Wheel of Manchester
Exchange Square
The 60m high, contemporary, big wheel has 42 capsules, which seat up to eight people, all with wheelchair access, air conditioning and heating. With spectacular views across Manchester and beyond, it's an unforgettable experience for all the family.
Visit the website for information and tickets:
Adults £6, Children (Under 12) £4, Children (Under 4) FREE, VIP capsule (max. 4 people) £65 with champagne, £50 without.
www.worldtouristattractions.co.uk
Portraits for Posterity
Until 20 February 2010
Sculpture Hall, Manchester Town Hall
To mark Holocaust Memorial month, Manchester City Council is hosting an exhibition of portraits of men and women who survived the Nazi Holocaust in camps or in hiding and now live in Manchester. The portraits, by photographer Matt Writtle, are part of a nationwide endeavour to create likeness of surviving witnesses to the Holocaust who made new lives in Manchester.
www.portraitsforposterity.com
Chinese New Year
14 February 2010
Chinatown and Albert Square
The year of the Tiger is welcomed with a glittering array of festivities including Dragon and Lion Dances, 175ft long dragon parade, Kung Fu demonstrations, performances from Shaolin monks, folk dance performances, acrobatics, art workshops for children, the money god giving away lucky red-packets and of course spectacular fireworks. Chinatown will be bursting with hundreds of street stalls offering Chinese arts and crafts, oriental food, Chinese traditional medicine, calligraphy, Chinese costumes, jewellery, ornamental objects, fortune telling and free food tasting stalls. Free.
Event times: 11am-7pm.
www.fcam.org.uk
Manchester Irish Festival
5–21 March 2010
Various Venues
A city-wide showcase of Irish culture and celebration of all things Irish. Highlights include the St Patrick’s Parade (14 March), which sees over 70 floats, bands and walking groups wind their way through the city.
www.manchesteririshfestival.com
¡VIVA! Spanish and Latin American Film Festival
5–28 March 2010
Cornerhouse
The UK’s largest Spanish language film festival showcases the newest and most interesting feature films, documentaries and short films to come out of Spain and Spanish-speaking Latin America. With talks, events and master classes led by guests and filmmakers, the festival is of huge value to Spanish speakers in this country, students of Spanish, and anyone who is interested in cinema, travel, or Spanish and Latin American culture. There will also be a special ¡Viva! exhibition in Cornerhouse galleries of internationally acclaimed Mexican artist Carlos Amorales.
www.vivafilmfestival.com
International Women’s Day Launch Event
7 March 2010
Manchester Town Hall
Celebrated around the world since 1911, International Women’s Day marks the achievements of women and their struggles for equality. 2010 marks the 25th anniversary of Manchester City Council’s celebrations and at the launch event (7 March), there will be exciting activities including interactive arts and crafts sessions, information stalls, discussions about women’s health, education, employment, culture, and entertainment and much more. You can also view the ‘Women Like You’ exhibition (6 March – 9 May 2010, Manchester Art Gallery), which includes the portrait of Emmeline Pankhurst, created from photographs of inspirational women sent in by thousands of Manchester residents. Look out for the ‘Diary of Events’ giving details of local activities taking place in your area and further details of the event at the Town Hall.
www.manchester.gov.uk