Library Live

Natalie Haynes
2022-10-23 14:00 - 15:00 UTC | Performance Space
Stone Blind, Natalie Haynes’ latest feminist mythological retelling, is the story of how a young woman became a monster. And how she was never really a monster at all. It’s the story of Medusa, the mortal raised by her Gorgon sisters, mistreated by Poseidon, and hunted by Perseus. It’s a version that sheds light on who’s really angry, who’s privileged, who’s wronged, who’s content, and who’s an arrogant brat; turning the story you think you know on its snake covered head.
Natalie is the author of three previous novels, The Amber Fury, shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize; The Children of Jocasta and A Thousand Ships, and non-fiction books The Ancient Guide to Modern Life and Pandora’s Jar. She is the writer and performer of the BBC Radio 4 show, Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics. In 2015, she was awarded the Classical Association Prize for her work in bringing Classics to a wider audience. Hosted by Naomi Frisby, writer and co-host of Late To It podcast.
Book on 0343 208 0500 or ‘book now’ link below

George Saunders in Conversation
2022-10-23 16:00 - 17:00 | Performance Space
‘The best short story writer in English – not “one of”, not “arguably”, but the best’ – Time. In his latest short story collection, Liberation Day, George Saunders considers what it means to be human and a member of communities whose actions impact each other. Through inventive scenarios including an underground amusement park and a household with reprogrammed humans, George comments on current society, questioning whether this is the right way to live. Join us for what promises to be an unmissable conversation with a master of short stories on his first visit to the UK in five years, and his only event outside of London. George is the author of ten books including the Booker Prize winning Lincoln in the Bardo, Tenth of December and his recent exploration of Russian short stories, A Swim in a Pond in the Rain. Hosted by writer Kate Feld.
Book on 0343 208 0500 or ‘book now’ link below

Word Central
2022-10-25 18:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Word Central
Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word presented by Manchester Libraries and Flapjack Press
Tues 25th October, 6.00pm – 7.30pm (doors open 5.30pm) Free entry
Hosted by Tony Curry with guest poet Stevie Turner
Book your open mic slot from noon on Tues 11th October via mail@flapjackpress.co.uk
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
Event host Tony Curry is a performance poet, playwright and workshop facilitator, who runs literature-in-the-community projects with a specific leaning towards mental health and wellbeing.
Tony’s solo spoken word shows include Brit Boy, Complicit Relations, Moving and The Odyssey, performed at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre. His play, The Teddy Bear, was staged at Manchester’s Contact Theatre and his work has been exhibited at the city’s art gallery and museum. His latest collection, We Kid Ourselves, was published by Flapjack Press in 2021.
September’s special guest Stevie Turner is a political and passionate poet whose work often pushes boundaries. Their debut collection Lost Decades was published this summer by Bent Key Publishing and is a personal yet relatable account of life without restrictive lines, examining the deep human connections we make throughout life. Stevie performed with the Northern Poetry Takeover at this year’s Brighton and Camden Fringe festivals and launched a new poetry event, Absinthe Nights, at Northern Monk earlier this month.

History of Carnival Workshops by Linford Sweeney
2022-10-26 14:00 - 17:00 | Performance Space
The history of Caribbean Carnivals is much more complex than many realise. Carnival has origins based in colonialism and religious conversion, but it has now become a festival and celebration tied to freedom and emancipation from slavery. Learn about how established African-Caribbean communities transferred the traditions associated with carnival to Manchester as we explore the roots of the different aspects of carnival.

