Free things to do this weekend ft. Cogs & Kegs, Shelagh Delaney + more

Secret Cogs & Kegs Party (pictured)
You can catch this free secret party on Friday night, hosted by the velophiles behind the North West Velo Fest. Bring you bike to Central Library at 7pm, to find out the location of the shindig, which promises to be an evening of food, booze and bike-related fun. Just don’t overindulge too hard if you’re cycling home.
Fri 16 Jun, Central Library (meeting place), St. Peter’s, Manchester, M2 5DA. 7pm – 12am, www.facebook.com

Manchester University Community Festival
Swing by the University of Manchester this Saturday for its annual Community Festival, where the Oxford Road campus is opened up for family-friendly activities. There’s a whole range of workshops, demonstrations and other activities on offer this weekend, including the opportunity to handle genuine moon rocks. See our full preview for more details.
Sat 17 Jun, Manchester University, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL. Tel: 0161 306 6000, 11am – 3pm,  www.manchester.ac.uk

Shelagh Delaney Double Bill at 70 Oxford Street
Playwright Shelagh Delaney is perhaps best-known for A Taste of Honey, but you can catch a taste of her other works at 70 Oxford Street this Saturday afternoon. The former Cornerhouse cinema is screening two films penned by the Salford-born writer back-to-back: The White Bus and Charlie Bubbles, the latter of which was directed by acclaimed actor Albert Finney. The two screenings are accompanied by an introduction by Stephen Marland of the Manchester Modernist Society and panel discussion led by Delaney enthusiasts. The venue café is open for the duration, but bringing your own snacks is also permitted.
Sat 17 Jun, 70 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 5NH. 12pm – 4.30pm, www.eventbrite.com

All You Need Is Love at Kadampa Meditation Centre
If you’ve ever thought about trying meditation, this free Sunday event at Kadampa Meditation Centre on Portland Street is the one for you. The short 45 minute session is led by professionals from the centre, and is titled ‘All You Need Is Love’. Quite how The Beatles’ song relates to the practice of sitting cross-legged and omming will no doubt be explored as part of the class, which in any case will give you some insight into to the methods and philosophy of Buddhist meditation.
Sun 18 Jun, Kadampa Meditation Centre, 125 Portland Street, Manchester, M1 4QD. 11am – 11.45am, www.knmcmanchester.org

Beer Hawk Beer Tasting at House of Fraser
This Father’s Day, you can treat your dad for free with this beer tasting session at House of Fraser on Deansgate. The session is led by Patrick from Beer Hawk, a website that specialises in craft beer and homebrew kits, who’ll be introducing you to a wide range of brews, all of which are available for purchase should they take your fancy.
Sun 18 Jun, House of Fraser, 98-116 Deansgate, Manchester, M60 3AU. 12pm – 4pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Manchester Day at City Centre
Running throughout Sunday afternoon is the annual Manchester Day celebrations. Aside from the parade running through town from 1pm, there’s music, dancing and every type of carnival spectacle. Check out our full preview for further details.
Sun 18 Jun, Manchester city centre, 12pm – 6pm, (parade 1pm – 2.30pm), www.manchesterday.co.uk