An Italian food and drink festival is coming to Manchester this summer.
This free to attend three-day event is returning to the city for a sixth year, at Cathedral Gardens, opposite Victoria train station.
Festa Italiana will take place over the August bank holiday weekend, from Friday 25th to Sunday 27th, bringing a variety of authentic dishes straight from Manchester’s Italian kitchens for festival visitors to enjoy.
A whole range of favourite Italian street food vendors and restaurants are set to return with pop-up aperitivo bars and even masterclasses — where budding chefs can learn the art of pasta making and more.
@festaitalianamcr / Instagram
Organised by Maurizio Cecco, the owner of one of Manchester’s favourite Italian restaurants Salvis, the weekend is a celebration of the city’s Italian community and always draws hungry crowds.
Entertaining crowds — in-between pizza slices — will be a line-up of local performers, live musicians and DJs, alongside activities for the little ones.
Chefs confirmed to appear at the festival so far include Gennaro Contaldo, UK brand ambassador for Parmigiano Reggiano, (Saturday Kitchen, Two Greedy Italians, Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast).
@festaitalianamcr / Instagram
As well as, Giancarlo Caldesi (Return to Tuscany, Saturday Kitchen, Sunday Brunch), Great British Bake Off 2021 winner Giuseppe Dell’Anno, Masterchef UK 2021 quarter-finalist and ICG Cooking Competition Award winner Sofia Gallo, and Salvi’s owner Maurizio Cecco.
Italian brewing company Birrificio Angelo Poretti will host a ticketed dining experience with classic Italian food from Salvi’s and Italian lager from Poretti’s iconic Piazza.
The brewery will have its own dining area at this year’s Festa Italiana where guests can enjoy a sit down meal with a curated menu made to pair perfectly with Poretti. This experience is a ticketed event on Saturday August 26th, and the area is open to all on the Sunday.
@festaitalianamcr / Instagram
Last year’s festival saw over 40,000 people head to Cathedral Gardens as temperatures soared across the summer bank holiday weekend, and 2023 is set to be another triumphant celebration of Italian cuisine.
The family friendly festival is completely free to attend and runs from 12-11pm each day.
More information can be found on the festival website or their social media pages.
Pop star P!NK is set to kick-off her world tour starting in Bolton next week.
The 43-year-old superstar will embark on her Summer Carnival World Tour next week at the University of Bolton Stadium on Wednesday and Thursday, June 7th and 8th.
The popular American singer-songwriter will take to the stage — in her upcoming eighth concert tour — for the two days as she performs some of her well-known hits and best loved tracks, including songs from her latest album, Trustfall.
The six-pack sporting musician, whose real name is Alecia Beth Moore Hart, posted an image of herself suspended in the air, while practising some kind of aerial arts, on Instagram last week to give fans a taste of what’s to come.
Alongside the image she wrote: “Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.”
The quote was taken from the 19th-century American philosopher and poet Henry Thoreau. One excited fan wrote: “Can’t wait to see u in Berlin!! I’m flying from Barcelona.”
Another one-upped them and said: “Can’t wait to see her in Germany!!! flying from NY to Barcelona then to Germany!!” A third fan added: “Can’t wait to see you in July…this will be so fantastic.”
Andemaya / Wikimedia
The concerts will be held in the open air, with doors opening from 4.30pm and music due to start at 5.30pm – 11pm on both days.
P!NK will be supported by special guests at the concerts including Kidcutup, Gayle and The Script.
The council has issued advice for parking and traffic management with extensive traffic restrictions in place due to concertgoers travelling by different forms of transport such as car, coaches, public transport, taxis and also by foot.
Tickets for the events can be purchased by clicking HERE.
A Champion’s League Final festival is coming to The Love Factory in Manchester for the big game next month.
Sporting events company, 4TheFans has announced its UEFA Champions League Final Festival FanPark at Love Factory in central Manchester on Saturday, June 10th.
Man City secured their place at the Istanbul final when they beat Real Madrid at the Etihad.
As the Blues march into the final for what could be a historic treble, families are welcome to watch them at this the huge indoor and outdoor event — opening its doors from 3pm. The match will kick-off at 8pm GMT.
Love Factory
Only 10 minutes walk from Manchester Victoria, it will be the ultimate place for all the family to watch Manchester City take on Inter Milan.
Fans will get to enjoy the big game on huge anti-glare screens and soak up entertainment including a Sky Sports presenter, football legend, DJs, competitions, and fun footy activities — the atmosphere will be immense!
Hosting the event will be a Sky Sports presenter plus a Man City legend to give their match analysis and have bags of banter as part of an interactive show for the fans.
The real festival atmosphere will continue as fans enjoy a variety of food and drink (including award-winning pies), and more.
Love Factory
All ages are welcome making this the most family-friendly fan park available. Kids can take on their parents in footy activations including penalty shootouts, and a precision wall to test their accuracy.
And when Manchester City score, get ready for big celebrations with awesome special effects such as pyrotechnics and cO2 cannons!
Tickets are expected to sell out fast so fans should move quickly to secure their spot and avoid disappointment! General admission tickets start at £8 per person for a group of six, and £10 for individual tickets with a VIP box starting from £75 per person.
DJ Fat Tony is coming to Selfridges, Manchester this week to do a Q&A about his new ‘outrageous’ memoir, I Don’t Take Requests.
Join one of the most controversial DJs to ever grace the UK party scene along with his co-author Michael Hennegan in conversation, as they celebrate the paperback release of I Don’t Take Requests.
The live discussion with the DJ, about his life and memoir, will take place on Friday, May 26th 6-8pm. Tickets cost £10 and guests will receive a free paperback copy of his new release as well as the chance to enjoy a live DJ set.
Throughout his life and career, the DJ has grappled with addiction, a HIV diagnosis and various career challenges.
Selfridges
Harrowing, honest, and funny, I Don’t Take Requests is the ‘candid and outrageous memoir of a life of extremes’.
It’s a story of ‘getting it all and losing it all’. Addiction, recovery, and starting again. Drawing a vivid portrait of Britain’s street culture from the 1980s to the noughties.
DJ Fat Tony describes his childhood on a London estate where he honed his petty criminality, was abused by an older man, and became best friends with Boy George.
He spent his teenage years parading the Kings Road in his latest (mostly stolen) clobber, worked as a receptionist at a brothel, hung out with Leigh Bowery and Andy Warhol, and created his drag persona, before becoming DJ to the stars (including Prince and Madonna) and spiralling into a life threatening drug addiction.
@dj_fattony_ / Instagram
Now 16 years sober he has enjoyed a renaissance in life, becoming one of fashion’s favourite DJs. He does this whilst being a leading voice on the sobriety scene and an LGBTQ activist.
Tickets cost £10 and include a copy of I Don’t Take Requests, a Q&A panel discussion, as well as a live DJ set.