Community Post Type: News

Bluecoat Display Centre’s annual Winter Display celebrates high-quality, beautifully crafted pieces that are both unique and meaningful. Each item showcases exceptional skill and craftsmanship designed to be treasured, used, and loved for years to come.

This carefully curated collection includes contemporary jewellery, functional & sculptural ceramics, wood, wearable textiles and striking prints.

All are made by studio-based makers from across the UK, many of whom use traditional techniques and work with sustainable materials and practices.

For more details, visit their website here

New shows announced, with live music, laughter and magic moments at the Floral Pavilion coming up in 2026.

Shows include The Radiohead Project, K-Pop All Stars Tribute, Disco For Grown-Ups and legendary Frankie Goes To Hollywood producer Trevor Horn.

Their excellent production of Sleeping Beauty also runs from 4 December – 4 January. Fun for all the family and one not to be missed!

Visit here for more information and tickets.

London is where McGuinness was born and currently resides, but one he’d never really call ‘home’ – despite his deep affection for the city. Born to Irish parents, his complex relationship with London is considered in this lyrically personal – yet universal – exploration.

“You and I go back a long time // We braved the rain and bathed in sunshine // But you walk all over me sometimes” quips McGuinness here.

McGuinness’ wry lyrical flair is once again flaunted in this ‘widescreen romance’ about displacement and uncertainty. Capturing the dichotomous nature of London – both its fun, vibrant and romantic surface; and its hard, bleak and intolerant underbelly – it’s a song that muses themes of identity and belonging, of where you come from and where you’re going, in a place that can seem to be fighting against you.

Recorded at Liverpool’s Docklands Speed Shop with friend and producer Gajo Paco, its tasteful additions of cello, slide guitar and wurlitzer were also added to the mix there.

A lush, warm and cinematic new addition to Eugene McGuinness’ canon, standby for further new music very soon….

For more information, visit here

Listen to the new single here

Join The Tung Auditorium this December for a month stuffed full of festive cheer! From returning favourites to magical student performances, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at this wonderful time of year.

This year’s programme is as eclectic as ever; from stunning symphony orchestras, festive fanfares & Christmas sing-a-longs to the more intimate reflective shows, there’s something for everyone…

“We’re still not doing a panto this year, but there’s plenty of Christmas spirit on offer at the Tung this December, from traditional carols to festive jazz. Many of these concerts are now becoming an annual tradition in themselves!”
– Richard Hartwell, Artistic Director of The Tung Auditorium

Known for its state of the art acoustics and intimate feel, the stunning Auditorium is making space for moments of calm and quiet reflection at this hectic time of year, with a restorative winter performance from award-winning contemporary ensemble Manchester Collective & The Marian Consort. Imagine a stunning collaboration where choral voices and soft strings gently intertwine – ‘Wintering’ offers the perfect respite from the rush of the festive season.

Getting people in the ‘Christmas spirit’ this year, Eliza Carthy & Jon Boden’s ‘Wassail’ promises a festive feast of delightful folk music. Before carolling there was ‘wassailing’, where seasonal songs were exchanged for money, food and ale. Carthy & Boden will take audiences back to some of the oldest songs in the English canon, lighting up the darkest days of the year.

The Tung Auditorium is continuing its Yoko Ono Lennon Lunchtime Concert series in December, spotlighting some of the best up and coming talent that the city has to offer. The programme also appears to be very on theme, with both a festive choral performance from Liverpool Cathedral Girls’ Choir, and a merry brass band concert from the talented University of Liverpool students.

Back by popular demand, Liverpool Welsh Choral are set to perform a Festive Fanfare. Teaming up with Northop Silver Band for a spectacular Christmas special, the ensemble will be singing some of your favourite carols mixed in with some Welsh melodies.

If you fancy joining in, Choir with No Name are also back for another year for their Big Christmas Singalong, bringing their iconic Christmas joy and cheer to kick off your holidays in style.

Another returning highlight is award-winning Liverpudlian artist, Robert Vincent. The Americana singer-songwriter is back with his band and string section for a special homecoming show.

For tickets, visit here

On 22nd January 2026, Canelo will publish Better Off Dead, a new Liverpool-set crime fiction novel by local author Sean Watkin.

Sean was born and raised in Liverpool, studying at Liverpool John Moores University. He has been shortlisted for Fresher Writing Award, Book a Break Prize, Bristol Short Story Prize and the McDermid Debut Award and his writing has been featured in The Gay UK magazine, and The Content Wolf e-zine, as well as other LGBT+ publications. Sean has spoken at crime fiction festivals up and down the country and at more regional events in and around Liverpool. He lives in Liverpool with his partner and two dogs.

