Free things to do this week ft. Howard Jacobson, Captured + more

Howard Jacobson at John Rylands Library
Booker prize-winning author Jacobson makes a special appearance at the John Rylands library to read from his new book Shylock Is My Name, a novel about a character from Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice. See our full preview for further details on this exciting literary event.
Mon 11 Apr, Old Reading Room, The John Rylands Library, 150 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH, Tel: 0161 275 8951, 6.30pm, www.martinharriscentre.manchester.ac.uk

Captured Screening at Islington Mill (pictured)
This 2008 documentary is being screened as one of Islington Mill’s regular Pot Luck screenings, where you can get a free film in exchange for an edible contribution to their pot luck dinner. Captured documents the evolution of New York’s Lower East side: Its art, its violence, its revolutionaries, its transgressives and ultimately its gentrification. The film culminates in the destruction of a homeless tent city in 1988, chillingly echoing the treatment of homeless populations in Manchester in recent years. Aptly, donations for Manchester and Salford homeless charities will be taken on the night.
Wed 13 Apr, Islington Mill, 1 James Street, Salford M3 5HW, 6.30pm, www.facebook.com

Steph Pike Book Launch at The Castle
Feminist poet Steph Price is launching her new collection Pétroleuse at The Castle this Thursday. Published by independent poetry imprint Flapjack Press, the book features poems on a wide range of personal, political and LGBT topics and will be available to purchase on the evening. Steph will be reading from the book, and also introducing guest poets Nicole May and Gerry Potter.
Thu 14 Apr, Castle Hotel, 66 Oldham Street, Manchester M4 1LE, 7pm – 9pm, www.facebook.com

Fabric of Protest at People’s History Museum
This workshop at the People’s History Museum invites young artists and activists to come and make protest art. It’s being run by artist and MMU fabric technician Helen Mather – whose own work ranges from collage to beautiful, intricate installations – who’ll be asking artists over the age of eleven to lay out their own slogans for change across banners. These banners will, over the coming months, come to form a new installation at the museum.
Fri 15 Apr, People’s History Museum, Left Bank, Manchester M3 3ER, Tel: 0161 838 9190, 1.30pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk