Author: Uncover

By Jessica Marshall

Liverpool Theatre Festival is back and ready to entertain Liverpool in 2022. The festival first made an appearance in 2020, with the intent to boost Liverpool’s creative sector after the devastating aftermath of Covid-19. With over 4,000 festival goers in 2021 and over 200 participants, the festival is going from strength to strength.

Liverpool Theatre Festival will take place from 31 August to 11 September, in the beautiful venue of St Luke’s Bombed Out Church to create a magical backdrop to a range of fantastic plays, comedy, cabaret and more.

Liverpool Theatre Festival 2022 Full Line Up

I Wish My Life Where A Musical (31 August)

Performed by a talented west end cast, kickstarting the festival off is this comedic extravaganza which walks you through life in the theatre and all the mishaps that could happen on stage. Hilarious and heart-warming, it’ll have you laughing in your seat.

Times: 6pm & 8pm
Tickets: £18

Fear And Misery Of The Third Reich (1 September)

Starring Liam Powell Berry, this show will guide you through life in a typical German household set in the 1930’s when Hitler shook the nation. You will get first-hand insight into the fear that lived within German households and the impact of the war on the country.

Times: 7:30pm
Tickets: £20

Laughterhouse Comedy (2 September)

Comedians Mick Miller, Tom Wrigglesworth, and Duncan Oakley and host Chris Cairns have teamed up to bring to you a night of scouse comedy and a barrel of laughs. Prepare to be entertained by this hilarious trio and treat yourself to a night you won’t forget.

Time: 6pm & 8:30pm
Tickets: £22

Not Drunk But Disorderly (3 September)

With a 5-star rating, Megan Hindley and Beth Amos are back with their two-woman comedic act. Their characters Howard and Jeffrey find themselves in a murder mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat one minute and choking down laughter the next. Hilarious and unique, it’s not a show to miss.

Times: 5pm
Tickets: £18

Holy Moly Cabaret (3 September)

Hosted by the mega-talented Nana Funk, Holy Moly Cabaret presents to you a night of music, comedy, burlesque, and circus. Starring award-winning comedy musicians, Jollyboat and Liverpool’s own glamour queen, Millie Dollar, and all presented in the stunning surroundings of the Bombed Out Church.

Times: 7:30pm
Tickets: £20

The Wind In The Willows (4 September)

Set in the wild woods, following the stories of woodland creatures Mole, Ratty and Badger and their adventures, from picnics to fun with friends. This story is brought to life on stage, combined with folk-rock tunes to entertain your little ones for the day. Don’t miss out on this fun performance.

Times: 12:00 noon
Tickets: Adult- £14, Children- £10

Ma Joyce’s Tales From The Parlour (4 September)

Written and performed by Victoria Evaristo and directed by Angela Ekaette Michaels, this performance brings to you the ups and downs of motherhood and a humorous perspective of Liverpool’s social, economic, and political status. Ma Joyce brings us back in time to her childhood set in the Welsh countryside and takes us on a journey through her romantic affairs and her trip to Nigeria.

Times: 3pm
Tickets: £18

Venus Rising (5 September)

This play follows the story of a writer who discovers a newfound talent for erotic fiction and has created a successful life for himself…yet he has a deep hatred for everything in it. A modern love story that takes you through themes of loss, regret, and uncertainty. Will James gets his happy ending after all? You’ll have to come to find out.

Times: 6pm & 8:30pm
Tickets: £22

The Crown Duels – Gangs Of Hope (6 September)

Two rival gangs go head-to-head, set in Liverpool post-war in a world full of poverty, crime, and hunger. The High Rip gang and The Logwood Gang have taken over the city and installed fear into its inhabitants that even the police are too terrified to intervene. This play follows a criminal investigation of missing jewels and drug dealing in the city. When the reward for finding them is the title for King or Queen of the city, people will do anything they can to win. Even murder.

Times: 7:30pm
Tickets: £18

Stop The World, We’re Getting Off (7 September)

Welcome you to Clapham South tube station – home to the last five survivors of the climate crisis. Ava and Cayden are having a baby, but with the oxygen dwindling, can they come together and stabilise their living situation, or will someone pay the ultimate price? Combining climate activism with dynamic storytelling, they use a range of creative practices to ensure their productions tell sustainable stories using sustainable methods.

Times: 8pm
Tickets: £18

Opera Beneath The Stars (8 September)

Absolute Opera presents to you this September a night of magnificent music, set under the starry night sky. With national and international performers such as Soprano Leigh Rhianon Coggins, Tenor Roy Locke, and Mezzo Soprano Augusta Knopov, joined by Per Nielsen on the piano, it is set to be an enchanting evening. The nations most well-loved songs will be performed such as music from the Grand Opera and Modern Classical hits. Opera lovers will not be disappointed.

Times: 7:30pm
Tickets: £28

97+ A Drama Based On The 1989 Hillsborough Disaster (9 September)

Written and directed by Tom Cain, this play is based on the tragic real-life disaster at Hillsborough which led to 97 lives lost and many injured. Following the story of Hillsborough survivors, John and Steve, this performance takes us along with their battle of the trauma they endure in everyday life and the mental health issues they struggle with daily. The two characters find each other due to their shared experience and take us through their journey to justice.

Times: 6:00pm or 8:30pm
Tickets: £20

The Forgotten Forest (10 September)

The Forgotten Forest is a children’s performance which takes us along on a group of furry friends quest to saving their habitat. It includes real life themes of pollution and the effect it has on the world and animals, celebrating the power of change, friendship, and the importance of a healthy environment. Come along to find out if the animals will end up as the queens servants or if they find a new place to call home!

Times: 12:00 noon
Tickets: Adults- £12, Children- £10

Dame Fanny & The Starlets (10 September)

Drag galore, this family-friendly drag show is sure to entertain. Fabulous makeup and stunning outfits, come and join Dame Fanny De Faux the magnificent mystique alongside Brooke Spears and Iva bouquet, two incredible performers, for a night of comedy, fashion, music, and games. It is the perfect interactive event to lift your spirits and bring out your inner drag.

Time: 4:00pm
Tickets: Adults- £15, Children- £12.50

Drag Me To Church (10 September)

Come down to the bombed-out church to watch these drag queens strut their heels within the church ruins, adding their dazzling sparkle to the night. Hosted once more by Dame Fanny and The Starlets, secure your place now for a night filled with glitter, games, and giveaways. Maybe you’ll be the lucky audience member who gets chosen to compete in the lip sync battle?

Time: 8:00pm
Tickets: £18

Julie Madly Deeply (11 September)

This West End smash hit show is coming to you this September. This story follows showbiz star Dame Julie Andrews and her life of fame and stardom. Songs from Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady and The sound of music are interwoven into stories of her life, following her journey from child stardom to a career ending incident of losing her voice. Performed by Sarah-Louise Young, this performance will show you the reality of life in showbiz.

Time: 3:00pm
Tickets: £20

Looking For Me Friend – The Music Of Victoria Wood (11 September)

Music director Michael Roulston joins cabaret and TV performer Paulus to take us through a loving tribute to his late idol Victoria Wood, performing songs such as ‘Reincarnation’ and ‘It would have never worked’ to bring her soul back to life for the night. To embody her persona, he adopts a northern accent and Wood’s famous catchphrases and sketches to make you feel as though she is in the room with you. This performance is a treat for Victoria Wood fans.

Time: 7:00pm
Tickets: £20

 

To find out more about Liverpool Theatre Festival visit https://www.liverpooltheatrefestival.com/

Feature Image: Photo Credit David Munn

By Jessica Marshall

Are you yearning to get out and about but you’re on a budget? We’ve compiled a list of free activities to dive into around the Liverpool city region.

Halton

Halton Castle

If you’re a fan of history and you love visiting historic monuments and ruins then Halton castle remains is a perfect place for you to visit. Just a short drive over the Runcorn bridge, you can visit this Norman castle situated on a hill that looks over Halton village. So not only will you get to see the ruins, but you’ll also have a beautiful view to gaze at from the hill. There are often events and tours available to venture into the castle so keep a look out for any updates if this is something you’d be interested in.

Victoria Park

Located in Widnes, Victoria Park is filled with lots of wildlife and beautiful scenery. Take a stroll around the stunning lake and appreciate the birds and the flowers. There is also a glasshouse that you can to visit and wander inside to take a look at the diverse types of plants that are coming into bloom.

The Centre

The Centre located in Halton is a community centre that is open to the public throughout the week which includes a skate park, ballpark, playground, café, and community centre. Located in the Lune Valley, you can even venture off to go on a lovely nature walk. With lots to do here, it is the perfect place for a day trip with the family.

Knowsley

Kirkby Gallery

Kirkby Gallery is known to be one of the best contemporary art galleries in Merseyside and best of all, it has free admission! It includes local artists as well as international pieces for you to browse. They also often host adult and children’s art classes if you want to get creative. Located in Kirkby town centre, the gallery is open from 10am-5pm, Monday to Friday and on Saturday from 10am-1pm.

Prescot Museum

Why not visit Prescot Museum to step back in time and learn about Knowsley’s past. With over 14,000 items to browse, this museum tells the tale of the people who built Knowsley’s reputation, from businesses to pottery manufacture and coal mining. There’s lots to learn on this trip. This museum is open 10am-5pm, Monday to Friday and on Saturday at 10am to 1pm.

Sefton

The Atkinson

The Atkinson describes itself as a cultural pick and mix for the family. There’s music, theatre, art, literature and history all under one roof.

Sefton Coastal Path

The Sefton Coastal Path at Southport is a beautiful journey through a variety of landscapes – perfect for blowing away those cobwebs. See the impressive Southport Pier, salt marshes of the Ribble Estuary, the RSPB Nature Reserve and the Queen’s Jubilee Nature Trail. The 9.5 mile route starts at Crossens and finishes at Ainsdale.

Another Place at Crosby Beach

Crosby Beach has beautiful views over to New Brighton and is also home to the famous sculptures of Anthony Gormley’s  Another Place – 100 cast iron statues stretching for 1.5 miles. Gormley described the installation as a poetic response to the individual and universal sentiments associated with emigration – sadness at leaving, but the hope of a new future in Another Place.

St Helens

The Dream Sculpture

Located on the former site of Sutton Manor Colliery, Dream is a 20 metre high sculpture designed by the world-renowned artist, Jaume Plensa. The site offers views across the Cheshire and Lancashire plains, out to the mountains of Snowdonia, the Pennines and the Peak District. The Dream Sculpture is a great day out if you enjoy walking as there’s some brilliant trails to explore around the sculpture too.

The Smithy Heritage Centre

Formally a busy blacksmith’s forge in the heart of Eccleston village, The Smithy Heritage Centre hosts an exhibition focusing on the impact industry has had on St Helens. With lots of historic items inside, history is brought to life here, making it the perfect family visit. They are open from 1-4pm on weekends.

Taylor Park

If you’re looking for some new parks to visit this summer, Taylor Park is a lovely place to go to relax, have a stroll around the lake and maybe bring a picnic to enjoy on the grassy fields. Although, if you forget to bring food there is a café and ice cream parlour at the park to stop by if you get hungry. There are also two playgrounds located in the park for your little ones to enjoy.

Wirral

West Kirby Marine Lake

If you’re looking for a lake side trip or you love to watch boats travel across the waves, then West Kirby Marine Lake is the perfect destination for you. It’s set on the tip of peninsula with beautiful views of the Welsh hills and the Dee Estuary. If you’re more on the adventurous side then you can use the lake for water sports or sailing or take a stroll on the beach.

Wirral Tramway and Wirral Transport Museum

Travel back in time to Wirral’s past with this transport museum where you’ll have the chance to browse models of trains, buses, trams, cars, and motorcycles of the past. Open Wednesday to Sunday on school holidays from 1pm to 4.30pm, there’s lots to learn and see here, perfect for an educational family trip.

Tam O’Shanter Farm

Located on the Bidston Hills in Wirral is the Tom O’Shanter urban farm and cottage which has free entry and is open every day. With lots of animals to see such as goats, pigs, alpacas, ponies and much more, this is a perfect trip to go on with family or friends. There is also a park onsite for the kids to play in and there is a café and picnic areas located at the farm to grab a bite to eat after a long day of petting the animals.

The Wirral Way Walk

The Wirral Way is situated within the beautiful Wirral Country Park. The route starts in West Kirby and runs through to Hooton along an old disused railway line. Wirral Country Park is perfect for seeing wildlife, a variety of birds nest in the dense hedges and you may see up to ten kinds of butterfly in summer. There are also stunning views over the Dee Estuary to Wales. The entire route is 13 miles but you can just choose to walk sections of the Wirral Way.

Hilbre Island

You can visit Hilbre Island throughout the year, it’s a pleasant walk across the sands from West Kirby to the island – an archipelago and one of just 43 unbridged islands in the UK that can be reached on foot from the mainland. In the summer, it’s possible to see grey seals swimming just off the shore, and it’s a great place for spotting sightings of rare and endangered wildlife all year round. It takes roughly an hour to cross the 2 miles to Hilbre Island and is essential to time your walk to fit in with the tides.

Discover more of what’s happening in Liverpool and across the Liverpool City Region via our What’s On listings.

By Jessica Marshall

There’s so much that you can do in Liverpool that won’t cost you a penny. Whether you’re looking for some arts and culture or some outdoor activities this is your guide to all the free things to do in Liverpool.

Art Galleries

Tate Liverpool (Free Collection Displays)

If you’re an art fanatic or you just enjoy browsing through a variety of creative pieces in beautiful buildings then look no further than the Tate Liverpool. Tate hosts a range of free art exhibitions, with work from over sixty artists from different corners of the world. There is an ‘Ideas Depot’ which includes work personally chosen to be displayed by children in primary schools In Liverpool and ‘Journeys Through The Tate collection’ which captures the impact of international exchange, colonialism, and migration in Liverpool. Book your free tickets now via the Tate Liverpool website.

Walker Art Gallery

Inside the Walker Art Gallery you will find many famous renaissance art pieces alongside captivating stone sculptures and decorative art including Victorian furniture and cultural dishware. The Walker Art Gallery is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am to 6pm.

Bluecoat

At Bluecoat you can find free exhibitions and events for all the family to enjoy. There is also a calm sensory room which is located in Gallery One with beautiful visuals, soft and comfortable spaces, and soothing sounds to relax your children. Gallery Two includes a playroom with soft toys and surfaces to play on whilst Gallery Three includes drawings and sculptures to browse, where children can get creative with their own artwork and enjoy story-telling sessions. Lastly, Gallery four includes a small library where you can enjoy a variety of children’s books including dual language books.

