Imagination Gaming
2024-08-06 13:00 - 16:00 UTC | Lower Ground Floor Link
Learn to play-play to learn! Taking gaming to a different meaning. These games are designed to challenge your brain with stimulating mental challenge across all ages and abilities. Can you beat the game?
Free – drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

National Playday
2024-08-07 11:00 - 15:00 | Performance Space
Want a challenge over the summer? Join our big play day event and find out what challenges you can take on this summer. We will have an extra Lego club where we will challenge you to make your favourite reading space in Lego. Visit us at the main entrance, where we will tell you about the Summer Reading Challenge and the Blue Peter Book Club. Suitable for children of all ages.
Free – drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Music Days: Born and Bred
2024-08-08 14:00 - 15:00 | Performance Space
Join us for Music Thursday at Central Library! Doodle Dance is a workshop that combines mindful doodling techniques with movement. Create doodles and dance moves of your own in this fun and playful workshop. Designed for children of all ages for those who love to move and for those who aren’t sure. So come doodle, dance and explore!
Free – drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Reimagined City 2024: Summer Art Workshop
2024-08-10 11:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Join us for a painting workshop exploring Manchester migrant culture and sharing migrant story through art!
Reimagined City: Summer Art Workshop is a painting workshop exploring international influence on local culture, stories of identity, and the migrant history of Manchester.
Tracing identity through art, each participant will learn to paint their own canvas and share their story. These canvases will be collected and turned into a larger piece of installation to be exhibited at The Portico Library and Manchester Garden Of Peach.
Workshop opens to all ages.
Free – booking required.

Wisdom is the Principal Thing
2024-08-13 08:00 - 2024-09-26 17:00 | Wolfson Reading Room
Manchester artist, Fiona Donald, has created an installation of drawings documenting the impermanence of the changing seasons. Initially Inspired by the quote around the dome of the Wolfson Reading Room she has created four large columns and 12 smaller pillars which draw on the rhythmic cycles of time passing. Some capture the immediacy of walking in the landscape, others focus on objects collected, picked, and transported back to her studio in Salford to study and observe.
You can view more of Fiona’s work at fionadonald.com and at Fiona Donald | SUITE (suite-studiogroup.co.uk)
Main image credit: Cherry Whitfield-Donald
Free – drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Soundtrack to Your Life
2024-08-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Chief Librarian’s Office
What would be your track? What’s the story behind the tune? What would be your album and what would the sleeve notes say? Come along and let us hear your special track and tell us the story of what it means to you.
Free – just drop in

Summer Silent Disco!
2024-08-16 19:30 - 23:30 | Performance Space
PLEASE NOTE – THIS EVENT HAS BEEN DELAYED TO A FUTURE DATE (TO BE ANNOUNCED)
Forget the weather! We’ll have no summertime sadness here. You’ll be walking on sunshine at our special Summer Silent Disco!
You’ve waited far too long for the return of the famous Retro Silent Disco at Central Library! It’s time to let the good vibrations take over, celebrate summertime and spend some boogie nights at the Club Tropicana (where unfortunately, the drinks aren’t free!).
But we CAN promise you 4 hours of the best summer party music from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s from Mr Retro Silent Disco himself, DJ John!
Check out our bargain group bundle and concessionary offers!
Concessions (Student, unwaged. Over 60) £7
General Admission £10
Group Ticket (4 for the price of 3) £30

Scrumptious!
2024-08-21 11:00 - 14:45 | Performance Space
All is well at Sylvie’s Scrumptious Sweet Shop, P.C. Lee can’t resist the fruit cake, Stanley the Horse loves peppermint creams, and the Talkative Twins only cause a crumb of chaos. That is until a stranger arrives, and their irresistible ice cream threatens to spoil everything! Join us for this magical show about friendship and ice cream, with hilarious songs, dancing, storytelling and gentle audience participation — the perfect free treat for families and anyone young at heart. Spaces are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment!
There are two shows: 11-11.45am & 2-2.45pm.
Free – spaces are limited so book early to avoid disappointment!
To Book your place email angela.rawcliffe@manchester.gov.uk

