Free things to do this week ft Ice Cream and Planet of the Apes

The weather’s nice and it’s a particularly bumper week for free stuff. So you’ve got no excuse to stay indoors, you hermit.

Game of Thrones at Black Dog NWS and Fab Café (pictured)
Fans have been salivating over the hotly anticipated fifth season for weeks – and it’s finally arrived. You could watch it at home like some kind of square, or you could be a completely different kind of square and go watch it in a bar. Two places that are offering weekly screenings are Black Dog on New Wakefield Street and Portland Street’s nerds paradise Fab Café. Black Dog is offering a special themed menu for the occasion, as well as booze and food prizes for the best costumes. Fab is hitting back with a GoT quiz from 7pm. Both venues will be screening episodes every Monday until the series ends in the summer.
Mon 13 Apr, Black Dog NWS, 11-13 New Wakefield Street, M1 5NP, Fab Café, 109 Portland Street, M1 6DN, 9pm, www.blackdogballroom.co.uk, twitter.com/fabcafemanc

Ben & Jerry’s at Printworks
Odeon Printworks is offering free cones of everyone’s favourite moderately expensive ice cream. There really isn’t anything I can add to this, it’s free ice cream. You love ice cream.
Tue 14 Apr, Odeon Printworks, 27 Withy Grove, M4 2BS

Slice Group Show at Federation House
This show is one of the last at Castlefield Gallery’s pop-up annexe on Federation Street before the whole thing is torn down so something else can go in its place – such is the transient nature of our culture – and it’s now down to its last few days. This exhibition features the work of several different visual artists, working across a host of mediums. You can read our full preview here.
Wed 15 Apr, Federation House, Federation Street, M4 2AH, opening times vary, www.facebook.com

Justin Roberts Exhibition at Electrik
Assuming you’re not arted out from Slice, you can check out this new exhibition at Chorlton’s Elektrik, featuring work by Justin Robertson. Robertson is a DJ by trade, but recently made waves when this exhibition opened at London’s Neu Gallery. He’ll be back on the wheels of steel for the exhibition opening party though, so that’ll be well worth dropping in if you get a chance. Otherwise, if you’ve got a free morning, the breakfasts at Electrik are damn good – well worth tucking into while enjoying some fine art. You can check out our full preview for this show here.
Wed 15 – Wed 22 Apr, Electrik Bar, 559, Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, M21 0AE, 8pm – late (opening night), www.facebook.com

Red Bull Music Academy
Happening all around town, the Red Bull Music Academy is a collection of events varying in prices. However, there’s a handful of free talks, masterclasses and afternoon sessions that are worth taking a look in if your pockets are feeling a bit light. On Thursday there’s a free talk from trailblazing grime artist Skepta – it’s sold out but you can still get on the waiting list. You can check out our full preview for all the details.
Thu 16 – Sun 19 Apr, All over the place

Planet of the Apes at Anthony Burgess Foundation
The 1968 classic has been remade, parodied and riffed so often it’s practically burnt onto our collective consciousness, but if you’re yet to experience the original’s charms now is your chance! This screening is presented by the Science and Entertainment Lab at Manchester University and will also feature an expert speaker talking about the film’s interplay between science and faith. A guaranteed stimulating evening – and not a Monkey Lincoln in sight.
Thu 16 Apr, International Anthony Burgess Foundation, 3 Cambridge Street, M1 5BY, www.anthonyburgess.org