Itchy City Home Reviews and recommendations

You know you spend too much time on Facebook when...

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 16:37:10 GMT

We know when it’s time to dislike the social network and start socialising with real people…

You start liking your own status
Itchy loves a good status update, whether it’s a smiley face, what someone ate for dinner or a song lyric aimed at an ex you are sooo over. But there comes a point where giving two thumbs fresh to something you’ve typed with your very own digits teeters in to loser territory. And Itchy doesn’t associate with losers.

Your last check in was in bed, or on the toilet
Itchy sleeps, Itchy goes to the bog, Itchy also has a life and some self-respect... some. Checking in is a cool way of making you easily accessible to a stalker, but pinpointing your every move is something reserved for Russell Brand and the Twitterati. Heck, if Itchy checked in everywhere then Facebook would be face down with techno problems.

You're stalking the person who wrote on your ex's wall
Itchy has a heart, and that heart has been messed with, pushed, pulled and broken just like yours, so we get it when your innocent finger hovers over your ex's profile on a Columbo-style mission. Yet Itchy draws the line at excessive daily peeping on the poor mite who simply typed "LOL" on a status. Itchy advises you click the remove button pronto and head outside to mingle with real people with actual faces, that like, work and everything.

You're posting music videos to show how you feel
Itchy once posted Cheryl Cole’s Fight For This Love, and within minutes people were asking ‘who wants to fight?’ ‘what are you fighting for?’ and ‘don't you think your Cheryl obsession is going a tad too far?’
We get that music expresses how you feel, but tap your toe to it, not your finger on the upload button next to Blue’s Eurovision treat ‘I Can’ to show what a top day you had at work.

You're creating a relationship out of words, pokes and winks
Sounds quite poetic really, but Itchy knows better than to fall for someone who adds you, pokes you, winks at you and puts LOL at the end of every sentence. As in the real world LOL, Itchy bets you would pretty much be arrested LOL for going round poking strangers and giving them a sly old wink LOL. Itchy says the odd poke can be nice but can it really get you through a day as dull as dog poo? No, didn’t think so.

Kelly Holgate

The Crash Pad at Thorpe Park

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:50:39 GMT

Itchy braved it backwards on The Swarm at Thorpe Park this weekend. We can hardly believe it. We're the first to confess that we are not the bravest people in the world - sometimes we get scared of our own reflection. Fact. So when we were invited to try out The Crash Pad - Thorpe Park's overnight accommodation - before it opened to the public this spring, we slightly pooed our pants. Not only would we be taking on some of the fastest and most loopy (technical term, obv) rollercoasters in the UK, but we would be staying on site, meaning that there would literally be no escape. Gulp.

We invited our least intrepid friend for moral support, and we left behind our other halves - this turned out to be a wise decision, as our accommodation was somewhat intimate. We doubt the boys would have appreciated being consigned to the bunk beds... As a result, if you're planning to go as a group of couples, we recommend getting more than one Crash Pad - they sleep four, but only if all four are 100% familiar with each other's snores and night time loo visits. Itchy reckons it'd be ideal for young families and groups of mates who don't mind the novelty of being in each others pockets for the evening. Just don't fight over the top bunk (or the double bed, for that matter). Proximity aside, we loved the modern design of the "pods" and found the idea of waking up next to the coasters terrifying and exciting in equal measures.

Unfortunately, our visit coincided with some traditional British weather, leaving us soaked before we'd even caught a glimpse of Tidal Wave, but we didn't let this dampen our spirits. Oh no, we decided to go hard or go home, bravely taking on The Swarm as pretty much our first ever rollercoaster. As we approached the ride, which looks like the scene of a pretty serious plane crash (always a great way to put us at ease, right?), we clung to each other in a state of delirium, muttering "Why the hell are we here?!?!". As we were strapped in, we said a quick prayer to the god of health and safety. The coaster began its ascent and we continued to hold hands... And that's pretty much the last thing we remember, aside from a near miss with a plane wing, a flash of flames and a couple of "Crikey, we're upside-down" moments. As the ride came to a stop, we were still in shock. Not only had we endured The Swarm, we'd actually enjoyed it. So much, in fact, that we then did it again. Twice. (Once backwards and once more forwards, for the record. Yeah, we're casual about it now... No biggie.)

After this, it only seemed fair to reward ourselves at Bar 360 with a mega meal and about 500 cocktails - we recommend the Raspberry Mojito, FYI. Then we smugly made our way to The Crash Pad, where we literally, well, crashed... After using the WiFi to Skype everyone we knew to drunkenly boast about how brave we'd been.

And, believe it or not, the next morning we discovered that a) Bar 360 offers the ideal morning-after breakfast (the muffins were a highlight) and b) rollercoasters really do cure hangovers. Win.
The Crash Pad opens to the public on 28th March

2013. Prices from £64 per person, per night based on 4 people sharing. Evening entertainment, breakfast and TWO days at the Park are included in the price of your stay at The Crash Pad. Visit http://www.THORPEPARK.com/crashpad or call 0871 663 1673 for enquiries.

Thai Square Spa City

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:48:55 GMT

Itchy was feeling tired, run down and emotional. Spring just hasn't sprung yet, and we were in desperate need of a boost. That's when Thai Square Spa invited us to their City branch, just seconds away from Aldgate Station in Central London. We literally jumped for joy. Not only does the spa offer a large selection of high quality treatments, but it's also possible to visit in your lunch hour and return to your desk feeling like a brand spanking new human being.

On recommendation from the spa, we sampled the Thai Herbal Healer - described as "a traditional Thai herbal therapy to soothe muscle tension and stiffness," it was just what the doctor ordered. We arrived at the spa, having got a tiny bit lost in transit, feeling flustered and very much in LONDON. (You Londoners will sympathise with this, we know.) Within minutes, after our therapist, Bee, had lead us down a labarythine set of steps and corridors, we were sitting in a beautifully decorated treatment room, wearing a towelling robe with our feet in a bowl of warm, fragrant water, sipping on authentic Thai herbal tea, feeling approximately 9,524.40120648 kilometres away from the capital. Absolute bliss.

After the lovely Bee had washed our feet (very biblical, but also incredibly relaxing), we were instructed to lie on the beautiful white bed, face down. From this moment on, we were taken away to a place where all that mattered was our body. Incredible. The session began with the application of a warm Thai herbal poultice, containing a fragrant blend of therapeutic Thai herbs and spices. Itchy did a bit of a Google, and apparently these herbs are good for pretty much any ailment - stiff, sore or pulled muscles, chronic aches and even migraines, skin conditions and stress. We can't verify all of these claims, but we felt very relaxed and pampered as they were applied to our back, neck, arms and legs.

Following this, Bee worked on each of these areas with her magical touch and some aromatic oils - from the sore spots on our shoulder blades to the tight muscle on our right calf muscle, she covered it all. We managed not to fall asleep, as even though we could easily have drifted off, we didn't want to miss a precious second of our massage. Bee was a woman of few words, which we really enjoyed as it enabled us to completely switch off throughout the treatment. Our only slight annoyance was the piano music, which sometimes seemed to be a little upbeat for the occasion. Eventually, Bee asked us to turn onto our back, so that she could massage our face and scalp. This was the sort of massage we always crave at the end of a busy day in the office; focussing on our temples and working across the pressure points of our face, neck and head. Mmmmm. Perfect.

When the experience finally came to an end, we felt brand new. We collected our clothes from the locker with a spring in our step, only to be presented with ANOTHER cup of delicious tea in the beautiful relaxation area, complete with magazines. Oh, go on then... let's spend a little longer in paradise. London can wait.

We recommend Thai Square Spa for anyone who feels overwhelmed by the pace of the capital. Finding a piece of Thailand just meters from Aldgate Station is a dream come true. Click here

to see their website and visit their Facebook page for the latest news and offers.

Itchy's Weekend in Bristol

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:01:13 GMT

Bristol is so full of exciting things to see and do, so we've tried to round up some of the things we saw and did, just for you:

What we saw
We'd heard about Bristol being famous for graffiti and Brunel, so we decided to investigate further... SO, apparently Isambard Kingdom Brunel, one of the great engineers of the 19th Century, FYI, wasn't born in Bristol, but it is home to many of his famous projects - from the Clifton Suspension Bridge to the ss Great Britain. We visited the famous vessel and enjoyed an audio tour through the reconstructed cabins, as well as a close look at its revolutionary screw propeller. Mr Brunel has been a busy boy.

From one busy boy to another, Bristol is also full of works by the famous graffiti artist Banksy. We spotted a couple on our travels, but Itchy was more impressed with the non-Banksy works that Bristol has to offer. Nelson Street, in the Old City is home to the most ambitious permanent street art project ever to take place in the UK, See No Evil - basically, the street is covered in huge graffiti pieces. Launched in the summer of 2011, it has since evolved to include new art work from street artists across the world. A short walk from See No Evil, in Stokes Croft, the streets are covered in ever-changing art works, including giant skulls and crocodiles. Definitely worth a look.

