Community Post Type: News

Tate and RIBA to partner in the North of England

Tate Liverpool and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) are forming a new partnership on Liverpool’s historic waterfront.

Tate Liverpool + RIBA North will see the art gallery join RIBA’s national architecture centre from 27 October 2023 to coincide with the temporary closure period of the museum’s building for its redevelopment, which is due to be completed in autumn 2025.

The two organisations will collaborate to deliver a programme of temporary exhibitions, family activity, public talks and other events inspired by the unique collections held by RIBA and Tate. Presented at RIBA’s building at Mann Island, the programme will focus on art, architecture and ecology. Alongside this, the venue will also have a shop and café run by Tate, providing a complete visitor experience. The partnership will reanimate RIBA North – a world-class architecture centre that has been closed since the pandemic.

The first partnership exhibition will show works from the RIBA collection, one of the largest and most wide-ranging architectural collections in the world. Long Life, Low Energy: Designing for a Circular Economy considers how the design, construction, maintenance, and demolition of buildings is vital in the journey towards global net zero targets. As Tate Liverpool undergoes a transformation to its Victorian warehouse home, this timely exhibition reveals the way architects and designers are innovating to reuse and repurpose anything from small materials to whole buildings and how we might look to the technologies of the future to navigate the climate emergency today.

Helen Legg, Director, Tate Liverpool, said: “Moving to RIBA North during our temporary closure period will allow us to continue our presence on the waterfront and preserve the vital connection for our audiences. Although our usual home will be undergoing a transformation, we will still be able to share the wonderful art from the Tate collection and provide family activity to visitors alongside our much-loved shop and café offer. We’re thrilled to be partnering with RIBA and collaborating on an inspiring programme in the year ahead.”

RIBA Chief Executive, Dr Valerie Vaughan-Dick MBE FRCGP (Hons), said: “I’m delighted RIBA is forming a partnership with Tate Liverpool and that RIBA North will again be open to visitors. This collaboration will bring a vibrant public programme to Liverpool’s historic waterfront, and in joining forces, we will create an exciting opportunity to connect art with architecture. RIBA members, visitors and the local community will benefit from this partnership, as will new audiences who will be able to experience and enjoy RIBA’s world-class collections.”

When announcing its redevelopment plans, Tate Liverpool committed to retaining a presence within the city while its Royal Albert Dock venue is transformed. The partnership with RIBA will be the cornerstone of that activity with three spaces for exhibitions, events and family activity for visitors to look forward to.

RIBA North is RIBA’s national architecture centre on Liverpool’s Waterfront. RIBA North opened in 2017 and held 19 exhibitions before closing to the public, during the pandemic, in 2020.  This included working with Liverpool Biennial 2018 on the Hack the Root exhibition; showing RIBA’s collections in Liverpool (e): Mover, Shaker, Architectural Risk-taker; and It’ll Never Work, 25 Years of Urban Splash, celebrating 25 years of Urban Splash architectural practice. RIBA has also held an exhibition with Grimshaw Architects featuring Eden Project Morecambe.

This new partnership is the start of a long-term relationship between the two organisations, initially helping Tate to maintain a presence on the waterfront in Liverpool while helping RIBA to fulfil its charitable purpose to promote architecture to the public.

 

David Bowie World Fan Convention Returns To Liverpool In 2024

Fans from LA at BowieCon in Liverpool 2022 (c) Jazamin Sinclair
Fans from LA at BowieCon in Liverpool 2022 (c) Jazamin Sinclair

Superfans of David Bowie will be able to celebrate their hero’s life at the now infamous Bowie Ball, a Bowie Swap Shop and hear from leading names from the icon’s professional and personal life at the third David Bowie World Fan Convention which returns to Liverpool, UK between Fri 26 – Sun 28 July 2024. The theme, The Year Of The Diamond Dogs, will guide an expansive range of fan-thrilling events including talks, VIP meet-and-greets, film screenings, exhibitions and performances with the first guests confirming their attendance.

Having taken over New York City for this year’s edition, the ambitious third gathering of the global Bowie family has already announced that two members of Bowie’s DAM Trio backing band, elusive bassist George Murray and guitarist, and long-standing friend and artistic collaborator, Carlos Alomar will travel from the US to offer eye-witness accounts of another intensely, creatively fertile 1970’s period of the musician’s career. For the second of the three illustrious BowieCon instalments to take place in the UK, the last surviving Spiders From Mars member, Woody Woodmansey has also confirmed that he will return to Liverpool to meet fans.

Amongst the eye-witnesses to some of the most pivotal moments in Bowie’s forever changing career, three of those that lived in the centre of the storm will also be present. Backing singer and close friend, Ava Cherry, who was in his inner circle as Bowie made the style-change from Diamond Dog to Fame-era, zoot-suited soul-popper, will travel to Liverpool alongside Suzi Ronson, wife of the late and legendary Spiders… guitarist, Mick Ronson, as well as being Bowie’s Ziggy-era hairdresser and stylist. Dana Gillespie, one time backing singer, yet also releasing a solo album produced by Bowie and Ronson in the early 1970s, will offer more fly-on-the-wall testimonies from both the folky, developmental years of Bowie’s life but also his sudden rise to early fame.

Tickets for the David Bowie World Fan Convention 2024 are to go on sale on Fri 28th July at 10am via the website at www.bowieconvention.com

Having enjoyed the company of household Bowie-linked names such as producer, Tony Visconti, bassist and singer, Gail Ann Dorsey and Young Americans singer, Robin Clark over the past two years, the Convention will also once again open the world-famous Bowie Ball to all fans as the centre-piece event for ticket holders. As spectacular an event of fancy dress one-upmanship as the music world has seen since the time of Ziggy Stardust himself, the audacious display of Bowie-centred glitz and glamour will feature DJs playing rarities, hits and in-betweens plus performers and live bands. A special ‘encore’ at the Bowie Ball will see Carlos Alomar himself reprise an on-stage cameo, performing Fame as witnessed in New York this year.

Daytime events include exhibitions by artists and photographers, with Denis O’Regan, official photographer on the Serious Moonlight and Glass Spider tours the first to confirm his attendance. David Buckley, author of 1999’s biography, Strange Fascination, and Leah Kardos, author of Blackstar Theory: The Last Works of David Bowie, are the first authors to commit to attending and will be amongst an anticipated line-up of biographers and critics to join themed conversation panels and Q&As.

A curated, high-quality memorabilia market place will return and, for the first time, a Bowie Swap Shop will be organised for fans to trade and upgrade their collections of records, clothing, artwork and anything else they feel ready to part with, having an unmissable chance to grab that elusive, missing part of their collections from a fellow fan.

Dave Pichilingi, Co-Founder of the David Bowie World Fan Convention, says of the 2024 event: “I really cannot believe how far and fast BowieCon has come since a crazy idea I had for it during lockdown in 2020. The philosophy from the start was to work with the key collaborators and artists who were close to Bowie throughout his career and life, to bring them together in a non-elitist, non-judgemental and safe environment to celebrate the life and times of the man we continue to adore.  Over the last two years we’ve spent time with key names from Bowie’s working and personal life and have been privileged to hear their memories and insights.

“With plenty of thrills to go alongside the moments of awesome poignancy, there’s no place like it for fans who have visited from around the world. Next year will be be our biggest to date and I can promise we have lots of surprises in store for all the fans and superfans who will join us in Liverpool.”

David Bowie World Fan Convention Liverpool 2022 (c) Rishika Nath_2
David Bowie World Fan Convention Liverpool 2022 (c) Rishika Nath

With many more former collaborators from Bowie’s recording and live career, famous names inspired by him, designers and photographers who helped to create the legend, live performers, biographers and more yet to be announced for the 2024 event, the following are the first lined up to appear in Liverpool:

Carlos Alomar: At the time of the 2024 Convention, it will be 50 years since the New York-based guitarist met David Bowie, while recording a session with Lulu, later joining Bowie’s live band for the last leg of the Diamond Dogs tour. He started 1975 in the studio with Bowie and John Lennon, recording a version of Across The Universe and, fatefully, laid down the guitar line for Fame. Over the following four decades, Alomar would repeatedly return to Bowie’s live band as well as playing on eleven albums, including the Berlin Trilogy, concluding with 2003’s Reality. Alomar and his wife, singer, Robin Clark, remained friends with Bowie throughout his life.