‘Sean Watkin brings Liverpool to life in all its rich dark colours’ – Val McDermid

BETTER OFF DEADThe emotional fallout from their last case has left DCI de Silva and DS Barclay’s lives in tatters and so, when the National Crime Agency takes over their investigation, the duo are reassigned to a cold case. A dismembered body found in Formby woods, hidden for decades. But then another body is discovered.  As the two dig deeper into the identities of the victims, they both uncover a tangled web of awful crimes and learn that they can’t trust anyone even those closest to them…

Visit the Canelo Books website here

Make Hamilton Christmas Makers Market 2025

Held: Make Hamilton, 69-71 Argyle Street, Birkenhead

On Saturday 13th December 2025, the artist and Makers of Make Hamilton, Birkenhead, invite you to a celebration of creativity at their Christmas Makers Market. …

Free

For more information, visit here

The Art of Christmas by Ed Williams

The Festive Season brings with it the familiar nativity scenes, winter landscapes and of course Father Christmas, but how did these images become synonymous with Christmas?

This lecture takes the audience on a journey from the Medieval to the modern era explaining the development and important iconography of these Festive favourites.

You may never look at a Christmas card in the same way ever again.

For tickets and more information, visit here

Held: 9 December, 10.45am

It’s time to rest, dear one. When you finally do fall into slumber, you find yourself in a car, on the Highway to Infinity. You meet a bio-digital being, Ish, who has been waiting for you for so long. They have lost parts of her memories and require a human to help them discover them.

Highway to Infinity is a 20 minute philosophical game filled with cut scene visuals with three mini-games about memories and identity, created by artist Symoné.

What happens when the screen looks back at you?

For more details, visit here

Closing date: 1 January

Liverpool & Merseyside Theatres Trust, the charity behind the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, is delighted to announce the appointment in 2025 of Camilla Mankabady as its new Chair. Camilla has served on the Board for several years, most recently as Vice Chair, and now steps into the role following the end of Andrea Nixon’s tenure as Chair.

Camilla brings a wealth of experience in leadership, communications, and cultural advocacy. An accomplished former national TV journalist, she held senior editorial roles at BBC News, ITV News, and Euronews/NBC, earning national recognition including a BAFTA nomination in 2018 for her programme’s coverage of the Grenfell Tower disaster. After returning to her hometown of Liverpool, Camilla transformed the city’s Communications and Marketing before becoming the first Strategic Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. Alongside her professional achievements, she is a passionate supporter of the arts, serving on the Board of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

On news of her appointment, Camilla Mankabady said:

“I am delighted and honoured to be announced as the new Chair of the Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse Theatres. Theatre has been a passion of mine since childhood; that feeling of wonder and connection that great drama can spark has shaped who I am. I look forward to working closely with the Chief Executive Mark Da Vanzo, the Creative Director Nathan Powell, the Finance Director Ros Thomas and the rest of the team and trustees to help steer these extraordinary theatres into another great era. Together, we will build on their rich heritage, nurture new talent, and continue to bring bold, imaginative work to the residents of our city and beyond.”

Mark Da Vanzo, CEO for the theatres added:

“We’re thrilled to announce the appointment of Camilla Mankabady as our new Chair. She brings outstanding strategic leadership, a deep commitment to our region’s culture, and a proven record of amplifying its voice. Her expertise will be instrumental in guiding the Board and advancing the Trust’s mission. I would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Andrea Nixon for her outstanding service and dedication as outgoing Chair. With Camilla’s appointment, we look forward to building on Andrea’s legacy and continuing to strengthen our theatres and the creative sector across Liverpool City Region and beyond.”

The Trust also names existing Trustee Laura Collier as Co-Vice Chair; alongside Paul Evans, already serving in the role. An Independent Creative Director and Executive Producer, Laura has held senior roles across leading UK arts organisations, including Shakespeare North Playhouse, the National Theatre, Battersea Arts Centre, and the Traverse Theatre.

On announcing her appointment, Laura Collier said:

“I’m honoured to be appointed Co-Vice Chair of the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Theatres. As the Board welcome Camilla Mankabady to the role of Chair, we enter a new, exciting chapter. I look forward to ensuring the continued creative success of these iconic theatres, their audiences, the artists and communities that make these cultural landmarks so special and such a vital part of Liverpool.”

To find out more about the work of the Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and the role of their Trustees, visit www.everymanplayhouse.com/about-us/who-we-are/