Autumn art classes from dot-art

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: dot-art

The summer may be over, but don’t let it get you down; the autumn is a fantastic time to learn a new skill or rediscover a hobby you enjoyed in the past. This season, dot-art has new evening and weekend courses for adults starting in city centre locations, in a variety of creative subjects from Oil Painting to Life Drawing and Jewellery Making to Building Your Own Camera.

Starting at the city centre's creative hub, the Bluecoat, our ever popular 10 week evening course in Life Drawing, suitable for all levels from beginner upwards, returns on Tuesday October 6, and includes expert tuition and individual guidance.  Also on Tuesday evenings, we welcome back Richard Meaghan, who will once again be leading his popular evening course in Acrylic Painting. Over the ten weeks you will explore and investigate a broad range of traditional and contemporary painting processes and practices. Starting on Tuesday October 13 we see a return, due to popular demand, of the Jewellery Making in Metal 10 week course with Helen Leigh Dolan, suitable for beginners and allowing you to design and produce your own pieces of jewellery.

This season, we are introducing new photography days incorporating both theory and practice; participants will spend the morning learning from our tutor at the venue, then the afternoon putting that learning into practice around the city. On Sunday October 18, Introduction to Photography is suitable for beginners and those wanting a refresher, and on Sunday November 22, Photography Masterclass – Composition, starts a new series of events which will offer a deeper look at a specific aspect of photography. Also, on Sunday November 1, you will have the chance to Build Your Own Camera! Join Rachel Brewster and learn how to build and use your very own working “Konstruktor” camera in a day and take it home with you.

Over in south Liverpool, we continue our series of Sketching in the Palm House events at Sefton Park Palm House on Sunday September 13. These three-hour workshops give you the opportunity to learn or recap basic techniques to help you draw from observation, try different materials and express what you see through drawing, in unique and inspiring surroundings.

Our newest venue partner is Hope Street Ltd, who will be hosting a range of courses in their new space on Lord Street, in the city’s main shopping area. Starting on Monday October 5, Richard Meaghan will lead a 10-week evening course in Oil Painting (Intermediate), designed for those with some painting experience, or as a follow on to his Acrylic Painting course. From Tuesday October 6, Rachel Brewster will take photography lovers on a 10-week journey from Pinhole to Pinterest, offering a fascinating insight into traditional analogue photography and the art and craft of using vintage tools and techniques to experiment and have fun with photography.

Finally, looking forward to January 2016, we will be launching the first Liverpool Atelier of Contemporary Realism. This intensive two-week painting course has been developed by dot-art with artist and tutor Richard Meaghan, in response to the demand for a rigorous, systematic and collaborative approach to teaching artistic skills. The atelier will be a concentrated educational experience that encourages artistic study and the practice of drawing and painting from life to ensure a deep understanding of form, design, practise and discipline.

Full details, prices and booking information can be found at www.dot-art.co.uk/art-classes. These courses often sell out, so don't delay!

Arts Festival to host specially commissioned IKEA exhibition

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival

A specially commissioned exhibition themed around local and international retail giant IKEA will form part of Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival 2015.

The festival returns to the town next month for the fifth consecutive year, and new for 2015 organisers Culture Warrington are working in partnership with NORTH, which will deliver an exciting new dimension to the event.

NORTH is a new initiative aiming to build strength for contemporary art in the North of England. Together, Culture Warrington and North will highlight the breadth of talent within the region, as well as attracting national and international artists with support from Arts Council England.

A key focus of the partnership is a specially commissioned exhibition entitled, The Dream Of Modern Living? Contemporary Artists Explore IKEA. It will take place between Friday, 2 October and Saturday, 14 November at Warrington Museum & Art Gallery. Admission is free.

In 1987, Britain’s first IKEA opened in Warrington. Since then, the store has found a place in the thoughts and memories of local people. Warrington IKEA is said to have the highest visitor numbers of any store in the country and allegedly the lowest spend per head, suggesting that people go not just to buy furniture but to see and to experience designs, ideas, even food from elsewhere.

Paul Carey–Kent is the curator for The Dream Of Modern Living? A former editor of Art World magazine, he now writes for publications including Art Monthly, Frieze and Photomonitor. He has become increasingly involved in freelance curatorial projects since 2013, and currently has shows in London and Berlin as well as Warrington. Earlier this year he curated The Absence of Presence for Berloni and Weight for the Showing at Maddox Arts.

Paul wanted to explore artists’ reactions to IKEA as a business, lifestyle and aesthetic. Their responses range from using IKEA products as art materials to reinterpreting the furniture, from attempting to live in-store to subverting the catalogue of which more than 200 million copies are printed each year. The artists are Guy Ben Ner, Ryan Gander, Clay Ketter, Artist Anonymous, Marie Karlberg, Joe Scanlan, Sara McKillop, Frédéric Pradeau, Mary Griffiths, David Ricakard and Stuart Hartley.

Curator Paul Carey–Kent commented: “The Dream Of Modern Living? exhibition is going to be something very different for the Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival, and North is delighted to be working in partnership with Culture Warrington on this project.

“It’s a show about the power of transformation in which IKEA provides the raw materials, both literal and attitudinal, from which the artists set out. They get to some rather interesting places, inside and beyond the store.”

The wider Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival features a full programme of cultural events, exhibitions, performances, workshops and seminars from Friday October 2-Saturday October 31, at various locations across the town including Pyramid Arts Centre, The Gallery at Bank Quay House and Warrington Museum & Art Gallery, which will all become festival hubs for the event.

Festival highlights include a Cultural Crawl of host venues; Glastonbury favourite and raconteur Mik Artistik at Pyramid Arts Centre; physical theatre company Tmesis; Long Shot Micro Film Festival; Capriccio experimental music workshop; and a spooky silent disco. The full programme is available online at www.warringtonartsfestival.co.uk.

History Live brings The Great and The Good back to life at St George's Hall next week

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: St George's Hall

St George’s Hall are proud to announce their latest historical extravaganza, History Live - The Great and The Good, which comes next week from Tuesday September 1-Sunday September 6, and brings to life some of the most inspiring figures from Liverpool’s past in the atmospheric cells and catacombs of St George's Hall.

A group of local historians, enthusiasts and actors from In Another Place community group have got together to form History Live, celebrating the incredible achievements and selfless acts of historic Liverpudlians such as Josephine Butler, Edward Rushton, Doctor Duncan and more.

