What's on

Exploring Immigration: A Dialogue on Building Our Shared Future

Performance Space

Overview Join us for an illuminating evening of honest conversation about one of the most significant forces shaping our society. As Manchester continues to evolve into an increasingly diverse metropolis, we’re bringing together remarkable community leaders to explore how immigration enriches our city while thoughtfully addressing the challenges of creating a truly integrated society. Tickets […]

Dark Blue World – Czech Film Screening

Performance Space

80 Years of VE Day: Czechoslovak RAF Pilots on Screen and in Real Life. image credit: photo © Biograf Jan Svěrák Please join us for a film screening of Dark Blue World, a 2001 film by Czech director Jan Svěrák, the Academy Award-winning director of Kolya, about Czech pilots who fought for the British Royal […]

Word Central with Dominic Berry

Seminar Suite, Floor Two

Word Central Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word. Doors open 5.40pm and free entry. Hosted by Tony Curry with special guest Dominic Berry. Book your open mic slot from noon on Tuesday 15th April via mail@flapjackpress.co.uk. N.B. Open mic slots are 3 minutes per performer – it is essential that you stay within this timeframe. […]

Kevin Barry

Performance Space

‘A true wonder’ – Max Porter Tom Rourke, poet, doper, drinker is struggling to make a life for himself amongst the Irish migrant workers seeking to make their fortunes in Butte, Montana. Then Polly Gillespie, wife of a mine captain, walks into his life. Sparks fly, the lovers flee West, but will they reach the […]

Recurring

VE Day Archives Handling Sessions

Ground Floor

Join us for a chat and a chance to have a look at some great objects from our archives as we honour the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Free - no need to book - just drop in Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless […]

Mystery International Film Screening May 2025

This event is for individuals aged 15 and over. Welcome to the fourth edition of Manchester Central Library’s International Film Club’s Mystery Screening series. Event Details: Monday 12th May. • Doors open: 17:00 • Introduction to the film: 17:30 • Film starts: 17:40 • Entry: Pay what you can (recommended donation of £3) • Popcorn: […]

Recurring

VE Day Archives Handling Sessions

Ground Floor

Join us for a chat and a chance to have a look at some great objects from our archives as we honour the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Free - no need to book - just drop in Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless […]

Laura Bates

Performance Space

AI-powered technologies are revolutionising our lives and putting women and girls in danger. In her urgent and gripping new book The New Age of Sexism, Laura Bates delves into our future and finds it wanting. From chatbots to sex robots, from deep fakes to the metaverse, Laura examines how existing forms of discrimination, inequality and harassment […]

Recurring

Creative Archive Workshop Series: Rivers, Industrial Heritage, Regeneration

‘So from the river we acquire an idea of human community. That is one of its most salutary features, so deeply imbued that we scarcely notice it.’ (Ackroyd, 2007: 11) Ackroyd P (2007) Thames: Sacred River. London: Vintage. Fiona Brehony invites us to explore relationships to waterways using creative writing and re-sounding exercises using visual, […]

Recurring

Creative Archive Workshop Series: Rivers, Industrial Heritage, Regeneration

‘So from the river we acquire an idea of human community. That is one of its most salutary features, so deeply imbued that we scarcely notice it.’ (Ackroyd, 2007: 11) Ackroyd P (2007) Thames: Sacred River. London: Vintage. Fiona Brehony invites us to explore relationships to waterways using creative writing and re-sounding exercises using visual, […]

VE Day: From Siberia to Bologna – A Polish Odyssey

Performance Space

“Other soldiers were here in transit and had a ‘return ticket’ home. The Poles acted as if they had come home. Why? Because they had no home. Poland had been taken over by Stalin.” Alberto Spadoni, recalling the liberation of Bologna by Polish soldiers on 21 April 1945. Join us for a unique glimpse into the […]