Community Post Type: News

Over at CONTENT in Liverpool, the venue is now gearing up for a sensational first full season of live music running all the way into spring 2024.

As one of the UK’s newest destinations for live music and events, the Baltic Triangle’s hotspot has already hosted two stellar international acts with Caroline Polachek and Unknown Mortal Orchestra performing earlier in the summer. The legendary Liverpool Disco Festival joined them in an initial 3-pronged soft launch which attracted diverse audiences from across the UK.

CONTENT is now embarking on its first full season of shows from autumn into spring. Kicking off is an epic double header featuring Pretenders with Chrissie Hynde on Sunday 22nd October and no.1 pop sensation Maisie Peters on Monday 23rd October. 

The Pretenders rose from London’s late-70s punk and new wave scene gaining huge popularity across the world and they remain a potent and compelling force to this day. They are swiftly followed by Maisie Peters, who is signed to Ed Sheeran’s record label and opened the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival this year and performs at CONTENT as part of her UK tour following the release of her number one album The Good Witch. 

Next up, in November CONTENT plays host to the Homotopia Festival 2023 Opening Night on Saturday 11th November. Homotopia is the UK’s longest running LGBTQIA arts and cultural festival and CONTENT will proudly welcome their 20th anniversary launch with the queer cabaret and pro wrestling collective FIST, a dynamic mix of vibrant comedy, electrifying drag performers and jaw dropping wrestling moves. It also stars Filla Crack, Lilly Snatch Dragon and DJs until midnight.

On 15th November the legendary Stereolab, one of the most innovative bands of the 90s, led by Tim Gane and Laetitia Sadier, will bring a blend of avant-pop and jazzy futurism to Liverpool for their show in the city in over twenty years.

To see out the year in the most celebratory of styles, CONTENT will celebrate the festive season with Liverpool legend Craig Charles hosting his legendary Funk & Soul House Party on Boxing Day Tuesday 26th December. CONTENT will be transformed into Craig’s living room where he will delve into his extensive record collection bringing a packed-out show groove, funk and soul classics all night. Backed up by a stellar Liverpool and Northwest line up. Featuring Lifetime Achievement 2022 DJ Mag winner, DJ Paulette. Liverpool’s Sense of Sound Singers will perform a heavy set of uplifting dance and soul Boxing Day bangers alongside another live performance from Big Disco Energy.

Attention then turns to the New Year and a trio of dates to savour. Indie-rocking legends and festival headliners The Vaccines will perform a no doubt sold-out show at CONTENT on Saturday 13th January, celebrating the release of their new album Pick-Up Full of Pink Carnations as part of their UK and European 2024 tour. Then Saturday 2nd March sees fast-rising Liverpool band The Cheap Thrills headlining in their biggest hometown show to date at CONTENT, following their sold-out main room show at the 02 Academy.

Rounding off this first full season, more Merseyside magnificence drops in on Thursday 21st March with Bill Ryder-Jones, who after multiple sold-out Liverpool headline shows has chosen CONTENT to play and with his new 8-piece band performing a multiverse of folk-laden melodic tracks from his brand new forthcoming 2024 album.

Tickets for all shows are available via Dice FM and CONTENT, Liverpool.

Further artists will be announced in the coming weeks.

CONTENT – full season of dates coming up 

The Pretenders – Sunday 22nd October 

Maisie Peters – Monday 23rd October

Clash of the Titans: Homotopia Festival Launch – Saturday 11th November

Stereolab – Wednesday 15th November

Craig Charles Funk & Soul House Party – Tuesday 26th December

The Vaccines – Saturday 13th January

The Cheap Thrills – Saturday 2nd March

Bill-Ryder Jones – Thursday 21st March

CONTENT

Cain’s Brewery Village, Stanhope St, Liverpool, L8 5XJ

https://contentliverpool.co.uk/

Insta: @contentliverpool 

Twitter: @ContentLiv

FB: contentparkliverpool 

The museums and galleries of National Museums Liverpool (NML) are some of the most iconic settings in Liverpool – from the classical grandeur of World Museum and Walker Art Gallery on William Brown Street, to the heritage of Maritime Museum on the city’s Royal Albert Dock and the iconic Museum of Liverpool situated on the world-renowned Pier Head.

