Library Live

Graham Caveney & Howard Cunnell with Julie Hesmondhalgh
2018-10-14 14:00 - 15:30 UTC
What does it mean to be a man and how is that shaped by adolescence? In his memoir, The Boy with the Perpetual Nervousness, Graham Caveney details his upbringing as a working-class boy in Accrington. His world is changed by the discovery of literature, music and his acceptance to the local Catholic grammar school. At the latter, Graham is abused by the head teacher, and the repercussions affect the rest of his life. In Fathers and Sons, Howard Cunnell looks at the absence of his father and his relationship with his own children, particularly his transgender son. Both writers consider the ways in which men mask their emotions, and the damage this causes. Graham and Howard will be in conversation with actor Julie Hesmondhalgh.

Dashehra Diwali Mela: Lantern making workshops
2018-10-13 11:00 - 16:00 | City Library
Make a fabulous lantern for Dashehra Diwali Mela celebrations at these free family workshops. All those taking part in either workshop will join the main procession onSaturday 20 October, leading into the spectacular finale performance and firework display in Albert Square. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this exciting event!

For families with children aged 7+

Two workshops between 11am-1.30pm and 2-4pm

(Please only book a ticket if you can attend the Diwali Lantern Parade on Saturday 20 October).

Free – booking required

Workshop 1: 11am-1.30pm Book here
Workshop 2: 2-4pm Book here

Family Reading Day
2018-10-13 10:00 - 15:00 | Performance Space
Join us for a day of fictional fun as popular children’s authors, illustrators and performers bring stories to life. Be sure to pack your imagination, and take an unforgettable journey to Moominvalley where everyone is welcome, nature thrives and adventures are plentiful. Join multi-award winning author and illustrator Steve Antony and his lovable character, Mr Panda – read stories together and learn how to draw your own Mr Panda. Celebrate the joy of song and singing in Kid Carpet’s lively, interactive gig containing a unique mix of live music, comedy and ping pong balls.
Judith Kerr’s most famous creation is 50 years old! Come and help us celebrate at our Tiger Tea Party. Z-arts will be providing free art and crafts all day in our Market Place, and we have a special story den where we will be setting the scene for imaginations to run wild!

Booking required – click Book Now for further details

Slay in Your Lane: The Black Girl Bible
2018-10-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Performance Space
You have to see it to be it, so the saying goes. But Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinené were struggling to find awe-inspiring, amazing and relatable black British female role models, because society rarely permits these women to be seen and heard. To remedy this, they wrote Slay in Your Lane: The Black Girl Bible, bringing together the voices and experiences of Black British women in a range of fields, including broadcasting, vlogging, athletics, music, acting, publishing, public relations, fashion, beauty and law. A Book of the Week on BBC Radio 4, Slay in Your Lane has received excellent reviews everywhere from The Observer to Stylist and has been called ‘The Must-Read Book empowering young black women’ by Vogue. Yomi and Elizabeth are here to empower and inspire you with some Black Girl Magic. Hosted by Gemma Cairney, award-winning Radio and Television presenter, broadcaster, activist and author of OPEN: A Toolkit For How Magic and Messed Up Life Can Be.

Carol Ann Duffy, Suzanne Batty & Clare Shaw
2018-10-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Performance Space
Come and celebrate the launch of three of the most anticipated and emotionally charged poetry books of the year. Carol Ann Duffy’s final collection as Poet Laureate, Sincerity, is a frank, disarming and deeply moving exploration of loss and remembrance in their many forms. Carol Ann has received numerous awards for her candid and heartfelt poetry, including the Whitbread, Forward, T S Eliot and PEN Pinter Prizes. Suzanne Batty transforms mental anguish into things of anarchic and sensual beauty in her second full-length collection, States of Happiness, featuring a sequence of poems written in memory of her twin sister, who died of a rare degenerative disease. Clare Shaw’s third collection, Flood, offers an eye-witness account of living through the 2015 flooding of her home town Hebden Bridge, interwoven with more intimate poems chronicling the breakdown of a relationship – themes of loss, destruction and recovery are explored in a language as dangerous and sustaining as water.

