What's on

Central Library in LEGO

Pop in and see this wonderful LEGO model of Central Library, which was built by Robert Clarkson for ‘Bricktastic’ at Manchester Convention Centre in 2015.  It has been shown around the country and is here now, 'inside itself', in the Central Library Search Room, for a limited time only! Robert says: 'My hobby is creating […]

every thing every time

Lwr Ground floor - City Library

What stories can be uncovered from a city? every thing every time, a new flip-dot artwork by Naho Matsuda, takes information from our interactions within the city to tell a new story about the people and the places of Manchester. With the rise of the ‘Smart City’ asking important questions of what we want from […]

Saturday Spectacular – Animal Prints and Book Making Fun!

Performance Space

  Join us for a fun afternoon of free family activities. Have a go at letterpress printing with images from the archives. Create your own wonderful prints to take home. The Architectural School for Children will be visiting to deliver a book-making workshop. Free - no need to book - just drop in

Royal Society Science Book Prize

Seminar Suite, Floor Two

Join us at Manchester Central Library for a live screening from the British Library celebrating science writing past, present and future. There will be a panel discussion beamed from the British Library chaired by Dara O'Briain and including Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Vivienne Parry and Professor Mark Miodownik - with your chance to put questions […]

Manchester Pride Presents…The Mancunian Gay magazine revisited

Performance Space

Hear the stories behind some of the magazine's featured headlines; “Anderton on the rampage” “Poppers the price you pay" “Gay sauna raid” “Job security for lesbian and gay workers" “New gay bar in Bolton" Amateur yet unashamed, over its lifespan (1978- 1986) The Mancunian Gay magazine documented the evolution of the LGBT rights movement in […]

Jazz North northern line: Archipelago

Performance Space

Faye MacCalman (clarinet, tenor saxophone)/John Pope (electric bass)/Christian Alderson (drums) Faye MacCalman fronts Newcastle sax-bass-drums trio, Archipelago, drawing on garage rock, minimalism and free improvisation: riffs, silence, noise and grooves create a collage of hard-edged blocks of sound that evolve over the performance. A Manchester Jazz Festival event  Free - please drop in (subject to availability)  

Jazz North northern line: Early Nite

Performance Space

Otto Willberg (double bass)/Harry Smith (tenor saxophone)/Alexander Tod (drums) A fiery take on the sax-bass-drums trio format, favouring short and snappy tunes in the spirit of punk: free improvisation delivered with humour, melody and fun. “The band has been described as “Imagine Eric Dolphy playing Stravinsky-esque circus music and you’ll get some inkling of the kind […]

Future Currents

Performance Space

Electrifying guitarists Alex Roth, Chris Montague and Chris Sharkey exploit the instrument’s full potential to create music of extremes, using extended techniques and expansive soundscapes. Advance: £8.50 (inc 50p bkg fee) / OTD: £10  A Manchester Jazz Festival event

£8.50

Double bill – Andrew Woodhead: Pocket Piano + Run Logan Run

Performance Space

Andrew explores the capabilities of the pocket piano – a tiny, hand-built synthesiser. He improvises sweeping soundscapes using both intricate textures and simple melodies. Bristol sax and drums duo, Run Logan Run strive for intensity within the moment - from quiet, bird-like noises to huge, monolithic sounds. Advance: £8.50 (inc 50p bkg fee) / OTD: […]

£8.50

Clouds Harp Quartet

Performance Space

Clouds both celebrate and challenge the preconceived charm of this beloved instrument with new music embracing minimalism, folk and classical - interspersed with improvisation. Advance: £8.50 (inc 50p bkg fee) / OTD: £10  A Manchester Jazz Festival event

£8.50

Word Central: Open Mic Night

WORD CENTRAL a semaphore-exploding mind-flow open mic poetry & spoken word hosted by Tony Curry Thursday 3rd August Manchester Central Library 6pm – 8pm Free entry To get your name on the August reserve list please email mail@flapjackpress.co.uk

Polygon Quartet

Performance Space

Tom Thorp’s new ensemble of nimble-fingered, northern talents subverts the roles within the saxophone quartet with experimental composition techniques: energetic and always musical. Advance: £8.50 (inc 50p bkg fee) / OTD: £10  A Manchester Jazz Festival event

£8.50