Martin Harris Centre, The John Rylands Library

An Evening of Poetry with Lemn Sissay MBE - Award-winning poet and University of Manchester Chancellor

19:30 - 21:00 7 October 2017
Award-winning poet and University of Manchester Chancellor, Lemn Sissay will be performing a selection of new and favourite poems from his recent Canongate collection, Gold from the…

Ballroom and Latin for Beginners

13:05 27 September - 14:00 22 November 2017
Due to popular demand, this Autumn the Martin Harris Centre is going back to basics again! Join us for ‘Ballroom and Latin for Beginners’ in a relaxed and friendly environment. The…

Literature Live: Sinéad Morrissey and Douglas Dunn- Part of Manchester Literature Festival

19:30 - 21:00 9 October 2017
A pair of our finest contemporary poets read and discuss their work at an event presented in partnership with Manchester Literature Festival. Sinéad Morrissey was named the inaugural…

Explorer tour

14:00 - 15:00 10 October 2017
Ever wondered where some of the Library doors and staircases lead to? Then this is the tour for you.

Literature Live: John Banville and Mike McCormack - Part of Manchester Literature Festival

20:00 - 21:30 10 October 2017
Two of Ireland’s most accomplished prose stylists come together for an evening of reading and conversation. Picking up where Henry James left off, John Banville’s forthcoming novel,…

Literature Live: Lisa McInerney, Sally Rooney and Joanna Walsh - Part of Manchester Literature Festival

19:30 - 21:00 12 October 2017
Three exciting contemporary writers read and discuss their work. Lisa McInerney won the Desmond Elliott Prize and the Baileys Prize for her debut The Glorious Heresies. She will read…

Lives of Letters Network: Networks and Individuals

17:00 - 18:30 12 October 2017
The Lives and Afterlives of Letters Network is a newly established, interdisciplinary network which draws together academics and library professionals working on the study and curation…

Piano Recital by Ian Pace

13:10 - 14:00 12 October 2017
Piano recital by world-renowned pianist Ian Pace, a pianist of long-established reputation, specialising in modernism and transcendental virtuosity. FREE - no need to book, just turn up!

Aperture: open photography session

10:30 - 11:30 15 October 2017
Calling all photographers! This is a fantastic opportunity to capture the beauty of our Historic Reading Room, before the Library opens to the general public. You’re welcome to bring…

There is no ‘i’ in Concerto Grosso…’ Exploring Teamwork in the Eighteenth-Century Concerto Grosso

15:30 - 17:00 15 October 2017
As the culmination of a two-day intensive workshop on historically informed performance, guided by Peter Holman MBE, co-founder of The Parley of Instruments, together with Baroque strings…

Literature Live: Colette Bryce and Tara Bergin - Part of Manchester Literature Festival

20:00 - 21:30 16 October 2017
Two talented Irish poets on the ascendant, Colette Bryce and Tara Bergin, come together to read and discuss their work at an event presented in partnership with Manchester Literature…

Kamila Shamsie in conversation with Jeanette Winterson - Part of Manchester Literature Festival

19:30 - 21:00 17 October 2017
Join two of our most incisive practitioners of fiction for a conversation about writing narratives that reflect and explore current affairs. A contemporary retelling of Sophocles’…

Turton Consort: Monteverdi: Il quarto libro de madrigali (1603)

13:10 - 14:00 19 October 2017
The Turton Consort, a professional Manchester-based vocal ensemble, presents highlights from Monteverdi’s fourth book of madrigals. Yearning for sensual pleasures and devices of love,…

Manchester University Music Society Public Lunchtime Concert - Jazz Showcase

13:10 - 14:00 20 October 2017
Come and enjoy a lunchtime concert performed by the Manchester University Music Society. These concerts are free, no need to book just turn up. The first public lunchtime concert of…

Manchester University Music Society Symphony Orchestra

19:30 - 21:15 21 October 2017
Symphony Orchestra returns with a performance of Shostakovich’s 10th symphony, under the baton of Mark Heron. There is also a pre-concert talk by David Fanning, whilst Stravinsky’s…

Noisy Library - Art meets Science

21 - 27 October 2017
The brainchild of electroacoustic composers David Berezan and Guillaume Dujat, hear the spaces around you come to life with sound, inspired and created by the building itself. Climb…

Gordon Crosse 80th Birthday Celebratory Concert

14:00 - 15:30 22 October 2017
A concert in celebration of composer Gordon Crosse, which will include new tribute pieces from Robin Holloway, John Joubert, Cheryl Frances-Hoad, Elis Pehkonen, Rob Keeley and Peter…

Part of Manchester Science Festival- Kyle D Evans - Born to Sum

19:30 - 21:00 23 October 2017
Join the maths muso and guitar-slinging geek himself, as he takes you on a comedic romp through pop music. Pointing out the maths ideas hiding in your favourite tunes, he’ll point out…

Explorer tour

14:00 - 15:00 24 October 2017
Ever wondered where some of the Library doors and staircases lead to? Then this is the tour for you.

Il Bacio - A La Polonaise (Telemann’s love affair with Polish music)

13:10 - 14:00 26 October 2017
Il Bacio (the kiss) ... just as the name suggests Il Bacio aims to seduce its audience with a new and enticing approach to baroque music. Drawing on some of the finest players of their…

Public lecture: Casualty! A Twentieth Century History

18:00 - 19:30 26 October 2017
Thanks to the long-running TV show Casualty and the more recent Casualty 1900s, the British viewing public is familiar with the very different look and feel of hospital casualty departments…

Uncovering the Reformation - curator tour

11:15 - 11:45 26 October 2017
Take a trip with a curator round our fascinating exhibition, which includes a letter hand written by Martin Luther among other fascinating items. Discover how Martin Luther, Henry…

C'mon baby light my pyre

14:00 - 15:00 27 October 2017
The Reformation era witnessed the death of many people for their religious views. Through items in the collection we’ll bring to life the terrifying world of religious conflict during…

MANTIS Festival

18:00 - 19:30 28 October 2017
MANTIS (Manchester Theatre in Sound) presents concerts of new electroacoustic music, featuring guest artist Jonty Harrison presenting a full concert of his work, as well as new works…

Tudors Rule! - Fun for all the Family

13:00 - 16:00 28 October 2017
Between 1-4pm the Library will be alive with the sights and sounds of the Tudors. Create your own Tudor portrait, listen to storytelling and watch our amazing printing press in action.…

John Rylands Research Institute and Library

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