Free things to do this week ft. Coffee Culture, Alasdair Beckett-King + more

Exhibition Launches at Manchester Cathedral
This Tuesday sees two new exhibitions launching at Manchester Cathedral. The first is a collection of eight paintings from artist and poet Alan O’Cain entitled ‘Sentence: A Work in Progress’, which follows eight years of the life of a man convicted in the US for securities fraud, using the man’s own words as a starting point for each canvas. The second is from academic and theologian Mei Yuk Wong, whose site-specific installation ‘What the Feminist Theologians Say’ uses the architecture of the Cathedral’s tower space and the names of male theologians engraved in its walls as a contrast point for the female thinkers embroidered in her cloth centrepiece.
Tue 7 Mar, Manchester Cathedral, Victoria Street, Manchester, M3 1SX. 6.30pm – 9pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Coffee Culture Exhibition at Pot Kettle Black
Deansgate coffee shop and bar Pot Kettle Black is hosting this one-off exhibition this Wednesday evening, on the theme of coffee culture. Five photography students from the University of Salford have pulled together this series of pictures about or featuring coffee shops, interpreting the brief in every way possible way. And if the photography exhibit isn’t enticing enough – PKB are offering £5 cocktail deals all night.
Wed 8 Mar, Pot Kettle Black, 14 Barton Arcade, Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2BW. 7pm, www.facebook.com

Alasdair Beckett-King at Sandbar
Following the disappointing dropout of erstwhile Canadian headliner Bobby Mair, currently mired in Visa troubles, this month’s Dead Cat Comedy at Sandbar is instead being closed by Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year and legal resident Alasdair Beckett-King. Luckily, Alasdair is great upcoming talent and well worth checking out at the Grosvenor Street bar. Supporting him on the evening is surreal Sheffield comic Tom King, and bleak, brilliant newcomers Hannah Platt and Ally Allerton.
Wed 8 Mar, Sandbar, 120 Grosvenor Street, Manchester, M1 7HL. 8pm – 11pm, www.facebook.com

Brooklyn Brewery Launch at Soup Kitchen (pictured)
Over the past few years, Brooklyn Brewery has successfully made the leap from ‘hipster’s favourite’ to a genuine craft beer success story, so it’s expected that any new brews they turn out will be met with huge anticipation. This week, you have the chance to sample their new line Bel Air Sour, as the Northern Quarter’s Soup Kitchen have secured one of the few barrels available in the UK. You’ll have to get in quick, as supplies are limited, but it’s worth it to get an early taste of what may well be the next big thing. As well as the beer, DJs Big Peace and Szajna will also be serving up some tasty beats into the night.
Thu 9 Mar, Soup Kitchen, 31-33 Spear Street, Manchester, M1 1DF. 6pm – late, www.facebook.com