Wednesday 26 October at 2pm for families – suitable for age 10+

Book via www.racearchive.org.uk/events/black-history-month/

We Are Carnival! Party
2022-10-27 14:00 - 19:00 | Performance Space
Explore historical carnival memories through archives via an exhibition, film provided by North West Film Archive, music by Manchester Carnival affiliated DJ and host Kemoy Walker, a family arts workshop by local artist Tina Ramos Ekongo, spoken word performances by Young Identity and delicious Caribbean food courtesy of Buzzrocks Caribbean Restaurant.
Book via www.racearchive.org.uk/events/black-history-month/

Manchester Loving Earth Project - Textile Exhibition
2022-10-28 08:00 - 2022-11-29 17:00 | Ground Floor
This exhibition of over 70 Loving Earth Project textile panels will be at six city centre venues in Manchester. Central Library is one of these venues and has 10 panels on display.
Each panel is individually crafted and depicts places, creatures and other things that the maker loves, but which are threatened by growing climate crisis and destruction.
More than 200 panels were displayed at COP26 in Glasgow and this Manchester exhibition will take place during COP27 in Egypt. Go to Archives, City (lending) and Music Libraries to see 2-3 panels in each location.
Also look out for leaflets about the whole city centre trail and a Reflections Book for your comments on the exhibition as well as the growing climate crisis.
Free – please drop in
Please consider making a donation to support our Library Live programme, either online or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Dominic Berry & John Darwin Book Launch
2022-11-01 18:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Flapjack Press and Manchester Libraries invite you to the book launch of new poetry collections of two of Manchester’s finest.
John Darwin: Ultrasilence
From the provincial peccadilloes of Prestwich in Manchester to coffee houses and bars by the Bosporus in İstanbul, John Darwin explores life’s three stages of arriving, staying for a bit, and then leaving.
A poetic reflection on the ennui of the everyday, intermittent pleasures, and the quest to understand love and belonging from the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival 2021 Best Spoken Word Performance Award winner.
“Gets to grips with the parts of life we’d rather forget.” – Dave Morgan, Write Out Loud Co-founder
“From early doors to last orders, John Darwin’s poetry leaves us drunk on its honesty and thirsty for more.” – Tony Walsh AKA Longfella, Poet
Dominic Berry: YES LIFE
“How can I be now?”
This is a book charting one journey from challenging times to friendship and joy. To euphoric excitement and blissful rest, from old He-Man toys, choose-your-own-adventure books, moving music in grin-packed pubs and fantastic festivals, sublime seaside solitude, and many different ways for a person to play.
“Love is who we are.”
“Rhythmic, vibrant, and gentle, Yes Life is a love letter to the many ways in which we get to see the world.” – Desree, spoken word poet & educator
“A homage to youth, to growth, and to growing up. Whether it be the Latin rhythms of the paperback dancefloor or the 8-Bit energy of the nineties, Berry comes in full force.” – Alex Vellis, poet
AUTHOR PERFORMANCES, AUDIENCE Q&A, BOOK SIGNING – FREE ENTRY.
Content warning: Adult themes and language.

Crime Central
2022-11-03 18:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Crime Central returns in November with three more amazing writers!
Lauren North – writes psychological suspense novels that delve into the darker side of relationships and families. Lauren’s love of psychological suspense has grown since childhood and from her dark imagination of always wondering what’s the worst thing that could happen in every situation.
Roger Price – spent over 30 years as a Detective Inspector in the Lancashire Police Force, the Regional Crime Squad and the National Crime Squad before leaving to concentrate fulltime on writing best selling crime novels.
Laure Van Rensburg – is a French writer living in the UK and an Ink Academy alumna. Her stories have appeared in online magazines and anthologies such as Litro Magazine, Storgy Magazine, The Real Jazz Baby, Best Anthology, Saboteur Awards 2020).
Hosted by the wonderful Rob Parker.
PLEASE NOTE: Tickets for this event are on a “pay what you can” basis. They range from £2 – £8 plus the Eventbrite booking fee.
All tickets allow the same access to the event. This is a just a pricing system to accommodate for individual financial circumstances.

Launch of the Grass Roots Books Archive
2022-11-07 17:30 - 19:30 | Archives+ Ground Floor
Grass Roots Books was Manchester’s radical bookshop from 1971 to 1990, becoming the largest outside London and a worker’s co-operative. Former workers have collected memories and archive material about it. At this launch you will have the chance to see radical books and ephemera from the period. Archive material will also be on display in the library throughout November. We are seeking recollections from customers who visited the shop. Send your memories to grbhistory@gmail.com.
Free – just drop in

BBC100 in Greater Manchester
2022-11-12 08:00 - 2022-12-31 17:00 | Archives+ Ground Floor
This year the BBC celebrates its centenary. Archives+ has partnered with the BBC Archives and Greater Manchester’s ten archives services to select interesting local items from the BBC’s radio and TV archives. You can explore the new content on the Greater Manchester Place interactive at Archives+ showing content for each of the ten local authorities. The exhibition is supported by local and online activities around Greater Manchester.
Free – please consider making a donation if you can either online or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Cosgrove Hall Classics & Lupus Films on Loop
2022-11-14 08:00 - 2022-11-17 17:00 | Performance Space
Join Manchester Animation Festival for a selection of special free animation screenings on loop. Jump into classics from the iconic Manchester studio Cosgrove Hall such as Danger Mouse & The Wind in the Willows; and family favourites from Lupus Films like The Snowman and The Snowdog, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and The Tiger Who Came To Tea.
14 November, 1–7pm
15 & 16 November, 9.30am–7pm
17 November, 9.30am–4.30pm
Free – drop in – please consider making a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme either online or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Animated Immersive Experiences
2022-11-14 08:00 - 2022-11-17 17:00 | Performance Space
As part of Manchester Animation Festival 2022, some of the best immersive animated films and experiences from around the world are on offer. This programme is full of virtual reality and 360 films that showcase brave new worlds for animation fans to explore.
14 November, 1–7pm
15 November, 12 noon–7pm
16 November, 10am–7pm
17 November, 10am–4pm
Free – drop in – please consider making a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme either online or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Rooms of Our Own
2022-11-14 08:00 - 2023-01-03 17:00 | Lwr Ground Floor – Manchester Histories Hub
A National Lottery Heritage Funded project to reveal the hidden ‘herstory’ of the Pankhurst Trust. Delivered in partnership with Manchester Histories. This exhibition displays the Pankhurst Trust’s organisational archive, now preserved for the public to access for the first time in Archives+. It will also premier a film Is the Fight Over? made by four young creatives in response to the archive.
Free – please drop in

Male beauty vlogging in China: a masculinities perspective
2022-11-22 18:00 - 19:00 | Performance Space
Male beauty vlogging is flourishing in China despite fears of a masculinity ‘crisis’, sissyphobia and LGBT crackdowns. Key questions arise: To what extent does male beauty vlogging challenge the notion of a crisis of masculinity and offer new, positive gender expressions for men? To what extent does it reinforce hierarchical and oppressive formations of gender and sexuality? This talk, part of a series of talks from the Confucius Institute at the University of Manchester, analyses three male beauty vloggers’ promotion of a ‘fake-natural look for straight men’ involving non-visible makeup and examines another vlogger’s critique of the feminization of visible makeup-wearing men.
Free – book here

Fly On The Wall Press Christmas Celebrations!
2022-11-26 13:30 - 16:30 | Performance Space
Come celebrate four years of northern indie publishing with Fly on the Wall Press – bring your best Xmas outfit for a chance to win a prize!
The four year celebration of Fly on the Wall Press invites all members of the public both new and much-loved to be a part of our Christmas antics at Manchester Central Library.
There will be two rooms in the library’s performance space. One will be dedicated to workshops run by Fly on the Wall Press authors (paid, sign up in advance), the other a free space with book tables (FOTW books and publisher friends announced below) and a performance space, with an all day running schedule of poets and fiction writers.
We will be running a raffle for the chance to win a selection of free books and a competition for best dressed Christmas-themed outfit!
At the end of the day there will be a short talk from Managing Director of Fly on the Wall Press, Isabelle Kenyon, and a film.
Detail to be added as events develop but current running order of the afternoon…
Room 1:
Publisher tables: Saraband, Young Identity, Stairwell Books, Northodox, Hidden Voice Publishing, Fly on the Wall Press and Fawn Press.
1.35-1.55pm Fat Roland and David Hartley bring spoken word night ‘Bad Language’ vibes and ‘Fauna’ (longlisted for the Edge Hill Prize) has an outing!
1.55-2.05pm York much-loved publisher Stairwell Books’ Clint Wastling will perform poetry from Quiet Flows the Hull
2.05-2.15pm – Manchester award-winning publisher Saraband has a special appearance with author Adam Farrer
2.15-2.20pm – Bethany Rivers performs from 2019 chapbook, ‘the sea refuses no river’
2.20-2.40pm – Mancunian Ways Anthology: Performance medley from contributors Penny Sharman, Alicia Fitton, Fiona Boylan, David Keyworth, Joseph Darlington, Sarah Pritchard
2.40-2.50pm – Claire HM performs from ‘How To Bring Him Back’, part of our 2021 shorts season
2.50pm- 3.00pm Tom McColl reads from ‘Grenade Genie’, a 2020 full poetry collection
3.10-3.20pm Louise Finnigan performs from ‘Muscle and Mouth’, part of our 2021 shorts season
3.20pm – 3.30pm Demos Rising Anthology: Dipika Mummery, Caitlin Kendall
3.30-3.40pm Jiye Lee performs from ‘Aftereffects’
(Everyone now bundled into the other room for FOTW film showcase and slides – also includes prizes for best dressed Xmas outfit and raffle being drawn)
Room 2:
1.35pm – 2.15pm Ruth Brandt Workshop: ‘Starting with Place’ (Suitable for both fiction writers and poets! Bring a pen and paper.) Starting with Place – Places inspire us, evoke emotions and memories, restrict our behaviour, create conflict – core elements of stories and poems. Using written exercises, this workshop will help you investigate place as the starting point for your writing.
2.25pm – 3.05pm Graeme Hall and Clare Reddaway Workshop on building character (Come with a character you are currently working on developing for these exercises!) Writing is all about great characters, right? Explore ways to deepen your characters’ worlds and make them more three dimensional.
3.15-3.35pm Publisher Drop In (20 mins) – Pre-booked (full) consultation
3.45pm – 4.10pm – FREE – Isabelle Kenyon talk and short film featuring FOTW’s international authors
4.10-4.30pm – last chance to buy books before we close! 🙂

Explore Your Archives Week film screening
2022-11-28 17:30 - 19:00 | Performance Space
Film screening of Two and a Half Questions, followed by Q&A with director Clovis Lowe and producer Marsha Lowe. How has your race shaped your life and dreams? Two and a Half Questions is an exploration of the lives and aspirations of the Windrush generation and those who came after them. Working with a group of young people, filmmaker Clovis Lowe captured interviews with people of Caribbean and African heritage from all walks of life, from lawyers and dancers, to politicians, social workers and entrepreneurs. More info at twoandahalfquestions.com
Free – book your place here
Please consider making a donation to support our Library Live programme, either online or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Tiki Black - EVENT CANCELLED
2022-11-30 18:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED
Award-winning musician and author Tiki Black released her sophomore album this year, which is entitled “The Sound Of The Broken Wand.” The Manchester-based artist, via Paris and Cameroon, has drawn inspiration from some of the best names in the industry worldwide to create memorable albums. The acclaimed second album received an Outstanding Legacy Award from The Akademia Music Awards as well as critical praise alluding to its timelessness, authenticity and quality. Entropy Mag (USA) underscores its “spellbinding beauty” and “grace.” Liverpool Sound and Vision (UK) calls it “influential,” “charming,” “uplifting,” and “outrageously cool.” Fatea magazine (UK) speaks of a “phenomenal album, full of soulful and haunting melodies that will capture your heart.”.
The author also bares her soul with her first book of the same name. This unique accompaniment to her second album is a collection of heartfelt poems and one essay. She weaves the wealth of her life into each line, from bouncing around the world to experiencing different peoples and settings, while evoking a sense of magic. Her unique voice blends Western and African cultures in a soothing way evoking both inner strength and fragility.
Tiki Black has been hailed as a true visionary for her writing and for her “bewitching” (Edgar Allan Poets), authentic and honest (The Next Gig – Netherlands, Entropy) performances. She now shares part of her innermost self as she launches her book and CD at Central Library.
Image credit: Lucy Ridges Photography

Viva Vintage! featuring Wayne Hemingway MBE
2022-12-01 13:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Vintage and retro businesses are more popular than ever before. Ebay trading and other online platforms have made it easy to start a side hustle, but can you turn your hobby into a full time business?
As Affleck’s Palace turns 40 this year, Viva Vintage! explores the different aspects of running this type of enterprise. This three part event will cover:
Keynote speaker: Wayne Hemingway MBE- Is vintage more sustainable?
Our keynote speaker and special guest is Wayne Hemingway MBE from Hemingway Design. Wayne started his fashion career by selling items from his wardrobe at Kensington Market, and went on to co-found Red Or Dead. In 2010 Hemingway Design created their annual “Vintage Festival”. He is one of the UK’s most notable designers and we are thrilled to welcome him back to the BIPC Manchester.
Future Past – Selling on socials: Becky Chorlton from Becky’s Bazaar
Becky Chorlton started her successful online business Becky’s Bazaar to supplement her student income. Now only 24 she will talk about trading online using platforms like Instagram and DePop. Read more about Becky here
The Ups and Downs of Vintage Trading: Our expert panel of vintage traders including Maggie Harding from Garbo Antiques and Alistair from Vinyl Resting Place will discuss and take questions on how to survive the highs and lows of being self employed in the world of secondhand trading.
Retro refreshments included!
Free event – booking required

Manchester Celebrates International Day of Disabled People
2022-12-02 12:00 - 15:00 | Performance Space
Come and celebrate with Manchester City Council and the Young Creatives from Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People. There will be a panel discussion, “State of the Disabled Nation” with audience questions. As the Cost of Living crisis bites and austerity deepens, we will talk about the realities of disabled people’s lives and the issues revealed by the recent GM Big Disability Survey, and how we take action to defend and advance our Rights. This full program will also include an activism wall workshop, performances from disabled artists, and much more.
Free – please make a donation to support our cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Christmas Retro Silent Disco!
2022-12-02 20:00 - 23:59 | Performance Space
VERY FEW TICKETS LEFT. PRE-BOOKING ADVISED!
The ever popular Retro Silent Disco returns for a Christmas Special at Central Library!
Join DJ John Ryan for a night of 70’s, 80’s and 90’s pop classics, with a sprinkling of festive hits throughout. Bar open all night. Christmas jumpers and party gear recommended!
Doors open 8pm till midnight.

Sunday Winter Warmer!
2022-12-04 12:00 - 16:00
Come in from the cold to our Sunday Winter Warmer – a special Sunday afternoon opening for the family to have some fun and keep toasty. We’ll have crafts, entertainment and nice treats. Suitable for families.
Free – please make a donation to support our cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Living in a Material World – Materials That Made Medicine
2022-12-08 09:00 - 18:00 | Performance Space
The Art Gallery and Museum Studies MA course at The University of Manchester will be hosting an exhibition on the materials that improved medicine, in collaboration with the Museum of Medicine and Health. Join us and explore how these materials improved sterilisation and effected social change. For more info, visit our Instagram page @materialworldexhibiton
Free – please make a donation to support our cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Word Central with Special Guest Rev Paul!
2022-12-13 18:00 - 19:45 | Performance Space
Word Central Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word Hosted by Tony Curry.
Presented by Flapjack Press & Manchester Libraries
With special guest Rev Porl
Originally from the swamps of Stockport, Paul ‘Rev Porl’ Stevens has been performing as a poet since 1995. He has supported veteran punk bands the UK Subs, GBH and the Subhumans, and has appeared with Attila the Stockbroker and Nick Toczek. Since 2003, he has been involved in the Speakeasy project, bringing together the cream of Manchester Spoken Word artists with musicians from a variety of disciplines.
Book your open mic slot from noon on Mon 5th December via mail@flapjackpress.co.uk
NB Open mic slots are 3 minutes per performer
Forthcoming Dates
Tues 24 January 2023
Thurs 23 February 2023
Tues 21 March 2023
Tues 25 April 2023
Tues 23 May 2023
Tues 27 June 2023
Tues 25 July 2023
Tues 29 August 2023
Tues 26 September 2023
Tues 24 October 2023 [tbc]
Tues 28 November 2023
Tues 12 December 2023

CANCELLED: Crime Central Christmas Special!
2022-12-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Performance Space
SORRY.
DUE TO THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE TRAIN STRIKE, WE HAVE HAD TO CANCEL TONIGHTS CRIME CENTRAL EVENT.
We’ve got the ultimate festive selection box of crime writers for our Christmas Special! Joining your host Rob Parker will be his pals from the Northern Crime Syndicate!
The Northern Crime Syndicate is a crime writing super group featuring regional authors Jude O’Reilly, Chris McGeorge, AM Peacock, Trevor Wood, Fiona Erskine and Robert Scragg!
Prepare for a night of fun and frolics, including a game of ‘Who’s Crime is it Anyway’! Can you and the authors come up with the ultimate bestselling crime novel in one hour?
There’ll also be some magical giveaways and surprises!

In the City - Exhibition
2023-01-07 08:00 - 2023-03-29 17:00 | First Floor Display Cases
In The City is a collection of Manchester images taken by photographer Richard Davis over the last 35 Years. The exhibition centres around Richard’s love of art, music, culture and football. From the heady days of Madchester, right through to the dynamism of the present day, the excitement and diversity of city life helping to inspire and motivate his work. Hulme plays a major role throughout the exhibtion; it’s where Richard set up a studio and darkroom in his Charles Barry Crescent flat during the late 1980’s. The area became a rich source of creativity and a backdrop for many of his photographs. The exhibition also highlights the many books, records and films that influenced his approach to photography.
About Richard Davis…Richard Davis (born 1965) is a British, social documentary and portrait photographer, based in North West England. His work has been promoted and exhibited by the British Culture Archive and renowned photography publishers, Café Royal Books. A series of Davis’ photographs of Hulme Crescents, from the 1980’s are currently held at the John Rylands Research Institute and Library which is part of the University of Manchester.
This exhibition is free, but please consider making a donation to support our Library Live programme if you can, either online, or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

The Streets of Our City: Manchester Town Hall Photographers' Collection
2023-01-16 08:00 - 2023-03-18 17:00 | First Floor Exhibition Hall
The Town Hall Photographers’ Collection is a large photographic collection held in Archives+ Central Library, ranging in date from 1956 to 2007. The collection consists of tens of thousands of images, covering the varied areas of work of Manchester Corporation and latterly, Manchester City Council. The photographs were taken by staff photographers, who were tasked to document the work of the Corporation/Council departments and in doing so, captured many aspects of Manchester life and history, including significant changes to the Manchester landscape. The collection includes many different formats from glass negatives, to slides, prints, CDs and even a couple of cine films. What is especially exciting is that the majority of these images have never before been available in a digital format and therefore have only ever been seen by a handful of people. A team of dedicated staff, volunteers and students from Bridge College, Loreto College, Manchester College and Pure Innovations are currently working on the systematic digitisation of the negatives held within the collection. This exhibition represents the result of their work to date.
Do you recognise any of the streets or buildings? Would you like to share a memory you have of visiting somewhere in one of the images? We have limited information about these images and welcome your input to complete the information about each image. When visiting the exhibition, please use the book displayed at the beginning of the exhibition to record your memories and knowledge.
We are building a new images website. Could you take five minutes to tell us what our local image collection means to you and what features would you like to see on the new site? https://smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ERELJ7/
This exhibition is free, but please consider making a donation to support our Library Live programme if you can, either online or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Word Central Open Mic Night
2023-01-24 18:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word Hosted by Tony Curry
Presented by Flapjack Press & Manchester Libraries
With special guest John Darwin
John writes from the heart about the mystery of relationships, the piquancy of location, and the pleasure of escaping from day-to-day drudgery. He was the host of Write Out Loud’s poetry night in Sale for two years, a member of the acclaimed national touring troupe A Firm of Poets for a couple more, and co-host at Spoken Weird in Halifax. John now curates Crooked Poets in North Manchester and his solo poetry show Happy Hour won the Best Spoken Word Performance award at the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival 2021. His new collection, Ultrasilence, was published by Flapjack Press in October 2022.
Book your open mic slot from noon on Tues 10th 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 time
If they are already filled you will be offered a space on the reserve list
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

