House of Memories On The Road at Faith...

National Museum’s Liverpool House of Memories On The Road immersive museum will be appearing at Faiths and Dementia ’23 which will take place on 17 May at St Margaret Clitherow Centre, Liverpool.

The one-day event will explore ways for Faith leaders and groups to make a real difference for their community members living with dementia and family carers. Faiths and Dementia ’23 is organised by Liverpool Dementia Action Alliance and Christians on Ageing, with the assistance of Alzheimer’s Society and House of Memories.

Port City – The Migration of Mus...

An exploration of how migration has influenced and impacted on the musical heritage of Liverpool and beyond will take place at the the city’s Central Library this weekend.

Port City – The Migration of Musical Heritage is a project being delivered by Liverpool Libraries and Information Services (Liverpool Record Office) in partnership with Luma Creations on behalf of the National Archives.

On Eurovision day, 13th May 2023, a day of workshops, talks and performance will examine how as a port Liverpool has been exposed to successive waves of culture migrants and settlers that have formed strong connections with each other in the city. The event will explore the cultural and musical impact that successive migrant communities had on enabling Liverpool to become one of the most prominent cities on the musical world stage.

Topics being discussed on the day will include: Latin American musical influences that started with the arrival of Chilean exiles in the 70s; Spanish and Portuguese influences on the musical traditions of South America; the Scandinavian musical tradition that’s arrived through the Baltic Seamen; eastern and Asian influences on the musical heritage of the city; the musical traditions of the oldest Chinese community in Europe; the many, rich and diverse African melodies and rhythms that are immersed in the melting pot of Liverpool’s musical landscape; and spoken word performance traditions that come from the Global South.

Attendees will get the chance to meet a range of artists and join a discussion about Music Heritage in the Port City and the migrant music and communities that have made a home in Liverpool. The event will be Chaired by Luma Creations Creative Director, Francisco Carrasco.

Visitors are also encouraged to take the opportunity to view the Liverpool 1963. How did we do it? exhibition in the Hornby Library on the 1st floor. A unique take on the Merseybeat explosion in that year and a reminder of its influence on popular music across the world.

Port City – The Migration of Musical Heritage will take place on Saturday 13th May from 12pm to 5pm at Liverpool Central Library. Entrance is free.

National Museums Liverpool Eurovision ...

Eurovision is upon us and our friends at National Museums Liverpool have a got an incredible programme of events, experiences and activities for you to enjoy as Europe’s biggest party descends on Liverpool. Here are some extra special highlights:

NML Eurovision XTRA – Museum of Liverpool: 9 May 2023, 6.30pm

Join drag royalty and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK S4 winner Danny Beard as they host NML’s extra special event at Museum of Liverpool. The evening for Semi-Final 1 will include performances by Danny Beard, Ashleigh Owen, Mikey Garland, Nicki French [UK Eurovision Entry 2000] as well as high-energy voguing experience from the legendary House of Suarez plus DJ sets from Queensway Collective and much more. BOOK NOW

NML Eurovision XTRA – Museum of Liverpool: 11 May 2023, 6.30pm

Join star of the Radio City Breakfast Show, podcaster and presenter Leanne Campbell as they take over hosting duties for another evening of brilliant entertainment on 11 May at Museum of Liverpool. Enjoy performances by ​​​​​​​Liverpool Mozart Orchestra, opera singer Denise Leigh and champion accordionist Stefan Andrusyschyn, SuRie [UK Eurovision Entry 2018] as well as shimmering Ballet Bright performance by JLee Productions and of course, much more. BOOK NOW

Windows to New Worlds (Вікна в нові світи) – Museum of Liverpool (Outdoors): 8 – 13 May 2023, 8.30pm

Join NML on Liverpool’s iconic waterfront for a breathtaking projection experience on the façade of Museum of Liverpool transporting you to new fantastical undiscovered worlds. FIND OUT MORE

Eurovision Walk of Fame – Museum of Liverpool (Outdoor Steps): 8 – 13 May 2023

Explore, see and hear iconic Eurovision moments through AR technology. Scan the QR codes on NML’s outdoor steps to relive iconic moments from Eurovision’s past in this collaboration between National Museums Liverpool, Ukrainian national Veronika Yasnska, and Ukrainian AR/VR experts ADVINFIND OUT MORE

Musical Stairs – Museum of Liverpool (Outdoor Steps): 8 – 14 May 2023, 10am – 5pm

The steps and terraces of Museum of Liverpool will be brought to life with large-scale interactive piano keys, in a temporary installation to encourage us all to get musical on the Waterfront.

Discover NML’s full Eurovision programme here.

 

Soundtracking Birkenhead’s Histo...

Soundtracking Birkenhead’s History: A night uncovering local history and memories through music and sound.

Convenience is working with Future Yard, Queensway Collective, Sugarshack Soundsystem, artist Declan Connolly and musician Dan Astles as part of their project to uncover the working class history of Birkenhead.

Over the past 6 months Convenience Gallery have been working with the local community to uncover memories of the working class history, memory and life to build the beginning of a people’s history. Unearthing the places, memories, and stories of the people who have worked and lived here in Birkenhead and Wirral over the past 100 years right up to present day.

So far they have uncovered stories from across the area and many involving music from, long since closed or demolished venues, record shops, festivals, illegal raves and bandstands but we know there is so much more to add to this story.

On the 26th they will be hosting a night of nostalgia, music, sonic history, collective memory, local and personal history, uncovering working class memories from across Birkenhead using music as the catalyst to unlock this. Hosted at local independent music venue Future yard and bringing together great local musicians, DJs, and artists. This event is open to everyone and completely free to attend.

Expect DJs sets,interactive workshops and conversations, songwriting workshops, photography workshops and more.

Do you have a Working-Class history to share? Do you have stories or memories of venues and clubs from across the area? Do you have memories of songs, gigs, events or subcultures? Share your songs and the memories attached to them.

Event

Tell your story of Birkenhead.

Let’s Get This Straight – ...

Comics Youth CIC, have published a guidebook called, ‘LETS GET THIS STRAIGHT- A GUIDE TO GOOD ALLYSHIP’- that is full of best practise, lived experiences and advice for professionals/practitioners/community leaders around the UK to support our LGBTQIA+ community more effectively.

The publication is expertly crafted by young experts from Comics Youth CIC, activists, founders, and researchers.

JOIN THEM ON TUESDAY 9TH MAY, 1PM-3PM @ THE BLOOM BUILDING 3 ABBEY CLOSE BIRKENHEAD CH41 5FQ.

There will be free welcome drinks, including supported networking, speeches from the makers and a Q+A segment. You will also be given a thank-you pack for joining which includes a FREE copy of ‘LETS GET THIS STRAIGHT: A GUIDE TO GOOD ALLYSHIP’.

By joining the launch event, you will be a part of the exclusive group of people with a copy of ‘Let’s Get This Straight- A Guide to Good Allyship’ before it’s accessible to the public and you can even get it signed by the amazing experts who created it!

If you can make it, please book your FREE ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lets-get-this-straight-book-launch-tickets-582054048327

Wirral Open Studio Tour 2023

This year’s Wirral Open Studio Tour returns with a weekend of creativity and colour on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th June.

Now in its 13th year of celebrating visual arts across the peninsula, this year’s event promises to be the biggest and best yet, as over 80 artists and makers in 51 venues prepare to open the doors to their homes or studios.

The Tour gives visitors an exciting opportunity to access creative spaces not usually open to the public, chat to artists about their processes, and view their work in the environment in which it is created.

There will be a hugely diverse selection of artworks on show, from original paintings, prints, glass and textiles to photography, sculpture, ceramics and jewellery. At each venue you’ll find the artist ready to welcome you and show you around. Much of the work on show will be for sale so you can, if you wish, take away a piece of original artwork to treasure.

