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Music from hit Christmas films to be brought to life by orchestra in festive concert

Including The Snowman, Home Alone, Elf, and loads more.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 9th December 2022

The same argument will happen every year like clockwork – what truly is the greatest Christmas film?

But one thing we can all agree on is that some of the best and most-loved movie soundtracks have stemmed from festive films.

And now all those movie greats will be brought to life on stage at The Bridgewater Hall, with a huge Christmas at the Movies event.

Taking place on Thursday 15 December at the beautiful theatre in Manchester city centre, a live orchestra will be performing songs from festive classics.

The Bridgewater Hall
Credit: The Bridgewater Hall

The Manchester Concert Orchestra, along with singers Laura Tebbutt and Patrick Smyth, plus the Canzonetta choir, will perform songs from films both new and old.

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Family favourites like The Polar Express, The Chronicles of Narnia, Gremlins and Home Alone are all on the bill.

There’ll also be songs from all-time greats like White Christmas, The Snowman, and It’s a Wonderful Life.

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Read more: Bumper programme of Christmas events lined up at Manchester’s beautiful Bridgewater Hall

Then modern Christmas classics like Elf, Love Actually and Miracle on 34th Street will all be performed live.

It’s part of The Bridgewater Hall’s bumper festive season, which also includes ballet, family-friendly theatre, and carol sing-alongs.

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Christmas at the Movies will take place from 7.30pm on Thursday 15 December – you can get your tickets here now.

Featured image: Warner Brothers / Universal

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Manchester’s Barton Aerodrome announces huge line-up of outdoor gigs including McFly, JLS and UB40

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Barton Live, a summer gig series at Barton Aerodrome, has added to its huge line-up. Credit: Supplied

Three new shows have been announced for an open-air gig series at Barton Aerodrome this summer. 

Barton LIVE has today confirmed that McFly, JLS and UB40 will be taking to the stage, where the backdrop will be the bustling runway of Barton Airport. 

The summer series also includes performances from The Jacksons Live, 90s Baby Festival, and Boogietown North.

Barton LIVE’s summer series takes place at one of the country’s most unique and exhilarating settings at Barton Aerodrome, where the worlds of music and aviation come together. 

The three new shows that have just been announced kick off with McFly on Thursday 12 September. 

The pop-rockers, famed for their hits like Five Colours In Her Hair, All About You and Obviously, will take centre stage with a typically high-energy performance. 

Then on Saturday 14 September, the stage will be given over to British boy band royalty JLS, whose chart-topping hits include Beat Again, Everybody in Love, and She Makes Me Wanna. 

Their signature blend of R&B, pop, soul and silky-smooth vocals will be part of Barton LIVE’s star-studded end-of-summer line-up. 

Barton Live, a summer gig series at Barton Aerodrome, has added to its huge line-up. Credit: Supplied

Finally, on Sunday 15 September, legendary reggae band UB40 featuring Ali Campbell will perform. 

They’ll be whisking audiences away to the warm and vibrant Caribbean through their iconic reggae rhythms and songs like Red Red Wine, Can’t Help Falling in Love, and Kingston Town. 

Tickets for McFly, JLS and UB40 featuring Ali Campbell at Barton LIVE will be available on Friday 26 April at 9am. Sign up for tickets via www.bartonlive.co.uk

Over the course of the summer, the stage at Barton Aerodrome will welcome the likes of Ronan Keating, The Jacksons, Peter Andre, Blue, Eternal, Sister Sledge Ft Kathy Sledge, Soul II Soul, Boney M and many more.

Barton LIVE line-up in full for outdoor gig series at Barton Aerodrome

Barton Live, a summer gig series at Barton Aerodrome, has added to its huge line-up. Credit: Supplied
  • Friday 19 July – The Jacksons LIVE (The Jacksons, Kenny Thomas, Soul Boutique Collective) – tickets £39.50 plus booking fee via Skiddle here.
  • Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July – 90s Baby Festival (Ronan Keating, Eternal, Peter Andre, Blue, Five, A1, Scott Mills, 911, Sonique, Blazin Squad, Dave Pearce, Phats & Small, N-Trance, Happy Clappers Ft Sandra Edwards, Baby D, Alison Limerick, Ultrabeat, JX, Livin Joy Ft Luzahnn, Urban Cookie Collective, Nick Coulson + support) – tickets £39.50 from Skiddle here. 
  • Saturday 27 July – Boogietown North (Sister Sledge Ft Kathy Sledge, Soul II Soul, Tunde Of Lighthouse Family, Boney M, Trevor Nelson, Craig Charles, Gina Breeze, Supernatire Disco, Nick Coulson) – tickets £39.50 from Skiddle here. 
  • Thursday 12 September – McFly – tickets £44.50 plus booking fee, on sale Friday 26 April at 9am. Sign up via bartonlive.co.uk
  • Saturday 14 September – JLS – tickets £49.50 plus booking fee, on sale Friday 26 April at 9am. Sign up via bartonlive.co.uk
  • Sunday 15 September – UB40 featuring Ali Cambell, tickets £39.50 plus booking fee, on sale Friday 26 April at 9am. Sign up via bartonlive.co.uk

Featured image: Supplied

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Popular Manchester Italian restaurant launches great-value express menu and mouth-watering new dishes

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

One of Manchester’s best Italian restaurants is ready to launch a brand new menu – with a top-value express deal too. 

Italiana Fifty-Five, formerly known as the foodie favourite Cibo, is expanding its offering with even more authentic pastas, pizzas, salads and seafood dishes. 

The restaurant has sites across Greater Manchester, including in the Great Northern, on Liverpool Road, and in Didsbury, all serving up authentic Italian food. 

And now the family-friendly eatery is ready for a new season, with a whole host of new dishes to sink your teeth in to. 

Italiana Fifty-Five’s new menu features a brand new Rigatoni Italiana, a spicy and rich pasta dish that’s baked so that it becomes a bubbling bowl of molten cheese and creamy tomato sauce. 

Meatballs at Italiana Fifty-Five. Credit: The Manc Group
Meatballs at Italiana Fifty-Five. Credit: The Manc Group
Burrata bruschetta and tiger prawns from Italiana Fifty-Five
Burrata bruschetta and tiger prawns from Italiana Fifty-Five. Credit: The Manc Group
Risotto Zafferano with king prawns
Risotto Zafferano with king prawns

They also have a new Risotto Zafferano, a risotto cooked in saffron and pecorino cheese so that it arrives glowing a healthy yellow, with the option to add king prawns on top. 

For starters, there are new dishes like a mozzarella, avocado and tomato salad, meatballs swimming in a hearty tomato sauce, and a seafood stew with gigantic prawns and mussels. 

You can also order huge tiger prawns cooked in garlic and chilli, their tender meat served still in their shells, or a roasted tomato bruschetta topped with fresh burrata. 

All these new menu items (and more) are available at Italiana Fifty-Five now, along with a brand new Italian Express set menu. 

Dishes on Italiana Fifty Five’s express menu. Credit: The Manc Group
Salami pizza at Italiana Fifty Five
Salami pizza at Italiana Fifty Five
Dishes on Italiana Fifty Five's express menu. Credit: The Manc Group
Dishes on Italiana Fifty Five’s express menu. Credit: The Manc Group

If you dine from the Express menu, you can get a delicious Italian dish served with a tea, coffee or soft drink, for only £14.75. 

Choose from a creamy mushroom risotto funghi, the aforementioned Rigatoni Italiana, a classic chicken Caesar salad, pan-fried seabass with parsley, lemon and spinach, or a fiery Diavola pizza covered in spicy salami and red onion. 

To find out more about Italiana Fifty-Five and to book your table, click here. 

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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