The Manchester Weekender 2011 – Workshops, talks and plays highlights

1. Data Mapping art workshop

Artist Daksha Patel’s work looks at the ways in which people construct cities and are in turn affected by the cities they inhabit. By mapping recorded urban activity onto biological structures, she connects discrete areas of scientific enquiry and data visualisation. You can learn how to create art from environmental data in a talk and workshop at Cornerhouse. Artists Daska Patel and Adrian Slatcher will demonstrate the sensors recording environmental data around the building, and work collaboratively with participants to explore ways of visualizing this in drawing.

Saturday 15 October, 2-3.30pm, Cornerhouse, 70 Oxford Street M1 5NH. Free, booking advised via cornerhouse.org or 0161 200 1500.

2. Urban Harvest

The Manchester Museum has been carefully tending its allotment all summer long, and we’re celebrating its first crop with a day of activities centred around growing, gathering and preparing food. Part of Manchester Food & Drink Festival, it’s an all-ages event: kids can get their hands dirty helping dig up veg and enjoy performances from The Vegetable Nannies and a veggie-playing symphony orchestra; grown-ups can discuss the ethics of food production and learn about urban foraging; and everyone can sample food prepared by local chefs. Hey, save some for us!

Sunday 16 October, Noon-3pm, Manchester Museum, Oxford Road M13 9PL. Free, drop in.

3. An Exhibition in a Day

In the digital age, everyone’s a photographer. But not everyone’s a good photographer. If you’re looking to stretch your creativity and learn new skills, we’ve got you covered and all amidst the shiny digital wonderland of MediaCityUK. Photographer and author Len Grant has been documenting Manchester and Salford’s regeneration for 20 years. Len’s emphasis has always been on telling the human story of urban revival and is passionate about sharing his experiences.

So prepare to be inspired at this amateur photographers’ workshop where you will learn to look with the eyes of professional, produce an exhibition and project it onto a wall of micro-tiles to the amazement of an assembled crowd of friends and family. And all this before teatime. You won’t need expensive equipment – any digital camera will do.

Saturday 15 October, 10am-3pm, The Egg, University of Salford, MediaCityUK, The Quays, M50 2HE. £20 (£10 concessions) includes some refreshments. Over 16s only. Booking via quaytickets.com.

4. Subversive Stitching

Need to get something off your chest? Channel Madame Defarge and stitch for the revolution! People’s History Museum is inviting all politically-minded makers to gear up for party conference season at this mass stitch-in led by members of Manchester’s Craftivist collective. Experi

enced crafters and enthusiastic beginners can make small banners with big messages using cross-stitch and embroidery, while enjoying coffee, cake and conversation. There’s also a craft fair happening at the museum all day, and while you’re there you can visit On The March, the museum’s exhibition of political banners. Change the world, one stitch at a time.

Saturday 15 October, two sessions at 10am-noon and 3-5pm, People’s History Museum, Left Bank, Spinningfields M3 3ER. £10 (includes banner kit, tea or coffee and cake). Places limited so please book in advance at info@phm.org.uk or 0161 838 9190.

5. Photography POD

For today’s children, images have always been instantly translated into pixels. Leave the iPhone and digital camera in your pocket for a little while and let your family be exposed to the magic of film photography and montage, creating and developing their own acetates in this pop-up darkroom at Imperial War Museum North.

Saturday 15 October, 1-4pm, Imperial War Museum North, The Quays, M17 1TZ. Free, drop in.

6. Good, by CP Taylor

If you want a thought-provoking theatre performance, Good is CP Taylor’s classic exploration of how, when faced with seemingly simple decisions, we can all duck, weave and find our personal morality twisted. It’s 1930s Germany and Halder, a Frankfurt literary professor, is a shining example of a good man. But, after he publishes a controversial paper, he is increasingly enmeshed with the Nazi regime.

Friday 14th, 7.30pm, and Saturday 15 October at 4.00 and 8.00pm. Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, M2 7DH, 0161 833 9833, royalexchange.org.uk. Prices from £9-£33.

7. The Infinite Monkey Cage

BBC Radio 4’s award-winning science/comedy show presented by Robin Ince and Professor Brian Cox. The Infinite Monkeys will be joined on stage by a panel of experts and science enthusiasts for their witty, irreverent take on the world according to science. A chance to be part of the audience for the recording of this hugely popular and entertaining show.

Friday 14 October, 7.30-9.00pm, University Place, University of Manchester, Free. Booking required manchestersciencefestival.com.

Eat and chill

Hold your own DIY BBQ contest by sampling and comparing the city’s two new ‘cue joints: SouthernEleven at Spinningfields and Smoak Bar and Grill at Malmaison Manchester. Prepare to get your hands dirty in a very good way.

If you’re more into finding things to wear than making them, trawl the vintage shops of the artsy Northern Quarter. We love the retro kitsch at Pop Boutique and the mind-boggling variety in Afflecks. Recharge with a bite and a brew at nearby North Tea Power.

Images: Top: The Vegetable Nannies (appearing as part of Urban Harvest); Middle: Imperial War Museum North, Len Grant