Library Live

CANCELLED: Malika Booker, Vahni Capildeo & Jason Allen-Paisant
2021-10-17 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | Performance Space
Due to unforeseen circumstances this Manchester Literature Festival event is cancelled
Join us for an afternoon with three fabulous, inventive poets who raise questions about our relationships with language, landscape and identity. Vahni Capildeo’s Like a Tree, Walking explores ecopoetics and silence, with poems originating from nocturnes and lullabies in hilly Port of Spain to ‘stillness exercises’ recording micro-environments around English trees. Jason Allen-Paisant’s Thinking with Trees considers what it means to be Black in natural spaces usually considered the domain of white people. Linking Black history to present day events, he walks through the pandemic considering how the future could be. The founder of Malika’s Poetry Kitchen, Malika Booker is a pioneer of the poetry scene and writes out of a passion for Caribbean culture, community and bearing witness. She will be reading new and recent poems.
Vahni Capildeo is a Trinidadian poet. Their collections include Venus as a Bear, which was the Poetry Book Society Summer Choice 2018 and was shortlisted for the 2018 Forward Prize, and Measures of Expatriation, awarded the Forward Best Collection Prize 2016. Jason Allen-Paisant is from a village called Coffee Grove in Manchester, Jamaica. At present, he’s a lecturer in Caribbean Poetry & Decolonial Thought in the School of English at the University of Leeds. Malika Booker is a British poet and theatre-maker of Guyanese and Grenadian parentage. Her poetry collection Pepper Seed was shortlisted for the OCM Botas prize and her poem The Little Miracles won the 2020 Forward Prize for Best Single Poem.
Hosted by John McAuliffe and presented in partnership with Centre for New Writing and Creative Manchester
Please note: We have reduced the capacity at this venue to increase space between seats so everyone can enjoy the event safely. If you’d like to sit with friends, please book all seats together in the same transaction. Although masks are no longer mandatory under Government guidance, we strongly encourage everyone to wear one when in close proximity to others, particularly when entering and leaving the event. We also encourage everyone to use the sanitation stations and sign in using track and trace when they arrive.

Venture Arts Presents - Completely A Hustling Place
2021-10-21 - 2021-12-31 | First Floor Exhibition Hall
Venture Arts Presents Full Studio Show – Completely A Hustling Place – With Work From 70 Artists
This autumn, one of Manchester’s leading visual art studios, Venture Arts, which supports learning disabled and neurodivergent artists to play an active role in the cultural sector, is presenting a thrilling full studio show where you can experience new work from 70 artists. A truly multimedia show, Completely A Hustling Place includes photography, ceramics, dreamy audio, textiles, real genies, illustration, the best TV channel ever, superheroes, projection mapping and much more, offering an exciting and immersive showcase of creativity and studio output over the past year.
A massive celebration of creative triumph through times of adversity, Completely A Hustling Place takes its name from a description of the vibrant and buzzing city of Manchester aptly described by artist, Justin Lees. Scenes of our city, as seen through the eyes of artist Terry Williams, whose haunting pictures taken on disposable cameras during lockdown are one of many highlights of the show. You will also encounter black superheroes brought to life by Leslie Thompson, bright cartoon characters from Jenny Franklin and embroidered bananas by Louise Hewitt, a radical new TV station presented in the video work of Michael Greave, a school desk installation by Caryn Egerton, glorious sunset pictures by Becky Hislop and projections by Amy Ellison. You can experience a unique, projection mapping collaboration by Malik Jama, Raven Keating and Fred Collins, screenings of film and animated work, an interactive sound and ceramic installation by Adam Crichton and Anthony Whitfield and embroidery cluster collaboration including work by Christine Blackburn.
There will be art to take away from the show, available on a first-come, first-served basis including zines, books and superhero images, plus most of the work presented will also be for sale.
Venture Arts Director, Amanda Sutton, comments: “We are incredibly excited to be able to present physical exhibitions again and to bring the work of our artists out of their homes and out of our studio, into such a prominent and important building in the heart of our city. It’s so wonderful to present the work of all the Venture Arts studio artists in one show right now. For us, and particularly for our artists, the last couple of years have been full of the most immense challenges, and we are so grateful to everyone who has helped us to adapt and continue our crucial work throughout. This show will shine a light on how creative practice has served to overcome so much for so many and most of all, showcase a vast array of wonderful, interesting, exciting, and truly individual new work. I would urge you all to go and see it!”
For further information, press images and interview requests please contact Matt Forbes-Dale on mattforbesdale@outlook.com / M: 07949 039715
Find out more about Venture Arts here.
ABOUT VENTURE ARTS:
Venture Arts is an award-winning charity based in Hulme, Manchester. Their vision is a world in which neurodivergent and learning disabled people are empowered, celebrated, included and valued in the arts, culture and society. Their mission is to shape a new cultural landscape where neurodivergent people with learning disabilities reach their potential.
Free entry – but please consider making a donation if you can either online or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

creative:connection
2021-10-22 08:00 - 17:00 | Performance Space
MANCHESTER LITERATURE FESTIVAL
We are delighted to welcome national charity, Create, back to MLF. Create believe in the power of creativity to change lives. Their creative:connection project brings together disabled and non-disabled children to create, build connections and break down barriers around disability. This October children from four schools in Manchester and Salford (Chatsworth High School, Grange Academy, Loreto High School and New Park Academy) joined forces with professional musicians to create new pieces of music, which they will perform at this special celebration event.
Create (createarts.org.uk) runs dozens of projects like this across the UK, and are expanding in the North West. If you are an artist or a partner who would like to work with them, email hannah@createarts.org.uk
Please note: We have reduced the capacity at this venue to increase space between seats so everyone can enjoy the event safely. Although masks are no longer mandatory under Government guidance, we strongly encourage everyone to wear one when in close proximity to others, particularly when entering and leaving the event. We also encourage everyone to use the sanitation stations and sign in using track and trace when they arrive.
Tickets FREE – booking advised

ScienceX: A free family fun day 1
2021-10-23 10:00 - 16:00
A free, interactive festival of exploration and experiments and a great chance for kids to discover the fun behind science and engineering. ScienceX is a festival like no other: bursting with fun, exciting activities for children, and open to all. Discover what the world of science and engineering is really about as we focus this year on climate change and the environment around us. ScienceX is back for 2021, but with a new home. On 23 and 25 October, this free weekend-long science and engineering festival will be held at Manchester Central Library. At ScienceX, you can learn about all about climate, sustainability and the environment. There are plenty of opportunities for families to get hands-on with a whole host of experiments – make DNA bracelets, build your own electronic car motors, learn about how we design robots to keep humans safe or become a climate-friendly chef for the day. Come along with your climate questions and through the event, find out how you can make a positive difference in the world. Our friendly scientists and engineers will be there to excite and inspire young environmentalists, campaigners, creative minds and future scientists and engineers. For those wanting to learn at home, there is a whole host of online activities for all ages. Children and families can learn recipes for more sustainable baking, do hands-on experiments from home, or take part in our very own Escape Room. There’s a variety of videos, worksheets and other online resources so you can carry on learning about climate change and sustainability from wherever you are. Come along to ScienceX this October and find out how you and your family can make a difference to the world around us.

Free – please drop in

ScienceX: A free family fun day 2
2021-10-25 10:00 - 16:00

And We Rise; Together. Performance and Protest Poetry
2021-10-28 13:30 - 17:00 | Performance Space
And We Rise; Together. Performance and Protest Poetry
A Young Identity curated event of poetry and readings from material gathered from workshops with community groups based in Moss Side.

1.30 pm-3.30 pm: A Young Identity curated event where material gathered from community workshops are woven together to produce spoken word and poetry performances by the co-facilitators. There will be readings and new works by produced by the artists that will be shared at the event and an interactive element where the audience can join in and create their own protest poetry.
3.30 pm -5.00 pm: ‘I Predict a Riot’ two-part documentary film screening in partnership with Northwest Film Archive at Manchester Metropolitan University. Both films will be shown on a rotation. Throughout the afternoon there will be a book display, archive handling, a documentary screening and space for conversation.
Where: Performance Space
When: 28 Oct 1.30 – 5.00 pm
Cost: Free

Nathan Geering’s Award Winning Film Screening ‘Still a Slave' And Lecture
2021-10-28 17:00 - 20:00 | Performance Space
Nathan Geering’s critically acclaimed and award winning short film screening ‘Still a Slave’, plus a lecture delivered by Nathan and an audience Q&A.
The film is a powerful and artistic response to the social media comments that undermined the Black Lives Matter movement. It illustrates the many ways black people are still bound by society metaphorically and physically.
During his lecture Nathan will explore his reasons for producing the film and discuss its impact on the wider cultural sector.
Where: Performance Space
When: 28 Oct 5.00 pm
Cost: Free

1001 Inventions: Journeys from Alchemy to Chemistry
2021-10-30 - 2021-10-31 | Performance Space
1001 Inventions invites families in Greater Manchester to join us on a fascinating learning journey and to unravel some mysteries from the science of CHEMISTRY. Fun and educational sessions will bring the magic of wizards and potions to help cast a spell on children so that they fall in love with science!
Follow in the footsteps of 8th century pioneer Jabir ibn Hayyan through a short animated film screening, on-stage demonstrations and hands-on workshops. Excite budding scientists and help them understand the applications of chemistry and its importance to their daily lives. Introduce your children to the contributions made to science by lesser-known pioneers.
When? 30th & 31st October 2021
Who? Children aged 7-12 with their parent or responsible adult
Where? Manchester Central Library
Cost? FREE EVENT!
Saturday October 30th: 14:00-15:30pm and 16:00-17:30pm
Sunday October 31st; 10:00-11:30am 12:00-13:30pm · 14:30-16:00pm and 17:00-18:30pm

In conversation with Sir Richard Leese
2021-11-15 18:30 - 20:00 | Performance Space
This is a live audience event. The booking includes access to post-event networking where drinks will be served.

Sir Richard Leese, the Leader of Manchester City Council, is stepping down in December after 25 years at the helm, overseeing a redevelopment of the city centre after the 1996 IRA bomb, followed by an extensive regeneration and reimagining of Manchester.

In this event at the Central Library, Design Manchester’s Kasper de Graaf will ask Richard about his vision and the outcomes, looking at Richard’s stewardship of the city through a design lens. How does the development help deliver the inclusive, sustainable and equitable city envisaged in the Our Manchester strategy? Is the process of cooperation and development across the city-region changing as a result of the devolution that Richard has done so much to bring about? What scope does he envisage in the future for artists, creative start-ups and communities to co-design the city?

