Free things to do this week ft. Manchester Creative Studio, Beacons + more

Peter Hodgson Exhibition at Castlefield Gallery
Castlefield Gallery opened up a free exhibition of the work of Cumbrian Folk Artist Peter Hodgson at the weekend. This exhibition is a retrospective of his four decades working in a variety of mediums: Covering everything from paint and canvas to leatherwork. As well as his own pieces, Making: A Life features work from his friends and collaborators. See our full preview for more information.
Sat 8 Dec 2017 – Sun 4 Feb 2018, Castlefield Gallery, 2 Hewitt Street, Manchester, M15 4GB. Tel: 0161 832 8034, 10am – 5pm, www.castlefieldgallery.co.uk

Merry Axemas at Manchester Creative Studio
Local arts and creative industries school Manchester Creative Studio are hosting their Winter exhibition this Tuesday, where you can drop by and see the latest projects from a new generation of artists. The theme of the exhibition is ‘Merry Axemas’, a macabre mash-up of horror and Christmas, with spooky-festive offerings from the realms of visual art, film, graphic design and video games. Refreshments are provided on the night, and if you’re looking to attend this free exhibition you’ll need to register through Eventbrite.
Tue 12 Dec, Manchester Creative Studio, 16 Blossom Street, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 5AW. 6pm – 8pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Beacons: Pharos Launch at Caustic Coastal (pictured)
Salford gallery Caustic Coastal launches its latest exhibition as part of their Arts Council-funded Beacons programme this Thursday evening. It’s called Pharos, after an ancient Alexandrian lighthouse, and brings together the work of four artists: Rebecca Ackroyd, Jesse Darling, Maria Gondek and Mary Hurrell. Check our our full preview for more details.
Thu 14 Dec, Caustic Coastal, Unit 2, Regents Trading Estate, Oldfield Road, Salford, M5 4DE. 6pm – 9pm, www.facebook.com

Hornweb at Fuel Café Bar
All-saxophone ensemble Hornweb takeover The Noise Upstairs at Withington’s Fuel Café Bar this Thursday night. The Noise Upstairs is the venue’s long-running jazz jam night and the nine-piece band will be saxing it up as part of the regular show. Hornweb have previously performed and released records simply as a quartet, so seeing them perform with this new expanded arrangement will doubtless be a dizzying, unforgettable auditory experience.
Thu 14 Dec, Fuel Café Bar, 448 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 3BW. 8pm – 11pm, www.facebook.com