Free things to do this weekend ft. Jackie Hagan, Uncle Buck + more

Happy Hour Launch at Common
Northern Quarter institution Common launches its new happy hour this weekend, which will run from 4pm to 7pm, every Tuesday through Friday, offering discounts on cocktails and some of their most popular craft ales. For this first happy hour, they’re kicking things up a notch, with a limited number of free beverages for early doors drinkers. See our full preview here.
Fri 17 Feb, Common, 39-41 Edge Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 1HW. Tel: 0161 832 9345, 4pm – 7pm, www.aplacecalledcommon.co.uk

Jackie Hagan at Sale Waterside Arts
Performance poet and comedian Jackie Hagan brings a free performance of her new show Jumble Soul to Sale’s Waterside Centre this Friday evening. The show uses real interviews with victims of the cuts as a springboard for a discussion of the human cost of social policy, lacing these difficult stories with plenty of heart and humour. It’s a work-in-progress show, so whilst it might be a little rough round the edges, you’ll also get the pleasure of being in the audience as this new piece takes shape.
Fri 17 Feb, Waterside Arts Centre, 1 Waterside, Sale, M33 7ZF. 7.30pm – 8.30pm, www.eventbrite.com

Uncle Buck at Salford Arms
Uncle Buck are a cover band who specialise in Britpop and early 2000s indie and they’ve got themselves a semi-regular slot at The Salford Arms. Like the titular character from the 1989 John Candy film, they’re fun and welcoming, and their sets span from Oasis through to The Zutons, taking in everything from Bryan Adams to Deep Blue Something along the way. If you’re looking to swing a free gig this weekend – especially one with easy, unpretentious vibes – then this is the one for you.
Sat 18 Feb, The Salford Arms, 146 Chapel Street, Salford, M3 6AF. 8pm – 11pm, www.facebook.com

Annual Potato Day at Hulme Community Garden Centre
This Sunday marks Hulme Community Garden Centre’s annual potato day, a celebration of all things tubular – where you’ll have the chance to buy up a bag of the centre’s newly sprouted crops. This year they’re boasting 30 varieties of spud to pick from, and they’ve got potato experts on hand to talk you through the different breeds. The gardens and café are also open to the public.
Sun 19 Feb, Hulme Community Garden Centre, 28 Old Birley Street, Manchester, M15 5RG. 10.30am – 4pm, www.facebook.com

Make Do and Mend Launch at Salford Zine Library (pictured)
Salford Zine Library, nestled in the back of Dale Street’s Nexus Art Café is launching a new exhibition this weekend, and they’re kicking it off with this launch event. Make Do and Mend is an exhibition of work assembled by the minds behind Sugar Paper Zine – and arts and crafts zine that has just celebrated its tenth birthday. This launch event features free workshops, so you’ll be able to pick up some new needlework skills and earlycomers can also get their hands on a crafting goody bag.
Sun 19 Feb, Salford Zine Library, Nexus Art Café, 2 Dale Street, Manchester, M1 1JW. 2pm – 5pm, www.facebook.com