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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

Version

A festival showcasing new short films adapted from literary texts published in the North West, and offering a great opportunity to discover some of the region's most talented filmmakers and writers.

Cornerhouse, Nov 14 - 15. www.commafilm.co.uk

Exposures

The UK's leading competitive festival for student film and moving image work is back, with screenings of the best student work and discussions with high-profile guests.

Cornerhouse and Urbis, Nov 17 - 19. www.exposuresfestival.co.uk

Salford Film Festival

A celebration of Salford's cinematic heritage and up-and-coming film talent, featuring cutting-edge new shorts, international premieres and local community films.

Various venues, Nov 20 - 24. www.salfordfilmfestival.org.uk

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Festive events

Manchester Christmas Lights Switch-on

An evening of sparkling entertainment and family fun heralds the start of the festive season in Manchester. Expect celebrity guests, including X Factor winner Alexandra Burke, live music and fireworks.

Albert Square, Nov 12. www.manchesterlive.co.uk

Art Car Parade

A new event featuring vehicles created by artists from across the UK - from cars and bikes to a musical milk float and an ice palace built around a white hearse. The parade starts in Cathedral Gardens and finishes in Albert Square, followed by a prize giving ceremony on Mount Street.

Manchester city centre, Nov 26, 6.30pm - 8pm. Free. www.manchesterlive.co.uk

Manchester Christmas Market

Traditional wooden chalets and twinkling stalls offer freshly made continental delicacies, festive treats and gifts to help you get into the festive spirit.

Albert Square, Brazennose St, St Ann's Sq, Exchange St, New Cathedral St, and Exchange Sq, Nov 18 - Dec 21. www.manchestermarkets.com

Spinningfields Ice Rink

The open-air ice rink at Spinningfields, off Deansgate, is back, so get your skates on for some outdoor festive fun.

Spinningfields, Nov 12, 2009 - Jan 3, 2010. www.spinningfieldsicerink.com

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Exhibitions

A Natural Selection

An exploration of Charles Darwin's life and published works, celebrating the bicentennial of his birth and 150 years since the publication of On the Origin of Species.

The John Rylands Library, until Nov 29. Free. Tel: 0161 306 0555.

The American Scene

A touring exhibition featuring the most comprehensive collection of American prints from the first half of the 20th century outside the United States - from Edward Hopper's evocative cityscapes to Jackson Pollock's romanticised views of the rural heartlands.

Whitworth Art Gallery, until Dec 13. Free. Tel: 0161 275 7450.

The Half: Photographs of Actors by Simon Annand

Simon Annand's photography exhibition allows a rare glimpse into the more private moments of a number of famous actors. Celebrities including Vanessa Redgrave, Gillian Anderson, Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, Daniel Craig and Jude Law are photographed in the intimacy of their dressing rooms during the 30 minutes before curtain up, known as 'the half'.

The Lowry, until Jan 3, 2010. Free. Tel: 0870 787 5793.

Captured: The Extraordinary Life of Prisoners of War

An exhibition revealing the experiences of British and Commonwealth prisoners of war in Europe and the Far East.

Imperial War Museum North, until Jan 3, 2010. Free. Tel: 0161 836 4000.

Angels of Anarchy

Europe's first major exhibition celebrating the crucial role that women artists have played within Surrealism. Angels of Anarchy features more than 100 artworks by 33 women artists, including Frida Kahlo, Meret Oppenheim and Leonora Carrington.

Manchester Art Gallery, until Jan 10, 2010. £6. Tel: 0161 235 8888.

In Darwin's Footsteps

Extraordinary places and wildlife through the evocative words of Charles Darwin and breathtaking images from photographer Ben Hall.

The Manchester Museum, until Jan 31, 2010. Free. Tel: 0161 275 2634.

HomeGrown: The Story of UK Hip Hop

The first major exhibition to chronicle the development of the UK Hip Hop scene over the last three decades, with photography, music, film and fashion from the best private collections.

Urbis, until March 2010. Free. Tel: 0161 605 8200.

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, scuba diving suit and military tank, take centre stage in MOSI's new exhibition.

MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry), Nov 14, 2009 - June 13, 2010. £7.50. Tel: 0844 847 2261.

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Theatre

Chicago

Emma Barton and Gary Wilmot star in the sexy smash hit musical Chicago. Set in the roaring 1920s, Chicago tells the tale of Roxie Hart, who shoots her lover and fights to keep from death row with the help of smooth-talking lawyer Billy Flynn.

Palace Theatre, until Nov 7. £10 - £32.50. Tel: 0844 847 2275.

Mrs Warren's Profession

Felicity Kendal stars in Bernard Shaw's provocative play, Mrs Warren's Profession. Written in 1894, it tells the story of Vivie, a prim young woman who is horrified to find out that her mother's fortune was made from prostitution.

The Lowry, Nov 2 - 7. £15 - £26. Tel: 0870 787 5793.

