An Evening with TJ Klune
2025-10-28 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | Performance Space
Queer Lit and Manchester Libraries present a truly special evening as we welcome T.J. Klune – the international bestselling author and legend in queer literature – for an intimate conversation at Manchester Central Library.

Expect:
Thoughtful discussion about his iconic books
Book signing opportunities
Meet & greet and photo ops
A warm, welcoming space to celebrate queer storytelling
Whether you’re a long-time fan of The House in the Cerulean Sea, Under the Whispering Door, or just discovering his work, this is your chance to hear from one of the most celebrated voices in LGBTQ+ fiction.
Don’t miss this unforgettable night of queer joy, community, and literary magic.
New sprayed edged books will be available for purchase on the night!

Festival of Social Science Day
2025-10-29 10:30 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Join us at Central Library for a day of free activities and events celebrating The Festival of Social Science – an annual celebration of research and knowledge about humans and society and celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2022. The festival is an opportunity for anyone to explore topics relating to social science, from health and wellbeing to crime, equality, education and identity, through events run by researchers from UK universities. There’s no cost to attend, and most are open to everyone, though some are aimed at specific groups.
As the world changes, so does the way we work. This year, the festival is hosting a series of events that explore how our jobs, and our working lives, are evolving. Many of today’s roles didn’t exist just a decade or two ago. With rapid advances in technology, the workplace has transformed dramatically over the past 100 years. But one thing remains constant: people want access to good jobs that are safe, healthy and provide a decent standard of living. Join us as we explore what the future of work could look like and how we can shape it together.
See below for activities and booking details:
Anthro4Teens: Design Your City, 10.30 – 12.30, book here
Join researchers from the Social Anthropology Department at the University of Manchester for a fun, hands-on workshop where you design a city from scratch! Decide where to place things such as parks, schools, hospitals, and housing, establish your own rules, and prepare for challenges like fires or floods.
Work in teams, play city-themed games, win prizes and share your ideas with the group.
All materials and refreshments provided, just bring your imagination!
This event is designed specifically for ages 11-17 but is open to all.
Help, I didn’t get paid this month! 13.30 – 15.30, book here
This session gives young people a chance to learn more about part-time working during full-time education. Hosted by academics, the event will give you the opportunity to:

Learn about your rights at work
Discuss your work experiences with your peers.
Hear findings from the L-earning research project.
Connect with organisations and advice services that can support you.

Our goal is to equip young people balancing full-time education with work with the knowledge and tools they need to advocate for their employment rights.
Open to young people aged 14+
Building Brighter Futures with LEGO®: A Family Workshop, 10.00 – 16.00, book here
Come and join us for a playful, hands-on workshop where families use LEGO® to explore learning, life, and the future.
Through simple building challenges, children and parents/carers, teachers and tutors will:

Build models of school, work, and dreams for the future
Explore what helps children to learn and succeed
Talk about barriers and challenges in a safe, creative way
Share hopes for brighter futures together

No experience is needed — just your imagination! Children and adults will work side by side, building stories and ideas with LEGO® bricks. You’ll then be given your own LEGO® pack to create a small model for display.
Suitable for families with children aged 5+
Giant Insect World, 13.00 – 15.00, Free – just drop in!
Giant Insect World invites you to explore the hidden lives of insects. These tiny creatures are all around us, and yet we so often overlook their complexity, beauty, and importance to our world. Through immersive digital storytelling and interactive play, this event magnifies the tiny into the extraordinary, offering a fresh perspective on the unseen world.
Led by anthropologist Dr Jessica Symons of VisioningLab, the workshop blends science, art, and speculative thinking to ask:

What can insects teach us about existence, value, and survival?
How can digital tools help us perceive the world in a new light?
What happens when we shift our focus to the small, the strange, and the unseen?

The event is open to anyone who wants to explore the activities. Children and families are very welcome.
Playful places: designing spaces that reimagine work, rest and play, 13.00 – 15.00, Free – just drop in!
Help us create and imaginary neighbourhood that teaches us how to work rest and play in world where work can seem all encompassing.
We will have craft activities for ages 5 – 15 (and beyond) lasting between 5 – 15 minutes. We will be making models of parks and streets that consider how to inspire healthy working lifestyles. There will be the opportunity to design your ideal house and situate it in an ideal street to create inclusive communities and inject playfulness back into our daily working lives.
This is a drop-in session with a maximum capacity of 30 people. Creative making and drawing activities are aimed at ages between 5 – 15 and last between 5 to 15 minutes. Stop by and make your mark on the playful neighbours and cities of the future!
Work Greener, Live Better: Energy Simulations for a Sustainable Future, 14.00 – 16.00, More details to follow
Open to ages 14+
This event explores how integrating renewable energy sources into homes and workplaces can lead to significant benefits in terms of cost efficiency and environmental impact.
Activities include

Poster exhibition on the benefits of renewable energy integration
Live demo: Calculating emission reductions, break-even time, and cost analysis for homes, small businesses, and industries using HOMER software
Interactive discussions with interested participants

The festival is led and funded by the UKRI Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which supports research and training in social science subjects. Part of the research that ESRC funds is focused on improving the experience of work. Since work is a major part of most people’s lives, ESRC is committed to understanding how it can be made better for everyone.

Your Voice, Your Education: Shaping Inclusive Educational Resource
2025-10-29 13:00 - 16:00 | Ground Floor
Are you 12-18 years old and passionate about inclusive, creative learning that centres the voices, histories, experiences and activism of global majority communities across Greater Manchester? Join the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Education Trust for an interactive creative workshop to discuss what inclusive education should look like and contribute to a youth-led set of recommendations that will inform how these resources are developed and used in classrooms.
Why join?

Free refreshments + food
£25 voucher as a thank you
Acknowledgment for helping shape educational resources and making education more inclusive and locally rooted

Spaces are limited, secure your place today!
Please Note: Some filming will take place. Consent forms required for under 16s

Get Planting for Green Libraries Week!
2025-10-30 14:00 - 16:00 | Lower Ground Floor
Calling all budding gardeners (pun intended)! Join us for this engaging session inspired by Green Libraries Week. You’ll get to plant your very own daffodil and take it home with you! We’ll provide all the materials, just come ready to get potting! Suitable for families.
Free – just drop in.
Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Spooky Library
2025-10-31 13:00 - 16:00 | Ground Floor
We’re getting ready to welcome little spooks and ghouls to a very creepy Central Library for a fun-filled family Halloween. Are you brave enough to enter the world of creepy crafts, torturous treats and sinister surprises? Read on, if you dare!
Face painting
Throughout the afternoon, 1-4pm – just drop in. £2 per person.
Ground Floor, near café
Does your Halloween look need a final touch of spookiness? Transform into your favourite sinister creature with the help of our fabulous face painters! An absolute must for Central Library’s family activities! £2 per face. Please pay at the till in our gift shop before joining the queue.
Ghastly Crafts
Throughout the afternoon, 1-4pm – just drop in
Ground Floor, outside Performance Space
Are you ready for crafts that will send a little shiver down your spine? Learn to make ghost puppets in this hands-on and interactive art session! Want to know the best part? Suitable for families.
Retro Escape Room
Throughout the afternoon, 1-4pm – just drop in (please note, we may start a queueing system during busy times)
Ground Floor, Performance Space 1
We ain’t afraid of no ghost. And you?
A terrible monster from another dimension is threatening our world, and we need your help! Put your brain to the test with spooky riddles, crack some vintage games and solve our escape room puzzle! Suitable for children aged 7-13.
Spooky Disco
Ground Floor, Performance Space 2-3
Throughout the afternoon, 1-4pm – just drop in
Get ready to do the monster mash in our performance space! Turn up in your favourite costume, show us your best dance moves, and we’ll take care of the music! Suitable for children aged 7–13. Fancy dress encouraged!
Spooky Storytime
Children’s Library (Lower Ground Floor)
2-3pm
Join Helen and Zoe for a spooky story time, with spooky, but not too scary stories such as Room on the Broom, Wake up Do Lydia Doo and more.
Is it all a bit too exciting? Why not relax in our children’s library on the Lower Ground Floor? We’ll have a selection of spooky reads available on the shelves for you.
Suitable for families.
FREE ENTRY (face painting: £2 per person). No booking required – just drop in!
Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Spooky Storytime
2025-10-31 14:00 - 15:00 | Children’s Library
Join Helen and Zoe for a spooky story time, with spooky, but not too scary stories such as Room on the Broom, Wake up Do Lydia Doo and more.
Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) Celebration
2025-11-01 13:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Join us for a vibrant celebration of life, love, and remembrance! 🌟 We’re thrilled to bring you Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead), a unique and special ancient Mexican tradition that’s all about honouring our loved ones who’ve passed on. 🌿💀🇲🇽
In Mexican culture, it’s believed that during this time of year, our beloved ancestors come back to visit, and families gather to welcome them with open arms. 🎉 We’ll be cooking up their favourite dishes, dancing to lively music, and sharing stories that keep their memories alive. 💃💀🌼
*Experience the Magic:*
– *Traditional Dances:* Colibri Mexican Folkdance UK will mesmerize you with their energetic performances
– *Day of the Dead Activities:* Join in the fun with themed crafts, workshops, and games
– *Mexican Altar Display:* Marvel at the stunning altar, lovingly crafted to welcome our ancestors back home. The display will be on from the Thursday the 23rd Oct until Saturday the 8th of November.
📖1 pm Story time “ MI FAMILIA:
Celebrating the Day of the Dead” in collaboration with Instituto Cervantes of Manchester.
🪅1:30 Piñata ( children from 0 to 7 years old).
🎨1:30 to 2:45 Crafts and traditional face painting.
💃🏻3 pm Performance of Colibrí Mexican Folkdance UK
*All Are Welcome:* This free drop-in event is suitable for all ages, so bring your family and friends along! 🌟 Let’s come together to celebrate the cycle of life and the love that never fades. 🙏🧡💛🧡
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