Museums

World Museum

The Liverpool World Museum will take you through a journey from the Jurassic period through to ancient Egypt. With plenty to learn about and see, from ancient antiquities and paintings to the exploration of sea life in the aquarium. Whilst you’re there you can head over to the planetarium to go star gazing and learn more about our solar system. The world museum is perfect for a fun family day out or a solo trip.

Museum of Liverpool

The Museum of Liverpool is brewing with the city’s culture and history. From a mode of Liverpool’s former overhead railway to famous paintings, sculptures, archaeological objects and much more, there’s a bit of everything for you to see. It is the perfect place to bring your family for a fun and educational trip. The Museum of Liverpool is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am to 6pm.

Maritime Museum

Are you interested about life at sea or have a thirst for knowledge for Liverpool’s seafaring past? The Maritime Museum is the perfect place to learn more about the old dock and glance around old models of the ships that once frequented Liverpool. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday 10am-6pm.

Lady Lever Art Gallery and Museum

Located in Port sunlight, Merseyside the Lady Lever Art Gallery and Museum is a stunning place to visit. Home to many famous paintings and sculptures, nestled inside a magnificent building, there is so much to see here. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm. If you get hungry on your trip, there is a café inside open from 10am to 3pm through the week and 10am to 4pm on weekends.

Explore The City

Liverpool ONE Heritage Trail

Become a time traveller and journey back 300 years into Liverpool’s past with this free heritage trail, discovering the creation of Liverpool’s famous first commercial wet dock. To participate, download the free app in the app store called ‘Liverpool ONE’ which will give you an audio guide to listen to as you follow the 16 stop off points and as the history behind each one is explained to you. A free map is available to collect at the Liverpool ONE Visitor Information Centre, located on Wall Street. The tour should last between 60-80 minutes.

Williamson Tunnels

One of Liverpool’s hidden gems is the Williamson Tunnels which host free tours. On this tour, you will explore the caverns of the tunnel which include all of the treasures that have been discovered by the team such as ancient dishware and household objects. To enter these tunnels, you will have to go through a trapdoor which you will then be escorted through the various caverns by a team member. All completely free.

Liverpool Cathedral

Whether you are a local or a tourist, Liverpool Cathedral is always a beautiful visit. You can go inside to gaze at the beautiful architecture and history it holds and if you’re religious, feel free to stay and worship. There is a shop located inside of the cathedral to have a wander around and see if there is anything you would like to pick up whilst you’re there. Rich in history, the Anglican Cathedral isn’t a sight to miss.

Strawberry Field Visitor Centre & Famous Gate

If you or anyone you know is a Beatles fan, then this one is for you. The famous Strawberry Field gate is free to visit, plus you can also visit the Strawberry Field visitor centre and gardens. There’s also an exhibition that you can purchase tickets for separately inside or online.

Liverpool Street Art

Discover Liverpool’s Street Art by checking out our features here:

9 Pieces of Street Art To Find on Your Next Walk in Liverpool

6 More Pieces of Street Art To Find On Your Next Walk Around Merseyside

Liverpool Parks & The Great Outdoors

Sefton Park

One of Liverpool’s most beautiful parks is home to lakes, waterfalls, beautiful scenery, play areas, tennis courts, ice cream parlours and much more. It is also home to the Palm House which is a beautiful building with a botanical garden inside which is free to enter! It often holds many events across the year so keep a look out to see if anything interests you.

Croxteth Park

Enjoy the nature Liverpool has to offer with the beautiful scenery that Croxteth Park has to offer. Walk around beautiful fields, lakes, and architecture such as the stunning Croxteth Hall. There is also a playground for your children to enjoy. A horse-riding club is also located within this park if that is something that interests you, or maybe you’d prefer to admire the horses from a distance out on the fields.

Festival Gardens

Why not enjoy some beautiful scenery and oriental style architecture that Liverpool Festival Gardens has to offer? Take a stroll around this park and enjoy the lakes, waterfalls, and sculptures. There is also a woodland trail to walk around to enjoy the view and the wildlife this park is home to.

New Bird Skate Park

For you skaters who are looking for somewhere to practice your tricks and meet people with fellow interests, New Bird Skate park is completely free and is located near the Baltic Triangle. With Graffiti art decorating the walls and floor, it is a perfect place to enjoy an activity you love and hang out for a while.

Everton Park

If you’re looking for a new park to wonder around, why not visit Everton Park? This park has a heritage trail you can follow to learn about the grounds and the history that lays there as well as a skate park and a playground for your kids to enjoy. To see a beautiful view of the city you can climb the steps from Heyworth street and enjoy the view of the city below.

Rice Lane City Farm

If you’re looking for a family day out or a trip with your friends, Rice Lane City Farm is free to visit with plenty of animals to see from goats to sheep and pigs. There’s also a children’s play area to keep kids occupied too.

Discover whats happening in Liverpool via our What’s On section here.

By Eden Wilkinson

There’s plenty of events happening in Liverpool this August, here’s just 5 of our top picks.

1. Peter Walker – Being Human 

Placed within the gothic architecture of the Liverpool Cathedral, acclaimed sculptor and artist Peter Walker unveils his four art installations entitled ‘Being Human’. The exhibition will run from the 27 July – 30 August, leaving plenty time to drop in on this creation story inspired work. The centrepiece of the exhibition is a sculpture entitled Connection, inspired by Michelangelo’s ‘Creation of Adam’ yet subverted by Walker in his contemporary style. Individuality is the aim here, inviting visitors to reflect on their own sense of self, our uniqueness and our relationships with others in our ever-changing world. These four artworks, Connection, Reflection, Identity and Creativity are most certainly not to be missed. 

2. Trails and Tales: Interactive Map from The Reader 

If you’re struggling to find a way to get the kids outside this school holidays look no further than this interactive trail around Calderstones Park. It has been running since July 2021 and has proven extremely popular within that time, it merges literature with exploration and the outside world to provide a fun yet educational journey. Open from 10-6pm everyday. 

3. Summer of Luv 

Big Luv is taking over the rooftop of the Shankly Hotel to present a special series of parties in August. Giving all the energy of the best house, disco, and club classics it is set to be the ultimate summer vibe. It is on from 4pm till 1am meaning it can be an afternoon dance or transcend into nightlife. Tickets can be found on Skiddle, with their final party of the season taking place on the 27 August giving you plenty of options for a boogie.

4 .The Book of Mormon 

Musical fans look no further. This scandalous musical comedy, named as ‘the best musical of this century’ by the New York Times has come to Liverpool. Hailed as potentially the funniest musical of all time the book of Mormon follows a mismatched pair of missionaries to give us a story of chaos and hilarity. You must be quick however if you want to see this critically acclaimed show as The Book of Mormon is only on at the Liverpool Empire until the 6 August. 

5. Emma Rodgers: Wunderkammer

The Williamson Art Gallery is hosting home-grown talent this month. Wirral based sculptor Emma Rodgers presents us with a mini-retrospective of her practice giving visitors an insight into the world of an artist. It takes the form of a ‘coming of age’ story almost, showing us how her work has developed overtime from a young artist to her most recent work. The Williamson Gallery will also be unveiling a specially commissioned sculpture by Emma for their outdoor courtyard. This will most certainly be a cultural masterpiece not to be missed. 

For more events happening in July and beyond check out our What’s On section.

By Radka Hostašová

Over the past two years, the cultural scene around the world, including music festivals, was shrouded in silence as an unfortunate result of the global pandemic. However, the year 2022 symbolizes the revival of many cultural programmes, injecting a lot of expectation and excitement.

With a number of cultural events taking place in Liverpool this year, organisations are starting to recover from the long break and are returning with even more drive and devotion. In fact, the announcement of a new era for the Liverpool International Music Festival (LIMF) proves it. Like many other large-scale events, LIMF used the downtime to re-evaluate the whole concept of the event and embrace new visions and ambitions.

LIMF 2022 falls on the last weekend of July and unlike in previous years, the programme is spread across various indoor and outdoor venues in the city. This new approach brings more diversity and allows the attendees to plan their own itinerary by choosing between the genres as well as venues. LIMF has confirmed a collaboration with M&S Bank Arena, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, St. Lukes Bombed Out Church, The Merchant, Invisible Wind Factory, The Arts Club, and many more.

This year’s festival also aims to go beyond mere entertainment and as a response to a range of social issues and tensions, conveys a broader message. Therefore, the programme has been built to address social justice, equality and inclusion. In other words, with the theme ‘Power To The People & Purpose’, LIMF celebrates humanity, its power, beauty, and influence.

Looking at the line-up of the 3-day event, the organisers have summoned both national and international names together with new progressive voices and sounds. To give you a little brief of what awaits, LIMF 2022 will kick off with UB40 Featuring Ali Cambell on Friday 29th June in M&S Bank Arena. However, if reggae music is not your cup of tea, you can opt for hip-hop with De La Soul, as they headline the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Alternatively, there’s the sound and visual installation SYSTEM By Gaika situated in the Invisible Wind Factory.

Saturday will follow up with the same ambition, featuring a wide range of genres and styles. Visitors can choose from a Jazz Happening in Ettie’s, a basement bar situated beneath Bold Street, a mixture of U.K. Garage and R&B by Donae hosted by Arts Club Liverpool, and much more. Night owls can also enjoy the afterparty thrown by The Merchant with DJs Greg Wilson and Roisin W, until early morning.