It should come as no surprise, then, that Liverpool’s museums have been featured on the big screen for years – with a number of high-profile shoots taking place throughout these emblematic spaces.

Here is just a small selection of the many films and TV shows that have used NML venues as filming locations:

• Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story – Walker Art Gallery: 

It was the social media sensation that gripped the nation – and now, the Disney+ documentary as told by Colleen Rooney herself will premiere this week. Dubbed the Wagatha Christie trial, the documentary will tell the story of the infamous trial and the fall out between Rooney and Rebekah Vardy. The courtroom scenes were filmed at County Sessions House on William Brown Street, part of the Walker Art Gallery.

• Funny Woman – World Museum 

This adaption of Nick Hornby’s novel Funny Girl was shot in Liverpool during September 2021, and saw World Museum transformed into a hospital in episode three. Other familiar scenes include Hawke Street in the city centre behind the Adelphi Hotel and Broughs Butchers and Rowlands Pharmacy in Birkdale, the latter of which was transformed into a hairdressers. Starring Gemma Arterton as charismatic Barbara Parker, the series saw a young woman from Blackpool finding her comic voice in the male dominated world of the 1960s sitcom.

• Doctor Who – Museum of Liverpool 

“Nobody has got a top floor like the Museum of Liverpool, because nobody has got our history.” – Dan Lewis (John Bishop)

Doctor Who visited Liverpool in early 2021 to start filming for the thirteenth series of this iconic British TV staple. During the episode, we’re introduced to Dan Lewis, portrayed by Liverpool comedian John Bishop, on a visit to the Museum of Liverpool.

• The Batman – Walker Art Gallery 

NML played a role in The Batman, providing a backdrop for the filming and also hosting a backstage film crew hub in Liverpool. Warner Bros’ The Batman, released in March 2022, was shot in Liverpool during October 2020 and was the world’s first largescale production in an urban area to shoot under the new Covid-19 industry guidelines. The striking Walker Art Gallery was used as one of the filming locations that transformed Liverpool into Gotham City. The official still from the film shows Robert Pattinson, as Bruce Wayne, in front of St George’s Hall with Walker Art Gallery in the background.

• Digging for Britain – Museum of Liverpool 

In summer 2022, NML welcomed the Digging For Britain team. Filming took place for the 10th series of the popular TV programme, with Professor Alice Roberts following a year of British archaeology, joining up the results of digs and investigations the length of the country.

NML featured in episode 6, Headless Romans and Anglo Saxon Gold. In it, Professor Roberts speaks with Vanessa Oakden, Lead Curator of Archaeology, Jeff Speakman, Assistant Curator Regional Archaeology, and dig volunteers about the history of the Piermaster’s Green, the impact of the Second World War on the area and looks at some of the fascinating finds.

• Eurovision 2023 Turquoise Carpet – Walker Art Gallery 

There’s no doubt that Eurovision fever swept Liverpool in May 2023 and NML was no exception. The Walker Art Gallery hosted the official “Turquoise Carpet” event of the 2023 edition of the globally known singing competition – the official red carpet event that opens the week of Eurovision festivities in each host city. The event saw the acts from each of the 37 competing countries descend the stairs at the Walker, before heading out along the carpet towards St. Georges Hall to speak to fans and media. The event was broadcast live on YouTube.

• Anthony – Walker Art Gallery 

In 2020, Anthony Walker’s story was told in a one-off film on BBC One, produced by Liverpool-based LA Productions. Jimmy McGovern’s new drama could not have been shown at a more pertinent time, when more people than ever are having crucial conversations on race and representation. The powerful film imagines Anthony’s ambitious future, but grounded in brutal reality. Select scenes were filmed at the County Sessions House, next to the Walker Art Gallery.

• Silent Witness – Museum of Liverpool and Maritime Museum 

BBC Studios’ hugely popular drama celebrated its 25th series in 2022, with six thrilling new episodes – opening in Liverpool with an edge-of-your-seat assassination attempt. Liverpool is favoured by filmmakers for doubling-up locations as New York, London, or Moscow, but Silent Witness is set to showcase the city’s landmarks in full glory.

Production filmed for over a week in Liverpool last year, with cast and crew filming key scenes in some of the most well-known locations including the Museum of Liverpool and the Maritime Museum.

Festive films are a staple when it comes to the winter season, and this year The Luna Cinema is back with a whole new programme of classic Christmas and New Year film screenings in magical settings to spread some festive cheer.

