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A New York-style piano bar and cabaret lounge is opening in Manchester

A new piano and cabaret basement bar is opening down a Manchester backstreet

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 1st March 2022

Venture down a rarely-trod Manchester backstreet in the King Street area of the city, and you’ll discover that work is currently underway on a new piano and cabaret bar.

Inspired by the speakeasies of New York, it’s called Sonata and is tucked away on St Ann’s Alley opposite Mr Thomas’s Chop House, and when it opens its doors this summer will be accessed via a partially concealed ‘speakeasy’-style entrance just off the beaten path.

Founded by a former entertainer who himself performed on the London cabaret scene many years ago, the new music-led venue draws inspiration from the cabaret scenes of the capital, as well of those in New York and Berlin.

Image: The Manc Group

From pop standards to Broadway ballads, from jazz classics to quirky cabaret, the bar’s soundtrack will play host to a mix of genres as it showcases singers, pianists and cabaret artists from across the UK and beyond.

Open seven nights a week with a license from 12 noon until 1.30am, drinks will be served into the early hours whilst food-wise there will be a selection of tempting cheese and charcuterie to nibble on.

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Full table service will be provided, with drinks and snacks brought to your table whilst you enjoy a collection of performances from disciplines like music, dance and theatre.

A trained singer and cabaret artist who left performing for a career in education and business, owner and founder Dale Bassett decided to return to his musical and theatrical roots after spending some time reflecting on what was important to him during the pandemic.

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Owner and founder of the new New York-style speakeasy, Dale Bassett. / Image: Sonata

Sonata is the realisation of his dream, bringing to life up north the thriving cabaret scene he fell in love with during his time in the capital before moving back up to Manchester.

Speaking on the new opening, Dale said:

“I am so excited to be creating a unique addition to Manchester’s nightlife and legendary music scene, and in a completely new and custom-designed venue.

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“Sonata is more than just a bar – it’s a special place to relax and feel at home while you enjoy the piano and song that take centre-stage. Whether you discover something new or enjoy an old favourite, I will be hand-picking our performers to make sure you have a memorable night.

“Sonata has been my lifelong dream, and to bring it to life in the city I love is such a privilege. I can’t wait to share my passion and our fantastically talented artists with our guests.”

Feature image – Sonata / The Manc Group

News

Travel warning issued as 18 million road journeys are expected this bank holiday weekend

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Travel warnings have been issued as millions of people prepare to journey across the UK this bank holiday weekend.

With the three-day weekend upon us, and people nationwide preparing to make the journey to visit family or friends on their extra day off work or school, the RAC has now issued one of its annual travel warnings – anticipating that 18 million people could be hitting the roads from this Friday evening onwards.

It’s all according to a new study of drivers’ late May bank holiday getaway plans carried out by the RAC and traffic analytics specialists INRIX.

There’s warnings of a potential ‘double dose of delays’ on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 May when the highest number of leisure trips are projected to be made by car – a total of 3.4 million on both days, respectively.

That figure drops slightly to 2.7 million on Sunday 25, before 3 million hit the roads on bank holiday Monday (26 May) for the start of half term.

Woman driving a car
18 million people are expected to hit the roads over the bank holiday weekend / Credit: Geograph | Pxfuel

To make matters even worse, an additional 5.4 million getaway journeys may take place at some point throughout the bank holiday weekend too, but at this point, drivers planning these trips are still unsure exactly when they’ll travel.

With most getaway trips due to begin before lunchtime, the research suggests the best times to hit the road will either be very early in the morning or later into the evening – with the majority (68%) of drivers saying they’ll be heading off at some point between 5am and 12pm, 14% planning to leave between 5am and 8am, nearly a third (30%) intending to travel mid-morning between 8am and 10am, and a further quarter (24%) setting off later between 10am and 12pm. 

Traffic is expected to ease off rather significantly later in the day though, so if you are in a position to leave your journeys until the evening, then the RAC is advising that you take that option, as apparently on 3% of motorists say they are planning to do that so far.