Love Science
2024-08-22 14:00 - 15:00
Join ‘Love Science’ this summer as part of the Marvellous Makers Club Summer Reading Challenge. Design and make light up pictures, use friction to defy gravity, and make a climbing model of your favourite book character to take home. Perfect for 5-11 year olds.
Free – drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Crime Central
2024-08-22 18:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
An hour chat with special guests Luke Deckard, Chris Lloyd and Emma Tallon – followed by a Q & A and book signing!
Bringing the best from all over!
Featuring the best and brightest crime writing talent both locally and from around the country – the big names are all coming to Manchester!
Go behind the scenes!
Showcasing blockbuster bestsellers, emerging talent and industry insiders, Crime Central will share the real story of what goes on in the crime world.
Meet your favourite authors!
With giveaways, audience interaction, book signings, the chance to ask questions and more – while bringing a crime fiction buzz back to this great northern city.
PLEASE NOTE: Tickets for this event are on a “pay what you can” basis. They range from £2 – £6 plus the Eventbrite booking fee.
All tickets allow the same access to the event. This is a just a pricing system to accommodate for individual financial circumstances.
Signed books will be available to purchase after the event.

Word Central
2024-08-27 18:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Book your open mic slot from noon on Tuesday 13th August via mail@flapjackpress.co.uk
N.B. Open mic slots are 3 minutes per performer – it is essential that you stay within this timeframe.
Performance slots are allocated on a ‘first come first served’ basis from the stated booking time. If they are already filled you will be offered a place on the reserve list.
August’s special guest is Cathy Crabb, a playwright, poet, screenwriter, journalist and lyricist from Oldham who has written more than thirty plays for the stage. Her works have run at theatres including HOMEmcr, Oldham Coliseum, Studio Salford and Manchester’s Library Theatre, where she was the last living playwright to have a production staged at its original venue. Her playwriting awards include the 24/7 Theatre Festival Manchester Evening News Theatre Award and the Buxton Festival Best Comedy Award, whilst her poetry features on sculptures by Emma Hunter at the former site of Elk Mill in Chadderton, the last mill to be built in Lancashire. Cathy’s Selected Plays was published in 2024 by Flapjack Press.
Event host Tony Curry is a poet, playwright, and workshop facilitator who runs literature-in-the-community projects with a specific leaning towards mental health and wellbeing. His work has been exhibited at Manchester’s museum and art galleries, and his play, The Teddy Bear, was staged at Contact Theatre. Tony’s solo spoken word shows include Brit Boy, Complicit Relations, Moving and The Odyssey, performed at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre. In 2024 he will be touring his new show, Tall Tales for All Men, adapted from his collection Tall Tales for Tall Men Who Fall Well Short.

See My World: Connected Fragments-Art(s)cool Workshop
2024-08-31 11:00 - 13:00 | Performance Space
A chance to create your own piece of Canvas Artworks with one of the featured artists in the exhibition, ‘DOU’. Come and explore how our worlds are connected through stories of history, heritage and culture.
For all ages.
Free, booking recommended. Please email alessia.benedetti@manchester.gov.uk

Saturday Spectacular: Lowry Takeover
2024-09-14 12:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Come join our Lowry friends at Central Library and get involved in some fantastic fun for the whole family. From arts and crafts to interactive storytelling, engaging workshops and a chance to watch a classic story on the big screen, plus much more!
Free – drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Tootally Wired
2024-09-19 18:00 - 20:00 | Performance Space
Forget fast fashion – take a long look at an old favourite: the Tootal scarf.
Join Manchester Histories Festival for a celebration of this iconic Manchester-made fashion accessory – a deep dive into this icon of accessories. Seven writers and artists premiere brand-new work responding to the history and culture of the Tootal scarf, designed and manufactured in Manchester since the 1930s.
Hear writers Wendy Allen, Sarah-Clare Conlon, David Gaffney, Tom Jenks, Emily Oldfield and Nicholas Royle premiere their poems and stories live alongside a brand-new performance by sound artist Gary Fisher as well as a showcase of Tootal related short films from the North West Film Archive.

