Free things to do this weekend ft. Belong, Hot Sex Time Machine + more

Belong at Safestore Old Trafford
A self storage facility in Trafford might seem an inauspicious location for a photography exhibition, but that’s exactly what Belong is. Featuring work of second-year photography students, it covers themes of homelessness, consumerism and the family all looking towards the common theme of what it means to belong. It may be a bit of a trek to get out and see it, but it’s well worth a look in.
Fri 4 Mar – Mon 7 Mar, Safestore, City Park, 34 Brindley Road, Manchester M16 9HQ, 10am – 2pm, www.safestore.co.uk

Hot Sex Time Machine at 70 Oxford Street
This brilliantly-monikered event invites film fans to step 30 years into the past and take a look at sex on screen as it appeared in 1985. Over the afternoon, three films that depict sexuality in some way are being screened: My Beautiful Laundrette, Desert Hearts and Nine and a Half Weeks. Hosted by MMU’s department of Humanities and Social Science Research, each screening is accompanied by an academic talk covering subjects from BDSM to LGBT. They’ll also be handing free popcorn, sweets and condoms – should you need to stock up – and everything’s rounded off with an 80s disco. Registration for this event is essential.
Sat 5 Mar, 70 Oxford Street, Manchester M1 5NH, 10am – 7pm, www.eventbrite.com

MANIFF Music Saturday at Printworks (pictured)
The Manchester International Film Festival kicked off this week, and whilst you’ll have to cough up for most of their screenings, this event can be enjoyed without opening up your wallet. All through the day the Mart Rodgers Jazz Band will be playing in between screenings at the Odeon Printworks, giving the venue a real early-age-of-cinema vibe. The performances build up to the debut of a new film about Brooklyn-based composer Vince Giordano entitled ‘There’s a Future in the Past’.
Sat 5 Mar, Odeon, The Printworks, 27 Withy Grove, Manchester M4 2BS, 12pm – 8.15pm, www.maniff.com

Here Come the Grrrrls at Band on the Wall
Another festival that’s currently ongoing is this year’s Wonder Women. This event celebrates and showcases the great female musicians who’ve risen through Brighter Sounds Here Come The Grrrls programme. So if you fancy spending your Sunday evening in the company of Manchester’s brightest young musical talent including Natalie McCool, Becca Williams and Elizabeth Vince, this is definitely the one for you.
Sun 6 Mar, Band on the Wall, 25 Swan St, Manchester M4 5JZ, 7pm – 9.30pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk