Day of Music
Henry Watson Music LibraryA day of varied musical performances from local artists, including a choir, a soprano, a solo clarinettist and a dancing new wave legend.
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Empire Windrush: In Conversation Event
Performance SpaceJoin editor, Onyekachi Wambu, ‘In Conversation’ on the topic of his recently-published, ground-breaking anthology, ‘Empire Windrush’, presenting some of the best and most significant writing - poetry, fiction, journalism, essays and memoir - of the Black experience in Britain. Onyekachi Wambu is a Nigerian-British journalist and writer. He has directed television documentaries for the BBC, […]
Reimagined City Workshops
Henry Watson Music LibraryJoin 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
Snowflakes and Symmetry Workshop
Archives+ Ground FloorMathematician Katie Steckles and illustrator Hana Ayoob will help you design your own mathematically accurate snowflake artwork, incorporating design ideas from traditional shapes and patterns. All materials and equipment will be provided. Free - book tickets here
Book launch: Selected Plays by Cathy Crabb
Performance SpaceSelected Plays by Cathy Crabb Monday 22nd January 6pm at Manchester Central Library No need to book tickets. FREE entry. Everyone welcome. Doors open 5.40pm. Celebrating twenty years of productions, award-winning playwright Cathy Crabb has selected eleven of her works for staging. Filled with humour and emotional resonance, these texts explore themes of family, trauma, neurodivergence, […]
Ros Atkins – The Art of Explanation
Performance SpaceWe are delighted to welcome Ros to Manchester Central Library, where he will be discussing his book in conversation. Explanation - conveying meaning - is an art. And the BBC presenter and journalist Ros Atkins, creator of the viral 'Ros Atkins on...' explainer videos, is something of a master of the form. In this book, Ros […]
Word Central
Performance SpaceWord Central open mic poetry and spoken word. Presented by Flapjack Press & Manchester Libraries and hosted by Tony Curry. With special guest Lisa O'Hare. Lisa O'Hare was a 2023 BBC Words First finalist and is co-host of Verbose. Her work has been featured on BBC Radio Manchester and in the UN Women UK's virtual Safe […]
Probably the Hardest Music Quiz in the World!
Chief Librarian's Office40 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
Chinese New Year Celebration
Ground FloorBowen Education will provide dance and musical entertainment at 2pm followed by traditional Chinese crafts. Suitable for families. This event is free, but please consider making a donation to support our Library Live programme if you can, online, or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library
Sunday Funday – Chinese New Year
Join us for a spectacular Chinese New Year celebration of the Year of the Dragon. We will have amazing crafts, performances, workshops amongst other exciting activities. Suitable for families. This event is free, but please consider making a donation to support our Library Live programme if you can, online, or at one of our cash […]
So the Chinese do do Sci-Fi!
Performance SpaceJoin us for a Confucius Institute talk about Chinese Sci-fi showing the breadth and depth of the genre. Presented by Xueting C. Ni. Free - booking required
Book Launch: PITY by Andrew McMillan
Performance SpaceBlackwell's Bookshop and Manchester Libraries are excited to host the Manchester launch of award-winning poet Andrew McMillan's PITY - his stunning debut novel which explores community, masculinity and post-industrialisation in Northern England. Doors: 6.00, starts: 6.30 Tickets are £5.00 or free when ordering a copy of the book. PITY will also be available to purchase on the night […]
From dedicated performance spaces to stairwells, screens, nooks and domes, Central Library might directly inspire your next event or intervention. Contact us to arrange a tour.