What we did

A visit to The Lido, in Clifton, was the perfect Saturday morning activity. A very enthusiastic man explained the correct way to take on the spa - swim, steam, cold water, sauna, cold water and then, and ONLY then, you can reward yourself with a sit in the hot tub... We obeyed his instructions and felt invigorated for it (especially after the cold water bucket... brrr!). We took advantage of the Swim and Lunch package - the food has an eclectic range of influences, including Spain, France and Morocco, and a great range of fresh fish.

Itchy believes that you can't go to Bristol without a trip to Cabot Circus. Boasting every shop you can think of - seriously, they even have a Harvey Nichols - this beautifully designed retail area even has a cinema and restaurants to extend your day out. It's the ideal place to go if you're in need of some retail therapy.

We also checked out the nightlife in Bristol, enjoying casual yet classy cocktails at Goldbrick House on Park Street, as well as a good old dance at Mr Wolf's, known for their live music and excellent DJs.

Where we stayed
Brooks Guesthouse, in the centre of St Nicholas Market, was the ideal resting place for Itchy on our visit. We loved being right in the middle of the action - Park Street, Cabot Circus and a whole range of bars and clubs were within walking distance. We also loved the quirky rooms, comfy beds and DVD rentals from reception. Oh, and we haven't even STARTED on praising the breakfast: seriously, it was the most varied menu we've ever been offered at a hotel. On the first day, Itchy savoured some freshly made porridge with stewed apple, cinnamon and a blob of creme-fraiche - the best start to a day we've had in a while. We also sampled the Full English, Eggs Benedict and a Bacon Bagel during our stay... so yummy.

Where we ate
Itchy visited Glassboat for a romantic evening meal, where we were blown away by the inventive and exciting menu, as well as the fact that we were, in fact, floating. The view from the boat is an ideal accompaniment to their delicious cocktails and gorgeous dishes. Itchy recommends the Beef Wellington, which is a little Wellington and a lot of perfectly cooked Beef - dream come true. We also savoured the desserts, with the Honey Parfait leaving a perfectly sweet taste in our mouths. Yum.

The next night we were surprised by the underground delight that is Harvey's Cellars. Home to the famous Bristol Cream Sherry, Harvey's, this gem of a venue provides the ideal venue for a night of tapas and drinks. They offer not only a signature serve of the sherry, but also a range of cocktails which showcase the unique flavours of Harvey's. Our waitress was quick to advise us on both cocktails and tapas, so we ended up with just the right amount of food on our table - from Albondigas (yummy Spanish meatballs) to a selection of Croquetas, we were impressed by every dish.

What we think now - Bristol is probably our favourite city in the UK. (Shhhh - don't tell all the others, they'll get jealous!) We don't feel like one weekend can do it justice.

If you want to visit Bristol, we recommend you purchase cheap train tickets in advance, and check out the Visit Bristol website for events and information on your stay. Enjoy!

Cantina Laredo

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:13:36 GMT

Itchy loves a good Mexican. Who doesn't? Nachos, guacamole, quesadillas, tortillas... ariiiiiba! If you love it too, we recommend a visit to Cantina Laredo.

We arrived, starving hungry, ready for a feast and with eyes far bigger than our stomachs. We were shown to our booth, which was very comfortable and gave us a great view of the street, then greedily swept our eyes over the menu and requested Top Shelf Guacamole - freshly made at our table by Anna, the most enthusiastic waitress EVER. We were mesmerised by the way she took a load of ingredients, from avocado to jalapenos, chopped them up before our eyes and created the best guacamole we've ever had the pleasure of dipping our tortilla chips into. Yum. We recommend this if you are picky about how much onion/tomato/coriander/spice you like in your dip, or if you want to recreate this delicacy in your very own kitchen one day. We also greedily devoured some Machaca Quesadillas, which were a lovely texture and filled with melted oaxaca cheese and machaca beef - delish.

For mains, we decided to be adventurous. We've heard a lot about Mole - a Mexican speciality involving both chocolate and chilli with chicken - and thought this would be the ideal time to check it out. We were pleasantly surprised by the sweet, spicy, chocolatey sauce and the creamed spinach and mushrooms that accompanied the dish were the perfect partner. We also tried Carnitas Tacos - slow roasted pork with chipotle wine sauce and fresco cheese... mmmmm. We just wish we hadn't stuffed ourselves so much with starter, as we couldn't finish our mains. A cautionary tale indeed.

