Theatre tickets
A chance to win tickets to see 'Allo Allo' at the Lowry's Quay Theatre.
FIND OUT MORESee How They Run
Win tickets for the hilarious festive farce, See How They Run, at the Royal Exchange.
FIND OUT MOREChampagne afternoon
The Calico Cafe Bar is offering one reader a free Champagne Afternoon Tea for two, worth £45.
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Chartered Accountants Lucas Reis are offering an hour's free business consultation.
FIND OUT MOREWhat's on
From an exhibition about Kylie Minogue and an outdoor showing of the opera Tosca to a major jazz festival and concerts by PJ Harvey and Kanye West, there is something for everyone to do in Manchester this month.
Festival
Manchester International Festival
Various venues, June 28 - July 15. www.manchesterinternationalfestival.com.
The world's first international festival of original, new work continues this month. An amazing line-up of leading artists descend on Manchester for 18 days of music, theatre, film, dance, visual art, debate and other events.
BACK TO TOPFestival
Wigan International Jazz Festival
Various venues in Wigan, July 13 - 22. Tel: 01942 825 677.
Now in its 22nd year, the festival is renowned for its star-studded line-ups. Headlining this year's festival are Dennis Rollins' Badbone & Co, Thilo Wolf Big Band, Alan Barnes' Tribute to Horace Silver and Shakatak.
BACK TO TOPFestival
Manchester Jazz Festival 2007
Various venues, July 21 - 28. Tel: 0161 228 0663. www.manchesterjazz.com.
Dozens of jazz bands swing into Manchester to showcase the finest contemporary jazz from the North West and beyond. Headline acts include: Stuart McCallum, John Surman, Jon Thorne, Danny Thompson, Norma Winstone, The Lydian Sound Orchestra, Tom Arthurs and Huw Warren.
BACK TO TOPFestival
24:7 Theatre Festival
Various venues, July 23 - 29. Tel: 0845 408 4101. www.247theatrefestival.co.uk.
Created to provide a showcase of new work by both new and established writers from every corner of the North West, the award-winning 24:7 Theatre Festival returns to Manchester with 20 newly-written, one-hour plays presented in a variety of non-theatre venues.
BACK TO TOPOutdoor event
Tosca
Exchange Sq, July 3. Free. www.manchesterlive.co.uk
Bring your friends and a picnic basket and watch a live, free screening of Tosca performed by the world renowned Royal Opera, direct from the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, as part of the BP Summer Big Screens.
BACK TO TOPOutdoor event
Bal Enchante - Fete de la Bastille
Platt Fields Park, Rusholme, July 14, 7pm - 11pm. £1 at entrance, children under 7 free. www.streetsahead.org.uk
Part of the Enchanted Evenings Series, this is a celebration of all things French, with live music, outdoor ballroom dancing, cabaret, street theatre, food and activities.
BACK TO TOPOutdoor event
Nutkhut 'Bollywood Steps'
Platt Fields Park, Rusholme, July 20 (9pm - 11pm) and July 21 (5pm - 7pm and 9pm - 11pm). £1 at entrance, children under 7 free. www.streetsahead.org.uk
Another event in the Enchanted Evenings Series, this is an outdoor dance performance with all the glitz and glamour of Bollywood, combining dancing with fire and water effects.
BACK TO TOPOutdoor event
Manchester Summer Mega Mela
Platt Fields Park, Rusholme, July 28 - 29. Tel: 0161 256 4518.
A celebration of Asian arts and culture, with music, food, fashion and much more.
BACK TO TOPOutdoor event
Feelgood Theatre Productions: Outdoor Theatre
Heaton Park, various dates in July & Aug. Adult ticket: £15. Tel: 0161 236 7110.
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of repertory theatre in Manchester, Feelgood Theatre presents two outdoor shows in Heaton Park: Dennis Potter's Blue Remembered Hills (July 19 - 28) and Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream (Aug 2 - 18).
BACK TO TOPOutdoor event
Heartbreak Productions: Outdoor Theatre
Fletcher Moss Gardens (Didsbury) and Wythenshawe Park, various dates in July & Aug. £13. Tel: 0161 236 7110.
Four plays are performed in two South Manchester parks: Cry Blue Murder (Fletcher Moss Gardens, July 5 & Aug 8 - 9); The Wizard of Oz (Fletcher Moss Gardens, July 11 - 12 & Wythenshawe Park, July 17); Twelfth Night (Fletcher Moss Gardens, July 13 & Wythenshawe Park, July 28 - 29); and The Merchant of Venice (Fletcher Moss Gardens, July 25 - 26).
BACK TO TOPExhibition
Romancing the stone
Manchester Town Hall, July 5 - 14. Free. www.arsornata.org
A jewellery exhibition inspired by the white marble sculptures of Manchester's historical figures housed in Manchester Town Hall. Twenty-two artists from 17 countries have created bespoke pieces of jewellery in celebration of these luminaries and the pieces will be exhibited on the sculptures. This is just one of many jewellery exhibitions that can be viewed in Manchester this summer as part of an international symposium of contemporary jewellery, ARS Ornata Europeana, being held in the UK for the first time.
BACK TO TOPExhibition
Bite the Bullet
Top floor, Harvey Nichols, until Aug 31. Free. All work is for sale. www.arsornata.org
A showcase of handmade, precious and diverse contemporary jewellery - much of which has never before been shown in the UK - by six European artists. The exhibition takes place as part of the ARS Ornata Europeana symposium.
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Exhibition
Kylie: The Exhibition
Manchester Art Gallery, June 30 - Sept 2. Free. Tel: 0161 235 8888.
The show everyone is talking about is finally here. Featuring the pop princess' fabulous costumes and accessories, as well as photographs, sound and video, the exhibition looks at Kylie's career and changing image.
BACK TO TOPExhibition
The Animals' War
IWMN, until January 2008. Free. Tel: 0161 836 4000.
A major family exhibition exploring the remarkable role of animals in conflict from the First World War to the present day. It uses hands-on interactives, photographs, film and sound clips, paintings, touchable sculptures and memorabilia from all over the world to present fascinating stories of animals in war.
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Exhibition
Hong Kong - Arrivals and Departures
Urbis, until July 8. Free. Tel: 0161 605 8200.
The first major contemporary art exhibition on Hong Kong to take place in the UK, Arrivals and Departures marks the tenth anniversary of the city's handover from Britain to China, and explores the collision of cultures between Hong Kong, China and Britain.
BACK TO TOPExhibition
We Live Here
Manchester Art Gallery, until July 8. Free. Tel: 0161 235 8888.
Eight diverse community groups have worked with 12 artists to present what is distinctive about their experience of Manchester in this photographic project commissioned by Look 07.
BACK TO TOPExhibition
For Queen and Country
Central Library, St Peter's Square, until July 15. Free. Tel: 0161 234 1900.
Turner Prize-winning artist Steve McQueen pays tribute to the British soldiers who lost their lives in Iraq in a new work commissioned by Manchester International Festival and the Imperial War Museum North.
BACK TO TOPExhibition
Playing to the Tune
Hat Works, Stockport, until July 22. Free. Tel: 0845 333 0975.
An exhibition exploring how music has influenced people to wear certain headwear through the decades, from opera hats to baseball caps.
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Exhibition
Wild Britain
The Manchester Museum, Oxford Rd, until Aug 27. Free. Tel: 0161 275 2634.
A collection of striking images by wildlife photographer Ben Hall, capturing the stunning wildlife of the British Isles.
BACK TO TOPExhibition
Play - Experience the Adventure of Our City
Urbis, until Sept 2007. Free. Tel: 0161 605 8200.
Urbis is transformed into a giant adventure playground for this exhibition. Featuring work by leading urban creatives, including Leo Fitzmaurice and Nils Norman, Play presents innovative ways in which people have fun in cities across the world.
BACK TO TOPExhibition
Featuring Walls
The Whitworth Art Gallery, Oxford Road, until Sept 30. Free. Tel: 0161 275 7450.
A collection of historic and modern wallpapers spanning three centuries and reflecting many of the social and cultural currents at work when these papers were made.
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Exhibition
Doctor Who - Up-close
Museum of Science and Industry, until Nov 5. £4.50 - £20. Tel: 08700 600 100.
Get up-close to actual props, costumes and monsters from the hit BBC programme Doctor Who. The exhibition coincides with the long-awaited third series, starring David Tennant and Freema Agyeman.
BACK TO TOPTheatre
The Tempest
The Royal Exchange Theatre, until July 7. £8 - £27.50 Tel: 0161 833 9833.
The great Pete Postlethwaite (Brassed Off, The Usual Suspects, The Omen) plays the mysterious Prospero in Shakespeare's masterpiece, The Tempest. Filled with beautiful poetry and surreal comedy, the play transports us to a magical island, where something rich and strange awaits us all.
BACK TO TOPTheatre
Monster
The Studio, Royal Exchange Theatre, until July 7. £9. Tel: 0161 833 9833.
This new play by Duncan Macmillan won second prize in last year's Bruntwood Playwriting Competition. Set in modern day England - a country of ASBOs, hoodies and happy slapping - it deals with the relationships between teachers and pupils, young and old, and asks whether people can still reach out to each other.
BACK TO TOPTheatre
Monkey: Journey to the West
Palace Theatre, until July 7. £10 - £42.50. Tel: 0871 230 1888.
The launch event of the first Manchester International Festival is a very modern circus opera based on the ancient Chinese legend of Monkey King. Adapted and directed by Chen Shi-Zheng, the show features Chinese vocalists, circus acrobats and martial artists. It also carries the mark of the two artists behind award-winning virtual band Gorillaz - the music has been composed by Damon Albarn, while the visual concept, set design and costumes are the work of Jamie Hewlett.