The ultimate cinematic event for Christmas, The Luna Cinema’s 2023 winter line-up includes five indoor festive screenings, perfect for sleigh-loads of festive fun and quality time with friends and family at the most wonderful time of the year.

Pioneers of the UK open-air cinematic experience, The Luna Cinema’s winter programme promises to encapsulate the magic of this enchanting season with over 100 screenings that are sure to provide some welcome holiday cheer. Audiences can expect all the festive classics, including “Elf”, “Love Actually” – both of which are celebrating 20 years since their release, as well as “Home Alone”, It’s A Wonderful Life and The Holiday, and family favourites such as “The Grinch” and “Frozen – sing-along”.

The Luna Cinema’s screenings in Liverpool are taking place at the breathtaking Town Hall.

We all know one of the best parts of the festive season is the food and beverages, and The Luna Cinema has ensured there will be a fantastic selection of refreshments available across all venues. From a warming hot chocolate to a mug of mulled wine, Luna will make sure you have everything you need to immerse yourself in the festive cheer.

George Wood, founder of The Luna Cinema, says: “Nothing says Christmas like gathering with family and friends to watch festive film favourites and we’re as excited as ever to be back this winter with a wonderful line up of film favourites in breath-taking venues across the country. An absolute must-do this December, our 2023 programme represents the ultimate line-up of Christmas classics in a beautiful winter setting, giving guests everything they need to cosy up and get into the festive spirit!”

Tickets are available to purchase via https://www.thelunacinema.com/winter and prices start from £10.50 including booking fees; the season runs from 1^st December until 2^nd January.

In a weeks time, Regal Entertainments return to St Helens Theatre Royal with a GIANT spellbinding Pantomime for October half-term with a cast of much-loved regulars in Jack and the Beanstalk.

The sumptuous pantomime promises to captivate young and old audiences alike when it runs between Friday 27 October and Sunday 5 November 2023. Tickets are selling fast!

Jack and the Beanstalk tells the rags to riches story of a boy who sells the family’s cow for a handful of beans, getting him into a lot of trouble with his poor mother. The tale takes a magical twist when the beans spout into a magnificent beanstalk that reaches up to a mystical land high in the sky. 

Audiences will join Jack on his gigantic journey up the beanstalk as he discovers geese with golden eggs, a magic harp, and a close encounter with a very hungry giant. But he’ll need to tread carefully as the villainous Mrs Fleshcreep is hot on his heels, determined to stop him in his exciting tracks. 

X Factor and Eton Road’s David Heath stars as Jack, with Regal Entertainments favourite Lewis Devine as Simple Simon, also starring St Helen’s favourites Maddie Hope Coelho as Princess Jill, Rachael Wood as Mrs Fleshcreep, Jenna Sian O’Hara as Fairy Mary, and Mark Two who plays Dame Dolly Trott.

The show is directed by Chantelle Nolan, choreographed by Nazene Langfield and musical direction Callum Clarke and boasts stunning costumes and scenery, and a fantastic soundtrack of favourite songs.

Book in person at the Theatre Royal Box Office, Corporation Street, St. Helens, Merseyside WA10 1LQ (Mon – Sat 10am – 5pm). Alternatively, call 01744 756 000 or log on to: www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com

National Museums Liverpool has announced a series of exhibitions across their venues that will challenge audiences to think about how they view the natural world.

A relentless battle to survive, the beauty of our landscapes as painted by female artists and natural beauty in a masterpiece by Diego Velazquez, are all displayed in galleries for the Spring / Summer 2024 season.

Bees: A Story of Survival will transport visitors into a world of bees, to explore their importance to our own lives and to understand their fight for survival. In a unique partnership with award-winning artist and sculptor Wolfgang Buttress, the immersive exhibition is a beautiful harmony of art and science featuring cutting edge technology. Using sound and light environments, the exhibition provides visitors with a real-time connection to the bees within their natural habitat and reveals the changing picture of their activity. Bees: A Story of Survival opens at World Museum on 3 May 2024.

The work of female artists will go on show at Lady Lever Art Gallery as Another View: Landscapes by Women Artists opens on 20 April 2024. The exhibition will examine women artists’ place in the history of British landscape art, a story traditionally dominated by male artists. Featuring artwork from National Museums Liverpool collections and works from other institutions, Another View: Landscapes by Women Artists celebrates the history of landscapes by women artists.

The only surviving nude artwork by artist Diego Velázquez, The Rokeby Venus, is the focal point of National Treasures: Velázquez in Liverpool, opening at the Walker Art Gallery on 10 May 2024.

The masterpiece is being loaned to the Walker as part of the National Treasures programme celebrating the 200th birthday of the National Gallery in London. The Walker will display the painting alongside a selection of unexpected works from the collections of National Museums Liverpool, exploring this iconic 17^th century painting in a contemporary light.

Laura Pye, director of National Museums Liverpool, said: “From a brand-new exploration into landscapes by women artists to the visually-stunning and important Bees exhibition, I’m sure we’ll have something for everyone to enjoy. This season we are focussing on the natural world, the role many species and we play in it. From learning about insects, animals and humans over the years to how we can help in the fight against climate change, our venues are perfectly placed to help you discover, educate, experience and take action.”

Alongside exhibitions, a range of learning events will take place across the season, with activities suitable for all ages. Beyond the Label talks delve into the hidden stories in National Museums Liverpool’s collections, and Old Dock Tours give people a chance to see Liverpool from below the ground.

For more information on all exhibition and events taking place across National Museums Liverpool venues, please visit: liverpoolmuseums.org.uk.

A brand-new monthly comedy night is launching in Liverpool.

Comedy at Tempest will showcase some of Liverpool’s recognised faces trying new material and those taking their first steps in the spotlight. 

It launches on Thursday 12th October at 8pm and then will run every 2nd Thursday of the month at Tempest on Tithebarn with free entry for all. 

Hosted by Mark Devine, Comedy at Tempest will complement the established comedy already in the district.

Each night, guests can vote for their favourite comic they want to see in a final comedy showdown, with the winner being awarded a paid spot on a professional stand-up comedy night in 2024.

Comedy At Tempest joins the long-running Monday weekly quiz night at the iconic Liverpool venue, along with its bottomless cocktail brunch every Saturday and Tuesday’s 2-4-1 burger offer.

Tempest pays homage to New York’s meatpacking district eateries, focusing heavily on brunches, lunches, cocktails and craft beer. It has a glorious rooftop looking out in all directions across the city and is best for early evening sunsets on the top floor, plus there’s great music and guest DJs and a subterranean club too, Kol Box.

Comedy At Tempest – launching Thursday 12th October 

12 Tithebarn St, Liverpool, L2 2DT

Every 2nd Thursday of the month from 8pm 

www.tempestontithebarn.co.uk / Insta: @tempestontithebarn / Twitter: tempestontithe

Tel 0151 242 6170

This half-term the seven venues of National Museums Liverpool (NML) are bursting with exhibitions, events and workshops for all the family.

William Brown Street has been a school holiday choice for generations and this October half-term is no exception. The popular exhibition, Return of the Gods, continues at World Museum, accompanied by special events for anyone who wants to delve deeper into the myths and legends of ancient Greece and Rome. Up the hill at the Walker Art Gallery visitors will enjoy choosing their favourite painting from the 70 selected for the prestigious John Moores Painting Prize 2023. They may even be inspired to create their own masterpiece in Big Art, the gallery’s dedicated space for families.

The Liverpool waterfront offers the perfect backdrop for an exciting day trip this half-term. The Museum of Liverpool’s new exhibition, Happiness! will tickle funny bones young and old, exploring the career, and of course telling the jokes of Liverpool icon, Sir Ken Dodd. Across the dock the Maritime Museum’s Titanic and Liverpool: the untold story exhibition reveals the background of the most famous ship of all and its links to Liverpool. At the International Slavery Museum’s visitors are in for a real treat with drumming workshops and traditional storytelling.

Autumn is a wonderful time to get out of the city and see the changing colours of the season, followed by a cosy trip to a gallery. A jaunt to Lady Lever Art Gallery provides the last chance to see the enchanting Flower Fairies (closes 5 November) and to take part in themed crafts inspired by the natural beauty of Cecily Barker’s delicate paintings. While out in leafy Mossley Hill things are about to get very spooky with Sudley House getting into the spirit of Halloween, with creepy crafts, ghoulish ghost stories and a puzzling pumpkin trail!