There is a Light That Never Goes Out: A photographic celebration of Manchester's rock-music history
2018-10-11 08:00 - 2019-02-22 17:00 | First Floor Exhibition Hall
Rockarchive.com proudly presents a unique exhibition by the UK’s leading music photographers to honour Manchester’s music heritage. From the rise of punk, Factory Records, The Hacienda, the Madchester years and beyond, this exhibition is a retrospective of Manchester’s huge influence and continuing importance on the rock music scene.
Free – please drop in
Image ©: Jill Furmanovsky/rockarchive.com

Mohammed Hanif in Conversation
2018-10-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Performance Space
Q: What do an American pilot who’s crashed in the desert, a teenager full of money-making schemes, and a dog suffering through a very bad day have in common? A: They all narrate the new, hilariously funny novel, Red Birds, by acclaimed author Mohammed Hanif (A Case of Exploding Mangoes). Through the inhabitants of the refugee camp that Major Ellie was supposed to bomb, Mohammed looks at the absurdity of war, specifically considering the tensions between America and the Muslim world. As fifteen-year-old Momo says about the Families Rehabilitation Programme, ‘First they bomb us from the skies, then they work hard to cure our stress’. A journalist, author and playwright, Mohammed was recently awarded the third-highest civilian award of Pakistan, the Sitara-e-Imtiaz. Presented in partnership with the Centre for New Writing.

I’m Torn to Pieces Dear Poet, Come to my Rescue… by Firoozeh Fozouni
2018-10-10 18:00 - 19:00 | City Library
Part of the Journeys Festival International event Ancient Objects, New Writing. Firoozeh Fozouni will perform her work and talk about the project along with members of the Journeys Festival International and Manchester Museum curatorial teams.
Firoozeh was born in Iran and is a Poet, Author, Painter, Visual Artist and Musician. She has published 5 books of poetry – 12 of her books were not allowed to be distributed and sold in Iran. Her poetry has been translated into German, French, Spanish and Chinese.

Take Ten With The Writing Squad
2018-10-10 13:00 - 14:00 | Performance Space
You have ten minutes. Ten minutes to go anywhere you like, with anyone, in any time – the past, the future, in this world, out of this world – where would you go? Open a book and read yourself there, pick up a pen and write yourself away. Stay close to home, enter a different dimension, go anywhere in between. Come and hear journeys in reading and writing by members of The Writing Squad and the brilliant students they have been working with from Manchester Enterprise Academy, St Paul’s Catholic High School and Trinity C of E High School.
This event is supported by Read Manchester, the Granada Foundation and Manchester Guardian Society Charitable Trust.

Tickets are free but booking is advised
(Donations welcome on the door)

Pat Barker: The Silence of the Girls
2018-10-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Performance Space
The tale of Achilles and the Trojan War has been told many times, but what about the stories of the women? In The Silence of the Girls, Pat Barker imagines The Iliad from the perspective of Briseis, the former queen awarded to Achilles as a prize of war. Drawing together the feminist focus of her early novels (Union Street, Blow Your House Down), and the mastery of historical war writing in more recent work (The Regeneration Trilogy), Pat has produced a fierce reclamation of Briseis’s story. She will be in conversation with author and MLF Patron Kamila Shamsie, whose latest novel, Home Fire, is an acclaimed retelling of the Greek play Antigone.
This event will be BSL interpreted

Azita Ghahreman & Maura Dooley
2018-10-08 13:00 - 15:00 | Performance Space
One of Iran’s leading poets, Azita Ghahreman’s work is lyrical and intimate, addressing themes of loss, exile and female desire, as well as the changing face of her country. Her latest collection, Negative of a Group Photograph, brings together three decades of poems brought to life in English by the poet Maura Dooley, working in collaboration with translator Elhum Shakerifar. The poems run the gamut of Azita’s experience: from her childhood in the Khorasan region of south-eastern Iran, to her exile to Sweden; from Iran’s book-burning years and the war in Iraq, to her unexpected encounters with love. At this bilingual event, Azita will read alongside Maura, who will share her English translations of Azita’s poems. This event is presented in partnership with the Poetry Translation Centre.
Tickets are free but booking is advised
(Donations welcome on the door)

Fun Palaces
2018-10-07 12:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
‘Everyone an Artist, Everyone a Scientist’
Come along to the Fun Palace for a day filled with crafts, skills, demonstrations and activities. Listen, watch, take part, share and get inspired!
You’ll find Fun Palaces across the city on Saturday 6 October at:
Fallowfield 10.30-12.30
Wythenshawe Forum 2.00-4.00
North City 12.00-4.00
Longsight 12.00-4.00
funpalaces.co.uk
Free – just drop in

An Evening with Alexander McCall Smith
2018-10-06 19:00 - 21:00 | Performance Space
20 years ago, Precious Ramotswe established The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency in Gabarone, Botswana. The subsequent novels in Alexander McCall Smith’s series became a literary phenomenon, and have since been translated into 46 different languages. A prolific and much-loved writer, Alexander has written and contributed to over 100 books, and his series, 44 Scotland Street, is the longest running serial novel in the world. Alexander is also a lover of tea, travel and fried Marmite sandwiches. We’re delighted that he’s able to fit in a special visit to MLF to discuss his extraordinary career, his unique characters, and his latest Mma Ramotswe adventure, The Colours of All the Cattle. Hosted by critic Alex Clark.

Peterloo: Voices, Sabres and Silence
2018-10-03 18:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Join author Graham Phythian for an evening of readings and music to celebrate the launch of his new book. Graham has drawn extensively on archives, published works, and interviews with descendants of people who were present at Peterloo. He has spent over three years researching the topic, revisiting well known sources – as well as tracking down several less obvious ones – to create a new narrative of the massacre and its aftermath.
Graham is a retired teacher who has a great interest in local history. He has written a local history column for the South Manchester Reporter and is a regular contributor to Soccer History magazine. He is the author of eight books on regional and sport history, including and Manchester at War (2014) and Blitz Britain: Manchester & Salford (2015), both published by The History Press. He lives in Chorlton.
Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event
Free but booking required

How Our Schools Fail Black Children… and what we can do about it
2018-10-02 17:30 - 20:00 | Performance Space
Join the Unison Black Members Committee and the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Relations Resource Centre (AIUC) for a discussion of the past, present and future of the education of black and Asian children in the UK. In recent years we have seen an increase in hate crimes and the Government use of Prevent, targeting Muslim school children. In Britain today Muslims are routinely demonised and their right to express their faith is challenged, a cover that allows discrimination against all black pupils to remain unaddressed. Trade Unionists need to expose such racist agendas while pointing to a very different vision of education encouraging all children to reach their full potential. This is a mission that the AIUC is also committed to. Documenting the historic failures of the UK education system means that we can learn from the past and effect change, empowering young people within the school system. Hear from a range of speakers (details TBC), engage in debate and have your say, browse exhibits from the AIUC, and enjoy informal discussion and refreshments. We look forward to meeting you.

She Wrote Her Own Eulogy - Book Launch
2018-10-01 18:00 - 20:00 | Performance Space
The launch of Shirley May’s first book of poetry, ‘She Wrote Her Own Eulogy’, published by Wrecking Ball Press. Shirley will be sharing some of the poems from her book and discussing it with the audience. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase.
Shirley is the director of Young Identity writing collective, which primarily works with 13-25 year olds. Her own work has been published in a number of anthologies, and she has performed not only locally in the North West but also nationally and internationally, appearing at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York and the Calabash writing festival in Jamaica. ‘She Wrote Her Own Eulogy’ is largely inspired by her family’s history and is a deeply emotional and often lyrical collection.
Free but booking required

Over 50's Line Dance Extravaganza
2018-09-29 14:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
To Celebrate Valuing Older People’s Day, Manchester Libraries and Manchester Prairie Dogs present
A BEGINNERS LINE DANCE EXTRAVAGANZA

Age friendly line dance lessons
County and Western photo booth
Games and quizzes
Refreshments at the Watering Hole

Places are free but limited so please book early by calling 0161 234 1940 or emailing j.kettlety@manchester.gov.uk.