And finally, Sunday culminates with the fusion of genres including rock, indie, reggae, and soul. Namely, Camp and Furnace in Baltic Triangle will host Liverpool indie rock band The Zutons and guests, while the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall will experience a unique encounter of Cuban and Jamaican music Havana Meets Kingston.

Overall, LIMF has returned with a desire to create a diverse, multi-cultural space for people to learn, share and connect. Alongside the music programme, this year’s festival introduces a brand new visual element to the program. Namely, Liverpool John Moores University will present the ‘Still Do The Right Thing’ exhibition, exploring the relationship between music, art, fashion, and activism.

For more information and to get tickets for LIMF 2022 visit https://www.limfestival.com/

By Eden Wilkinson

Much awaited after its 3-year hiatus, Pride returns to Liverpool this month. The city will be filled with social, cultural, and political events for all to attend and stand together in solidarity.

The free Pride Festival ran by LCR Pride is set to take place on Saturday 30th July at the Pier Head. Opening at 12 noon, with the busiest period set to be between 12.45pm and 2pm, it most certainly will be a lively and exuberant occasion. The line-up for the Barclays main stage will be announced later in the month. You can sign up to the LCR Pride foundation mailing list to be the first to find out more information. 

With the day festival finishing at 8pm, what better way to continue the party than at Sonic Yootha. Described as a club night for “homos, fauxmos, gender-blenders, full-time queers and part-time Brendas” it has taken the gay scene in Liverpool by storm over the past 7 years. Their next disco will take place from 9pm-4am on the 30th July at 24 Kitchen Street. With it being their Pride ’22 special, it is set to be yet another sensational disco where all are welcome. 

Pride in Liverpool always begins with the annual ‘March with Pride’, an opportunity to fly the flag for the LGBTQ+ community and take to the streets in solidarity. This year aims to be bigger than ever after the 2019 march saw over 12,000 people take to the streets. Gathering will begin at 10:30am with the aim to begin the march at noon. Sign up to the LCR Pride March here.

The chosen theme of the LCR Pride foundation for this year is ‘Come Together’, an extremely poignant message after the substantial social distancing that has been in force over the few past years. LCR Pride aims to make Liverpool the most LGBTQ+ friendly community in the country, emphasising the importance of coming together at a time where the communities’ freedoms and rights continue to be attacked. It is great to see LCR Pride extend their events further across the region with the brand new ‘Pride at the Seaside’ event at New Brighton on the 27th August. 

Homotopia is an art and activism-based festival that runs each year around October time. However, this year they have ran events such as the recent ‘Queer in the City’ on the 2nd July. In collaboration with National Museums Liverpool, it was the first ever NML Xtra event which showcased unique experiences and installations, certainly creating anticipation for what else they have in store for this year. 

You can donate to LCR Pride Foundation here.

By Radka Hostašová

The artistic spirit of Liverpool appeals to locals as well as tourists in many ways. On one hand, the city is rich in various cultural settings, such as theatres, galleries and concert halls that regularly host diverse events to present the work of local, national and international artists. However, to feel the bohemian soul of the city, we don’t necessarily need to enter the closed space of a gallery or purchase a ticket for a concert. In fact, a lot of art in Liverpool is facilitated in the streets, in the form of murals and poetic writings, but also public pianos and street musicians. In today’s feature, we have decided to follow up on our past article, 9 Pieces of Street Art To Find on Your Next Walk in Liverpool and bring you even more street art that deserves attention in Liverpool and Wirral. 

1. Paul Curtis: Abbey Road

Let’s begin our walk in the Baltic Triangle – the city’s growing cultural hub with lots of space and surfaces ideal for street art. To pay tribute to local music legends, The Beatles Story commissioned artist Paul Curtis to paint a living memory of The Beatles’ famous album cover Abbey Road. As a result, the Grafton Street wall in the Baltic Triangle has been transformed into the iconic zebra crossing in London. However, Paul Curtis chose to omit the musicians from his painting and instead, allow passersby to become one of the fab four for a moment. 

2. Akse: Steven Hawking

Again within the Baltic Triangle, we can find a giant mural of Steven Hawking, placed on the side of The Studio School (formerly the Contemporary Urban Centre), Upper Parliament Street. By depicting the face of the famous scientist, a French street artist known as Akse epaid homage to the life-long work of Steven Hawking and created a living memory of the exceptional figure for generations to come.

3. Jon Culshaw: Liver Bird

Jon Culshaw is a name commonly linked to many pieces of street art around Merseyside. Located on the side of the iconic Wedding House, Liver Bird is one of the latest John Culshaw murals. With the precise details and unmistakable expression in the face, this colourful Liver Bird is looking over the street, embodying the city’s spirit and pride. 

4. Mr Cenz: Rainbow Goddess

When crossing the river Mersey to the Wirral, we can find many more pieces of street art, located especially around the beach town of New Brighton. Our first stop will be the Rainbow Goddess – a beautiful portrait of a woman’s face on the side wall of a house in Grosvenor Road. The mural was created by street artist Mr Cenz, whose distinctive style is characteristic of a spiritual depiction of feminity, futuristic colour spectrum, and complex, multi-layered composition. 

5. Dotmaster: Otto and Rude Kids House

Another significant artist who contributed to New Brighton’s street art gallery is Dotmaster. Both of his artworks, namely Otto and Rude Kids House, share a similar black and white wallpaper background with the stencil of naughty children in the forefront. Referring to the characteristic features of the artist’s style, Dotmaster reflects a typical English sense of humour, and his pieces stand out for their precise details as well as playing with illusion. 

6. Matt Dosa: Abstract Seaside

And finally, our walk will finish by admiring the mural Abstract Seaside created by Matt Dosa. Whereas the previous artworks we mentioned were showing particular figures and rather realistic motifs, Matt Dosas’ style is a fusion of spontaneity and experiments. Abstract Seaside, covering the upper floor of 3 adjacent buildings, is a sequence of colourful patterns inspired by the nearby seaside. Through the large-scale playful mural, Matt Dosa transforms a commonly dull landscape into a cheerful environment.

By Amna Akram

One of the UK’s leading theatre companies – 20 Stories High joined forces with Yemeni Poet and award-winning community activist Amina Atiq to create Poet’s Gift over the past couple of months. 

Exploring new writing and poetry with Muslim young people, the new art project culminates in a unique public work of art, designed by Nadina Ali, exhibited on a prominent bus stop in Liverpool’s Toxteth Community.

On May 24, 2022 the installation will be launched to the public, including a celebration with music, food and performance at the Lodge Lane, library bus Stop from 6-7pm.

The project engaged with young people in Liverpool with diverse Muslim backgrounds through a series of workshops. These workshops provided a safe space for the group to express themselves; to explore conversations about family, care, belonging, and community; and to create work that shows their lives beyond stereotypes. 

The project culminated in two poems that will be shared; one by Amina Atiq and one incorporating the words and languages of the Poet’s Gift group.

The project was initiated after Amina Atiq and 20 Stories High Artistic Director Keith Saha reflected on the rise of racial-religious attacks following the terrorist attack on the Liverpool Women’s Hospital in November 2021. 

They identified a lack of spaces available for Muslim young people to discuss their feelings, experiences, and identity. 

Amina Atiq said: “It has been incredible to conceive and deliver Poet’s Gift with 20 Stories High. It’s been a privilege to work with this group of young people and support them in articulating their experiences and feelings. I think it’s so impactful that we are able to share their words at a bus stop. 

“Bus stops hold significant meaning to working class communities, migrants and school children – a place of coming together but also a place of real potential risk. Through poetry, I have expressed feelings around my early experiences of Islamophobia and racism experienced at bus stops. It is brilliant that these young people’s poems and voices will be shared so prominently, and hope they will ignite some vibrant conversations.”

Keith Saha, Artistic Director of 20 Stories High said: “Amina is such an important artist in our city. She has an amazing way of collaborating with young people and young artists. A passionate, political voice that nurtures new talent and gives confidence to young people to express themselves. The group of young people were amazing and truly reflected the diversity in Liverpool’s Muslim Community including participants from, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malaysia, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.”

Muhammad Elmi, freelance Community Engagement Associate and Pastoral Support Worker said: “As a young lad from the area, I never had the opportunity to be involved in projects like this. Growing up, the support for young people was abysmal – for a number of reasons. To now be given the opportunity to get involved in supporting the future generation is an honour. I very much hope that this project is the beginning of a new era for young muslim Scousers.”

The installation is expected to remain on the bus stop until June 26, 2022.

For more information and updates head over to the 20 Stories High Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages.

By Radka Hostašová

In a recent feature we shone a spotlight on makers and small businesses that stand out in Liverpool’s creative community. However, there’s still so many talented individuals who should not be left out. Whereas in our previous article we focused our attention mainly around traditional craft and handmade production, today we want to highlight an area of contemporary art that goes in a hand with continually progressing technology; illustration and printmaking. 

Helen Louise Design

With her colourful, playful, yet realistic artworks, Helen Louise Design captures charming spots in Liverpool and thus, preserves the unmistakable atmosphere of the city. Looking at her pieces will make you realise how elaborate her illustrations are, with a focus on details that bring the pictures into the third dimension. Helen’s prints are available as posters, but also in a form of cards, postcards and coasters.

Rosa Illustration

Another artist that significantly contributes to the local creative field is Rosa Kusabbi, whose prints and animations portray femininity as well as social strains and issues. Through her vivid, vintage-inspired illustrations, Rosa emphasises women’s empowerment, cultural diversity and freedom of expression. The style the artist applies is very distinctive – a bright colour palette dominated by yellow, orange and pink, realistic figures contradicted with loosened cheerful lines, and last but not least, mischievous reflection on taboos in today’s society. 

Christopher Walster

Although the next artist on our list is currently based in Manchester, his work stands at the forefront of skyline illustrators in the North West. Compared to the previously mentioned artists, Christopher Walster’s pieces are rather minimalistic, using simple black lines that contrast with a plain white background. His monochrome illustrations are genuine depictions of UK and European cities as well as world metropolises. In other words, Christopher’s art is like a world tour you can experience through his posters, paper stationery and homeware.

Studio AW

From digital prints, we now move to a more traditional technique – watercolour. Studio AW is a local, female-led business producing unique illustrations inspired by nature. Annie – the artist who stands behind Studio AW – creates beautiful, delicate artworks that combine botanical motifs and female elements. Her pieces are characteristic of muted, natural colours and geometrical shapes that meet blurry watercolour patches in a way that creates the artist’s original signature. 

Abby Sumner Design

And finally, our list will be completed by an artist whose Risograph prints resemble a parade of colours. Abby Sumner primarily concentrates on abstract art as her pieces consist of geometric shapes and lines. With a simplicity on one side, Abby brings her prints to life with the spectrum of bright colours, such as pink, yellow, red and orange. Her lively creations are later converted into posters, calendars and gift cards. 

Each of the artists we have introduced today have their own remarkable style, influenced by different aspects, environments and eras. However, the thing they all have in common is the flow of energy that gleams out of their illustrations. To present the best artists in the region, Liverpool Print Fair’s two-day event is a great opportunity for creative individuals to exhibit their work. And of course locals can support the growth of small art businesses by purchasing their favourite prints. The next festival takes place in November 2022 and stalls are now open for applications.

By Radka Hostašová

Liverpool city centre is a bustling hub of shoppers, food and drink enthusiasts, culture seekers and tourists, mixing together to create a vibrant atmosphere. Just a stones throw away from two of the biggest shopping destinations in the city; Church Street and Liverpool ONE, you’ll find the calm oasis of the contemporary arts centre, the Bluecoat. By leaving the noise of the city behind and entering the iconic front yard of the Bluecoat, it can feel like taking a step back in time.

In fact, the Bluecoat, located on the School Lane, is listed as the oldest building in Liverpool city centre. Built in the early 18th century, the Bluecoat first served the purpose of a charity school for poor children. However, after moving the school to Wavertree, the Bluecoat was on the verge of demolition several times. Fortunately, thanks to a successful funding campaign, the building, with such distinctive architecture, has survived and since the beginning of the 20th century, it has been a home for the arts.

These days, the Bluecoat is defined as a contemporary arts centre that offers a space for artists to create and exhibit and for audiences to experience their work. Through its extensive programme and a focus on the community, the Bluecoat aims to make art an inclusive and accessible medium.  Moreover, the Bluecoat invests in the dynamic development of the arts while constantly reflecting on its past heritage and creatively responding to it. The programme at the Bluecoat consists of regular exhibitions, family workshops, dance performances, and literature readings.

The Bluecoat is currently accommodating nearly 30 artists residencies, who use the centre’s on-site studios to create illustrations, digital installations, pieces of fashion, or physical performances.

Besides supporting outstanding contemporary artists, the venue also functions as a base for several local businesses. There’s Roots Houseplants, an independent plant shop for anyone looking to add some greenery to their home, Kernaghan Books, the iconic Probe Records and Florianni bridal and evening dress boutique and more.

Also housed within the Bluecoat’s building is the Bluecoat Display Centre, Liverpool’s independent contemporary craft gallery. The Display Centre exhibits and sells some of the finest work made by professional craftspeople from the North West, across the British Isles and beyond and is recognised nationally and internationally as one of the UK’s leading galleries specialising in contemporary applied arts.

As a part of the programme to broaden the creative community, the Bluecoat also organises a number of projects targeting different groups of audiences. For instance, whereas Out of the Bluecoat is a creative club for children running across schools in Liverpool, Blue Room is a project that involves adults with learning disabilities, who get to experience art in the gallery as well as create their own artwork. And finally, alongside on-site and off-site projects, the Bluecoat regularly participates in the UK’s leading festival of contemporary art – Liverpool Biennial.

While the front side of the building mesmerises its visitors with a unique architectural design, the back yard surprises them with a beautiful secret garden. The Bluecoat’s garden is attached to the venue’s café, so customers can enjoy their food and drink surrounded by greenery in the peaceful tranquility. You could easily forget that you’re still in the heart of the city centre. But rather than a flawless lawn and perfectly trimmed hedges, the Bluecoat’s garden is a tangle of bushes and flowers providing privacy to the benches standing around them. In other words, the garden simply serves as a little getaway from the rush of the busy city centre streets.

A visit to the Bluecoat Liverpool promises a unique and inspiring experience. The doors of the venue are open to the public every day, however, particular events require booking tickets in advance. Visit https://www.thebluecoat.org.uk/ to find out more.