Free things to do in Manchester this week ft Muriel Spark and Siberia

It’s the end of the month, and our pockets are feeling a little light: The perfect excuse to stay in – avoid the cold, save a bit of money. But when your feet start to itch, and your sofa-bound slanket fort starts to feel like a slanket prison, it’s good to know there’s plenty out there that won’t cost you a dime.

Dead Cat Comedy ft Gregory Bike at Sandbar (pictured)
Narrowly missing out a spot in John Stansfield’s comedy picks of the week in favour of more expensive ventures, Manchester’s ubiquitous free comedy club present another stellar lineup. This one is headlined by vaunted satirical character act Gregory Bike, with supporting turns from Richard Massara and Harriet Dyer – both of whom are bloody excellent in their own right.
Mon 24 Nov, Sandbar, 120 Grosvenor Street, M1 7HL, 8pm, www.facebook.com

Siberia: At the Edge of the World at Manchester Museum
As part of the UK-Russia year of culture (nope, I didn’t realise this was a thing either) Manchester University’s crab-fronted museum is staging an exhibition exploring the environment and culture of Siberia, a landmass bigger than Western Europe, but with a lousier reputation. The exhibition is currently in the middle of its run and – fair warning – does include the stuffed carcass of a brown bear.
Sat 4 Oct – Fri 1 Mar, Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, M13 9PL, www.museum.manchester.ac.uk

Literary Lives: Muriel Spark at Anthony Burgess Foundation
In her lifetime, Scottish novelist Muriel Spark was widely revered and her witty and insightful prose and she still garners many new fans up to this day – The Times naming her 8th in their rundown of top British writers working since 1945. The IABF are staging as a discussion of her work and influence as part of their Autumn calendar, chaired by biographer and Manchester scholar Andrew Biswell.
Thu 27 Nov, International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Engine House, Chorlton Mill, 3 Cambridge Street, M1 5BY, 6.30pm, Registration recommended, 0161 235 0776, www.anthonyburgess.org

ReThink Fashion at MOSI
The fashion industry justifiably has a reputation for waste and excess, so it’s nice to see this – a fashion event celebrating vintage and upcycled threads. ReThink Fashion connects renowned designers and students , allowing them to their own eco-conscious clobber, whilst also hosting a mini-marketplace provides a series of pop-up incarnations of Manchester’s favourite vintage shops. This free event is currently all booked out, but the online form is now allowing reserves.
Thu 27 Nov, Museum of Science and Industry, Liverpool Road, M3 4FP, 7pm, Online booking required, www.recycleforgreatermanchester.com