VIVA MANCHESTER & CHESHIRE WINTER 2015 / 16 (issue 23)

& TER HES NC MA

VIVA IRE ESH CH

WORLD CLASS EXPERIENCE manchester to hong kong to Sydney with the langham & cathay pacific

GRAPHIC CONTRAST & WINTER COOL FASHION

NOEL VIVA EXCLUSIVE WITH NOEL GALLAGHER

NEW YEAR’S EVE TO-DO GUIDE PARTY, EAT, DRINK, ESCAPE

VIVA WINTER 2015 / 16

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Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la, la la la, la la la la! Oh and we certainly are at VIVA HQ after hosting the DoubleTree

by Hilton’s Winter Terrace party. It got us and our guests right into the spirit of the festive season.

This is a bit of a special issue for us. As you can see we have Noel Gallagher on the front cover. Well, it’s only taken us six years for him to agree to be our front cover boy but we finally did it! VIVA Ems gave Noel a call one afternoon.

The resulting interview is extremely entertaining with Mr Gallagher giving some very witty answers using that dry sense of humour of his which we all love!

We’ve been training hard down with new kids on the block - Ultimate Performance - who are getting us in shape for our little Christmas party numbers. These guys have taken fitness to another level. Check out Louise’s fitness diary as she mentions we have acquired a bit of a love hate relationship with UP! Becky’s little Olive is growing up so fast; she is crawling now and just won’t sit still for a second! Read about Becky and Olive’s latest favourite baby products and their new dimension of baby fun.

So we are heading for Christmas rapidly; the Manchester Christmas markets are out in full force; restaurants are getting fully booked with the office Christmas party crowds and very soon the clock will be striking midnight on NYE! Not sure how to bring in the New Year yet? Have no fear VIVA is here with our NYE guide.

We would like to say a massive Thank You to all our readers for picking up and reading VIVA magazine this year. We’ve had an amazing 2015 and we hope you have too. Please keep visiting the VIVA website: vivamanchester.co.uk.

Have a lovely Christmas and a super New Year!

Big Love VA Team VI

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VIVA INSIDE

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FEATURES

Guest on the radar: Katie McGlynn from Coronation Street Graphic Contrast fashion Noel Gallagher - interview Winter cool fashion WIN a VIVA Christmas hamper The Langham and Cathay Pacific world class experience Manchester New Year’s Eve to-do guide

FASHION 10_ 17_ 19_ 26_ 31_

Perfect party pieces!

Accessories madness - girls Accessories madness - boys New knits Designer focus: Zeynep Kartal - designer of the decade

BEAUTY + HEALTH & FITNESS

48_ 51_ 52_

62_ 66_ 68_ 70_

HOME, LEISURE, BUSINESS & TRAVEL

VIVA LAS MANCHESTER & CHESHIRE

LIVE MUSIC, THE ARTS AND FILM

34_ 36_ 37_ 42_ 44_

80_ 80_ 82_

85_ 86_ 89_ 90_

Get the look this Winter with Cassie Lomas Holiday must-have beauty essentials Dr.Vik talks new cosmetic surgery trends for 2016 Beat the witer blues Ultimate Performance Manchester

Creative Christmas decor VIVA gadgets: Light up Speedback to the future

FOOD AND DRINK

FIND ME: The best department store dining for Christmas shopping!

Interview with Quill head chef, Curtis Stewart Winter wipeouts Home Sweet Home

Introducing Quill: a perfect story Cabana brings the heat to Manchester DoubleTree by Hilton’s Winter Terrace party

VIVA Ems takes over the VIVA iPod Interview with Alan McGee Ten Mancs - Clint Boon Craig Fleming: success, passion and why Vanity Fair is the dream

TEAM VIVA Give us a little tweet...

The editor emma WILKINSON @VIVAEms

Art director REBECCA LEGON (not a social networker)

Sales & marketing manager LOUISE ADKIN @AngelMediaLou

Editor’s Assistant Christie hutchinson @ChristieHannahx

Editor’s Assistant tereza pevna @Tereza_Pevna

Senior designer Ed Wilkinson @eddiewilky

Copy sub-editor KEITH McDONNELL @geraldthejag

Website SHABIR hussain @shabby218

Follow: vivamagazines

Issue 23, published December 2015

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Online marketing executive ROB STUBBS @robstubbs

Head of photography KARIN ALBINSSON @KarinAlbinsson

Amelia Ryder Lewis Vaughan Sophie Parkin CONTRIBUTOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

Fashion editor ROSS FORSYTHE @rossforsythe

Beauty columnist CASSIE LOMAS @cassielomas

Andrew Cheung Craig Fleming Elfie Lynton Georgie Glass CONTRIBUTOR GRAPHIC DESIGN

Food Editor Yvonne Goldsmith-Rybka

Drink Editor Dave marsland @DrinksEnthusist

Interior Design columnist Luci Roper @LLDesignNews

Motoring JACK MARSDEN

Health & fitness columnist SAM WITTER @samwitter1

Holistic columnist

@mymcrdiary

Feature writer emma CHADWICK @ChaddersLife

photography shani birkin hodson @Shani_Photo

Suzanne Elizabeth

@HolisticCoachUk

Featurec writer SAM BRAMWELL (a secret tweeter)

Kat Ploch

VIVA Magazine, Fourway House, 57 Hilton Street, Manchester, M1 2EJ Tel: 0161 2280065 email: info@vivamanchester.co.uk website: www.vivamanchester.co.uk A readership of 60,000 in the Manchester and Cheshire areas For annual subscription rates, please ring our enquiry line on 0161 2280065 or email info@vivalifestyle.co.uk.VIVA Manchester magazine is published quarterly (4 times a year) and is distributed in and around Manchester and Cheshire which includes Manchester city centre, Didsbury, Hale, Wilmslow, Altrincham, Chorlton and Salford.

Unsolicitedmanuscripts,artwork,photographicprintsandtransparencies areacceptedonlyontheunderstandingthatVIVAacceptsnoliabilityfor lossordamage.Noresponsibilitycanbeacceptedforanybreachesofobligationbyadvertisers.StrictlycopyrightallcontentVIVAMagazines.Reproduction,inpartorwhole,isforbiddenwithouttheexpresspermission ofthepublishers.Allpricesincludedwithinthispublicationwerecorrect atthetimeofprint.Allexpressionsandopinionsdemonstratedwithinthis publication are those of the editor(s) including contributors.

VIVA London KIRI BLOORE @KiriBloore

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VIVA R A D A R

GUEST ON

The Radar

HOT: Healthy Lifestyle A lot of people have jumped on the clean eating bandwagon as being healthy is now cool. When it’s positive, such as the ‘strong not skinny’ campaign which promotes healthy changes in lifestyle rather than faddy diets, I’m all for it. What’s cool changes all the time (smoking was once, believe it or not!) whereas your health needs to last a lifetime.

This issue’s guest radar was brought to you by Coronation Street actress

WHAT’S HOT & WHAT’S NOT America Florida, where I have just been on my holidays is definitely hot. Although I have been before I found that I am noticing things now that I am older, such as how friendly Americans are. Whenever we asked for help and advice people were really happy to help and, to top it all, my eyebrows were ‘poppin.’ (it’s a compliment, apparently!)

If, like me, you love Halloween then get yourself to Universal Studios for their Halloween Horror nights. I went and it was brilliant! ‘How fantastic are current American TV series?’ is one of the main topics of conversation in the green room.

Go USA!

Katie McGlynn

NOT HOT: Our Climate The other day I said to myself,“My skin feels well dry!

I’m twenty-two now not a teen anymore, I must be getting old.” Not to mention crazy talking to myself!

Then I took my blonde head out of the clouds and realised we’re in October.Winter is creeping up on us! Don’t get me wrong, I love Manchester and being a northern girl but, Jeez Louise, I need to invest in a new moisturiser and lip balm! Not about trying to take a pout selfie with chapped lips and cracking skin, babes!

I know I’m acting like an old lady lately by hibernating in these cold months but I don’t want to start morphing into one too soon!

Helping The Homeless I met a lovely couple at the airport who help to feed homeless people even though they aren’t too well off themselves. I also read about Gary Neville who has not only arranged for staff from the Football Hotel to provide hot meals for the homeless people squatting in his Stock Exchange building but is also having toilets and showers, etc. built for them. Nobody should have to live on the streets, especially in winter. I think what Gary Neville and that young couple are doing is truly commendable and it makes me proud to be in the Northwest when I see how the community really cares.

Snobbery Luckily I work with a lovely group of people at Corrie but over the years I have come across certain individuals who, after a little success or attention, have morphed into ignorant egotistical versions of themselves. Such pretentious, rude members of the community who try to make people feel inferior are certainly not hot!

Manners and politeness cost nothing and no matter where you’re from, how good you look, what kind of job you do or who you are there is no need to be rude or to try and act as though you are superior. You’re not. There are always people who are going to be pretentious but there is no real need for it. It’s nice to be nice.

M62 & Roadworks Fifty mph speed limits on the motorway and roadworks all over Manchester make commuting hell and when was the last time you saw anyone actually working in town or on the M60? My Sat-nav’s got a migraine from ‘re-routing’ all the time and, because I’m a last minute lady, so have I. www.vivamanchester.co.u k | VIVA | 09

VIVA C A T W A L K T R E N D S Alexander McQueen aw15

Christopher Kane Floral Lace Shirt, £495

Carven Crêpe Top, £250

Loewe Gold, Embossed Leather Pouch, £450

Isabel Marant Silver Skinny Trousers, £275

Charlotte Olympia Leather Sandals, £575

Perfect Party Pieces!

With 2016 just around the corner, now is the perfect time to prepare your show-stopping look for the Christmas season. This time of year is all about excess and celebration so capture the jubilant spirit by ramping up the opulence and extravagance factors. Sequins, shine, lace and shape are all key factors in executing a super successful party look so try velvet for a sumptuous signature textile or gothic lace to tick all the trend boxes this season. Accessories are key to complementing and creating a killer ensemble so work with metallics to create a modern and bold statement.

Balmain Velvet Frill Skirt, £845

words: Ross Forsythe

Michael Michael Kors Black, Sequinned Jersey Dress, £275 10 | VIVA | w w w. v i va m a n chester.c o.uk

Rodarte

MCQ, Alexander McQueen Silver Cork Clutch, £295

aw15

Ashish Sequin and Lace Slip Dress, £1450

Sophia Webster Coco, Iridescent Pumps, £375

Graphic Contrast Photography: Art Direction & Styling: Make-up and Hair: Model: Location:

Willie Runte , willierunte.com Ross Forsythe, vivamancheter.co.uk Lou Rothwell, representedby.me Nicole, Nemesis Models The Loft Studio, loftstudioandproduction.com

Versus Versace Top; ÂŁ135. Marc by Marc Jacobs Skirt; ÂŁ295, both from Selfridges Trafford

Kenzo Dress Shirt; ÂŁ355, Harvey Nichols Manchester

Self Portrait Dress; ÂŁ280, Selfridges

Moschino Sequin Top; £610. Self Portrait Skirt, £185, both from Selfridges Trafford

Top; Stylist’s Own. Versus Versace Skirt, £270, Selfridges Trafford

DKNY Top; ÂŁ205. Kenzo Skirt; ÂŁ320, both from Harvey Nichols Manchester

VIVA C A T W A L K T R E N D S

Accessories Madness The festive season is literally around the corner bringing countless numbers of parties but also missions for the best Christmas presents for your girlfriends. No matter what the occasion, you can’t go wrong with a cute pair of sandals, a beautiful ring or a statement necklace. words: Tereza Pevna ta e Le Ren Oscar D ; £4,275 ro Bole Fox Fur

CA & LOU Tea Swarovski Ring; £170

Links of London Richmond Bracelet Watch; £550

Rag & Bone Two-tone Wool-felt Fedora; £220

Erickson Beamon Fetherston Bracelet; £785 Astley Clarke Diamond Necklace; £1150

Alexander McQueen Britannia Leather & Lace Clutch; £1,395

Chloé Mini Baylee Wallet; £230

Diane Von Furstenberg Fringed Leather Gloves; £160

Giuseppe Zanotti Coline Patent-Leather Sandals; £1,040 Valentino Rockstud Heels; £640

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VIVA C A T W A L K T R E N D S

Accessories Madness Treat yourself this upcoming party season! It could be a pair of statement cufflinks for your Work’s Christmas do or a holiday bag, if you have decided to spend Christmas away. Alternatively, if you are looking for some great gifts for your brother or husband, why not give them a beautiful tie or a new wallet. words: Tereza Pevna

Acqua Di Parma Leather Travel Bag; £1,617 Lanvin Black Onyx Cufflinks; £150

D&G Polka Dot, Silk Bow Tie; £140

Grenson Matthew Oxford Brogues; £195

Tom Wood Black Onyx Ring; £305

Baume & Mercier Steel & Leather Watch; £1,290

Johnstons Cashmere Sports Check Scarf; £120

Crockett & Jones Leather Monk Shoe; £405

Hestra Cashmere-lined, Leather Gloves; £260 www.vivamanchester.co.u k | VIVA | 19

VIVA I N T E R V I E W

NOEL GALLAGHER When VIVA Ems called Noel...

E

ver since the beginning of VIVA Magazine we have tried nearly every year to bag an interview with this Manchester music hero. Six years later and Noel Gallagher finally agrees! A couple of my friends, who know him personally, told me he was a really nice guy which eased my nerves a little before one of the biggest interviews of my journalistic career. They were right, not only was Noel a delight to speak to but his dry whitty sense of humour had me in stitches throughout our twenty minute chat.

VIVA Ems: Hi Noel, this is Emma from VIVA magazine.

Noel: Ok there’s no need to shout!

VIVA Ems: (laughs) Sorry, I’ve just got you on loudspeaker because I’m recording it. Bear with me one second. my computer has just failed on me. With all the questions on!

Noel: It’s ok, don’t worry about it, I’m here. I’ve got f**k all better to do!

VIVA Ems: (laughs) Sorry. I just wanted to say before we start, Thank you so much for doing this interview. We’ve wanted to get you on the front cover of VIVA magazine for like six years now! (Laughs) Noel: (Laughs) Well what’s taken so long!

VIVA Ems: You didn’t agree until up til now!

Noel: Oh. VIVA Ems: When was the last time you were in Manchester?

Noel: Oh, that was for City’s first home game! I always make a point of going to City’s first and last home games of the season if I’m around. So the last time I was there was when we f**king murdered Chelsea.

VIVA Ems: Oh yes. My Dad and little Bro weren’t happy about that, they are Chelsea fans! So back in the day of you and Liam hanging out in Manchester, where was your favourite hot spot?

Noel: To hang out? Um, let me see. Well, I used to go to the Hacienda a lot! I used to go to the Dry Bar a lot, the Cyprus Tavern. I don’t know if you remember that? You probably don’t!

The Cyprus Tavern was the only place in the early eighties, apart from the Hacienda, where they would play Indie music. But, to be honest, I used to go to a lot of gigs back then. I wasn’t really one for hangouts as such. Obviously I come from way out in the suburbs, so I just used to go to gigs at places such as Band On The Wall and then various universities. So I was more of a gig-going lad as opposed to your Saturday night Rotters!

VIVA Ems: (Laughs) Saturday night Rotters! When I first moved to Manchester about eight years ago I used to listen to Clint Boon on XFm. Well I still do but it’s called Radio X

now. He always used to play the ident of “Oasis used to be my roadies” what was it like being Clint Boon’s roadie?

Noel: Oh yeah it was great! He’s a good lad Clint. I’d really enjoyed my three, four years or whatever it was, roadying with them. Him and Graham Lambert in particular are very, very funny dudes and I had a great time. I never used to dance in front of the mirror with a tennis racket or any of that sh*t but I was always obsessed with music and I always had this feeling that I might be destined somehow, to have some kind of life in the music game and when I became a roadie with them, I thought maybe this was it for me! Kind of behind the amps, being a worker bee and I was very content to do that and I genuinely mean this. If Liam hadn’t have f**king mithered me to be in his band, I’d probably still be a roadie to this day! I had a screaming lack of ambition in those days and I was f**king high as a kite for most of the time!

VIVA Ems: (Laughs) So the last time I saw you in the papers, when you were up in Manchester, you were hanging out with Mani from the Stone Roses. You were papped coming out of Rosso!

Noel: I think you’ll find that Mani was hanging out with me!

VIVA Ems: Sorry! Yeah of course! (Laughs) Have you guys ever thought of collaborating musically?

Noel: No, Mani is a very old friend. I’ll tell you how I met Mani.

I was at the Hacienda one night and this was in 1987 and everyone that used to go to the Hacienda would go to a place in Hulme called The Kitchen, which was in the flats. It was a very old, run-down derelict flat which they’d knocked down and made into this sort of illegal disco and I remember, very early one Sunday morning, just stood in this dark, dank room, dancing and I passed this lad a spliff who was a complete stranger to me. Then, as the sun was coming up, I suddenly realised, “F**k me! That’s the bass player from The Stone Roses!” And we’ve been friends ever since. So he’s known me before I was even in Oasis, back when I was a roadie but I’ve never done anything with him. We were going to do some shows once, when I’d left Oasis but it didn’t ever come together but you never know.

VIVA Ems: I’ve met Mani a couple of times and he seems really cool! Congratulations on your recent Q Award for Best Album! My favourite track on the album is ‘Lock All The Doors.’

I recently saw a video clip where you said it took you over twenty-three years to complete that track because you couldn’t get the verse to fit with the chorus but you found inspiration one day >

“If Liam hadn’t of f**king mithered me to be in his band, I’d probably still be a roadie to this day! I had a screaming lack of ambition in those days.” www.vivamanchester.co.u k | VIVA | 21

22 | VIVA | w w w. v i va l i f e s t yle.c o.uk

VIVA I N T E R V I E W “I’d like to manage The Smiths, because I’m a masochist and I’d like the challenge of trying to tame the wild animal that is Morrissey.” as you were coming out of the local Tesco! Where’s been the most random place you’ve been and had a sudden hit of inspiration for a new song?

Noel: Well, the way that I write is, I come up with the chords and then I come up with the melody. I can be sat down just messing around on the guitar, playing for pleasure but, as long as I know the tune and the melody, I can sing it anywhere and then bits and words can pop into my head. When I’m having dinner with my Missus! She’ll be talking to me about some bullsh*t or other and she’ll be looking at me saying, “You’re not listening to me! Are ya?” and I’ll be literally writing a song.

I don’t know how inspiration finds me, like anywhere. I mean that particular song, I’ve been trying to finish it off for twenty-three years. I had the chorus and I could never quite find the verses and then, for some reason, I was coming out of the Tesco one night and just turning round the corner of my street where Boots is and bang! It just hit me and there you go!

VIVA Ems: The other track I really like, which is on the deluxe version, is “Revolution Song.” Why did you only put this as a bonus track on the deluxe version?

Noel: Well, the reason some songs become B-sides and bonus tracks and the other songs become album tracks and singles is because, if you do sixteen songs for an album, there has to be a process of elimination! You can’t put more than ten on a record because traditionally that’s what albums are!

In the case of “Revolution Song” I don’t think I quite got the recording right and I don’t think I quite got the vocal right and quite frankly it’s my f**king album. I have tried to play it live a couple of times and it does sound sh*t!

VIVA Ems: I’m sure it doesn’t!

Noel: No it really does!

VIVA Ems: (Laughs) So, you’ve got the tour coming up and you’ve got the Super Furry Animals joining you. What made you choose them to come on this tour?

Noel: Well, we all used to be on Creation Records together.

Plus I’m a big fan! I know the lads quite well and the keyboard player Cian, who speaks fluent Welsh, is f**king bizarrely enough an obsessive Manchester City fan! So that’s what swung it and when Oasis played the Etihad we had them on as well and we just bounced. and, as well it gives us something to do, when we’re sitting around backstage not doing anything.

Why not go and watch one of your favourite bands?

VIVA Ems: You were on the Graham Norton show a few weeks ago and you declared that you hated making music videos. But David Beckham offered to be in your next one! Is that something that could happen, do you think?

Noel: Er, do you know what? It’s a funny old thing because I think he was actually serious. I was joking but I think he was

actually up for it and then I got an email off some production company who’d written this idea of him and me to be in this video. I was out with David a few weeks ago but I never mentioned it because you know he’s a very busy man but maybe next time. If I write, maybe, a footbally themed song, he can do a few free kicks. Maybe. I don’t know.

VIVA Ems: Guess we’ll have to wait and see! In this next issue of VIVA - where you, the great Noel Gallagher, will be featured on the front cover - we’re also interviewing your old manager Alan McGee. We’re asking him the same question as we’re asking you. Is there anything that you’d like to say to him?

Noel: I’d like to apologise for last Monday night when I met him. We’d been to the Q awards and Alan is sober now and then he bumped into about eleven of us who, quite frankly, were not sober. I might have chewed his f**king ear off. I was absolutely wasted and have no idea what I said to him. I might have been slagging his friend’s shoes off and then slagging him off for being bald. So if you could apologise on my behalf for my behaviour that would be amazing and, if you can ask him a question, ask him what he spent all the millions I earned him on?

VIVA Ems: (Laughs) Ok! So he’s managing The Happy Mondays at the moment.

Noel: That’s right, I’m actually going to see them round here in Brixton. Did you see that programme of them in the jungle; it was brilliant?

VIVA Ems: Yeah it was amazing wasn’t it! Rowetta took me to the private screening of it for my birthday.

Noel: Oh wow, yeah! You know I love the Mondays! I grew up listening to them. They are just amazing dudes as well. Shaun, Bez and Gaz. Got to know Gaz a bit and they are brilliant. I love them all.

VIVA Ems: Ah wicked! If you were to manage a Manchester band who would it be?

Noel: Do they still have to be going?

VIVA Ems: No! Noel: Well, in that case I’d like to manage The Smiths because I’m a masochist and I’d like the challenge of trying to tame the wild animal that is Morrissey and, if I could put them back together, that would be f**king amazing! Other than that, maybe I could manage Frank Sidebottom.

VIVA Ems: So Liam made up his own super-band for a TFI special. Who would be in your super-band?

Noel: Ok, I would be on rhythm guitar and backing vocals.

So there’s going to be a lot of guitarists in this band! There’s gonna be Johnny Marr, then there’s the Edge, drumming is gonna be one of my favourite drummers, who was the last >

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VIVA I N T E R V I E W

drummer in Oasis, Chris Sharrock! On the bass I’m gonna have Paul McCartney and singing, whilst playing the keyboard, I’ll have Weller. Truly amazing band! I’d call us The Wrong ’uns!

VIVA Ems: Sounds brilliant! Ok, so Christmas is just around the corner. Are there any family traditions that the Gallaghers carry out over the festive period?

Noel: No, I f**king hate Christmas! I really just have to go along with the bullsh*t, I’m afraid. I feel bad because my wife loves it. She gets into the spirit from about October the twentyeighth and she buys virtually everybody on the planet a present!

I’d be amazed if you don’t get one this year. I’ll see all this sh*t in the hallway and be like “what the f**k’s all this? Who are these f**king people we’re buying presents for?” I mean goodwill to all men but not all men! To be honest the only tradition is for me to put the lights on the Christmas tree while swearing and just to get through it because I hate, hate Christmas! I do like New Year though.

VIVA Ems: Bah humbug, you Scrooge! So living down South what do you kind of miss the most about Manchester?

Noel: I miss the people! I miss the shops, I miss the clothes but what I really miss is the football! I used to go to City every week and now I go every six weeks and I just miss that. The music scene as well, just the people and just the atmosphere of being where I was born. Then again, saying that, I go sometimes for the odd weekend and after three days I think, “This town is f**king off its head, man!” I want go home, do you know what I mean?

There’s f**king kidnappings and dogs shooting cats!

VIVA Ems: You recently sang with U2 at the O2 arena how did that come about?

Noel: That was like a proper dream come true! I’ve been a fan since the eighties. I seen them on The War tour and I’d seen them before that but, luckily enough, when you get to be famous, things happen and I got to meet Bono and all that and I’ve become really close friends. So much so ,that I go to his house on holiday every summer. My daughter is very friendly with his son and all the kids get on great. Our wives love each other and all that and they’ve become real, real f**king good friends of mine and yeah, this week they said, “You wouldn’t mind getting up on stage with us” and I was like “Wouldn’t mind? Uh yeah!” then they said, “Would you mind playing on ‘Still Haven’t found What I’m Looking For.’” Wouldn’t mind f**king hell, try and stop me! Then they asked me to sing it and I was like, “Wow, this is like my f**king seventeen-year-old self sh*tting in someone else’s trousers!” But it was a really great honour to do it and I think I did a pretty good job, I’ve got to say.

VIVA Ems: That’s so cool! And you’ve got a pretty big gig coming up at Manchester’s Apollo, the Radio X Road Trip with Chris Moyles which features you, Johnny Marr, Neon Waltz and Pretty Vicious. Out of all of the Manchester venues, which is your favourite to play at?

Noel: I’ve got to say the Apollo is pretty good. I like the MEN or whatever the f**king hell it’s called now. I like them all. I’m not sure whether Oasis ever got to play The Ritz but I would have loved to

have played there. All those Manchester venues I effectively grew up in and my first ever gig was at the Apollo. Yeah and my second ever gig was at the Apollo, I went to see Stiff Little Fingers and then my third ever gig was also at the Apollo which was U2. I love the Apollo It’s such a good one! I actually used to work across the road in the aquariums. I used to make fish tanks for a living and I like that little pub next door, the smallest pub in the world. So yeah, I love the Apollo, I love it, love it, love it!

VIVA Ems: You come across as a pretty stylish guy, plus Liam’s got the Pretty Green fashion label. So style must run in the family. Who has been the worst-dressed person you’ve come across recently?

Noel: The worst? (Laughs) Oh brilliant! The worst dressed person!

Well some footballers are pretty appalling, aren’t they! You meet a footballer and you think, “You know, out of all the money you f**king earn and all the Bentleys, just buy yourself a mirror! Get a full-length mirror! Get a f**king personal shopper or something but don’t come dressed like a f**king Kazakhstani taxi driver!”

VIVA Ems: (Hysterically laughing) Ok ,so I’m not actually a big football fan, I know f**k all about it but my brother’s given me a few football questions to ask you... So you’re a big Man City fan, why do you think they have done so badly in the Champion’s League and do you think they can turn it around this year and go on a good run in Europe?

Noel: Well, ever since we’ve been in the Champion’s League, no British team has done very well so it’s maybe a cyclical thing.

We’ve always had very, very tough groups and the odds have been slightly stacked against us and I don’t think you know ’cause if you look on paper we’ve done appallingly bad! In actuality we’ve never been hammered by anyone. So I think we’re getting there but I think the manager has somehow got to kick his stubbornness and has got to play the right tactics but I think it’s just a bad time for British clubs and it’s a level up. If you’re playing in the Premier League and winning, you know, nine games out of ten, then you’re coming up against the top teams in Europe it’s a different level of football and I feel we’ve found it difficult to adapt but me personally I think where we’re at in Europe is where we should be, because we’re only new to it.

VIVA Ems: Would you like Pellegrini to create a legacy or would you rather have Pep Guardiola to come in when he’s available?

Noel: If Manuel has to go, then yes, Pep Guardiola would be the perfect choice but if the club was to come out and say he’s staying then that’s fine because I really, really like him. And he’s a massive Oasis fan! So he f**ing gets the thumbs up from me!

VIVA Ems: Ok, so last question now! What would you most like to change in the world for 2016?

Noel: What would I most like to change? That’s a hard one! I would like to stop Manchester United, I’d like to ban them! Oh I’d like to jail Sir Alex Ferguson for crimes against humanity! Yeah, I’d love to jail the f**ker, put him down!

VIVA Ems: (Laughs) Noel, Thank you so much, you’ve been absolutely amazing to speak to. I’ve been slightly hangover today as well.

Noel: (Laughs) Me too! I was out last night! No worries, Cheers! ■

“I f**king hate Christmas, the only tradition is for me to put the lights on the Christmas tree whilst swearing.”

Keep updated with all of Noel’s news and gig dates at: noelgallagher.com

24 | VIVA | w w w. v i va m a n chester.c o.uk

VIVA C A T W A L K T R E N D S Burberry Prorsum Floral Cashmere Scarf, £595

Acne Studios Ribbed Wool Jumper, £270

Canada Goose Château Parka, £675

Belstaff Eversley, Biker Jeans, £300

Valentino Shearling Boots, £625

New Knits

words: Ross Forsythe

Kenzo aw15

Marni aw 1

5

God’s Masterful Children Biker Jeans, £180

Vivienne Westwood Argyle Knit, £285

At some point in our life we have all been victim to a dodgy and completely naff Christmas jumper. This season is all about the statement jumper, so make up for lost time by choosing one of these fantastic knits. Whether it is a classic Argyle knit or a dynamic print design, team these pieces with biker jeans for a rough and ready look or layer up with a sports coat for super-cool Scandinavian style.

Versace Medusa Knitted Jumper, £690 Paul Smith London Navy Wool Suit, £555 Neil BarrettGucci Wool Suit, £1310 Star Knit Jumper, Checked £350 26 | VIVA | w w w. v i va m a n chester.c o.uk

Raf Simons Colour Block Jumper, £335

Moschino Polo; £240. Haculla Drop Crotch Pant; £200, both from Harvey Nichols Manchester

WINTER COOL Photography: Art Direction & Styling: Make-up and Hair: Using: Model: Location:

Willie Runte , willierunte.com Ross Forsythe, vivamanchester.co.uk Carly Hobbs, Creatives Agency (assisted by Amelia Lawrence) Bumble & Bumble and Kiehl’s Lee P, Nemesis Models Cassie Lomas, Makeup Academy

Moschino Jacket; ÂŁ770. Haculla Pant; ÂŁ125, both from Harvey Nichols Manchester

28 | VIVA | w w w. v i va m a n chester.c o.uk

Jeremy Scott Adidas X Jacket; £185.

Jeremy ScottXAdidas Tracksuit Trousers; £160, both from Hervia Bazaar

Versace Jeans; £400. Matthew Miller Coat; £770, both from Harvey Nichols Manchester.

Boots; Stylist’s Own

VIVA F A S H I O N I N T E R V I E W

Photos; Shani Birkin Hodson. www.shanibirkinhodson.com. Makeup; Danni O’Sullivan & Hair; Sophie Wohlters at Creatives. Model; Sophie Parkin.

Designer Focus: Zeynep Kartal- Designer Of The Decade

Z

eynep Kartal is a name, which was barely known a few years ago but now Zeynep Kartal is a renowned fashion designer who’s regularly showcasing at London Fashion Week and who dresses celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Rochelle Humes. I met Zeynep at her showroom on King Street after hearing so much about her and she was exactly how I thought she would be - bubbly, funny and very driven. Watch this space because Zeynep Kartal is slowly but surely overtaking the fashion world.

Has anything exciting happened since last time you spoke to VIVA? Yes, hopefully we are going to New York! because we received an invitation for the New York Fashion Week; probably in September but I’m not sure yet. We will definitely decide in a week. There are three fashion weeks which are really important - New York, Paris and London - and this is the first year I have received an invitation for New York Fashion Week. It’s really good for me. I have just finished London Fashion Week, this year was my fourth season. Also, wedding fairs - we’ve been two times.

What are you currently working on? We are currently preparing a ready-to-wear collection for a big company in London. Also in Turkey, a big

celebrity is starting her own new brand so I’m preparing her collection as well. I can’t say her name but she’s a WAG. What should every woman have in her wardrobe? Leather trousers, black blazer, a black mini cocktail dress and a white shirt. Every woman definitely needs these in her wardrobe.

So would you say it’s worth investing in these pieces? Yes, absolutely.

What is your biggest achievement so far? I think Lady Gaga. She’s already worn many of my dresses. I also dressed Amanda Holden; Cheryl Cole, on her single album cover; Nicole Scherzinger; all the soap stars and Rochelle Humes She actually said in an interview for OK magazine, “My favourite designer is Zeynep Kartal,” so I was really proud when I read that. I also dress Coleen Rooney, Pixie Lott, Emma Miller from LA and so many others.

If you could choose a brand ambassador, who would it be and why? It would have to be Kate Middleton, she’s such a classy lady.

What would be your advice for aspiring fashion designers? Be patient; it’s not easy to own a la-

bel. There are many students starting their own label but, after a few months, they are gone. It’s not all about money. You need experience as well. Work experience and dedication are very important.

With having showrooms in both London and Manchester, which city do you prefer? Definitely Manchester! I live here, my husband and kids live here, my life is in Manchester and it’s very safe here. I will never move to London. I will grow up here with my Manchester family helping Manchester uni students and Manchester ladies.

Considering you have done so much already, is there still some dream you would like to achieve? My dream is a big chain of Zeynep Kartal stores in every country and every city. That’s what I’m planning for the future and it will happen.

I believe in it.

What will be happening in the near future? Some fashion shows, maybe London, maybe New York…

We are also going to Cannes. We have been officially invited to the Cannes Film Festival. ■ www.zeynepkartal.co.uk words: Tereza Pevna www.vivamanchester.co.u k | VIVA | 31

Look 1 Let’s get the party started with a quick slick of pink...

Get the look!

This Winter with Cassie Lomas, VIVA’S Beauty columnist and make-up artist to the stars!

’

Tis the season of glamour and what better way to warm up those winter nights than with a pop of colour? Think brights, sparkles and embellishments for the quickest transformation from desk to dancefloor during the party season.

Colour adds instant glamour to any look and you can apply a gloss for extra plumping power such as Laura Mercier Paint Wash Lip Colour.

When going for a statement lip, your skin must be flawless. This season be sure to keep luminosity by opting for a glowy base such as Nars Sheer glow foundation.

Define all the other areas with lashings of mascara and a bronzing contour swept into all the hollows of your face.

NARS SHEER GLOW FOUNDATION £31

Follow Cassie on Twiter @cassielomas www.cassielomasmakeupacademy.co.uk

photos: Hannah Furness, hannahfurness.com | model: Sarah Bramley @ Boss Model Mangement hair & make-up: Cassie Lomas (assisted by by Sophie Wohlters) @ Creatives Agency 34 | VIVA | w w w. v i va m a n chester.c o.uk

LAURA MERCIER LIQUID LIP COLOUR £22

CHARLOTTE TILBURY LIP LUSTRE £16.50

Look 2 Make up should be fun AND now is the time to take advantage...

Apply a cream shadow, such as B.stunning Vibrant eye shimmer, to your lid using your finger and press glitter, from an art shop, over the colour. Keep the shine theme throughout with a touch of Becca Skin Perfector added to your foundation.

Top it off with a slick of luminous gloss applied neat onto the lips.The Charlotte Tilbury lip lustre is super cute and clutch bag size. It feels amazing and light and lasts all night.

BECCA SKIN PERFECTOR £30

B.STunning EYE SHIMMER £6.99

VIVA P A M P E R I N G & G R O O M I N G

Michael Kors Rose Radiant Gold £79. from Selfridges

FOR THE BOYS

Illamasqua Celestial Palette £34. Selfridges

1.

Root Vanish By Kazumi £30, www.boots.com Elemis Pro-Collagen Super Serum Elixir £49. www.elemis.com bareMinerals Double Domination Volumising Mascara £18, Debenhams

2.

3.

y a d i l Ho

5.

E V A H MUST

sentials!

Beauty Es

MAC Viva Glam Rihanna Tinted Lipglass £14.50. Selfridges

Murad Collagen Support Body Cream £38. Debenhams

4.

6.

Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Cologne £89. Jo Malone VITA CoCo Organic Coconut Oil £9.99. www.boots.com

NEW CID I-dazzle Shimmering Loose Powder£22. www. feelunique.com

Molton Brown Fiery Pink Pepper Pampering Body Gift Set £75. Molton Brown

Revitalise & Refresh...

1. Jo Malone, Bath And Body Collection £48. from Jo Malone 2. Tom Ford, Conditioning Beard Oil £40. from House Of Fraser 3. Lab Series, Future Rescue Repair Serum £43.20. from www.johnlewis.com 4. Murad Detoxifying White Clay Body Cleanser £30. from Debenhams 5. Aramis Black, Eau De Toilette 100ml £62. from House Of Fraser 6. Molton Brown Re-charge Black Pepper Fragrance Gift Set, £59. from www.moltonbrown.co.uk

VIVA b e a u t y

Dr. Vik Talks New Cosmetic Surgery Trends For 2016 Example of the new InstaVein treatment

Dermaskin Clinic 66 Quay St Manchester M3 3EJ 0161 850 5060 www.dermaskin.co.uk

T

here are many kinds of New Year’s resolution - loosing weight, developing a hobby or even changing jobs but for a more radical option you might think about having a cosmetic procedure.

You might think that the New Year - with all its New Year, New You hype - would be one of the busiest times of year for the beauty clinic sector but surprisingly Dr. Vik explains the error in this perception. “We have had a steady increase, year on year, of clients since our clinic opened in Manchester in 2008.

This is organic growth mainly from recommendations from existing clients - and for that we are very grateful.”

2016 will bring a whole new gamut of cosmetic treatments including a range of IV treatments which can produce incredible results. One of these treatments, Instavein, is suitable for any age and either gender - unlike so many other cosmetic procedures. This vibro-heating treatment uses an extremely fine tip on veins thereby preventing any damage to surrounding skin.

“InstaVein is a revolutionary system that works by treating the thread veins in situ, under the skin. The results are instant and the procedure is relatively pain free,” explained Dr. Vik. Dr. Vik had some more exciting news to share with VIVA. “We (Dermaskin) have opened a new clinic in Chester on Watergate street which is exciting. Some of our doctors are travelling there but one has relocated to Chester since the move. I have always been fond of Chester since my university and training days and it’s a great opportunity to deliver our services on the other side of Cheshire. We have a large client base who have been travelling from North Wales all the way to Manchester and now we can offer our services a bit closer to them.”

For more information on InstaVein please visit www.dermaskin.co.uk words: Tereza Pevna | photos: Sophie Lynch www.vivamanchester.co.u k | VIVA | 37

Danesfield House: a true British gem loved by

I

the Clooneys which is good enough for me.

f you’re after a relaxing spa break that oozes a typical, British countryside manor feel then Danesfield House is the place to go. Situated in the very heart of the oh so sophisticated county of Buckinghamshire and nestled in between the picturesque, historic market towns of Marlow and Henley, you really couldn’t think of a more quaint location to explore these iconic areas.

The grounds are impressive from the word go and, as you drive up the private road approaching the manor surrounded by its sixty-five acres of formal gardens, you are in awe of its beauty. The first known building known on the estate was constructed in 1664 by a family named Medlycotts but the grounds were discovered much earlier by Danish invaders. (hence the name Danesfield House) I could really visualise its splendid history and start to imagine being dropped off by horse and carriage and you know you are onto something special when George and Amal Clooney chose Danesfield House to host their lavish wedding bash continuing their celebrations here in the UK. Anyhow, we were here to relax and after checking-in with the helpful and friendly reception staff we made our way over to Spa Illuminata for some much-deserved pampering. After all this was the reason we were there. I chose to de-stress with their renowned Darphin Total Anti-Ageing Facial, which was very re-laxing, leaving my skin feeling plump, smooth and rejuvenated. After a spot of lunch (a super food salad) at the Spa’s restaurant and a few cheeky glasses of fizz, we continued our spa day lounging around the pool and steam room areas. There is a fully equipped gym but we were here for relaxation purposes and I find working out too much of a chore - especially on a Sunday!

38 | VIVA | w w w. v i va m a n chester.c o.uk

Our room was a River Suite extremely opulent with a comfortable super-king size four-poster bed and a grand window with views of the stately grounds and river. It was hard to get the motivation to leave the room but we had a three course meal waiting for us at The Orangery Restaurant.

While we were seated in the impressive Oak Room with its lavish furnishings and ornate ceiling, I day-dreamed about sitting in George’s seat whilst I browsed over the À la Carte menu. To start, I had Scallops, Spinach, Blue Cheese, Glaçage. Truthfully I’m not a massive fan of Scallops and I don’t even know what prompted me to choose them but I am glad that I did. They were exquisite and cooked to perfection – they melted away in the mouth. Following which I had the Fillet of beef, Spinach, Dau-phinoise Morel Jus the beef was super tender and juicy - all washed down with a few more glasses of the house Prosecco, and I couldn’t resist getting a bottle sent up to our room - for a late night aperitif in our suite to end our stay in true style. words: Rebecca Legon

Danesfield House & Spa

01628 890408 | www.danesfieldhouse.co.uk

photo: Hannah Furness, hannahfurness.com | hair & make-up: Cassie Lomas (assisted by by Sophie Wohlters) @ Creatives Agency | model: Brad Howard @ Nemesis

Boys...

Avoid Dehydrated Skin This Holiday Season...

E Clinique FAC 9 ÂŁ1 R ZE N O bR

This is the time of year we hit red alert, avoiding, at all costs, dehydrated skin. Adjust your skincare routine to ensure you give yourself an energising boost of moisture. Hydration is key for a clear and flawless skin tone so try the B. Men energised hydrated moisture gel.

Warm up a wintery complexion with a layer of Clinique for men face bronzer. It adds life and lift to skin getting it ready for the long nights! Add some to your moisturiser and apply as one for a natural glow.

B. MEN MOISTURE GEL ÂŁ10.99

Winter Style, Fashion Brands, Beauty, The NEW YEAR launch parties AND new business ventures Tina O’Brien Reports...

Favourite winter item

This winter I really want to get a sleeveless cape. I think they are going to be a staple item, especially with the evergrowing popular trend that is layering. They are fashionable yet comfortable, which is something every woman wants.

amazing and they had some great food choices, which I think would be perfect for a girls’ night out. They had lots of sharing options and some delicious pizzas. I will definitely be heading back with all my friends over the festive season.

Looking forward to in the New Year

I swear by Elizabeth eight hour cream, it’s great for your skin and lips. It really reminds me of being on set at work because a lot of make-up artists use it. It’s a staple.

In the New Year, I am really looking forward to more of the same. I feel so lucky to be getting some fantastic storylines at work and getting to spend a lot of quality time with my family and friends. I’d like the nice things I’ve got in my life to carry on.

The Walrus re-launch

In other news...

Recommended winter beauty products

I loved the Walrus re-launch, the atmosphere was fantastic. The cocktails were

I have been running drama classes in Manchester for the past three years with

one of my friends which have proved to be very popular. So much so, we are now looking to open more classes. Due to this success we have recently decided to set up an acting and modelling agency for children. We constantly update our Facebook page with jobs coming in for the children, so please check it out: The Drama MOB/The Drama MOB Management.

ina@tinx aob Love one T twitter

Follow m

The Season of Glamorous Hair Ahead of the Christmas season VIVA stopped in and asked hair extensions expert Tatiana Karelina, to give us a few tips on recent hair trends and on how to get the year’s most perfect party hairstyles.

Tatiana: “Specialising solely in hair extensions we have a lot of customers coming right before the festive season asking for a longer, thicker, more voluminous look. I believe that the great thing about long hair is versatility. You can be really creative when you have enough hair to work with. From hair down this party season to glamorous up-dos, the possibilities are endless.”

This coming season we are taking a fresh approach on the PONYTAIL. As seen at numerous catwalks at the recent LFW and PWF, the ponytail is here to stay and easily achievable no matter what your hair type or length. By using clip-in ponytails, whether you have a crop or a bob, you can instantly lengthen and add body, bounce and texture by simply fitting a ‘faux’ ponytail and don’t forget, the fast-track to pretty party hair is dressing your pony up with a beautiful hair accessory. Sparkles are in this season!

BIG VOLUME and flowing curls are trending this December. This is because people are willing to spend more time getting ready and, if you have naturally fine hair, then getting it looking big and bouncy is very hard work. Nothing says glamorous like big volume at the roots then large graceful curls at the bottom.

All can be achieved with the help of clip-in hair extensions. Skilfully made to measure and match your natural hair’s texture and colour, they will look identical to your hair and will last for many years to come too.

Clip, curl and go!

WINGEs (wig + fringe) Most of us have toyed with the idea of cutting a fringe at some point but were always afraid to go for a chop. The right fringe can take years off your face and add sexiness to your look. The impact of the wrong style, however, is harder to live with. The problem is not knowing if it’s going to suit you, hence there’s another option - simply faking it with the clip-in fringe or winge. The winge has tiny, built-in snap-clips that attach neatly and painlessly to hair at the roots. If you want to shake up your look for the Christmas party and surprise your friends without the long-term commitment, get a winge!

www.tatianahairextensions.co.uk | 0161 236 4467 | 56 Port Street, Manchester, M1 2EQ www.vivamanchester.co.u k | VIVA | 41

VIVA h e a l t h & f i t n e s s

BEAT THE WINTER BLUES With Suzanne Elizabeth Holistic Coach

5:

Music has a huge impact on your mood, so get playing your favourite tracks and bust some of your favourite moves. Extend that further with a trip down memory lane with some old photos.

6:

Keep up with your routines of going to the gym and making an effort on these dark nights because once you get to where you’re going, you’ll be glad you made the effort.

7:

Consider trying a new hobby which in turn will help you meet new groups of people. There are so many events and clubs happening all over the place, you’re spoilt for choice. The only difficult decision is which one to try first.

8:

Be practical, let’s keep the heat in and think about changing to some thicker curtains and extra blankets on the bed to keep you snuggly warm.

W

ith the dark nights drawing in and the promise of Jack Frost nipping at your nose, it can be difficult to remain positive and even to want to venture outside when both four-thirties in the day are dark. It may look glum out there but your outlook doesn’t have to be. I will share many simple things you can do to stay positive.

If you’re on a budget and you can’t stretch to a Sunnier climate don’t despair, there are many alternative ways of injecting a bit of sunshine into your winter days. So let’s fill your diary with people and dates to look forward to, invite people round and keep life vibrant even though the sky outside is dull. Keep warm, keep active and keep those spirits positive. Here are my top tips in more detail.

1: Consider braving the ele-

ments as research shows that exercising outside can lift your spirits. Wrap up warm and get those endorphins flowing.

2:

Smells are a clever way of igniting memories of happier times. Get some fragrances in the home that remind you of sunny days, close your eyes and take yourself there.

9:

If you do decide to stay in more then take advantage of this extra time where you can slow down and work on your personal growth. Light some candles, find some peace and have some time out. Start to wind down from the craziness of Summer Nights.

10:

Start to think about the future, plan ahead and get some goals in your diary. We all have aspirations for change in 2016.

11:

Start a new book and finish all those old jobs so that you go into the new year with a brand new slate.

12:

Don’t forget to take care of your skin in this harsh weather and make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need in these winter months.Well, it’s not all bad for us ladies. We can lay off the constant shaving of our legs and we can all enjoy some hot toddies! I embrace my fake tan, get my thermals on under my clothes and I hold onto my summer wardrobe as long as I can, clutching my flip-flops and still carrying my sunglasses wherever I go. My hot water bottle becomes my best friend and I don’t leave home without it. I’ve learnt to embrace the cold weather, to be grateful for what it brings and dance in the rain. I love watching the snow while snuggled up beside an open fire, it can feel quite magical. So embrace these cooler months with a warm heart and you’ll have the best winter ever.

3:

Get inspiration from Christmas recipes or go for some delicious lunches. Try some scrumptious new food that warms you from the inside.

4:

I’m well aware that you probably want to hibernate but socialising is a very powerful way to boost your mood, so get some dates in your diary with different groups of friends. Organise a games night, a girly night, a pamper night or even a charity night. The possibilities of filling up your evenings out or in are only limited by your creativity.

Go for it, surprise yourself and come up with some phenomenal ideas of ways that you and your friends can brighten your evenings without spending a penny!

www.SuzanneElizabethHolisticCoach.co.uk / @HolisticCoachUK 42 | VIVA | w w w. v i va m a n chester.c o.uk

Celebrity Personal Trainer & VIVA Columnist , Sam Witter Reports On The Importance Of Exercise...

Keep Trim This Holiday Season Christmas is just around the corner and, as the festive season gets into full swing, so will your ever-expanding social calendar which means it will be easy to neglect your health and fitness routine in favour of mince pies and mulled wine! But how do I manage a busy Christmas schedule without undoing all the hard work I have put in throughout the year? Well here are some top tips that will mean you won’t want to hide from the scales come New Year.

Choose your treats : Swap milk chocolate for dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids or over) Swap white and rosé wine for red wine (red wine is high in antioxidants) When having a drink try to drink water as well (for every couple of drinks, have a glass of water) Try to load your Christmas dinners with vegetables and limit the amount of starchy carbs such as potatoes (Yes that means pile those sprouts onto your plate) Turkey is a superfood that is an extremely lean protein source and is also packed with nutrients such as vitamins B6, B12 and zinc. So eat it to your heart’s content

Find 30 minutes a day to exercise: Gone are the days when it was considered that long, boring cardio sessions were essential. High-intensity bursts of exercise are most effective for fat loss and can even keep you burning fat all day. So drop the miles and speed up!

If you follow these principles over Christmas the inevitable January health kick will not feel like such a scary thought and 2016 may well be your healthiest year. Best wishes to you and yours for a very happy Christmas. For more info on Sam’s tips visit www.thetriplan.co.uk

Know when to stop: Everyone loves a treat and Christmas is a time to indulge but not to over-indulge. Having a couple of cheat meals over Christmas is perfectly fine; cheating for fourteen days straight is not! The key to staying on track here is to plan days when you will have a treat and be good in-between. This will make a huge difference, keeping your metabolism high, your health in check and will mean that you can enjoy your indulgence more.

Try something different: On Boxing Day each year I always go for a long walk in the countryside with all of my family. Try to plan social events that get the heart working, blood pumping and keep you active rather than another day sitting around eating and drinking. Whether this is a fun activity with the children or a relaxing walk, plan it in over the festive period.

www.vivamanchester.co.u k | VIVA | 43

Ultimate Performance Manchester May be The New Kid On The Block But They Are Rocking The Training World!

The equipment is serious and the instructors mean business! If you really want to change your body and fitness levels, this is the place to do it!

Louise Adkin Reports...

U

P Fitness, which started in London, has opened gyms in Marbella, Hong Kong, Singapore, Glasgow and now here in Manchester! Based at the old Granada Studios, this gym is serious, the equipment is serious and the instructors mean business! If you really want to change your body and fitness levels, this is the place to do it!

Up Fitness works by changing one’s body composition through spot reduction of fat. Using Bio Print, which is a scientific breakthrough in body composition measurement, my initial statistics showed my body fat to be twenty-three percent. I was also given a meal guide to follow during my six week programme to ensure maximum results with nutrition working in conjunction with exercise, giving various food options and timings of when to eat. Meal preparation is key!

I joined the rest of the group for the session with our trainer Mark. Each person was given a set of exercises using the equipment provided with specific weights for each individual and the trainer assessing exactly how you are working to ensure maximum impact. Some machines I have never seen in a regular gym which were fantastic and I was definitely pushed to my limits but I kinda liked it!

“ MY THIRD WEEK AT UP MANCHESTER AND WE HAVE VERY MUCH A LOVE HATE RELATIONSHIP ”

Day two and my legs were sore. Going back into the group class I found out it was leg day so I was prepared for the worst – my poor legs! Despite new techniques and equipment that once again pushed me to my limits - I got through the session with the help of Mark urging me on and ensuring I achieved exactly what was set out for me.

By my third week at UP Manchester, we had a love hate relationship. I do secretly absolutely love it and look forward to my sessions but there are those few seconds when my body is telling me I hate this place. Usually this takes place while running on the dead tread and then straight into plank at the end of a session! The feeling afterwards is worth every ounce of pain. The buzz of achievement at having pushed my body as far as I can with the support and expertise of the PTs is fantastic. All the PTs I have trained with so far are excellent. They know exactly how far to push me (occasionally to the point where I think I’m not going to finish this set alive) but their understanding and knowledge shines through. My workout was termed a German Body Composition session. Working with Mark, one of the PTs in the semi-private class, he explained to me that the reason for this was to increase blood lactate levels which has been shown to be great for fat loss! Perfect I thought!

Most of the exercises we did were multi joint exercises which worked more than one muscle at a time. We worked for three sets of twelve reps for each of the exercises and they were super-setted from a lower body exercise to a upper body exercise. > 44 | VIVA | w w w. v i va m a n chester.c o.uk

VIVA H e a l t h & f i t n e s s The equipment at UP includes bespoke grips and machines which have been designed in conjunction with the UP team to obtain the best results for their clients.

So, six weeks flew by (although at times the sessions didn’t) but my love of UP Manchester has proven to be one that was requited! With three sessions per week of intense training with some of the most advanced machines on the planet, my effort and that of all the instructors has paid off and I’m so pleased with the results! From dead treads to Watt Bikes, UP Manchester pushes you to your limits, both physically and mentally. I was close to tears at times and caught myself swearing more than once as I summoned up the power from the deepest parts of my soul to finish a set.

The trainers are experts, they are approachable, knowledgeable and their aim is to ensure that you work as hard as you can and that you achieve results. There are no excuses or sympathy but there is support and encouragement and a well-founded belief that each person can succeed.

In the semi-private group sessions I attended, I met some great people, all with a positive, friendly demeanour, who were there to get results. Plus they were fun and I think we all secretly enjoyed the pain of being pushed to our limits and bonded over the pain! The results are very visible and the training, along with the nutrition plan, undoubtedly get results.

I knew my body had been changing over the six weeks but I didn’t realise the extent that it had and I can only thank the fantastic trainers and their ability to constantly push me further. Sometimes, I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry but there is no way I would have achieved this without their help. I am a naturally motivated person when it comes to most things in life and have a positive attitude but after exercising in various ways over the last twenty-five years I can honestly say I’ve never seen these results in such a short space of time. I am sold on Ultimate Performance; the ethos, the style of training, the whole package.

At the beginning of the six weeks my body fat was Twenty-three point one percent but the end of week six it was twenty point five percent. My body mass had increased from fifty point nine kilos to fifty-one kilos due to the fact that I have put on two point one kilos of lean muscle in two weeks weeks. A loss of two point six percent body fat and a lean mass gain of two point one kilos.

The Bio Print showed that all the sites on my body had come down with the main three that had moved being those around the mid section. These one are directly linked to insulin and food. I was told that due to the weight training for the last six weeks I would have increased my body’s sensitivity to insulin, along with the reduction in carbohydrates in my nutrition the sites will have dropped. The increased muscle mass was also a factor in the amount of fat I have lost.

If you are serious about getting into shape and want to challenge yourself to become stronger, leaner and to change the way you look and train forever then contact Matt Warner, Head PT matt.warner@upfitness.com or visit their website: upfitness.co.uk

photos: Andrew Cheung

www.vivamanchester.co.u k | VIVA | 45

Olive’s first holiday, baby teeth and crawling.

It’s a new dimension of baby FUN.

I

had to read over my previous baby articles to get a little bit of inspiration on what to talk about and, as I have mentioned before, this precious time flies by and the memories and moments all seem to merge into one. Looking back I couldn’t stop laughing as I sounded pretty smug with myself as Olive slept though the night so brilliantly from such an early age and yes that is a massive WAS past-tense!

It’s crazy, being a new parent you think that you have finally cracked it and then a massive whirlwind strikes and you are back to square one, all confused again not knowing what to do.

So where do I start? Our first family summer holiday to Barbados was fantastic and enjoyed by all of us when Olive wasn’t kicking off but I didn’t really think about the time difference and how this might affect a six-month-old baby. Barbados was only five hours behind the UK but it has taken four months for Olive to finally start sleeping through the night again (HURRAH) after waking up at least two to three times a night.

This was definitely a severe shock for me as she had previously been so good. I am certain that travelling through different time zones messed with her little body clock. If you are thinking of a first holiday abroad with your baby it’s a brilliant idea but next year we’re opting for something a little closer to home and sticking with the Mediterra-

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nean; just until she is a little older and can understand more.

It’s been a little bit tricky lately but we’ve all been there, haven’t we - our little ones’ first teeth. I hadn’t really thought about it before - why would I? It’s horrible for them isn’t it?

It’s painful when their teeth cut through the gums and their little teeth even move up and down before finally cutting through and this causes a lot of extra discomfort as well. Olive now has two teeth at the bottom and her top ones are on the way so she has been a little bit whiney of late but, honestly, she has coped very well compared to stories I have heard about other babies teething, so I am very proud of her. My advice is to give pain relief when needed at all times. I wasn’t keen to begin with as it seemed almost like drugging your baby but it really does ease their pain dramatically, which is what any mother wants. I found the children’s Nurofen and Ashton and Parsons teething powder worked best for us and you can safely give both together for an extra pain-fighting strength.

I have briefly mentioned Olive being on the move and now she is crawling - although, much to my amusement, backwards rather than forwards! I give it another week and she will be everywhere. Honestly, I am a little bit scared as I hardly get to sit down anymore. I’ve heard that this will only get worse and that relaxing with a cuppa will

Evo XT All Terrain Stroller

soon be a long-distant memory. I am looking forward to it for her as she is very independent and I can tell that she gets frustrated at times because she wants to do more for herself and to be more involved with her new nursery friends.

That’s right, my little nine-month-old baby girl has started at Pickles Place nursery and, for now at least, she is there once a week on a Monday. Some mothers may find this too soon but I believe that it is very important for her brain development, communication and social skills and I want her to be able to feel happy and content when I am not around to

be there for her. (and, of course, a day’s rest is much needed for my own sanity as well!) It has been hit and miss with her reports which range from incredible to hard work. I blame this on her teething, as she does love to play with other children and much prefers it when her half sister Elfie is around to make her laugh non-stop. So I am sure that, in time, she will fit right in and, hopefully, won’t be expelled for naughty behaviour. Although I will be keeping my fingers crossed as she is her mother’s daughter after all! ■

Ed The Elephant Teddy £26 Chicco Activity Station1.2

.3 £79.99

words: Rebecca Legon | photos: Elfie Lynton

Mine & Olive’s top baby buys...

Evo XT - Explore All Terrain Stroller. £379, from www.gracobaby.com. I was desperate for another pushchair and, as we are always on the go walking our dog Ralph, it is really important that the one I chose was suited to rough terrain for our daily afternoon walks in the forest. I narrowed it down to the Evo XT which suited all my needs, being super fast and simple to put up and down with its one-hand fold. It’s great off-road for walking Ralph and well-equipped with a rain cover and snuggly foot muff to keep my Olive warm in this typical UK weather. Its ultra stylish looks make it brilliant in the city and its super oversized shopping basket’s great for hitting the shops. I really recommend the Evo XT as a great all rounder that ticks all the boxes at a very reasonable price.

Ed The Elephant Teddy. £26, from www. my-joolz.co.uk. This has to be by far the cuddliest toy on the planet. Trust me, your baby will have hours of comfort snuggling into this one. Well-done Joolz!

Chicco Activity Station 1.2.3. £79.99, from www.boots.com. This clever, multifunctional activity centre will challenge Olive at every stage of her development, with its innovative three-in-one function which allows this fab toy to transform from a baby-walker to a push-along and finally to a ride-on. She’s just mastering stage one and loves zooming around our hall playing with the removable, ringing rattle, mobile phone and the many clever, lightup toys. We haven’t been able to get her out of it since it arrived.

Push Along Butterfly. £18, from www. nhmshop.co.uk. This wooden butterfly is a really cute toy, and it great for encouraging Olive to take her first steps for her early development skills.

Buster The Teddy Bear; £110, from www.beargood.com. These beautifully handmade teddy bears are a gorgeous keepsake for your baby’s first Christmas and, for every one sold, ten percent of each sale goes to a children’s charity. Now we all love a good cause, don’t we?

Push Along Butterfly £18

Boutique Baby Clothes Shopping; If you’re looking for baby clothing that is different from anything sold on the high street, I have come across these super cute brands. Personally I find boutique shopping so much fun and you can dress your baby with their own unique style. I love the funky leggings and bobble hats from Blade and Rose; the adorable outfits to ‘rock your baby out’ from Rockin baby and, if you’re looking for baby shoes with a sparkle, then you must check out My First Years. You can even get a pair of customised shoes with your baby’s name on them, now that’s cool!

Buster The Teddy Bear £110

Baby Case; £120, from www.baby-case. com. Christmas is coming and travelling with a baby is such a faff. Just packing alone gives you a headache with everything that you have to remember. So I have found this super clever, baby case which makes life a lot simpler. It features a wardrobe system with removable compartments, a toiletries bag, toy bag, changing mat and a detachable backpack which can be used as a changing bag while you are away.

It’s brilliant!

Ridin’ Owl Embroidered Tee, £14, www.rockinbaby.com

Glitter High Tops, £25, www.my1styears.com Baby Travel Case

Christmas Pudding Leggings, £10, www.bladeandrose.co.uk

Creative Christmas Decor...

It’s that time of year again when we start thinking about decorating our homes ready for the festive season. At VIVA we love a bit of sparkle and festive cheer.

Whether your style is classic and traditional or cool and contemporary let our experts at Luci Living Design help you to create a beautiful interior for your home with tips and trends for the season.

White & Wonderful For a dreamy, stylish and sophisticated ‘winter wonderland’ look, stick to the ‘White Christmas’ theme. Stunning yet adaptable it works with any interior regardless of room size.

Add plenty of variety and texture to your design using a wide range of materials and finishes. Mix matt white with shimmering, reflective decorations and crystal pieces to reflect the lights on your tree adding depth and a touch of glitz and glamour. Our designers love the Housing Units festive department this year. www.housingunits.co.uk A white tree, white lights, frosted pine cones, iced twigs, glittered snowflakes and fake snow will create a ‘winter wonderland.’ Break up this scheme with a splash of colour; try natural green or silver and gold. Group various sized white candles together to create a simple yet effective focal point; ideal for the mantelpiece or a coffee table centrepiece. Finish with lots of baubles and sparkly bits! For handmade, hand-drawn beautiful cards and baubles check out Ink Inc www.inkincillustration. co.uk at Manchester Craft & Design Centre - a great venue for all things seasonal and crafty www.craftanddesign.com Glamorous and Gorgeous Create a classic traditional home this Christmas with festive colours such as red, gold and dark green. Introduce natural materials to create a real festive feel. Dress your pictures and mirrors with sprigs of holly, add an ivy garland across your mantelpiece and complete with mistletoe above the door.

Make your focal point your Christmas tree. Stick to reds and golds for your baubles and decorations for a classic festive finish. Home Sense has lots in the way of traditional and unusual decorations www.homesense.com. Complement the natural with longer-living and more brightly-coloured imitation decorations like berries, cones and pine garlands. Incorporating alternative decorations to your tree such as red and gold ribbon and bows adds extra charm to your décor which, matched to your mantelpiece or table will help to bring the room together. Accessorise with centrepiece candles on an attractive platter or mirrored tray to finish off.

Bold & Beautiful A non-traditional monochrome makeover effects a more contemporary style. Black works well if used correctly simplicity is the key. Use white as the base colour for your decorations, integrating black sporadically. Use simple white lights on your tree and mix in a limited number of black baubles adding feathers and elegant decorations. Introduce some black glittered decorations to your tree to reflect your lights and add a little sparkle. Fill a bowl with black and white baubles and invest in a black candelabra as striking centrepiece. John Lewis have a great selection of striking decorations in bold colourways www.johnlewis.com To complete this look, wrap presents with simple white paper and finish with extravagant black bows for a bold Christmas look.

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White & wonderful Luci recommends; Ink Inc www.inkincillustration.co.uk

bold & beautiful Luci recommends; John Lewis www.johnlewis.com

VIVA c r i b s

COLOUFUL & CREATIVE Luci recommends; Garden Centres www.newbankgardencentre.com and Bents www.bents.co.uk

Glamorous & Gorgeous Luci recommends; Home Sense www.homesense.com

Colourful & Creative Give your interior the Lapland treatment by injecting festive fun and vibrant colour into your home this holiday season.

Use strong contrasting colours for your decorations and gift wrapping. This style works particularly well in a young family home and it is a great opportunity to get everybody involved by choosing décor that incorporates favourite colours. You can also make edible treats, Christmas crackers, colourful paper garlands and fabric bunting decoration to add to the scheme. Keep in mind that this scheme will have the most impact in a neutral setting as adding multiple colours into an existing colour scheme will not have the same ‘wow factor.’ Garden centres tend to be a great source of decorations in a huge variety of styles. Check out Newbank Garden Centres www.newbankgardencentre.com and Bents www.bents.co.uk Raw & Rustic To achieve a Scandanavian look, try a mixture of rustic, shabby chic pieces and traditional decorations made from natural materials where possible. Take a trip out into nature this weekend to hunt for items for your design; look at incorporating woodland creatures, such as reindeer, foxes, owls, deer, squirrels and bird decorations. Use wood, hessian, jute, twigs and tree branches and add glittery icicles, frosted pinecones, twinkly lights and shimmery snowflakes for extra sparkle. Wooden log cabin decorations, woollen stockings, faux fur throws and Christmas cushions will also work well and are available, along with lots of other rustic seasonal swag from www.notonthehighstreet.com Top Tips When decorating start with your tree, this will give a base to your colour scheme and style that you can continue throughout the rest of your home.

Invest in or make a Christmas wreath for your front door.

Use greenery for a traditional look or coloured baubles for a more contemporary style.

raw & Rustic Luci recommends; www.notonthehighstreet.com

Unleash your creativity and personalise this Christmas by making, recycling and reviving dated decorations; mix them with your new ones to give an eclectic look. Check out the stunning range of crafts, gifts and design at The Makers Market with various locations across the Northwest www. themakersmarket.co.uk Luci Living Design Interiors Web: www.lucilivingdesign.co.uk | Tel: 0161 798 7654 www.vivamanchester.co.u k | VIVA | 49

WIN A VIVA Christmas Hamper That is filled with all the below goodies! We have two to give-away, one set for the girls and boys. To enter answer the following question: Whats the name of the musician on the front cover of this magazine? Email your answer, name & telephone number to: competition@vivamanchester.co.uk

GIRLS WIN:

5.

2.

7.

1.

6.

3.

8.

4.

11.

10.

9.

Girls Hamper Includes: 1. Elemis Bright Start Skincare, available from John Lewis, £59 | 2. Gudrun Sjoden Beanie In Cotton Wool, available from Gudrun Sjoden, £35 | 3. Gudrun Sjoden Hand Embroidered Mittens, available from Gudrun Sjoden, £45 | 4. Molton Brown Festive Shower Gel Bauble, available from Boots, £10 | 5. Gudrun Sjoden Wool Terry Socks, available from Gudrun Sjoden, £20 | 6. Molton Brown Fiery Pink Pepper Cracker, available from Molton Brown, £20 | 7. Gudrun Sjoden Shawl In Fine Eco Cotton, available from Gudrun Sjoden, £16 | 8. Origins Gloomaway Body Souffle, available from Boots, £28 | 9. Pearlescence White Top Drilled Pearls Anklet, available from pearlescence.co.uk, £35 | 10. Murad Beautiful Firm Skin, available from Debenhams, £75 | 11. Bare Minerals Ready To Go Complexion Perfection Palette, available from Selfridges, £25 | 12. Tequilla Rose, available from thedrinkshop.com, £14.98

BOYS WIN: 1.

3.

4.

2.

7.

6.

8.

5.

9.

Boys Hamper Includes: 1. Joseph Lanzante Gift Set, available from josephlanzanteproducts.com, £54.99 | 2. Molton Brown Re-charge Black Pepper Cracker, available from Molton Brown, £20 | 3. Molton Brown Festive Shower Gel Bauble, available from Boots, £10 | 4. SockShop Christmas Puddling Slipper Socks, available from SockShop, £3 | 5. Murad Detoxifying White Clay Body Cleanser, available from House Of Fraser, £30 | 6. Acqua Di Bergamotto, available from House Of Fraser, £55 | 7. Luc Belaire Gold Brut, available from Selfridges, £29.99 | 8. Whitley Neill Gin, available from The Whisky Exchange, £23.35 | 9. World of zing cocktail collection, available from worldofzing.com, £41.95 50 | VIVA | w w w. v i va m a n chester.c o.uk

VIVA Ga d ge t s

S

ummer is long gone and the cold dark nights have well and truly consumed the little daylight we have left. To avoid feeling blue there’s nothing more we love than curling up on the sofa with massive mug of hot chocolate surrounded by as much light as possible. With Christmas coming,there’s an excuse to banish the darkness with an abundance of beautiful lights so we’ve compiled a selection of the most eye-catching lights to transform your home from morbid to magical and not only will they wow your friends and complement your festive essentials but they also work as stand-alone pieces you can appreciate all year long.

Light Up Love Signage

A cluster of mason jars on braided twist flex, these unconventional pendants are made to order and are sure to spark heaps of interest! Choose from a single jar or get creative and make up your own design.

Feel the love with this decorative delight from QVC. It really does say it all and would look perfect in any family home. Adorned with twentyfive LED bulbs it’s a steal that’s sure to bring in positive vibes this winter.

From fritzfryer.co.uk prices start at £60

From qvcuk.com, £21.48 (VIVA loves anything that spreads positivity and this beauty really does say it all!)

Body Table Light Add an artistic touch to any room with this elegant and eye-catching centrepiece. This mosaic fixture comes in three stunning colours and two different sizes. It’s certain to add a touch of elegance to any coffee table or bedside cabinet.

From Zurleys.co.uk, £59 or £134 (At VIVA we are in love with the red version.

The light spreads beautifully across intricate tiles and the warm glow makes us feel all cosy inside!)

WoA-Bot String Lights Put up the fifteen tri-colour robot lights and add a splash of colour to any room. Sure to be a hit with any robot fan, young or old. These quirky little guys would also make your tree standout this year!

From WallOfArt.co.uk, £27 (Perfect for the geek in your life, this product is not only ideal for the festivities but is worth having about the house all year round!)

Mason Jar Pendant Light

(This product is the perfect addition to your home if you love to show off rather than conforming to the everyday aesthetic.)

Tetris Light The possibilities are endless with this retro and vibrant official Tetris product. Made up of seven separate pieces, you can create your own crazy creations to illuminate any space!

From maplin.co.uk £29 (Definitely one for the big kid in all of us, this colourful product is fun,a great conversation starter and will be the envy of all your nostalgic mates!)

Armand Table Light A pared back, edgy table light with an unmistakable steam-punk style.This fixture is suitable for desk, bedside or living room illumination and is constructed from a genuine industrial plumbing component.

From my-furniture. co.uk £48.99 (Quirky and inventive, this product really does cast aside the usual generic lamps you may currently have in your words: Lewis Vaughan

Speedback to

I

nspiration can come from unlikely sources.

If your name is David Brown - made famous by the David Brown (no relation!) associated with the DB of Aston Martin fame - and your life was spent in the automotive industry then it would be no surprise that a ‘DB5’ inspired GT car was on the cards and so it is, with the creation of the stunning David Brown Automotive Speedback GT which is currently celebrating its first anniversary.

In this age of the ‘cinematic reboot’ it was with sadness that I watched the explosive demise of James Bond’s iconic Aston Martin DB5 in Skyfall. So it would be only fitting that, should the producers of Bond decide to give the superspy a future retro classic, the only car for the job would be the superb Speedback GT. Harking back to the 1960s this stunning Grand Tourer gives a nod to all the best style cues associated with the iconic British marque including the three stacked, rear light cluster; wire wheels and the sleek, raked back design. All this married to the very latest modern technology, build quality and performance. >

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VIVA m o t o r i n g

the Future

The Speedback GT is produced with a hand-sculpted aluminium body featuring a split rear opening tailgate that reveals an ingenious picnic seat, a must for those Polo and shooting days. The interior bristles with bespoke touches including the leather clad sixteen-way heated and powered seats, retro wooden-trimmed steering wheel with integrated controls and chrome switch gear. All this and a very Q branch seven inch touch screen with media interface and a superb surround sound system make the driving seat a very special place to be.

The Speedback GT matches its good looks with its performance thanks to its Jaguar five litre, V8,supercharged engine coupled with its six speed automatic gearbox, giving a super-spy-pleasing nought to sixty in just four point six seconds. It is limited to a top speed of one hundred and fifty-five mph but, with its advanced braking system and producing a very reasonable thirty-three miles per gallon

on the extra urban cycle, you get all the feel of a retro classic without any of the questions of reliability or safety.

Such is the appeal of the Speedback GT there is only one question to be asked. Who would win the fight between Craig and Connery to get into the driving seat? I’ll let you decide! â–

words: Jack Marsden, The GT Driver

www.vivamanchester.co.u k | VIVA | 53

VIEWS OF HONG KONG FROM THE SEVVA TERRACE

CATHAY PACIFIC 777 300 ER

THE SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE

VIVA T R A V E L

The Langham And Cathay Pacific World Class Experience Manchester To Hong Kong To Sydney VIVA Ems Reports...

I

t was a surprisingly sunny Thursday morning in Manchester and I was packing my bags for what was to become one of the most astonishing and enjoyable press trips I have ever had. By this time Friday I would be in Hong Kong making Dim sum with Michelin-starred Chef Kwong in the European style Langham Hotel kitchen whilst on route to Sydney, Australia.

I absolutely love to travel and, in my late teens early twenties, I pretty much went from one corner of the world to the other!

I enjoy meeting new people from different cultures and experiencing new things and I’m lucky enough to have a mother who has been an air-hostess for the last eighteen years. Upgrades on flights are pretty much standard for me but, as we boarded the Cathay Pacific 777 300 ER at Manchester airport and started getting comfortable in the business class, I was quite blown away by the high standard of this exceptional airline and what it had to offer.

Cathay Pacific Airways is a Hong Kongbased airline offering scheduled passenger and cargo services to nearly two hundred destinations in Asia, North America, Australia, Europe and Africa, using a fleet of

more than one hundred and forty widebody aircraft. It was named “World’s Best Airline” for the fourth time in the 2014 annual Skytrax World Airline Awards.

You literally had your own luxurious cabin in Business Class which stretched out into a full lie-down bed. From the inflight entertainment, the food and drink, to the cute little overnight bags and the friendly service, you could see why Cathay Pacific had earned so many awards.

Although it was the most comfortable I had ever been on a flight, the excitement adrenaline kicking in made it hard to sleep.

I was kept entertained throughout the eleven hour flight watching movies, listening to different genres of music - including a bit of Asian K Pop. My favourite part of the flight was ordering myself a midnight snack which consisted of a traditional English pork pie, Lye Cross Farm Cheddar and apple pear chutney; all accompanied by a Cathay Pacific signature drink, the Cloud Nine cocktail. I was living the mile high dream!

‘Welcome to Hong Kong.’ For me this was the part of the trip I was most looking forward to as I had never stepped foot into Hong Kong before but I had heard so many great things about this thriving city from my

friends. Exiting the airport, the humility hit me hard but Hong Kong knows how to do air-con pretty well and before long myself and my fellow travelling-journos were soon in the coolness of The Langham’s newly refurbished Club lounge - which was inspired by the fashion district that the hotel inhabits. After helping ourselves to the Cantonese breakfast (which, can I just say with amazement, served marshmallows among other delicious delights) we made our way to our hotel rooms for a quick chill before starting the day’s itinerary.

The Langham Hong Kong, which has recently earned the prestigious Forbes Five-Star rating, is an elegant Europeanstyle sanctuary located in vibrant Tsim Sha Tsui, surrounded by designer boutiques in the fashion district of Canton Road. The hotel is within walking distance of all major attractions, such as the historic Star Ferry and Victoria Harbour.

The hotel boasts an expansive, multimillion-dollar (U.S.) refurbishment and features four hundred and ninety-eight guest rooms and suites, all equipped with state-of-the-art technology and modern comforts. Signature amenities include Blissful Beds (and when I say blissful, I

Photos from left to right: Cathay Pacific Business Class | The Pier First Class Lounge in Hong Kong Airport | Dim-Sum workshop with Michelin-starred Chef Kwong

www.vivamanchester.co.u k | VIVA | 55

have never had such a good night’s sleep in a bed before. I wish I could have taken it home with me) deep bathtubs, Nespresso machines and a bespoke British minibar.

Hotel attractions range from the scenic rooftop pool and the Michelin Two Star T’ang Court, to having “The Langham Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood” at Palm Court and sipping bourbon creations and gin specialties at the award-winning concept bar from London, the Artesian. The Food Gallery showcases interactive International and Asian cooking stations, while guests can also indulge in Burgers, Reuben’s and Milkshakes at Main St. Deli and steak and seafood at The Bostonian restaurant.

All refreshed and eager to explore this city before my jet lag set in, I met with my companions down at the wellestablished Cantonese restaurant in the hotel, T’ang Court for a Dim-Sum workshop with Michelin-starred Chef Kwong. T’ang Court has long been regarded as one of Hong Kong’s finest Cantonese restaurants. With its Michelin Two-Star status, the restaurant showcases authentic Cantonese dishes and serves up a repertoire of time-tested classics in a luxurious ambience, reminiscent of the glory days of the Tang Dynasty.

It might have been the jet lag kicking in or the fact that I had eaten so much dim sum and dumplings at lunch but I suddenly started to feel sleepy whatever the reason I found that I was very much looking forward to a traditional Chinese massage at the Chuan Spa located in The Langham’s sister hotel, Cordis, (cordishotels.com) the next place on our itinerary.

Cordis Hotels and Resorts is the new upscale global hotel brand of the 56 | VIVA | w w w. v i va m a n chester.c o.uk

Photos from left to right: Grand Langham Room in Hong Kong | Penthouse Suite Living room in Hong Kong | The Chuan Spa at Cordis | The Peak | The Aqualuna on the Victoria Harbour | The Hong Kong Foodie Tasting Tour | The SEVVA | Laduree Afternoon Tea

Langham Hospitality Group. It’s been recently renovated and has six hundred and sixty-four rooms and suites with stunning views and spacious marble bathrooms outfitted with oversized bathtubs. Over one and a half thousand pieces of exquisite contemporary Chinese art adorn the walls and public spaces of the hotel. Having entered the spa through the moon gate and immersed in the smell of aromatherapy oils we answered a few questions to see which traditional Chinese Medicine Wu Xing principle would be most suitable for us, choosing from wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Chuan Spa is inspired by this concept.

After a ninety minute, full body Chuan Harmony massage, which stimulated a sense of wellbeing and relaxation throughout my entire body, I went to the dream room to relax with a herbal tea and to enjoy the view across Hong Kong only to fall asleep and wake up pretty confused as to where I was!

You can’t go to Hong Kong and not visit The Peak! (thepeak.com.hk) Wanting to soak up more of Hong Kong’s living culture we headed to the Garden Road Tram

Lower Terminus and boarded the steepest tram I have ever been on! Riding The Peak Tram is the quickest and most scenic way to arrive at The Peak. This is one of Hong Kong’s most popular attractions. It’s more than just stunning vistas or great shopping and dining. It’s an amazing collection of unique must-visit attractions, providing you with a diverse fun-filled experience as well as offering a stunning three hundred and sixty-degree panoramic view across Hong Kong.

Another stunning attraction is Repulse Bay. It’s considered the most spectacular bay in the region with a mixture of luxurious residential apartments, dining, and aquatic activities. With temperatures ranging from 16ºC (60.8ºF) to 26ºC (80.6ºF) year round, the beach is popular for locals and >

VIVA T R A V E L

Pictures from Left to right:VIVA Ems DJing at Blasted | Pukka Up boat party people | Pukka Up VIP Super-Yacht | Blowout Ibiza | Kanya Resort pool party | Ibiza Rocks | Sigma | Pikes | Will Atkinson DJing at Cream Amnesia

visitors alike and has extensive facilities to cater for barbecues.

After a fully packed morning of visiting some of Hong Kong’s most famous attractions, it was time to indulge in some more Chinese cuisine at Mott 32. (mott32.com) This restaurant represents modern Hong Kong. It embodies the Chinese culture and philosophy of farm-to-table cooking that has been shaped from generation-to-generation.

Embracing flavours and ingredients from both China and around the world, Mott

32 delivers home-cooking in a rustic and honest way.

As we were going on the Hong Kong Street Walking Tour later that day, (yes more food) we paced ourselves and shared a few different dishes from the menu, from Duck Pancakes to Dim Sum and Dumplings.

Hong Kong has a big eating-out culture because the apartments are so small and quite a lot of them don’t have ovens or dishwashers. I really love my food. It’s always exciting to discover new tasty dishes and to try things on a menu you would never have thought you would like, so the Hong Kong Foodie Tasting Tour (hongkongfoodietours.com) was right up my street. There are two tours you can take, one in the Central District and the other in Sheung Wan District. Your tour guide will take you to six different small restaurant or cafes, to taste different local-style dishes, from noodles, roast meat, sugar cane juices, preserved fruits or dim sum.

The private neighbourhood walks and food experiences take you to a delicious, hidden Hong Kong that might otherwise take you months or years to find on your own.

That evening we put on our glad rags and set sail, while drinking cocktails, across Victoria Harbour on the Aqualuna (aqualuna.com.hk) This luxurious Chinese sailing junk, named after the infamous Cheung Chau pirate (also known as “Cheung Po Tsai” in Cantonese) who used to terrorise Hong Kong waters, offers patrons high-end service with unforgettable sunset views of the Harbour. With fifteen hundred square feet of cabin space and an alfresco deck, the boat was created - using age old designs and traditional materials - by an eighty-yearold local craftsman.

This was one of my favourite experiences of the trip so far, Hong Kong looked truly spectacular from the boat all lit up across the harbour water. After forty-five minutes sailing, we docked and it was onto the SEVVA (sevva.hk) for more cocktails in the rooftop restaurant and bar. The SEVVA has a wonderful view of the ‘Symphony of Lights’ Laser Show from Hong Kong Island and offers some of the best signature cocktails in the city. Much more than just a stylish restaurant, SEVVA evokes the ambience of entertaining clients and friends in a fine home. Set in the heart of the City’s Central district, its penthouse location and wide wrap-around terrace make it perfect for lounging or simply enjoying the stunning views of Hong Kong harbour and the city skyline.

A fair few cocktails later and we were in the mood to check out what Hong Kong’s night life had to offer so we hit Lan Kwai Fong which is central and hosts some of Hong Kong’s biggest bars and clubs including the famous Dragon-i.

The next morning, with a slightly sore head, I spent a few hours exploring the sights and sounds of Mong Kok markets.

I had been told there was a pretty good ladies’ market where I could barter for some knock-off designer handbags and I just couldn’t leave without doing a bit of survivor shopping.

After Ladurée Afternoon Tea back at the Langham, in the newly refurbished Palm Court, we said our goodbyes to the hotel team that had looked after us so wonderfully for two days and headed to the airport for our next destination, Sydney!

Whilst waiting to board our Cathay Pacific flight, we thought it only right that we should check out The Pier First Class Lounge in Hong Kong airport. > www.vivamanchester.co.u k | VIVA | 57

Following an extensive renovation, the newly opened lounge is located at Gate sixty-three in the North West concourse. With a maximum seating capacity of two hundred and thirty-one, the new lounge expresses the heartfelt warmth, considered simplicity and contemporary Asian values at the heart of the Cathay Pacific new brand design ethos. Open to First Class passengers, Diamond Marco Polo Club members, and Emerald Oneworld members who are departing or transiting in Hong Kong, this crème de la crème lounge is the perfect place to relax while waiting for your flight!

At 8:45am Sydney time we touched down in one of my favourite countries! I have been to Australia a few times in my younger days but back then it was a case of staying in the cheapest places I could find such as backpacker hostels, campsites or Formula One hotels, so it was great to be back and this time staying in style at The Langham, Sydney!

The Langham is Sydney’s newest and most exclusive harbourside address and has been listed in the prestigious US Robb Report’s Top One Hundred Hotels In The World Listing. Nestled in the historic Rocks district on Kent Street, this beautiful five-star retreat - which has recently undergone a grand transformation and multi-million dollar redevelopment - boasts the largest guest-rooms in the city. I have never stayed in a bed so big, if you know me then you’ll know I’m a pretty big girl, you could fit five of me in a Sydney Langham guest-room bed.

Described as Sydney’s most sophisticated guest-rooms, these rooms are complete with either opening win58 | VIVA | w w w. v i va m a n chester.c o.uk

Photos from left to right: Chef’s Table in the Sydney Langham | Outside the Sydney Langham | Sydney Opera House | The Day Spa By Chuan at the Sydney Langham | Picnic on Observatory Hill | Afternoon Tea in Palm Court | The Sydney Daily Telegraph featuring Drew Barrymore and Toni Collette staying at the Sydney Langham | Girls’ day out in Sydney | Watching the sunset over Sydney from the Langham terrace suite.

dows, Juliette balcony or private terrace and feature personal espresso machine, silver wedgwood clock, hardcover vogue books and elegant sitting and dining areas.

Sydney has one of the most beautiful harbours in the world and it is within walking distance of The Langham so by midday we were straight out to explore. We headed down to The Rocks, Sydney’s most historic suburb, where Captain Cook first landed in Australia. The Langham is situated in The Rocks, making it a perfect walk from hotel, through cobblestone streets, past Gothic churches, down to the iconic Harbour foreshore, featuring Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.

To complete the journey the Langham had provided us a beautiful picnic on Observatory Hill, just opposite the hotel, with spectacular views across to Sydney Harbour Bridge. This area is one of the most famous places for weekend picnics, watching the annual New Year’s Eve midnight fireworks and many wedding proposals.

After a really intense itinerary in Hong Kong - not that I’m complaining as we got to experience so many things in such a sort

Pictures from Left to right: Hotel Es Vive | The rooftop at Hotel Es Vive | SuperMartXe at Privilege x2 | Happy Mondays old Manumission poster | Howard Marks old Fantasy Loaded magazine picture | Howard Marks, Kris Needs & Irvine Welsh old Manumission flier | Hard Rock Hotel stage | Sublimation dining at Hard Rock Hotel | Selina Ingram & VIVA Ems

period of time - it was nice to relax and be in the Ozzy laid-back ethos, chilling in Langham’s, Palm Court Bar that evening. I casually dined, tasted a few of their signature cocktails and reflected with my fellow journos on our trip so far.

The next day we started our Sydney morning in luxury in The Day Spa By Chuan located on the bottom floor of The Langham. This is Sydney’s first day-spa and is very famous amongst Sydney-siders.

Ten treatment rooms plus poolside experiences have treated some of the world’s most famous celebrities - who return year after year - including the Kardashians who had been there just one week previously. I must also mention that staying at the hotel while we were there was actress Drew Barrymore and local girl Toni Collette who was giving Drew a hometown tour of Sydney ahead of the Australian première of their new movie, ‘Miss You Already.’

The swimming pool connected to The Day Spa is one of Sydney’s most iconic, complete with a perfect replica of the Southern Cross on the roof for swimming under the stars, day or night. We relaxed by the pool whilst opting for a foot scrub, then completed our spa experience with a full body massage in one of the treatment rooms.

Afternoon tea in Palm Court allowed us to indulge in some Laurent-Perrier and pastries by Chef Miguel Jocson, who handcurates each piece.

That evening I met up with a couple of old school friends who moved to Australia some years previous (lucky buggers) and, as you can imagine, we had a lot to catch up on. We hit the town, bar-hopping from The Rocks right into the heart of Sydney central. (Please note a Sydney rule which I discovered, after midnight bars and clubs

will not serve you spirits, cocktails or shots only wine and beer) Over the next couple of days we experienced Sydney like in a way you wouldn’t believe; boat trips to Manly Beach, dining at Darling Harbour, shopping at Paddy’s market, an evening watching performances at the Sydney Opera House, taking the Pink Taxi tour across the city to Bondi beach, experiencing the top local bar hangout joints and dining at the chef’s table in the Kent Street Kitchen back at the Langham.

On our final night on this trip and I found myself with my fellow journos on The Langham terrace suite watching an incredible sunset over Sydney while drinking farewell champagne and eating the famous Langham club sandwich laid on by our lovely host Lauren Brown.

As I watched the sun disappear into the ocean I started to reflexed over the previous seven days and it suddenly hit me how lucky I’d was to be on this world class experience! It’s going to be extremely hard to travel by any airline other than Cathay Pacific from now on and whichever city I travel to next, I just hope they have a Langham!

Cathay Pacific: Flies four times a week between Manchester and Sydney with fares starting from £3369 in business class. For more information visit cathaypacific.co.uk THE LANGHAM HOTELS: For more information, room rates and bookings go to langhamhotels.com or call (852) 2375 1133

www.vivamanchester.co.u k | VIVA | 59

Cyprus Perfect Paradiso “

Kiri Bloore Reports...

A wind has blown the rain away and blown the sky away and all the leaves away and the trees stand. I think I too, have known autumn too long.” said E. E.Cummings.

If these words resonate with you, then it is time for a little escapism which is exactly what we did by experiencing the lesser known world of Cyprus. Your thoughts, I am sure, are exactly like mine were in hushed whispers, “Isn’t that where Ayia Napa is?” The truth is, yes, that is exactly where it is but the endless beauty of the island stretches far beyond the aforementioned party destination.

After a short flight to Larnaca, the whole place seemed virtually empty. A bus ride later we picked up our little box car and began our journey. The emptiness continued, mile after mile of empty roads and incredible views of rocky cliffs, glorious sea and unspoiled scenery.

Cyprus has one of the lowest road-traffic death rates on the planet but the perilous hairpins would make even the calmest person a little jittery. We had seven days to fit in four hotels and explore as much of the island as we could possibly manage, so our first stop was the Amathus Beach Hotel in Paphos.

As we pull into the car park we gazed up at this formidable concrete monolith. A seventiesstyle tower block that seemed more suited to an East London estate than a five-star hotel. With trepidation, we stepped though the giant glass doors to be greeted by the most breathtaking view. Fresh, bold, beautiful - inside and out - the hotel was the perfect dream. Newly renovated,

it is an exact balance between contemporary and comfortable. Located just twenty minutes walk along the seafront from Paphos Harbour, it boasts a gym, outdoor swimming pools, an extensive spa and eight dining options which, of course, we made the most of.

The hotel was endless perfection, with patio areas to enjoy cocktails, sunbathing options by the pool and access to an unspoiled beach and luscious grass. You could live there in holiday heaven forever. Armed with the knowledge that we would soon be off on our travels again, we knew that we had to experience as much of the hotel as we could. With so many dining options to choose from, we took a recommendation to try the ‘The Grill room.’ As the sun set we reclined outdoors, enjoying the soft sounds of the ocean and eating the most incredible food, from fresh carpaccio tuna to steak, sorbet and melting chocolate desserts. Each mouthful was better than the last and an absolute must-try for any stay.

The one memory of the Amathus that will last forever is the staff. The hotel was incredible but the staff made every moment of our stay better.

They accommodated every need and certainly made the perfect holiday complete.

Our adventure, however, had to continue and we set off once again down the twisty

and winding roads, along the coast to our next destination; the Columbia Beach Resort, Pissouri. As we drove into total isolation, we wondered if we were in the right place. Climbing higher and higher into nothingness and with a sheer drop down from the rocky cliff, we eventually reached our destination.

Big, bold and impressive were our first impressions. Sandy coloured concrete and palm trees all around, it felt like we could have been in the world’s most exotic location. It was really hard to believe we were just a short plane ride away from England.

Designed in the style of a Cypriot village mock-traditional on the outside, right down to the canal tiles on the roofs and restrained contemporary inside - it provides the guests with comfort but without airs and graces; another little slice of heaven. Whizzed to our room on a golf buggy which was bigger than a central London flat and the view of the pool was perfect.

If you are looking to scrunch your toes in fluffy white sand however, there is a very small beach with not much to offer but it certainly does not take away from the overall luxury.

If you want a hassle free week in the sun with nothing in the world to worry about then this hotel is everything you need and more. Breakfast is served with Champagne and a selection of teas that would make even a connoisseur happy.

For the sake of exploration - and the fact that >

amathus beach hotel in paphos

Columbia

Beach

Resort

Pissouri

VIVA T R A V E L I love a good bike ride - we took advantage of the hotel’s vast bike collection to head off on a trail just as the sun went down. The setting sun was still beating down and the endless climbing up the cliffs made it probably the hardest ride I have done in my life but the views, once we got to the top, were breathtaking. I would certainly recommend it but beware, your legs are in for the ride of their life.

We finally made it back in time for our reservation at the Italian restaurant they have within the hotel walls which comes highly recommended. The food was beautiful if a little expensive but worth it for the sensual treat it provided.

Exhausted, we slept. Our journey, of course, was due to continue in a matter of hours, even though we could have stayed for days drinking Champagne for breakfast and lounging by the pool.

As the sun rose, it was time to hit the winding road to our next destination which was back down the coast again.

In sunshine that never seemed to end, we drove to Limassol ready for the next hotel.

The Londa Beach Hotel had a totally different theme, style and feel to the others, it was a trendy as Shoreditch house in London, with the added bonus of the sun and sea. With white marble throughout, accented by black wood, it was perfect bliss. The room followed the same theme, white crisp and cool.

This was a hotel to relax in. Although small, the hotel is undeniably beautiful and the sea

beats below the wooden decking of the pool and sunbathing area. For a couple of days break, this is the perfect choice. The staff are again the addition that makes the hotel complete, many of them have been working there for thirty years and, although the style and feel of the hotel is modern and trendy, it is softly complemented by the comfortable atmosphere the staff create.

If you are looking for places outside of the hotels you can opt for two different choices.

‘The Marina’ is a classic Dubai creation, full of Starbucks and Wagamamas but if you are looking for a little slice of Cypriot life then head to ‘The Santa Elena’ in a small village named Zygi, where the food is mouth-wateringly perfect and endless in portion, from the freshest fish to the finest feta and so cheap it’s incomprehensible.

The never-ending journey was not to finish there though as we had our next hotel to get to.

The most expensive on the island was saved for last. The Four Seasons is just a stone’s throw from the Londa so our little box car had nearly completed its mission.

As we pulled up to the Four Seasons you could immediately see why it is aptly named the finest on the island. As you walk through the vast glass doors, the full-on service offered is of the kind associated with the great tradition of luxury fivestar hotels.

Classic, rich and opulent, it was everything a Four Seasons should be and more. The décor was wondrous and you could lose yourself looking around as it is the size of some small

villages. Again there were pools for sunbathing perfectly laid out with yellow cushions. This was a holidaymaker’s ultimate holiday destination.

The hotel is set out for a traditional holiday of relaxing dining, of which there is plenty.

Vivaldi – state-of-the-art Italian Nouvelle Cuisine.

Seasons Oriental – noted for the best Chinese food in Cyprus.

Mavrommatis – gourmet Greek cuisine without the Meze, presented with French chic.

Colors Café – Scrumptious snacks, pastries and ice creams. Packed till the wee hours.

Wherever you stay on the island you have to venture there to try the treats they have to offer.

I would like to say by the end of this magnificent journey that there was a stand-out favourite hotel or one I would recommend more but, without doubt, each hotel was perfect so, if you haven’t been to Cyprus or seen that side of the island, make it your next destination. It’s sure to impress. ■

LONDA

BEACH

HOTEL

COLUMBIA BEACH RESORT PISSOURI

THE FOUR SEASONS

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VIVA C U I S I N E

Winner

Harvey Nichols 2nd Floor Restaurant and Brasserie

FIND ME The Best Department Store Dining for Christmas Shopping!

“My monthly column to find the best food and drink products in Manchester” Yvonne Goldsmith-Rybka

T E M

D N I F

his year Black Friday falls on 27th November.

Originally it was an American tradition when, on the day after Thanksgiving, retailers offered massive discounts on products in an attempt to persuade shoppers to spend their hard earned cash in the run-up to Christmas. For us here at VIVA it signifies one thing, an excuse to shop and the holiday kick-starts most households’ Christmas shopping for the next month. But where are the best places to stop off, mid-flow and take a well-earned rest from all that bag carrying?

The convenience of department store and outlet restaurants means you don’t need to walk far but you shouldn’t compromise on quality.Remember it’s your treat to YOU after

all that shopping for other people! Here are my top three!

Runner Up

San Carlo Cicchetti, House of Fraser

From the San Carlo group and located in Kendals (OK, House of Fraser but, to anyone who has been in Manchester for more than ten years, it will always be Kendals) is Cicchetti, serving the kind of small side dishes typically served in a bar or informal restaurant in Venice. We might not be in Venice but the concept translates well with a seasonal menu bursting with flavour and variation and fantastic for sharing. Favourites we tried were their delicious tartare of fresh tuna, gnocchi, gorgonzola and beef tagliata with chilli, all washed down with some rather excellent Verdicchio from the Marche region of central Italy. The restaurant is always packed and, although each dish is priced well, be careful as the bill easily creeps up as you order three, four - to hell with it - ten of these tasty offerings. Cicchetti is also, incidentally, one of the only restaurants in Manchester given a positive review by Jay Rayner.

Well, if it’s good enough for him… sancarlocicchetti.co.uk 62 | VIVA | w w w. v i va m a n chester.c o.uk

Harvey Nichols 2nd I used to visit here a lot when I was pregnant, to look at all the gorgeous clothes I would wear once the baby was out and to sip their fantastic mocktails, trying to convince myself I wasn’t missing out on all the fun. Fast forward to today and not much has changed visually. The interior is a vast white backdrop to colourful lights and modern art with stunning views across Exchange Square.

Something that has changed though is the menu, as, although I had always loved their drinks, in my opinion the food never used to live up to the same high standard or excite me nearly as much. So I’m happy to see the menu is far more experimental for a start.

Just reading through my taste buds are going crazy. Tandoori monkfish, Ox cheek and Hoi Sin duck buns all look good on the page and taste better in reality. Travelling across the globe, this could come across as mismatched and confused but the dishes are polished and elegant. Each dish is beautifully presented and extremely well balanced in flavour. Just delicious. This is department store dining at its best.

Why did Harvey Nichols 2nd Floor Restaurant and Brasserie win?Serious shopping and serious food. Seriously. harveynichols.com

Runner Up

Café Rouge,

Lowry Outlet Salford Keys So this one surprised me somewhat as I had not visited a Café Rouge in well over ten years. (probably because of its nationwide chain status) Although I try to approach every visit with a clean sheet, so to speak, I had really not expected to enjoy our lunch here quite as much as this. The concept, launched in 1989, is to serve real French food and wine in a Parisienne bistro setting and our waitress definitely had that French arrogance down to a T.The recently revamped restaurant ticked all the bistro boxes but what of the food? Simply put, very classically French and very well executed. It’s by no means fine dining - more what you would expect to eat on a visit to a traditional French home.

Their lobster bisque was beautifully smooth, crustacean creamy and highly seasoned and their confit de canard a homely homage to an English roast. Oh, their French fries are some of the best I’ve tried. BTW Flannels outlet shop is only two minutes from their front door so what more do you need? caferouge.com

VIVA presents

an exclusive interview with Quill Head Chef

S

Curtis Stewart

o it’s fair to say, of all the restaurant openings this year Quill was definitely the one that had me the most excited; being a bit of a sucker for some old school fine dining. The kitchen is headed up by twenty-nine-year old, Bury-born Curtis Stewart. I was lucky enough to be invited to interview him after lunching on a rather intriguing six courses.

VIVA Yvonne: Hi Curtis, I have to say your menu at Quill has a sophistication far surpassing your twenty-nine years but what are your earliest food memories?

Curtis: My roots are half Jamaican and half English so, growing up, I was lucky to have two strong cultural references. I would spend a lot of time with my Grandma in the kitchen and she loved to bake bread and cakes. Her cooking was very traditional English and then, visiting family in Jamaica, we ate the most colourful Caribbean food; goat curry, jerk chicken, rice and peas. I think both have influenced me greatly in my approach to food.

VIVA Yvonne: When did you first realise food could be a possible career for you?

Curtis: As a teenage kitchen porter, I immediately felt comfortable in a kitchen environment and enjoyed the pressure and teamwork involved. By the time I finished school, I was pretty much decided

66 | VIVA | w w w. v i va m a n chester.c o.uk

on a career in catering and enrolled at fine-dining affair, it’s an experience I hope is approachable to anyone. My team put catering college in Wigan.

VIVA Yvonne: Tell me about your culi- everything into every single dish and I want our customers to really feel that. nary journey into fine dining.

Curtis: At The Vineyard in Newbury I VIVA Yvonne: Tell me your favourite had the defining moment. Being part of chefs and restaurants? that kitchen when they received their sec- Curtis: Wow, that’s hard. In the past, ond Michelin star was incredible. Things Thomas Keller, Gordon Ramsay and Raystepped up as senior sous chef at The mond Blanc. Now is a great time for young Feathered Nest where my role was more chefs as well, Tom Sellers and Gareth Ward. of a manager for the first time and then my Restaurants, I would say The Square in first head chef position at Cotswolds 88.

“Quill is an interactive restaurant, I like It’s been an incredible journey.

VIVA Yvonne: So what brought you back to Manchester? London is where I have eaten probably Curtis: On The Wall approached me. Un- my best ever meal. I also really admire the til then I had honestly never considered a brothers at Casamia in Bristol and what they are doing. return to Manchester.

VIVA Yvonne: Your menu is very mini- VIVA Yvonne: And finally, on a rare night off, where do you head to in Manmal, why is that?

Curtis: Because I don’t want to influence chester? my diners. I give them just enough infor- Curtis: I’m at the restaurant for every mation so they have an idea what’s in the service so it’s not that often I get out! On dish but I want them to form their own those rare occasions, obviously Manchesopinions. I like to surprise them as well. ter House or The French for food or, if I VIVA Yvonne: Why do you make a point just fancy a drink, I quite like The Botanist and the vibe in there. of visiting every table?

Curtis: Quill is an interactive restaurant. VIVA Yvonne: Thanks for your time I like to touch base with every customer at Curtis, I look forward to my next food least once; it’s interesting for me to hear journey with you at Quill! their feedback. This isn’t a formal or stuffy

to touch base with every customer”

quillmcr.co.uk

VIVA C U I S I N E Spice up festivities with Cabana Brazilian Barbecue

C

abana, the award-winning Brazilian barbecue restaurant, is excited to announce their two new Christmas menus ready to add some South American spirit to your party season.

With festive twists on firm favourites such as Turkey Feijoada and Smoked Salmon Sliders, this year’s holiday menu is set to get taste buds tingling.

Of course the Cabana classics like the Spicy Malagueta Chicken and Chilli and Cumin Steak will still be available over the Christmas season but if it’s more of a Feliz Natal you’re after, then our Christmas menus will bring you a slice of Brazil during December.

‘Festive Fifi Menu’ (£22.50) has a choice of delicious barbecue food and sweet treats including the Doce De Leite Caramel Pudding and is perfect for a party of any size. The ‘Wesley’s Wonderland Menu’ (£29.50) is ideal for a special seasonal meal, full of carefully crafted dishes all with plentiful Brazilian flare.

You’ll also need a traditional drink to wash down all that tasty food and our Caipirinha mixologists will be serving up the best Brazilian cocktails this side of Rio, including the UK’s first frozen Caipirinha.

Enjoy your cocktails even more by combining them with a ‘Fifi’ or ‘Wesley’ three course Christmas meal at Cabana. Book your table now to make sure you don’t miss out on exciting festive flavours and a Brasilian fiesta this Christmas.

cabana-brasil.com

W

ith new bars continuously popping up in Manchester it can be hard to differentiate one cocktail bar from another. The wonderfully unique setting of The Botanist and its décor definitely delivers the wow factor.

With quirky, rustic, floral surroundings there is no better place to indulge in a Cocktail Masterclass as a dedicated mixologist shows you the art behind three classic cocktails with a botanical twist.

Learn the story behind a Rose Mai Tai, an English Mojito and an Apricot and Mint daiquiri before receiving step-by-step instructions on recreating the wondrous tastes at home. With the option of three packages, ranging

from £25 to £35 per person, you will be awestruck watching the highly talented bartenders at work.

If you’re more inclined towards beer, you’ll be pleased to know The Botanist also offer an Ale Tasting Masterclass with their Beer Gurus. Again, there is a choice of three to choose from ranging from £15 to £20 per person, so it could be time to improve your knowledge of world famous beers.

The Masterclasses are held in the bar and you can make a restaurant reservation for before or after the class. For more information or to book a Masterclass call The Botanist, Manchester on 0161 833 1878 or visit their website:

Flowers, Fruits, Flavours And Herbs; Order A Cocktail At The Botanist And Experience A Floral Dream!

thebotanist.uk.com/location/ deansgate-manchester www.vivamanchester.co.u k | VIVA | 67

WINTER WIPEOUTS THE WEST WINDS SABRE GIN Australian born since 2010, this gin is new to the UK and sees Margaret River rain water blended with native botanicals including lemon myrtle, cinnamon myrtle, bush tomato and fresh coriander.

Available at Harvey Nichols, RRP £39.50

WILD ELDERFLOWER SPRITZ An effervescent blend of sparkling perry, elderflower and a dash of gin, offering a refreshing alternative to a glass of wine with hints of pear and floral notes.

Available at Amazon.co.uk, RRP £24.98 (12x250ml)

Photo: Georgie Glass, georgieglass.co.uk Location: Epernay, epernaymanchester.co.uk

TAPATIO REPOSADO TEQUILA Tapatio, a Mexican word referring to a man from Jalisco, a primary region of tequila production, Reposado shows a four-month old tequila with slight vegetal notes on the nose and a kick-start of spice into a long, lingering yet dry finish.

Why don’t you experience the Morning Fog. Available exclusviely at Epernay! Tapatio Reposado, Illegal Joven mezcal, crème de cacao, Branca Menta, cold brew coffee, agave and absinthe combined for only £8.00.

Brought to you by Manchester-based Dave Marsland, aka. the Drinks Enthusiast...

LINIE AQUAVIT Linie Aquavit is a traditional Norwegian potato-based caraway spirit.

Matured in old sherry casks for four and a half months at sea, this is a rich and complex tipple.

Available at TheWhiskyExchange. com, RRP £28.45

HARRY BROMPTON’S LONDON ICE TEA The word’s first premium alcoholic ice tea! Born in London and handmade in limited batches, it is made with Kenyan black teas, craftdistilled grain spirit and infused with natural citrus. Contains no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives and is gluten free!

RUSSIAN STANDARD VODKA A classic Russian vodka, Russian Standard has been distilled to the Tsar’s “premium quality standard” since 1894. Bold notes of wheat on the nose, dry spice, vegetal and earthy notes present on the palate with a long creamy finish.

Available at MasterOfMalt.com, RRP £17

Available at Waitrose, RRP £2

www.vivamanchester.co.u k | VIVA | 69

Ask anyone in the Northern Quarter about Home Sweet Home and you will more than likely be met with a smile and familiar story about their breakfasts and cakes. The cosy breakfast haunt on Edge Street has now opened another restaurant in the Great Northern Warehouse, taking everything we knew and loved from Northern Quarter.

W

ith a bigger restaurant, bigger menu and extra treats and tricks, the new Home Sweet Home manages to retain the charm of the Northern Quarter but with a more polished, grown-up feel - you can even make reservations.

As soon as you enter the restaurant you immediately notice how the site manages to capture the homely and welcoming feel of the Northern Quarter on a much larger scale which in itself is no easy feat. The attention to detail is clearly evident when you look at the artwork and perfectly placed tiffany lamps in the ground floor restaurant.

Like their Northern Quarter namesake, the new Home Sweet Home features bold breakfasts, indulgent cakes and boasts a drinks list inventive enough to challenge any of the big cocktail players in Manchester.

Drinks Developer, Jonathan Leathley of Socio Rehab fame, designed the menu which includes an entire catalogue of Espresso Martinis, perfect for the post-work wind-down. “We wanted to create a cocktail list that would not only make people smile but also appeal to drinkers and diners alike. Our cocktail menu has something for everyone which is kind of what Home Sweet Home is all about.� > 70 | VIVA | w w w. v i va m a n chester.c o.uk

The food menu includes some of their most popular dishes, including the legendary cheeseburger toastie as well as some new dishes which look certain to be crowd pleasers. The breakfast menu is available from 9am, and food is served right through to 10pm, seven days a week. One of the newest dishes is the Meatball Sub. Featuring their very own “Mummas Sauce� on top of house made meatballs in a rich brioche sub all covered with parmesan and melted cheese.

Indulgent, comfort food at its best. Another new addition to the menu are their cakeshakes, chunks of sweet, iced, house baked cakes blended with milk- really naughty but exceedingly good. Just like their cake counter that we all know and love.

In a style typical of the team that brought you Almost Famous, their private dining room is tucked away behind what looks like a meatball vending machine. The room features a table that seats up to twenty - perfect for parties, meetings and those looking for a unique dining experience.

Judging by their new Great Northern site, they look set to be right at Home Sweet Home over the other side of the city.

Address: Unit 4, The Great Northern Warehouse, Manchester M3 4EN For bookings call 0161 300 8121 Twitter: homesweethomegn Facebook: homesweethomegn Instagram: homesweethomeuk homesweethomegn.com

NYE

MANCHESTER

IMAL

The

AN ARTY NYE P

N

ew Year’s Eve is a time to reunite, run riot, romance and relish the celebrations. It’s the party of the year where you can let your hair down and dance 2015 away or relax with loved ones and toast what has been a wonderful year. When the clock hits midnight, fireworks shoot into the air and smiles spread all around but how will you be seeing this year off? From glitz and glamour to sloppy burgers and beers, if you’ve not yet finalised your plans, VIVA is here to help...

HULA MANChester Celebrate the New Year coming in Tiki style, at Hula Manchester.

With DJ Gareth Brooks spinning 90s Hip Hop and party anthems for you to dance the night away. Enjoy Hulas With some fine New Year’s Grog for guests between eight and ten pm for only five pounds. Doors will open from eight pm, with entry as cheap as three pounds in from ten pm onwards.

For more details: hulabar.co.uk/manchester/drinks

IMAL

Th

Y AN PART e NYE

ÉPERNAY hula didsbury

The best of Épernay Manchester continues throughout the year, and New Year’s Eve shouldn’t be any different. To celebrate what has been an amazing year they won’t charge you a single penny to come and visit! This New Year’s Eve Épernay will be operating business as usual and you will be guaranteed to have an amazing evening as they create the ultimate party atmosphere completely free of charge. Let Épernay Manchester woo you with its natural elegance and charm as you spend the last night of 2015 sipping on world class Champagnes and wines, as well as an exquisite winter-warming cocktail selection.

As it is a special occasion, why not treat yourself to one of Épernay’s four New Year’s Eve packages.

Package 1: One glass of Palmer Brut with a meat and cheese board on arrival £12.50 per person.

Package 2: One glass of Palmer Brut on arrival and at midnight £13.00 per person.

Package 3: One bottle of Moët Brut Imperial on arrival or at midnight (please note, one bottle serves 6) £65.00 per table.

Package 4: One bottle of Moët Brut Imperial and one bottle of Belvedere Vodka plus mixers £200.00 per table.

For more details: epernaymanchester.co.uk

Enter 2016 surrounded by cocktails, hula skirts and good vibes at Hula Didsbury’s Tiki Makahiki. Dj Nic Kozubik, will be taking over the decks with some fun and an eclectic mix of funk, soul, hip hop and R’n’B along with all your favourite party classics. Doors will open to guests at eight pm with a three pound ticket or limited spaces on the door. To make your night even more vibrant fancy dress is encouraged and the individual with the best Tiki fancy-dress will receive prizes and juicy give-aways.

For more details: hulabar.co.uk/didsbury/drinks 72 | VIVA | w w w. v i va m a n chester.c o.uk

VIVA F E A T U R E IMAL

The

AN ARTY NYE P

WAREHOUSE PROJECT Get yourselves to the North’s biggest party with some of the biggest DJs around. This highly anticipated New Year’s Eve party at Store Street is looking to be a complete sell out. With limited capacity, one of Manchester’s liveliest New Year’s parties is ready to introduce 2016 with an atmosphere you will always remember. A juicy line-up with superstar DJs such as, Eats Everything, Heidi, Scream, Huxley, MC and VIVA Ems are prepared to blow your 2015 away.

Ticket prices ranging from £35 to £40, will bring you into the world of flashing lights and bass thumping, giving you a party you will never forget along with a couple of thousand others.

IMAL

Y AN PART E Y N The

WALRUS/TUSK

Fresh from an amazing half-million pound refurbishment, Walrus and Tusk are bringing a stylish New Year’s Eve to Manchester. With a full Murkage take over, DJs Dave and the rest of the Manchester line-up will be bringing a playlist that is just as good as the food and cocktails in the bar. Ready to take the old year out with a bang, Walrus and Tusk’s immaculate new décor offers a cool vibe that makes people want to party. The drinks list is endless, and smiles are guaranteed to be a regular thing in this well-loved Northern Quarter gem.

For ticket prices and more information follow their Twitter @WalrusMCR and @tuskbar

For more details: tuskmanchester.com | walrusmanchester.com VERS YE LO

The N

DON GIOVANNI Voted as 2015’s winner of the ‘Most romantic restaurant in England,’ Don Giovanni is ready to set off sparks with an Italian New Year’s Eve extravaganza. Manchester’s longest established Italian restaurant is offering an exclusive New Year five-course menu for £65 per head, along with hand-picked, rare, vintage boutique wines to toast and drink the night away. To complement the wonderful food enjoy signature cocktails at the classy marble bar. The restaurant’s intimate, stunning new refurbishment is the perfect place to take your lover and enjoy yourselves, with fairy lights swimming around the room to set the mood that little bit more. This beautiful Italian will set hearts alight this New Year but don’t worry, it’s not all love hearts and cupid’s arrows, Italians know how to party too with live DJs from 7pm playing, and a late bar to welcome the New Year in. With over thirty years’ experience, Don Giovanni’s will take you on a culinary journey of fine Italian cuisine.

For more details: dongiovanni.uk.com

For more details: thewarehouseproject.com

NYE

MANCHESTER

VERS YE LO

The N

MALMAISON

COMEDY STORE Love to laugh with your loved one? Want to giggle your way into the New Year? The comedy store are holding a New Year’s Eve stand-up night, hosting some of the finest kings and queens of comedy, such as MC Justin Moorhouse, Mick Ferry and Jarrad Christmas. A variety of party packages are available to choose from, all accompanied by a great food spread and tasty drinks to toast the night away. If comedy’s something you and your loved one need, get yourselves to the Comedy Store.

For more details: thecomedystore.co.uk/manchester

VERS YE LO

The N

Whisk your loved one on a romantic night’s getaway, and give 2015 a stylish send-off by welcoming in 2016 at Malmaison Hotel.

With a delicious wide-ranging five course menu to choose from - at £99 plus coffee and truffles - to line the stomach for the New Year events. VIVA Ems will be kicking things off to a head start as she DJs at the bar, to get the party into full swing. As the party heads towards the New Year, smiles are guaranteed all round.

If something a little more private would best suit your needs, Malmaison are offering a private fine dining space (which can be enjoyed by you and others for £100 per room hire) to make your New Year a little more personal. Your festive season should be daring and this year Manchester Mal is transformed into a relaxed but exciting place to celebrate. With decadent dining and the pleasure of not having to wait for a taxi in this most-probably rainy Manchester, what better place to stay than Malmaison.

For more details: malmaison.com

ODIE

YE FO

The N

MCR 42

Join MCR 42 for a night of magic to welcome in 2016 in their downstairs bar and lounge. With entertainment to amuse you throughout the evening until the early hours, indulge yourself in this fabulous setting with MCR 42’s cool and modern décor.

Special guest performances from 80s pop sensation Sonia and Manchester’s own YouTube sensations Queens Of Pop. Entry is £10 (tickets in advance from the bar / restaurant) or enjoy a five course set menu in the restaurant, plus entry for £49.95pp.

Indulge in MCR 42’s fine collection of tempting cocktails - and their extensive range of other beverages - where you will be spoilt for choice as the list just goes on and on.

For more details: tea42restaurants.com

VIVA F E A T U R E ODIE

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The N

ROSYLEE

Take a relaxing option for New Year’s Eve celebrations, while indulging in a special New Year’s Eve dinner of fine dining at Royslee tea rooms. Royslee offers diners an intimate option to toast in the New Year with good friends over a mouth-watering three course menu. This Northern Quarter gem is ready to wow guests with their appetising dinner, costing only thirty-five pounds per person. Included in the price Rosylee are giving diners FREE entry to the vibrant and swinging New Year’s Eve Great Gatsby Party at The Fitzgerald - for the guests who are feeling like they need a little more party as the drinks flow. Along with all this celebratory goodness, upon entry guests will receive a complimentary glass of Prosecco to get people in the mood for a festive evening with great food, good company and drinks.

For more information and all booking enquiries please email: jos@markandrewdevelopments.com

YE

The N

IE FOOD

INNSIDE

For more details: rosylee.com

Dress to impress for a stylish New Year celebration with INNSIDE Manchester. Street on First is a unique destination for the discerning reveller looking for an extraordinary New Year’s Eve. Experience a lavish start to the New Year with a sophisticated crowd enjoying this tasteful event. The evening starts with a complimentary champagne cocktail on arrival accompanied by a guest DJ and a whole host of unforgettable surprises to make your night even more exciting. INNSIDE will be offering a delightful three-course meal with mains such as Lamb rump or Seared black cod - plus many other mouth-watering choices to prepare your stomach for a night of partying - finishing off with coffee and cheeses to put the bon appetit into a good night. This night of seasonal surprises is only £85 per adult, and is looking to be a sellout. Head to Street on First for a cosmopolitan celebration and to end your 2015 with a full, happy and content stomach.

For more details: streeton1st.com

YE The N

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ESCAP

SHRIGLEY HALL HOTEL, GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB CHESHIRE Get ready for a fun-filled event to see in 2016. Guests will be greeted with a grand red-carpet welcome, as Cheshire’s wonderful Shrigley Hall Hotel holds a fire and ice themed event with a lively disco until late with traditional Haggis and tatties served at midnight. Prices start from just £79 per guest. Spoil yourself and be treated like royalty in an exquisite setting.

For more details: thehotelcollection.co.uk/hotels/shrigley-hall-hotel/

www.vivamanchester.co.u k | VIVA | 75

NYE

MANCHESTER

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THE FITZGERALD

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INFAMOUS DINER Celebrate the New Year with the family at Infamous Diner.

Infamous is Manchester’s first independent all-American diner serving up classic, homemade eats the USA way – big on flavour, big plates and service with a smile. The 1950s inspired all American diner is a big hit with families and has a great range of naughty but delicious New Year’s Eve dining options. The huge menu has it all including; burgers, hot-dogs, pancakes and shakes - Mum and Dad can even make theirs hard with a shot of a complimentary spirit.

All kid’s meals are served in American cars plus there’s colouring in, a jukebox and a flat screen TV showing classic family movies – everything from Planes, Trains and Automobiles to Home Alone and Miracle on 34th Street! Visit Infamous Diner for a fun and unique New Year’s Eve with the ones you love.

For more details: infamousdiner.co.uk

WINTER WONDERLAND

Escape into the 1920s as The Fitzgerald brings you The Great Gatsby’s New Year’s Eve party. Be prepared for glitz, glamour and the excess of the 1920s as the wild antics of the past come back with a bang. The outfits will be full on, from Tuxedos to sequins as guests get ready to dance to live music - jazz and electro-swing - plus some of the finest DJs. As well as the partying, a silent cinema will join the glitz and the glamour, to give a real 20s feel.

1920s props will be generously handed around to get you into the full swing of a Gatsby party. Whilst delicious cocktails in fine cut glassware will be passed around to quench the thirst from all the dancing. It’s a party not to be missed where dancing on tables till late is a must.

Didn’t you hear? A little party never hurt nobody.

Head to Event City’s Winter Wonderland for a fun and exciting world full of rides, festive cheer and an unbelievable wonderland extravaganza. Step into Manchester’s biggest indoor Christmas theme park, featuring more than forty family rides and attractions all under one roof. A celebration for children aged under twelve, where kids can enjoy the sooty show and a circus, with all attractions included on the one ticket. To avoid overcrowding - which could diminish your enjoyment - Event City have opted for a session basis so that your experience is the best it can be. Tickets are very limited, so we advise early booking to avoid disappointment.

For more details: winterwonderlandmanchester.com

For more details: thefitzgeraldnq.co.uk

words: Sophie Parkin 76 | VIVA | w w w. v i va m a n chester.c o.uk

MCR 42 Presents... An Advent Round Up Featuring DJs, Special Guest Appearances And A Five Course NYE Menu

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hampions of creating a stylish and demure atmosphere, owners of Tea 42, Will Hannah and Jason Abbott took their strong and charming Northern Quarter philosophy over to the Gay Village and opened the doors to MCR 42 earlier this year. With their triumphant succession of awards throughout 2014, including ‘Best Tea Shop’ and securing first place at the prestigious ‘FreeFrom Eating Out Awards,’ we are on the edge of our seats in anticipation for what the Tea 42 Restaurant empire is set to bring to Manchester.

During a time when our great city is booming with an assortment of cafes, bars, restaurants and clubs, MCR 42 recognises itself to be different. The unique characteristics and premium offerings stand proud across this two-floor plot, with a quirky downstairs bar and lounge perfect for those late night parties, where you can find glamorous girls and boys dressed for a night on the town. Avoiding average, lacklustre draft beers and bottles of house wine, the contemporary, chic bar stocks the most chilled and icy bottles of crafted beer, alongside an array of spirits and liqueurs which are used to create some of town’s most exceptional cocktails.

Open from 9am during the week and 10am on weekends, MCR 42 promotes itself as an all-day spot to indulge in brunch, a fun place to relax after work, the perfect place to kick-start an evening or a location to party into the night.

The MCR 42 founders spoke to VIVA about their advent celebrations and what is in store for guests on New Year’s Eve.

4th / 11th / 24th

DJ Billie Jean

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5th

What a Saturday night to get involved with. MCR 42 have flown in Jacqui Peters, the world’s leading Shirley Bassey tribute act for one night only.

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Welcoming back Dean Mac and Reiss Harrison with open arms for a Saturday full of electrifying and groovy sounds.

12th

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Featuring free admisson all weekend 18th 19th 20th

MCR presents ‘Stars at 42: The Ultimate Tribute Show’. A huge night with seven of the world’s leading tribute acts, including: Cher, Elvis, Amy Winehouse, Shania Twain, Mick Hucknell, Karen Carpenter and Roy Orbison.

For one night only, Ikenna has flown in from Berlin to perform Whitney’s best hits. Get yourself down to MCR 42 for this early Christmas weekend.

The one and only Lady Diamond makes Christmas a whole lot camper with her special show, including a few surprises.

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Carry on the Christmas party with DJ Ryan

26th

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31st

80's pop sensation, Sonia and Manchester's own YouTube sensations, Queens Of Pop see the New Year in, in style. Enjoy a mouth watering, five course dinner, with entry to the downstairs bar and lounge included for £49.95. Entry to downstairs alone is £10.

16 Chorlton Street. Manchester M1 3HW | 0800 043 42 42 | tea42restaurants.com | gossip@tea42restaurants.com

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VIVA L A S M A N C H E S T E R Tina O’Brien And Lucy-Jo Hudson Get Into The Festive Spirit At

DoubleTree By Hilton’s Winter Terrace Party.

V

IVA hosted DoubleTree by Hilton’s VIP Winter Terrace party on a beautifully decorated, frosty wonderland terrace bedecked with mistletoe and featuring its very own snow machine.

Greeted by choice of beverages, which of course included this season’s staple - mulled wine - guests looked dazzling in an array of fur coats, knee high boots and stylish winter accessories.

Saxophonist May Crick complemented VIVA Ems’ trademark beats, as the two set an upbeat tone for the evening - until it was time for them to circulate at which point Ems’ trusty assistants took over on the decks for a short while.

Among the guests enjoying the festive cheers and chatter were Coronation Street actress, Tina O’Brien and former Corrie and Wild At Heart actress, Lucy-Jo Hudson.

Throughout the evening, amid the festive cheers and chatter, guests were having a blast on the dance floor and tucking into the stunning cuisine - which included chicken skewers, chocolate orange pots and mini mince pies - before being pampered by make-up artists from the Cassie Lomas Academy.

The night ended with compulsory and infectious Christmas songs and one last blast from the snow machine giving everyone the seasonal spirit take away with them as they slowly exited the VIP bash.

You can catch VIVA Ems at the DoubleTree

by Hilton Urban Bar every Saturday evening, bringing you all the tracks you need for the weekend.

Visit the winter terrace this season and experience the frosty fantasia of Manchester’s snowy wonder. For reservations and event details at the DoubleTree by Hilton call 0161 242 1000. words: Christie Hutchinson | photos: Shani Hodson

viva events

Are YOU thinking of having a event and want it to be remembered?

Viva Events can organise any event big or small to suit ANY BUDGET. VIVA EVENTS specialise in, live music, celebrity appearances, drink sponsors, food, fashion shows, venues & much more Contact VIVA EVENTS for a consultation on 0161 464 6284 or email vip.events@vivamanchester.co.uk

VIVA M U S I C Capital Breakfast with Rob Ellis Weekdays 6-10 am

ON THE VIVA MUSIC RADAR:

I

t’s been a MASSIVE summer for Capital and we finished it off in style on 8th October by raising two million pounds for Global’s Make Some Noise Day. We had loads going on with awesome auction prizes and exclusive live tracks. Most importantly, we raised money for the smaller projects both here in Manchester and across the UK - who normally struggle to be heard so a huge thank you to everyone who got involved.

In August we did something we’d never done before – We filled a plane with listeners and took them to Amsterdam for the day. Rob and Rachel were the ‘Day In The ’Dam’ tour guides (Wingman wasn’t allowed to go for some reason) and it was a pretty special twenty-four hours. The sun was beaming as we cruised around the canals on a beer boat. Pretty decent day at ‘work’ so we may just have to do it again sometime. Check out the highlights at Capitalfm.com and stay tuned for the next time we fly away.

In September, Capital took over The Manchester Food And

Drink Festival again but this year we had our very own Pop-up Restaurant! Rob and Wingman were in the kitchen (with a little help from Tampopo and Scene) while Rachel acted as Maître D. It was a great night and we raised a stack of money for Global’s Make Some Noise too!

Another huge event for us this summer in Manchester was The Big Weekend with Manchester Pride.

Capital Street Stars kicked off the parade and, of course, we sent a load of Capital listeners down VIP style as well.

As we head for Christmas, the next big event on our calendar is Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball. The details are still under lock and key but you only have to glance back to last year to know it’s going to be unreal. Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith and Jessie J were among the artists that took over the O2 Arena in London in December 2014. Yep, it will be big!

Rob, Rachel & Wingman

H

lily-jo

ere at VIVA we’re always on the look out for emerging local talent that we can share with our readers! Luckily the North is jam-packed full of musical delights for us to gorge upon and we feel it is our duty to put a well deserved spotlight on some of the best! This month our eyes are fixed firmly on the soul singer and songwriter Lily-Jo. It’s evident in her velvet voice that, growing up, she was influenced by some of the strongest female soul vocalists “I grew up listening to lots of R and B like Destiny’s Child and The Fugees.” Hoping to carve a space for herself somewhere in today’s saturated music landscape, Lily-Jo’s determination is driven by her passion. Born and bred in the rainy city, Lily-Jo’s musical journey has had diverse beginnings! Whether it was following her hunger for the arts throughout her adolescence, modelling or attaining a diploma in counselling, perfecting her craft as a performer has always been paramount. After spending years performing with some of the industry’s heavyweights (Neneh Cherry and Shaun Ryder, to name just two) the singer had to take a step back “I did backing vocals for Gorillaz, which was a definite highlight of my career, then everything went on pause!” That pause was the birth of Lily-Jo’s children.

Now Lily-Jo is ready to step back into the world she put on hold! Her debut EP ‘Need To Know’ is a soulful introduction of what to expect from Lily-Jo

the artist. Crossing multiple genres, it’s evidently infused with pop hooks and R and B tinged vocals “I wanted to make music that still had soul influences but would also cross over to a more pop crowd.”

Lyrically, her inspiration comes from somewhere far more personal. The empowering title track draws on issues of self-acceptance and the enlightenment of inner strength.

“You need to know you’re beautiful in every single way.” croons the songwriter over a melodic pop production.

As well as music, Lily hopes to reach out to as many people as possible with her charity, The Lily-Jo Project. Launching on the 30th of January the website will be a self-help resource for people suffering with depression, anxiety and many other serious issues. Referring to the project she described how music became an outlet for the up and coming website. “I am so excited to be able to marry my two passions, music and counselling. I had no idea when I started writing the EP that it would have such a positive impact on audiences. The response has blown me away and this is what has inspired me to undertake this project.”

Read VIVA’s full interview with Lily-Jo at vivalifestyle.co.uk Preview Lily-Jo’s latest EP “Need To Know” now on her soundcloud.com/ lilyjo-1 words: Lewis Vaughan

You Got The Love Candi Staton, Frankie Knuckles remix This is one of my ultimate house tunes I love to play in my set. It’s an old-skool floor filler that gets everyone going on the dance floor, the original is great but the Frankie Knuckles’ version is just brilliant.

Nobody To Love - Sigma Back in my Bournemouth days, when I was sixteen, I used to live for Drum and Base. Since coming back from the Snowbombing festival this year, I’ve totally got back into it! This tune from Sigma is a bit more commercial than the Drum and Base I used to listen to but I love it!

Soul Makossa (Money) (Club Mix) - Yolanda Be Cool, Dcup This is my favourite tune to play in my funky house set at the moment. It’s such a happy, uplifting tune, the original was good but I think this version is even better. The rhythm of the sax just makes me want to get up and shake my booty.

Go Far - Rudimental (feat. Will Heard)

Anybody that knows me would know that there is no way I could put together an iPod set without having Rudi in it, ha ha! They are my favourite band ever! Feel The Love has always been my number one tune of theirs but at the moment I’m loving ‘Go Far’ from the new album ‘We The Generation.’

Mesmerise Will Atkinson & Rowetta

Photo: Vital Creatives

VIVA EMS DJ / Magazine Editor

TAKES OVER THE

VIVA IPOD Follow Ems on Twitter: @VIVAEms and Mixcloud: mixcloud.com/VIVAEms

Will Atkinson is all kinds of talent when it comes to Trance music. Mesmerise is his latest release with Rowetta from The Happy Mondays. Her powerful voice goes ridiculously well with the Trance beats on this track. It’s such a dance anthem; get your glow sticks out and turn this trance tune up loud!

Where Did The Love Go Bipolar Sunshine

This tune is very close to my heart. It was one of my best friend’s (Rachel Reed aka Crazy Frog) favourite tunes.

Sadly, she took her life at the beginning of the year and Adio Marchant sang it at her memorial service. Every time I listen to it, I remember all the good times I had with Crazy Frog.

The Seed (2.0) The Roots I heard a DJ playing this tune the other day and I forgot how much I loved it. It’s just a sexy cool funky tune. I used to groove to it with my mates in Shakira - my Suzuki Jeep - roof down en route to Bournemouth beach.

Not Nineteen Forever The Courteeners The Courteeners at Heaton Park this summer was, in my eyes, the biggest gig of the year in Manchester; sold out in seconds!

‘Not Nineteen Forever’ reminds me of when I first moved up to Manchester in 2006 and seeing them at the Ritz for the first time.

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VIVA I N T E R V I E W

ALAN McGEE

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VIVA talks to Mr Creation

lan McGee is easily one of the most influential and successful music managers around. A musician himself, he’s also a music-blogger and record-label owner. He co-founded the infamous Creation Records in 1984 and has since worked with some of Britain’s most respected musicians. Most famously, Alan discovered and signed Oasis, catapulting the band and himself into stardom. In the past, Creation Records has worked with the likes of Primal Scream, The Libertines, The Kills, Super Furry Animals and many more. Today, Alan has joined forces with Simon Fletcher to form Creation Management. Together they manage legendary artists including Happy Mondays, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Pete Macleod and Alias Kid. VIVA caught up with Alan at Shaun Ryder’s latest video shoot to talk about the history behind Creation, the music industry today and the infamous Oasis discovery.

VIVA: You’ve managed some of Britain’s most influential bands with Creation management. Where did it all start?

ALAN: It started originally in 1984. Then we started up again in 2002 until about 2007. We managed The Libertines, The Kills, Mew. In the beginning we managed Primal Scream, then we took a break.

I got ill. Then I got better on the testosterone. Basically my immune system crashed, I couldn’t get out of bed and I had no energy at all but then I got better. The Mary Chain kept asking me to manage them, I turned them down twice and then the third time I said ‘OK’ and then Wilko Johnson asked me to manage him.

So we started managing Wilko and then Black Grape asked us to manage them and it just kind of rolled on from there. Finally, we ended up managing the Mondays.

VIVA: How has the music industry changed since you started managing bands in the eighties?

ALAN: It’s one hundred per cent changed but in some ways it’s utterly the same because it’s still all the same venues, like the Ritz. We’re using the Ritz for Shaun Ryder’s video shoot and I used to put bands on here in the eighties. So nothing’s really changed on one level. Yet, in another way, everything’s changed because it’s all about the internet now. I mean, look at you and me, we’re Facebook friends. I knew about you before we’d even met each other and that’s the same for so many people. So, the interconnectivity of the internet has made things so different. About ninety per cent of things on the internet are great and the other ten per cent is utter s***e. Same with life really, isn’t it?

VIVA: As a fan of music in general and somebody who has a lot of friends in bands, it’s really easy to see that talent doesn’t always equate to success. There are some really talented musician’s out there struggling to make it. Likewise, there are a lot of very successful bands who maybe aren’t as talented. What do you think that’s down to?

ALAN: It’s all about drive. It’s a lot about will power. I’m not the best manager in the world, I’m not the best record guy in the world but I’ve had the biggest group in the world and you know what, it’s all about drive.

VIVA: You’ve worked with a lot of mega-stars, do any of them stick out for you?

ALAN: There’s a lot. Bobby Gillespie, Shaun Ryder, Noel and Liam, Kevin Shields, Pete Doherty, Carl Barat. There’s a load of people you can look at and totally understand why they’ve made it.

VIVA: Is there a specific formula managers look for in a band?

ALAN: Believe it or not I actually have to like the people. If I don’t like them as people then we’ve probably got a problem because I probably won’t work with them. When I got involved with the Mondays, I’d always got on with them, I’ve always got on with the Ryders and Bobby Gillespie was my school friend from forty years ago. Noel and Liam, we liked each other from the start. I mean, Noel liked me

the minute he met me and I ordered a triple Jack Daniels and coke, (laughs) from then on we’ve never had a bad word.

VIVA: What advice would you give to bands looking to get signed?

ALAN: I think it’s never been harder. It’s like struggling to get oxygen but you can get oxygen, if you can find a way to get yourself through the internet and marketing thing. It’s all about the internet and if you can market yourself on the internet and go viral on the internet, you’re away. If you’ve got the songs and you’ve got the ability and you’ve got the manager, you’re gonna make it.

VIVA: It sounds like you’re saying that the internet is really central nowadays in making it.

ALAN: Yeah, it’s essential. You know, you don’t judge people on how many records they’ve sold, you judge people on how many streams they’ve had. Which is bonkers but it’s the truth.

VIVA: In a city where there are lots of success-hungry bands, there are also a lot of success-hungry managers. What advice would you give to music managers just starting out?

ALAN: You’ve just got to do it because you love music. If you get into it to make money, you’ll fail. When I was nineteen, I wanted to be a popstar, I wanted to be in a band, to be a bass player and, if I was lucky, I might get a good looking girlfriend. I never dreamt that I was gonna go to London and start Creation and then twelve years later have the biggest group in the world. I never saw any of that coming. So you don’t know what you’re getting into sometimes, you just have to go with it. Life’s a journey at the end of the day, we’re all gonna end up in old folks’ homes, so enjoy the ride while you can.

VIVA: What makes a good manager?

ALAN: I think it’s being available twentyfour, seven, you know. If Shaun Ryder wants to talk to me at eleven at night or seven in the morning, so be it. You know, half the battle is putting out the fire before it starts.

VIVA: So, what are you listening to at the moment?

ALAN: I like weird bands. I like Empire of the Sun, MGMT and people will hate me for saying this but I quite like Adele. I just like what I like. I don’t really think about whether it’s cool or not. I probably don’t even know what’s cool anymore.

VIVA: What’s makes you say people won’t like that you like Adele?

Because she’s mainstream and people get weirded out if you like something mainstream but she’s quality and she’s unique. In terms of old stuff, I like the Pistols, The Kinks, The Beatles, The Stones, Jimi Hendrix and I like Elvis.

VIVA: You’re best known for your association with Oasis. Tell us about that sacred day it started.

ALAN: Total fluke. I’d been hanging around with a girl called Debbie Turner, she was playing a gig in a band called Sister Lovers. Oasis weren’t even on the bill. She’d brought them along in a twin splitter van kind of thing. They weren’t announced, just came and caused a commotion. There were about twelve people there, one of them being a Japanese tourist with a camera. I went in with Susan, my sister.

There were Glasgow drink licensing laws which made the pubs open twenty-four hours a day. So the band went on at ten thirty pm when it should have been eight pm. I saw Oasis and it was just supposed to be. It was meant to be and the other thing about life; I was thirty-two when I found them – who else, on a bank holiday Monday, would have been watching that gig at that time? So, was anybody else gonna get it? It was probably meant for me.

VIVA: So, VIVA are also interviewing Noel for this issue. We asked him what he’d like to ask you. He’d like to know what you spent all the money you made from Oasis on?

ALAN: (Laughs). I’m getting through it. ■

“Noel liked me the minute he met me and I ordered a triple Jack Daniels and coke, from then on we’ve never had a bad word”

Interview by Amelia Ryder | Photo by Karin Albinsson

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Ten mancs

by Karin Albinsson

Photo and words: Karin Albinsson I first met Clint at the Versus Cancer Concerts at MEN Arena. I was the official photographer at these events and Clint was performing with Inspiral Carpets. On a sunny afternoon in October we met up to recreate the portrait we shot back in 2008.

Musician, DJ and Radio presenter CLINT BOON is a true gent as well as a through and through Mancunian. His parents were mill workers from Oldham where Clint was born in 1959 and he has warm memories of a childhood that he describes as a normal working class upbringing. Clint is the oldest of three. His younger brother Craig and sister Lynda called each other ‘Booney!’ Looking back Clint explains that they did not have any luxuries but they did have everything they needed, including a warm house and loving parents.

The love of music has been there as far back as he can remember. As a child he was obsessed with Elvis and started to dream of being a pop star but he only realised he could actually have a go when the Punk explosion happened in 1976. After seeing the Sex Pistols, The Clash and the Buzzcocks, his life changed as music became his life.

Clint has just started a new Sunday night Radio Show for Radio X, after ten years with XFM. He has worked five days a week as a radio presenter for the last twelve years - which is around three thousand radio shows! Now he is enjoying a bit more space in his working week. He is still busy DJing in clubs including his weekly Saturday night at South Night Club in Manchester which is in its fifteenth year.

The band Clint joined in 1986, Inspiral Carpets, are going on tour with Shed 7 in December and they plan to write a new album in 2016.

Clint has also spent some time with a friend developing a cool film idea, based around one of Britain’s earliest Rock Festivals.

When not working Clint spends his time with his wife Charlie and their children Oscar, Hector and Cassius. ‘We do home schooling. That is a whole other world of exciting stuff.’ They enjoy introducing them to the Museums and Galleries in Manchester while, at the same time, encouraging them to be curious and free.

When asked about Manchester, Clint explains that he loves everything about it and cannot imagine living anywhere else. He feels the city has been kind to him.

My last question: How does a ‘Manc’ differ from the rest of the British population? I think the warmth you feel from the Mancunians is similar to that of people from cities like Liverpool, Newcastle and Glasgow; it’s just that we walk differently and wear our coats indoors!

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VIVA I N T E R V I E W

Craig Fleming: Success, Passion And Why Vanity Fair Is The Dream

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IVA caught up with photographer Craig Fleming, to ask about Manchester, his work, his dreams and his plans for the upcoming year. During our chat, Craig revealed his passion for portraiture and how this led him into fashion photography. He regards Manchester as an important stepping stone and tells us what it takes to be successful in the creative industry.

So, Craig, tell us, as photographer, what was it that brought you to Manchester? I came to Manchester about three years ago, previous to that I had dabbled in and out of the city. I’m from Sheffield, so I have done a lot of work there and I’ve also done some bits in London.

Then gradually, as the fashion shift came to Manchester, I’ve come with it. Nowadays photography is very equal, it’s hard to stay one step ahead but that is all I try to do all the time. I shoot new things and bring a different angle to it. I like working across the country; I don’t think you should limit yourself to one place when you can work anywhere.

Where is your favourite place to shoot? Work wise I love London. You get a vibe in London that you don’t get anywhere else. I’ve been on holiday in New York and shot there too, which is just amazing. Both locations have a similar vibe; there is the ability to channel a lot of creativity in both cities.

What is your favourite style of shooting? Portraiture is my first love, that’s how I got into fashion, which happened by accident really, but the two are kind of similar these days.

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like an artist rather than a businessman.

I tend to get up in the morning, put test shoots together and I shoot what I want, I shoot for myself. As a creative, I really believe that’s what you have to do. Any creative, any artist, any medium, you’re working in, people will tell you the same thing; you’ve got to do it for yourself.

What projects have you been up to recently? I’ve done a lot of bridal-look books and theatre work this year. I’ve been working on putting test shoots together but now we’ve had a turn in the weather, that’s on hold.

One of the most frustrating things about working in this industry is when you want to get out and shoot sometimes you just can’t because of certain restrictions.

Have you got any exciting projects coming up in the future? Not that I can talk too much about right now. I’ve got a few things in the pipeline. I’m hoping to shoot in Los Angeles next year, so for now that’s what I’m working towards. I want to spend about six to eight weeks over in the States. With regards to the short term; after Christmas the hair season starts so I’ll be working on that and shooting a lot of hair salon shots. I’ve done quite well in hair competitions before, as a lot of my beauty images are very fashion focused.

But besides that, things pop up week to week. A lot of my portraiture work happens like that. I might wake up to an unexpected email or tweet and sometimes I even walk around finding people to photograph. I don’t plan too far ahead, only about a week in advance! That’s the way it is as a freelancer in the creative industry.

What has been the highlight of your career so far and do you think you’ll ever top it? I’ve shot a lot of household names in the theatre industry such as, (Sir) Anthony Sher, Richard Wilson

and Simon Callow. I’d say that’s my highlight so far. They’re all proper old school theatre actors. When it comes to beating this, I always think you’re working towards the next big thing, which brings it back to the fashion thing. Manchester for me really is a stepping-stone to be able to shoot high-end editorials and celebrity portraiture. I’m always aiming for better clients.

So, speaking of clientèle, who would be your dream client or what would be your dream job? The dream would be Vanity Fair! All of their photographers are my heroes.

Who would you like to shoot for the front cover of Vanity Fair? It would have to be Cate Blanchett or Kevin Spacey, a cool character who you can really do a lot with. Having known some photographers who have been lucky enough to work with Kevin, I’ve heard he’s brilliant on set and there’s nothing more you could want as a photographer. Working in theatre, I tend to get a mixed reaction. Some actors are amiable and will do anything for you but you also get those who are the opposite. However, it’s my job to get the shot.

When you get the people who don’t want to be shot particularly or have their portrait taken, you have to use humour.

What are your top tips to being a successful photographer? Stay true to yourself and do your work for the love of it. Once you’ve lost passion for your work it’s pointless being in the creative industry. You’ve got to have that desire for it and chase the work you want. ■ www.craigfleming.net

words: Christie Hutchinson photos: Craig Fleming

W ords B y DARREN R L GORDOn Tw i t t e r : @ D a r r e n R L G o r d o n / @ D N A _ AC T I N G L A S S

VIVA C I N E M A R E L E A S E S 3

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens - 17th Dec 2015 -

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hen the Disney corporation bought the rights to Star Wars from George Lucas, there was a wave of fear that something awful would happen to a film brand that many generations have a strong affinity with. Disney are very good at what they do but would Star Wars become ‘Disney-fied?’ Well, after the last three films, which were universally panned, the think-tank behind this film (and the sequels to it) has been secretly hatching plans to put Star Wars back into the hearts of geeks and critics alike. Gone are the CGI landscapes and characters of the most recent trilogy, there has been a concerted effort to go back to basics.The storyline is top secret - even elements of the cast have only recently started to come to light. All this, plus some trailers that do everything to inspire the ‘Big Bang Theory’-esque’ side of me to get more than a little excited. The latest rumour is that Luke Skywalker has turned to the dark side! I don’t know, all I know is that I am going to sit among the storm troopers and Yodas that will no doubt turn up in full costume to watch this, the seventh film in the family, on its release day. Expect all records to be smashed. May the force be with you!

reimagining of the famous tale, told from the perspective of Frankenstein’s assistant, Igor. Daniel Radcliffe stars (Igor) with James McAvoy playing the flamboyant and cocksure genius. (Frankenstein) This is not an epic drama so much as an action-packed interpretation along the lines of of Guy Ritchie’s ‘Holmes.’ The leads really bounce off one another and there’s a lot of wit and personality in this production.

Director Paul McGuigan makes his major feature film debut after a career mainly focused on the small screen and he has clearly worked hard with the look and character of this film.

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think most of us know how a struggling wannabe actor wrote a screenplay that launched his career and saw him take the title role.

(Rocky) Now that same man is way too old to get in the ring himself so the way to get another layer out of this cake is to deal with the next generation. Cue Michael B. Jordan as ‘Adonis Johnson’ - son of Apollo Creed and a boxer with a chip on his shoulder - in need of a mentor.

Rocky Balboa is the obvious choice surely? Especially given the relationship he had with this raw talent’s father.

R The Hateful Eight - 8th Jan 2016

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uentin Tarantino returns to the big screen as writer and director of this western. As usual, Samuel L. Jackson features, alongside Channing Tatum and Kurt Russell. A collection of the most infamous Bounty Hunters in ‘the West’ find themselves held up together in a blizzard and, with one of them having a valuable bounty to deliver, will these notoriously treacherous men be able to trust each other? This is Tarantino’s eighth feature and there are so many wonderful things about his work that it’s harsh to be critical but I am going to say that he should never act in his films, as his performances are consistently bad; Django being the absolute worst of them all. I hope that this film brings some new tricks, because Django was a little disappointing in its repetition of things we’d seen before in his other movies. I’ll say no more before QT puts a bounty on my head.

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Creed 15th Jan 2016

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5

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Victor Frankenstein 3rd Dec 2015

Deadpool 4th Feb 2016

yan Reynolds does what Ben Affleck has also tried to do and, later this year, we’ll see if he has succeeded. There is a growing list of actors who have been able to play comic strip heroes during their career but few could have recovered from the devastating annihilation of their first attempt like this. The Green Lantern was an epic failure but Deadpool shows all the qualities and realism that that film lacked. A dark, violent, gritty drama with a sharp witty comedic spine. Reynolds is even satirical about his previous efforts.

VIVA D V D R E L E A S E S 3

B

Hitman: Agent 47 29th Dec 2015

ased on a hit game, this film covers the relationship that forms between a brutal and ruthlessly efficient Hitman and a woman hidden by her estranged father due to the knowledge she possesses. Not knowing who to trust she is ripped from the professional lifestyle she has created for herself, into a tugof-war. With its weak, flimsy plot, this movie tries to survive on action sequences and spectacle.

This project should have been assassinated at development stage.

Legend - 25th Jan 2016

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C

Straight Outta Compton 25th Jan

harting the conception of the careers of some of the biggest names in rap music, Straight Outta Compton is a cult film full of history and with first hand perspectives on the bumpy and controversial ride to the top.

An occasionally tragic tale, this is an insight into how people can blossom from humble beginnings, coupled with many ‘tunes’ that, for some of us, will take us back to a time of our youth.

It’s an entertaining, challenging and moving one that has many shocking moments and depicts how creativity can be born out of adversity. It is also interesting that Ice Cube is played by his own son.

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hen the director was casting this film, he asked Tom Hardy to play one of the Krays but Tom wanted to play the other. They each spent time trying to persuade the other that they were right and, in the end, the director compromised by saying, “I’ll give you Ronnie if you give me Reggie.” or words to that effect. That’s the legend behind this project and, in fact, the reason this film is as engaging as it is. It is more an opportunity to truly analyse the craft and skill of Mr Hardy than it is a brilliantly, entertaining film. The film itself is good, with some scenes that may achieve cult status in time but ultimately I found this a little disappointing. The pace was slow, the story a little self indulgent but the constant hook was the curiosity about the very effective filming technique that allowed the main actor to play two very different characters that spend some much time together. If nothing else, you’ll be entertained trying to spot the joins.

The Martian Release date TBC

n epic film which takes you on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. One of my top ten of 2015 and a must-see in my opinion.

Ear thy (excuse the pun) astronaut Mar k Watney (Matt Damon) is abandoned on Mar s, assumed dead. The race could be on to rescue him before his supplies r un out - once he manages to find a way of letting them know he is alive!

Spectre - Out Now

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ot on the heels of Skyfall, arguably the greatest Bond film ever made, Spectre was always going to be up against it to achieve the same heights. The ingredients all appeared to be present, including what looked like being the ultimate Bond villain in the gifted and wonderful Christoph Waltz. However, right from the offset there is a sense that Daniel Craig is going through the motions and that even the brilliance of director Sam Mendez was stilted by the fact that he wasn’t keen to take on this project. Most heinous of all is the drastic underuse of Waltz’s character. Instead of further lamenting, I’m going to make some predictions: this was Craig’s last Bond film; Waltz will return in the next film to provide a powerful opponent and pulling point for the new Bond.

Who will the new Bond be? My choice would be a certain Mr Fassbender!

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VIVA L I S T I N G S

EVENTS, SHOWS & GIGS NOT TO MISS THIS WINTER

IN MANCHESTER &

THE KOOKS VENUE: ALBERT HALL DATE: 7TH DEC TICKETS: £25 The kooky band return to Manchester continuing their busy year and following on from their UK tour. With hit after hit The Kooks are ready to bring their cool and collected indie vibe to Manchester and what better way than in the fine resurrection of the Albert Hall.

THE BODYGUARD (Featuring Alexander Burke) VENUE: PALACE THEATRE DATE: 8TH DEC TO 9TH JAN TICKETS: FROM £18.50 The award-winning Musical, based on the Blockbuster film, comes charging up to Manchester with all voices blazing. Starring three Brit Nominee and X-Factor winner, Alexandra Burke as Rachel Marron. Direct from its smash-hit West End run, the show is coming to the Palace Theatre and is sure to be a sell-out.

MADONNA VENUE: MCR ARENA DATE: 14TH DEC TICKETS: FROM £40 Back by popular demand, Madonna shows age is just a number. With Manchester being one of only four UK dates on the world tour, Madonna debuts her thirteenth studio album ‘Rebel Heart’ and it’s said to be one of the greatest of her career.

NELLY VENUE: THE RITZ DATE: 17TH DEC TICKETS: FROM £28 It’s about to get hot in here as platinum, Grammy-award winning rap superstar Nelly, comes to Manchester. The Hip-Hop veteran is bringing his cool classics to the North West with a sell-out show

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CHESHIRE...

ROY CHUBBY BROWN VENUE: 02 APOLLO DATE: 17TH DEC TICKETS: £23 A man branded ‘too rude for television,’ Roy Chubby Brown continues his reign as King of controversy. His jokes and trademark patchwork suit will surprise, astonish and amuse this December in Manchester.

ONLY MEN ALOUD VENUE: RNCM DATE: 17TH DEC TICKETS: £30.25 Hot from the release of their album ‘On The Road,’ Only Men Aloud return with a highly anticipated Christmas Tour. Join one of the UK’s foremost vocal ensembles in the Royal Northern College of Music’s Concert Hall as they perform traditional Christmas favourites with their exquisite voices.

BANQUET WITH SANTA VENUE: BLAKEMERE VilLAGE, CHESHIRE DATE: 18TH DEC TICKETS: £16.95 PER PERSON Want the full festive feel this year? Imagine an owl swooping down over long banquet tables filled with a festive feast of Christmas delights.While this magical family event unfolds, Santa mingles with guests before telling a festive story and bestowingsmall gifts on the children. A special treat for all ages to enjoy!

FATBOY SLIM VENUE: VICTORIA WAREHOUSE DATE: 1ST JAN TICKETS: £20 - £35 Sankeys Warehouse have announced their return to Manchester at the Iconic Victoria Warehouse with their second instalment on New Year’s Day 2016 and, to make this a party you will never forget, they have pulled out all the stops once more to bring you a mega New Year’s Day party headlined by none other than dance music king and chart topping producer, Fatboy Slim.

EVENTS AND SHOWS GIGS KEVIN HART VENUE: MCR ARENA DATE: 20TH JAN HOZIER TICKETS: FROM £32.25 VENUE: 02 APOLLO Entertainer, actor and comediDATE: 9TH JAN an Kevin Hart makes his debut TICKETS: £26 in Manchester next year with his sell out ‘What Now?’ Tour.

Following on from his best year MOTÖRHEAD The American superstar, will yet in 2015, Hozier continues his VENUE: APOLLO success with a sell-out tour. The perform his only performance DATE: 26th JAN Irish singer of songs and teller of outside London, in Manchester.

TICKETS: £42.55 tales returns to Manchester bring- Tickets will fly out for his funny With their most recognisable wit and sarcasm. ing his self-titled debut along with track ‘Ace of Spades,’ Motörhead his stunning, soulful vocals. continue to rock fans’ socks off with their defiant rock music.

Bringing you into a world of rebellion and hard rock, Motörhead are back with a vengeance.

MARY POPPINS: THE MUSICAL VENUE: PALACE THEATRE DATE: 20TH JAN TO 5TH MARCH TICKETS: FROM £22 Disney and Cameron Mackintosh announced that their multi award-winning musical Mary Poppins is to embark on a tour of the UK, with Manchester hosting one of the world’s bestloved Nannies.With incredible effects and unforgettable songs, this brilliant adaptation is one to see.

THE LIBERTINES VENUE: MCR ARENA DATE: 23RD JAN TICKETS: FROM £25 Pete Doherty and his fellow Libertines will grace us with a seven date UK tour, performing at Manchester Arena for the first time.The band will be performing tracks from their highly acclaimed and eagerly-awaited new album, Anthems For Doomed Youth.

FOALS VENUE: MCR ARENA DATE: 13TH FEB TICKETS: FROM £21.45 Indie spectaculars Foals make their headline Manchester Arena appearance next year.

With tracks from their latest album ‘What Went Down’ alongside past classics.

JESS GLYNNE VENUE: 02 APOLLO DATE: 18TH FEB TICKETS: FROM £19 Jess Glynne returns to Manchester as part of a string of UK tour shows.The ‘Hold My Hand’ singer has confirmed four brand new shows for February, with Manchester being one to sell out.

Her distinctive and soulful voice is one not to be missed.

IMPRACTICAL JOKERS VENUE: MCR ACADEMY DATE: 28TH FEB TICKETS: FROM £25 Be prepared for a night filled with laughter and hilarious videos, as these four life long friends continue their hit show on tour. Expect, never-beforeseen footage, and comedy gold throughout the night.

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