Event type: Festival

Leap Dance Festival

Leap Dance Festival is Liverpool City Region’s leading dance event, showcasing the work of local artists, community groups and young people.

Following a five year hiatus Leap Dance Festival is back, refocused, re-energised and ready to bring the ultimate celebration of dance to Liverpool.

This years festival sees a number of ticketed and free events take place in theatres, museums, venues and on the streets of Liverpool City Centre, promising something for all. 

With a diverse range of dance styles and events on offer, from circus and burlesque to breakdance and voguing, you are guaranteed to have a great time watching artists from across Liverpool City Region showcasing their work.

The festival launches on Friday 26th April at The Black-E with a night of cabaret, burlesque and circus performances, later taking over venues from The Capstone Theatre to National Museums Liverpool, with a schools showcase on International Dance Day. The festival closes on Friday 10th May with a House of Suarez spectacular, featuring vogue artists alongside performers from all dance disciplines from across the festival.

Leap Dance Festival 2024 Programme

Ooh La La Cabaret
Friday 26th April, 7pm, The Black-E, £25/22

Ooh La La Cabaret presents a night of circus, cabaret and burlesque. Expect high camp entertainment and death defying stunts from world class performers.

Dancing at the Museum
Saturday 27th April, 12pm, National Museums Liverpool, Free

Experience pop-up performances happening in museums and galleries across Liverpool.

Schools Dance Platform
Monday 29th April, 7pm, Archbishop Blanch, £8/6

Schools and colleges from across Liverpool City Region have been invited to share performances based on countries and cultures from around the world, for International Dance Day.

Liverpool Dance Prize
Thursday 2nd May, 7pm, The Capstone Theatre , £12/10

The North West’s emerging artists and choreographers share new work in a chance to win £1000 development fund. In partnership with Liverpool Hope University and Dance Consortia North West.

Youth Dance Showcase
Saturday 4th May, 7pm, The Capstone Theatre, £10/8

An evening of performances by and for youth dance companies from across Liverpool City Region.

Dockside Breakers: Boss Breaking
Sunday 5th May, 1pm The Black-E, £15

Dockside Breakers take over the Black E in a celebration of hip hop and breakdance culture. This jam will be a competition for over and under 16s, with competitors battling it out for prize monies.

Dancing in the Streets
Monday 6th May, 12pm, Liverpool City Centre, Free

Enjoy outdoor performances from some of the region’s leading artists. Sponsored by Liverpool BID Company and Liverpool One.

Sole Rebel: Ceilidh
Tuesday 7th May, 7.30pm, Liverpool Arts Bar, £10/8

Sole Rebel CIC brings their community Ceilidh event to Leap Dance Festival. Dust off your shoes and get ready to take part in an evening of dancing and live music.

Triple Bill: Rowena Gander/Taciturn/TMC Collective
Wednesday 8th May, 7.30pm, Unity Theatre, £15/£12

A triple bill of new work commissioned by Culture Liverpool from female choreographers based in Liverpool.

Higher Education Showcase
Thursday 9th May, 1.30pm, The Capstone Theatre, Free (tickets required)

A selection of new work by emerging talent from the North West, selected from universities and training schools.

House of Suarez vs Leap
Friday 10th May, 7pm, The Black-E, £25/22

Worlds collide, as performers from across the festival take to the runway in a range of categories, with iconic voguing from House of Suarez. Hosted by Rikki Beadle Blair.

Wirral Family Festival

Monopoly Events are delighted to announce Wirral Family Festival on Saturday May 11th at Prenton Park the home of Tranmere Rovers from noon-11pm.

The event is brought to you by the curators of Liverpool’s and the nation’s biggest pop culture event Comic Con Liverpool, and we cannot wait to bring the people of Wirral and Merseyside another major event.

The event will feature a live music stage on the Prenton Park pitch where you can stand or watch seated from the stands. Their live music stage will feature the UK’s best tribute bands covering genres such as rock, pop, indie, ska, reggae to name a few. A dance music arena including well-known local house music DJ’s will also be a key feature for the adults.

WoWFEST: FAHRENHEIT 2024

In the grip of a climate emergency, as culture wars and real wars rage, WoWFEST: FAHRENHEIT 2024 is an arena for ideas and a call to action. 

The New World Order is causing disorder and destruction on an unprecedented scale, with global warming, polluted air, raw sewage poured into the sea and rivers, soil degradation, deforestation, and the loss of biodiversity all the result of the pursuit of profit over people and the planet. Forty-five armed conflicts are raging in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, with countless people maimed and killed; toxic bombs equal a toxic environment. Still the bombs keep dropping, still they turn their heads. 

WoWFEST: FAHRENHEIT 2024 will unite writers, artists and audiences to highlight the urgent need for change through writing, performance and activism to fight for the preservation of our planet. 

This year’s festival title is inspired by Ray Bradbury’s prescient 1951 book Fahrenheit 451, a dystopian novel set in a near-future, where books are outlawed and Firemen create fires, burning any discovered books, leading protagonist Guy Montag to question his role in preserving knowledge. Fahrenheit 451 is the temperature at which books burn. WoWFEST is concerned about the temperature at which the world burns.  

Despite facing censorship in apartheid South Africa and certain U.S. schools, Fahrenheit 451 stands as a critical success and a powerful critique of censorship and intellectual suppression. It draws inspiration from Nazi Germany’s book burnings and repression in the Soviet Union and although the book was written in 1953, it bears a resemblance to society today. Several US states have introduced anti-LGBTQ+ laws, including the banning of books containing descriptions of ‘sexual conduct’ from educational institutions and libraries as well as the banning of public drag shows. Authors whose books are challenged are disproportionately female, black and from LGBTQ+ communities. Nobel Laureate, Toni Morrison’s book The Bluest Eye is one of the most banned books in school districts across America.  

In America now we see life imitating art, with books being banned from schools and libraries, and right-wing Republican candidates using flame throwers to burn books. Censorship and laws to hinder or ban protests are on the rise across the world. 

“At Writing on the Wall social justice and collective action are at our core. Now, more than ever, it’s time to stand up, mobilise, and utilise writing and creativity as tools for transformation.” Mike Morris and Madeline Heneghan, WoW Co-Directors

Join us throughout May as WOWFEST ignites the city with the voices of local, national, and international writers, activists, performers and audiences to explore, discuss, and challenge these burning issues. 

WoWFEST: FAHRENHEIT 2024 Festival Programme

Jon Ronson: Things Fell Apart (Friday 3 May)

Jon Ronson’s Radio 4 Podcast Things Fell Apart, now in its second series, reveals some truly astonishing stories as he draws out the threads of the origins of the culture wars and interviews some of its main players. Don’t miss this unique chance to hear from Jon himself, appearing live, virtually from New York, revealing further insights from his work – from COVID conspiracies and Antifa hysteria, to racial and gender identity politics, free speech and protests against lockdown that spiralled out of control, and answering your most pressing questions.

More info & tickets

The Welsh Connection (Saturday 4 May)

Featuring Manon Steffan Ros, Gareth Twamley & Iwan Steffan. Expect a combination of scintillating conversation and shining performances from these talented Welsh artists representing a mixture of literary styles, bringing you the word from Wales its original form and translated into English.

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Sarah P Corbett: Craftivism as a form of Gentle Protest (Tuesday 7 May)

Award-winning activist and author Sarah P Corbett joins Roger Phillips, award-winning former BBC Radio Merseyside broadcaster, in conversation at Leaf. They will be discussing her new book, The Craftivist Collective Handbook, her work around the world and how Liverpool has shaped her activism.

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Stephen Small: In The Shadows of The Big House (Tuesday 7 May)

Stephen Small, Professor at the Dept of African American Studies, University of California, Berkeley, valued WoW collaborator and author of the Small Talk series, makes his in-person debut at WoWFEST to discuss his latest book; In the Shadows of the Big House: Twenty-First-Century Antebellum Slave Cabins and Heritage Tourism in Louisiana (Atlantic Migrations and the African Diaspora). Stephen, in conversation with WoW’s Creative Heritage Project Manager, Janaya Pickett, will trace the historical trajectory of plantations and slave cabins since the Civil War and explore what representations of slavery and slave cabins convey about the reconfiguration of the past and the rearticulation of history in the present.

Lights Bearing West: Book Launch, with Tony Wailey (Wednesday 8 May)

Tony Wailey’s latest book, Lights Bearing West, is about memory, place and distance, messages sent, delivered, picked up, put down, kept or discarded. Going away, having adventures and coming home, whether these adventures are first hand or tenth hand, is part of everyone’s trilogy in Liverpool – even for those who have never left the river. Tony will be signing copies of his book at this event at Smithdown Social Arts Hub.

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Turning A Book Into A TV Series (Wednesday 8 May)

Ashleigh Nugent and Tom Thostrup, co-founder and Managing Director of 2LE media, will talk through the process of how Ashleigh’s electric debut novel, Locks, was optioned for TV. This event promises to be an inspirational experience for any budding screen writers, as well as a fascinating glimpse into the real-life struggles portrayed in this irreverent and authentic black identity debut.

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Danny Morrison: The Dirty War (Thursday 9 May)

Danny Morrison returns to Writing on the Wall for a one-off exclusive on the Stakeknife affair and how he was lured into a trap by Britain’s biggest spy in the IRA.  Danny will be in conversation with Stuart Borthwick, chair of Writing on the Wall and author of The Writing on the Wall: A Visual History of Northern Ireland’s Troubles. 

30 Years of Train Spotting with Irvine Welsh (Friday 10 May)

Irvine Welsh returns to WoWFEST for a no-holds-barred celebration of 30 years of Trainspotting and its cast of outcasts. Irvine will be in conversation with Peter Hooton, frontman of the acclaimed Liverpool Band The Farm and co-founder of legendary fanzine The End.

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Salena Godden: Love, Grief and Fury (Saturday 11 May)

Join Salena Godden for an intimate evening of readings and captivating conversation, discussing her latest collection, Love, Grief and Fury. Her latest work contains love poems for people and the planet, poems of grief brimming with compassion, and poems of fire and fury that kick some ass.

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It’s The End of The World and They Knew It: Dystopia – Then vs. Now (Monday 13 May)

WoW partners with Liverpool University to explore dystopian literature, taking you on a journey through the evolution of dystopian literature and how authors and artists eerily predicted our present and future. 

Pity: Andrew McMillan, with Paul Farley (Tuesday 14 May)

Two award-winning poets come together at WoWFEST to launch a debut novel! Andrew McMillan, whose Physical was the only poetry collection to ever win the Guardian First Book Award, will be reading from his debut novel Pity, and in conversation with multi-award winning poet Paul Farley.

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Polari at Writing on the Wall (Wednesday 15 May)

London’s award-winning LGBTQ+ literary salon comes to WoWFEST 2024.  

The inimitable Polari founder and author Paul Burston, presents a dazzling line up of award-winning talent; the multi-talented Rosie Garland, Irish word smith Ciaran Hodgers and the legendary Gerry Potter.

Your Local Arena – George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty Four (Thursday 16 May)

Writing on the Wall presents: Film Screening and Panel Talk. Come and watch this classic film about one of the country’s finest writers and listen to a talk afterwards about how near we are to a nineteen eighty-four-type world. Speakers: Dolan Cummings, Director of the Manifesto Club; Director of English PEN Daniel Gorman; and freedom of speech expert Sara Whyatt. The event will also include a new poem inspired by the film by Francesca Beard.

Our Hands, Our Mouths – Poverty and Resistance (Friday 17 May)

This event, by Writing on the Wall and the Poverty Research & Advocacy Network (PRAN), has been organised to respond to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and the unprecedented and devastating level of poverty in the UK. Featuring some of the most powerful and prominent voices standing up against poverty and social injustice today, including Prof Danny Dorling (University of Oxford), Prof Imogen Tylor (Lancaster University), Liam Thorp (Liverpool Echo), Ian Byrne MP (Liverpool West Derby), and Amina Ismail (Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine), will also explore and celebrate examples and opportunities for supporting resistance to austerity and poverty by communities across the country.  

Rewriting the Future: Workshop with Francesca Beard (Friday 17 May)

Join spoken word poet Francesca Beard for a workshop informed by George Orwell’s chilling dystopian world in the literary classic, 1984 (Nineteen Eighty-Four). 

