Bongo’s Bingo is set to bring two fully open-air shows to Blackpool Pleasure Beach at the end of this month as this surreal summer comes to a close.
Following an extended break this year, Bongo’s Bingo has recently launched a series of events that provide a safe, but very much still fun environment.
Hot on the heels of the latest spectacular outdoor shows in Newcastle and Norwich, the iconic Lancashire seaside resort is the next to host two COVID-safe events, framed by the gigantic spectacle of Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s world-renowned rides.
It’s time to buckle up, hold tight and get ready for a big one as Jonny Bongo and the guys present two epic events.
The new outdoors format debuted at Virgin Money Unity Arena Newcastle – which was billed as the UK’s first socially distanced music venue with two sell-out parties – and since then, the crazy concept has brought thousands of people back together in safe, socially distanced spaces for some outdoor bingo magic, mayhem and escapism under the sun and stars.
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Bongo’s Bingo co-founder and presenter Jonny Bongo said: “Our outdoors shows have been simply amazing so far and it has been so good bringing people back together for some much-needed escapism. Doing what we do outdoors, socially-distanced and seeing everyone go wild is very special – the energy from everyone so far has been electric.
“We know Blackpool always likes to party and in such a jaw-dropping location it’s going to be pure class.
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“There’s no excuse now not to join us – our two shows are going to be mega”.
Bongo’s Bingo
If you’re unfamiliar with the Bongo’s Bingo phenomenon, these award-winning events combine the much-loved quaint pastime of bingo with a mesmeric live show, crazy antics and weird and wonderful prizes which have helped create one of the most talked about nights out in the country.
Bongo’s Bingo offers a night full of madness, mischief and shared euphoria, with dancing and cheering to hits from across the ages all night long. Imagine N Trance’s ‘Set You Free’ filtered via S Club 7 and Gerry Cinnamon, to en-masse crowd karaoke renditions of ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’.
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Sounds ace, right?
Bongo’s Bingo – Outdoors arrives at Blackpool Pleasure Beach on Thursday 24th & Friday 25th September.
Previous Bongo’s Bingo customers who have credit can purchase tickets from 10am on Friday 11th September, and tickets go on sale with General Release from 6pm on Friday 11th September.
Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
Manchester’s biggest comedy festival returns this week and you can STILL get tickets
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s most popular comedy festival is back this week, and there’s still time to get tickets if you’re up for a laugh.
That’s right – Laughterama is back in Manchester from today (2 September), and will once again be taking over the iconic Castlefield Bowl in the heart of the city centre for five days of fun.
Thousands of comedy lovers attend Laughterama each year to enjoy countless sell-out stand-up sets, and this year will be no different, as festivalgoers are in for an ‘explosive series of shows‘ from some of the hottest names on the comedy circuit.
Jack Dee, Nick Mohammed, Sara Pascoe, Fern Brady, and Chris McCausland are just some of the famous names on this year’s jam-packed lineup.
They’ll be joined by other big names like Michelle De Swarte, Stewart Lee, Nina Conti, Ivo Graham, Ellis James, and Harriett Kemsley when they all take to the Castlefield Bowl stage over the five-day festival from Wednesday 2 – Sunday 6 September.
Some of the other names you can expect are BAFTA nominee Rose Matafeo, stand-up marvel Sarah Keyworth, Plebs and Friday Night Dinner star Tom Rosenthal, and podcast hero John Robbins.
It wouldn’t be Laughterama without some newcomers and breakthrough stars, of course, and on the lineup this year are viral sensation Vittorio Angelone, fast-rising talents Kiran Saggu and Jen Nolan, and BBC New Comedy Award finalist Evaldas Karosas.
Laughterama returns to Manchester later this week, and you still / Credit: Matt Eachus | Supplied
And aside from the comedy, as always, you can expect the very-best eats from Manchester’s street food scene will also be on site to tuck into, as well as an exciting selection of bars serving signature beers, cocktails, and more.
Laughterama 2026 is landing at Castlefield Bowl this week from Wednesday 2 – Sunday 6 September, with tickets now on sale at £29 per person.
Emily Sergeant -
11th September 2020 
