Event type: Other

Messy Grief: Grief Gathering with Brendan Curtis

For Grief Awareness Week 2025, At The Library presents Messy Grief! A week of arts programming as part of Loved and Lost, a programme of work exploring grief, how we talk about it and how we live well with it.

This Grief Gathering is a welcoming space for everyone—whether you’ve experienced grief or not – to connect, share feelings and experiences around love & loss. It’s for people who have experienced grief, and for people who haven’t.

Monday 8th December

1pm – 3pm

Crosby Library

This gathering is an inclusive space, open to people of all ages, genders, backgrounds and beliefs. You’re invited to share your experiences and reflections around death and grief—but there’s no pressure to speak. Listening and being present is enough.

This Grief Gathering is hosted by artist Brendan Curtis and Debbie Chan, with support of librarian Emma Latham who has experiences of grief. Refreshments, including both hot & cold beverages and cake will be provided.

Please tell us your access or dietary requirements when booking, so we can make the day comfortable & welcoming for you.

We keep gatherings small, limited to 12 people maximum, so booking is essential.

Messy Grief: Smashing Ceremony with Lowri Evans

For Grief Awareness Week 2025, At The Library presents Messy Grief! A week of arts programming as part of Loved and Lost, a programme of work exploring grief, how we talk about it and how we live well with it.

For this special smashing ceremony, artist Lowri Evans has reimagined her project, Fragile Handle With Care, to explore the reasons why grief can be messy, ambivalent and uncomfortable. Celebrating mistakes, accommodating agonies and giving voice to pain, you’re invited to a special Smashing Ceremony.

Friday 5th December

3pm – 4:30pm

Crosby Library – Echalaz Room

Bring an item that holds significance for you in a cathartic ritual, smashing the item against the wall to honour all that we do to hold ourselves, and others, together when we have loved and lost. This is an act of holding up the pieces, not brushing them under the carpet, finding beauty in mistakes, embracing what’s broken or lost, and letting it go. 

When you book your place, please let us know what item you’ll be bringing to smash so we can discuss with you! 

Visit our website to book your place and tell us which item you would like to smash.

 

Messy Grief: This One Goes Out to the One I Love

 

For Grief Awareness Week 2025, At The Library presents Messy Grief! A week of arts programming as part of Loved and Lost, a programme of work exploring grief, how we talk about it and how we live well with it.

This One Goes Out to the One I Love is a loud, cathartic evening of choir meets karaoke!

Wednesday 3rd December

6:30pm – 8:30pm

Crosby Library

Select a song to represent a loss close to your heart. Whether your grief is related to a death, a break up, a job loss, a piece of spectacularly bad news or something more private, we encourage you to select a dedicated well known karaoke song for your experience, and sing it out with a supportive crowd.

Don’t worry about being put on the spot or being any good at singing. When it is time for your selected karaoke song, we will read out your request and your dedication, before welcoming the full room of people to sing along all together as a group. You can choose to be completely anonymous, or if you’re feeling especially brave, you can take centre stage.

Visit our website to book your free place and when you sign up, let us know your karaoke song ahead of time.

*Please note* if you haven’t submitted a specific song we won’t be able to provide it on the day but others will be available to choose from.

 

 

April Ashley’s Personal Papers: First Look at the New Collection

 

 

 

 

 

LJMU Special Collections & Archives are delighted to invite you to a First Look event for our newest collection: April Ashley’s Personal Papers.

We’re very excited to announce this recent acquisition, and we want to hear from our community to learn more about: what you want to see more of; what you want to happen next; and how we can work with you in the future.

This ‘first look’ will include an open workshop with a large selection of original archive material belonging to Ashley to browse, followed by discussion.

As the collection is very large and currently uncatalogued, it won’t be possible to retrieve everything, but we will try to put out a good variety of material.

Her papers include: the legal records related to the landmark 1970 Corbett V Corbett case; personal and medical records related to her life as a prominent transgender figure from the 1950s onwards; and records of her successful career as a model and activist, among other papers.

The building is wheelchair accessible with blue badge parking, but do let us know at archives@ljmu.ac.uk if you have any specific access needs or concerns.

19 Nov 14:00-16:00 or 21 Nov 10:30-12:30

Mount Pleasant Campus Library, 29 Maryland Street, Liverpool, L1 9DE

 

 

 

 

 

Symposium: Teaching Artistry in Action

A space to explore how the work of artists who teach across education, culture and communities can be recognised, valued and sustained.

Join the team in Liverpool for a day of keynotes, provocations, artist-led conversations, panel discussions, and networking as we elevate and advocate for teaching artistry.

Teaching artists operate at the vital intersection of artistry and pedagogy – bringing their professional creative practice into classrooms, cultural organisations, and communities, and helping learners develop curiosity, resilience, identity and belonging. This work is essential to the arts and cultural ecosystem, yet too often undervalued or overlooked.

As we await the results of the Curriculum and Assessment Review and the arts’ place within it, Curious Minds invites you to join a national conversation at this crucial moment for cultural and educational policy. Teaching Artistry in Action brings together teaching artists, cultural leaders, funders, and policymakers to explore how we can make teaching artistry visible, valued and sustained in England. The symposium will also mark the launch of the ITAC England Hub, hosted by Curious Minds, connecting England’s teaching artists to a global network of practitioners through the International Teaching Artist Collaborative (ITAC)

Speakers include Darren Henley (Chief Executive, Arts Council England), Madeleine McGirk Rutherford (International Teaching Artists Collaborative -ITAC), Ali Eisa (Goldsmiths) and Saul Argent (Goldsmiths/Curious Minds PhD). More to be announced soon.

