Community Post Type: News

Community activist Michelle Charters has become the first Black Woman to lead the International Slavery Museum – the only national museum in the world dedicated to the history of the transatlantic slave trade and its legacies.

Liverpool-born Michelle will navigate the International Slavery Museum through a groundbreaking £28m transformation, from a gallery space into a prominent museum with the ambition to become the world leader in understanding and exploring the impact and legacies of historic and modern slavery, and how it still influences the world today.

Michelle features on the museum’s Black Achievers Wall alongside such greats as Martin Luther King, Kofi Annan and Muhammad Ali, for her activism work, which dates back to 1979. For the last 17 years she has worked tirelessly as CEO of Kuumba Imani Millennium Centre in Toxteth, Liverpool. The multi-purpose centre was the vision of the Liverpool Black Sisters, an organisation formed in the 1970s to address the many forms of discrimination experienced by the Black community. She is the Founding Chair of the Merseyside Black History Month Group and first Black woman to be appointed a Trustee of the Everyman and Playhouse Theatres in Liverpool.

Michelle has been an advocate for National Museums Liverpool since she was first introduced to the Transatlantic Slavery Gallery at Maritime Museum by the late Dorothy Kuya in 1994. She is also a member of the RESPECT group, which was established in 2008 leading on from the Liverpool Slavery Remembrance Initiative Steering Group, and for the last five years, she has sat on National Museums Liverpool’s board as a trustee.

Michelle explains: “When I first stepped into what was known then as the Transatlantic Slavery Gallery nearly 30 years ago, I committed to be part of a movement to learn, interpret and share what we could about our ancestors’ pain and suffering.

“Ever since, I have used the anger and hurt that I felt when confronted by shackles and artefacts from Africa that had been stolen or purchased by slave merchants, to ensure that my ancestors, their journey and our opportunity to tell the story was never forgotten.”

Throughout her career spanning more than 40 years, Michelle’s commitment has been to uncover and promote the truth of Black experiences, both historically and in the present, to find a way in which we could all learn, share and participate in a collective fight for justice.

She added: “I am really excited to be joining such a forward-thinking organisation, which is making huge strides towards having the most representative audience and colleague profiles in the UK’s museums sector.

“It is a privilege to be joining such a skilled, professional and loyal team and I’m proud to be the one who will lead the International Slavery Museum as it realises National Museum Liverpool’s ambition to become the world leader in understanding and exploring the impact and legacies of historic and modern slavery, and how it still influences the world today.”

Supported by The National Heritage Lottery Fund, the transformation of the International Slavery Museum and Maritime Museum, including the redevelopment of the Dr Martin Luther King Jnr building, is an opportunity to co-create welcoming and thought-provoking spaces for education, exhibitions, discussion, and research.

The redevelopment is part of the wider National Museums Liverpool Waterfront Transformation Project, which will link storytelling, heritage, community and hospitality to create a rich visitor experience and will be a catalyst for social and environmental improvements in the area.

Laura Pye, Director of National Museums Liverpool said: “Michelle has been connected to NML for many years, but now is a really exciting time for her to be joining us as the Head of the International Slavery Museum. She brings with her a wealth of experience and passion for the museum and shares the vision that we have for its transformation. Michelle has been part of the history of this museum for many years, and we can’t wait for her to be a part of its future”.

Michelle will step down as an NML trustee and the CEO of Kuumba Imani Millennium Centre to take up her new role in the new year.

Beer lovers visiting National Museums Liverpool (NML) venues can now sample a brand-new set of craft beers, brewed exclusively for museums and galleries across Merseyside.

National Museums Liverpool and local craft brewers Neptune Brewery have joined together to develop two tempting craft beers, NML x Neptune Pale (4.5%) and NML x Neptune Lager (4.2%), which are only available in National Museums Liverpool venues.

Working in collaboration with museum staff, Neptune has created two delicious beers with National Museums Liverpool’s ethos in mind. Using local produce and working with local businesses, the two beers represent the museums’ commitment to showcasing the best of local produce, whilst promoting sustainable creativity.

NML x Neptune 4.2% ‘Lager’ is a classic, refreshing German pilsner with floral notes leading to a light hop bitterness and dry crisp finish, made for easy drinking. NML x Neptune 4.5% ‘Pale’ has vibrant tropical fruit aromas with intense bursts of blueberry, papaya, mango and passion fruit, which are rounded off with an enhanced grapefruit bitterness.

