Free things to do this weekend ft. Chaucer, Acting on Impulse + more

First Weekend of Manchester International Festival
Crown jewel of our arts calendar, the annual Manchester International Festival threw open its doors/ten flaps this Thursday, with a dense programme of free events to enjoy both a the festival hub in Albert Square and at various venues around the city. We’ve already put together our top picks for things to do across the festival, and many have already started so make sure you get in while you still have a chance. One thing that didn’t quite make this list – but which is still well worth a look – is HOME1947 at the Lowry: It’s a series of short films from Academy Award winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy about the creation of India and Pakistan as independent states in 1947, and the subsequent displacement caused by this difficult birth. You can catch the launch event this Sunday.
Thu 29 Jun – Sun 16 Jul, Manchester International Festival, Albert Square, Manchester, M2 5DB. www.mif.co.uk
Sun 2 Jul, The Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ. 12.30pm – 3pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Chaucer Live at Manchester Cathedral
The lofty surroundings of Manchester Cathedral make the ideal location for this live literature event on Friday. Storyteller Daisy Black will be presenting Broken Shells: A Medieval Sea Story, which is her new take on Chaucer’s Man of Law’s Tale, the fifth of the Canterbury Tales. The story is something of a gender-swapped odyssey, with the daughter of a Roman emperor cast adrift on the ocean. Over the course of her one-hour one-woman show, Black will be bringing this epic journey to life and recontextualising its themes for the present day.
Fri 30 Jun, Manchester Cathedral, Victoria Street, Manchester, M3 1SX. 5.30pm – 6.30pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Press Call For Help Premiere at HOME (pictured)
Acting on Impulse is a charity that provides an artistic outlet to people who have experienced homelessness, and is currently entering its tenth year of creating film and theatre. Their latest production is being presented at HOME, and its premiere takes place in the middle of the day this Saturday. The new film is entitled ‘Press Call for Help’ and uses four strangers trapped in a lift as a bridging device that spins off into other stories. The event includes a screening of the film, as well as Q&A with the cast and crew.
Sat 1 Jul, HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, First Street, Manchester, M15 4FN. 11am -12.30pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Tiger Moth at Fuel Café Bar
This Saturday you can catch a free gig at Withington’s Fuel Café Bar headlined by emo/mathrock band Tiger Moth. The local twopiece head up a bill that also includes alternative folk band Idyll Paws and Peaks, a solo spin-off project from other local favourites Bad Grammar. The show comes from recently-established promoters Meeseeks and Destroy, who specialise in the nerdier end of the indie spectrum. Although gig entry is free, they will also be taking donations on the door for homeless charity The Booth Centre.
Sat 1 Jul, Fuel Café Bar, 448 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 3BW. 7.30pm – 11pm, www.facebook.com

Beer Week Closing Party at Swan Street
You may not have realised but this week was Manchester’s Beer Week. If you’ve missed out so far, there’s still time for one last boozy hurrah at Band on the Wall and Smithfield Tavern this Sunday. The two Swan Street venues will be presenting live music and flowing ales from 2pm, but check out our full preview for more information, because advanced registration is required.
Sun 2 Jul, Band on the Wall, 25 Swan Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 5JZ. Tel: 0161 834 1786, 2pm, www.bandonthewall.org