Manchester has some sensational venues for all kinds of events. Ever since I worked for a music magazine few years back I got acquainted with my fair share of the music ones. Lifestyle expo events however I've tended to steer clear of for numerous reasons. Watching various Apprentice episodes based in them over the years haven't helped. They're basically well organized posh flee markets where haggling is banned right? At least that's the harsh version that resides in my head.
What drew me to this particular event (Islamic arts and culture Expo) however was the idea of seeing an Islamic art exhibition. I've always been into caligraphy from a young age and found the Arabic language to be uber cool. The fact a friend of mine was doing stand up sealed the deal. I was going!
Event city is a huge venue, something that wouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who's driven to the trafford centre. Luckily the size and nature of the event meant it didn't feel like a flee market. It had a more relaxed, chilled vibe to it. It wasn't too noisy nor busy (I mean yes it was busy but not comic con busy) which for a saturday in these neck of woods suited me to a t.
The Islamic art exhibition was fantastic and inspiring. The food was by My Lahore and went down a treat. And I got to see my friend Aatif Nawaz do some stand up which was brilliant.
All in all I'd highly recommend Events city if you haven't been. Tickets to this event were £10 which was very reasonable as were the price points at various stalls inside. I even purchased a cool hoodie (£20) with the arabic word for Peace on it which I LOVE! And since it's 2016 it wasn't long before the designer and I followed each other on instagram. Check out @justmuslim on insta and don't worry it's not a private club. Can't be if I was allowed in right?
The only downside to events city is it's close proximity to Mancehster's marmite, *dramatic music* THE TRAFFORD CENTRE! Some people hate it, others put up with it and Liverpudlians LOVE it!
With most of the events here are at weekends, Mancunian will testify that driving to Trafford centre on a weekend is like trying to buy a turbo man doll on christmas eve when you're not Arnie. (If you don't get that Jingle all the way reference we can't be friends) Having said that there's ample parking spaces, if and when you finally make it there. Once you're there though I can vouch that you'll have a great time at a great venue (obviously depending on what event you choose to goto)
On the plus side you can leave your car afterwards and walk across to catch a movie like I did without a care in the world. Something you can't do in the city cenntre without forking out dough on parking tickets. read more