St George's Hall has had a number of very successful re-enacted history tours but this is the first one to concentrate on the cities inspiring historical characters who were motivated and energized by their faith. Liverpool has a very strong Christian heritage – from the monks that started the ferry across the Mersey, to some of the abolitionists of the slave trade – like Thomas Hope of Hope Street fame. The Great and the Good concentrates on five characters mainly from the Victorian era, all motivated by their faith. From the wealthy Joseph Williamson and his tunnels, to the poverty stricken Kitty Wilkinson and her laundry service to combat cholera in the slums. Visitors will also meet Edward Rushton, founder of the first school for the blind, and Dr. Duncan and Josephine Butler, campaigners in the fields of health and education for women.

Hannah Johnson, director, commented: "St George's Hall has hosted some very successful tours in the last few months and they are keen to promote our new production which is interactive, informative and inspiring. Not to be missed!"

Alan Smith, manager of St Georges Hall, added: “St George’s Hall is delighted to host a new and dynamic series of heritage gallery and catacomb tours which focus purely on the great and good of Liverpool. The spotlight is turned onto Liverpool greats who have made outstanding contributions to the life of people from the city and beyond. History Live have an outstanding record of producing great public theatre and performances and I am sure they will produce outstanding performance in the catacombs.”

In Another Place is an all-inclusive Christian charity that uses large scale theatrical events to encourage participation from people of all backgrounds, young and old and all abilities. They are best known for their two huge Narnia productions with 500 participants and an audience of 17,000 walking through the experience over a two-week period.

For further information, visit www.stgeorgesliverpool.co.uk.

Liverpool Loves hailed as a huge success and will return in 2016

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Loves

Liverpool Loves has been hailed an unprecedented success by organisers, having attracted crowds of 27,000 visitors over three days of the inaugural festival.

The exciting weekend of activity took place at Pier Head Liverpool, set against the stunning backdrop of the Three Graces, which form part of the city’s prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Liverpool Loves was made up of three key events to celebrate all that is great about this magnificent city: Liverpool Loves Business, Liverpool Loves Ireland, and the headline event Liverpool Loves festival day.

The event was the brainchild of Liverpool-based Orb CIC, who have a strong proven track record in staging major city events and festivals.

Festival Director Josh Boyd from Orb CIC commented: “Liverpool Loves came from the idea that this city is forward thinking, independent, and so unique to this country. It’s a city that continues to pioneer in all aspects of life – people, business and culture, and we wanted to create a festival to represent the entire spectrum. The festival became the perfect vehicle to showcase just how much the destination has to offer. Liverpool Loves is for Liverpool, by Liverpool.

“Each of the three days were testament to the bold, ambitious nature of this city. Liverpool Loves was the first large-scale, not-for-profit, public festival run by a Community Interest Company (CIC). And it achieved exactly what we set out to do: championing independent businesses, social enterprise, arts and culture groups, grass roots talent, communities, and charities.”

Liverpool Loves Business on Thursday August 6 officially launched the festival at the Cunard Building, one of the iconic Three Graces. Themed seminars, discussion panels and free business advice provided opportunities for business owners and professionals to develop skills, connect with other entrepreneurs, and inspire independents. A total of 16 sessions featured more than 30 speakers. The business event attracted 700 delegates and hosted 18 exhibitors.

Liverpool Loves Ireland on (Friday August 7 welcomed over 400 concert-goers to a show at the Pier Head featuring traditional music and dance. Six acts from Liverpool and Ireland highlighted links between the city and the Emerald Isle. The event was hosted by Liverpool historian Frank Carlyle, headlined by Cream of the Barley, and featured Eleanor McEvoy, who has the best-selling Irish album in Irish history.

Liverpool Loves festival day on Saturday August 8 was the highlight of the weekend, when the Pier Head was transformed into a dazzling landscape of colour and entertainment. A family friendly programme spanning 12 hours included an array workshops; music and dance performances; health and well-being activities; and festival food and drink – keeping 25,000 visitors entertained throughout the day.

Liverpool’s fascinating and diverse world culture was represented through traditional dance, music, and art with performers representing the communities of China, India, the Middle East and Brazil with dragon dancers, Bollywood demonstrations, Arab Arts, and Brazilian samba drum ensembles.

Martin O’Shea from Bold Management and BBC Radio Merseyside’s Dave Monks curated the soundtrack for the festival’s Main Stage, whilst the Dovedale Social and Merseyrail Sound Station  provided a host of fantastic grass roots talent across two further stages.

Organisers Orb CIC worked with over 35 organisations and contributors to deliver Saturday’s packed programme. More than 200 other businesses were represented on the day through crafts, food and drink, and over 50 bands/artistes performed.

The festival gained huge levels of support from key partners in its inaugural year, including The North West Fund and Campanile Hotels UK, part of Louvre Hotels Europe. Backing also came from a range of further partners including Mayor Of Liverpool Joe Anderson, It's Liverpool, Big Lottery Fund, Health @ Work, Mitchell Charlesworth, MSB Solicitors, Click Connect, Love Food Hate Waste, Richmond Fellowship, Shelter, and Legacy Liverpool.

Josh Boyd added: “We are overwhelmed by the level of support given to Liverpool Loves in its first year, not only from our sponsors, partners and contributors, but the support from the general public has been fantastic. Attracting 27,000 visitors is no mean feat for any event, so we cannot thank you all enough for making this festival your own.

“Over £70,000 worth of work was awarded to local organisations, and more than 680 local people were employed to work on Liverpool Loves as a direct result of this investment. We have joined together as a city region to celebrate Liverpool and in doing so we’ve shown the rest of the UK, and indeed the world, that this is the place to work, live, laugh and love.

“Watch this space for announcements about a bigger and better Liverpool Loves 2016, as well as a few surprises in the lead-up to next year’s event as 12 months is a long time to wait! This is ‘The Peoples’ Festival’; it is for Liverpool, by Liverpool.”

Keep up to date with the latest announcements at www.liverpoolloves.co.uk.

Shrek to take 'ogre' Southport Flower Show

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Empire Theatre

Beloved ogre Shrek and the beautiful Princess Fiona will ‘swamp’ Southport Flower Show’s opening day on Thursday August 20

Shrek The Musical® plays at the Liverpool Empire from Wednesday November 25–Sunday December 6

The characters of Shrek The Musical® will be making appearances throughout the day as part of the celebrations of the opening of Southport’s annual flower show, ahead of the production’s triumphant return to the North West.

The flower show will feature a specially designed Shrek swamp, by award-winning gardeners, Mook Gardens LTD, giving visitors a chance to meet Shrek and Princess Fiona on their home turf.

Visitors to Southport Flower Show have the delight of exploring Shrek’s garden and his floral swamp house throughout the show (Thursday August 20–Sunday August 23) with the chance of bumping into the star couple on the opening day.

Shrek commented: "I confess a trip to the Southport Flower Show is a first for me, but of course when I heard there was going to be a recreation of my swamp I couldn’t resist. Fiona is really excited and hopes the flower show might inspire me into developing more of a gardening habit. I already have the green fingers so that’s a good start. We couldn’t resist visiting as the tour of Shrek The Musical will arrive in Liverpool in November/December time and has its very last date in February at the Lowry in Salford."

Ray Roukin, general manager at Southport Flower Show, added: "We're really pleased to be welcoming Shrek and his swamp garden to the show this year, it's going to be a unique attraction and should prove a big draw for young and old alike."

Shrek and his garden join a number of family attractions at this year's show, including free-flying birds of prey, dog displays and award-winning clowns Sonny and Rainbow. The show will also be having its first ever Super Kids Sunday which includes a dedicated Children's Marquee on the final day of show, with science workshops and fun, interactive activities.

Entry to the show-ground is free for children under 16, when accompanied by a paying adult, so there have never been more reasons to take the family to Southport.

Southport Flower Show runs from Thursday August 20-Sunday August 23. For more information, visit www.southportflowershow.co.uk or call 01704 547147. Southport Flower Show Tickets cost just £18 in advance, a 20% saving on the gate price.

Shrek The Musical® is coming direct from London, where it was seen live on stage by nearly a million people, and will run at Liverpool Empire Theatre from Wednesday November 25-Sunday December 6, and The Lowry from Wednesday February 2–Sunday February 20 2016.

Based on the Oscar® winning DreamWorks film and featuring all-new songs as well as cult Shrek anthem I’m a Believer, Shrek The Musical® brings the much-loved DreamWorks characters to life, live on stage, in an all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza.

Falklands War hero Simon Weston in My Life, My Story

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Pyramid & Parr Hall

Simon Weston: My Life, My Story is a truly inspirational show about one man’s journey from the front line of war, being on the edge of death, to today’s life as a happy and contented father, grandfather and national treasure.

For the first time, Simon will be telling his story live on stage. David Fitzgerald, former Sky news anchor and close friend, guides him in an interview format through his remarkable life story. The evening will feature questions that only a friend as close as David could ask, and answers only Simon could give. Simon will share shocking truths about the conflict, the day the Sir Galahad was attacked and the impact of the war on his life ever since.

Serving soldier Simon Weston’s life changed forever when the RFA Sir Galahad was bombed by two Argentine planes on June 9 1982 during the Falklands War. Simon was aboard the ship at the time.

Against the odds Simon escaped the burning ship but only after suffering 46% burns to his body. He was awarded the OBE in 1992 and Simon is one of the most recognised faces from the Falklands War.

Simon Western spoke about one of the low points he encountered on his journey, “My first encounter with a really low point was when they wheeled me into the transit hospital at RAF Lyneham and I passed my mother in the corridor and she said to my gran: ‘Oh mam, look at that poor boy’ and I cried out: ‘Mam, it’s me.  As she recognised my voice her face turned to stone.”

On April 2 1982, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory, in the south Atlantic. Argentina claimed they had superior territorial rights as they had inherited the island from Spain in the 1800s. It was the conflict of a generation and one that many will never forget.

The islands, controlled by Great Britain for nearly 150 years, became a battle ground with the UK government, under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, quick to defend the islands and their inhabitants. The war that followed saw the deaths of 655 Argentine soldiers and 255 British servicemen. Amongst those who were sent to the conflict was Simon Weston OBE. Simon from Caerphilly, south Wales, had seen service with the Welsh Guards in Berlin, Northern Ireland and Kenya.

Simon Weston: My Life, My Story is at Pyramid, Warrington on Sunday September 6. For more information, click here.

Multiple opportunities to present work as part of Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival

Calling all artists!

Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival, working in partnership with N( )RTH is offering two unique opportunities for emerging artists to create, share, network and perform as part of the 2015 festival.

Cross-Platform Artist Collaboration is an opportunity for artists to come together to create a completely original live art performance. These collaborations will be devised and performed within Pyramid during the allotted time, from 10.00-22.00 on Thursday October 22.

Alongside use of Pyramid, artists will receive technical support with access to lighting, sound and projection. This is a wonderful opportunity to network and work with other artists and enhance performance experience within an intense 12 hour period.

Encounters is a fantastic opportunity for new and emerging artists who wish to gain experience showcasing already conceived work in a public space. It provides an opportunity for artists to meet, and preview work on Saturday October 24. In contrast to Cross-Platform Artist Collaboration, this call is for work (either work in progress or completed pieces) that can be performed in and around Warrington Town Centre. Festival organisers are particularly interested in work that encourages audience interaction.

Proposals must be for live arts performances and can support dance, mixed-media, visual arts and performance art. For routines and set performances artists must be prepared to showcase work more than once during a four hour period. Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival will be able to provide technical assistance, a PA, a place to change and store valuables.

How to apply to take part:

Cross-Platform Artist Collaboration

Email the Festival Team with your current practice and experience, including images and links to their website or recent performances to info@warringtonartsfestival.co.uk. Artists should also outline how the opportunity would enhance and develop their practice.

Encounters

To apply, go to https://warringtonartsfestival.wufoo.com/forms/zub2ozb0tjp1cz/. The closing date is Monday August 31 at 17.00.

MiC Lowry and DJ Rui Da Silva added to Liverpool Loves music line-up

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Loves

Best of Liverpool competition postponed to later date

The very first Liverpool Loves festival kicked off on Thursday August 6, celebrating all that is great about this magnificent city.

Liverpool Loves Business launched the festival with a full day of themed workshops, seminars and discussion panels which showcased new and up-and-coming businesses and provided opportunities for business owners and professionals to develop skills and connect. Proving hugely popular among the city’s business community with a fantastic attendance, day one of the festival has been deemed a huge success.

Looking ahead to the rest of the weekend’s events, organisers are delighted to announce that Liverpool boyband MiC Lowry and Portuguese producer and DJ Rui Da Silva join the already jam-packed music line-up on festival day on Saturday August 8.

MOBO award-winning five-part vocal harmony group Mic Lowry recently performed at this year’s Glastonbury Festival and released their debut EP earlier this year reaching the number one spot in the RnB charts and will be headlining the Liverpool Loves New Music Stage.

Dance music fans will not want to miss Portuguese producer and DJ Rui Da Silva who closes the Big Top Stage, famous for the anthem Touch Me which went to number 1 in the UK charts in 2001.

The three-day festival takes place at Pier Head Liverpool, a stunning location with the Three Graces as the backdrop. The site also forms part of the city’s prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Due to the adverse weather conditions on Wednesday, the Big Top which was to host part of the programme was not able to be installed, so this has now been replaced with an alternative structure. In light of this, the Best of Liverpool event that was due to take place in the Big Top has been postponed to a later date to be confirmed in due course.

