After a rough old year, The Deaf Institute is finally back doing what it does best – boasting a jam-packed calendar with music performances, quizzes, screenings and DJ sets.
A five-week, socially-distanced schedule is commencing from 17 May – and there’s something going on every single day of the week.
There’ll be gigs, comedy and arts events featuring some top Manchester DJs and bands – as well as venue takeovers from the city’s labels and music brands.
Deaf Institute’s doors have been closed since March last year when lockdown first began – but the team are making up for lost time with this huge lineup of events titled the ‘Good Mood Interlude’ to welcome everyone back.
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Alongside music and good times, there’ll be some cracking food from Koffee Pot – which is taking over the kitchen to provide hangover cures by day and DD’s Burgers by night.
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Here’s what to expect from the schedule:
Mondays
Kicking off each week is a screening of a classic British comedy TV programme. Starting with the Mighty Boosh on 17 May and followed by Peter Kay’s iconic Phoenix Nights on 31 June, there’ll be plenty of opportunities for a good nostalgic belly laugh to start things off right.
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17 May – Mighty Boosh 24 May – Alan Partridge 31 June – Phoenix Nights 7 June – Peep Show 14 June – Nighty Night
Tuesdays
Each Tuesday from 8pm, Sav will make a comeback with the weekly ‘Quiz That Came from Space’. It’s all free, but book a table to avoid disappointment.
Now’s the time to brush up on your general knowledge!
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Wednesdays
Mid-week will be dedicated to music documentaries.
On 26 May, there’ll be a screening of I Am A Cliché, which tells the story of Poly Styrene – the first woman of colour in the UK to front a successful rock band.
16 June will see a screening of Montage of Heck, a film all about Kurt Cobain which brings together never-before-seen footage and interviews from his family and friends. Some very interesting stuff to get stuck into on Wednesdays!
19 May – Dig! 26 May – I Am A Cliché 2 June – Decline of the Civilisation – Part 2 9 June – White Riot 16 June – Montage of Heck
Thursdays
Thursdays bring a mash up of arts and music events.
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From the interactive art club Overdrawn on 3 June, to International Teachers of Pop’s live show on 10 June (where they’ll finally get to play their latest album ‘Pop Gossip’ live in the flesh), there’s loads to experience and explore.
20 May – Speedy Wunderground Takeover 27 May – TBA 3 June – Overdrawn – Interactive Art Club! 10 June – International Teachers of Pop album playback and DJ set 17 June – Heavenly Records takeover
Fridays
A whole host of gigs and DJ sets will be taking place across weekends at Deaf Institute, including Halifax band The Orielles on 21 May, plus DJ sets from collectives All Hands On Deck and Left, Right & Centre a week later who will deliver a more experimental vibe to Fridays.
Mix-Stress from the Rebecca Never Becky will play mid-June. The collective are huge on putting a spotlight on LGBT+ talent in Manchester – go and check them out.
21 May – The Orielles + The Beat Chics 28 May – All Hands On Deck + Left Right & Centre 4 June – Girls On Film + Hannah O’Gorman 11 June – Rebecca Never Becky + Bloom 18 June – Dutch Uncles + Howling Rhythm
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Saturdays
The music continues on Saturdays with a heavily punk and rock influenced lineup each week.
Cabbage, the post-punk rock band from Mossley, will play a special DJ set on 5 June, whilst fellow Manc band Loose Articles will take to the stage on 12 June.
Plus, three-piece rock band Pins will be doing a DJ set on 19 June as well. There are some great nights lined up here if you fancy something different.
22 May – Liines + Super Electric 29 May – Bollox + What She Said 5 June – Cabbage DJ set + Suck It and Spin 12 June – Up The Disco w/ Loose Articles + Hot Singles Club 19 June – Pins + Outernational Yorkshire
Sundays
The bottomless “Get Stuffed” brunch, with scran courtesy of Koffee Pot, will round the week off perfectly – as well as cure the hangovers.