This event is for:

  • Teaching artists, to feel valued, make connections, and leave empowered.
  • Funders & policymakers, to discover the investment case and influence system change.
  • Cultural & education leaders, to deepen insight, connect with new teaching artists and catalyse action in their organisations

Pricing:

They’re committed to making this event accessible to everyone. Tickets are priced at £5 for individuals, £15 for small organisations, and £30 for large organisations.

If you’re booking on behalf of a large organisation, please consider selecting a Pay-it-forward ticket (£35) to help sponsor a place for a freelancer.

If cost is a barrier, simply select a Community Ticket (£0) – no questions asked. They’d much rather have you in the room.

 

Arrivals from 9.15am.

The Arts Social

Join us for the first edition of The Arts Social, a brand-new creative networking event in Liverpool designed to bring artists together in an inspiring and supportive space.This first meet-up will focus on visual artists — painters, illustrators, digital artists, sculptors, and fine artists of all levels.

Whether you’re just starting your artistic journey or have years of experience, this evening is a chance to share experiences, gain inspiration, build connections, and make new friends.

The Arts Social is hosted by Anne Wiziack, a Brazilian visual artist based in Liverpool. Anne’s work has been exhibited in galleries across the UK, and she was recently selected as one of the 100 International Artists of 2025 by Arts to Hearts Project. During the evening, Anne will share insights from her creative journey and offer practical tips on how to gain visibility and get your artwork exhibited.

You’re welcome to bring your portfolio, sketchbook, or simply come along to chat and connect in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

While this first edition focuses on visual arts, future editions of The Arts Social will open the space to other creative fields such as writing, poetry, and theatre, expanding the community even further.

Come and enjoy an evening of art, conversation, and creativity at the Liverpool Arts Bar on Hope Street — a truly inspiring home for artists.

Christmas Dinners Pop Up at Bidston Observatory

Join us at the historic Bidston Observatory for an exciting Christmas pop-up event. 

Join us for some festive food – family style! Big tables, big scran and even bigger heart.

A 3-course meal from £35, a seasonal bar and the option to join us on a building tour.

What better way to kick off the festive season?

Perfect for families and Christmas parties. Vegan + Vegetarian options available.

Limited availability. Book early to avoid disappointment!

 

12th, 13th + 14th December

1pm–2:30pm, 4pm–5:30pm, 6:30pm–8pm 

To book a slot, please email us at enquiries@bidstonobservatory.org

SMEC Ghost Train

? SMEC Ghost Train 2025 – Tickets On Sale NOW! ?️

?️ BUY TICKETS: https://www.southportmec.com/halloween/tickets

The spooky season is here… and the Southport Model Engineering Club Ghost Train is back for Halloween!

? Rides run 31st October – 1st November.

?️ Tickets available now at: https://www.southportmec.com/halloween/tickets

Follow our social pages for more updates!

SMEC Ghost Train 2025 – Halloween Railway Adventure

RIDE IF YOU DARE! 31/10/25-01/11/25

Join us for an unforgettable spooky railway adventure at the SMEC Ghost Train, Southport Model Engineering Club’s Halloween event. We’ve gone all out this year — haunted tunnels, ghostly stations, surprises around every corner… but also family-friendly fun!

When:Friday 31st October – Saturday 1st November

4:30pm – 8:00pm each night

Where:Southport Model Engineering ClubRotten Row (next to Victoria Park)Southport, Merseyside PR8 2DA

What to Expect:

Visit our spooky website: https://www.southportmec.com/halloween/

A hauntingly decorated train ride through eerie tunnels and spooky landscapes

Friendly ghosts & ghouls to guide you along the journey

Duration: approx 8-10 minutes (safety briefing, boarding, spooky train ride, disembark)

Children under 1.2m must be accompanied by an adult — we want thrills, not nightmares!

Important Info:

Ticket InformationTickets: ️https://www.southportmec.com/halloween/tickets

See our socials for more information and the FAQ on our website.

Booking in advance is highly recommended — sessions fill up fast.

Door tickets may be available, but securing your spot ahead of time avoids disappointment.

Dress warmly! Much of the event is outdoors, often in the dark.

Costumes are encouraged (without anything trailing for safety) — extra points for spooky creativity! Please note: This is a family appropriate event, Nothing scary that would cause discomfort or concern to other guests – otherwise you may be turned away!

Comfortable footwear for walking, especially around station areas.

Sensory Notes & FAQs:

The ride is spooky but not overly scary — balanced for kids and adults alike

Total experience time includes the ride, treats, and station encounters

Arrive ~15-20 minutes early to allow for ticket check in / meeting point

Come along and share a night of chills, thrills, and family memories. We can’t wait to see you on the Ghost Train!

More Details: https://www.southportmec.com/halloween/tickets

 

Grow Together – Kids Puppet Crafternoon

 

Join ArtsGroupie for a Crafternoon and make your very own shadow puppet – a wildflower, butterfly or other garden creature.

Part of Green Libraries Week.

 

Viking takeover day

Join us in the Museum of Liverpool’s atrium as atop our iconic Calderstones Spiral we are joined by living history reenactors from Wirhalh Skip Felagr, who will be bringing the Viking Age back to life.

Find out what life was like in this region more than a thousand years ago, see authentic Viking Age crafts and take your opportunity to ask our ancestors questions as history comes to life.

While you are in the museum make sure you take the opportunity to visit their latest exhibition Treasure: History Unearthed to see real wonders from the Viking Age.