There will be a revised line-up on the Big Top Stage in its place which include performances from singer, songwriter, rapper and producer, Merki Waters; RnB singer Fabian; cool brothers Jacob and Charlie Bell aka Phaedra who simmer with their underground beats; 5 piece Liverpool girl group Ego who will shine with their outstanding pop songs; stunning Brazilian samba dancing from Viva Brasil; and DJ’s Rui Da Silva and Mark Armstrong bring the Big Top Stage to an explosive close.

Liverpool Loves runs from Thursday August 6-Saturday August 8, and will shine the spotlight on all that is special about Liverpool with four key core themes for 2015: business, culture, food and well-being. Liverpool Loves is supported by the city’s Mayor Joe Anderson.

Liverpool Loves is the brainchild of Liverpool-based Orb CIC, who have a strong proven track record in staging major city events and festivals.

Friday August 7 - Liverpool Loves Ireland

With an estimated three quarters of Liverpool’s population having Irish roots, Liverpool Loves Ireland will bring a real Irish party atmosphere to the city’s waterfront in the bespoke Big Top between 19.00-23.00 (doors open at 18.00).

An evening of Irish entertainment will include traditional music and dance. Headliners Cream of the Barley feature three of the original line-up (John Walsh vocals/guitar, PJ McCarthy vocals/bodhran and Eddie Hughes banjo/mandolin), plus some special invited new guest members for a special one-off appearance.

The event is hosted by Liverpool historian Frank Carlyle. The line-up also features Eleanor McEvoy; Jack Owen; Michael Coyne; The Jesse Janes; and The Bolger Cunningham Irish Dancers. Traditional Irish food and drink will be available to purchase throughout the evening.

Liverpool Loves Ireland on Friday is a ticket-only event. Tickets are priced at £22.50 online from www.ticketquarter.co.uk or by telephoning 0844 8000 410 (online and telephone ticket sales are subject to a booking fee per ticket and a handling fee per transaction). Tickets can also be bought in person from TicketQuarter at Queen’s Square (no booking fee on cash sales). There is a special group offer to buy nine tickets and get one free. This offer is only available for group bookings of 10 or more by calling 0844 561 7672 or email groups@ticketquarter.co.uk.

Saturday August 8 - Liverpool Loves Festival Day

Liverpool Loves Festival Day is free to attend and open to all. It will run from 11.00-23.00, consisting of 12 hours of culture, entertainment and activities on the banks of the River Mersey. The family-friendly programme will span across zoned areas covering music, the arts, dance, food and drink and health and well-being.

The city’s fascinating world culture will be evident with traditional dance, music and art from the communities represented, including the Chinese dragon dancers; Indian Bollywood demonstrations; Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival; and a Brazilian samba drum ensembles.

Martin O’Shea from Bold Management is curating the soundtrack to the day, which will feature a live music programme across four stages throughout the day and evening, including Liverpool Loves New Music; Dovedale Social; Merseyrail Sound Station and Liverpool Loves Allstars.

Plan your Liverpool Loves experience with the official brochure, which is available online by visiting http://issuu.com/mattbea/docs/liverpool_loves_brochure_2015.

Keep up to date with the latest announcements at www.liverpoolloves.co.uk.

Tmesis Theatre Announce A Second Tour Of That’s Amore Including Five North-West Dates

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Tmesis Theatre

Tmesis Theatre have announced plans for a second tour for this Autumn of That’s Amore; it’s all about love: wanting it, having it, keeping it and losing it.

That’s Amore completed a successful UK tour earlier this year, and will now open in five venues across the North-West in Chester, Warrington (part of Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival), Northwich, Ulverston and Liverpool in October this year.

That’s Amore is a hilarious, fast-paced, passionate and emotional piece of physical theatre which explores the vast world and culture of romantic love, from chance encounters to hidden desires, and emotional extremes to the science of romance. The piece discovers the flesh and philosophy behind what makes our hearts beat faster.

Tmesis Theatre’s Elinor Randle will once again take the role of Director of the piece. This production is the first time in the company’s 10-year history that she has not performed in a Tmesis piece.

That’s Amore combines Tmesis’ trademark physicality and an ensemble of performers, with text from long-term collaborator and award-winning writer Chris Fittock, stunning visuals and a combination of popular and original music.

A Unity Commission, the play promises to be one which everyone can relate to. That’s Amore will feature a cast of four: Jennifer Essex, Adam Davies, Eleni Edipidi and Ross McCall.

Audiences can also look forward to the production talents of designer Lois Maskell, lighting designer Beccy Hillam, projection designer Sam Meech, and composer Meike Holzmann to set the scene and showcase the play’s musical and visual setting.

Artistic Director Elinor Randle commented: “After a brilliant reception to the first stage of the tour from audiences everywhere, I'm really excited to take That's Amore out to more national venues. I'm working with four hugely talented performers and a bigger and more visual new direction. The show has an amazing creative team and is a crazy, funny, emotional rollercoaster of a piece, which explores what we all want in the end, to be loved.

“We want audiences to be caught up in the moment, swept away with the excitement, confusion and agony of romance. To recognise how love strips us of our dignity and just how funny it all really is.”

The production will feature songs familiar to most audiences who have been struck by Cupid’s arrow, such as Bonnie Tyler’s Total Eclipse of the Heart; A-ha’s Take On Me; Sinead O’Connor’s Nothing Compares To You; George Michael’s Careless Whisper, Leonard Cohen’s Take This Waltz and, of course, the title name, That’s Amore by Dean Martin.

The newest addition to Tmesis Theatre’s impressive production repertoire, That’s Amore, joins the list of successful European toured shows, following Tmesis, Memento Mori and Anima, their trilogy on life’s journey, The Dreadful Hours and Wolf Red.

View the That’s Amore promo video at http://tmesistheatre.com/performances/thats-amore/.

Liverpool's diverse world culture celebrated on festival day

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Loves

Liverpool’s vibrant and diverse world culture will be celebrated next week as part of the new three-day Liverpool Loves festival.

Often described as having the ‘World In One City’, Liverpool is home to an exciting mix of cultures and communities, and many will be represented at Liverpool Loves next Saturday August 8.

The fun starts at 10.00 when visitors are invited to the iconic setting of Pier Head Liverpool, part of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a full 12 hours of activities, workshops and entertainment.

The family-friendly programme will span across zoned areas covering music, the arts, dance, food and drink and health and well-being, creating a real festival atmosphere at the heart of the waterfront.

The day’s programme will take place indoor in a bespoke Big Top, outside on a number of stages, and within zoned outdoor areas for culture, health and well-being, and refreshments.

Liverpool’s fascinating culture will feature traditional dance, music and art from the communities represented. Liverpool Loves is a free festival.

Liverpool is home to Europe’s oldest Chinese community, and the city has the largest Chinese arch outside mainland China.

