A look ahead to the month's best things to see and do in Cheshire and beyond
September 30 - October 2
Joyful Colour exhibition
Seven contemporary Cheshire artists are showcasing and celebrating their new paintings at Clonterbrook Gallery, Swettenham Heath. Ginny McDermott, Alison Stafford, Zelda Pickup, Di Metcalfe, Antoniela Ginourie, Kate Fawcett and Allie Pottinger exhibit their explosion of colourful paintings and ceramics over this three-day show from 10am -4pm. The exhibition displays the diverse paintings of these professional artists, and includes landscapes, equestrian, still life and seascapes, in oils, acrylics and watercolours. And with Antoniela's beautiful, nature-inspired, organic ceramics, there is something for everyone. All works are for sale.
facebook.com/conterbrook-creatives
October 7-9
Chester Decorative Antiques Fair
Make your way to Chester Racecourse for a fair specialising in quality art, antiques and decorative fair from dealers and galleries across the UK. Over three floors in the County Grandstand, visitors will find everything from classic and 20th-century jewellery, silver and ceramics to fine paintings, period furniture, copper and brass, bronze Art Deco statuary, period rugs, fine glass, impressive mirrors, medical and scientific instruments, antiquarian maps and prints and Chinese and Japanese collector's items.
cooperevents.com/chester
October 7-16
Goosfest
Goosfest is an arts and music festival designed to enrich cultural opportunities throughout Cheshire. There's a little something for everyone here, whether that be theatre, poetry, stand-up, classical music, reggae, jazz, painting and crafts, you'll find a mix of both professional and amateur acts. Events are held day and night at locations throughout the village of Goostrey.
goosfest.com
October 8
The Mancunian Way
The Natalie Kate Moss Trust, a Manchester-based charity funding groundbreaking research into brain hemorrhage, hosts its biggest event to date underneath the wings of the world-famous Concorde at Manchester Airport. Marking the trust's 10th anniversary, the event celebrates all Manchester has to offer and will include drag queen hostesses, a culinary journey, live music and a warehouse project DJ. The charity was set up in 2012 in memory of 26-year-old Natalie who lost her life due to a sudden brain haemorrhage in 2011. The event promises to shock and entertain as the oganisers go all out to mark amazing work they've done in Natalie's memory so far and celebrate in 'The Mancunian Way'.
nataliekatemoss.co.uk
October 10 - December 30
Anarchy in the Manchester Central Library
Iconic images of the Sex Pistols’ first Manchester concert, taken by Paul Welsh from Timperley who was the only photographer at the gig, are being shown at the city's Central Library. This will be the first time the public has had the chance to see Paul's entire collection from the concert at the Lesser Free Trade Hall on June 4, 1976. The event is seen as a catalyst for the Manchester music scene that followed, with members of Joy Division, The Smiths and Simply Red all in the audience.
October 12, 7.30pm
Hold Excalibur
Come and enjoy the thrilling tale of King Arthur and his magical sword brought to life against the beautiful backdrop of St Mary’s Church, Nantwich. This is a cinematic audio – a story told in a fascinating mix of words, music, projection and sound effect–of a previously untold story of the hero king based on the original Welsh Myths. The performance will follow a brief talk on how the team aims to make the story into an epic fantasy blockbuster to be filmed in Cheshire and North Wales. The event is suitable for adults and children aged eight and up.
secretplanet.co.uk
October 13-16
Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair
The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair is an opportunity to buy direct from top designer-makers and craft artists handpicked by an independent panel of craft experts. Taking place at the iconic Victoria Baths in Manchester, you'll find the best in beautiful design and craftmanship through jewellery, textile accessories, print, furniture, lighting, ceramics, glass and more.
greatnorthernevents.co.uk
October 15-31
Glorious Glowing Lantern Parade
This spectacular, sparkly event at BeWILDerwood, Bickley Moss, allows visitors to step into a magical land at the most fantastical time of year. See the woods in a new light as you explore after hours, follow the mysterious paths to watch the story unfold and watch the magical light extravaganza. Craft your very own lantern with the Boggles at Hazel's Hideaway to help light up the woods.
cheshire.bewilderwood.co.uk
October 22
Soweto Gospel Choir
Performing at Manchester's Stoller Hall as part of their first UK tour in 10 years, the Grammy Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir will spread sheer joy to audiences through a collection of uplifting songs. The tour is in honour of Nelson Mandela and supports their album Freedom, which celebrates and commemorates South Africa's democratic movement's struggle for freedom.
sowetogospelchoir.com
October 22 - 23 & 27-30
The Sorcerer Returns
Can you help to defeat the evil sorcerer, Dimitri, who's been banished from the Wizards' village? This Halloween, The Old Hall at Tatton Park will host an immersive, open-air family-friendly Halloween quest combining a self-led trail, fun activities, and interactive theatre to create a unique, unmissable, and memorable experience. Little wizards and wicked witches alike will love this immersive Halloween experience.
October 24 - 30
WayWord Festival
Brought to you by Storyhouse in Chester, this is an exciting and inspiring programme of events and activities for children over the October half-term. Poet Benjamin Zephaniah, multi-award-winning author Dame Jacqueline Wilson and comedian and novelist Julian Clary are among the line-up in the festival for children which aims to celebrate the power of words to ignite imaginations.
Events will take over the main stage, Garret Theatre, Kitchen, Den and Storytelling Room at the Hunter Street venue and other libraries across the borough. They include stories, workshops, crafting, theatre performances, fancy dress and a Halloween disco finale.
Many of the events are free, while Storyhouse has committed to keep ticket prices for others as low as possible. Meanwhile, 200 tickets for each event on the main stage and 10 tickets for each Garret Theatre event will be reserved for free distribution to low-income families and groups through Storyhouse’s Community Connectors partnership.
storyhouse.com/wayword
October 27
Book release: The Cure
Cheshire author Sally-Anne Bedford's debut novel is due to be released in the UK on October 27 by Joffe Books. The dark thriller is inspired by her time working in one of the last Victorian asylums in England. The story follows an ex-asylum patient who has to go back in to investigate a new diet and beauty clinic, run by a mysterious female doctor. When she gets there, she finds things aren't as bad as when she was a patient, they are much, much worse!
sallyannemartyn.com
