot of the meat is served quite rare but they can cook it more for you. The place was packed on a Monday evening which shows word is spreading and rightly so! South America is famed for its quality meats and Pau Brasil manages to capture this and bring a little bit of ‘Copacabana’ to Manchester! Pau Brasil will soon be opening on Deansgate, later in the year so Manchester folk will be able to get a taste of Brasil on both sides of the city centre. The service here is impeccable and it’s nice to see Manchester’s range of food offerings being broadened yet again!
GOINGS ON IN THE CITY - APRIL...
Manchester Real Food Market A new market is coming to town. The Manchester Real Food Market will be opening on 24th and 25th April and will be happening twice monthly in Piccadilly Gardens. The mission is simple - to bring fresh food to the neighbourhoods of Manchester city centre. The market replaces the longstanding Farmers’ and Producers’ Market and will feature all manner of culinary delights from across the region. For those regular customers of the farmers’ market, do not fret as all of those traders will still be part of the new market and will be joined by a wide selection of other foodie traders. On offer is a wide variety of fresh meats including pork, venison, lamb, beef, ham, sausages, turkey, chicken and fish (smoked
salmon, trout and kippers) and other delicious products such as jams, honey, bread, a vast range of cheeses and dairy products, free range eggs, herbs and spices, chutneys, marinated olives, sun dried tomatoes, specialist ales and fine English wines and liqueurs. Yum yum! There’s loads of great lunch offerings including freshly made soups, sandwiches and burgers. Not only will the market provide a great open-air shopping experience but it will also support local small businesses and farms by giving them the opportunity to sell their products within the city centre. The farmers and producers offer something special to citydwellers by bringing their fresh homegrown and home-reared produce from the local farms into the heart of the city, and onto the plates of Mancunians!
French Market
St George’s Day Parade and Markets A parade of decorated floats will leave Nicholas Varley School, Miles Platting at 12 noon and wind its way to Piccadilly Gardens on 19th April. Look out for St George’s knights and a dragon, damsels and Rose Queens and traditional and modern characters representing diverse English culture. There will also be a St George’s Market in Piccadilly Gardens (17-19 April) where you’ll find gifts, food and treats. We don’t often get the opportunity to celebrate all things Brittania but this is one day you can certainly be part of that. jackstgeorge.bravehost.com
GOINGS ON IN THE CITY - APRIL...
Francophiles and food lovers throughout Manchester will be delighted at the news that the French Market is returning to St Ann’s Square once more from 23rd to 26th April. The markets are renowned for bringing a little pocket of France into a beautiful corner of Manchester city centre. French markets pride themselves on their cheeses and these are no different. There will be an extensive collection from across France together with other regional specialities in the form of olives, biscuits, cakes and sweets from Normandy and Brittany. There will also be delicious crepes, freshly baked patisseries, glugable wines, continental meats and fresh fruit. My mouth is watering quicker than you can say “bon appetit.”
GOINGS ON IN THE CITY - APRIL...
moves09 23rd–28th April Now in its 5th year, moves is established as the largest exhibition platform in the UK for experimental short film and new media with a unique focus on movement on screen, exploring new ways of telling stories through films, installations and screenbased art. moves is also a creative hub with a mission to nurture and showcase new talent, through student projects, artists’ residencies, interactive live events and moves lab, a 5-day filmmaking challenge running during the festival. movementonscreen.org.uk
Manchester Fashion Market If you are looking for individual and unique pieces at affordable prices then the Manchester Fashion Market is the place to visit! It is the first dedicated fashion market in the North West and houses the
latest up and coming designers from Manchester. You will find clothes, lingerie, bags, purses, hats and jewellery giving you the chance to buy one off independent label designs at reasonable prices. The items are really beautiful and it’s good to support up and coming designer talent in Manchester. You never know you could be getting your hands on one of the first pieces designed by a future Henry Holland or Matthew Williamson. Held every Saturday between 10am and 5pm tucked next to Debenhams on Tib Street.
