2017 is a landmark year for Pakistan, the nation turned 70 and the British High Commission marked this anniversary by showcasing important milestones, human stories, and the bonds which exist between the UK and Pakistan. The UK and Pakistan share a past and are striving together to pave the way for a shared future as well. […]
A poignant look back at at Manchester Airport as seen through the lens of acclaimed photographer Shirley Baker, thirty years ago, having spent a day at the airport in 1987 capturing the experiences of passengers using the airport. The exhibition includes photos chosen by the public and Manchester Airport staff. As well as capturing various areas of […]
Manchester Metropolitan University’s Manchester Fashion Institute is involved in an exciting new project that explores the individual and civic identities of Greater Manchester’s young people through style, fashion and dress. Academics Jo Jenkinson, John Earnshaw and Zoë Hitchen have been working with young people to establish how clothing can be used as a catalyst for self-awareness and personal expression, capturing portraits of […]
Manchester Central Library is proud to host a display inspired by the British Library's new exhibition Harry Potter: A History of Magic. From Friday 20 October 2017, visitors will be able to discover fascinating facts about the History of Magic at Manchester Central Library. Displays will launch simultaneously in 20 public libraries across the UK […]
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 […]
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
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
A CHRISTMAS WORD CENTRAL a semaphore-exploding mind-flow open mic poetry & spoken word hosted by Tony Curry. 6.00pm - 8.00pm Everyone Welcome. To book an open mic slot please email mail@flapjackpress.co.uk
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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
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
Manchester Opera Ensemble return to Central Library on 19th and 20th December to present a new production of British composer Lennox Berkeley’s farce, A Dinner Engagement. Set in a Greater Manchester family home during the run up to Christmas dinner this production promises beautiful sounds, sights, smells and of course, a pinch of disaster. The production is […]
Join us for the premiere of new sci-fi adventure The Crimson Pioneers made by the Manchester Indie Film Makers Group, based at Central Library. Synopsis: The first generation of 'Crimson Pioneers' have started to make Mars their new home. When all seems to be going to plan the unexpected happens and throws everything into chaos. […]
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.