Kantos Chamber Choir: Brontë
2024-09-21 19:00 - 20:30
Join Kantos Chamber Choir as we examine the lives and passions of the mysterious Brontë sisters through the eyes of their friend and supporter, Elizabeth Gaskell.
Kantos will evoke the wild, exposed landscapes of a lonely existence on the moors for three exceptional women, who found escape and freedom in their imagined worlds. An hour-long programme of choral music and spoken word will immerse us in their isolated hilltop hive of creativity from where the sisters wove their intricate stories of desire, devotion, depravity and despair.
Elizabeth Gaskell expert, Sherry Ashworth, joins us to curate and present the programme for this unique performance. A special collection will be on display, including a rare 1st edition of The Life Of Charlotte Bronte by Elizabeth Gaskell. Covering the Bronte family as a whole and including some early editions of the sisters’ novels, the collection was initially donated to Moss Side Free Library by James Gleave in the early 20th century.
In partnership with Library Live, Elizabeth Gaskell’s House & Brontë Parsonage Museum .
THE MUSIC
John Ireland – The Hills
Helena Paish – Life
Tõnu Kõrvits – The Night is Darkening Round Me
Helen Neeves – Speak of the North!
Kate Bush arr. Malene Rigtrup – Wuthering Heights
Sophie Nolan – Ira Vos Totos Consumet
Amy Beach – Peace I Leave With You
Cecilia McDowall – Snow
Robert Pearsall – Lay a Garland
John Tavener – Funeral Ikos
Toby Hession – She Walks in Beauty
Gerald Finzi – My Spirit Sang All Day
Joan Szymko – Finding Her Here
Doors: 18:30
Q&A Session with Kantos’ Artistic Director, Ellie Slorach and Elizabeth Gaskell expert, Sherry Ashworth: 19:00-19:20
Choral performance: 19:30-20:30
The tickets for this performance operate on a Pay What You Can basis; you choose the ticket band that you are able or happy to pay for.

Word Central with guest poet Steve Mingle!
2024-09-24 18:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Word Central hosted by Tony Curry.
Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word Presented by Flapjack Press and Manchester Libraries.
Book your open mic slot from noon on Tuesday 10th September via mail@flapjackpress.co.uk.
N.B. Open mic slots are 3 minutes per performer – it is essential that you stay within this timeframe.
Performance slots are allocated on a ‘first come first served’ basis from the stated booking time. If they are already filled you will be offered a place on the reserve list.
September’s special guest is Steve Mingle, a retired actuary turned football author who first trespassed into spoken-word world in 2019. His favourite pastime is swearing at strangers and he’s been delighted to discover that if you do it from behind a microphone then some people will call it art. Steve’s output so far comprises seven books about Manchester City together with a recently released poetry anthology, More Poems About Rucksacks and Phones. Amongst this collection’s visceral rants and absurdist humour can be found traces of gentle nostalgia together with affectionate tributes to some of his heroes. However, any temptation to suggest that he’s going soft in his old age should be strongly resisted.
Event host Tony Curry is a poet, playwright, and workshop facilitator who runs literature-in-the-community projects with a specific leaning towards mental health and wellbeing. His work has been exhibited at Manchester’s museum and art galleries, and his play, The Teddy Bear, was staged at Contact Theatre. Tony’s solo spoken word shows include Brit Boy, Complicit Relations, Moving and The Odyssey, performed at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre. In 2024 he will be touring his new show, Tall Tales for All Men, adapted from his collection Tall Tales for Tall Men Who Fall Well Short [Flapjack Press, 2012].

Slate Expectations - Restoring Our Town Hall's roof. Afternoon Lecture.
2024-09-26 13:00 - 14:15 | Performance Space
Slate Expectations – Restoring Our Town Hall’s roof
Our Heritage Lectures shine a light on the work behind the scenes of the Our Town Hall Project. One of the most complicated elements of the entire building is the roof. Seen from above we get a better perspective of the scale and complexity of it. With 34 huge chimneys, plus towers, turrets and decorative elements, it has thrown up some real surprises and challenges.
This lecture will be given by Gareth Richings from Purcell, the project’s heritage architecture specialists. He’ll give us a detailed description of the roof’s original structure, discoveries that were made, how they approached the unknown elements and resulting surprises, and the progress and successes that are now being made.
One of the big things they are doing is making alterations to improve access. This will make the roof easier and safer to maintain in the future; an important contribution to the building’s sustainability and longevity.
Thursday 26 September 2024, The Performance Space, Central Library
Please book the afternoon or evening lecture.
12.45pm arrival for a 1pm start (ends 2.15pm)
The lecture is free but you’ll need to book your ticket online here.

Slate Expectations – Restoring Our Town Hall’s roof. Evening Lecture.
2024-09-26 17:30 - 18:45 | Performance Space
Slate Expectations – Restoring Our Town Hall’s roof

Our Heritage Lectures shine a light on the work behind the scenes of the Our Town Hall Project. One of the most complicated elements of the entire building is the roof. Seen from above we get a better perspective of the scale and complexity of it. With 34 huge chimneys, plus towers, turrets and decorative elements, it has thrown up some real surprises and challenges.
This lecture will be given by Gareth Richings from Purcell, the project’s heritage architecture specialists. He’ll give us a detailed description of the roof’s original structure, discoveries that were made, how they approached the unknown elements and resulting surprises, and the progress and successes that are now being made.
One of the big things they are doing is making alterations to improve access. This will make the roof easier and safer to maintain in the future; an important contribution to the building’s sustainability and longevity.
Thursday 26 September 2024, The Performance Space, Central Library
5.15pm arrival for a 5.30pm start (ends 6.45pm)
The lecture is free but you’ll need to book your ticket online here.

Behind The Scenes at Manchester Central Library
2024-09-26 18:00 - 19:30
What do George V, Gypsy Rose Lee and Bernard Bresslaw have in common?
Which musician was once thrown out of the Language and Literature Library?
What would you find now in the space where Patrick Stewart and Helen Mirren – amongst many others – played their first roles?
All these questions – and many more – are answered on a tour of Manchester Central Library which will take you to all the areas not normally accessible to the general public and tell the story of this iconic building. Tours last around 90 minutes and include the chance to see some of our rarest treasures and archives.
Places are strictly limited to 20 people, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Please meet in the main entrance (Shakespeare Hall) of Central Library from 5.45pm. The tour starts at 6pm.
Did you know, you can join our Library Lovers scheme and enjoy a free tour, plus discounts in our shop and cafe, and invites to other events and exhibition launches? Find out more and join online.
Book Tickets Below

An Afternoon with THE KING!!
2024-09-28 14:30 - 16:30 | Performance Space
SORRY THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT
We’re celebrating older people’s day with a Rock ‘n’ Rolling party starring MANC ELVIS AND HIS MAGICAL BAND!
Manchester’s premier Elvis tribute act present a Saturday afternoon packed with all THE KING’S greatest hits guaranteed to get you up and dancing! Think ‘a little less conversation’ and a lot more ‘all shook up’!
All over 50’s and family and friends welcome. Ticket are FREE but limited so book early here!
Tables seat 8 people so larger groups may not be seated together.

The Society of Bookbinders - 50th Anniversary Activities
2024-10-01 08:00 - 2024-12-31 17:00
The National Society Of Bookbinders was founded in Manchester in 1974 and celebrates it’s 50th Anniversary with a number of events, workshops and displays at Central Library between October-December. All events are free and there is no need to book in advance.
The Journey of a Book: a display about making books by hand, Archives +, Ground Floor, October to December.
Fine Bindings: a display of artistic bookbinding, Reading Room, First Floor, October to December.
Informal Bookbinding Demonstrations / Workshops: Ground Floor Handling Table, Saturdays at 10.30am-4pm on 5 October, 16 November, Thursday 5 December.
Creating A Fine Binding: the Kelmscott Chaucer, An illustrated talk by internationally-acclaimed bookbinder Dominic Riley, Performance Space, 6pm Thursday 28 November
Free – drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Crime Central
2024-10-01 18:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
ROB PARKER WILL BE WELCOMING THE BRILLIANT DAVID COSTA, LOUISE MINCHIN AND TIM SULLIVAN TO THIS MONTHS CRIME CENTRAL!
Bringing the best from all over!
Featuring the best and brightest crime writing talent both locally and from around the country – the big names are all coming to Manchester!
Go behind the scenes!
Showcasing blockbuster bestsellers, emerging talent and industry insiders, Crime Central will share the real story of what goes on in the crime world.
Meet your favourite authors!
With giveaways, audience interaction, book signings, the chance to ask questions and more – while bringing a crime fiction buzz back to this great northern city.
PLEASE NOTE: Tickets for this event are on a “pay what you can” basis. They range from £2 – £6 plus the Eventbrite booking fee.
All tickets allow the same access to the event. This is a just a pricing system to accommodate for individual financial circumstances.
Signed books will be available to purchase after the event.

Reimagining Black History Month
2024-10-02 17:15 - 19:30
Join us for a discussion on the future of Black History Month, where we will be joined by award-winning author, broadcaster and Professor of Sociology, Gary Younge, as well as members from youth group 8% club
We will be discussing different ways to think about Black History Month and ensure that Black histories are explored and celebrated all year round. We will be launching our Black History Manifesto, which guides how we approach Black histories in our work at the AIU Centre. We want to offer this Manifesto to other organisations, particularly those in education, archives, museums, libraries and galleries.
Book tickets here or by clicking on the ‘Book Now’ button below.
Gary Younge
Gary Younge is an award-winning author, broadcaster and Professor of Sociology at the University of Manchester. Nationally recognised for his insightful and thoughtful work, he possesses specialist knowledge on an array of subjects including race, racism, society and Black history both in Britain and internationally.
Formerly a columnist at The Guardian, he is an editorial board member of the Nation magazine, the Alfred Knobler Fellow for Type Media and winner of the 2023 Orwell Prize for Journalism. The author of six books, the most recent being Dispatches From the Diaspora: From Nelson Mandela to Black Lives Matter (2023), he has also written for The New York Review of Books, Granta, GQ, The Financial Times and The New Statesman and made several radio and television documentaries.
8% Club
8% CLUB is a youth group passionate about designing creative and cultural inclusion spaces for young people to connect, amplify youth voices and champion change by addressing issues affecting global ethnic majorities.
They are supported by Equal Education Chances (EEC), a Manchester-based charity that aims to engage, educate and empower children, young people and adults living with disabilities and their families in England and Nigeria.

Migration Stories North West Exhibition & Preview
2024-10-03 08:00 - 2024-11-08 17:00 | Lwr Ground Floor – Manchester Histories Hub
A history of migration in and out of North West England told through 100 stories from Roman times to the present day.
Explore the region’s long history of migration and ways in which it has shaped and continues to shape our social landscape. Browse the stories of individual women, men and children arriving in and leaving the North West from and to other parts of the British Isles and other parts of the world. Find out how their journeys were driven by conflict, colonialism and trade, as well as in search of work, educational opportunities or a better life.
This ‘pop-up’ exhibition includes an interactive screen through which to browse the stories, and is touring across the North West of England. At this showing in Manchester Central Library there will also be a display by pupils and staff from The Derby High School in Bury about the stories which they researched and produced for the Greater Manchester section of the project.
The Migration Stories Exhibition’s showing in Manchester is presented by Crossing Footprints in partnership with Manchester Histories. Special thanks for support from Manchester Central Library, from our Manchester team of volunteer researchers, and from Fair Futures CIC who delivered the school workshops in Bury. More about the project here or browse the project’s own dedicated website
Free – please drop in

Preview / Launch for the Migration Stories Exhibition, 4pm to 7pm, Wednesday 2 October
Join us for an informal opportunity to hear about the Migration Stories North West project and to chat with people who were involved in the research. People from Crossing Footprints, Global Link and Fair Futures, who were involved in developing, organising and delivering the project, will also be on hand to discuss any aspects of the work and the contexts in which it was produced. There will be a brief introduction to the project at 4.45pm and again at 6pm. Light refreshments will be provided.
About the project The Migration Stories North West project is a partnership of five organisations across the North West who have worked over a period of three years with local adults and young people, including those with experience of migration or seeking refuge. Forming into five teams of volunteers and five school groups, they have researched and documented over 100 individual histories of migration using archival, online and oral history sources. They are now available to explore on an interactive online map, along with background information, educational resources and introductory films about the project. More information here. The organisations are Global Link based in Lancaster, Crossing Footprints covering the Greater Manchester region, Liverpool World Centre, Cumbria Development Education Centre and Cheshire Global Learning. The project is supported by historians at Lancaster University and local heritage organisations, and is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Free – please drop in