To celebrate their Chinese heritage in Liverpool, China Pearl will host a parade of traditional stunning Chinese costumes. The parade will start from the festival’s main entrance, located on Canada Boulevard between the Royal Liver Building and the Cunard Building, and will make its way through the festival site to the Big Top. China Pearl will also perform Chinese music and dance, as well as inviting festivalgoers to participate in the grandeur of a Chinese Tea Ceremony.

Visitors can try their hand at the traditional art of Chinese painting and origami with HuaYun Arts, who will also be performing excerpts from the Huanhmei Opera and showcasing the majestic Chinese harp.

The Indian community will celebrate through dance, with RuShee Dance Group performing a number of spectacular Bollywood and Bangra dance routines. This promises to be energetic, colourful and has to be witnessed first-hand.

Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival presents a wonderful selection of music and dance celebrating the Arab culture, which always proves to be popular during their annual festival.

Brazilian samba drum ensemble Katumba will entertain visitors with their unique sound, colourful look and high impact choreography. A definite crowd puller.

But this isn’t all. There will be plenty of nods to Liverpool culture within the programme. Early birds are invited to start their day at Liverpool Loves with a morning rave from Morning Gloryville – the perfect way to shake away that sleepy head with dance, relaxing massages and fruit smoothies.

Sing Me Merseyside Choir’s live performances are certain to be a highlight of the day, including live renditions of famous Liverpool songs. So get that voice warmed up as audience participation is a must!

Martin O’Shea from Bold Management is curating the soundtrack to the day, which will feature a live music programme across four stages throughout the day and evening, including Liverpool Loves New Music; Dovedale Social; Merseyrail Sound Station and Liverpool Loves Allstars.

Dance music fans will not want to miss Portuguese producer and DJ Rui Da Silva who closes the Big Top Stage, famous for the anthem Touch Me which went to number 1 in the UK charts in 2001.

While the live music is on the outdoor stages, those looking for an alternative can try the Shush Silent Disco. Great for all ages, and plenty of fun guaranteed.

Play your part in the Liverpool Loves community art piece, Love Art UK. Help spread the word of love by writing a message on The Love Wall about what love means.

Shopping and fashion are part of Liverpool’s exciting culture. For those who love a bit of vintage shopping, then Capstan’s Bazaar will be on hand throughout the day with a range of stalls offering the ultimate vintage finds when it comes to trinkets, arts and crafts.

After those vintage discoveries have been made, take a trip to the Button Boutique workshop where visitors can make their own fascinator or for a bit of Liverpool fun, create a Scouse puppet.

The cultural programme will run alongside a dedicated children’s activity area hosting arts, crafts and dance workshops. This includes circus skills from the Free Fall Circus from The Florrie, who will be offering tasters in hula hooping, the unicycle, juggling and Diablo and poi.

Liverpool Loves is the final day of the three-day festival, which starts with Liverpool Loves Business on Thursday August 6, and Liverpool Loves Ireland on Friday August 7.

Liverpool Loves will shine the spotlight on all that is special about the City Region through four key core themes for 2015: business, culture, food and well-being.

The North West Fund are headline sponsors of Liverpool Loves Business. They join Campanile Hotels UK, part of Louvre Hotels Europe, who are also supporting the event. Liverpool Loves is also supported by the city’s Mayor Joe Anderson.

Keep up to date with the latest announcements at www.liverpoolloves.co.uk.

Brazilica 2015 hailed a sizzling samba success

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Brazilica

This year’s Brazilica Festival, which came to a climax on Sunday July 19, has been hailed a sizzling samba success by organisers and festival goers alike. Organisers Liverpool Carnival Company presented an incredible two week programme of events across the city leading up to the main Carnival Day on Saturday.

Crowds came from far and wide in their thousands and lined the city centre streets for a spectacular Carnival Parade on Saturday evening. Dancers and Samba bands from the UK, Brazil and Europe took part in the incredible Parade, filling the streets of Liverpool with colour, music and a sensational atmosphere alongside a Brazilian extravaganza and talented performers in Clayton Square.

There were also some amazing events leading up to the main Carnival Day to get audiences in the samba spirit. The heat was on at Alma De Cuba on Friday July 17 with the ever popular Carnival Queen Competition. There was a fantastic turnout for the event which saw Melinda Adams from Paraiso School of Samba crowned this year’s carnival queen. Hosted by father daughter duo, BBC Radio Merseyside’s Roger Phillips and Bay TV The Guide’s Ellie Phillips, Alma De Cuba was awash with colour as dancers took to the stage for a spectacular catwalk show.

Other pre-Carnival Day events included highly renowned Brazilian singer, instrumentalist, songwriter and record producer Marcos Valle play at The Kazimier on Wednesday June 24 with an incredible fusion of soul and jazz making it impossible not to dance.

2015 saw the roaring success of the first ever Brazilica Film Festival in association with Fazenda Rodizio Bar & Grill. The twelve films that celebrated Brazilian life and culture were screened at various venues across the city between Wednesday July 1–Sunday July 19 and ran alongside a special Graffiti Art Exhibition at FACT which complimented the screening of Cidade Cinza, one of the films screened as part of the Film Festival.

Constellations and District were the places to be on Saturday evening as it closed this year’s festival; hosting a Brazilian spectacular of a closing party, where the samba and Latin-House vibes kept crowds partying until the early hours of Sunday morning and proved to be the perfect send off for Brazilica, at least for another year.

Maeve Morris of Liverpool Carnival Company commented: “Wow, I can’t believe Brazilica is over for another year, and what a year it has been. There have been so many highlights this year with the introduction of our first Brazilica Film Festival which has proved hugely popular and will now hopefully continue to grow each year, Marcos Valle was sensational when he performed at the Kazimier, and of course as ever the Carnival Parade! It still amazes me to see the huge crowds of people that fill the streets – so thank you to everyone who came out to show their support. And a huge thank you to all of our sponsors, volunteers and participants you make Brazilica the fantastic event it is. Now to get started on Brazilica 2016 – see you all next year!”

Liverpool Carnival Company are now looking ahead to next year, for which plans have already begun, every year they set the bar higher in their efforts to improve the festival and always succeed in finding ways to bring it back bigger and better, so get set for another Brazil-iant event in 2016.

More information can be found at www.brazilicafestival.com.

Family fun at Liverpool Loves

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Loves

Huge programme of family activities at city's new summer festival

Keep kids of all ages entertained this summer holiday with a fantastic programme of free family activity on offer during the inaugural three-day Liverpool Loves festival in August.

A dedicated kid’s activity area, arts and craft workshops, dance workshops and circus training are among the highlight of activities available that will ensure kids of all ages can play all day.

The wealth of family events will form part of Festival Day on Saturday August 8 at the iconic location of Pier Head Liverpool, with a bespoke Big Top on the waterfront hosting part of the programme.

Festival Day is free to attend and will run from 10.00-22.00, a full 12 hours of culture, entertainment and activities for the whole family on the banks of the River Mersey.

The family-friendly program will span across zoned areas covering music, the arts, dance, comedy, food and drink and health and wellbeing, creating a real festival atmosphere at the heart of the waterfront.

For all those early risers, children are more than welcome at Morning Gloryville, which takes place in the Big Top to help start the day off right with relaxing massages, fruity smoothies and lots of fun.

Move it and shake it and get those pulses racing with a variety of entertaining and energetic health and dance workshops throughout the day. Movema will be delivering funtastic dance based exercise classes that will suit all ages and abilities; just turn up and join in.

Bikram Yoga will be hosting relaxing yoga sessions Yoga Bears for ages 3-11 using stories, rhymes and postures to build strength, balance, flexibility and confidence whilst having lots of fun at the same time.

Liverpool Loves sport and there are plenty of activities to keep all sport enthusiasts happy, join in a fast paced game of wheelchair basketball from Greenbank Sports Academy; learn amazing soccer and futsal skills hosted by Halton Soccer; plus, Nuffield Health will be delivering a host of sports activities and offering valuable advice on nutrition.

Get creative and make a souvenir of the day with a variety of arts and crafts workshops on offer, including The Beatles Mask Making where children can create a groovy mask of the FAB4, hosted by The Beatles Story team and taking place in the Pier Head building.

HuaYun Arts will offer you the chance to try your hand at chinese painting, origami and traditional calligraphy in the Big Top; move over Punch and Judy as the Craft Gang from Button Boutique will be offering children an exciting class in puppet making where they can create their very own scouse puppet in the Big Top.

Let the imagination soar with City of Readers and The Reader Organisation who will be hosting shared reading groups, bringing books to life in sessions throughout the day, including Bring your Bookworms for under 5’s and Family Reads for the whole family.

Show your love at Liverpool Loves by joining the global love letters workshop Anonymous Love Letters to make a total strangers day. Write an anonymous Love letter straight from your heart to theirs and drop it for somebody to find.

Join the Liverpool Loves community art piece, Love Art UK, with a simple message which is to spread the word of love. Help spread the word of love by writing a message on The Love Wall about what love means to you.

Roll up! Roll up! The circus comes to the Big Top with the Free Fall Circus Aerial Training. For anyone who has ever fancied giving trapeze or silks a go, do not miss the chance to have a go on the six metre high static aerial rig. They will also be offering lessons in a range of circus skills including hula-hoop, unicycle, juggling, diabolo and poi.

There will also be an array of activities celebrating Liverpool’s wonderfully rich and diverse culture which the whole family will enjoy including workshops, drumming and dance.

Not wanting to give everything away, organisers have said they also have a few exciting surprises to look forward to throughout the day which are definitely not to be missed!

There will also be a market area bursting with local crafts and vintage goods hosted by Capstan’s Bazaar, alongside a zone showcasing the very best street food and drink available in Liverpool with plenty of delicious, tasty treats to purchase.

Not to mention all of the previously announced music and entertainment including a number of outdoor stages providing the soundtrack to the day curated by Martin O’Shea from Bold Management including Liverpool Loves New Music; Dovedale Social; Merseyrail Sound Station and Liverpool Loves Allstars.

Keep up to date with the latest announcements at www.liverpoolloves.co.uk.

The art of Frank Green

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: St George's Hall

Attend a special talk with Frank Green

St George's Hall are delighted to announce a series of Artist Talks with Frank Green will take place throughout August to coincide with the Liverpool artist’s exhibition, which is currently open to the public every day until Monday August 31.

The 40-minute sessions will take place in the Reid Room on Saturday August 1, Thursday August 20, Saturday August 22 and Saturday August 29 at 14.00 on each of these dates, and early booking is advised due to limited capacity.

In these special talks, guests will get an in-depth insight of Frank’s long-standing love of art as he discusses his experience as an artist, with the use of projection to animate the talks demonstrating the theory and technique through his use of medium and colour apparent in his works.

Tickets are priced at just £10, which also includes admission in to the exhibition and an opportunity for a Q&A with Frank after the talks.

Frank Green has been drawing and painting Liverpool cityscapes since he was a student at Liverpool College of Art, Hope Street, in the 1960s; and whilst the exhibition will focus, for the most part, on pictures of Liverpool (streets, churches, pubs and city views), there will be a selection of rarely-seen fine sepia drawings of Malta, and watercolours of France, Italy and Wales.

Following on from the hugely successful Frank Green and the Welsh Builders exhibition at Plas Glyn-y-Weddw in North Wales earlier this year, in which the Welsh builders who contributed to the architectural wealth of Liverpool were celebrated, Frank is now thrilled to be one of the first artists to have his work displayed at the new galleries at St George's Hall.

Visitors can expect to see a vast body of work attesting to Frank’s great fondness for the city of Liverpool, its people and architecture; and will feature the artist's work in watercolour, oil, pastel, conté crayon, pencil, and pen and ink across the six new galleries in the basement of St George’s Hall.

For more news on Frank Green, and to view a selection of prints by the artist in his online shop, visit www.frankgreen.co.uk.

Tickets can be purchased from St George's Hall Shop or by calling 0151 225 6903.

West End and Broadway show opens in Liverpool to rave reactions

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Empire Theatre

The National Theatre’s multi award-winning production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time opened at Liverpool’s Empire Theatre last night, and brought the entire auditorium to its feet receiving a roaring standing ovation.

The production showing in Liverpool until Saturday July 25 as part of a nationwide tour of UK and Ireland, saw a host of celebrity guests at the opening which included Hollyoaks stars Jessica Fox (Nancy Osborne), Nicole Barber-Lane (Myra McQueen) and Cameron Moore (Cameron Campbell). Liverpool gymnast Beth Tweddle, presenter Nikki Dean, Britain’s Got Talent’s Becky O’Brien and actor Kris Mochrie were also in attendance.

The entire cast of Curious Incident were thrilled with the audience reaction and are looking forward to seeing the sights in Liverpool during their week in the City.  Joshua Jenkins, who plays Christopher, and is a huge fan of the Beatles has already been in a Magical Mystery tour of Liverpool with fellow company members.

Lucas Hare, who writes a blog called The Blog in the Night-Time about the Curious Incident tour has just completed an entry about their first night in Liverpool. The blog includes an interview with Joshua Jenkins as his character Christopher Boone talking about his impressions of Liverpool. You can read it at http://thebloginthenighttime.blogspot.co.uk/.

Simon Stephens’ adaptation of Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel, which received seven Olivier Awards in 2013, including Best New Play, Best Director, Best Lighting Design and Best Sound Design, opened to rave reviews which all praise the spectacular performances from the cast including Joshua Jenkins who plays the central role of Christopher.

The New York production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time has also been nominated for six prestigious Tony Awards, including Best New Play, Best Direction of a Play and Best Scenic Design of a Play.

The show tells the story of 15-year-old Christopher Boone. He stands beside Mrs Shears’ dead dog, which has been speared with a garden fork, it is seven minutes after midnight and Christopher is under suspicion. He records each fact in a book he is writing to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington. He has an extraordinary brain, and is exceptional at maths while ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched and distrusts strangers. But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a frightening journey that upturns his world.

The central role of Christopher is played by Joshua Jenkins with Geraldine Alexander as his teacher Siobhan, Roberta Kerr as Mrs Alexander, Stuart Laing as his father Ed, Gina Isaacs as Judy, and Clare Perkins as Mrs Shears.

The cast is completed by Chris Ashby (alternate Christopher), Emmanuella Cole (Punk Girl), Edward Grace (Mr Thompson), Lucas Hare (Roger Shears), John McAndrew (Reverend Peters) with Kieran Garland, Ann Marcuson, Paul Sockett and Jessica Williams in the ensemble.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is directed by Marianne Elliott, who co-directed the National Theatre’s record-breaking production of War Horse. The production is designed by Bunny Christie, with lighting by Paule Constable, video design by Finn Ross, movement by Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett for Frantic Assembly, music by Adrian Sutton and sound by Ian Dickinson for Autograph.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is open now at Liverpool Empire Theatre until Saturday July 25.

Warrington Museum & Art Gallery selected for national museums resilience project

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Warrington Museum & Art Gallery

The Arts Marketing Association has narrowed down a large pool of applicants to 20 museums which will now take part in the Future Proof Museums programme.

Future Proof Museums is a national programme developed by the AMA (Arts Marketing Association) funded by Arts Council England’s Museums Resilience grant. The programme is designed to enable museums to become more resilient organisations, exploring how to change, adapt, influence and remain relevant to an ever-changing external environment.

Warrington Museum and Art Gallery is one of 20 organisations that have been selected to take part in this intensive strategic change programme. The Museum has already hosted popular and innovative exhibitions such as Cabinet of Curiosities, De Profundis: From the Depths and Museum of Gaming. Participation in the Future Proof Museums programme will support the museum to as it builds on this success.

The programme will enable the museum to create a compelling manifesto; develop the business model and explore how it delivers value in line with the museums purpose; innovate around this model and provide a clear tool-kit to review how to benefit from change.

The 20 selected museums are a range of organisations located across various regions in England, housing an exciting variety of collections. Organisations taking part in Future Proof Museums include small independent museums like Thackray Medical Museum in Leeds, to Major Partner Museums like the Horniman; council-operated Southend-on-Sea Museums Service to university-run Museum of English Rural Life.

John Orna-Ornstein, Director of Museums at Arts Council England, commented: “Future Proof Museums is an exciting new programme to help museums prosper at a time of challenge. I’m delighted to see such a strong and varied cohort of museums participating, and look forward to seeing the impact of the programme in the months to come.”

Janice Hayes, Collections Heritage and Archives Manager at Warrington Museum and Art Gallery, added: “It’s extremely exciting that Warrington Museum and Art Gallery are part of the Future Proof Museums programme. The programme provides a fantastic opportunity for the Museum to work with a diverse range of organisations in sharing knowledge and experience that will aid the museum as it grows and develops.”

Stage One of the programme will involve trainer Andrew McIntyre (Morris Hargreaves McIntyre) working with the museum teams within their organisation in a diagnostic session; Andrew is then joined by fellow trainers Mark Wright (People Create), Susan Royce (Change Management Consultant) and Julie Aldridge (AMA) when the programme brings the leaders of the 20 organisations together for a three-day intensive residential in Stage Two; and Stage Three provides on-going mentoring support, facilitation and leadership development with the museums’ teams.

Julie Aldridge, Executive Director at the AMA, noted: “Future Proof Museums provides a unique opportunity for both our member and non-member museum community to benefit from a programme tailored specifically to their needs now, and for the future. We’re delighted at the amount of interest expressed in the programme that will result in more resilient museums being able to change, adapt, influence and remain relevant to an ever-changing external environment.”

For further information, visit www.futureproofmuseums.co.uk.

New partnership announced for the return of Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival

Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival returns for 2015, and Culture Warrington is delighted to announce this year’s festival is in partnership with NORTH.

The festival features a full programme of cultural events, exhibitions and performances, including the Art and Photography Opens, when it returns to the town for its fifth year from Friday October 2–Saturday October 31.

A number of venues and public spaces across the town are supporting the event and will become festival hubs, including Pyramid & Parr Hall, The Gallery at Bank Quay House and Warrington Museum and Art Gallery.

This year, Culture Warrington is working in partnership with NORTH to deliver an exciting new dimension to the festival.

NORTH is a new initiative aiming to build strength for contemporary art in the North of England. Together they will highlight the breadth of talent within the region, as well as attracting national and international artists with support from Arts Council England.

Specially commissioned to present the festival’s headline visual arts exhibition, NORTH presents The Dream Of Modern Living? – Contemporary Artists Explore IKEA.

Curated by Paul Carey–Kent for NORTH, The Dream Of Modern Living? is one of the focus exhibitions which brings together local and international artists’ responses to IKEA.

In 1987, Britain’s first IKEA opened in Warrington. Since then, the store has found a place in the thoughts and memories of local people. Warrington IKEA is said to have the highest visitor numbers of any store in the country and allegedly the lowest spend per head, suggesting that people go not just to buy furniture but to see and to experience designs, ideas, even food from elsewhere.

The exhibition examines artists’ reactions to IKEA as a business, lifestyle and aesthetic. Their responses range from using IKEA products as art materials to reinterpreting the furniture, from attempting to live in-store to subverting the catalogue of which more than 200 million copies are printed each year. The artists include Guy Ben Ner, Ryan Gander, Clay Ketter, Marie Karlberg, Joe Scanlan, Sara McKillop, Frédéric Pradeau, Mary Griffiths and Stuart Hartley.

The Dream Of Modern Living? will run throughout the festival. NORTH will also curate additional visual arts exhibits as part of the wider festival.

Maureen Banner, Chair of the Culture Warrington Board, commented: “I am extremely proud to be part of the team that have enabled the Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival to now be in its fifth year. Year-on-year, this festival never fails to highlight the breadth of talent within the region and our new partnership with NORTH will certainly keep this Festival going from strength to strength.”