Remembrance Day Coffee Morning
2025-11-03 10:00 - 13:00 | Chief Librarian’s Office
Join us for a coffee and a relaxed chat as we reflect on Remembrance Day. Expect presentations from the North West Film Archive, Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society, and more!
Programme:
10am: Tea and coffee
10.30am: Film screening and Q&A by the North West Film Archive
12pm: Remembrance Day resources by the Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society
12.15pm: Anna Putek (Manchester Libraries) presents the crochet poppy project

Free – just drop in
Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Courage, vision, planning and fearless work: the Congress Lives On.
2025-11-03 17:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Join the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Centre and Education Trust for a powerful evening of reflection, resistance, and creative expression.
This event builds on the vital conversation we began last year with journalist and author Gary Younge, who returns to help us reflect on what important Black histories mean today. His address will be followed by a shared discussion on how we honour these histories in a time of rising racism, Islamophobia, and hostility toward migrants and refugees.
We will also commemorate the Fifth Pan-African Congress, held in Manchester in 1945—a landmark moment in Black internationalist history. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore archival records that bring this legacy to life. Our partners Young Identity will perform spoken word pieces responding to the Congress and its enduring relevance. The event will close with a commissioned poem by Shirley May, written to mark the Congress and celebrate the resilience of Black communities.
Together, we’ll reflect on the past, confront the present, and imagine a future shaped by solidarity, creativity, and joy.
Free – book tickets here or click ‘Book Now’ below

Uniting Musical Cultures from Manchester to Hong Kong
2025-11-04 18:00 - 19:00 | Performance Space
Manchester Confucius Institute presents Uniting Musical Cultures from Manchester to Hong Kong. Recently returned from his trip to Hong Kong, acclaimed conductor Robert Guy shares his experience and insights from working across musical and educational cultures in Hong Kong and Manchester.
Free – book tickets here or click ‘Book Now’ below

The People’s Papers, Revisiting 1970s Manchester
2025-11-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Lwr Ground Floor – Manchester Histories Hub
Greater Manchester has an amazing legacy of alternative and community newspapers from the 1970s – offering us a window into the everyday issues, groups, places, events and organising efforts of the time – yet they are often overlooked or rarely known about today. Many have limited or almost no online presence making them hard to access or discover.
Join us to learn more! As part of the People’s Papers research project with the Working-Class Movement Library, this event will provide a space to revisit the 1970s alternative and community newspapers of Greater Manchester and their associated urban histories and activism. PhD researcher Arielle Lawson (@peoplespapers) will share an introduction to and overview of the research and what she’s found in the archives so far. Then there will be a roundtable discussion to hear from those who were directly involved to better contextualize these papers and reflect on their own experiences of this time period.
We also hope to encourage a lively and participatory discussion with the audience, so please bring your own questions and reflections to share!
Free – book tickets here or click ‘Book Now’ below