Knock Out Blow
2024-10-03 17:30 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Join us for an evening of art and discussion dedicated to the life and legacy of Len Johnson— Britain’s uncrowned boxing champion, dedicated local activist, and revered Manchester legend. The event will feature live music, poetry, an interactive play, archive photos of Len, and an exhibition, followed by a thought-provoking discussion on Johnson’s life and legacy.
Featured Event: A Performance by Odd Arts:
“Knock Out Blow,” a play by Odd Arts, tours schools and community groups across the Northwest. Odd Arts uses this piece of theatre to challenge racial discrimination, celebrate positive role models, and celebrate our collective history. This play on Len Johnson’s life has already reached approximately 5,000 young people, leaving a lasting impact on the next generation.
A Campaign for Justice: Erecting a Statue in Honor of Len Johnson
In addition to celebrating Len Johnson’s life, we are spearheading a campaign to erect a statue in his honor in Manchester City Centre. Despite being denied the right to compete for the British title due to a racist policy that required boxers to be born to two white parents, Johnson’s legacy as a fighter for racial equality continued outside of the boxing ring.
The campaign is supported by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, and current and former boxing champions such as Anthony Joshua, Ricky Hatton, Carl Frampton, Ant Crolla, Tony Bellew, Natasha Jonas, and Amir Khan.
The event will also feature a panel discussion with campaign leaders, offering a unique opportunity for a Q&A session with the artist Taslim Martin, who has been commissioned to create the statue of Len Johnson. Local artist Griot Gabriel will provide live poetry, whilst local artists and Rootz will end the night with some live music.
Manchester is a city that loves its sporting heroes, and Len Johnson is a true unsung hero whose achievements both inside and outside the ring continue to inspire. Our goal is to make Len Johnson a household name in Manchester and eventually across the UK.
Free – book tickets here

Northern Publishers’ Fair
2024-10-05 10:30 - 15:30 | Performance Space
Immerse yourself in the vibrant literary landscape of the North at the Northern Publishers’ Fair, organised by Fly on the Wall Press. Discover dynamic new voices, meet authors and buy books directly from regional independent presses including Bluemoose, Carcanet, Comma, Commonword, Flapjack, Saraband, Salt, Northodox and many more. Enjoy live pop-up performances from Nicholas Boniface, Laura Fish, Tawseef Khan, Nicholas Royle and more authors throughout the day, with book signing opportunities. Spanning fiction, poetry, and regional tales, there’s something for every book lover at this celebration of northern publishing power. Presented by Manchester Literature Festival and supported by Library Live.
Tickets are Free but advance booking is recommended.
‘Book Now’ below or phone 0161 876 2015

Manchester Central Library Fun Palace
2024-10-05 10:30 - 16:00
Manchester Central Library will join hundreds of Fun Palaces nationally and internationally set to explode with free and fun activities for all. Join us on Saturday, 5 October, and master new skills from your neighbours, share hobbies with friends old and new, and celebrate the passions and enthusiasms of all of us!
10.30am-4pm: Informal Bookbinding Workshops (Ground Floor)
Learn bookbinding with this free engaging workshop delivered by the National Society of Bookbinders for their 50th anniversary! Free, just drop in. More info here.
11.30am-12 noon: Ukrainian Storytime
Привіт! Join our new Ukrainian storytelling session led by one of our amazing volunteers! Learn new words, listen to stories in Ukrainian and English and have fun! Suitable for children aged 4 to 7.
2-4pm: Crafty Palaces
Drop in and have a go at learning a new craft with the support of our local artists. Try finger knitting with Simone, learn how to weave using scrap fabrics with Nayna from Street Style Surgery, and much more! All ages welcome!
2-3.30pm: Lego Club
Join our regular Lego Club for a Fun Palaces special! Pick your favourite bricks and let your imagination run wild: what will your fun palace look like? Suitable for ages 4 and above.
Free – just drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Fun Palaces is an ongoing national and international campaign, nurturing and supporting the potential and positivity of sharing people’s enthusiasms, passions and skills with their own local community. Fun Palaces has an annual weekend of events each October, although Fun Palaces can also happen at any time of year.
During the weekend of celebration, check out what’s happening elsewhere on X/Instagram: #FunPalaces | @FunPalaces. www.funpalaces.co.uk

