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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Library Live
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260415T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260926T170000
DTSTAMP:20261022T225647
CREATED:20260428T082933Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260508T065250Z
UID:13536-1776240000-1790442000@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Cultural Masterplanning - How Manchester changed the way we make cities
DESCRIPTION:A major new exhibition at Manchester Central Library explores the process of Cultural Masterplanning and how creative interventions in urban spaces undergoing redevelopment can reconnect fragmented places with their past and allow us to look to a dynamic shared future. These playful interactions change how transformation feels and help us involved and  that change is happening with us\, not to us. \nShowcased across the Exhibition Hall and Wolfson Reading Room at Central Library from April to September 2026 are glimpses of buried histories of lives and industry which sparked curiosity and conversation about places in transition such as Ancoats\, Central Library itself and Mayfield Depot\, as well as examples from Glasgow and London. \nCitizen Manchester takes a deep dive into the extraordinary transformation of Central Library and Town Hall Extension\, Manchester’s historic twin treasures whose restoration began in 2014 and continues to lead the city’s rebirth as a global icon blending heritage and innovation. Citizen Manchester records and celebrates the creation of the first ever Modern City. From April to August 2026 Central Library’s Exhibition Hall and First Floor corridors of Central Library will feature photographs and artefacts from the transformation\, allowing viewers a close-up look at the rich patina and textures captured within the walls of these beloved spaces. \nThe Lost World of Mayfield has returned to the First Floor Reading Room of Central Library\, showcasing archival treasures from Mayfield\, the area now transformed by a thriving green space including a brand-new public park and the transformed Mayfield Depot. This area behind Manchester’s Piccadilly Station was formerly a wasteland whose industrial heritage was largely forgotten so much that few locals knew its original name.  Currently on show are artefacts and images from the Mayfield Pattern Book\, Graham’s Dye Recipe Book and the Mayfield Grit Walk story cards which uncover the history of Thomas Hoyle and Sons Calico Printing Works and the dwellings and bathhouse which served the residents and workers following its demise. \nThe Cultural Masterplanning exhibition has been curated by Sam Hallas and produced by Dan Dubowitz of FLEX Manchester School of Architecture in collaboration with Manchester City Council\, Archives+\, and Manchester Art Gallery. It can be viewed in the Exhibition Hall at Central Library until the end of June 2026 and continues on the First Floor and Reading Room with Citizen Manchester\, Grit Walks and the Lost World of Mayfield on display until the end of September 2026. \nFree – just drop in \nPlease make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/cultural-masterplanning-how-manchester-changed-the-way-we-make-cities/
CATEGORIES:Exhibition
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/1000027525.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260604T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260926T170000
DTSTAMP:20261022T225647
CREATED:20260604T100004Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260604T100004Z
UID:13829-1780560000-1790442000@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Manchester Bomb 1996: Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Manchester IRA explosion
DESCRIPTION:Manchester Archives+ presents archive material\, photographs and film footage from the Archives+ collections to remember the day when time stood still for the city. This exhibition captures Manchester’s drive to recover and rebuild\, aided by the extraordinary wave of support from people\, communities and institutions across the region and the world. \nFree – just drop in \nPlease make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/manchester-bomb-1996-commemorating-the-30th-anniversary-of-the-manchester-ira-explosion/
LOCATION:Archives+ Ground Floor
CATEGORIES:Exhibition
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/m81272-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260701T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260930T170000
DTSTAMP:20261022T225647
CREATED:20250925T103247Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260811T092516Z
UID:11810-1782892800-1790787600@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:South Manchester Camera Club 2026 Exhibition of Members’ Images
DESCRIPTION:SMCC welcomes everyone to visit Manchester Central library to view a wide selection of members’ images. Pictures have been captured across a wide section of our members representing their individual skill\, technique and style. \nSMCC is an active\, friendly and progressive photography club offering a wide range of speakers\, outings and events. \nThe Club was formed in June 1952 by a group of friends in Didsbury\, led by Fred Veal FRPS\, FRSA\, the Club’s first President. The aim of the Club was to encourage “good friendship through photography” which is now the Club’s motto. \nThe club has a mentoring scheme for Club members by setting up small interest groups. These groups are each led by a couple of experienced leaders and cover Landscape\, People\, Urban/Street\, Macro Photography\, Astro Photography and a Basic Skills group. \nEach group arranges its own practical outings and review sessions\, where images are shared within the groups and constructive and supportive critique is given to help members improve their photography. Members can join as many groups as they want and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. \nFor more information\, please contact www.smcc.org.uk \nFree – just drop in \nPlease make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/south-manchester-camera-club-exhibition/
LOCATION:First Floor
CATEGORIES:Exhibition
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/SMCC-26.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260713T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261231T170000
DTSTAMP:20261022T225647
CREATED:20260716T084757Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260813T074519Z
UID:14167-1783929600-1798736400@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Queer Up North 1992–2002: Celebrating Manchester's LGBTQ+ Heritage
DESCRIPTION:Explore bold and beautiful material from Queer Up North 1992–2002. Established in 1992 by Tanja Farman and Gavin Barlow as part of the original Manchester Festival\, Queer Up North quickly became a beacon for queer culture\, drawing artists and audiences from across the globe. Over its first decade\, the festival showcased groundbreaking performances and played a pivotal role in shaping Manchester’s identity as an inclusive and vibrant LGBTQIA+ city. \nIn late 2024\, Queer Up North 1992–2002: Celebrating Manchester’s LGBTQIA+ Heritage was awarded funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund\, with additional support from The Granada Foundation. This funding marked a significant milestone in preserving Manchester’s rich LGBTQIA+ heritage\, focusing on the Queer Up North festivals held between 1992 and 2002. \nAll items on display\, unless otherwise stated\, are drawn from the Queer Up North collection held at Manchester Central Library. You can also listen to a fascinating series of oral histories about the festival in our Sound & Vision pods. \nSpecial thanks to Archives+. \nPhoto credit: Pamela Sneed \nFree – drop in
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/queer-up-north-1992-2002-celebrating-manchesters-lgbtq-heritage/
LOCATION:Archives+ Ground Floor
CATEGORIES:Exhibition
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/M800_8_1081-Pamela-Sneed-CREDIT-Unknown.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260807T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261031T170000
DTSTAMP:20261022T225647
CREATED:20260716T140408Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260716T140408Z
UID:14176-1786089600-1793466000@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:In the ordinary\, there is always the extraordinary
DESCRIPTION:As a working-class artist and photographer\, Tricia Ashworth has always been fascinated by what society deems ordinary. The beauty\, the nuances\, humour\, strength and steeliness of everyday life in the ordinary. This exhibition of portraits\, from the north-west and beyond\, explores and celebrates the extraordinary. \nFree – just drop in. \nPlease make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online.
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/in-the-ordinary-there-is-always-the-extraordinary/
LOCATION:Ground Floor (Oculus Area)
CATEGORIES:Exhibition
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/In-the-ordinary-there-is-always-the-extraordinary-exhibition.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260904T000000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260930T000000
DTSTAMP:20261022T225647
CREATED:20260616T130845Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260904T141821Z
UID:10774-1788480000-1790726400@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast
DESCRIPTION:Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast returns for September: Listen Here \nA Wythenshawe Forum Library – Creative Space Special\, featuring actor Andrew Ellis\, Music Evermore\, Paint Pots\, Ken’s Keep Fit Class\, Wythenshawe Youth Theatre. \nPlus\, an exclusive interview with acclaimed author\, Tony Fletcher and much more! \nTune in now here!
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/full-volume-the-manchester-libraries-podcast/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Online Event,Podcast
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/FULL-VOLUME-SEPT-2026-POSTER.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260908T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20270102T170000
DTSTAMP:20261022T225647
CREATED:20260907T074834Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260910T105141Z
UID:14605-1788854400-1798909200@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Schinkel in Manchester 1826-2026
DESCRIPTION:An exhibition of architectural models by students from the Manchester School of Architecture of early nineteenth buildings in Berlin and Manchester created to celebrate the bicentenary of the brief visit of the Prussian court architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel (1781-1841) to Manchester on July 17 1826. \nDuring his ‘English’ journey Schinkel was brought into direct contact with the industrial progress of Britain in many sites across the country. In Manchester\, and specifically in Ancoats\, he saw an industrial town developing at full spate. As Nikolaus Pevsner described it Schinkel ‘had never seen anything like that\, and indeed could not have seen it anywhere else’. \nThe exhibition compares six of Schinkel’s buildings in Berlin with six similar contemporary buildings in Manchester\, by the architects Charles Barry (1795 – 1860)\, Francis Goodwin (1784-1835) and the anonymous ‘mere foremen’ (as Schinkel described them) who were building the mills and warehouses that were in his view ‘nothing but monstrous masses of red brick … without any trace of architecture …’ \nThere will also be a special talk about this exhibition in the Performance Space on 30 September – see event details here \nFree – just drop in. \nPlease consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/schinkel-in-manchester-1826-2026/
LOCATION:Wolfson Reading Room
CATEGORIES:Exhibition
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/IMG_7567-scaled.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260909T180000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261231T193000
DTSTAMP:20261022T225647
CREATED:20260729T172924Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261001T140114Z
UID:14220-1788976800-1798745400@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Just a Girl from North Manchester: A Photographic Exhibition
DESCRIPTION:For over 30 years\, Karen McBride has documented the people\, places and music that have shaped Manchester. Her new exhibition brings together a personal collection of black-and-white photographs\, stories and memories from behind the camera. \nThe work follows on from her book\, ‘Just a Girl from North Manchester’\, and explores a lifetime spent documenting musicians\, communities and everyday moments that might otherwise have been forgotten. \nDisplayed throughout the exhibition are nine original vintage library display cabinets that were especially designed for Manchester Central Library when the building first opened. They provide the perfect setting for a journey through Manchester’s musical and cultural history. One cabinet\, however\, will house something very special that celebrates Karen’s lifelong love of traditional black-and-white photography\, craftsmanship and making things by hand—qualities that have always been part of Manchester’s industrious spirit. \nFree – just drop in. \nPlease consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/14220/
LOCATION:First Floor Display Cases
CATEGORIES:Exhibition,Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Karen-Mc.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260924T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261010T170000
DTSTAMP:20261022T225647
CREATED:20260917T135225Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260929T142336Z
UID:14713-1790236800-1791651600@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Photo Exhibition: What Makes a Great Coach?