BACK TO TOPTheatre
Dead Wedding
Cult puppetry company Faulty Optic and contemporary composer Mira Calix reinvent the ancient myth of Orpheus in a visual and sonic feast marking the 400th anniversary of opera. Puppets, film, laptop, live musicians and strangely distorted voices combine to re-mix the tale of doomed lovers Orpheus and Eurydice for the 21st century.
Library Theatre, July 5 - 7. £15. Tel: 0161 236 7110.
BACK TO TOPTheatre
The Pianist
Museum of Science and Industry, until July 15. £25. Tel: 0871 230 1888.
Acclaimed British theatre director Neil Bartlett presents the world premiere of the theatre version of The Pianist, based on the memoirs of Wladyslaw Szpilman, about one man's time in the Warsaw Ghetto during the Nazi occupation. The play, which will feature internationally renowned concert pianist Mikhail Rudy, will be staged in a warehouse attic at the Museum of Science and Industry.
BACK TO TOPTheatre
Pretend you have big buildings
Royal Exchange Theatre, July 11 - Aug 4. £8 - £27.50. Tel: 0161 833 9833.
The winning play in last year's Bruntwood Playwriting Competition receives its world premiere at the Royal Exchange this month as part of the Manchester International Festival. Written by Ben Musgrave, the youngest ever writer to receive a production in the Royal Exchange, the play chronicles the unlikely friendship of two very different teenagers, Danny and Leon, who do not fit in.
BACK TO TOPMusic
Kanye West
Six-time Grammy Award-winning rapper and producer Kanye West is performing a one-off show in Manchester as part of Manchester International Festival. The chart-topper whose hits include Jesus Walks and Gold Digger has also produced work for the likes of John Legend, Ludacris and Jay-Z.
Manchester Apollo, July 2. £30 - £35. Tel: 0871 230 1888.
BACK TO TOPMusic
PJ Harvey
The incomparable PJ Harvey performs an intimate solo show, comprising songs from her back catalogue alongside new material.
The Bridgewater Hall, July 7. £15 - £40. Tel: 0871 230 1888.
BACK TO TOPMusic
Orchestral Suite by William Orbit
The world premiere of an adventure in eight orchestral movements by composer and producer William Orbit (best known for collaborating with the cream of contemporary musical talent, including Madonna, Blur and U2).
The Bridgewater Hall, July 8. £10 - £35. Tel: 0871 230 1888.
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Barbra Streisand
The most eagerly awaited show of the year sees singing sensation Barbra Streisand playing her first ever show in Manchester.
M.E.N. Arena, July 10. £75 - £550. Tel: 0870 190 8000.
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Scissor Sisters
The filthy gorgeous Scissor Sisters, New York's most flamboyant band, are bringing their special brand of camp party rock to Manchester.
M.E.N. Arena, July 31 - Aug 1. £28.50. Tel: 0870 190 8000.
BACK TO TOPDance
Carlos Acosta
The Lowry, July 13 & 14. £18 - £45. Tel: 0871 230 1888.
Widely regarded as the world's greatest male ballet dancer, Carlos Acosta storms into Salford to present a mix of new and existing work. He will be accompanied by the Danza Contemporania de Cuba, Yiensgay Valdes (prima ballerina, Ballet Nacional de Cuba), and the full Tocororo Company of 18 dancers and a live Cuban band.
BACK TO TOPSport
LEN European Nations Trophy
Manchester Aquatics Centre, July 8 - 15. Day ticket: £5 - £10. www.manchester2007.com
This is a key event in the preparations for London 2012, giving members of the Great Britain water polo team the opportunity to test themselves against some of the best teams in Europe.
BACK TO TOPSport
Manchester Trophy Tennis
The Northern, Didsbury, July 15 - 22. £5 - £12. Tel: 0161 445 3093.
An important post-Wimbledon stop on the men's international ATP Challenger Series, this men's singles and doubles tournament brings many top-class players to Manchester.
BACK TO TOPSport
Norwich Union World Trials and UK Championships
Manchester Regional Arena, Sportcity, July 27 - 29. £5 - £10. www.tvathletics.co.uk
With spots in the GB Team for the World Championships up for grabs, competition in this year's Trials is set to be fierce. Britain's top athletes must finish first or second in their event to qualify for Osaka, Japan in August.
BACK TO TOPSport
Salford BG Triathlon World Cup
Salford Quays, July 29. Free. Tel: 0161 793 2372. www.trisalford.info.
The world's greatest triathletes descend on Salford for one of the year's biggest and most exciting sporting events. This year's race entries sold out in record time as the event is now well established as one of the top courses on the international circuit. A true test of endurance, this incredible sporting extravaganza includes the full distance race (1,500km swim, 40km bike and 10km run), sprint race and sprint relay, which comprises a 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run to the finish line.
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