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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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
Come join our Lowry friends at Central Library and get involved in some fantastic fun for the whole family. From arts and crafts to interactive storytelling, engaging workshops and a chance to watch a classic story on the big screen, plus much more! Free - drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library […]
Forget fast fashion – take a long look at an old favourite: the Tootal scarf. Join Manchester Histories Festival for a celebration of this iconic Manchester-made fashion accessory - a deep dive into this icon of accessories. Seven writers and artists premiere brand-new work responding to the history and culture of the Tootal scarf, designed […]
Join Kantos Chamber Choir as we examine the lives and passions of the mysterious Brontë sisters through the eyes of their friend and supporter, Elizabeth Gaskell. Kantos will evoke the wild, exposed landscapes of a lonely existence on the moors for three exceptional women, who found escape and freedom in their imagined worlds. An hour-long […]
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 10th September 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 […]
THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT Join us for a very special event with bestselling author Jacqueline Wilson, as she discusses her new novel, Think Again. Featuring the characters from her beloved Girls series of children’s novels now as adults, Jacqueline chronicles a life on the cusp of change in this engaging and warm-hearted story […]
Slate Expectations - Restoring Our Town Hall's roof Our Heritage Lectures shine a light on the work behind the scenes of the Our Town Hall Project. One of the most complicated elements of the entire building is the roof. Seen from above we get a better perspective of the scale and complexity of it. With […]
Slate Expectations – Restoring Our Town Hall’s roof Our Heritage Lectures shine a light on the work behind the scenes of the Our Town Hall Project. One of the most complicated elements of the entire building is the roof. Seen from above we get a better perspective of the scale and complexity of it. With […]
What do George V, Gypsy Rose Lee and Bernard Bresslaw have in common? Which musician was once thrown out of the Language and Literature Library? What would you find now in the space where Patrick Stewart and Helen Mirren - amongst many others - played their first roles? All these questions - and many more […]
SORRY THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT We're celebrating older people's day with a Rock 'n' Rolling party starring MANC ELVIS AND HIS MAGICAL BAND! Manchester's premier Elvis tribute act present a Saturday afternoon packed with all THE KING'S greatest hits guaranteed to get you up and dancing! Think 'a little less conversation' and a lot […]
The National Society Of Bookbinders was founded in Manchester in 1974 and celebrates it's 50th Anniversary with a number of events, workshops and displays at Central Library between October-December. All events are free and there is no need to book in advance. The Journey of a Book: a display about making books by hand, Archives […]
ROB PARKER WILL BE WELCOMING THE BRILLIANT DAVID COSTA, LOUISE MINCHIN AND TIM SULLIVAN TO THIS MONTHS CRIME CENTRAL! 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 the scenes! Showcasing blockbuster […]
Join us for a discussion on the future of Black History Month, where we will be joined by award-winning author, broadcaster and Professor of Sociology, Gary Younge, as well as members from youth group 8% club We will be discussing different ways to think about Black History Month and ensure that Black histories are explored […]
A history of migration in and out of North West England told through 100 stories from Roman times to the present day. Explore the region’s long history of migration and ways in which it has shaped and continues to shape our social landscape. Browse the stories of individual women, men and children arriving in and […]
Join us for an evening of art and discussion dedicated to the life and legacy of Len Johnson— Britain's uncrowned boxing champion, dedicated local activist, and revered Manchester legend. The event will feature live music, poetry, an interactive play, archive photos of Len, and an exhibition, followed by a thought-provoking discussion on Johnson's life and […]
Immerse yourself in the vibrant literary landscape of the North at the Northern Publishers' Fair, organised by Fly on the Wall Press. Discover dynamic new voices, meet authors and buy books directly from regional independent presses including Bluemoose, Carcanet, Comma, Commonword, Flapjack, Saraband, Salt, Northodox and many more. Enjoy live pop-up performances from Nicholas Boniface, […]
Manchester Central Library will join hundreds of Fun Palaces nationally and internationally set to explode with free and fun activities for all. Join us on Saturday, 5 October, and master new skills from your neighbours, share hobbies with friends old and new, and celebrate the passions and enthusiasms of all of us! 10.30am-4pm: Informal Bookbinding Workshops (Ground […]
Immerse yourself in the vibrant literary landscape of the North at the Northern Publishers' Fair, organised by Fly on the Wall Press. Discover dynamic new voices, meet authors and buy books directly from regional independent presses including Bluemoose, Carcanet, Comma, Commonword, Flapjack, Saraband, Salt, Northodox and many more. Enjoy live pop-up performances from Nicholas Boniface, […]
Manchester Central Library will join hundreds of Fun Palaces nationally and internationally set to explode with free and fun activities for all. Join us on Saturday, 5 October, and master new skills from your neighbours, share hobbies with friends old and new, and celebrate the passions and enthusiasms of all of us! 10.30am-4pm: Informal Bookbinding Workshops (Ground […]
Bring the family along to join in our Mandarin and English Storytime. We will share the stories in Mandarin then English and it will be a chance for the children to have some fun and learn some new words. This session is suitable for children aged 4 - 7 years old. For more information, email […]
UNFORTUNATELY, THIS EVENT IS NOW CANCELLED Yuan Yang is no longer able to travel to Manchester due to her new parliamentary commitments and constituency obligations and is very sorry to miss the opportunity to meet our audience. Quaytickets will be in touch with all existing ticket holders to offer a refund. In Private Revolutions: Coming […]
‘I was standing outside an apartment block that had been split apart by a missile. The words of a poem came to me when I could no longer find my own.’ In the four decades she’s spent as a foreign correspondent, Lindsey Hilsum has always carried a book of poetry with her. Poetry has helped […]
PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT HAS CHANGED VENUE FROM WATERSTONES DEANSGATE TO CENTRAL LIBRARY 'There are two things that I can simply not tolerate: feminists and margarine.’ A Japanese bestseller, Butter is the story of gourmet cook and serial killer Manako Kajii. Convicted of seducing lonely businessmen with her cooking and killing them for their money, Manako is […]
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.
