Community Post Type: News

Over a hundred people turned up for the unveiling of a colourful new mural co-created by Stockbridge-born, Liverpool-based artist Cherie Grist, local residents and schoolchildren.

Produced by community arts organisation Heart of Glass and commissioned by social housing landlord ForHousing, the mural called “Home” occupies a vast gable end on Stockbridge Village’s main row of shops and was developed through a series of workshops with more than 250 people.

As well as being a space to get creative, each workshop offered a space for local people to share their stories and suggestions about what Stockbridge means to them.

Cherie brought together the designs to create a mural that celebrates Stockbridge Village. As well as the mural, the designs were used in a series of shopping / tote bags that have been distributed to those involved, and a colouring book that will be made freely available to local residents and schoolchildren.

Funded by Arts Council England, the mural was commissioned by ForHousing and produced by Heart of Glass following consultation with the community, as part of its Arts Council England Creative People and Places programme.

Groups involved were: Flourish and Succeed and the Mens Hive group, Littlewoods of Stockbridge Association, the Junior Rangers, Meadow Park Community Orchard, Phoenix Social Group, Safari Kids Club, SCIP (Stockbridge Community Intergenerational Project), St Brigid’s Catholic Primary School, Stockbridge Library Colouring Group, Stockbridge Village Primary School and Young People from Skills Centre.

Cherie Grist is an artist from Stockbridge, based in Liverpool and works across fine art, digital art and fashion.

Cherie Grist, mural artist said: “I am thrilled to be able to work on this project in my hometown, with my community. I hope that the finished mural reflects residents’ thoughts and feelings about living here.”

Local resident said:

“This is the first time I have seen something like this in this community and it is fantastic. My kids have been talking about it. I came here every day to see the development, it has been wonderful. I think that it tells what the community stand for; unity, being together, helping ourselves and supporting ourselves.”

Another local resident whose design featured in the artwork said:

“We spent two hours on a Monday evening with the lads getting together, all different backgrounds. We were asked to come up with a design for the mural and luckily enough, mine got chosen which I’m very proud of. It’s about getting those doors opened again for me and just trying to get involved with as much as I can.”

Angy Williams, Head of Creative People and Places at Heart of Glass, said:
“We’re so thrilled to unveil this mural, which is the tenth piece of public art we’ve created in collaboration with communities across St Helens and Knowsley. While each design has been unique to the location and the people and artists involved, they all represent the power of art to bring us together and reimagine our neighbourhoods.”

Toria Buzza, Head of Community and Tenant Involvement said: “This mural is a reflection of the community spirit in Stockbridge. We hope that it helps to regenerate the local area, putting Stockbridge on the map as the wonderful place that it is.”

World Museum, Liverpool and the award-winning artist Wolfgang Buttress have partnered to create Bees: A Story of Survival, which runs from now until 5 May 2025.

Using cutting-edge audio-visual technology, the exhibition explores the lives of bees from across the globe, transporting audiences into their world – including a stunning soundscape featuring 40,000 bees.

Led by changing soundscapes, visitors embark on a journey through eight immersive rooms. On a path through spaces inspired and shaped by the architecture of the bee hive, visitors embark on a journey, audiences will engage with bees, through a live stream directly into the heart of a living colony. Using sounds and scents, visitors follow a trail from trees to digital wildflower meadows, highlighting the impact of bees as pollinators of the natural world.

A fusion of art, science, technology and incorporating film from the international scientific community Bees: A Story of Survival brings to life what it is like to see and hear like a bee. The exhibition imagines and dramatically highlights the devastating impact of a world without these fascinating and essential creatures.

Wolfgang Buttress, said: “Bees can be seen as sentinels of the earth. They have been around for over 120 million years and are exquisitely tuned to the environment. Their health and wellbeing mirror the health of the Earth and they are dying in unprecedented numbers. Their existential challenges reflect our own – they die and suffer, we die and suffer.

“This exhibition was imagined to be like no other. The intention was to create an emotionally engaging and sensory stimulating experience to express the wonder and diversity of bees. I want the audience to feel empathy as well as an understanding and appreciation of these incredible creatures. If we love and respect bees a little bit more after seeing this exhibition, then we may well make the earth a better place for them and us to live in.”

