What's on

Word Central with Dominic Berry

Seminar Suite, Floor Two

Word Central Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word. Doors open 5.40pm and free entry. Hosted by Tony Curry with special guest Dominic Berry. Book your open mic slot from noon on Tuesday 15th April via mail@flapjackpress.co.uk. N.B. Open mic slots are 3 minutes per performer – it is essential that you stay within this timeframe. […]

Kevin Barry

Performance Space

‘A true wonder’ – Max Porter Tom Rourke, poet, doper, drinker is struggling to make a life for himself amongst the Irish migrant workers seeking to make their fortunes in Butte, Montana. Then Polly Gillespie, wife of a mine captain, walks into his life. Sparks fly, the lovers flee West, but will they reach the […]

Recurring

VE Day Archives Handling Sessions

Ground Floor

Join us for a chat and a chance to have a look at some great objects from our archives as we honour the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Free - no need to book - just drop in Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless […]

Mystery International Film Screening May 2025

This event is for individuals aged 15 and over. Welcome to the fourth edition of Manchester Central Library’s International Film Club’s Mystery Screening series. Event Details: Monday 12th May. • Doors open: 17:00 • Introduction to the film: 17:30 • Film starts: 17:40 • Entry: Pay what you can (recommended donation of £3) • Popcorn: […]

Recurring

VE Day Archives Handling Sessions

Ground Floor

Join us for a chat and a chance to have a look at some great objects from our archives as we honour the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Free - no need to book - just drop in Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless […]

Laura Bates

Performance Space

AI-powered technologies are revolutionising our lives and putting women and girls in danger. In her urgent and gripping new book The New Age of Sexism, Laura Bates delves into our future and finds it wanting. From chatbots to sex robots, from deep fakes to the metaverse, Laura examines how existing forms of discrimination, inequality and harassment […]

Recurring

Creative Archive Workshop Series: Rivers, Industrial Heritage, Regeneration

‘So from the river we acquire an idea of human community. That is one of its most salutary features, so deeply imbued that we scarcely notice it.’ (Ackroyd, 2007: 11) Ackroyd P (2007) Thames: Sacred River. London: Vintage. Fiona Brehony invites us to explore relationships to waterways using creative writing and re-sounding exercises using visual, […]

Recurring

Creative Archive Workshop Series: Rivers, Industrial Heritage, Regeneration

‘So from the river we acquire an idea of human community. That is one of its most salutary features, so deeply imbued that we scarcely notice it.’ (Ackroyd, 2007: 11) Ackroyd P (2007) Thames: Sacred River. London: Vintage. Fiona Brehony invites us to explore relationships to waterways using creative writing and re-sounding exercises using visual, […]

VE Day: From Siberia to Bologna – A Polish Odyssey

Performance Space

“Other soldiers were here in transit and had a ‘return ticket’ home. The Poles acted as if they had come home. Why? Because they had no home. Poland had been taken over by Stalin.” Alberto Spadoni, recalling the liberation of Bologna by Polish soldiers on 21 April 1945. Join us for a unique glimpse into the […]

The Embassy of Utopia 2025

Performance Space

The Embassy of Utopia came to Manchester Central Library in June 2024 as part of Festival of Libraries for its UK premiere, and was a collaboration between Manchester UNESCO City of Literature and Capital of Culture 2024 Tartu UNESCO City of Literature. Due to popular demand, we are running this event again for Festival of […]

Art Bites

Join us at Central Library for a fun and informal chat about art. Our ‘neighbours’ from Manchester Art Gallery will be bringing reproductions of works of art to the library. Get to know art works through talking with others. No previous knowledge of art needed. Free entry - just drop in. Please consider making a […]

Art Emergency

Let your imagination run wild in this art session where anything can happen! All materials provided, including canvas, children’s paint, and more: just bring yourself! Suitable for ages 7+. Free entry - just drop in. Please consider making a donation to support our Library Live programme here or at one of our cash or contactless […]