Free things to do in Manchester this weekend ft. Pandemic Outbreak! + more

Pandemic Outbreak! At John Rylands Library
This year’s ESRC Festival of Social Science wraps up at the weekend, but there’s still a couple of individual events to get your teeth stuck into. Of particular interest is this workshop at John Rylands Library on Friday afternoon, which aims to expound the methods of a disease pandemic control. Marking 100 years since the real-life influenza pandemic, which claimed more lives than World War One, this event takes you through current toolsets and methods for tracking and containing outbreaks, looking not just at the control of outbreak, but at dealing with related consequences of disease control.
Fri 9 Nov, The John Rylands Library, 150 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3EH, 2pm – 3pm, www.esrcmanchesterfest.ac.uk

Manchester Christmas Markets Opening
It’s that time of year again: The big Santa’s up in Albert Square and the annual Christmas markets have finally started. Head down to the city centre to pick up festive treats, delicious seasonal snacks and of course – mulled wine. See our full preview for more details.
Fri 9 Nov – Sat 22 Dec, Albert Square, St Ann’s Square, King Street, Exchange Street, Exchange Square, New Cathedral Street, the Corn Exchange, Market Street, and Cathedral Gardens, Tel: 0161 234 5000, 10am – 7.30pm, secure.manchester.gov.uk

True Crime and Punishment at University of Salford
One final event for the ESRC Festival of Social Science, The University of Salford at MediaCity hosts this day-long event that tackles the question of representation of crime in television and literature, and what impact that has on real-life policing and justice. Sensational true crime books regularly top the best-seller lists, and police procedural dramas have been a mainstay of television schedules for decades: This is is what the seven contributing speakers will discuss how this has impacted popular perception of crime, and how it has led to more punitive and less restorative forms of punishment. This looks to be a fascinating, in-depth discussion of something that touches all our lives.
Sat 10 Nov, Room 2:36, B4, Orange Tower, University of Salford, MediaCityUK, Salford Quays, M50 2HE, 9.30am – 3pm, www.eventbrite.com

Lowry and The Pre-Raphaelites
A new exhibition opens at the Lowry this weekend, analysing the influence of the Pre-Raphaelite on the gallery’s namesake. The exhibition displays many works by Pre-Raphaelite artists, including a Rossetti that was owned by L.S. Lowry himself. Check out our full preview for the complete lowdown.
Sat 10 Nov – Sun 24 Feb 2019, The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford, M50 3AZ, Tel: 0843 208 6005, 11am – 5pm, www.thelowry.com

Traces of the First World War at Manchester Jewish Museum (pictured)
Set to coincide with Remembrance Sunday, and right in the middle of the Festival of Leaving, the Manchester Jewish Museum hosts Traces of the First World War. It’s a celebration of the lives of six young men – all of whom worshipped at the museum back when it was a synagogue – who tragically lost their lives in the conflict. It features silhouette sculptures as part of the national There But Not There installation, workshops built around ephemera from the war, and Sit with us for a Moment and Remember – an interactive performance designed for one person at a time.
Sun 11 Nov, Manchester Jewish Museum, 190 Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester, M8 8LW, 11am – 2pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk