Community Post Type: News

The City of Liverpool College to host a range of Eurovision events

The City of Liverpool College, a leader in providing high-quality skills education, is proud to announce a series of exciting Eurovision events, in collaboration with the Ukrainian community, ahead of the grand event taking place in May 2023.

The College will be hosting various events to celebrate Eurovision, Liverpool and Ukraine. The events will showcase the talents of the College’s students across its 5 main campuses, with support from their tutors, in various fields such as media and photography, hospitality, fashion and the arts.

Students can also find more about The City of Liverpool College’s Open Days which are happening towards the end of the month, here. Students will have the chance to speak to their friendly tutors and support teams, meet the current students and have a go at some exciting interactive activities.

Find out more at www.liv-coll.ac.uk

Liverpool and Eurovision icons first acts announced for Eurovision Welcome

The final wave of more than 9,000 tickets for ‘The National Lottery’s Big Eurovision Welcome’ will be released on Tuesday 25 April at 12.00 noon.

Comedian and TV personality Joel Dommett will join AJ Odudu on stage at the event outside St George’s Hall, Liverpool on Sunday 7th May, alongside the first performers for the 90-minute outdoor spectacle which have today been announced.

The first acts to perform have been announced, including Liverpool’s iconic Lightning Seeds will perform at the welcome event, as well as other local favourites including Atomic Kitten and The Real Thing. The line-up will also include Ukrainian music legend and Eurovision winner Jamala and Eurovision superstar Conchita Wurst.

In addition cameos and contributions from TV favourite Shirley Ballas, Liverpool royalty Ricky Tomlinson and Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne are amongst those contributing on the night.

The last few thousand tickets for National Lottery players to attend the show are free* and will be available from bigeurovisionwelcome.co.uk on a first-come, first-served basis from April 25th at 12:00, serve as a thank you to the National Lottery players for the £330M they have contributed to over 3,600 music and cultural projects in Liverpool alone.

Those booking tickets will be required to confirm they have a National Lottery ticket that they can present on the day of the event.

Liverpool Takes Top Spot For Visitor Attractions

Liverpool takes top spot for visitor attractions - NML World Museum (c) Pete Carr

New figures have revealed attractions in Liverpool as some of the most visited in England – with World Museum taking the top spot in the North West.

Nearly 2.5million people visited National Museums Liverpool’s venues during 2022 and there is anticipation of further growth this year, as the region enters the Eurovision spotlight, and a series of new exhibitions and special events get underway.

Latest figures from the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) named World Museum as the North West’s top attraction in its annual visitor number research. A line-up of Merseyside museums and art galleries also feature in the rankings, including Museum of Liverpool at number two and the city’s Maritime Museum and International Slavery Museum on the waterfront also in the top 10.

Laura Pye, Director at National Museums Liverpool, said: “We’re proud to look after some of the most visited museums and art galleries outside of London. Our venues attracted more than double the number of visitors in 2022, compared to the previous year. We weren’t back to pre-pandemic levels – but the start of 2023 is already seeing further uplift.

“This year has brought another boost, as we prepare to welcome thousands of international visitors when the Eurovision limelight shines across the Liverpool region. Our team are busy launching some exciting new exhibitions and special events across our venues – including a programme of live music sessions and activity inspired by Eurovision.”

With an estimated 100,000 extra visitors expected in the city region when Liverpool hosts Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine, a series of special attractions are being launched. This includes an Augmented Reality (AR) walk of fame and a large-scale interactive piano on the steps of the Museum of Liverpool, a series of Museums Sessions Lives showcasing a diverse line up of musical talent across the venues in the build-up to the song contest, and official XTRA events in Eurovision week.

The popular World Museum, Museum of Liverpool and Maritime Museum are also in the top 20 visited indoor venues in the UK outside of London. Last year saw World Museum host the world premiere of the Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder exhibition and it is preparing to open the new blockbuster exhibition Return of the Gods next week on 28 April.

Top 10 North West Visitor Attractions

  1. World Museum (National Museums Liverpool)
  2. Museum of Liverpool (National Museums Liverpool)
  3. Knowsley Safari & Knowsley Hall
  4. Dunham Massey
  5. Maritime Museum (National Museums Liverpool)
  6. RHS Garden Bridgewater
  7. Delamere Forest
  8. Tate Liverpool
  9. Science and Industry Museum
  10. International Slavery Museum (National Museums Liverpool)

(Based on Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) visitor figures*)

On now and coming up at National Museums Liverpool’s venues:

Liverpool Through the Lens by Leroy Cooper
Museum of Liverpool
1 April onwards

Developed in partnership with local photographer Leroy Cooper, this exhibition draws on Leroy’s 40-year career as a photographer documenting Liverpool communities. On display in the Skylight Gallery, Leroy’s evocative and insightful images are a love letter to the city and the Liverpool 8 community. Accompanied by text written by Leroy himself, the images chosen reflect on themes including racism, justice, the transatlantic slave trade, community, inequality, empire, migration, pride, solidarity, culture, family and regeneration.

Flower Fairies ™ 
Lady Lever Art Gallery
15 April 2023 – 5 November 2023

Flower Fairies ™  features around 45 original illustrations from the Flower Fairies books by Cicely Mary Barker (1895 – 1973), owned by the Warne Archive. Marking the 100-year anniversary of her first book, Flower Fairies of the Spring, the show will immerse visitors into the enchanted worlds created by Barker.

Return of the Gods: Zeus, Athena, Hercules  
World Museum
28 April – 25 February 2024

Enter the world of myth and legend told through the stories of ancient Greek and Roman gods in an intriguing new exhibition at World Museum. Featuring a stunning collection of sculpture and antiquities, Return of the Gods: Zeus, Athena, Hercules will immerse you in the ancient world, told through the words of ancient poets and writers, the sounds of mystery cults, rituals and festivals and the public and private worship of gods.

Photie Man: 50 years of Tom Wood 
Walker Art Gallery
20 May 2023 – 7 January 2024

A new major photographic exhibition from Tom Wood will open at the Walker Art Gallery, showcasing 50 years of the artist’s work. Photie Man celebrates the internationally-acclaimed Irish artist Tom Wood with a comprehensive survey of work spanning 50 years since the start of his career.

The exhibition will bring together work from across all decades, displayed chronologically and for the first time in Liverpool – where many of Wood’s iconic photographs were taken.

Renaissance Rediscovered  
Walker Art Gallery
Re-opens July 2023

Featuring some of the finest paintings and decorative arts in Europe, Renaissance Rediscovered marks the re-opening of the Walker Art Gallery’s Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque rooms.

The transformation and restoration of around 600 square metres of gallery, the first redevelopment of the space in more than 30 years, is supported by funding from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Happiness!  
Museum of Liverpool
14 July 2023 – 3 March 2024

Happiness! is an exhibition filled with fun and humour. Celebrating one of Liverpool’s iconic comedians, the legendary Sir Ken Dodd, this exhibition charts the life and career of Ken, and his connection to today’s comedic stars.

John Moores Painting Prize 2023 
Walker Art Gallery
16 September 2023 – 25 February 2024

The UK’s most well-known painting competition returns to Walker Art Gallery in 2023. Bringing together the best of contemporary painting from across the UK to Liverpool, the painting prize is over 60 years old.

For more information visit www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk

Rave UKraine adds Jodie Harsh, Sarah Story And Human Margareeta to lineup

Rave UKraine – the historic event taking place in Liverpool and Kyiv simultaneously on Sunday 7 May – has announced further acts confirmed to be performing at the rave. Rave Ukraine Announcement_Sqaure Acclaimed DJ and artist Jodie Harsh will be performing at the event in Liverpool, alongside British DJ and radio presenter Sarah Story. Ukrainian DJ and producer Human Margareeta will also be performing at the UK event. DJ, producer & promoter Jodie Harsh is known for her high-energy sets and her unique blend of house, techno, and pop music. As a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ+ community she has been praised for her work in promoting diversity and inclusion in the dance music scene. BBC Radio 1’s Future Dance show presenter and DJ, Sarah Story is a rising star in the dance music scene, is passionate about championing new dance music talent and has a strong track record of supporting up-and-coming artists. Experimental Ukrainian DJ and producer, Human Margareeta is known for her energetic sets and her unique blend of house, techno, and experimental music. These acts join the existing line up which includes acclaimed UK synth pop band Hot Chip (DJ Set), the legendary DJ Paulette, Unkle founder James Lavelle and Ukrainian DJ Mingulitka. Rave UKraine is set to be a uniquely historic event: a party taking place in two cities, at the exact same time, thousands of miles apart – both broadcast via a livestream to make one singular, unifying rave. The acts announced for the Ukrainian rave, which will take place at Kyiv’s HVLV Bar are: Petya Cantrust, JANE, Raavel, Pledov and Lostlojik. Both raves will be live streamed to the other, in partnership with a globally-renowned editorial streaming platform – so the music and dancing can cross borders in a show of unity and solidarity with Ukraine and its culture during the Russian invasion. Rave UKraine is part of the cultural festival ‘EuroFestival’, taking place for two weeks in May while Liverpool acts as Host City to Eurovision 2023. The pioneering event was created by Birmingham Music Archive founder and social entrepreneur Jez Collins, who has worked in tandem with the teams from Open Culture, Music Saves UA, Culture Liverpool, HVLV Kyiv and more to bring this historic event to life. Rave UKraine is also bringing together major figures from the music industry such as Caroline Prothero and Rich McGinnis who are supporting, collaborating and advising for the event. For tickets and more information on Rave UKraine: | Dice FM All profits from Rave UKraine go to Music Saves UA.

Danny Beard and Leanne Campbell to host Museum of Liverpool Eurovision parties

The Museum of Liverpool is set to host two special events on both Eurovision semi-final nights, 9 and 11 May, hosted by Liverpool drag legend Danny Beard and Radio City star Leanne Campbell.

Curated especially for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, these incredible events will give visitors the opportunity to experience the iconic waterfront museum like never before – with two jam-packed evenings of exclusive performances ranging from voguing, live music and DJ’s along with delicious food and drink available throughout the evening.

The first XTRA event for Eurovision Semi-Final One will be held on 9 May, hosted exclusively by Danny Beard, Liverpool drag royalty and winner of the fourth series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. The evening will include hosting and performances from Danny throughout the evening, along with a special voguing extravaganza from the legendary House of Suarez, DJing from Queensway Collective, exclusive musical performances, a silent disco and much more to be announced soon. Food and drink will also be available, led by Ukrainian chef Andriy Zhbadynskyy.

For Semi-Final Two on 11 May, star of the Radio City Breakfast Show, podcaster and presenter Leanne Campbell takes over hosting duties for another evening of Eurovision fun. Guests can expect performances from House of Suarez, alongside atmospheric music from the Liverpool Mozart Orchestra and a showstopping LED ballerina performance by JLee Productions.

Alongside the two Semi-Final XTRA events, National Museums Liverpool will also be hosting special screening events for the Eurovision final on 13 May at the Museum of Liverpool and World Museum. Guests can enjoy the Eurovision final from the glorious surroundings of their venues, with food and drink available.

Tickets for the screening at Museum of Liverpool are now sold out, but you can find out more about the screening at World Museum and get your tickets at liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wmeurovisionscreening.

David Watson, Executive Director of Audiences and Media at National Museums Liverpool, said: “NML’s programme of XTRA events is one of the newest best kept secrets in town, and you won’t want to miss these uniquely curated events inspired by Eurovision. We’re so pleased to be welcoming Danny and Leanne to join in the Eurovision fun with us, as Europe’s favourite TV show descends on our city. We can’t wait to get started!”

To book tickets and find out more, visit: liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/eurovisionxtras

Liverpool Independent Art School new classes

Liverpool Independent Art School’s normal life drawing sessions at 92 Degrees and Wednesday session at Smithdown Social Gallery 455 are back after their Easter break, starting on 18th and 19th April till mid-summer.

The Tuesday session can be booked direct on Eventbrite and the Smithdown session is pay on the door.

They’re also holding a one-off Zine making workshop with urban sketching tour – My Liverpool Journey –  based at the Everyman, 29 April, 10am – 5pm.

Event

The workshops focus on the theme of Liverpool as a welcoming port city and its history of welcoming travellers.

Free Creative Enterprise Workshops at Make

Starting from 21st April Make’s free Creative Enterprise Workshops are back!

This time at their new space Make on the Corner in Huyton Village.

The sessions will be running from the 21st April and are completely free to attend. The workshops have been put together for creatives to learn tips, tricks and skills from industry professionals to help with their craft or business – whatever stage of the journey they are on!

Friday 21st April – Instagram for Beginners (last few tickets remaining)

Thursday 27th April – Selling Art & Craft Online

Thursday 4th May – Pricing Your Online Products

To register, see here

Studio Technician – Liverpool’s Royal Court, closes 1 May

This role will focus mainly on their studio space, operating lighting and sound for in-house shows and external hires.

The successful candidate will also be expected to take on broader technical duties such as stage management, managing and editing music and video footage for studio performances as required, attending meetings and communicating with visiting companies as to their technical needs, as well as carrying out general studio technical maintenance and show set-ups.

The technician may be required to participate in other technical activities around the building within their monthly hours.

To apply, see here

Closing date: 1 May

Homage to Liverpool’s Catharine Street by songwriter JJ Parki

Songwriter JJ Parki’s latest release is about his love for Catharine Street, a very special place that was the only hope during a desperately sad time in his life.

The Southport-based artist has recently had several successes, including two collaborations being signed to an Italian record label and gaining American airplay.

Following signing to the label, JJ Parki (James Parkin) and singer-songwriter Lou Rumi are now releasing ‘Catharine Street’. The song describes a life-saving experience at James’ Place Help for suicidal men in Liverpool and London | James’ Place : James’ Place (jamesplace.org.uk) in Catharine Street last year.

Sadly, James’ mother had recently passed away during the national lockdown and  James’ Place was his only refuge/retreat during the strict lockdown rules.  When the restrictions were eased, he was able to go back home and get properly diagnosed and treated for depression and complicated grief.

‘Catharine Street’ is a homage to James’ Place, which in James’ hour of need helped him greatly.

You can listen to the song here

 

Bluecoat announces two week Eurovision programme

Bluecoat will celebrate Eurovision this May with an array of special events. The arts centre will host no fewer than three commissions as part of EuroFestival, the cultural festival that will transform Liverpool across a two week period to coincide with Eurovision.

In addition Bluecoat will offer a family-friendly print party where visitors can create their own Eurovision inspired keepsake; themed children’s activity packs and art trails in the legendary Bluecoat garden.

The programme announcement comes after the Bluecoat’s Eurovision Viewing Party sold out in just one week.

Adam Lewis-Smythe, Bluecoat’s Senior Curator said: “We are delighted to contribute to the city’s cultural welcome for Eurovision, both through EuroFestival and our own programme of events and activities. I think Liverpool does solidarity really well, and it’s really important to Bluecoat that we are working with a Ukrainian artist, Alevtina Kakhidze, and the Jam Factory, an art centre in Lviv, on a new exhibition that will bring Alevtina’s powerful work to Liverpool, alongside that of Liverpool-based artist Ellie Hoskins.

“Bluecoat is known for its warm welcome and our programme ensures that there is a way for everyone to enjoy Eurovision this May. Whether you want to celebrate the cultural heritage of Ukraine, get creative making Eurovision-inspired artwork or simply soak up the atmosphere with your family, Bluecoat will have something for you.”

Full details of the Bluecoat’s Eurovision programme can be found here