Free things to do this week ft. Mad Hatter Brewery, Baby Grand Slam + more

The News That Was at MediaCity (pictured)
This Tuesday, dedicated comedy fans can catch this recording of a new satirical news show put together by students at The University of Salford. Offering a funny, sidewards look at the week’s events, this free show also features support and warm-up from young comic James Allen and ebullient interactive comedian Jack Gleadow. If you’re not a student at the university, you’ll have to e-mail ahead at thenewsthatwas@gmail.com to guarantee entry, but it’ll certainly be an interesting afternoon.
Tue 4 Apr, Studio A, B4, University of Salford, MediaCityUK, Salford, M50 2HE. 11.30am – 4pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Mad Hatter Brewery Launch at The Pilcrow Pub
On Wednesday, Liverpool craft brewery Mad Hatter will be launching their brand new brew at Pilcrow Pub. Named The Penny Lane Triple – after the Liverpool street that inspired the Beatles song – it’s a follow up to their Penny Lane double pale ale. Supplies are limited, and once the barrel’s gone it’s gone. You also might want to eat before you arrive – the double already weighs in at a chew-before-you-swallow 7.4%, so this is bound to be a hefty pint.
Wed 5 Apr, The Pilcrow Pub, Hanover Street, Sadlers Yard, M60 0AB. 5pm – 11pm, www.facebook.com

Baby Grand Slam at Albert’s Schloss
The Peter Street beer hall launches its brand new weekly Baby Grand Slam night this Wednesday. Billed as a live jukebox, two duelling pianists – with accompanying Haus band – will go head-to-head taking audience requests to produce lavish, lounge-style renditions of your favourite popular songs. So get your requests ready and scrawled on a beer mat, because this grand slam is a slam dunk.
Wed 5 Apr, Alberts Schloss, 27 Peter Street, Manchester, M2 5QR. 8pm – 2am, www.albertsschloss.co.uk

Poets & Players at The Whitworth
In the latest instalment of their Thursday Lates series, The Whitworth invites poets Luke Kennard and Matthew Welton to perform alongside musician Michael Brailey. Poets & Players aim to promote emerging artists and stage performances from renowned poets, and you can’t get much more renowned than Kennard and Welton, with eight collections published between them. Brailey is also hugely accomplished artist, despite still being a student, with his compositions being performed everywhere from the Royal Festival Hall to the Tate Modern.
Thu 6 Apr, The Whitworth, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6ER. Tel: 0161 275 7450, 7pm – 8.30pm, whitworth.manchester.ac.uk