Ava Cherry: Meeting Bowie as a 17-year-old singer at a New York party she organised in 1973, Cherry entered the eye of the storm as Ziggy Stardust faded and the next phase of the artist’s career found momentum. While eventually joining Bowie’s live line up as a backing singer for the Diamond Dogs tour, Cherry’s effect on him was even more profound as they entered into a relationship, she moved into Bowie’s family home and influenced his stylistic changes, visually and musically, going into his Fame-era.

Suzi Ronson: Working as a hairdresser in Beckenham when Bowie lived at his famous Haddon Hall residence, Ronson was responsible for the iconic Ziggy Stardust hairstyle having been drawn into the musician’s creative circle. As a stylist she became the only female member of the Spiders From Mars touring crew and gained a fly-on-the-wall view of the chaos that enveloped the rising star, as well as gaining a husband having met Mick, the band’s legendary guitarist, at the heart of the storm.

Woody Woodmansey: Michael ‘Woody’ Woodmansey entered Bowie’s life and work in 1970 after guitarist, Mick Ronson, returned to their native Hull to recruit the drummer. Heading south to Beckenham and taking up residence at Bowie’s Haddon Hall home, Woodmansey first played on Bowie’s 1970 album, The Man Who Sold The World and continued, over a period of three years, to drum on Hunky Dory, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and Aladdin Sane. The drummer’s working relationship with Bowie ended, famously, on stage at the Hammersmith Odeon, when Bowie publicly split the Spiders From Mars, yet he has continued to play continuously since, including recent recording duties with Rita Ora.

George Murray: For an intensely creative five-year period from 1975, George Murray not only stood by Bowie’s side in the studio and on stage, but also laid down iconic basslines on the Bowie-produced, classic album, The Idiot by Iggy Pop. An essential spoke in the infamous DAM Trio backline, including drummer Dennis Davis and fellow BowieCon guest, Carlos Alomar, Murray first appeared on record on the 1976 album, Station To Station, contributing the strutting line to Golden Years, continuing for five studio albums, including the Berlin Trilogy, concluding at 1980’s Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps).

Dana Gillespie: A London-based actress and singer in the 1960s, Gillespie fell into the same folk circles as a young David Bowie and maintained a creative and personal friendship with the artist for over a decade, not only leading Bowie to write the song, Andy Warhol, for her but also singing backing vocals on It Ain’t Easy from Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars. Working with both Bowie and Mick Ronson, while being managed by Tony Defries, the duo produced Gillespie’s solo album, Weren’t Born A Man, released in 1973. Gillespie’s circle of rock and roll acquaintances also extended to Bob Dylan, Jimmy Page and Mick Jagger.

Denis O’Regan: One of the 20th Century’s most visually arresting musicians, Bowie’s performing and off-stage life was captured by the world’s best music photographers. Now a regular at the David Bowie World Fan Convention, Denis O’Regan offers a first-hand account of life on the road with Bowie, having joined him twice as Official Tour Photographer. Fans will have ample opportunity to meet O’Regan, hear him speak and invest in limited edition prints from the remarkable period he spent travelling the world with the man himself.

Marc Riley: Renowned UK broadcaster, most recently heard on BBC 6 Music, Riley is amongst the most vocal public figures in keeping the memory of David Bowie and his work alive. A former guitarist with legendary British band, The Fall, before moving to form his own band, The Creepers, Riley attends the Convention to spin some of his favourite records by Bowie and related artists, as well as taking to the stage to ask the most searching questions to the high-profile panellists.

Nacho: Unearthing, restoring and making rare Bowie content available to the world, Nacho’s YouTube channel has grown to become a prime digital destination for fans looking to relive some of the best, or seldom seen, moments of their idol’s career and life. Nacho visits Liverpool from his current home in Asia to showcase his work, discuss Bowie’s rich visual legacy and share his insights with fans in attendance.

David Buckley: Buckley’s two, highly-respected works on the life, time and work of David Bowie, Strange Fascination: David Bowie, The Definitive Story and The Complete Guide To The Music Of David Bowie have found him amongst the most respected biographers of the artist’s long career and legacy. Born and raised in Liverpool, he has been a regular contributor to MOJO magazine and is currently working on a history of electronic music in Britain, focusing on the work of the Human League and Heaven 17.

