Free things to do this week ft. Paul Hanley, The Russian Revolution + more

Paul Hanley at Central Library
For the final Library Lounge session of the year, Central Library invites former The Fall drummer Paul Hanley to talk about his life and career. Having drummed on some of the band’s most influential records, Hanley went on to perform with a number of other groups and is now a celebrated music writer. Check our our full preview for more details on this free event.
Mon 4 Dec, Central Library, St. Peter’s Square, Manchester, M2 5PD, Tel: 0161 234 1983, 6.15pm, www.librarylive.co.uk

Russian Revolution at Working Class Movement Library
The Working Class Movement Library is Salford has been hosting its free Invisible Histories talks all year, and the final one will be this Wednesday. For this talk, they’re inviting historian Neil Faulkner to provide A People’s History of the Russian Revolution, an on-the-ground account of this epoch-making event, which happened 100 years ago – this talk marks exactly a century since the imprisonment of the czar. See our full preview to find out about past talks in this series.
Wed 6 Dec, Working Class Movement Library, 51 Crescent, Salford M5 4WX. Tel: 0161 736 3601, 2pm, www.wcml.org.uk

Sean Kaye at The Whitworth
As part of their Wednesday Talks series, Oxford Road gallery The Whitworth have invited artist and lecturer Sean Kaye to hold the floor. Kaye teaches at Leeds University of the Arts, and is also a collaborative artist, working as part of the art project Leeds United project – not affiliate with the football team – and as one half of Sean Kaye & Jenny West, who together produce pieces exploring translation, symmetry and reflection. He will be talking about his career and his efforts to fuse the worlds of art and art teaching.
Wed 6 Dec, The Whitworth,Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6ER. 12.30pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Control of the Going Album Previews at Mirabel Studios
Manchester-based psychedelic group Control of the Going are launching their new album at the next year on an undisclosed record label, but you can get in for a listen with a two preview listening parties at PS Mirabel Art Gallery this Thursday. I Love You But It’s Going To Rain is the name of the album, and rather than a traditional run-through-the-hits knees up, this is a much more sober affair, with musos being invited to listen as they peruse the wonderful art on display at PS Mirabel. If you can’t catch either of these sessions, they’ll also be having listening parties on Friday and Saturday.
Thu 7 Dec, PS Mirabel Gallery, Mirabel Street, Manchester, M3 1PJ. 6.30pm/8.30pm, www.facebook.com

Nicholas Rankin at Burgess Foundation
One final talk for the week: This Thursday evening you can catch this free talk from writer Nicholas Rankin at the International Anthony Burgess Foundation. After decades working as a producer for the BBC World Service, Rankin has gone on to pen several historical novels, particularly focusing around the Second World War. Part of the foundation’s Manchester Writing series, this talk will take you through the techniques Rankin employs to get his books written, and some of the issues arising from his work.
Thu 7 Dec, International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Chorlton Mill, 3 Cambridge Street, Manchester, M1 5BY. 7pm -8.30pm, www.eventbrite.com