You may think we finished there. But no, we are firm believers in the savoury side being full, but the sweet side crying out for attention... so we bravely battled on and ordered dessert. We just couldn't walk away from the Tequila Lime Cheesecake with Avocado ice cream and the Mexican Brownie with Cinnamon ice cream... and goodness, are we glad we didn't. The cheesecake was the perfect mix of sweet and sour, with the ice cream providing a creamy and delicious accompaniment. Needless to say, we polished it all off with ease. The brownie was equally spectacular, served sizzling hot on a skillet. Our only issue was how hot this made the brownie, and how quickly it melted the ice cream - we were desperate to devour it within seconds, but it was just so damn hot that we had to wait. Itchy doesn't like to wait.

Now, we've neglected to mention one of Cantina Laredo's best bits - the bar. Throughout our meal we sipped on some gorgeous cocktails, including the beautifully named Hibiscus Royale, which is a blend of fresh mint, hibiscus syrup and prosecco - bliss. We also made El Cubano a favourite, Barcardi Superior hand-muddled with fresh strawberries, raspberries, passion fruit and apple juice, with a hint of vanilla. Seriously addictive, but we suppose it must be at least one of our five a day? We eyed up the uber massive and glam looking freshly squeezed lime margaritas, but we just didn't have any room to try them out - maybe next time? We'll meet you there. Just don't gorge on starters, stick with a sharer of Top Shelf Guacamole and hold out for the perfect main... and don't forget dessert. Bam. (We make the mistakes, so you don't have to. No need to thank us. It's what we're here for.)

Tempting Failure at The Island, Bristol

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 14:13:51 GMT

Well, last weekend was quite an adventure. We trundled on down to The Island - formerly a police station, complete with cells - which now serves as something of a rent-a-space for exciting and varied artistic events. Order of the day was an evening of performance art called Tempting Failure, described as ‘an immersive event of Live Art, Aktion & Noise that challenges artist & audience alike to tempt failure’.

So what does that mean? We’re pretty new to the performance art lark but a fellow kindly explained – it’s not like theatre, where the artists are playing a role. It is more that the artists are expressing an aspect of themselves through their performance, and it turned out that the way they do it can be pretty remarkable, and occasionally terrifying.

Over 40 artists participated in the event and we caught only a few, but of what we did see, by far the most impressive was Tom Bresolin’s P.A.A.U (Psycho.Anarco.Arson.Unit). You would not think that a performance that began with a naked man and woman covering themselves in paraffin could get much more transgressive, but once the Molotov cocktails started getting smashed (yes really) we did begin to wonder if Health & Safety had approved this… It was strikingly brave, although we did worry about the performers’ cuts and bruises afterwards.

A brief interlude followed, where we spent three minutes slow-dancing in a police cell with a negligée-clad girl. We then really enjoyed Bioni Samp’s Hive Synthesis, which took inspiration from bee frequencies to try and recreate their symbiotic relationships. Although we wished we had taken up the offer of ear plugs on the way in, it really was very clever.

Readers we advise you - at least once - to experiment in the world of performance art and examine your own boundaries by watching others push theirs. Who know what you might find out?

Click here for further Tempting Failure updates.

Amelia Strawson

Photo credit: Tom Bresolin taken by Yiota Demetriou

Five Bands Itchy's Fallen in Love with this Spring

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 15:11:15 GMT

1. Bastille
We've been a fan of their mix tapes for what feels like years, but Bastille's debut album, Bad Blood, has had us hooked even more than we thought possible. We're humming Pompeii 24/7 and Sleepsong has us tapping things frantically, like a wannabe drummer. If you're already in the Bastille club*, bravo. If not, join it as soon as you can. You won't regret it.

*NB we aren't sure if there actually is a club, we are talking metaphorically. Obv.

2. London Grammar
Ethereal pop trio from, yup, you guessed it, London. We love Metal and Dust, but it's currently in heavy rotation on Radio One, so we've gone for another of their classic tracks, Hey Now, for your listening pleasure. We don't know much about them, but seeing as they don't even have an album out yet but they're getting all this attention, Itchy reckons they're gonna be massive.

3. The 1975
We have no idea what this Manchester-based alt-rock band are saying in Chocolate, but it's mighty catchy nevertheless. In fact, we quite enjoy making up our own soundalike lyrics. We're pretty certain they're singing about petticoats. Hmmm. Have a listen and let us know what you think they're singing in the comments box below...