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Events are free and walk-ins will be available if you fancy popping down on a whim. But it’s best to book to avoid disappoint. Secure your table online or via[email protected].
Stay up-to-date with music and events in Manchester with The Manc Audio.
Featured image: The Deaf Institute
Art & Culture
Horror film festival Grimmfest announces fear-filled return to Manchester next month
Emily Sergeant
Spooky season is just around the corner, and now a popular horror film has announced its return to Manchester next month.
Grimmfest, also known as Manchester’s International Festival of Fantastic Film, has confirmed its 2026 return dates, and has also announced its the full lineup – with four fear-filled days planned, showcasing the best in brand-new horror genre cinema.
You can expect some ferocious feature films, a savage selection of shorts, hair-raising horror classics back on the big screen, and more premieres than ever before.
Returning to Odeon Great Northern early next month, Grimmfest audiences will have an exclusive opportunity to see many of the films on the lineup long before their formal release – with both world, UK, and international premieres on the cards.
Some of the programme’s highlights this year include the UK premiere of Zachary Wigon’s darkly comedic period piece, Victorian Pyscho, shot in Ireland and starring big-name stars Maika Monroe, Jason Isaacs, Thomasin McKenzie, and Ruth Wilson.
Ángel Gómez Hernández’s Crawlers will also make its UK debut at the festival, and horror fans are also said to be eagerly awaiting Jason Lei Howden’s Deathgasm 2: Goremageddon – which is the highly anticipated follow-up to the beloved cult metal comedy-horror, Deathgasm.
There will also be an array of incredible short films screened throughout the festival, all in a huge range of styles, themes, and twisted sensibilities, proving that when it comes to Grimmfest, good things often come in small packages.
Grimmfest has announced its fear-filled return to Manchester next month / Credit: Grimmfest | Krists Luhaers (via Unsplash)
It’s not just new releases you can expect either, as some absolute horror classics are also set to return to the big screen for their anniversaries.
Respected guests from all around the world are set to descend on Manchester for the festival, and that include the film makers and actors from many of the selected films.
And of course there will be plenty of film introductions, Q&As, and signings for fans.
Grimmfest 2026 returns to Oden Great Northern from from 8 – 11 October, and you can see the full lineup and get tickets here.
Featured Image – Grimmfest (Supplied)
Art & Culture
Chester Zoo’s popular FREE Nature Fest returns this weekend with its biggest event yet
Emily Sergeant
A free festival helping people connect to nature is returning for its 10th anniversary, and organisers say it will be their biggest event yet.
Nature Fest is returning to Chester Zoo this weekend, and is set to explore the relationship between nature and wellbeing, with lots of new activities designed to help festivalgoers experience the benefits of connecting with the natural world
Around 4,000 people, and lots of families, are expected to attend across the weekend.
Visitors can take part in animal yoga sessions, relax in a zen den, and explore an interactive nature adventure based around the five pathways to nature connection, traveling along tunnels and through a tree along the way.
There will also be live music, puppetry, crafts, workshops and talks, alongside opportunities to discover how conservationists work to protect wildlife.
Chester Zoo’s popular Nature Fest returns this weekend with its biggest event yet / Credit: Chester Zoo
On top of that, the festival will feature stands from various nature organisations and community groups across the North West, talks and tips from nature professionals, and wildlife-friendly gardening sessions with the zoo’s schools team.
Chester Zoo has also teamed up with Outside Lives Ltd on the festival, giving visitors the chance to take part in other activities like crazy golf, den building, and willow weaving.
“We’re hoping our 10th Nature Fest will be the biggest yet,” commented Chris Ablett, who is the Community Volunteer Assistant Manager at Chester Zoo.
“Chester Zoo is well known for supporting conservation across the world but protecting nature here in the UK is just as important.
“We want people to know there are simple things they can do to help wildlife at home, and Nature Fest is a great way to link up with people and learn new skills you can put into practice in your community, all while enjoying a great day out.”
Chester Zoo’s Nature Fest returns for 2026 this weekend on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September. It’s free to attend, parking is also free, and no booking is required.