We have two pairs of tickets to give away to Corrie, a new stage show based on the soap opera
FIND OUT MOREYour chance to win a fantastic three-piece 'skin perfector' set worth more than £120.
FIND OUT MOREChartered Accountants Lucas Reis are offering an hour's free business consultation.
FIND OUT MOREManchester's Cornerhouse is once again hosting the UK's biggest festival dedicated to Spanish and Latin American cinema. Taking place over ten days, the festival features UK premieres, special guests, talks and parties. One of the highlights of this year's festival is a retrospective of the work of seminal Argentinean producer Lita Stantic, who will attend Viva! as a special guest.
Cornerhouse, March 6 - 16. Tel: 0161 200 1500. www.vivafilmfestival.com
BACK TO TOPManchester's city-wide showcase of Irish culture and celebration of all things Irish is back. Highlights include the St Patrick's Day Parade (March 9), which sees over 70 floats, bands and walking groups wind their way through the city.
Various venues, March 7 - 20. www.goingirish.com
BACK TO TOPSalford-born artist Harold Riley's long and diverse photographic career is charted in this exhibition, beginning with a picture taken with a box camera and ending with images of present day Salford and cities around the world.
The Lowry, Oct 6, 2007 - April 20, 2008. Free. Tel: 0870 787 5793.
BACK TO TOPAn exhibition giving visitors the opportunity to take a fresh, in-depth look at three of LS Lowry's fascinating paintings: Portrait of Ann, Pit Tragedy and Industrial Landscape. Incorporating the insights of three experts, Salford residents and local schoolchildren, Exploding Paintings also offers visitors the chance to post their own views on the paintings in a Big Brother-style booth at the end of the exhibition.
The Lowry, until March 9. Free. Tel: 0870 787 5793.
BACK TO TOPA solo show by New York-based artist Cory Arcangel, featuring his latest music-based multi-screen installation, entitled A Couple Thousand Short Films About Glenn Gould, alongside earlier works.
Castlefield Gallery, Hewitt Street, Feb 8 - March 22. Free. Tel: 0161 832 8034.
BACK TO TOPGordon Cheung's first solo exhibition responds to the rise of China as potentially the next superpower and its effect on the world order, as well as the mutation of China's socialism into socialist capitalism. The artist uses a cut/paste technique to depict post-apocalyptic landscapes that reflect his interests in power and belief systems and our obedience to them.
Chinese Arts Centre, Thomas Street, until March 23. Free. Tel: 0161 832 7271.
BACK TO TOPYofi, which means beauty in Hebrew, features a diverse selection of Israeli ceramics and jewellery previously exhibited at Flow gallery in Notting Hill, London.
Manchester Craft and Design Centre, until March 29. Free. Tel: 0161 832 4274.
BACK TO TOPA touring exhibition organised to coincide with the 250th anniversary of William Blake's birth as well as the 200th anniversary of the parliamentary abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. Blake was fervently opposed to slavery, in both its literal and metaphorical senses, and many of his most dramatic images show a confrontation between the forces of repression and those seeking freedom. Mind-Forged Manacles features watercolours, prints and plates from Blake's illuminated books, inspired by the theme of slavery.
Whitworth Art Gallery, until April 6. Free. Tel: 0161 275 7450.
BACK TO TOPWilliam Blake is a unique figure in British visual culture, attracting both academic and popular interest. In the 180 years since his death, the artist has continued to influence the world of creativity and ideas. Blake's Shadow explores Blake's continuing fascination for artists, filmmakers and musicians, with watercolours, prints, paintings, illustrated books and a range of audio-visual material.
Whitworth Art Gallery, until April 20. Free. Tel: 0161 275 7450.
BACK TO TOPSalford-born artist Harold Riley's long and diverse photographic career is charted in this exhibition, beginning with a picture taken with a box camera and ending with images of present day Salford and cities around the world.
The Lowry, until April 20. Free. Tel: 0870 787 5793.
BACK TO TOPA major photographic exhibition celebrating the centenary of George Rodger's birth. Born in Hale, Cheshire, George Rodger (1908 - 1995) was a largely self-taught photographer and pioneering photojournalist, famous for his poignant coverage of the Second World War and the conflicts of the post-war era. Contact features 100 photographs by Rodger, supplemented by documentary film, interviews, wartime publications and personal objects lent by the photographer's family.
Imperial War Museum North, Feb 9 - April 27. Free. Tel: 0161 836 4000.
BACK TO TOPManchester hosts the world premiere of Gunther von Hagens' hotly anticipated Body Worlds 4 - the latest and most technically refined exhibition of real human bodies, preserved with the German anatomist's ground-breaking method of plastination. Featuring individual human organs and whole-body plastinates, the exhibition allows viewers to see inside the staggeringly complex network of muscles, tendons and blood vessels that make up our bodies.
