The best virtual events being streamed from Manchester this weekend

Our pick of the city's online nightlife to keep you entertained at home

Next week brings more gradual easing of the current lockdown restrictions as shops begin to reopen from Monday and friends and family are allowed to meet again -in groups of up to six - outdoors.

And while this weekend's sunshine means many of us will be making the most of the green spaces on our doorsteps, there's no chance of a night out as we knew it for some time yet.

In the meantime, you can find plenty of entertainment online - including a marathon all-day DJ set from a Hacienda legend and a virtual music festival featuring some of Salford and Manchester's best-known names.

Here are some of the best virtual events to tune in to this weekend.

Graeme Park on United We Stream

Hacienda favourite Graeme Park will spin an all day, 12-hour streamed set on Saturday May 30.

Park said he would be 'digging deep and playing an eclectic selection of grooves' from midday to midnight.

The set will be broadcast on Manchester's virtual nightlife platform United We Stream.

The streaming channel was launched by night time economy adviser Sacha Lord and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to support the region's restaurants, bars, music venues and other cultural establishments that have been hit the lockdown.

You can watch and donate at unitedwestream.co.uk.

Our City Speaks

Manchester’s Contact Theatre is bringing together some of the city’s best poets and spoken word artists for an evening of virtual performances on United We Stream.

Created with Manchester City of Literature and spoken word collective Young Identity, Our City Speaks will be headlined by actor, musician and creative producer Keisha Thompson, and Tony Walsh, whose poem This is the Place became a symbol of Manchester’s strength and unity after the 2017 terrorist attack.

The line up also includes Louise Wallwein, Mandla Rae, Roma Havers, Isaiah Hull, Saf Elsenossi, Damani Dennisur, Jardel Rodrigues, Dave Viney, Nasima Begum and Argh Kid, with more names to be announced.

The event will feature a mix of sets specially pre-recorded for the night, and solo artists appearing live at United We Stream’s streaming studio located at The Met, Bury, which has been specially constructed for socially distanced live broadcasting.

You can tune in and donate at unitedwestream.co.uk from 7pm on Sunday May 31.

Salford Music Festival

Salford Music Festival will be going digital for its 10th anniversary this weekend, with a massive line-up confirmed.

Peter Hook, John Cooper Clarke, and ex-Hacienda heavyweights Graeme Park and Dave Haslam will top the bill of music, poetry and spoken word.

The festival will also champion bright new local talent during its three-day live streamed event, including CityLife Award-winning band LIINES.

The festival normally takes place in September, but organisers have moved it forward in the calendar to bring some 'much needed cheer'.

Also on the bill is Graham Nash, Clint Boon, Janice Long, K Klass, Ren Harvieu, Jon DaSilva, Ian McNabb, JB Barrington, and Mike Garry.

Poet Tony Walsh - better known as Longfella - will be performing his poetry, as will Argh Kid.

BLANEY, Bianca Alana, Natalie McCool, Elles Bailey, MC Tunes, Ally Kid Cameron, Argh Kid, Mike Garry, Freya Beer, Lone Lady, James Holt, One Sided Horse, and JD Meatyard will also appear across the three days.

The event will raise money for local charities including Salford CVS, Salford For Good, and Salford Loaves and Fishes, as well as Salford Lad's Club.

You can tune in at salfordmusicfestival.co.uk on May 29, 30 and 31.

Viral Music UK live from the Great Northern

Manchester music agency Viral Music UK is streaming another sunset session this weekend from the rooftop of the Great Northern Warehouse.

Ibiza residents DJ Joe Wilson, Monka and Matt Saxx will perform this week, alongside the Carmina Entertainment dancers, bringing you a soundtrack of soulful disco and classic house music and a panoramic backdrop of the city.

Director Sean Monk said: "Through these tough times, we’ve had to learn to adapt and innovate in order to maintain business and use this time to boost our DJ and artist's profiles though the live streams."

You can tune in from 7.45pm through sunset on Friday May 29 at facebook.com/watch/ViralMusicUK.

Cheetham Cultural Festival's Virtual Spring Fling

Cheetham Cultural Festival has been bringing people together in one of Manchester's most culturally diverse communities for more than 15 years.

Now it's hosting its first ever virtual Spring Fling, with 20 different activities taking place online between noon and 6pm on Sunday May 31.

The programme includes an easy fitness class with PARS Buzz Manchester, Shavuot flower arranging with Manchester Jewish Museum, and a children's creative workshop with the Royal Exchange Theatre's Children's Company.

Festival chairman Gareth Redston said: "This event will be an opportunity for people to put aside their differences and come together to celebrate all the things that unite us and that feels more needed now than ever before."

You can download a free activity pack in preparation for the event at cheethamfest.com, and tune in on the day on Facebook and YouTube.