October is also Black History Month and NML has a busy month of talks, workshops and music sessions, as well as fascinating online resources available all year round. Find out more here.

Half-term highlights across each venue: 

World Museum

Return of the Gods  
Until 25 February 2024  
Adults £8 (concessions available), children under 17 free  
Prepare for the high drama of the ancient world as we meet the gods and goddesses of Mt. Olympus. Their lives were packed with great loves, greater feuds and the powers to influence, save or condemn human lives forever. This family-friendly exhibition dives into ancient Greek and Roman mythology to expose the original ancient characters of the heroes and heroines of our time. This boldly designed exhibition allows you to step inside the stories, as two-metre-high statues tower above you. Featuring a stunning collection of over 100 sculptures and objects, displayed together for the first time, experience the luxury of a Roman villa, before journeying into the underworld to meet Hades.

Return of the Gods Exhibition Tour: Mythology and Daily Life  
24, 27 and 28 October  
11am and 2.30pm 
Adults £13 (includes £8 exhibition ticket. Children £5)  
Prepare for the high drama of the ancient world as we meet the gods and goddesses of Mt. Olympus. Their lives were packed with great loves, greater feuds and the powers to influence, save or condemn human lives for ever. This family-friendly exhibition and tour dives into ancient Greek and Roman mythology to expose the original ancient characters of the heroes and heroines of our time, and what they meant to people of the time.

Gods and Goddesses – Story Time Performance  
25 October 
11am, 12:30 and 2pm 
Adults £3, children £2 
Discover the mind-blowing myths from ancient times and learn how to recognise your Apollo from your Aphrodite with the simple trick of knowing the tale behind the talisman they hold, or the story behind the scenes they inhabit.

Aquarium Keeper Experience   
31 October and 2 and 4 November   
11:30am and 2:20pm 
(Group of 2) £40   
(Group of 4) £60 
In this behind-the-scenes immersive experience an aquarium ranger will show you they look after the incredible creatures at the museum, from moon jellyfish to terrapins. You’ll learn how to use the specialist equipment and will even get the chance to feed the animals.

This experience is only available to participants aged 8 years and older. It can be booked for groups of up to two or four people, with a maximum of two under 18 per group of either size. If two under 18-year-olds are attending the two-person package, an adult must accompany them as a free spectator/chaperone.

Meet the Scientist 
28 October 
Follow a treasure map and discover more about the human body and the amazing world around us, with lots of fun activities for children of all ages and their adults.

Drumming Displays with Agida African Arts 
Tuesday 31 October  
10:30 and 11.30am 
Celebrate Black History Month with urban griot and master drummer Karim Mbaye, of Agida African Arts. Karim will share traditional Senegalese stories brought to life using African musical instruments including the drum and kora.

Drumming Workshops with Agida African Arts 
Tuesday 31 October 
12:30 and 2pm
Join urban griot and master drummer Karim Mbaye, of Agida African Arts, for traditional Senegalese stories brought to life using African musical instruments including the drum and kora. Families will have the chance to get hands on with traditional African instruments as they learn to drum and dance. Due to the size of the drums, this workshop is open to visitors aged 8+. All children must be supervised. Numbers are limited, please book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Walker Art Gallery  

Photie Man: 50 years of Tom Wood  
Until 7 January 2024  
Adults £9, children 6 – 17 £2, children under 6 free. Concessions are available. 
A new major photographic exhibition from Tom Wood at Walker Art Gallery, showcasing 50 years of the artist’s work. Photie Man celebrates the acclaimed Irish-born artist Tom Wood with a comprehensive survey of work spanning 50 years since the start of his career. The exhibition brings together photography from the 1970s to the present day, many of which are being displayed for the first time in Liverpool – where a large number of Wood’s iconic photographs were taken.

John Moores Painting Prize 2023 
Until 25 February 2024 
Adults £5, concessions available. Children under 17, free. 
The John Moores Painting Prize is the UK’s most well-known painting competition, bringing together the best contemporary painting from across the UK to Liverpool.

The Curious Curiosity Shop 
31 October and 1 November 
12pm, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm 
Abandoned and forgotten, suspended in time, until now…something is stirring within the peculiar storerooms of the Curious Curiosity Shop. Follow the Keeper of the Keys on a magical journey around the gallery in a performance fuelled by music, dance and art in this whimsical promenade production.
Presented by Tangled Dance Company in partnership with the Walker Art Gallery. 
Places are limited and cannot be booked in advance. Arrive early to avoid disappointment.  

