Free things to do this week ft. The Simpsons, Whisky + more

Threads Screening at Oldham Library
It’s Oldham Peace Week this week, a celebration and commemoration of the struggle for peace in our time, and they’re kicking things off with a screening of the 1985 TV film Threads. One of the most harrowing portrayals of nuclear war ever committed to film, Threads still has the power to shock and enthrall audiences, both through the brutality of its subject, and the carefully-observed human story contained within. See our full preview for more information.
Mon 26 Jun, Oldham Library & Lifelong Learning Centre, Greaves Street, Oldham, OL1 1AL. Tel: 0161 770 8000, 6pm – 8pm, www.facebook.com

Simpsons Quiz at Fab Café
On the lighter end of the televisual spectrum, you can also catch this Simpsons quiz at Portland Street’s Fab Café this Monday night. The beloved, endlessly-quotable, endlessly-memeable cartoon series is excellent fodder for a quiz – this isn’t the first Simpsons Quiz Fab have run – with its complex gags and ballooning universe of supporting characters providing fertile ground for questions. The quiz focuses on the first nine seasons of the show only, so if you know your Artie Ziffs from your Armin Tamzarians you should be in good company. Quiz entry isn’t technically free at £1 per player, but entry does include free snacks and a chance to take home the huge cash pot.
Mon 26 Jun, Fab Café, 109 Portland Street,-Manchester, M1 6DN. 8pm – 11pm, www.facebook.com

Paul Kelly Talk at Castlefield Gallery
Urban regeneration expert Paul Kelly has been bringing artists into his Merseyside renewal projects for decades now, and he brings all this to bear in this talk at Castlefield Gallery entitled ‘Not Your Normal Arts Commissioner’. He’s perhaps best known for his work Up In The Air, where artists and writers – including novelist Will Self and the KLF’s Bill Drummond – took up residency in soon-to-be-demolished residential properties. This idea of art at the heart of community life is something that runs through all of Kelly’s work, and it’s likely to be the focus of this discussion. The event is free for Castlefield Gallery associates, but will only set you back £3 otherwise.
Tue 27 Jun, Castlefield Gallery, 2 Hewitt Street, Manchester, M15 4GB. 6.30pm – 8.30pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Steve Davis DJ set at Electrik
Snooker champ Steve Davis returns to Chorlton’s Electrik under his disk jockeying moniker of DJ Thundermuscle for their weekly One Deck Wednesday. If you’re interested in a mix-free set from an unusual celebrity source, check out our full preview for more details.
Wed 28 Jun, Electrik, 559 Wilbraham Road, Manchester, M21 0AE. Tel: 0161 881 3315, 8.30pm, www.facebook.com

Free Whisky Tasting at The Beagle
Staying in Chorlton, you can catch this free whisky tasting session at The Beagle on Thursday. Hosted by Scotch distillery Ian Mcleod, the event features tasters of a number of their products including the sherry cask matured single malt Tamdhu 10yr and Smokehead Islay Malt, with its distinctive skull pattern display box. There’s bound to be plenty more surprises on the menu, so make sure you get down early to guarantee a seat.
Thu 29 Jun, The Beagle, 456a Barlow Moor Rd, Manchester, M21 0BQ. 7pm, www.twitter.com