Museum of Science and Industry, Feb 22 - June 29. £10 - £11.50. Tel: 0871 231 0847.
BACK TO TOPWe all suspected he was planning to remain at Old Trafford forever, but now we know how. Manchester United's manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, has recently opened a new permanent exhibition at the club's award-winning museum, featuring a state-of-the-art interactive hologram of himself talking football. Entitled 'An audience with Sir Alex', the three-dimensional hologram uses the Peppers Ghost illusionary technique and is only the second of its kind in the UK (the only other one being a John McEnroe exhibition at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum).
Manchester United Museum, Old Trafford. Museum tickets (adult): £6.50. Museum and tour tickets (adult): £10. Tel: 0870 442 1994 (option 3).
BACK TO TOPAcclaimed local artist Ian Fennelly showcases over 30 of his latest prints, watercolours and etchings, featuring famous Manchester landmarks like Manchester Town Hall, The Midland Hotel and Old Trafford. Cityscapes from a selection of key world cities are also featured in this exhibition, which will be held in Manchester's CUBE in conjunction with Chester's Watergate Street Gallery. All the paintings will be available for sale, with prices ranging from £300 to £1,000, and Fennelly will be in attendance at the exhibition on selected days to talk visitors through his work, inspiration and method.
CUBE, Portland St., March 28 - April 3. Free. Tel: 0161 237 5525.
BACK TO TOPThe first major UK exhibition of Jun Nguyen-Hatsushiba - one of the most exciting Asian artists to have emerged in recent years. The exhibition features a selection of the artist's acclaimed underwater films and a new, specially commissioned print.
Manchester Art Gallery, until June 1. Free. Tel: 0161 235 8888.
BACK TO TOPDon't miss the Northern debut of the Design Museum exhibition marking ten years since Chorlton-born Matthew Williamson's first catwalk show. Manchester's own fashion design superstar presents a colourful showcase of iconic fashion pieces, which have been worn by some of the most glamorous women in show business today.
Urbis, March 27 - Sept 21. Free. Tel: 0161 605 8200.
BACK TO TOPAn exhibition exploring Manga's role in shaping contemporary culture. From cutesy Manga for kids to action Manga for teens and erotic Manga for adults, the exhibition studies the diverse manifestations of this unique graphic artform.
Urbis, March 13 - Sept 27. Free. Tel: 0161 605 8200.
BACK TO TOPSamuel Beckett's Waiting For Godot was considered ground-breaking when it debuted in London in 1955 and was even voted the most significant English language play of the 20th century. It centres around a pair of tramps, Vladimir and Estragon, who meet up on an isolated country road for an appointment with the mysterious Godot. But Godot shows few signs of showing up. This month, the play can be seen on the Library Theatre stage for the first time since 1971, with leading stage actors George Costigan and David Fielder in the main roles.
Library Theatre, until March 8. £9 - £18. Tel: 0161 236 7110.
BACK TO TOPAnita Dobson and Darren Day star in this revival of the award-winning musical Hello, Dolly! about a meddlesome widow who strives to play Cupid in New York at the turn of the 20th century. Packed with memorable songs, including 'Ribbons Down My Back', 'Hello, Dolly!', 'It Only Takes a Moment' and 'So Long, Dearie', the show will have you swinging in the aisles.
The Lowry, March 4 - 8. £13 - £28.50. Tel: 0870 787 5793.
BACK TO TOPThe Library Theatre stages David Edgar's provocative and satirical play on immigration, which explores the twisting road to becoming British and the challenges of defining Britishness.
Library Theatre, March 11 - 15. £10 - £18. Tel: 0161 236 7110.
BACK TO TOPJoe McGann, best known for his role as Charlie Burrows in The Upper Hand, stars in the multi-award-winning musical Fiddler on the Roof. In a Jewish village in Czarist Russia, dairyman Tevye is doing his best to preserve tradition in the face of a changing world. But when his daughters refuse the matchmaker's advice and marry for love, Tevye must choose between their happiness and those beloved traditions.
Palace Theatre, March 11 - 15. £10 - £32.50. Tel: 0844 847 2275.
BACK TO TOPWatch the latest antics of the irrepressible Agnes Brown in the fourth instalment of the Mrs Brown trilogy, starring comedian Brendan O'Carroll. Having discovered the internet, Mrs Brown accidentally sets up a date with a man she knows as Hairy Harry and, despite the protests from the boys in her family, she is determined to go through with it. The show contains strong language.
