Library Live

The Peterloo Massacre: a talk by Dr Robert Poole
2018-03-10 14:00 - 15:00 UTC
Manchester Libraries are pleased to welcome Dr Robert Poole for a fascinating talk on the Peterloo Massacre as part of the BBC Civilisations Festival.
One of the major interests of Dr Robert Poole is popular protest in the age of reform and industrial revolution 1780s-1850s. He is a leading authority on the subject of Peterloo, Chartism etc. In 2016 he was interviewed by Melvin Bragg on the BBC Radio 4 show ‘The Matter of the North’ exploring the radical movements that sprang from the North. His recently published book “Return to Peterloo” offers new perspectives and crucial new evidence.
Dr Poole will be signing and selling his book – ‘Return to Peterloo’ after the talk.
Supported by Manchester Histories, HLF, National Lottery Players and Manchester City Council.

Both Sides Now: Open Space
2018-03-09 10:30 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Brighter Sound and The Hub UK present Both Sides Now – Open Space: Making gender equality in the music industry a reality… what can we all do?
Both Sides Now is a large-scale initiative taking place across the North of England to support emerging female artists and up-and-coming industry professionals to transform the future of the music industry.
We want to create a growing network, deliver sustainable activity, and affect permanent change around the perception, opportunities and profiling of women in music, from the classroom, to the boardroom, to the stage.
This first ‘Open Space’ event is for anyone with an interest in this conversation – whether male, female, non-binary, cis and trans – to come together and discuss what could make a real difference – whether that’s about role models, motherhood, education, social mobility, policy change or something else entirely.
Unfolding over a series of informal conversations, the agenda will be yours to set. You might want to convene a conversation about something you feel passionately about, or join a conversation kick-started by someone else. More than just a talking shop, our aim is to get things and people moving.
Open Space is a method of facilitation, where participants create and manage their own agenda of discussions around a central theme.
The event is open to everyone, food and drinks will be provided and there will be activities for children.

Votes for Women
2018-03-07 18:30 - 19:30 | Performance Space
In the centenary year commemorating (some) UK women first gaining the vote, learn how Manchester played a major role in the fight. This entertaining and informative illustrated talk covers the campaign tactics of both peaceful suffragists and militant suffragettes, and the often barbaric backlash they endured.
Free talk – please drop in

Inside View: Original and Creative Work by Learners at HMP Manchester
2018-03-05 08:00 - 2018-05-31 17:00 | First Floor Display Cases
An exhibition of creative work produced by learners attending NOVUS Education classes at HMP Manchester. This joint collaboration between Manchester Central Library and NOVUS Education showcases the excellent standard of creative work produced using a limited range of resources.
Free – please drop in

World Book Day Celebration Afternoon
2018-03-03 14:00 - 16:00
A very special afternoon of reading loveliness at Central Library. We will be sharing stories, making crafts, and discovering digital fun using our favourite books to celebrate World Book Day 2018.
Free – please drop in

The Drag Ball: Exposing Manchester's Hidden Past
2018-02-28 18:00 - 19:00 | Performance Space
In September 1880, Detective Jerome Caminada and his Manchester police force raided the Temperance Hall in Hulme. Once inside, they found 47 men and half of them were in women’s clothing. It was an event that shocked both city and country but who were these men and what became of them? Join us for this free talk by PhD student, Tom McGrath.
Free – no need to book

The Section 28 March - 30 Years On
2018-02-19 18:00 - 20:30 | Performance Space
Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Manchester March against Section 28 – still the largest LGBT march in this country. Join us to hear how this event was organised and who spoke and performed at the rally and the concert that followed. See some of the archive items and film footage from the event.
The national march, rally and festival on 20 February 1988 attracted 20,000 people, filling Albert Square outside the Town Hall. In the evening a festival of entertainment took place at the Free Trade Hall.
If you were on the march come and tell us your own story.
Refreshments served.
This event is free but booking is required.

Sunday Funday: Celebrate Chinese New Year
2018-02-18 12:00 - 17:00 | St. Peter's Square, Manchester, M2 5PD, United Kingdom
Join us for a celebration of Chinese arts, crafts and culture on one of our exclusive Sunday openings.
We are celebrating the Year of the Dog. Visit Central Library and you’ll find musicians, storytellers, artists and activities for all the family. Soak up the atmosphere with traditional Chinese music, art and dance.
Take part in an afternoon packed full of Chinese traditions with the Confucius Institute of Manchester University. Join free drop-in workshops, where you can learn about the Chinese arts of paper folding and the tea ceremony.
There will also be free family crafts in the City Library on the Lower Ground Floor. There’s something for everyone – you won’t want to miss it! Drop in throughout the afternoon. All activities are free, no need to book.
Sunday Fundays at Central Library are generously supported by The Oglesby Charitable Trust and Manchester Central Library Development Trust.

QUEER CONTACT '18: Drag Queen Storytime
2018-02-17 14:00 - 15:00
Storytime doesn’t get more glamorous than this!
Manchester Libraries are proud to be working with Queer Contact and The Family Gorgeous to present their first Drag Queen Storytime at Central Library.
Drag Queen Storytime is exactly what it sounds like, drag queens reading stories to children in libraries. The aim is to capture the freedom of childhood and give children positive, gender fluid and unabashedly queer role models in a world where people can present as they wish, where dress up is real.

We Built This City: Retro Silent Disco Returns!
2018-02-16 20:00 - 2018-02-17 00:00 | Performance Space
You don’t need Romeo and Juliet in your life to enjoy our silent disco crazy crazy nights! Just grab your handbags and gladrags and discover a reason to believe. Whether you are an owner of a lonely heart searching for the power of love or a piano man desperate to fly away on a runaway train we’ll find the perfect song for you. Heaven is a place on earth. Oh yeah!
We can now announce that due to popular demand there will be a channel dedicated to ROCK BALLADS!
Our favourite DJ John Ryan from RETRO SILENT DISCO will be here to make your disco dreams come true.
Bar open till midnight.

QUEER CONTACT '18 Outspoken
2018-02-14 18:30 - 20:00
Prose, poetry and spoken word from an all-female line-up of Outspoken voices.
Afshan D’souza-Lodhi hosts, with readings from Seni Seneviratne, Jackie Hagan, Mandla Rae and Louise Wallwein.
Plus new work from Superbia’s Manchester Chapbook project.

Women’s Words on Manchester
2018-02-14 08:00 - 2018-04-27 17:00 | Wolfson Reading Room
Women’s Words is a joint project between Manchester Libraries, Pankhurst Centre, Soroptimist International Manchester and Wordplay Community Arts. It captures a moment in Manchester’s history. One hundred years on from the Suffragette movement, born here in our city, Women’s Words gives voice to untold stories from women in Manchester in 2018
Free – please drop in

Fat Roland at Word Central
2018-02-07 18:00 - 20:00 | Performance Space
WORD CENTRAL
A semaphore-exploding mind-flow open mic poetry & spoken word hosted by Tony Curry.
February’s special guest poet is Fat Roland!
Fat Roland has been likened to “Johnny Vegas devouring Sam Simmons… on a rollercoaster… driven by a depressed buffalo”. He is champion of Literary Death Match Manchester and co-runs Bad Language, voted the UK’s best spoken word night two years in a row. He recently won a Developed With The Lowry commission to write a new show, which probably won’t include rollercoasters or buffalo.
The open mic is now full. To get your name on the reserve list email mail@flapjackpress.co.uk
NB Open mic slots are 3 minutes maximum.