Junior Jam: Movie Music
2018-09-29 10:00 - 12:00 | Children’s Library
Free jam-packed music session for children aged 4-8. Help your little ones develop their musical skills in a fun, friendly and accessible way. Presented by creative music charity Brighter Sound and led by Kabantu – a quintet of award-winning musicians and music educators, known for their infectious rhythms and beautiful melodies from around the globe.
In this session, compose and perform your own Hollywood soundtracks to your favourite films with Katie and Delia!
Two 50-minute sessions at 10am and 11am
For more information contact info@brightersound.com or phone 0161 830 3899
Supported by Youth Music as part of the Alliance for a Musically Inclusive England. The project is made possible by funding from the National Lottery via Arts Council England.
Free – booking required

Connie Glynn presents the Rosewood Chronicles
2018-09-21 18:00 - 20:00
Come and join Connie Glynn for a new term at Rosewood Hall at an event in celebration of Princess In Practice, the hotly-anticipated sequel to Undercover Princess.
Connie will be talking about the world of THE ROSEWOOD CHRONICLES and modern fairy tales, her experiences as an author, and answering your burning questions about the new book. Come along to this intimate event for your opportunity to have an exclusive photo opportunity against the backdrop of Maradova Castle, receive some delicious Rosewood themed confectionary and be entered into a raffle to be sorted into your school house by Connie herself!
This is an exclusive opportunity to meet Connie and get your new copy of the book signed by her. Book now – this event is not to be missed! Tickets 12.99 includes entry and a copy of Undercover Princess (RRP £12.99). *booking fees apply.
Connie Glynn has always loved writing and wrote her first story when she was 6 with her mum at a typewriter acting as the scribe. She had a love from performing stories from a young age and attended Guildhall drama classes as a teenager. This passion for stories has never left her, and Connie recently finishing her degree in Film Theory. It was at university that Connie started her hugely successful YouTube channel Noodlerella (named after her favourite food and favourite Disney princess). Here Connie vlogs about her passions including comics, cartoons, impressions, video games, cosplay and all things cute. Connie has 1m subscribers across her two channels and has over 56 million views. 2016 saw Connie make her first appearance in a cinematic film release as she made a cameo as the voice of Moxie Dewdrop in Dreamworks Trolls.
Terms and Conditions
All tickets include a copy of Connie’s Princess in Practice Alongside the book you will receive on presentation of your ticket, you may bring or purchase ONE additional copy of the book for Connie to sign (additional copies will be available for sale on the day). Connie will sign a maximum of two books per-person Anyone under the age of 14 years must be accompanied by an adult. Any accompanying adults will not require a ticket. Due to time and space limitations each child can only be accompanied by one adult and accompanying adults may not be permitted into the event space. If you have already pre-ordered a book, and don’t want additional copies, we suggest you cancel your pre-order to take advantage of the complimentary book that comes with the event with Connie. You will receive your copy of the book at the venue. A member of staff will be on hand to take a picture of you with Connie. Please ensure that your phone/camera is fully charged on the day and has enough storage No Professional Camera Equipment will be allowed in the venue Please note the event may be filmed, as an attendee you consent to footage of you being used for promotional purposes The store management reserves the right to refuse admission The store management reserves the right to make essential changes to the published programme or casting Tickets cannot be resold or transferred and shall not be purchased or obtained from or through any person, commercial agent, company or otherwise than directly by the applicant from Ticketmaster UK Ltd. Any tickets advertised for sale will be void

An Evening with Deliciously Ella
2018-09-12 18:30 - 20:00 | Performance Space
Ella Mills Woodward’s inspirational, lively writing and delicious recipes have inspired countless people to move towards a plant-based diet. Her fans will find much to savour in her new book, which highlights some of the most popular dishes served in her own deli. We’re delighted to welcome her to discuss her writing and the personal events that have inspired it.
Tickets are £15 including a copy of the book or £5 for admittance only.

The Guilty Feminist
2018-09-07 19:00 - 21:00 | Performance Space
Deborah Frances-White has turned her hit comedy podcast The Guilty Feminist into a funny, joyful, frank and inspiring book about embracing both our feminism and our imperfections. We’re thrilled to welcome Deborah to Manchester Central Library, where she’ll explore live what it means to be a 21st Century Feminist.
The event will be chaired by Katie Popperwell, a freelance arts and culture professional based in Manchester. As a creative producer working across film, music, literature and performance, Katie produces cross-artform projects at HOME, Manchester’s centre for international contemporary art, theatre and film, and across the city. A former journalist, she regularly chairs conversations with high-profile authors, most recently Jennifer Egan and Zadie Smith for Manchester Literature Festival; she has presented the music news on BBC 6Music Radio and written for publications including The Guardian, Stylist Magazine and Creative Times.
Tickets are £20 including a copy of The Guilty Feminist.

Henry Normal - 'This Phantom Breath' Book Launch
2018-09-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Performance Space
‘The Alan Bennett of poetry’ – The Scotsman
‘Dovetails bittersweet poetry with a sublimely observant wit’ – The Guardian
Flapjack Press and Manchester Libraries are proud to host the launch of Henry Normal’s new collection of poetry, ‘This Phantom Breath’.
Written between August 2016 and August 2017, the poems in this collection are concerned with love, death, truth and other distractions.
Henry is co-writer and producer of some of the very biggest hits of British TV and cinema over the past decade and a half. He co-wrote Mrs Merton, The Royle Family and much of Steve Coogan’s early output. He’s produced everything from 24 Hour Party People, to Red Dwarf, Nighty Night and Philomena.
He may be less well-known as a poet, though he is no less esteemed. Influenced by the Liverpool poets; Adrian Mitchell, John Cooper Clarke and ‘ranting’ poets like Steven ‘Seething’ Wells, along with poets on the cabaret circuit like John Hegley, Henry was a stalwart of the performance poetry scene of the 1980s, before he was diverted into TV. He is the founder of the Manchester Poetry Festival (now the Literature festival) and co-founder of the Nottingham Poetry Festival.
Supporting Henry will be Pete Ramskill, Nottingham-based painter / sculptor / designer / poet, reading from his new Flapjack Press collection Selected Moments of Machine Life.
Pete has had two previous books of poems published; Strike and Personal Vendetta (the latter under his pseudonym, John Bitumen). His more recent poems explore love and family relationships whilst there’s still a deeply political edge to works about the world we choose to tolerate.
‘It’s no coincidence that Pete Ramskill is also a stone carver, he brings the same tools to his poetry – a hammer and chisel…’

Julia Davenport: 'Order and Chaos' Book Launch
2018-09-01 14:00 - 16:30 | Performance Space
The poems in this brand new book are about Love, War, Anti-Austerity, Mental Health, Domestic Violence, Murder, Child Abuse, Gender Identity, Race, and Climate Change.
All Book profits are being donated to the mental health charity ‘Mind’.
This collection of poetry is based on and around the themes of Order and Chaos. It has been written from a Socialist standpoint, and as a form of protest to give previously marginalised voices the centre-stage spotlight.
“These honest, raw and uncompromising protest poems … provoke and compel us into reflection.” – Terry Hughes, Edinburgh Fringe First award-winning playwright
“A collection of hard-hitting verses. Order & Chaos is fantastically reflective of chaos whilst calling for order.” – The Nubian Times
“These are poems for today that need not only to be heard but to be acted upon – NOW!” – Naomi Sumner Chan, Creative Director at Brush Stroke Order
“This is strong work, full of life and energy. At times angry and uncompromising … this is poetry that cares, about people, about culture, and about the environment.” – Cathy Bryant, ed. Best of Manchester Poets, vols. 1-3
BOOK LAUNCH WITH AUTHOR READING AND BOOK SIGNING
PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS: Hilary Walker, Amanda Steel, Andy N, and Naomi Sumner Chan.
PUBLISHED BY RAGIEL & GILL PRESS
In association with Manchester Libraries and Librarylivemcr

