What's On Northwest 19-26 May: World Whisky Day

This week we're raising a glass in honour of World Whisky Day (as if we needed the excuse), lapping up The Kazimier's reincarnate The Invisible Wind Factory and checking out some large-scale street art with Cities of Hope.

Feature by Jess Hardiman | 19 May 2016

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.

World Whisky Day
Various venues. Sat 21 May

Time for some whisky business this weekend as we all raise a glass to one of the world's favourite tipples. Whether you're a bourbon, scotch, neat, rocks, sour or julep kinda drinker, Manchester's Whiskey Jar will obviously have your back, though Briton's Protection, Cane and Grain (go straight up to that first floor bar), Trof and Sandbar also have great selections. In Liverpool make a beeline for Mackenzie's Whisky Bar or Berry and Rye, while Jenny's Bar also hosts regular whisky tasting nights – including a bourbon special this Saturday, as luck would have it. In the meantime, why not check out our beginners' guide to whisky?

Photo: Joshua Rappeneker

Omphalos – Energy Eternal
Invisible Wind Factory, Liverpool. Thu 19-Sun 22 May, 8pm (2pm matinee on Saturday)

The sorely-missed Kazimier rises from the ashes this week, returning with a spacious new arts venue called the Invisible Wind Factory and a new show, Omphalos – Energy Eternal. A curious, immersive show that's "part science museum visitors centre, part ritual and part operatic theatre." It's both exactly what we'd expect from the Kaz lot and a fitting launch to an exciting new venture. Read our feature here.

Cities of Hope
Various venues, Manchester. Sat 21-Sun 29 May, times vary

A project seeking to reflect how street art champions the oppressed, Cities of Hope launches this week with a nine-day street art convention, welcoming renowned artists from across the globe to create new landmarks. The programme of events includes street art tours, lectures, exhibitions and more, before closing with an all-day event in collaboration with Partisan Collective celebrating queer politics and culture.

Modu:lar Open Air Series
Constellations, Liverpool. Sat 21 May, 2pm

Modu:lar launch their three-pronged summer Open Air Series this weekend, starting things as they mean to go on with a 16-hour day-to-night party at Constellations. Bringing in tINI and Julietta, two of Munich's finest, along with Funk E and Piticu, who've both been storming the Romanian techno scene for years, this one will let you party through the afternoon and into the dawn of the next day.

HOME's 1st Birthday Weekend
HOME, Manchester. Fri 20-Sun 22 May, times vary

Believe it or not, it's been a whole year since HOME opened – and in that time we've seen an on-stage funfair, a live sketching photobooth, world premieres from Cuban playwrights and countless exhibitions, plays and films. Celebrate the landmark with a weekend of rootftop parties, DJs, workshops, big band performances, quizzes, films and more – peruse the full lineup here and prepare to give our favourite arts venue a huge birthday high five.

Photo: Machteld Schoep

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Tattu Restaurant & Bar has launched a brand new lunch menu as part of its first anniversary celebrations. Guests can enjoy a selection of two, three or four dim sum dishes for £12, £18 and £24, as well as a variety of light and delicious small plates, including scallop ceviche, salt and pepper aubergine and fillet of beef ho fun noodles. Available 12pm-2.45pm Monday-Thursday and 12pm-4.45pm Friday-Sunday. Call 0161 819 2060 to book or visit www.tattu.co.uk.

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Future|Journeys: Afrofuturism
District, Liverpool. Sat 21 May, times vary

Part of Writing on the Wall Festival, Future|Journeys is a day of conversation, art and creativity inspired by Afrofuturist artists, writers and musicians, which looks at how we can find new ways to express the voices of the marginalised while also exploring race and gender. The Specials' Jerry Dammers (pictured) will also be providing the vibes for the after party with a DJ set.

Chorlton Arts Festival
Various venues, Manchester. Fri 20-Sun 29 May, times vary

May in Manchester means many things, but in Chorlton specifically it's all about Chorlton Arts Festival, which welcomes ten days of gigs, exhibitions, comedy, theatre and more to the hood. We've already compiled a go-to list of the five things you must check out, which includes a hip-hop themed exhibition from local illustrator Stanley Chow and live music from alt-pop trio Faitala (pictured), along with some tip-offs on the best places for a sunny pint.

Physical Fest
Various venues, Liverpool. Fri 20-Sat 28 May, times vary

The annual Physical Fest returns this week with another cracking programme of international physical theatre, with performances and workshops from Hilary Chaplain (pictured), Spymonkey, Theatre Re, Mary Pearson, Wendy Houstoun and others, along with the core Street Theatre Day on Sat 21 May, taking over the streets of Liverpool with birds, bees and giant Spanish babies...

Pica~Sounds presents Sean Canty
Common, Manchester. Thu 26 May, 7.30pm

The gents of Northern Quarter menswear staple Oi Polloi take their Pica~Sounds night to its new home next Thursday, launching at their local boozer round the corner, Common. Behind the decks this time is Sean Canty of Demdike Stare (pictured) – a duo he completes alongside Miles Whittaker, known for their dark, ambient sounds – who'll no doubt come armed with some gems from that extensive record collection he's spent years digging out.

Photo: I Hate Flash

Daniel Kitson
Everyman Theatre, Liverpool. Until Sat 28 May, 7.30pm (matinees available)

Award-winning standup Daniel Kitson returns with the world premiere of his latest show, Mouse: The Persistence of an Unlikely Thought. Billed simply as “an implausible story about a mouse,” expect a journey into friendship and loneliness, doubt and hope and the unfathomable repercussions of everything we ever do.

Illustration: Jack Moss


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