Word Central open mic and spoken word hosted by Tony Curry. Featuring guest poet Alex Slater! Alex Slater's fast paced poetry is laced with humour and charm, from the political to the absurd. He is the co-runner of SPEAK, a spoken word night in Manchester's Northern Quarter driven to bringing poetry to the masses. A multi-slam-finalist, […]
From the no. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author of Reasons to Stay Alive and How to Stop Time, a personal and vital look at how to feel happy, human and whole in the 21st century. The world is messing with our minds. – How can we stay sane on a planet that makes us mad? […]
Charles Goodyear turned natural rubber into a product that revolutionised industries around the world – but his journey was far from easy. Through theatre, art, humour, and song, Lioness Theatre present the dark true tale of how a bankrupt button-maker became one of the most important inventors of all time – and the terrible price […]
Seen a performance you really liked in libraries that you could nominate for Manchester's inaugral culture awards? You can now nominate people, groups and organisations who made culture buzz in Manchester during April 2017 to April 2018. The top three nominees in each category will be invited to a prestigious dinner in November, where the winners […]
The Northern Carnival Against the Nazis - a rally and concert held on 15th July 1978 in Moss Side, Manchester - was a defining moment in establishing anti-racism in the city and beyond. The 15,000 people who marched across town and the 40,000 people who danced in Alexandra Park that day didn’t just make racism […]
Our favourite DJ John Ryan returns to Central Library with another Retro Silent Disco on Friday 20th July with a special summer treat. This time you can dance the night away to - The Best Northern Soul and Motown featuring Gloria Jones, Al Wilson, The Flirtations and all the biggest dance floor fillers. Made in Manchester Stone Roses, […]
An afternoon of free family fun as we get creative with all things Bee inspired. Take a seat, enjoy the animated film, bee crafts and illustration. Join the family Bee a Reader Challenge from Read Manchester and pick up an entry form for our bee themed writing competition for 7-16 year olds. And as if […]
A powerful exhibition by Manchester based photographer, Allie Crewe, whose work is "highly rated, sincere, poignant and classical ", Magnum Photography. There is nothing linear about femininity - or what it means to be a woman - in the 21st century. Sex and gender are not limited to the monolithic paradigm of genetics; they are informed by […]
Break out the popcorn and join in the fun for these free family film screenings. Lots to enjoy, including free craft sessions. Event dates and film classification below: Thursday 9 August (U) Friday 10 August (PG) Tuesday 14 August (U) Thursday 16 August (U) Tuesday 21 August (12) Friday 24 August (PG) Tuesday 28 August […]
We are proud to announce the first Manchester Comics and Reading (MCR) Festival at Central Library! This is a triple event special. That's right, three in one day. We have a traditional comic event, an anime / manga showcase and a cosplay event all rolled into one day and venue, but in three very distinct […]
The poems in this brand new book are about Love, War, Anti-Austerity, Mental Health, Domestic Violence, Murder, Child Abuse, Gender Identity, Race, and Climate Change. All Book profits are being donated to the mental health charity 'Mind'. This collection of poetry is based on and around the themes of Order and Chaos. It has been […]
‘The Alan Bennett of poetry’ – The Scotsman ‘Dovetails bittersweet poetry with a sublimely observant wit’ – The Guardian Flapjack Press and Manchester Libraries are proud to host the launch of Henry Normal's new collection of poetry, 'This Phantom Breath'. Written between August 2016 and August 2017, the poems in this collection are concerned with […]
From dedicated performance spaces to stairwells, screens, nooks and domes, Central Library might directly inspire your next event or intervention. Contact us to arrange a tour.
