Free things to do in Manchester this week ft. Woman of my Dreams + more

Woman of my Dreams at HOME
Our first pick of free things to do in Manchester this week is this script-in-hand reading of a new play by award-winning playwright Rashida Mustafa. Woman of my Dreams tackles the difficult subject of female genital mutilation, and aims to give a voice to women who are frequently excluded from the discussion. Packed with a talented cast, and helmed by a writer-director who has extensive knowledge of migrant communities and the challenges they face, this play will provoke and question all your preconceived notions of its daring subject matter.
Mon 28 Jan, HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester, M15 4FN, 4pm, www.womd.uk

Bethany Black at Iconic Bar
On Tuesday evening, renowned comedian and trans woman Bethany Black comes to the Village’s Iconic bar, as part of the venue’s LGBT comedy night The Village Idiots – an ongoing gig run by veteran promoters Dead Cat Comedy. The night will be headlined by Black and hosted by drag comedian Scarlet Sohandsome, with a packed support lineup of the North West’s best queer comedians.
Tue 29 Jan, Iconic Bar, 29-31 Sackville St, Manchester, M1 3NB, 8pm, www.facebook.com

Ciarán Hodgers at Gullivers (pictured)
Spoken word night Bad Language returns to Northern Quarter watering hole Gullivers this Wednesday evening. For this instalment, they’ve invited Irish spoken word poet Ciarán Hodgers along to perform some of his work, including excerpts from his debut collection Cosmocartography. Hodgers is a poet on the up, with a slew of awards already under his belt, so it’s worth catching him now before it starts getting awful expensive to see him. He will be joined on the night by regular comperes Fat Roland and Joe Daly, as well as some newer writers reading short works. This is a pay what you feel event, so entry is technically free but you’re encouraged to dig deep.
Wed 30 Jan, Gullivers, 109 Oldham Street, Manchester, M4 1LW, 7.30pm – 10pm, www.facebook.com

Chris Young at Dulcimer
One of our top picks for upcoming events at Chorlton’s Dulcimer bar, experimental singer-songwriter Chris Young plays there on Wednesday evening, delighting with a mix of offbeat originals and quirky cover versions.
Wed 30 Jan, Dulcimer, 567 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 0AE. Tel: 0161 860 6444, 9pm, www.dulcimer-bar.co.uk