Free things to do this week ft. Video Games, This Is Human + more

Video Game Meetup at Dive NQ
Local non-profit organisation Gamers Unite is celebrating its first birthday this week with one of their regular gamer meetups at the Northern Quarter’s Dive. This is an opportunity not just for gaming enthusiasts to get together, but also also to meet local indie developers. Four different development teams will be dropping by to show off their wares and offer hands-on experience with what might be the next big indie breakthrough. Gamers Unite also be setting up some Nintendo Switches – and encouraging you to bring along your own Switch – for competitive Mario Kart and Splatoon matches.
Tue 8 Aug, Dive, Oldham Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 1SH. 6pm – 11pm, www.facebook.com

Cocktail Giveaways at Font
Both the Fallowfield and city centre branches of Font bar launch their new cocktail menu this week, and to kick things off in style they’re offering free cocktails to the first 100 customers. They’re keeping tight-lipped about what’s on the menu, but Font is a persistent favourite amongst those looking to party on the cheap, and you can’t get cheaper than free. See our full preview for more details.
Wed 9 Aug, The Font, 7-9 New Wakefield Street, Manchester M1 5NP
236-238 Wilmslow Road, Fallowfield, Manchester M14 6LE. 8pm – 1am, thefontbar.wordpress.com

This Is Human Launch Party at HOME (pictured)
HOME’s new series of events – entitled ‘This Is Human’ – starts this week, and they’re marking the occasion with an unusual launch party. It opens with a puppet parade across Tony Wilson Place, leading into the venue’s gallery space, which will play host to all manner of events and activities. This Is Human is themed around the human brain, and will feature everything from live performance to sensory installations over its one-month run, and this launch party is a great way to get a taster of all this.
Wed 9 Aug, HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester M15 4FN. Tel: 0161 200 1500, 6pm – 10pm, www.facebook.com

Sonic Bliss Machine at Band on the Wall
Band on the Wall continue their season of ‘Free Vibes’ gigs, with this show on Thursday. Local psychedelic four-piece Sonic Bliss Machine has been likened to The Flaming Lips by BBC Introducing, and they’ll be headlining the iconic music venue. Also on the bill is shoegaze/krautrock group Kyotoya, gloom-rockers Little Illusion Machine and Mister Strange, who play a genre of music they call ‘wunder fuzz’.
Thu 10 Aug, Band on the Wall, 25 Swan Street, Manchester, M4 5JZ. 7.30pm – 11pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk