Founded in 1998, Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (LAAF) is the UK’s longest-running annual Arab arts and culture festival, platforming the best UK and international Arab artists. The festival creates a dynamic between traditional and contemporary Arab artforms, encouraging informed debate that explores, and increases, appreciation of Arab people and their rich cultures.
Beyond its flagship summer event, LAAF runs a diverse year-round programme of events and participatory projects that bring together artists and communities, fostering deeper understanding and appreciation of Arab culture in Liverpool and beyond.
The showcase celebration of their year-round programme, the festival takes place over ten days, welcoming Arab artists to Liverpool and taking place at venues across the city.
Their programme is wide-ranging and multi-disciplinary. It includes visual art, performance, music, film, literature, spoken word and more.
Festival Highlights for 2025
The Alexandrian, Yamama Cafe and Bar (11 – 20 July)
In this free exhibition, The Alexandrian, Mohamed Gohar utilises his artistic visual language alongside architectural and heritage experiences.
Gohar explores how today’s Alexandrian society influences the city’s evolving urban landscape, using his unique blend of visual art, architecture, and heritage. The aim is to observe and analyse the communal behaviours of the city users, focusing on developing an objective understanding of the changing values and cultures.
The exhibition runs throughout the festival’s duration. You can also join them for an informal artist talk on 16 July, at 4pm.
Penguin, Unity Theatre (11 July)
Full of humour and beauty, Penguin describes protagonist Hamzeh’s extraordinary return to his village in Syria, Za’atari refugee camp in Jordan, Gateshead and inside his mind: a place full of music, dancing, fantasies and marbles.
Hamzeh invites you to be his childhood friends, to hold the moon to light the way into his dreams, brushing the dust from his clothes and taking to the stage. Suitable for ages 12+, the show includes stories about being displaced due to war, refugee camps and ableism.
Penguin has integrated creative captions in Arabic and English.
Hadi Badi Children’s Workshop, Bluecoat (13 July)
A joyful bilingual workshop for young book lovers aged 4–8, exploring memory, home, and family through Arabic children’s literature.
LAAF are delighted to welcome Hadi Badi co-founders, Hend Badawy and Raneem Soliman, back to the festival to lead a Hadi Badi interactive storytelling workshop for children aged 4–8 years. The session will introduce participants to high-quality Arabic children’s books that explore themes of nostalgia and memory, whether about home, family, places, or special moments.
Following the storytelling, children will enjoy a fun, creative activity linked to the story, designed to engage and inspire. The workshop will be conducted bilingually in Arabic and English.
Archiving Nostalgia, FACT (14 July)
Contemporary Arab films from Lebanon, Tunisia, and Algeria, reflecting on Archiving Nostalgia as both a thematic and aesthetic tool, all creating powerful archives of personal and collective memory. The screening will be followed by an in-person panel discussion on Arab cinema archiving.
Palestine Minus One, Bluecoat (16 July)
Join acclaimed Palestinian writers Mazen Maarouf, Anwar Hamed, and Basma Ghalayini for an evening of storytelling and conversation to launch Palestine Minus One, a bold new anthology from Comma Press.
As a prequel to Comma’s award-winning Palestine + 100 science fiction project, this anthology asks ten Palestinian authors to re-imagine the build-up to the catastrophe of 1948 and Israel’s 77-year-long occupation of Palestine: the Nakba of 1948. Blending the fantastical, the supernatural, and the speculative, these stories explore both the immediate and long-term repercussions of that defining moment in Palestinian history.
A Grain of Sand حبة رمل, Unity Theatre (18 July)
A Grain of Sand is a one-woman show that takes an intimate look at war through the eyes of a child, blending Palestinian folklore with real-life testimonies from children in contemporary Gaza. Renad’s story is one of resilience, hope and the right of children to be children.
Adapted from A Million Kites: Testimonies and Poems from the Children of Gaza by Leila Boukarim and Asaf Luzon. Renad, a young Gazan girl, embarks on a dangerous journey. Carrying only the echoes of her grandmother’s tales and the spark of her own imagination, she searches for her family and the ‘Anqaa’ – the mythical Palestinian Phoenix.
Akram Abdulfattah, Philharmonic Music Room (19 July)
Virtuosic Palestinian-American violinist Akram Abdulfattah returns to the UK with his genre-defying fusion of jazz, Middle Eastern and Indian music. In 2023, his multinational group visited the UK for the first time, performing a debut London show, and appearing at Knockengorroch and Cambridge Folk festivals. Akram’s talent has received international recognition, winning prestigious awards and engaging in various international and cross-culture projects.
LAAF Family Day 2025, Sefton Park Palm House (20 July)
The LAAF Family Day celebration is an unmissable highlight in Liverpool’s cultural calendar. A joyful grand finale to the festival, LAAF Family Day transforms the Palm House into a vibrant celebration of Arab culture, music, food, and community.
Featuring music and performance by leading musicians, their FamilyDay also brings an array of creative workshops, mouth-watering cuisine and exciting children’s activities. There will be over 20 stalls featuring authentic crafts, traders and much more!
Discover the full Liverpool Arab Arts Festival 2025 programme and plan your festival experience at liverpoolarabartsfestival.com.
Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre is one of most iconic and welcoming theatres in the city. Housed in a beautifully restored Art Deco building, it’s a venue where modern productions meet historic charm. Known for its laugh-out-loud comedies and musicals, the Royal Court is deeply rooted in the city’s culture — from the stories it tells to the people who bring them to life.
The Royal Court Theatre produces eight long running plays every year, mostly comedies and musicals. The shows have a Liverpool theme with largely Liverpool cast and crew. Sets are built in the city, rehearsals take place in Liverpool and 95% of all money spent by the theatre goes back into the local economy.
If you’re after a scouse night out, The Court is the place to be.
History and Art Deco Grandeur
The Royal Court stands on a site that has entertained the city since 1826, when it opened as Cooke’s New Circus and rebranded in 1831 as Cooke’s Amphitheatre of Arts, presenting opera, music, theatre and ballet. It became the Royal Court Theatre in 1881 and quickly gained a reputation as Liverpool’s leading venue for touring music, theatre, and ballet.
Its Art Deco redesign in 1938 gave it the stylish silhouette seen today — now Grade II listed and lovingly restored by architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris. Over the years, legends like Judi Dench, Laurence Olivier, Fred Astaire, and Ken Dodd have graced its stage. In fact, Dame Judi Dench made her acting debut here in 1957 and is now Patron of the Royal Court Trust.
Theatre Shows
The Scousetrap. Credit: Jason Roberts Photography
The venue regularly hosted gigs in the 80s, including legendary shows by Kraftwerk, Echo and the Bunnymen and The Specials, amongst many others, before emerging with their own Liverpool-based original theatre productions.
