Community Post Type: News

Ten talented songwriters have won a coverted spot at the Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge 2025 Showcase Final

This prestigious event takes place in its new home at the British Music Experience on Saturday 7th February 2026.

During the September entry period songwriters were invited to submit brand new songs inspired by works of art on public display across the Liverpool City Region.

Judges Kaya Herstad Carney, Robert Vincent, Jon Lawton, Luke Moore and Alison Benson listened to all of the entries and scored each one on lyrics, melody, composition, and originality.

After the marks were totalled the writers of the top ten placed songs were awarded places at the Showcase Final where they’ll perform their song with the work of art that inspired it projected on a screen for everyone to see. At the end of the evening the Judges’ Award Winner will be announced, and the Audience Favourite will be revealed.

The Showcase Final will also feature performances from Operation Lightfoot and guests.

The finalists are (in alphabetical order by first name)

• Chloe Ferguson – Queen of the Hive
• Chris Whitfield – Charabanc to Blackpool
• Derek King – Face Off
• Ed Jones – Nursery Rhyme For our Time
• Helen Maw – A Million Dreams
• James Chetter – Fires At Night
• Jim Pearson – Flightless Birds
• Mal Price – Embrace
• Mike Ryan – Forever 20
• Nathan Stephens – The Wrestler And The Wren

Doors at the British Music Experience on 7th February open at 7.00pm. The show starts promptly at 7.30pm and finishes at 10.30pm. Tickets are £12 from Skiddle, but they’re limited so you’ll have to be quick if you don’t want to miss out.

Proceeds will be split between Marie Curie Cancer Care and Garston Animal Rescue in memory of former Liverpool Acoustic team member Sharon Jones.

Event Details:

• What: Liverpool Acoustic Songwriting Challenge 2025 Showcase Final
• When: Saturday 7th February 2026
• Times: 7.00pm doors, 7.30pm start
• Where: British Music Experience, Cunard Building
• Tickets: £12 from Skiddle

Join Shakespeare North Playhouse for a magical, family-friendly workshop where dreams come true

Create your very own sparkling crowns and enchanted fairy wands, perfect for wearing during our show. After the crafting fun, meet Cinderella herself for a royal chat and capture the moment with a beautiful photograph to treasure forever.

This enchanting workshop is filled with creativity, laughter, and fairy-tale memories the whole family will adore

Don’t miss your chance to step into Cinderella’s world and create your own magic!

https://shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk/event/cinderella-meet-make-workshop/

https://shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk/event/cinderella/

 

Movema World Dance charity is delighted to welcome the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Barbara Murray, to their women’s support group, Stronger Together.

The visit will take place during the last class of the year on Thursday the 18^th of December from 11am to 12.30 pm at 24 Hope Street, Liverpool.

Stronger Together is a dance-led wellbeing project which aims to create a safe, inclusive space and welcoming social community for vulnerable women* in Liverpool. The weekly class is aimed at improving the mental and physical health of participants from a wide range of backgrounds including people seeking asylum, migrants, and women experiencing mental health challenges. The majority of attendees identify as coming from a lower socio-economic background and Movema ensure the activity is accessible by keeping the classes free and covering travel expenses for those who need it.

Led by local dance artist Sabrina Steele, the session includes an engaging and interactive warmup, a high energy dance routine and a calming cool down. After class participants are offered tea, coffee and fruit, allowing the women attending to socialise and meet people from similar backgrounds which helps them create a support network, build confidence and develop supportive relationships within the group.

The project has been running for 4 years and has been a huge success, with up to 25 women attending on a weekly basis, reaching up to 100 people per year.

One regular attender shared ‘These classes are so good for my mental and physical wellbeing; I have chronic anxiety which causes constant muscle tension and fatigue, but the classes help me get out of bed in the morning and to loosen up and strengthen my connection to my body.’

Another added that they enjoyed the ‘Lovely community vibe with professional and friendly organisers.’

After discussing Movema’s work with Directors Maria Malone and Penny Caffrey, Lord Mayor Barbara Murray expressed a strong interest in visiting a Stronger Together class to see first-hand the impact on women in the community.