In conversation with Sir Richard Leese is produced by Design Manchester in partnership with the Business & IP Centre Greater Manchester as a special edition in their regular series of Scale-up Sessions, and with Manchester Central Library.

Manchester Animation Festival (MAF): Animation Mixtape: 2020 Edition
2021-11-16 12:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Manchester Animation Festival (MAF) is the UK’s largest Animation Festival and is dedicated to the celebration of the animated art form. Hosted in the Manchester Central Library and at HOME, the festival is the UK’s biggest animation hub, inviting people from Manchester and beyond to share in all things animated. A hybrid festival for 2021, MAF will take place from 14-30 November, in person and online. Passes are available to purchase here.
Last year in 2020, the eclectic animated short films programme of Manchester Animation Festival found their home on the small screen online, but now we’re bringing them to the big screen where they rightfully belong! Come down to Manchester Central Library to watch these short films throughout the day in hourly screening slots. More details on the films and ticket information can be found on the MAF website. Tickets for this event are FREE, though advanced booking is strongly advised.
If you’re an organisation or group who would like to talk more about getting involved with MAF in the future, please contact MAF’s Audience Development Manager, Hannah at hannah@manchesteranimationfestival.co.uk
The films which will be screened are as follows:
Part 1 (12A): 12:00-13:00
Cosmonaut (Dir Kaspar Jancis/Estonia 2019/12 mins/No Dialogue)
The Quiet (Dir Radheya Jegatheva /Australia 2019 /10 mins /English)
Chant of The Printing Machine (Dir Patrcija Māra Vilsone /Latvia 2019 /2 mins/ No Dialogue)

The Quiet Power of Introverts (Dir Sofja Umarik /UK 2019/ 4 mins/ English)

Shadows (Dir Phoebe Halstead and Angie Phillips/ UK 2019/ 2 mins/ English)

Plan For Peace (Dir Leo Crane /UK 2020 / 3 mins/ English)

The Great Malaise (Dir Catherine Lepage /Canada 2019 /5 mins/Niihau Hawaiian with English subtitles)

Kapaemahu (Dir Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer Joe Wilson, Daniel Sousa /United States 2020 /9 mins /English)

The Rest of My Days (Dir Jack Antoine Charlot /France 2020 /4 mins /English)

The Last Train (Dir Ross Hogg /UK 2019 /2 mins /English)

My Favourite Hill (Dir Christopher Childs /UK 2020 /4 mins /English)
Part 2 (12A): 13:30 – 14:30
Pearl Diver (Dir Margrethe Danielsen/ Norway 2021/ 9 mins/ No Dialogue)
Songs of the City (Dir Adelina Court/ UK 2020/ 3 mins/ English)
LLS – Grace (Dir Natalie Labarre/ United States 2019/ 1 min/ English)
A dog by your side (Dir Selina Wagner/ UK 2019/ 2 mins/ English)
University of Tyumen: Becoming Bold (Dir Max Kulikov/ Russia 2020/ 1 min/ Russian).
Delphine: No Dogs (Dir Anayis N. Der Hakopian/ UK 2020/ 4 mins/ English)
Alex and Mr Fluffkins (Dir Adeena Grubb and Andy Biddle/ UK 2020/ 1 min/ English)
Tick (Dir Fabienne Priess & Levin Tamoj/ Germany 2019/ 5 mins/ No Dialogue)
Biplane Model Kit (Dir Tine Kluth/ UK 2020/ 4 mins/ English)
The Physics of Sorrow (Dir Theodore Ushev/ Canada 2019/ 27 mins/ English)
Part 3 (15): 15:00 – 15:30
The Passerby (Dir Pieter Coudyzer/ Belgium 2020/ 16 mins/ Dutch)
Fail in love – Berlin (Dir Cécile Rousset, Romain Blanc-Tailleur, Adrienne Nowak/ France 2020/ 4 mins/ English)
Kroger – Aerobics (Dir César Pelizer/ United States 2020/ 1 min/ English)
Gardener & Bumblebee (Dir Ignas Meilunas/ Lithuania 2020/ 1 min/ Lithuanian)
HerStory: Máire Ní Chinnéide (Dir Richard Keane/ Ireland 2020/ 2 mins/ English)
The Song Of A Lost Boy (Dir Daniel Quirke/ UK 2020/ 10 mins/ English)
Beyond Noh (Dir Patrick Smith/ United States 2020/ 4 mins/ English)
Genius Loci (Dir Adrien Mérigeau/ France 2019/ 16 mins/ French)
PANDICULATION (Dir Konrad Hjemli, Jakob Eiring/ Norway 2020/ 3 mins/ English)
Part 4 (15): 17:00 – 18:00
I, Barnabé (Dir Jean-François Lévesque/ Canada 2020/ 15 mins/ No Dialogue)
The Winter (Dir Xin Li/ Australia 2020/ 4 mins/ English)
The Guardians (Dir AgainstAllOdds/ France 2019/ 2 mins/ No Dialogue)
Ellie’s Story (Dir Claire Grey/ UK 2020/ 4 mins/ English)
Flesh (Dir Camilia Kater/ Spain 2019/ 12 mins/ Portuguese)
Yes-People (Dir Gísli Darri Halldórsson/ Iceland 2020/ 8 mins/ Icelandic)
The Last Mother (Dir Megan De Jong/ Netherlands 2020/ 3 mins/ No Dialogue)
Pearls (Dir Idan Barzilay/ Germany 2019/ 3 mins/ Music Video)
Hijack139 (Dir Joachim Berg & Sondre Johre/ Norway 2020/ 6 mins/ English)
Part 5 (18): 18:30 – 19:30
ALTÖTTING (Dir Andreas Hykade/ Germany 2020/ 11 mins/ English)
Brother Ezekiel (Dir Leon Elliot/ Ireland 2019/ 9 mins English)
100,000 Acres of Pine (Dir Jennifer Alice Wright/ France 2020/ 7 mins/ English)
Carrion (Launch Trailer) (Dir CRCR/ France 2020/ 2 mins/ English)
Habito – The Climb (Dir Andy Baker/ United States 2020/ 1 min/ English)
Big Fish (Dir Samantha Turner & Céline Ufenast/ UK 2020/ 2 mins/ No Dialogue)
My Dream, My Taste (Dir Emily Downe/ UK 2020/ 3 mins/ English)
And Something Else (Dir Olga Kłyszewicz/ Poland 2020/ 7 mins/ English)
Disorder (Dir Robert Grieves/ Australia 2020/ 4 mins/ English)
Brazen – Mae Jemison (Dir Charlotte Cambon & Mai Nguyen/ France 2019/ 3 mins/ English)
Washing Machine (Dir Alexandra Májová/ Czech Republic 2020/ 5 mins/ No Dialogue)
Clown Suit (Dir The Brothers Mcleod/ UK 2019/ 3 mins/ English)
Free – booking strongly advised

Manchester Animation Festival (MAF) Animasyros Presents: Contemporary Greek Animated Classics
2021-11-17 18:00 - 20:00 | Performance Space
Manchester Animation Festival (MAF) is the UK’s largest Animation Festival and is dedicated to the celebration of the animated art form. Hosted in the Manchester Central Library and at HOME, the festival is the UK’s biggest animation hub, inviting people from Manchester and beyond to share in all things animated. A hybrid festival for 2021, MAF will take place from 14-30 November, in person and online. Passes are available to purchase here.
We’re delighted to be shining the spotlight on Greece this year with the help of our friends Animasyros International Animation Festival who have gathered a selection of Greek speaking animated films that have stood out during the past 10 years of the Festival. Curated by Animasyros Festival Director Maria Anestopoulou, Contemporary Greek Animated Classics is sure to bring a little Greek sunshine to the rainy clouds of Manchester. More details on the films and information about Tickets for this event can be found on the MAF website.
If you’re an organisation or group who would like to talk more about getting involved with MAF in the future, please contact MAF’s Audience Development Manager, Hannah at hannah@manchesteranimationfestival.co.uk
The films which will be screened are as follows:
My Stuffed Granny (Dir Effie Pappa, Greece 2014, 10 min)
The Little Elephant (Dir Effie Pappa , Greece 2019, 2 min)
Heatwave (Dir Fokion Xenos, Greece 2019, 7 min)
Violent Equation (Dir Andonis Doussias , Greece 2019, 5 min)
Τhe Lazy Dragon (Dir Fokion Xenos, Joan Zhonga, Greece 2020, 3min)
The First Kiss (Dir Angelos Spartalis, Greece 2020, 4 min)
All You Can Eat (Dir Dimitris Armenakis, Greece 2019, 5 min)
Leaf of the Poplar (Dir Irini Vianelli, Greece 2015, 4 min)
Elevator Alone (Dir Anastasia Papadopoulou, Greece 2021, 4 min)
Icebergs (Dir Efthymis Filippou, Greece 2018, 9 min)
Apodemy (Dir Katerina Athanasopoulou, Greece 2012, 5 min)
My Mother’s Coat (Dir Marie Margot Tsakiris Scanatovits, Greece 2010, 6 min)
Severambes (Dir George Kontos, Greece 2020, 12 min)
The Village (Dir Stelios Polychronakis , Greece 2020, 14 min)
Ms Metro (Dir Aggelos Papantoniou, Greece 2016, 4 min)
The Guillable Kiss of Mr Patokos (Dir Alexandros Apostolakis, Greece 2014, 5 min)
Star Fallen (Dir Alexandra Tagali, Greece 2018, 2 min)
From The Same Thread (Dir Antonia Piña, Rucha Dhayarkar, Lorène Friesenbichler, Phaedra Derizioti, Greece 2017, 4 min)
Enough (Dir Anna Mantzaris, Greece 2017, 2 min)
Water Fairy Tale (Dir Nikos Radeos, Greece 2018, 3 min)
Wandering Stories – Ariel (Dir Kleopatra Korai, Greece 2018, 2 min)

Dream FM presents: 'What do you dream of?'
2021-11-18 17:30 - 20:00 | Performance Space
Join us for the in-person premiere of What do you dream of? — a special broadcast & sound work created with the people of Greater Manchester
Night falls and metropolis mirrors the cosmos. Destinies connected by light and dust send signals, alone, to one another. The city glitters: On Air.
In August 2021, artists Danielle Swindells and Brit Seaton asked the people of Greater Manchester what they dream of. Directed to the automated voicemail system of fictional radio station Dream FM, members of the public picked up the phone and left their answers.
The sound work What do you dream of? brings together selected hotline musings of the vast metropolitan borough. Strange encounters during sleep, visions of change for a better world and personal tales of love and loss are among a constellation of intimate responses to the question, capturing an audio portrait of dreams spanning from simple and symbolic, to poetic and surreal.
What do you dream of? features an original score by Joshua Inyang and Joshua Tarelle, Space Afrika, which takes sonic cues from pre-digital airwaves, the DIY spirit of pirate radio and musical auras of Greater Manchester’s past and present.
Join us on Thursday 18 November 5.30 – 8pm at Manchester Central Library for a special premiere of the broadcast
Doors open: 5.30pm
Broadcast begins: 6.00pm
Broadcast duration: 1hr 30mins
This event is BSL Interpreted by Lizzie Wharton.
Seating will be socially distanced and we politely encourage you to wear masks unless exempt.
Free – booking required below – please cancel if you are unable to attend

Also – Online Broadcast:
What do you dream of? will also broadcast from www.dream-fm.com every night at 9.00pm from Thurs 18 Nov to Thurs 16 Dec 2021.
Inspired by the fading format of night-time radio talk shows, Dream FM stages a conceptual transmission that draws on the experience of listening together while apart, the unifying liveness of radio, and the comfort it can bring in the lonely hours when the public, as orator and audience, speaks to itself.
Dream FM is tuned in to emotional connections between strangers across Greater Manchester. The sound work platforms local voices in an experimental piece of archived social history, guided by imagination and the collective sharing of innermost thoughts.
This project is made possible with support from Manchester Independents.
Visit: www.dream-fm.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/0161dreamfm
Twitter: www.twitter.com/0161dreamfm
Email: 0161dreamfm@gmail.com

Book Launch: Nail on the Head by Paul Cookson
2021-11-24 18:30 - 19:30 | Performance Space
FLAPJACK PRESS PRESENTS:
Nail on the Head
A COVID-19 Poetry Diary, Vol. 4
Written daily throughout the UK’s restrictions to combat coronavirus, Nail on the Head takes us from the anniversary of the first lockdown, through the easing of regulations, and up to our grand reopening on so-called ‘Freedom Day’.
Humorous, compassionate, and with a principled, political edge (and more than a passing interest in the European Football Championships, as you’d expect from the National Football Museum’s poet-in-residence), this is Paul’s fourth and concluding documentation of a nation’s resolve and wellbeing.
Illustrated by Chris Riddell OBE (Children’s Laureate / Observer), Korky Paul (Winnie and Wilbur / Sir Scallywag) and Martin Chatterton (Winter of the White Bear / Bluenoses).
Cover by Martin Chatterton.
“A fresh collection of Cookson’s verse. If it’s laughter you’re after you could do worse.” – Dr John Cooper Clarke, poet
“Pithy blinders, heartfelt and moving, marvellously inventive and original … quite brilliant. When looking at the national landscape, its wounds and doughty perseverance generated by its grief besieged citizens, Paul Cookson is their sparse voice, their collective bewilderment and courage.” – Stewart Henderson, poet
“Paul Cookson is a special poet. He is a human being. Rare in this game.” – Mike Garry, poet

Manchester Celebrates International Day of Disabled People
2021-12-03 12:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Come and celebrate the day with Manchester City Council and Manchester Met University. Activities include, screening of disability history films, panel discussion of disability past and present, short films from GMCDP Young Creatives, music from the Spotlighters, information stalls and refreshments.
Free – please drop in

Christmas Tree Traditions
2021-12-04 14:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
We will be decorating 7 community Christmas trees in a range of traditional styles. Have a go at creating your own Christmas crafts and join our Manchester communities as they share their traditional crafts.
Free – but please consider making a donation if you can either online or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Christmas Extravaganza
2021-12-11 10:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
The whole family is invited to join us for Central Library’s Christmas celebrations!
We’ll have choirs singing songs and carols, Christmas crafts for children and hot chocolate and festive treats to warm you up in the cafe.
Keep an eye out for the Toy Soldiers who will be popping up during the day. We’ll also be trying to tempt Mr Scrooge to come out of his house and discover the true joy of Christmas.
One of the best people to do that is of course Father Christmas himself. I wonder if he will be making an appearance.
Free – but please consider making a donation if you can either online or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Word Central
2021-12-14 18:00 - 19:45 | Performance Space
Word Central Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word Presented by Flapjack Press & Manchester Libraries.
Hosted by Tony Curry with special guest Ben Willems.
You can book your open mic slot from noon on Tuesday 30th November here.
NB Open mic slots are 3 minutes per performer. Performance slots are allocated on a ‘first come first served’ basis from the stated booking day. If they are already filled you will be offered a space on the reserve list.
Our special guest for the last Word Central of the year is Ben Willems. Ben writes beat-inspired performance poetry from the jumble of brain clog. He has been published by Citizen 32, The Recusant, Beatification and Some Roast Poet among others, as well as appearing in Flapjack Press’s The People’s Republic of Mancunia. Since 2013, Ben has been working on a collection of poems for all of Greater Manchester’s railway stations and expects this to be finished around 2040.

Art of Oesophageal Cancer
2022-01-10 08:00 - 2022-03-26 17:00 | First Floor Display Cases
Art of oesophageal cancer is a visual representation of one patient’s experience of going through treatment, surgery and then coming to terms with a new normal.
The subject matter touches on wider public health issues and covers the pre-cancer condition Barrett’s oesophagus, as well as the artist’s experience of chemotherapy, surgery and post-operative period in a High Dependency Unit. Although the images refer to oesophageal cancer, several can relate to any cancer or life changing illness or experience. The more recent pieces, including two short, illustrated poems, point to personal issues that require management despite an otherwise good level of health.
Manchester-born artist, Ann Wood, first started to draw to pass the time during long chemotherapy sessions. She is self-taught and like many, enjoys using art to express feelings on scenarios and life in general. The images in this exhibition are mainly figurative art using the portable media of pencils and fine liners.
The aim of the exhibition is to raise awareness of oesophageal cancer and how it can be treated if caught in its early stages. The exhibition coincides with Oesophageal Cancer Awareness Month in February and the artist will also be running a virtual exhibition on Instagram to mark this month. Throughout February an image will be posted every day and will be a combination of those from the live exhibition and some of her earlier work.
A summary of the earlier cancer series is available as a free e-book downloadable from oesophagectomylife.co.uk/artbook
Instagram @annorthernlass.
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

Creative Writing Class
2022-01-12 17:00 - 2022-02-09 19:00 | Chief Librarian’s Office
Writer Cathy Crabb is running a weekly drop in for anyone who would like to spend a couple of hours strolling through storytelling.
With a different exercise per week it could be anything from a screenplay to flash fiction to songwriting – just to give your mind a welcome circuit break and a bit of escapism.
The exercises are designed around inclusivity – whether you are an experienced writer or just fancy exercising your imagination. This is a kind and inclusive group and people from all backgrounds and abilities are very welcome. Just for fun!
The dates are –
Wednesday 12th January 5-7pm
Wednesday 19th January 5-7pm
Wednesday 26th January 5-7pm
Wednesday 2nd February 5-7pm
Wednesday 9th February 5-7pm
Each class will be held in the Chief Librarian’s Office on the 3rd Floor of Central Library.
For more information please contact Cathy at cathycrabb@gmail.com.

The Door Opened: 1980s China
2022-01-24 08:00 - 2022-07-20 17:00 | Lower Ground Floor Exhibition Space
One can argue that nostalgia is the strongest emotion, a pure mixture of wistfulness and melancholy. Adrian Bradshaw, an English photographer, brings that sense of yearning into full focus in this exhibition presented by the Confucius Institute at The University of Manchester. Featuring a blend of candid and posed photographs which explore China in the 1980’s; from opulent fashion extravaganzas to sentimental family excursions, Bradshaw captures the fleeting beauty and simplicity of everyday life.
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

Word Central Open Mic Night
2022-01-25 18:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Manchester Libraries and Flapjack Press present Word Central Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word.
Hosted by Tony Curry with special guest Ben Willems.

Our special guest for the first Word Central of the year is beat-inspired performance poet Ben Willems. Ben has featured in numerous publications, including Citizen 32, The Recusant, Beatification and Some Roast Poet, as well as appearing in Flapjack Press’s The People’s Republic of Mancunia. Since 2013, he has been working on a collection of poems for all of Greater Manchester’s railway stations and expects this to be finished around 2040.
You can book your open mic slot from noon on Tuesday 11th January via mail@flapjackpress.co.uk.
N.B. Open mic slots are 3 minutes per performer. Performance slots are allocated on a ‘first come first served’ basis from the stated booking day. If they are already filled you will be offered a space on the reserve list.

Don't worry, we will survive!
2022-01-31 08:00 - 2022-03-26 17:00 | First Floor Exhibition Hall
Come and reflect on these vibrant abstract and portrait paintings by artist, Sarbjit Johal. Have a dialogue with our past and present in Britain and beyond.
Buy a painting and support Saheli Asian Women’s Project. Prices start from £10. Telephone 07944 565620 for more details.

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

Chinese New Year Celebration
2022-02-06 12:00 - 16:00
Help us celebrate the Year of the Tiger in Central Library on one of our special Sunday openings. Join in the fun as we offer themed family activities and crafts for everyone to enjoy

Free – drop in event – please consider making a donation if you can either online or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Titanic: A Maritime Mistake?
2022-02-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Performance Space
A thrilling new take on the 1912 tragedy, as those tasked to keep the secret safe go on the run from an elite group of political figures.

When Lancashire author Alan Veale began research for his latest novel ‘The Titanic Document’, he built a story around the 1912 disaster.

They do say truth is stranger than fiction, and as the plot and characters developed, so too did Alan’s perception of historical events. Now he shares the surprising evidence he uncovered which points to a curious conclusion on how the great ship met her fate.
Join the author at this free afternoon event where he will present material from his research and also be reading from the novel.

¡No Pasarán! – North West International Brigade Memorial Group
2022-02-12 11:30 - 16:00 | Performance Space
North West International Brigade Memorial Group invite you to join us for ¡No Pasarán!, a day of commemoration of those Greater Manchester men and women who fought against Franco, Hitler and Mussolini in the Spanish Civil War.
11.30- 1PM 85th anniversary commemoration of the battle of Jarama.
In February 1937 around 500 men of the British Battalion of the International Brigades went into their first military battle in defence of the Spanish Republican government at Jarama near Madrid. In the next three days over a third were killed and many were wounded but although driven from the field they re-grouped and stopped the Fascist attempt to cut the only supply road to Madrid and prevented the city from starving. In this battle 14 local men were killed.
To commemorate and celebrate this event there will be songs, poetry and prose from the period and an exhibition of the North West’s involvement in the Spanish Civil War.
Rob Hargreaves author of ‘Beyond Peterloo’ and forthcoming book on Oldham’s Clem Beckett a local speedway star, ‘Clem Beckett: motorcycle legend and war hero’, will speak about the death of Clem Beckett at Jarama.
The morning will end with the laying of wreaths at the memorial to the local International Brigaders in Central Library.
1-2 Break for Lunch.
2-4 ‘Lillian and Madge the stories of two remarkable women: resisting Fascism in Spain and World War II’
A lecture by Chris Hall author of ‘The Nurse who became a Spy’: Madge Addy’s war against fascism’
After the lecture there will be a chance to ask questions, buy a copy of Chris Hall’s book, speak to members of the North West International Brigades Group and look at the exhibition on the Spanish Civil War.
Find out more information about the International Brigade Memorial Group here.

David Gaffney 'Out of the Dark' Book Launch
2022-02-17 18:00 - 20:00 | Performance Space
A young man has rented a flat at the top of a high rise block in Birmingham where he watches the same video over and over again, an old British film noir called Out Of The Dark. This film holds some important information for him, something which will help him deal with his recent tragic events. But what is he looking for in this corny black and white B flick? Who is the mysterious woman who is bedridden after falling down the stairs? And why does a strange neighbour want to buy up all the garages on the street?

Out Of The Dark is an unsettling story of grief, obsession and duplicity told using a puzzle box of stories within stories that twist and turn at every opportunity. It is also about film noir itself and as the young man dissects the recurring motifs of his favourite film genre he reveals more about himself than he does about the movie. The edges of the film and real life begin to blur. Is he being pulled into a similar whirlpool of deceit, corruption and violence?

Praise for Out Of The Dark

‘A twisted and darkly funny neo-noir that somehow channels the restless spirits of both David Lynch and Shane Meadows while remaining intensely literary. In Out Of The Dark David Gaffney has produced a book with real propulsive energy, one that produces surprises on nearly every page.’ Stephen May, Costa prize shortlisted author of Life! Death! Prizes!

‘ Out Of The Dark is an ingenious, idiosyncratic and unnerving noir, in which Ballard meets Jim Thomson meets Mike Leigh in a high rise block next to a motorway in the Black Country. ‘ Luke Brown, editor, critic, and author of novels My Biggest Lie and Theft.

About David
David Gaffney was born and brought up in Cleator Moor, west Cumbria and now lives in Manchester. He is the author of the novels Never Never (2008) and All The Places I’ve Ever Lived ( 2017) plus the flash fiction and short story collections Sawn-Off Tales (2006), Aromabingo (2007), The Half-Life of Songs (2010) and More Sawn-Off Tales (2013). He has written articles for The Guardian, Sunday Times, Financial Times and Prospect magazine, and was a judge for the Bridport Prize. His graphic novel with Dan Berry, The Three Rooms In Valerie’s Head, was published in 2018 on Top Shelf, and David and Dan’s latest graphic novel Rivers is out now, also on Top Shelf. David’s new novel, Out Of The Dark, is out in January 2022.
The Guardian said: ‘One hundred and fifty words by Gaffney are more worthwhile than novels by a good many others.’

Also at the event we are delighted to present Melissa Wan reading her story Art Decade, from an exciting upcoming book from Confingo called Waiting For The Gift – an anthology of short stories influenced by David Bowie’s seminal seventies album, Low.

See www.davidgaffney.org for more

International Mother Language Day
2022-02-21 13:00 - 15:00 | Performance Space
Communities across Manchester will come together to enjoy an afternoon of celebration for all the family. Sharing their stories, language, music, dance and food, it is sure to be a joyful gathering. Confirmed for this year are the Lithuanian Community, and the first time in our event history, members of both the Libyan and Moroccan Amazigh community will be joining together to share their cultural heritage with everyone.
Free – drop in event – please consider making a donation if you can either online or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

TO PARADISE - Hanya Yanagihara in conversation with Kamila Shamsie
2022-02-23 18:30 - 20:00 | Performance Space
Hanya Yanagihara, author of the million-copy bestseller A Little Life, introduces her incredible new novel TO PARADISE.

About this event

We’re thrilled to be welcoming Hanya Yanagihara, author of the modern classic A Little Life, to Manchester for one of just four UK dates celebrating the release of her phenomenal new book TO PARADISE – a bold, brilliant novel spanning three centuries and three different versions of the American experiment, about lovers, family, loss and the elusive promise of utopia. Hanya will be in conversation with Kamila Shamsie.
About the book:
In an alternate version of 1893 America, New York is part of the Free States, where people may live and love whomever they please (or so it seems). The fragile young scion of a distinguished family resists betrothal to a worthy suitor, drawn to a charming music teacher of no means. In a 1993 Manhattan besieged by the AIDS epidemic, a young Hawaiian man lives with his much older, wealthier partner, hiding his troubled childhood and the fate of his father. And in 2093, in a world riven by plagues and governed by totalitarian rule, a powerful scientist’s damaged granddaughter tries to navigate life without him – and solve the mystery of her husband’s disappearances.
These three sections are joined in an enthralling and ingenious symphony, as recurring notes and themes deepen and enrich one another: A townhouse in Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village; illness, and treatments that come at a terrible cost; wealth and squalor; the weak and the strong; race; the definition of family, and of nationhood; the dangerous righteousness of the powerful, and of revolutionaries; the longing to find a place in an earthly paradise, and the gradual realization that it can’t exist. What unites not just the characters, but these Americas, are their reckonings with the qualities that make us human: Fear. Love. Shame. Need. Loneliness.
To Paradise is a fin-de-siecle novel of marvellous literary effect, but above all it is a work of emotional genius. The great power of this remarkable novel is driven by Yanagihara’s understanding of the aching desire to protect those we love – partners, lovers, children, friends, family and even our fellow citizens – and the pain that ensues when we cannot.
This event is being held at Manchester Central Library in partnership with the Centre for New Writing.
Doors: 18.00, event starts: 18.30
Tickets are £10.00 or £25.00 including a copy of the book. TO PARADISE will also be available to purchase on the night and Hanya will be signing copies after the talk. If you would like a signed copy but cannot make the event, please contact us on 0161 274 3331 or manchester@blackwell.co.uk and we can arrange this for you.

A Masterclass: Queer History
2022-02-24 08:00 - 17:00 | Performance Space
When did the popular ‘GAY’ LGBT+/Human Rights Campaign really start?
1964 North-Western Homosexual Law Reform Committee
1966 Compton’s Cafeteria riot
1967 Passing of the Sexual Offences Act
1968 The Stonewall Riots
Earlier?
1958 Wolfenden Committee Report
1928 Publishing of The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe ​
How about the ‘Gay’ Reform Movement of the 1830’s!?
Pioneering research by US Historian Charles Upchurch, whose specialist area is the first half of the 19th century, has uncovered a remarkable flowering of popular and parliamentary campaign for ‘Gay’ Reform. A flowering that has been hidden for nearly two hundred years. Involving leading politicians such as the Duke of Wellington, Robert Stewart (Viscount Castlereagh) the Poet Lord Byron and Prime Minster Peel together with a host of other campaigners both within and outside Parliament. His book “Beyond the Law” provides the compelling history in fascinating reform movement.
Chuck is flying into Manchester to deliver these remarkable findings, uncovered over years of pouring over the evidence held at various archives including the British Library. His new book ‘Beyond the Law’ sets out these remarkable findings.
This talk is hosted by the City of Manchester Libraries Service and coordinated with Schools Out(UK), LGBT HM & OTP of which Chuck is a Distinguished Academic Patron. Chuck will also be highlighting some of the problems and solutions involved in seeking out our “Queer” Past, largely hidden, denied and even still outlawed in many countries.
This will be followed by a Q&A session and the event will close by 5pm. Cllr Lee-Ann Igbon will be Chairing the event. Written questions are welcome – please email your questions to siobhan.o’connor@manchester.gov.uk The event commences promptly at 4pm on Thursday 24th February 2022, The Performance Space (Ground Floor) Manchester Central Library, St Peter’s Square.
For more information and to book a free in-person place, please email siobhan.o’connor@manchester.gov.uk
We also plan to live stream the event – book your free place for the virtual webinar via Eventbrite
“Upchurch offers amazing research, new discoveries, and fascinating stories of the people behind these legislative efforts, as well as rich discussions of the tragic persecutions of many men who had sex with men. – Anna Clark, [Professor of History at the University of Minnesota, and author of Alternative Histories of the Self: A Cultural History of Sexuality and Secrets, 1762–1917.]
“‘Beyond the Law’ is a very important book that will change our understanding of what happened before 1861 when the death penalty for sodomy in England was abolished.” – Prof. Jeffrey Weeks.

Breaking the News Exhibition and Archive Handling Sessions
2022-02-24 08:00 - 2022-08-21 17:00 | Archives+ Ground Floor
The news has the power to make or break elections, to change the course of history or to alter our perspective on the city and country we live in. We expect the news to speak truth to power, but can it ever really be objective? Is your news the same as everyone else’s? How do you use the news to navigate the world around you?
Central Library will be hosting a series of pop-up handling sessions tied in with the new Breaking the News Exhibition at the British Library.The sessions will be looking at how major local, regional and international events have been reported using the original newspapers and magazines from the time. Come and see how the major events of the last 200 years were reported.
How did local and national newspapers reflect the two World Wars and the struggle for Women’s Rights.
How did the Manchester Evening News report significant local events from the Munich Air Crash to the Manchester Blitz.
How does a newspaper’s own perspective (Socialist Worker, Gay Times, Private Eye affect the way it reports on the world).
The display runs from February 24th until August 21th 2022 and alongside the display panels we will be running regular weekly handling sessions. Dates for the handling sessions will be announced very soon.
Breaking the News: The Launch Debate will be live streamed from Leeds Central Library this Thursday 24th February at 7pm. You can register for this FREE event here.
The major new Breaking the News Exhibition will be at the British Library from 22 April to 21 August 2022.
#BreakingTheNews
