A public preview of the upcoming Talking Sense exhibition at the Portico Library is just one of our picks of free things to do in Manchester this week.

Free Oatly Throughout The Week | 17 - 26 Jan | Spinningfields & Idle Hands

In an attempt to encourage more people to ditch cow’s milk in favour of an oat alternative, non-dairy brand Oatly will be hosting a variety of activities in Manchester City Centre this week. On Friday 17 and Saturday 18 you’ll find them dishing out Oatly-infused coffees and teas using their Oatly Oat Drink Skinny, Semi or Whole at a bespoke pop-up shop in Spinningfields – while those with a sweet tooth can even get a courtesy hot chocolate made with their new Chocolate Deluxe Oat Drink. Can’t wait that long? Not to worry. Northern Quarter coffee and pie hotspot Idle Hands will be celebrating with the Oatly team, giving away free oat milk coffees each morning from Monday 13 – Sunday 26 January.

Spinningfields, 1 Hardman Square, Manchester, M3 3EB & Idle Hands, 35 Dale Street, Manchester, M1 2HF, Tel: 0844 826 7214 (Spinningfields)
New Player Football Training at Village Manchester Football Club | Tue 14 Jan | 7pm - 9pm

Village Manchester FC, Manchester’s gay and inclusive football club, is offering one free month of training for new players at Trinity Sports Centre. If you’ve always fancied yourself a bit of a Beckham in the making, or if you’re just looking for a fun way to get fit in the new year, this inclusive team are sure to make everybody feel welcome.

Trinity Sports Centre, Cambridge Street, Manchester M15 6HP
Talking Sense Exhibition Preview at The Portico Library | Thu 16 Jan | 6pm - 8pm

In Talking Sense, fifty artists have created fifty works of art paired with fifty phrases from the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, first published in 1952, to open up a space for new conversations about mental and emotional experience in the 21st century. This public preview of this exhibition features many illuminating artworks in various mediums including paint, film, sculpture and print.

The Portico Library, 57 Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3HY
Reading and Q&A with Danez Smith at HIV/AIDS in the 21st Century Conference | Thu 16 Jan | 7pm - 9pm

Danez Smith, author of Don’t Call Us Dead, a collection of poems contemplating the assaults on a black male body in America, will read from their work before being joined by Keisha Thompson (a Manchester based writer, performance artist and producer) for a Q&A. Smith is one of the foremost contemporary poets writing on queer and racial issues, and this keynote event at the HIV/AIDS in the 21st Century Conference is an unmissable opportunity to hear about their works and experiences directly from them.

International Anthony Burgess Foundation, 3 Cambridge Street, Manchester M1 5BY
Honest Comedy Night for Australian Bushfire Relief | Thu 16 Jan | 7.30pm - 9.30pm

Hosted by Honest Burgers and Giggle Gang Comedy, this comedy night is free to enter, but is taking donations in support of Australian Bushfire Relief. Featuring four of the freshest comedians from the UK and across the world, and MC’d by Australia’s own Matty Shaw, have a laugh and support a good cause this Thursday.

Honest Burgers, 36 Bridge Street, Manchester M3 3BT
Mon 13 Jan - Fri 17 Jan
Words:
Amy Callaghan
Published on:
Mon 13 Jan 2020