Free things to do in Manchester this week ft. Trove clothes swap, The Room + more

The Room Screenings at Fab Café
Portland Street basement geek haven Fab Café is hosting two screenings of cult classic The Room on Monday and Tuesday evening – a second screening was added to cope with extraordinarily high demand. The kitschy surroundings of the bar are the perfect accompaniment to a film that is widely regarded to be one of the worst of all time, and staff will be participating in fan in-jokes, providing plastic cutlery to lob at the screen. At the time of writing, the first screening is sold out, but as a free event some of these seat reservations are likely to go unclaimed, so it’s always worth checking on the day.
Mon 10 Dec – Tue 11 Dec, Fab Café, 111 Portland St, Manchester, M1 6DN, 8pm – 10pm, www.facebook.com

Young Identity Book Launch at HOME
Youth poetry collective Young Identity are putting out their first volume of work, and they’re coming to HOME on Tuesday evening to launch it upon the public. No Disclaimers features the work of a diverse, talented crop of young writers, and was developed in a series of weekly workshops where the young poets are encouraged to express themselves without apology or qualification. There will be readings from a number of the writers on the night, as well as an opportunity to purchase the book.
Tue 11 Dec, HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester, M15 4FN, 6pm, www.homemcr.org

Youth Exhibition at The Basement
Design studio Youth come to this vaulted basement underneath Barton Arcade on Wednesday, presenting a talk and exhibition on design and culture. The talk is unfortunately sold out, but you have until Friday to enjoy the accompanying exhibit. Check out our full preview for more details.
Wed 12 Dec – Fri 13 Dec, The Basement, 184 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3WB, www.eventbrite.co.uk

IN:COLOUR Zine Launch at LEAF
New zine IN:COLOUR aims to promote the work of BAME creators, and they’re taking over Portland Street café LEAF for their launch party. Promised on the evening is music, drinks and visual art. Although free, entry is strictly ticketed, but a ticket will also allow you to swag a free copy of issue #1.
Thu 12 Dec, LEAF on Portland Street, 113–115 Portland Street, Manchester, M1 6DW, 8pm – 11pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Trove cafe’s clothes swop in aid of Crisis at Christmas in Ancoats
On Thursday (13 Dec), Trove in Ancoats is hosting a big clothes swap in aid of the charity working to end homelessness, Crisis. Simply head down – ideally with 5 items to give away – and pick up five items you like the look of to take home. Cash donations on the door are welcome. There will be stalls selling homewares by Form Lifestyle Store, ethical clothing from Beaumont Organic, and Tuk’r Skinfood , artworks and ceramics by Frida Cooper, plenty of Trove’s signature cakes, breads and so on.
Thu 13 Dec, Trove, 5 Murray Street, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6HS. Tel: 0161 432 7184, www.instagram.com