Julie O’ Grady, Neptune Brewery co-founder and head of sales, said: “Neptune Brewery and National Museums Liverpool share much of the same ethos and commitment to championing creativity and sustainability, and celebrating the best of what our city has to offer. We’re thrilled to have partnered with NML so that visitors, both local and from further afield, can enjoy quality beers brewed up the road by an independent business who are passionate about what we do.”

The partnership between the brewery and the museums first came about during Liverpool’s Eurovision celebrations. A key part the ‘Beer Together’ initiative, which paired up local breweries with those in Ukraine to brew beers championing the best of each country’s independent brewing scene, Neptune worked with NML as part of the museums’ extensive programme of celebratory events during the Eurovision Festival. A special charity beer, Ukrainian Golden Ale, was created especially for Eurovision as part of National Museums Liverpool’s XTRA events.

The creation of the Pale and Lager marks the start of a new official partnership between National Museums Liverpool and Neptune Brewery, set to include further events and exciting opportunities for beer lovers.

Kerry Williams, head of creative partnerships and strategic development for National Museums Liverpool, said: “Working with the Neptune Brewery team and their team of expert brewers, we are excited for people to come and enjoy their new creation. Keep an eye out for some special one-off events as we work together with Neptune to bring something for beer lovers into our venues.”

National Museums Liverpool beers brewed by Neptune Brewery will be available at NML events, and on sale in the Maritime Museum and Museum of Liverpool cafés, with plans to extend sales across all venues in 2024. Visitors can also purchase cans to enjoy at home.

For more information on Neptune Brewery, visit: www.neptunebrewery.com.

 

A firm Liverpool family favourite is back for Christmas with the return of Blacker’s Giant Santa at the Museum of Liverpool from 7 November.

Giant Santa, who towered over shoppers in Blackler’s department store each winter from 1957 until 1988, first went on display in the Museum of Liverpool’s atrium in 2016 and has returned for Christmas almost every year since. His super-sized arrival ushers in seasonal festivities across National Museums Liverpool’s venues.

Staying at Museum of Liverpool the popular waterfront museum recently won a Kids in Museums national Family Friendly Museum award, making it the most wonderful time of the year to call in and check out the smash-hit exhibition Happiness!, which explores the life of Liverpool icon, Sir Ken Dodd. For Doddy, famously busy all year round, Christmas was a particularly special time with pantomimes and his legendary marathon new year shows.

At World Museum, bookings are open for a tradition spanning almost 200 years, as the Royal Institute’s Christmas Lectures come to Liverpool’s World Museum for the first time ever. Inspiring children and adults with mind-expanding talks and hands-on science, the lectures will be livestreamed to the museum, as one of the only 16 livestream partners. Over three gripping presentations – on 12, 14 and 16 December – from robots to gaming and more, Professor Mike Wooldridge will explain Artificial Intelligence (AI) – how it works and affects us all.

Sudley House is hosting a traditional Victorian Christmas with all the trimmings on 2 and 3 December. Spend quality time with friends and family enjoying carols, festive crafts and cosy storytelling in the beautiful setting of this Victorian merchant’s home.

While you’re enjoying the exhibitions, collections and festive fare at National Museums Liverpool’s venues why not tick some names off your shopping list? There are gifts for the whole family with a wide range of presents across fashion, culture, books, football and more. Browse the online shop for gift ideas here.

You could also give the gift of a National Museums Liverpool Membership and give a loved one a whole year of incredible free experiences, new discoveries and discounts. Find out more here.

More Christmas highlights across National Museums Liverpool available here

Liverpool based arts organisation DaDa return this month with a winter programme of three distinct events, adding warmth, joy and challenge to the cold winter nights. Unity Theatre and Museum of Liverpool will play host to the disability and deaf arts programme which aims to entertain and educate.

The programme, running in November and December will present a Liverpool premiere play, a night of captivating cabaret, along with their annual social justice lecture presented on international day or disability.

First up on Thursday 23 November, a brand-new play co-commissioned by DaDa and Manchester Independents will premiere to Liverpool audiences. Toilet Paper Diaries, written and performed by DaDa Fellow Porcelain Delaney is a heartbreaking and hilarious tale which anyone with endometriosis or another condition which has led to medical gaslighting will instantly recognise.

We meet Eloise in a hospital bathroom, she needs to do a sample, but she just can’t go. We jump into her childhood diaries exploring what’s brought her to this moment. Eloise was a happy child, a promising ballerina with no doubt she was going to grow up to be a star. Then at nine years old her periods start and completely derail her life. She’s thrown face first into a war against gaslighting doctors. They refuse to listen or believe her, but she’s determined she will keep getting louder until someone hears. Toilet Paper Diaries has access at the heart of the play and includes creative captions and audio description. There will be an optional touch tour before the play starts. There will also be BSL interpretation.

DaDa Cabaret has been a popular staple in DaDa’s programming and returns this month to the Unity Theatre on Friday 24 November, warming up the winter with a melting pot of engaging performances.

The night promises to be an explosion of emotions and ideas – fun, uplifting, challenging, extravagant, silly, and politically charged all rolled into one dazzling evening of performance.

A showcase of deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent acts including: Poets Joan Cooper Snark & Shaun Fallows, comedians Lizzy Lenco & Eden MW and singer Miss Sunny Sarah will light up the darker November nights with a line-up of sparkling cabaret performance hosted by the sensational Diva Hollywood and with Dora Belle delivering BSL.

Finally, this year’s Edward Rushton Social Justice Lecture takes place at Museum of Liverpool on Sunday, 3 December from 1-3pm, held on United Nations International Day for People with Disabilities and named after the blind poet, activist, abolitionist, and disabled man.

This year, the insightful and inspirational Ashokkumar D Mistry will be exploring ‘Reclaiming Nonchalance’ the value of disabled lives, particularly exploring the value of the lives of disabled children and young people. Ashok will be joined by panelists Kai Syng Tan (Artist / Agitator / Professor), Sonia Boue (Artist / Writer / Consultant) and Dr Linzi Stauvers (Acting Artistic Director, Education, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham) to discuss the topic.  The lecture is presented in conjunction with Disability Arts Online and will also be live streamed on the day and then made available on demand.

See their website here

Now regarded as one of Europe’s biggest celebrations of sneaker culture in Europe, the event offers a bigger and better immersive experience for attendees from all over the UK and beyond.

After debuting at the new site back in June, the 2nd instalment of 2023 will amp the sense of occasion even further, with founder Rob May having found the perfect location to scale up his independent trainer festival. The ACC offers a huge space which enables Laces Out! to accommodate more guests – thousands are expected to attend – whilst showcasing traders and sneaker brands ranging from limited productions to feted one-offs all under one roof.

Rob May explains: We’re very happy with our new home at the ACC and after the success of June’s edition Saturday 25th November is going expand further on the Laces Out! story. It’s brilliant to see the community continue to build around the festival and how guests come from all over the UK to trade, chat and be immersed in sneaker culture. As one of the longest running and largest trainer festivals in Europe, having so many like-minded people together is what this is all about for me and to help continue the boom in trainer lore which continues to grow globally. And in parallel to this, our wider programme includes guest speakers, music and culture with some very special guests as part of celebrating trainers in all their forms.”

On Saturday 25th November, sneakerheads will find an unparalleled selection of rare and exclusive trainers, limited editions and sought-after collaborations. And with a greatly expanded trader lineup, Laces Out! attendees will have an incredible opportunity to explore this vast array of footwear options and connect with fellow enthusiasts from around the world who converge on Liverpool for this special day.

The event promises much more than just sneaker shopping, with fascinating insights and invaluable knowledge available from industry insiders and experts. The day will feature live music performances, guest appearances, panel discussions and exciting giveaways. 

The ACC Exhibition Centre, situated in the vibrant Kings Dock area of Liverpool, provides spacious halls, state-of-the-art facilities and a convenient location ideal for attendees, traders, and exhibitors alike. Laces Out! has established itself as a premier event in the sneaker community, attracting thousands of enthusiasts year after year. Making the ACC the new home for Laces Out! represents an exciting new period for the festival ahead of its 10th anniversary next year. 

General admission tickets and VIP packages for Saturday November 25th offering exclusive gift bags from official partner Crep Protect include free cleaning products, stickers, pin badges and more. Other partners of the event include Liverpool-based retailer Seven Store and there will be an after party at Lost Art in the Baltic Market from 5pm until late with more info to come.

