Library Live

Fermata-with Arundo Quartet
2017-05-12 14:30 - 15:30 UTC | First Floor Display Cases
In today’s digital society, people are constantly bombarded with information, meaning that chances to switch off are almost impossible to find. Rising pressure online and offline has prompted an alarming decline in our mental health, with one in four people now experiencing a mental health problem as often as every 12 months. By bringing together mindfulness and music, The Arundo Quartet have found a winning combination to help you successfully navigate whatever each day throws at you. They have assembled a programme of carefully selected minimalist works, arranged for the quartet, to create a mood that will be optimum for encouraging a relaxed route into mindful breathing exercises. They will perform these, whilst playing pre-recorded entry level breathing exercises through a speaker. Swing by and listen to the music, participate in the exercise or simply have a nap whilst enjoying a breather from the intensity of daily life.

An Evening with Patrick Ness
2017-05-08 19:00 - 20:30 | Performance Space
The bestselling author of The Rest of Us Just Live Here and A Monster Calls (now a major motion picture) will be talking about and signing copies of his new novel, Release.
Release is the most personal and tender novel yet from Patrick Ness, the twice Carnegie Medal-winning author of A Monster Calls. It’s Saturday, it’s summer and, although he doesn’t know it yet, everything in Adam Thorn’s life is going to fall apart. But maybe, just maybe, he’ll find freedom from the release. Time is running out though, because way across town, a ghost has risen from the lake… This uplifting coming-of-age novel will remind you what it’s like to fall in love.
Tickets: £7 general admission, £5 Waterstones cardholder or £17 includes entry and a copy of Release (RRP £12.99). Books will also be available to purchase at the event.
Please note: seating is unreserved so will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Henry Normal: Travelling Second Class Through Hope
2017-05-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Performance Space
Better known as co-writer of award-winning TV and film shows such as The Royle Family, The Mrs Merton Show, The Parole Officer, Coogan’s Run and Paul Calf, and producer of, amongst many others, Oscar-nominated Philomena, Gavin and Stacey, Moone Boy, Uncle and Alan Partridge, Henry Normal started his writing career as a poet.
Born in Nottingham, Henry’s writing career blossomed during his time in Manchester. He set up the Manchester Poetry Festival in the nineties, which continues to this day having widened to become the Manchester Literature Festival. In 2016 he set up the Nottingham Poetry Festival, now an annual event.
In the early eighties he performed at pop concerts, cabaret and comedy clubs, folk clubs, jazz clubs, factories, hospitals, schools and poetry events. Henry toured with Pulp in their early days and later with Lemn Sissay and I am Kloot’s John Bramwell, then called Johnny Dangerously.
Henry performed full runs at the Edinburgh Festival with Hattie Hayridge, Linda Smith, and his one man show ‘Encyclopedia Poetica’ – later to become a 4 part BBC Radio 4 series.
Spotted at Edinburgh, Henry was given a six episode Channel 4 series called Packet of Three, co-starring Frank Skinner and Jenny Eclair. He has since worked on over 400 TV and radio shows and films, as either script editor or producer or both.
In 2016 Henry was presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by Nottingham Trent University.
Since his first book Is Love Science Fiction? in 1986 he had eight further books published up to 1994. In 2016, after an absence of 22 years, Henry published Staring Directly at the Eclipse and has begun performing poetry again at major Literature Festivals. His recent Radio 4 shows A Normal Family and A Normal Life were much acclaimed and a third Radio Show A Normal Love will be transmitted on Valentine’s Day 2018.
Travelling Second Class Through Hope contains seventy poems personally selected from his early collections.
“Dovetails bittersweet poetry with a sublimely observant wit” – Guardian
“The Alan Bennett of Poetry” – The Scotsman
“The nerd triumphant” – Manchester Evening News
“A gentle giant of stand-up poetry” – List
“In amongst his work lie some of the most tender, compassionate and moving pieces I have read from a modern poet” – Artful Reporter
“The enfant terrible of alternative poetry” – Leeds Other paper
“Witty and uncannily accurate with his observations” – The Stage
“Distinctly funny” – Time Out
FREE EVENT. DOORS OPEN AT 5.30PM.