Bridging the gap between sculpture, sound and science, Bees: A Story of Survival draws upon a decade of collaboration between artist Wolfgang Buttress and specialist in bee communication, Professor Martin Bencsik. Taking inspiration from his immensely popular 2015 installation The Hive at Kew Gardens, Buttress delves deep into the world of bees to create an emotional experience that will resonate long after audiences leave.

One highlight is Symphony, a space where visitors can be part of a responsive artwork and soundscape. Featuring sounds from over 40,000 bees, your movement is captured live in the space and expressed as ‘light’ shadows resembling stardust or pollen.

World Museum’s extensive entomology collection and specialist curators have played a key role in the development of Bees: A Story of Survival. With over 30,000 specimens of bees – including the UK’s rarest bee, Osmia xanthomelana, found only on a single site in North Wales – the museum’s natural history collections are used to support national and international research on the impact of environmental change on plant and animal populations.

Anne Fahy, head of World Museum, said: “An artwork and a science exhibition, Bees: A Story of Survival will push the boundaries of museum interpretation, educating and fascinating through a unique experience, and helping visitors to understand what we all can do to protect these intricate and resilient creatures.”

Bees: A Story of Survival is on display at World Museum, part of National Museums Liverpool, until Saturday 5 May 2025. The exhibition is sponsored by lead partner Radisson RED Liverpool and premieres at World Museum, before embarking on a global tour.

For more information visit: www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/bees.

May Half Term is just around the corner, and Liverpool ONE has a vibrant lineup of activities for everyone! From an Upside Down House and Heritage Trail, to a basketball tournament and mighty dining experiences, Liverpool ONE offers a week packed full of events for the whole family.

There’s lots to enjoy in their outdoor spaces, from Chavasse Park, to their shopping streets full of brands the kids will love, like LEGO, Kenji and Waterstones. 

Enjoy thrills and spills at Gravity MAX with games for everyone in the family, to escape rooms at Escape Live!, crazy golf at Junkyard Golf Club, or the latest blockbuster at ODEON. 

Whether you are a local resident or visiting from afar, Liverpool ONE is the ultimate family destination for a week filled with excitement, entertainment, and lasting memories for all ages. 

For further information on half term plans including opening times and more visit:

https://www.liverpool-one.com/whats-on/family/ 

 

Upside Down House

From 27 May

Thomas Steers Way, Liverpool ONE

The first Upside Down House in the north is arriving to Liverpool on 27 May.  Whether you are planning a family day out or getting together with friends, let your imagination run wild and try the unique photo experience that defies gravity! 

Be the first to visit the Upside Down House at Liverpool ONE on Thomas Steers Way, next to the Liverpool Sign and opposite John Lewis & Partners. Apart from exploring a house turned upside down, visitors will be able to explore exclusive rooms to Liverpool including the clouds of Candy Land and to play a retro Pac-Man arcade game! 

Find out more: www.liverpool-one.com/leisure/upside-down-house/

LVP 3×3 Basketball Tournament
31 May – 2 June

Chavasse Park, Liverpool ONE

The LVP 3×3 basketball Tournament is back to Chavasse Park once again. Enjoy thrilling basketball matches and witness the future stars of basketball. There are free public sessions for 16-year-olds and under at 10am-12noon on 31 May – 2 June.

For more information visit: https://lvp3x3.com/ 

 

Kids eat for free or less

The best offer is back! With multiple restaurants at Liverpool ONE offering free kids’ meals this May half term including TGI Fridays, Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen, and The Real Greek.

Kids eat for less at GBK, Slim Chickens, Byron, Smoke & Dough, Gordon Ramsay’s Street Pizza, Wagamama, YO!, and Chopstix.

To find out more visit: www.liverpool-one.com/whatson/kids-eat-free/ 

 

The Bus Yard

Chavasse Park, Liverpool ONE

Fancy a summer Picnic? The Bus Yard is bringing summer vibes with its converted vintage Bedford Truck Bar and its al-fresco food and drinks.

For further details visit here

The Heritage Trail at Liverpool ONE
Liverpool ONE
Free

Go on a journey of more than 300 years of Liverpool’s history with The Heritage Trail. Discovering the events, places and people that shaped the Liverpool we know today. 

