Henry Normal is a writer, poet, TV and film producer, founder of the Manchester Poetry Festival (now the Manchester Literature Festival) and co-founder of the Nottingham Poetry Festival. In June 2017 he was honoured with a special BAFTA for services to television. Raining Upwards is Henry’s first all new poetry collection in over twenty years. […]
Join a choir for the day, to rehearse and perform a selection of songs from the ground breaking Beatles’ album Sgt. Pepper plus other well-known songs from the era. As a choir, you will learn distributed material from scratch, rehearsed during the day by choral director Eleanor Mottershead with piano accompaniment from Tim Mottershead […]
A celebration of books For fashion designer, environmentalist and businesswoman Vivienne Westwood, books have always been among her great loves. At this special event she shares her passion for reading and the inspiration it can bring to all, with selections from some of her favourites. This free event is broadcast live from the British Library […]
Grab your nearest and dearest, put on your dancing shoes and join us as we celebrate with free family fun. Heritage Open Days – as part of this festival we are offering two behind-the-scenes tours. Find out how the North West Film Archive is saving the region’s filmed heritage and see their conservation and storage […]
Author performance and book signing. With special guest Dave Viney. Thick Richard has been peddling his potty-mouthed poetry since the turn of the century. He has supported John Cooper Clarke, Kate Tempest, Arthur Smith and The Fall, performed on BBC Radio 4 and presented Radio 6 Music’s Beat of the Day. His one-man show Swear School premiered in […]
Learn to build your own noise machine and explore graphical sound and performance. Our Noise Machines are electronic musical instruments based on analogue synthesizer circuitry that respond to changes in light via a light sensor interface. Our DIY Kits are simple oscillator circuits with a light sensor that will introduce you to electronics and circuit […]
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND The brilliant DJ John Ryan (Max 80s digital radio, Girls on Film, Gaydio) will be returning to Central Library again after the success of our first silent disco earlier this year. Grab your headphones and get ready to flip between three brilliant mixes guaranteed to get you shakin your groove thang! […]
Join us for animal prints and book making fun! Have a go at letterpress printing with images from the archives. Create your own wonderful prints or take part in a book making workshop. Suitable for families with children aged 12 and under. Free - just drop in
Come and hear Grace Victory talk about her new book No Filter. Award-winning vlogger, TV presenter and body-positive internet queen Grace Victory is well known for her open honesty. Here, in No Filter, she shares her inspirational story and her wealth of advice and experience on problems that all young people face, including topics that […]
Tom Thorp’s new ensemble of nimble-fingered, northern talents subverts the roles within the saxophone quartet with experimental composition techniques: energetic and always musical. Advance: £8.50 (inc 50p bkg fee) / OTD: £10 A Manchester Jazz Festival event
Clouds both celebrate and challenge the preconceived charm of this beloved instrument with new music embracing minimalism, folk and classical - interspersed with improvisation. Advance: £8.50 (inc 50p bkg fee) / OTD: £10 A Manchester Jazz Festival event
Andrew explores the capabilities of the pocket piano – a tiny, hand-built synthesiser. He improvises sweeping soundscapes using both intricate textures and simple melodies. Bristol sax and drums duo, Run Logan Run strive for intensity within the moment - from quiet, bird-like noises to huge, monolithic sounds. Advance: £8.50 (inc 50p bkg fee) / OTD: […]
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.
