Community Post Type: News

The Florrie are excited to announce that The Big Guitar-In returns on Thursday 11 December 2025 at a brand new venue, Mountford Hall.

Join hundreds of guitarists from across the region for a night of music, community, and togetherness. Whether you are a seasoned player or just know a few chords, everyone is welcome. Just bring your acoustic guitar and get ready to strum along.

Its goal is to raise urgent funds to Save The Florrie’s Free Community classes and provide the opportunity for 100s of amazing guitarists to perform together in Mountford Hall, including many young stars of the future. The unique and record-breaking event once more brings everyone together for one incredible night of music, community and celebration and fund-raising. Last year a new record was set with 602 guitarists performing together. This year the target is to beat this by one, with 603 guitarists strumming side by side.

Leading into the Big Guitar-In, The Florrie faces rising utility costs, fewer grants, the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and a rapidly growing number of people needing social support has pushed the Community Classes’ availability to the limit. The Florrie’s Community Classes are a vital lifeline for the people of their community and wider region, helping them to learn essential skills, get active, fight social isolation and build new friendships. They also connect people of all backgrounds with wider support from their community.

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now

Guitarist tickets are £10 and spectator tickets are also available.

They have released 100 early bird guitarist tickets for just £8, so act fast before they sell out (All ticket prices are subject to a booking fee).

All proceeds go to The Florrie, helping preserve their Grade II listed building and continue supporting their community through culture, creativity, and connection.

👉 Book your ticket here: https://www.skiddle.com/e/41159754

The Bluecoat is pleased to announce that they’ve had £ 24,862.90 from The Health Lottery Foundation that will be used to support the development of Young Blue Room, the Bluecoat’s new inclusive arts programme with learning disabled young people aged 14-25.

The project is based in Liverpool and welcomes the support, which has been given thanks to players of The Health Lottery.

Becky Waite, Blue Room Project Manager, said:

“Young Blue Room is a new programme of specialist creative support with learning disabled young people aged 14-25. With support from the Health Lottery Foundation we will build upon Blue Room, our long running inclusive arts programme with learning disabled and neurodivergent adults, to create new opportunities for young people with support needs. We aim to nurture a new generation of talented young people to find self expression through creativity and become the artists of the future.”

Throughout the year-long project, the Bluecoat will explore new ways of engaging with young people and their families. There will be 2 strands;

Young Blue Print Club
– A monthly creative club for neurodivergent 14-18 year olds exploring skills such as screen printing and supporting young people to make new social connections
– A summer school of 3 full-day creative sessions supporting young people to create their own collection of prints for showcase at the Bluecoat.

Studio Blue Sky
– Creative support for learning disabled young people aged 18-25
– Access to our studio with support from our Studio Facilitator
– Tailored creative support to identify goals, create work and build a portfolio
– Supported opportunities to explore creative career pathways

The Bluecoat will share more information about how to get involved in the project soon. If you or someone you support loves being creative, wants to explore their potential and meet new friends get in touch to find out more.

Email: blueroom@thebluecoat.org.uk
Phone: 07549079500

Visit www.thebluecoat.org.uk/projects/blueroom and follow Blue Room on Instagram to see how the project develops.

The funding is awarded from The Health Lottery Foundation which distributes money raised by players of The Health Lottery. The purpose of The Health Lottery is to raise money to improve the health and wellbeing of people across Britain.

This grant was awarded to the Bluecoat as part of The Health Lottery Foundation’s drive to support the health and wellbeing of young people.

Delva Patman, Chief Executive of The Health Lottery Foundation, explained:

“Thanks to players of The Health Lottery, £757,421 will now be distributed to 45 charities across Britain, making a tangible difference to the health and wellbeing of young people. We are thrilled to be working with this project and look forward to sharing more about their achievements over the next few months.”

Health Lottery players have raised over £135 million for good causes over the past decade.

Visit www.thehealthlotteryfoundation.org.uk to find out more.

Join the Designs Consultation Roadshow. Your chance to influence how we protect creativity in the UK.

The world has changed. Technology is evolving faster than ever. So how do we make sure the system protecting UK designers actually works?

Creative UK, in partnership with the Intellectual Property Office, is delivering an essential online workshop series on the UK Government’s designs consultation, which aims to simplify the rules, strengthen protections and make it easier for designers to enforce their rights. If you are a designer, or have designers in your organisation, they would really value your/their input.

Sign up to any of the online sessions below:

23 October, 10:30am-12:00pm

 4 November, 10:30am-12:00pm

 11 November, 10:30am-12:00pm

Crowdfunder Webinar: How to fund your next creative project

Creative UK portfolio member, Crowdfunder, is hosting a free webinar to empower the creative sector workforce to take control of their project’s future. In this session, you’ll discover tried and tested strategies, real-life success stories, actionable tips and insights into 0% fees.

