Library Live

Male beauty vlogging in China: a masculinities perspective
2022-11-22 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | 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

In the City Exhibition – Talk by Richard Davis
2023-02-01 18:15 - 19:30 | Performance Space
In The City is a collection of Manchester images taken by photographer Richard Davis over the last 35 Years. Join Richard for this talk about the exhibtion that 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 exhibition; 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 talk is free (‘book now’ below), 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

Love is Love: LGBTQ+ History Month Film Night
2023-02-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Performance Space
Spend Valentines Night celebrating the best of LGBTQ+ films.
We’ll be screening one of these four game changers. All you need to do is register for pay-what-you-can tickets here. We’ll be in touch with everyone who registers to let them know the winning film!
We’re going way back to an 80’s and 90’s classic or we’ve got two of the latest acclaimed Queer films from the 2020’s.
Here’s more information about the four films.
Beautiful Thing
It’s a long hot summer on a housing estate in South London and the temperature is rising! Jamie is bunking off school, while his class-mate Ste is being bullied by his drunken father. What develops is a delightful and touching romance between two boys; from the first nervous glances to the ingenious use of Peppermint Foot Lotion!
Desert Hearts
Set in Nevada in 1959, the film tells the story of a university professor awaiting a divorce who finds her true self through a relationship with another, more self-confident woman. Released in 1986 it is regarded as one of the first films to present a positive portrayal of lesbian relationships.
Flee
Amin arrived as a child in Denmark from Afghanistan. Today, at 36, he is a successful academic and is getting married to his boyfriend. A secret he has been hiding for many years threatens to ruin the life he has built for himself. For the first time, he is sharing his true story.
Rurangi
Caz returns for the first time since he transitioned to the home he fled a decade earlier. Despite the profound changes of the intervening years, Caz attempts to reconnect with family and friends – including his ex-boyfriend Jem (Arlo Green), who is still wounded by Caz’s sudden disappearance. Max Currie’s powerful film is an authentic and emotional tale of gender, racial and sexual identity in modern day New Zealand.
PLEASE NOTE: Tickets for this event are on a “pay what you can” basis. They range from £0 – £5 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.

Conserving Manchester Town Hall's Heritage: Mosaic Restoration
2023-02-15 11:00 | Performance Space
WEDNESDAY 15TH FEBRUARY AT CENTRAL LIBRARY
Manchester Town Hall has been closed since January 2018 for an extensive restoration programme that will repair and upgrade the building to modern standards. The work will include the conservation of many heritage features.
Our series of Heritage Lectures aims to shine a light on some of the fascinating work that’s been going on behind the scenes. We’ve already heard about the work of Hirst Conservation, who are working on our paintings and now we’ll be taking a closer look at the mosaic flooring.
Featuring experts from Mosaic Restoration, the specialist mosaic restorers and conservators will describe the work they’ve done to date on site, including the preservation and safeguarding of the many corridors of mosaic flooring and – of course – the iconic Bees Landing.
Join us in Central Library for a chance to hear direct from the Mosaic Restoration experts and find out just what it’s like to bring 21st century conservation skills to the Our Town Hall Project.
The lecture is free to attend.
Session 1: 12.30pm arrival for a 1pm start and 2.15pm finish
Session 2: 5pm arrival for a 5.30pm start and 6.45pm finish

Crime Central
2023-02-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Performance Space
Crime Central is back with a bang on Thursday 16th February!
Joining your wonderful host Rob Parker will be…
Lia Middleton, author of the massive debut thriller ‘When They Find Her’. Her new novel ‘Your Word or Mine’ came out in September 2022 to more rave reviews!
Elliot Sweeney, who’s debut novel is entitled ‘The Next to Die’. The first in an intended series, narrated by ex-copper turned P.I. Dylan Kasper.
Sam Tobin, grew up in Manchester and quickly came to realise he was living in the best city in the world. His second novel in the ‘Manchester Underworld’ series: ‘Pay The Price’ was published in January 2023.
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.
Signed books will be available to purchase after the event.

Section 28 - 35 years on in Manchester
2023-02-20 17:00 | Performance Space
This year marks 35 years since the protest against Section 28 in Manchester. Join organisers and attendees from the time to hear more. The event forms part of LGBT History month 2023. It aims to provide insight into a specific period of LGBT history (1987-2003) in which the demonstration in Manchester was highly significant, and which gained national recognition at the time. It will be an opportunity for those who were there organising the demonstration in 1988 to talk about the climate and their experience. There will be an introductory presentation on Section 28, covering the build up to its inception, and why it caused so much controversy and protest. This element recognises that the legislation has been off the statute books for a generation now, and so an explanation will both help to understand the clause as well as the impact it had. There will also be an opportunity for questions from the audience to the speakers, and a closing section focusing on the future.
Free – book via link below

Half-Term Activity for Children
2023-02-23 14:00 - 16:00 | Lwr Ground floor – City Library
Behind The Lens is this year’s theme for LGBT+ history month. Join us to celebrate at our animation workshop inspired by popular culture. All are welcome at this free drop-in.
This activity is suitable for ages 8+
Free – just drop in – please consider making a donation to support our cultural programme if you can, either online or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Children’s Music Activities
2023-02-25 11:30 - 15:30 | Henry Watson Music Library
Join us for a day of children’s music activities!
11:30 – Rhyme Time

Stories and songs.

12:20 – HWML instruments

A brief showing of some of the music library’s instruments, originating in different time periods and places around the world. Feel free to ask questions!

12:40 – Children’s instruments

Xylophones, maracas, triangles, ukuleles and much more to make some noise and have fun!

