Free things to do this weekend ft. Blackjack, TAGallery + Manchester Sound Archive

Despite being – apparently – full thwack into summer, seems lately it’s been a bit hard in Manchester to spend your days in the sunsheeeeyine. No bother, just take a look at these great events this weekend, which all look set to be fun and completely free whatever the weather.

Blackjack Brewtap
Arguably one of the best freebies that Manchester serves up on the regular, Blackjack Brewtap returns this weekend for an almighty mash-up of food and – obviously – a lot of beer. Friday’s food comes from vegan vendors Gud, who’ll be firing out Mexican style black bean burgers and gobi chana burgers, while Saturday is ably taken care of by the lovely guys from Arepa Arepa Arepa. But ahead of their Shebeen Festival takeover at the end of the month, this brewtap won’t stick to its usual three day format, slashing Sunday off the bill so that they can get some other stuff done. We reckon you’re already pretty spoilt with the first two days, so simply lap ’em up.
Fri 17 & Sat 18 Jul, Blackjack Beers, 36 Gould Street, M4 4RN, Fri 6pm – 11pm, Sat 12pm – 11pm, FREE, www.facebook.com

TAGallery presents The Other Side of the Door is Red (pictured)
One of the city’s newest galleries (also known as The Adaptable Gallery) unveils its latest exhibition with a private view this Saturday, where you’ll have a chance to meet the participating artists and view the work on show. Showcasing pieces by Richard Shields, William Hughes, Georgina Parker, Iain North and Daniel Waggett, who together share a studio space in Hotspur Press, the exhibition features works that differ in medium, style and content but are united by their shared creative working environment.
Sat 18 Jul (preview) – Sun 30 Aug, TAGallery, Central Working, 235 Deansgate, M3 4EN, Preview 4pm – 6pm, FREE, www.facebook.com

Greater Manchester Sound Archive at Central Library
Have you been down to Central Library yet to check out Greater Manchester Sound Archive, launched earlier this month? Take a rainy day and use it to listen to over 1,200 copies of sound recordings on cassette, CD and mp3 spanning oral histories, local radio recordings and music. From the works of the local classical musician Thomas Pitfield and live folk music recordings from the massive Paul Graney Memorial Folk Music Archive to oral histories that include stories of places, dialects, communities, immigration, war, pastimes and industries around Greater Manchester. Nice way to spend an afternoon.
Launched Wed 1 July, Manchester Central Library, St Peters Square, M2 5PD, Usual library opening hours, FREE, www.archivesplus.org

Know of any good freebies coming up? Email jess at manchesterwire dot co dot uk with the deets.