Manchester Arndale, the city’s huge shopping destination, will be hosting an exciting fashion event this week.
Bringing together some of retail’s best brands, including All Saints, Monki, Sports Direct and River Island, there’ll be loads for fashion-lovers to get stuck into.
We Do Us will see a Fashion Dome placed outside Next, in Exchange Court, where shoppers can browse the latest collections and learn about the summer’s biggest trends.
Manchester Arndale wants to champion fashion individuality in the city famed for its authenticity.
The We Do Us campaign has been created to shine a spotlight on local people from all walks of life in Greater Manchester.
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With more than 20 stores taking part in the live event, We Do Us will showcase the best in summer fashion. There will be brand fashion experts on hand in the dome to help guests style this season’s hottest pieces in their own way.
As shoppers browse in the Fashion Dome, a DJ will be playing summer sounds.
There’ll be a We Do Us photo station too, where you can pose for the camera, show off your outfit, then receive a GIF to share on your socials or printed photo to take home with you.
And as if that all wasn’t enough, you’ll also have a chance to win a new outfit worth £250.
All you need to do to win is sign up to the Arndale newsletter on the day, to receive all the latest fashion news, and you’ll be entered into the competition.
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You can tag @manchesterarndale in your posts if you want the Arndale to share your content.
We Do Us Live will take place at Exchange Court (outside Next) on Friday 23 June from 12pm to 7pm, and on Saturday 24 June from 12pm to 6pm.
For more information on We Do Us, to find out about the people involved, and see where to buy some of the featured clothing, visit We Do Us – Manchester Arndale.
Featured image: Supplied
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‘The world’s biggest Eurovision festival’ and celebration is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
An absolutely massive Eurovision festival and all-around celebration is coming to Manchester this year ahead of the Finals in Switzerland this May – in fact, it’s set to be the biggest in the world.
Taking place in our city for the first time ever, the official ‘MancHagen Eurovision Party’ is heading to 0161 for the annual festival’s 20th anniversary and it’s promising a huge programme of events, live music, entertainment and, most importantly, it’s all for a good cause.
Kicking off one of the best weekends of the year on Thursday, 10 April, MancHagen has partnered with the Gay Village district and some Canal Street favourites to offer a safe and exciting destination for all eventgoers to meet up.
You can expect live cabaret and singing, drag performers and DJ sets, as well as non-stop partying until the early hours. We cannot wait.
Credit: Silvester Belt via AP Media (supplied)/The Manc Group
The Canal St venues making up ‘Eurovision Village’ include EVA, Iconic Bar, New York New York, The Eagle and Cruz 101, all of which host an exclusive series of Eurovision programming and parties.
For instance, MancHagen’s Official Festival Euroclub opening party will be housed at Cruz 101, with eclectic sets from veteran Eurovision DJ David Horton and friends, followed by a weekend of performances from the likes of Choriza May (RuPaul’s Drag Race) in collaboration with Lady Olé.
Then, on the following Friday (11 April), the first half of the two-day All Stars Concertwill take place at Manchester Arcade Arena, our premier immersive augmented reality venue, from 6pm onwards.
Hosted by the UK’s 2001 Eurovision entrant Lindsay Dracassand Leeds‘ very own ‘Quality Street Queen’, Mamma Bear,the night will showcase Manchester’s leading cultural icons and look back at the thrilling history of the iconic song contest.
With show-stopping performances from the 2025 cohort and previous Eurovision contestants such as Niamh Kavanagh, Tonya Kneez, Beverly Tight-Lipps, Hera Björk and many more there’s plenty of reason to be excited about MancHagen.
Our interview with Danny BeardCanal Street in full swing during Pride 2024There’ll be plenty of watch parties around Greater Manchester, but a Eurovision Festival warm-up is even better (The Manc Group)
The celebration continues into Saturday (12 April), with an all-day programme at Depot Mayfield, a much-loved multiuse venue and home to The Warehouse Project as well as Europe’s largest indoor LGBTQIA+ celebration, Homobloc.
An exclusiveArtist Yellow Carpet Parade will then spotlight some of the UK’s leading Queer and creative pioneers, including appearances from Manchester’s own Drag icon and MancHagen ambassador Banksie, North West drag icon Danny Beard and more.
And that’s just the day-time: come nightfall, The Depot will transform into a wonderland of fashion, music and performance as the cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will take over the room for a never-before-seen competition dubbed ‘Drag-A-Vision 2025’, whit the likes of Marmalade, Rilesea Slaves, Alexis Saint-Pete; Charra Tea, Actavia and Chanel O Connor taking to the stage.
Oh, and of course there’s all the after-party action that Gay Village does so well – it is the part of the city that never sleeps, after all…
Besides the obvious excitement and fanfare surrounding this huge Eurovision festival, it is not only a welcome space for people from all walks of life but, above all else, being held for some vital charities.
Working alongside the Ukrainian Cultural Organization and United For You to host this year’s event, donations from each ticket sold will go towards Ukrainian Children and the George House Trust, as well as LGBTQIA+ groups like Sahir House, Manchester Pride and FSTB Danish Children.
The MancHagen co-founders say: “Our team is proud to announce the biggest celebration of Eurovision countries, cultures, fashion, music, dance and the diverse communities together in joy through music…
“There is nowhere more suited to host such an event than the UK’s inclusive capital of Manchester and capital of the North.”
Packages start at just £45, with VIP add-ons, affordable family tickets and VIP Backstage also available. Find out more about the ground-breaking Eurovision Festival and grab tickets for the Manchester celebration right HERE.
Featured Images — Silvester Belt via AP Media (supplied)/The Manc Group
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A huge, free wedding fair is taking place at the beautiful Rochdale Town Hall this spring
Thomas Melia
A huge wedding fair is taking placelater this year in Rochdale and the best part is, it’s completely free.
Weddings are notoriously tricky to plan and when everyone around you keeps calling it ‘the big day’, it can feel very daunting knowing where to begin.
Rochdale has got you covered as not only are they putting together a huge wedding fair at the beautiful, recently transformed Rochdale Town Hall, you don’t have to spend a single penny to attend.
This show is a returning event for the Greater Manchester borough and it usually attracts hundreds of visitors from across the region and beyond, eager to check out more than 40 different suppliers.
There will be experts on hand to give advice and answer any queries you may be having about making sure your wedding day runs smoothly.
Weddings at Rochdale Town Hall. Credit: Natalie Parker Photography
A catwalk will also be taking place with presentations at two set times, 12.30pm and 2pm, where models will be wearing different designer dresses and showing off all the latest collections.
Every aspect of the wedding process is covered at this fair from photographers, car rentals, catering, cake designers, entertainment and more – anything you could possibly need to get hitched without a hitch will all be here in one room.
As you walk round this special event, guests may even find they’ve found something they didn’t even know they needed yet.
Weddings at Rochdale Town Hall. Credit: Natalie Parker Photography
Anyone looking to celebrate the fair in style can taste the various cocktails made available on the first floor venue, The Zodiac Bar, with snacks on hand too.
There’s also opportunities for attendees who are considering tying the knot at Rochdale Town Hall itself to preview ‘The Wedding Dressing Room’.
This is a private space that features stylish dressing tables and spotlight mirrors, and also offers the Bride and bridal party an area to ‘freshen up’ and take some time out to relax.
The Rochdale Wedding Show is happening on Sunday 2 March and anyone interested in attending this event can find all the detailsHERE.
Daisy Jackson -
20th June 2023 
