Community Post Type: Callouts

The hunt is on for the best Scouse Busker and the search will be helping raise funds for the region’s Holistic Cancer Centre. The final of the competition to find the best street entertainer in the region will be held in the Cavern, the most famous club in the world and the winner will get a recording session in a top studio on Merseyside.

Buskers are invited to perform at the ‘Celebrating Castle Street’ and ‘Celebrating Bold Street’ events being organised by Liverpool BID Company taking place on August 6 and 13. The live performances at the festivals will be filmed and a panel of judges will select the top six to perform alongside other established acts in the Cavern on October 23. The final night, The Battle of the Buskers’ will be hosted by the Cavern and all money raised will go to the charity.

On the finals night a specially selected panel of judges from the music business will choose the winner who will receive a package of prizes and will be given a free recording session at the Glass Studios where Gerry Marsden, who was patron of the charity, recorded his final record before his death.

The Busker Whiskey Company is backing the project and will be providing prizes. Liver Birds Inc will also produce a unique version of their Liver Bird to present to the winner. Versions of the bird have been presented to the late Queen and Sir Paul McCartney was given one as a birthday present from his brother.

Scouse buskers, who must be 18 or over, wanting to take part should email a brief description of their act to jya1945@gmail.com . Numbers are limited and those taking part will be selected on a first come first served basis.

Taking place on Sunday, November 19, Formby Hall would like to hear from food, drink, homewares, crafts, and gift experience businesses that would like to trade at the event.

Amanda Brady, Commercial Director at Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa says, “Our Christmas programme is absolutely jam packed with events this year, from Christmas and New Year lunches and dinners to Santa events for the children and our ever-popular corporate Christmas party nights. Our brand-new Christmas market event might just be the star on the top of our Christmas tree! 

“We already support lots of local and North-West suppliers in our food and beverage operation year-round – it’s a very important part of our DNA – so we want our Christmas market to expand that further and provide a platform for businesses making amazing things locally, to showcase and sell their wares.”  

To guarantee that the great British weather won’t have its say, Formby Hall’s Christmas market will take place indoors at the resort from 12:00 until 17:00 on Sunday, November 19. Guests can expect mulled wine, mince pies and other festive treats that will get them in the seasonal spirit as they wander the market. 

Formby Hall would love to hear from food and drink stallholders (note – not food to cook and sell at the event on the day) such as chocolates, sweets, chutneys, jams, biscuits, teas, coffees, packaged alcohol, and other beverages, as well as Christmas decorations, art, photography and other homewares, crafts and gifts. Experiences could include hot air balloon rides, track days, theme parks etc. 

Businesses who would like to find out more about stalls at the Formby Hall Christmas Market, should email cd@formbyhallgolfresort.co.uk to register their interest with the subject “Formby Hall Christmas Market”. Stalls cost just £20. Formby Hall’s Christmas brochure can be found at formbyhallgolfresort.co.uk/christmas-new-year/

A new fund which will help young people break into the creative industries has been announced.

The Fire it Up Fund has been launched in memory of Ant Clausen, a Liverpool based film maker and photographer who died tragically at the start of the year while in his native New Zealand.

The fund will be overseen by Ant’s family in partnership with the Open Eye Gallery and will offer awards to young people from the Liverpool City Region who might otherwise struggle to access the funding or support needed to get a start in the industry.

Fundraising will be launched on 22 June at an event at Bold Street Coffee – another partner in the project – who will be displaying some of Ant’s photography throughout the summer and also raising money for the initiative throughout July.

‘Fire it Up’ was one of Ant’s favourite sayings – when he sensed he or those around him needed a lift or jolt of energy – and it is this positive action which is the driving force for the project.

The first round of funding – including details for how to apply – will be announced in September with the first awards being announced in early 2024.

Sarah Fisher, Director of Open Eye Gallery said:

“At Open Eye Gallery, discovering and nurturing talent is absolutely central to what we are here to do. When we were approached with the idea for the fund, it felt like a perfect fit for us to become involved and a fitting and inspiring legacy for Ant.

“The fund will focus on supporting young people who haven’t had the opportunity for formal training or who have a good eye but maybe don’t know the next steps they need to take to turn their passion into a career.”

Over the coming months the project is raising funds ahead of the first round of applications, so if you are interested in supporting the Ant Clausen Fire it up Fund then personal donations can be made here – gofund.me/d2273821

If you are a business or organisation interested in partnering with the fund then please contact info@openeye.org.uk

Manchester City of Literature is seeking proposals from writers, artists and arts companies for creative work to be part of the Festival of Libraries programme in June 2024. The festival dates are 12-16th June 2024.

Applications are sought for work or residencies that engage local residents as co-creators, participants or audiences. Quality of engagement will be prioritised over large audience numbers for performed work. Work can be in any art-form and should address one of the following themes:

Literacy and self-expression

Sense of place

Everyday creativity, learning and personal development

Community activism

Environmental responsibility

For more information and to apply, see here and here

Closing date: 21 July

Introducing Black Futures, an open call for event proposals from Liverpool and North-West based artists, curators, collectives and creatives! They are inviting submissions for a wide range of event ideas, including film screenings, talks, workshops, walking tours, and performances, that explore the concept of Black Futures.

Event ideas should consider the Black Futures theme, which asks: what does the future look, sound and feel like for Black lives? What and where is the future? And what role do digital technologies play?

Selected proposals will feature as part of our Black History Month programme in October.

Apply here

Closing date: 31 July

Actor’s LAB, is a free-of-charge actor’s training and professional development programme; which builds on 20 Stories High and Unity’s extensive artist development programmes.

This is a new opportunity for culturally diverse, working-class actors from Merseyside who want or need more formalised training but are unable to access it. They understand that the theatre landscape is not always equal. That’s why they’re dedicated to redressing the balance.

They will offer the opportunity for 5 performers to participate in this two-stage professional development programme.

Stage one:

10-week weekly workshops and mentoring programme from September to November. (see the application pack for the schedule)

Stage two:

2 weeks intensive rehearsal (paid – £500 per week)

3 days of tech and 3 performances at the Unity Theatre (paid – £500 per week)

The aim of the programme is to empower, support and develop artists to work in the sector.

Each participant will have a bespoke access and well-being plan, regular mentoring sessions, and ongoing support. Additionally, we will offer after-care support for up to 3 months after the project.

Eligibility:

You must be between 18-30 years old, based in Merseyside, in the early stages of your acting career, and facing barriers to accessing training. Preference will be given to those from historically underrepresented backgrounds, including people from the Global Majority, individuals with barriers accessing education or training, LGBTQIA+ individuals, those who have faced financial challenges, deaf and disabled individuals, migrant artists, and people with extra responsibilities at home.

HOW TO APPLY

Click Here to access the application pack and Expression of Interest Forms (available in various formats).

They are committed to inclusive working practices and ensuring equal access. This pack is available in a range of formats including audio, large print, dyslexia friendly and screen reader compatible versions. If you have a more specific formatting requirement, please let them know and they will try their best to provide this for you.

***If you’re interested, please ensure you can fully commit to the program’s requirements and apply today. They’re dedicated to redressing the balance in the theatre landscape and empowering artists from underrepresented backgrounds to thrive***

If you have any questions, please contact 20 Stories High’s Associate Producer,

natasha@20storieshigh.org.uk

Aged 16-25? Looking to develop your creative skills? Lucky you! Young Homotopia have two programmes running for young LGBTQIA creatives.

A new 12 month artist development programme for young LGBTQIA people based in the Liverpool city region. With workshops taking place on the last Tuesday of the month.

Their next workshop is July 27th on photography with Casey Orr.

The colourful project is celebratory and joyful, giving voice and visibility to young creativity.

Casey Orr has been documenting UK youth culture through her pop up portrait studio since 2013. Her award winning project Saturday Town has visited over 20 cites and towns, working with young folks to explore fashion, identity and self expression to empower and celebrate people.

Her workshops are fun and on hands events where everyone has a chance to explore different aspects of photography including portraiture, the photographic studio, collaborative making and the powerful language of fashion. The workshop is open to all.

Sign-up here