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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

Platform 4 Piccadilly

A festival of outdoor performance from British and international artists, which will turn Piccadilly Gardens into a green stage for music, dance, circus and theatre.

Piccadilly Gardens, Sept 18 - 20. Free. www.xtrax.org.uk.

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Exhibitions

State of the Art: New York

Urbis hosts an exhibition of new and specially commissioned work from 16 up-and-coming New York artists.

Urbis, until Sept 6. Free. Tel: 0161 605 8200.

Southern Voices: Weaving Stories

Explore the global impact of Manchester's cotton and textile industry through stories of individuals and communities from the southern hemisphere.

Museum of Science and Industry, until Sept 13. Free. Tel: 0161 832 2244.

Videogame Nation

An interactive exhibition charting the meteoric rise of British videogaming from the sacred realm of the bedroom programmer to a multi-billion pound industry.

Urbis, until Sept 19. £3. Tel: 0161 605 8200.

The Best of Manchester 09

Following the Best of Manchester Awards this summer, Urbis showcases the work of the city's most talented creatives in the fields of art, music and fashion.

Urbis, until Sept 20. Free. Tel: 0161 605 8200.

Birdhead

The first UK solo exhibition of Shanghai-based Ji Weiyu and Song Tao, who collaborate under the name of Birdhead. Working in photography and video, Birdhead take snapshots of their everyday lives and surroundings to produce a subjective portrait of urban reality.

Chinese Arts Centre, until Sept 26. Free. Tel: 0161 832 7271.

Express Yourself

The Lowry's first family dance exhibition takes youngsters and their families on a fun journey through the world of dance - from ballet to breakdancing.

The Lowry, until Sept 27. Free. Tel: 0870 787 5794.

The Sting of Passion

Twelve international jewellery designers present new work in response to Manchester Art Gallery's Pre-Raphaelite painting collection.

Manchester Art Gallery, until Oct 3. Free. Tel: 0161 235 8888.

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, Sept 19 - Dec 13. Free. Tel: 0161 275 7450.

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, Sept 26, 2009 - 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, Sept 5, 2009 - Jan 31, 2010. Free. Tel: 0161 275 2634.

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Theatre

Dinnerladies

The Lowry hosts the first ever stage adaptation of Victoria Wood's hit BBC TV sitcom, with Shobna Gulati and Andrew Dunn reprising their roles as Anita and Tony. The show follows the reluctant love story of Bren and Tony, who are egged on by their colleagues Dolly, Jean, Twinkle and Anita.

The Lowry, Sept 7 - 12. £14 - £24. Tel: 0870 787 5793.

The Miser

The Royal Exchange Theatre launches its new season with a major new production of Moliere's classic comedy of manners The Miser, starring Derek Griffiths. Griffiths plays wealthy money-lender Harpagon, who reckons there's a mint to be made in marriage and intends to cash in by marrying off his children against their will.

The Royal Exchange Theatre, Sept 2 - Oct 3. £8.50 - £29.50. Tel: 0161 833 9833.

Desperate To Be Doris

The Library Theatre's autumn season kicks off with a new musical by Manchester's popular theatrical spoofsters LipService. Desperate To Be Doris centres around Dean (Spamalot star Darren Southworth), a ladies' nightwear buyer by day and wannabe Doris Day singer by night. Featuring a specially recruited community choir, the show is packed with songs made famous by the legendary performer, including Secret Love, Que Sera, Sera, and The Deadwood Stage.

Library Theatre, Sept 23 - Oct 3. £12.50 - £16. Tel: 0161 236 7110.

Entertaining Angels

Penelope Keith stars in Richard Everett's sharp-edged comedy Entertaining Angels. She plays Grace, a clergy widow, who finds her new-found freedom suddenly threatened.

The Lowry, Sept 28 - Oct 3. £15 - £26. Tel: 0870 787 5793.

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Comedy

Dave Gorman

Comedian Dave Gorman will be covering the length and breadth of the country on his push bike for his Sit Down, Pedal, Pedal, Stop And Stand Up tour. He will be performing his stand-up show every night of the journey - in barns, railway dining cars and village halls, as well as grand theatres.

The Lowry, Sept 13. £15. Tel: 0870 787 5793.

