Library Live

The Embassy of Utopia
2024-06-14 10:00 - 2024-06-15 16:00 UTC | Performance Space
Over two days, dreamers, poets, musicians, writers, and artists speak about and perform their vision for the future. What has Manchester collectively got to say?
Free – drop in. 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

90th Celebration - Sunday Funday
2024-06-16 12:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
This year, Central Library celebrates 90 years since its grand opening. Join us for this cultural extravaganza during Festival of Libraries Week, celebrating the old and the new, and the venue’s many highlights and successes over the past 90 years. Featuring music, performances, crafts, displays, and lots more fantastic family fun including:

Edible Storytime
Manchester Histories Shadow Theatre
RNCM musicians playing and taking about their instruments
Community Performances
String Quartet
Acoustic sessions
RNCM Jazz Trio
Face Painting (£2 per face)
Hands on crafts

Kindly supported by Manchester Central Library Development Trust, The Granada Foundation and The Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund
Free – just drop in. 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

Refugee Week Celebrations
2024-06-20 18:00 - 19:30
Join Women Asylum Seekers Together (WAST) for poetry, storytelling, singing and cultural dances. Free entry, no booking required. For more information, email angela.rawcliffe@manchester.gov.uk or alessia.benedetti@manchester.gov.uk
Free – no booking required

Sign and Play and Kids' Club - BSL Story Telling
2024-06-22 10:00 - 12:00
BSL Story Telling at Manchester Central Library for deaf 0-11 year olds and their parents. HoH, CODA, siblings and all communication methods welcome! More information here.
Free – booking advised

Love Stories etc Festival
2024-07-13 10:00 - 21:00 | Performance Space
A Celebration of Modern Romantic Fiction.
Welcome to the first Love Stories etc Festival.
The one-day Romance Festival will be held at the stunning Manchester Central Library and will feature 28 bestselling romance authors as part of a huge celebration of modern romantic fiction.
Authors and publishers across the UK will be gathering in Manchester for this special festival in July 2024.
LOOK AT ALL THE AUTHOR’S APPEARING!!
10am HAPPY EVER AFTER

11.15am LESSONS IN LOVE

1.15pm HOPE

2.30 BEACH READ

4.30pm FUNNY STORY

5.45pm FEEL

7.30pm WHAT IS LOVE?

WEVE SOME AMAZING WORKSHOPS FOR ASPIRING WRITERS TOO!
10am Introduction to the Publishing Process workshop

10am Introduction to the Publishing Industry

12pm From New Writer to Bestseller

3.30pm Literary Agent workshop

3.30pm Editorial Speed Dating

THE ALL DAY PASS IS ONLY £30!*
THERE IS ALSO A SPECIAL VIP PASS (WITH EXTRA TREATS) FOR £40.*
CONCESSIONS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.*
*Plus booking fee. Tickets give you full access to ALL author panels and workshops. Please note, capacity on the workshops is limited. We’ll be in touch soon with everyone who has bought tickets for you to select the workshops you want to attend.

See My World: Connected Fragments
2024-07-15 08:00 - 2024-09-28 17:00 | First Floor Exhibition Hall
An international exchange exhibition bringing together the worlds of Nigerian diaspora artists Chigozie obi, Daniel Oyegade and Dou, as they crack and connect the mirrors of their heritage, history and culture. Through photography, paintings and film installations, the exhibition is an ode to what is alive within the mundane.
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

Responses
2024-07-18 08:00 - 2024-08-12 17:00
Foundation Art and Design Students from The Manchester College have brought the Art School’s ethos of research to the heart of Manchester Central Library’s iconic Wolfson Reading Room. Each student has developed a personal body of work which has initially been inspired by one of the books from the venue. The work on the boards exhibited are an insight into personal research and subject matter. Each student has tested the possibilities of ideas, research, and practical production. These fresh, innovative Art School Creatives will continue their practices in: painting, drawing, film, photography, textile design, animation, and site-specific work; progressing to different universities next year.
To see more exciting innovative work and research please follow the Instagram link below.
@foundationartanddesigntmc
If you would like information about the Foundation Diploma course, please email Fiona Donald: fdonald@tmc.ac.uk
Free – 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
2024-07-24 18:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Rob Parker welcomes Nilesha Chauvet, Tony Kent and Trevor Wood to Manchester!
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Tickets for this event are on a “pay what you can” basis. They range from £2 – £6 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.

The African Presence in University of Manchester’s Bicentenary 1824-2024
2024-07-25 17:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
This year, as the University of Manchester celebrates its 200th anniversary and recognises the significant achievements and contributions of many figures, groups and organisations, we must ensure that the profound impact of individuals from the African continent and the African Diaspora is not overlooked.
We are honoured to present an illustrative review and critique by historical researcher and teacher, Washington Alcott, focusing on the African presence throughout the University’s 200-year history. Utilizing the University’s extensive archival records, books, public inscriptions, and the accomplishments of its graduates, this presentation will highlight the vital contributions of people of African descent to the socio-cultural and economic fabric of the University.
We look forward to celebrating this historic occasion with you and reflecting on our shared legacy.
Free – drop in

A Northern Life - it's not all about Margaret
2024-07-26 09:00 - 2024-09-18 17:00 | First Floor Display Cases
Lorraine Rudyard creates three-dimensional sculptures using recycled materials and vintage finds, encapsulated in story boxes. Her work is very Northern and what you will see are closely observed people and lots of lovely details and references to Lorraine’s childhood, i.e. a budgie in a cage named Monty, a bathroom scene with fish wall-paper that are memories from her grandmother’s house. Other story boxes include Lorraine’s favourite poem ‘The Jumblies’ by Edward Lear and other references to childhood literature.
Lorraine’s work was accepted for both the 2020 and the 2022 Manchester Open Exhibitions: Everyone’s an Artist. Her 2020 piece, ‘Have you Been Anywhere Nice?’, sold to a private collector. Another one of her artworks was selected for The Royal Cambrian Academy of Art in 2022, and another artwork in 2022 was selected for The Harley Gallery Open Call. More recently ‘Please Come to My Party, Pleeese ?’ was selected for the Bury Art Museum Open Call.
You can’t miss Our Margaret – Lorraine’s muse, spot Margaret by her huge smile, sunglasses, shopping trolly and umbrella, whatever the weather or occasion. Viewers especially like Margaret’s stories, which are often hinted at by the title of the picture connecting their own stories to the pictures. Lorraine says, ‘I love Margaret- she is a joy to create. I like the idea that I can make something from nothing and the treasures I find can live on, connecting my pictures to the past. My hope is that you as a viewer will appreciate the playfulness of my work – that it will put a smile on your face as well as appeal to your senses for a lost way of life.’
To date, Lorraine has completed several commissions including a piece of legacy art, ‘A Grand Day Out’, that was commissioned by Heritage Schools for Central Library. Lorraine also has many collectors of her artwork up and down the country.
A full catalogue of her work can be found @lorrainerudyard_mixedmediaart
Please direct all inquiries to lorrainerudyard-art @outlook.com
Free – drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Manchester Day 2024
2024-07-27 10:00 - 16:00
Come and meet us at Central Library on Manchester’s special day. This year’s theme is Sports and Olympics. There will be something for everyone and you may also sign up for our Summer Reading Challenge! Suitable for children and families.
Free – just drop in. For more information, email angela.rawcliffe@manchester.gov.uk or alessia.benedetti@manchester.gov.uk
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Build a Business Pop-Up Market
2024-07-27 12:00 - 15:00 | Performance Space
Discover and support local talent at the Build a Business Pop-Up Market! This exciting event features an array of unique, high-quality products crafted by innovative entrepreneurs from Greater Manchester. Stroll through stalls filled with handmade goods, delicious food and drink, and meet the creative minds behind these small businesses.
FREE to drop in, this market is the perfect opportunity for local entrepreneurs and start-up businesses involved in the Build a Business project to showcase their exceptional products. Whether you’re looking for one-of-a-kind gifts, tasty treats, or simply want to support local talent, there’s something for everyone.
Don’t miss out on this vibrant community event – come and find something special at the Build a Business Pop-Up Market!
For more information, visit www.buildabusinessgm.org
Free – drop in.
Build a business in GM Libraries is part funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Portuguese Speaking Community Book Club
2024-07-27 14:00 | Activity Room (Lower Ground Floor)
Bem-Vindos! Come along to a new session for Portuguese speakers, people interested in the Portuguese language and those interested the culture of the Portuguese speaking countries that like to read or want to exchange impressions about books and authors of the Portuguese language.
At each meeting a book / author of a Portuguese speaking country previously chosen will be considered, with occasional guest writers and facilitators. Participants are invited to collaborate in the choice of book / author to be discussed. All members can make suggestions about the book to be read, followed by an open discussion.
Saturday, July 27 – Made man, righteous man? Books for this session: Cada Homem é uma Raça by Mia couto
Places are free but must be booked as room is restricted to 14 places.
The group aims to:

Foment coexistence and discussion among Portuguese speakers in Manchester.
Encourage critical thinking, personal and social development.
Promote cultural exchanges and strengthen the ties between members of the Portuguese-speaking Community.
Promote Portuguese-speaking countries culture.
Reinforce cultural belonging and languages knowledge.