Francesca will perform her specially commissioned piece on the film George Orwell (Part V) film at WoWFEST’s screening and panel talk, Your Local Arena: George Orwell (Part V), on Thursday 16 May at Toxteth TV Studios, produced in partnership with Your Local Arena.  

This workshop is based on the book and film Nineteen Eighty-Four and the event discussion topic of dystopia, which implores us to consider: just how close are we to Orwell’s vision — or are we already there?   

Creative Heritage Day at WoWFEST24 (Saturday 18 May)

Creative Heritage Day at WoWFEST24 will showcase WoW’s highly successful projects including the George Garrett archive, Great War to Race Riots, L8 Archive Project, and the Dorothy Kuya archive project. 

On display will be copies of archive material from each of our projects, as well as artworks and our heritage bookstall. Guests will also be able to experience our Creative Heritage ‘living library’, where they can chat to specialists about each of our projects, as well as Creative Heritage activities for children.  

The event will feature special guests and a panel discussion about the importance of community in the preservation of heritage and in presenting a more complete history of Britain and beyond.  

Leechcraft with David Ward  (Sunday 19 May)

WoW are delighted to host the launch of Dave Ward’s Leechcraft, a haunting new poetry collection teeming with folkloric power.  

Luke Wright’s Silver Jubilee (Wednesday 22 May)

Thwarted in his attempts to hold a street party by the philistines on the council and unable to shift the over-ordered commemorative plates, Luke Wright does what a poet does best, and takes a deep dive into himself. What follows is his most confessional show to date. 

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Beyond A Radical Practice: A Bright Future for Primary Care? (Thursday 23 May)

GPs Katy Gardner, Iona Heath and Nadja Van Ginneken, with host, former BBC Radio Merseyside presenter Roger Phillips, discuss the ever-shifting role of general practice and primary care. 

An Evening with Jackie Kay (Friday 24 May)

May Day, the much-anticipated new poetry collection from Jackie Kay, one of the UK’s best loved poets, casts an eye over decades of political activism: the international solidarity of the Glasgow of Jackie’s childhood; her parents’ Socialist campaigns; the feminist, LGBT+ and anti-racist movements of the 80s and 90s, and the global pandemic and urgency of Black Lives Matter. Join Jackie Kay for an unmissable evening as she delves below the surface of received narratives and brings to life a cast of influential figures: Fanny Eaton, Paul Robeson, Angela Davis and Audre Lorde.

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Banned Book Club: Writer’s Marketplace (Saturday 25 May)

Step into the world of literary rebellion and celebrate the power of words at the Banned Book Club: Writer’s Marketplace! At our Banned Book Club Marketplace we’re encouraging the sale of as many banned books as possible – highlighting female, LGBTQ+, black voices and more. 

Jah Wobble: Memoirs of a Geezer (Saturday 25 May)

For one night only, Jah Wobble, top geezer, legendary bass player and founding member of Public Image Limited with former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon, makes his debut appearance at WoWFEST discussing his newly released expanded edition of Dark Luminosity: Memoirs of a Geezer. Get ready for an enthralling night of storytelling as Jah Wobble, arguably the greatest bass player of his generation, recounts tales from his frank and fascinating memoir. WoW’s own Lord Borthbury will be on the decks playing music selected by Jah Wobble from his roadmap of musical memories.  

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Beatrix Campbell: Secrets and Silence (Wednesday 29 May)

Join acclaimed journalist Beatrix Campbell as she reveals untold truths and hidden government agendas in her latest book, Secrets and Silence: Uncovering the Legacy of the Cleveland Child Sex Abuse Case. 

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The Haunted Body Workshop with Joelle Taylor (Wednesday 29 May)

We are delighted to welcome Joelle Taylor, winner of the 2021 TS Eliot Prize and the 2022 Polari Book Prize to Quaker Meeting House for The Haunted Body, a masterclass in writing. Joelle will take participants through some of her tried-and-tested techniques used to create her poetry collection, C+NTO & Othered Poems, and her new novel The Night Alphabet, a web of interconnecting stories recently published to great critical acclaim. Joelle will explore the poetics of the body, from character sketches to praise poetry, through to the invention of form. 

