Free things to do in Manchester this week ft. Ned Doheny + more

Stephanie Laing at Gullivers
Inclusive comedy night Blizzard Comedy returns to Gullivers this Monday evening, for a packed bill of acts showcasing both the diversity and the hilarity of the North West comedy scene. Headlining this instalment is Stephanie Laing, who’s fresh from an international tour of Australia, Canada and New Zealand, and who’s currently prepping for a run at the Edinburgh Fringe. Supporting her on the night are comics Balthazar Dark, Tori Millard, Ros Ballinger and Mark Grimshaw. The whole thing is held together by regular MC Jonny Collins.

Mon 29 Jul, Gullivers, 109 Oldham Street, Manchester, M4 1LW, 7pm – 10pm, www.facebook.com

Ned Doheny at Wilderness Record Store (pictured)
Withington record store Wilderness hosts American singer-songwriter Ned Doheny in store on Tuesday afternoon. Doheny is one of the unsung greats of 70s soft rock, penning tracks that were later covered by the likes of Average White Band and Chaka Khan. Here you’ll get a chance to meet the man, and even get some stuff signed. Merchandise and copies of his records will be available for purchase on the day.

Tue 30 Jul, Wilderness Record Store, 9 Egerton Crescent, Manchester, M20 4PN, 2.30pm – 3.30pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Haitian History at Central Library
Learn about the troubled, fascinating history of 19th Century Haiti in this Tuesday evening talk at Central Library as part of Manchester Histories 2019. University of Virginia Professor Marlene L. Daut leads the discussion, which focuses on a brief moment in the country’s post-colonial history, where former slave Henry Christophe crowned himself King of Haiti. At the time of writing, the free tickets for this are sold out – although some are available with a discretionary donation.

Tue 30 Jul, Central Library, Saint Peter’s Square, Manchester, M2 5PD, 6pm – 7pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Record Fair at Behind Closed Doors
On Thursday evening, Oldham Street’s semi-secret speakeasy Behind Closed Doors hosts its regular record fair. Fairplay promises the best in funk, soul, disco and everything in between, with an ever-changing roster of vinyl peddlers coming to sell their wares in the venue’s basement. Sellers confirmed for this fair include Preston-based Dig Deep Records and Gareth Kenyon from Birmingham’s Plastic Factory. What sets this night apart from other records fairs is their commitment to the record-buying experience, with listening stations positioned around the bar for you to get plugged straight in to your new purchases, and free swag courtesy of Discogs. There will also be DJs playing right through til the early hours.

Thu 1 Aug, Behind Closed Doors, 93 Oldham Street, Manchester, M4 1LW, 5pm – 1am, www.eventbrite.co.uk