Movema Co-Director Maria Malone says, “Stronger Together classes are really popular, and we are hoping to secure funding to continue in future years and to develop similar projects supporting women in our local area”. Stronger Together is currently funded by PH Holt Foundation, John Moores Foundation and People’s Postcode Lottery.

For more information visit www.movema.co.uk contact info@movema.co.uk or call 07548 365 869. Find us on socials @movema.

*Trans women are and will always be welcome in these sessions. The same goes for non-binary, gender fluid and gender queer people who feel included by the term women.

A staggering 11,100 Santas dashed through the streets of Liverpool to kick-start Christmas in the city.

The iconic event is the largest festive 5K fun run in the UK – seeing the city centre transformed into a sea of red, blue, and mini Santas for the festive spectacular.

The BTR Liverpool Santa Dash began in 2004 – and this was the biggest turn-out for over a decade. Last year’s event attracted 8,500 entries.

This year has seen the biggest number of blue Santas reaching 1,000 places – blue entries sold out early November.

It was also an extra special day for the little ones with more than 600 youngsters aged 12 and under taking part in the Mini Dash 1K. This shorter version took place after the main dash had finished.

The 5K dash took Santas on a route from Pier Head Liverpool, along The Strand, through Grade I Listed Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, and round the city centre, before a showstopping finish line at Liverpool Town Hall featuring stilt-walking festive characters and ‘real’ snow.

The Santa Dash 5K was officially started by Lord Mayor Of Liverpool, Councillor Barbara Murray; and former Liverpool Football Club goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, an Ambassador for LFC Foundation and mental health advocate. Chris took part in the main Santa Dash.

There was also a return visit for the event’s official Santa, Father Chello – who proved to be a massive hit last year.

The youngest Santa registered was four-month-old Luca McGreary from Wirral, who wore the number 1 in the Mini Dash 1K.

The most senior Santa was 88-year-old David Bliss from West Derby, who took part part in the 5K.

Santas also came from far and wide visiting from overseas including Australia, France, Germany, Spain, South Korea – as well as closer to home from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

In Demand Radio was the event’s Official Media Partner. Presenters Claire Simmo and Graeme White from In Demand Radio and In Demand Decades hosted the start and finish line stages.

Claire also presented her show from the event, before heading to Gravity MAX at Liverpool ONE to host the Official Santa Dash After Party during the afternoon.

St Johns Shopping Centre supported the event for the ninth consecutive year hosting the Santa Dash pop-up shop from early November through to event day. A team of 40 from the centre took part.

Arriva North West supported the BTR Liverpool Santa Dash for the eighth time with free bus travel across Liverpool City Region.

Santas were encouraged to fundraise for one of the eight event charities, to help support their vital work in the local community.

The eight charities are Alder Hey Children’s Charity; Claire House Children’s Hospice; Clatterbridge Cancer Charity; Liverpool Women’s Hospital Charity; Liverpool Zoe’s Place; Mersey Cares; North West Air Ambulance; and Wirral University Teaching Hospital.

A team of 120 from Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service took part. This is the 18^th time the organisation has been involved since first dashing in 2007. The group was made up of firefighters and non-operational staff, they represented the organisation to support the ethos of health and wellbeing.

Santas were entertained along the route by Rock Choir Liverpool and drumming band Katumba.

Rock Choir Liverpool returned for a third consecutive year. They sang as Santas dashed passed them on James Street and Derby Square.

Katumba banged their drums on Dale Street to spur Santas and mini Santas on to the finish line. They also performed the grand finale to close the event.

There was also a green army of Santas, representing Irish Community Care for the first time.

The BTR Liverpool Santa Dash was created by BTR Race Director Alan Rothwell and was first staged in 2004.

It has since established itself as a firm favourite in the city’s events calendar, massively boosting the city’s economy on the day including hospitality venues.

BTR Liverpool is the leading organisation for creating, managing, and delivering headline running events across Liverpool City Region. The annual calendar of competitive races and fun runs take place between March and December.

The portfolio includes Liverpool Half Marathon, Mersey Tunnel 10K, Run For The 97, Women’s 10K, Port Sunlight Road Race 10K, and Wirral 10K.

BTR Race Director Alan Rothwell commented:

“What an incredible day. The Liverpool Santa Dash brings together so many people from all walks of life. People who have never run – or dashed before. People who would never enter a competitive race. People who are coming along with family, friends, or colleagues to be part of the fun. People who want to raise money for charity at this special time of year. Whatever their reason, they will have made special memories which last far beyond the day itself.

“We have 11,100 reasons to say thank you to each and every Santa – red, blue, and mini. The Santas are what make the event so special, memorable, and most of all fun. And we couldn’t do it without the amazing volunteer support. Both go hand in hand.

“We are the biggest festive 5K fun run in the UK – can we make it even bigger for 2026. Watch this space.”

The BTR Liverpool Santa Dash entry fee covers all costs to organise and deliver the event including road closures, safety measures, Santa suits, medals, goodie bags, and entertainment.

Next year’s event is on Sunday 6 December 2026. Entries will open shortly.

The first event in the 2026 portfolio is the BTR Liverpool Half Marathon and 10 Mile Road Race on Sunday 15 March. Entries for both events have sold out at a combined figure of 12,000 places.

Full details about BTR Liverpool events visit www.btrliverpool.com

An award-winning Hungarian kora player who learned from the masters in Mali is coming to Liverpool for a free concert this April.

Sophie Lukacs has brought her music to stages across North America, Europe, and Africa. This April, she comes to Liverpool for a free lunchtime concert presented by Africa Oyé and The Tung Auditorium—another special event in the two organisations’ ongoing partnership.

On Wednesday 15th April 2026, Liverpool will get to witness a soothing showcase as Lukacs weaves together four languages – English, French, Hungarian, and Bambara – accompanied by cello and percussion, creating something entirely new while honouring ancient traditions.

Budapest-born and Montreal-based, Lukacs spent seven years studying the 21-string kora in Mali with masters including Grammy winner Toumani Diabaté, later collaborating with the renowned Habib Koité. Her debut album Bamako earned Global Roots Album of the Year at the 2024 Canadian Folk Music Awards.

Wednesday 15th April 2026, 1:00pm
The Tung Auditorium , The Yoko Ono Lennon Centre, Liverpool

Tickets: FREE (booking is required)

The University of Liverpool’s state-of-the-art concert hall, The Tung Auditorium, has released its Spring/Summer 2026 programme announcing another vibrant and diverse season of live music beginning on 14th January. In keeping with previous years, this season’s high-calibre line-up offers something for everyone, featuring a dazzling array of genres and acclaimed performers.

“We’ve got the makings of a vintage season this year, and it’s great to be working with artists who we can now consider to be regulars. We also have many new faces, with even more shows to be announced, so watch this space!”

Richard Hartwell, Artistic Director of The Tung Auditorium

This season brings internationally acclaimed soloists, thrilling ensembles, and some of the most celebrated repertoire in the classical canon. Mark Simpson opens the year with his own Wind Ensemble, La Serenissima offer an evening of dazzling Baroque virtuosity and remarkable pianist Paul Lewis returns to play the Steinway he personally selected for The Tung, launching his global Mozart+ tour.

For Elgar fans, there are two major highlights: Liverpool Mozart Orchestra performing Elgar’s Violin Concerto, paired with Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 and Raphael Wallfisch performing the beloved Elgar Cello Concerto with Orchestra dell’Arte. The venue is also thrilled to present a double appearance from Mahan Esfahani, first in a Bach lecture-recital, then joining Liverpool Philharmonic’s Ensemble 10:10, who present three concerts across the season featuring UK premieres and boundary-pushing orchestral colours.

Get closer to incredible live performances by celebrated artists from across jazz, contemporary and creative multimedia…

British jazz legend Courtney Pine returns to The Tung with his award-winning project House of Legends, while silent-film maestro Neil Brand brings a centenary celebration of Laurel and Hardy with live improvised accompaniment to the screen.

