What's On North 9-16 Feb: Valentine's Day events
Whether you're a lover or a hater this week, we talk you through the North's Valentine's events and dating spots, along with details on Queer Contact Festival and LGBT History Month, Can You Hear Me Now? zine launch, Ilkley Beer Festival and much more.
Each week The Skinny team hand-pick a selection of the best events from the North's cultural calendar to provide you with this 'ere 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 Leeds every Thursday morning.
Roses are red, Violets are blue, Whoever you are, The Skinny ❤️s you
Aaaah, Valentine's Day. That conflicting time that makes some people feel super ace while others feel suuuper shit. You could be loved up and having a good time, loved up and having a rough time, living life as an independent singleton, living life as a lonely singleton – or, very simply, just bonking someone.
Whatever the situation, we know that modern relationships can be weird AF. Our Deviance section is testament to that, so have a scroll through for stories of fetishes, travelling as a gay couple, one night stands, dating a feminist and everything in between. We've also ransacked the listings to discover that there's genuinely something for everyone coming up, from power ballad discos and live jazz to murder mysteries and film screenings. You can read all about the best Valentine's events in the North, or scroll down to find out where we'd recommend taking your date.
The North's Best Date Spots
Whether you're venturing out on a nerve-racking first date, trying to reignite the flames of something more established or looking for something alternative, we've got everything from classic pubs to Iberico ham platters in Leeds to panoramic views and, erm, an erotic climbing wall in Liverpool. Go get 'em, you bloody Casanova you.
Islington Mill Wins Venue License Battle
Finally, some good news! Creative hub Islington Mill keeps its licence after a review that took place in Salford earlier this week, after over 300 people wrote letters of support to Salford City Council. Find out more, including how to support the venue here.
Festival Roundup 2017
Lots of festival news flying about this week, including line-ups for Sounds from the Other City, Bluedot, Tramlines, Live at Leeds, 14 Hour Super Weird Happening, Wonder Women and more. Photo: Alexander Bell
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Do not miss:
Queer Contact Festival
Contact Theatre, Manchester. Fri 10-Sat 18 Feb, times vary
Tying in with LGBT History Month, Contact Theatre’s annual ode to LGBT creativity takes on particular significance this year, being the 50th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality. Highlights include Nigerian singer Le Gateau Chocolat, drag king Lucy Jane Parkinson and 201 Dance Company, but you can check out our full preview here. Photo: Cody Choi
Ilkley Beer Festival
King's Hall and Winter Garden, Ilkley. Fri 10-Sat 11 Feb, times vary
You may have thought January did surprisingly well for booze bashes, but thankfully it's passing the baton on to February with the 10th annual Ilkley Beer Festival. Hit up the website to see what they've got in store for you. Illustration: Sarah Bissell
Can You Hear Me Now? Zine Launch
Aatma, Manchester. Sat 11 Feb, 4pm
Can You Hear Me Now? is a zine that gives women a voice, launching at Aatma this weekend with an afternoon of music from MOTHER, Rachel Hillary and Canter Semper, plus zine workshops throughout the day and two GRRRL DJ sets. Then you can head on over to Girl Gang Manchester's Galentine's Day Disco. Entry's free, with the zine sold on a pay-what-you-can basis, but all proceeds go to homeless women's charity Mad Dogs Street Project.
Love Folk Festival
The Atkinson, Liverpool. Fri 10-Sat 11 Feb, times vary
Self-proclaimed as 'the little festival with the big heart', The Atkinson's Love Folk Festival is back for the third year running. Celebrating new, upcoming folk music along with traditional styles, headliners are seminal folk rockers Fairport Convention and former Bellowhead frontman Jon Boden (pictured), with a raft of other local acts padding out the line-up nicely.
Video Jam presents Baraka
Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester. Fri 10 Feb, 7.30pm
Video Jam step up to the plate with another instalment of audiovisual delight. They’ll be screening Baraka by director Ron Fricke, who bills the film as “a guided meditation on humanity,” with a live soundtrack from a small but far-reaching selection of musical masterminds: DJ Afrodeutsche, Flamingods, My Panda Shall Fly, Daniel Lim, Eldad Diamant and O>L>A.
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