4. Local Natives
With their second album, Hummingbird, the Natives have captured Itchy's heart once again. It's not hugely different from their debut, Gorilla Manor, but we really don't care. You can never have too much of a good thing, that's what we say. If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it... And all those other cliches. Yes. Here's our favourite from Hummingbird.

5. Haim
Music needs more women. Haim are three twenty-something girls from Los Angeles making some toe-tappingly-good songs. Itchy can't quite describe their sound... we're thinking 90s R&B meets 70s soft-rock with a touch of folky goodness. Have a listen and let us know what you think in the comments box below.

EXCLUSIVE URBAN KITCHEN OFFER

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 13:20:41 GMT

It's the start of Summer (apparently), which means warmer weather, better fashions and lower temperature food - we're not the only ones sick of pie and chips, are we? Itchy has teamed up with Toral Shah at Urban Kitchen to offer you a Summer code until May 21st...

We fell for her food before we fell for Toral, but as a cook with an MSc in Nutritional Medicine and a breast cancer survivor, we can personally add our endorsements to her credentials - she knows what she's doing. Her food is not only super delicious, but super good for you, so you'll get through the day without feeling like collapsing of sugar deprivation (that's a real thing... probably).

Check out her Urban Lunch Boxes, starting from £4.75, including gluten-free, dairy-free and nut-free choices, and enjoy free delivery if you're inside Zone 1 (SE1, E1, EC1, EC2, EC3, EC4 - email for details to other areas). We highly recommend the turkey burgers with sweet potato and green salad, though we're regretting not trying the Moroccan meatballs… yum.

If you order before the 21st of May you can get 10% off exclusively with Itchy! Here’s the VERY SECRET code:

ITCHYLN13

So eat yourself healthy, starting... now.

Itchy's Top May Bank Holiday Weekend Events in Birmingham

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:47:13 GMT

Itchy's teamed up with CalendApp; the world's largest Events search engine, to bring you the top three events taking place in Birmingham this Early May Bank Holiday 2013. Download CalendApp today from the App Store.

3. Live Music and Ghost Stories at Urban Coffee Company. Friday 3rd May 2013. 30 Church Street, Birmingham

Start your weekend with a fantastic evening of live music with an eerie twist. Get to the Urban Coffee Company before 6.15 and you'll catch ghost stories being delivered by Midland Discovery Tours.

From there the focus shifts to live music. Settle back with a delicious coffee or take your pick from one of their alcoholic drinks, including the delicious (but strong) Brew Dog Punk IPA and enjoy some of Birmingham's best up and coming bands.

Find out more

2. New Art West Midlands Exhibition. Saturday 4th May 2013. Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Birmingham

Experience the cutting edge of art with one of the most exciting annual events at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.

The most exciting artists to have recently graduated from local art schools gather together to present an exhibition exploring themes such as urban and domestic spaces, nostalgia and memory.

Find out more

1. Ceroc Dancing. Monday 6th May 2013. Tally Ho, Pershore Road, Birmingham

Enjoy a fun night out and exercise at the same time with Ceroc Dancing.

Come and join as a beginner or an intermediate with multiple classes available dependent on your experience. The evening begins with a warmup dance, and then moves into the classes.

Find out more

CalendApp

All of the above events were found by using CalendApp, the world's largest events search engine. Download it today and see what you will discover.

Itchy's Top May Bank Holiday Weekend Events in Bristol

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:48:21 GMT

Itchy's teamed up with CalendApp; the world's largest Events search engine, to bring you the top three events taking place in Bristol this Early May Bank Holiday 2013. Download CalendApp today from the App Store.

3. Hoochie Coochie Wonderland Ball II. Thursday 2nd May 2013. Rehab, Bristol

Get the weekend started in style with a Thursday night trip to the Hoochie Coochie Wonderland Ball. Admittedly, it's not strictly part of the bank holiday, but this one was too good to pass up!

Arrive at one of Bristol's best venues in full Alice in Wonderland themed fancy dress and enjoy the equally hilarious and talented gymnast Bongo Bolero, the haunting ballerina Sapphira and many more. Witness fire displays, drag dancers and wandering performers all in the same evening, then finish the evening with DJs LlyodiTron.

Find out more

2. Pensford to Stanton Drew Stone Circles Walk. Saturday 4th May 2013. Pensford Memorial Hall, Bristol

Join a short 2 mile walk to the English Heritage site of Stanton Drew Stone Circles (originally dating back to between 2600-2500BC) and meet new people who share similar interests whilst enjoying a remarkable part of England's history.

