Ten things to do in Manchester this week

This week is one for the veggies, there's testosterone a-plenty over at The Lowry and we have two festivals celebrating beer and chocolate. Sound like a good week? It does indeed.

Go veggie
With over a billion chickens being eaten in the UK each year, the vast majority factory farmed, plus all the pigs, cows and lambs, we Brits eat more than double the world average. So Compassion in World Farming has declared this Meat Free Week, raising awareness of the sometimes terrible suffering of animals but also of the health risks of eating too many of them. Seems like a good time to re-visit our list of the best vegetarian meals in the city, then!

Nick Mulvey, Albert Hall, Mon Mar 23, £15
A well received debut record from the man who plays a lot of instruments and has a posh education, bringing his brand of folk pop to Albert Hall.

Twelve Angry Men, The Lowry, Mon Mar 23 - Sat Mar 28, £16-£29
The stage version of the classic film starring Henry Fonda in which an all male jury have to put their own prejudices aside to reach a verdict. Can one doubting man turn around 11 others?

Sleater Kinney, Albert Hall, Tue Mar 24, £22.50
It has been a while, ten years actually, but with a new record to promote and the band reformed with the original line up, this is one gig not to miss. Hugely influential and still bad ass.

The Hallé, Bridgewater Hall, Wed Mar 25, £11 - £37
Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake suite, Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No.1 and Symphony No.1 by Sibelius bring some classical quality mid week, in a haunting, melodic programme from our fine orchestra.

Prestwich Beer Festival, Longfield Suite, Salford, Thu Mar 26 - Sat Mar 28, £12
Beer, lager, wine, food and live music? No, I don't think so thanks... WHAT? This celebration over three days is a wonderful alternative to some of the larger festivals of similar ilk, and it's great to see it happening in lovely Prestwich, so with over 80 taps bringing you a veritable beer bust, it's the place to be.

Dutch Uncles, The Ritz, Fri Mar 27, £12 
Manchester boys (well, Marple), Dutch Uncles get to play The Ritz, their out - there indie pop will no doubt be getting that springy dance floor bouncing like a blow up castle at a kids party.

Rule 35, Z Arts, Sat Mar 28, £5.50 
Here's something both admirable and unusual. A group of women in Manchester who live under the threat of deportation have come together to create a theatre piece about what it's really like being detained and how it feels to know that you could be kicked out of the country at any minute when your rights mean very little. 

The Innovation Race, MOSI, Sat Mar 28, Free 
A new interactive exhibition featuring hidden stories of innovation, invention and ingenuity that helped to secure victory on the Western Front. And whilst you're there, check out the amazing photos in the Wellcome Image Awards 2015.

The Ramsbottom Chocolate Festival, Sat Mar 28 - Sun Mar 20
Whoever came up with this idea needs to be hugged. A lot. A festival celebrating chocolate. All weekend. Now in its 8th year, there's more to it than just the delicious coco offerings, with street food, beer tents and fun activity for the kids.