Free things to do this week ft Making Monuments and Mouse Outfit

If the murky weather put you off heading out this weekend, then chances are you’re looking for something this week to fill the gaping leisure void in your life. Well look no further, because Manchester Wire is here to fill that void with so much free art and entertainment that you’ll be left bloated and gassy from cultural overindulgence. Make sure you pack some Rennies in your handbag.

Making Monuments at Manchester Museum (pictured)
The iconic stone heads on Rapa Nui – otherwise known as Easter Island – are burned into our culture: inspiring one of the baddies in Super Mario Land and a joke in the Simpsons. These statues are shrouded in mystery since the natives died out, their purpose and the means of their manufacture being lost to the ages. This exhibition at the Manchester Museum aims to look into these questions and more, and also offers the opportunity to see a genuine Easter Island head – pilfered by 19th Century explorers and currently on loan from the British Museum.
Wed 1 Apr – Sun 6 Sep, Manchester Museum, The University Of Manchester, Oxford Road, M13 9PL, www.museum.manchester.ac.uk

Comedy Balloon at Ape and Apple
Manchester’s longest-running open mic comedy night is a hive of the weird, the wonderful and the under-rehearsed. For many budding northern comics it’s the first place they’ll ever step on stage, but despite its revolving-door booking policy, the organisers still maintain a high standard of entertainment and frequently break out the big guns. The big gun on this occasion is beloved circuit figure and reformed drag artist Jonathan Mayor, who’s both notable for being really funny and the spit of Titus from Nexflix’s Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (the absolute spit).
Wed 1 Apr, Ape & Apple, 28-30 John Dalton Street, M2 6HQ, 8pm, www.facebook.com

Eastern Exchanges at Manchester Museum
Manchester Art Gallery presents a season of works covering 1500 years of Japanese, Chinese and Korean art, featuring pieces from the best contemporary artist working in the region, contrasted against an enviable selection of court treasures. To coincide with this exhibition, there’s also a free talk on the opening night with ceramicist Yasuko Sakurai and furniture designer Fumio Enomoto.
Thu 2 Apr – Sun 31 May, Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, M2 3JL, 6pm – 7pm (talk), www.machestergalleries.org

The Mouse Outfit at Cane and Grain
They’ve only been round for a couple of years, their first album only dropping in 2013, but the Mouse Outfit have already made an impact on the British hip-hop scene. Currently touring with a nine-piece band, they’re making their way to the Thomas Street rum ‘n’ rib joint as part of Cane and Grain’s season of live sessions. Like many of these sessions, free advanced tickets are already sold out -but you can get your hands on a guaranteed-entry ticket for as little as £3, and you could always chance your arm for free entry on the night.
Thu 2 Apr, Cane & Grain, 49 -51 Thomas Street, M4 1NA, 9pm, www.skiddle.com