Held: Online, 15 October, 7 – 9pm.

Register here

You’ll be buzzing with excitement with Tate Liverpool’s bug-themed activities in their Learning Space this October half term!

From dragonflies to beetles, take inspiration from the creepy crawlies in Tate’s collection to construct multi-coloured neon replicas of your favourite bugs. Use the materials from their pick ‘n’ mix recycled craft box to make a 3D model of your bug.

Check out John Hoskin’s Black Beetle, Louise Bourgeois’ Spider, Mark Wallinger’s King Edward and the Colorado Beetle, Yinka Shonibare’s Grain Weevil and Andy Warhol’s Happy Butterfly Day for inspiration!

Their Learning Space is open every day for visiting families- a space to relax and create with art games, colouring-in, books, toys and more!

Join Collective Encounters as they launch their new digital archive, celebrating 21 years of theatre for social change in the Liverpool City Region.

This evolving archive brings together the voices, memories and stories of the many people who have shaped Collective Encounters. It reflects on what cultural memory means and how we tell, preserve and question our shared histories.

The launch includes a live performance from Heritage Police, who invite us to interrogate who decides what counts as heritage—and what gets left out.

All are welcome to come along, explore, and reflect on what it means to build a shared cultural memory.

They will also be hosting an online launch event on the same day, 22 October, find out more here.

Take a look ahead at some suitably spooky Future Yard shows and events as we tread into the most haunted time of the year…

The Wytches 24.10
Tender Claws + Friends Halloween Special 31.10
Bring The Fire Project presents Fuego De Los Muertos 01.11 (x2 shows in the Garden)
Glorified Cabaret presents Théâtre Des Vampires 01.11 (in the Live Room)
Mosh Tots bring the Halloween Special back! 02.11

All tickets available via future yard.org

ArtsGroupie news for autumn 2025.

First up – Liverpool Irish Festival

Artsgroupie will be participating in an exclusive first screening and book debut documenting The Walk of the Bronze Shoes pilgrimage and advent of the Global Irish Famine Way.

Join them this October for a World premiere documentary and book launch
Mon 13 Oct 2025 at BOXPARK Liverpool.
Reveal unveils Liverpool Irish Famine Trail research

This milestone event marks three-years of dedicated research into the Liverpool Irish Famine Trail. Additionally, it documents the extraordinary 2024 Walk of the Bronze Shoes pilgrimage from Strokestown, Ireland, to Liverpool, UK. The documentary is produced by Overshoot Productions, directed by Ailsa ‘Ayls’ McQueen.

Event details

• Time/date: Doors 7.30 pm, event at 8 pm, Mon 13 Oct 2025
• Venue: BOXPARK Liverpool
• Booking: https://www.liverpoolirishfestival.com/events/reveal-launch/ use ‘Book Now’ link
• Documentary trailer: (see below).

https://youtu.be/qs5N7Jgly18

The evening represents a unique preview to the Liverpool Irish Festival 2025 programme. The Festival is the UK’s largest Irish arts and culture-led festival, running from 16 to 26 October 2025 under the theme “Arrivals”. Through it, we’ll explore migration, settlement and finding home while marking the 180th anniversary of An Gorta Mór (The Great Hunger).

About Reveal and The Bronze Shoes of Liverpool

Three years in the making, Reveal captures the creation of the Global Irish Famine Way. It is characterised by countless hours of research, endurance and dedication from remarkable walkers and researchers. The book features ground-breaking research from the Liverpool Irish Famine Trail‘s History Research Group. Both the book and film document previously untold stories of Irish Famine refugees who found sanctuary in Liverpool.

The book has been peer-reviewed by Liverpool University Press, who serve as distributors, with copies available from them on the night. Both Reveal and a limited supply of the companion volume Revive will be available for purchase on the night.

The Bronze Shoes of Liverpool documentary is supported by the Irish Government’s Strategic Diaspora Fund, via their Consulate in the North, and was developed by a local production company in the city. It will be entered into film festivals following its launch.

Funding and support

These significant heritage projects have received support from:

• The National Lottery Heritage Fund
• Government of Ireland
• the Liverpool Great Hunger Commemoration Committee
• generous donors through a 2024 JustGiving campaign.

And secondly, the ghostly return of

Tickets are going fast for this one-night-only performance –

Saturday 25th October

7:30 pm

“As solitary a place as ever I saw…It struck a chill to me, as if I had left the natural world.”

A ghostly figure has visited the signalman twice already, each time preceding a terrible disaster. When the apparition appears for the third time, it’s up to the signalman to decode its meaning and prevent another catastrophe.

A gripping slice of Gothic horror from Charles Dickens, regarded as the greatest horror story ever written.

In the tradition of classic oral storytelling, a lantern and two players are all that is needed to tell the spine-tingling tale of the Signalman.

Directed by David Griffiths.

Starring Zoran Blackie & John Maguire.

https://www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/…/the-signalman/

Invisible Wind Factory is an independent multidisciplinary arts venue in a converted warehouse. Think winter wonderland meets urban rave venue – it’s completely unique! They have endless activities to offer festive revellers: bandaoke, smore-making by the campfire in their urban garden, festive food and drink, festive dancers and performers, photo opportunities and so much more.

They put decades of production experience and boundless creativity into every event with the goal of blowing your team’s socks off. They’ll craft you an immersive wonderland that’ll have your guests wide-eyed and wondering how on earth you pulled this off. There’s something absolutely electric about watching your colleagues, even Alan from accounts, get down to the sounds blaring out of their custom sound system that has played the sounds of global super stars over the years.

Let’s crack on and catch a glimpse of what they have in store?

Entertainment

At Invisible Wind Factory, they don’t do ordinary. Known for high-end, out-there creative production, they’re bringing decades of festival magic into a Christmas season your team won’t forget.

This year, they’re putting the Festive in Festival — think live bands, DJs ‘til late, roller disco under sparkling lights, and a line-up of performers that turn any party into a showstopper.

Entertainment highlights

DJs & live bands
Bandaoke (yes, live-band karaoke!)
Street & circus performers
Dancers, magicians & stilt walkers
Activities

Roller disco (for groups up to 200)
Quizzes & interactive games
Photo ops & booths galore
Food & Drink — with a Twist
We’ve reimagined festive classics with a street food spin:

Pigs in Blanket Hotdog — nostalgia in a brioche bun, loaded with sausage, bacon, mustard & crispy onions
Poutine Fries — pure comfort, a hug in a box
Loaded Yorkie — Yorkshire pud meets street food, stuffed like the best Christmas roast you can eat while dancing
And for pud? Forget polite slices — we’re talking S’mores by the camp fire, churros and more, because we are at a festival remember!. Time to get a bit gooey and a bit messy as you roast your marshmallows under the stars.

Unbeatable 2025 Deals

They’re taking bookings now with 50% off venue hire on weekdays in Nov & Dec, plus January deals especially for hospitality teams.

Spaces go fast — book early and let’s make Christmas 2025 bigger, bolder, and absolutely unforgettable.

Give your staff party the Wow Factor for 2025. More info here: https://www.invisiblewindfactory.com/christmas/

The iconic music venue transforms for the summer months into a unique wedding destination, offering couples an unprecedented blend of musical heritage, festival level creative production matrimonial magic!

When new build flats claimed their original, city centre location, they discovered something even better: their perfect match in an old Dockside factory! This unexpected new home sparked something: a distinctive space where creative souls like you can celebrate, connect, and begin your next chapter together.

IWF is now becoming the definitive choice for couples seeking a wedding experience that breaks the traditional mold. The venue, which has hosted countless musical legends, now opens its doors, for a limited time only, to couples looking to begin their story.

“Launching WOW Factor Weddings was a no-brainer. Couples kept coming to us, each with their own unique and sentimental reasons for wanting to get married in our space. So, we went all in — bringing the same creativity and skills we’ve honed delivering hundreds of productions and events to couples who connect with what we do and want a spectacular, festival-style wedding.” .

~ Laura Cotter, Senior Manager & Creative Producer, Invisible Wind Factory

What Makes The Venue Special

Step into a space where professional-grade sound and lighting systems meet flexible industrial architecture. Our experienced production team brings years of expertise in crafting unforgettable events, while our curated network of suppliers ensures every detail reflects your style.

These walls have hosted legends, celebrated comedians, drag artists and acclaimed theatre performers – and now our couples get to take centre stage and receive the same A-list treatment we’ve provided to countless performers. When you choose a venue that truly knows how to put on a show this bold,

The Main Hall breaks away from traditional wedding venues with its distinctive industrial-chic aesthetic and bespoke light art decor installations. Comfortably seating 250 guests for dinner or welcoming over 500 for drinks and dancing, our roster of musicians, artists and entertainers gives us plenty to choose from to match your vibe and keep your guests entertained from day to night.

“The staff at the Wind Factory went above and beyond to make sure we had the most incredible day. The venue looked stunning and the service was perfect from beginning to end. We really can’t thank you enough for a day we will never forget”

~ Sam & Anna

“Conventional weddings can be dull and a slog for guests. We really wanted the wedding to be about the guests, not just us. We wanted fab, outrageous, fun and not formal,”

~ Danny & Patrick

Booking and Information

Couples interested in exploring this unique wedding opportunity are encouraged to contact the venue’s events team directly. The Invisible Wind Factory team is committed to working closely with each couple to create personalised experiences and build their ideas from the ground up!

For inquiries and bookings:

Email: hires@iwfltd.com
Location: Invisible Wind Factory, 3 Regent Road, Liverpool L3 7DS
Download wedding brochure here
They will blow you away