Our Long Goodbye
2025-11-05 08:00 - 2025-12-19 17:00 | Ground Floor
Our Long Goodbye is an exhibition of photos, films and texts that candidly and sensitively show the everyday love and heartbreak of someone you know living with dementia.
From 5 November until 19 December Central Library hosts this tender exhibition, with the relationship between artist Jenny Harris and her mum at its heart. It is a familiar story; yet one that is rarely spoken about or shown in this way.
Jenny is a drama facilitator and for the last ten years has specialised in creative dementia sessions in care homes, hospitals and community spaces. When Jenny’s own mum started showing signs of dementia, her professional and personal world collided irreversibly, and this exhibition is the outcome of that experience.
As well as the exhibition in the central space on the ground floor, there are two free workshops:
Meet, Chat, Write, Performance Space 1, Friday 14 November, 2.30-4.30pm
This is a gentle writing workshop which offers a chance to respond to creative writing prompts, exploring who and what we love in life. You might have experience of caring for/knowing someone with dementia or you might not. You can expect a range of fun activities and time to yourself to reflect and write in a relaxed setting. Led by Jenny Harris and Lowri Evans.
Creative Ageing Workshop and Artist Talk/ Q & A, Performance Space 1, Wednesday 3 December, 4 -7.30pm (with a break)
This is for anyone interested in older people and the arts. It will be a chance to share ideas about why and how we make this type of work and to find out more about Jenny’s creative process. Followed by a talk and Q and A with the artist and some of the team, as well as a private tour of the exhibition. Led by Jenny Harris and Lowri Evans.
All are welcome to take part in both workshops. To book your place, please email – ourlonggoodbye2025@gmail.com
Presented by Jenny Harris
Visit www.ourlonggoodbye.co.uk for more information
Free – just drop in
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Crime Central
2025-11-05 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-11-26 18:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Bringing the best from all over!
Featuring the best and brightest crime writing talent both locally and from around the country – the big names are all coming to Manchester!
Go behind the scenes!
Showcasing blockbuster bestsellers, emerging talent and industry insiders, Crime Central will share the real story of what goes on in the crime world.
Meet your favourite authors!
With giveaways, audience interaction, book signings, the chance to ask questions and more – while bringing a crime fiction buzz back to this great northern city.
Tickets are on a pay-what-you-can basis from £2-£6 and can be booked here or click on the ‘book now’ link at the bottom of the page.

Architecture for the People - Exhibition
2025-11-07 - 2026-03-30 | First Floor Exhibition Hall
Architecture for the People
Manchester City Architect’s Department, 1902-2003
For 101 years, the City Architect’s Department in the Town Hall served the citizens and met diverse civic needs by designing hundreds of different municipal buildings. They ranged from grand airport terminals to the small public lavatories, from the high profile like the new Free Trade Hall to the hidden away but essential facilities like mortuaries.
For the first time, this exhibition presents a selection of the works delivered under the direction of the seven official City Architects spanning across the twentieth century. In the early days of the Department, Manchester Corporation controlled gas and electricity undertakings, most public transport, schools, police, fire and ambulance services, waste collection, parks and recreation, housing, libraries, crematoriums and more. Such responsibilities meant a need for new buildings and the upkeep of existing facilities. The City Architect’s Department designed and delivered these, changing the face of the city and its suburbs, providing thousands of new homes, and scores of schools, libraries, public baths, amongst a host of civic buildings. Using archival photographs, drawings and ephemera, the exhibition traces the Department and its buildings, showing how architectural commissions mirrored the constitution of the Corporation and the changing fortunes of the city.
Curated by Martin Dodge (University of Manchester) and Richard Brook (Lancaster University)
Free – just drop in
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Sanctuary, now and then: asylum, migrant rights and anti-deportation in Britain since the 1980s
2025-11-07 12:00 - 15:00 | Performance Space
Sanctuary movements have long been a part of the movement for migrant rights in Britain, but the meaning of sanctuary and the forms it has taken have varied dramatically. This event brings together scholars and practitioners of sanctuary, past and present, to discuss its history, trajectories, current forms, and possible futures in this country.
Hosted by the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre and Education Trust, and the Raphael Samuel History Centre, we’ll be joined by:
Stuart Crosthwaite, a migrant-rights campaigner, writer and organiser in Sheffield. He is currently Secretary of the South Yorkshire Migration and Asylum Action Group (SYMAAG).
Amy Grant, a historian of the UK sanctuary and anti-deportation movements, based at the University of East Anglia.
Rachel Humphris, a political sociologist at Queen Mary University of London. She is the author of ‘Making Sanctuary Cities: Migration, Citizenship and Urban Governance’ (2025).
Paul Weller, who has written extensively on the sanctuary movement and was involved in many sanctuary campaigns in the North West in the 1980s and 1990s.
Food will be provided by our friends at ‘The Little Sri Lankan’.
Free – book tickets here or click on ‘Book now’ below.

Keeping Our Stories Alive: A Community Archiving Starter Kit
2025-11-08 13:30 - 16:30, 2025-11-15 13:30 - 16:30 | AIU Race Relations Centre
Join us for two hands-on workshops designed to give you the skills to collect, preserve, and share the stories that matter most.

🗣️ Keeping Our Stories Alive: A Community Archiving Starter Kit
Dates: Saturday 8th & Saturday 15th November 2025
Time: 1:30 pm start
Location: Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre & Education Trust, Central Library, Manchester
Tickets: Free — Book one or both workshops
Join us for two hands-on workshops designed to give you the tools to capture, preserve and protect our community’s stories for generations to come. Whether you’re a curious beginner, community organiser, artist, or family historian, these sessions will equip you with essential skills to record oral histories and prepare them for archiving.
Led by the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre & Education Trust, these workshops centre African, Caribbean and migrant narratives in Manchester, recognising the power of community-led archiving.