Nick Sharratt Exhibition Launch
2017-05-06 10:00 - 16:00 | First Floor Exhibition Hall
Meet Nick Sharratt at his exhibition launch!
Come along to Manchester Central Library on Saturday 6 May for the opening of the Pirates, Pants and Wellyphants exhibition. Meet the wonderful Nick Sharratt, get him to sign your favourite book and have a go at lots of free, fun, Nick-themed crafts and activities. 10am to 4pm.

Pirates, Pants and Wellyphants
2017-05-06 08:00 - 2017-07-01 17:00 | First Floor Exhibition Hall
We’re very excited that Nick Sharratt is now the subject of a magical exhibition at Central Library. The well loved author of classic picture books including Shark in the Park, and illustrator of books by authors including Jacqueline Wilson is celebrated in this interactive and action packed exhibition.
Nick says:
‘I’d like to invite you to this exhibition which is all about me and my work. There’s a lot to find out and plenty to do. You’ll see how I drew when I was younger and discover how I became an illustrator. There are loads of my books to explore, all kinds of fun activities to do, and a whole crowd of characters to meet – some might be familiar, some you’ll be bumping into for the first time’.
Nick will be at the official exhibition launch on Saturday 6th May from 10am-4pm.

Pilot Light TV Festival: Season 2
2017-05-05 09:30 - 2017-05-06 17:00
Dedicated to celebrating the past, present and future of TV and web series, Manchester’s Pilot Light TV Festival returns. Central Library events feature a combination of Web Series Screenings and special panels designed for those wanting to get involved in TV/Web Series Production.
Age: 15+ years

Word Central Open Mic Night featuring Genevieve Walsh
2017-05-03 18:00 - 20:00 | Performance Space
Open Mic Poetry & Spoken Word hosted by Tony Curry.
With special guest Genevieve L. Walsh.
Wednesday 3rd May 2017, 6pm – 8pm [doors open 5.30pm]. Free entry.
Manchester Central Library, St Peter’s Square, Manchester M2 5PD.
To book an open mic slot (4 minutes max) – please email mail@flapjackpress.co.uk to get on the reserve list.
Geneviève L. Walsh’s debut solo collection covers her first five years of performing her punk-song-length poetry about love, hatred, aggressive platitudes, sexual politics, alienation and inebriation.
Includes a Foreword by Henry Normal.
“A collection full of passion and subversion … keen and urgent with an untamed beauty – like a puma caught under a streetlight. She chooses her language and targets with precision and infuses humour and fight in every verse.” – Henry Normal, poet
“Rejecting the beige and embracing the dark, this collection is a lyrical and defiant hymn to vodka nights and concrete days. Shot through with nostalgia and the fear of losing fellow dancers to normality.” – Kate Fox, Stand-up Poet
“A unique and passionately inclusive voice guides us with incredible skill and dexterity through everything that unites us: love, loss, and drunk conversations. This book is a brutally affectionate hug and a call to arms for all the losers, freaks, and feral lost souls of the world.” – Steve Nash, Saboteur Awards Performer of the Year

Hitchcock: Master and Magician
2017-05-02 08:00 - 2017-05-23 17:00 | Performance Space
Four week film theory evening course plus a screening
Delivered at Central Library by HOME, this course will support participants in getting to know one of the most celebrated and influential film directors of all time. Taking a cue from the film, The Birds you will examine in some detail what makes Hitchcock so special. Other examples of his work will also be discussed.
Course dates are 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd May taking place at Central Library, 6-8pm
Screening date is Wed 3rd May and will take place at HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester, M15 4FN
Course ticket price includes entry to the screening.
Course fee: £40 full / £35 concessions

To book, call the HOME Box Office on 0161 200 1500

Retro Silent Disco
2017-04-22 19:00 - 22:00 | Performance Space
Celebrate World Book Night with a Silent Disco at Central Library!
Join DJ John Ryan (Max 80s digital radio, Girls on Film, Gaydio) as he tempts you with three mixes to ssssshhhhake your body. Grab your headphones and flip between Classic Hits, Chart or Manchester Bands!
Start your Saturday night struttin’ your stuff in one of the most iconic buildings in Manchester!
Librarian Fancy Dress optional, but there will be prizes for the best outfits!

The Alchemy of Love: Rumi Poetry and Music Workshop
2017-04-20 18:00 - 19:30
A creative exploration of the poetry of Rumi and music composed to his poems. The workshop engages the audience in reciting the poems in English and Persian and sharing impressions of the meaning of the words. Poetry reading is interwoven with performance of songs where the words of the poet take flight on the wings of music
Celebrated 13th century Persian poet Rumi has fired the imagination of millions of readers worldwide as the supreme poet of love. He was born in Balkh, what is now Afghanistan and lived most of his life in Anatolia, modern day Turkey; Rumi composed his poems in his native language, Persian. The poetry of Rumi speaks of universal human ideals of love, joy, harmony and spirituality in a simple, beautiful and touching way.
Workshop Presenters:
Gulcin Bulut is a singer, psychotherapist, and traveller on the path of mysticism.
Pasha Abdollahi is an author, literary translator and student of mysticism.
Sahba Ensemble:
Hamid Tayyebi: violin
Farshid Mahyari: Persian hammered dulcimer, santur
Masoud Ghasemi: Persian frame drum daf
Sahba Daf Group will be accompanying the songs.
Suitable for 7+ years

Jug Face – Screening with Q&A
2017-04-13 17:45 - 19:45
Grimm up North present a special screening of cult horror film, Jug Face, plus an exclusive Q&A with lead actress Lauren Ashley Carter, to discuss her career working in the genre and the american independent film industry. Join us for this earthy tale of terror; a highlight of Grimmfest 2013.
Strictly 18+ years only
Book now

Word Central - Open Mic Night
2017-04-13 08:00 - 17:00

Manchester Print Fair
2017-04-08 10:45 - 16:45 | Performance Space
Whilst exploring our iconic building, enjoy a unique shopping experience with an array of locally made design and craft from over 40 artists and designers. Join our creative workshops from sponsor G.F Smith and get hands on with print and paper fun, for all the family.
Free – please drop in

Call And Response Performance
2017-04-07 08:00 - 2017-04-08 17:00
In August 2016 artist Najia Bagi began a project where she received weekly letters from three people, connecting her to the transition that each person was experiencing as a single person who was looking for love. On 3rd March 2017 Najia then performed at HOME with the Sacred Sounds Women’s Choir and Ruby Ann Patterson to bring these letters to life. We invite you to join Najia for a chance to read these letters, and reply in your own words. Najia will also perform readings of the letters she received, and will present snippets of music from the project so far.
Call and Response is part of the Move Me project which is funded by Arts Council England’s Grants for the Arts, and supported by HOME and Manchester Jazz Festival.
No need to book, all welcome

Galt Toys Exhibition
2017-04-05 08:00 - 2017-05-30 17:00
The Manchester Modernist Society present a display of games, puzzles and toys designed and produced in the 1960s and 1970s by local manufacturers James Galt.
Hear exhibition curator, Steve Marland, chatting to Mike Sweeney on BBC Radio Manchester about the exhibition (70mins in, until 26 April):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04wv8nb
Free – please drop-in

ArchivesMoved
2017-03-21 08:00 - 2017-06-15 17:00 | Archives+ Ground Floor
This exhibition is based on a project that brought together young dancers and actors from Manchester and the North West in an exciting exploration of historical Manchester. By using archive photographs, artefacts and music as far back as the 1800s and merging them with modern photography, it allows audiences to experience a new outlook on Manchester’s past and present.
The process began by gathering the most interesting and thought provoking images in the archive collection. It was important to capture the diversity of Manchester and to recognise its industrial roots. Through the timeline of archives, what stood out the most was how well images and sounds were able to capture a general sentiment and mood of that period: whether that was the melancholic industrial environment; the strong community settings at Hulme Carnival or the vibrant summer months in Piccadilly Gardens.
Once images were collected, they became a stimulus for the movement and emotion of the dancers. Characters and certain personas formed by imitating the expressions on the people’s faces in the images. Actors listened to sound archives and their responses were filmed. Mood and feelings of certain images were embodied through shape and movement.
Using editing software the modern photos were merged with the original archives, resulting in this exhibition. A map of Manchester in the exhibition shows the forever expanding history of arts in the city.
ArchivesMoved was supported by Archives+ and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund

Manchester Indie Film Makers Group
2017-03-08 18:00 - 2017-09-01 20:00 | Media Lounge
We are a group of collective creatives who use film and media to produce original productions which are hopefully both thought provoking and offer a fresh view of how film and live interaction is brought together. If you have any questions or constructive ideas or just want to find out more about how you can get involved with our new season of events.
Contact us at manchesterindiefmg@gmail.com or simply come along and chat with us. We meet fortnightly and look forward to seeing you.