An Evening with Don Paterson
2023-01-25 18:00 - 19:00 | Performance Space
Manchester Libraries, Faber Books and Blackwells Bookshop are proud to present An Evening with Don Paterson to celebrate the publication of TOY FIGHTS – an exquisitely sharp, deeply humane and brutally hilarious boyhood memoir from one of the greatest writers of his generation.
Don Paterson will be in conversation with Roma Havers, Learning Manager from Manchester Poetry Library.
About the book:
This is a book about family, money and music but also about schizophrenia, hell, narcissists, debt and the working class, anger, swearing, drugs, books, football, love, origami, the peculiar insanity of Dundee, sugar, religious mania, the sexual excesses of the Scottish club band scene and, more generally, the lengths we go to not to be bored.
Don Paterson spent his boyhood on a council housing estate. When he wasn’t busy dreading his birthdays, dodging kids who wanted to kill him in a game of Toy Fights, working with his country-and-western singer dad, screwing up in the Boys’ Brigade, obsessing over God, origami, The Osmonds, stamps, sex or Scottish football cards, he was developing a sugar addiction, failing his exams, playing guitar, falling in love, dodging employment and descending into madness. While he didn’t manage to figure out who he was meant to be, the first twenty years of his life – before he took a chance, packed his guitar and boarded a train to London – did, for better or worse, shape who he would become.
‘A tremendously engaging memoir, seasoned with Don Paterson’s customary wit, total recall and love of language. A classic of its kind.’ – William Boyd
‘Wonderful, aggressively wise and always – especially at its most serious – devastatingly funny.’ – Geoff Dyer
About the author:
Don Paterson was born in Dundee in 1963. His poetry has won many awards, including the Whitbread Poetry Prize, the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize, the Costa Poetry Award, all three Forward Prizes and, on two occasions, the T. S. Eliot Prize. He was awarded the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry in 2009. He is Professor of Poetry at the University of St Andrews and, for over twenty-five years, was Poetry Editor at Picador Macmillan. He also works as a jazz musician.
Roma Havers is the Learning Manager for Manchester Poetry Library. Roma is particularly excited by the collaborative and creative possibilities of the learning programmes at Manchester Poetry Library. She is an experienced facilitator and poetry mentor and a trained Anti-Racism training Facilitator. Editor for Young Identity’s poetry press No Disclaimers, writes and performs and sits on several youth forums and consultancy groups across Manchester. She has produced events and youth projects with Young Identity HOMEmcr, Manchester Histories, Amnesty International, MIF and many others.
Doors: 5.30, starts: 6.00
Tickets are £5.00 (£3.00 for Faber members / students / unwaged / 60+) or free when preordering a copy of the book. TOY FIGHTS will also be available to purchase on the night and Don 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.

