Event type: Other

DDFI40: Koishii by Chris Shapiro

This work began as part of the DaDa Fellows scheme in 2021 to allow disabled and neurodivergent artists time and space to try new artforms and develop their craft, co-commissioned by DaDa and New Earth Theatre.

Koishii is Japanese for “I miss” referring to a person/place/thing that it’s impossible (at least currently) to reunite with. The word itself has an almost dramatic and slightly older tone, but is also used with tongue in cheek self-awareness, an equivalent to the word “yearn”.

The experience allows you to move a character to get a key, which lets you unlock a portal to the next day in your life. In order to get the key you have to navigate pools of lava, poison gas that slows you down, and the fact that your controls will change at random to make movement more uncomfortable. All the while Chris’ narration about their experience of chronic illness play in the background.

About Koishii from Chris Shapiro

For this piece, Chris uses gamification within their art to explore their experiences of disability and neurodivergence.

There’s a sense of masking and chronic illness/neurodiversity and how it’s kind of detrimental to us, in the sense of covering how bad we’re actually doing and then depleting a lot of energy to do so, especially in relation to things like benefits and PIP interviews and with doctors who might disbelieve how bad we’re doing because we mask as a reflex,

The game includes elements of the unpredictability and intensity of a random flare up, what brain fog is like, the exhaustion and overwhelming nature. You’re not sure if these are connected or unrelated, and having no way of finding out other than waiting to see if a link arises.

Chris used the design of the sea because it’s an environment that makes you feel small and aware that you’re at its mercy. This is to recreate that sense of how with both chronic illness and neurodiversity you’re really aware of how things you have no control over can change everything in a moment, and you sort of dread that or have it in the back of your mind constantly, because you have to adapt if something happens.

Chris thought it would be fun if sometimes you don’t get to choose where you go, and with the sea that’s a possibility to play with in a vague way that doesn’t have to be location specific and can be slightly randomised, echoing chronic illness/neurodiversity where there isn’t necessarily a manual, just a warning that sometimes there will be consequences, figure out what they’re from.

About DDFI40:

DaDaFest International returns 8th-31st March 2025 to celebrate DaDa’s 40th Anniversary and this time they are coming with ‘RAGE: A Quiet Riot’.

Event

DDFI40 will showcase work by disabled artists that captures all shapes and sides of rage. From the internal quiet frustrations and righteous rage, to overt injustice and activism, DDFI40 will explore disability rights, disability arts, access, ableism and ‘Rage’ in an explosion of creativity.

Future Voices: open mic

Join the team in the atrium at Museum of Liverpool from 1.30-3.30pm on selected Sundays for live open mic performances.

They invite young people aged 16-24 to perform at the Museum of Liverpool for Future Voices: open mic events.

Use our atrium as a safe space to perform music, poetry, comedy, spoken words, drama, storytelling or anything creative. They welcome individuals and groups.

Please complete this form if you would like to take part.

You can contact youngpeople@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk for more information.

Family memory stroll

Family memory strolls are guided visits in the Museum of Liverpool, which connect people through conversations about Liverpool’s past.

On a memory stroll you can explore Liverpool icons like the Overhead Railway, known as the dockers’ umbrella, Blackie the rocking horse, or the Colomendy totem pole. Bring a friend or loved one to share memories with, and create some new ones together.

Each stroll is facilitated by a friendly member of our House of Memories team but led by the conversations and stories shared within the group. As a dementia-friendly session these strolls will use the displays within the Museum of Liverpool to help you bring memories of Liverpool to life.

Family memory strolls last about one hour and can accommodate up to 20 people. For groups larger than 4 people please email learning@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk to book a private date with our team.

The Museum of Liverpool is fully accessible and we welcome visitors who use wheelchairs or other mobility aids to join our memory strolls. Please visit their access page for further information to help prepare for your visit.

Tickets are free and need to be booked in advance. Please let them know if you have booked but can no longer attend so that someone else can have your ticket.

The times of memory strolls varies as follows:

  • 28 February 2025 at 11am
  • 28 March 2025 at 1pm
  • 23 May at 1pm
  • 25 July at 1pm

Ignite: 1:1 Artist Advice Sessions wit...

Arts Council England is offering 1:1 in-person advice sessions for Deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent creatives and organisations based in Merseyside on Sunday 23rd March from 10am to 4pm at the Bluecoat Arts Centre

You’ll have the chance to discuss an idea for funding with an Arts Council England Relationship Manager and receive bespoke advice and guidance from them. Limited advice sessions are available and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, lasting up to 30 minutes. Please note, these sessions are suitable for those who already have a National Lottery Project Grants idea in mind and have attended an introductory webinar (book here). They can also talk about Developing Your Creative Practice for personal development activities in supported disciplines, for example undertaking a period of research.

If you are Deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent, ACE can help at different stages of your grant – see Access Support

There are a range of other resources on the Arts Council England website to help you with your application plans and it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with our guidance ahead of your advice session.

To book your 30 minute advice session with either Jo Wood or Desi Cherington, please select the relevent ticket for the time slot you would like.

Bookings will be on a first come first served basis. If bookings are full, you will have the opportunity to join a waiting list by emailing info@dadafest.co.uk

About DaDa :

DaDa is an award winning and pioneering disability arts organisation based in Liverpool with international reach and impact. Founded in 1984, we were one of the first disability-led arts organisations in the UK and an integral part of the campaign for greater equality and access for disabled artists across the arts sector.

About DDFI40

DaDaFest International returns 8th-31st March 2025 to celebrate DaDa’s 40th Anniversary and this time they are coming with ‘RAGE: A Quiet Riot’.

DDFI40 will showcase work by disabled artists that captures all shapes and sides of rage. From the internal quiet frustrations and righteous rage, to overt injustice and activism, DDFI40 will explore disability rights, disability arts, access, ableism and ‘Rage’ in an explosion of creativity.

Ignite: First Time Arts Council Applic...

This workshop is part of Ignite, DaDa’s artist development programme to help you re-engage with your inner creative.

Whether you’re an emerging artist looking for advice, established and wanting to try something new, or just interested in expanding your horizons and kickstarting creativity in your life, then come along to a free workshop and ignite that creative spark.

This session is one of their special features as part of DaDaFest International 40.

About this session:

This is an opportunity for you to find out more about what Arts Council England do and how you can apply for funding.

This webinar is for first time applicants based in the North of England or those who may have never heard about the Arts Council before. The session will be delivered online via Zoom.

The session will cover:

An introduction to Arts Council England

About DaDa :

DaDa is an award winning and pioneering disability arts organisation based in Liverpool with international reach and impact. Founded in 1984, we were one of the first disability-led arts organisations in the UK and an integral part of the campaign for greater equality and access for disabled artists across the arts sector.

About DDFI40:

DaDaFest International returns 8th-31st March 2025 to celebrate DaDa’s 40th Anniversary and this time we are coming with ‘RAGE: A Quiet Riot’.

DDFI40 will showcase work by disabled artists that captures all shapes and sides of rage. From the internal quiet frustrations and righteous rage, to overt injustice and activism, DDFI40 will explore disability rights, disability arts, access, ableism and ‘Rage’ in an explosion of creativity.

ACE main funding programme: National Lottery Project Grants and Developing Your Creative Practice
How to get started with your application and top tips
Questions & Answers session

Once you have booked a ticket, you will receive a confirmation email from eventbrite. A link to the Zoom webinar will then be sent out to attendees closer to the event.

Launch of Cuerpos del Tiempo (Bodies o...

Cuerpos del Tiempo (Bodies of Time) is a new collaborative project in partnership with Luma Creations, the leading Latin American Cultural organisation in the north of England, and is funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund. This initiative will engage Latin American communities across the North West of England to help reshape the interpretation of the museum’s Latin American collections for display in 2025-2026.

The project will feature a redisplay of the Amoxtli Tezcatlipoca (ah-MOSHT-lee tes-kaht-lee-POH-kah), meaning “The Book of the Smoking Mirror” in Nahuatl (M12014), a rare pre-colonial Mexican manuscript, in the World Cultures Gallery at World Museum. As one of fewer than 15 surviving codices from this period, this fragile artefact stands as a powerful symbol of cultural endurance and indigenous heritage. The codex will be on display in late 2025.

This launch event will present a series of talks, dance & live music performances, craft workshops and a chance to speak to the curators of the Global Collections as well as the Luma Creations team. These will include:

– Presentation of the project by Meghan Backhouse, Lead Curator of Global Cultures at World Museum Liverpool and Francisco Carrasco FRSA, CEO & Creative Director of Luma Creations.
– Caporales dance performance by Luma Dance Troupe
– Talk on the Amoxtli Tezcatlipoca by Jose Sherwood Gonzales PhD Candidate Manchester Met University
– Music Performance by Luma Trio
– Talk on Indigenous Cultures of South America by Dr Beatriz Marin Aguilera, Derby Fellow of History at University of Liverpool
– Cumbia dance performance by Luma Dance Troupe
– Music Performance by Luma Trio
– Craft workshops throughout the afternoon.

Dinosaur Adventure Live

Are you ready for a BRAND NEW ADVENTURE with DINOSAUR ADVENTURE LIVE?! When a satellite tasked with controlling the island’s weather systems malfunctions, chaos erupts.

The island’s tropical climate spirals leading to one big JURASSIC STORM. If not stopped, it will erase all existence of the island… forever!

The mission: find the code hidden deep within the island, reboot the satellite and save the Dinosaurs before it’s too late.

The adventure of a lifetime awaits… bring the family on a T-REX-IFFIC journey with our BRAND NEW dinosaurs, meet their ROAR-SOME babies and help the rangers save the Island. Are you brave enough to face the Jurassic Storm!

Ukrainian Day

Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Ukrainian culture with a captivating day of events at The Atkinson. There will be a coffee morning, a choir performance, craft workshops and traditional dress alongside a community exhibition where you can find out more about Ukrainian culture.

The Foyer, Ground Floor
11:00 am: A moment of silence marking 3 years since Russia invaded Ukraine
11:10 am: Ukrainian choir performance
11:30 am: Drawing a large paint-by-numbers picture

Theatre Bar, 1st Floor
12:00 pm: Coffee morning in the theatre bar

Museum, Discovery Box, 2nd Floor
1:00 pm: Wreath-making workshop
2:00 pm: Thread horse dolls workshop

The Reader spring season 2025

Liverpool Shared Reading charity The Reader has announced a joyful new season for this spring 2025.

Brand new events announced for Calderstones Park include a Jane Austen Day, St Patrick’s Day Ceilidh, Easter Family Tea Party and children’s World Book Day Ball.

Kara Orford, Associate Director of Programme Delivery at The Reader, said: “Grab your bonnets and regency dresses as Austenmania is set to take over the UK this year. Here at The Reader we are lucky enough to have the Director of Jane Austen’s House Lizzie Dunford celebrating the author’s 250th anniversary with us in style on Sunday 27 April as part of our new spring season.

“There’s plenty more to get excited about including the Barnsley-born poet and novelist Andrew McMilllan on his new book Pity, and a celebration of Judith Kerr’s 1970s classic children’s story Mog the Forgetful Cat, as well Mother’s Day and Easter events for all the family.” 

2025 is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth whose astounding popularity shows no sign of decreasing with statues, real-life balls, films, books, stage adaptations, and new TV dramas inspired by her to mark the occasion, including new exhibition Austenmania at Jane Austen’s House from 22 January 2025. 

LITERARY AND WELLBEING

The Reader is hosting a Jane Austen Day at the beautiful Grade II Listed Mansion House to celebrate Britain’s best-loved author’s anniversary on Sunday 27 April, 10.30am-4.30pm.

Events will be run in collaboration with Lizzie Dunford, Director of Jane’s Austen House, Hampshire, where all six of the author’s major novels were written and published.

They include: 

  • A Shared Reading of Pride and Prejudice Shared Reading in smaller groups,
  • A delicious Austen-themed lunch taking inspiration from the Dinner with Jane Austen recipe book by Pen Vogler 
  • A talk from the Jane Austen House Director, Lizzie Dunford, on The Many Walks of Lizzy Bennet and Her Sisters. In this illustrated talk, Lizzie Dunford, Director of Jane Austen House, will take guests along the footpaths of Hertfordshire, Kent and Derbyshire to explore the politics and meaning behind walking for the author’s characters, Jane Austen herself and her contemporaries. From muddy petticoats to Romantic heroines, the talk will reveal the wildness of Austen and what her connection to the natural world can teach us today.
  • Time to pick up pen and parchment, we’re writing a letter ‘to Jane’. In this reflective activity the importance of letter writing to Austen will be acknowledged and a chance to celebrate this dying art form.

Other literary events include a visit by award-winning author and poet, Andrew McMillan (Physical, Pandemonium) to The Reader Bookshop on Thursday 13 March for an evening In Conversation to discuss his debut 2024 novel Pity about two middle aged brothers, male identity and sexuality in a Yorkshire pit town.

The Reader’s founder, Dr Jane Davis will be leading a Masterclass: Six Poems, on Sunday 9 March, an opportunity to delve deeper into a work of literature and connect with other book lovers. Ticket includes Soup (VE), Tea and Coffee.

Three Wellbeing Workshops will be running this season. The first will be celebrating Springtime Poetry on Saturday 29 March, 1pm-3.30pm, looking at the work of writers including Gerard Manley Hopkins, Li Young Lee, Carol Ann Duffy and many more.

The second will centre on Shakespeare’s Sonnets on Saturday 19 April, 1pm-3.30-pm. The Bard composed 154 sonnets between 1593 and 1601, bursting with beautiful imagery and timeless insights about love, life, and human nature. In this session, the group will explore a small, curated list of the sonnets, as well as some contemporary poetry inspired by Shakespeare’s works.

A third Wellbeing Workshop will be inspired by Welsh poet RS Thomas on Saturday 31 May, 1pm-3.30pm. Recognised as one of the leading poets of his country, Thomas writes about the people of his country in a style that some critics have compared to the nation’s harsh and rugged terrain.  

For each workshop the afternoon will begin with a relaxed Shared Reading Session led by an experienced practitioner before taking a walk to take in the beauty of Calderstones Park at this time of year.  

The group will then return to the Mansion House to enjoy a warming drink and The Reader will provide everything needed to build a personal own poetry collection to take home – the perfect gift for a loved one or a treat for yourself when a moment of inspiration and calm is needed. Tickets include unlimited tea and coffee.

FOODIE/SOCIAL 

March kicks off with a ‘craic’. Following the success of The Reader’s Burns Night celebrations, traditional Liverpudlian Cèilidh band The Saltcutters will be returning to the Mansion House for a St Patrick’s Cèilidh on Monday 17 March, 7pm-11pm. 

A hearty Irish stew is included with each ticket to fuel an evening of dancing, poetry and merriment, and the beautiful bar will be open throughout. For those who fancy a breather from the fast and furious fray of the Cèilidh, there will also the option to browse selections of the work of Irish poets in our cosy Reading Rooms.

Spoil your mum on Sunday 30 March with a Mother’s Day Lunch – a roast dinner with all the trimmings and dessert – set against the spring blooms in Calderstones Park and a soundtrack of live music.

A second Reader Social will be happening on Sunday 23 March, 2pm-6pm. Join the charity for a fundraising get together raising money to fund Shared Reading in the community, grazing platters, a quiz and raffle. Tickets include a welcome drink, grazing board and dessert.

Pop up a deckchair or lay out a picnic blanket in the Mansion House garden at one of The Reader’s Garden Parties for a laid-back afternoon of food, music and crafts. Browse the Library on the Lawn – a handpicked selection of books for adults and children to explore, and enjoy live entertainment and activities for all the family. 

The BBQ will be sizzling, the bar serving summer favourites, and the Ice Cream trike will be rolling up. The Reader is a charity – expect free entry, donations welcome and no booking required.

CHILDREN & FAMILIES

One of the big highlights for little people this spring is The Reader’s very first World Book Day Ball on Thursday 6 March, 5pm-6.30pm.