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Music

The Dodos

American indie rock band The Dodos bring their special brand of psychedelic folk to Manchester following the release of their new album, Time To Die.

Ruby Lounge, Sept 5. £7.50. Tel: 0871 2200 260.

Steve Earle

Acclaimed American singer-songwriter Steve Earle returns to Manchester to perform tracks from his new album, Townes.

The Bridgewater Hall, Sept 10. £21.50 & £24.50. Tel: 0161 907 9000.

Engelbert Humperdinck

The King of Romance marks the 40th anniversary of when he first reached international acclaim with a worldwide tour, which brings him to Manchester this month.

The Bridgewater Hall, Sept 11. £30 - £35. Tel: 0161 907 9000.

BBC Proms in the Park

Chris de Burgh headlines this year's BBC Proms in the Park in Salford. He will be joined on stage by the award-winning BBC Philharmonic, mezzo soprano Juliette Pochin, Salford's very own opera star Jon Christos and classical singer Jenny Williams.

Buile Hill Park, Salford, Sept 12. £15. Tel: 0844 815 6141.

Ray LaMontagne

Acclaimed American singer/songwriter Ray LaMontagne returns to Manchester as part of a seven-date UK tour.

The Bridgewater Hall, Sept 13. £19.50 - £25. Tel: 0161 907 9000.

David Gray

The Manchester-born singer-songwriter is back in town with a show in support of his new album, Draw The Line.

The Ritz, Sept 15. £25 & £32.50. Tel: 0161 832 1111.

Kelly Joe Phelps

Widely regarded as one of the finest guitarists in the world, Kelly Joe Phelps performs pieces from his latest album, Western Bell.

The Lowry, Sept 18. £15. Tel: 0870 787 5793.

Elbow

Bury rockers Elbow bring their award-winning melodic rock to the M.E.N Arena, with support from The Howling Bells.

M.E.N Arena, Sept 18. £25. Tel: 0844 847 8000.

The Halle

Sir Mark Elder conducts the Halle in a concert of music by Britten, Shostakovich and Richard Strauss.

The Bridgewater Hall, Sept 24. £9.50 - £37. Tel: 0161 907 9000.

Florence + the Machine

Florence Welch and co. take their soul inspired indie on the road, following the release of their debut album, Lungs.

Academy, Sept 25. £13. Tel: 0871 2200 260.

Acker Bilk and Kenny Ball

A double bill of jazz by two legends - clarinettist Acker Bilk and trumpet player Kenny Ball.

The Bridgewater Hall, Sept 25. £17 & £22. Tel: 0161 907 9000.

Massive Attack

British music duo Massive Attack, the pioneering force behind the rise of trip-hop, return with their first full UK tour in three years to coincide with the release of their new studio album.

Apollo, Sept 26 & 27. £28.50. Tel: 0871 2200 260.

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Dance

Rambert Dance Company

A triple bill of modern dance, featuring live music by the Rambert Orchestra. The programme comprises Mark Baldwin's new work, The Comedy of Change; Siobhan Davies' Carnival of the Animals; and Itzik Galili's samba-inspired A Linha Curva.

The Lowry, Sept 23 - 25. £10 - £21.50. Tel: 0844 815 4961.

Lord of the Dance

Michael Flatley's Irish dance extravaganza continues to be one of the most popular touring shows in the world.

Opera House, Sept 22 - 27. £27.50 - £35. Tel: 0844 847 2295.

Giselle

English National Ballet's Giselle breathes new life into the 1841 classic - a tale of innocence, betrayal and the redemptive power of true love.

Palace Theatre, Sept 23 - 27. £10 - £35. Tel: 0844 847 2275.

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Sport

British Open Squash Championships

Top level squash returns to Manchester, following the massive success of last year's Hi-Tec World Squash Championships. Some of the best players in the world will fight it out for the coveted title.

National Squash Centre, Sept 8 - 14. www.isportgroup.com/ticketing.

Street Athletics

Linford Christie and Darren Campbell will watch the fastest youngsters from across England race on a special sprint track in Albert Sq. to become 'Champion of the Street'.

Albert Square, Sept 26. Free. www.streetathletics.co.uk.

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