Legacy of ’67-A voice for Queer Stories
2023-01-26 08:00 - 2023-03-31 17:00 | Wolfson Reading Room
In 1967 the law in England and Wales changed to partially decriminalise homosexual acts between men in private. This was followed by further legislation relating to the age of consent, the role of LGBTQ+ people in the armed forces, improved partnership, inheritance, and adoption rights, that have positively affected the lives of LGBTQ+ people. However, at the same time we’ve also seen the rise and fall of Section 28, which outlawed the ‘promotion of homosexuality’ by local authorities and we’re currently seeing the demonisation of trans people and a profound backlash against liberalisation.
For the last twelve months IAP:MCR has been capturing the stories of people who have grown up between the ‘60s and the ‘80s to find out how these changes have affected them. This testimony will soon be deposited with Archives+ at Central Library. The IAP:MCR team has also conducted original research of contemporaneous source material to explore the changing attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people in general society.
A display of this original archive material, ranging from Central Library’s own copy of the Wolfenden Report, Campaign for Homosexual Equality Manchester branch newsletters and editions of the Mancunian Gay magazine. IAP:MCR has commissioned visual artist Jez Dolan to respond to this project and he has produced a series of eight original works that will soon be on display in the Reading Room alongside the archives. This project has been made possible with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Jez Dolan is an artist living and working in Manchester (UK). His practice underlines the intersections between queerness, sexuality, identity, and memory. He works across multiple platforms including drawing, performance, printmaking and most recently painting. https://www.jezdolan.com. Jez’s work is held in a number of public and private collection internationally including: the British Museum, Bury Art Museum, the (UK) Government Art Collection, the Leslie Lohman Museum NYC, the Schwules* Museum Berlin, the Walker Art Gallery Liverpool and others.
This exhibition is free, but please consider making a donation to support our Library Live programme if you can, either online or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

International Mother Language Day 2023 – Manchester City of Literature Exhibition
2023-02-01 08:00 - 2023-03-31 17:00 | Lwr Ground Floor – Manchester Histories Hub
Throughout February and March, we are delighted to be working with Manchester City of Literature who have an exhibition available to celebrate International Mother Language Day, showcasing our international connection to the other UNESCO Cities of Literature and celebrating Manchester’s work at home. Manchester Histories Hub
The exhibition is free and is the second exhibition to be situated in the Manchester Histories Hub on the Lower Ground Floor of Central Library. Drop in any time during February and March to see these amazing exhibits…
AL-USRA WAL-SUFRA: FAMILY AND FEASTS
There is an exciting exhibition from Ali Al-Jamri, Manchester Multilingual City Poet, who worked with artist Rosie Stanley to create a dollhouse to inspire writing for last summer’s Liverpool Arab Arts Festival. The dollhouse was to provide inspiration for young people from two Arabic Saturday schools to read poetry and write their own in Arabic and English. The poems you will see in the dollhouse at the exhibition are all written by children at the Liverpool Arabic Centre and Manchester Arabic School.
LA VILLE D’APRÈS: VISIONS ARTISTIQUES DE NOTRE FUTUR URBAIN
In 2020, the hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic across the world’s population stimulated discussion about how cities would function post-COVID-19. Angoulême in France, a sister UNESCO City of Literature with a rich history of celebrating comic books and graphic novels, launched a competition to find those visions, hopes and fears of a post-COVID world from other UNESCO cities.
For International Mother Language Day, ten entries have been collated from other UNESCO Cities of Literature, along with a brief insight from the artists about their work.
MULTILINGUAL FILM EXHIBITION
A playlist of films from Manchester and other sister UNESCO Cities of Literature will be shown, including the ‘Made in Manchester’ poem based on Zahid Hussain’s poem, comprising of 65 languages, and different translations of Manchester Multilingual Poets, Anjum Malik’s ‘This Here’ and Ali Al-Jamri’s ‘In Prisms of Knowledge’.
Outside of Manchester, we will be playing films from Nottingham, Tartu and Reykjavik, all UNESCO Cities of Literature.
WORDS FROM THE CHILDHOOD HOME: A CHAIN POEM FOR INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY 2023*
‘Words From the Childhood Home’ is a brand new, exciting, multilingual chain poem written by nominated poets representing UNESCO Cities of Literature to celebrate International Mother Language Day 2023.
Manchester City of Literature invited our fellow UNESCO Cities of Literature to nominate a poet to respond to Anjum Malik, a Manchester Multilingual City Poet who writes in Urdu and English.
*From Monday 20th February
For full details of the exhibition, click here.
For the full line up of events for International Mother Language Day 2023, click here.
Free Exhibition – please drop in