Opera House, March 17 - 22. £13.50 - £22.50. Tel: 0844 847 2295.
BACK TO TOPMaxine Peake and Charlotte Emmerson star in Lillian Hellman's passionate drama of prejudice and paranoia in a small-town American community. When a troubled teenager runs away from an all-girls boarding school, she draws on hearsay, gossip and her own imagination, to concoct a story that threatens the school and the futures of its two founding teachers. The production is directed by the Royal Exchange Theatre's recently appointed artistic director Sarah Frankcom.
Royal Exchange Theatre, March 5 - April 5. £8.50 - £28.00. Tel: 0161 833 9833.
BACK TO TOPStar Wars' Ian McDiarmid returns to the Royal Exchange Theatre for the first time in over 20 years to appear in the world premiere of Jonah and Otto - a new play by critically-acclaimed writer Robert Holman. Set in a walled garden on a warm summer's evening, Jonah and Otto tells the story of a chance encounter between two very different men - 26-year-old Jonah and 62-year-old Otto. Recently seen in Channel Four's period series City of Vice, Ian McDiarmid, who plays Otto, is best known for his recurring big screen role as Palpatine in the Star Wars saga.
The Studio at the Royal Exchange Theatre, March 12 - April 5. £9.50. Tel: 0161 833 9833.
BACK TO TOPSamuel Beckett's Waiting For Godot was considered ground-breaking when it debuted in London in 1955 and was even voted the most significant English language play of the 20th century. It centres around a pair of tramps, Vladimir and Estragon, who meet up on an isolated country road for an appointment with the mysterious Godot. But Godot shows few signs of showing up. This month, the play can be seen on the Library Theatre stage for the first time since 1971, with leading stage actors George Costigan and David Fielder in the main roles.
Library Theatre, Feb 1 - March 8. £9 - £18. Tel: 0161 236 7110.
BACK TO TOPThe Welsh soprano Elin Manahan Thomas takes centre stage in Armonico Consort's new production of Mozart's fairy tale opera The Magic Flute, directed by Thomas Guthrie. The family-friendly show is an inspired mixture of puppetry, aerial effects, circus trickery and fascinating music.
The Bridgewater Hall, March 7. £9 - £33. Tel: 0161 907 9000.
BACK TO TOPHailed as one of the best live acts in the country, Brighton-based band The Levellers retain a very devoted fan base so expect this gig to sell out fast.
Manchester Apollo, March 7. £19.50 - £22.65. Tel: 08709 913 913.
BACK TO TOPThe five-piece pop band is debuting its new material in Manchester.
Manchester Academy, March 13. £15. Tel: 0161 832 1111.
BACK TO TOPCascada headlines a party night of live performances from the biggest names in dance. She is joined by Scooter, Ultrabeat, Booty Luv, Styles & Breeze, Kelly Llorenna / N-Trance, Flip & Fill, Alex K and Mickey Modelle plus many more.
M.E.N. Arena, March 14. £25. Tel: 0844 847 8000.
BACK TO TOPIconic Madchester band Inspiral Carpets storms into town for a night of good old indie rock.
Manchester Academy, March 14. £20. Tel: 0161 832 1111.
BACK TO TOPComprised of traditional Chinese string, wind and percussion instruments, this 85-strong ensemble has gained an outstanding international reputation for its powerful performances. The orchestra's visit forms part of CHINA NOW, a nationwide showcase of the very best of modern China.
The Bridgewater Hall, March 15. £15 - £27. Tel: 0161 907 9000.
BACK TO TOPThe legendary Irish singer/songwriter returns to Manchester to perform classic hits spanning five decades of prolific recording.
The Bridgewater Hall, March 27 & 28. £30 - £45. Tel: 0161 907 9000.
BACK TO TOPOne of the country's great baritones, Sir Thomas Allen, joins the Hallé for an idyllic evening of English music that promises to send the audience home with a wistful sigh.
The Bridgewater Hall, March 29. £9 - £35. Tel: 0161 907 9000.
BACK TO TOPSome of the UK's most talented dance graduates perform new, specially commissioned work from internationally-acclaimed choreographers Darshan Singh Bhuller, Wendy Houston, Carol Brown, Simon Birch and Henri Oguike.
The Lowry, March 28. £10. Tel: 0870 787 5793.
BACK TO TOPManchester will witness the thrills and spills of five exciting days of competitive action, as the world's fastest track cyclists strive to make history. The top 30 track cycling nations will be competing for the coveted rainbow jerseys, while the GB team will be defending seven world crowns.
The Velodrome - National Cycling Centre, Sportcity, March 26 - 30. £7.50 - £22.50. Tel: 0871 230 2621.
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