A series of Stranger Things-themed skating sessions are taking over one of Manchester‘s newest roller rinks next weekend.
There is absolutely no denying that much of the world is Stranger Things obsessed at the moment, with all eyes firmly on the fourth series of the smash-hit science fiction horror drama – which has recently been released in two instalments on Netflix, and has broken a handful of streaming records on its way.
Starring Winona Ryder and David Harbour, and making household names out of its young cast of stars – including Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Sadie Sink, Joe Keery, Natalia Dyer, and many more – Stranger Things has gone on to develop a dedicated fanbase.
Since first hitting Netflix back in July 2016, the show has also received widespread critical acclaim for its characterisation, atmosphere, acting, soundtrack, directing, writing, and for paying plenty of homages to 1980s film and pop culture.
Most recently, Stranger Things 4 has just become the first English-language series in streaming history to rack up over one billion hours viewed in the first four weeks of release.
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And now, Good Life Skates is set to properly celebrate the popular programme in style.
In case you missed it, the brand-new roller rink opened its doors above Escape To Freight Island’s main hall last month, and now, the retro venue has revealed plans for its first summer on wheels – with a whole host of events in the coming months.
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One of the stand-out events has to be the ‘Skatefire Club’, with the venue inviting fans to “celebrate all things Stranger Things” next weekend.
“Lace up your skates and boogie along to the soundtrack of the show we all know and love.”
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Taking over the roller rink on Friday 15-Sunday 17 July, tickets for the Stranger Things-themed ‘Skatefire Club’ are now on sale, and fans can find out more and book here.
Off peak ticket prices range from £8.50, with peak hours from £10. Bring Your Own Boots (BYOB) costs from £7. The daily sessions run on Thursday and Friday from 4pm to 10pm, Saturday from 10am to 10pm, and Sunday from 10am to 9pm.
You can expect pop classics all day on Saturdays with ‘Stop, Pop & Roll’, plus fun sing-along sessions too.
What’s more, is that the mezzanine rink can also be hired for private parties and kids parties, with a private room adjacent to the rink available.
The funds will help improve the already incredible music scene in Manchester, benefitting staples likes Night and Day Café, Matt and Phred’s Jazz Club, SOUP and more.
All of the donations will be distributed across six independent music venues and will be used for various instruments, PA equipment, backline technology and other necessities depending on the requirements of each site.
Elbow have teamed up with Co-op Live in aid of supporting Manchester grassroots venues.Credit: Supplied
This initiative has been keeping Manchester’s Northern Quarter in the forefront of people’s minds when it comes to live music as well as the impressive Co-op Live.
Alongside providing vital resources for these local institutions, Elbow teaming up with Co-op Live also helps cement the North West as one of the main powerhouses in relation to live music.
The latest efforts from the largest indoor arena in Manchester fall in line with celebrating one year of bringing some of the best live music to the city, being officially open for 12 months in May.
Co-op Live have made a commitment to the people and the planet, promising to donate £1 million annually to the Co-op Foundation.
The stunning Co-op Live venue, Manchester’s largest indoor arena.Elbow performing at Co-op Live, marking history as the first act to grace the venue.Credit: Audio North/Supplied
Manchester’s latest live music venue also contributed significantly to selected charities, including Happy Doggo – chosen by Liam Gallagher and Eric Clapton’s addiction recovery centre, Crossroads.
As Elbow teams up with Co-op Live, even more money is making its way to necessary resources, this time in the likes of crucial live music establishments.
Elbow front-person Guy Garvey says: “Playing Co-op Live’s opening night will stay with us for a lifetime, not least because of how incredible the room sounded.”
“When the venue donated funds in our name to support the city we love, it made complete sense to carry that through to the Northern Quarter and to venues that have meant so much to my bandmates and I throughout our career.”
Guy Dunstan, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Co-op Live, adds: “In the past year, I have been proud to see Co-op Live become an integral part of such an incredible city.”
“Teaming up with Elbow to directly support the venues that first put Manchester on the map, and to share something so intrinsic to us as venues – proper sound – is something truly special.”
Award-winning The Kinks musical Sunny Afternoon to kick off UK tour in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Multi award-winning musical Sunny Afternoon is set to kick off its UK tour here in Manchester later this year.
Following a sell-out run at Hampstead Theatre, the musical production featuring all the hit songs by legendary rock band The Kinks opened to critical acclaim at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London’s West End, where it ran for two years ahead of its sensational UK and Ireland tour throughout 2016/17.
It also collected four Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical and Outstanding Achievement in Music for Ray Davies, along the way.
Award-winning The Kinks musical Sunny Afternoon is kicking off its UK tour in Manchester / Credit: ATG Tickets
Set against the backdrop of Britain on the cusp of the rebellious 60s,Sunny Afternoon is described as being an ‘exhilarating and moving’ celebration of the music, life, and the band that changed it all, The Kinks.
Sunny Afternoon celebrates The Kinks’ raw energy, passion, and timeless sound.
Charting the ‘euphoric highs’ and ‘agonising lows’, the smash-hit production tells the band’s story through an incredible back catalogue of chart-toppers – including ‘You Really Got Me’, ‘Lola’, ‘All Day and All of the Night’, and of course, ‘Sunny Afternoon’ itself.
Tickets are on sale now from just £15 each / Credit: Kevin Cummins
Producers Sonia Friedman Productions and ATG Productions announced last week that the show would be returning for another UK tour later this year, and it’ll be opening right here on one of Manchester‘s most iconic stages.
The hit musical will open at Manchester’s Palace Theatre on 10 October 2025 and it will run right through until 18 October.
Sunny Afternoon has music and lyrics, and an original story, all by the band’s frontman Ray Davies, along with a book by Joe Penhall, direction by Edward Hall, design by Miriam Buether, and choreography by Adam Cooper.
Emily Sergeant -
6th July 2022 
