Victoria Baths will become home to a pop-up cinema screening comedy and romance classics to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
With the annual day of love only a few weeks away now, independent event production company The Village Screen is returning to Manchester next month to transform this unique and historic venue into a “Cupid-approved pop-up” cinema for Valentine’s – and Galentine’s – with a handful of film favourites on the agenda.
Tina Fey’s 2004 cult classic comedy Mean Girls will be screened first on Thursday 10 February to celebrate Galentine’s Day.
Never heard of of ‘Galentine’s Day’? Coined in 2010, the second season of hit US mockumentary show Parks and Rec included an episode called “Galentine’s Day” where the main character Leslie gathered a group of her closest gal pals on the day before Valentine’s Day for a brunch full of waffles and love – and it’s taken off ever since.
The next flick on the lineup is the 1994 dark, funny, and violent film True Romance, which has a screenplay written by legendary director Quentin Tarantino, and stars Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette.
True Romance will be show on Friday 11 February to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Victoria Baths will become home to a “cupid-approved” cinema / Credit: Victoria Baths
You can choose to snuggle down on candy-striped deckchairs inside the old Gala Pool, or on the original wooden seating that overlooks the empty pool on the Balcony level.
There’ll be a delicious selection of independent street food traders on site, as well as a number of drinks and snack options – including hot chocolates, themed-cocktails, Prosecco, freshly-cooked popcorn, and more – and to make your experience that little bit more special, you can even write a love letter to your special someone which will be shown on the big screen before the films begin.
Or you can add a ‘snuggle package’ to your ticket too to make it an extra cosy date night to remember.
The Village Screen – which have been hosting cinematic events at Victoria Baths since 2016 – are a small, independent event production team known for running experiential cinematic events in various cities across the UK for the past six years.
With no expense spared in the design and construction of the building, the façade has multicoloured brickwork and terracotta decoration, the interior spaces are clad in glazed tiles, most of the windows have decorative stained glass, and at the opening ceremony of the venue, the Lord Mayor described it “a water palace of which every citizen of Manchester is proud”.
For 86 years, the baths provided both essential and leisure facilities, with private baths and a laundry housed there alongside three swimming pools and Turkish Baths, and in 1952, the first public Aeratone (Jacuzzi) was installed.
Although the baths were closed in 1993, the Grade II listed building is still intact, with most of the stained glass and original tiling remaining – and now, it’s being transformed into a cinema.
You can find out more information, and grab your tickets here.
Featured Image – Victoria Baths
What's On
Manchester Arndale is hosting FREE workshops to help you ‘rework, restyle, and recycle’ your wardrobe
Emily Sergeant
Is your wardrobe feeling a little bland? Need to make some changes, but your bank account isn’t quite on the same wavelength? This event is here to help.
Those looking for some new ways to get creative with their style and put a spin on the clothes they already have are invited to head down to Manchester Arndale this weekend, as the Reimagine Your Fashion event is set to be a fun hands-on weekend celebrating personal style, smart choices, and sustainable ideas.
Whether you’re into upcycling, love yourself a styling session, or you just fancy doing something different in the city this summer, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into this weekend.
You can expect creative workshops, curated fashion rails, live styling tips, and a chance to give your pre-loved clothes a second life.
Oh, and did we mention it’s all free to take part in? Perfect.
There’s a collection of free ‘REWORK’ workshops taking place over the two-day event on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July, where you can learn how to turn old into gold – from patchwork denim makeovers, to scrunchie making, custom tote design, and loads more.
There’s no need to be a sewing pro either, as the workshops are beginner-friendly and designed to be relaxed and creative with all tools provided, so all you have to do is bring along the clothing items you want to upcycle.
Manchester Arndale is hosting free workshops to help you ‘rework, restyle, and recycle’ your wardrobe this weekend / Credit: Priscilla Du Preez | Ashley Diane Worsham (via Unsplash)
At the ‘RESTYLE’ sessions, Rosie, who is the stylist behind Manchester Arndale’s summer campaign, will break down this season’s biggest trends and show you how to style what’s in store now, as well as being on-hand for styling tips and outfit advice.
And finally, there’ll also be a ‘RECYCLE’ station and drop-off point where you pass on your clean pre-loved clothes to two brilliant local charities doing vital work right here in Manchester – MASH, which supports women involved in sex work and those facing homelessness or gender-based violence, and Mustard Tree which works to tackle poverty across Greater Manchester.
“Your clothes could be someone else’s fresh start,” a spokesperson for Manchester Arndale said ahead of the event.
Reimagine Your Fashion is taking place at Exchange Court in Manchester Arndale on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July running from 12pm, and you can find out more information and the times of the free workshops online here.
Featured Image – Sarah Brown (via Unsplash)
What's On
New immersive Race Across the World Experience comes to Manchester this summer
Thomas Melia
Hit BBC TV show Race Across the World is launching an interactive experience in Manchester this summer, inspired by the series.
After five original series and two celebrity spin-offs, it was only a matter of time before the huge TV show materialised into ‘Race Across the World: The Experience’.
Just like the real programme, you will be sent on a mission across the heart of the city centre where you will have to complete tasks and reach various checkpoints to be crowned champion.
The missions will see players visiting Manchester hotspots, lesser known locations, renowned pubs, and distinctive landmarks across three hours.
Teams will rely on our trusty Bee Network as they take a trip on our vibrant yellow trams and buses to get around the city as they make their way to each puzzle and activity.
At each puzzle destination, participants will complete a challenge to guide them to their next location, all of which is pre-planned and spread across a five kilometre city-wide voyage.
For Mancs and anyone further afield, ‘Race Across the World: The Experience’ offers a whole new way to explore Manchester and gives you the chance to see some of the city’s best hidden gems, even if you are on a time limit.
This sounds like a great idea for friends and family alike, and based off the amount of times we’ve had to sprint down to Platform 14 at Manchester Piccadilly, I think us Mancs were born for this challenge.
In true Race Across the World style, the team who manages to finish not just with the fastest time but with the most budget remaining too, will be the ultimate victor.
Cast of BBC’s Race Across the World / Credit: BBC / Studio Lambert
Tom Rymer, Founder of CityDays, said: “Following an outstanding debut month in London that has thrilled fans of the show, both old and new, we are bringing the Race Across The World Experience to Manchester.
“New puzzles, new characters, new decisions and new discoveries, all coming soon over three new thrilling legs. Manchester, are you ready for your race?”
A launch date for ‘Race Across the World: The Experience’ is yet to be released but eager entrants can sign up to the official waitlist and find out even more information HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
28th January 2022 
