Three to see this weekend: circus, psych and SOMA

Just because the Bank Holiday is over, it doesn’t mean the fun is. There are still plenty of events lined up as we end August and enter September (no, we can’t believe it, either).

Keep the summer vibe going with the enormous Spice Girls Exhibition, SPICEUP, at Manchester Central – the biggest exhibition of Spice Girls memorabilia on tour in the world. This will be its final weekend in the city.

And it’s from Spice Girls to cycling, as Sunday marks a fundraising spectacular – The Manchester 100 – a bike ride raising money for The Christie. Participants can pick from either a 100km or 100 mile route which starts and ends at Wythenshawe Park, taking in various parts of the Cheshire countryside along the way. Why not go and cheer them on?

For more inspiration, a new exhibition is opening at The Whitworth Art Gallery on Oxford Road – Alice Kettle: Thread Bearing Witness, on until 29 February 2019. This display of textiles from renowned artist Alice Kettle tells tales of cultural heritage, displacement and movement. 

Plus, with circuses, festivals and fundraisers to enjoy, it’s clear that in Manchester the fun never stops.

Circa Tsuica – Now or Never

A proper circus – including a big top – is setting up outside The Lowry on the plaza this Saturday. There will be acrobats, musicians and artists a-plenty, ready to entertain the crowds. Even better, the performers will mix and mingle beforehand, sharing pancakes with the audience (who said pancakes were for just one day of the year?) before beginning a display of flying, juggling and so much more. Expect trapezes, trick bicycles, trampolines and plenty of colour. Great family-friendly fun. Saturday 1st September, The Lowry.

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Manchester Psych Fest

August may well be fading, but you can capture the spirit of ‘The Summer of Love’ and enjoy an array of live psychedelic music on Saturday at The Night and Day Café. Celebrating grassroots Manchester talent, the packed line-up includes much-loved noise makers ILL, the adventurous MOLD, Honeyblood, The Wytches, Toy, Caro, She Drew The Gun and many more. As well as music, there will also be artistic displays, as Louise Rivett, Jane Bowyer and Natalie Wardle will create exciting installations and performance pieces. A selection of DJs includes Kelly Jayne Jones, The Beat Chics and Panda Palm. Saturday 1st September, Night and Day, from 3.30pm, tickets £25.

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SOMA

Sunday marks the opening of SOMA Exhibition – a festival of art to support homelessness, at The Albert Hall. This exhibition is inspired by the legacy of graphic designer Ryan Lammond, who tragically died in March this year aged just 24, and also includes some of his work. Teaming up with street outreach project Change4Good, SOMA is set to be a thought-provoking and powerful visit. After all, Change4Good not only work with the homeless community on the city streets, but provide a platform for their work. Expect art, spoken word, performance and plenty more. Entry by donation. Sunday 2nd September, The Albert Hall.

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