Library Live

Generation Revolution
2018-10-22 17:30 - 19:30 UTC | Performance Space
Join us for a screening of Generation Revolution, a feature-length documentary film that tells the powerful story of London’s new generation of black and brown activists who are set on changing the social and political landscape in the capital and beyond. The film vividly chronicles the evolution of characters as they experience personal and political awakenings, breakthroughs and, at times, disillusionment. Generation Revolution offers a unique and original glimpse into the rewarding but difficult path that must be trodden in the struggle for personal, social and political liberation.
Generation Revolution is being used as a platform to facilitate discussions about the issues that affect young black and brown communities both in the UK. The screening will be followed by an opportunity to discuss the many issues approached in the film, such as the crises of homelessness, gentrification and racism. This screening is taking place in partnership between the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Relations Resource Centre and the Department of History at the University of Manchester.

A Celebration of Ted Hughes
2018-10-21 19:30 - 21:30 | Performance Space
Frequently ranked as one of the Twentieth Century’s greatest writers, Yorkshire poet Ted Hughes produced a significant body of work, including original poetry and translations. His early poems were rooted in nature, detailing the beauty and violence of the landscape and its animals (The Hawk in the Rain), while later pieces often used or reworked mythology, examining the dark subconscious (Crow). His final collection, Birthday Letters, looked at his relationship with his fellow poet Sylvia Plath. To mark the 20th anniversary of Hughes’s death, we have invited a number of contemporary poets, including Amanda Dalton (Stray, How to Disappear), Zaffar Kunial (Us), Carola Luther (Walking the Animals), Andrew McMillan (Physical) and John McAuliffe (The Way In) to perform some of their favourite poems by the late laureate.

EU Code Week: Robot Chef!
2018-10-20 14:00 - 16:00 | Media Lounge
Come and join us for a very special EU Code Week event! Fresh from their sold-out Edinburgh Fringe run, tech comedy duo Foxdog Studios bring their critically-acclaimed Robot Chef to Manchester Central Library, especially tailored for a junior audience, but adults are more than welcome too!
Join rock ‘n’ roll IT consultants Pete and Lloyd as they celebrate the end of their IT contract in Stoke-on-Trent. Expect more baffling technology, music, and, of course, an augmented reality, audience-controlled robot chef.
This a free event but we expect it to be very busy so arrive early!

Dashehra Diwali Mela: Lantern making workshops
2018-10-20 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
Free – booking required
(Please only book a ticket if you can also attend the Diwali Lantern Parade on Saturday 20 October).

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

Terrance Hayes: American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin
2018-10-19 20:00 - 22:00 | Performance Space
MLF is delighted to welcome one of America’s most exciting and innovative poets, Terrance Hayes – winner of the 2010 National Book Award, and a recipient of a MacArthur ‘Genius Grant’. Terrance will be performing work from his new collection, American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin. Written during the first 200 days of the Trump administration, it is a 70-poem roller-coaster ride through politics, music, life and love; shot through with the vernacular energy of popular culture. Compassionate, witty, melancholy, and rhythmically compelling, American Sonnets shines a blistering spotlight on the dividing lines of race, gender and political oppression, which define the early 21st century. ‘Something happens everywhere in this country,’ Terrance writes. ‘Every day. Someone is praying, someone is prey.’ Join us for what promises to be an extraordinary evening of poetry and conversation. Hosted by Kayo Chingonyi, winner of the 2018 Dylan Thomas Prize.

Victoria Adukwei Bulley, Rachel Long & Momtaza Mehri Filigree: Contemporary Black British Poetry
2018-10-19 18:30 - 20:00 | Performance Space
Inscribe / Peepal Tree, publisher of Caribbean and Black British Literature, invited poets to contemplate the ‘unspoken essential’ and ‘intangible tangible’ for their Filigree collection. We’re delighted to have three of the contributors perform at this special MLF event. Victoria Adukwei Bulley is a British-born Ghanian poet and writer, who recently published the pamphlet, Girl B. A former Barbican Young Poet, her work is bold, ambitious and curious. Rachel Long is a poet, facilitator, and the leader of Octavia, a poetry collective for women of colour at the Southbank Centre. Her playful and moving poems have been published in numerous anthologies, and she is currently working on her first collection. Momtaza Mehri is a Somali-British poet, essayist and editor. She was co-winner of the 2018 Brunel International African Poetry Prize, and her urgent and dynamic poems landed her the role of Young People’s Poet Laureate for London. Join us for an evening celebrating contemporary Black British poetry.

Repeal the 8th with Tara Flynn, Sinéad Gleeson & Una Mullally
2018-10-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Performance Space
Irish women saw a historic victory for their reproductive rights with the repeal of the Eighth Amendment in May 2018. The campaign that preceded it was a grassroots movement led by Irish feminists, who opened up a national conversation by sharing their own stories around abortion. Journalist and editor Una Mullally collected some of the literature, poetry, journalism and art that the movement produced and inspired, for the timely Repeal the 8th anthology published this summer. Una and other contributors to the book, including prominent Irish broadcaster and author Sinéad Gleeson and actor, playwright, comedian and author Tara Flynn, will discuss the #Repealthe8th and #Together4Yes campaigns, the battle over women’s bodies, and the next steps for women’s rights alongside the rise of the #MeToo movement.

Seven Thousand Feet
2018-10-18 08:00 - 2018-11-22 17:00
Marvel at the sight of seven thousand socks hanging high, as artist Christine Wilcox-Baker socks it to diabetes with this epic installation. Every year over seven thousand lower limbs are amputated in the UK due to diabetes. Explore this giant sock sensation along with artworks by Manchester’s ‘Seven thousand feet’ art and science team. Part of Manchester Science Festival there’ll be games to play, art to do and people in the know to meet so you can discover about how we can defeat this condition.
See website for more details: www.manchestersciencefestival.com

BRIT(ish): Afua Hirsch with Nikesh Shukla
2018-10-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Performance Space
Britain is in the grip of an identity crisis. We believe we’re the nation of abolition, but forget we are of slavery. We are convinced fairness is one of our values, but that immigration is one of our problems. We think we are a colour-blind, post-racial society, but we refuse to discuss it. In her acclaimed and controversial debut book BRIT(ish), broadcaster Afua Hirsch explores this crisis, and the inherent contradictions within it. Through her own upbringing in Wimbledon, her partner’s childhood in Tottenham, and the experiences of many other black and multi-heritage Brits, Afua considers personal identity and the aspects of our lives that shape it. Afua will be in conversation with Observer columnist, novelist, and editor of The Good Immigrant, Nikesh Shukla.

Patrick Gale in Conversation
2018-10-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Performance Space
A firm Festival favourite, Patrick Gale is the author of eighteen novels, including the Richard and Judy bestseller Notes from an Exhibition, Rough Music and the Costa-shortlisted A Place Called Winter. His new novel, Take Nothing With You, tells the story of Eustace as he looks back at the childhood cello lessons that transformed his life. While they allow him the freedom to explore his sexuality outside of his stifling home, he’s oblivious to the effect they’re also having on his mother, and the terrible consequences that will follow. We’re thrilled to welcome Patrick to read from and discuss his latest novel with author and MLF Patron Erica Wagner.
This event will be BSL interpreted

Wally Funk’s Race for Space: Wally Funk & Sue Nelson
2018-10-14 16:00 - 17:30 | Performance Space
In 1961, Wally Funk was one of the Mercury 13, the first group of American pilots to pass the ‘Woman in Space’ programme. Her scores in the rigorous mental and physical tests beat many of the male candidates, including John Glenn, the first American to go into orbit. But just one week before Wally was due to enter the final phase of training, the programme was cancelled and none of the Mercury 13 ever flew into space. Undeterred, Wally went on to become one of America’s first female aviation inspectors and civilian flight instructors, but still dreams of becoming an astronaut. The author of Wally Funk’s Race for Space, Sue Nelson is a broadcaster that presents and co-produces the award-winning Space Boffins podcast. Her documentary Women with the Right Stuff was one of the BBC World Service’s most-listened-to podcasts. Sue and Wally will be in conversation with Dr Teresa Anderson, Director at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre.

Graham Caveney & Howard Cunnell with Julie Hesmondhalgh
2018-10-14 14:00 - 15:30
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