Places are free but must be booked as room is restricted to 14 places.
To book your space or to have more information contact: www.facebook.com/circuloleituralinguaportuguesamanchester or email:circuloleituralinguaportuguesa@gmail.com
Further sessions this year in August, September and November.

Word Central
2024-07-30 18:00 - 19:00 | Performance Space
Word Central hosted by Tony Curry.
Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word Presented by Flapjack Press and Manchester Libraries.
Book your open mic slot from noon on Tuesday 16th July 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 for July is Dave Morgan, a writer, community educator, and arts organiser in the North-West of England. He co-founded the performance poetry organisation Write Out Loud, and curates events for the Bolton-based arts collective Live from Worktown. Dave is co-author of China: an integrated study [George G.Harrap & Co Ltd, 1975], and has two poetry collections with Flapjack Press – Chuang Tse’s Caterpillar [2016], several poems from which have recently been translated into Tamil for South Asian journal Thalam Quarterly, and On Not Being Observed, which was published earlier this year.
Event host Tony Curry is a poet, playwright, and workshop facilitator who runs literature-in-the-community projects with a specific leaning towards mental health and wellbeing. His work has been exhibited at Manchester’s museum and art galleries, and his play, The Teddy Bear, was staged at Contact Theatre. Tony’s solo spoken word shows include Brit Boy, Complicit Relations, Moving and The Odyssey, performed at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre. In 2024 he will be touring his new show, Tall Tales for All Men, adapted from his collection Tall Tales for Tall Men Who Fall Well Short.

Chess Drop In
2024-07-31 10:00 - 14:00 | Ground Floor
Calling all budding chess players! Head to our Performance Space and meet other players at this informal and fun drop-in session. Open to all children and families. For more information, contact angela.rawcliffe@manchester.gov.uk or alessia.benedetti@manchester.gov.uk
Free – drop in
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Little Movers and Shakers
2024-08-01 11:00 - 12:00 | Henry Watson Music Library
Meet us in our Music Library on the first floor for a fun-filled dance session! Suitable for children up to 7 years.
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

Imagination Gaming
2024-08-06 13:00 - 16:00 | Lower Ground Floor Link
Learn to play-play to learn! Taking gaming to a different meaning. These games are designed to challenge your brain with stimulating mental challenge across all ages and abilities. Can you beat the game?
Free – drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

National Playday
2024-08-07 11:00 - 15:00 | Performance Space
Want a challenge over the summer? Join our big play day event and find out what challenges you can take on this summer. We will have an extra Lego club where we will challenge you to make your favourite reading space in Lego. Visit us at the main entrance, where we will tell you about the Summer Reading Challenge and the Blue Peter Book Club. Suitable for children of all ages.
Free – drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Music Days: Born and Bred
2024-08-08 14:00 - 15:00 | Performance Space
Join us for Music Thursday at Central Library! Doodle Dance is a workshop that combines mindful doodling techniques with movement. Create doodles and dance moves of your own in this fun and playful workshop. Designed for children of all ages for those who love to move and for those who aren’t sure. So come doodle, dance and explore!
Free – drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Reimagined City 2024: Summer Art Workshop
2024-08-10 11:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Join us for a painting workshop exploring Manchester migrant culture and sharing migrant story through art!
Reimagined City: Summer Art Workshop is a painting workshop exploring international influence on local culture, stories of identity, and the migrant history of Manchester.
Tracing identity through art, each participant will learn to paint their own canvas and share their story. These canvases will be collected and turned into a larger piece of installation to be exhibited at The Portico Library and Manchester Garden Of Peach.
Workshop opens to all ages.
Free – booking required.

Wisdom is the Principal Thing
2024-08-13 08:00 - 2024-09-26 17:00 | Wolfson Reading Room
Manchester artist, Fiona Donald, has created an installation of drawings documenting the impermanence of the changing seasons. Initially Inspired by the quote around the dome of the Wolfson Reading Room she has created four large columns and 12 smaller pillars which draw on the rhythmic cycles of time passing. Some capture the immediacy of walking in the landscape, others focus on objects collected, picked, and transported back to her studio in Salford to study and observe.
You can view more of Fiona’s work at fionadonald.com and at Fiona Donald | SUITE (suite-studiogroup.co.uk)
Main image credit: Cherry Whitfield-Donald
Free – drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Soundtrack to Your Life
2024-08-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Chief Librarian’s Office
What would be your track? What’s the story behind the tune? What would be your album and what would the sleeve notes say? Come along and let us hear your special track and tell us the story of what it means to you.
Free – just drop in

