Free things to do in Manchester this week ft Pedal Power and Poor Souls’ Light

At the peak of the office party season, for many of us this week will be a drunken haze of bad karaoke and taxi fares, stumbled through town with donner meat hanging out our mouths like a dead tongue. Fortunately, there’s some free and friendly respite out there that won’t have you reaching for the Alka-Seltzer the next morning (apart from Common’s 10th birthday, which definitely will).

Pedal Power at MOSI (pictured)
Currently slap-bang in the middle of its run at the Museum of Science and Industry, Pedal Power explores the history of track cycling and the technologies that have powered the sport. Lord knows it’s not cycling weather outside, but this impressive exhibition can’t help but warm your loins for pedal-pushing and its long association with Manchester.
Sat 19 Jul 2014 – Sun 1 Mar 2015, Museum of Science and Industry, Liverpool Road, Castlefield, M3 4FP, 10am -5pm, www.mosi.org.uk

Comedy Balloon at The Ape & Apple
The Comedy Balloon may be an open mic night in name, but its decade long history has given it a special place in the heart of amateur and professional comedians alike – explaining the astounding quality of the lineup for their last show of 2014. Featuring the likes of  Liam Pickford, Tony Basnett, Richard Massara and Hawkeye & Windy – acts you’d usually have to pay MONEY to see – alongside a host of newbies dipping their toes into the unchlorinated swimming pool of live comedy. All in the cosy upstairs of The Ape & Apple.
Wed 17 Dec, The Ape & Apple, 28-30 John Dalton Street, M2 6HQ, 8pm, www.comedyballoon.co.uk

Poor Souls’ Light Launch at John Rylands Library
Halloween may be a fading memory, but these winter nights aren’t the only thing to chill you to the bone this time of year. The Poor Souls’ Light ghost story anthology is celebrating its launch, with copies of this rare volume available for purchase. The launch coincides with spooky readings from the team behind the Anthology.
Thu 18 Dec, John Rylands Library, 150 Deansgate, M3 3EH, 6pm, www.library.manchester.ac.uk

Common’s 10th Birthday
Northern Quarter landmark Common is celebrating ten years of top booze, great nights and tasty burgers. They’ll be celebrating well into the weekend, but for midweek partygoers, there’s plenty to keep you entertained: With a special Chrimbo edition of their Common Knowledge quiz and the triumphant one-off return of their landmark Stop Making Sense night on the Thursday, with an added carol concert from The Northern Quarter Boys Choir.
Wed 17 – Sun 21 Dec, Common, 39 Edge Street, M4 1HW, 7.30pm (Quiz), 9.00pm (Stop Making Sense), www.aplacecalledcommon.co.uk