Free things to do this week ft. Ping-Pong, Stirred Poetry + more

Ping-Pong Mondays at TwentyTwentyTwo
Basement bar TwentyTwentyTwo on Dale Street is easy to miss – its clandestine entrance tucked down a seedy alley – but it’s the best place in the city for ping-pong, with several tables up for grabs and great beers on tap. Every Monday they offer their tables, bats and tiny plastic balls up for free, so if you haven’t dropped by yet this Monday presents the perfect opportunity.
Every Mon, TwentyTwentyTwo, 20 Dale Street, Manchester M1 1EZ. 4pm – 12am, www.twentytwentytwo.co.uk

Poetry Workshop at Marble Beerhouse
Stirred Poetry is a feminist collective that runs poetry workshops and spoken word events, usually at 3MT. This particular workshop at Marble in Chorlton is being led by Stirred co-founder and seasoned, published poet Anna Percy. Even if you’ve never written a line of poetry in your life, this is a great chance to get to grips with it and experiment in a safe space. It’s free at point of entry, but a small donation is requested to help cover writing materials.
Tue 16 Aug, Marble Beerhouse, 57 Manchester Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, M21 9PW. 6pm – 8pm, www.facebook.com

BURST Launch at Islington Mill
This new exhibition at Islington Mill looks at plantlife, the ways nature interacts with urban and the ways they could interact in the future. BURST is an exhibition by illustrator Caroline Dowsett, and features a range of paintings, zines and scents. This exhibition runs until Sunday, but you can catch an early preview on Wednesday night, along with some complementary botanical cocktails.
Wed 17 Aug, Islington Mill, 1 James Street, Salford, M3 5HW. 6pm -9pm, www.facebook.com

Common Knowledge’s Office Quiz at Common & The Beagle
Masters of the quiz Common Knowledge are running not one, but two quizzes this week, firstly at the Northern Quarter’s Common, then at The Beagle in Chorlton. They’re both themed around the ground-breaking comedy series The Office – aptly timed ahead of the release of the new David Brent film. Fancy some free love on the free love freeway? Check out our full preview for more information.
Wed 17 Aug, Common, 39-41 Edge Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 1HW. 7.30pm – late, www.aplacecalledcommon.co.uk
Thu 18 Aug, The Beagle, 456-458 Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 0BQ. 8pm – late, www.beaglesabout.com

SLOE Gallery Launch at Mirabel Studios (pictured)
Artists’ space Mirabel Stuidios are launching their new exhibition suite the SLOE Gallery, this Thursday. It’s an artist-led gallery, and they’re kicking off with a brand new exhibition of work from the five collaborating artists who made the gallery happen: Hannah Bayley, David Hammond, Eade Moon Hemingway, Amy Mizrahi and Robin Sukatorn. This opening night event also features a drinks reception and an opportunity to meet the artists.
Thu 18 Aug, Mirabel Studios, 14-20 Mirabel Street, Manchester, M3 1PJ. 6pm – 9pm, www.facebook.com