MIRO Chamber Ensemble
2022-04-28 15:00 - 16:00 UTC | Henry Watson Music Library
Join us for an intimate performance by a Manchester International Roots Orchestra chamber ensemble in the Hentry Watson Music Library on the First Floor of Central Library.
The Manchester International Roots Orchestra (MIRO) is a unique ensemble of musicians with roots from across the world including students from the RNCM. Our repertoire skilfully combines diverse musical influences from haunting Eastern European melodies, to the delicate textures of Middle Eastern percussion and vocals; through to soulful Sufi chants of South Asia, joyful African gospel – embracing rap, hip-hop, classical music and jazz along the way.
Free – please drop in

North West Mixtape
2022-05-30 17:00 - 19:00 | Performance Space
Join us for this closing event ‘North West Mixtape’ in which selections of archive audio from the Unlocking Our Sound Heritage project are celebrated. We’ve spent the last three years digitising, cataloguing and clearing the rights for over 4000 recordings from archives across the North West region. This event pairs an audio-visual showreel of key recordings preserved during the project with live performances from two local artists. Gary Fisher and Freda Wallace will use and rework archive extracts from Kirkby Local History Society and Women Cotton Mill Workers recordings (respectively) to form new, live pieces of sound art. Gary Fisher is a sound artist and experimental composer whose work explores sound through processes of inquiry and experimentation with objects, actions, words, places, and technologies. Freda Wallace is a multi-disciplinary artist, one strand of which allows her to create industrial soundscapes using sewing machines.
Free – drop in – please consider making a donation if you can either online or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library
https://northwestsoundheritage.org/
You can find out more about the national Unlocking Our Sound Heritage project at the British Library’s website. Unlocking Our Sound Heritage is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
https://www.bl.uk/projects/unlocking-our-sound-heritage

'Musick' in Manchester 1744/45
2022-07-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Henry Watson Music Library
Musick in Manchester 1744/45 recreates the first ever public concert series known to have been given in Manchester, prefiguring the remarkable musical tradition that accompanied Manchester’s development into one of Europe’s leading industrial cities. Remarkable, and until now underrepresented, the series includes sixteen concert programmes, which survive in a literary transcript by John Harland written a century later in 1844. Through research by Dr Pauline Nobes, many works can be identified directly, but we also utilise Manchester’s archives, most notably the extraordinary collection of Cardinal Ottoboni, housed at Manchester’s Henry Watson Library, bringing to light a significant amount of neglected music. Join us for the third concert in our series, which recreates the original concert first performed on 9th July 1745.
Pauline Nobes, is recognised as one of Europe’s foremost Baroque vioiniists and specialists in historical performance practice. For many years she worked with period instrument ensembles such as The English Baroque Soloists, The English Concert and Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique playing in the most prestigious concert halls and festivals throughout Europe, the USA and Japan participating in over 100 CD productions. For many years Pauline was concertmaster for The Academy of Ancient Music, Das Neue Orchester and Musica Antiqua Köln. Now guest leading in European Opera theaters, she also continues her commitment to teaching, at home and abroad and is Artistic Director and leader for Manchester Baroque.
Free – drop in – please consider making a donation if you can either online or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

An Evening with Claire Mooney and Special Guests
2022-09-08 18:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Join Claire Mooney and special guests at Central Library for a night of music and poetry like no other.
Claire Mooney is a singer songwriter with numerous albums and international airplay to her credit. Described by NME as ‘a real talent’ and Music Week as ‘a people’s songstress’ Claire mixes the political with the playful and blends it all together into a performance of serious fun.
For personal reasons, Dave Puller is now unfortunately unable to perform at this event, but we are delighted to announce that Claire will be joined by award winning playwright and poet Alex Keelan and Manchester based writer and poet Marie Crook.

RETRO SILENT DISCO IS BACK!!!
2022-09-09 20:00 - 23:59 | Performance Space
You may have been living on a prayer that our super popular Silent Disco was ever going to return, but we were never gonna give you up!
If you’re desperate to strut your funky stuff to the best retro pop, rock and soul, Central Library is the place you wannabee. Since you’ve been gone, the fab DJ John has been creating some magic new mixes for you to get bootylicious to and reach for the stars!
So, don’t stop believin’ and get booking those tickets now.
Tickets range from £6 (+ booking fee) to ‘4 tickets for the price of 3’ bundles!
We can’t wait to see you on 9th September!

Tiki Black - EVENT CANCELLED
2022-11-30 18:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED
Award-winning musician and author Tiki Black released her sophomore album this year, which is entitled “The Sound Of The Broken Wand.” The Manchester-based artist, via Paris and Cameroon, has drawn inspiration from some of the best names in the industry worldwide to create memorable albums. The acclaimed second album received an Outstanding Legacy Award from The Akademia Music Awards as well as critical praise alluding to its timelessness, authenticity and quality. Entropy Mag (USA) underscores its “spellbinding beauty” and “grace.” Liverpool Sound and Vision (UK) calls it “influential,” “charming,” “uplifting,” and “outrageously cool.” Fatea magazine (UK) speaks of a “phenomenal album, full of soulful and haunting melodies that will capture your heart.”.
The author also bares her soul with her first book of the same name. This unique accompaniment to her second album is a collection of heartfelt poems and one essay. She weaves the wealth of her life into each line, from bouncing around the world to experiencing different peoples and settings, while evoking a sense of magic. Her unique voice blends Western and African cultures in a soothing way evoking both inner strength and fragility.
Tiki Black has been hailed as a true visionary for her writing and for her “bewitching” (Edgar Allan Poets), authentic and honest (The Next Gig – Netherlands, Entropy) performances. She now shares part of her innermost self as she launches her book and CD at Central Library.
Image credit: Lucy Ridges Photography

Big Fat Music Library Quiz; Eurovision Special!
2023-04-27 17:45 - 19:30 | Henry Watson Music Library
Geopolitical alliances at the ready!
This year’s Eurovision Song Contest will be held just a stone’s throw from Manchester in lovely Liverpool. To celebrate this once is a lifetime (well 25 years anyway) event, we’re hosting a special edition of our Big Fat Music Library quiz on Thursday 27th April.
So if you think you know your Bucks Fizz from your Bardo or your Loreen from your Lorde, then please join us in the Henry Watson Music Library from 5.45pm for the Big Fat Eurovision Quiz

Teams of up to four people – Great prizes to be won!

Free entry. Just email alan.lynch@manchester.gov.uk to book a table.

Michael Burns
2023-06-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Henry Watson Music Library
Join us for this live performance by an experienced folk musician who draws inspiration from local and family history. Michael Burns’ repertoire incorporates music from a wide timespan and he is interested in music pertaining to social commentary and how it relates to the present day.
Click on the links to hear some of Michael’s music:
‘Mulespinners Cottrells We‘, tells the story of the Stalybridge Town Band and its involvement in Peterloo.
‘Tameside Lads’ tells of a sea rescue back in the 1800s.
‘James Keogh’ is about the role of people from Manchester in the Spanish Civil War.
‘Oh Marie’ is an impressionistic account of an Irish Traveller funeral in Gorton.
‘The Little Count’ is a waltz celebrating the music of a diminutive Polish musician who toured Europe in Georgian times before settling in Durham.
Free – just drop in – please consider making a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme if you can, either online or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

New Drum Kit!
2023-06-07 10:00 - 20:00 | Henry Watson Music Library
We have a new electronic drum kit, which will be available from this day! Our old kits have been popular features of the department and we’ve had lots of enquiries about when to expect a new one. It’s finally here, and bookings can be made at the Henry Watson Music Library desk or over the phone by calling 0161 234 1976, from 7 June. Please note that there are designated hour-long timeslots for this and events might affect availability.

MIRO - Performance
2023-06-11 14:30 - 15:30 | Henry Watson Music Library
Manchester International Roots Orchestra return, to perform on our Sunday Funday as part of the Festival of Libraries, bringing together musicians, instruments and musical traditions from all parts of the globe, to perform both original and traditional pieces, MIRO is always brilliant and offers a chance to experience something unique.
There will also be a brief talk on the Global Folk Instruments Heritage Project, a collaboration between MIRO, the Henry Watson Music Library and the Royal Northern College Of Music. This project explores and examines musical cultures and instruments from different times and locations and will yield documentaries, performances, educational sessions, written pieces and more over the coming years.
Free – just drop in – please consider making a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme if you can, either online or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Make Music Day
2023-06-21 10:00 - 19:30 | Henry Watson Music Library
The Henry Watson Music Library will again host a small festival as part of this international annual celebration of music. A variety of artists of many different styles will perform short sets (around 20 minutes) throughout the day, leading to a final full performance and presentation by Manchester International Roots Orchestra. It’s always a really good day of enjoying the joys of music!
Free – just drop in – please consider making a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme if you can, either online or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Paper Piano Presents: Opening Night
2023-07-13 08:00 - 17:00 | Henry Watson Music Library
This is the first “Paper Piano Presents” event to mark the exhibition in the Henry Watson Music Library. As part of the opening night visitors will have the opportunity to listen to Paper Piano’s back catalogue including rare tracks from The Oreoh!s, The Declining Winter and SPIRIT:level. There will be the chance to purchase limited art works by DJ Goalpost as well as picking up one of his free badges. Mark Hoyle (Dub Sex, Dumb, SPIRIT:level) will also be making an appearance to read some of his poems published by Paper Piano Press.
Free – please drop in
Please support our Library Live Programme, if you can, by donatng via the cash or contactless donation points in the venue or online

