Summer’s over when we say it’s over, and with that in mind, we’ve decided to team up with Kampus to throw a big summer disco this September and you’re all coming — no excuses.
The Big Kampus Disco is taking place in the city centre’s coolest new canal-side garden neighbourhood, where we and the wonderful team over there will be providing all the big hits and disco classics from the dancefloor, as well as promising dancers, performers and general festivity.
Expect bright lights and a ridiculous amount of glitter.
Taking place on Saturday 9, September, the lineup is looking absolutely ace and we can’t wait.
The Kampus Kampus Disco is going to be one of this summer’s highlights. (Credit: Kampus)
With the party set to get started from 3pm onwards, guests can rock up in what we’re sure will be a sunny afternoon and evening to will enjoy DJ sets, amazing live music, as well as a massive Manchester silent disco.
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Around 400 music lovers are set to come along, so it could genuinely be one of the biggest silent discos the city has ever hosted and even if the weather is being typically Manc, we’re sure you lovely lot will bring plenty of sunshine with you.
Foodies won’t be disappointed either, as there’ll be an endless choice of delicious food and drink from the resident traders like Nell’s, Seven Brothers, Three Little Words and more — all of which will be serving everything al fresco so you don’t miss a single disco beat.
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Who needs a holiday?
Just look at the vibe.
Super talented DJ Pops Roberts will get the glitter ball rolling from with an inferno of a setlist featuring disco, funk, rare groove and all things soulful before the baton is passed on to Manchester’s very own The Untold Orchestra, who’ll be playing amazing live classical renditions of some of the biggest disco hits from legendary artists like Diana Ross and Chic from 5pm.
There’ll be plenty ofglitter make-up artists glamming people up and disco dancers getting you in the mood and, of course, a few of us will be there so come and say hello.
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You’ll have to do it before 7:30 though because that’s when the headphones come out as the huge silent disco gets underway with DJs Hannah O’Gorman, who’ll be continuing with the disco beats, and Kat Brown Sugar (great name), who will be delving into her party hip hop and R&B collection.
Speaking on the exciting collab, Adam Higgins, co-founder of Capital&Centric, said: “This is one of many amazing live events being hosted at Kampus this year. We’ve had Kampus Fest; a weekend of festival vibes and tunes to coincide with Glastonbury.
“We’ve also had food and drink takeovers from our fantastic indie operators at Kampus and we have a packed line-up planned for the August Bank Holiday raising funds for LGBTQIA+ charities, as the city celebrates Pride. Kampus offers the perfect outdoor venue for The Big Kampus Disco, and we’re excited to be keeping the summer party in full swing as we head into September.”
As for us lot, we’re so excited to be a part of this event; we love a silent disco and we should have recovered from Manchester Pride by then, so can’t wait to boogie the night away (touch wood).
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A disco dress code is encouraged but not mandatory. Tickets for the silent disco are £5 (plus a £10 refundable deposit) in advance but can also be bought on the door. The ticket fee and deposit will secure a set of headphones for the silent disco but all the events prior to the silent disco are completely free.
You can grab yours in advance HERE. Be there or be square.
You may have heard of the funny Star Wars stripper show or even seen clips of it online, but rumour has it that nothing can quite prepare you for the cheekiness of seeing this romp in the flesh.
In case you’ve been completely immersed in the dark side until now, here’s what you can expect:
Now well over a decade into its success and more than 200 Las Vegas shows, ‘The Empire Strips Back’ made its long-awaited transatlantic debut earlier this year.
Getting away at London’s Riverside Studios from May and enjoying a run until this past August, the comedy-driven twist on the classic Star Wars stories and beloved sci-fi characters was an instant hit with us Brits.
It started in Australia way back in 2011 and has gone not only to tour across Europe, but land a coveted residency at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Nevada.
Fast, funny, feisty and by all accounts, fantastic.
Now set to seek out new padawans and storm-strippers all over the cosmos, and by that we mean the UK, ‘The Empire Strips Back: Burlesque Parody’ is coming to Manchester.
Set to land at Depot Mayfield in the New Year – next spring, specifically, we cannot wait to see how this goes down with Northern crowds.
The Manc leg is scheduled to kick off on 6 March and last until 8 May, 2026, with various dates and times of day available.
It’s also worth noting that this two-hour show, including intermission, is a strictly 18+ only event; if you’re interested, you can find out more info and grab your tickets right HERE.
Manchester Open exhibition to return in 2026 with ‘biggest celebration’ of local creative talent
Emily Sergeant
The biggest celebration of Greater Manchester’s creative talent is making a much-anticipated return next summer.
Taking place every two years and now in its fourth iteration, Manchester Open exhibition sees the HOME Gallery walls filled with hundreds of artworks selected by a panel consisting of art experts and community representatives.
The exhibition is open to all and welcomes entries from people of any level of experience, including established professionals, students, graduates, new and emerging talent, enthusiastic amateurs, and even first-time artists.
Artists are invited to submit work into eight different categories, with the aim of creating an exhibition ‘rich in variety’ for visitors to explore.
Manchester Open exhibition is set to return in 2026 / Credit: Jason Lock Photography
This means you’ll get to explore works of ceramics, digital/moving images, drawings, prints, paintings, photography, sculptures/installations, and textiles.
Several awards will also be up for grabs throughout the exhibition – which is set to run from Saturday 20 June and Sunday 6 September 2026 – including a prestigious new award in honour of philanthropist and business leader, Kate Voke.
Three artists will also be awarded with artist development packages, managed by HOME and Castlefield Gallery.
“Following our 10 year anniversary in 2025, we are looking forward to 2026 and welcoming applications to HOME’s biggest celebration of Greater Manchester’s artistic talent,” explained Karen O’Neill, who is the CEO of HOME.
“With a record number of applications to the last Manchester Open, we’re hoping for even more in 2026 and to demonstrate how the city continues to grow as a place where artists and creativity can thrive.”
Manchester Open exhibition is taking place in 2026 from Saturday 20 June and Sunday 6 September, and the application and submission process is now live – with all submissions being reviewed by the selection panel who make the final selection of work to be included in the exhibition.
Artists will only be able to submit one artwork, and the selection panel members will be announced in spring 2026.
Featured Image – Jason Lock Photography (Supplied)
Danny Jones -
18th August 2023 
