A huge German beer festival is taking over Hatch this weekend
Hatch will be transformed into an Oktoberfest-inspired “bier hall'' for the weekend, with long tables, bunting, music, sausages, keg cracking and lots of German beer
As October ushers in the start of Autumn, it also brings with it the delights of Oktoberfest – a brilliant German beer festival with over 200 years of history behind it.
Plenty of places in the city are getting involved in the festival this year, including Manchester’s independent shipping container village Hatch – who are encouraging food and drink lovers to grab their lederhosen and get ready to celebrate Oompah-style with them under the fairy lights.
In what will be Hatch’s first urban Oktoberfest, the destination will be transformed into an Oktoberfest-inspired ‘bier hall’ this weekend – bringing long tables, bunting, music, sausages, keg cracking and lots of German beer (naturally).
Image: Grandad’s Sausages
Hatch favourites Grandad’s sausages will be on hand with German-inspired currywurst, or if that’s not your style, there’s a huge range of other traders to choose from including Abeja Tapas Bar, Fuku, T’arricrii, Hanoi 75 and Oh My Cheesecake.
Drinks-wise, the Hatch bars will be serving up a range of Bavarian beers especially for the weekend, including a host of brews from Bavarian craft specialists ABK. Stocking ABK’s full range, drinkers can try the brewer’s helle, edel, dunkel, festbier, radler beers across the weekend and more.
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The stage, meanwhile, will welcome live Bavarian music throughout the day courtesy of Oompah group Brasswurst. Mixing up traditional German drinking songs with iconic modern pop tunes, with hosting duties performed by Madame Von Spowitch, you already know it’s going to be a belting weekend.
Image: Hatch
Tucked under the Mancunian way, Hatch has also invited some special, lederhosen-wearing guests to roam about throughout the weekend and keep their Oktoberfest revellers entertained.
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If you’re staying into the evening, DJs will take over the entertainment side of things as the sun goes down – pulling out some big, anthemic selections perfect for toasting tankards and dancing the night away.
Taking place this weekend from 12 pm until late across Friday 8 and Saturday 9 October, Oktoberfest at Hatch is free entry but booking is advised. Book yours here.
An unmissable Whitney Houston tribute event is returning to Greater Manchester
Thomas Melia
A much-adored and cherished Whitney Houston tribute show is returning to Greater Manchester later this year for not one but two different shows, each channelling the charisma and energy of the pop legend.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the phenomenal theatre production, ‘Queen of the Night’, the show is visiting a multitude of stages and venues all across the UK.
0161 had to receive at least one date on this tour, partly due to being the music capital of the North and also due to the fact that this is a city many fans of the 80s diva will forever hold close to their hearts.
Houston played her final ever concert performance of her career here in this very city back in 2010, taking up residence in AO Arena for two nights of world-renowned ballads and mesmerising live vocals.
This tribute show is set to include some of the diva’s biggest and much-loved hits like ‘I Will Always Love You’, ‘How Will I Know’ and ‘The Greatest Love of All’, the audience is sure to be singing along.
Adenike Adewale is taking on the role of the American R’n’B Pop singer and is no stranger to the stage or TV, featuring on The Voice in 2021 where she sang a Whitney classic, making it to the semi-finals.
Fast forward to 1 June and the tour returns to Greater Manchester and legendary city centre space, Bridgewater Hall: an incredible room more than fit for renditions of the powerhouse vocalist.
A pair of stunning venues, two stunning shows and one incomparable voice.
It’s not only our lovely region the Queen of the Night experience will be visiting; our friends over at The Hoot have plenty of nearby opportunities to sing along too, with Yorkshire dates in Hull, Halifax, Harrogate and Bradford to name a few.
I’m definitely saving all my love for when this show visits us later this year in March, and after I buy out the front row for all my friends I’ll certainly relate to the smash 1993 single ‘I Have Nothing’.
Tickets are on sale already now – you can grab yours HERE.
Charlotte Dawson will be handing out compliments and big prizes in Manchester to brighten Blue Monday
Daisy Jackson
TV star Charlotte Dawson will be cheering up Blue Monday in Manchester, dishing out compliments to strangers and awarding some big prizes too.
The actress, who is the daughter of the legendary late Les Dawson, will be bringing her signature sunny energy to Printworks on Monday 20 January.
Otherwise known as Blue Monday, it’s believed that the third Monday in January is the most depressing day of the year – so she’s here to nip that in the bud.
Between 1pm and 3pm on the huge gaming screen inside Printworks – part of its £21m transformation that included adding a huge digital ceiling – Charlotte Dawson will be spreading joy and laughter.
She’ll be live streaming straight to passers-by, spreading smiles and dishing out compliments.
Charlotte will also be treating visitors to some amazing prizes from Printworks’ collection of bars, restaurants and leisure venues.
These prizes will include free brunch for four at Walkabout, gaming sessions at Bierkeller, or family cinema tickets with Ice Blasts at VUE. Other prizes include Nando’s vouchers, a drink and activity for two at the new Trax Social, and much more.
And the top prize will be a luxury overnight stay for two at Hotel Indigo, just across the road in the very heart of Manchester.
Charlotte Dawson will take part in Blue Monday at Printworks, Manchester
There’ll even be free coffee vouchers for Todd St Cafe on offer to brighten your Blue Monday.
Kristian Brennan, Marketing Manager at Printworks, said: “We couldn’t be more excited to have Charlotte at Printworks this Blue Monday.
“As a true Mancunian icon, her vibrant personality is exactly what we need to brighten up the most depressing day of the year and we know she’ll bring plenty of laughs and smiles to everyone who stops by.
“What makes this event truly unique is the opportunity for the public to chat with Charlotte under Europe’s largest digital ceiling, which will showcase new mood-boosting content.
“It’s an innovative and exciting way for people to connect, and we can’t wait to see families and friends come together to create joyful memories in this truly unique setting!”
Georgina Pellant -
5th October 2021 
