Free things to do this weekend ft. SFTOC, Imitation Game + more

SFTOC DJ Party at Common
It’s still a few months away, but the gears are already turning for this year’s Sounds From The Other City festival. One of their early events is this, a party at Common on Edge Street. The bar/restaurant venue will play host to a roster of DJs hand-picked by the festival organisers. Given the quality of the Salford festival’s past lineups, we predict that this party is going to go off.
Fri 12 Feb, Common, 39 Edge Street, Manchester M4 1HW. 9pm – late, www.aplacecalledcommon.co.uk

Imitation Game at Manchester Art Gallery
On Friday, this new exhibition opens up at Manchester Art Gallery. Featuring the work of several different artists, it sheds light on one of the most fundamental questions in computing: Can a machine think? Check out our full preview for details.
Fri 12 Feb – Sun 5 Jun, Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3JL. Tel: 0161 235 8888. 10am – 5pm, late opening Thu (until 9pm), www.manchesterartgallery.org

Whitworth Anniversary All Dayer
We were there on the ground a year ago when the Whitworth reopened its doors and unveiled its multi-million pound facelift. The gallery’s since gone on to be named Europe’s best emerging culture destination, and stepping through its doors you can see why. Though the building’s stood on that same spot for over 120 years, inside is a thoroughly modern gallery. If you haven’t already fallen in love with it, then why not do so this Valentine’s Day. See our full preview for more details on what’s in store.
Sun 14 Feb, The Whitworth, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6ER, Tel: 0161 275 7540, 10am – 5pm, www.facebook.com

Heartbreak Amnesty at HOME
Artist and musician Najia Bagi begins her 3 month residency at HOME this weekend, and she’s kicking it off with this interesting little event. Ever hung on to something from a past relationship? A t-shirt? A photograph? Something way creepier? Well this your opportunity to offload it in a judgment-free mass heartbreak purge. Even if you’re not in need of the catharsis, I’ll wager it’s worth going along to see the sum total of the stuff people hold on to after a break-up.
Sun 14 Feb, HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, First Street, M15 4FN Manchester. 12pm – 4pm, www.facebook.com 

Elle Mary at Marble Arch (pictured)
Perhaps better known performing with her backing band The Bad Men, Elle Mary plays this stripped down solo set at the Marble Arch pub. Even within the technical limitations of the venue, she’s still going to be performing the same deep, brooding folk that’s cemented her on both as one of the hottest acts in Manchester, and the perfect antidote to a broken heart on the most romantic day of the year.
Sun 14 Feb, Marble Arch, 73 Rochdale Rd, Manchester M4 4HY. 5pm, www.facebook.com