What's on

Word Central

Performance Space

Word Central Open mic poetry and spoken word.  Presented by Manchester Libraries and Flapjack Press. Hosted by Tony Curry with special guest poet Andy Millican. Our guest for April is Andy Millican, a multiple poetry competition winner who has had several poems broadcast on the BBC and is host of Glossop Open Mic at Glossop Labour […]

George the Poet

Performance Space

TRACK RECORD - George the Poet in conversation with Okechukwu Nzelu Join us for the Manchester launch of TRACK RECORD - the ground-breaking new memoir from acclaimed rapper and podcast host, George the Poet. We're thrilled to be hosting the Manchester launch of George the Poet's 'Track Record: Me, Music and the War on Blackness'. […]

Manchester British Sign Language Festival

BSL (British Sign Language) is coming to Central Library!  Join us for this second of two free taster sessions and see popular children’s stories come to vibrant, visual life by the wonderfully talented local BSL storyteller, Kate Tinston. A BSL English interpreter will provide voice over in English so non-signers and BSL signers can participate […]

Northern Publishers’ Fair 2024

Performance Space

DISCOVER THE BEST OF NORTHERN PUBLISHING AT THE FREE NORTHERN PUBLISHERS' FAIR 2024 Fly on the Wall Press is excited to announce the return of the Northern Publishers' Fair in 2024. This free event is an opportunity for book lovers and industry professionals to come together and browse an impressive selection of books from some […]

Crime Central

Performance Space

Rob Parker continues to spoil you with another perfect panel of authors!  Joining him in April will be Judith O'Reilly, Charlotte Vassell and F.E. Birch!    Bringing the best from all over! Featuring the best and brightest crime writing talent both locally and from around the country – the big names are all coming to […]

Olivia Laing: The Garden Against Time

Performance Space

Presented by Manchester Literature Festival. ‘A garden is a time capsule, as well as a portal out of time.’ In her compelling new work of non-fiction The Garden Against Time, Olivia Laing brings to life her own slice of paradise: the restoration of a garden designed by Mark Rumary of Notcutts. Alongside her own endeavours, Olivia […]

Tan Dun’s Ghost Opera and the Chinese New Wave

Performance Space

The work of a group of modern Chinese composers known as the ‘New Wave’ generation, including Tan Dun, Bright Sheng, and Chen Yi, has greatly boosted contemporary Chinese music. Po Hang Yuen’s talk will examine Tan Dun's use of ethnic elements, particularly focusing on Ghost Opera (1994). Free – booking required. Please support our cultural […]

An Evening with David Mitchell

Performance Space

Manchester Literature Festival, in partnership with Library Live, is thrilled to welcome author David Mitchell to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his epic, polyphonic novel Cloud Atlas. Originally published in 2004, Cloud Atlas quickly became a firm favourite with readers, critics and booksellers. The Independent called it “a novel of breath-taking ambition and scale” whilst the New […]

Blue Peter Book Club Live at Central Library!

Performance Space

Manchester Libraries, CBBC and The Reading Agency are excited to announce Blue Peter Book Club Live!  Blue Peter, the BBC’s iconic children's television series, is partnering with The Reading Agency and Manchester Libraries on an exciting new initiative called Blue Peter Book Club Live. This ambitious project aims to inspire a love of reading and […]

French Film Club: Un Homme de Trop

Performance Space

Join us and Alliance Française de Manchester for this month’s film, Un Homme de Trop; a WWII rescue drama in which twelve captured French soldiers await their impending executions in a German prison camp. Suitable for those aged 12 and over. Under-18s remain the responsibility of their parent or guardian. Free - booking required - […]

A Monumental Effort: Restoring the Albert Memorial Afternoon Lecture

Performance Space

Manchester Town Hall has been closed since January 2018 for an extensive restoration programme that will repair and upgrade the building to modern standards. The work will include the conservation of many heritage features. Our series of Heritage Lectures aims to shine a light on some of the fascinating work that’s been going on behind […]

French Film Club: Les 2 Alfred / French Tech

Performance Space

Join us and Alliance Française de Manchester for this month’s film, Les 2 Alfred / French Tech, a comedy from 2020 which explores the world of work through the tale of an unemployed man left in sole charge of his children while his wife is away on a two-month work mission. Free - book in […]