What's on

The Drag Ball: Exposing Manchester’s Hidden Past

Performance Space

In September 1880, Detective Jerome Caminada and his Manchester police force raided the Temperance Hall in Hulme. Once inside, they found 47 men and half of them were in women's clothing. It was an event that shocked both city and country but who were these men and what became of them? Join us for this free […]

World Book Day Celebration Afternoon

A very special afternoon of reading loveliness at Central Library. We will be sharing stories, making crafts, and discovering digital fun using our favourite books to celebrate World Book Day 2018. Free – please drop in

Inside View: Original and Creative Work by Learners at HMP Manchester

First Floor Display Cases

An exhibition of creative work produced by learners attending NOVUS Education classes at HMP Manchester. This joint collaboration between Manchester Central Library and NOVUS Education showcases the excellent standard of creative work produced using a limited range of resources. Free – please drop in

Votes for Women

Performance Space

In the centenary year commemorating (some) UK women first gaining the vote, learn how Manchester played a major role in the fight. This entertaining and informative illustrated talk covers the campaign tactics of both peaceful suffragists and militant suffragettes, and the often barbaric backlash they endured. Free talk – please drop in

Both Sides Now: Open Space

Performance Space

Brighter Sound and The Hub UK present Both Sides Now – Open Space: Making gender equality in the music industry a reality… what can we all do? Both Sides Now is a large-scale initiative taking place across the North of England to support emerging female artists and up-and-coming industry professionals to transform the future of the music industry. We […]

The Peterloo Massacre: a talk by Dr Robert Poole

Manchester Libraries are pleased to welcome Dr Robert Poole for a fascinating talk on the Peterloo Massacre as part of the BBC Civilisations Festival. One of the major interests of Dr Robert Poole is popular protest in the age of reform and industrial revolution 1780s-1850s. He is a leading authority on the subject of Peterloo, […]

Frankenstein: An Immersive Experience

https://youtu.be/Mm8cEEwcS_M   Join us for a unique immersive experience based on the story of Frankenstein. Rediscover this iconic novel through the voices of Mary Shelley's haunting characters as you journey through the library's hidden corners. With a soundscape created by award winning musician, Taz Modi, venture from room to room and from memory to memory […]

£7

Patrisse Khan-Cullors in conversation about #BlackLivesMatter

Manchester Literature Festival is delighted to welcome Patrisse Khan-Cullors to Manchester to discuss her illuminating memoir, When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir. She will be in conversation with Manchester Literature Festival Patron, writer and poet Jackie Kay. One of the most prominent activists of her generation, Patrisse is an artist, organizer and […]

£8

Meet Film and TV legend Bruce Campbell

Performance Space

SORRY, THIS EVENT HAS NOW SOLD OUT A once in a lifetime opportunity has arisen for UK fans of Bruce Campbell – the owner of the mightiest chin in history is coming to Manchester Central Library! Bruce will be reading from his Best Selling book 'Hail to the Chin', and providing a Q&A experience that's […]

£5.60 – £22.39

The Laureate’s Choice at Central Library

smith|doorstop Books present the Laureate's Choice poets 2018, four up-and-coming poets chosen by Carol Ann Duffy. The poets in attendance are : Keith Hutson has written for Coronation Street and many well know comedians. His poetry has been widely published in journals, and his debut pamphlet, Routines, was published in 2016 by Poetry Salzburg (where […]

£5

Twelfth Day – Live

Performance Space

In the wordless communication that passes between Orcadian fiddler Catriona Price and Peebles harpist Esther Swift as they perform, the strength of their decade-long musical partnership, friendship and shared humour is evident. It’s this depth of connection, and tangible desire to have fun, that gives Twelfth Day its extra edge. This is not so much […]

£8

Suffrage in Manchester

Lower Ground Floor Exhibition Space

In celebration of the centenary of the Representation of the People Act, this exhibition has been created by Heritage schools to showcase the work of local primary and secondary school students as they explored key people and historic sites linked to the Suffrage movement in Manchester. Free - please drop in