Mark Wardel: Wardel is a Merseyside-born artist whose work, a set of masks based on the artist’s face, was spotted and acquired by Bowie in 2015. Also a collaborator with life-long Bowie fan and pop music icon in his own right, Boy George, Wardel will be on hand to meet fans and exhibit examples of his Bowie and non-Bowie related work, as well as painting especially for the event.

Leah Kardos: Kardos is an Australian musician, writer and academic living and working in London. As a lecturer in music and music technology at Kingston University she is Project Leader of the Visconti Studio, a recording and research facility co-founded with legendary Bowie producer Tony Visconti. Kardos is a regular critic and feature writer for The Wire magazine and, in early 2022, published her critical analyses of David Bowie’s last works, Blackstar Theory: The Last Works of David Bowie.

Hannah Breschard: Hannah Lulu Breschard is a writer, editor, and the founder of Punk Rock and Groupie Rock Magazine. Spotted as a 16-year-old Bowie obsessive by BBC filmmaker, Alan Yentob, and interviewed for the breathtaking Diamond Dogs-era documentary, Cracked Actor, Breschard’s immortal line: ‘I’m just a space cadet, he’s the commander’ has echoed through the decades since as a succinct summary of the spell Bowie cast over fans young and old, then and now. Breschard’s resultant career as a music journalist brought her into contact with some of rock’s biggest names.

Spizz Energi: Active since the late 1970s, but finding infamy at the start of the following decade with the singles, Where’s Captain Kirk? and Soldier Soldier, Spizz Energi is a renowned British punk/new wave band, noted for changing their band name every year. Whilst reflecting on their own, extensive back catalogue, the band has remained active and, in 2020, went into the studio with Tony Visconti, who mixed their single Christmas In Denmark Street. Their cover of Bowie’s Valentines Day, again mixed by Visconti, was released on purple vinyl and hit the No.3 spot on the UK Official Vinyl Chart. Founder and still leading the band, Spizz attends as a panel moderator.

Chris Carter: Bowie fan and forensic digital archivist, Carter runs the long-standing The Young American website, which has become a mainstay online destination for fellow fans looking for, and contributing to, reputable online resources around the star. Finding a deep-reaching and fascinating niche when it comes to Bowie’s life, the site concentrates on the 12 months of an eventful 1974 as Bowie unpicked his time as Ziggy Stardust and recorded Diamond Dogs.

Having brought fans from the furthest corners of the globe for both the first event in Liverpool in 2022 and this year’s huge gathering in New York, VIP tickets are expected to sell out quickly as demand grows year-on-year for the most exclusive, limited access to signing events and intimate gatherings throughout the weekend. Fans are urged to sign up for mailing list updates and be the first to know by signing up at www.bowieconvention.com

Updates ahead of the David Bowie World Fan Convention will be shared before and during the event via the following social media channels: Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

Unity Theatre’s Up Next Festival back for 2023

Unity Theatre’s annual celebration of Merseyside artists – Up Next Festival – is back for 2023 for an extended, two-week long programme featuring brand-new shows from Merseyside’s most exciting artists and companies.

The line-up of 14 artists/companies has been selected through the award-winning Unity Open Call scheme, which provides Merseyside creatives with funding, producing support and a slot in Unity’s programme.

This year’s festival includes newly commissioned works across a range of artforms including world premiere plays, poetry, cabaret, installations, drag and music. As well as the packed theatre programme, this mega line-up also includes the first ever Up Next Comedy Night, a brand-new exhibition, DJs, panel discussions, creative events and more.

Opening the festival, Andrew McKay – known for drag persona Filla Crack – presents a new show using interviews from within the drag community to explore the highs and lows of having an alter ego of the opposite sex (Wed 4 Oct). The opening night will also see the launch of a brand-new exhibition by photographic journalist Hellen Songa.

More world-premieres from Merseyside playwrights at Up Next Festival include Borrowed by Sasha Georgette – a radical story about a pregnant fat girl and a prejudiced healthcare system; At The End of the Day She’s Still Your Mother by the award-winning Jess Green – a darkly comic look at the mother/daughter relationship set in a Breast Cancer Clinic; Smashed by Helen Jeffery – a new show exploring sobriety and drinking culture; and Sass: A Chained Melody by Olayemi Z. Ade – following RnB girl group member Buki as she explores queerness as a Black and North African person.

