A whole host of immersive drive-in entertainment events set to return to Greater Manchester next month.
Cinemas and entertainment complexes right across the region may currently still be closed amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but with an “irreversible” roadmap for lifting England’s third national lockdown now in place, reopening is on the horizon.
If you’re far too eager to wait until mid-May though, Park N Party – the team that delivered both the sell-out successes of ScareCity and ChristmasCity, and a number of other outdoor live events throughout 2020 – comes SecretCity.
Manchester’s newest event space is back and it’s better than ever.
Rolling into Event City in Trafford on 15th April and set to run throughout the summer, SecretCity is giving film fans the chance to catch their favourite drive-in cinema classics and new releases on the UK’s biggest LED outdoor screen, alongside immersive entertainment, live actors, vibrant props, food and drink, and many more surprises.
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With entertainment ready from the moment you enter the park and walk through the enchanted tunnel, guests are invited to “tumble down the rabbit hole into a new world”.
There’ll also be plenty of unique photo opportunities.
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Park N Party / Visual ArchitectsPark N Party / Visual Architects
So, what films are already on the schedule then over the coming weeks?
Wonder Woman (1984) – Thursday 15th April at 9pm
Bridesmaids – Wed 21st April at 8:30pm
Onward – Saturday 24th April at 4pm
Greenland – Sunday 25th April at 8pm
Mulan (2020) – Saturday 7th May at 4pm
The Greatest Showman – Sunday 8th May at 4pm
Looking further into the future as SecretCity takes up residency in Manchester throughout the summer and will guided by government announcements, the unique events space will be home to outdoor events suitable for guests arriving by foot as well as by car, including cinema screenings, DJ appearances, live football broadcasts and much more.
With food available and a bar on site, there’ll be everything you need for a summer like no other.
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All Park N Party events are outdoors, with strict social distancing measures in place throughout the venue in accordance with all government guidelines, and guests are encouraged, where possible to remain in their vehicle and only attend in their household or social bubbles.
Hand sanitiser will be readily available throughout the venue, and in the toilets.
You can find more information ahead of the event and book your tickets to any of the SecretCity screenings via the Park N Party website here.
A beloved Manc gig venue is hosting a special afterparty following Manichester tribute festival
Danny Jones
A much-loved live music institution in Manchester is set to host a dedicated afterparty for the inaugural ‘Manichester’: the live tribute festival in memory of Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield.
Seeing the grassroots music scene gathering together in moments like this is the kind of stuff that would make the man himself SO proud.
With Manichester 2026 announced this past March and set to take place later this month in honour of the legendary Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist, tickets for the main event sold out very quickly.
This came as no surprise, of course, but now other Manc venues are joining in toasting the life and career of Mani for one very special evening.
Shared by Madchester.com, who are helping organise the Manichester ’26 along with surviving members of the Mounfield family, as well as Mani’s friends and peers such as his brother Greg and Damon Minchella of Ocean Colour Scene, gig space Gorilla are hosting it.
The small-cap live music room, bar and restaurant has hosted many a special night over the past decade or so – hosting multiple War Child charity shows in the past few years, for instance – and even when they’re not hosting a set themselves, they’re always more than happy to join in the celebrations.
With that in mind, there always likely to pay their respects to the late, great and iconic local musician in some way, but now they’re teaming up with Madchester directly.
Positioned as the official ‘aftershow’ following the mini tribute festival, as you can see, there will be just 600 tickets available, with general admission for the main event already gone as mentioned.
At one point, it looked like the kind-spirited and well-meaning idea might be scrapped altogether after some confusion between the organising partners.
Thankfully, that all looks to have been put to bed, and all those involved can focus on what’s important: honouring Mani in the best way possible – with a load of live tunes and a good time.
In terms of those who will be playing on the night ahead of the aftershow, the likes of the equally legendary Peter Hook, Rowetta, The Kowloons, Jon McClure from Reverend and the Makers, plus many more, have been announced as part of the lineup.
There is also still a ‘AAA’ headliner still yet to be confirmed, so watch this space.
As for the Manichester afterparty at Gorilla, keep an eye out on socials for the ticket link to drop and, hopefully, we’ll see you there for a night to remember.
Pretty Woman The Musical will be returning to the stage in Manchester next year
Emily Sergeant
“Big night out. Big. HUGE.”
This is your chance to experience one of Hollywood’s best-loved romcoms of all time, as following a record-breaking run in the West End and a sell-out first UK tour in 2023, Pretty Woman The Musical is heading back out the road again next year, and it’ll be taking to one of Manchester‘s most iconic stages.
With direction and choreography by two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell, an original score by Grammy winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, and a book by the movie’s legendary director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J.F. Lawton, it’s no wonder Pretty Woman The Musical is one of the most popular productions of the 21st century.
Just like the 1990 film of the same name, Pretty Woman The Musical tells the story of Vivian and Edward, two unlikely soulmates who overcome all odds to find each other… and themselves.
Pretty Woman The Musical will be returning to the stage in Manchester next year / Credit: Supplied
The musical – which is described as being a ‘dazzlingly joyous love story for the ages’ – lets you experience all the moments you know and love from the movie, all while getting to know these iconic characters in a whole new way.
Stopping off at Manchester Palace Theatre next spring, the show will be in our city from Tuesday 23 March through to Saturday 3 April 2027, before visiting other northern cities like Leeds, York, Sunderland, Hull, and Liverpool, as well as major locations like Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Cardiff.
Tickets officially go on sale this week – with the pre-sale for ATG members beginning this Wednesday (13 May), before general sale starts on Friday 15 May at 10am.
Emily Sergeant -
17th March 2021 
