Free things to do this week ft. Circus of Improv, Root & Branch + more

Improv Jam at Bandit, Mugger & Thief
Improv comedy has enjoyed something of a resurgence in Manchester of late, with improv giants ComedySportz launching more nights around the city, and the Ape & Apple’s brilliant murder mystery themed night Murder Inc packing in audiences month after month. This night at Canal Street bar ‘n’ grill Bandit, Mugger & Thief is called Circus of Improv, and features a different ringmaster every month, with all comers encouraged to join in the fun. There’s every type of improv on offer here, so this is a great choice whether you’re looking to give it a go or simply watch.
Mon 21 Mar, Bandit Mugger & Thief, 1 Canal Street, Manchester M1 3HE, 7.30pm, www.facebook.com

Lara Williams Book Launch at The Whitworth
Writer Lara Williams is launching Treats, her new short story collection, as part of The Whitworth’s Thursday Lates series. The event will include readings from the new book, which centres heavily on the author’s musings on modern relationships. See our full preview for more details.
Thu 24 Mar, The Whitworth, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6ER, Tel: 0161 2757450, 6 – 9pm, www.facebook.com

Manchester Duck Race at Spinningfields
An interesting little event for Good Friday: Manchester’s seventh annual duck race in the River Irwell. Though it costs £1 to enter a duck in the race – proceeds going to children’s charity Brainwaves – it’s free to come along and cheer your favourite mallard. In addition to the race, which kicks off at 2pm, there’s plenty more on offer: Two family-friendly film screenings at 12pm and 3pm on Left Bank with street food, live music at the Oast House, fairground treats, face painting and a petting zoo on the Boulevard. There’s also going to be a massive inflatable duck, which is frankly worth a listing in its own right.
Fri 25 Mar, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3AQ, 11am – 4pm, www.spinnningfieldsonline.com

Root & Branch folk band (pictured) at People’s History Museum
Folk band Root & Branch come to the PHM for a one-off afternoon performance as part of their tour of the North. The band play traditional workers’ songs from Britain and abroad and in this performance they’ll be providing a musical response to the museum’s ongoing exhibition Grafters – a photography exhibition on the working class from the Industrial Revolution to present.
Sat 26 Mar, People’s History Museum, Left Bank, Manchester M3 3ER, Tel: 0161 838 9190, 3pm – 4pm, www.phm.org.uk