Things to do in Manchester this weekend (10-12 March) – including St Patrick’s parade & Strictly stars’ show

We Love MCR x SOS Dance

Platt Lane Sports Complex, Sunday 12 March

If you want to learn how to dance like Beyonce while raising money for local community and youth charity We Love MCR, then strut and shimmy your way to Platt Lane Sports Complex this weekend, where SOS Dance choreographers will be teaching the Run The World (Girls) routine. SOS Dance is a brand that focuses on empowering women through dance classes, teaching famous routines from the likes of Lizzo, Rihanna and JLo. It costs £10 to take part and you can register for the event via Eventbrite. The event will take place from 1:30pm on Sunday.

Manchester Film Festival

Odeon Great Northern, 10-19 March

Manchester Film Festival kicks off this Friday, with a packed schedule of features, shorts, documentaries and animation, including six world premieres and 17 UK premieres. There are three different pass options: a five-screening pass costs £28, the 10-screening pass costs £50 and full festival pass is £90. There will also be a number of Q&A with casts and crews, as well as parties and industry events for any budding filmmakers. Check out our guide to the festival for more information about which films to look out for and how to attend.

Black Parade – 00’s Emo Anthems

O2 Ritz, Friday 10 March

It’s time to dig out your black skinny jeans, studded belt and chequered Vans because a massive emo night is coming to the O2 Ritz this weekend. If you’re feeling nostalgic for the days when Pete Wentz the ultimate heartthrob and Black Parade topped the charts, then this is the event for you. Expect all the classics from emo legends such as Panic! At The Disco, Jimmy Eat World, My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, Taking Back Sunday, Paramore, All American Rejects and You Me At Six. Tickets cost £6.75 and can be purchased via the venue’s website.

Lass Fest

GRUB, 8-11 March

GRUB are “going all out” with their International Women’s Day celebrations this year, offering a five-day programme of events. There’s a storytelling open mic night on Thursday, Girl Power Disco Bingo on Friday, which combines activities like lyric challenges, karaoke, guess the intro, bottomless brunch and classic bingo, and the award-winning baby-wearing Dance Like a Mother dance class for mums on the Saturday. Rounding off the week is the Feminist Founders Market, where you can browse art, clothing, gifts, prints, homewares and cosmetics from female-led businesses. As well as these events, there are also comedy events and a screening of Josie and the Pussycats.

The market is free entry but the other events require tickets. Girl Power Disco Bingo costs £5 per person, or £22 if you opt for bottomless drinks; the Amy Gledhill and friends comedy night costs £12-15; Dance like a Mother costs £8; and the film screening costs £6. All tickets can be purchased via the GRUB website, where you will also find more details about each event.

Firedance

Bridgewater Hall, Saturday 11 March

Strictly Come Dancing favourites Karen Hauer and Gorka Marquez are bringing their latest tour, Firedance, to the Bridgewater Hall this Saturday. Together with their cast of dancers and fire artists, they will be performing routines from blockbusters such as  Romeo & Juliet, Moulin Rouge, Carmen and West Side Story, as well rock and latin favourites by artists such as Camilla Cabello, Jason Derulo, Gregory Porter and the Gypsy Kings. Ticket prices range from £20.75 to £50.25 and can be found on the Bridgewater Hall website.

Manchester St Patrick’s Day Parade

Irish World Heritage Centre

The St Patrick’s Day celebrations kick off this weekend with the Irish World Heritage Centre’s annual parade this Sunday. The parade will leave the centre in Cheetham Hill at 12pm on Sunday 12 March, then heading down Cheetham Hill Road to the AO Arena and back again. There will be performances of Irish music and dancing back at the centre. The IWHC is will also be hosting a fun fair every weekend until St Patrick’s day weekend.  More information can be found on the IWHC’s website.