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Manchester Rum Festival to return bigger than ever before in new venue

It's heading to New Century, and we've got an exclusive discount for you.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 3rd April 2024

The Manchester Rum Festival is returning to Manchester this year, promising to take things to the next level with a brand new venue.

The event, which features DJs, Caribbean food, games, and of course, a lot of rum, will this year be taking place at New Century Hall.

The beautiful historic gig venue, brought back to life in 2022, will be welcoming the Manchester Rum Festival and more global rum brands than ever before.

Its move to a larger venue follows eight years of sell-out success at venues across Manchester, and will allow the much-loved annual event to welcome even more rum fans.

This year’s highly-anticipated event will coincide with World Rum Day on Saturday 13 July.

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Each ticket for the Manchester Rum Festival gets you access to the festival – the food, the calypso-inspired DJ sets, the tastings, and more – as well as the opportunity to try new-to-market expressions from more than 40 rum brands.

Master distillers, experts and brands from across the globe will be in attendance to celebrate all things rum, offering tastings throughout the festival.

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Manchester Rum Festival is returning to the city. Credit: Supplied
Manchester Rum Festival is returning to the city. Credit: Supplied

Making debuts this year will be prestigious brands including Bristol Classic, a rum firm that produces limited quantity rums from countries including Guyana and Mauritius, as well as Trinidad and the Dominican Republic; Ron Carúpano, a Venezuelan brand with the only female Master Blender in the country; Rhum Depaz from the volcanic terroir of Martinique in the Caribbean; and Don Q from sunny Puerto Rico.

The refreshing Caribbean lager, Carib, will also be heading to Manchester for the first time.

Other notable brands making an appearance at the Manchester Rum Festival include Chairman’s Reserve, Pusser’s, Worthy Park, Cockspur, Damoiseau, Don Papa, Ninefold and Aluna, plus Manchester-based One-Eyed Rebel from the Spirit of Manchester Distillery.

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London Essence will be the official mixer partner for 2024, bringing their distinctive drinks – including elegant tonics, crafted sodas and lemonades, and delicious gingers – to the festival.

Authentic Caribbean food will come from Nyammin’, who will have their world-famous rum cake in abundance.

And DJ Dom will keep the party, and the tropical atmosphere, going all day long.

Festival founder and rum expert, Dave Marsland, said: “This year, we are expecting the best Manchester Rum Festival yet as we relocate to a bigger, better, bolder venue.

“New Century Hall is absolutely iconic and we can’t wait to party all day with more rum brands and more experiences than ever before. Guests can really get set for an incredible day!

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“The event really has gone from strength to strength and we are one of the biggest rum festivals in the country outside London. As always, I’d recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.”

Tickets for Manchester Rum Festival on 13 July are available now from Eventbrite.

You can get an exclusive £5 discount when you book through The Manc using this link.

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Featured image: Supplied

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A completely free canal-side festival is coming back to Salford again

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia A completely free canal-side festival is coming back to Salford again

After a successful run last year, the Salford-based Middlewood Locks Fest is returning for a second time with the promise of an even bigger and better programme of entertainment, food and fun. 

Taking place on Saturday 10 May from 2pm-10pm, the free festival returns to Middlewood Locks..

Whether you’re local or just looking for a great day out, the festival will have something for everyone. There’ll be plenty of activities and pop-up stalls for you to get involved with, including a daytime market as well as children’s interactive workshops.

Get Living is proud to support the festival for the second year, which celebrates local creativity, community spirit and culture. The event is set to take place on the doorstep of New Maker Yards, Get Living’s canal-side neighbourhood.

With a range of one-three bedroom homes available for rent, New Maker Yards blends spacious, stylish apartments with green open spaces, complete with an on-site cafe and a strong community feel – all at the heart of the vibrant Middlewood Locks neighbourhood, where  the festival action is taking place.

For Middlewood Locks Fest, a Makers Market will be taking place throughout the day with items on offer from local makers, artisans, performers and creators, including plants, jewellery, artwork, clothes and produce.

The Canal & River Trust is organising explorer’s activities for kids and families alike, while St Philip’s CE Primary School has worked with artists to create bespoke decorations for the event too.

