In case you hadn’t realised, this upcoming Friday falls on 13 May, and a little cinema in Manchester city centre is marking it in probably the most appropriate way possible.
We all know by now that as part of Western superstition going all the way back to the early 19th century, Friday 13th is considered to be the unluckiest days – with the unfortunate event happening at least once, but can unfortunately sometimes occur up to three times within the same calendar year.
The superstition of the day is so engrained in our culture, in fact, that it gave way to the classic Friday the 13th film franchise, which so far includes 12 horrifying flicks, as well as several TV series, novels, comic books, and video games.
Unfamiliar with Friday the 13th? The franchise mainly focuses on the fictional character Jason Voorhees, who was thought to have drowned as a boy at Camp Crystal Lake due to the negligence of the camp staff, and then decades later, the lake is rumoured to be “cursed” and is the setting for a series of mass murders.
Jason is featured in all of the films, as either the killer or the motivation for the killings.
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Friday the 13th film franchise is the highest-grossing horror / Credit: Paramount Pictures
The original Friday the 13th film completely shocked audiences to their core when it was first released back in 1980, before the series went on to be one of the highest-grossing horror franchises of all time and make over $468 million at the box-office worldwide – and it sounds it’s set to scare audiences all over again this week.
For those brave enough to head on down to Ducie Street Warehouse’s much-loved ‘Mini Cini’ in the heart of Manchester city centre, you can catch a Friday the 13th double billing this Friday 13 May.
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Hosted by Manchester’s dedicated horror film festival, GRIMMFEST, the Friday the 13th Double Bill will kick off with Friday the 13th Part II at around 6:30pm, before Friday 13th May Part 3 is screened in 3D at 8.30pm.
Special 3D glasses handed out to everyone before the showing starts.
A Friday the 13th double billing is happening this Friday 13 May / Credit: Paramount Pictures
The ‘Mini Cini’ is a retro cinema screen tucked away inside the popular Ducie Street Warehouse / Credit: Ducie Street Warehouse
Ducie Street Warehouse’s ‘Mini Cini’ is a retro cinema screen tucked away inside the popular city centre entertainment and social hub, with only a very limited number of seats.
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The little exclusive cinema benefits from having an eclectic food offering of small plates, light bites, pizzas, salads, and more, as well as a bar directly outside the screen that serves up a wide selection of beers, cocktails, spirits.
Each seat in the cinema even has a QR code for moviegoers to scan to order food and drinks directly to your seat before and during the films.
Fancy it then? You can find out more and grab tickets here.
Featured Image – Paramount Pictures
What's On
Smash-hit West End musical Trainspotting is coming to Manchester later this year
Emily Sergeant
Trainspotting The Musical is coming to Manchester.
30 years on from the film that changed everything, and following its successful world premiere run in London’s West End, Trainspotting The Musical is heading out on a major UK tour later this year, and will be taking to one of Manchester‘s most iconic stages in the autumn.
Written by Irvine Welsh – as adapted from his best-selling debut novel – and directed and developed by Caroline Jay Ranger, Trainspotting The Musical has been described by critics as ‘radical, invigorating and life-affirming’ since its premiere.
It’s said to be an unforgettable production that’ll have even the most sceptical audiences leave on a ‘consciousness-altering high.’
➕ ATG+ PRESALE ➕
CHOOSE LIFE.
Trainspotting: The Musical is coming to the Palace Theatre this November. Written by Irvine Welsh.
Groups presale 👉 Tues 12 May 10am General sale 👉 Wed 13 May 10am
— Palace & Opera Mcr (@PalaceAndOpera) May 11, 2026
In 1996, the breakthrough British film of the same name was released and became the biggest grossing UK film of the year, winning a slew of awards in the process – including a BAFTA for Best Screenplay, and even being ranked tenth in the BFI’s top 100 greatest British films of the 20th century.
Now, three decades later, the industrial drug crazed working-class heroes of British youth culture are back… but this time, live on stage.
Trainspotting The Musical is coming to Manchester later this year / Credit: Supplied
“I believe the musical has a bigger, loudly beating human heart than either the book or the film,” creator Irvine Welsh commented as the UK tour was announced this week.
“People need to think about the world we’re living in, and we offer that inspection, but they also need to sing their hearts out and laugh their heads off. It’s what being human is all about. We’ve put together an incredible Scottish cast and I can’t wait to see them bring the musical to life.”
Trainspotting The Musical will taking to the stage at Manchester Palace Theatre later this year from Monday 2 – Saturday 7 November 2026, and tickets officially go on general sale tomorrow (Wednesday 13 May) from 10am.
A beloved Manc gig venue is hosting a special afterparty following Manichester tribute festival
Danny Jones
A much-loved live music institution in Manchester is set to host a dedicated afterparty for the inaugural ‘Manichester’: the live tribute festival in memory of Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield.
Seeing the grassroots music scene gathering together in moments like this is the kind of stuff that would make the man himself SO proud.
With Manichester 2026 announced this past March and set to take place later this month in honour of the legendary Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist, tickets for the main event sold out very quickly.
This came as no surprise, of course, but now other Manc venues are joining in toasting the life and career of Mani for one very special evening.
Shared by Madchester.com, who are helping organise the Manichester ’26 along with surviving members of the Mounfield family, as well as Mani’s friends and peers such as his brother Greg and Damon Minchella of Ocean Colour Scene, gig space Gorilla are hosting it.
The small-cap live music room, bar and restaurant has hosted many a special night over the past decade or so – hosting multiple War Child charity shows in the past few years, for instance – and even when they’re not hosting a set themselves, they’re always more than happy to join in the celebrations.
With that in mind, there always likely to pay their respects to the late, great and iconic local musician in some way, but now they’re teaming up with Madchester directly.
Positioned as the official ‘aftershow’ following the mini tribute festival, as you can see, there will be just 600 tickets available, with general admission for the main event already gone as mentioned.
At one point, it looked like the kind-spirited and well-meaning idea might be scrapped altogether after some confusion between the organising partners.
Thankfully, that all looks to have been put to bed, and all those involved can focus on what’s important: honouring Mani in the best way possible – with a load of live tunes and a good time.
In terms of those who will be playing on the night ahead of the aftershow, the likes of the equally legendary Peter Hook, Rowetta, The Kowloons, Jon McClure from Reverend and the Makers, plus many more, have been announced as part of the lineup.
There is also still a ‘AAA’ headliner still yet to be confirmed, so watch this space.
As for the Manichester afterparty at Gorilla, keep an eye out on socials for the ticket link to drop and, hopefully, we’ll see you there for a night to remember.
Emily Sergeant -
10th May 2022 
