What's on

A Masterclass: Queer History

Performance Space

When did the popular ‘GAY’ LGBT+/Human Rights Campaign really start?  1964 North-Western Homosexual Law Reform Committee 1966 Compton's Cafeteria riot 1967 Passing of the Sexual Offences Act 1968 The Stonewall Riots Earlier? 1958 Wolfenden Committee Report 1928 Publishing of The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe ​ How about the ‘Gay’ Reform Movement of the 1830’s!? Pioneering […]

Breaking the News Exhibition and Archive Handling Sessions

Archives+ Ground Floor

The news has the power to make or break elections, to change the course of history or to alter our perspective on the city and country we live in. We expect the news to speak truth to power, but can it ever really be objective? Is your news the same as everyone else’s? How do […]

Feeding the Darkness

Performance Space

‘Art Thou in Darkness? Mind it not for if thou dost, it will fill thee more…...’ - James Naylor (17th century Quaker) 'Feeding the Darkness' is a 65-minute immersive performance piece which demonstrates the stark impact of state-sanctioned torture on victims, perpetrators, families and those who collude in the ‘process’. It uses verbatim monologues, dramatic […]

International Women’s Day: Songbird

Archives+ Ground Floor

Join us in the oculus area on the ground floor for this short concert by the RNCM Chamber Choir, in celebration of International Women’s Day. Inspired by birdsong, ‘Songbird’  is an all female composer programme. The programme will include works by Fanny Mendelssohn, Sarah Quartel and Roxanna Panufnik. The RNCM Chamber Choir is an auditioned […]

Intro to art, Augmented Reality (AR) and NFTs in the Metaverse

Ground Floor Search Room

Virtual Lab are holding a talk on Wednesday as part of the Digital Festival. Join the dots between immersive technologies, blockchain and the metaverse in a talk by Dr Jessica Symons, Director of Visioning Lab and Research Fellow at the University of Manchester. The presentation combines insight from projects, research and networking across the immersive, […]

Okechukwu Nzelu – HERE AGAIN NOW Book Launch

Performance Space

Join us at Manchester Central Library for the launch of Okechukwu Nzelu's new book HERE AGAIN NOW. About this event We're delighted to be working with Blackwells Books to host the launch of Okechukwu Nzelu's latest book HERE AGAIN NOW - a heart-breaking and immensely uplifting novel about lovers, fathers and sons which shows the […]

£3.60 – £16.31

Crime Festival

Performance Space

A CELEBRATION OF THE BEST CRIME WRITERS IN MANCHESTER Wednesday 16th March - Cath Staincliffe, Joseph Knox and Karen Woods. Thursday 17th March - Mandasue Heller, Alex Caan, Chris Simms and S J Watson. Friday 18th March - After Dark Entertainment presents: 'An Invitation to Murder' Murder Mystery Night Hosted by the brilliant author Rob […]

£2.50 – £4.00

Murder Mystery Night

Performance Space

SOLD OUT Manchester Libraries Crime Festival After Dark Entertainment present: An Invitation to Murder Will you find a body in the library? When famous golden age detectives are invited to a remote mansion by a reclusive author they get more than they bargained for as he reveals that one of them is the mysterious thief […]

£5.50 – £7

WORD CENTRAL Open Mic Night

Performance Space

Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word hosted by Tony Curry. Presented by Flapjack Press & Manchester Libraries. Next event: Tues 22nd March, 6.00pm (doors 5.30pm) with special guest Mantz Yorke. Mantz Yorke trained as a scientist, gaining a degree in industrial metallurgy before taking up a career in teaching. Later, he switched to educational research. […]

150 years of the Together Trust

Wolfson Reading Room

The exhibition tells the story of the Together Trust’s 150-year history in Manchester and the north west. It charts the development of this disability charity from its origins as a 12-bed homeless boys’ refuge in Manchester city centre, to an organisation championing and caring for thousands of people in the region today. The exhibition features […]

A Northern Life – it’s not all about Margaret

First Floor Display Cases

Welcome to the wonderful world of local artist Lorraine Rudyard. Lorraine creates three-dimensional sculptures using recycled materials and vintage finds. Her work is colourful, humorous, warm and engaging, and reflects her Northern upbringing. Free - just drop in - to help keep our activities free in the future please consider making a donation, either online […]

Cracking Crafts

Lower Ground Floor Link

Pop in to Central Library for cracking creativity. Make some spring and Easter themed crafts to celebrate the start of spring. Suitable for families with children under 12. Free - just drop in - to help keep our activities free in the future please consider making a donation, either online or at one of our […]