DESCRIPTION:Hosted by the charity Women in Sport\, this photo exhibition celebrates everything women bring to coaching. \nStill in 2026\, women are still undervalued and underrepresented in sports coaching. Women in Sport’s research has found that 30% of female coaches report being bullied (twice as many as men) and are 18% less likely to say their opinions are heard and respected. Despite good intentions\, many approaches still focus on ‘fixing the women’\, encouraging resilience\, confidence or aspiration rather than improving the conditions that make it harder for women to enter and stay in coaching. The issue is not women’s capability; it is the system they work within. Women already have the knowledge\, skills and experience needed to be great coaches\, and these photographs celebrate exactly that\, highlighting the qualities women bring to coaching everyday. \nTo support Women in Sport’s work championing women and girls you can donate here. \nFree – just drop in. \nPlease consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/photo-exhibition-what-makes-a-great-coach/
LOCATION:First Floor
CATEGORIES:Exhibition
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/COA_Basketball_28052026_0323-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260926T120000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260926T140000
DTSTAMP:20261022T225647
CREATED:20260826T112436Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260826T112436Z
UID:14482-1790424000-1790431200@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Storytime & Singalong: European Day of Languages 2026
DESCRIPTION:Celebrate the European Day of Languages with Instituto Cervantes at Manchester Central Library! Come along as we sing and bring stories to life in English\, Spanish\, Polish and Italian. \nWhether you are looking to introduce your child to new sounds\, practice a second language\, or simply enjoy the magic of live storytelling\, this interactive session offers a fun\, welcoming space for listeners of all ages. \nTo mark the occasion\, our storytellers bring the beloved children’s book The Gruffalo to life in four languages\, celebrating the rich linguistic diversity of Europe! \nThe Gruffalo is a renowned children’s tale written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. It follows the story of a quick-witted mouse taking a stroll through the forest\, who fends off potential predators—a fox\, an owl\, and a snake—by inventing a terrifying imaginary creature called the Gruffalo\, only to be shocked to encounter the actual monster later on. \nThe storytelling will be followed by a multilingual singalong and a craft workshop led by Magaly Flores. In collaboration with Società Dante Alighieri\, Manchester City of Literature and Manchester Libraries. \nRecommended age: 3-7. Free multilingual activity in Spanish\, English\, Italian and Polish. \nFree – book your free place on Eventbrite here or click ‘Book Now’ below. \nPlease consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/storytime-singalong-european-day-of-languages-2026/
CATEGORIES:Family
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/European-day-of-languages-cropped-for-ll.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260926T130000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260926T150000
DTSTAMP:20261022T225647
CREATED:20260901T135839Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260908T121927Z
UID:14500-1790427600-1790434800@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Saturday Afternoon Fever!
DESCRIPTION:We’re celebrating ‘Older Peoples Day’ with a special Saturday afternoon singalong with the brilliant Dee Dee Allen! \nWe’re inviting local community groups for over 55’s to get your dancing shoes on for an afternoon full of classic tracks from the 70’s to the 90’s! \nPlaces are free but limited so please phone Central Library on 0161 234 1932 to book a table for your group. Hot drinks and cake will also be served during the afternoon. Our Central Library cafe will also be open offering a range of sandwiches and hot meals to purchase.
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/saturday-afternoon-fever/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Saturday-afternoon-fever-banner.jpg
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