Laces Out! Trainer Festival

Saturday 25th November 2023

ACC Exhibition Centre, King’s Dock, Port of Liverpool, Kings Dock St, Liverpool, L3 4FP

11am – 4pm

Tickets from £10.00 + £1.00 booking fee

Info and tickets: https://lacesout.co.uk/ 

An acclaimed show highlighting the incredible talent of the late Beatle George Harrison embarks on a UK tour in Spring 2024, it follows the Liverpool premiere and a successful run at Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Something About George – The George Harrison Story, pays tribute to the man dubbed the “quiet Beatle” it will visit 28 UK venues across England, Scotland and Wales, its biggest tour to date. It will open at Floral Pavilion in New Brighton on Sat 3 February and closing at Spa Pavilion in Felixstowe on Sat 23 March.

West End performer and musician Daniel Taylor, fresh from his TV appearance in BBC’s Unbreakable, were he made the final with his partner Shirley Ballas (head judge from Strictly Come Dancing), front’s the band of five and tells the fascinating story of George and performing his biggest hits. The band are Joe Smithson (MD, Guitar and Vocals), Callum Macmillan (Percussion/Drums), Tom Kinton (Base Guitar and Vocals) and James Breckon (Keyboard and Vocals).

Featuring beautiful songs like My Sweet Lord, Something, Got My Mind Set On You, and My Guitar Gently Weeps, Something About George showcases Harrison’s incredible solo material and music from rock ‘n’ roll’s greatest supergroup The Traveling Wilburys, which was made up of Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty… and, of course any show celebrating one of the Fab Four just must include a few classics from The Beatles.

From heartbreak to hedonism and song writing to success, Something About George celebrates a life that was anything but quiet.

See here for Floral Pavilion show tickets

The Reader reveals its carefully crafted festive programme of outdoor trails, crafts, reading and activities for all ages.

The Reader is inviting visitors young and old to gather at its home in Calderstones Park this Christmas as it launches its 2023 festive programme and fundraising appeal. 

The season begins on Friday 24 November and promises a month-long celebration, including Step into Stories on Sunday 3 December – a day of festive activities in the Mansion House where visitors will be able to add a decoration to the community Christmas tree, create their own wrapping paper, attend a literary tour of the Mansion House and pick up a beautiful new book in exchange for a donation.  

The event – which is made possible thanks to the generosity of publishers Walker Books and Penguin Random House – is part of a wider programme of exciting seasonal events and activities at Calderstones that includes reading, wellbeing, crafts and fun. 

The Reader charity, which uses the power of literature and reading aloud to transform lives across the UK, is also calling for donations to help it reach a £10,000 festive fundraising target that will support the First Page project, its work reading with children and their families across the Liverpool City Region. 

FULL PROGRAMME DETAILS 

Children and families 

From Saturday 25 November – Saturday 23 December, the Storybarn team will be bringing a new self-led story trail to the park for families with young children.  

This year, the outdoor story trail is based on Haiwyn Oram’s A Message for Santa, a story about a little girl who isn’t looking forward to Santa’s visit. A copy of the book featuring beautiful illustrations by Tony Ross (The Little Princess, Horrid Henry and many more) is included with every family ticket. 

Over in the Storybarn, all sessions running from Saturday 25 November until Saturday 23 December will have a festive feel. There will be seasonal storytelling, rhymes and songs for little ones aged 1-4 at Incy Wincy Rhymers, alongside classic carols, Christmas stories and crafts to take home for children aged 4-9 in at Christmas at the Storybarn. 

December also sees Santa’s helpers moving into the Mansion House for a limited time only as the elves bring playful good cheer and silly storytelling to The Old Café at Cosy Tales with Elves on 3, 17 and 23 December.  

Wellbeing and crafts  

As the winter days get shorter and the festive season approaches, An Afternoon of Wellbeing on Saturday 9 December offers a welcome chance for nourishment and relaxation. Readers are invited to restore a sense of wellbeing with a relaxed Shared Reading session featuring poems from the Emily Dickinson anthology Hope is the Thing with Feathers, and a restorative walk around the park led by a member of staff. 