13:10 – Drum United

Positive, meditative drumming. Very relaxing.

14:00 – French Storytime

More stories and songs, this time in French!

Suitable for children aged 3 to 7. Families welcome.
All activities take place in the Henry Watson Music Library (1st Floor), apart from French Storytime, which will be in the Children’s Library (Lower Ground Floor).
Free – drop in – please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme, either online at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes

Sunday Winter Warmer
2023-02-26 12:00 - 16:00
Come in from the cold to our Winter Warmer – a special Sunday afternoon opening for all to have fun, and families to have some together time. We’ll have winter themed crafts, storytelling, face painting, music performances from Artful Playground, nice treats, discounted cafe drinks, plus advice from some fantastic organisations like British Red Cross and Citizens Advice Bureau, helping Manchester people with the cost-of-living crisis. See our fabulous activity schedule below for more detail!
All welcome – suitable for families.
Free – if you can, please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme, either online at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes
Activity Schedule
Performance Space (Ground Floor):
World Book Day Crafts – 12-4pm
Storytelling Competition – 12-4pm
Charity information stalls – 12-4pm
Archives+ Area (Ground Floor – near cafe):
Chess tournament and chess tables – 12-4pm
Face painters – 12-4pm
Music Library (First Floor):
Artful Playground interactive musical sessions
For ages 0-3: Performances start at 12.30pm and 1.20pm
For ages 3-7: Performances start at 2.10pm and 3pm
Outside the Music Library (First Floor):
Interactive story-telling sessions
Sessions start at 12.15pm, 1.15pm, 2.15pm and 3.15pm
This special event is generously funded by Manchester Central Library Development Trust

International Women's Day Festival Event
2023-03-04 14:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Directly after Manchester’s City Council’s Walk for Women, the celebration continues here with a festival event featuring musical performances, speeches from influential and strong women in and around Manchester, Mexican dance, spoken word, and an amazing African fashion show! Find out more about the work going on in Manchester’s communities at the variety of information stalls on display.
Free – please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in the venue, or online

Sebastian Barry in Conversation with Kit de Waal
2023-03-07 19:00 - 20:00 | Performance Space
Manchester Literature Festival is delighted to welcome Sebastian Barry back to Manchester to discuss his beautifully crafted new novel, Old God’s Time. Recently retired policeman Tom Kettle is settling into the quiet of his new home, a Victorian castle overlooking the Irish Sea. For months he has barely seen a soul, catching only glimpses of his eccentric landlord and a nervous young mother who has moved in next door. But when two former colleagues turn up at his door with questions about a decades-old case, he finds himself pulled into the darkest currents of his past.
One of Ireland’s finest storytellers, Sebastian Barry is the author of Days Without End, A Thousand Moons, A Long Long Way and The Secret Scripture. The Laureate for Irish Fiction from 2018-2021, Sebastian is also twice winner of the Walter Scott Prize and the Costa Book of the Year. He will discuss his extraordinary writing and his powerful new tale of memory, love, mystery and reckoning with host Kit de Waal. Kit is the author of the novels My Name is Leon and The Trick to Time and the memoir Without Warning and Only Sometimes.
“Old God’s Time is a portrait of a good man facing the failings of his past. It is wonderfully alive because Barry is so attuned to the human condition, to the poetry in ordinary lives. Full of love and grief and heartache, this is an unforgettable novel from one of our finest writers.” Douglas Stuart
MLF Members can book Advance Tickets from Wednesday 1 February. Tickets go on general sale on Friday 3 February. MLF Get Closer Membership starts at £20 pa. To buy an MLF Get Closer Membership and book advance tickets visit here

Somos Mujeres
2023-03-16 16:00 - 19:00 | Performance Space
This year, the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Education Trust and SomosCR are pleased to present SOMOS MUJERES for International Women’s Day. Join us to hear from Latin American women sharing their experiences of migration and living in the UK. Immerse yourself in Latin American culture, live music from Mestisa, delicious food from La Bandera, coffee from The 503 Coffee Roastery, and an exclusive exhibition of original dolls from numerous Latin American countries.
Free – but please reserve your place through eventbrite: https://SomosMujeres.eventbrite.co.uk

Brain Health Day
2023-03-18 11:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Join leading researchers and healthcare professionals from the Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre to explore ground-breaking research. Enjoy talks, games and interactive activity stands. Featuring a guest poetry performance by Lemn Sissay OBE. Suitable for all ages. Families welcome.
Free – please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in the venue, or online

Harlan Coben: SOLD OUT EVENT
2023-03-22 18:30 - 19:30 | Performance Space
We’re delighted to welcome Harlan Coben to Manchester Central Library to celebrate the publication of his new novel I Will Find You. From the bestselling author of The Match and Tell No One comes a twist-laden page-turner of the highest order as a man wrongly convicted of killing his son escapes from prison to find out the truth.
With more than 80 million books in print worldwide, Harlan Coben is the Number One New York Times author of numerous suspense novels including Win, The Boy from the Woods, Run Away, Fool Me Once and the renowned Myron Bolitar series. His books are published in 46 languages around the globe and have been number one bestsellers in more than a dozen countries.
Coben is also the creator and executive producer of many television shows including adaptions on Netflix of Stay Close, The Stranger, The Innocent, Gone for Good and The Woods. Netflix recently re-upped their overall deal with Coben for several more years , adding among other books his acclaimed Bolitar series. His TV series adaption of Shelter for Amazon Studios – starring Jaden Michael and Constance Zimmer and based on Coben’s YA novel of the same name – will be released on Prime Video in 2023.
Please note: Book and ticket option includes a copy of I Will Find You for collection on the night.