A cast of mainly Merseyside regulars, including former Brookside stars Michael Starke and Suzanne Collins, star in an ongoing season of irreverent comedy with excellent production values. Pre-show dining, cabaret-style stalls seating and a range of drinks are served before and after the show, a feature of a night out at the Court.
The Royal Court also stages Shakespearean productions from the local Lodestar Theatre Company and occasional musical events. In addition, they run a fascinating Heritage Tour, covering the theatre’s history via a backstage tour through set storage, dressing rooms and loft space.
In recent years, the theatre staged their comedy A Thong For Europe and hosted a Eurovision screening, as part of the city-wide Eurovision celebration, and their Boys From The Blackstuff production has played at the National Theatre. Currently, they’re staging the musical Speedo Mick – The Scouse Stomper, an inspiring show about a die-hard Everton fan raising more than a million pounds for disadvantaged young people and the homeless.
Youth Theatre
The Royal Court isn’t just about what happens on stage — it’s also nurturing the next generation of creatives. Their Youth Theatre is open to 11–17 year olds from across the city, this free programme helps young people gain hands-on experience in acting, writing, fundraising, and stage management.
New Writing
One of the region’s largest producers of theatre, Liverpool’s Royal Court has a focus on new writing, with their Stage Write playwright development programme.
The theatre began producing shows in 2006, and quickly developed its own house style. In the early years the programming was a mix of established and commissioned plays but since 2017 all of their work has been written for the Royal Court. As well as their main house works, the 150 seat Studio space is a great place to develop new plays and they commission three new pieces each year.
They are committed to supporting the development of new works and new writers whether for the Royal Court audience or not. As access is an important part of the way they work, all of these initiatives are free to access.
Community Choir
Want to get involved but not quite ready for the spotlight? The Royal Court’s free Community Choir welcomes all abilities. It’s about fun, friendship, and finding your voice — with past performances at events like Liverpool ONE’s Christmas switch-on and Pride in Liverpool. Sessions take place every Monday (except Bank Holidays), 5–7pm in the Studio. Open to anyone aged 16+.
From heritage tours to hilarious comedies, community programmes to inspiring musicals, find out what’s on at Liverpool’s Royal Court via their events listings.
Future Yard is more than just a venue — it’s a movement. Based in the heart of Birkenhead, this trailblazing space combines live music, artist development, and environmental action to reshape what a grassroots venue can be.
Open seven days a week, it’s home to a bar, coffee shop, and a vibrant outdoor space. At its core is a 280-capacity live room that plays host to an exciting mix of local talent and acclaimed national and international acts.
Future Yard is also a creative hub — supporting emerging artists through development programmes and offering young people from the local area free access to training in the live music industry. Their long-term goal? To help shape the future of music in Birkenhead while becoming the UK’s first operational carbon net-zero grassroots venue.
Opening their doors fully to the music-loving public in the spring of 2021, Future Yard is a community venue bringing some of today’s most exciting artists to the Wirral, with a full programme of events throughout the year.
Past performers include legendary names like Kraftwerk’s Wolfgang Flür, The Coral, Doves, Gruff Rhys, and Beans on Toast.
Each year the venue also hosts Future Now — a genre-spanning festival dedicated to musical discovery. The fifth instalment of Future Now returns for the August Bank Holiday. The 2025 edition will feature trailblazers like Los Bitchos and Pussy Riot: Riot Days, cementing the festival’s reputation as a must-attend event.
Beyond gigs, Future Yard also offers vinyl markets, regular club nights, and the newly launched Birkenhead Craft Beer Festival, debuting July 2025.
Supporting the Next Generation
PROPELLER sits at the heart of Future Yard’s artist empowerment revolution. Every PROPELLER artist is partnered with an experienced professional mentor to provide support and a dedicated development plan. They also gain access to a rolling programme of workshops and masterclasses from leading music minds, building your knowledge. All this is based within a vibrant artist community, housed at Future Yard.
If you want to make music happen, you can also sign up to their mailing list, and you’ll hear the latest about Sound Check, their free-to-access live music industry training programme for young people.
Mosh Tots – Gigs For Kids
Mosh Tots is the hippest, hottest party in town! Sunday mornings at Future Yard are the place to be. Their gigs for kids (and well-behaved grown-ups!) series has been hugely popular since they launched.
Aimed at children aged 1-8, Mosh Tots is there to introduce young people to the rockin’ world of live music in a safe and fun environment. They believe that live music should be for everyone, no matter your age.
Future Yard Kitchen
The venue’s kitchen serves fresh vegan and veggie, Neapolitan-style pizzas made from locally sourced ingredients.Open on all live show days and every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the kitchen complements the bar and coffee shop, which are open daily from 10 am.
Space To Relax
Whether you’re dropping by for a show or just fancy a quiet coffee, Future Yard’s garden offers a welcoming place to unwind. The outdoor space is open daily, providing a laid-back spot to enjoy pizza, drinks, or sunshine with friends. And if the weather doesn’t play ball, their bar and café inside offer the same chilled-out atmosphere.
Environmental Pledge
Alongside realising their creative vision, Future Yard have made major steps in Sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint. They are committed to a long-term goal of becoming operational net-zero by 2030 and fully net-zero by 2035. This will make the venue one of the first arts organisations to achieve this in the UK.
Working in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University’s Low Carbon Eco-Innovatory, they have been shaping the long-term design of the building, its energy consumption and developing a range of policies in how the venue operates to achieve this goal.
Discover What’s On At Future Yard
For all the latest events listings and happenings visit the Future Yard website.
Looking for ways to keep the kids entertained this May half term in Liverpool? Whether you’re staying local or heading into the city for a day out, there’s a packed programme of free and low-cost family events happening across Liverpool and the wider region. From musical mornings and interactive theatre to hands-on science shows and crafty workshops, there’s something to spark every imagination. Here’s our top pick of activities that promise fun, creativity and adventure for children of all ages – without breaking the bank.
1. Mini Maestros, Everyman Theatre Cafe (17 May – 28 June)
Mini Maestros is an excellent music session for 0-5s on Saturday mornings. The session is an interactive, multi-sensory music workshop for children and their grown-ups.
With percussion, signing and dance, the sessions present an engaging platform for children to explore sound and song whilst learning and having fun! Head along on Saturday mornings and join them making music at the Everyman Theatre Cafe.
Mini Maestros is run by RISE Music Education CIC, a local collective of professional musicians working to deliver engaging creative arts projects in the community.
2. Fowl Play – May Half Term Workshops, Tate Liverpool + RIBA North (24 May – 4 June)
Swoop into Tate Liverpool’s Learning Space this half term holiday for free Fowl Play avian art activities!
Flock together for crafty family fun, constructing multi-coloured replicas of your favourite birds. Play with print stamping blocks and collage to recreate intricate feathered patterns and textures. Using their easy-to-follow templates, make a 3-D model of your bird and dive into their pick ‘n’ mix recycled craft box to add finishing touches to personalise your bird.
There will be a free facilitated workshop on Thursday 29 May from 14.00-16.00 led by artist Colette Whittington.
3. Animal adventures – Little Liverpool special, Museum of Liverpool (27 May)
Are you ready to explore the wild world of animals? Welcome to Animal adventures! Join Museum of Liverpool’s animal-themed Little Liverpool special combining a visit to the popular Little Liverpool gallery, with extra animal-themed activities for their younger visitors to enjoy.
Animal adventures takes place on Tuesday mornings at 11.15am and on Sunday afternoons at 2.15pm.
4. Beanstalk! Shakespeare North Playhouse (27 May)
Beanstalk! is a fantastic tale for kids, big kids and everyone in between! Stuffed with outlandish mischief, magic, music and maybe a bean sprout or two…
Jack is stuck working in his Mum’s greengrocers and all he wants is to go on adventures! When a huge beanstalk starts sprouting between the shelves – maybe the biggest adventure isn’t so far away after all!
A classic slice of family theatre and ideal for a half term visit.
5. Aquarium Behind The Scenes Tour, World Museum (27 / 28 May)
Ever wanted to know what it takes to look after all the amazing animals in the World Museum’s aquarium? Wonder no more! Why not book onto this 20 minute Aquarium Behind The Scenes Guided Tour with one of the museum’s knowledgeable aquarium team members.
You’ll be taken into their back of house facilities to see how they look after the animals in their care. Each tour will have a maximum of 10 visitors and is for years 6+. They also ask for a minimum ratio of 3 children to 1 adult.
6. Big Art special: Art Sparks, Walker Art Gallery (27, 28 and 31 May)
Spark your creativity and have fun with Walker Art Gallery’s fabulous friendly facilitators in Big Art special: Art Sparks! Big Art is a very special place for young children and their grown ups to discover arty things together.
Explore your creativity as a family with their special facilitated activities and make a marvellous masterpiece to take home. Plus you’ll have some time to explore Big Art and all the wonderful resources for yourself.
There is a small charge of £2 per child with up to two accompanying adults who can attend free of charge.
7. Garden Cyanotypes: Family Print Session, Bluecoat (28 May)
Join Bluecoat as they explore this photographic printing process in a Family Friendly Print Session. Collect leaves and flowers from their beautiful spring garden to create your prints, or you can bring your own.
A cyanotype is a blue print made by placing an object on paper coated with iron salts. The silhouette of the object is transferred onto the paper as it is exposed to light, and appears after washing the paper in water. Suitable for ages 3+, just drop-in on the day.
8. Pirates Love Underpants, Liverpool Playhouse Theatre (28 – 31 May)
Pirates Love Underpants is based on the beloved book by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort. Join their swashbuckling party of pirates on their quest to find the fabled Pants of Gold for the Captain’s Treasure chest!
Dodge hungry crocs beneath Long-John Bridge, bob upon the waves of Big Knickers Bay, spot sharks in fancy underpants and trek across Three Pants Ridge.
Filled with music, puppetry and glittering pants of gold, arrr you ready to set sail for a family adventure?
9. Exciting Science, The Atkinson (30 May)
This brand new, Exciting Science educational show will amaze and astound all ages from 4 years and upwards, as they put the ‘Exciting’ back into ‘Science’.
With fun and fact filled experiments, watch in amazement as they recreate a volcanic eruption; turn a vacuum cleaner into a missile launcher or take aim at you with their smoke blaster!
So, stand clear and prepare to be amazed!
For even more things to do in Easter half term in Liverpool and the city region check out our What’s On Listings.
Founded in 1985 with a vision to unite communities in the North West through a shared love of Indian arts, Milap celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2025 as the UK’s leading Indian arts and culture organisation. Over four decades, Milap has raised the national profile of South Asian music, dance, and culture, building a legacy that spans performance, education, and community engagement.
Over the last four decades, Milap have brought some of India’s most revered musicians and performers to stages across the UK through a rich and varied programme of music and dance, as well as pioneering the teaching and preservation of Indian classical artforms in the West and nurturing some of the UK’s most exciting emerging talent.
Their story began in 1985, when Dr Prashant Nayak and a group of like-minded friends hosted ‘Indian Cultural Evenings’ in Liverpool – to enhance friendship, understanding and cooperation between the local community and people of South Asian origin who made a home for themselves in Britain in the 1980s.
40 years on, their dedicated mission to promote Indian culture in North West England has spread nationally, culminating in the creation and delivery of groundbreaking artistic projects, with a strong track record of producing world class performances, educational development programmes and workshops that spotlight classical Hindustani and Carnatic artforms and recognition at their National Indian Arts Awards.
Music and Performance
Talvin Singh
Milap have worked with countless musicians that are globally renowned for their craft. Notably, British Mercury-Prize winner and pioneer of Indian Classical and Drum & Bass fusion Talvin Singh has been championed by Milap since the 1980’s – first bringing him to perform at the Bluecoat in 1993, and most recently collaborating with him at INDIKA 2023.
Fast-forward to their 40th year, Milap presented GRAMMY-winning bansuri virtuoso Rakesh Chaurasia at The Tung Auditorium in March 2025. The distinguished Chaurasia family’s musical legacy has also been a part of Milap’s story for decades – Rakesh’s legendary uncle Hariprasad Chaurasia graced the stage at the Bluecoat back in 1993.
This summer 2025, Milap are welcoming bass virtuoso Shez Raja back to the Wirral for an electrifying evening of his unique ‘Indo-funk-jazz’ sound, alongside electric guitar sensation, Guthrie Govan.
Dance India
Apoorva Jayaraman Credit: Niranjani Prasad
Milap’s flagship Dance India programme remains a globally unique space for dancers of all styles to immerse themselves in an intensive week of learning, exchange, and artistic inspiration.
Today, celebrated artists like Arushi Mudgal and Sonia Sabri are shining examples of the impact of Milap’s enduring commitment to preserving and celebrating Indian dance forms. Arushi Mudgal was part of Milap’s first dance production Swadesh, then went on to become a key member of the Dance India team and has since been hailed by the New York Times’ Chief Dance Critic as ‘one of India’s most remarkable dancers’.
Sonia Sabri has also supported Milap in her role as tutor for Dance India and is now a multi-award winning dance artist, choreographer and movement director. She assisted in choreographing The Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in 2022. Milap have platformed both Sonia’s solo and company works throughout her career, including the 2010 grand opening of the Capstone Theatre in Liverpool .
SAMYO – National Youth Orchestra for Indian Music
Founded in 2002, SAMYO – Milap’s National Youth Orchestra for Indian music – has redefined the presentation of Indian Classical Music, by using classical instruments in a new context. Through SAMYO, Milap invite musicians and vocalists to break away from tradition to explore and push the boundaries of their instruments, whilst remaining true to their Indian classical training.
Former contestant on The Voice UK, Abi Sampa progressed through SAMYO and is now an Associate Artist of the Royal Albert Hall. SAMYO alumni Pirashanna Thevarajah has also taken his career to great heights, becoming a member of Pandit Ravi Shankar’s world tours and appearing on a GRAMMY nominated live album at the Royal Albert Hall alongside artists such as Anoushka Shankar and Jeff Lynne.
Jasdeep Singh Degun is the first ever sitarist and British Asian musician to be recognised and awarded a Royal Philharmonic Society Best Instrumentalist Award. He progressed through both SAMYO and TARANG as a young emerging sitarist and his career has seen him reshape the Indian Classical musical landscape. Jasdeep is now collaborating with BBC Concert Orchestra in Leeds and BBC Symphony Orchestra in London.
Arts School And Educational Programmes
Milap’s educational reach over the last 40 years extends even further than their ensembles, targeting aspiring young musicians in the North West of all ages and abilities. A foundation of these inclusive opportunities includes Milap’s Arts School; a term time education programme based in Liverpool featuring weekly classes of Indian Performing Arts. Milap’s Arts School has allowed students to work closely with experienced teachers in a vast range of Indian art forms.
The local Merseyside communities have also experienced the lasting impact of Milap’s work via a range of workshops and masterclasses, offering people the unique opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge from the world’s leading Indian music and dance stars. This supported learning has ensured that audiences, aspiring artists and inquisitive students have all had access to memorable and inspirational experiences of Indian Arts for decades.
Festivals and Partnerships
Adopting a vision of ‘Uniting Hearts Through Arts’, Milap’s mission has been to strengthen both Liverpool and Britain’s multicultural society, ensuring that Indian Arts and Culture is accessible to their local communities.
Milap have made significant contributions to projects by Liverpool City Council over the years, including River of Light and most notably, the 50th Anniversary of The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in 2017. This milestone celebration saw Milap present ‘The Beatles Ragafest’ at St George’s Hall, where world-renowned Hindustani and Carnatic artists explored the works of George Harrison.
Since 1985, Milap have also partnered with numerous venues including the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, The Capstone Theatre, The Tung Auditorium, The Bluecoat and Bundobust in Liverpool.
Coming off the back of a fantastic spring season of concerts, Milap are continuing the 40th celebrations with many more exciting performances and projects planned for the rest of the year. 2025 will also see the return of INDIKA – their bi-annual 15-day festival of Indian Arts & Culture in Liverpool.
As the organisation reflects on this milestone year, Artistic Director Alok Nayak shares what it means to the team and community:
“Milap began in 1985 as a niche festival, introducing Liverpool to some of the world’s greatest Indian artists at venues like The Bluecoat and Philharmonic Hall. Since then, we’ve grown nationally and internationally — but Liverpool remains at our heart. This 40th anniversary is a moment to share stories that changed lives, surprised us, and brought people together. It’s a celebration not of ourselves, but of everyone who’s shaped Milap’s journey. We hope it inspires new generations to dream, create, and believe in what’s possible — especially in a city like Liverpool, where culture and community are always deeply connected.”
Explore Milap’s spring / summer 2025 programme of events here.
As WoWFest mark their 25th anniversary, they reflect on the journey that has shaped Writing on the Wall since their first festival in June 2000. Founded on principles of social justice, they have always been a voice for change, a platform for truth, and a home for writers, artists, activists, and communities—from the Dingle to Dakota and beyond.
WoW’s roots lie in the Liverpool Dockers’ Lockout, and the resilience of those who fought back then is imprinted on their DNA. Against the backdrop of today’s global challenges, they believe writers and artists are vital voices for hope and change.
Balancing entertainment and activism, they have driven positive change—publishing over 500 writers in the past decade alone and paving the way for emerging talent through projects like Liverpool Young Writers and Pulp Idol.
Their 25th festival welcomes old friends and some first-time guests. Here are a selection of highlights for 2025:
Irvine Welsh, Rough Trade Liverpool (2 May)
To kick off the 25th anniversary celebrations, WoW are delighted to bring you Irvine Welsh, who paid them the greatest compliment, stating, “There isn’t another writing festival in England as good as Writing on the Wall.” Famed for his iconic novels, not least of all the ground-breaking Trainspotting, Irvine joins WoWFEST to discuss Resolution, the third of his novels featuring Ray Lennox.
A night with Irvine Welsh is always fun, a bit gritty, entertaining, and always gets you thinking. Irvine Welsh will be in conversation with author, visual artist and musician Zoë Howe. Join WoWFEST in welcoming back one of their earliest and most favourite WoW guests, Irvine Welsh, for the chance to get inside the mind of the man who created such iconic characters as Renton, Sick Boy, and Spud.
The Best Of Everything: Kit De Waal, Online (13 May)
Not only is Kit de Waal an incredibly talented writer and storyteller, she is also a champion for elevating the voices and opportunities for diverse, working class writers, putting her money where her mouth is by creating the Kit de Waal Creative Writing Scholarship to help improve working-class representation in the arts.
They welcome her back to WoWFEST for this online event discussing her latest novel, The Best of Everything, described by Booker Prize winner Bernardine Evaristo as ‘A profoundly compassionate novel of devastating power’.
Levi Tafari, Victoria Gallery and Museum (9 May)
Levi Tafari is a renowned poet, performer, and educator whose work spans literature, music, and activism. Known for his powerful storytelling, Tafari’s poetry blends elements of reggae, Rastafari culture, and social commentary. His work has earned him widespread acclaim, as he consistently seeks to inspire and uplift. Levi has performed around the world, captivating audiences along the way.
Levi has long been a member of the Writing on the Wall artistic community, working on such projects as From Great War to Race Riots, the Princes Boulevard Steps initiative and most recently in the re-opening for Spellow Library. Levi will perform from his powerful new collection, Being Human, a celebration of the human spirit.
Liverpool Rising Against Racism, St George’s Hall (17 May)
Come together for an unforgettable night of music and spoken word, celebrating diversity and Liverpool Rising Against Racism in one of Liverpool’s most iconic venues.
Hip-hop legend Skinnyman, who returns to the city in a show of solidarity, will be joined by a blistering line-up of Liverpool talent, including rapper Blue Saint, Yemeni Scouse poet Amina Atiq, and rising stars Sam Millne & the Virants, with more exciting names to be announced.
Expect big beats and rhymes, unforgettable performances, and an excellent vibe. The night will kick off with a spectacular outdoor performance by the Batala drummers at the North Entrance to the hall.
The Singh Twins, Museum Of Liverpool (18 May)
WoW are hosting the Liverpool launch ofThe Singh Twins‘ latest book, Slaves of Fashion: Art of the Singh Twins – Personal Reflections on Hidden Stories of Empire, Colonialism, and Their Legacies.
This richly illustrated, artist-designed book, showcases Slaves of Fashion, an award-winning series of portrait-based allegorical and narrative works by contemporary British artists The Singh Twins. Slaves of Fashion explores diverse histories and legacies of empire and colonialism through the history of Indian textiles. It is a global story of conflict, conquest, exploitation, slavery, intercultural exchange, and changing fashion.
Absurageddon: Armando Iannucci, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (22 May)
WoWFEST welcomes Armando Iannucci, a towering figure of British storytelling and satire, to seek answers to the question — can laughter still challenge authority, expose hypocrisy, and spark change — or has the joke already worn thin?
Armando Iannucci, creator of iconic TV and film, including The Thick of It, Veep, In the Loop, and The Death of Stalin, has spent decades turning political dysfunction into brutal, brilliant comedy. With a signature blend of intelligence and irreverence, Iannucci has held a mirror to power, exposing its absurdities with scalpel-sharp precision.
From Spellow to Southport…with Love, The Isla Gladstone Conservatory (28 May)
From Spellow to Southport…with Love is a special family-friendly event featuring three of the UK’s most celebrated poets and performers—Michael Rosen, Jackie Kay, Jordan Stephens, and Beth Suzanna. Join Jordan and Beth for a captivating and interactive storytelling adventure to discover the wonders of the natural world! This day of creativity, storytelling, and poetry aims to promote unity, diversity, and resilience.
The tragic murders of young girls in Southport and the racist riots that followed, resulting in major fire damage to Spellow Library, deeply affected communities across the region. While the library may be repaired, the community still needs healing. Writing on the Wall, in partnership with Culture Liverpool and Spellow Library, ran a series of free creative writing sessions called What’s Your Walton Story? for anyone who wanted to share their experience of living or working in the community. They will be celebrating these stories on the day and launching an anthology of work.
John Cooper Clarke, Everyman Theatre (30 May)
Making a welcome return to WoWFEST, Dr John Cooper Clarke, one of the most iconic poets of our time, whose seminal works, including Evidently Chickentown and (I Married a) Monster from Outer Space are as relevant and vibrant today as when they were first written.
His status as the Godfather of Punk Poetry is now firmly established as Dr John Cooper Clarke became the first-ever poet to headline an arena in the UK, with a sell-out performance at The Co-op arena in Manchester. You will not want to miss this unique evening of conversation and performance. The self-confessed nosy parker is hot off the back of his arena tour and the paperback release of his best-selling poetry collection, WHAT.
Southport offers a mix of culture, history, and unique attractions to enjoy. The Atkinson, a stunning 19th-century venue, is the town’s cultural heart, featuring a museum, theatre, art gallery, and a diverse programme of exhibitions and performances. Film lovers can enjoy the Southport Bijou Cinema, an independent, not-for-profit cinema showcasing everything from cult classics to indie gems in a cosy setting. Whether you’re exploring local history, catching a film, or discovering hidden gems, there’s plenty to see and do. Here are seven top attractions to check out in Southport.
1. The Atkinson
The Atkinson is Southport’s home for music, theatre, art, literature and history. Situated in the middle of the iconic Lord Street and just three minutes’ walk from Southport train station.
The venue is a popular destination for families and arts enthusiasts alike. The nineteenth century buildings create a welcoming and accessible multi art-form venue.
The Atkinson is open throughout the year and presents a varied seasonal programme and changing exhibitions, events and lectures, so whatever time you visit, they offer a creative and varied day out.
The Atkinson: Lord Street, PR8 1DB.
2. Southport Beach & RSPB Marshside
RSPB Marshside wetland site is located north of Southport town centre and has some of the best wildlife in the region, with amazing year round viewing opportunities.
In the summer, you’ll see nesting birds like avocets and lapwings, while the skies are full with pink-footed geese and wigeons in the winter.
If you’re new to wildlife watching, they also offer special event days to learn more and help get you involved.
RSPB Marshside: Marine Drive, PR9 9NT.
3. Southport Bijou Cinema
For film lovers, the Southport Bijou Cinema is a must-visit. This independent, not-for-profit cinema offers a cosy and intimate setting, showcasing a mix of classic films, indie gems, and cult favourites. They offer affordable tickets and have a fully licensed café bar. Whether you’re catching a timeless classic or discovering a hidden cinematic treasure, the Bijou Cinema brings a unique movie-going experience to the heart of Southport.
Southport Bijou Cinema: 8 Post Office Ave, PR9 0US
4. British Lawnmower Museum
Southport’s British Lawnmower Museum has now become one of the world’s leading authorities on vintage lawnmowers and are now specialists in antique garden machinery, supplying parts, and valuing machines from all over the world.
They have created a unique ‘turfrific’ exhibition called Lawnmowers of the Rich & Famous including lawnmowers and garden implements by Prince Charles and Princess Diana, Brian May and Eric Morecambe.
The cutting edge museum is a truly unique attraction. Parts of the 2000 Lawnmower collection attracts visitors to take the ‘Unique Experience Personal Guided Tour’ of the museum – See the biggest, the smallest, the first, the most expensive, the fastest & ‘Lawnmowers of the Rich & Famous’ each with untold unique stories from our great British social Heritage.
British Lawnmower Museum: 106-112 Shakespeare Street, PR8 5AJ
5. Southport Little Theatre
Southport Dramatic Club was founded in 1920 and the art deco styled Little Theatre became their permanent home just prior to World War Two.
By the 1960s, the club was putting on seven shows a season. Seasons now comprise of eight productions, including, a regular ‘Out-of-Season’ production in their bar.
They are currently presenting Gym and Tonic, a bittersweet comedy and honest commentary on the state of our times, 20-29 October, 7.30pm.
Little Theatre: Hoghton Street, PR9 0PA.
6. Parks and Gardens
Southport has a number of beautiful parks and gardens to visit. Hesketh Park is one of the largest parks in Southport. The Victorian Park has plenty to offer visitors, a mile walk away from Southport’s centre and with plenty of on street parking, this picturesque park is a perfect place to lose track of time.
The gardens and ornate fountains have been restored and reconstructed, to bring the park back to its former glory. There are numerous nature trails, varied wildlife, a large lake, and a children’s play area.
Hesketh Park: 17 Park Crescent, PR9 9JN.
The 17-acre King’s Gardens features Victorian shelters, a Venetian Bridge, and colorful flowerbeds and displays, carefully tended by the local community. The park often hosts events and also features a charming vintage tearoom.
King’s Gardens: 1 Promenade, PR8 1QY.
7. Seasonal Events
Southport is home to several major events throughout the year, making it a fantastic destination for seasonal celebrations. The Southport Air Show, Southport Flower Show, and British Musical Fireworks Championship are just a few examples of the exciting events that draw visitors from all over. These events offer thrilling displays, live entertainment, and a chance to celebrate the season in style.
Southport Air Show (July)
The Southport Air Show is a thrilling annual event held on Southport beach. Featuring a spectacular display of military, civilian, and historical aircraft, it’s a must-see for aviation enthusiasts.With exciting aerial acrobatics, ground-based attractions, and family-friendly entertainment, the air show offers a day of fun for all ages.
Southport Flower Show (August)
The Southport Flower Show is the UK’s largest independent flower show, held annually in Victoria Park. The event showcases stunning gardens, floral displays, and horticultural excellence.Visitors can also enjoy live music, food stalls, shopping, and expert gardening advice, making it a brilliant day out for green-fingered enthusiasts and families alike.
British Musical Fireworks Championship (September)
The British Musical Fireworks Championship is a dazzling pyrotechnic spectacle held at Victoria Park. Top firework teams compete to create breathtaking displays synchronised to music. The event fills the night sky with colour and sound, offering a magical experience for spectators.
To discover more things to do across the Liverpool City Region check out our What’s On listings.
Have we missed anything in this article? Let us know! Get in touch with Clare at clare@culture.org.uk. We strive to make our features as inclusive as possible, so we’re keen to hear your suggestions.
February offers a fantastic lineup of things to do in Liverpool and the city region with new exhibitions, shows, films, and workshops to explore. Enjoy folk festivals at The Atkinson, discover spring exhibitions at Williamson Art Gallery, experience The Merchant of Venice at Liverpool Playhouse, or catch Jazz Sabbath at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall Music Room—there’s something for everyone!
1. My Big Brother Sammy / Smiles, Unity Theatre (4 – 5 February)
The Unity Theatre presents two insightful and compelling productions for 2025. My Big Brother Sammy follows Jess and her older brother, Sammy, on the night of their Nan’s 70th birthday party. Bold, funny, and thought-provoking, this play dives into the highs and lows of sibling bonds, female empowerment, and complex issues of misogyny.
Smiles follows Makena, a shy and reserved introvert, and Ruby, a loud, unstoppable extrovert who can’t stand being alone. But as life throws unexpected challenges their way, the two opposites form an unlikely friendship that shakes things up—and changes everything.
2. Merchant of Venice 1936, Liverpool Playhouse (4 – 8 February)
Ambition, power and political unrest explode onto the stage in The Merchant of Venice 1936, direct from selling out the RSC and London’s West End. Starring Tracy-Ann Oberman (EastEnders, Doctor Who) as Shylock, Shakespeare’s classic is transported to 1930s Britain in this striking new production. The Telegraph described the production as ‘making theatre history’. The show is adapted by Brigid Larmour and Tracy-Ann Oberman.
Don’t miss this unforgettable, electrifying new production of The Merchant of Venice, a fascinating and timely reminder of a key moment in British history.
3. The Plant That Stowed Away, Tate Liverpool (6 February – 11 May)
Copyright: (c) Succession Henri Matisse/DACS 2017 / Photo (c) Tate
Through art in the Tate Collection, The Plant that Stowed Away traces the connections between the trading history of cities like Liverpool and the global movements of plants and people. This display is inspired by the Weeds of Wallasey series by Wirral-born photographer Chris Shaw which highlights the battle between nature and the post-industrial landscape of the area where he grew up.
The display includes collage by French modernist Henri Matisse, the Afro-futurist photography of Cristina de Middel, Turner Prize-nominated artist Delaine Le Bas’s textile work and Kader Attia’s caustic film exploring our relationship with oil and sugar.
4. PVTV Fringe Flicks: David Lynch’s The Grand Mother + Short Films, DoES Liverpool (7 February)
Join the team for a night of bold and experimental cinema at Fringe Flicks. Immerse yourself in a captivating evening of unconventional films that challenge the norm and spark conversation. The night begins with David Lynch’s The Grandmother (1970), a surreal blend of live-action and animation that delves into themes of trauma, isolation, and connection. This haunting short film offers a glimpse into the early brilliance of one of cinema’s most iconic filmmakers.
The experience continues with a line-up of compelling short films from around the world and Liverpool, celebrating the weird, the subversive, and the imaginative.
5. Jazz Sabbath – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall Music Room (11 February)
This tongue-in-cheek show is helmed by pianist Adam Wakeman (Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne’s solo band since 2004). Jazz Sabbath are a jazz trio from the UK that plays (instrumental) jazz interpretations of Black Sabbath songs, exploring the boundaries between jazz and the songs that defined heavy metal, echoing already present jazz riffs and discovering new ones.
Presenting themselves as a jazz trio formed in 1968 and being the original writers of the tracks, later made famous by Black Sabbath, they released their self-titled debut album in 2020.
6. Farah Al Qasimi: Everybody was Invited to a Party, Bluecoat (11 – 23 February)
Following on from Lee Tsai, the Bluecoat will screen Farah Al Qasimi’s Everybody was Invited to a Party, which takes inspiration from ‘Iftah Ya Simsim’, a 1980s Arabic version of Sesame Street, and borrows text from translation books found in London.
The film features hand-sewn puppets, voiced by the artist, and captures moments where language falters and breaks down, but in doing so opens up new avenues of meaning. The slippages in language, mispronunciations and awkward translations build a world of melancholy and humour. Everybody was Invited to a Party also features music composed and performed by Al Qasimi.
7. Williamson Art Gallery Spring 2025 Exhibitions (12 February – 20 December)
Williamson Art Gallery and Museum will open for 2025 with six brand-new exhibitions. These include new presentations of rarely-seen works from their collections, immersive experiences, and celebrations of contemporary art from across the Liverpool City Region.
The 80th anniversary of the death of Wallasey-trained war artist Albert Richards will be commemorated in an exhibition and you can take an immersive journey into the inner worlds of soil and the subconscious mind in Subterranean Elevator by Di Mainstone.
Two further exhibitions will celebrate contemporary North West artists: Un/Earthed – A Retrospective by Landlines Studio will immerse visitors in the creative process of Angela Stringer and Nicky Perrin plus award-winning photographer Marge Bradshaw has worked with Liverpool Trans and Enby FC, visually documenting participants’ stories of participating in football at the grassroots club.
Also, an extraordinary life will be celebrated in Elizabeth Smolen: Trailblazer. Smolen was a Polish refugee who settled in Birkenhead and became a champion scooter racer and successful businesswoman.
8. Love Folk Fest 2025, The Atkinson (14 – 15 February)
Join the team at The Atkinson for the much-loved annual Love Folk Festival 2025; a celebration of traditional, upcoming and alternative folk music. Headliners Alex Hart and Blue Rose Code are joined by Greenman Rising, Suthering, and a host of other artists. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover new folk music and enjoy some of the classics.
In addition to the main stage, Fatea will once again be hosting the Busk Love Folk acoustic stage. Throughout the festival, the Studio and Theatre Bar will be offering refreshments, with guest ales from Southport Brewery.
9. Queer sew and sew embroidery workshop with Nicole Marnell, Museum of Liverpool, (15 February)
Join Nicole Marnell at the Museum of Liverpool to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month with a fabulous embroidery extravaganza! Unleash your creativity and celebrate diversity at their vibrant embroidery workshop, where you’ll learn the art of stitching and embroider your very own empowering tote bag.
Whether you’re a needlework novice or an embroidery enthusiast, this fun and inclusive workshop is the perfect place to express yourself and make new friends.
10. Creative Pattern Design, dot-art, Victoria Gallery and Museum (15 February)
Use the amazing backdrop of the Victoria gallery and museum to inspire your own original patterns for print design. This dot-art Creative pattern design workshop is inspired by the amazing interior treasures of the Victoria Gallery and Museum. Suitable for both newcomers / beginners or those with experience wanting to expand on their skills and knowledge. This workshop is Ideal for anyone who loves print and pattern and who would love to learn how to make their own designs.
The beautiful interior of Liverpool’s Victoria Gallery and Museum is a rich Aladdin’s cave of decorative treasures and sure to provide plenty of inspiration.
11. Weird and Wonderful Festival (21 – 23 February)
The Weird and Wonderful Festival is a bold new celebration of creativity, bringing together avant-garde artists, pioneers, and innovators, created by The Studio Below. Featuring mesmerising short films, enthralling theatre, captivating puppetry, and powerful spoken word, this festival is a tribute to the arts that push boundaries and challenge norms.
12. FACT’s Exhibitions (21 February – 11 May)
Bahar Noorizadeh – Free to Choose 2023. Courtesy of the artist
If you’re looking for thought-provoking things to do in Liverpool and the region, FACT’s latest exhibitions are a must-see. Presenting two solo exhibitions exploring media, technology, and global politics: Safe Zone by Christopher Kulendran Thomas and Free to Choose by Bahar Noorizadeh are not to be missed. Kulendran Thomas, a British artist of Sri Lankan Tamil descent, examines imperialism and Western individualism through AI-driven video works and paintings. Noorizadeh, a UK-based artist and filmmaker, presents her financial sci-fi opera exploring capitalism and neoliberal economics. Both exhibitions mark their UK premieres at FACT.
13. Pulp Idol 2025 Grand Final (21 February)
The Pulp Idol 2025 Grand Final is set to showcase the best new novelists in the Liverpool City Region. After competing in twelve heats, twelve finalists will battle it out for the title at Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre Studio on Friday, 21st February. This long-running competition has launched the careers of several successful authors and continues to uncover fresh literary talent. Join the event to support emerging writers and witness the next big name in fiction!
To discover 150+ things to do in Liverpool and the city region check out our What’s On Listings.
This week’s Culture Radar guest is Pravinder Singh, Head of Programmes & Planning for Milap.
Loved: Shez Raja at Future Yard. A fantastic gig and great to present him on his home turf! Secondly, River of Light. Another wonderful event by Culture Liverpool and for Milap to work with Murugiah for his installation of ‘Rangoli Mirrored Cosmos’ and for all to celebrate Diwali.
Looking forward to: On 16 March, Milap present the internationally renowned, multi-Grammy award winning artist, Rakesh Chaurasia, at the wonderful Tung Auditorium. To me, he is the world’s best flautist, so don’t miss this concert!
I’m also looking forward to Liverpool International Jazz Festival in February and the Darius Brubeck Quartet opening the festival. Milap and LIJF also come together again to present Rekesh Chauhan and Kousic Sen on 22 February.
Trivia: I had graduated from University of Liverpool with a Law degree, when Milap plucked at my heart strings. Nearly 20 years later, I’m still going strong to make Indian Arts accessible to all, in Milap’s 40th Anniversary year! My sisters also happen to be the amazing local and internationally renowned artists, The Singh Twins!!
From 25 October to 5 November, River of Light returns to Liverpool with a playful slant to its latest edition, showcasing twelve supremely eye-catching large-scale installations, created by some of the most talented light artists in the world. Each installation is inspired by the theme of ‘Play’, inviting viewers to enter into the spirit of fun as the river lights up.
From 5 – 9pm each evening you can catch this free event, offering an open-air illuminated gallery along Liverpool’s Waterfront. River of Light features a dynamic loop of light and sound from artists across the world as well as celebrated local and national artists.
Some pieces will transform Liverpool’s Waterfront into a vibrant playground of colour, while others delve deeper, looking at the role of play in our lives, communities, and the city itself.
This year’s event will also see the debut of a collaboration between River of Light and Milap, to celebrate Diwali on 1 November.
River of Light 2024 Installations
Impulse by Lateral Office & CS Design
Impulse. Credit: Visit Liverpool
Transforming public space into a big, luminous and interactive playground Impulse invites you into a playful, multi-sensory experience with a standby of childhood play: the seesaw. The installation is a series of teeter-totters that respond to riders’ movements with fluctuating light and sound. With this urban instrument, you will help create an ephemeral environment in constant renewal. However, Impulse’s sights and sounds are not random. Inspired by serialism, a musical method of composition, the installation creates different zones of varying intensity and calm. Impulse is an invitation to play, to laugh and to interact at River of Light 2024. It creates a collective experience of joy and community.
A 1.8 metre tall fibreglass sculpture with a reflective internal face. Rangoli Mirrored Cosmos is public art light sculpture celebrating Diwali at River of Light 2024. The 3D sculpture also featured large interactive floor graphics at specific slots. Originally Installed as part of the London Design Festival in 2023.
To mark Diwali, the Festival of Light, on Friday 1 November, Culture Liverpool is working with Liverpool-based Indian arts and culture organisation, Milap to programme activity which will take place near to the Rangoli Mirrored Cosmos installation.
Piano Walk invites participants into a captivating musical experience. This installation features 40 interactive keys and piano hammers that strike the strings. The artists were inspired by the intricate details inside a piano, the craftsmanship, the materials and the colours and aimed to reflect these elements elegantly in the installation. Embracing the spirit of musical exploration, every participant is invited to jump on the oversized piano and become part of a collaborative performance, bringing the installation to life.
Bubblesque at Mann Island is an adaptive part of Atelier Sisu’s ‘Bubble-tecture’ collection. This bespoke interactive iteration draws in the audience’s innate sense of curiosity and play, and has been created specifically for the bodies of water around Mann Island. Overflowing onto the land around the water, bubbles fill the area, reminding the audience of a larger-than-life bath tub.
Each interactive module engages a series of water-based droplets. When touched, the bubbles dance with colour, each cycling through series of curated animation sequences. When not interacted with, the bubbles gently flow through colour gradients to ensure that the artwork presents a dynamic presence in the space.
Illusion Hole is the sixth artwork in the ‘Use Your Illusion’ series by UxU Studio. This series, which utilizes meteor lights, was born from the studio’s curiosity about how visitors experience the dynamic movement of light. UxU Studio believes that light, while not a physical substance, can be shaped and transformed into something meaningful, creating new interpretations and perceptions.
In Illusion Hole, light is arranged in a precise geometric pattern, creating the mesmerising illusion of water flowing into a mysterious, unknown black hole. As we observe this captivating display, UxU Studio prompts us to question our perceptions: Are we truly aware of the existence of the water beneath the light, or do we accept the illusion as reality, blurring the lines between what is real and what is false? This thought-provoking installation challenges our understanding of reality, encouraging us to explore the boundaries between truth and illusion.
Location: Royal Albert Dock, Inner quay (on the water)
Positive Spin is a 5.5m high machine from the collective minds of artistic experience creators Invisible Wind Factory and illustrator Liz Harry that invites you to step up and receive a random fortune.
Inspired by a love of summers spent at beach front arcades it’s part immersive experience and part spectacle, this brand new commission aims to share the importance of looking forward positively.
Location: Royal Albert Dock – back of Maritime Museum building
Lightbattle III is an exciting and immersive experience that celebrates the joy of cycling. The installation features two interactive arches of light, with six bicycles each other from opposite sides. Participants hop on and pedal as fast as they can, with the speed of their cycling causing the lights to intensify in colour. The fastest cyclist is rewarded with a dazzling burst of light, adding to the thrill of the competition.
For the Liverpool exhibition, the installation has been specially adjusted to enhance accessibility and inclusivity. Two of the bicycles have been replaced with hand bikes, making it possible for everyone to join in the fun.
Location: Martin Luther King building – Royal Albert Dock
LAPS is a modern take on the traditional hourglass that gives us the opportunity to literally take control of time. From the top of their 7.8 ft, the 6 giant modules invite the public to change time by turning the steering wheel at their desired pace, in one direction or the other, and to take another look at their perception of time. Time catchers are rewarded with a sound and light experience that inspires immediate wonder.
Take control for a full lap of LAPS; hold your breath, sing a song, clap your hands, propose marriage, do whatever inspires you. Everyone gets to choose the time they want to spend here; this passage of time is truly yours!
Location: The Strand alongside Salthouse Dock
Artist: LAPS was created by Olivier Landreville in collaboration with Serge Maheu, produced by Init and is powered by Creos.
Bunch of Tulips by Koros Design
Bunch of Tulips. Credit: Visit Liverpool
When you think of tulips, you think of vibrant colour and beauty. This installation by Koros Design inflates this iconic flower to epic proportions, putting it into historical context. Did you know that tulips saw an enormous surge in popularity in the 1630s, a period famously known as ‘tulipmania’?
Koros Design Studio wanted to recreate a bouquet of tulips on a grand scale. The work embodies elements of Pop Art, where the sheer quantity, size, and colour of the tulips reflect and celebrate our culture of mass consumption—a playful, kitschy take on a historical and widely recognised symbol.
No Place Like Gnome invites participants on a whimsical journey, where each gnome transforms into a charming companion for a photographic exploration of iconic landmarks and hidden treasures. Embracing the essence of global adventure, every gnome carries its own distinctive character and narrative, encouraging River of Light visitors to embark on a captivating quest through their local precinct.
Discover the secret hideouts of these travellers and uncover the magic they bring to every corner of your journey.
Chess, a timeless symbol of strategic play, transcends cultures and languages, fostering connections among people from diverse backgrounds. Checkmate aims to bring this universal appeal to public spaces, ensuring accessibility and engagement across all ages and cultures. Like an intricate dance of ‘mini sculptures’, each chess piece embodies its own rules and movements, inviting players into a poetic interplay of intellect and concentration.
By transforming this iconic symbol into a monumental spectacle, the public is invited to undertake a wondrous and expansive journey of extraordinary proportions. Each chess piece draws inspiration from the 20th Century Bauhaus movement, a pivotal era where art and design converged, shaping modern aesthetics. This artwork reverently pays homage to Bauhaus’s historical impact, celebrating its fusion of creativity and functionality.
What is the collective noun for a group of fireflies? A swarm seems too beastly. A lantern? A twinkle? A shimmer of fireflies?
Firefly Field is a mesmerising light installation of numerous flying light points that simulate the movements of these nocturnal Lampyridae. Glowing. Darting. Hovering above the ground. The ever-changing bioluminescence of each one is reflected in the grassy slope. On mass, they create a dynamic light scene that triggers visitors’ curiosity and awe.
With Firefly Field, Studio Toer shares their fascination for the aesthetics and movement of these tiny winged creatures and their interest in the way dynamic moving light can express a mood. This minimalist arrangement consists of specially developed LED light points that seem to hover in mid-air. Their unique dynamic composition gives each firefly its unpredictable and natural movement.
Firefly Field premiered at VIVID Sydney in 2019 and has been exhibited at several worldwide events ever since. It now arrive at River of Light for 2024.
River of Light 2024 will feature a special Diwali celebration in partnership with Milap on 1 November. The event includes performances by Europe’s top Indian brass band, Bombay Baja, offering three lively sets blending Indian melodies with Dhol rhythms for a Bollywood and Bhangra dance experience. Pianist Bhav will play beautiful Bollywood tunes to enhance the atmosphere near the stunning Rangoli Mirrored Cosmos installation, created by artist Murugiah. Programmed by Culture Liverpool, the installation represents interconnectedness and adds to the vibrant Diwali festivities at Mann Island Atrium, Liverpool Waterfront.
River of Light 2024 Map
River of Light 2024 Map
River of Light 2024
24 October – 5 November, 5-9pm
Liverpool Waterfront
FREE