A completely free canal-side festival is coming back to Salford again
A completely free canal-side festival is coming back to Salford again. Credit: Karen Wright

If that wasn’t enough for you, how about a special appearance from a canal-side regular as a giant Canadian goose puppet will also be making an appearance to meet festival-goers.

Everything really is catered for here. On top of the makers market and masterclasses, there will also be live music courtesy of a brass band – that sounds like music to my ears.

There’s even the opportunity to go on the water yourself as a handful of rafted canoes will be in use for activities throughout the day.

And of course food is in safe hands too. Street food vendors including Taka Taka Mam will be bringing all the flavours of the Mediterranean and stuffing them into their famous hearty gyros, while city favourites Ginger’s Ice Cream Emporium is popping up from Afflecks to soak up the sun and provide dreamy desserts direct from the canal-side pop-up.

Middlewood Locks Fest in Salford
Middlewood Locks Fest in Salford
Middlewood Locks Fest, a canal-side festival in Salford. Credit: Karen Wright Photography

And when the sun’s out it would be rude not to treat yourself to a tipple, so good thing that the Adams & Rose Bar is making an appearance to fill up your glass with the finest gin and rum selection.

As the night comes to an end, you can dance the night away to some epic tunes thanks to a live DJ while being surrounded by a mesmerising fire and sound installation to close this spectacular celebration.

Kim Quickfall, Regional Director at Get Living, said: “Last year’s Middlewood Locks Fest was
a huge success and we’re excited to be supporting the event again in 2025.

“Bringing people from across Salford and the wider area together, the day will celebrate the best of local culture, enterprise and creativity with activities and events for all.”

Middlewood Locks Fest is returning to Salford on Sunday 10 May from 2pm to 10pm and more information can be found HERE.

For those that can’t make the festival fun, there are plenty of other things to see and do in the area. From the delicious treats at 97 Degrees Coffee to the landmark Aviva Studios cultural hub,  there is plenty to discover in this buzzing neighbourhood.

Explore the 1-3 bedroom homes for rent at New Maker Yards and discover more at getliving.com.

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Featured image: Karen Wright Photography

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A theatre adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy film North By Northwest is coming to Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

Alfred Hitchcock’s much-loved spy classic, North By NorthWest, is hitting the stage and visiting one of Manchester’s most celebrated theatres. 

This new, riotously funny production will be visiting HOME theatre for a run of shows kicking off this week. 

The show reworks Hitchcock’s film of the same name, following one man who accidentally lands himself in the middle of a Cold War conspiracy. 

Now adapted for the stage by Emma Rice, North By Northwest follows an unfortunate mix-up where a mistimed phone call to his mother lands Roger Thornhill in a spot of bother. 

Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy film North By Northwest is hitting the stage in Manchester / Credit: Steve Tanner (via Supplied)

Audiences will see this unlikely (and reluctant) hero head on the run, dodging spies, airplanes and a femme fatale. 

For the theatre production at HOME, the classic spy film (that starred Cary Grant) has been turned on its head and stars just six shape-shifting performers. 

There’s a fabulous 1950s soundtrack to go with it too – and, apparently, a lot of suitcases. 

Tickets are now on sale, and it’s already being described as a must-see / Credit: Steve Tanner (via Supplied)

North By NorthWest promises ‘glamour, romance, jeopardy and a liberal sprinkling of tender truths’.

Artistic director Emma Rice has already adapted and directed products for Wise Children including The Buddha of Suburbia, Blue Beard, and Wuthering Heights, plus worked as artistic director for Shakespeare’s Globe. 

The cast is made up of Mirabelle Gremaud as Anna; Patrycja Kujawska as Eve Kendall; Kary Owen as The Professor; Simon Oskarsson as Valerian; Karl Queensborough as Phillip Vandamm; and Ewan Wardrop as Roger Thornhill.

North by Northwest is a co-production with Wise Children, York Theatre Royal, HOME Manchester and Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, and is currently on a UK tour. 

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You can catch it at HOME between 29 April and 10 May – see more and book tickets HERE.

Featured Image – Steve Tanner (via Supplied)

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