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Manchester is named the world's leading sports city (like we didn't know that already), threatre to give away 10,000 tickets and hermit philosopher sought to ruminate on the world's problems.
Manchester crowned world's No 1 sports city
Following the success of the city's ambitious 2008 sports events programme, Manchester has been named the best sports city in the world.
A panel of industry experts selected Manchester the winner at the SportBusiness Sports Event Management Awards 2008, ahead of Melbourne, Berlin, New York, Moscow and Doha, cementing the city's reputation as a world-class sports destination.
The award came at the end of a truly exceptional year that saw Manchester successfully host six international sports events, including three world championships. One of these events, the 9th FINA World Swimming Championships 2008 (25m), was also recognised with a gold for best 'Event Look'.
Museum closes for £6.5 million facelift
Salford's award-winning Ordsall Hall Museum is closing on Feb 21 for a mammoth renovation project.
The stunning Grade I listed historic building offers a unique glimpse into Tudor lifestyles. Voted Best Small Visitor Attraction in the 2007 Manchester and Northwest Tourism Awards, it is a much-loved Salford landmark with aspirations of becoming a world-class visitor attraction.
Eight hundred years of history have, however, inevitably taken their toll, so a £6.5 million refurbishment is needed to restore and preserve the deteriorating building. When it reopens in 2011, the museum will feature new rooms open to the public for the first time, interactive exhibitions, landscaped gardens, a dedicated education room and a full training programme.
Theatre gives away 10,000 tickets
Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre is making 10,000 free tickets available to young people as part of a national scheme to nurture a new generation of theatre-goers.
The Free Theatre Initiative, set to be launched by Arts Council England this month, aims to give away a total of one million free tickets to young adults and their families, exposing a new audience to the thrills of the stage.
The Royal Exchange Theatre's participation has been backed with a £30,000 grant, and the 10,000 tickets will be made available to under 26-year-olds over a period of two years.
To find out if you qualify for free tickets visit www.royalexchange.co.uk/guestlist.
Wanted: resident hermit
Here is something you do not hear every day. The Manchester Museum has put out word that it is seeking an artist-in-residence to live in complete isolation in the tower of its Victorian Gothic building.
The successful candidate will live in the tower as a hermit for up to two months from May, to reflect on issues including biodiversity, climate change and the future of our planet. The artist will draw inspiration from the museum's acclaimed collections and communicate his/her experiences to the outside world using whatever format he/she chooses.
The museum hopes that its resident hermit, who will be selected this month, will draw attention to some of the major environmental issues facing the planet.
Ronaldo named best player in the world
Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has added FIFA's top prize to his bulging trophy cabinet.
The Portuguese star, who scored an amazing 42 goals for Manchester United in the 2007/08 season, received the FIFA World Player of the Year award from Brazilian legend Pele in Zurich last month, becoming the first UK-based footballer to win the accolade since its inception in 1991. He pipped Barcelona's Messi and Xavi, Liverpool's Torres and AC Milan's Kaka to the honour, delighting Manchester United fans across the world.
Ronaldo's FIFA award, voted for by international head coaches and captains, was the culmination of 18 hugely successful months for the 23-year-old, who has picked up every major individual and club award available to a footballer.
Get your laughs for free
If the recession is getting you down, the Royal Exchange has a weekly antidote that is effective and, refreshingly, free.
The theatre has just launched Comic FX - a new, regular stand-up comedy slot on the first Friday of every month, showcasing up-and-coming comedy stars from Manchester and beyond. This month's show will take place on Feb 6, compered by Des Sharples and introducing Mancunian comedian Tony Burgess and support act Andy Kind.
All Comic FX gigs take place in the Great Hall in the theatre foyer. They run from 6pm to 7pm and, again, they are free.