An international exchange exhibition bringing together the worlds of Nigerian diaspora artists Chigozie obi, Daniel Oyegade and Dou, as they crack and connect the mirrors of their heritage, history and culture. Through photography, paintings and film installations, the exhibition is an ode to what is alive within the mundane. Free – just drop in Please […]
Foundation Art and Design Students from The Manchester College have brought the Art School’s ethos of research to the heart of Manchester Central Library's iconic Wolfson Reading Room. Each student has developed a personal body of work which has initially been inspired by one of the books from the venue. The work on the boards […]
Lorraine Rudyard creates three-dimensional sculptures using recycled materials and vintage finds, encapsulated in story boxes. Her work is very Northern and what you will see are closely observed people and lots of lovely details and references to Lorraine's childhood, i.e. a budgie in a cage named Monty, a bathroom scene with fish wall-paper that are […]
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 16th July 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 […]
Calling all budding chess players! Head to our Performance Space and meet other players at this informal and fun drop-in session. Open to all children and families. For more information, contact angela.rawcliffe@manchester.gov.uk or alessia.benedetti@manchester.gov.uk Free - drop in Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or […]
Calling all budding chess players! Head to our Performance Space and meet other players at this informal and fun drop-in session. Open to all children and families. For more information, contact angela.rawcliffe@manchester.gov.uk or alessia.benedetti@manchester.gov.uk Free - drop in Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or […]
Meet us in our Music Library on the first floor for a fun-filled dance session! Suitable for children up to 7 years. 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
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
Join us to listen to and discuss our favourite records and slabs of vinyl. Next listen: Person Pitch by Panda Bear. All welcome! Free - just drop in
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
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 […]
Join for themed crafts and showcased books linked to this month’s film. The club is free to join and we may even have popcorn! Bring the family for a free afternoon of fun. Suitable for children up 12 years. Suitable for children up 12 years. Free – drop in. Please make a donation to support […]
Join us in the Henry Watson Music Library for a beguiling hour of acoustic magic from three local performers. 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
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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
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.
