Free things to do this weekend ft. SFTOC party, Chetham’s Library + more

New Exhibition at HOME
Arts hub HOME begins its new season with this new exhibition, which bears the lengthy moniker Imitation of Life Melodrama & Race in the 21st Century. Featuring the work of 12 different artists – working in different mediums – they aim to create a map of racial politics the world over. You can catch a sneak preview of it on Friday evening. See our full preview for further details.
Fri 29 Apr (preview 6 – 9pm), Sat 30 Apr – Sun 3 Jul, HOME, First Street, Manchester M15 4FN. Tel: 0161 200 1500, 12pm – 8pm, homemcr.org

SFTOC DJs at Common
May Day is nearly upon us, which means it’s time for another Sounds From the Other City Festival. Salford is being taken over from 3pm – 4am on Sunday, but if you can’t make it – or just want to ramp up to the festival proper – you should check out this unofficial opening party at Common on Friday. Featuring the DJing talents of the many of the festival’s best, it’s running up until midnight, so there’s still technically time to go out after. It is a bank holiday after all.
Fri 29 Apr, Common, 39-41 Edge Street, Manchester M4 1HW, 8pm – 12pm, www.aplacecalledcommon.co.uk

Chetham’s Library Family Day (pictured)
If you’re looking for something a little more family-friendly and a lot less drinky this weekend, you’d be hard pressed to find a better event than this one at Chetham’s Library. The library is playing host to a family fun day full of literary themed craft activities. Aside from the activities on offer, this is also a great opportunity to take advantage and explore one of Manchester’s most beautiful historical buildings.
Sat 30 Apr, Chetham’s Library, Long Millgate, Manchester M3 1SB, 11am – 3pm, www.eventbrite.com

RNCM Concert at The Whitworth
Friends of the Royal Northern College of Music present this, the first in a series of regular afternoon performances at The Whitworth, following a successful run last year. In the past, these concerts have showcased a variety of styles and instruments and this first one features the talents of Clemence Prudhomme on the violin and Pola Kompf on the flute. These sessions are roughly 45 minutes long, and operate on a casual dropin basis, so why not swing by to see what you can hear.
Sun 1 May, The Whitworth, Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6ER, Tel: 0161 275 7450, 3pm – 4pm, events.manchester.ac.uk