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Drawing Classes In The Liverpool City Region

Posted on 19/05/2024 | by Uncover

If you’re looking to explore your creative side and discover drawing classes in the Liverpool city region this feature is for you. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned sketcher, this article has all the details on drawing classes from across the city region so you can find the perfect class or course for you.

We’ll detail some general drawing classes as well as specific life drawing classes for those looking to hone their skills in capturing the human form. So grab your pencils, find a class and have some fun on your drawing adventure.

Drawing Classes

dot art online drawing classes

dot art offers a wide variety of online drawing classes to choose from based on your interests, so you can hone the skills you’re most excited by. Packed with practical learning activities, these courses encourage you to explore and experiment with different art forms.

The Liver Sketching Club

The Liver Sketching Club is the oldest continuously active club in England, having been hosting drawing classes since 1872. They have classes where they host both portrait and life drawing classes, allowing members to practice techniques and express creativity through their sketches. These classes not only serve as opportunities for skill development but also as a means for members to express their unique artistic voices.

Smithdown Social Arts Hub art classes

Smithdown Social Arts Hub hosts art classes inspired by iconic styles and techniques of artists such as Frida Kahlo, Maria Lassnig and Mary Cassatt. These classes are hosted to induce relative exploration and self-expression in participants. Smithdown Social Arts Hub is committed to forming a creative, supportive, and inclusive atmosphere to apply their unique perspective into their artwork.

Creative Art Courses

Creative Art Courses are led by experienced instructors and often incorporate hands-on projects, allowing participants to delve into innovative techniques and styles, creating a deeper understanding of artistic expression. These courses provide a supportive and inspiring environment for personal and artistic growth. There are many different options of courses catering to various interest and skill levels.

Cass Art Courses

Cass Art’s course allows students to learn different techniques and procedures usually used with pastels and/or graphites. It ensures students learn and take inspiration from techniques used by renaissance artists such as Caravaggio, Raffaello and Tiziano, and adopt them within their art.

Joe McGillivray Still Life Drawing & Painting

Located at West Kirby Arts Centre, this Still Life class is a great opportunity to delve into drawing and painting that focuses on practicing representational skills. The introductory course is designed to inspire creativity and improve key painting and drawing skills.

Knowsley FACE Drawing & Painting

This drawing and painting course will give you the chance to use a variety of drawing media to explore various approaches to objective/measured drawing.

Drawing & Painting Short Course at St Helens College

Suitable for students aged 19 and over, during this short course, you will be introduced to various approaches to drawing and painting. You will develop your observational skills, creative thinking, personal visual language and printing processes. This can be taught at beginner, intermediate or advanced levels, depending on your skills and previous experience of art and design or art history.

Roy Munday Art Classes in Southport

Artist and tutor Ray Munday hosts drawing classes in various locations in and around Southport. Find more information about his classes here.

Life Drawing Classes

Make CIC Drink And Draw Event

If you enjoy sketching and are passionate about life drawing, Make CIC offers this in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Their classes include a cheese board and wine, and are for anyone over the age of 16, whether you’re a complete novice or a regular at life drawing classes.

Life Drawing at 92 Degrees

The life drawing classes are formed in a relaxed, supportive environment to make people comfortable, no matter their level of experience. The models are brilliant and tuition is offered to all within the classes.

LEAF Life Drawing Classes

LEAF’s Life Drawing classes are a great way to immerse yourself in Life Drawing, this class will provide you with a comfortable space to express your creativity and develop your skills.

Shakespeare North: Life Drawing

Prescot’s Shakespeare North Playhouse theatre hosts regular life drawing classes with a nude model to draw from in a variety of poses. The sessions are suitable for beginners as well as more experienced artists. Materials and support will be provided for those who need it, but you are also welcome to bring your own sketchbooks and dry materials to the sessions (i.e., pencils, pens, graphite, charcoal in pencil form).

Sudley House Life Drawing

They use a diversity of models to explore different body types and present shorter and longer poses to give you the opportunity to develop your skills. The sessions are suitable for absolute beginners as well as more experienced artists and are held in a relaxed, intimate atmosphere.

Sefton Art Group Life Drawing

Sefton Art Group’s Life Drawing class encourages you to use different medium, from drawing, pen, and painting, to develop competence within the drawing process. They help you to draw to the correct proportions and encourage interpretation and experimentation, all within a safe and comfortable space.

If you’re looking for more arts and crafts classes check out our guide here.

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.

Blossoming Communities: Gardening Clubs In Liverpool And The City Region

Posted on 22/04/2024 | by Uncover

Unwind, reconnect with nature, and escape daily stress through gardening. Joining a gardening club in Liverpool offers a fulfilling opportunity to nurture green spaces while fostering a sense of community. By collaborating with like-minded individuals, you not only enhance your local environment but also cultivate lasting relationships that promote mental wellbeing and overall quality of life.

Embrace the beauty of nature this Spring and relish outdoor adventures while exploring the diverse range of activities our community has to offer. With numerous gardening clubs scattered across the Liverpool city region, there’s a perfect fit for everyone eager to dig into the joys of gardening.

Friends of Parks and Gardens

Friends of Parks and Gardens are voluntary groups of local residents, workers or visitors who are looking to give back to their local community through caring for and improving their local park or green space.

They carry out practical conservation or management tasks such as clean-ups, community planting projects and events. Friends of Parks and Gardens can be found in over 20 parks in Liverpool, from Sefton Park to Croxteth Hall and Country Park, Anfield Cemetery, Warbreck Moor and so many others, there’s plenty to choose from.

Grow Speke

Grow Speke is a community garden in South Liverpool, created to engage both children and adults in community projects. Local school and youth groups use Grow Speke to deliver fun, healthy, outdoor activities, where young people can develop their gardening knowledge and skills. It’s a great opportunity to get back to nature and create a space that can be enjoyed by the whole community for years to come.

Their beekeeping project is one of the many exciting opportunities at Grow Speke, along with their vegetable gardens and a fruit tree orchard. There’s great facilities such as a Polytunnel for growing fruit and veg all year round, a BBQ and firepit and kitchen facilities open to all gardeners too.

The Florrie Gardening Club

Community arts & heritage venue, The Florrie, host over 30 hours of cultural activities every week for people to get involved in. Their gardening club is just one of their offers that gives everyone the chance to meet new people, learn new skills & have fun. Take a look at their Community Hub Activities timetable to find out more and email Tim on tim@theflorrie.org to join in or for further information.

Liverpool Organic Gardeners

Liverpool Organic Gardeners meet eight times a year at at Elm Hall Drive Methodist Church in Liverpool and they visit members’ gardens or other places of interest. In the past, they have visited Incredible Edibles at Todmorden, Chorlton Open Gardens and the Green Dream Project in Bootle. This is great for nature lovers who want to get to know other like-minded individuals while visiting beautiful gardens.

Thornton & Crosby Gardener’s Club

Thorton & Crosby Gardener’s Club host monthly guest speakers, as well as going out on day trips to beautiful local gardens such as Harlow Carr and share useful gardening recommendations. This is a great way to gain an insight into the world of gardening and learn from one another in a friendly environment. All are welcome to join for a fee of £20 per year and £1 per visit. For visitors it is £2 a visit. Fees include tea/coffee and biscuits.

Hoylake & District Gardening Society

Hoylake & District Gardening Society is a friendly club, with members ranging from experienced gardeners to complete novices. Club meetings comprise of a talk by a professional on different aspects of gardening. The programme is very varied from head gardeners and Chelsea Gold medallists to talks on wildlife, herbal medicines, foreign lands, and beekeeping.

Guests are very welcome to head along to meetings, there’s no booking required and the cost is just £3. The club’s annual membership is £15.

Marine Place Gardener’s Club

Marine Place Gardener’s Club at Marine Place wellbeing hub and cafe (run solely by Age UK Wirral) is a social activity club for people interested in all things gardening. You can go along and have a chat and get advice. You can also help them look after their BeeWell Together Garden. Make some new friends, share and swap hints and enjoy stress free gardening.

Moreton Gardening Club

Moreton Gardening club meets on the 2nd Monday of each month where they welcome a guest speaker covering various different gardening topics, such as ideas for planting and winter gardening. They also arrange garden open afternoons and nature walks for members. Club membership is £20 per year, including refreshments at each meeting.

Irby & Thurstaston Gardeners Club

Irby & Thurstaston Gardeners Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month (with the exception of August) in Irby Village Hall and holds an Annual Flower and Vegetable Show in July. The club has excellent and varied speakers each month, with some illustrated talks, some ‘hands on’ workshop-style talks. They also organises days out, garden holidays and hold plant sales at meetings. It is noted as a very sociable club, part of the Irby Village atmosphere and always welcoming to new members and visitors.

Southport Chrysanthemum and Gardening Society

Join Southport Chrysanthemum and Gardening Society for talks, shows and plant sales. Each year, they stage spring, summer and autumn shows in Southport, with many exhibitors and hundreds of people visiting. A Christmas Floral Art demonstration by eminent flower arrangers is also held at the beginning of December.

In addition, the group organises trips through the year to other shows more further afield, such as the Harrogate Spring Show. A friendly society, they meet on the last Tuesday of the month, Emmanuel Church, Lord Street, Southport.

Make CIC (Liverpool & Wirral)

Make CIC hosts a range of classes related to gardening. Make CIC focus on the importance of collaboration and creative environments, and this definitely translates within their exciting, diverse classes. Keep an eye out on their Garden page for upcoming events.

Royal Horticultural Society Community Garden Groups Locator

You can also discover community garden groups via the Royal Horticultural Society’s ‘Find A Group’ interactive webpage.

Additionally, keep an eye on our What’s On listings to find local gardening events to get involved in too.

Sound City 2024: Preview

Posted on 16/04/2024 | by Uncover

Sound City captures the vibrancy of the city with an unforgettable three day music festival. It sees established names perform alongside a stream of local, national and international emerging talent. Numerous successful iterations of Sound City have been held across three different continents over the last 17 years.

This year, they’re welcoming Caity Baser, The Snuts, Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band, Venus Grrrls, Dream Machine, Red Rum Club, The Rolling People, and many more names to independent Liverpool venues between 4-5 May.

The festival also features talks and conferences with the Sound City Forum, providing help for artists to further their careers in the music industry.

Here are a selection of festival highlights and new acts to watch out for this year:

The Dream Machine

Over the past two years, Wirral acid-pop band The Dream Machine have released a trio of splendid 4-track EPs. The releases saw them explore wildly different styles, whilst still maintaining their colourful 60s infused sound.

Influenced by iconic punk and psych songwriters, such as Patti Smith and The Brian Jonestown Massacre, they blend smooth vocal harmonies with hypnotic grooves. Their debut album was released in 2023 by the city’s Run On Records to much acclaim and accompanied by a residency at Jimmy’s in Liverpool.

Michael Head and The Red Elastic Band

There are few songwriters to ever surpass the genius of Michael Head’s output, either on his own, with The Pale Fountains, Shack or his most recent iteration Michael Head and The Red Elastic Band. Now in his fifth decade of making music, he is producing some of his finest work.

His 2022 album, Dear Scott, was as cohesive and coherent as any album he’s made and produced by the acclaimed ex-Coral member, Bill Ryder-Jones. A true Liverpool legend, Michael Head is one not to miss at this year’s festival.

Caity Baser

Loud, funny, vibrant and sensitive: words that describe British singer, songwriter and pop provocateur Caity Baser, just as easily as they describe her music. Her varied influences include Etta James, The Carpenters and Rizzle Kicks, which all make for an inspired mixture of original songs.

Caity has had four entries in the UK singles chart and rave reviews from the NME. An artist wise beyond her years but packing enough teenage energy to still cause trouble.

Venus Grrrls

Inspired by the feminist 90s rock movement Riot Grrrl, Venus Grrrls are an alternative indie band from Leeds. With their eerie synth motifs and raw guitar lines, the girls present the dark yet empowering discourse surrounding their own experiences.

With singer/rhythm guitarist Grace Kelly (GK) fronting the band, their raw energy live is something to behold, they give Bikini Kill and Babes in Toyland a run for their money.

One of the hot tips of last year, their music has been featured on BBC 6Music, Radio X, and BBC Introducing.

The Snuts

The Snuts recently become the first Scottish band to achieve a UK number one for 14 years, with their debut album W.L. selling over 20,000 copies. The album encapsulates the band’s journey of four working class kids, growing up with a dream in Whitburn, West Lothian.

The band have played prestigious support slots with Louis Tomlinson and Kings of Leon, plus recorded a live album, performed in the resplendent surroundings of Stirling Castle.

Red Rum Club

Liverpool’s Red Rum Club have been impressing audiences with their live shows since their inception in 2017. Released on Modern Sky, the band’s first album Matador introduced their trademark mix of indie and Mariachi – styled brass.

Their latest album, Western Approaches, has propelled them to new heights this year. The band played a sold-out show at the M&S Bank Arena and were inducted into the Cavern Wall Of Fame. Red Rum Club play the Saturday Afternoon Headline slot and are sure to give one of the highest energy performances of Sound City 2024.

The Rolling People

At just 18 years old, Stockport-based The Rolling People have taken the indie music scene in their stride. Gaining a reputation for energised performances and feral crowds to match. The band have earned their reputation as the next ‘must-see’ act with repeated sold out shows across the country.

Now ready to release their long-awaited debut EP, the meteoric rise of The Rolling People looks all set to continue.

King No-One

There’s few bands that embody the DIY-spirit quite like Manchester’s indie favourites King No-One. The success and community they’ve built via the band, has all been achieved through the musical underground, courtesy of their own hard work, sacrifice and a lot of determination.

The band’s recent single Manchester Rain perfectly encapsulates life in the North of England in 2024 – facing up to hardship but with a defiant attitude.

Sound City Forum

The festival has a full programme of talks in their Sound City Forum – the disruptive conference in the north, curated for beginners through to seasoned veterans. Their theme this year is Sustainability in the Music & Entertainment Industry and they’re questioning whether it’s time to #SoundTheAlarm

To help them dive into this topic, they’re welcoming Sacha Lord, Korda Marshall (Virgin Music UK), TikTok, SoundCloud, BPI, PRS, and many more industry titans.

Plus they’ll have exclusive in-conversations with Red Rum Club, and The Lottery Winners.

Sound City 2024
4 – 5 May
Various city centre music venues
Tickets

To discover more music events and festivals visit our Whats On listings.

10 Fun Activities To Do This Spring In Liverpool And The City Region

Posted on 27/03/2024 | by Uncover

There’s so much to love about the spring season, with the warmer weather, longer days and blooming flowers. In this guide, we’re got 10 activities that will help to make your spring unforgettable. From immersing yourself in the city region’s history at local museums and exploring art galleries to reconnecting with nature through invigorating walks and gardening adventures. So, dust off your walking shoes, grab your gardening gloves and check out our list of fun spring activities in Liverpool and the city region.

1. Nature Walks

There are so many great local nature walks to take on Merseyside and springtime is perfect to see them at their best. The Sefton and West Lancashire coastal path and Undiscovered Formby walks are lovely scenic routes to see the River Mersey and surroundings. There’s also the beautiful Wirral Circular Trail, a longer walk with stunning views of the Dee Estuary.

Have a read of our Spring walks on Merseyside article for even more walking inspiration.

2. Spring Planting

Get planting this spring for a very colourful summer and a way to reconnect with nature. Summer bulbs are ideal for patio containers and add colour to mixed borders without taking up much space.

Bulbs such as Alliums, Agapanthus and Cannas can be planted in spring, when the soil is beginning to warm up. The National Trust and the BBC have some great planting tips to get you started.

3. Take A Course

Try something new this spring and start a new course or volunteer for a charity. You could learn British Sign Language (BSL) or check out these arts and crafts classes like drawing, painting, pottery making, photography courses and more.

4. Volunteer

You may also like to volunteer or an event or charity and you can check out lots of opportunities on our website here.

5. Museums & Art Galleries

Visit a gallery or museum and take in the exhibitions currently on display. Liverpool City Region galleries and museums:

Open Eye Gallery (Photography)
FACT (Contemporary art)
Bluecoat
Tate Liverpool / RIBA North
National Museums Liverpool (World Museum, Walker Art Gallery, Museum of Liverpool, Sudley House, Lady Lever Art Gallery, International Slavery Museum and the Maritime Museum)
Port Sunlight Museum
The Atkinson
Williamson Art Gallery
Kirby Gallery and Museum

6. Nature Watching

As spring comes into life, it’s good to get outdoors with the family to discover birds and wildlife. The RSPB have a comprehensive set of online resources for identifying birds and signs of spring.

The BBC also have many resources for spring online, including archives and activities based around their Springwatch programme. The site includes tips on feeding and photographing wildlife.

7. Walking Tour

There’s lots of great walking tours you can go on around Liverpool including Reel Tours’ Film & TV location tours, Shiverpool’s Historic Ghost Tours, a Beatles walking tour and more – check out our full guide to the city’s walking tours here.

Reel Tours Gary Lunt — Gary Lunt of Reel Tours Liverpool Film & TV location tours

8. Arts Markets & Farmers Markets

Support local by visiting arts markets where you can find lovely gifts for friends family and yourself. There’s also some great farmers markets selling fresh, seasonal produce.

9. Ferry Across The Mersey

You won’t get many better views of the city than you do when you’re on the Mersey ferry. Bring your camera or your phone and capture some photos of the famous skyline!

10. Relax In The Park

With an abundance of beautiful parks in the city region why not head to the likes of Sefton Park, Calderstones, Birkenhead Park or wherever your favourite green space is and just relax as the weather starts to get warmer and the evenings stay lighter for longer.

To find out what’s happening across the Liverpool city region have a look at our What’s On event listings.

Family Easter Craft Events In Liverpool and The City Region

Posted on 18/03/2024 | by Uncover

By Ade Blackburn

Easter is the perfect time to start crafting again, these seasonal workshops are ideal to add some colour to your home with an Easter themed creation.

1. Easter Bonnet Workshops

Join the team at Crosby’s Lakeside Adventure Centre for a fun-filled Easter Bonnet Workshop of creativity and crafting.

Get ready to unleash your imagination and create a beautiful Easter bonnet or hairband that your child can wear during the School Easter Parade. The team will be on hand to provide guidance and inspiration, so you can let your creativity run wild.

Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre, 23 – 24 March, various times.

Alternatively, you and your little one can have fun making an Easter Bonnet at Bee Early Years.

Honeycomb House, Birkenhead, Wirral. Wednesday 5 April.

2. Easter Wreath Making Workshop

Celebrate the spring season with a handcrafted Easter wreath for your door.

During this Easter Wreath Making Workshop at Duke Street Market, you’ll work with a stunning range of bulbs and carefully chosen bedding flowers to bring your wreath to life, starting with making the base from scratch using fresh and ethically sourced materials.

Immerse yourself in a world of flowers and learn a range of methods for preparing and arranging your wreath with guidance from Nat, an experienced florist at Somerset Blooms.

Duke Street Food & Drink Market, 30 March, 12 – 2pm.

3. Supersized Easter Egg Decoration Workshop

Join World of Glass for this kids Easter Workshop aimed at 3 – 6 year year olds. Your child will be decorating a supersized image of an egg using water spray as the glue and colourful shaped acetate for the decoration.

It’s a great chance for children to learn more about colour shape and pattern and an opportunity to take a photograph of your budding artist with their first public artwork.

All tickets are for children only with 2 adult spaces to accompany each child.

World of Glass, St Helens, 12 April, 11 – 11.45am.

4. Felt Easter Decorations

Get ready for Easter and join in with this Easter Textiles Workshop to create your own cute felt decoration, perfect for bringing spring vibes to your home.

Waterstones, Birkenhead, 24 March, 11am – 1pm.

5. Easter Family Activities at RIBA North + Tate Liverpool

Fill your Easter holidays with free creative activities workshops for the whole family.

Enjoy free, hands-on art activities at Tate Liverpool + RIBA North this Easter. Get your whole family involved with activities designed for all ages and available every day throughout the school holidays. Their free Art Games booklets are also available to pick up and take home.

Tate Liverpool + RIBA North, Mann Island, 29 March – 14 April. Daily at 10am – 4pm.

6. Easter Egg Painting

Artist Dot Rodgers will show you how to paint your own version of a Ukrainian Easter egg in this Make it! workshop. A pysanka egg is usually decorated with traditional Ukrainian folk designs and you can display your pysanka in a window at home to show you #StandWithUkraine.

All materials provided. Children must be supervised at all times. Recommended age 6+.

The Atkinson, Southport, 4 & 11 April, 11am – 3pm.

7. Easter Crafts

Join Lark Lane Wellbeing Hub for an afternoon of Easter crafts and fun workshops. Kids get to be creative making a range of Easter activities. Treats are also provided for the little ones as they play and craft.

Lark Lane Wellbeing Hub, 23 March, 1 – 3pm.

Photography Courses in Liverpool and the City Region

Posted on 11/03/2024 | by Uncover

Looking to level up your photography skills? Whether you’re a novice or you’re looking to advance your photography skills this article has plenty of useful information to help you find photography courses in Liverpool and the city region.

Liverpool

Liverpool City College Photography and Imaging Class

This ten-week practical course (2 hours per week) is taught by practicing photographers and will enable you to develop your skills and knowledge in Photography. The course covers Compact and DSLR cameras, shutter application, aperture application, composition, an introduction to the MAC environment and an introduction to Photoshop.

The programme is delivered through practical demonstrations, mini tasks, presentations, investigative studies and group critiques. You will be expected to work independently and engage in group tasks in order to develop your skills and knowledge. You will also benefit from working in well equipped specialist studios and workshops. Students are required to purchase and provide programme materials and must have access to a digital camera. Find out more about the course here.

Open Eye Gallery

Open Eye Gallery hosts workshops on sustainable photography, cyanotype photography, photography for wellbeing and an annual Crossing Sectors course on socially engaged photography, as they take a lead on socially engaged photography. They also host courses with their partners in Life Rooms and Community Integrated Care. The results of their community projects make up their annual autumn Socially Engaged Photography show. All the announcements can be found on their Opportunities section.

Neon Light Photography

Neon Light Photography’s beginners photography workshops equip you with new techniques through an interactive, small group-oriented approach (max 4 people). You’ll learn about your basic camera functions, “the exposure triangle” and why it’s important, compositional techniques, how to use & control depth of field to enhance your composition and more.

This 3-hour workshop takes place along Liverpool’s famous waterfront, making it perfect for those who are new to photography and want to take advantage of capturing some amazing images of the docks, three graces and waterfront.

Street Snappers Street Photography Workshop

This street photography workshop is developed to take your street photography to the next level. With a maximum of 6 participants, the workshop is designed to help you become a creative, competent and confident street photographer. It will combine structured shooting with coaching from your course leader, Brian Lloyd Duckett.

This workshop covers both the artistic and technical aspects of street photography. You’ll learn new techniques and creative approaches to produce stylish, distinctive images that capture 21st-century street life. It focuses on three key shooting styles: capturing the moment, storytelling, and mastering the fine art/aesthetic approach.

Well Lit Photo Club

Well Lit Photo Club use Traditional Photography as a way to inspire, uplift and engage through their meet ups where you can shoot and develop your own images, no matter what your photography expertise or experience. They also run Pinhole photography meet ups where you can take your own pinhole images in inspiring locations and develop your own paper negative pinhole prints in their portable pop up darkroom.

Liverpool Photography Group

Liverpool Photography Group offers a variety of photography courses in Liverpool, from beginner classes to street photography and nature photography classes. The sessions are aimed at developing your skills based on key interests.

The Photography Academy’s Workshops

These photography courses are offered for a variety of skill level and photography styles. Whether you want a beginners class or to develop your artistic style, black and white rendering, portrait, Lightroom or Photoshop courses, you’ll find them all here.

Dot-art Darkroom

Dot-art operates an open access Darkroom in Liverpool City Centre, enabling you to learn more about Darkroom through either their Introduction to the Darkroom course or their Analogue Photography Weekend course. Also, if you are already experienced you can become a member to gain unlimited access to the Darkroom. View all of their classes here.

Wirral

Wirral Photography Group

Wirral Photography Group offers a wide range of photography classes from beginners classes to street photography, natural light portraits and more. Have a look at the classes on offer here.

Ness Gardens Photography Workshops

Photographer Stuart Robinson delivers two photography workshops in the incredible surroundings of Ness Gardens; Mastering The Basics & Next Level Digital Photography. The workshops will give you the opportunity to capture a wide variety of subjects in a beautiful setting, including landscapes, wildlife, macro, abstract and journalistic images. Included with both workshops are free access to the gardens, impartial advice on purchasing camera equipment and accessories, and email support.

St Helens

St Helens College

This course covers basic digital photography techniques, through the means of a bridge or DSLR camera. The course can be taught at beginner, intermediate or advanced levels, depending on your skills and experience of photography. Find out more here.

Knowsley

Prescot Photography Club

The Prescot Photography Club aims to promote the enjoyment, understanding and appreciation of photography and the improvement of photography skills. If you’re interested in sharing your photography skills and knowledge or you want to learn more, join them at their fortnightly meet ups in Prescot. All levels are welcome.

Knowsley FACE – Family And Community Education

The photography courses offered at Knowsley FACE covers a range of essential skills for budding photographers. From mastering camera settings to understanding composition, lighting, and post-processing techniques, this course equips you with the knowledge and skills to capture stunning images. With both theory and practical sessions, students will gain hands-on experience to enhance their photography skills and unleash their creative potential.

Knowsley FACE offers both a NCFE Level 1 and Level 2 course. Find more details here.

Halton

Halton Photographic Society

If you’re in the Halton area, the Halton Photographic Society are a friendly group of around 25 people who meet every Monday evening (7.30pm) at The Jaguar Club, 77 Cronton Lane, Widnes WA8 5AJ. Their syllabus is a mixture of guest speakers, internal club nights and competitions. New members are always welcome, whether your are new to photography or a seasoned professional.

Southport

Matthew Rycraft Photography Workshops

Learn from an international multi award-winning photographer with this photography workshop session. The workshop gives you the invaluable opportunity to improve your photography skills with Matthew, as he shares his extensive knowledge of lighting, posing and composition techniques, technical skills and more.

Liverpool Makers’ Bazaar Spotlight on The Cat’s New Pyjamas

Posted on 22/02/2024 | by Uncover

By Pauline Neville

Karen is the powerhouse of creativity that is The Cat’s New Pyjamas. She designs and produces a wonderfully eclectic range of jewellery made in a range of metals incorporating found sea glass and sometimes, semi precious stones.

Born and raised in Stoneycroft, Old Swan, Karen now resides in Huyton. She is not the first parent to learn from her children and it was her son, Jed who set her off down the path she currently follows.

He was studying photography and found himself focussing on homeless people, she tells me. He became aware of the plight of refugees and what was being called the Calais Jungle and decided to photograph the area to raise awareness of the situation. He reasoned that if he was going to France to do this he might as well volunteer at the same time and after some time there, he retuned home only to leave university and return to France where he has been helping for the last 7 years.

He has founded a charity Mobile Refugee Support (MRS) initially driving a generator camp to camp and allowing refugees to charge their phones, a vital communication link with estranged family members. This charity has developed into a support for Kurdish Refugees at Dunkirk.

So, what’s the link? Karen became aware of the plight of the refugees through her son and when a refugee charity online was selling elasticated beaded bracelets, she bought one. Studying this one day she realised that she could do something similar and so made her own version using Moonstone, Rose Quartz and Sandstone, mirroring the charity’s initials MRS. She sold these at an affordable price and donated all profits to the charity raising just under £1000.

Cats New Pyjamas 3 — A selection of Karen’s rings

This was the start of her jewellery making journey. When a brief foray into beaded jewellery proved not for her, her husband booked two places on a a ring making class as a gift and she was hooked. Karen still wears the first ring she made there and explained that although a comparatively simple piece, its production ensured that she was introduced to many essential techniques necessary in silversmithing; filing, hammering, sawing and soldering.

Next she began trawling YouTube, hungry for instructional videos and acquiring new techniques, learning by doing with the very basic tools she had at her disposal. As her interest deepened, she treated herself to more and more tools and now boasts more pliers than her husband. In a final act of commitment to silversmithing she sold her bead stash. Investing the funds into converting her spare bedroom into a practical and specialist workshop. Her husband built two workbenches; one with an oxygen converter and propane cylinder which affords a hotter flame for working larger surface areas and she was good to go.

Initially working in copper to keep her mistakes less expensive, Karen especially enjoys working with silver now. Her pieces are stamped 925 but not hallmarked she explains that having a piece hallmarked is a costly process and she is trying to keep her jewellery affordable.

Karen works only with recycled silver which she buys in sheets or as wire depending on what she is using it for. In turn she collects and keeps even the smallest offcuts from her work and the company she buys her recycled silver from pay her for these to smelt down and produce more sheets and wire which Karen then buys back…in a shiny silver circle of life. She finds silver the easiest metal to work with as it gets to the right temperature more consistently and can be soldered without damaging the surface pattern that she has just created.

She often incorporates copper and brass, this mixture of metals is often put to best use in her fabulous fidget rings. These are rings that spin freely on top of base rings, great for those of us with ADHD. She also uses recycled copper pipes which she transforms into copper cuffs which may be stamped or engraved, engraving is a new adventure for Karen.

Following jewellers online for inspiration and to extend her repertoire of techniques Karen came across the use of sea glass set as a stone and coincidentally had recently acquired some when walking on Crosby Beach earlier that same week. Sea glass is often collected due to its vibrancy of colour and the seeming glow of light that even the tiniest fragment can sometimes afford.

Karen smiles when talking about her studio, she tells me “It is my happy place. I pop in there to do a five minute job and sometimes emerge four hours later with a handful of pieces!”

Cats New Pyjamas 6 — Karen working in her studio

Her favourite task is creating unique settings for each piece of glass or stone as no two are the same and she often pierces the metal backplate to pendants to add interest and allow more light to shine through the piece. A technique that I can confirm is very effective judging by the beautiful necklace she was wearing when we met.

I wondered what the first piece Karen sold was. She told me that sawing is not as easy you might think, you cannot just pick up a saw and do it, you have to hone your skills so by way of a practice piece she made a chip fork! It sold in 10 mins and more followed sometimes stamped with initials or names. We have some very fancy chip eaters here in Liverpool! So, if you’re looking for a gift for the person who has everything, there’s an idea for you.

Her best sellers at the moment are her delicate stacking rings and the fidget rings which sold out at her last visit to the Liverpool Makers’ Bazaar at the The Old Police Station.

Karen is looking forward to retirement when she can focus all her attention on experimenting with new processes and designs…when babysitting duties allow! Her youngest granddaughter considers her “mumum” very cool, as she plays with hammers and fire and has already shown an interest in following in her grandmother’s footsteps.

All profits from Karen’s jewellery goes to support the charity Mobile Refugee Support.

