Free things to do this Easter weekend ft. Assembly, Speakeasy Bootleg Band + more

Holly Rowan Hesson Installation at Bankley Gallery (pictured)
This new installation from artist Holly Rowan Hesson is currently running at the Bankley Gallery in Levenshulme, Saturdays only. It’s called Assembly and it’s an immersive piece that continues Hesson’s interests in fragility, transience and solidity. It’s also the first exhibition in the main gallery space since its refurbishment. If you can’t get in this weekend, then worry not, because there’s one last chance to catch it next Saturday.
Sat 26 Mar, Bankley Studios & Gallery, Bankley Street, Levenshulme M19 3PP, 12pm – 4pm, www.holyrowanhesson.co.uk

Speakeasy Bootleg Band at Matt & Phred’s
For a chilled Saturday evening, you might want to head down to Matt & Phred’s jazz club, where you can see this free performance from the Speakeasy Bootleg Band. The five-piece band will be bashing out the prohibition-era tunes – not just a great way to spend the evening, but also a fun and accessible route into jazz for the uninitiated. Regrettably, free advance tickets are sold out already, but keep an eye on the link in case any more crop up. Otherwise, it’s £5 on the door.
Sat 26 Mar, Matt & Phred’s, 64 Tib Street, Manchester M4 1LW, 9.30pm – 12.30am, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Departure Lounge at Gorilla
If you’re feeling the need for something rowdier then this is exactly what you need: A free party at Gorilla, featuring DJ sets from a cavalcade of local labels and promoters including Double Drop, Criminal Hype and The Northern Collective. The event promises huge house and techno, which’ll likely still be rattling through your skull as you tuck into chocolate eggs the following morning. It’s first come, first serve on the free tickets: Slow coaches have to pay £6 on the door.
Sat 26 Mar, Gorilla, 54-56 Whitworth Street West, Manchester M1 5WW, 11pm – 4am, gorilla.seetickets.com

WFA World Series at The Pavillion
Anyone who’s seen the Tom Cruise film cocktail will be familiar with flair bartending: The acrobat art of mixing drinks. Well, this Easter the World Flair Association’s World Series is coming to the Pavillion in Manchester, for a free showcase of the world’s flashiest mixologists, who’ll be competing for the coveted title and £5000 cash prize. The afterparty is being DJ’d by Martin Bundsen of Solar Records, and if you stick around you’re pretty much guaranteed to be able to find someone who knows how to make a decent drink.
Sun 27 Mar, The Pavillion, 36 Peter Street, Manchester M2 5GP, 5pm – 2am, www.skiddle.com

Easter DJs at Common & Beagle
If you’ve still got the energy to keep the party going on Easter Sunday, and you’re not looking to watch a bunch of dudes throw bottles around, Common in the Northern Quarter and Beagle in Chorlton are both hosting free DJ parties. See our full preview for further details on both these nights.
Sun 27 Mar, Common, 39-41 Edge Street, Manchester M4 1HW, 4pm – 12am, www.facebook.com
Beagle, 456-458 Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton, Manchester M21 0BQ, 4pm – late, www.beaglesabout.com