What's on
There are tonnes of great musical, cultural and sports events taking place in Manchester this month. Check out our event listings below.
Festivals
Wigan International Jazz Festival
The annual Wigan International Jazz Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary with an eight-day programme of ticketed and free events involving almost 300 musicians. Headline acts include the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, the Monty Alexander Trio and the Stan Tracey Big Band.
Various venues, July 10 - 17. Tel: 01942 828 201.
Exodus Festival
A free family festival celebrating the arts and culture of Greater Manchester's diverse refugee communities. Expect music and dance performances from more than 25 acts, including the renowned Beating Wing Orchestra. There will also be creative workshops, a parade, international food and world crafts.
Albert Square, July 18.
www.can.uk.com/exodus Contacting the World
Organised by Contact Theatre, Contacting the World is an international young people's theatre festival featuring 12 performance companies from countries around the world.
Contact Theatre, July 19 - 25.
www.contact-theatre.orgUrban Moves International Dance Festival
A three-day international dance festival celebrating Manchester's cityscape and architecture with a unique blend of outdoor professional dance and spectacle. British and European dance companies perform in shop windows, public squares and up in the air.
Various locations in Manchester city centre, July 23 - 25. Free.
www.urbanmovesfestival.co.ukManchester Summer Mega Mela
A two-day celebration of south Asian arts and culture, with music, dance, street theatre, sport, fashion and crafts.
Platt Fields Park, Rusholme, July 24 - 25. Free.
www.manchestermela.co.uk Manchester Jazz Festival
The cream of Manchester's jazz scene share a stage with internationally-renowned players for nine days of musical firsts, international debuts and free gigs. Highlights include the world premiere of a suite for jazz orchestra led by trumpeter Neil Yates; a performance by jazz supergroup Simcock/Walker/Swallow/Nussbaum; and Phil Bancroft's multi-media musical odyssey Home, Small as the World.
Various venues in Manchester city centre, July 23 - 31.
www.manchesterjazz.com24:7 Theatre Festival
Manchester's annual showcase of regional new theatre, featuring ten original one-hour plays performed away from the traditional theatre setting.
New Century House, Mayes Street, July 26 - Aug 1. £5 - £10.
www.247theatrefestival.co.ukFamily Friendly Film Festival
Keep your little ones entertained this summer with Manchester's annual festival of family-friendly film events and activities. Highlights include spooky night-time events, 4D cinema shows and an outdoor screening of Jurassic Park.
Various venues, July 30 - Aug 15. £0 - £6.
www.familyfriendlyfilmfestival.org.ukOutdoor events
An Ideal Husband
Heartbreak Productions present an open-air version of Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband - a witty story of political scandal, blackmail and love.
Fletcher Moss Gardens, Didsbury, July 21 - 24. Adults: £12.50. Children: £8.50.
www.heartbreakproductions.co.uk RHS Show Tatton Park
The North's greatest gardening show returns to Tatton Park, with spectacular display pieces and bright ideas to take home with you.
Tatton Park, July 21 - 25. £19 - £27. Tel: 0844 338 7528.
Halle Fireworks & Light Spectacular
Myleene Klass presents an evening of opera and fireworks with the world-famous Halle, and guest stars Wynne Evans and Natasha Marsh.
Tatton Park, July 31. £27.50. Tel: 0844 847 1554.
Screenfields
Manchester city centre's free open-air cinema is back, showing a wide range of films, prom nights and the best of live sport.
Hardman Square, Spinningfields, until Sept 9. Free.
www.spinningfieldsonline.comSky Ride Local
A series of free mass participation cycling events led by British Cycling trained ride leaders. Whether you want to explore Manchester's water parks with the family or fancy a 28-mile tour of the Pennines, there's something for everyone.
Various locations, until October. Free.
www.goskyride.com Exhibitions
Charles Darwin: evolution of a scientist
Darwin's story is brought to life through graphic-novel-style illustrations by Chrissie Morgan alongside the scientist's own words and studied objects.
The Manchester Museum, until Aug 30. Free. Tel: 0161 275 2634.
A World Observed 1940 - 2010: Photographs by Dorothy Bohm
The first major retrospective of photographer Dorothy Bohm, bringing together more than 200 photographic images from a career spanning almost seven decades.
Manchester Art Gallery, until Aug 30. Free. Tel: 0161 235 8888.
Walls Are Talking: Wallpaper, Art and Culture
The first major UK exhibition of artists' wallpapers, including work by Damien Hirst, Thomas Demand and Anya Gallaccio.
Whitworth Art Gallery, until Aug 30. Free. Tel: 0161 275 7450.
Camouflage
An interactive family-friendly show marking 95 years since camouflage was first used in warfare by combatants during the First World War.
Imperial War Museum North, until Sept 12. Free. Tel: 0161 836 4000.
Da Vinci - The Genius
Giant original colour and infra-red versions of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, as well as his visionary inventions, such as the helicopter, parachute and military tank, take centre stage in MOSI's exhibition.
MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry), until Sept 12. £7.50. Tel: 0844 847 2261.
Everyday People
Working with a group of local volunteers of all shapes and sizes, American artist Spencer Tunick has orchestrated a multiple site nude installation across Manchester and Salford, as a visual response to the work of LS Lowry. Check out the resulting photographic and film work at The Lowry.
The Lowry, until Sept 26. Free. Tel: 0843 208 6007.
Elizabeth Gaskell: A Connected Life
John Rylands Library marks the bicentenary of Gaskell's birth with an exhibition examining how the novelist's social networks influenced her work.
The John Rylands Library, July 15 - Nov 28. Free. Tel: 0161 306 0555.
All Aboard: Stories of War at Sea
A family-friendly exhibition looking at life at sea in wartime. Its interactive displays allow visitors to experience a sailor's life, and discover real life stories of bravery, adventure and survival.
Imperial War Museum North, July 17, 2010 - April 24, 2011. Free. Tel: 0161 836 4000.
Theatre
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Craig Chalmers stars in Bill Kenwright's production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, Joseph - a retelling of the biblical story of Joseph, his 11 brothers and the coat of many colours.
The Lowry, July 5 - 10. £14 - £25. Tel: 0843 208 6007.
Hairspray
This West End musical comedy tells the feel-good story of Tracy Turnblad - a big girl with big hair and a big heart - who beats the odds to star on a TV dance program.
Opera House, July 13 - 31. £18.50 - £43.50. Tel: 0844 847 2484.
Charley's Aunt
Brandon Thomas's farce, Charley's Aunt, revolves around two young men - Charley and Jack - who resort to desperate measures in order to spend some time alone with their respective love interests.
Royal Exchange Theatre, until Aug 7. £8.50 - £29.50. Tel: 0161 833 9833.
Music
Buddy Guy
The legendary American blues guitarist and singer performs tracks from his latest album, Skin Deep.
The Bridgewater Hall, July 4. £27.50 - £32.50. Tel: 0161 907 9000.
Dirty Projectors
David Longstreth and his group of collaborators hit the road to promote Dirty Projectors' fifth album, Bitte Orca.
Academy 2, July 6. £14. Tel: 0871 2200 260.
Tom Paxton
American folk star Tom Paxton performs songs from his 40-year back catalogue.
The Lowry, July 7. £24.50. Tel: 0843 208 6007.
Robert Cray Band
Five time Grammy award winner Robert Cray brings his special brand of good-time, uptown, low-down blues to Manchester, with special guest Andy Fairweather Low.
The Bridgewater Hall, July 8. £29.12 - £39.34. Tel: 0161 907 9000.
One Night Only
Yorkshire rockers One Night Only perform in Manchester ahead of the release of their second album this August.
Manchester Deaf Institute, July 13. £8.50. Tel: 0871 2200 260.
Earth, Wind & Fire
The multi-award winning funk pioneers from Chicago embark on a European tour.
M.E.N Arena, July 20. £42.50 & £50. Tel: 0844 847 8000.
Kid Creole & The Coconuts
August Darnell, his fabulous Coconuts and their full eight-piece band play the Band on the Wall as part of this year's Manchester Jazz Festival.
Band on the Wall, July 27 & 28. £25. Tel: 0845 2500 500.
Kris Kristofferson
Veteran American singer/songwriter and actor Kris Kristofferson performs tracks from his latest album, Closer to the Bone, as well as hits from his back catalogue.
The Bridgewater Hall, July 31. £25 - £30. Tel: 0161 907 9000.
Sport
National BMX Series
Manchester BMX Club will be hosting rounds 7 and 8 of the 2010 National BMX Series, featuring the UK's top riders.
Platt Fields Park BMX Track, Rusholme, July 3 - 4.
www.manchesterbmx.co.ukFIL World Lacrosse Championships
Thirty nations compete in the biggest World Lacrosse Championships to date. For the first time ever, a festival (July 17 - 22) will take place alongside the championships, featuring touring and club teams from around the world.
University of Manchester Armitage Centre, July 15 - 24.
www.2010worldlacrosse.comUEC European Masters Track Championships
Europe's best riders battle it out in six days of fierce competition.
National Cycling Centre, Sportcity, July 27 - 31.
www.cyclingmasters.comComing soon…
Party! With Will Young
An open-air show with multi- platinum-selling Pop Idol winner Will Young and a fireworks display.
Tatton Park, Aug 1. £31. Tel: 0844 847 1554.
Manchester Pride
A ten-day celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender life in Manchester, featuring sport, film, theatre, poetry, music, art, fantastic partying and the largest, most fabulous Pride parade in the UK.
Manchester Gay Village and various venues across the city, Aug 20 - 30.
www.manchesterpride.com Proms in the Park
Tickets are now on sale for Salford's Proms in the Park - part of the BBC's prestigious Last Night of the Proms. The BBC Philharmonic will once again take centre stage in the event, with the rest of the line-up currently being finalised.
Buile Hill Park, Sept 11. £20. Tel: 0844 815 7131.