Made In Manchester: Funny Business - how to make it in the Comedy industry
2018-01-24 18:00 - 20:00 | Performance Space
Comedy is big business these days.
Hear from our experienced panel as they give a unique insight into the many facets of the world of Comedy; from Performing, Writing, Promoting and breaking into TV and Radio. Find how you can make a living in an often precarious career.
Henry Normal
Henry is a writer, poet, TV and film producer. As co-founder of the incredibly successful Baby Cow Productions, hIs many credits include Gavin and Stacey, Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa and Philomena. In June 2017 he was honoured with a special BAFTA for services to television.
Justin Moorhouse
Justin is a stand-up comedian, radio DJ and actor. He appeared in Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights, Looking for Eric and Guess The Attendance. He has written and appeared in his own BBC Radio 4 sitcom Everyone Quite Likes Justin and tours regularly.
Hazel O’Keefe, Dulcet Sounds
Hazel is the founder of Dulcet Sounds, Laughing Cows Comedy, Club Feminista, The Women in Comedy Festival and is the catalyst for many other projects. A full time self employed consultant, event manager, curator and promotor, who is value and principle driven. Her work was recognised by Manchester City Council who awarded her ‘Women of Arts and Culture‘, commended by Northern Power Women and awarded comedy business of the year by the Northern Soul awards.
Moderated by Martyn Walsh from the Inspiral Carpets and Creative Industries Guru in Residence at the Business & IP Centre Manchester
Made In Manchester is a new series of panel events discussing the business aspects of the creative industries in the city.

Stories of Sacrifice
2018-01-23 08:00 - 2018-03-31 17:00 | Lower Ground Floor Exhibition Space
From recruitment to burial, this exhibition developed by the British Muslim Heritage Centre and part funded by the Community Covenant, gives an insight into the selfless sacrifice of Muslim soldiers, who valiantly fought for the freedoms and privileges that we take for granted in Great Britain today.
Free – please drop in

The Danger Tree – An Augmented Reality Experience
2018-01-15 09:00 - 2018-03-31 20:00 | First Floor Exhibition Hall
Scarlett Raven and Marc Marot are acknowledged to be amongst the world’s first augmented reality fine artists. The Danger Tree exhibition, visually brought to life by award-winning film set designer Kave Quinn, evokes the devastation of WWI while the narratives behind each painting tell the stories of those lost and lamented, but never forgotten.
Raven is the first oil painter to work in the world of augmented reality: using a smartphone app, visitors to the exhibition can reveal the creative journey behind each artwork with animation, music and poetry, read by actors including Sean Bean and Vicky McClure, superimposed on the artworks.
This is a free exhibition, and iPads and headphones will be provided for visitors to participate in the full AR experience.
Free – please drop in

WORD CENTRAL: Open Mic and Spoken Word Night
2018-01-04 18:00 - 20:00
Manchester Libraries and Flapjack Press present:
WORD CENTRAL
a semaphore-exploding mind-flow. Open mic poetry & spoken word hosted by Tony Curry
Featuring special guest poet Potting Shed Pete.
The open mic line up is now complete.To get on the reserve list please email mail@flapjackpress.co.uk
NB Open mic slots are 3 minutes maximum
Further Word Central dates for your diary –
Wed 7th February
Thurs 1st March
Thurs 5th April
Wed 2nd May
Wed 6th June
Thurs 5th July
Thurs 2nd August
Thurs 6th September
Thurs 4th October
Thurs 1st November
Thurs 6th December

The Crimson Pioneers
2017-12-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Performance Space
Join us for the premiere of new sci-fi adventure The Crimson Pioneers made by the Manchester Indie Film Makers Group, based at Central Library.
Synopsis: The first generation of ‘Crimson Pioneers’ have started to make Mars their new home. When all seems to be going to plan the unexpected happens and throws everything into chaos.
Doors: 6pm

A Dinner Engagement - Manchester Opera Ensemble
2017-12-19 18:30 - 2017-12-20 20:00 | Performance Space
Manchester Opera Ensemble return to Central Library on 19th and 20th December to present a new production of British composer Lennox Berkeley’s farce, A Dinner Engagement. Set in a Greater Manchester family home during the run up to Christmas dinner this production promises beautiful sounds, sights, smells and of course, a pinch of disaster. The production is directed by ALRA trained actor Charlotte Broadbent and directed by Ewan Gilford, currently working on the music staff at Northern Ballet.
Tickets

Yellow £15 – A yellow ticket affords you one of the best seats in the house, with close up views of the performers and a front row seat to watch the mayhem unfold
Green £12 – Our green tickets affords you a seat with an excellent view of the action, but slightly further back from the action.
Pink £9 – Our pink tickets sometimes offer a restricted view, but with the theatre in the round, you certainly won’t miss out on the immersive experience that the theatre offers.

IMPORTANT:
Event starts at 6.30pm prompt. Doors close at 6.25pm

Christmas Extravaganza
2017-12-16 09:30 - 16:00
Get your festive season underway with our annual family extravaganza. Listen to a fantastic line-up of local choirs and bands and enjoy a mince pie with us. Create your own Christmas crafts. There will be performances and activities galore and Father Christmas will be here!
For full details visit archivesplus.org

Feeling Sound: Evelyn Glennie in Conversation with Colin Blakemore
2017-12-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Seminar Suite, Floor Two
A LIVE SCREENING FROM THE BRITISH LIBRARY
Think hearing is just sound waves hitting your ear drums? Think again.

Percussionist Evelyn Glennie’s unique connection to her music comes from having lost almost all of her hearing by the age of 12. She joins neuroscientist Colin Blakemore to discuss how we can all really listen.
This event was conceived by and first presented at Cheltenham Science Festival 2017. It will be subtitled by Stagetext.
Part of a Season of Sound, celebrating the Library’s sound archive. Audio installation supplied by Bowers & Wilkins.
Tickets are free but booking is advised.

Project M and Introduction X Launch
2017-12-14 18:00 - 19:45 | Performance Space
Come and celebrate the launch of Introduction X, The Poetry Business New Poets anthology.
Introduction X is a gathering of outstanding poets at an early stage in their writing careers. Apart from this ‘newness’, and talent, and what W S Graham would call ‘the rarer gift of application’, what these writers happen to have in common is that at some point The Poetry Business has been fortunate enough to encounter them – either through residential courses, The New Poets Prize, or workshops and mentoring schemes, such as The Writing Squad.
Readers will include Northern Writers Award Winner Jasmine Simms, Now Then’s Word LIfe Editor Elizabeth Gibson, Foyles Young Poet of the Year Fielding Ronshaugen, and Gregory Kearns who was Highly Commended in this year’s Poetry Business New Poet Awards.
Project M is a workshop of writers aged 17-21 run by The Writing Squad and Manchester Literature Festival. Over the last year they have been meeting monthly with Squad writers James Varney and Lenni Sanders. They will share some of their work as a curtain raiser to the Introduction X anthology.

Black Christmas
2017-12-11 18:20 - 20:00 | Performance Space
Join our friends Grimm up North, as they present the classic 1974 christmas slasher movie, Black Christmas!
It’s time for the Christmas break, and the sorority sisters make plans for the holiday, but the strange anonymous phone calls are beginning to put them on edge. When Clare disappears, they contact the police, who don’t express much concern. Meanwhile Jess is planning to get an abortion, but boyfriend Peter is very much against it. The police finally begin to get concerned when a 13-year-old girl is found dead in the park. They set up a wiretap to the sorority house, but is it too late?
Grimm Up North have partnered with 101 Films to bring you this very special screening, celebrating the recent Blu-ray re-mastered release (first time in the UK!) of this classic shocker starring Olivia Hussey, Keir Dullea, John Saxon and Margot Kidder.
Complimentary mince pies will be on offer throughout the evening and attendees will also be in with a chance of winning a brand new copy of the film on blu-ray, just by showing up for the screening. There will also be some bargain christmas stocking fillers, Grimmfest t-shirts, posters & horror DVDs available to buy at knock down prices.
Strictly 18+ years only
Doors: 5.50pm
Film starts: 6.20pm (prompt)

Sunday Funday: Enter the Magical Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
2017-12-10 12:00 - 16:00
Calling all Witches, Wizards and Muggles.
You are invited to enter a magical wizarding world at Central Library!
This Harry Potter inspired event includes:
The Battle of the Wizards All is not what it seems as a Deatheater, an agent of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, has been seen stalking the library. Fearing that Voldemort has returned and is trying to steal a powerful magical artefact, Professor Dumbledore summons Harry Potter, the boy who lived, to his side. Together they must outwit, out-duel and outsmart the devious Lucius Malfoy before it’s too late. Featuring action, excitement and comedy, this show is sure to bring a little magic to any Harry Potter fan’s day.
The Sorting Hat Dare you be sorted by the Sorting Hat? Will you be a Hufflepuff, or do you think that Slytherin is the right house for your skills?
Hagrid’s Magical Games join Hogwarts’ groundskeeper as he teaches pupils of all ages some of the tricks he’s learned but, of course, he’s strictly forbidden from performing magic outside Hogwarts!
Magical Crafts and Activities including the chance to make your own house badge, broomstick, magic wand or golden snitch. Plus face painting, green screen animation and wizard selfies!
During the event you will also get the opportunity to meet various characters from the stories. Including –
Harry Potter
Albus Dumbledore
Professor Snape
Professor Trelawney
Rubeus Hagrid
Professor McGonagall
Professor Sprout
and Lucius Malfoy!
This is a free drop in event for fans of all ages. We aim to offer activities and crafts to as many people as possible, but please be aware that places and materials are limited.

ALWAYS REMEMBER THE SCHOOL MOTTO:
NEVER TICKLE A SLEEPING DRAGON!

Seeing Daylight – a film portrait of Dorothy Bohm
2017-12-09 14:00 - 15:30 | Performance Space
Join us for a special preview screening of ‘Seeing Daylight’, a film portrait of Dorothy Bohm, one of Britain’s finest street photographers. With contributions from friends and family, and reflections from Dorothy as – still active at 92 – she looks back at her most important images and revisits the places where it all started. Produced by Unity House, this 45 minute film is followed by a 30 minute Q&A with Monica Bohm-Duchen (Dorothy’s daughter) and producer/director Richard Shaw.
Raised in Königsberg (present-day Kaliningrad) in 1924, Dorothy came of age in the shadow of Nazism. Climbing on board the last train escaping invading forces, Dorothy’s beloved father gave her the only thing he had with him – his Leica camera – with the parting words: ‘You might be able to use this’. Dorothy would not see her family again for another two decades. In that time, she would study photography in Manchester, England and go on to capture a world recovering from war in a series of astounding exhibitions and books. Influenced by close friend André Kertész, Dorothy began to experiment with Polaroids in the 1980s, as the world of colour photography opened up new possibilities.

Word Central - Open Mic Night
2017-12-07 18:00 - 20:00
A CHRISTMAS WORD CENTRAL
a semaphore-exploding mind-flow
open mic poetry & spoken word hosted by Tony Curry.
6.00pm – 8.00pm [doors open 5.30pm]
Everyone Welcome.
To book an open mic slot please email mail@flapjackpress.co.uk
[NB Open mic slots are 4 minutes maximum]

World War I's Hidden Voices
2017-12-07 09:00 - 2018-02-24 20:00 | Lwr Ground floor – City Library
India, Africa, the West Indies and recruitment through culture explored in two parallel exhibitions:
From the Shadows of War and Empire
A documentary exhibition by Southern Voices
Few know about how European powers brought colonies into World War I, took resources from these countries and took the war to ‘fronts’ outside Europe. An exhibition which finally tells this major part of the story from the colonies’ point of view. We focus on India, the West Indies, German and British East Africa, and Nigeria – the British Colonies.

THE POPPY RETAKE (v3)
A video art installation by Kooj Chuhan
Modern war propaganda began with World War I which obscured its pointlessness and deep colonial connections, while pretending to be the ‘war to end all wars’. This artwork explores coercion into war, involving an African woman working for a war-themed park. She finds herself caught between colonial narratives, spirits from the dead and video war games.

World War I's Hidden Voices - Exhibition Launch
2017-12-06 17:30 - 19:30 | Performance Space
India, Africa, the West Indies and recruitment through culture explored in two parallel exhibitions telling the story of World War 1 via the British colonial experience. Southern Voices exhibition, From the Shadows of War and Empire, tells the story from the colonies’ point of view, whilst Kooj Chuhan’s video installation, The Poppy Retake, explores coercion in to war.
This special event to mark the launch of the exhibition includes speakers Ahmed El-Hassan (Southern Voices) and Colette Williams (Mbari), plus live performance from Jaydev Mistry (music), Rani Moorthy (dramatised readings) and Kooj Chuhan (VJ projection).
Find out more about the exhibition here

Abel Heywood, Manchester’s Radical Mayor
2017-12-06 11:00 - 13:00 | Archives+ Ground Floor
Meet author Joanna Williams, whose book Abel Heywood, the Man who Built the Town Hall, was published by the History Press on 1 September 2017.
Abel Heywood (1810-93), Mayor of Manchester, as chair of the New Town Hall Committee was the leading light behind the construction of the ‘municipal palace’ in Albert Square. Rising from severe poverty, he had a long and successful career as a newspaper distributor, publisher, printer, and wallpaper manufacturer. He was especially committed throughout his life to his work on the Manchester Council, becoming Mayor twice. He became only the third Freeman of the City, and was the first from a humble background.
He was involved in the major radical causes of his day, from the free press – for which he went to prison in 1832 – to universal suffrage as a Chartist. In his eagerness to promote the latter, he even sought a parliamentary seat for Manchester in 1859 and 1865, but his working class origins and his radicalism failed to win over the vital middle class vote. As a radical liberal he espoused causes in Europe, such as Hungarian, Italian and German nationalism, and campaigned about the Crimean War and the Eastern Crisis in the Balkans. At times of crisis, notably the Cotton Famine in the 1860s, he was prominent in fund-raising and otherwise managing the situation, and very cordial relations were established between Manchester and the USA at this period.
He worked tirelessly throughout his life to develop Manchester’s infrastructure, notably as chair of the Paving and Sewage Committee, and took a lead in the construction of railways and the tram system. But his driving force was his own early experiences of squalor in Angel Meadow, which gave him an acute awareness of the needs of the city’s poorest inhabitants; public health, education, co-operation and temperance were all areas in which he laboured to improve their lot. Nor did he neglect the city’s cultural life; he encouraged the council to take on the Royal Institution as its art gallery, and was a patron of the College of Art. He assiduously focused on the development of Manchester to create a great city in every sense.
Although there are no personal papers, except for his will, the local press reported his activities in such detail that it is possible to gain an idea of the kind of man he was and what were his aspirations. There are also archives, such as the records of Manchester Corporation, private papers of his colleagues, and Home Office papers which reveal some of the inner workings of local power. The latter indicate some of the murkier aspects of his dealings with the government, as it appears that he informed on his fellow Chartists to prevent a violent uprising in 1840, for example. Examination of his election campaigns in the general elections of 1859 and 1865 show similarly that he was not above some manipulation in tailoring his choice of topics to his audiences; he was a clever politician.
The new Town Hall project was Abel’s overriding preoccupation for at least ten years, and his worst public humiliation was the refusal of Queen Victoria to open it and bestow a knighthood on him. The reasons for the royal snub remain a matter of conjecture to this day. But the city honoured him, and it was he who presided at the opening ceremonies and was acclaimed by the Liberal establishment, being granted the freedom of the city in 1891.
This event is free – no need to book, just drop in

Library Lounge presents Paul Hanley in conversation
2017-12-04 18:15 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Paul Hanley was the drummer in Manchester legends The Fall from 1980-85 and now plays with Brix & The Extricated. He’s currently completing his English degree with the Open University and occasionally writes for Louder Than War.
This Library Lounge event will be an exploration of Paul’s love of music, books and libraries and the influence they have all played in his life.
Tickets to this event are free, but a donation will be encouraged on the night in support of the Central Library Development Trust, the charity which supports the work of Central Library.
About Library Lounge
Library Lounge is a new series of relaxed ‘in conversation’ events featuring interesting and engaging guests hosted at Manchester Central Library.
Participants receive no fee for taking part – and any funds raised, through either ticket sales or donations on the night, go directly to Manchester Central Library Development Trust (registered charity no. 1150161).
The Development Trust supports the work of Central Library across a wide range of areas. This includes allowing it to stay open for longer and more often for activities, including special Sunday Fundays for families.
It also helps to fund special events, exhibitions, festivals, education projects and community programmes.
