Free things to do in Manchester this weekend ft. Henry Botham + more

Lest We Forget at IWM North
Our first pick of free things to do in Manchester this weekend is this brand new exhibition opening at IWM North to commemorate 100 years since the end of World War I. The exhibition features objects and artefacts from the period, and will coincide with themed events at the museum running over the next several months. See our full preview for more information.
Fri 27 Jul – Sun 24 Feb 2019, IWM North, The Quays, Trafford Wharf Road, Manchester, M17 1TZ. Tel: 0161 836 4000, 10am – 5pm, www.iwm.org.uk

Independent Book and Art Fair at Plant NOMA
On Saturday afternoon, Plant NOMA hosts this free independent book and art fair, where you can pick up limited works from small publishing houses, and purchase unique art straight from the artist. Check out our full preview for more details
Sat 28 Jul, Plant NOMA, Dantzic Street, Manchester, M4 4AH. 2pm – 6pm, www.dostoyevskywannabe.com

Henry Botham at Matt & Phred’s (pictured)
As Manchester Jazz Festival draws to a close for another year, there’s still a few opportunities left to wrap your ears around some free, smooth jazz. The festival hub in Albert Square will be offering many free shows for the casual enthusiast on Friday and Saturday, but if you wanted to dodge the crowds, head down to basement bar Matt & Phred’s on Saturday night for the New Orleans piano stylings of Henry Botham, who creates bold, big-band sounds with a single piano.
Sat 28 Jul, Matt & Phred’s, 64 Tib Street, Manchester, M4 1LW. 5pm – 6pm, www.manchesterjazz.com

Standpoint Futures Artists at Castlefield Gallery
On Sunday afternoon, you can catch this free artists’ talk at Castlefield Gallery. Standpoint Futures is a residency programme for mid-career artists based out of Chisenhale Studios in London and run conjunction with the Hoxton-based Standpoint Gallery. The programme’s latest participants are visual and performance artist Beth Emily Richards and Manchester-based artist Darren Nixon, who will be talking alongside the project’s director Fiona MacDonald and answering your questions.
Sun 29 Jul, Castlefield Gallery, 2 Hewitt Street, Manchester, M15 4GB. 1pm – 3pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Free Jazz at Band on the Wall
The jazz festival might be officially over, but you can enjoy one last hurrah at Band on the Wall on Sunday night. The legendary venue hosts a night of free live music from up-and-coming British jazz artists: Experimental power jazz three-piece Apes Grapes head up the bill, with support from electronic jazz five-piece Proij, composer/band leader Joshua Cavanagh-Brierley and local pop-funk band Fresco. The night is free to attend, but booking ahead is essential.
Sun 29 Jul, Band on the Wall, 25 Swan Street, Manchester, M4 5JZ. 7.30pm – 11pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk