Free things to do this weekend ft. Real Junk Food Project, Ladypedal Fest + more

Real Junk Food Takeover at Inspire
The Real Junk Food Project (pictured) is a national charity that aims to shed light on the food we waste and cut it right down. They’re taking over the Inspire community café in Levenshulme this Friday night, and cooking up a feast made entirely of unspoilt ingredients that would’ve otherwise ended up in the bin. It works on a pay-as-you-feel model, where you only pay what you think the meal was worth – with all profits being fed directly back into the project – but getting a seat at the table is essentially free. We recommend booking ahead on Eventbrite to guarantee a space.
Fri 16 Sep, Inspire, 747 Stockport Road, Levenshulme, M19 3AR. Tel: 0161 850 5717, 7pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Chorlton and Spinningfields Makers’ Market
The Makers’ Market is back again this weekend, and in two locations. You can catch them in Chorlton this Saturday, or in Spinningfields all weekend. Expect the usual mix of vintage, crafts and street food.
Sat 17 Sep, Chorlton Makers Market, in and around the grounds of Oswald Road School, Chorlton Library and the Co-op, Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton, M21 0BQ. 10am – 4pm
Sat 17 – Sun 18 Sep, Spinningfields Makers Market, Spinningfields Square & The Avenue, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3AE. 11am-5pm, www.themakersmarket.co.uk

Ladypedal Festival at Alexandra Park
With the city’s new cycle lane infrastructure now in place, there’s no time like the present to get on your bike. This one-day festival at Alexandra Park aims to get more women cycling, through talks and workshops. It’s not all dry bike facts though, as there’s also a full bill of entertainment, with music, comedy, poetry and – appropriately enough – bicycle dancing. They’ve also got facepainting, henna and other crafts on offer. If you’re a woman, and looking to get pedalling, this is absolutely the best thing for you to be doing this weekend.
Sat 17 Sep, Alexandra Park, 180 Russell Street, Manchester, M16 7JL. 1pm – 7pm, www.facebook.com

Big Lebowski Fest at Gorilla
The 1998 Coen Brothers’ film The Big Lebowski is something of a modern classic: Smart, funny and endlessly quotable – equal parts Raymond Chandler and Cheech & Chong. Archway gig venue Gorilla is celebrating this masterpiece with a mini fest. With deals on bowling alley-style food and £5 white russians all night, this is a real treat for fans of the film.
Sat 17 Sep, Gorilla, 54-56 Whitworth Street West, Manchester, M1 5WW. www.facebook.com

Giselle Takeover at The Whitworth
The English National Ballet brings their new production of Giselle to the Palace Theatre this month, but for one afternoon they’ll be taking over the The Whitworth with a programme of ballet-themed events. See our full preview for more information.
Sun 18 Sep, Whitworth Art Gallery, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6ER. Tel: 0161 275 7450, 11am – 5pm, www.mif.co.uk

Levenshulme Jumble Trail
Back in Levenshulme this Sunday, we have this jumble trail. It’s very much like a jumble sale – stalls laid out with clothes, books and bric-a-brac – but with a twist: Rather than gathering these stalls together in car park or hall, over 60 stalls will be spread out throughout Levy, snaking through the streets. The Jumble Trail site conveniently marks out the locations of all the stalls, so get down there and grab yourself a bargain.
Sun 18 Sep, Levenshulme, M19 3PJ. 11am -5pm, www.jumbletrail.com