What’s on in October?
30 Sep 2024
Welcome to October’s edition of ‘What’s on?’. Here you will find everything you can get involved in for free each month, ranging from cultural, extracurricular and celebratory events and activities.
Events
Foundation Day celebrations
Join us in celebrating the amalgamation of Victoria University of Manchester and UMIST together with Professor Duncan Ivison.
- Book your staff ticket on Wednesday, 2 October 3.30pm to 5pm in University Place
Active Travel Breakfast event for colleagues
Thinking about getting back on your bike for the new academic year? Fancy walking part of the journey to work? Or even try run commuting? Travel actively to campus and meet with colleagues over a free coffee and pastry (alternatives available).
- Pre-register to attend on Wednesday, 16 October 8.15am to 9.30am at Café 65 on AMBS ground floor
Instruments in Chinese music: The erhu (Chinese fiddle)
This autumn, the Manchester Confucius Institute is hosting the talk series “Instruments in Chinese music”. The first talk will focus on the erhu (Chinese fiddle) and will take place at 6–7PM on 30 October. We will discuss the historical development of the erhu and learn about its diverse repertoire since the early 20th century.
- Book your free place on Wednesday, 30 October 6pm to 7pm at Manchester Central Library
Introduction to Social Responsibility and Civic Engagement
Following the keen interest of colleagues in our social responsibility open sessions during 2023/24 academic year we are now offering a second series of online sessions around social responsibility, civic engagement and public engagement.
- Book your place online on Wednesday, 9 October 12non to 12.45pm
Our cultural institutions
Jodrell Bank
Sunday, 6 October: Relaxed visits to Jodrell Bank – Explore Jodrell Bank with reduced sound in exhibition spaces and an early showing of the free ‘Introduction to Jodrell Bank’ film.
- Book your free admission from 10am
From Saturday, 26 October: Astronomy Photographer of the Year - Travel to the edge of the universe in astounding detail at the Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition.
- Book for free with admission 10am to 4pm daily
Manchester Museum
All October: Wild exhibitions
- Wednesday, 2 and 9 October (12pm to 12.50pm): Introductory tai chi qigong
- Wednesday, 2 October (3pm to 5pm): AI trail for home learners
- Tuesday, 15 October (11am to 2pm): Art of collections – Drawing workshops for culture vultures
- Wednesday, 16 October (6pm to 9pm): The Cultural Welcome
- Wednesday, 16 October (6pm to 8pm): Wild Ways to Wellbeing workshop
- Saturday, 19 October (10am to 4pm): African Art and Creativity
- Tuesday, 22 to Friday, 25 October (2pm to 4pm): Wild Wings – Family wing-making workshops
- Saturday, 26 October (12pm to 4pm): Meet the Changemakers: Black environmentalists
- Wednesday, 30 October (6pm to 8pm): Bats, Cats and Rats: Wild Ways to Wellbeing workshop
- Wednesday, 30 October (4.30am to 9pm): Diwali at the Museum
Whitworth Art Gallery
Thursday, 10 October (6.30pm): The Grey Area Writing Group & Book Club
From Friday, 4 October: Barbara Walker: Being here
Until Sunday, 20 October: Ayo Akingbade Show Me The World Mister
All October:
- The ‘Death’ of the Life Room
- Alison Wilding: Sculptor’s Drawings
- Shirley Craven’s post-war designer exhibition
- Everyday Art School
- ‘Exchanges’ display of art and textiles
- Anya Gallaccio’s commission on nature and architecture
John Rylands Research Institute and Library
Thursday, 10 October (4pm to 5.15 pm): Gillian Clarke poetry masterclass
Thursday, 10 October (7pm to 8.15 pm): Manchester Literature Festival 2024 poetry reading with Gillian Clarke
Friday, 11 October (2pm to 4pm): Collection Encounter: Ink and Reed-The First Papyrus Bibles
Our community
Religious celebrations and traditions
Thursday 3 October: Navratri (Hinduism)
Saturday, 12 October: Dussehra (Hinduism)
Thursday, 3 and Friday, 4 October: Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year)
Friday, 11 to Saturday, 12 October: Yom Kippur (Judaism)
Thursday, 17 to Wednesday, 23 October: Sukkot (Judaism)
Thursday, 24 and Friday, 25 October: Simchat Torah (Judaism)
- Read more about religious celebrations that our friends and colleagues may be observing throughout October
Awareness days
Wednesday, 16 October: International Pronouns Day
- Read our guidance on how to update your pronouns and the importance of it
- Book a Lunch & Learn session all about pronouns
Thursday, 10 October: World Mental Health Day
- Register for our World Mental Health Day webinar 10am to 11am
Groups and societies
University Staff Golf Society
Join the Staff Golf Society for a new series of fixtures:
- Monday, 14 October: Stockport Golf Club
Contact membership secretary Mike Fergie on Michael_Fergie@hotmail.com to register and for more information.
University Book Club
This month’s book is Butter by Asako Yuzuki. We will also recap The Invisible Women’s Club by Helen Paris.
You don't even need to have finished the book (although there will be spoilers!).
Why not head over to our Viva Engage (yammer) group for more reading inspiration!
- Contact Fiona.lynch@manchester.ac.uk for the zoom link for Friday, 25 October 12.30pm to 1.30pm
Want to feature your event next month?
If your event is free and open to all colleagues at the University, you can advertise it here next month!
Submit your suggestion to uninews@manchester.ac.uk by 25 of each month to feature in the following month. Please send us a short description (max 30 words) and any relevant links you may have too.
Please note that we unfortunately cannot guarantee your submission will feature, but we will do our best to feature as many as we can.
The deadline to feature in November’s ‘What’s on?’ is 25 October. Any questions, just drop us an email!