Workshop 1: Why Our Stories Matter & Oral History Skills
Saturday 8th November | 1:30 pm start
This session introduces the foundations of community archiving and the purpose of collecting oral histories. Learn why preserving our stories is vital, and gain practical skills in:

Oral history theory and ethical interviewing
Recording techniques and gaining consent
Practising interview skills with guided prompts

Optional: 45-minute tour of the library’s digital exhibition space.
You’ll leave with: a deeper understanding of why oral storytelling matters and the confidence to start gathering stories from family, friends and community members.

Workshop 2: Preserving and Preparing Our Stories for the Future
Saturday 15th November | 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
This session focuses on what happens after you collect a story. Learn practical skills to prepare and preserve material for the future, including:

Writing indexes and summaries from recorded stories
An introduction to Audacity (or alternative) for basic audio editing
Sensitivity reviews and data protection essentials
Guided activities using short practice interviews
Looking at real examples from African and Caribbean archives

📚 Optional: Mini tour of archive collections.
You’ll leave with: the confidence to handle recorded material responsibly and the practical skills to support community archiving efforts.

Why Attend Both?
While each workshop can be attended separately, together they form a complete introduction to community archiving — from collecting powerful oral histories to preserving them for future generations. These are valuable, transferable skills that are rarely taught in one place, making this a brilliant opportunity for anyone passionate about community, culture and legacy.

What to bring: Yourself, a notebook and pen.
Who it’s for: Community members, educators, creatives, students, archivists-in-the-making, or anyone curious about preserving local history.
Cost: Free, limited spaces available, so booking is essential.

Manchester Animation Festival 2025
2025-11-10 08:00 - 2025-11-13 17:00
Join us as we host activities for the UK’s largest Animation Festival, dedicated to celebrating the animated art form. The festival brings one of the UK’s biggest animation hubs together with the international community to delight in all things animated. We’ll also have exclusive talks and signings with the MAF book club!

Mon 10 Nov, 12:30-7pm (Performance Space 1) – Animated Immersive Experiences (15) – A selection of the best in immersive animated content submitted to Manchester Animation Festival from around the world. VR and 360 films showcase brave new worlds for animation fans to explore.
Mon 10 Nov, 12:30-7.30pm (Performance Space 2) – Cartoon Saloon On Loop (12A) – Celebrating over a quarter of a century of Cartoon Saloon we will be playing selections from their short film back catalogue back to back at Manchester Central Library. See how the studio has evolved and indulge in stylishly told tales delivering messages that will stay with you forever.
Tues 11 Nov, 9:30-1pm (Performance Space 1) – Animated Immersive Experiences (15) – A selection of the best in immersive animated content submitted to Manchester Animation Festival from around the world. VR and 360 films showcase brave new worlds for animation fans to explore.
Tues 11 Nov, 1-3pm (Performance Space 1) – PRIVATE: JURY Animated Immersive Experiences – A selection of the best in immersive animated content submitted to Manchester Animation Festival from around the world. VR and 360 films showcase brave new worlds for animation fans to explore.
Tues 11 Nov, 3-7.30pm (Performance Space 1) – Animated Immersive Experiences (15) – A selection of the best in immersive animated content submitted to Manchester Animation Festival from around the world. VR and 360 films showcase brave new worlds for animation fans to explore.
Tues 11 Nov, 3.45-5.15pm (Performance Space 2) – MAF Book Club: Beryl with Joanna Quinn plus signing – Join Academy Award-nominated and multi BAFTA-winning animator Joanna Quinn for a lively celebration of her new book, Beryl. Watch a true master at work in an exhilarating live drawing session and hear the stories behind her acclaimed films. Beryl offers a fascinating look into the creative process of Joanna and writer Les Mills, packed with sketches, storyboards, artwork and riotous humour from the duo behind Affairs of the Art and Body Beautiful. This inspiring event will be followed by a signing so you can take Beryl home with you! Book tickets here: MAF Book Club: Beryl with Joanna Quinn plus signing | MAF 2025
Tues 11 Nov, 6-7.30pm (Performance Space 2) – MAF Book Club: Intimate Animation plus signing – Join Skwigly Editor in Chief Ben Mitchell and Dr. Laura-Beth Cowley for a special presentation of their new book, Intimate Animation. Explore the landscape of contemporary animated films that deal with themes of love, intimacy, relationships, anatomy and sexuality — and the incredible artists behind them. MAF Book Club: Intimate Animation plus signing | MAF 2025
Wed 12 Nov, 9.30am-7.30pm (Performance Space 1) – Animated Immersive Experiences (15) – A selection of the best in immersive animated content submitted to Manchester Animation Festival from around the world. VR and 360 films showcase brave new worlds for animation fans to explore.
Wed 12 Nov, 9.30am-7.30pm (Performance Space 2) – Cartoon Saloon On Loop (12A) – Celebrating over a quarter of a century of Cartoon Saloon we will be playing selections from their short film back catalogue back to back at Manchester Central Library. See how the studio has evolved and indulge in stylishly told tales delivering messages that will stay with you forever.