Manchester Comics and Reading (MCR) Festival
2018-08-18 10:00 - 16:00
We are proud to announce the first Manchester Comics and Reading (MCR) Festival at Central Library!
This is a triple event special. That’s right, three in one day. We have a traditional comic event, an anime / manga showcase and a cosplay event all rolled into one day and venue, but in three very distinct zones. Meet creators, join us for seminars, enjoy our comic trade and celebrate your fandom.
More information to come in the upcoming weeks. If any creators or traders would like to join us for the event please message the event page here.
The team that bought you the Oldham Comic Con are also bringing an amazing range of guest illustrators and writers to the Manchester. Guests already announced include Nick Brokenshire, Ian Richardson and Al Ewing.
Keep up to date at the Manchester Comics and Reading Festival Facebook page.

Family Fun!
2018-08-09 13:00 - 2018-08-31 15:00 | Performance Space
Break out the popcorn and join in the fun for these free family film screenings. Lots to enjoy, including free craft sessions.
Event dates and film classification below:
Thursday 9 August (U)
Friday 10 August (PG)
Tuesday 14 August (U)
Thursday 16 August (U)
Tuesday 21 August (12)
Friday 24 August (PG)
Tuesday 28 August (U)
Friday 31 August (PG)

You Brought Your Own Light
2018-07-26 08:00 - 2018-09-29 17:00 | First Floor Exhibition Hall
A powerful exhibition by Manchester based photographer, Allie Crewe, whose work is “highly rated, sincere, poignant and classical “, Magnum Photography. There is nothing linear about femininity – or what it means to be a woman – in the 21st century. Sex and gender are not limited to the monolithic paradigm of genetics; they are informed by something intangible, and it this essence of the female paradox that makes Allie Crewe’s work as relevant as it is important.

Saturday Spectacular: Bee Amazing...Bee a Reader!
2018-07-21 12:00 - 16:00
An afternoon of free family fun as we get creative with all things Bee inspired. Take a seat, enjoy the animated film, bee crafts and illustration. Join the family Bee a Reader Challenge from Read Manchester and pick up an entry form for our bee themed writing competition for 7-16 year olds. And as if that wasn’t enough, sign up to the Summer Reading Challenge and join thousands of others reading six books or more this summer! Visit readmanchester.org.uk for more information.

Keep the Faith Silent Disco
2018-07-20 20:00 - 23:00
Our favourite DJ John Ryan returns to Central Library with another Retro Silent Disco on Friday 20th July with a special summer treat.
This time you can dance the night away to –
The Best Northern Soul and Motown featuring Gloria Jones, Al Wilson, The Flirtations and all the biggest dance floor fillers.
Made in Manchester Stone Roses, The Smiths, Oasis, Happy Mondays, Joy Division, James, M People and possibly Herman’s Hermits!
Classic Summer Hits time to spice up your life and shake your booty with a celebration of the best 70’s to 00’s pop hits.

Northern Carnival Against the Nazis: 40th Anniversary project launch
2018-07-14 12:00 - 17:00 | Performance Space
The Northern Carnival Against the Nazis – a rally and concert held on 15th July 1978 in Moss Side, Manchester – was a defining moment in establishing anti-racism in the city and beyond. The 15,000 people who marched across town and the 40,000 people who danced in Alexandra Park that day didn’t just make racism no longer respectable. They made it uncool.
To celebrate this pivotal moment in Manchester’s fight against racism, Manchester Digital Music Archive and the Ahmed Iqbal Race Relations Resource Centre have brought together the original organisers of the Carnival for a panel discussion and all-day event exploring its impact and continuing relevance today.
This event will be the official launch of our Heritage Lottery-funded project and exhibition celebrating the Carnival.

Manchester Culture Awards 2018
2018-07-13 08:00 - 2018-07-29 17:00
Seen a performance you really liked in libraries that you could nominate for Manchester’s inaugral culture awards? You can now nominate people, groups and organisations who made culture buzz in Manchester during April 2017 to April 2018. The top three nominees in each category will be invited to a prestigious dinner in November, where the winners will be announced and everyone will have a great night out!
Visit the Culture Awards page for more details and to nominate.
Nominations close Sunday 29 July 2018
