Event type: Festival

Indika

This November, Indika will feature an expanded and eclectic programme of events, featuring contemporary Indian music, dance, visual arts, film, poetry, talks and participatory activities, across iconic venues such as St George’s Hall, the Music Room at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, the Tung Auditorium and many more to be announced soon.

Indika showcases the best of contemporary Indian arts and culture, boasting an electrifying programme that celebrates the subcontinent’s rich heritage. You won’t just watch performances – you’ll feel them.

Headlining the festival will be none other than legendary percussionist, producer and composer Talvin Singh OBE. A giant and pioneer of British-Asian music, Singh’s multi-decade spanning career has seen him collaborate with and write for the likes of Sun Ra, the late Ustad Sultan Khan, Madonna, Yoko Ono and more.

Having worked as Björk’s percussionist and artistic director in 1993, Singh garnered critical acclaim for himself in 1999, winning the Mercury Music Prize for his debut album OK. Singh’s unique synthesis of electronic music and Eastern aesthetic is often referred to as Asian Underground.

Talvin will be joined by an incredible ensemble of musicians, as he exclusively shares material from his highly anticipated and long-awaited new album at The Tung Auditorium on 5th November.

The city of Liverpool and it’s multitude of iconic venues will play host to the festival, with an expanded and eclectic programme of events, featuring contemporary Indian music, dance, visual arts, films, poetry, talks and participatory activities taking place across the city.

From seasoned professionals, to brand new collaborations formed especially for INDIKA 2023, the first wave of artists announced to perform at the festival in November include maestros of the Sitar and the Tabla, Shakir Khan & Shahbaz Hussain. Plus, making their UK debut, will be rising stars The Sarod Sisters, set to perform alongside Milap artist-in-residence Kousic Sen.

Returning to Liverpool after 15 years will be the illustrious vocalist and composer Swati Natekar in her performance of Raag Rang. Also on the lineup will be The MMR Trio – featuring Olivia Moore on violin, Giuliano Modarelli on guitar, and Gurdain Rayatt on Tabla. Created especially for Indika 2023, a performance from the Indika Collective will feature a brand new collaboration between an incredibly talented group of diverse Indian folk and classical artists.

For fans of Indian dance, world renowned artist Harinie Jeevitha will perform ‘VARADARĀJAM UPĀSMAHĒ’ at the Unity Theatre. A week later, Payal Ramchandani and an ensemble of artists will take to the stage of The Capstone Theatre for a mystical performance of ‘The Forest Dream’. Suitable for all the family, and just in time for half-term, there’ll also be a double billing of theatrical dance production Sita’s Magical Forest.

Whilst the music and dance of India will take centre-stage throughout the festival, The Reader at Calderstones Park will play host to a variety of literary and mindfulness events, with dedicated family-friendly activities suitable for all ages to enjoy. Throughout the festival, there’ll be ‘Shared Reading’ sessions, where participants are invited to discover and discuss Indian literature in group sittings.

There’ll also be an early-morning yoga session, with live Indian music followed by chai, in the beautiful surroundings of The Reader’s Mansion House, amidst the backdrop of the magnificent Calderstones Park. For younger audiences, ‘The Diwali Story’ will take place at The Storybarn on 11th November.

Providing festival-goers with a treat for the senses, Indian Street Food geniuses Bundobust will join as one of the official food and drink partners for Indika 2023. They’ll co-host two exclusive events; an extra-special Indian DJ night on 4th November, and a Diwali Celebration for all to enjoy on 12th November.

And, for the first time ever, the festival will extend it’s reach beyond the City Centre and expand into the wider City Region, giving an even bigger audience the opportunity to enjoy and be inspired by Indian arts and culture. There’s plenty more artists yet to be revealed, with more exciting announcements being made over the coming weeks.

From the alluring rhythms, colours and stories of India, to the delicious flavours of its cuisine, the festival offers an immersive, holistic experience that will leave audiences spellbound. Indika invites you to explore the stunning diversity and unbridled creativity of India, showcasing its enduring influence on the world stage, right here in Merseyside.

Milap launched Indika in 2012, and the festival has continued to grow ever since, with performances from artists such as Pandit Birju Maharaj, Rakesh Chaurasia, Aditi Mangaldas, Lalgudi GJR Krishnan, Jayanthi Kumaresh, Priyadarsini Govind, Shashank, Rama Vaidyanathan, Mythili Prakash and Patri Satish Kumar to name just a few!

Physical Fest- International physical ...

Physical Fest brings local and national contemporary theatre performance, workshops and events to Liverpool.

They open with their own Tmesis Theatre premiering SealSkin at the Everyman, with live music from me + deboe, and the Netherlands dance, puppet theatre company Duda Paiva and Estonian clown Julia Masli at the Unity Theatre.

Performances elsewhere will include the world-renowned American artist, Doctor Brown who brings his award-winning clown show to the Invisible Wind Factory.

For younger families wanting to join in the fun, Tmesis Training Company will create a brand new outdoor show to be enjoyed for free over the first weekend. Performed by a cast of ten and accompanied by a vibrant, funky soundtrack, passers-by definitely won’t miss them.

As well as performance, the festival hosts an eight-day programme of workshops from local, national and international artists, including London’s Babel Theatre, and Colectivo Jat from Portugal, who will be exploring the Japanese Suzuki theatre technique.

The festival is held 29 June – 7 July, at various Liverpool venues.

Performance venues:

Unity Theatre

Liverpool Everyman

Invisible Wind Factory

Workshop venues:

The Arts Bar

City Buildings (Rowena’s Workshop)

Check out the full programme at their website above.

Event

For any information, email: info@physicalfest.com

Royal Television Story Conference

The Royal Television Society (RTS) in partnership with Culture Liverpool, BBC Writers Room, Liverpool Everyman and WoWFEST, host the inaugural RTS Story Conference, which will this year be held in Liverpool, at The Liverpool Everyman Theatre on Thursday 25th May.

As Eurovision shines a light on Liverpool, the cultural footprint of the region will continue to be celebrated in this one day conference, encouraging informal networking, discussion and inspiration for seasoned and emerging screenwriters. This event is aimed at all levels of writers and consist of a number of panel sessions and masterclasses.

Sessions include masterclasses with the likes of Tony Schumacher, RTS Award winning writer of The Responder and RTS Award winner Heidi Thomas, Creator of Call The Midwife, Upstairs Downstairs & Cranford. Commissioners attending, who will be giving an overview of current priorities, include Jo McClellan (BBC Drama), Alice Ramsey (BBC Drama), Caroline Hollick (Channel 4), Liam Keelan (Disney) & Jon Mountague (Sky Comedy).

Writers from Hollyoaks, Waterloo Road and Casualty will be sharing their top tips for working on continuing dramas on a panel chaired by Lucy Allan (Executive Producer, Hollyoaks), whilst Mike Morris (Co-Director, Writing on the Wall) will lead discussions on how the sector might evolve and diversify its development pipeline.

Thursday 25th May

10am

Tickets are priced; £40 for a full day ticket; £25 RTS Member ticket; £12.50 Student/ Low Income Ticket. A number of free tickets will be allocated via Liverpool John Moores University, Bolton University, RTS Bursary Students and WoWFEST.

The Liverpool Everyman Theatre

*Please note that discount codes do not apply for this event

*These are difficult times. They know some people may struggle to afford full price tickets. If you would like to attend this event but can’t afford to, please contact info@writingonthewall.org.uk. All queries will be treated in confidence.  If you would like to purchase a gifted ticket for someone who can’t afford it, please buy directly from the event page and they will offer your ticket out.

WoWFEST: Class of ’23

As the economy spirals into turmoil and workers from all sectors take to the picket lines in demand for better wages and conditions, WoWFEST is raising its banner high.

WoWFEST: Class of ‘23 invites everyone to join them in a month-long celebration of working-class culture and life, in all its diversity. 

Their line-up of writers, artists, and commentators will explore the ways in which class shapes our perceptions, experiences, opportunities, and culture, and how we view our place in the world. They’ll delve into the impact of race, gender, and sexual orientation on class, and examine how literature addresses or reinforces class inequality.

Join WoWFEST: Class of ’23 and be part of the change you want to see – make your voice heard in the campaign for social equality!

Meet the class of ’23

Michael Rosen, Travis Alabanza, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Lowkey, Shami Chakrabarti, Gary Younge, Kenan Malik, Joelle Taylor, Kit De Waal, Chris Nineham, Tomiwa Owolade, She Drew The Gun, Peter Hooton + Many more!

Upcoming Events

GET 20% OFF TICKETS BY ENTERING WoWFEST20 AT CHECKOUT!

Dispatches From The Diaspora: Gary Younge In Conversation With Shami Chakrabarti – 15 May, 8pm @Liverpool Philharmonic

Join acclaimed journalist and author Gary Younge on a journey through the Black diaspora – from Nelson Mandela to Black Lives Matter – in his latest book, Dispatches from the Diaspora. In conversation with human rights activist and barrister, Shami Chakrabarti, Gary will share his first-hand experiences and observations on race, racism, and black life and death across the globe, from Africa and the Caribbean to Europe and the United States. Find out more.

Hidden Voices: Comic Writing And The Subversion of Traditional Narrative – 16 May, 6pm @Online

Archie Bongiovanni,Minneapolis based cartoonist and illustrator discusses their latest book, Mimosa, and the challenges of portraying the lives of queer people as well as the challenges for artists working on comic books. Exploring the messy and realistic highs and lows of queer friendship, Mimosa tells the story of a group of queer 30-somethings searching for purpose in their lives. Archie delivers this healthy dose of reality with their saucy attitude and humour. Find out more.

Getting Better: Michael Rosen In Conversation With Jordan Stephens – 18 May, 8pm @Liverpool Philharmonic

In his brilliant new memoir, Getting Better, Life lessons on going under, getting over it, and getting through it, beloved poet and author Michael Rosen shares his experience of grief after the death of his son, suffering Covid and near death, and the lessons he learned along the way. Through investigating the road to recovery, Michael explores how we can find it within ourselves to live well again after, or even during the darkest times of our lives. Despite his grief and trauma, Michael has survived and even learned to find joy in life in the aftermath of tragedy. 

To find the full WOWFest Class of ’23 events visit writingonthewall.org.uk/whats-on

TReasured with Randy Romero

TReasured – Trans Story Time is not just another website, it’s a cultural treasure trove. Mandy Romero has been curating this archive of trans materials for over four decades, and now it’s being made public to combat misinformation and promote understanding of the trans community.

This event is an opportunity to explore the power of storytelling and how it shapes the trans experience. Mandy believes that the stories within TReasured are the key to understanding the importance of this collection. Join us for a celebration of the cultural continuity of the trans community, as we shift the focus away from defence and towards pride.

Mandy will introduce the site and share some of the stories that have been collected over the years and host a panel of trans representatives from different generations sharing their own treasured artifacts and the personal stories behind them. But the conversation doesn’t stop there.

They will also have contributions from eminent trans figures from around the world via internet links, and the live and online audience will have the opportunity to share their own experiences and ask questions about the site.

Don’t miss out on this dynamic and empowering event, where they will celebrate the diverse and dynamic trans community and explore the incredible stories and experiences that make it so unique

Customers with disabilities who would like to discuss specific seating requirements can call 0344 335 0437 Mondays to Friday from 9am – 5pm.

Or you can visit them at the Ticket Quarter Box Office for over the counter ticket purchases:

Ticket Quarter Box Office, M&S Bank Arena, Kings Dock, Liverpool Waterfront, Liverpool L3 4FP.

The Box Office is currently open from 12 noon on M&S Bank Arena event days only.

A Touch of Class

WoWFEST: Class of ’23 starts as they mean to go on with ‘A Touch of Class’. Their fantastic panel of writers will dive into the hard-hitting topic of class and writing, the theme underpinning this year’s festival. Each panellist brings a wealth of experience and a unique voice to the table.

They include Janine Booth Coronaverses, Natasha Carthew – Undercurrent, John Thompson – Dogs and Other Mammals, Deborah Morgan – Imagine Living, and Colin Burnett – A Working Class State of Mind. Expect a unique perspective on the creative writing process, as well as an honest discussion on the challenges faced by disadvantaged writers in the industry.

Customers with disabilities who would like to discuss specific seating requirements can call 0344 335 0437 Mondays to Friday from 9am – 5pm.

Or you can visit them at the Ticket Quarter Box Office for over the counter ticket purchases:

Ticket Quarter Box Office, M&S Bank Arena, Kings Dock, Liverpool Waterfront, Liverpool L3 4FP.

The Box Office is currently open from 12 noon on M&S Bank Arena event days only.

Working Class Hero – George Gare...

Come along on a journey through the once vibrant streets of Liverpool’s Sailortown, where the iconic figure of George Garrett once roamed.

As a seafarer, writer, and activist, Garrett was at the forefront of working-class culture and politics in Liverpool and beyond. He travelled the world, wrote a series of documentary reports about poverty and struggle in the 1920s and 30s, three plays influenced by the new realism of Eugene O’Neill, and a series of short stories, earning him recognition from George Orwell, who said he was, ‘very greatly impressed by Garrett’, after meeting him while researching The Road to Wigan Pier.

Despite his significant contributions, Garrett’s work had faded from the public eye, even though he occupies a unique and significant position as the central point of a compass that links Liverpool’s literary, cultural, and maritime history. The George Garrett Archive Project, launched by Liverpool’s Writing on the Wall Festival, resurrected his legacy.

On this walking tour, in the company of members of The George Garrett Archive, including Garrett’s descendants, you can explore the hidden corners of Sailortown, discover the influence of this unique neighbourhood on Garrett’s life and writing, and unravel the complex web of Liverpool’s literary, cultural, and maritime history, with Garrett at the very centre.

Customers with disabilities who would like to discuss specific seating requirements can call 0344 335 0437 Mondays to Friday from 9am – 5pm.

Or you can visit them at the Ticket Quarter Box Office for over the counter ticket purchases:

Ticket Quarter Box Office, M&S Bank Arena, Kings Dock, Liverpool Waterfront, Liverpool L3 4FP.

The Box Office is currently open from 12 noon on M&S Bank Arena event days only.

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival 2023

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival celebrates 25 years.

Liverpool’s international celebration  of Arab arts and culture returns 6-16 July.

The UK’s longest running annual festival celebrating Arab art and culture, has announced the first performances of its 2023 festival programme.

Founded in 1998, Liverpool Arab Arts Festival began with a vision to keep Arab arts, culture and heritage alive. For 25 years, it has brought diverse groups of people together in Liverpool, increasing public knowledge and understanding of the richness of Arab culture, growing into a platform for Arab artists locally, nationally and internationally.

This year’s festival theme explores storytelling and storytellers – through song, theatre, dance, performance, literature and visual art – by platforming new artists and welcoming back several to celebrate our 25 year journey. Storytelling has a strong tradition in Arab culture. حكواتي Hakawati means storyteller, and describes a person who can draw people in with their tale. In cafes and coffee shops, town squares and parks, people would gather to hear Al Hakawati talk of heroic deeds, of tragic farewells, didactic stories to bring a community together. The stories are ones all listening are familiar with, imparting wisdom or a valuable lesson.

On Friday 7 July the festival launches with a gig by Somali-British singer-songwriter, Aar Maanta, who brings his eclectic music blend and celebration of Somali culture to Liverpool Philharmonic’s Music Room.

As a singer and songwriter, Aar Maanta has embraced a mix of styles including influences from rock and reggae jostling with traditional Arabic and Somali music. Despite graduating with a science degree, Aar Maanta pursued music. He began the Horn 2 Groove recording project which generated his 2009 debut album, Hiddo & Dhaqan. The album merged traditional Somali music with Western influences like house and reggae into a fusion described as Afro-hop.

In 2010, the Paris-based radio station StarAfrica recognized Aar Maanta’s achievement in creating this new sound when it named him “A Somali Culture Shaper in London”. Aar delivered an electrifying headlining set at last year’s Family Day event at Sefton Park Palm House, and is back by popular demand.

Award-winning Syrian composer and musician, Maya Youssef brings her globally acclaimed album, Finding Home, to the Music Room in what will be a stunning and intimate performance with an ensemble of string musicians.

This performance in Liverpool will see Maya bring Finding Home to the city for the first time since its release. Exploring the loss and grief in leaving Syria, the album depicts the discovery of a place that gives a state of calm and how we can find a sense of home, even when we are far from the place of our birth.

They welcome Arab comedy night Arabs Are Not Funny, which is widely regarded as one of the hottest comedy nights among the Arab community and beyond, at Liverpool’s Royal Court Studio. Produced by Arts Canteen, the event brings leading Arab comedians Esther Manito, Fatiha El Ghorri, Farah Sharp and Talal Karkouti for a hilarious night of laughter and comedy on Saturday 8 July.

The festival’s closing Family Day spectacular returns to Sefton Park Palm House on Sunday 16 July. This free one day event continues to grow in size and ambition, bringing together contemporary and traditional Arab cultural music, dance and family activities, along a programme of authentic food and drink. It is one of the most notable events in Liverpool’s cultural calendar, providing a platform for different communities to come together in a joyous summer celebration.

The full festival programme, which includes a range of new commissions, performances and community events from leading Arab artists, will be released in the coming weeks.

https://www.arabartsfestival.com/home/2023festival/

 

Breaking the Class Divide: Pulp Idol 2...

This May, join Writing on the Wall as they discuss how to make the publishing industry more accessible to diverse voices in the North.

Their panel of experts from Comma Press, Liverpool Literary Agency, and Writing on the Wall will demystify the publishing process and provide insight into the current state of diversity and inclusivity in publishing. Along with the panel, we will be launching the Pulp Idol Firsts 2023 anthology featuring brand new novelists from Liverpool.

The anthology features the winning chapters of Addae G, Chandana Das and Lee Stevenson, alongside eight other finalists. Don’t miss this exciting event to support and celebrate diverse voices in the North!

Join them for an evening with Isabelle Kenyon and Nia Thomas from Comma Press and Clare Coombes from Liverpool Literary Agency as we demystify the publishing process and talk about accessibility to publishing in the North.

PLUS, this panel event will be followed by the launch of Pulp Idol – Firsts 2023 – featuring brand new novelists from Liverpool.

Nia Thomas – Events and Marketing Coordinator at Comma Press. Nia graduated from The Courtauld Institute of Art before moving back to Manchester and co-founding Salt, an independent magazine on arts and Culture. A freelance arts writer, Nia has interviewed various artists and poets and was selected as a Barbican Young visual artist to be exhibited at the Feminist Literary Festival.

Isabelle Kenyon – NFA & Writer Development Coordinator. Isabelle is the Northern Fiction Alliance and Writer’s Days Coordinator for Comma Press. She manages Fly on the Wall, a Manchester-based political publisher, and has a background in arts marketing and PR for theatres and publishers. She works on freelance PR campaigns for authors and publishers and coordinates the annual Northern Publishers Fair.

Clare Coombes – Founder of the Liverpool Literary Agency. Clare set up the first Liverpool-based literary agency in 2020 to help address inequality and underrepresentation in the publishing industry. With more than 15 years’ experience of writing and editing professionally, including the publication of two novels, Definitions (2015) and We Are of Dust (2018 – which has received development funding from the Liverpool Film Office for a TV adaptation), she has developed an in-depth knowledge of what commissioning editors and publishers expect to see from a submitted manuscript.

With a background in PR and marketing, alongside teaching on creative writing programmes, Clare also has extensive experience in pitching and promoting writers.

Pulp Idol 2023 – Writing on the Wall have been running our annual Pulp Idol competition for over ten years, publishing the first chapters of the competition’s finalists in an anthology. Many new novelists, including Ariel Khan (Raising Sparks), James Rice (Alice and the Fly), Clare Coombes (Definitions) and most recently Phiippa Holloway (The Half Life of Snails) and Ashleigh Nugent (LOCKS), have found their first publishing success through Pulp Idol.

Wednesday 3rd May

6:30pm

£4

Liverpool Arts Bar Baltic

Customers with disabilities who would like to discuss specific seating requirements can call 0344 335 0437 Mondays to Friday from 9am – 5pm.

Or you can visit them at the Ticket Quarter Box Office for over the counter ticket purchases:

Ticket Quarter Box Office

M&S Bank Arena, Kings Dock, Liverpool Waterfront, Liverpool L3 4FP.
The Box Office is currently open from 12 noon on M&S Bank Arena event days only.

Wowfest 23: an evening with She Drew t...

Passionate, principled, and refreshingly plain-spoken, Louisa Roach will not be cowed into silence.

As She Drew The Gun, the Wirral-based singer-songwriter has spent the last seven years cementing her reputation as a vital voice in the alternative scene, using punk-infused psych-pop as a vehicle for exposing injustice and for advocating for a fairer and more tolerant society.

That message is more potent than ever on Behave Myself, the follow up to The Coral’s James Skelly-produced Memories of Another Future, and Revolution of Mind.

Don’t miss this special appearance at The Liverpool Philharmonic Hall for #WOWFEST23.

*to book by phone: 0151 709 3789

In person: Call in to the venue between their opening times: Monday to Friday excluding Bank Holidays: 12pm – 5pm