Looking for things to do in Manchester? The best one-off and unusual screenings, talks and tours on during the Weekender are listed below

Weekender top 5 one offs

Our top five one-off events taking place during The Manchester Weekender (1-3 October)

1. ‘Close Up’ featuring Jonathan Franzen. The celebrated American author reads from his latest novel in an evening that’s part of DJ/writer Dave Haslam’s regular (and regularly sold out) ‘in conversation’ events. An exceptional opportunity to get up close to the award-winning author of The Corrections, as well as find out more about Franzen’s hotly-anticipated new novel. Sunday 3 Oct, 7pm-9pm. The Whitworth Art Gallery, Oxford Road M15 6ER. £8/£6.

2. Manchester by Boat. The Mark Addy’s Robert Owen Brown (whose traditional British dishes Observer critic Jay Rayner once described as ‘an old-fashioned treat’) serves up three courses. On a boat. In fact, a specially chartered boat takes you along the Irwell towards the Manchester Ship Canal while you enjoy a welcome drink and three-course meal from one of the Northwest’s top chefs, plus a personalized commentary from our on-board tour guide that sheds light on the waterside sights en route. Saturday 2 Oct, 6.30pm-9.00pm. Tour starts and ends at the Mark Addy, Stanley Street, Salford M3 5EJ. £40. Organised by Manchester Food & Drink Festival, Manchester Tourist Guiding Agency and the Mark Addy, and brought to you by Modern History.

3. Midnight Mass. The UK debut of Midnight Mass by drag queen Peaches Christ. Featuring the UK debut of her new film All About Evil (see trailer, below), this late night screening and floor show wallows in sex, blood and scatological references – it’s all about bad cinema, bad behaviour and (eek) audience participation. Includes an outrageous shorts programme that features Season of the Troll, A Nightmare on Castro Street and Jizzmopper: A Love Story. Saturday 2 Oct, 9pm-1am. The Dancehouse, 10 Oxford Road M1 5QA. £15/£12.50. Part of the AND Festival.

4. Contemporary Cartography Bicycle Tour. Discover the art underground in Manchester on two wheels. Designed to celebrate the publication of the new art map of Manchester (handily titled Contemporary Cartography //01), this freewheeling tour takes in International 3, Bureau, Kraak Gallery, Rogue Studios and Castlefield Gallery. Worth it if only to be able to find out where exactly the elusive Kraak really is (it’s tucked away down a Northern Quarter side street), though keep an eye out for rogue buses, iPod-wearing pedestrians and bin lorries. Oh, and bring your own bike. Sat 2 Oct, 11am-2pm. Meet at The Whitworth Art Gallery. Free but places limited to 15 per tour & booking required. Book via The Whitworth. Tour ends at Castlefield Gallery.

5. Self Made by Gillian Wearing. The world premiere of this feature-length film co-written by Turner Prize winning artist Gillian Wearing and playwright Leo Butler. The film follows 12 participants as they answer a job advert that asks, ‘Would you like to be in a film? You can play yourself or a fictional character. Call Gillian.’ The film follows what happens as those who reply to the ads. are cast and then, ultimately, appear in the final film. Saturday 2 Oct, 7.30pm-10pm. Cornerhouse, 70 Oxford Street M1 5NH. £10. Part of the AND Festival.

Click here for full event listings and booking information, or return to the Weekender home page

Images (top to bottom): Lian Stewart in Self Made by Gillian Wearing, photo by Mark Chapman;