Free things to do this week ft. Mope, Protest, Cocktails + Screaming Gander

Mope at The Old Monkey (pictured)
Technically not a free night due to the token 23p cover charge, but that’s all part of Mope’s unique charm. Part art piece, part early evening indie disco: Mope is a night of intentional bad times in the upstairs of a pub, accompanied by less of a playlist and more of a screaming musical void. Your 23p gets you all this anti-fun along with access to a pickle jar and disappointing Asda buffet. It’s an exercise in structured misery – like Banksy’s Dismaland, but less touristy.
Mon 7 Sep, The Old Monkey, 90 Portland St, M1 4GX, 7pm -11pm, 23p, www.facebook.com

People’s Assembly at Central Methodist Church
Something perhaps a little more inspiring is this, the People’s Assembly. Their events in the past have attracted high profile anti-austerity speakers including Owen Jones, but for this one Maxine Peake and Julie Hesmondlagh are taking to the pulpit. There are still some free tickets available on Eventbrite for the super skint, but if you can cough up for a ticket, you really ought to. Attendees are also encouraged to bring supplies for the refugees in Calais – you can see the full list on their website. For any further details, check out our preview here.
Tue 8 Sep, Central Methodist Hall, Oldham Street, M1 1JQ, 7pm – 9pm, Free/£2.50/£5 tickets available, www.thepeopleassmebly.org.uk

Shake, Battle & Soul at Kosmonaut
This is a neat new concept for Kosmonaut: Competitive cocktailing where two local teams of amateur mixologists duke it out in an arena of blood, sweat and muddled lime. For this inaugural night, the teams come from Carhartt Clothing and Maclure Barbers. Entry’s free for spectators and there’ll be a selection of canapes to much on and drinks to wash them down – the ideal accompaniments to a night of boozy sport.
Thu 10 Sep, Kosmonaut, 10 Tariff St, M1 2FF, 6.30pm, www.facebook.com

Lee Baxter at Screaming Gander Gallery
This new gallery set in Ancoats’ Chips building plays host to this exhibition by local photographer Lee Baxter. Entitled ‘The Ancoats Riviera’, it features a series of snaps taken from Baxter’s flat window overlooking the streets and canals of Ancoats, as it undergoes a massive regeneration. We’ve got a full preview here.
Thu 10 Sep – Sun 20 Sep, Screaming Gander Gallery, Unit 4, Chips, 2 Lampwick Lane, Manchester, Preview: Thu 10 Sep, 6pm – 9pm, open Tue – Sun, 12 noon – 5pm, www.screaminggander.com