Category: Culture Radar

This week’s Culture Radar guest is George Maund, Programmes & Operations Administrator at Metal Liverpool. George also plays in the band Landscraper and works on the Box Office team at The Tung Auditorium.

Loved: In a summer where the lack of Africa Oyé has been decidedly felt, it was a delight to catch Caribbean diasporic rhythms in the form of coastal Colombian hiphop group Systema Solar live at Future Yard. Thanks go to Luma Creations for the booking. Prior to that, it was hats-off time to the Independents Biennial for all they achieved in re-launching themselves back into the world – by taking over Port Sunlight – with perfect opening party music to supplement, courtesy of Queensway and co. Welcome back and well done, all!

Looking Forward To: Awaiting the return of the hard-working, attentive team behind the Quarry venue to what they do best – this time at the former Magnet premises, 45 Hardman Street – has to be the most anticipated moment of the year for me. Right before that they’re hosting a gig at Metal on Sunday 3 August, one for any fan or frenemy of the snare drum.

Trivia: We’re super proud of our Cultural Welcome Guide, a printed plain English booklet that acts as an introduction to all Liverpool’s free museums, galleries, festivals and other venues. It’s also available in Arabic and Ukrainian online. The CWG was put together with and for new arrivals to the city, specifically refugees and asylum seekers. Metal’s site in Liverpool was witness to the first ever train journey almost 200 years ago, a moment that ushered in the modern era by ‘making the world smaller’ through industrial transport. Go figure!

This week our Culture Radar guests are Szymon Mamys (Director) and Becks Hylton (Production Manager) of Bring The Fire Project.

Loved: The dance show NOW created by Jasmin Vardimon at the Liverpool Playhouse Theatre was beautiful. A visually stunning performance, wonderfully choreographed melding movement and technology together to touch on important topics of our modern life.

Looking Forward To: There’re so many incredible events happening over the summer. Unity Theatre’s Scratch Nights always showcase interesting and incredible new pieces. We’re also looking forward to bringing you the next edition of the Liverpool Fire Arts Festival next year.

Trivia: Bring the Fire Project is based at Metal at Edge Hill Station – the oldest active passenger station in the world.

 

This week our Culture Radar guest is Director, Liverpool Biennial, Dr Samantha Lackey.

Loved: I loved Holly Johnson at MoL – joyful, nostalgic and deeply moving.

Looking forward to: Aside from Liverpool Biennial (of course!), I’m really looking forward to Independents Biennial which runs concurrently to Liverpool Biennial (7 June -14 September) and will spotlight new work from artists based across Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, Wirral and St Helens.

Trivia: With financial support from Paul Hamlyn Foundation and local expertise from DaDa, a Liverpool-based disabled and d/Deaf arts organisation, we have been working to radically expand the accessibility of Liverpool Biennial in recent years, supporting artists, visitors and team members. We continue this work through a Critical Friends group who continue to challenge the Biennial, both through our Festival and interim year programme of commissions, talks and events.

This week our Culture Radar guests are Eleanor Liverakou & Akil Morgan of Capoeira for All C.I.C.

Loved: LEAP Dance Festival was such a success, two years in a row! Showcasing the talent that Liverpool has to offer by a really great initiative and very passionate team.

Looking forward to: We’re really looking forward to attending the Liverpool Against Racism event and although it’s quite far still we cannot wait for Africa Oyé to return next year!

This week our Culture Radar guest is Lucy Byrne, Managing Director, dot-art and member of the Culture Network LCR Board of Directors.

Loved: I loved Shirley Valentine at the Everyman; I went with my mother in law who saw the original play there 40 years ago which was extra special. River of Light at end of last year was as spectacular as ever, but I also have to say I really loved the last show at the dot-art Gallery, Iconic Women, which showcased the work of 3 female artists whose work celebrates the achievements of amazing women, both local, national and international.

Looking forward to: I can’t wait for Liverpool Biennial, which is always a treat for art lovers, but this year is curated by the wonderful Marie-Anne McQuay, plus we have the biggest ever Independents Biennial running alongside, so its really going to be wonderful. Looking into next year, I somehow managed to get tickets for Jodie Comer in Prima Facie at the Playhouse, which actually felt like winning the lottery as over 30,000 people tried!

Trivia: dot-art also runs Liverpool Art Fair, the annual, open submission selling exhibition which takes place in the Royal Liver Building. After the success of our 10^th birthday last year where we showcased over 200 local artists, we are returning this summer from 11^th July – 25^th August. Artists who would like to get involved can submit work until 25^th May!

This week our Culture Radar guest is Paul Doyle, Director, Leap Dance Festival.

Loved: I absolutely loved Glitterbox at Blackstone Warehouse last month: great vibe, good crowd, lots of disco house and David Morales. The Leap team also really enjoyed DaDaFest’s closing cabaret event: EAT ME x DadaFest present: RAGE (particularly Jay Farley’s reading from their new poetry collection A [Cupboard] Full of Tomboys, and songs from Crip Ladywood).

Looking forward to: Obviously we’re gearing up for the return of Leap Dance Festival (26th April – 9th May), and I’ve got my tickets for Radio 1’s Big Weekend and Cream Classical! It’s amazing to have so much happening in the city this summer – the team are also really excited about Liverpool Biennial and Independents Biennial 2025.

Trivia: Leap Dance Festival has been part of Liverpool City Region’s cultural calendar for nearly 30 years (formerly as part of Merseyside Dance Initiative’s annual programme). Chaos Arts CIC revived the festival in 2024 following the permanent closure of MDI in 2022, and last year we brought dance to over 37,000 people locally!