Free – drop in – except Tues 11 Nov events where indicated tickets needed.
For more information about the festival visit: Manchester Animation Festival 2025 | 9-13 November 2025
Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Cole Stacey - Live
2025-11-18 18:00 - 20:30 | Performance Space
Cole Stacey performs his debut album live in the magnificent Manchester Central Library, part of a series of 5 concerts in truly remarkable places.
Immerse yourself in this remarkable space in the heart of Manchester, for one of five unique concerts with Cole Stacey as he presents his critically acclaimed debut album Postcards From Lost Places.
The concert itself will take place in the Performance Space in Manchester’s iconic Central Library. Internally, the room sits alongside Archives+, with the landmark Midland Hotel forming the external backdrop beyond the grand floor-to-ceiling windows.
Bringing together his years of experience on stage, Cole’s deeply personal solo shows are rooted in storytelling, directed by a love of popular song and have connection with people and places at their heart.
See Cole’s latest video – an acoustic re-imagining of Fade To Grey featuring Midge Ure, which is climbing the charts.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS AN EARLY EVENING SHOW STARTING AT 6PM

“A magnificent sound” – Patrick Kielty, BBC Radio 5 Live
“Breathtaking, that incredible voice” – TradFolk
“He is incredible”– Times Radio
The first 20 tickets available for a reduced price of £13
Book Tickets by clicking the ‘Book Now’ button below or on eventbrite here

Stroboscopic Synergy
2025-11-22 08:00 - 2025-12-13 17:00 | Henry Watson Music Library
Photographer Tracey Welch and five musicians from diverse musical backgrounds come together in an exploration of photography and music. A fascinating collaborative project and exhibition, inspiring new connections, shared experience and experimental composition.
In 2022, photography and music came together in the Stroboscopic Project, an exploration of photographic technique and musical inspiration. Such was its success, the project has continued to evolve and its latest incarnation, Stroboscopic Synergy is about to emerge, in the form of new visuals, cross genre musical composition and a documentary film. Un-Convention Manchester will be the first opportunity to view the latest still images from the project, featuring musicians Leonore Wheatley (vocals and synth), Inder Goldfinger (Tabla), Rich Westley (drums), Charlotte Cartwright (piano and vocals) and James Adrian Brown (guitar). The exhibition will then move to Manchester’s Central Library, where visitors will also get an insight into the stop motion style moving imagery and music.
Stroboscopic Synergy has once again attracted support from Arts Council England. Photographer Tracey Welch, who co-founded the project with drummer Rich Westley (Reverend and the Makers) feels this underlines the creative value of their latest collaboration:
“The artists involved in Stroboscopic Synergy are from really diverse musical backgrounds. The stop motion style of photography enables them to reflect on their performance in a really unique way. This, in
turn, inspires musical experimentation and an exchange of creative ideas. It has been really fascinating to document the process in film”. The collaboration culminated in a studio session where artists came together to develop and deliver a completely new, organic composition. “We’re excited to share the new, stroboscopic images in Manchester, alongside some of the music and some stop-motion style film. Like the musicians, I’m learning from the experience and inspired by the energy and creativity the project has generated.”
Free please drop in
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Electronic Sound Past, Present and Future: Delia Derbyshire Day 2025
2025-11-22 14:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
The tenth anniversary of Manchester-based charity Delia Derbyshire Day celebrates the unique work and legacy of this electronic music pioneer. Join us for an array of family-friendly creative activities. Be inspired, play with weird and wonderful sounds, and experience new artworks that reflect this fascinating heritage. Delia’s most famous work was the original Doctor Who theme in 1963, and her archive is based in Manchester.
Drop-in activities/displays:

Listening stations with creative electronic music by Delia Derbyshire and other pioneers
Play a game inspired by Delia’s music-making with Morse Code
Play with dreamy sounds and effects with Flowfal motion control accessible tech
Enjoy a hands on tape demo by North West Sound Archive
Explore some of the heritage of the Delia Derbyshire Archive
Create your own art and 3d models at the crafts station
Enjoy the quiet space with sensory/low stimulation listening and hands on creative activities
Explore new creative commissions available to listen to/view

Performances/screening:
2:30pm – Live audio-visual performance of ‘Glimmers’ – a collaborative 2025 commission by Zolatec (music) & hippiezilla (visuals). A 10 minute piece about resilience, hope and inspired by Delia’s playful spirit and innovative approach to sound.
3pm – Screening of ‘Daydreams’ (1972, 8 mins) – Delia Derbyshire composed the soundtrack for this experimental short film by Madelon Hooykaas and Elsa Stansfield. The film will be introduced by Madelon Hooykaas herself!
3:30pm – Live audio-visual performance of ‘Glimmers’ – a collaborative 2025 commission by Zolatec (music) & hippiezilla (visuals). A 10 minute piece about resilience, hope and inspired by Delia’s playful spirit and innovative approach to sound.
This event is supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund, Library Live at Manchester Central Library, Northwest Sound Archive, John Rylands Library
Free – just drop in.
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Mystery International Film Screening
2025-11-24 17:30 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Welcome to the seventh edition of Manchester Central Library’s International Film Club’s Mystery Screening series.
This event is for individuals aged 15 and over.
Event Details:
• Doors open: 17:00
• Introduction to the film: 17:20
• Film starts: 17:30• Entry: Pay what you can (recommended donation of £3)
• Popcorn: FREE!
• Drinks: Grab a coffee, tea, or soft drink from the fully stocked café!
With Manchester Literature Festival finished up and winter well and truly at the door, it seems about time to open the doors to the Manchester Central Library Performance Space once more to another entry into our monthly international film screening series. The rules are simple: we give you five films to vote from here and you’ll find out what won out at the screening.
The theme this month has very loosely turned out to be the cold of winter, but we’ll be sure to keep It nice and warm for you.
This month’s contenders are:
The White Reindeer (1952, Finland)
In the endless white lands of Lapland, a woman’s ritual to rekindle love turns her into a mythical predator. This eerie folk horror explores loneliness, suppressed desire, and ancient Sámi beliefs. Its haunting visuals earned acclaim at Cannes and the Golden Globes.
My Night at Maud’s (1969, France)
A chance evening with a bold, intellectual woman forces a devout Catholic to confront his ideals. Through quiet dialogue and moral tension, Rohmer crafts a philosophical study of faith, choice, and romantic projection—widely praised as a French New Wave gem.
Dead Mountaineer’s Hotel (1979, USSR)
A detective’s routine inquiry at a remote hotel spiral into a surreal mystery that feels like a Lynchian dive into the heart of Soviet sci-fi. This sci-fi noir critiques rigid authority and human fear of the unfamiliar, gaining cult status for its genre-defying style.
Under the Blossoming Cherry Trees (1975, Japan)
A bandit falls under the spell of a woman who demands increasingly grotesque acts. Set beneath ominous blossoms, this stylised trip blends folklore and madness, with Shinoda’s theatrical direction and Takemitsu’s score elevating its eerie beauty.
Ga-Ga: Glory to the Heroes (1986, Poland)
On a dystopian planet, a convict becomes a state-manufactured hero destined for execution. Szulkin’s biting satire skewers authoritarianism and media spectacle, earning cult acclaim for its bold, bleak vision.

Word Central
2025-11-25 18:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Word Central Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word.
Presented by Flapjack Press and Manchester Libraries.
Hosted by Tony Curry with special guest Kieren King.
Book your open mic slot from noon on Tuesday 11th November via mail@flapjackpress.co.uk. N.B. Open mic slots are 3 minutes per performer, it is essential that you stay within this timeframe.
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 place on the reserve list.
Our special guest Kieren King is a Salfordian spoken word artist, a four-time UK National Slam finalist, and a Great Northern Poetry Slam champion. He was a host of Bang Said the Gun: Manchester, and the creative mind behind the acclaimed spoken word nights Slamchester, Evidently, and the Word War slams. He has featured on BBC Radio 4, performed for Musicians Without Borders and Amnesty International, and at the Kendal Calling, Edinburgh Fringe, and Glastonbury festivals. Kieren has also been a special guest at former NME journalist and Haçienda DJ Dave Haslam’s Not Quite Light Weekender, and been commissioned by Guy Garvey of Elbow to curate a spoken word event for Meltdown at the Southbank Centre, by Sky to write and perform a poem to launch their channel Blaze, and by Salford Red Devils Rugby League FC to celebrate their appearance in the Super League Grand Final. His new poetry collection, Spit & Sawdust, was published in September by Flapjack Press.
Event host Tony Curry is a performance poet, playwright and workshop facilitator. Raised in Crawley by English and South African parents, he has lived and worked in Manchester for three decades, running literature-in-the-community projects with a specific leaning towards mental health and wellbeing. His play, The Teddy Bear, was staged at Manchester’s Contact Theatre, whilst his solo spoken word shows include Brit Boy, Complicit Relations, Moving and The Odyssey, performed at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre. Tony has recently toured his solo show Tall Tales for All Men, adapted from his collection Tall Tales for Tall Men Who Fall Well Short (Flapjack Press, 2012), at the Brighton Fringe and Chorlton Arts festivals.

The Great Hall Exhibition
2025-11-26 08:00 - 2026-07-31 17:00 | Lower Ground Floor Exhibition Space
Manchester Town Hall closed in January 2018 and work then began on a labour of love: a once-in-a-lifetime chance to repair, protect and update this architectural masterpiece for future generations. The Great Hall is the Town Hall’s centrepiece. It includes a huge variety of conservation and restoration projects and is a great example of the work we’re doing throughout the building. Our approach to the unique elements of this space reflects the level of care needed for the whole project. This exhibition looks at just three details of the Great Hall to tell some of the story of the Our Town Hall project.

Free – just drop in
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Hannah Brine – Live
2025-12-02 15:00 - 16:00 | Henry Watson Music Library
Join jazz singer Hannah Brine for an intimate afternoon of winter music designed to get you right in the mood for Christmas. Those lucky enough to see Hannah open for Rumer at this year’s Buxton International Festival know how great her voice and her original songs are. There’s a reason why she’s been awarded Best Solo Vocal at Buxton Fringe for the last two years!
Hannah has spent 2025 performing all over the UK, including at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall and London Jazz venues the 606 and Pizza Express Live’s Pheasantry.
Hannah will be joined by a fabulous pianist to give things a beautiful, festive twist. So, if you’re in the mood for a White Christmas, come and enjoy a gloriously festive musical afternoon brought to you by one of our best local talents.
“Serene, velvety vocals…a new singer giving the world her valuable point of view” – Jazz Journal
“Brine’s effortless voice is smoothly in control throughout” – Jazzwise
“Brine’s voice is distinguished by its’ clarity, warmth and an inviting, rounded tone that draws the listener in” – All About Jazz
“Hannah’s honey toned voice caresses the melodies imbuing the words with a lightness of touch” – Jazz Views
“Brine’s touching vocal captures the emotional gradients of each syllable” – Old Gray Cat
Free – just drop in.
Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Disability History Month Celebration - JOY!
2025-12-04 12:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
The Disabled People’s Archive (DPA) and North West Film Archive (NWFA) are hosting a free, disabled-led event to celebrate UK Disability History Month and the launch of DPA’s new project. Expect a DPA object handling table, a creative group film-making activity, a community lunch, and much more.
For more information and to book your free spot, click ‘book’ below or visit the eventbrite page here

Book Launch: Spit & Sawdust by Kieren King
2025-12-04 18:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Join Great Northern Poetry Slam Champion Kieren King for the launch of his new collection. Including an author performance, interview, Q&A, and book signing.
Pull up a stool, mind your pint, and drink in perfectly pitched poetry from the Great Northern Slam champion and four-time UK National Slam finalist.
With poems of pubs, politics, love, and life in Salford, Kieren King’s first solo collection is funny, fearless, and unapologetically Northern – poetry that belongs as much in the bar as on the bookshelf.
FREE EVENT, EVERYONE WELCOME.
“Stunning.” Adam Farrer
“Wonderful.” Mike Garry
“Beautiful.” Oliver James Lomax
“Alive with craft, wit, and spirit.” Reece Williams
“The best of working-class poetry.” Louise Fazackerley
Flapjack Press: flapjackpress.co.uk

Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
2025-12-06 13:00 - 16:00 | Business Generator
It wouldn’t be Christmas without a wreath making session! Join us for a relaxing hands-on workshop and learn how to create a beautiful wreath to take home with you. Suitable for adults. All materials provided.
Tickets: £27.80. Book your place here or click ‘Book Now’ below.
The workshop will take place in our new Generator Suite next door to Central Library. Please ask a member of staff for directions.

Embroidery and Cross-Stitch for wellbeing with artist Nabila Nabi
2025-12-08 12:00 - 14:00 | Ground Floor (Handling Tables)
Stories live within us — in our memories, our hands, and the quiet rhythm of a needle pulling thread. Join us to explore how storytelling and hand embroidery intertwine — how a single stitch can hold a memory, a dream, or a piece of expression. Free entry! All materials provided. Beginners welcome!

Free – just drop in.
Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library