Then walk back to Pensford where a fantastic choice of local pubs will be waiting for you to enjoy a drink afterwards and to discuss the day.

Find out more

1. The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Saturday 4th May 2013. Tobacco Factory Theatre, Bristol

Witness one of the final performances of Shakespeare's comedy The Two Gentlemen of Verona in Bristol before the show begins a National Tour.

With tickets available for between £12 and £22, be prepared for a fantastic evening watching one of the memorable pieces of Shakespearian comedy. To quote The Guardian (on The Comedy of Errors, 2011) "If you've never found Shakespeare's comedies funny, do try this." It truly does seem to get better and better with every passing year and continues to inspire audiences.

Find out more

CalendApp

All of the above events were found by using CalendApp, the world's largest events search engine. Download it today and see what you will discover.

Itchy's Top May Bank Holiday Events in Manchester

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:55:38 GMT

Itchy's teamed up with CalendApp; the world's largest Events search engine, to bring you the top three events taking place in Manchester this Early May Bank Holiday 2013. Download CalendApp today from the App Store.

3. 007 Celebrity Guests Charity Ball. Friday 3rd May 2013. Chethams's School of Music, Long Millgate, Manchester.

Begin the weekend by spending Friday evening with a celebrity 007 guest and raising money for the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.

With tables available for up to 10 people for large groups you can enjoy a raffle, an auction, great food, comedians and many other fantastic types of live entertainment. A truly excellent way to start the weekend, and all in the name of charity.

Find out more

2. The Stitch & Creative Crafts Show. Saturday 4th May 2013. Manchester Central, Windmill St, Manchester

The Stitch and Creative Crafts Show comes to Manchester and takes place Thursday 2nd May to Saturday 4th May.

Covering all aspects of quality stitch and creative crafts ranging from basic cross stitch and sewing all the way through to rug making, beadwork and framed finished work. An absolute must for those with an interest in stitch and creative crafts, and an exciting event for those who are looking to take it up. Very beginner friendly!

Find out more

1. Pop-Up Vintage Fair. Sunday 5th May 2013. Night & Day Cafe, 26 Oldham Street, Manchester

Sunday afternoon from 12pm-5pm is the Pop-Up Vintage Fair at the Night and Day Cafe, an absolutely fantastic way to end the weekend.

Come and experience a selection of fine vintage pop up boutiques selling personally sourced, often one of a kind, fashion and home wares. An opportunity truly not to be missed for the fashion conscious and those looking for something different alike.

Find out more

CalendApp

All of the above events were found by using CalendApp, the world's largest events search engine. Download it today and see what you will discover.

Itchy's Top May Bank Holiday Events in Cardiff

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:57:58 GMT

Itchy's teamed up with CalendApp; the world's largest Events search engine, to bring you the top three events taking place in Cardiff this Early May Bank Holiday 2013. Download CalendApp today from the App Store.
3. Diffusion Festival Symposium: The Photograph. Friday 3rd May 2013. Reardon Smith Theatre, National Museum, Cardiff

Begin your weekend by taking a step back and looking to further understand the world we're living in. Explore questions around "The Photograph" and the status and meaning of the photographic object in visual culture with some well known speakers on the subject.

During the symposium the keynote will be presented by internationally renowned artist Richard Wentworth, followed by panel sessions on Create, Curate and Collect, all chaired by other well known names. An insightful and interesting start to the weekend awaits!

Find out more

2. Ian Smith + Ben Norris + Ro Campbell + Eddy Brimson - Comedy Night. Saturday 4th May 2013. The Glee Club, Mermaid Quay, Cardiff

Settle down to an evening of side splitting laughter with some of the best in live stand-up comedy at The Glee Club on Saturday.

The doors open from 7.15pm and last entry before starting is 8pm, leaving you just enough time to grab a favourite tipple and find a great seat (not too close to the front) before the comedy begins. Be warned, this is very funny.

Find out more

1. Bring Me The Horizon. Sunday 5th May 2013. Cardiff University Student's Union

Headlining London's Alexandra Palace, being described as the 'new Metallica' and having one of the largest UK metal tours in recent years are just a short list of Bring Me The Horizon's remarkable achievements to date.

Outside of metal circles, Bring Me The Horizon are unknown. Inside though they're a big big noise and this is a fantastic opportunity to see the band live in an intimate setting and to really round the weekend off on a high.

Find out more

CalendApp

All of the above events were found by using CalendApp, the world's largest events search engine. Download it today and see what you will discover.