For too long, big movies have been confined to the small screen.
COVID restrictions pulled theatre curtains shut in winter and they’ve remained untouched ever since – leaving audiences deprived of a true cinematic experience and digesting blockbusters on Netflix instead.
But now, almost halfway through 2021 – projectors are finally whirring back into life.
Hundreds of cinemas across the UK have announced triumphant comebacks this month – including several independent theatres in Greater Manchester.
To celebrate long-awaited reopening of these venues, British gourmet popcorn specialists at Popcorn Shed have published an interactive map of returning cinemas – which you can view online here.
We’ve listed them below…
HOME, First Street
HOME
From May 17, HOME returns to action.
Based at First Street near Deansgate, this multipurpose culture venue has been operating as Manchester’s hub for contemporary theatre, art and cinema since 2015.
With restrictions due to ease further, HOME has announced a reopening programme – pulling back the curtains to reveal a bumper schedule of cinema screenings.
From next week, film fanatics can take their pick from gritty dramas, foreign cinema flicks and new indie releases all being beamed to the big screen.
From the classic red seats to the intimate lighting, EVERYMAN venues are focused on guaranteeing a luxurious viewing experience for audiences.
Two of these plush cinemas are reopening right here in Greater Manchester – including one in Altrincham and antoehr in Manchester city centre (just over the road from the bustling restaurant and bar scene of Spinningfields).
Big screen releases such as Godzilla vs. Kong and Peter Rabbit 2 are scheduled for next week – along with Academy Award Best Picture winner Nomadland.
A full food and drinks menu is also available – with waiter service delivering snacks to your seats.
Established in 2019 and known as “the home of cult films, video games and cool nerd stuff”, The Chapeltown Picture House is the perfect venue for any true cinephile.
Based in Red Bank in Cheetham Hill, this eccentric venue has form for screening classic and cult movies of yesteryear.
And there are some corkers on the list for next week.
The lineup for May 17 onwards includes screenings of Inglourious Basterds, Singin’ In The Rain and all three of The Lord of the Rings films.
After a full year of closure, The Savoy in Heaton Moor will finally be reopening its doors to the public from July 2.
The venue has used lockdown to embark on a major restoration project – transforming the historic building into a swanky independent cinema with 4K digital projection, luxury seats, and a fully stocked bar.
A new programme will be announced during June – with a mixture of new and classic movies expected to appear on the bill.
A giant robotic snail is sliming its way into Manchester city centre this weekend
Emily Sergeant
If you find yourself in Manchester city centre this weekend, then keep your eyes peeled for a big robotic snail.
It’s not a sentence you hear every day, but this weekend and this weekend alone, a ‘breathtaking’ giant robotic snail will be sliming its way into the heart of Manchester city centre as part of Manchester Museum‘s plan to bring free family fun to the masses this summer.
Luma, a nine-metre-long inflatable, robotic snail – who has been brought to life by creative robotics studio, Air Giants, who are also responsible for the giant cat currently sleeping in the Museum’s Exhibition Hall – will be leaving the four walls of the Oxford Road-based Museum and heading down to St Ann’s Square.
St Ann’s Square’s newest visitor is part of the Museum’s free family programme centred around their The Cat That Slept for a Thousand Years exhibition.
Luma’s visit will give Mancs the unique chance to have fun with this otherworldly being.
Like the sleepy cat, Luma the snail uses air flow to move around, and draws inspiration from the extraordinary range of flexing and contorting motion that’s found in bio-mechanics to create ‘beautiful’ movement.
Part artwork, part a feat of engineering, Luma has a gentle, welcoming and otherworldly presence, and invites members of the public to get up close, responding to their movement and touch in the process.
A giant robotic snail is sliming its way into Manchester city centre this weekend / Credit: Supplied
“Luma is a joyful and hopeful work which champions both nature and technology, and reimagines what robots can be for,” Manchester Museum said in a statement.
Luma the snail will perform in St Ann’s Square this weekend on both Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 August from 10am-4pm.
It’s a free experience that’s open to everyone of all ages.
Featured Image – Supplied
Art & Culture
Cult favourite clothing brand Clints has dropped the lineup for the first-ever music festival
Danny Jones
Popular Manchester street and footwear brand, Clints Inc., has now revealed the lineup for its first-ever music and culture festival to mark five whole years in fashion – and it’s looking big.
The highly sought-after clothing and sneaker make started out from a bedroom in Moston and is now a premium label in British urban, skating, UK grime and hip-hop culture, having been worn by many famous names and welcoming even more through the door of their Deansgate shop.
Located in the ABC Buildings on Quay Street next to Spinningfields, the flagship Clints store opened back in 2022 and is much more than a place to buy some new drip: it’s a place that showcases art, music, and a whole sub-sect of shopping beyond just skate silhouettes and trendy trainers.
As hack as it might sound to some, wearing this brand comes along with immersing yourself in the wider style and scene; the very same scene being celebrated in tandem with their fifth birthday.
Up until recently, details were still scarce, but now the debut Clints Fest lineup has dropped, and there are some big names on board.
Set to take place at Barton Aerodrome, a.k.a. City Airport, over in Eccles, the live performers confirmed for 2025 span multiple genres, spotlighting both music veterans and up-and-coming artists from all over.
Legendary DJ, producer and MC Mike Skinner – most famously for his music with The Streets – tops the bill, alongside Tottenham-born rapper and grime artist, Chip (formerly known as ‘Chipmunk’).
There’s plenty of local love on show too, with Manc R’n’B, jazz and soul singer, Victoria Jane, also set to perform, among many other acts from around the region and beyond.
Other names include the equally soulful hip-hop and rap star, Kofi Stone, New Zealand actor and solo artist, Sammy V, as well as plenty more.
On the launch of the event, Founder Junior Clint said: “We’ve built Clints on the back of our supporters embracing the DIY spirit. This festival is the ultimate expression of that ethos. Housing both music legends with upcoming artists is our ambition with Clint Fest, and we can’t wait to deliver it.”
Clints Fest (the inaugural one, at that) will take place on Saturday, 6 September, over in the Salford suburb of Barton-upon-Irwell, kicking off from 12pm and wrapping up around 10:30pm.
You can expect the festival to be packed to the rafters with die-hard followers of all things Clints and streetwear; here’s hoping this is just the first of many.
While the pre-sale and the first phase window for early access have both fully sold out, the second phase has now gone live, with general admission tickets available from £45.
The Manc -
13th May 2021 