Unwind at the Walker 
Various dates 
Children £2 with two adults (free) 
An opportunity to introduce youngest visitors to elements of mindfulness through sensory play, movement and crafts, inspired by paintings and themed books which help children to understand emotions and explore their senses.
This session is aimed at children 0-5 years old, however older siblings are also welcome to attend with their accompanying adults. 
These sessions have limited numbers so booking in advance is advised. 

Craft and Create 
31 October and 1 November 
1pm 
Be inspired be the art works and beautiful spaces then get creative in a craft workshop.

Rhymetime 
21 and 28 October 
11.15am
Rhymetime brings songs and stories, led by the Learning and Participation team, followed by free play in Big Art, the dedicated children’s gallery.
This session is aimed at pre-schoolers aged 0-4 years, however older siblings are also welcome to attend with their accompanying adults.  

Museum of Liverpool 

Happiness! 
Until 3 March 2024 
Adults £5 (concessions available), children under 17 free  
Introduce the kids to the whimsical, surreal and theatrical humour of Sir Ken Dodd. From the Diddymen to the Broken Biscuit Factory, Ken’s imagination was both endless and infectious and transformed the UK comedy scene. Through never-before-seen personal objects, film, photography, digital interactives and of course many, many jokes, this tattyfilarious show is guaranteed to raise a smile!

Little Liverpool Specials 
Various dates 
Children £2 with two adults (free) 
Little Liverpool is a hands-on fantasy world, crammed with fun activities especially for children under the age of six to play and learn. It is the perfect way to introduce little ones to the Museum of Liverpool. Look out special themed sessions: Lion Cubs, Shipmates and Scribble and Splash, available on various days. These sessions have limited numbers so booking in advance is advised.  

Future Voices: Open Mic 
29 October  
From 1.30 
Drop into the atrium, at the heart of Museum of Liverpool, for live open mic sessions from talented young performers. Expect anything from music, poetry, comedy, spoken words, drama or storytelling, showcasing the amazing creativity in the city.  If you’re aged between 16-24 and interested in taking part register here  

An Armourers Tale 
31 October and 1 and 2 November 
11:30am and 2:30pm 
In 1337 the Hundred Years War began. King Edward III mustered his forces against the French king, achieving victories at Crecy and Poitiers. Travel back in time to the medieval period and become part of Edward’s army at a turbulent time in history, meeting Lord FitzWarin and Sergeant at Arms, John, to discover more about weapons and armour of the age.

Maritime Museum  

Titanic – Fashions and Fortunes 
1, 2 and 3 November  
11am – 12 noon and 1:30pm – 3:30pm 
What clothes and other items might those on Titanic have packed for their journey? Using fashion and the prized possessions of passengers discover the different people on board that fateful night.
Suitable for adults and children over 7.  

The Leaving of Liverpool 
4 November  
11.30am, 1.30pm, 2.30pm 
Go back in time to Liverpool, 1854, and meet travellers as they embark on a journey across seas to start a new life. Listen to stories of hope and fear, as role players bring to life the tales of emigrants who travelled through the port of Liverpool.

Old Dock Tour 
Various dates 
Adults £8.50, children aged 6-17, £7.50. Children under 6 go free. Concessions available.  
Discover the origin of Liverpool’s fortune, buried deep below the Liverpool ONE shopping centre. Families will be fascinated by the large portion of the Old Dock wall still rising more than 20 feet from the bed of the Pool – the creek that gave Liverpool its name. Friendly guides will bring the history to life, explaining how this feat of engineering changed Liverpool’s destiny forever.

International Slavery Museum 

Drumming Workshop with Agida African Arts 
2 November 
12.30pm and 2pm 
Join urban griot and master drummer Karim Mbaye, of Agida African Arts, for traditional Senegalese stories brought to life using African musical instruments including the drum and kora. Families will have the chance to listen to get hands on with traditional African instruments as they learn to drum and dance.
Due to the size of the drums, this workshop is open to visitors aged 8+. All children must be supervised. Numbers are limited, please book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Lady Lever Art Gallery 

Flower Fairies  
Until 5 November 2023  
Tickets are free to book with a suggested donation. 
The Lady Lever Art Gallery explores 100 years of Cicely Mary Barker’s ethereal illustrations in a new exhibition, Flower Fairies. In association with Penguin Ventures (part of Penguin Random House UK), the exhibition looks at the delicate work created by Barker. Flower Fairies, features around 45 exquisite and botanically accurate, original illustrations, including Barker’s best-loved flower fairy creations and early sketches, alongside digital projections, items from National Museums Liverpool’s botany collection and costumes inspired by the fairies, designed by award-winning costume designer Vin Burnham.

Flower Fairies: Craft and Create 
25 and 26 October  
1-4pm 
Immerse yourself in nature and magic of Flower Fairies-inspired craft and create sessions. Inspired by the incredible artwork of Cicily Barker families will make special creations to take home and keep.

Flower Fairies: Story Explorers 
Thursday 26 October 
10:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm 
The autumn Flower Fairies have emerged ready for Wirral’s October half-term. Listen to a story, explore sensory trays, inspired by nature, and make an artwork to take home all followed by a chance for a magical wonder through the Flower Fairies exhibition.
These activities are specially for children under 5 and their grown-ups. 
Places are limited. Book in advance to avoid disappointment 

Sudley House 

Spooky Sudley 
28 and 29 October  
11am 
What was that noise? Was that a footstep on the stair? Join the annual Halloween celebrations at Sudley House, for ghost stories and creepy crafts. This event is family-friendly but it is recommended very young visitors are pre-warned that the theme of the event will be a bit spooky!

A day out isn’t complete without a souvenir and in NML’s gift shops you can find everything from art-themed gifts to pocket money purchases inspired by the collections.

If you’re planning on multiple visits, NML offers a range of membership options for individuals and families which include unlimited access to paid exhibitions across all seven venues, Planetarium shows at World Museum and the Old Dock tours. Memberships also include access to special events, previews and talks and 15% discount in museum and gallery cafés, gift shops and NML’s online shop.

Liverpool independent record shop, Dig Vinyl, is thrilled to announce its latest expansion with the addition of a new shop in the wider Merseyside area.

Dig Vinyl’s second permanent retail shop sees the brand branching out over the water to the Wirral, joining the vibrant independent retail scene of West Kirby. The new shop marks a significant milestone in Dig Vinyl’s decade-long journey, having witnessed three expansions and a strategic move within Bold Street, and emerging as a committed independent business in the landscape of the North’s music and vinyl culture.

Dig Vinyl West Kirby will open on Saturday, 4th November on the bustling Banks Road, just a short walk from the station and a stone’s throw from the beach. The shop will stock the usual diversity of genres, eras & sounds that its loyal customers have come to expect, including rare finds from America, Japan, and beyond. Their friendly team of dedicated crate diggers are also excited to curate stock that caters to the preferences of local customers. In support of this, the West Kirby store will see an extension of Dig Vinyl’s partnership with Birkenhead music venue Future Yard, committing to stock releases by the emerging artists and local talents who grace Future Yard’s stage. Dig Vinyl will also continue to partner with Future Yard on the organisation of the quarterly CRATE Vinyl & Craft Beer market.

Eager to join the thriving creative scene on the Wirral, Dig Vinyl looks forward to embarking on new collaborations with local organisations, venues, pubs, and bars. Their first partnership sees New Brighton-based SUP shop showcasing a revolving collection of screen-printed gig posters from their Onomatoposter exhibition, curated by local artist Toucan Tango. Fans of the Bold Street shop needn’t worry as Dig Vinyl’s Liverpool shop will continue to operate as usual, remaining as dedicated to digging as ever!

More than just a record shop, Dig Vinyl has seamlessly integrated itself into the music community of the North and farther afield, actively participating in prominent events like Eurovision, We Out Here Festival and the David Bowie World Fan Convention. Their contributions go beyond the shelves, as they offer musical insights and staff recommendations through various platforms, including social media, newsletters, and radio shows. The extension of their retail presence with the new West Kirby shop is yet another avenue the Dig Vinyl team is taking to spread their passion for music and vinyl to the Merseyside community and beyond!

Dig Vinyl West Kirby – 156B Banks Rd (via Alexandra Road), West Kirby, CH48 0QB

Dig Vinyl Bold Street – 27 Bold Street, 1st Floor of Resurrection, Liverpool, L1 4DN