Summer Silent Disco!
2024-08-16 19:30 - 23:30 | Performance Space
PLEASE NOTE – THIS EVENT HAS BEEN DELAYED TO A FUTURE DATE (TO BE ANNOUNCED)
Forget the weather! We’ll have no summertime sadness here. You’ll be walking on sunshine at our special Summer Silent Disco!
You’ve waited far too long for the return of the famous Retro Silent Disco at Central Library! It’s time to let the good vibrations take over, celebrate summertime and spend some boogie nights at the Club Tropicana (where unfortunately, the drinks aren’t free!).
But we CAN promise you 4 hours of the best summer party music from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s from Mr Retro Silent Disco himself, DJ John!
Check out our bargain group bundle and concessionary offers!
Concessions (Student, unwaged. Over 60) £7
General Admission £10
Group Ticket (4 for the price of 3) £30

Scrumptious!
2024-08-21 11:00 - 14:45 | Performance Space
All is well at Sylvie’s Scrumptious Sweet Shop, P.C. Lee can’t resist the fruit cake, Stanley the Horse loves peppermint creams, and the Talkative Twins only cause a crumb of chaos. That is until a stranger arrives, and their irresistible ice cream threatens to spoil everything! Join us for this magical show about friendship and ice cream, with hilarious songs, dancing, storytelling and gentle audience participation — the perfect free treat for families and anyone young at heart. Spaces are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment!
There are two shows: 11-11.45am & 2-2.45pm.
Free – spaces are limited so book early to avoid disappointment!
To Book your place email angela.rawcliffe@manchester.gov.uk

Love Science
2024-08-22 14:00 - 15:00
Join ‘Love Science’ this summer as part of the Marvellous Makers Club Summer Reading Challenge. Design and make light up pictures, use friction to defy gravity, and make a climbing model of your favourite book character to take home. Perfect for 5-11 year olds.
Free – 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
2024-08-22 18:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
An hour chat with special guests Luke Deckard, Chris Lloyd and Emma Tallon – followed by a Q & A and book signing!
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Tickets for this event are on a “pay what you can” basis. They range from £2 – £6 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.

Word Central
2024-08-27 18:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Book your open mic slot from noon on Tuesday 13th August 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.
August’s special guest is Cathy Crabb, a playwright, poet, screenwriter, journalist and lyricist from Oldham who has written more than thirty plays for the stage. Her works have run at theatres including HOMEmcr, Oldham Coliseum, Studio Salford and Manchester’s Library Theatre, where she was the last living playwright to have a production staged at its original venue. Her playwriting awards include the 24/7 Theatre Festival Manchester Evening News Theatre Award and the Buxton Festival Best Comedy Award, whilst her poetry features on sculptures by Emma Hunter at the former site of Elk Mill in Chadderton, the last mill to be built in Lancashire. Cathy’s Selected Plays was published in 2024 by Flapjack Press.
Event host Tony Curry is a poet, playwright, and workshop facilitator who runs literature-in-the-community projects with a specific leaning towards mental health and wellbeing. His work has been exhibited at Manchester’s museum and art galleries, and his play, The Teddy Bear, was staged at Contact Theatre. Tony’s solo spoken word shows include Brit Boy, Complicit Relations, Moving and The Odyssey, performed at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre. In 2024 he will be touring his new show, Tall Tales for All Men, adapted from his collection Tall Tales for Tall Men Who Fall Well Short.

See My World: Connected Fragments-Art(s)cool Workshop
2024-08-31 11:00 - 13:00 | Performance Space
A chance to create your own piece of Canvas Artworks with one of the featured artists in the exhibition, ‘DOU’. Come and explore how our worlds are connected through stories of history, heritage and culture.
For all ages.
Free, booking recommended. Please email alessia.benedetti@manchester.gov.uk

Saturday Spectacular: Lowry Takeover
2024-09-14 12:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Come join our Lowry friends at Central Library and get involved in some fantastic fun for the whole family. From arts and crafts to interactive storytelling, engaging workshops and a chance to watch a classic story on the big screen, plus much more!
Free – drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Tootally Wired
2024-09-19 18:00 - 20:00 | Performance Space
Forget fast fashion – take a long look at an old favourite: the Tootal scarf.
Join Manchester Histories Festival for a celebration of this iconic Manchester-made fashion accessory – a deep dive into this icon of accessories. Seven writers and artists premiere brand-new work responding to the history and culture of the Tootal scarf, designed and manufactured in Manchester since the 1930s.
Hear writers Wendy Allen, Sarah-Clare Conlon, David Gaffney, Tom Jenks, Emily Oldfield and Nicholas Royle premiere their poems and stories live alongside a brand-new performance by sound artist Gary Fisher as well as a showcase of Tootal related short films from the North West Film Archive.