Silence is Golden
2023-08-12 00:00 | Henry Watson Music Library
Join us for live music from local artists on Saturday afternoon.
This summer the Henry Watson Music Library plays host to a special guest – Yamaha’s SILENT Piano™.
As part of a new collaboration between Yamaha and selected libraries across the UK, the Henry Watson Music Library hosts a SILENT Piano™ across the summer months. An acoustic piano enhanced with Yamaha’s most advanced silencing technology, we invite you to escape to your own musical universe with the SILENT Piano™ when you visit the library. Enjoy the expressivity, response and feel of an acoustic piano but without disturbing others and without distraction. You might be new to the piano, or perhaps it’s been a while since you played, or maybe you’re an artist looking to unleash your creativity at any opportunity. Whatever your motivations we invite you to visit the Henry Watson Music Library and transport yourself to another sound world with the SILENT Piano™
uk.yamaha.com #YamahaSilenceisGolden
Free – drop in
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Morning Music Performances
2023-09-23 11:00 - 12:00 | Henry Watson Music Library
We will be joined by two very different local artists for some short musical performances. One is a young acoustic guitar student working toward grade exams, who will give her first live performance ever. The other is an experienced composer of experimental rock/pop music, an enthusiastic live performer and a library regular:
Steve Manning aka Jupiter Canal System, or JCS for short, is a songwriter who lives in the heart of Cheshire. His craft is heavily influenced by his love of the New Wave era of the late 70s and early 80s, often paying homage to the aggression of The Jam, the controversy of The Stranglers and the wit of XTC. Despite trying to sonically replicate the genre, Steve does try and remain original with his song writing, especially lyrically and melodically. He is currently working on his 5th album and today he will be singing along to backing tracks which he has recorded and produced himself.
Free – please drop in

The Declining Winter
2023-09-23 15:00 - 16:00 | Henry Watson Music Library
In association with Paper Piano, The Declining Winter will perform in the Henry Watson Music Library, preceding their November tour with epic45. The self-described “(un) popular music group based in West Yorkshire” creates ethereal, spacious arpeggiated music and unique live experiences.
Yorkshire based The Declining Winter are led by Richard Adams, the co-founder of the Domino Records group Hood. They are purveyors of a unique form of pastoral pop taking in influences from lo-fi, electronica and post rock with a strong visual aesthetic inspired by the countryside of Yorkshire and beyond. Their latest album ‘Really Early, Really Late’ has been universally praised and compared to the likes of Talk Talk and Bark Psychosis.
Free – please drop in

Paper Piano Presents: DJ Goalpost
2023-10-13 08:00 - 17:00 | Henry Watson Music Library
Anyone who has visited the Paper Piano exhibition may have wondered who or what DJ Goalpost is. To answer that, and to mark the end of the exhibition, Paper Piano will be giving away a limited edition DJ Goalpost book. The book is part exploration of what an alter-ego can be, part self-help guide and part treasure chest of memories, past and future. The book is easily identified as it has a photo of DJ Goalpost on the front and features all the Paper Piano trademarks including a CD-R and tea cards. Numbers are extremely limited and will be available from 4pm.

Free – please drop in

3 Chord Ukulele Club
2023-11-04 13:00 - 14:00 | Henry Watson Music Library
Join us for an informal ukulele lesson and singalong. Ukulele’s available. Beginners welcome!
Free – please book by emailing catherine.rooney@manchester.gov.uk

Let's Read Music 2 - Music Theory
2023-11-16 15:00 - 2023-12-20 16:00 | Henry Watson Music Library
Would you like to understand the structure and meaning behind a musical composition and boost your music performance? Do yo want to boost your music performance? Get to know music theory – it tells you how music works. Just bring a pencil and paper.
Each session starts at 3pm:

Modes – 16 Nov
Inversions and voice leading – 30 Nov
Functional Harmony – 7 Dec
Non Diatonic Music – 14 Dec
Polyrhythms and Syncopation – 20 Dec

Free – drop-in

Christmas with Elvis!
2023-12-08 20:00 - 22:00 | Performance Space
Join us for a Rock ‘n’ Rolling Christmas Celebration with Manc Elvis and his Magical Band.
Manchester’s premier Elvis tribute act present an evening packed with greatest hits and Christmas classics to get you up and dancing all night! Including…
That’s Alright Mama, Merry Christmas Baby, Jailhouse Rock, Santa Bring My Baby (Back to Me), Viva Las Vegas, Blue Christmas, Burning Love, Devil in Disguise, All Shook Up, Wonder of You, Suspicious Minds and loads more!
Bar open all evening.
Book your tickets now to save £’s!
Early bird tickets are £6 + Eventbrite booking fee
Group tickets discount (4 tickets for the price of 3) are £18 + Eventbrite booking fee
Tickets on the night are £9 each.

Reimagined City Workshops
2023-12-16 13:00 - 16:45 | Henry Watson Music Library
Join us for percussion and singing workshops. Part of a weekend of International Migrant Day activities, showcasing migrant culture through art and music. Suitable for all ages.
Free – drop in

Probably the Hardest Music Quiz in the World!
2024-02-01 18:00 - 19:30 | Chief Librarian’s Office
40 horribly hard music questions.
Get them all right and win the Super-Duper Mega Mystery Prize!
Play on your own or as part of a team (max 4 members per team).
No need to book, everyone welcome.
FREE ENTRY.
For more info please message your quiz host: alan.lynch@manchester.gov.uk

LYR open the Festival of Libraries 2024
2024-06-12 08:00 - 17:00 | Performance Space
A live music performance from Poet Laureate Simon Armitage’s band LYR and local Manchester artist Jospehine Oniyama, featuring a very special new single dedicated to libraries.
Booking required. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in the venue, or online

Soundtrack to Your Life
2024-08-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Chief Librarian’s Office
What would be your track? What’s the story behind the tune? What would be your album and what would the sleeve notes say? Come along and let us hear your special track and tell us the story of what it means to you.
Free – just drop in

Summer Silent Disco!
2024-08-16 19:30 - 23:30 | Performance Space
PLEASE NOTE – THIS EVENT HAS BEEN DELAYED TO A FUTURE DATE (TO BE ANNOUNCED)
Forget the weather! We’ll have no summertime sadness here. You’ll be walking on sunshine at our special Summer Silent Disco!
You’ve waited far too long for the return of the famous Retro Silent Disco at Central Library! It’s time to let the good vibrations take over, celebrate summertime and spend some boogie nights at the Club Tropicana (where unfortunately, the drinks aren’t free!).
But we CAN promise you 4 hours of the best summer party music from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s from Mr Retro Silent Disco himself, DJ John!
Check out our bargain group bundle and concessionary offers!
Concessions (Student, unwaged. Over 60) £7
General Admission £10
Group Ticket (4 for the price of 3) £30

The Hardest Music Quiz in the World!
2024-12-18 16:30 - 19:00 | Chief Librarian’s Office
The Vinyl Listening Group present The Hardest Music Quiz in the World! Prizes to be won. And maybe even mince pies! All welcome.
Free – just drop in.

Poppycock
2025-01-22 08:00 - 17:00 | Henry Watson Music Library
Poppycock, featuring Una Baines, perform their album ‘Magic Mothers’ (one of Louder Than War’s Top 100 albums of 2024), alongside artwork by Pascal le Gras and Suzanne Smith.
Band on stage at 6pm.
Free – please drop in

