Free things to do in Manchester this week ft. Memories of Partition + more

Memories of Partition at Manchester Museum
Coming in as our first pick of free things to do in Manchester this week is this free tour at Manchester Museum. Memories of Partition is an exhibition set to mark the 70th anniversary of India’s independence, which captures the memories those who witnessed the 1947 partition as well as the later Bangladeshi partition in 1971. On this tour you can gain expert insight into the exhibition from the museum’s visitor team. No booking requirement, just make sure you arrive at reception ten minutes before tour time.
Mon 29 Jan, Manchester Museum, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL. 1.15pm – 1.45pm, www.eventbrite.com

Pay as You Feel Meal at Old Abbey Tap House
The Old Abbey Taphouse, an artsy pub on the edge of Manchester Science Park, hosts this pay-as-you-feel dinner this Tuesday evening. Whilst not technically free, customers are encouraged to cough up whatever they consider a fair price for the food they ate – it can work out very cheap or very expensive, depending on how satisfied and generous you’re feeling. The food served up is sourced from the Gaskell Green Project, and waste food that would otherwise be thrown out by local supermarkets.
Tue 30 Jan, Old Abbey Taphouse, Guildhall Close, Manchester, M15 6SY. 7.30pm – 11.30pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Maxine Peake One-Deck Wednesday at Electrik
Chorlton bar Electrik are hosting another of their One-Deck Wednesday sessions this week, and taking over the deck (singular) this week is Shameless and Black Mirror star Maxine Peake. She’ll be following the night’s usual rules – one deck, all vinyl, no mixing – so expect some interesting choices from deep in her record collection. See our full preview for more information.
Wed 31 Jan, Electrik, 559 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 0AE. Tel: 0161 881 3315, 8.30pm, www.facebook.com

Thea Musgrave at RNCM (pictured)
For this Thursday and Friday the Royal Northern College of Music has together a programme of events centred around Scottish composer Thea Musgrave, one of the most important composers of the past fifty years. On Thursday evening at 6pm, you can catch Thea in conversation with the RNCM’s Director of Contemporary Music Clark Rundell, followed by a performance of some of her works by the RNCM New Wind Ensemble in the college’s concert hall. On Firday at 1.15pm, you can enjoy a selection of her compositions at a free lunchtime concert.
Thu 1 Jan, Royal Northern College of Music, 124 Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9RD. Tel: 0161 907 5200, 6pm , 7.30pm, 1.15pm (Fri), www.facebook.com