Library Live

Arundhathi Subramaniam
2017-10-16 13:00 - 15:00 UTC | Performance Space
Arundhathi Subramaniam attended the first Manchester Literature Festival in 2006 and we are thrilled to welcome her back to the city to share her sensual and soulful poetry exploring the contradictory nature of living in a Third World megalopolis. She has published two books of poetry in Britain with Bloodaxe, Where I Live: New & Selected Poems and When God Is a Traveller, shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize, and is featured in the DVD anthology In Person: World Poets.
She has also written books on spirituality and culture, including The Book of Buddha and Sadhguru: More Than a Life. Winner of the inaugural Khushwant Singh Memorial Prize for Poetry in 2015, the Raza Award for Poetry, and the International Piero Bigongiari Prize, she mostly lives in Mumbai (a city she is perennially on the verge of leaving).
This event is part of Manchester Literature Festival 2017
Tickets are free but booking is advised (donations welcome on the door)
Book on 0843 208 0500 or

The Things I Would Tell You
2017-10-15 16:30 - 18:00 | Performance Space
The Things I Would Tell You is an anthology that features 22 British Muslim Women Writers whose stories and poems transcend time, place and stereotypes to blow away the narrow image of the ‘Muslim woman’. Nikesh Shukla describes it as an ‘exquisite collection full of energy, experimentation, honesty, beauty, fury, heartbreak and laughs. Defiantly multi-cultural.’
Join us for this special event featuring live performances from four of the contributors. Sabrina Mahfouz is a British Egyptian playwright, poet and screenwriter whose play Chef won the 2014 Fringe First Award. Her poetry has been produced for TV, radio and film and published in the collection How You Might Know Me. Nafeesa Hamid is a spoken word artist, performer and playwright based in Birmingham. Hibaq Osman is a past winner of the Roundhouse Poetry Slam; her debut collection is A Silence You Can Carry. Asma Elbadawi is a Sudanese-born spoken word artist who was a finalist for Words First, the BBC Radio 1Xtra / Roundhouse poetry competition.
This event is part of Manchester Literature Festival 2017
Book on 0843 208 0500 or

Elif Shafak & Nadeem Aslam
2017-10-15 14:00 - 18:00 | Performance Space
Two gifted, cosmopolitan novelists come together for an evening of boundary-crossing fiction, from Asia to Britain. One of the most widely read writers in her native Turkey, Elif Shafak’s nine acclaimed novels have been translated into 40 languages and include The Architect’s Apprentice, Honour, and The Bastard of Istanbul. She will read and discuss her new novel, Three Daughters of Eve, a sweeping tale of faith, friendship and betrayal set in Istanbul and Oxford, that the Financial Times called ‘an intelligent, fierce and beguiling read’. Nadeem Aslam is the author of award-winning novels including Season of the Rainbirds, Maps for Lost Lovers and The Blind Man’s Garden. His new book, The Golden Legend, is the brave and searingly beautiful story of a Pakistan community consumed by religious intolerance, and a new love searching for a place to blossom in the wreckage of violence. The Guardian called it ‘exhilarating … an exquisite, painful book.’ This event is presented in partnership with Karachi Literature Festival.
This event will be BSL interpreted
Part of Manchester Literature Festival 2017
Book on 0843 208 0500 or

Family Reading Day
2017-10-14 10:00 - 16:30
A day bursting with family fun featuring CBeebies stars Ben Faulks (Mr Bloom) and Michael de Souza (Rastamouse), a draw along with Ed Vere (author of Mr Big and Max the Brave), a Kitchen Disco and a Bathroom Boogie. There’s also a Children’s Bookswap and lots of free craft activities.
This event is part of Manchester Literature Festival 2017
Book on 0843 208 0500 or

Renni Eddo-Lodge
2017-10-13 18:30 - 20:00 | Performance Space
Join Reni Eddo-Lodge for a discussion about her critically acclaimed book, Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race – an urgent and powerful analysis of race in Modern Britain from one of the country’s most inspiring young journalists.
Taking its title from the viral blog post that voiced the frustrations of so many and changed the conversation about race in the media, Reni’s book creates a new framework for how to see, acknowledge and counter racism. In it, she explores everything from the erasure of black history to the political purpose of white dominance; from the whitewashing of feminism to the link between class and race. An award-winning writer, Reni has written for publications including The New York Times, the Guardian, Dazed and Confused and the hit anthology The Good Immigrant.
‘Blistering… Absolutely vital reading from one of the most exciting voices in Britain. A stunningly important book’ Paris Lees
Hosted by Matthew Xia.
This event is part of Manchester Literature Festival 2017
Book on 0843 208 0500 or

Harriet Harman
2017-10-12 18:30 - 20:00 | Performance Space
THIS EVENT IS FULLY BOOKED
When Harriet Harman entered politics, a woman couldn’t sign for a mortgage and jobs were advertised at a lower ‘woman’s rate’. We’ve come a long way since then, but as Harriet shows in her new book, we have longer still to go. Join us for a searching and intimate conversation with the leading Labour Party MP about her 30 years in politics and her engrossing new memoir, A Woman’s Work.
It recalls her many challenging experiences as a working mother serving in Britain’s tradition-bound Parliamentary culture, her work reforming laws on maternity rights, childcare and domestic violence, and her continuing fight to get more women into government as Britain’s longest continuously serving female MP. Harriet will be in conversation with host Sarfraz Manzoor.
This event will be BSL interpreted

Alan Hollinghurst
2017-10-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Performance Space
In 1940 Evert Dax and David Sparsholt, two men from very different backgrounds, are thrown together at Oxford University, amid the fear and recklessness of war. In Alan Hollinghurst’s long-awaited new novel, The Sparsholt Affair, we follow the two through the decades as fashions change and their country is transformed around them, ending in a contemporary London of new ideas. It’s a masterly novel about sexuality, art, intimacy and family secrets from one of our most gifted writers of fiction.
Alan’s previous novels include The Line of Beauty, The Swimming Pool Library and The Stranger’s Child, and his awards include The Man Booker Prize, the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and the Somerset Maugham Award. He will be in conversation with MLF Patron and Observer critic Rachel Cooke.
This event is part of Manchester Literature Festival 2017
Book on 0843 208 0500 or

In Person: World Poets Film Screening
2017-10-11 13:00 - 15:00 | Performance Space
To celebrate the publication of the new Bloodaxe DVD-anthology, In Person: World Poets, we are delighted to present a special film screening featuring some of the most extraordinary contemporary poets from across the globe, including Robert Adamson, Tishani Doshi, Roy Fisher, Choman Hardi, Jaan Kaplinski, Nikola Madzirov, Ruth Stone, Arundhathi Subramaniam, Brian Turner and Chase Twichell.
T.S. Eliot once described poetry as ‘one person talking to another.’ These intimate films, recorded and edited by Pamela Robertson-Pearce and Neil Astley in the poets’ own homes and at festivals around the world, demonstrate the importance and joy of hearing poems read aloud in the poet’s own voice. What better way to spend your lunch time than communing with poets? The event will be introduced by Bloodaxe editor Neil Astley and you will be able to buy copies of the anthology and enjoy many more hours of poet to reader footage at home. The event will be introduced by Bloodaxe editor Neil Astley and filmmaker Pamela Robertson-Pearce.
This event is part of Manchester Literature Festival 2017
Tickets are free but booking is advised (donations welcome on the door)
Book on 0843 208 0500 or

Will Self
2017-10-10 18:30 - 20:00 | Performance Space
THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED
A sharp-eyed, merciless commentator on modern times and modern mores, from the sublime to the ridiculous – no one writes quite like Will Self. Join us for a conversation with the cult author, broadcaster and critic about his new novel, Phone, a wildly funny send-up of contemporary British life. Through the chronicles of Jonathan De’Ath, aka ‘The Butcher’, Will takes aim at technology, public identities and the military industrial complex, in his own inimitable prose.
A prolific and celebrated journalist and author of both nonfiction and fiction, his previous books include Umbrella (shortlisted for The Man Booker Prize), Shark, and The Book of Dave. Hosted by Alex Clark.
This event is part of Manchester Literature Festival 2017

Portrait Youth Exhibition
2017-10-10 08:00 - 2017-11-30 17:00 | Wolfson Reading Room
Manchester Metropolitan University’s Manchester Fashion Institute is involved in an exciting new project that explores the individual and civic identities of Greater Manchester’s young people through style, fashion and dress.
Academics Jo Jenkinson, John Earnshaw and Zoë Hitchen have been working with young people to establish how clothing can be used as a catalyst for self-awareness and personal expression, capturing portraits of each participants’ identity.
Photographs from the Portrait Youth project will on display at an exhibition at Manchester Central Library, opening on Monday 9th October, as part of the Design Manchester DM17 festival.
The exhibition features portraits of 14 members of the Manchester Youth Council (MYC) who attended interactive workshops hosted by the University in February. MYC were the first group to be photographed for the project. Participants were asked to style themselves using their own clothing or artefacts in a way that represented their identities and to reflect upon, and articulate, their current, past and future selves.
Supported by Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

Roddy Doyle
2017-10-08 19:00 - 21:00 | Performance Space
THIS EVENT IS FULLY BOOKED
Join us for an intimate evening with one of Ireland’s best-loved writers, Roddy Doyle, discussing his books, his films, and his forthcoming novel, Smile. It tells the captivating story of Victor Forde, for whom a chance meeting in a pub conjures up long-buried childhood memories – and it’s a book about how we all struggle to accommodate our past selves.
Roddy is the author of eleven novels for adults including Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha (winner of The Man Booker Prize), The Barrytown Trilogy, and The Woman Who Walked Into Doors, as well as eight books for children and many short stories, plays and screenplays. His book The Commitments was adapted into a hit film in 1991. Roddy will be in conversation with host Alex Clark.
This event will be BSL interpreted
This event is part of Manchester Literature Festival 2017

Asha Lul Mohamud Yusuf & Clare Pollard: The Sea-Migrations
2017-10-07 15:30 - 17:00 | Performance Space
Asha Lul Mohamud Yusuf is fast emerging as one of the most outstanding Somali poets. Although she has lived in exile in the UK for twenty years, through recordings, TV and the internet, her poems are well known among Somalis both at home and abroad. A powerful woman poet in a literary tradition still largely dominated by men, Asha is a master of the major Somali poetic forms, including the prestigious gabay which presents compelling arguments with mesmerising feats of alliteration. However, while her poems are classical in construction they are unmistakeably contemporary, engaging passionately with the themes of war and displacement that have touched the lives of an entire generation of Somalis.
Asha reads alongside leading poet Clare Pollard, who shares her brand-new English translations of Asha’s poems. This bilingual reading celebrates the long-standing friendship and collaboration between these two poets, and marks the publication of The Sea-Migrations.
This event is part of Manchester Literature Festival 2017
Tickets are free but booking is advised (donations welcome on the door)
Book on 0843 208 0500 or

Diwali lantern making workshops
2017-10-07 00:00 - 2017-10-14 00:00 | Performance Space
Light up your Saturdays in October – take part in the Diwali lantern parade.
Celebrate Dashehra Diwali Mela at our family lantern making workshops. Everyone at the workshops can take part in the main procession on Saturday 14 October.
The procession will lead into the spectacular finale performance and firework display in Albert Square. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this exciting event.
The workshops are free but bookable, and are specifically for people who can take part in the Diwali Lantern Parade on the evening of Saturday 14 October. Please only book a ticket if you can attend the parade.

Shirley Baker: Airport '87
2017-10-05 09:00 - 2018-01-06 17:00 | First Floor Exhibition Hall
A poignant look back at at Manchester Airport as seen through the lens of acclaimed photographer Shirley Baker, thirty years ago, having spent a day at the airport in 1987 capturing the experiences of passengers using the airport. The exhibition includes photos chosen by the public and Manchester Airport staff. As well as capturing various areas of the airport, Baker’s photographs also show how people passed the time before a flight by playing cards and board games – a far cry from smart phones, tablets and kindles! The style of passengers is also brought into focus with big hair and plenty of shell suits on show.
Born in Salford, Baker was famed for her street photography of working class inner-city areas. The photos of Manchester Airport were discovered in the archives at Central Library. They explore work created after Shirley Baker was approached by the Documentary Photography Archive (DPA), who were seeking to commission photographers to grow their collection of contemporary work.
It marks three decades since the photos were taken and visitors will also get to see what the next 30 years at Manchester Airport will look like.The airport’s famous chandeliers that used to hang in Terminal 1 also make an appearance, along with people smoking indoors and purchasing Cinzano in duty free!
The exhibition comes as the airport is embarking on its £1bn investment programme that will transform the passenger experience. As part of the exhibition a number of old photos have been blended with CGIs of how the new terminal building will look in its place. Visitors will also be able to find out more about the developments that will see Terminal 2 more than double in size.
All the images are held by the Archives+ Centre at Central Library and the full commission can be viewed at www.flickr.com/gp/manchesterarchiveplus/n964Z4
This exhibition is kindly supported by Manchester Airport

Celebrate 'Older People's Day' at Swing Time!
2017-09-30 14:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Think you know your Lindy Hop from your Charleston or your Slow Drag from your St Louis Shag?
We’re celebrating Older People’s Day with a smooth afternoon of jazz classics featuring the fabulous Rachel Rogers and the Swing Kings!!

The afternoon also includes welcome mocktails on arrival and interval treats of tea, coffee and cakes for everyone!
This is a free event and all ages are welcome to join the fun, but tickets are limited. Please call 0161 234 1932 asap to book tickets.

Henry Normal - 'Raining Upwards' Book Launch
2017-09-29 18:00 - 20:00 | Performance Space
Henry Normal is a writer, poet, TV and film producer, founder of the Manchester Poetry Festival (now the Manchester Literature Festival) and co-founder of the Nottingham Poetry Festival. In June 2017 he was honoured with a special BAFTA for services to television.
Raining Upwards is Henry’s first all new poetry collection in over twenty years. The poems explore relationships with science, nature, humanity and other vital matters we are usually too busy to think about.
Henry co-wrote and script edited the multi-award winning Mrs Merton Show and the spin-off series Mrs Merton and Malcolm. He also co-created and co-wrote the first series of The Royle Family. With Steve Coogan, he co-wrote the BAFTA-winning Paul and Pauline Calf Video Diaries,Coogan’s Run, Tony Ferrino, Doctor Terrible, all of Steve’s live tours, and the film The Parole Officer. Setting up Baby Cow Productions Ltd in 1999, Henry Executive Produced all, and script edited many, of the shows of its seventeen and a half year output during his tenure as MD. Highlights of the Baby Cow output during this time include Oscar-nominated Philomena, Gavin and Stacey, I Believe in Miracles, Moone Boy,The Mighty Boosh, Marion and Geoff, Red Dwarf, Uncle, Nighty Night,Hunderby, Camping and Alan Partridge. Since retiring in April 2016, Henry has written and performed two BBC Radio 4 shows, A Normal Family and A Normal Life, combining comedy, poetry and stories about bringing up his autistic son. He was recently given a Honorary Doctorate of letters by Nottingham Trent University and has also had a beer named after him in Nottingham.
Adult poetry, published in paperback and eBook by Flapjack Press.
No need to book. Everybody welcome.
www.flapjackpress.co.uk

It was 50 Years Ago Today - Scratch choir & concert
2017-09-23 09:30 - 16:30 | Performance Space
Join a choir for the day, to rehearse and perform a selection of songs from the ground breaking Beatles’ album Sgt. Pepper plus other well-known songs from the era. As a choir, you will learn distributed material from scratch, rehearsed during the day by choral director Eleanor Mottershead with piano accompaniment from Tim Mottershead – and you will perform to a live audience later the same day!
Morning rehearsal: 9.30-12
Afternoon rehearsal: 12.45-3.15
Concert: 3.30-4.30ish
Full price: £22.50 (early bird discount) £25 on the day
Concession: £18 (early bird discount) £20 on the day
Additional siblings: £15 (early bird discount) £18 on the day
Informal enquiries: timmottersheadpiano@gmail.com 01457 856530
The final performance will be free for everyone to enjoy.

Alison Light Public Lecture: 'Family History for a Floating World'
2017-09-21 17:00 - 20:00
Alison Light, author of Common People, will be talking about family history and genealogy. Alison will be reflecting on the work she did for her own family history, published as the acclaimed book Common People.
Talk starts at 5.30pm
This event is sponsored by Ancestry.com and is part of a two-day event considering International Family History
Free – but please register for a ticket

Reading is Important: Get a Life! by Vivienne Westwood
2017-09-18 19:00 - 20:30 | Performance Space
A celebration of books

For fashion designer, environmentalist and businesswoman Vivienne Westwood, books have always been among her great loves. At this special event she shares her passion for reading and the inspiration it can bring to all, with selections from some of her favourites.
This free event is broadcast live from the British Library in London to libraries across the UK.
You can register for free tickets to the live screening here

Shared History, Shared Future: 70 Years of UK and Pakistan Relations
2017-09-15 09:00 - 2018-01-06 17:00 | Virtual Archive, Ground Floor
2017 is a landmark year for Pakistan, the nation turned 70 and the British High Commission marked this anniversary by showcasing important milestones, human stories, and the bonds which exist between the UK and Pakistan. The UK and Pakistan share a past and are striving together to pave the way for a shared future as well. The British High Commission commissioned photojournalist Sara Farid for a month to go on a journey across Pakistan taking pictures which fall under this campaign. This exhibition contains her work along with the winning photograph, runner up and a few more from the 70thAnniversary Photo Competition which ran nationwide in Pakistan.
Please note: this is a digital format exhibition; the phsyical format is at Longsight Library until 6 January 2018

Family Sunday Funday
2017-09-10 12:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Grab your nearest and dearest, put on your dancing shoes and join us as we celebrate with free family fun.
Heritage Open Days – as part of this festival we are offering two behind-the-scenes tours. Find out how the North West Film Archive is saving the region’s filmed heritage and see their conservation and storage facilities. You can also join us on a family tour of Central Library. Book on the day.
Manchester Family Arts invite you to get creative with them. Create a memory map with Z-Arts, start your family scrapbook with Manchester Museum or enjoy a storytime with Grandad.
Do some Dad dancing at a disco with a difference! Pick up a pair of headphones, select your favourite channel and get dancing in our family-friendly silent disco. Singing along loudly to your favourite tune is optional!

Word Central: Open Mic Night
2017-09-06 18:00 - 20:00
WORD CENTRAL
a semaphore-exploding mind-flow
open mic poetry & spoken word hosted by Tony Curry
Wednesday 6th September
Manchester Central Library
6pm – 8pm [doors open 5.30pm]
Free entry
To get your name on the September reserve list please email mail@flapjackpress.co.uk
[NB Open mic slots are 4 minutes maximum]

Vaudavillain by Thick Richard
2017-09-05 18:00 - 20:00 | Performance Space
Author performance and book signing. With special guest Dave Viney.
Thick Richard has been peddling his potty-mouthed poetry since the turn of the century. He has supported John Cooper Clarke, Kate Tempest, Arthur Smith and The Fall, performed on BBC Radio 4 and presented Radio 6 Music’s Beat of the Day. His one-man show Swear School premiered in 2016, before touring nationally.
Vaudavillain is the first time his words have been securely trapped in a book.
Adult poetry, published in paperback and eBook by Flapjack Press.
www.flapjackpress.co.uk

Build a Noise Machine Workshop
2017-08-31 10:30 - 15:30 | Performance Space
Learn to build your own noise machine and explore graphical sound and performance.
Our Noise Machines are electronic musical instruments based on analogue synthesizer circuitry that respond to changes in light via a light sensor interface. Our DIY Kits are simple oscillator circuits with a light sensor that will introduce you to electronics and circuit building and the principle of working with light to create sound.
Morning session: BUILD A NOISE MACHINE 10:30 – 12:30
Using our new ‘DIY Noise Machine Kits’, build your own mini synthesizer with light sensor. Learn about electronic components, and how to make a fully working circuit. The kits respond to changes in light, once the circuits are built, you can play your new instruments.
Afternoon session: GRAPHICAL SOUND AND PERFORMANCE 13:30 – 15:30
Explore the principles of graphical sound, creating paper scores inspired by drawings thinking about pattern, visual rhythms and the sonic output of visual shapes. Using turntables and light Theremin circuits play, collaborate and listen to your paper scores in a live demo.
This workshop is open to everyone and is suitable for children aged 12+
This workshop is delivered on behalf of the Big Ideas Generators project by Noise Orchestra
Come and join in the fun with Noise Orchestra and make some noise!

Retro Silent Disco!
2017-08-19 19:00 | Performance Space
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND
The brilliant DJ John Ryan (Max 80s digital radio, Girls on Film, Gaydio) will be returning to Central Library again after the success of our first silent disco earlier this year.
Grab your headphones and get ready to flip between three brilliant mixes guaranteed to get you shakin your groove thang!
Central Library just got that little more fabulous!
£3 Entry
DOORS OPEN 7PM TO MIDNIGHT

Kids TV Special Vol.2: Cartoon Network
2017-08-19 10:00 - 13:00
Pilot Light TV Festival Presents Saturday Morning Kids TV Special Vol.2: Cartoon Network. After their first super successful Saturday Morning Kids TV event back in January, Pilot Light TV Festival are very excited to be back with another instalment! This time around they will be focusing on the retro, surreal, hilarious and classic output of CARTOON NETWORK from the 1990s – early 2000s. They can’t wait to share some of their fave Cartoon Network episodes with you, plus some awesome retro adverts & surprises sandwiched between them. All ages welcome.
Doors 10am // First episode starts at 10.30am // Event end 1pm

Saturday Spectacular
2017-08-12 12:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Join us for animal prints and book making fun! Have a go at letterpress printing with images from the archives. Create your own wonderful prints or take part in a book making workshop.
Suitable for families with children aged 12 and under.
Free – just drop in

Gerry Potter presents: The Accidental Splendour of the Splash
2017-08-10 18:00 - 20:00
We are very proud to host the book launch of Gerry Potter’s new collection of poetry and scripts The Accidental Splendour of the Splash at Central Library.
Gerry Potter is a poet, playwright, director, actor, and both creator and destroyer of the infamous gingham diva and queer icon, Chloe Poems. A favourite son of Manchester and his home town Liverpool, he has a reputation for putting his Scouse voice on the line and is strong on poetry and strong on the causes of poetryism.
No need to book, everybody welcome!

An Evening with Grace Victory
2017-08-09 18:30 - 20:00 | Performance Space
Come and hear Grace Victory talk about her new book No Filter.
Award-winning vlogger, TV presenter and body-positive internet queen Grace Victory is well known for her open honesty. Here, in No Filter, she shares her inspirational story and her wealth of advice and experience on problems that all young people face, including topics that are perceived taboo.
Grace will teach you to love your body and to dress for yourself, as well as guiding you through more serious issues including domestic abuse, mental health and other personal battles, all in her honest, warm and sassy way.
Brimming with hilarious anecdotes and no-nonsense advice, the Internet’s Big Sister tells you everything you need to know about accepting yourself and fighting back, in style.
Tickets are £3 and entitle you to event entry. You can then receive £3 off the price of the book on the evening. If you have purchased the book ahead of the event, please bring a WHSmith receipt for proof of purchase
Doors open at 6pm and the Q&A will start at 6.30pm

Polygon Quartet
2017-08-04 15:30 - 16:30 | Performance Space
Tom Thorp’s new ensemble of nimble-fingered, northern talents subverts the roles within the saxophone quartet with experimental composition techniques: energetic and always musical.
Advance: £8.50 (inc 50p bkg fee) / OTD: £10
A Manchester Jazz Festival event
