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.
Outdoor events
The Secret Garden
Heartbreak Productions' open-air version of this classic children's tale demonstrates all that is good about friendship and promises to add a touch of magic to your evening.
Wythenshawe Park, June 4 - 6. Adults: £12.50 - £15.50. Children: £8.50 - £11.50.
www.heartbreakproductions.co.ukBP Summer Big Screens - The Royal Opera's Carmen
A live screening of one of the most famous operas ever written. Bizet's Carmen features rousing choruses, epic scenery and gripping drama.
Exchange Square, June 8. Free.
www.roh.org.uk/bpbigscreensBP Summer Big Screens - The Royal Ballet's Triple Bill
A live screening of Wayne McGregor's Chroma, Christopher Wheeldon's Tryst and George Balanchine's Symphony in C, all performed by Royal Ballet dancers.
Exchange Square, June 10. Free.
www.roh.org.uk/bpbigscreensA Midsummer Night's Dream
Shakespeare's Globe returns with an open-air performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream - one of the Bard's most popular comedies.
Heaton Park, June 17 - 20. Adults: £15. Children: £10. Tel: 0843 208 0500.
The Manchester Day Parade
Celebrating all that makes Manchester 'out of this world', the Manchester Day Parade features colourful floats, costumed dancers, musicians and other participants from across the city.
Manchester City Centre, June 20. Free.
www.themanchesterdayparade.co.ukExhibitions
Shaped by War: Photographs by Don McCullin
The largest ever UK exhibition about the life and work of Don McCullin - one of the world's most acclaimed photographers.
Imperial War Museum North, until June 13. Free. Tel: 0161 836 4000.
Heroes and Kings: The Shahnama of Ferdowsi
The John Rylands Library marks the millennium of the Shahnama - the national epic poem of Iran - with an exhibition exploring the poem's languages, art, history and mythology.
The John Rylands Library, until June 27. Free. Tel: 0161 306 0555.
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.
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. The resulting photographic and film work will be shown at The Lowry this summer.
The Lowry, June 12 - Sept 26. Free. Tel: 0843 208 6007.
Theatre
Columbo
Dirk Benedict (The A-Team, Battlestar Galactica) stars in Middle Ground Theatre's Prescription: Murder, Lieutenant Columbo's first ever case. When a psychiatrist's wife is found dead, Columbo is brought in to investigate.
The Lowry, June 7 - 12. £14 - £20. Tel: 0843 208 6007.
Girls' Night Out
Aimed at girls who just want to have fun, Girls' Night Out is a feel-good show packed with music, dance, laughs and men in thongs. Jane is preparing for her hen night, while Tony and the boys are putting the final touches on their make-or-break 'Feast of Flesh' show.
Opera House, June 7 - 12. £12.50 - £23.50. Tel: 0844 847 2484.
The Best Bits of LipService
Manchester's multi-award winning LipService Theatre Company celebrates its 25th anniversary with a showcase of Maggie Fox & Sue Ryding's best work.
The Lowry, June 14 - 15. £17.50. Tel: 0843 208 6007.
It Hasn't Happened Yet
Disabled comedian Liz Carr brings her critically acclaimed show to Manchester. It Hasn't Happened Yet follows the journey of up-and-coming comedian Alex Saunders, as she navigates her way through the minefields of disability and comedy, with wheelchair and alter-ego in tow.
Contact, June 16 - 17. £8. Tel: 0161 274 0600.
Pygmalion
The Royal Exchange Theatre stages Bernard Shaw's sparkling classic, Pygmalion. When Henry Higgins makes a bet with Colonel Pickering that he can turn a Cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, into a refined society lady, he bites off more than he can chew.
Royal Exchange Theatre, until June 19. £8.50 - £29.50. Tel: 0161 833 9833.
The Harder They Come
Based on the iconic 70s film, this West End hit tells the story of a country boy who makes for the bright lights of Kingston, Jamaica, with high hopes of becoming a reggae star. The show features a reggae band.
The Lowry, June 22 - 26. £13 - £27. Tel: 0843 208 6007.
The Importance Of Being Earnest
A Library Theatre production of Oscar Wilde's most enduringly popular play marks the company's final show in its present home. Directed by Chris Honer, this hilarious study of the Victorian leisure class is replete with witty dialogue and vivid satire.