Kro Easter Weekend Beer Festival 9th – 12th April Head down to Kro2 Beer Garden, Oxford Road to sample over 60 different beers, 20 ciders and whiskeys all washed down with the legendary Kro BBQ (let’s start summer early!!) The festival will be featuring North West breweries including All Gates from Wigan, Bank Top from Bolton and Hornbeam from Denton so it’s a very local affair. For more information call 0161 232 9796.
Manchester Craft and Design Centre Northern Quarter – 7th April Craft Mafias comes back to MCDC for their bi-monthly Lo Fi evenings. This is an opportunity for networking and making things with fellow crafty mancunains. People come along to share ideas, skills and to have a bite to eat in Café Aromat, all for a credit crunching £3.50. You can’t get a better after work wind down!
THE BEST - SPEEDY LUNCH...
We don’t mean speedy in the sense that you inhale your lunch so fast you get indigestion but if you want something more substantial than a bog standard sandwich where you can sit down and ponder but you’re pressed for time head to:
Rice Piccadilly Gardens Varied menu, reasonably priced, extremely healthy and keep your eye out for the super deals they do regularly. Rice prepare a multitude of dishes taken from across the globe, all served with well, rice! The kitchen is open plan with lots of hot wok-ing and flames before your very eyes. Then take your culinary delight in a little white box and savour
the authentic spices and flavours as you munch away.
Bar Burrito Piccadilly Gardens Freshly prepared fast food at its best! Bar Burrito offers a variety of Mexican inspired options... burritos, nachos, quesadillas, tacos, lots of fresh ingredients served up in a bundle of goodness! How the servers gets so much into a burrito continues to baffle me but they do lots of lunch meal deals which means you won’t break the bank and can be back to the office quicker than you can say spicy salsa! They are doing a fantastic lunch offer at the moment of two burritos, two soft drinks and a side of tortilla chips for only £10!
Simple The Northern Quarter Simple has been a long running Manchester favourite and is totally in tune with the needs of its customers. Its Happy Hour is legendary, Monday to Friday, 58pm get involved with bottles of House wine for £6.50 and buy one get one free on all cocktails. If you’re feeling a bit peckish it’s buy one get one free on chunky chips too!
Does your business have a cracking deal that we could shout about? If so please get in touch.
The Living Room, Deansgate The Living Room has become sensitive to our recession cries and launched their ‘Signature Hour’, every weekday evening from 5-7pm take advantage of their belting deals. All signature cocktails are £3.50 including White Peach Bellini, Raspberry Martini, Mojito and Gingerbread Manhattan, mmmmm, house wine at a drop down £9.95 per bottle and bottles of Peroni at £2.50.
THE BEST - HAPPY HOUR DEALS...
We like to go out and have fun, you like to go out and have fun and it doesn’t have to be a big cash fuelled night, here’s two great spots where you can enjoy yourself without breaking the bank.
fashion forward...
Lucile and Co. 7 Police Street, MCR, M2 7LQ Lucile is a new boudoir-esque lingerie shop, just off King St with an amazing story behind it in the fact that the company was originally founded in 1890 by Lady Duff Gordon, the current owners great-great Grandmother. Back in the day, Lucile had stores in London, Paris and New York and Lady Duff Gordon was the first woman to introduce ladies to the sexy side of lingerie. Now Lucile is the only boutique to offer Manchester ladies a traditional fitting service as well as bespoke tailoring making sure you are perfectly fitted underneath. They also stock from a size 26 upwards. Many of the brands stocked in Lucile are exclusive to Manchester, such as Damaris, Giannia Rose, Coco Ribbon, Mimi Holliday, F’raud Silk and most importantly, celebrity favourite wonder item Spanx, keeping you pulled in where you need it! They also do a beautiful collection of bridal lingerie and you can
leave a wish list with them for your partner to come and purchase from as a special treat! The shop is well worth a visit, it’s like stepping back in time with a modern twist, very decadently decorated and adorned with photographs of the great Lady herself. Interesting fact, Lady Duff Gordon even survived the Titanic! That’s a good enough reason to visit in itself! To book a fitting appointment call 0161 8353286 or e-mail: fo@lucileandco.com. DO YOU OWN YOUR OWN FASHION BUSINESS? IF YOU WOULD LIKE US TO FEATURE YOUR BUSINESS PLEASE CONTACT KELLY ON: EDITOR@LARGEMANCHESTER.COM
Renegade Marmalade:
fashion forward...
77 Thomas Street, MCR, M4 1LQ Renegade Marmalade is a brand spanking new edition to the Northern Quarter. Owner Victoria Jackson set up the outlet due to her frustration of Manchester not offering enough opportunities for savvy fashionistas being able to express their individual sense of style. Victoria wanted a boutique that she would want to shop in herself that was miles away from the offerings on the high street and where shoppers are offered new possibilities in fashion, featuring new labels not stocked anywhere else within a beautiful, welcoming space. The unusual name, Renegade means independence, bravery and defiance and being true to yourself juxtaposed with Marmalade, the feminine, playful side which is completely reflected in the collection. The collection is made up of pieces from international designers, a few are established in the UK
and others are making waves abroad and there is something for every price range of those seeking something different to the normality on the high street. Victoria only buys a small quantity of each item so itĂs unlikely youĂll have that embarrassing situation of a fashion face off on a night out. For more information head to renegade-marmalade.co.uk
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT - COMEDY SPOTLIGHT...
Northern banter is the best and we can proudly boast that some of the world best comedians are from up north, Steve Coogan, Peter Kay, Jason Manford, Alan Carr the list goes on and on. We love our comedy so much, Manchester even has its own comedy festival at the back end of the year but in the meantime here’s where you can get tickled any night of the week.
for £5, can’t get a cheaper laugh than that!! Also throw in with that curry, rice and a naan for £4.25 and a bottle of house wine for £6.95. The perfect way to get in weekend mode! Barrel of Laughs every Friday (£13) is The Frog and Buckets flagship comedy show with three acts plus comepere and then their legendary cheesy disco taking you through to the early hours. Highlights for April include Jonathon Mayor, Frog & Bucket Steve Harris and Mick Ferry. Oldham Street, Manchester The last Sunday of the month is Frog and Bucket is the original Laughing Cows, an all female Manchester comedy venue. Dave showcase of great stand ups. These Gorman, Peter Kay and Caroline ladies try to buck the trend of the Ahern have all graced this stage; comedy scene being overrun with The Frog prides itself on being a testosterone by creating a balance nurturer of new comedic talent. with their show. Full listings can be The Frog was born in 1993 as a found at Manchester pub with a comedy laughingcowscomedy.co.uk sideline, the comedy soon took The Frog has something on every over with Mancunians begging night of the week with the line for more so The Frog moved to up changing on a regular basis so bigger premises at the top of to keep on top of it all log onto: Oldham Street. frogandbucket.com Every night has a different varied line up. Thursdays are Big Value Thursdays where you get 5 comics
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT - COMEDY SPOTLIGHT...
Opus The Comedy Lounge, The Printworks, Manchester You might not associate this venue with comedy but Opus in The Printworks has a great comedy offering every Saturday evening and you can dine, laugh and then dance through the night if you so wish. Ticket only price is £12 per person then you get access to the venue until the early hours. Their meal deal at £18 per person gets you a gourmet burger meal during the comedy show interval and then access to the club and the crème de la crème is the restaurant and comedy package where for £30 per person you get a 3 course meal in the O-Bar and Grill, show tickets and access to the club all night. April sees highlights from John Warburton, Steve Harris, Martin Bigpig and Christian Reilly.
Tickets need to be bought in advance and it sells out pretty quickly so log onto: opusmanchester.com or call 0161 834 2417 to purchase the goods.
