MediaCity’s waterfront art exhibition Box on the Docks is reopening its crates and welcoming back visitors for one weekend only.
20 of the region’s best artists will be heading to Salford for ‘Box on the Docks: Unwrapped’ this weekend – showcasing collections of original artwork, paintings, photography and jewellery in their own individual pods.
The dazzling stalls will open from 10am – 5pm, Saturday 12 to Sunday 13 December – offering the perfect opportunity for visitors to shop local and bag some brilliant presents just in time for Christmas.
Among the displays, visitors will find boxes dedicated to LS Lowry; wrapping paper, posters; prints; and even a cube containing digital fairies from an enchanted woodland.
Other pods invite people to take part in experiences – such as listening to true life stories told by Manchester’s older residents or exploring a soundscape created by electronic giants Underworld – whilst the surroundings will be adorned in magical Christmas lighting just for the occasion.
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The MediaCityUK gardens and piazza is truly dressed to the nines this year; featuring a digital Christmas tree, an Insta-worthy shimmer wall and an Elf and Fairy garden.
Salford Food Bank Giftbox (designed by Carbon Creative) will also be serving items such as coffee, jarred sauces and boil in a bag rice or pasta to support local families in need.
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Josie Cahill, Director of Place for MediaCityUK said: “Box on the Docks: Unwrapped continues to support local artists and works well alongside the Makers’ Market where people can safely browse, soak up the festive atmosphere as well as support local and independent traders.
“So, wrap up warm, and head down to MediaCity this weekend to enjoy street food at the Makers’ Market, meet talented artists and admire the Christmas lights.”
Box on the Docks will have a limited capacity, with all visitors required to remain 2 metres apart in adherence with social distancing requirements.
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For those unable to visit in person, a virtual gallery will be available on the Box On The Docks website.
Manchester’s new £2.5m indoor activity park is offering 50% off tickets over half term
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester’s newly-opened indoor activity park is offering families the chance to visit for half price this spring holidays.
In case you missed it, Salford was chosen by Oxygen Activeplay as the location for its next venture, an officially opened the doors to its newest state-of-the-art equipment facility above bustling food hall Kargo MKT, inside the former site of I’m a Celebrity Jungle Challenge down at Quayside MediaCity in mid February.
Since opening to the public, Oxygen MediaCity has already been helping lots of local families stay active and have fun at the same time.
Following a £2.5 million investment, the new park features more than 30 trampolines, a mega-air bag, a high ropes course, a ‘Rollglider’ aerial ride which flies over the facility, and Oxygen’s signature illuminated sensory experience ‘Excite Tunnel’, along with even more “epic” activities.
A series of optional games and dance parties are also on offer during each play session, and the new Manchester park also hosts ‘Peaceful Play’ sessions designed for neurodivergent guests, who prefer a calmer and quieter playing environment, as well as there being a ‘Toddler Venture Zone’.
A cafe serving drinks, snacks, and meals also overlooks the park, so once you’re all bounced out, you can recharge with a full feast from the new menu before heading home.
Manchester’s new £2.5m indoor activity park is offering 50% off tickets over half term / Credit: Jamie McPhilimey
And thankfully, once schools are out for the spring holidays in a couple of weeks time, families can get themselves one of Oxygen at MediaCity’s Easter Holiday Pass, which gives pass holders the chance to visit the park on any five days of the two-week break – including on weekends and bank holidays – for 60 minutes of ‘Open Play’.
For a limited time only, you can save some pennies and take advantage of a half price offer and get your hands on an Easter Holidays Pass for only £30.
Little Simz announces biggest-ever Manchester gig ahead of new album
Danny Jones
The queen of British rap, the one and only Little Simz, is coming back to Manchester for what will be her biggest headline show in this city to date.
A whole three years on from her last album No Thank You, the rapper from Islington is heading back out on the road after wrapping up the recording of her sixth studio LP, Lotus.
The first single ‘FREE’ has already dropped, and despite the release date itself being pushed back, news of a new Little Simz tour later this year more than makes up for it, if you ask us.
Little Simz already has two NME Awards to her name for Best British Solo Act and Best British Album, not to mention a BRIT itself for Best New Artist in 2022; oh yeah, and she won the Mercury Prize as well as a BET Hip Hop Award over in the States for ‘Best International Flow’ – all before she turned 30.
With that in mind, you can understand why so many are frothing at the mouth to hear her new record when it does finally drop.
There doesn’t appear to be any problems with the album itself: Simbiatu Abisola Abiola Ajikawo, to use her full name, is simply busier than ever and has just booked a role in a film because, yes, she acts too.
Lotus will now drop on Friday, 6 June, just in time for fans to get learning the lyrics ahead of festival season, which we have no doubt she’ll play a big part in.
You can hear the first taste of the next chapter down below:
Little Simz returns to Manchester for a Co-op Live debut on 16 October with tour supports still yet to be announced.
Pre-sale goes live on Wednesday, 9 April from 10am for official Co-op members and general admission will be available from the same time on the following Friday (11 April).
The Manc -
10th December 2020 
