Bridgewater Hall

As Christmas approaches, we wanted to offer you the chance to attend some of the wonderful festive shows at Bridgewater Hall.

We’re delighted to be able to offer FREE tickets to the following shows, which feature wonderful performances of Christmas classics and more.

There are a limited number of tickets, so book here.

Thursday 15 December 7.30pm: ‘Christmas at the Movies’

Toby Purser conductor

Laura Tebbutt guest singer

Patrick Smyth guest singer

Canzonetta choir

Manchester Concert Orchestra

Don’t stay Home Alone this Christmas. Join the Manchester Concert Orchestra for a magical evening of Christmas treats at this concert of timeless classics, stuffed full of great music from your favourite festive films including: The Polar Express, Elf, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Home Alone, White Christmas, Love Actually, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street, Gremlins, The Chronicles of Narnia and The Snowman.

Monday 26 December, 3.00pm: ‘Last Night of the Christmas Proms’

Celebrate Boxing Day in style with the Manchester Concert Orchestra as they perform a stellar selection of great classics:

Mendelssohn Hebrides Overture
Rossini Galop from William Tell Overture
Strauss Blue Danube Waltz
Bizet The Pearl Fisher’s Duet
Ravel Bolero
Rossini Largo Al Factotum
Bizet Danse Boheme
Elgar Nimrod
Goodwin Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines
Puccini Nessun Dorma
Elgar Pomp & Circumstance No.1

Hilary Davan Wetton conductor

Manchester Concert Orchestra

Monday 2 January, 5.30pm and

Tuesday 3 January, 7.30pm: ‘The Nutcracker’

The most famous fantasy ballets for all the family begins as night falls on Christmas Eve. As snowflakes fall outside, the warm glow of the open fire sends flickering shadows across the boughs of the Christmas tree and all the presents beneath. When midnight strikes we are swept away to a fairy-tale world where nothing is quite as it seems, toy dolls spring to life, the Mouse-king and his mouse-army battle with the Nutcracker Prince and we travel through the Land of Snow to an enchanted place where the magic really begins …

Varna International Ballet & Orchestra

Daniela Dimova Artistic Director
Peter Tuleshkov Music Director and Chief Conductor

Founded in 1947 and currently celebrating their 75^th anniversary, the critically acclaimed Varna International Ballet comes to the UK for the very first time. Renowned for its award-winning soloists and magnificent corps de ballet, the company has been delighting audiences for decades at home and abroad with its performances of the highest quality.

To book your tickets please contact us here specifying name(s) and dates.

Scrabble Convention

Some of us had not played Scrabble for years but the rules were explained so that we all played in a consistent way. We formed teams of four and enthusiastically placed those letters on the board forming words and scoring points.

Scrabble is a game sold in 121 countries and is available in more than 30 languages; approximately 150 million sets have been sold worldwide, and roughly one-third of American and half of British homes have a Scrabble set. There are approximately 4,000 Scrabble clubs around the world.

It was a close run competition as the top three scores were 180 (Kevin), 177 (Cliff) and 176 (Neil). Tickets for two to Forever Manchester’s Birthday Party at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel on 10 February 2023 were given to the winner and runner up. We have been shortlisted for Community Group of the Year and the evening will include a three course meal, live entertainment, awards presentations and a DJ.

We held a raffle and the winners received a box of biscuits, three calendars, a diary, a voucher for the café at Central Manchester Library and a key ring.

Rainbow Call Companions

Rainbow Call Companions is a free telephone befriending service specifically for LGBT+ people aged 75+ who would like to speak to someone who’s also LGBT+. 

The service was launched in March this year and in September was selected for a National Advisor for LGBT Health award.

Rainbow Call Companions is run by Re-engage to provide a safe and non-judgmental space for LGBT+ older people across the UK. Calls last for half an hour or so and you can chat about anything that interests you. What’s great is that the same volunteer phones you every time, so you can get to know each other and share stories and laughter – for as long as you both want.

Re-engage is committed to ending loneliness and social isolation for people in their 70s, 80s, 90s and beyond. Many people who get to such a great age find themselves with very limited social circles and social contact to look forward to.

Older LGBT+ people are  vulnerable to loneliness as a direct consequence of decades of privacy and self-concealment. This is a generation who grew up when  their  very being was deemed outrageous and illegal.  A lifetime of exposure to discrimination and stigma can lead to high levels of stress and a strong sense of isolation.  All too often, isolation is seen by older people as the price they have had to pay for their sexuality. 

If you are interested in using the service use the contact form or phone 0800 716 543 (Freephone).

Rainbow Lottery

We joined the Rainbow Lottery on 7 June 2021 and during that period we have had 49 winners! Forty have won 3 extra tickets, seven have won £25 and two have won £250. But the biggest winner has been Out In The City as we have received over £1250 in much needed funds.

Tickets cost just £1 per week and we receive 50p for each ticket bought. There’s always a chance to win up to £25,000, so buy those tickets and give our fundraising a boost.

With Christmas fast approaching, don’t forget that we have a fantastically festive prize to thank you for your ongoing support for Out In The City – a massive £1,000 John Lewis eGift Card!

From tech to toys, and furniture to fashion, you can one-stop-shop your last-minute Christmas shopping – and you can spend it in Waitrose too, for all your favourite festive treats!

The special prize draw will take place on Saturday 17 December. There’s no need to buy separate tickets, you will be automatically entered into this prize draw. Of course, you are welcome to buy additional tickets. Every ticket you buy is an extra chance to win, and an extra fundraising boost for Out In The City. It’s a win-win situation!

Thank you & good luck!

Go to https://www.rainbowlottery.co.uk/ and search for Out In The City to buy tickets.