What's On North 2-9 Jun: Manchester Histories Fest

Each week The Skinny team hand pick a selection of the best events from the Northwest cultural calendar to provide you with this here top ten guide to the most exciting goings on for the week ahead. From gigs, plays, and exhibitions, to spoken word, pop-up foodie events, and one-off film screenings, we give you the insider's guide to things to do in Liverpool, Manchester and beyond every Thursday morning.

Manchester Histories Festival
Various venues, Manchester. Fri 3-Sun 12 Jun, times vary

Many of us think we know a lot about Manchester's history, but in reality it's just the tip of it. Unearthing gems from all corners of the city's heritage, Manchester Histories Festival returns for its fourth whirl, cramming 10 days with highlights such as a panel discussion on the histories of homelessness and a talk from international activist and women's rights campaigner Betty Tebbs (hosted by Maxine Peake) – and, because we all gotta eat, the GRUB Food Fair is back at Sadler's Yard for a MHF special.

Photo: Manchester ArchivesPlus

Fiesta Bombarda's 4th Birthday Carnival
Grand Central Hall, Liverpool. Fri 3 Jun, 7pm

The good folk of Fiesta Bombarda celebrate four years of stellar party-throwing with an impressive line-up that suitably reflects the ace stuff they've brought us over the last few years. On said line-up is none other than Notting Hill Carnival mainstay Norman Jay MBE (pictured), who'll be joined by Dub Pistols, Nubiyan Twist, Mutant Vinyl and Blowback Horns, along with all the birthday shenanigans like face painting, performers and show-stopping set design.

Leeds Comedy Festival
Various venues, Leeds. Sat 4-Sat 11 Jun, times vary

You've got a whole week of Leeds-based laughs coming your way, as Leeds Comedy Festival takes over The Wardrobe, Hi-Fi Club and Milos with everything from stand-up to sketch comedy from the likes of Milton Jones, Richard Herring (pictured), Nick Helm, Stephen K Amos, Phill Jupitus, Paul Foot, Robin Ince and many more. Three venues, 29 shows and 40 comedians, to be exact. You'll be as chuffed as ol' Herring is up there.

Donut Boy
Common, Manchester. From Wed 8 Jun, usual opening hours

Ya like free doughnuts and beer? Thought so. Well, Blawd Bakehouse and Track Brewing Co. are both on it for the launch of Common's latest exhibition, from Manchester illustrator and resident funnyman David Bailey, whose work you'll have seen dotted around the city in the form of gig posters, record covers, comics, zines and the odd exhibition (see above for inspo). Expect an illustrated day in the life of Donut Boy strewn all over the walls through 96 or so drawings. Donut believe it? Geddown and see for yourself.

International Mersey River Festival
Various venues, Liverpool. Fri 3-Sun 5 Jun, times vary

A free three-day festival (bet you can't say that three times as fast, eh?) of music, entertainment and family-friendly fun, this one celebrates the River Mersey and its role as Liverpool's beating heart, which it's been both economically and creatively since 1715. Along with flyboarding demos, jet ski stunt teams, street theatre and big ships, you can also get a fix of live music with three stages – starting on Friday as part of BBC Music Day.

Photo: Tim Dutton

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Keep It Unreal 17th Birthday
Old Granada Studios, Manchester. Fri 3 Jun, 9pm

Manc institution Mr Scruff has been gracing us with his famed clubnight, Keep It Unreal, for almost two decades – 17 years, if we're counting candles – and to mark the milestone he'll be uprooting the party from its regular Band on the Wall home to Old Granada Studios. Roping in a headliner befitting of the upgraded venue, Francois K, it'll be the same six-hour whopper of jazz, soul, hip-hop, funk, disco, deep house, reggae, Afrobeat, Latin, electro, techno and new wave, but with extra exciting birthday vibes.

Southport Food and Drink Festival
Victoria Park, Liverpool. Fri 3-Sun 5 Jun, times vary

There's supposed to be some more sunshine on the way this weekend, so why not go sit in a park, eat and drink? At Southport Food and Drink Festival you'll be able to take your pick from Mio Pizza, Crepe Lucette, What's Your Beef?, Black Bull Paella, Red Star Brewery, Kandoo Coffee and more, along with local producers selling everything from sausages, chutneys and cheese to fudge, artisanal teas and fancy cordials for you to take home.

BIRD
Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester. Wed 8-Sat 25 Jun, 7.30pm (Thu & Sat matinees 2.30pm), some exceptions

This week sees the world premiere of a new play by Welsh playwright Katherine Chandler, whose raw, bold tale set on the cusp of adulthood was the winner of a judges' award in the 2013 Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting. A co-production between the Royal Exchange and Sherman Cymru, BIRD is about growing up outside a family, but inside the fiercest of friendships... Watch the trailer here.

The Royal Standard's 10th Birthday
The Royal Standard, Liverpool. Fri 3 Jun, 8pm

Kill two birds with one stone with the Royal Standard's 10th birthday bash this weekend, where you can help them celebrate a decade in the game while also raising some cash to keep 'em going for many more. With music, performances, DJs, karaoke and artist visuals throughout the night, the line-up features Bantam Lions, Joseph Hulme, Madeline Hall, Glitterfuck, Tžužjj and special guests The Karma Party.

Photo: Auto Italia (2015 exhibition)

Create Film Festival
Various venues, Manchester. Sat 4 Jun-Sun 10 Jul, times vary

This weekend, multi award-winning arts and social organisation In Place of War launches its programme of film screenings, exploring creativity in sites of conflict. Down the line there'll be three more film events across Manchester, titled DR Congo, Hip Hop and Women respectively, but the project launches this Saturday with Kurdistan, which delves into the lives of Kurdish communities through screenings of Forgotten Chords (pictured), Dyab and Finding My Legs.

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