Those interested in local history can take part in free Hidden Heritage guided walks on 9, 12 and 23 December to discover the stories of Christmas past at Calderstones.  

There’s also a chance to get creative in Festive Make – a free, drop-in craft session for families that takes place on Sunday 10 December alongside the popular Makers Market when local independent traders return to the Mansion for some thoughtful Christmas shopping.  

On Sunday 3 December, South Liverpool florist, Booker Flowers and Gifts, will be hosting Foraged Wreath Workshops where Master Florist Fleur will be sharing the secret of how to create a Christmas door wreath with wow factor. 

While throughout December, free ‘Make your own pine cone Christmas tree’ craft packs will be available to collect from the welcome area in the Mansion House as The Reader celebrates the launch of its new ‘Trees Around the World’ interactive park map. 

Food and Drink

The Ice Cream Parlour at Calderstones and The Reader Café will be serving up seasonal food and drinks throughout the winter period while the Mansion House will be playing host to Christmas Parties on selected dates throughout December, bookings open now.  

Jemma Guerrier, The Reader’s Managing Director said: 

“It would be wonderful if people from all over the city region could put a visit to Calderstones on their Christmas list this year and hopefully the varied programme of events gives everyone an opportunity to do just that. 

“2023 has been a tough year for many and The Reader is grateful to everyone who’s supported us – whether that’s coming along to events, buying a drink from the Café or making a donation. It’s thanks to your kind support that we can continue to reach those most in need.”  

Thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, residents of L15 (Wavertree), L19 (Garston) and L24 (Speke) who are likely to experience barriers to accessing arts and culture can receive free tickets to selected events by joining The Reader’s Front Door Key scheme. Tickets will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

For all ticket bookings, visit The Reader website.

Iconic designs by Vivienne Westwood, Mary Quant and Laura Ashley are being showcased in a new display celebrating costume, jewellery and decorative objects made by female designers.

Creating Visions: Women Designers 1900-2000 opens at the Walker Art Gallery on 21 October 2023. The display, located in the Craft and Design Gallery, will showcase pieces dating from the early 20th century to the early 21st century. They draw from National Museums Liverpool’s extensive decorative arts collection which is one of the finest in the UK.

The display celebrates 100 years of women designers at the Gallery and features 14 items of dress. These include a mini dress by Mary Quant. Quant, who died in April 2023, is credited with bringing to popularity the era-defining above-the-knee skirts and dresses of Britain’s ‘swinging sixties’.

Also on display will be a pinafore dress by Jean Muir; a tunic dress with matching overcoat by Janice Wainwright; a tunic dress from Vivienne Westwood’s Nostalgia of Mud Collection; a skirt and a long-sleeved top from Vivienne Westwood’s Rolls Royce Collection; an evening cape by Thea Porter; and a glass wedding dress made by Diana Dias-Leão.

Fiona Slattery Clark, Curator of Decorative Art at National Museums Liverpool, said: “Our vast decorative art collection contains some truly exquisite pieces by female designers and it’s been a joy to assemble some of the most exciting and significant designs from the last hundred years for this display.

“As well as featuring designers of global influence and acclaim, we’ll be displaying pieces with an important connection to Liverpool, including evening dresses made by designers who sold their garments in high-end boutiques located on Bold Street in the early 20th century.”

The display will include two Parisian-inspired evening dresses inspired by British designer Lucile and made by T & S Bacon of Bold Street, Liverpool; an evening dress inspired by French designer Madeleine Vionnet; an evening dress by Callot Soeurs Ltd; an evening dress with the label of Elaine Paquin of Bold Street, Liverpool; a full-length summer dress by Gina Fratini; and a full-length summer dress by Laura Ashley.

Also on show will be a selection of jewellery, enamels and glass which will change throughout the duration of the display. Jewellery from the 1980s and ‘90s by female jewellers will be exhibited, including pieces by the internationally renowned Wendy Ramshaw and Jane Adam. From Perspex and acrylic to precious metals and ceramic, a varied mix of materials will be presented.

The enamel display will feature a selection of works by a local artist specialising in enamelled metalwork, Liverpool-born Lily Day (b. 1870). Day studied at Liverpool School of Architecture and Applied Art and became an enamelling/metalwork instructor there. Between 1898 and the early 1920s her work was frequently exhibited at the Walker Art Gallery.

Find out more about the display at liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker