Free things to do this weekend ft. Now Then, MOSI, Caffeine and Co. + Chorlton Arts Market

Holy moley we’ve got some corkers this week. With lots of arts, culture and general good times, we’re pretty shocked that everything listed below won’t cost you a thing, so simply lap it all up before they change their minds.

Now Then DJ workshop
Manchester publication and cultural wunderkind Now Then presents an afternoon of DJ goodness – and amazingly, the whole thing is completely free. Proceedings kick off at 2pm with a workshop led by Mind of Fire, before beatboxer and vocal sculptor Jason Singh (pictured) steps in with a performance of his own live score to accompany a screening of John Grierson’s 1929 silent doc Drifters. Afterwards, Singh will be talking about his work with an audience Q&A session, and gaps throughout the day will be filled by the capable hands of Now Then and Flyin’ Easy Soul Club DJs. The event is suitable for all ages and abilities, so just sign up by emailing ian at nowthenmagazine dot com with your name, age and whether or not you’ve DJed previously. Sorted!
Sat 26 Jul, Miners Community Arts and Music Centre, Teddington Road, M40 0DJ, 2 – 7pm, FREE, www.facebook.com

Caffeine and Co.’s First Birthday at Longford Park
After a great year, Longford Park’s branch of Caffeine and Co. is on celebration duties this Saturday. They’ve got themselves an extended evening license so that revellers can drink and dance under the trees as they crank up the tunes and fire up the BBQ. With plenty of beer, wine, Pimms, coffee and puddings available throughout the day, there’s no excuse not to head down and wish a happy birthday to a place that challenges the concept of an average park cafe.
Sat 26 Jul, Caffeine and Co., Longford Park Bungalow, Longford Park, M32 8DA, Bar open from 4pm – late, FREE, www.facebook.com

Chorlton Art Market
Showcasing Manchester’s brightest artists and designers, the Chorlton Art Market takes place on the 4th Saturday of each month. With an eclectic mix of photography, woodcraft, textiles, print, glasswork, sculpture, paintings and more, the market seeks to promote the best that Manchester has to offer. This Saturday’s bash takes on a theme blending Wonderland and Oz, with live music from the Poppy Field Stage and free cake at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party for anyone who arrives in fancy dress. Browse the upcoming traders here.
Sat 26 Jul, The Post Box Cafe, 543 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, M21 9PP, 10am – 4pm, FREE, www.facebook.com

Mini Maker Faire at MOSI
Now in its third year, the well-loved annual Mini Maker Faire returns to Manchester this weekend. Bringing together over 50 of the UK’s most talented makers, the faire promises to display, demonstrate, share, enthuse, engage and inspire with a variety of remarkable handmade projects. With plenty to see and do, the weekend will feature everything from a 10-foot bicycle made entirely out of scraps from discarded bicycles to a robot that can be tweeted as he moves around the site and a Clanger organ made from stuffed Clanger toys. There’s also plenty of workshops and demos for all ages – most of which are free – including do-it-yourself demos in hacking, soldering, hydraulics, woodworking and much more.
Sat 26 – Sun 27 Jul, Museum of Science and Industry, Liverpool Rd, Manchester, M3 4FP, 10am – 5pm, FREE, www.mosi.org.uk

Know of any upcoming free weekend events worth shouting about? Email jess at manchesterwire dot co dot uk with the deets.