The People You’re Not: www.cornerhouse.org/people
Good friend and top notch artist Bren O Callaghan’s exhibition at The Cornerhouse, until Sunday 27th February is well worth a visit into the world of unfulfilled ideas presented through beautifully constructed mini theatres and stages around Gallery 1. I think I’m right in saying Bren worked with youngsters through a series of workshops to produce the unrealised until now proposals of Edward Barton, the eccentric Manchester poet and musician, Norman Clayture, wooden pant clad balladeer and comedian Harry Hill. The exhibition is a sensation through seeing many depictions of memorable people in settings unusual for some (and probably not so unusual for others) and pinpointing the bits of ourselves we both are and are not.
There’s a free evening with Edward Barton Sat 12th Feb 6pm, book though. There’s also a gallery discussion on Wed 23rd February 4-5pm, book. Other than go for your own perusal at the drunks and delirious ramblings that The People You’re Not creates, it’s a great place to excuse the next recommended on my to do . . .
Portstreet Beer House: http://portstreetbeerhouse.co.uk/
Wohoho, not a good week to be on antibiotics with this new exceptionally good ale joint. I could not believe the selection, true to their word craft beers are a plenty and with the amount of new comings and goings it’s going to be enough to keep the most well rounded craft beer drinker on their toes. Brought to us by the delightful Common bunch, we have this new baby in the Northern Quarter. On Friday when I had my first outing, I had 5am saint on draft and a bottle of one of my old time favourites Dark Star Espresso beer, though it failed to keep me from being too goosey come the amount I’d consumed in total that evening. I will definitely be enjoying a few delights here on Saturday evening and my hope is to try the much raved about Caldera IPA, craft beer in a can, so don’t buy it all with their new card machine.
Back to Art with tonight’s sampling
Rotar at Whitworth: www.manchester.ac.uk/whitworth
Great 40 minute live piece in response to Siobhan Davies’ new dance work The Score. Four dance artists sing, walk, move, harmonica play and shout their way through the performance. I really enjoyed the fact that there was the continuity of four performers in translation of different artists work in quickish succession. I really responded to the last section Songbook by Matteo Fargion, but that is to do with my own love of word play and sound manipulation. All the pieces brought something unique and played with my concentration levels, commenting on the minds wanderings and bodies. I only got chance for a quick squizz around the exhibitions, but I will go back as they are there till 13Th March, I was struck by The Babel Flower and would like to spend more time with the pieces. Great performance, the live show is only till Sunday and if you go smile when you make out the word plums in Songbook, I did as I had them in my bag.
To Beer of the home variety
The Bottle Stop, Bramhall Acre Lane:
Should have blogged about this place way sooner, and I will do in more detail at some point when I don’t want to listen to Front row where Bren and Harry Hill discuss the realisation of the idea bought for £50. The Bottle Stops exceptional both in being well priced and well stocked, especially in Continental, Marble, Bollington beers and loads of amazing wines. I had a lovely Shiraz for less than £8, so probably £7.99 called Dignite, which we had at Christmas number 2 bought on Christmas day, which they were open for! Also they do changing cask ale to take home, we bought 3 pints of Dinner Ale by Bollington Brewery, which we had with Christmas dinner 1. It is well worth a visit even if you live 50 miles away. Taras Boulba.
Quantum Brewing Company: twitter.com/quantumbc
Last but not in any means least the exceptional Burnt Amber IPA by the newly formed Quantum Brewing Co, absolutely amazing. It tasted chocolaty with no use of chocolate malt, it is a new formed favourite, thanks Mister JK can’t wait for the next release.
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