Free things to do this weekend ft. Science Uncovered, Dusted + more

Science Uncovered at Manchester Museum
This Friday, Manchester Museum are hosting another of their once-in-a-blue-moon Science Uncovered events, and you can attend for free. Science Uncovered is an after-hours event, where the museum becomes a carnival of live research, as scientists from all over Europe, and from Manchester, come to show off their work in a relaxed social setting. As well as a lot of learning on offer, there’s also drinks provided and some promised musical entertainment.
Fri 29 Sep, Manchester Museum, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL. 5pm -10pm, www.eventbrite.com

Dusted’s Sochal Gig at Gorilla (pictured)
Manchester promoters Dusted are throwing a party at archway venue Gorilla this Friday. German DJ and legendary dance music producer Matthias Tanzmann is headlining, with a set that’s likely to full to the brim with his passions of deep house and tech house. Supporting slots on the night are filled by Dusted residents Pete Smith and Karl Frampton. Usually such a show at such a venue would set you back at least £15, but this night can be accessed for free by signing up to new social networking site sochal.com – billed as ‘the healthy social network’. To gain entry to the gig, you book a free ticket on the Skiddle link below, and you simply have to flash your new Sochal profile to the doorman on the way in.
Fri 29 Sep, Gorilla, 54-56 Whitworth Street West, Manchester, M1 5WW. 11pm – 4am, www.skiddle.com

Autumn/Winter Exhibitions Opening at Manchester Art Gallery
Manchester Art Gallery’s latest Autumn/Winter exhibitions opens up this weekend, with work from a trio of contemporary Asian artists. First up is Hetain Patel, a funny, energetic British Indian performance artist and filmmaker: A number of his films are installed at the gallery, including brand-new commission Don’t Look At The Finger. Next is Lahore-based artist Mehreen Murtaza, who has filled the ground floor gallery with plants as part of her continuing work exploring plant behaviour. Last is Waqas Khan, whose achingly precise drawings are produced while the artist is in a trance-like state.
Sat 30 Sep – Sun 4 Feb 2018, Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3JL. Tel: 0161 235 8888, 10am – 5pm, www.manchesterartgallery.org

Family Book Launch at Waterstones
This Sunday you can catch this family-friendly event at Waterstones Deansgate. Authors Jane Schaffer and Paul Morris are launching their latest book Time Travellers and the Crystal Dome: The latest in their series of time-travelling children’s thrillers. The books draw on real historical events, and make use of real historical figures to drive the story, particularly the founders of Manchester’s Portico Library, including Elizabeth Gaskell. In addition to readings from the book, there will be quizzes and other fun activities to keep your little Doc Brown happy.
Sun 1 Oct, Waterstones, 91 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2BW. 2pm – 4.30pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk