Manchester Poetry Library | Until 12 June 2021
An installation that will celebrate the role of libraries and librarians in supporting unique journeys of self-development.
Festival of Libraries
Manchester City of Literature presents the inaugural Festival of Libraries. With 80 free events across five days 9-13th June, there’s a mix of in-person/online and indoor/outdoor activity in every borough of Greater Manchester…
Including right here on the Oxford Road Corridor.
Artists, writers and performers taking part in the Festival of Libraries include Guy Garvey, Michael Rosen, Gary Younge, Shirley May, Mike Garry, Stuart Maconie, Andrew McMillan, Rosie Garland, James Holt, Anjum Malik, Hafsah Aneela Bashir and Stephen Holland, UK Comics Laureate. With more than 50 artists and creatives involved in the festival, there’s lots to see.
The festival, which is supported by project grants from Arts Council England, features a vibrant programme that highlights the world-class Manchester libraries full offer, across wellbeing, culture and creativity, digital and information, and, of course, reading.
The Festival of Libraries programme takes place in internationally renowned institutions from Manchester’s rich tapestry of heritage libraries, including Central Library, with its impressive status as the busiest public library in the country, in addition to Chetham’s, The Portico, and the John Rylands Research Institute and Library. Also featured will be Greater Manchester’s equally important and vital local libraries that deliver much-needed support and services to their communities.
There are 133 libraries in Manchester, and every resident lives within 1.5 miles of a library so why not check out something new.
What’s On
The Festival of Libraries takes place across Greater Manchester, but here’s a taste of what you can do here on Oxford Road Corridor.
Manchester Central Library | Until 13 June 2021
An exploration of truth, impartiality and AI in the future of our libraries.
Online | 9 June 2021
Get to know the lives, knowledge and histories of people archived by the communities and create new writing of your own.
| 13 June 2021
Manchester Poetry Library welcomes Hafsah Aneela Bashir and the Poetry Health Service to be in residence for the festival.
Online | Until 12 June 2021
A short free online poetry course, aimed at exploring how poetry can help us understand health and social care practice.
Manchester Central Library | Until 13 June 2021
Anna Polonyi has been partnered with Central Library and is planning to write a new short story during her residency.
Literature on Oxford Road Corridor
The area is steeped in literary and political history, immortalised in prose, poem and song: from Fredrich Engels’ sombre description of working-class life, John Cooper Clarke’s ‘Queen of the Ritz’ in Salome Maloney and Morrissey’s peak through the roof of the Holy Name Church in Vicar in a Tutu.
More cultural attractions
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More to do on Oxford Road Corridor
Food & Drink
There’s always plenty of good places to eat and drink on Oxford Road Corridor, many places will allow walk-ins, but again, check before making a special visit.
Since opening in 2012, Gorilla has proved itself as Manchester’s definitive mid-sized modern gig venue and one of the city’s best bar and kitchens.
WOOD Manchester offers one of the city’s best fine dining experiences, from the locally-loved winner of 2015 MasterChef winner Simon Wood.
The Refuge, at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, is a luxurious, modern restaurant, housed in a magnificent, Alfred Waterhouse designed, Victorian brick and terracotta building offers 10,000 sq ft of drinking and dining for everyone and anyone with the instruction “Come As You Are”.
Big Hands at the South end of Oxford Road may be small, but it comes with added rock n’ roll swagger, a great atmosphere and a lovely roof garden.
Zouk Tea Bar and Grill is a modern, exciting restaurant, serving up some of the very best Indian-Pakistani cuisine in Manchester.
Bunny Jackson’s is a late-night music venue, dive bar and American diner on First Street. Expect cocktails, cold beer and chicken wings.
Charming and homely, the Indian Tiffin Room brings this classic Indian dish to First Street.
An iconic pub with an impressive whiskey list running into the hundreds. A welcoming atmosphere and a sprawling beer garden.
The Font Manchester is a cracking bar found just off Oxford Road on New Wakefield St where it’s been for over 20 years.
Green Spaces
If you still feel more comfortable in open spaces, there’s plenty of green spots to enjoy on the Corridor.
All Saints Park is a beautiful green space in the heart of the Oxford Road Corridor. Perfect for a quick moment of calm on a busy day.
This 18-acre park opposite the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is an eye-catching green space and home to the Whitworth Art Gallery.
Enjoy views of some of the best architecture in Manchester in this green space which was opened in 2018 by The University of Manchester.