It’s the week we’ve all been waiting for! After almost fourteen months, cultural venues finally begin to properly reopen this week. Be sure to check in and plan your visit beforehand though – it’s likely to be a very different experience to what you might have experienced before. To help with your planning, we’ve put together some of the best free things to do in Manchester this week, including Grayson’s Art Club at Manchester Art Gallery, a new film commission from Imran Peretta at Whitworth Gallery and much more…
Here we go! Venues, museums and events begin again this week and loads of Manchester venues are raring to go. One is Deaf Institute – be sure to check out their whole programme for the next couple of months, including a load of free events and screenings. This one looks especially looks good: a music documentary featuring two 1990s bands from the west coast of America with wildly different outlooks – The Dandy Warhols and The Brian Jonestown Massacre.
This should be a very popular one. Throughout lockdown, Grayson’s Art Club has been a fantastic initiative to get Britain flexing its creative muscles. All the artwork in this exhibition reflects on lockdown, with entries from the public, celebrities and artists. Booking is essential, especially for the first week.
On the other side of town, the Whitworth Gallery also reopens this week. With it comes an exciting new commission – a short, two-screen film exploring coming of age for young Muslim men in the UK. Screenings are every half hour – find out more by following the link below.
As well as art galleries, museums also reopen this week. Running until Sunday 11 July, this exhibition from the team at People’s History Museum and The Voices of Domestic Workers explores the hidden world of the domestic work carried out in private homes. Expect a powerful and eye-opening experience.
One of the region’s most beautiful spaces, Manchester Cathedral this year celebrates its 600 year anniversary. There will be many events through the year that continue the celebrations, but check out this Zoom tour featuring the building’s fascinating architecture – perfect quiet Saturday afternoon viewing.
Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum has been in hibernation since lockdown hit and a lot has changed since its doors closed. In addition to prepping a new special exhibition gallery for customers to explore, they’re also returning with an interactive, free exhibition that explores 100 years of espionage in England. Packed full of key codebreaking objects – like World War II cipher machines and an encryption key once owned by the Queen – Top Secret: From Ciphers to Cyber Security also celebrates Manchester’ icon Alan Turing and includes free activity trails for kids. Booking is essential – follow the link below to secure your tickets.
- Words:
- Hugh Morris
- Published on:
- Mon 17 May 2021
Elizabeth Gaskell is one of Manchester’s most celebrated authors – if you’ve not visited the Gaskell House on Plymouth Grove, add it to your list immediately. This Zoom panel features leading researchers discussing Gaskell’s legacy – watch the archives come to life in dramatic readings from the Centre’s Historic Reading Room.