Free things to do this weekend, ft. Special FX, The Village Market + Clifford Owens

This week’s roundup of free events features a healthy dose of arts and culture, with a unique exhibition at Cornerhouse and classical music at the Royal Exchange Theatre. We’ve also thrown in a market for good measure, but unlike many of Manchester’s markets, this one provides some sweet city centre convenience.

Special FX: Camerata presents Amina Hussain
As part of its Special FX sessions, this Friday the Royal Exchange’s welcomes one of the UK’s finest classical soloists, Amina Hussain. The Manchester-born musician is the Principal Flute of the Manchester Camerata, but Hussain also has a keen interest in world music and is currently learning the bansuri – an Indian classical flute – meaning that with such a rich and diverse relationship with music, Hussain’s performance is set to be a bit magical. The entertainment kicks off at 6pm, but head down a little early to make the most of Happy Hour, which runs from 5.30pm with a glass of wine or a pint for £3.
Fri 9 May, Royal Exchange Theatre, St Anns Square, M2 7DH, 6 – 7pm (SFX Happy Hour from 5.30pm), FREE, www.royalexchange.co.uk

LGBT’s The Village Market
Fairly new on the already buzzing Manchester market scene, The Village Market is a community venture run my local organisers. With 20 stalls featuring bread, coffee, cakes, photography, artwork, candles, soap, homewares and more, the market will also boast an acoustic music area, and for this week only the Lesbian and Gay Foundation’s first annual Village Sausage Fest will also be hogging some of the limelight with award-winning hot dogs, a bouncy castle and a ‘hot dog’ pooch show. Manchester’s market vibes may well be thriving with favourites like the Levy Market and Castlefield Market, but by taking over Sackville Gardens, The Village Market gives us a bit more of a city-centre hit.
Sat 10 May, Sackville Gardens, Sackville Street, M1 3HB, 11am – 4pm, FREE, www.facebook.com

Clifford Owens: Better the Rebel You Know at Cornerhouse (pictured)
Clifford Owens’ debut European exhibition combines existing work and two new commissions, including Photographs with an Audience that began back in October. For his second new commission, Owens presents Anthology, which is an extension of work that was first exhibited in New York and involves the artist performing a series of live performances, delivering ‘scores’ contributed by over 20 artists including Godfried Donkor, David Blankey and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye that explore themes of race, class and difference. The exhibition runs until August, but this weekend will be your only chance to catch the live performances. Check out the schedule here.
Sat 10 May – Sun 17 Aug (Live performances Thu 8 – Sat 10 May), Cornerhouse, 70 Oxford Street, M1 5NH, FREE, www.cornerhouse.org

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