Other new shows premiering at the festival include a Friday night double-bill of coming-of-age “tales-with-a-twist” in Berber Boy by Habibi Theatre and Space Invaders x Liar by Tip Tray Theatre. Week two then begins with a captivating new sound installation Earth is Lost by Sonic Mutiny, that will take over Unity One and propel audiences into space.

The following Friday (Fri 13 Oct), Merseyside Woman of the Year Natalie Denny and her much-acclaimed social enterprise, Skywriters Ltd. present Revival – a showcase of writing by Black and Minoritorised women, created through community workshops and culminating in a performance for Black History Month.

Finally, Up Next Festival 2023 concludes with a Saturday packed full of laughs, beginning with eccentric drag king comedy Cockroach by The Barry, Brian & Bean Company, followed bythe festival’s first-ever comedy night. Hosted by Unity regular and Open Call alumni, the award-winning comedian Sian Davies, this stella line-up of scouse comedians is the perfect way to finish Unity’s two-week celebration of Merseyside artists. Already announced as part of the line-up are sets by Alex Stringer, Niki Rooney and Sian Davies, with more coming soon.

All tickets are capped at £8 and every performance will be captioned, BSL interpreted and/or audio described to ensure the festival is as accessible as possible.

Find out more here

Royal Albert Dock Liverpool partners with Pride in Liverpool to ‘Shout it Loud’

Submarine

As part of the city’s exciting programme of events for this year’s Pride in Liverpool, Royal Albert Dock has partnered with LCR Pride Foundation to create an unforgettable weekend of free, feel-good entertainment following this year’s theme, Shout it Loud.

Taking pride of place in front of the Martin Luther King Jr Building on Saturday 29th July, visitors can enjoy six hours of upbeat anthems with the return of Liverpool’s blue and yellow submarine from 12 pm until 6 pm. Doubling as a sound station with colour-changing lights, a bubble machine and visual effects, sets from Lady Sian, Shenice and WMNKND will keep crowds dancing all day long. The dock’s Time to Shine Podiums will also be making a reappearance, becoming mini stages on the plateau for some of the region’s best drag queens and dance acts, including Filla Crack and House of LaPorta, to showcase their electrifying moves.

For those looking to capture the day’s memories, Royal Albert Dock’s revamped rainbow hearts will serve as the city’s ultimate selfie point. Located in Anchor Courtyard, visitors can celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with the three-metre-high installation. Plus, festival-goers can also snap pride-filled moments on two colourful deckchairs in Britannia Courtyard and on Hartley Quay, positioned against a breathtaking backdrop of the dock.

A trip to the waterfront wouldn’t be complete without sampling mouthwatering menus from Liverpool’s top independent eateries and bars, including Burnt Milk Hotel, Maray, The Long Shot, Peaberry Coffee House & Kitchen and more. Those looking to make a day of it can also explore an array of world-class attractions, including Tate Liverpool to view artworks by LGBTQIA+ artists with a 10-minute talk exploring gender identity, and Maritime Museum as well as take home a memento from the dock’s range of shops.

Sean Morrison, estate manager at Royal Albert Dock, comments: “We’re honoured to partner with LCR Pride Foundation for this celebration of unity, creating an unforgettable experience for all of those who attend. Our events this weekend reflect our commitment to showcasing the dock as an inclusive space where all visitors feel welcome, not just during the festivities but throughout the year.”

Andi Herring, CEO of LCR Pride Foundation said: “This year Liverpool will be transformed into a city full of pride and we are thrilled to be partnering with the Royal Albert Dock for this year’s Pride in Liverpool. We are proud to see the Royal Albert Dock stand in solidarity with LGBT+ people across the entire Liverpool City Region, Kyiv and beyond so that we can Shout it Loud and live our lives unapologetically, freely and without discrimination.”

For more information, visit https://albertdock.com/pride-2023/

Have your say on how the Liverpool city region’s buses are run

Moving Buses Forward – have your say

Buses are the backbone of our region’s local transport network, with 8 in 10 public transport journeys being taken by bus. Half a million people across the Liverpool City Region use the bus every day, and choose buses to get them to work, to school, to the doctors, to visit friends and family, or to have a day out. Buses are key to keeping our city region moving.

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has new powers to improve bus services by taking greater public control of the network – either through an enhanced partnership with bus operators or by introducing bus franchising.

After undertaking an assessment of these options, the Combined Authority has reached the conclusion that franchising would be the best option to reform our bus services. Before any final decision is made, we want to know what the people who live and work in the Liverpool City Region think.

Anyone can take part in the consultation. You do not have to live in the Liverpool City Region or be a regular bus user. Even if you do not use buses, you can still take part – we want to hear from everyone. You can answer as a member of the public or on behalf of an organisation.

Find out more and fill in the questionnaire here.

Leading Liverpool recording studio Crosstown Studios celebrates 15th anniversary with free concert

Crosstown Studios 15th anniversary - Photo Credit - Lucy McLachlan
Jon Lawton. Photo Credit – Lucy McLachlan

Crosstown Studios, a leading Liverpool recording studio, is thrilled to announce a special 15th-anniversary celebration.

The milestone event will be an unforgettable evening of music, nostalgia and community, as the studio commemorates a decade and a half of creative excellence. The much-anticipated happening takes place August 12th 2023 at EBGBS, located in the heart of Liverpool.

“We are thrilled to celebrate 15 years of Crosstown Studios,” says Crosstown owner and producer Jon Lawton. “The milestone is testament to the incredible talent and passion that our artists bring to their work and we are honoured to have been a part of those journeys.”

Crosstown Studios has been at the forefront of Liverpool’s music scene since its establishment in 2008. The studio has played an instrumental role in shaping the sound and success of numerous talented artists and bands over the years.

To pay tribute to this remarkable journey, a lineup of exceptional musical acts who have recorded at Crosstown Studios will take to the stage to deliver captivating performances throughout the night.

Featured artists include Mr Ted, Visions of Albion, RUINS, Dorothy Bird, The Family Wash, Marc V, and Joseph Roberts. These popular acts represent a diverse range of musical genres, showcasing the studio’s commitment to supporting and nurturing talent across different styles and backgrounds. The event will be a remarkable gathering of artists, music enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.

Crosstown Studios invites everyone to join the celebration and revel in an evening of live music, camaraderie, and the shared passion for creativity that has defined Crosstown’s success story for 15 years. The anniversary celebration takes place at EBGBS, a renowned and vibrant venue with a commitment to promoting emerging artists.

“We invite everyone to join us for this special occasion as we showcase some of the incredible acts we’ve had the privilege to work with over the years,” says Lawton.

Doors will open at 7pm and attendees will enjoy live music throughout the night. This is an opportunity for music lovers and supporters of the local arts scene to come together and commemorate an important milestone for Crosstown Studios.

 

13 Piece Chilean Afrobeat Orchestra to perform in Liverpool this August

Newen Afrobeat

A 13-piece Chilean orchestra that makes music inspired by the legacy of the Nigerian musician Fela Kuti returns to Liverpool this August.

Described as ‘a magnificent new sample of cultural integration between Latin America and Africa’, Newen Afrobeat unify African rhythms with a colourful and energetic staging, embedded in a deep social message that talks about their roots and social movements.

With a ten-year career, four albums and nine international tours under their belt, the band have performed on important stages such as the Montreal International Jazz Festival, WOMEX, Felabration Lagos, and even at Liverpool’s own Africa Oyé, becoming one of the most played Afrobeat acts in the world and a recognised exponent of the world music scene.

After releasing their “Newen Plays Fela” EP (which includes the single ‘Opposite People’ – Afrobeat’s most watched video worldwide), the group released a second volume of songs by Fela Kuti featuring a new collaboration with his son Seun Kuti.

Currently, Newen Afrobeat is finishing production on their new original album, which features collaborations with renowned artists such as Dele Sosimi, Joe Vasconcellos, among others. The album is scheduled for release in August 2023.

Don’t miss Newen Afrobeat when they play District in Liverpool on 20th August 2023. Doors open at 7pm and tickets are on sale now via Eventbrite.

LA FERIA 2023: Liverpool’s festival of Latin American Arts and Culture returns this September

La Feria 2023

Bringing a vibrant and eclectic programme of music, dance, storytelling, street arts and culture from the rich diversity of the Latin American continent, LA FERIA will take over city centre venues in Liverpool this September.

Celebrating the festival’s return this autumn, the incomparable ‘Voice of Tango’ Martin Alvarado from Buenos Aires, Argentina will join the lineup, alongside the hypnotic rhythms and melodies of the Mexican & Colombian Electronic Cumbia outfit Mambe & Danochilango.

Telling his story of life as a Bolivian living in the UK, Victor Rios will kick-off the series of events, bringing his powerful and comic one man show, “How British Are You?” to Liverpool’s Unity Theatre.

Dance groups from Mexico, Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia will also light up the city, whilst brand new commissions created especially for the festival will continue to explore the theme of identity.

Francisco Carrasco, Artistic Director of LUMA CREATIONS said “LA FERIA 2023 promises to be exciting and thought provoking, and may be the best one yet!”

LA FERIA will take place from 20th to 23rd September across city centre venues in Liverpool. For more information, please visit lumacreations.org.

LA FERIA 2023 LINEUP

Wednesday 20 September
Unity Theatre, Liverpool
7.30pm

MILLARAY
VICTOR RIOS
Q & A with artists and others

– –

Thursday 21 September
Unity Theatre, Liverpool
7.30pm

LOKANDES
MAGALY FLORES
DANIELA RODRIGUEZ
MARINA, SABRINA, VALERIA

– –

Friday 22 September
Music Room, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
7.30pm

MARTIN ALVARADO with Gerardo Villar & Los Aguirre
BANDITA LA INQUIETA

TICKETS

– –

Saturday 23 September
District, Liverpool
12noon – 5.30pm

A TASTE OF LATIN AMERICA
Latin American Food stalls
Processional and dance groups including

WARMIS (Ecuador)
CAPORALES (Bolivia)
COLIBRI (Mexico)
MESTISA
Making Workshops

And Much More

– –

Saturday 23 September
District, Liverpool
7.30pm

MAMBE & DANOCHILANGO
Top Latin DJs and much more

Get That Summer Feeling At Liverpool ONE

Liverpool ONE is truly the place to come together this summer, full of exciting reasons to visit. This year brings a family-friendly programme with fantastic and free events, with a variety of themes to suit everyone in the family. 

Get musical with Tickle the Ivories 

Visitors to Liverpool ONE can show off their musical skills and enjoy special performances with the return of Tickle the Ivories. 

Whether you’re a budding pianist or a grown up with musical flair, you can be a part of creating Liverpool ONE’s unbeatable summer atmosphere by filling the air with music.  

Find pianos at Sugar House Steps (by John Lewis & Partners), South John Street, Peter’s Square, College Lane and The Galleria (by the entrance of ODEON) from Friday 7 July.  

The pianos are available to play Monday to Friday 10am-8pm; Saturday 10am-7pm; and Sunday 11am-5pm. 

For a full schedule of performances, visit https://www.liverpool-one.com/event/tickle/  

Be wowed by public art from Liverpool Biennial  
The 12th annual Liverpool Biennial is back for 2023 with ‘uMoya: The sacred Return of Lost Things’ from 10 June – 17 September. 

Artworks from more than 30 international artists and collectives can be seen in unexpected places across the city, including Liverpool ONE, which hosts a large-scale vibrant artwork by Rudy Loewe on Thomas Steers Way as part of the city-wide festival. 

The biennial also brings dynamic programme of free exhibitions, performances, screenings, community events, learning activities and fringe events over the 14-week arts and culture festival. 

For more information, visit https://www.biennial.com/events/

Learn some local history with The Heritage Trail 
Visitors to Liverpool ONE can pick up a Heritage Trail booklet from the Information Centre or download the MyONE app and learn the secrets of more than 300 years of the place that became Liverpool ONE. 
The free self-guided tour is suitable for all ages and takes between 60 and 90 minutes to complete, promising surprises whether you’re a visitor to the city or born and bred in Liverpool.  

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

Explore with The Nature Trail 

Visitors to Liverpool ONE can pick up a Nature Trail booklet from the Information Centre or download the MyONE app and get close to nature in the heart of the city. 

The free self-guided tour offers kids aged 4-11 a chance to interact with Chavasse Park’s natural environment and learn about the flora and fauna that call the park home. 

Perfect for a sunny summer’s day! 

For more information, visit https://www.liverpool-one.com/whatson/nature-trail/

Tuck into a family meal or grab a snack to go 
With plenty of food options at Liverpool ONE, there’s something for everyone, and the best ideas for family meals can be found on the Terrace.  
Visitors can tuck into the likes of Slim Chicken’s, TGI Friday’s or Zizzi for a guaranteed winner. 

Grab-and-go options adorn the streets of Liverpool ONE too, with Mooboo or Starbucks always a favourite with the kids, and fresh sweet treats provided by Jane’s Bakes are a must to take home! 

Keep the whole family entertained at Gravity Max 

Liverpool ONE welcomes its biggest arrival yet as Gravity Max opens on 9 August.  

Visitors can enjoy every activity imaginable, from E-carting and bowling to VR games perfect to get lost in for hours.  

With entertainment the whole family can enjoy, Gravity Max is sure to be a summer staple at Liverpool ONE. 

Keep an eye on Liverpool ONE’s social media channels for more news, and be one of the first to book here: https://www.liverpool-one.com/leisure/gravity-max/ 

 Get creative with Sketching Day 

Join in dozens of members of Liver Sketching Club and be inspired by Liverpool ONE’s architectural surroundings and green spaces with Sketching Day later in August. 

Be sure to tag @liverpool_oneofficial in your creations!  

Check out all the Summer plans at Liverpool ONE by visiting https://www.liverpool-one.com/whatson/summer-liverpool-one/ or by downloading the Liverpool ONE MyONE App. 

Cast Announced For Macbeth At Shakespeare North Playhouse

ETT (English Touring Theatre) has announced full casting for their new production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, a co-production with Northern Stage, Shakespeare North Playhouse and Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg.

In ETT’s first international tour since the pandemic, Macbeth will open at Shakespeare North Playhouse on 6 September 2023, with previews from 1 September, running until 23 September, in a design unique to the Playhouse’s space.

With Mike Noble in the title role and Laura Elsworthy as Lady Macbeth, the cast includes Lola Aluko (Lennox), Jasmine Elcock (Malcolm), Brian Lonsdale (Banquo), Guy Rhys (Macduff), Coral Sinclair (Lady Macduff), Ross Waiton (Duncan) and Leo Wan (Ross).

Richard Twyman, Artistic Director and CEO and Sophie Scull, Executive Producer of ETT said,

“We are delighted to announce the cast for our upcoming production of Macbeth. They are an exceptional ensemble of actors, and we are so looking forward to the creative collaboration with them as we dig into the heart of this seminal play. Macbeth is a story that has seeped into our national consciousness – it’s clearly having a moment – and this production will tour extensively in the UK and internationally, so it felt vital to us that we built a cast and creative team that represented not only the hometowns of our co-producing partners Liverpool and Newcastle but also the country more widely. We hope that audiences the length and breadth of the country will find something both familiar and provocative in the story and society that unfolds on stage. We can’t wait to get into the rehearsal room with this brilliant company and share what we create together with audiences across the country and the globe.”

Laura Collier, Creative Director of Shakespeare North Playhouse said,

“It is such a joy to be co-producing Macbeth with our friends from English Touring Theatre, Northern Stage and Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg. ETT’s version of Macbeth is intense and intoxicating, and its complexity and nuance seeks to resonate deeply with modern audiences. We’re so excited to welcome audiences to see this production set against the incredible backdrop of our newly installed Frons Scenae.”

Natalie Ibu, Artistic Director and Joint Chief Executive of Northern Stage added,

“Our production of Macbeth will be touring extensively across the UK and internationally and I can’t wait to see this extraordinary, and almost entirely Northern and Scottish ensemble, breathe new life into Shakespeare’s timeless tale of obsession and corruption. We know that for many of our audiences this may be their first experience of a live Shakespeare performance and so I’m especially pleased that performers will reflect the diversity of our audiences here in Newcastle.”

A struggling and divided nation, tearing itself apart. So, when the Macbeths see their chance at the crown, why shouldn’t they take it?

But things don’t go according to plan. Dreams quickly turn to nightmares, humanity erodes, nature stirs. As society strives to make sense of the darkness that sits inside it, how long will it take for people to fight back against the endless cycle of violence and corruption?

A visceral and contemporary new production that speaks to a world we find ourselves living in now, asking why has Macbeth haunted our fears and nightmares for centuries, and what lesson this cautionary tale is still urgently trying to communicate to us?

Macbeth runs at the Shakespeare North Playhouse from 1 – 23 September 2023. Get your tickets here.