Free things to do this weekend ft. Ben Pearce + more

Ben Pearce DJ Set at Ancoats General Store (pictured)
Our first pick of free things to do in Manchester this weekend is this free party organised by local radio and event producers MCR Live. Ahead of his residency set at Lazy Lizard – the Printworks’ Ibiza-style bar – deep house DJ Ben Pearce will be coming to Ancoats General Store for a smaller, more intimate set. In addition to house, Pearce’s eclectic tastes cover hip-hop, electronica, soul and even metal. Supporting Pearce on the night are DJs Huxley and Nokes. This is an early doors club night that truly offers something for everyone.
Fri 9 Mar, Ancoats General Store, 57 Great Ancoats Street, Manchester, M4 5AB. 7pm – 10pm, www.facebook.com

Bankley Experiment at Bankley Gallery
This weekend you can catch this unique experimental exhibition at the Bankley Gallery in Levenshulme. The boutique art space will play host to work from three artists – Alyson Olson, Polly du Cros and Paul Bramley – who’ve forged a dialectic between their respective artistic practises, which cover painting and sculpture utilising discarded materials. For this collaborative exhibition, the artists have ceded individual control and allowed the other artists to direct them, blurring the notion of authorship. This experiment runs for this weekend only, so get in while you can.
Fri 9 Mar – Sun 11 Mar, Bankley Studios & Gallery, Bankley Street, Manchester, M19 3PP. 7pm (Fri), 12pm (Sat/Sun), www.facebook.com

Chris Cyprus Exhibition at Contemporary Six
This slightly longer-running exhibition also opens this weekend at city-centre gallery Contemporary Six. Local painter Chris Cyprus presents his new exhibition Northern Lights, which captures everyday life in the North West, basked in the evening glow. Signed copies of the accompanying exhibition book are available for purchase on opening night, see our full preview for more details.
Sat 10 Mar – Sun 1 Apr, Contemporary Six, 37 Princess Street, Manchester, M2 4FN, Tel: 0161 835 2666, 10.30am – 6pm, www.contemporarysix.co.uk

Marie Stopes Reassessed at Manchester Museum
Following from International Women’s Day, this talk at Manchester Museum takes aim at one of Manchester’s most controversial figures: The scientist and reproductive justice campaigner Marie Stopes. Stopes is best known for opening the first family planning clinic in Britain, but her achievements have been somewhat overshadowed by her views on eugenics, which paint an uncomfortable portrait of an elitist, a racist and a Nazi sympathiser. This talk takes an unvarnished look at her career and her legacy, but also offer the opportunity to look at the fossils she collected in her time as Manchester University’s first female lecturer.
Sat 10 Mar, Manchester Museum, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL. Tel: 0161 275 2648, 2pm – 4pm, www.eventbrite.com

Real Junk Food Fiesta at Sadlers Yard
Environmental charity Feedback and anti-food waste group the Real Junk Food Project have joined forces to present this feast at Sadlers’ Yard and Plant NOMA on Sunday. All the dishes available will be made from food that otherwise would’ve ended up in the supermarket bin, and like all Real Junk Food events, it’s pay what you want. Check out our full preview for information.
Sat 10 Mar, Sadler’s Yard and PLANT NOMA, Hanover Street, NOMA, Manchester, M60 0AB, 11am – 11pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk