Anne Lister of Shibden Hall, Halifax (1791-1840) was a landowner, scholar and diarist. Her 4-million word journals, partly written in her private code, recorded her lesbian affairs with other women. BBC1’s drama series, Gentleman Jack (spring 2019), opens in 1832. Jill Liddington asks: how could Anne Lister do all she did in 1832?
Making and sharing music is easier than ever thanks to digital technology. But can you make money? Join us and hear from a panel of musicians and music technology experts: Afrodeutsche: the British born Ghanain/Russian/German composer, producer and DJ based in Manchester. Her productions cross a wide range of styles including classical solo piano, techno, […]
Mad Theatre Company and the Delaney (Community) Theatre Group invite you on a funny and poignant journey through the north west’s rich cultural history to the time of the suffragettes and the First World War. This event at Manchester Central Library will feature selected scenes from Moston-based MaD Theatre Company’s original play, It’s the wrong […]
On this day of reflection we will be screening the UK Premier of the film, Who Will Write Our History, which tells the story of historian Emanuel Ringelblum who defied his captors to ensure the Oyneg Shabes archive would survive the war. Performances by young people throughout the afternoon and family activity sessions based around […]
It is the age of total surveillance. Everything you say or do is scrutinised and recorded. Even your innermost thoughts are probed. You cannot be too careful; there are enemies everywhere. This unique immersive performance will plunge you into an authoritarian world where you will learn to identify traitors and expose their thought crimes. This […]
WORD CENTRAL a semaphore-exploding mind-flow open mic poetry & spoken word hosted by Tony Curry With special guest poet Ciarán Hodgers Ciarán is a multi-award-winning spoken word poet from Drogheda, currently touring his debut collection Cosmocartography. He is the Sean Dunne National Young Writer 2010, an International Pangaea Poetry Slam Champion 2015 and the Word […]
Come and welcome in the Year of the Pig at Central Library! Beginning with a Lion Dance at the front of the Library to let the new year in, there will be music and dance performances, and a demonstration of the Chinese Tea Ceremony. Plus we have lots of crafts and activities for you to […]
SORRY, THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT Welcome to our first Drag Queen Bingo Night at Central Library. We are proud to present the fabulous Angel Delight for a practically perfect evening of comedy, fun and frolics. Angel will be your gorgeous host for the evening, that will also feature Mary Poppins as you've never […]
What’s it like to be sixteen years old now? In this exhibition, leading contemporary photographers join forces to present multimedia project, Sixteen, exploring the dreams, hopes and fears of sixteen-year olds across the UK. Photographer Craig Easton conceived this ambitious project following his engagement with sixteen-year olds at the time of the Scottish Referendum. It was the first, and as […]
A chance to meet the artists behind the exhibition and explore their world...A day of workshops, a Q&A and more to celebrate the continuation of See My Dunya: See My World, an exhibition spotlighting the Somali community in Manchester. Through photography, film, music and sculpture; See My Dunya brings to focus the rarely celebrated faces, […]
In preparation for World Book Day on the 7 March, let us help you get your character ideas flowing and costumes started! Come along for inspiration and assistance in designing, cutting and stitching felt masks, headdresses and logos to bring your Gruffalos and Gangsta Grannies to life. Costume Factory sessions will also take place at […]
As part of our celebration of LGBT History Month, join us for a special In Conversation with Christine Burns, hosted by Carl Austin-Behan. Trans people have been on a long journey for recognition and respect. Former campaigner Christine Burns has a lifetime’s experience of that journey and uses it to enable untold stories to be […]
From dedicated performance spaces to stairwells, screens, nooks and domes, Central Library might directly inspire your next event or intervention. Contact us to arrange a tour.
