Free things to do this week ft Gothic Literature, Ping Pong + more

There’s a heap of free stuff to get stuck into this week. A feast of art, literature, ping pong and photographs of moody teenagers. It won’t cost you a penny, so don’t miss out!

Darkness and Light at John Rylands Library
This new exhibition makes use of the John Rylands Library’s imposing interior to explore the relationship between architecture, science and gothic literature. Amongst the items on display is a copy of the forgotten early Gothic gem The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole: It features ghosts, maidens and a dirty great castle – everything we’ve come to expect from the genre. Aside from literary fare, there’s spooky tours of the library planned, regular screenings of FW Murnau’s groundbreaking Dracula ripoff Nosferatu in the reading room and a photographic exhibition assembled by students from Salford Uni on the subject of modern-day goths.
Thu 16 Jul – Sun 20 Dec, John Rylands Library, 150 Deansgate, M3 3EH, www.library.manchester.ac.uk

Ping Pong at TwentyTwentyTwo
The Little Lever Street cellar bar’s big draw is the bank of ping pong tables they keep out back; this is no big secret. Less well known, however, is the fact that you can rent a table for free – without pre-booking – on Mondays. They also run monthly tournaments with a generous bar tab as a prize, so these free sessions are an excellent opportunity to brush up on your bat skills to take on Manchester’s army of micro-Murrays and Nano-Nadals.
Every Monday, Twenty Twenty Two, 20 Dale Street (entrance on Little Lever Street), M1 1EZ, www.twentytwentytwo.co.uk

Stuart Edmundson in Conversation at International 3 (pictured)
Stuart Edmundson’s exhibition entitled ‘…like dancing to dogs’ has been running at teensy Salford gallery International 3 since mid June. It uses painting, sculpture and props to create a playful exploration of the formal and the abstract. At this event, Edmundson discusses the show with Dr. Sam Lackey, curator of the The Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield. Spaces for the talk are limited, so booking ahead is essential. You can enquire via the email address or phone number below. The exhibition itself runs until the end of the month.
Thu 23 Jul, International 3, 142 Chapel Street, Salford, M3 6AF, ptb@international3.com, Tel: 07981 389 591, www.international3.com

Heart is Deceitful Above All things at HOME
This first exhibition at the new Danny Boyle endorsed creative hub is coming to a close. It features the work created by over dozen different artists around the themes of love and heartbreak. Soul searching and black humour abounds in this bold show. It closes Sunday, so get your fill of ruined romance while you still can. Check out our full preview here.
Fri 22 May – Sun 26 July, HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, First Street, M15 4FN, www.homemcr.org