Free things to do this weekend ft. Journeys Festival, Thick Richard + more

Open Studios at Vernon Mill
Heading slightly out of town this weekend, Stockport’s Vernon Mill are opening their studios up to the public on Friday and Saturday and it’s completely free to attend. Vernon Mill Studios’ is one of the larger art spaces in the local area, accommodating over 60 different visual artists, many of whom’s work will be on display over the weekend. In addition to all the art on display, there’s also going to be refreshments on offer and the promise of live music performances across both days.
Fri 13 Oct – Sat 14 Oct, 3rd and 4th Floors, Vernon Mill, Mersey Street, Portwood, Stockport, SK1 2HX. 6pm – 10pm (Fri), 11am – 5pm (Sat), www.vernonmillartstudios.co.uk

Journeys Weekender at Cathedral Gardens
Manchester’s Journeys Festival has been running since the start of the month, and it all comes to head this Friday, Saturday and Sunday with the Journeys Weekender. The free festival aims to promote refugee and asylum seeker art, hoping to shift public attitudes and showcase stories frequently omitted from the sensationalist press. At Cathedral Gardens over the weekend, you can catch some of the best in world music: With artists from Morocco, Mozambique, Iran and many more locations. The weekender kicks off on Friday night in St. Ann’s Square with a performance by musicians from the Stone Flowers Project, which was set up by Musicians Without Borders and Freedom From Torture to provide a creative outlet for torture survivors.
Fri 13 Oct, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, M2 7LF. 5.30pm
Sat 14 Oct – Sun 15 Oct, Cathedral Gardens, Corporation Street, Manchester, M4 3BG. 12pm – 6pm, www.journeysfestival.com

Open Day at Longford Park Community Allotments
Longford Park Community Allotments in Stretford are hosting their open day this Sunday, which – especially with the predicted good weather – is an excellent opportunity to check out this oft-overlooked corner of the city. At the open day, you’ll get the chance to explore the allotments, and maybe pick up some fresh veg and cottage-industry treats, including honey produced in the allotment hives. There’s also activities for the children, and a free talk by local gardener Liz Cole at 2.30pm, who’ll be talking about how to grow veg and salad in containers and raised beds – vital tips if you’re looking to do some small-scale agriculture of your own.
Sun 15 Oct, Longford Park, Edge Lane, Stretford, Manchester, M32 8PX. 2pm – 5pm, friendsoflongfordpark.org.uk

Punk In Drublic at Reasons to be Cheerful
Burnage’s Reasons To Be Cheerful Beer Café – to give it its full name – opened its doors earlier this year, but it’s somewhat passed under our radar up until now. On Sunday night, they’re hosting Punk In Drublic, a poetry, spoken word and stand-up organisation who’ve put on gigs all over the city. Holding up the poetry end of the bill is punk poet Thick Richard, who’s previously supported the likes of John Hegley and Kate Tempest on tour. Keeping up the comedy end of the bargain is diminutive misanthrope Hannah Platt and political comic Mike Keenan. There will also be some as-yet-unannounced open mic performers on the night. The gig i free to enter, but they’re trying to raise money for homeless charity Mustard Tree, so you’re encouraged to dig deep – especially as the organisers’ bucket collection was callously swiped at their last gig.
Sun 15 Oct, Reasons To Be Cheerful Beer Café, 228 Fog Lane, Burnage, Manchester, M20 6EL. 5.30pm – 10pm, www.facebook.com