All studios are open from 10am-5pm on Saturday 10th June and Sunday 11th June, with some venues also open from 6pm-9pm on Friday 9th June. (please see tour guide for details)

Tour guides are available in galleries, community centres, libraries, shops and cafes across Wirral, or can be downloaded from their website wirralarts.com

Little Bo Peep-themed Easter trail

Families are being invited to explore a fun Easter trail around the historic Wirral village of Port Sunlight this half term – all for a chocolate egg reward of course.

Built in the late 19th century for William Lever’s ‘Sunlight Soap’ factory workers, the village now attracts thousands of visitors each year to admire the Arts and Crafts-style houses, picturesque gardens and parks, and a fascinating museum and art gallery.

The trail will run on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 April. It is organised by Port Sunlight Village Trust, who are responsible for preserving and promoting the village.

Trail-goers will meet outside Port Sunlight Museum to be greeted by Little Bo Peep, who has sadly lost ten of her sheep. With the help of a map filled with clues, families will set off on an adventure around the village to find the lost sheep and return them to Little Bo Peep for a chocolate egg reward.

Inspiration for the trail came from a discovery in Port Sunlight Village Trust’s archive that showed how, in the early days of Port Sunlight being built, herds of sheep grazed in and around the village.

Charlene Davies, public programme manager at Port Sunlight Village Trust, said: “Easter is one of our favourite times of the year and we can’t wait to invite families back to explore our Easter trail, this time with the help of Little Bo Peep herself. We hope trail-goers will have lots of fun exploring our unique village to help round up her lost sheep. The spring flowers are in bloom too, so it will be a joyful and colourful weekend for everyone.”

To take part in the trail, visitors will need to pre-book a time slot between 9.30am and 3pm. Tickets cost £5 per child. Adults do not need a ticket. To book tickets, go to: www.portsunlightvillage.com/whats-on

The Dreaming – Open Mic

Saint Vespaluus and The Queen of Heartbreak are headlining this month’s Open Mic, but you can expect sets from several local poets too.

There are 10/15 Open Mic slots available, get there early to sign-up! Music for the evening comes from Lily Kehoe.

The event is held at The Reader Bar and Restaurant, Mount Pleasant, 7pm till 10pm.

Blast! #15

The New Mersey Poets present spokenword, comedy and music live at The Excelsior.

The event is free entry and features Saint Vespaluus, Bob in the Dungarees and Becky Tavernor amongst a host of other performers.

MC for the evening will be The Queen of Heartbreak

From World Capital of Pop to Eurovisio...

Join the knowledgeable guides as they transport you on a journey of Liverpool’s unique history… From ‘World Capital of Pop’ to Eurovision.

Start times vary, with the first tour on 10 May starting at 12pm. See here for full details.

Liverpool and music are synonymous, thanks to a rich and diverse music history that reaches back to the 18th century.

As the city developed into a thriving port, so too did its links with the Americas, Africa and Asia – resulting in a unique blend of cultures which contributed to the city’s ever-evolving music DNA.

Generation upon generation, Liverpool’s music scene blossomed, with grand concert halls, music clubs, pubs, societies and associations all playing their part in harnessing a distinctive cultural wealth.

This rich and diverse combination of cultures led to the emergence of The Beatles and the Merseybeat music movement of the 1960s, which was closely followed by the rise of Eric’s and the eruption of an influential post-punk scene during the 1970s and 1980s.

This medley of musical influences ensures that the city also has bragging rights to the UK’s oldest orchestral institution, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Liverpool is also the birthplace of the global EDM brand of Cream, which originated as a ‘super club’ during the 1990s.

Taking all of the above into account, it is hardly any wonder why the city is recognised as a UNESCO City of Music, as well as ‘World Capital of Pop’ by the Guinness Book of Records.

Now, we can add ‘Eurovision Host City 2023’ as another string to our bow.

Please note, the From ‘World Capital of Pop’ to Eurovision guided tour is available on a limited number of time slots, from Wednesday 10 – Saturday 13 May.

Tickets are £16.50 per person a tour and can be booked via Ticket Quarter.