Yuan Yang
2024-10-06 14:00 - 15:30 | Performance Space
UNFORTUNATELY, THIS EVENT IS NOW CANCELLED
Yuan Yang is no longer able to travel to Manchester due to her new parliamentary commitments and constituency obligations and is very sorry to miss the opportunity to meet our audience.
Quaytickets will be in touch with all existing ticket holders to offer a refund.
In Private Revolutions: Coming of Age in a New China, British-Chinese journalist Yuan Yang tells the fascinating story of modern China through the lives of four ordinary women. Leiya, born in a patriarchal rural village, bluffs her way onto the factory floor; June sets herself a goal to attend university rather than raise pigs; Siyue rebels against her teachers and then remakes the education system for others, and Sam becomes an activist while her peers are disappearing from the streets.
Yuan Yang was born in China and returned there as an adult as a correspondent for the Financial Times. After the mass expulsion of journalists from China in 2020, she was one of the few journalists writing in English left in the country. She now lives in London and is the Labour MP for Earley and Woodley. Presented by Manchester Literature Festival and supported by Library Live.
Image credit: Inigo Blake
Tickets: ‘Book Now’ below, visit the MLF website or phone 0161 876 2015

Lindsey Hilsum
2024-10-06 16:30 - 18:00 | Performance Space
‘I was standing outside an apartment block that had been split apart by a missile. The words of a poem came to me when I could no longer find my own.’
In the four decades she’s spent as a foreign correspondent, Lindsey Hilsum has always carried a book of poetry with her. Poetry has helped her to make sense of the world and acted ‘as a vaccination against despair’. In this special event, Lindsey will reflect on some of the poems collected in her captivating new book I Brought the War with Me and discuss her career, during which she has interviewed the warlords of Bosnia and Sudan, met child soldiers in Uganda and given testimony about the genocide in Rwanda.
Lindsey is Channel 4 News’ International Editor. Her book, In Extremis: the Life of War Correspondent Marie Colvin, won the James Tait Black Prize for biography. She has covered the major conflicts and refugee movements of the past three decades, including Syria, Mali, Iraq, and Kosovo and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She has won many awards, including the Royal Television Society Journalist of the Year and the Royal Geographical Society Patron’s Medal. Presented by Manchester Literature Festival in partnership with the Centre for New Writing and Creative Manchester. Supported by Library Live.
Tickets: ‘Book Now’ below, phone 0161 876 2015 or visit the MLF website

Asako Yuzuki
2024-10-07 08:00 - 17:00 | Performance Space
PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT HAS CHANGED VENUE FROM WATERSTONES DEANSGATE TO CENTRAL LIBRARY

‘There are two things that I can simply not tolerate: feminists and margarine.’
A Japanese bestseller, Butter is the story of gourmet cook and serial killer Manako Kajii. Convicted of seducing lonely businessmen with her cooking and killing them for their money, Manako is incarcerated in Tokyo Detention Centre, refusing visitors. That is until journalist Rika Machida writes to her asking for her beef stew recipe and Manako can’t resist. Rika thinks she’s about to get the biggest scoop of her career but when she begins taking Manako’s cooking advice it seems Rika’s life is about to change in ways she never expected. Funny, feminist and absolutely mouthwatering, Butter is inspired by the real-life case of ‘The Konkatsu Killer’.
Asako Yuzuki is a novelist and short story writer. Her story ‘Forget Me, Not Blue’ won the All Yomimono Award for New Writers. Her novel Nile Perch Women’s Club won the Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize. Several of her books (including Butter) have been nominated for the Naoki Prize and many have been adapted for radio, film and television.
Hosted by Caroline Magennis, Associate Professor in Contemporary Literature at the University of Salford and author of Harpy: A Manifesto for Childfree Women. Presented in partnership with The Japan Foundation and 4th Estate.
Supported by Library Live
Book tickets: 0161 876 2015, ‘Book Now’ below or MLF website
