Library Live

Christmas Extravaganza
2017-12-16 09:30 - 16:00 UTC
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 UTC | 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 UTC | 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 UTC | 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 UTC
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 UTC | 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 UTC
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 UTC | 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 UTC | 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 UTC | 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 UTC | 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.

Lip Service presents Thrills and Quills!
2017-12-02 14:00 - 15:00 UTC | Performance Space
LipService theatre take a comic look at Jane Austen’s letters, examine the vagaries of the Georgian postal system and wonder what witty words Jane could have conjured up with a Twitter account.We examine the world of communication from quill pen to SnapChat.
With extracts from Jane Austen’s novels, letters to family members and wickedly funny observations on her neighbours, we look at the vivid account Jane conjures of everyday life.
“LipService, Britain’s favourite literary lunatics” The Guardian

Library Lounge presents Danny Brocklehurst in conversation
2017-11-28 18:15 - 19:30 UTC | Performance Space
Library Lounge is delighted to announce an evening of conversation and questions with BAFTA winning screenwriter Danny Brocklehurst.
Danny’s TV credits include In The Dark, Ordinary Lies, The Accused, Exile, Talk To Me, Shameless, The Driver and Clocking Off.
He also co-wrote the recent SKY One international hit show The Five – based on the work of best-selling American crime writer Harlan Coben. Prior to becoming a professional screenwriter Danny, who is also an International Emmy winner, worked as a freelance journalist for a range of regional and national publications including The Guardian, The Big Issue, The Manchester Evening News and City Life.
Tickets to this event are free – but donations will be encouraged on the night in support of Manchester 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.

The Longplayer Conversation: David Attenborough and Chris Watson
2017-11-27 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Performance Space
A LIVE SCREENING FROM THE BRITISH LIBRARY
An evening of extraordinary sounds and discussion
The 2017 Longplayer Conversation brings together long time collaborators, sound recordist Chris Watson and naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough. Join us for what promises to be a fascinating conversation informed by their shared interests and experiences as sound recordists in the natural world.
Chris Watson began his career in sound in the late 1970s as a musician and since the ‘90s has been one of the foremost sound recordists of wildlife and natural phenomena. A collaborator on natural history broadcasts with Sir David for over two decades, Chris continues to travel the world as a freelance recordist whilst also producing albums.
David Attenborough’s first work in natural history broadcasting drew him into the world of sound recording and pioneering work with the earliest portable tape recorders on location. David recorded the wildlife and local music for his documentaries, recordings which are now stored for posterity in the British Library Sound Archive. Today, Sir David is one of the world’s most recognised advocates for the protection of our environments now and for the future.
Longplayer was composed by Jem Finer, and originally commissioned by Artangel. Now in the care of the Longplayer Trust, it can be heard in the lighthouse at Trinity Buoy Wharf, London, as well as other listening posts around the world, globally via a live internet stream, through an iOS app and occasional live performances. The annual Longplayer Conversations are a way of celebrating the vision behind Longplayer’s long term aspirations, by inviting friends to bring their personal experiences and expertise to bear on the theme of long time.
Part of a Season of Sound, celebrating the Library’s sound archive. Audio installation supplied by Bowers & Wilkins.
This is a free event but booking is advised.

Illuminate: a journey of seven stories
2017-11-24 08:00 - 2017-11-25 17:00 UTC
Please note: Illuminate is now sold out, however, you can join the waiting list for a chance to still get tickets. Plus, why not join us for the free countdown events taking place across the Library’s spaces between 20-24 Nov.
New dance, music and light art combine in this visually stunning and extraordinary site-specific piece created by Company Chameleon at the iconic Manchester Central Library.
Seven stories have underpinned literature since the beginning of time and this is their contemporary reimagining. From the inner monster to the superhero, from the tragedy of division to the pure joy of true love, Illuminate explores the stories that help us to understand ourselves, and our place in the world in which we live.
Seven scenes in seven spaces will take you to the past, present and future in a captivating mix of live performance around Central Library. As light art twists interiors and shifts perceptions, and an original and live soundtrack plays out, a rich blend of dance and movement will take you on a journey like no other.
Featuring international artists, rising talents and homegrown performers, Illuminate will be brought to life by an ensemble of 60 dancers, musicians and collaborators, for what promises to be a transformative and immersive cultural experience at Central Library.
Don’t miss the free countdown events taking place at the Library from Monday 20th to Thursday 23rd November in the lead up to Illuminate – find out more.

Countdown to Illuminate
2017-11-20 12:00 - 2017-11-23 14:00 UTC
In the countdown to Illuminate, our new site specific piece created for Manchester Central Library by Company Chameleon, we’re excited to present a series of free countdown events ahead of the main event.
Mon 20 Nov, 12-2pm | Pop-up: listen
A lunchtime performance of live music and a chance to hear the new and original soundtrack by award-winning composer, Miguel Marin, which features in the Illuminate production.
Tues 21 Nov, 1pm | Pop-up: see
Chameleon make the street their stage and perform a pop-up dance piece on the plaza outside Central Library’s main entrance.
Wed 22 Nov, 4-5pm | Preview
Central Library open up the sides of the performance space to create a stage for professional dancers from all over the world as they share their own creative responses to Company Chameleon’s powerful and original movement style in an informal presentation.
Thurs 23 Nov, 10am-5pm | Open rehearsals
Go behind the scenes and see the rehearsal and pre-production process unfold as Company Chameleon and their ensemble of 60 dancers, musicians and collaborators take over Central Library, ahead of the first performance of Illuminate on Friday night.
Find out more about the main Illuminate performance.

Saturday Spectacular
2017-11-18 12:00 - 16:00 UTC
To celebrate Explore Your Archive Week, join us to celebrate 120 years of the Disabled Living charity. Join us as we find out how the charity has changed over the years by using their archive images in a range of fun activities for all the family.
Free – just drop in

Gordon Brown: A Life in Politics
2017-11-16 13:00 - 14:00 UTC | Performance Space
This event is sold out
The former Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, will talk about a remarkable 40 years on the political frontline. Join us for this landmark event to celebrate the release of his forthcoming memoir, My Life, Our Times, which reflects candidly on an extraordinary career; from New Labour’s 1997 landslide electoral victory, to the 2008 global financial crisis and the historic 2014 Scottish and 2016 European referendums.
Gordon will be signing copies of My Life, Our Times after the event.
This is a free event, but tickets must be booked from the link below. Only ticket holders will be allowed access to the talk.

Jennifer Egan
2017-11-15 19:00 - 21:00 UTC | Performance Space
Acclaimed American author Jennifer Egan makes a rare UK visit to talk about her forthcoming novel, Manhattan Beach – her first foray into historical fiction. Set during the Depression and then the war, it tells the story of Anna Kerrigan, a navy diver making her own way at a transformative time for women; in a Brooklyn populated by sailors and gangsters, tragic starlets and mysterious tycoons. Kirkus Reviews called it ‘haunting…Realistically detailed, poetically charged, and utterly satisfying: apparently there’s nothing Egan can’t do.’
Jennifer’s previous novels include A Visit From the Goon Squad (winner of the Pulitzer Prize, The National Book Critics Circle Award and the LA Times Book Prize), the Invisible Circus and The Keep. Her short stories have been published in The New Yorker, Harper’s, Granta and McSweeney’s, and her journalism regularly appears in The New York Times Magazine. Hosted by Katie Popperwell.
This event is part of Manchester Literature Festival 2017
Book on 0843 208 0500 or

Hidden Histories, Hidden Historians
2017-11-11 08:00 - 2018-01-31 17:00 UTC | Archives+ Ground Floor
Manchester Histories presents Hidden Histories, Hidden Historians, a Heritage Lottery Fund supported exhibition. Five groups from across Greater Manchester have explored their own hidden histories to create a multi-media exhibition that includes archive photography, historical research, video and oral histories.
Free – just drop in

Homeless Film Festival Screening - Mr Stink
2017-11-09 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Performance Space
Join us for a screening of the film Mr Stink. The film is presented by the Homeless Film Festival which is a registered charity and the world’s biggest festival dedicated to using film screenings, special events and film making workshops as a way of highlighting and tackling homeless issues.
Free – to book email homelessfilmfestival@gmail.com

Made In Manchester: The Ups & Downs of Freelancing
2017-11-07 18:00 - 20:00 UTC
These days many careers in the ever-growing Creative Industries are freelance. Hear from our experienced panel as they discuss how to survive as a freelancer, make the most of opportunities, and stand out in the new “gig economy”. Featuring Tom Clarke from The Sharp Project, Alison Surtees from the Manchester Music Digital Archive and Pip Rustage, photographer. Hosted by Martyn Walsh from the Inspiral Carpets and Creative Industries Guru in Residence at the Business & IP Centre, Manchester Central Library

Made In Manchester is a new series of panel events discussing the business aspects of the creative industries in the city

War Memories
2017-11-04 14:00 - 17:00 UTC | Performance Space
With the endorsement of WarGen, Manchester Central Library together with one of its volunteer groups, the Manchester Indie Film Makers Group (MIFMG), are presenting a single performance of War Memories, a production written by the MIFMG using film and written material from the published WarGen pages on the internet. WarGen is currently uploading film and transcriptions of the experiences of both veterans and civilians during World War 2.
This performance is timed to be close to this year’s Armistice Day, just one week later, and will be in remembrance of all who lived and showed such bravery during the First and Second World Wars.
The performance will consist of film projection and live acting for approximately one hour, followed by a cream tea and an opportunity to meet others at the event. Young people will produce short content for social media during the event, interacting with veterans and their friends and families.
All are welcome, please book your place by phoning Ruth Jacobson on 0161 234 1981 or email r.jacobson@manchester.gov.uk

WORD CENTRAL open mic poetry & spoken word
2017-11-01 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Performance Space
WORD CENTRAL is back on Wednesday 1st November at Central Library.
6pm – 8pm [doors open 5.30pm], free entry
This month’s special guest is poet Mark Mace Smith
Glastonbury Festival Poetry Slam Winner 2008, BBC MediaCity Poet in Residence 2011-2015, and author of A Fruit Filled with Bitter Ashes.
All open mic slots are already filled, but if you want to book a place on the reserve list email mail@flapjackpress.co.uk [NB Open mic slots are 4 minutes maximum]

Harry Potter: A History of Magic Live Screenings
2017-10-31 19:00 - 2018-01-22 20:30 (Atlantic/Azores) | Performance Space
SORRY, THESE EVENTS ARE NOW BOOKED UP.
Journey to where magic and myth began!
Have you ever wanted to delve into Divination, ponder the peculiarities of Potions and discover enchanting creatures? Now you can.
Watch lecturers at the British Library unveil rare books, manuscripts and magical objects from the British Library’s collection, capturing the traditions of folklore and magic which are at the heart of the Harry Potter stories. Marvel at original drafts and drawings by J.K. Rowling and illustrator Jim Kay, both on display for the first time.
See the gargantuan 16th-century Ripley Scroll that explains how to create a Philosopher’s Stone. Gaze at Sirius in the night sky as imagined by medieval astronomers. Encounter hand-coloured pictures of dragons, unicorns and a phoenix rising from the flames.
In conjunction with the British Library and together with libraries around the country Manchester Libraries are holding a number of live screenings beamed from the British Library in the coming months. These will be based on the Hogwarts curriculum, including Defence Against The Dark Arts, Care of Magical Creatures and Divination.
Please note that the lectures are about the history and mythology behind the subjects rather than focusing on the books themselves.
Brooms, Wands and Cauldrons: The Instruments of Magic with Simon Costin
Tue 31 Oct 2017, 19:00 – 20:15
Discover why witches’ friends are feline and how the wand became one of the established objects of magical power. This illustrated lecture from Simon Costin of the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic looks at the instruments, objects and tools that have been used by witches and wizards over the centuries, from the iconic to the lesser-known.
Illustrating Harry Potter with Jim Kay and Olivia Lomenech Gill
Fri 17 Nov 2017, 19:00 – 20:30
How do you illustrate magical tales like the Harry Potter series?
Find out from two artists who have done just that, adopting very different approaches to achieve equally stunning results. Chaired by Olivia Ahmad from the House of Illustration.
Women, Witches and Witch Trials
Tue 5 Dec 2017, 19:00 – 20:30
The history of witchcraft and gender roles within it.
Anita Anand chairs a panel of expert historians including Margo Burns, the x10 great-granddaughter of one of key protagonists of the Salem Witch Trials, Malcolm Gaskill, and Ulinka Rublack as they discuss the history of witchcraft and gender roles within it.
The Hogwarts Curriculum Lectures: Defence Against The Dark Arts with Christopher Frayling
Mon 22 Jan 2018, 19:00 – 20:15
How can we protect ourselves from vampires?
History contains no Death Eaters, but plenty of vampires. Cultural historian Christopher Frayling explores the history and myths surrounding these bloodsucking fiends over the centuries and gives a lesson on how the various methods of protecting ourselves. How has their appearance changed? What are their weaknesses? And how have they been appropriated by the Gothic imagination?

Creepy Crypt Halloween Activity
2017-10-31 16:00 - 18:00 UTC
Darken the doors of Central Library for our spooky Halloween event. Dare to visit the creepy crypt and take part in a ghastly game, hear chilling rhymes from the creature in the corner and then take part in the trick or treat trail with your carefully crafted goody bag.

Suitable for families

No need to book just creep in

Science@Central
2017-10-25 11:00 - 17:00 UTC
Central Library is a mysterious, secret-filled place. Who knows what hidden knowledge lies between the pages of its many books? Read up on the spirit of scientific investigation and come find out for yourself, discovering how science has affected the story-lined corridors of Manchester Central Library over the centuries. Get elbow deep in moonrocks and meteorites, dig around in our archives, meet a real-life conservator, learn the fascinating history of science in the city and get hands-on with the collections (as well as some Lego robots) in the afternoon.
All activities apart from Lego are drop in. For booking information on Lego robots visit the link below.

http://www.manchestersciencefestival.com/event/lego-robotics/

Science all around in Central Library. Pop in and find out more

Family Learning Festival: Animation Workshop
2017-10-24 10:00 - 12:00 UTC
Start your adventure here! This practical workshop introduces parents and children to the wonderful world of animation, and shows how to work together to create basic stop frame animation.
What is the Family Learning Festival?
It’s a national celebration to mark and inspire a love of learning in family life. It takes place in October every year.
Organisations of all types and sizes from schools and children centres, through libraries to museums and galleries, put on brilliant and creative events and showcase ideas and learning opportunities that families can do afterwards. Some Festival events are organised across local areas.
Learning as a family can help us to become confident, lifelong learners with all the benefits that brings – from better health to being happier. Family learning supports children to achieve at school. It can be transformative, helping us to find new passions and interests, and realise our aspirations through further learning.
The Festival is co-ordinated by the Campaign for Learning, the national charity that aims to build a culture of learning everywhere.

Digital Home Movie Day
2017-10-21 10:00 - 16:00 UTC | Archives+ Ground Floor
Home Movie Day is an annual worldwide celebration of family films – the North West Film Archive is looking for those more recent home movies which were ‘born digital’ and might be trapped in an old device. Bring us your gadgets, cards and phones and our experts will do their best to retrieve your movies and make it possible to enjoy and share them again!
Free – please drop in

Michael Symmons Roberts
2017-10-20 18:30 - 20:00 UTC | Performance Space
In his eagerly anticipated seventh collection, Michael Symmons Roberts shows us a place at once familiar and strange. Mancunia is located where real crosses unreal, a Manchester of the mind: occupied, abandoned, liberated and rebuilt. In these finely wrought, capacious poems, we encounter wayward mariners in bars, meet invisible bureaucrats, and hear history shouting through the wall.
Michael has published six collections of poetry and been awarded the Forward Prize, the Costa Poetry Award and the Whitbread Poetry Prize. He is also an acclaimed librettist, broadcaster and dramatist, has published two novels, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. This event is in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University, where Michael is Professor of Poetry, and will include contributions from MMU‘s Schools of Art and Theatre. Introduced by Martin Kratz.
This event is part of Manchester Literature Festival 2017
Book on 0843 208 0500 or