Women's Community Festival 2025
2025-03-08 11:00 - 14:00 | Performance Space
International Women’s Day (IWD) is returning to Manchester as a celebration of women’s empowerment, equality and contributions to the city at Manchester Central Library on Saturday 8 March.
Led and inspired by an already significant history of pioneering women, IWD 2025 is a chance for women across all generations and dedicated allies to come together in advancing women’s rights in Manchester and around the world.
The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Accelerate Action’, which calls on supporters of gender equality to act against systemic barriers women from all backgrounds face in their personal and professional environments.
In recent years, Manchester City Council has marked IWD with a dedicated ‘Walk for Women’ event. This year, however, the Council has joined forces with a diverse range of women-led community organisations to co-design a different approach.
Funding was made available for community organisations to host IWD events across the city through the annual IWD grants programme. A celebratory community-led programme of workshops, performances and discussions has also been planned for the day itself at Manchester Central Library based around the acronym HER: Heal Encourage, Revive.
The events for IWD 2025 are:
Heal – Performance Space
·  Flourish Together; Mindfulness Activity for relaxation and meditation, 11am-1pm
·  Equal Education Chances; letter writing and positive affirmations session, 11:20am-12:15pm
Encouraged – Performance Space 2 and 3
·    Community Thriving Together; sharing personal stories and overcoming challenges, 11am-11:50am
·   Trailblazers; Creating bookmarks and stitching
·   Young Identity with Shirley May; poetry performance by Young Identity members, 11:55am-12:15pm
·   Flourish Together; a 30-minute fireside chat chaired by Nickala Torkington about women changemakers, 12:20pm-12:50pm.
Revived – Performance Space 2 and 3
·     Bollyfit; an exercise class inspired by multicultural dance, 1pm-1:30pm
·     Councillor Ermina Bell will give a closing speech about the event, 1:35pm-1:45pm
·      DJ set to inspire and uplift
Glass Room/Sensory Space
·     Flourish Together; Bookable pop-up spa for treatments for 20 mins including Indian Head Massage in a clothed and seated setting, 11am-2pm
The events on the day will be accompanied by partner stalls of specialist community organisations including Manchester Action on Street Health (MASH), Manchester Rape Crisis, Fikawele African and Caribbean Mental Health, Walksafe  and Ahmed Iqbal Ullah (AIU) RACE Centre who will be on hand to raise awareness and promote their services.
Councillor Erinma Bell, Lead Member for Women, said: “Manchester has long been a city that has championed and supported women in the fight for gender equality.
“It’s fantastic to see the range of creativity and innovation in the events this year for International Women’s Day with the aim of accelerating further action for women to thrive personally and professionally. “I would encourage women from all backgrounds and generations to get involved, because there is something for everyone and to advocate for more allies join in on the celebrations and inform our priorities for advancing women’s equality this year.”
For more information or to book your place visit Women’s Community Festival.

Inspired by Libraries with Shaun Keaveny and Guy Garvey
2025-06-05 20:00 - 21:00 | Performance Space
Manchester City of Literature and Manchester Libraries present this special Festival of Libraries event.
Join us at Manchester Central Library for a special one-off event featuring two of the city’s most distinctive and much-loved voices — Guy Garvey, Mercury Prize–winning frontman of Elbow and presenter of BBC 6 Music’s Guy Garvey’s Finest Hour, and Shaun Keaveny, long-time BBC 6 Music broadcaster and now host of The Rock Show on BBC Radio 2 and Community Garden Radio. In this relaxed and thought-provoking conversation, Guy and Shaun will explore themes of community, creativity, working-class identity, music, memory, radio, and the role that places like libraries play in shaping our cultural lives — all delivered with the humour, warmth and honesty they’re known for.
About Shaun Keaveny
Shaun Keaveny is a much-loved broadcaster whose trademark wit, warmth and deep connection with listeners have made him one of the most distinctive voices on UK radio. He became a familiar presence to millions during his many years on BBC Radio 6 Music, and now fronts The Rock Show on BBC Radio 2. He retired from stand-up comedy due to public demand in 2017, and is also an enthusiastic failed musician. As the founder of the beloved Community Garden Radio, he continues to champion great music and meaningful conversation in his own inimitable style.
About Guy Garvey
With a career in music spanning three decades and a host of roles from renowned lyricist, singer, and producer to radio and TV host and soundtrack composer and producer, Guy Garvey has left an indelible mark on the music world. With his ‘best mates’ in elbow for over 25 years, Guy has created ten studio albums that have delivered critical acclaim, gold and platinum albums, UK Number Ones, a Mercury Music Prize, BRIT Award, NME Award, Mojo Award and three Ivor Novello Awards.
Guy remains a key part of the 6 Music line-up with his ‘Guy Garvey’s Finest Hour’ a mainstay of Sunday afternoons on the station since 2007. Guy’s contribution to UK culture was recognised with the award of honorary degree from Manchester Metropolitan University for his work in the arts, where he is also a visiting professor.

Full Volume Podcast - Episode 6: Kimberly Whittam
2025-06-23 - 2025-07-21 | https://push.fm/fl/actjsf7o-80012-96971
With Summer in full swing Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast returns for its spectacular sixth edition.
With more features than the complimentary newspapers in the BIPC, this month’s episode sees host Alan Lynch sitting down with acclaimed Manchester children’s author Kimberly Whittam. Kimberly’s new book ‘Quiet Storm’ has just been selected to be Manchester Libraries’ transition read 2025 – with 8,000 copies of the brilliant book gifted to local pupils to help them get ready for secondary school. Set in Manchester, ‘Quiet Storm’ tells the story of Storm who has never liked to stand out from the crowd, and is based in part on the author’s own experiences as a quiet and sometimes shy child. Find out more in the Full Volume interview.
From the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office), representatives Louise Murphy and Ellis Quinn, come in for a chat about their fascinating new exhibition ‘Our Lives, Our Privacy’ which has been a popular success at Central Library in recent months. Alan takes a deep dive with the duo as they mark the 40th anniversary of the ICO with this exhibition, and reflect on key moments in history when people’s right to privacy or access to information has been affected – positively or negatively – and the role they have played in protecting our rights.
There’s a finely tuned feature with the New Horizons Choir, as choirmaster Tom and members of the group tell us about how they and Central Library have worked in perfect harmony over the years, plus the high notes you too could hit in life as part of their community choir.
Continuing our blockbuster ‘Branch Out’ two-part special, Alan is joined by chair of the Manchester Libraries Trust Brendan O’Shea; Head of Libraries, Galleries and Culture Neil MacInnes, and Sally, the current Manager of Chorlton Library, who all appear on the podcast to offer their perspectives on the freshly refurbished space.
Elsewhere, Alan and his trusty sidekick Gary Parkinson bring you all the best of What’s On across Manchester Libraries this month, including plugs for the Board Games Club at Central Library, a ‘Behind The Scenes Tour’, and the Age Friendly events at Moss Side Powerhouse and Gorton Hub. Plus, there’s a sneak preview for the highly anticipated “Oasis Week” at Central Library coming this July, which will feature exclusive live sets, quizzes, Q&As, and so much more.
‘Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast’ takes listeners behind the shelves of our city’s much-loved libraries. Presented by the Central Library’s own Alan Lynch, every month the podcast lifts the lid on a treasure trove of insider tips, exclusive interviews, book reviews, and much more.
Receiving rave reviews and overwhelming support from listeners, the podcast has so far featured special guests such as celebrated author Dame Jacqueline Wilson, plus Manchester City Council’s Head of Libraries, Galleries, and Culture Neil MacInnes OBE, Manchester City Council photographer Barrie Leach speaking about his exhibition ‘Our Town Hall: Portraits of a Workforce’, legendary Manchester artist and illustrator Stanley Chow, Manchester’s Lord Mayor, Councillor John Hacking, BBC broadcaster and esteemed newspaper columnist Emma Barnett, and more.
‘Episode 6: Kimberly Whittam’, the sixth episode of ‘Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast’ is on all major streaming services now.
Turn it up, and tune in to Episode 6 of Full Volume – now: https://push.fm/fl/actjsf7o-80012-96971

Watch out for Episode 7 in July…

Hannah Brine - Album Launch
2025-06-28 08:00 - 17:00 | Henry Watson Music Library
Singer songwriter Hannah Brine launches her debut album Blue Sky Now with a live gig at the Manchester Central Library. Inspired by the Great American Songbook, with a voice & song writing style likened to Carole King, Norah Jones and Rumer, Hannah writes & performs lush ballads & lively jazz anthems, telling tales of growth & change, of life & loss, all destined to be modern classics.
“That voice, just wonderful isn’t it” Dean Jackson, BBC Introducing Midlands
“The Brilliant Hannah Brine” Chris Baxter, BBC Radio Wiltshire
“I feel like I want to have Hannah by my side every night singing softly and then everything will be OK.” Geeta Pendse, BBC Radio Leicester
Free – drop in
Please consider making a donation to support our Library Live programme here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library