Library Theatre, June 5 - July 3. £10 - £18. Tel: 0161 236 7110.
Charley's Aunt
Brandon Thomas's enduring farce, Charley's Aunt, revolves around two young men -Charley and Jack - who are eager to spend some time alone with their respective love interests, but who need a female chaperone present in order to do that. With Charley's aunt about to arrive, everyone is excited, but when she doesn't turn up, the boys resort to desperate measures.
Royal Exchange Theatre, June 22 - Aug 7. £8.50 - £29.50. Tel: 0161 833 9833.
Comedy
Comedy 4 Christies
Comedians Sarah Millican, Justin Moorhouse, Jonathan Mayor, Seymour Mace and Phil Buckley join forces to raise money for local cancer charity The Christie. The show also features characters from Slaughter House Live.
The Lowry, June 27. £15. Tel: 0843 208 6007.
Music
The Priests
The singing priests from Northern Ireland return to The Bridgewater Hall to promote their new album, Harmony.
The Bridgewater Hall, June 2. £20.43 - £45.98. Tel: 0161 907 9000.
Lady Gaga
New York electronic pop queen Lady Gaga is back with The Monster Ball tour.
M.E.N Arena, June 2 & 3. £50 - £75. Tel: 0844 847 8000.
The Four Seasons: Nature's Voice and Verse
The Academy of Ancient Music presents a concert of baroque arias by Handel and Purcell, and a period instrument performance of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. The show features Welsh soprano Elin Manahan Thomas.
The Bridgewater Hall, June 3. £10 - £29. Tel: 0161 907 9000.
John Mayer
Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter John Mayer makes his M.E.N Arena debut.
M.E.N Arena, June 5. £31. Tel: 0844 847 8000.
Leona Lewis
The winner of the third series of The X Factor performs tracks from her latest album, Echo.
M.E.N Arena, June 4 & 6. £29.12 & £43.42. Tel: 0844 847 8000.
Jay-Z
Hip hop star Jay-Z plays his first UK summer show of 2010 in Manchester, with support from Drake and Mr Hudson.
M.E.N Arena, June 7. £42.50 & £49.50. Tel: 0844 847 8000.
Band of Horses
American indie rockers Band of Horses are touring Europe in support of their new album, Infinite Arms.
Ritz, June 8. £13.50. Tel: 0871 2200 260.
Allan Holdsworth
Acclaimed guitarist Allan Holdsworth brings his special brand of jazz fusion to Manchester.
Band on the Wall, June 10. £15. Tel: 0845 2500 500.
Chris Brown
R'n'B star Chris Brown performs tracks from his current album, Graffiti, as well as fan favourites such as Gimme That, With You and Kiss Kiss.
Apollo, June 11. £33.50. Tel: 0871 2200 260.
The Magic of Motown
A tribute concert celebrating 50 years of Motown hits, including Stop in the Name of Love, All Night Long and Dancing in the Street.
Palace Theatre, June 12. £19.50 - £21.50. Tel: 0844 847 2484.
United Nations of Sound
Richard Ashcroft's new rock band play their first live dates to promote their debut album.
Academy, June 15. £22.50. Tel: 0871 2200 260.
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
Under the charismatic leadership of Wynton Marsalis, the house ensemble from New York's Jazz at Lincoln Center tours the UK.
The Bridgewater Hall, June 22. £24 - £39. Tel: 0161 907 9000.
Stevie Wonder
The legendary Stevie Wonder performs hits from his extensive back catalogue, including Superstition, You Are The Sunshine of My Life and I Just Called to Say I Love You.
M.E.N Arena, June 29. £55 & £65. Tel: 0844 847 8000.
Dance
Jaleo Flamenco
Acclaimed dance company Jaleo presents a show of explosive footwork, haunting singing, virtuoso guitar playing and percussive handclapping from southern Spain.
The Lowry, June 18 - 19. £16 - £18. Tel: 0843 208 6007.
Latin Fever
Join Strictly Come Dancing's Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova on an exhilarating journey into the world of Latin American dance.
The Bridgewater Hall, June 19. £23.50 - £39.50. Tel: 0161 907 9000.