Indie favourite Miles Hunt (The Wonder Stuff)  offers a night of storytelling and acoustic classics in the Auditorium, while the extraordinary Sarah Jane Morris returns to the venue with The Sisterhood Volume 2, a powerful tribute to the female artists who have shaped musical history.

Showcasing artists with local roots, the venue also presents Liverpool’s own Novelty Island and Credits, with a highly-anticipated collaboration where the groups will perform the iconic Pet Sounds, live on Brian Wilson’s 84th birthday – an unforgettable one-off event.

Known for its intimate feel and incredible acoustics, it is no surprise that the spring folk line-up brings together some of the most distinctive voices and bands from across the UK and Ireland, each offering their own take on the genre.

The programme includes LYR, the musical trio led by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage; the return of The Irish House Party, bringing champion musicians and dancers from Dublin; Americana-infused favourites Police Dog Hogan; and rising British folk star Katherine Priddy, whose acclaimed songwriting continues to captivate audiences across the UK.

The start of the season sees the return of the ever-popular free Yoko Ono Lennon Lunchtime Concert Series, funded by long-standing supporter of the University of Liverpool, Yoko Ono Lennon herself, via Spirit Foundations.

Frequently cited as the highlight of the week for Tung audiences, the series invites you to take a risk and explore new live music that you might not have ever considered going to before – and this year’s programme welcomes a broad variety of genres including jazz, classical, contemporary, folk, hip-hop Indian ragas and more…

A celebration of global jazz talent in Liverpool will take place in early 2026 with Early Bird tickets on sale for just a couple more weeks.

Liverpool International Jazz Festival (LIJF) returns from Thurs 26th Feb – Sun 1st March 2026 with concerts at Liverpool Hope University’s Capstone Theatre from top international musicians Tim Garland & Geoffrey Keezer, David Helbock & Julia Hofer,  Zoe Rahman & Arun Ghosh, Robert Mitchell’s Little Black Book, Martin Taylor, and Marius Neset Quartet.

There will also be a fringe festival running concurrently across the period of the Festival at various venues throughout the City. This will focus on exciting grassroots artists and bands, and includes after-events running late into the evening.

Ticket prices for individual LIJF 2026 concerts, and for Festival Ticket Bundles (covering all six main Festival concerts), are at early bird prices until 31st Dec 2025 incl.

The perfect Christmas gift for music lovers, Festival Ticket Bundle purchasers will also be given free guest list entry to Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening fringe festival after-events.

The festival was founded in 2013 by Liverpool Hope University, and the Creative Campus continues to host this eclectic event each year. Whether you are a jazz enthusiast or newcomer, the diverse programme promises something for everyone.

Full details of LIJF 2026 events and box office links can be found at https://capstone.hope.ac.uk/jazzfestival/

Community choirs and performers within the Liverpool city region have been working hard with Jay McWinen, over the past few months for a collaborative festive concert, exampling how diverse communities can engage together through the art of group singing. No matter of ability, experience, age or background, Jay has created this inclusive, intergenerational opportunity for anyone who loves to sing.

Community choirs involved are The H’arts and Voices from Widnes-m Halton’s very own award winning community choir.
The Mersey voices from Liverpool- Current and retired NHS workers. The Rainbow Chorus- Liverpool’s original LGBT+ community choir. Special guests include professional and aspiring singers, of mixed ages, whose talents are showcased together providing learning and development of the arts. .

Jay Mcwinen (LIPA GRADUATE):

‘This concert is not only a festive celebration for Christmas, but celebrates the dedication and need of community inclusion. It examples how the joy of singing together really does create stronger, healthier communities that engage with each other no matter of how diverse or different they are. My work with Miriam Mussa, at Liverpool’s Royal Court, who is a pioneer for engaging diversity in the arts, inspired me to take the spotlight to them. I might be hosting the show, but it is them, that are the stars of it’.

See more on how to get involved or watch the concert from their YouTube Channel link:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvRZYkfGgpgjs2HDjVQQHoGYT7JjAlL_m&si=61YRnkpmrpSto1_B

Or email Jpmcwinen@hotmail.com for more info

The Matcham Experience will descend upon the historic Liverpool Olympia next Easter – revealing a haunting ghost story that promises to unsettle, disturb and linger long after the curtain falls.

The reality-transcending immersive spectacle is set to be staged at the West Derby Road landmark from 2-5 April 2026. Tickets are on sale now.

The Matcham Experience, which comes from the creators of the award-winning Scare City Experience, ventures into a different kind of fear: the kind born from history that refuses to stay buried, from echoes that refuse to stay silent and from secrets a building can keep for generations.

At its heart lies the tale of a forgotten presence, one said to move through the Olympia’s corridors, awakening whenever the theatre’s past is disturbed.

Set inside the historic Grade II* listed venue, which is currently celebrating its 120^th anniversary, the theatrical event will lead audiences through a live experience which is as beautiful as it is unnerving. The Matcham Experience invites visitors to enter a space where stories resurface, time warps, and the building becomes part of the performance. Here, echoes don’t simply return – they reach out.

Staged in the very space which once hosted legends like Harry Houdini and The Beatles, the production pays homage to Frank Matcham, the visionary architect who designed more than 90 playhouses, including the Liverpool Olympia – which opened in April 1905 as a purpose-built indoor circus and variety theatre for up to 4,000 people – and the London Palladium.

Here, his legacy becomes the framework for something far darker, as the past breathes through the walls.

Described as ‘an immersive theatre experience where buried histories surge to the surface’, Matcham draws inspiration from the venue’s own legends. Audiences will step into a multi-sensory world where the boundary between watcher and watched dissolves and where an unseen presence may be closer than expected.

The Matcham Experience is produced by Mike Stuart, consultant in theatrical illusion for the Scare City Experience, whose 11-year journey in immersive theatre includes Circo’s Excentrico in 2014, Sir Ken Dodd’s final children’s show at Liverpool Cathedral, the Light Night festival and Liverpool’s hugely popular Christmas Dinner shows at the Town Hall.

Date: Thursday 2 April – Easter Sunday 5 April 2026

Time: 6.30pm-10pm

Tickets: Stalls £53.25/VIP Tables (per person) £74.15

Venue: Liverpool Olympia, West Derby Road, Liverpool, L6 9BY

For more details about the Matcham Experience and to book tickets visit the website on https://matchamexperience.co.uk

For more details about the Liverpool Olympia visit www.liverpoololympia.co.uk

Kirkby’s controversial 1970s ski slope gets its own stage show.

“The Kirkby Ski Slope was built without planning permission, out of rubbish, over a water main and on land not belonging to the council. It’s also almost certainly the wrong way round, given that the base of the slope runs perilously close to the M57.”
-BBC Nationwide, 1975

A brand new comedy about one of the wildest chapters in Merseyside history will premiere at Liverpool’s Royal Court next summer. Taking the Piste, written by Kieran Lynn, opens from 19 June until 18 July.

The tale of the Kirkby ski slope sounds like an urban myth dreamt up by, well, the Royal Court. It’s the 1970s, Kirkby can be the town of the future! A symbol of regeneration in the 1970s! You know what Kirkby needs? A ski slope…

Taking the Piste tells the story of a ski slope that was built but never opened, that cost tax papers tens of thousands, and even asked local schoolchildren to act as volunteers to lay the artificial surface. No one was allowed to ski on the slope because the council’s insurers found it too dangerous.

It’s also the story of independent journalism, of the Liverpool Free Press who led on the investigation of the Kirkby Ski Slope, against the powers that be. BBC Nationwide covered the ski slope in 1975 in a famous programme (watch on BBC Archive here https://www.bbc.co.uk/videos/c8r0k1dkmrro)

You’ll meet Donald Storm, head of Kirkby Council, his mate, Geoff, a builder who may as well wear a ten-gallon hat, plucky journalists who speak their minds. It’s all downhill from here!

Taking the Piste
19 June – 18 July
https://liverpoolsroyalcourt.com/main_stage/taking-the-piste/