Top 3: Manchester After Hours ft, Andrew Motion, Video Jam + Season’s Eatings

There’s something inimitably appealing about the night time, isn’t there? Perhaps it’s the seemingly endless expanse, and the feeling that anything is possible. This May Manchester celebrates Museums at Night – but with a unique twist of our own. All over the city centre (and a little further afield), venues of various remits are taking part to celebrate this one night to highlight our museums and galleries. With events ranging from Debt Records‘ insight into how records are put together at Central Library to showcases of diverse record labels under Islington Mill‘s roof, the night is also offering us exhibitions of independent design-makers in interiors, and a supper club at Fig & Sparrow hosted by the exceptionally talented chefs behind Season’s Eatings. Li Binyuan makes his UK debut through a live performance smashing a pile of hammers, illustrating his exhibition named Deathless Love, while Katherine Beefheart‘s cross stitch embroidery workshop sits alongside Matt & Phred’s happy hour cocktails and pizzas. There are not one but two after parties taking place – at Islington Mill and atop the Northern Quarter’s NCP car park – but we suggest you browse the full listings, and check out our top three picks:

Video Jam at the Museum of Science and Industry
Filmmakers and musicians work closely together to create brand new audio/visual works in direct response to MOSI’s Textiles Collection. Artists include The Aleph (pictured), Miles Halpin and Jack Sheen.
Thu 14 May, Museum of Science and Industry, Liverpool Road, M3 4FP, 7pm – 8pm & 9pm – 10pm, FREE, www.facebook.com

Andrew Motion at IWM North
Former poet laureate Andrew Motion founded the Poetry Archive and took over from Bill Bryson to become the President of the Campaign to Protect Rural England. Here, MAH invites you to a one-off performance of a specially created new poem to mark the 70th anniversary of VJ Day and the bombing of Hiroshima.
Thu 14 May, Imperial War Museum North, Quay West, Trafford Wharf Road, M17 1TZ, 7.30pm, £6, www.iwm.org.uk

Unit X exhibition at Federation House
Emerging artists from the Manchester School of Art, Film, Art, Design & Photography are showcased via exhibitions, installations and interventions, with opera performances provided by RNCM. Don’t forget to swing by the art and music bus on Dantzic Street.
Thu 14 May, Federation House, Federation Street, M4 2AH, 6pm – 9pm, FREE, www.craftanddesign.com