Free things to do this weekend ft. Come Closer, Grub Food Fair + more

Come Closer at Royal Exchange (pictured)
Come Closer: Speak What You Feel is a spoken word event at the Royal Exchange Theatre. Ten monologues from new BAME writers will be delivered in the theatre’s great hall, all around the theme of speaking you mind: Confessions, stories and polemic – all of this is covered. There’s also a stellar cast involved, with turns from Hollyoaks’ David Young and Coronation Street’s Shobna Gulati. It’s only running for the weekend, so make sure you drop in and check it out.
Fri 15 Apr – Sun 17 Apr, Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester M2 7DH, 5.30pm – 6.30pm (Fri/Sat), 12pm – 3pm (Sun), www.royalexchange.co.uk

Grub Food Fair at Runaway Brewery
Runaway Brewery is fast turning into one of the city’s most happening event spaces, with barely a week passing where it doesn’t play host to some festival or fête. This weekend, it’s hosting the monthly Grub Food Fair, a mecca for mancunian foodies featuring a range of stalls from Manchester’s freshest restaurants and pop-ups. This month features meaty mouthfuls from The Beefer and home-cooked filipino fancies from Manila Munchies, amongst an assortment of other food trucks flogging everything from chocolate truffles to a posh cheese toastie.
Sat 16 Apr, Runaway Brewery, Unit 4 Millgate, 12 Dantzic Street, Manchester M4 4JW, 12pm – 10pm, www.facebook.com

Makers’ Market at Spinningfields
It’s another outing for the city’s premier independent market: This time setting up shop in Spinningfields. This weekend-long market features food, clothing, cosmetics and all other types of knick knacks. Also featuring this weekend is Northern quarter favourite DJ Pasta Paul, who’ll be spinning in Spinningfields. See our full preview for more details.
Sat 16 Apr – Sun 17 Ap, Spinningfields Square & The Avenue, Manchester M3 3AE, 11am – 5pm, www.themakersmarket.co.uk

Sunday Funday at Central Library
Central Library returns with one of its Sunday Funday sessions, this time themed around their ongoing Ernest Shackleton exhibition. They’re on the lookout for young explorers to take part in this day of learning and activities, where you’ll get a chance to trace the path of Shackleton’s expedition and even get your hands on some of the Library’s rare treasures, including historic maps and a first edition of Isaac Newton’s Principia. Also on the day: Face painting, storytime, kids’ theatre and a visit from real-life explorer Seb Coulthard.
Sun 17 Apr, Central Library, St Peter’s Square, Manchester M2 5PD, Tel: 0161 234 1983, 12pm – 4pm, www.librarylive.co.uk