Want to test your Alan Partridge knowledge? Now’s your time to shine, with a massive quiz night dedicated to the parody comedy character.
Coming to Manchester on 2 February, the event has been put on for a very good cause, raising money for Young Lives vs Cancer.
The charity fundraiser will be written by Neil Gibbons, the co-writer of the iconic Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa.
Freight Island is set to transform into a hub full of laughter and giggles as it proudly presents the Alan Partridge Charity Quiz.
The event promises not only an entertaining night but also the chance to win a selection of prizes, including Alan memorabilia, so if you’re a hardcore fan this is definitely not something you want to miss.
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Better still, all the donations raised from tickets and a raffle will support such an amazing cause, which will make a difference for children battling cancer.
An Alan Partridge quiz night is coming to Manchester. Credit: Publicity picture
The inspiration behind this charitable endeavour is the courageous journey of Joe, the son of Andy Jane, a friend of Freight Island.
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Andy has shared the heart-wrenching story of Joe’s battle with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and shed light on the impact that charities like Young Lives vs Cancer have for people like Joe.
He said: “Our son Joseph was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2020, aged four years old. Sadly, after two and a half years of treatment whilst in remission, he relapsed.
“Our lives were left shattered. It’s hard even to find words to express the mental anguish our family faced through this time and its lasting effect.
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“We waited months to see if Joe could find an eligible donor, as his only chance of recovery was a bone marrow transplant. Thankfully one was found, and with another six months in an isolation ward, we have got him home again.
“The worry and hospital visits never go away, but charities like this support families and help kids understand that it isn’t their fault and that it’s ok to be scared.”
This event aims to raise awareness about the challenges families face when a child is diagnosed with cancer.
The Alan Partridge Charity Quiz will be written by the legendary Neil Gibbons – one half of the Gibbons brothers, the duo best known for working on several Alan Partridge projects as well as Veep and The Witchfinder.
Every ticket purchased and every donation given ensures that Young Lives vs Cancer can continue its vital mission to stand alongside families, offering support and facing the challenges of childhood cancer together.
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It will take place at Freight Island from 7.30pm on Friday 2 February, and is 18+ only. Grab your tickets here.
So come along, grab a drink and get your Partridge heads on. Aha!
You can line dance to Lily Allen’s West End Girl in full right here in Manchester
Thomas Melia
After a fun way to kickstart the New Year? Some people might suggest hobbies like ‘Tennis’, but how about a line dancing class playing Lily Allen’s new album in its entirety – we know which we’d rather do.
Grab your nearest ‘Nonmonogamummy’ or take ‘Madeline’, if you know one, because there’s a line dance class where you get to line dance to Lily Allen’s West End Girl in full right here in Manchester.
Hosted by Red Rodeo Club, a queer line dancing group based in Manchester, who have hosted monthly artist-inspired events city wide including Chappell Roan, Beyoncé, Charli XCX and more.
This troupe even managed to line dance all the way to one of Manchester’s most reputable LGBTQIA+ nights of the year, performing on the Archive stage at Homobloc just last month.
Now, Red Rodeo is returning with another special night that is sure to interest all the West Endand North West girls across Manchester, as it prepares a Lily Allen line dance spectacular later this month.
If you’re ‘Ruminating’ about attending this event, there’s absolutely no pressure or dance experience needed as the group prides itself on providing ‘classic boot-scootin tutorials with a party vibe’.
You’ll definitely be in good company regardless of your dance partners, as hosting the event is Violet Blonde, known for their extraordinary outfits and love of Country icon Dolly Parton.
We’re already onto a winner…
Your dance instructor for the night is the remarkable Shanika Sunrise, a rapper and producer, who boasts a seriously impressive roster of acts they’ve opened for, including Chappell Roan, Cupcakke and Moonchild Sanelly.
Opportunities like this aren’t always feasible for everyone, which is something this line dance group is aware of as they’re offering a ‘Red Rodeo Club Low Income Ticket’, suited for students, unwaged and disabled attendees.
Red Rodeo Club is bringing the ‘Lily Allen edition’ line dance class to Fairfield Social Club in Manchester on Thursday, 29 January 2026, from 7-10:30pm.
If you’re interested in grapevine stepping or electric shuffling your way to the Lily Allen West End Girl line dance event in Manchester, you can find tickets HERE.
A ‘Bubble Planet Experience’ with giant ball pits and an infinity room is coming to Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Manchester will soon welcome a ‘dreamlike world’ filled with giant, colourful bubbles, when Bubble Planet Experience makes its Manchester debut.
Expect giant ball pits, giant balloons, floating soap bubbles, and an infinity room in this brand-new-for-us immersive experience.
Bubble Planet Experience has already been visited by more than four million people in cities across the globe, including New York, Los Angeles, and London – now it’s time for its first trip to Manchester, where it’ll pop up inside Depot Mayfield.
Visitors will be able to explore 10 themed rooms, each one offering a different surreal landscape that will ‘blur the boundaries between dream and reality’.
Highlights include the Bubble Ocean, a vast expanse of bubbles designed to evoke calm and serenity, and the Infinity Room, where mirrors and shifting lights create the illusion of endless space.
Underwater Bubbles will transport visitors into a hypnotic aquatic world, recreating the magic and mystery of deep-sea exploration.
An infinity room at Bubble Planet Experience
There’s also a Bubble Dome, where younger visitors can unleash their creativity in a play area, plus the chance to go on a virtual reality adventure.
Expect dazzling light displays, interactive installations, and unexpected textures.
Bubble Planet Experience is co-produced by family entertainment producer Exhibition Hub and Fever.
Hamza El Azhar, CEO of Exhibition Hub, said: “We are delighted to be bringing Bubble Planet to Manchester for the very first time alongside the team at Fever, and to be part of a city with such a strong and celebrated cultural identity.
“We look forward to welcoming everyone to experience a joyful, immersive adventure that sparks curiosity and wonder for all ages.”
The waitlist for early access to tickets is available HERE.
Isabella Norrison -
25th January 2024 