The Vagina Monologues

Based on Eve Ensler's Vagina Interviews, this hilarious collection of human stories, starring Sarah Jayne Dunn, Sally Lindsay and Lisa Riley, is the ultimate girls' night out.

The Lowry, Nov 5 - 7. £20. Tel: 0870 787 5793.

Scrooge The Musical

Tommy Steele stars in the award-winning musical Scrooge. Kick off the festive season in the company of Ebenezer, Tiny Tim and the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.

Palace Theatre, Nov 9 - 13. £9.50 - £35. Tel: 0844 847 2275.

Beauty and the Beast

Smash-hit West End musical Beauty and the Beast brings to life the beloved Disney tale in spectacular fashion.

Manchester Opera House, Nov 10 - 14. £10 - £30. Tel: 0844 847 2295.

The Good Soul of Szechuan

German playwright Bertolt Brecht's stirring drama follows a warm-hearted prostitute, Shen Te, as she struggles to be good without allowing her goodness to be abused.

Library Theatre, until Nov 28. £10 - £17.50. Tel: 0161 236 7110.

The Entertainer

Acclaimed stage, TV and film actor David Schofield plays third-rate music-hall artiste Archie Rice in a major revival of John Osborne's 1957 classic, The Entertainer.

Royal Exchange Theatre, Nov 4 - Dec 5. £8.50 - £29.50. Tel: 0161 833 9833.

White Christmas

Based on the 1954 movie, White Christmas tells the story of two friends putting on a show in a Vermont inn, and finding their perfect mates in the process. Starring Aled Jones, Adam Cooper and Suzanne Shaw, the musical is packed full of Irving Berlin hits.

The Lowry, Nov 27, 2009 - Jan 9, 2010. £22 - £37.50. Tel: 0870 787 5793.

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Comedy

Eddie Izzard

Award-winning comedian Eddie Izzard brings his new live show to Manchester as part of his first UK tour in six years.

M.E.N Arena, Nov 7 & 8. £30. Tel: 0844 847 8000.

Stewart Lee

Following his acclaimed BBC TV series Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle, the controversial comedian returns to The Lowry with a new stand-up show.

The Lowry, Nov 29. £16. Tel: 0870 787 5793.

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Music

Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club

The Havana legends perform their special brand of Cuban music that propelled them to international stardom.

The Bridgewater Hall, Nov 3. £29.50. Tel: 0161 907 9000.

A-ha

Norwegian pop trio A-ha embark on a UK tour following the release of their ninth album, Foot of the Mountain.

M.E.N Arena, Nov 3. £27.50 & £37.50. Tel: 0844 847 8000.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

The award-winning a cappella singing group from South Africa bring their intricate rhythms and harmonies to the Bridgewater Hall.

The Bridgewater Hall, Nov 4. £20.50 - £27. Tel: 0161 907 9000.

Alison Moyet

The pop singer with the bluesy voice hits the road to promote her Best of Alison Moyet album.

The Lowry, Nov 17. £25 - £30. Tel: 0870 787 5793.

Beverley Knight

The UK soul queen performs tracks from her new album, 100%.

The Bridgewater Hall, Nov 17. £21.50 - £60. Tel: 0161 907 9000.

Beyonce

International superstar Beyonce jets back into town to perform tracks from I Am . . . Sasha Fierce alongside hit singles including Baby Boy, Deja Vu and Crazy In Love.

M.E.N Arena, Nov 18. £49.50. Tel: 0844 847 8000.

Lisa Hannigan

Acclaimed Irish singer Lisa Hannigan wraps up a very successful year with a UK tour.

Club Academy, Nov 24. £15. Tel: 0871 2200 260.

Taylor Swift

The 19-year-old country-pop star from Pennsylvania brings her Fearless 2009 tour to Manchester.

M.E.N Arena, Nov 24. £27.50 & £32.50. Tel: 0844 847 8000.

Hayley Westenra

The New Zealand-born soprano performs tracks from her new Christmas album, Winter Magic.

Manchester Cathedral, Nov 26. £23.50. Tel: 0871 230 5573.

Rodrigo y Gabriela

Following the release of their new album, 11:11, Mexican acoustic rockers Rodrigo y Gabriela bring their unique live show to the Apollo.

Apollo, Nov 28. £17.50. Tel: 0871 2200 260.

The Living End

The Aussie punk-rockers hit the UK for a string of headline shows.

Academy 2, Nov 30. £12.50. Tel: 0871 2200 260.

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Dance

Insane in the Brain

Bounce perform a street dance version of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

The Lowry, Nov 21. £10 - £20. Tel: 0870 787 5793.

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Sport

UCI Paracycling World Championships

Manchester hosts the track element of the 2009 UCI Paracycling World Championships, featuring top international disabled track riders.

National Cycling Centre, Sportcity, Nov 6 - 8. www.britishcycling.org.uk.

Revolution Cycling

Let international road and track cycling stars entertain you with their skill, speed and showmanship in this action-packed alternative cycling event that combines sporting action with music and lighting effects.

National Cycling Centre, Sportcity, Nov 14. www.cyclingrevolution.com.

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