Joelle Taylor: The Night Alphabet (Thursday 30 May)

Set across geographies and timespans,The Night Alphabet is a dazzlingly bold and original work, a deep investigation into human nature and violence against women.

 Joelle will be reading  from The Night Alphabet and in conversion with Roger Hill, freelance director, performer, writer, lecturer and broadcaster. 

More info & tickets

 

The Emo Festival

The greatest tribute night to the music that was never just a phase…

TEENAGE NOSTALGIA featuring all your biggest emo songs in existence with A LIVE BAND & LIVE DJs spinning all the angst your teenage dirtbag heart desires all night long! LIVE Performers, confetti & much more!

Put on your eyeliner, lace up your high-tops and get ready to rock to all your favourite nostalgic emo anthems!

This event is 14+ – Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Please note this is a standing event.

Liverpool Sax Day 2024

The day long event features workshops, masterclasses, performances from International Sax Superstar Denys Baptiste plus the North’s leading jazz tenorist/ educator Dean Masser.

Bring your sax and join in the ensemble classes hosted by prolific international sax expert and composer Andy Scott, and also peruse and try out all the latest sax models and paraphernalia at the many trade stalls.

Liverpool Sax Day ticket holders get automatic FREE entrance to the highly anticipated Liverpool International Jazz Festival Denys Baptiste Late Trane Quartet evening concert.

EVENT GUIDE

DOORS OPEN 10:00 AM

Welcome to Liverpool Sax Day 2024 – all daytime events are held in the Cornerstone building – the evening Denys Baptiste Liverpool International Jazz Festival concert is in The Capstone Theatre 200 metres walk across the gardens.

10:00AM – 5:30PM – TRADE SHOW – Ground Floor, Cornerstone Building

On the ground floor of the Cornerstone you will be immediately greeted by the trade exhibition. A host of saxophones, mouthpieces and accessories available to peruse, try, purchase/order – displayed by the leading saxophone manufacturers and companies: Selmer Paris, D’Addario Woodwinds, Lupifaro, Conn-Selmer, Brilhart, Trevor James, Vandoren, Yanagisawa, BG France, BAM cases, Hiscox cases, Legere reeds, Keyleaves, Syos, Barnes & Mullins, Curly Woodwind …

10:30AM – 11:45AM – ANDY SCOTT’S MASS SAX ENSEMBLE – Great Hall, First Floor, Cornerstone Building

Bring your sax and join in the fun! If you’re not familiar with Andy Scott, he is the one of the UK’s leading sax specialists/composers and chances are you’ve played some of his compositions out of popular music publications and examination grades. Multi nominated, British Composer Award winner, founder member of the Apollo Saxophone Quartet, Tutor of Saxophone at Royal Northern College of Music, the list goes on and on! Andy has prepared some great pieces for everyone to play during this ensemble class. You’ll be able to play with many other sax enthusiasts and gain some useful technical hints from the great man himself. Suitable for ALL players, ALL levels (there will be simple and more advanced parts available)- bring your music stand!

In association with Henri Selmer Paris, Vandoren Paris & Astute Music

12:30PM – 2:00PM – DENYS BAPTISTE MASTERCLASS -Warehouse Theatre, Ground Floor, Cornerstone Building

An up close and personal masterclass with Liverpool International Jazz Festival’s headlining act, the critically acclaimed saxophonist and composer Denys Baptiste. 

Mercury Music Prize for An Album Of The Year 1999, MOBO Award for Best Jazz Act 1999, 2000 British Jazz Award for Rising Star 2000, Parliamentary Jazz Award for Best Album 2004, BBC Jazz Award for Best New Work 2004, MOBO for Best Jazz Act 2004, Jazz FM Award Nomination for Best Album and Best Live Event 2018.

In this masterclass Denys talks about his approach to saxophone playing, performance, improvisation and so on, giving a useful insight prior to the evening’s performance over in the Capstone Theatre. Suitable for ALL players (you do NOT need your instrument).

2:30PM – 3:45PM – ANDY SCOTT’S MASS SAX ENSEMBLE WITH RHYTHM SECTION – Great Hall, First Floor, Cornerstone Building

Bring your sax and join in the fun! The second Ensemble class of the day gives you the opportunity to perform Andy’s compositions with a live rhythm section. Again, Andy will be directing and giving tips on various techniques throughout the class. Suitable for ALL players (there will be simple and more advanced parts available) – bring your music stand!

In association with Henri Selmer Paris, Vandoren Paris & Astute Music

4:15PM – 5:30PM – DEAN MASSER WORKSHOP – Warehouse Theatre, Ground Floor, Cornerstone Building

To round off the afternoon’s session the North’s leading bop tenor master unveils useful tips and tricks to boost your improvisational skills, tone, timing, technique.

After graduating from Leeds College of Music, Dean Masser became a member of the Jack Parnell Quartet, which recorded a live album during a week-long stint at Ronnie Scott’s. Since then, Dean has played alongside many of the leading names in British jazz at numerous venues and festivals. He has many television and radio appearances to his credit, and released his first album as leader in 2010.

“Dean has always had a great sound, and this album captures it beautifully.” – Julian Siegal , “Old School” CD release. Suitable for ALL players (you do NOT need your instrument).

In association with BG France

*** CORNERSTONE CAFE will be open throughout the day serving a wide selection of hot and cold meals, snacks and drinks. ***

7:30PM – 10:00PM – DENYS BAPTISTE LATE TRANE QUARTET, LIVERPOOL INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL – The Capstone Theatre

Denys Baptiste – saxophones , Nikki Yeoh – piano, Larry Bartley – bass , Rod Youngs – drums

Born in London of St Lucian parents in 1969, Denys studied music at school from the age of 13 and, in 1990, went on to study at the West London Institute (Brunel University). In 1992, he continued his music education at London’s Guildhall School of Music, studying under former Jazz Messenger, Jean Toussaint.

From the moment he joined the London jazz circuit, Denys displayed extraordinary talent, energy and commitment. Spotted by veteran Jazz Warriors double bassist, Gary Crosby at the bassist’s regular Tomorrow’s Warriors jam sessions, Denys was immediately invited to join Crosby’s new band, Nu Troop. Since then, Denys has soared in his development as a soloist and bandleader, earning enormous respect from his peers.

His colossal talent – based on a powerful technique and an ability to improvise fluently and effortlessly across a wide range of musical styles – is matched only by his unfettered energy which takes him and his audiences into the musical stratosphere. An evening with Denys guarantees a display of unsuppressed expression, ranging from sweet “saxuality” to breathtaking, edge-of-your-seat virtuosity. Over the years, Denys has evolved into what the Time Magazine describes as “the icon of British jazz”, with a most distinctive and immediately recognisable sound.

A much sought after soloist, Denys has played/recorded with some of the biggest names in jazz and other genres including McCoy Tyner, Andrew Hill, Ernest Ranglin, Bheki Mseleku, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, Michael Bowie, Courtney Pine, Manu Dibango, Gary Crosby, Steve Williamson, Julian Joseph, Jason Rebello, Martin Taylor, Lonnie Plaxico, Ralph Moore, Billy Higgins, Jerry Dammers, Sean Oliver, Jean Carne, Marlena Shaw, Noel McCoy, Juliet Roberts, Incognito, Jazz Jamaica, and others of distinction.

Tonight’s concert features tracks from Denys’ latest album The Late Trane. Denys reimagines and reworks ten carefully chosen compositions from John Coltrane’s late music (from 1963 – 1967) with a fresh and modern new interpretation, The Late Trane perfectly balances Baptiste’s unique artistic vision with the visceral emotions and cosmic references that encompasses Coltrane’s late music. The Late Trane received 4* review in the national and international press and was nominated for 2 Jazz FM awards.

Africa Oyé 2024

Following record breaking attendances last year, Africa Oyé will take over Sefton Park once again for two packed days of live music, dance, workshops, DJ stages, food stalls, traders and more.

The much-loved event will this year take place on 22 and 23 June 2024 with the festival running from 12:30pm to 9:30pm both days.

The powerful and creative force of Les Amazones d’Afrique will close proceedings on Saturday 22 June, whilst Julian Marley, fresh off his Grammy win for Best Reggae Album earlier this month, tops the bill on Sunday with his band, The Uprising.

Also announced to perform are Senegalese electronic rising stars Def MaMa Def alongside Tanzanian folk-fusion singers, The Zawose Queens.

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

With the infrastructure costs of the festival rising more and more each year however, organisers have once again faced an uphill battle to keep the event free and open to all for 2024.

Paul Duhaney, Artistic Director of Africa Oyé, said: “This is the people’s festival and the whole dynamic of the event would change if we had to start charging. We’ll fight for as long as we can to make sure that doesn’t happen. We’re currently looking at private sponsorship to cover the rising costs to support our funders at Arts Council England and Liverpool City Council. And of course as a charity, every donation and merchandise sale from the public goes a long way so please do keep supporting if you want us to remain free.”

The Oyé Active Zone on site will once again be hosted by Liverpool’s world dance charity Movema, and audiences can expect the usual array of multi-arts workshops across the whole weekend, for all ages and abilities. The increasingly-popular DJ stages Trenchtown and Freetown are also confirmed to return with a line-up of local selectors and MCs to be announced later in the spring.

The first of the main stage artists will be revealed next month and young local artists who applied to play the festival will soon find out whether they made it onto this year’s Oyé Introduces programme, which sees up-and-coming North West talent showcased on the line-up alongside the international heavyweights.

Oyé’s ethos of being ‘free and open to all’ also means that the popular Access Tent,  on-stage British Sign Language translators and the Accessible Viewing Platform will all return for this year’s festival.

Africa Oyé are also celebrating a nomination for the People’s Choice Prize at the LCR Culture and Creativity Awards for the second year running, with voting open to the public now until 5pm on Monday 5th February.

This year’s Africa Oyé festival will take place on 22 & 23 June 2023, in Liverpool’s Sefton Park from 12:30pm til 9:30pm both days and entrance is FREE.

Photo Credit: Mark McNulty

Love Folk Festival 2024

Join the team at The Atkinson for Love Folk Festival; a celebration of traditional, upcoming and alternative folk music.

Headliners The Magpie Arc and Merry Hell are joined by Frankie Archer, NATI, Harp and a Monkey, Iona Lane and Chris Fox.

In addition to the main stage, Fatea will once again be hosting the Busk Love Folk acoustic stage.

The bar will showcase a series of guest ales and our award-winning café, A Great Little Place, will be providing a selection of delicious homemade food for you to enjoy.

Lindy In the Sky

Picture yourself in a boat on a river – the Mersey of course, and join Mersey Swing for Lindy in the Sky with Diamonds swing dance festival.

With international teachers, four levels, and three parties in two boss venues, you’ll be wishing this weekender lasted eight days a week (it’s only 3!)

Banff Mountain Film Festival

A brand-new collection of short films filled with extreme journeys, untamed characters and captivating cinematography! Join the world’s top adventure filmmakers and thrill-seekers as they climb, ski, paddle and ride into the wildest corners of the planet!

Doors open at 6:45pm and films start at 7.30pm. Seating is UNRESERVED so please arrive early if you have preferred seats.

RED FILM PROGRAMME

Concession tickets are available for full time students, under 16s, unemployed and over 60s (please bring along proof of your concession eligibility).

If you have any access requirements please contact them directly.

Age Rating – 12A

Liverpool International Jazz Festival

Liverpool International Jazz Festival (LIJF) was established in 2013 by Liverpool Hope University, and in previous years has included performances from some of Jazz music’s leading lights.

The emphasis of the Festival is on contemporary instrumental jazz in a variety of styles with a focus on presenting work from an international selection of world class artists, taking audience members on a musical journey that traverses numerous genres and cross-genres.

The next incarnation of Liverpool International Jazz Festival will take place from Thurs 22nd Feb to Sun 25th Feb 2024 at Liverpool Hope University’s Capstone Theatre and will be the eleventh incarnation of the Festival. It will include music from some of the most exciting figures in contemporary jazz including concerts by Tommy Smith & Gwilym Simcock, David Helbock’s Austrian Syndicate, Attuned Quartet, Yolanda Charles Project pH Instra-mentals and Denys Baptiste: Late Trane. Alongside this there will be a series of other events, to be announced, championing local artists.