The Comedy Store Deansgate Locks, Manchester The Comedy Store has been the icon of the Manchester comedy scene for a very long time. They do some belting stand up gigs on Wednesday and Thursday with sets from the finest talent on the circuit. Comedians come from all over the country to play on this stage with the line up changing every week, check out the website for full details. Cheer up a boring Sunday evening with a raucous night of laughing, King Gong is where brave new
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT - COMEDY SPOTLIGHT...
talent steps onto the comedy stage and battles it out against the gong. The audience judge the acts as they try and keep them entertained with various comical routines. King Gong is on the first Sunday of the month. On the last two Sundays of the month, the stage is home to ‘New Stuff’ where established acts try out brand new material for the very first time, for new shows, radio programme or just new gags, this is their testing ground! There’s a brassiere as well in there if you’re feeling peckish. You can get meal deal tickets, a 2 course
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT - COMEDY SPOTLIGHT...
meal and your comedy ticket from £27 Tickets range from £5-£18 depending on when you want to go, all available at: thecomedystore.co.uk
TV 21 Northern Quarter, Manchester One of our Northern Quarter favourites, TV 21 plays host to legendary Mick Ferry’s Space Cadets comedy nights. Taking place on the last Tuesday of the month for a measly £5/£3 NUS you can laugh your little socks off! Mick is a comedy genius and has the accolade of being personally asked to appear alongside standup luminaries Johnny Vegas, Sean Lock, Peter Kay, Al Murray and Steve Coogan – having the honour of joining each of them as a special guest on live shows. The night entails Mick Ferry alongside two hilarious sidekicks, Mick’s got loads of ‘big time’ mates so don’t be surprised if you turn up and it’s a big name comedian. The night starts at 8.30pm prompt so get along for fun times on a
usually boring Tuesday night. Visit tv21manchester.com for all the details.
Didsbury Comedy Club Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, M20 3RY On the first Sunday of the month, Didsbury Cricket Club hosts its own comedy nights. Shows start at 7.45pm prompt and entry will set you back a mere £6/£5 concessions. Sunday 5th April sees Dave Williams take centre stage. Dave’s been in comedy for over 10 years and has made Manchester his adopted home. Often compared to comedy greats Harry Hill and Eddie Izzard, Dave touts himself as a comedian not trying to blow you away with cutting edge material but just concentrating on good old fashioned silliness! Terry Saunders also shares the bill, Terry’s a bit of a story teller, often drawing inspiration from what he says “his own rubbishness at dealing with life’s mainly pathetic challenges” Go on, admit, we all
Fresh pizza and pasta. All doughs are made onsite including wholewheat and gluten free. Dairy free cheese available Available for private bookings
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT - MUSIC MAESTRO...
like to hear about other people’s misfortunes! So if you fancy a night outside of the city centre, head down to Didsbury for some belly laughs!
Mancunians. He’s done good up there, reaching the Scottish semi finals of the BBC New Comedy Awards in 2001 so he must be funny! Then end of the month on 22nd, Lamaars Barry Dodd comes along to charm Northern Quarter, Manchester the audience with his Geordie wit Every Wednesday is Laughter at and Sam Avery plays on 29th. Lammars, a free yes, free comedy Sam was nearly a rock star, not a night in the city centre. comedian but thankfully for us, he 1st April sees Greg Cook, ‘Les decided making people laugh was Dawson for the 21st Century’ take the way forward and now has a to the mic and the week after on reputation for bringing a spark to 8th, Vince Atta, City Life comedian even the dullest of rooms with his of the year in 2006 takes to the infectious humour. stage. His ull on energetic show always brings the house down. Neil McFarlane plays on 15th April bringing his Scottish humour to us
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT - COMEDY SPOTLIGHT...
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT - COMEDY ONE TO ONE...
One of our favourite comedy favourites, Stockport Born Steve Shanyaski sits down with Large to have a brew and a chat. Steve is a true comedy genius, within a year of his comedy birth, he had made it through to the semi finals of the BBC’s Young Comedian of the Year and the North West Comedian of the Year. He’s won countless accolades since then cementing him as a key player on the comedy circuit. Tell me how you got into comedy? I was studying music technology and had ambitions of being a dance music producer so after my studies I started working in a variety of dull jobs to get cash together and buy equipment. As often happens, my savings never quite made it, probably because I was spending most of it in the pub at the weekend! Me and my mates used to love watching comedy, the greats like Eddie Izzard and Peter Kay and we often thought to ourselves, they sound just like us, when we’re in the pub bantering between
ourselves. I went to Glastonbury and saw some comedians on stage and had an epiphany, I just thought, I can do that! I finished work on a Friday and booked my first stand up gig at the Frog and Bucket for the open night on the following Monday. So how did the first gigs go? I was so nervous but I just used that time to try out new material, see what cut it, what didn’t and within a few months I had my first paid gig but I did the open mic night every Monday for months. You’ve won quite a few awards, how did you manage that? I did 6 months of stand up and then started entering competitions and was in the semi finals of the City
Life Comedian of the year in 2003. That was a big one as it had been won before by Peter Kay, Caroline Ahern and Justin Moorhouse the year before. I also got to the semi finals of the BBC 3 New Comedian of the year so that really made me realise I wasn’t crap and to keep going. I got an agent pretty soon after that. So what’s next for Steve Shanyaski? Edinburgh.....I’m taking a show up there to the free fringe festival. One venue, 20 nights so a big run. The bulk of the material always stays the same but you take leads from the audience at the beginning and adapt it to that. Edinburgh is where all comedians want to head to, it’s where you get noticed and get more exposure but there’s a lot of competition up there. I’m lucky to have a good agent behind me who pushes me. After that, I want to go down to London and see how things go down there. Catch Steve at The Frog and Bucket on 14th, 15th and 16th April. www.frogandbucket.com
VENUE SPOTLIGHT - LAMMARS...
Each month we ask a manager to spotlight their venue. This month we look at Lammars in the Northern Quarter. Describe your venue in 100 words? Lammars is located within the back streets of Piccadilly making the Restaurant & Bar a real hidden gem. With original wooden floors, a collection of leather comfy sofas, it makes a perfect venue for a night out with someone special, a drink with colleagues or a meal in the restaurant. Open 7 days a week and always free entry, the bar offers a comedy night every Wednesday, Live House Band every Thursday and Resident DJ’s every Friday and Saturday.
What’s your best deal of offer on this month? We’re currently offering a selection of quality red and white wines at just £9 per bottle. What special events have you got coming up? Lammars 3rd Birthday Party is due and it is expected to be bigger and better than the previous 2, with special guest PA’s!
If our readers have never been to your venue before why should they come down and try it out? What’s your favourite night of the Lammars is a unique night out that week and why? you will not experience anywhere Wednesday night is Comedy night in Manchester, it is a place that just at Lammars, it’s free to get in and has to be visited! showcases some of Manchester’s Fourways House, 57 Hilton newest talent alongside more Street, Manchester. M1 2EJ experienced headliners, it really is WEB: lammars.co.uk a new and fresh night out. PHONE: 0161 237 9058
WIFI:
Yes and its free!
VENUE SPOTLIGHT...
DISCOVER A WHOLE NEW WORLD...
Why not try something new? We catch up with Orca Divers from Chorlton. If you wish to book on any of their courses or want more information please contact Nick or Caroline on 0161 718 3118
LEARN TO DIVE:
Have you always wanted to learn to dive? Why not join Orca on an PADI open water course. This is the basic entry level dive qualification which will enable you to dive all over the world. The course costs ÂŁ385 and for this your get all manuals, equipment hire, theory sessions, all the pool sessions you need to master the skills plus 4 open water dives. To book this course contact Caroline or Nick at Orca.
ORCA DIVE CLUB:
TASTER SESSIONS:
These are the perfect way to have a go at diving. Orca run 2 hour sessions every Weds and Friday evenings were you can come along and have a go. The session costs ÂŁ25 and this includes instruction and all your kit. These need to be booked in advance and do fill up quickly. So why not jump in and give it a go.
Are you already a qualified diver? Orca Divers run a dive club that is open to both BSAC and PADI divers, this friendly group has over 300 members and for a small annual membership fee members recieve a variety of benefits including, access to Orca pool sessions including the kit, ideal for refreshing your skills, 10% off courses and purchases in the shop, 1st refusal on all Uk and foreign trips, UK day trips, plus monthly trips to Capenwray. Outside of diving the club has a large social aspect and is a great way to meet other divers.
ORCA DIVERS 125 Manchester Road Chorlton Manchester M21 9PG 0161 718 3118 www.orcadivers.com
SWEAT IT UP, WORK IT OUT...
Gyms, the bane of life for many but it’s not all about treadmills and weights, there are other ways to keep fit and in less sterile environments that you might actually enjoy! Most of you will be bombarded with offers on fitness clubs day in day out but if you fancy doing something a little different then look no further....
dinghy sailing, windsurfing, power boating, rock climbing and abseiling. Catering for all experience levels and ages, the focus here really is about getting stuck in and getting outdoors. Debdale offers team building courses and multi activity days where you can learn a bit of everything in one day. You can’t beat the rush of Manchester wind through your hair on a Sunday morning and the prices are really reasonable so no excuses! Visit manchester.gov.uk
Sunshine Studios: Sunshine Studios is one of the UK’s largest dance and arts studios and their list of classes is exhaustive. There has to be Situated just outside the city something here to suit you, centre in Gorton lies the activity whether that be street dance, jazz haven that is Debdale Outdoor or ballroom. Some more unusual Activity centre. If you want to get choices include Reggaeton which fit but don’t want to do it in the is a blend of reggae with salsa boring confinements of a gym, and other Latin influences, Belly then head down here. Operated Dancing for those wanting perfect by the city council, Debdale offers abs and Locking which is where a huge range of activities including funk meets street dance where
Debdale Activity Centre:
as Manchester’s friendliest pole dancing school host classes across the city centre. You will need to sign up to a course; it takes a few attempts to get to grips with the technique but its well worth the effort and lots of fun. poletastic.com
Manchester Dance Centre:
The perfect place for dance, yoga and martial arts, Manchester Dance Centre offers classes for all levels in practically everything. From the classics of tap, ballet and jazz to the more unusual capoeira which is a ritual dance form hailing from the streets of brazil done in a circle a la Step Up style dance Pole Dancing: off (again something to please Pole dancing brings with it visions the discos crowds on a Saturday of raunchy routines and mishaps night), the samba and Argentinean whilst trying to swing yourself Tango. The classes are run by a gracefully around a metal pole but fantastic team of teachers and it’s not like that in the slightest. To are really reasonable price wise, be blunt, this is hard work! usually around £5. They are mostly Pole dancing is a great way to get held at the Dance House on Oxford in shape in a fun environment Road facing the BBC. For more and meet new friends. Pole information have a look at: Tastic, who describe themselves manchesterdancecentre.co.uk
SWEAT IT UP, WORK IT OUT...
you ‘lock’ your arms whilst your bottom half dances...one to be debuting on the dance floor on a Saturday night! The school also offers martial arts courses if that’s what tickles your fancy. Sunshine Studios can be found on Newton Street. You buy a membership and then pay as you go for classes. sunshine-studios.co.uk
LARGE OUTDOORS.COM...
Another string to our growing Large bow is Large Outdoors which is a new activity group that offers you the chance to get involved with outdoor pursuits, not only in the North West but on a national and international basis.
a go, so come and see if you like it and we’ll do our very best to keep you loving the outdoors! You’ve probably sat there in front of the TV and fancied doing something a little bit adventurous, well this is where we come in. On a regular basis you’ll find the Large Outdoors team walking, We have activities for all kayaking, surfing, horse riding, abilities from beginners to more diving, mountain biking, skiing, experienced pursuiters, from snowboarding, climbing, caving... simple day walks in the Welsh phew, that’s enough for starters mountains to weekend white and we would just love it if you water rafting adventures. We’re come along and joined us. for all of you who want to have We’ve worked hard to develop a
those keen beans who can’t wait to get outdoors, get more details on our programmes and for those who are still a little unsure, come along, have a chat and let us convince you to try us out, we’re really nice so what do you have to lose! You can learn more by checking out our website: www.largeoutdoors.com and registering for our newsletter or joining our facebook group ‘Large Outdoors’. You’ll find all the latest information here. Sign up and you’ll get to know everything we’re doing and how you can be part of it.
LARGE OUTDOORS.COM...
good range of activities and we’ve even managed to nestle in some international trips in 2009, a 2 week trip to Nepal, a Moroccan desert adventure and a wild week in Slovakia. We’re here to encourage you to get outdoors and experience these activities with likeminded individuals no matter what your experience level is. Large Outdoors is a great place to expand your social network whilst indulging in some amazing sights, both home and away. To break you into Large Outdoors and tell you what we’re all about, come and meet the group at Bar 57 on 9th April from 7pm. For
LARGE OUTDOORS.COM...
LARGE DAY WALKS Get into the open air for a day with a Large day walk. It’s a great opportunity to get to know other Large Outdoors Members and maybe make some new mates. This season, out day walks will take us to The Peaks, Lancashire, Yorkshire and The Dales and there will be walks to suit all levels, so you can pick a day out that suits you best! All Large day walks are planned and guided by a competent Large Outdoors Leader. Go on - you know what those sure your kayaking adventures are boots were made for... safe - and lots of fun. Go on - bet you’ve always wanted KAYAKING WITH LARGE to see yourself in a wetsuit! Whether you’re a beginner or a star kayaker you’ll enjoy our regular LARGE CAMPING kayaking sessions this season. Get back to basics on a Large We’ll be meeting at Salford Keys Outdoors Camping Event. twice a month and we can cater for Throughout the season we have all levels. So if you are a complete a host of great venues lined up in; beginner, now is your chance to North Wales, The Lakes, Yorkshire learn. and The Peaks. We negotiated special Large Here you can really chill out and rates for equipment hire and enjoy the best of nature and the our qualified Large Outdoors company of other Large Outdoors Watersports Leaders will make Members.
Adventure and our Nepal Multi Activity Tour. On foreign trips with Large, you get the chance to experience some great adventures with skilled professional leaders (some from Large and some from the location itself ). This is a great chance to make some really good new mates’ GO LARGE OVERSEAS on a trip away you will always For the really adventurous we remember... have limited places available on Go on - let Large be your passport our overseas adventure trips. to adventure. Look out for at least two trips LargeOutdoors.com this season; our Moroccan Desert
LARGE OUTDOORS.COM
At all our camps there will be a variety of activities to choose from; for example, plenty of walks and sometimes mountain biking, kayaking, canoeing and even rock climbing. Go on - dust off that tent and stock up on marshmallows - your camp fire awaits!
CHARITY SPOTLIGHT...
Every month, we’re handing these pages over to our favourite charities in the North West to help raise awareness and just give these guys a much needed and deserved helping hand. The Community Foundation works tirelessly in communities to help ‘ordinary people achieve extraordinary things’ and works with a variety of people across the region to actualise this. The government recognises the importance the Community Foundation does in the North West and has given them the chance to build an ‘Infinity Fund’, a community fund where every single pound raised, will be matched, sound good? Well on the back of this The Community Foundation have launched a great new campaign called ‘Forever Manchester’ for those who have an affinity with Manchester. It works to develop Manchester’s
future by raising funds to make its communities safer and supports grassroots projects throughout the region. They want to raise over £4 million in the next three years. Just one project benefitting from the fund is Abraham Moss Warriors, a junior Football Club based in Cheetham Hill, which helps to encourage exercise and steer local young people away from drugs, crime and gang membership. Unpaid volunteers run the Club with almost 200 players from 5-17 years of age, originating from 26 different countries. Crumpsall and Cheetham Hill are in the top 2% of the most deprived areas of the country meaning many families struggle to contribute to the costs of training. The Club were in danger of folding due to the lack of funding, however, through a grant from The Community Foundation, they were able to continue their activities by using the grant to
hire a nearby training pitch and to transport players to and from training safely. A significant reflection on the hard work the club does, two team members have signed academy contracts with Blackburn Rovers with over 25 others attending professional trials for other clubs.
www.forevermanchester.com
DELPH BRASS BAND Established in 1850, the group encourage both young and old living in this rural area to get involved in music and performance. They have been awarded a grant of £2,916.70 to buy a set of brand new uniforms to match their sparkling instruments. Philip Shaw from Delph Brass Band comments: “It is fantastic to receive this grant as this kind of equipment is so expensive. We perform many times in one year, and looking the part is essential to the cohesion of the band, and really helps reflect the quality of our performances.”
LATECOMERS THEATRE COMPANY ‘On The Breast’ was a Vagina Monologues inspired play put on by The Latecomers Theatre Company who received £1,000 towards the project from the Community Foundation. The Hulme based drama group is volunteerled and encourages members of the local community to get involved in the creative arts. ‘On The Breast’ was a collection of interviews by Manchester women about their own unique relationships with their bodies performed live at The Printworks in the city centre. The event supported The Genesis Appeal, which opened Europe’s first purpose built breast cancer prevention centre, at Wythenshawe Hospital in 2007.
CHARITY SPOTLIGHT...
Forever Manchester’s goal is to make Manchester a brighter place to live for generations to come and needs your support. Whether you can support through donation or your company can help out by becoming a sponsor then every little helps.
MARKET PLACE... Large Manchester goes directly into the mailbox of every city centre apartment in Manchester. Large is a comprehensive guide to aid city life and as part of our reader’s lifestyle’s they want access to services in the city centre. Large Manchester provides businesses with the opportunity to get in direct eye line of these people, over 13,000 of them each month. Most of our readers will need to use an organisation like yours at some point so why not make sure
you are standing out from the crowd. Our classified section offers extremely cost effective ways of advertising your business to the masses. Rates start from ÂŁ25 per month for an 1/8 page advert, giving you a big presence in a big city. Full details can be found online at: largemanchester.com/about
MARKET PLACE...
To Advertise IN the market place Contact Ollie on 07515 911 458
VOX POP - WALK OF SHAME STORIES...
“What’s your most embarrassing walk of shame story??” Every month we take to the streets of Manchester to get to know our readers a little better. I was about 19 I’d been out to a club in Leeds. We all decided to carry on the party back at my mates house. He lived in the same village as my Grandma. I fancied some fresh air so decided to walk down the road to the newsagents, and grab a taxi home from a nearby taxi rank. It was about 6am, Sunday morning so I didn’t think that anyone would see me, tottering along looking extremely dishevelled, wearing teeny tiny shorts and super high heels, and still completely inebriated... when who walks out of the shop - my Grandma!!! And then she says: “Oh, look at you, you look lovely!”, when in fact, I looked more like a lady of the night! It was our office Christmas party in London; I proceeded to take advantage of the free bar and in my intoxicated state forgot where I was staying. It then got to the time I was due to travel home so I had to leave all my clothes, including train ticket in the hotel (that I’d still not located) walk to the train station and get on a train back to Manchester in my tuxedo, then do the walk of shame in another city when I got back home!
I went out one night and decided to go back to a guys house I’d been on a few dates with. I was living at home at the time so lied to my parents and said I was having a girls night in at one of my friends houses. The next morning, obviously in last nights clothes was walking down Oxford Road and got caught up in a big political demonstration outside the BBC and the cameras swung round to me tottering along in bright red platforms, make up all over my face, not the way I would like to be looking for my TV debut. When I eventually returned home, my parents in hysterics, they’d be watching the whole demonstration on TV over the Sunday papers and saw my great moment in front of the camera!
VOX POPS - WALK OF SHAME STORIES...
Not quite walk of shame but I’d viewed a flat a few times in the city centre and then the following weekend went out partying. I decided to head home and found my front door unlocked, no major drama, let myself in and fell asleep on the couch only to be woken up by a strange guy asking me what I was doing in his flat. For some unknown reason I’d got it into my drunken mind that the flat I viewed was my house and had let myself into a strangers home and fell asleep on their sofa!!