Free things to do in Manchester this weekend ft. Chip Bit Day + more

Big Bourbon Blowout at Trof
It’s world bourbon day this Friday and you can celebrate at beloved Northern Quarter institution Trof, as the venue transforms into a prohibition-era speakeasy. See our full preview for more details.
Fri 14 Jun, Trof, 8 Thomas Street, Manchester M4 1EU, Tel: 0161 833 3197, 6pm – 2am, www.trofnq.co.uk

Chip Bit Day Pre Party at Fuel Café Bar
This Saturday, Manchester celebrates Chip Bit Day: A day long festival at city centre venue The Peer Hat, where you can check out the very best in sound card synth. Tickets for this festival will set you back £8.50, but you can can catch a free taster at Fuel Café Bar in Withington the night before. Chiptune promoters Super Mega Bit invite several DJs, musicians and composers including Fearofdark, Willrock and Toriningen, to showcase their wares at this all-night party. Entry is free, but donations are requested to help cover the artists’ costs.
Fri 14 Jun, Fuel Café Bar, 448 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 3BW, 7pm – 1am, www.facebook.com

Learning from the French Revolution at Manchester Art Gallery
On Saturday afternoon, cultural historian Dr. Lindsay Porter invites you to this lecture exploring he legacy of the French Revolution, its impact upon Britain, and how it shaped the popular perception of crowds and the fear of mob violence. Porter draws from written accounts as well as artwork and satirical cartoons to show the ways crowds were perceived, and what effect that had on crowd participation. This event is currently marked as Sales Ended, but it’s always worth checking in on the day to see whether any slots have become available.
Sat 15 Jun, Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3JL, 3pm – 4pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Microdot at Hatch
Blue Dot Festival arrives at Jodrell Bank next weekend, but you can catch an early mini-preview this Saturday at Oxford Road’s Hatch, who’ll be hosting the aptly named Microdot Festival. Our preview has the full lowdown.
Sat 15 Jun, Hatch, 103 Oxford Road, Manchester, M1 7ED, 12pm – 11pm, www.discoverthebluedot.com

The Wanders & Beachcomber at The Peer Hat
On Sunday, The Peer Hat hosts this free double-headliner gig. The Wanders will be performing a full-band show, and Beachcomber is the nom de guitar of solo singer-songwriter Adam Potts. The bands are followed by a DJs until 10pm.
Sun 16 Jun, The Peer Hat, 14-16 Faraday Street, Manchester, M1 1BE, 7pm – 10pm, www.facebook.com