The Cat’s New Pyjamas can be found as follows;

Etsy: TheCat’sNewPyjamas

Facebook: The Cat’s New Pyjamas

email: thecatsnewpyjamas@gmail.com

Or telephone 07411 621 293.

Or swing by and try things on at Liverpool Makers’ Bazaar at the Old Police Station on Sunday 3 March.

LGBTQIA+ Guide To The Liverpool City Region

Posted on 19/02/2024 | by Uncover

Homotopia's Queer the City: Drag Cabaret — Homotopia’s Queer the City: Drag Cabaret. Photo Credit: Mark McNulty

From the groundbreaking moments that shaped the community to the establishment of organisations and inclusive spaces, we take a look back at Liverpool’s LGBTQIA+ history and share information on organisations, resources and events that celebrate and support the LGBTQIA+ community.

Liverpool’s LGBTQIA+ History

Liverpool has been at the forefront of many different LGBTQIA+ movements throughout the years, and currently stands loud and proud with the LGBTQIA+ community.

In 1994 the first (pre watershed) lesbian kiss was featured in Liverpool soap opera Brookside and broadcasted on national television.
In 2005 Liverpool Registry Office became the first to include a gay couple in promotional material.
In 2011, Liverpool was the first British city to officially recognise a Gay Quarter, with the introduction of rainbow street signs along Stanley Street.
In 2012, Liverpool Pride was the first in the country to have a football club ‘officially’ represented at an UK Pride event, which has continued ever since with the clubs’ proud supporters marching in solidarity with the cities LGBTQIA+ community.

LGBTQIA+ Organisations, Events & Safe Spaces

Homotopia

Founded in 2003, Homotopia is a Liverpool based arts and social justice organisation making a cultural impact through art and activism. They aim to support and platform local, national, and international LGBTQIA socially engaged artists and creatives.

Every November they present Homotopia Festival, where they feature a wide variety of LGBTQIA art across multiple venues and outdoor spaces in Liverpool. This is the UK’s longest running LGBTQIA festival and a great safe space to express your creativity and be your authentic self.

Additionally, year round they have multiple projects aimed at supporting national LGBTQIA+ culture and community. Their various projects include:

Young Homotopia (performance classes for LGBTQIA youth)
QueerCore (an artist development program)
Queer the City (LGBTQIA art installations around Liverpool City Centre)
Homotopia Presents (art projects supported year-round)
Supported by Homotopia (LGBTQIA collaboration projects supported year-round).

These projects create a safe, creative space for everyone to express their individuality. They also host various Queer Creative Meet-ups, a powerful opportunity to connect with likeminded individuals and seek career advice.

Homotopia: Bluecoat, L1

The Pride Quarter

The Pride Quarter, that encompasses Stanley Street and surrounding areas, provides a safe space for a great night out.

Liverpool’s first ‘gay quarter’ was based around the original Queen Square, until its demolition to make way for St John’s Shopping Precinct in the 1960s. By 1972, Stanley Street was established as the new quarter, with the opening of the legendary Paco’s Bar. In 2011, Liverpool City Council officially recognised the area as the city’s Pride Quarter.

The area features many iconic venues and drag nights that simply cannot be missed. Bars such as OMG Liverpool, GBar and Heaven are just a few of the amazing venues in The Pride Quarter, and undeniably offer some of the biggest and best nightlife in the city.

Pride Quarter: Stanley Street, L1

GYRO LGBTQ+ Youth Club

Founded in 1976, GYRO (Gay Youth ‘R’ Out) is the UK’s longest running LGBTQ+ youth group, setting out to provide support to youths who may be questioning their sexuality and/or gender identity. They create a safe space for vulnerable youths, offering a 1 to 1 service and various group activities to try to make sure that nobody feels alone and improve their self-esteem, self-acceptance, and confidence.

They have a support group running for 11-16 year olds every Tuesday from 4:30pm – 6pm, and for 16-25 year olds it’s held every Thursday at 6pm – 7:30pm.

GYRO: YPAS Central Hub, Lyndene Road, L25

Pride In Liverpool

Pride in Liverpool aims to position the Liverpool city region as the most LGBTQIA+ friendly region in the UK. They aim to do this by highlighting the daily barriers that LGBTQIA+ people living in and visiting the region face, and by creating an inclusive culture where people feel they can fully participate and contribute.

The official Pride In Liverpool celebration takes place in Liverpool city centre every summer and you can check out their website for details.

Pride in Liverpool: LCR Pride Foundation, Mann Island, L3

Museum of Liverpool LGBTQ+ audio trail

The Museum of Liverpool has partnered up with the Bottoming Podcast duo, Matthew Riley and Brendan Geoghegan, to create a special LGBTQ+ audio trail to listen to as you walk around the museum.

The Bottoming Podcast looks at mental health in the LGBTQ+ community and how this affects people on a larger scale. The audio trail includes an artwork of Pete Burns by Ben Youdan, the Villanelle outfit from Killing Eve and a Football Equalities Display. Download the floor maps of their LGBTQ+ exhibits here.

National Museums Liverpool also have a wealth of LGBTQ+ art history and activism coverage online, which includes many articles, videos and images. Artists featured include, David Hockney, Leonardo Da Vinci and Edward Lear.

Museum of Liverpool: Mann Island, L3, 10am – 5pm, closed Mondays.

Mersey Marauders FC

Mersey Marauders FC are Merseyside’s LGBTQIA+ football club, offering LGBTQIA+ people in Merseyside the opportunity to play football in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Since 2005, Mersey Marauders FC have provided a friendly, inclusive space for LGBTQIA+ people and allies to play football in the Liverpool City Region. They run weekly training sessions for players of all abilities – everyone is welcome. Players come from a wide range of backgrounds and experience – some have been playing most of their lives, but others come having barely kicked a ball before. They cater for both these groups, and everyone in-between.

You can find out more about the team and join them here.

Reel Queer by First Take

Reel Queer is a FREE 5 year film project (2023-2028) by award-winning not for profit filmmaking and digital arts organisation First Take, working with people from the LGBTQIA+ community living in the Liverpool City Region.

Describing their Reel Queer project they says: “Together we will produce high end drama, documentary and art films for screening, socials, streaming, exhibitions, festivals and broadcast; giving a voice to our community and championing queer film.”.

Sefton Pride

Sefton Pride CIC was founded in May 2023 and held their first event in July 2023. Their aims are to provide an annual Pride event as well as year round education and community support.

Sefton Pride originated after Southport resident, Jennifer Corcoran, attended Joe Lycett’s More, More, More! show in 2023 at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool. Part of the set was dedicated to how the comedian and LGBTQIA+ activist had curated a Pride event in his hometown. Jennifer came away from the gig determined to bring an event to her home borough of Sefton.

Visit their Instagram for more information.

Sefton Pride: Walnut Street, Southport, PR8

Wirral LGBT Network

Wirral LGBT Network offers information, advice, support, advocacy, training and volunteering opportunities for LGBTIQA people. The Network was set up in September 2012 as a result of an LGBT Needs Assessment carried out by Wirral NHS.

Their vision is a thriving, diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community on the Wirral. A place where LGBT people feel safe and are free from discrimination. Visit their Facebook page to find out more.

Wirral LGBT Network: 5 Bridge Street, Birkenhead, CH45

GLOW Halton Youth LGBT

GLOW provides access to youth worker support, information and advice. They provide a safe space for young people to socialise with access to informal educational opportunities and positive activities.

GLOW run two clubs on Tuesdays – one for 11 – 15 years (5 – 6.30pm) and another for 16-24 years (7 – 9pm) – from their centre in Widnes. They also provide trips out and activities including arts and crafts, sports, film nights, music and more

GLOW: The Studio, Lacey Street, Widnes, WA8

Over The Rainbow St Helens

Over The Rainbow is a social support group in St Helens for 13-19 Year olds who are LGBTQIA+. They run a closed confidential youth group based in St Helens, Merseyside. At Over the Rainbow, you will find a group of likeminded young people that you can socialise with safely.

They offer information, advice and guidance on a range of issues relevant to young people in general and LGBTQIA+ young people in particular, including coming out, bullying, sexual and emotional and mental health and well-being.

Follow them on Instagram for information and updates.

Resources

Comics Youth LGBTQ+ Trail

With the help of 14 queer icons from in and around Liverpool Comics Youth have created this LGBTQ+ Trail highlighting spaces and places most LGBTQ+ people feel they belong.

Creative Community Organisation, Comics Youth, do incredible work for young people in the city. Empowering youth across Merseyside to flourish from the margins of society, they offer a wide range of opportunities for people, from zine creation and comic book workshops to youth-led publishing hubs and social campaigns.

Comics Youth CIC: Make CIC, Hamilton Square, Birkenhead, CH4

Sahir House

Sahir House provides vital frontline services to communities in Liverpool and the Merseyside area, including sexual health services and LGBTQIA+ support services.

Their LGBTQIA+ Peer-to-Peer Groups offer the opportunity to meet and share experiences and become more involved in Merseyside’s LGBTQIA+ community. All groups are free and welcome new members. Find out more.

Sahir House can also signpost you to a variety of independently run local groups.

Sahir House: 151 Dale Street, L2

What Art Can Do To Help Uncover Things About Ourselves

Posted on 11/02/2024 | by Uncover

By Ade Blackburn

Last week Bluecoat launched their The Lives of Artists season, comprising of exhibitions, commissions, residencies, events and workshops. The Lives of Artists asks audiences “what might be uncovered about ourselves when we listen to the testimony, histories, and stories of artists reflecting on their lives?”

Here we’ll look into the transformative power of art, exploring how artists’ expressions of their lives and experiences can help us understand our own identities, navigate cultural contexts, and tap into our subconscious minds.

Understanding & Identity

At the centre of The Lives of Artists are two exhibitions; Thanks for Having Me by Babak Ganjei and and it feels like I just got home by Joshua Clague.

Ganjei reflects on his life and career as an artist. The deferential title of his exhibition, Thanks for Having Me, looks back on his life of operating on the margins and never quite being sure where he belongs. In a new work, Ganjei has stacked all of the books he owns but has never read to the exact height of the artist, creating a crude portrait of the artist’s aspirations and shortcomings.

In and it feels like I just got home Clague is interested in enduring memories of the female voice in his life. The exhibition often riffs on the pop-icons and divas that he once emulated. His work also lays out how his sense of self changes at different times, in different places.

Seeing the expressions of artists laid out can give us a better understanding of our own lives and crucially, make us feel less alone. Artists are often at the vanguard of culture and act as a kind of weather vane for people who follow their work and lives.

Cultural Context

Art can also help us make sense of the cultural context in which we live and relate to each other. This is especially relevant with issues of race and gender. Artists can fight for a cause and highlight contradictions and prejudice.

Writer Jennifer Lee Tsai who performs in The Lives of Artists season as their featured writer, looks at the second generation immigrant experience, with themes of ancestral trauma, loss and belonging. Tsai draws on her own life and the lives of others around her to create beautiful and powerful work that helps us understand each other and resonate with our own sense of self.

Their work serves as a mirror reflecting the complex nature of human identity. As we engage with these reflections, we may find aspects of ourselves mirrored in the art, leading to a deeper understanding of who we are. This can be both affirming and challenging, prompting us to question our preconceived notions as well as encouraging personal growth.

Bluecoat - Babak Ganjei - Thanks For Having Me — Babak Ganjei – *Thanks For Having Me*

Subconscious

Additionally, art has a unique ability to tap into the subconscious mind, bringing to light thoughts and feelings that lurk beneath the surface of our awareness. Surreal paintings and abstract compositions often act as windows into the hidden recesses of our minds, prompting us to confront and explore our own thoughts.

The Lives of Artists has two billboard commissions, Horse Big by Tess Gilmartin and Liverpool Waterfront by Ottman Said, in which both artists use abstraction as a way to create beautifully complex landscapes. They feel rooted to the landscape, and reflect this sense of belonging in their work.

In the New York Times 2023 bestseller, Your Brain on Art, How the Arts Transform Us, Susan Magsamen argues “We talk about meditation and mindfulness as a way to make us feel better; the arts also allow us to change our state of mind”.

Connection

It can be incredibly empowering to see these expressions from an artist, particularly in today’s alienating culture. Art provides a safe space for the expression of our own emotions and has the power to bridge gaps and foster empathy by providing an insight into the lived experiences of others. When we engage with art that portrays diverse narratives and perspectives, we broaden our understanding of what it is to be human. Through this interconnectedness, we can discover commonalities that unite us as well as understanding and respecting each others differences.

The Lives of Artists at Bluecoat

Babak Ganjei: Thanks for Having Me – 9 February – 14 April
Find out more

Joshua Clague: and it feels like I just got home, 9 February – 1 April
Find out more

Ottman Said: Liverpool Waterfront, 8 Feb – 10 Mar
Find out more

Tess Gilmartin: Horse Big, 16 Mar – 14 Apr
Find out more

All exhibitions are free, just drop-in.

Solo Art Adventures: Embracing Cultural Experiences Alone

Posted on 15/01/2024 | by Uncover

By Ade Blackburn

Recent reports show an increase in people attending events and venues like museums, art galleries, theatre shows and gigs alone. Gone are the days when attending events alone was viewed by some as unconventional. Today, it reflects a growing appreciation for personal space and individual experiences in arts and culture.

In this feature, we’re exploring the increase in people attending events alone, the benefits of solo trips and tips to help you enjoy events alone if you’re a first-timer.

Solo cultural visits becoming more popular

Over half of festival goers attend festivals solo or with just one other person. The NME reported that the majority of young people have attended a music event on their own and a surprising study by DICE, found that most people felt music was more enjoyable alone.

This shift reflects broader changes in attitudes towards loneliness and individual experiences. Music website Bandsintown, discovered a notable rise in solo concert-goers since the Covid-19 pandemic, with up to 70% having attended a show alone in the past year. So, with that in mind, it seems there’s no time like the present to give the solo concert or event a whirl; you won’t be the only one.

Additionally, new research, commissioned by Beavertown Brewery, indicates that nearly half of those living in the North West have confessed to feeling lonely as a result of having fewer friends now compared to when they were younger. Many would love to attend events solo, but the majority feel either too anxious or nervous to take the plunge.

People will have different motivations for attending events on their own, whether it is a feeling of loneliness or a shift in perspective and wanting to attend events alone, at least on certain occasions. Whatever the reason is there are benefits to attending events solo.

The benefits of going solo

Going solo to art events can be daunting, people naturally have common concerns and fears, such as feeling out of place or lonely. They can also be worried about the social stigma that sometimes surrounds doing activities alone but there are plenty of benefits to attending events individually, like having the freedom to explore at your own pace, and the opportunity for self-reflection.

On your own, you can go directly to the galleries you’re interested in and not spend time on art you have little or no desire to see. Visitors spend on average 30 seconds in front of a piece of art but you can spend an hour contemplating one sculpture or breeze past an exhibit you’ve seen half a dozen times.

When you’re by yourself at a gallery or event, you also have more opportunities to meet new people. You’re more likely to strike up a conversation with strangers, and luckily, art events are filled with the perfect conversation starters. You could ask someone a simple open-ended question, such as “What do you think of this painting?”

On the other hand, when you go solo at an event, you won’t, or don’t have to have the distraction of social interaction. Instead, you can focus on the art, or look for inspiration. A museum is the perfect place to bring a sketchbook, hunker down somewhere and draw what’s around you – whether that’s the artworks or the people. Museums are a wonderful place to people watch!

Feeling welcome

Event organisers are increasingly making solo attendees feel more comfortable, such as hosting ‘solo attendee’ nights or providing resources for those attending alone. They understand that creating a welcoming environment for solo visitors can enhance the experience for everyone.

For people with disabilities, solo situations are obviously more challenging again. While each person is unique in terms of the personal circumstances they face, loneliness is a common and destructive factor. Getting the right support is so important. British Red Cross and Scope both offer help and advice for meeting new people and attending events. Additionally, Gig Buddies is a charity that aims to bring people together at events, in particular gigs.

You may also meet people through your impairment or condition. This could be through disability websites, charities, local groups or forums. If you’ve ever felt like you’re held back by a venue or event’s facilities Right to Participate: out and about offers advice on your rights when a venue or service is not accessible.

The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) can also provide help and assistance, as well as hosting events of their own. Their website gives a whole range of advice on wellbeing and dealing with loneliness.

Another option you can look to is GigMate, a free app that is a community-based event discovery service for live music gigs. They will keep you updated on all of the live gigs near you, whatever genre of music you’re into. You’ll also have the chance to meet fellow music fans in their online communities or Tribes. If you haven’t got anyone to go to a gig with, they will find you other music fans in your area that match your profile exactly.

Tips for first-timers

Start small: Start with a small, local event and build up to larger or more high-profile cultural experiences. Solo gigs can be among the most rewarding, but the vibe of the evening should be in keeping, an intimate indie gig is probably more suited than a larger dance night.
Shift your perspective: Start by viewing solo outings as opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery. Embrace the freedom and flexibility that comes with not having to coordinate with others.
Join guided tours or groups: Many cultural venues offer guided tours, which can be a great way to engage with the content and meet other attendees.
Attend special events or workshops: Look for events that encourage participation or interaction, such as workshops, lectures, or special tours.
Regularly attend events: The more you go to events alone, the more comfortable it becomes. It can also increase the chances of seeing familiar faces.
Volunteer at events: This can be a great way to feel part of the event while also being engaged in a specific role.

Our advice is to embrace the enriching experience of attending arts and cultural events solo. The thought of going to a place as public as a museum by yourself might be intimidating, but it’s well worth trying out. You might discover another side to yourself, to the art or to other people that you wouldn’t have experienced otherwise.

Three upcoming / current events suited to solo attendees

Lindy in the Sky with Diamonds Swing Festival, Masonic Hall (19 – 21 January)

Learning a new skill, such as vintage swing dancing, can be an ideal way to meet new people and engage at a cultural event. Mersey Swing CIC are holding their Lindy in the Sky with Diamonds Swing Festival this January, with a host of dance teachers on hand to help.

Tim Spooner: A New Kind of Animal exhibition, Bluecoat (Until 21 January)

Tim Spooner: A New Kind of Animal exhibition features an exciting new commission, alongside an impressive body of work, including over 190 works in collage, painting, sculpture and objects used in performances over the past 15 years. Bluecoat offers a range of facilities for disabled patrons. The exhibition is free entry.

Cast ‘Love Is The Call’ Album Performance – Jacaranda Baltic, (18 February)

Jacaranda Records present a live in-store performance from Cast celebrating the release of new album ‘Love Is The Call’. An opportunity to see a classic band in a smaller, intimate setting, ideal for rediscovering live music on your own.