“Our research shows it really is best to leave as early or late as possible this bank holiday weekend, as the majority of motorists are planning to set off in the morning,” commented RAC Mobile Mechanic, Aaron Bryan, ahead of the bank holiday weekend.

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Shaun Jones, AA Patrol of the Year, also added on a similar note: “With the upcoming bank holiday, we anticipate a significant increase in traffic.

“We advise all drivers to plan their journeys in advance and stay updated with congestion and roadworks.”

Featured Image – Geograph

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Tyler, The Creator at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more for CHROMAKOPIA tour

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Tyler, The Creator is returning to Manchester and playing in the city’s newest live entertainment venue, Co-op Live.

The last time Tyler – or Mr Creator, if you will – found himself in our gorgeous city was just over two years ago when he headlined Parklife, sharing the bill with 50 Cent and Megan Thee Stallion as well as many more.

Now, he is playing his magnificent ‘CHROMAKOPIA’ album live as part of his world tour of the same name at none other than Co-op Live.

Tyler, The Creator gig guide

Tyler, The Creator is playing Co-op Live, Manchester, on 27 and 28 May.
Tyler, The Creator is playing Co-op Live, Manchester, on 27 and 28 May.
Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Tyler, The Creator UK tour dates

  • Sat 17 May – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
  • Mon 19 May – London, UK – The O2
  • Wed 21 May – London, UK – The O2
  • Thu 22 May – London, UK – The O2
  • Tue 27 May – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
  • Wed 28 May – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
  • Fri 30 May – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
  • Sat 31 May – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro

Tyler, The Creator tickets for Co-op Live gig

If you’re after catching Mr Creator live in the flesh, this one might be tricky as there’s a hefty amount of people wanting to do the same thing, tickets for his 27 May show can be found HERE.

It’s a good thing he’s playing two dates otherwise getting your hands on tickets might’ve been sticky, you can browse all the options for 28 May date HERE.

Tyler, The Creator set list

  • St. Chroma
  • Rah Tah Tah
  • Noid
  • Darling, I
  • I Killed You
  • Judge Judy
  • Sticky
  • Take Your Mask Off
  • Tomorrow
  • EARFQUAKE
  • I THINK
  • Yonkers
  • Tron Cat
  • She
  • Tamale
  • Rusty
  • IFHY
  • LUMBERJACK
  • I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE
  • DOGTOOTH
  • SORRY NOT SORRY
  • Who Dat Boy
  • WUSYANAME
  • Thought I Was Dead
  • Like Him
  • See You Again
  • NEW MAGIC WAND
  • I Hope You Find Your Way Home

There are three tracks that act as interludes throughout the show too: ‘IGOR’S THEME’, ‘A BOY IS A GUN’ and ‘THANK YOU’.

What are the stage times for Tyler, The Creator in Manchester?

Tyler, The Creator is coming to Manchester and we're sure he'll be wearing something equally snazzy.
Tyler, The Creator is coming to Manchester and we’re sure he’ll be wearing something equally snazzy.

Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm meaning the ‘Flower Boy’ has enough time to sing ‘I Hope You Find Your Way Home’ while you get under the covers before midnight.

Anyone attending can expect the doors to open at 6pm with a kick-off time of 8pm and support from local Manchester talent Just Yaz hyping the crowd up beforehand.

There will also be special guest appearances from Lil Yachty and Paris Texas.

How to get to Co-op Live

Tram

For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.

Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.

Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1:00am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Bus

You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event ticket.

Getting there by car and parking

If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.

The postcode is M11 3DU and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.

Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide come event day, though estimates will obviously vary:

  • Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
  • Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
  • Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.

There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:

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  • Ashton Moss (Ashton line) – 183 spaces and 12 disabled spaces
  • Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
  • Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces

Walk/cycle

Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.

Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.

For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images – Wikimedia Commons / Publicity Pictures (via Supplied)

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