Calling all Matilda’s, Gruffalos, Hungry Caterpillars and Harry Potters! The Storyhunters will be throwing a party for their favourite day of the year which will be it is the perfect chance for children to show off their costumes, play games, have a bookish boogie and get crafting. 

The Reader Bookshop will also be staying open until 7pm and fully stocked with all the best choices for children and young adults to spend their brand-new World Book Day tokens. Perfect for four to nine -year-olds but younger siblings welcome too.

There will be some cracking events taking place over Easter including Easter at the Storybarn activity sessions from Monday 14 April to Sunday 20 April. There will be games, storytelling and adorable Easter crafts for children to take home. 

Hop into the Easter Holiday with a little help from The Reader’s Storyhunter pals and some tasty treats. An Easter Family Tea Party on Friday 18 April at 11am and 2.30pm, is the perfect way to celebrate the Easter break with your little ones. After this special Springtime outdoor afternoon tea The Storybarn team will lead games, crafts and the silliest of activities outside on the lawn. 

A celebration of Judith Kerr’s iconic 1970 children’s book, Mog the Forgetful Cat, in collaboration with publishers Harper Collins, will take place on various dates between Sunday 24 May – Sunday 1 June. In these 90-minute sessions for four to nine-year-olds there will be stories, games and catty crafts to take home. Younger siblings are welcome too.

The Storybarn team runs a May Half Term Holiday Club and Spring Half Term Holiday Club for five to 10-year-olds with a difference – every day Storyhunters and children head out into the gorgeous Calderstones Park, dive into the realm of storytelling in the magical Storybarn, play games and much more. Each ticket purchased helps support The Reader’s charitable work with children and young people across the UK.

GARDENING

Estuary Botanics are back to help get would-be gardeners prepped for spring and summer in three workshops starting with Pruning Plants Made Easy on Saturday 8 March, 10am-3pm. In this workshop they will demystify the art and science of pruning. Discover how, why and when plants are pruned, and when its best to leave them be. Learn how to safely and effectively shape a shrub, train a fruit tree, or promote vibrant fresh growth. 

It will be followed by Planting Summer Containers on Saturday 5 April, 10am-3pm. Learn how to design and plant a vibrant, long lasting container display. The workshop will cover all the basics including container choice, composts, plant selection, design layout and maintenance methods to create successful and sustainable planters. Step by step, they will work to help budding gardeners in the group create their own stunning potted display to take home.  

Plant Propagation on Saturday 3 May 2025, 10am-3pm, is set to be a hands-on plant propagation workshop. Learn techniques in seed sowing, taking cuttings, and dividing perennials to create new plants for free. Whether a beginner or seasoned gardener, this workshop will help propagate with confidence. They will take home their own propagated plants and watch them flourish.  

In addition, a new six-week Wildlife course with Estuary Botanics, on Thursdays from 12 June will teach anyone interested in gardens how to transform their plot into a wildlife haven. They will cover how to attract, protect and provide for wildlife. Whether people are looking for the best spot for a bird box, creating a pond, or planting a nectar-rich flowerbed, this course will help them craft a beautiful, sustainable garden where both you and nature can thrive.

No gardening experience is necessary for these courses, all materials are provided and anyone who attends is advised to dress for all weathers.

About Estuary Botanics

Andy Lambie has more than 15 years’ experience at institutes such as the Welsh College of Horticulture and Ness Botanic Gardens. Nif Wilkinson specializes in botany, horticulture and conservation and currently serves as a botany tutor for the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI). 

For the spring season book tickets here.

Baby Book Club: Pop Up

Join beloved artist and storyteller Roger Hill for a special pop-up edition of Bluecoat’s popular Baby Book Club, designed for babies aged 3–12 months.

This is the perfect opportunity to get a feel for the course and ask any questions you may have.

Enjoy quality time with your baby, connect with other parents, and nurture your little one’s love of books through creative storytelling techniques that will last a lifetime. This session offers insights into using body and voice when reading, with the opportunity to practice these skills using a book you can take home.

Thu 6 Feb, 10.30am-11.30am
Free, or pay what you can