Both free and fully accessible, the self-guided audio tour takes between 60-90 minutes to complete. To follow The Heritage Trail, download the Liverpool ONE MyONE app or alternatively collect the printed map from the Information Centre on Wall Street. 

For more information visit: www.liverpool-one.com/the-heritage-trail

 

Nature Trail at Liverpool ONE

Chavasse Park, Liverpool ONE
Free

If you are looking for the perfect excuse to go outdoors, connect with nature, and learn all about the vast variety of resident plants and wildlife – then Liverpool ONE’s Nature Trail in Chavasse Park is made for you!

The free trail is self-guided by a map available online or at the Tourist Information Centre on Wall Street and it takes around 60 minutes to complete.

Find out more: www.liverpool-one.com/nature-trail

 

The Old Dock Tour

Curious about Liverpool’s history? The 60-minute Old Dock Tour takes visitors back in time as they discover how a bright mind and creativity shaped the city’s destiny forever. The tour includes a visit to a part of the original Old Dock underneath Liverpool ONE. 

Kids under 5 go free and tickets for kids aged 6-17 are just £3, with adults at £10 (£9 concession).

Book your place here: www.liverpool-one.com/whatson/old-dock-tour/ 

 

Wood Street in Liverpool has played host to some of the city’s most innovative rock and metal music venues, and this summer 2024, it’s getting ready to welcome K1 Metal Club.

This new space, involving a dedicated and talented team which dates back to The Krazyhouse’ early days and until more recent times, will be all about embracing metal and rock music. Fans have made their feelings known and demanded that it was time that they had a place to call their home.

The original Krazyhouse left behind a musical legacy which lives long in the memory of music fans, having played host to some of the nation’s leading bands before they became huge deals, including Korn, Placebo, Oasis, Radiohead and Stone Temple Pilots. It also developed a reputation which attracted partygoers from far and wide too, with its easygoing attitude and ‘anything goes’ vibe.

This new incarnation at K1 Metal Club has involved a conversion of the former Camel Club, also on Wood Street, and previously home to a more relaxed and dance-orientated clientele. However, it will be time to turn the dials up during Liverpool’s most vibrant and busy season, as something far rockier will be taking its place.

A spokesperson for K1 Metal Club comments: “Ever since The Krazyhouse closed down a few years back there hasn’t been a proper metal/rock club left in the city. There are plenty of one-off nights but there’s no singular club doing weekly events. For fans there has been nowhere left where you know that if you turn up there will always be a rock night happening.

A few key people involved in The Krazyhouse from the 90’s through to the 2010’s met up a couple of months ago and started putting plans together for what would become the K1 Metal Club. After looking at what buildings were available to us, we decided straight away that the venue known as the Camel Club made the most sense.

It is all part of the old Krazyhouse/Sloanes/Wilsons/Freewheelers building, so there is an awful lot of rock history in that place and on the same iconic street: there is so much history in those walls and we can’t wait to add to it.

We think there is still a huge appetite for metal music in the city, across so many key demographics. As a team we want to cater to established fans by opening in the afternoon for those who don’t want to be staying out well past midnight. However, we won’t be closing early either! We know we will be hosting events for a wide age-range of audiences in this new venue. We welcome those who first turned up to The Krazyhouse back in the day, to new fans who really want a place where they can indulge their musical passions. We also anticipate being able to support fresh and up-and-coming talent, which our city has such a reputation for. 

To start off with, we are only planning on opening on Saturdays, but we’re hoping it won’t be too long until we can open more often. We are already looking at other nights and working out ideas. We’re even already got options to add more rooms! Most of all, we look forward to providing a really unique space which the legendary Liverpool music scene is crying out for. ”

K1 Metal Club is located at 18 Wood Street Liverpool L1 4AQ.

The launch event is on Saturday 29th June 2024, doors open at 3 pm.

Presale ticket sign up and information can be found here:

https://www.fatsoma.com/k1metalclub/

 

Liverpool-based national charity The Reader has launched its fifth annual Bookshelf 2024/5 and the new theme is ‘Wonder’.

This annual collection of 24 novels, plays, poetry and non-fiction for adults, young people and children is a carefully curated list exploring a different theme each year. It is designed to inspire people to discover a diverse range of literature, old and new, including through Shared Reading.

Highlights of this year’s recommended list include Jonathan Swift’s 18^th century tale of adventure Gulliver’s Travels, The Fat Lady Sings, a story of mental health by black British author Jacqueline Roy and Alive Again, a picture story for ages 3+ exploring philosophical questions about the cycles of life by award-winning Iranian author and poet Ahmadreza Ahmadi.

There is also the aptly named Wonder, an eclectic mix of old and new poems inspired by The Natural History Museum’s collections.

All come recommended for Shared Reading by the charity’s colleagues or volunteer Reader Leaders, who are trained by The Reader to run Shared Reading groups.

Katie Clark, Director of Literature at The Reader, located in Calderstones Park, said: “This energising, hopeful theme goes to the heart of Shared Reading. ‘Wonder’ is about being bold, curious and open, not least in our reading choices. It’s about surprise and encountering other points of view. ‘Wonder’ will remind us to notice the changing seasons and the natural world, as we open the door to new experiences and connections for visitors to Calderstones Park. 

“We’ll also be thinking about what happens when wonder runs to excess, or when it runs out. ‘Wonder’ can be about the very big, or the infinitesimally small; the extraordinary and the unknown.”

Frances Macmillan, The Reader’s Head of Literary Content, said: “Our 2023 Weathering the Storm Bookshelf led to many Reader Leaders and their groups around the UK connecting with literature that was new to them, and the theme resonated with many during a challenging year. 

“The sense of new beginnings, energy and hopefulness is in-built into our new theme of ‘Wonder’ and I hope the new Bookshelf, which mixes tried and tested Shared Reading favourites with new discoveries, will open the door to many more powerful reading experiences.”

See the full list and find out more about The Reader’s new Wonder Bookshelf 2024-25.

Transmission Studio, a new state-of-the-art virtual studio at the city’s Brunswick Dock, hosted the first in a series of ‘On the Docks’ livestream sessions on Wednesday 1 May. The virtual gig featured a carefully curated line-up of talented local musicians including The Kowloons, Fiona Lennon, Harry McKenny, Paul Askew, Tasha Carlee and Nat Kelly.

The ‘On the Docks’ acoustic sessions, which are designed to provide a virtual stage for emerging artists to showcase their music to a global audience, are broadcast from Transmission Studio by local livestreaming and virtual events specialists, Virtuopo. The company’s professional camera crew and experienced production team will deliver a broadcast quality livestream to TikTok, where viewers can watch the virtual gig free of charge.

Shining a spotlight on six up-and-coming musicians, ‘On the Docks’ featured 15 minute sets from each artist as they performed live in the virtual studio. There were also short interviews taking place between performances to allow viewers to learn more about the artists on the bill.

Speaking on the launch of ‘On the Docks’, Founder of Transmission Studio and Virtuopo, Chris Holmes, said: “Our ‘On the Docks’ livestream sessions will give emerging artists a chance to reach a huge global audience as they perform in a professional studio setting. We’re excited to be supporting local musicians by providing a virtual stage at Transmission Studio, as well as a skilled production crew to deliver a high quality livestream and a viewing experience that will be on a par with a TV broadcast.

“It’s a brilliant line-up for the first session and we’re looking forward to livestreaming regular virtual gigs throughout the year. I would encourage anyone who is passionate about new music to tune in to discover our pick of talented emerging artists and to hear some exceptional performances.”

Ant Ng, who regularly plays at music venues across the city with his band, The Kowloons, said: “As a young band, this is an incredible opportunity to have our music heard far and wide. Of course, artists can livestream on their own channels using their own equipment, but taking part in ‘On the Docks’ means we have a professional production crew looking after the sound, lighting and cameras, which leaves us to focus on our music.

“We always love playing to a local crowd at the likes of The Jacaranda, The Shipping Forecast and EBGBS, so we hope our followers will support us and the rest of the artists involved in ‘On the Docks’. Playing a virtual gig like this is a great way for us to reach a much bigger audience and we can’t wait to be part of it!”

The recently opened Transmission Studio, which is available for corporate hire, hosts a wide range of virtual events and live broadcasts from influencer livestreams and podcasts to conferences and product launches. The virtual studio features broadcast quality lighting, a fixed gallery, remote production facilities, a green room, a dressing room and catering space. It has already been used for a number of exciting projects including a global conference for a Premier League football club.

‘On the Docks’ will be livestreamed on TikTok, in partnership with content production company Eklectics. Talented local musicians who would like to be considered for the next ‘On the Docks’ livestream session are being invited to email info@virtuopo.com.

The final wave of international music acts have been revealed for this year’s Africa Oyé Festival in Liverpool this summer.

Taking place on 22nd and 23rd June 2024, the country’s biggest celebration of African and Caribbean music and culture will take over Sefton Park for two packed days of live music, dance, workshops, DJ stages, food stalls, traders and more.

Completing the international line-up of acts on the main stage is Congolese rumba royalty, Nyboma; Haitian multilingual poet and MC, Vox Sambou; and Senegalese griot, Batch Gueye.

Nyboma Mwan’dido, known by his ​stage name Nyboma, stands as an ​illustrious figure in the realm of ​Congolese rumba music, with a ​career spanning over five decades.

Born in 1952, Nyboma’s journey to ​musical prominence began as a ​pivotal member of several ​acclaimed bands, including “Les ​Kamale”, where he showcased his ​exceptional tenor vocal talent and mastery across various musical styles.

His leading role in the establishment of the ​influential ensemble “Orchestre Lipua Lipua” ​further solidified his stature within the ​Congolese music scene. Nyboma’s contributions ​to the evolution of Congolese rumba are ​undeniable, with his commanding, irresistible, ​sweet voice and innovative compositions ​shaping the genre’s landscape.

Nyboma’s timeless influence transcends the ​traditional confines of the genre, as ​demonstrated by the prominent placement ​of his band, Kékélé’s wth the track ​”Conséquence,” at the top of Barack Obama’s ​2021 Summer song playlist.

Montreal-based Haitian rising star, MC, and multilingual performer Vox Sambou blends the spirits of Fela Kuti and Bob Marley in his multicultural sound.

Incorporating elements from Afrobeat, Brazilian candomblé, jazz, reggae, funk, and hip-hop, his fiery “Cosmo-Beats” resonate globally, captivating listeners and compelling them to move. With abundant energy, passion, and musical brilliance, the charismatic showman, Sambou, enthralls his audience.

As a founding member of the Montreal-based hip-hop collective Nomadic Massive, he effortlessly communicates in Haitian Creole, French, English, Spanish, and Portuguese. His recently released fourth solo album, “We Must Unite” (2023), serves as a musical manifesto for the resilience of oppressed societies in Haiti, Brazil, Chile, North America, and Africa.

In addition to his music career, Sambou dedicated 15 years to leading a youth community center in Côte-des-Neiges, Montreal. As a passionate advocate, he denounces injustices, advocates for greater solidarity, and honours Haiti’s rich heritage through his art.

Batch Gueye is a West-African Griot; a storyteller through his music and dance. Singing Baye Fall chants at ceremonies in his village is where Batch Gueye found his voice. His songs are about life experiences; travel, immigration, places he has lived and people he is grateful to. His music also talks about feelings such as love and jealousy, as well as life wisdom, teaching to be good to oneself, respecting others, and to listen, to trust and to have faith in life.

His life as an artist, originally began as a professional dancer. By the age of 12, Batch performed with dance company Group Assane Thiam and subsequently performed for many famous Senegalese artists including Youssou N’Dour, Baaba Maal, Cheikh Lo, and Coumba Gawlo.

Batch is the founder and CEO of Sabar Family, a company and movement which celebrates West African dance, music, art, and culture, in collaboration with some of the best Senegalese artists across the diaspora.

Already announced for the festival this summer, the creative force of Les Amazones d’Afrique will close proceedings on Saturday 22nd June, whilst Julian Marley, fresh from his Grammy win for Best Reggae Album, tops the bill on Sunday with his band, The Uprising. Def MaMa Def, The Zawose Queens, Fulu Miziki, Florence Adooni, and Super Duty Tough Work were also announced earlier this month.

Oyé’s Artistic Director, Paul Duhaney said: “Congolese rumba is a sound that’s synonymous with Africa Oyé and we’re delighted that such an important figure in the history of the genre is playing the festival this year in Nyboma. Vox Sambou is someone that’s been on our radar for a while so it’s great to finally bring him over to Liverpool, and Batch Gueye was one of the first performers to take part in Nyumbani – our YouTube series we filmed during the lockdowns – so being able to see him perform live will be a real treat for those who enjoyed his online dance workshop and showcase that he filmed for us back then.”

Beginning over three decades ago in 1992 as a series of shows in the city centre, the Africa Oyé Festival has evolved into one of Liverpool’s most beloved annual events, attracting artists and attendees from across the world.

For more information on the festival and other events held across the country by Africa Oyé visit africaoye.com and follow them across social media.

“Ready for love? Well look no further! Lovestruck have been matching people like you for what feels like an eternity. Using their state of the art hypno-DNA technology, they’re certain you’ll meet someone you find drop-dead gorgeous!

Lovestruck are coming to your area with an exclusive event to get hearts pumping, and brains fizzing. Boasting a 100% ‘perfect match’ success rate, they guarantee you’ll never go on another date again…”

This summer, Paperwork Theatre presents Lovestruck, a multi-location immersive theatrical adventure, mixing live performance, escape room activities, and smartphone technology taking place across three separate locations in the North West. You can watch this exciting new show at Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre, the Shakespeare North Playhouse and Chester’s Storyhouse.

The immersive show will explore the extraordinary ability of ordinary people to make positive change. Catastrophe on a global scale is looming; the impact of the climate crisis is being felt across the planet, as threats of nuclear war and growing political divisions rip throughout global communities.

By empowering audiences to take a stand in the world of Lovestruck against a dangerous capitalist organisation, Paperwork Theatre hopes to ignite ideas for change in the real world.

The performance is suitable for anyone aged 16+ and is not just for those looking for love – the thrill of the chase is suitable for anyone…

“We’re delighted to be creating Lovestruck this year as Paperwork Theatre turns 10! If you haven’t experienced a Paperwork show before, this is definitely one to try – it’s immersive, darkly comedic and full of unexpected adventure. It’s been a really exciting journey to grow and develop our work with artists, communities and audiences across the last decade, creating bold and playful theatre and experiences for people from all walks of life championing excellence in our region’s arts and culture scene. We’re really excited about what the future holds for us. We’re delighted to be working on this with Frightwig, an exceptional horror theatre company, and some amazing venues and partners.“
Nicole Behan, Co-Artistic Director of Paperwork Theatre

“This July, Paperwork turns 10 years old, and Lovestruck is a celebration of all that we have achieved in that time. It sees us work with both emerging and established artists across digital and live platforms. It sees us bring our most ambitious show yet to Liverpool, Chester and Knowsley, where we have been making work, connecting with audiences, and delivering participatory projects for 10 years.”
Hayley Greggs, Co-Artistic Director of Paperwork Theatre

Accessibility

The performance is suitable for anyone aged 16+ and is not just for those looking for love – the thrill of the chase is suitable for anyone.

Due to the nature of the event, bookers are asked to liaise directly with Paperwork Theatre to discuss access needs on an individual basis. To ask any questions you may have about the performance, please email info@paperworktheatre.co.uk for more information.

Get Lovestruck – put your heart in their hands…

Everyman Theatre
19 – 22 June
Tickets

Storyhouse (Chester)
4 – 6 July
Tickets

Shakespeare North
12 – 13 July
Tickets

Highlights at Liverpool’s Calderstones Park include a new season of outdoor shows and events from open-air theatre and garden parties to the first ever one-day ukulele festival, ‘From Page to Stage’ Shared Reading and wellbeing workshops.

Liverpool-based charity The Reader has unveiled a fun-packed summer programme of curated outdoor events, brand-new family-friendly productions including The Fabularium’s Reynard the Fox, music and literary-inspired wellbeing activities, all immersed in nature.

As warmer days and lighter evenings approach the season opens with free drop-in Garden Parties returning for the second year on Sunday 5, 19 May and Sunday 9 June. Guests are invited to pop up a deckchair or lay out their picnic blanket in the stunning Mansion House Garden for a chilled afternoon with a sizzling BBQ, summer tipples, music, the Ice Cream trike and crafts. Browse the Library on the Lawn – a handpicked selection of books for adults and children to explore and enjoy live entertainment and activities for all the family.

Two big family-friendly events will be celebrating the 35^th birthday of author David McKee’s iconic patchwork elephant. During May half term there will be an Elmer Day at the Storybarn on Saturday 25 May with Elmer.

The celebrations continue with Elmer’s Big Summer Garden Party in the Mansion House Garden on Sunday 16 June. In addition toElmer stories there will be face painting, games, crafts and even a special visit from everyone’s favourite elephant.

The fast-growing Makers at the Mansion is back on Sunday 2 June, 11-5pmand invites Liverpool’s independent makers to the stunning Mansion House. Browse around the house and garden to check out the best local and handmade candles, soaps, jewellery, home décor, clothing, art, crafts and more, along with delicious food and family-friendly stalls outside.

And just announced is the first free one-day Ukulele Festival on Saturday 8 June featuring a line-up of the best ukulele groups in the Northwest with live music from 1-6pm.

An exciting summer season of pop-up theatre launches in the recently revived 1940s Art-Deco ‘Garden Theatre’ at the Mansion House in Calderstones Park.

This new season begins on Thursday 18 July with Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet by award-winning theatre company Illyria. On Sunday 4 August critically acclaimed cycling Shakespearean actors The HandleBards present their fast and funny new production of The Comedy of Errors.

The season continues on Tuesday 13 August with Hamlet, a new production by Lord Chamberlain’s Men, the UK’s premier all male theatre company.

The latest production to be announced is Reynard the Fox by family theatre company and Just So festival favourites, The Fabularium, back by popular demandon Tuesday 20August.Illyria return on Thursday 22 August with Sherlock Holmes mystery, The Hound of the Baskervilles based on the book by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and adapted by Oliver Gray.

Audiences will be invited to bring along a deckchair or picnic blanket, feast on freshly made pizzas and grazing boxes and sip drinks from the fully stocked bar.The historic stage underwent a huge renovation in 2019 as part of the £5m three-year refurbishment of the Grade II Mansion House as The Reader returned the building to public use.

Also new this year, is the first series of live From Page to Stage Shared Reading workshops allowing guests to delve deeper into the texts and get the most out of this season’s plays. Each one will take place on the same day, before the evening’s performance: Romeo and Juliet on Thursday 18 July,A Comedy of Errors onSunday 4 August, Hamlet on Tuesday 13 August, and The Hound of the Baskervilles on Thursday 22 August.

As always, The Reader will bring people together and books to life through literary events, includingtwo summer wellbeing workshops. The first will be inspiredby poetry anthology, A Book of Luminous Things, on Sunday 16 June and the second, on Saturday 10 August,by Scottish essayist and poet Kathleen Jamie.

Each workshop begins with Shared Reading with The Reader’s experienced practitioners before a guided walk through Calderstones Park and the chance to build a personal poetry collection to take home.

A host of family-friendly activities in The Reader’s imaginative play space for children, The Storybarn, range from a Meet the Author event on Saturday 13 July featuring a special reading of Lottie the Little Wonder by Katherine Woodfine based on the real-life story of superstar tennis player Lottie Dodd, to Storybarn Celebrates Pride on Saturday 27 July celebrating Liverpool Pride with stories about friendship and community.

Once schools are out, the Summer Holiday Club returns from 22 July to 9 August, with outdoor adventures in the park, games and much more for children aged 5-10. Every ticket purchased helps support The Reader’s charitable work for children and young people across the UK.

Children can meet a real archaeologist in Turn Back to the Stone Age on 24 August and set off to explore Books & Brambles in an imaginative play, arts and crafts session across the park with the Storyhunters every Saturday from 27 July to 31 August.

And of course, as throughout the year, drop-in Shared Reading sessions which bring people together to talk, connect and share experiences through stories and poems continue at The Mansion House and venues across the city.

The Mansion House is open seven days a week with guided tours exploring the history of the house every Tuesday at 2pm, and the History of the House exhibition, and the chance to see the ancient ring of six 4,800-year-old Calder Stones which give the local area its name.

The full season is available to book here.