William Lunn, Lead Curator of NORTH, added: “With much of my family based in the North of England I've grown up watching the building strength of galleries and institutions in the regions in spite of the cultural power of London. The first project from NORTH sets out to begin to bring that strength together, create new links and build positivity. I want people to be inspired by home grown talent from the emerging to the internationally established.”

Offering a plethora of activities spanning the contemporary arts spectrum, Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival offers an extensive and exciting programme of exhibitions, installations, live performance, film screenings, workshops, placement opportunities and talks from industry professionals.

Festival highlights also include Cultural Crawl of host venues; Glastonbury favourite and raconteur Mik Artistic at Pyramid & Parr Hall; highly praised Physical Theatre company Tmesis; Longshot Micro Film Festival; Capriccio experimental music workshop; and a haunted silent disco. A full programme will be announced in the coming months.

Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival, in partnership with NORTH, takes place over four weeks from Friday October 2 to Saturday October 31.

Sign up for further information at www.warringtonartsfestival.com.

Liverpool or Rio?

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Brazilica

The weekend's Brazilica carnival parade route is confirmed

Brazilica will once again take over the city centre this weekend, excitement is building and the action is about to get hot. The main carnival day on Saturday July 18 will see a huge samba carnival parade travel through the city centre, filling the streets with colour, music and fun.

The night-time carnival parade is definitely the star of the show with over 500 participants including world-class samba bands and dancers transforming the streets of Liverpool with their glittering showcases. Thousands will line the parade route, so come early to secure your place and do not miss any of the spectacle which kicks off at 08.00pm.

Starting from Abercromby Square, the parade will turn onto Oxford Street and turn left on to Hope Street, the parade then turns right by the Philharmonic pub and will follow Hardman Street and continue on to Bold Street. This year, the parade will then turn left on to Slater Street, left on to Duke Street then right going through the Chinese Arch on Nelson Street to come to an end in Great George Square. The parade end is the perfect place for all involved to join the nearby after parties in the Baltic Quarter which will move between Constellations and District.

Samba bands from across the UK and Europe are visiting to participate in the festival and the parade. There will be music and dance from an incredible 12 Samba bands, they are Paraiso School of Samba, Samba Funk Factory (France), Batucada Timbao (Paris), Liverpool Samba School, London School of Samba, Beat N Drum Belfast, Oya Batucada, Katumba, Merseyside Batala, Arco Iris, Wirral School of Samba and Hull School of Samba, this year’s parade will be the biggest and best capturing true Brazilian flare, colour and carnival spirit!

Closing this year’s Brazilica, District and Constellations in the Baltic Quarter will host the carnival after parties on Saturday July 18 from 10.00pm where the samba and Latin House vibes are set to keep crowds partying until 03.00am. The night is set to be full of surprises, great music, dance and performances as people say goodbye to Brazilica for another year. Tickets for this Brazilica send-off are just £5 with a wristband to swing between both venues, so be sure to join in for the carnival party of the year!

More information can be found at www.brazilicafestival.com.

Get ready for carnival fever as Brazilica returns this weekend

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Brazilica

Summer is about to get a whole lot hotter and set to the sounds of the samba beat as Brazilica, the UK’s only Brazilian festival and samba carnival, returns to the city this weekend.

Organisers can now reveal full details of music and events which will take place over carnival weekend from Friday July 17–Sunday July 19.

The annual Carnival Queen Competition will kick the weekend off in sensational style on Friday July 17 at Alma De Cuba. Brazilian dancers from far and wide all battle for samba supremacy, which will see each dancer showcase their best routine, most dazzling costume, and of course their sparkling personality and energy. A highlight in the Brazilica calendar, the Carnival Queen competition hosted by DJ Ellie Phillips always proves to be a fun and highly entertaining evening which will get audiences in the samba spirit.

Then, on Saturday July 18, get ready to party as it is Carnival Day which as ever culminates in the spectacular night time Carnival Parade which remains the main festival highlight; the huge samba parade travels through the city from 8pm filling the streets with colour, music and fun. Featuring Samba bands from across the UK and overseas.

There will also be a fantastic variety of free performances from visiting bands taking place in the city centre on Saturday July 18 in Clayton Square. Beat N Drum from Belfast, Samba Funk Factory from France, Oya Batucada from Birmingham and Liverpool’s own Katumba will entertain shoppers over the Brazilica weekend.

Closing this year’s Brazilica, District and Constellations in the Baltic Quarter will host the carnival after parties on Saturday July 18 from 10pm where the samba and Latin- House vibes are set to keep crowds partying until 3am. A night set to be full of surprises, enjoy great music, dance and performances as those on hand say goodbye to Brazilica for another year. Tickets for this amazing Brazilica send-off are just £5 with a wristband to swing between both venues, so be sure to join in for the carnival party of the year!

There is also plenty of fringe events to enjoy on the week leading up to carnival weekend.

New for 2015 and building on the success of the film screenings in previous years, organisers have announced Brazilica Film Festival in association with Fazenda Rodizio Bar & Grill. Twelve films celebrating Brazilian life and culture will be screened at various venues across the city between Wednesday July 1–Sunday July 19, with the majority of films free to attend.

There will also be a special Graffiti Art Exhibition at FACT running throughout the festival from Wednesday July 1–Sunday July 19 which compliments the screening of Cidade Cinza, one of the films screened as part of the Film Festival.

Inspired by the work of graffiti artists Os Gemeos, Cranio and others, the exhibition presents the style of graffiti shown in the documentary that has made the bohemian suburb of Vila Madalena in Sao Paulo a tourist attraction, and brought some of the artist’s worldwide fame.

Be sure to watch out for the Carnival Parade route which organisers will be announcing shortly.

Countdown begins for Liverpool's new summer festival, Liverpool Loves

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Loves

The four-week countdown is now on to the inaugural Liverpool Loves festival, which takes place at Pier Head Liverpool in August.

The three-day festival runs from Thursday August 6 to Saturday August 8, and will shine the spotlight on all that is special about Liverpool with four key core themes for 2015 – business, culture, food and well-being.

Liverpool Loves starts on Thursday August 6 with Liverpool Loves Business, continuing on Friday August 7 with Liverpool Loves Ireland, and culminating in Liverpool Loves Festival Day on Saturday August 8.

The full programme was launched on Thursday July 9 at Liverpool Town Hall, where VIP guests included the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Tony Concepcion; Rosie Jolly, Chief Executive Officer of SEN Together (Social Enterprise Network); Martin O’Shea from Bold Management who is curating the festival’s music programme; with live music performances by former Aeroplanes front man Chris Kearney; Joe Slater from Waterloo Road; and new acoustic act Gary Edward Jones.

The programme includes culture, creative talent, new and established music, developing grass roots business, entrepreneurship, health and well-being, food and drink, as well as celebrating the links between the Liverpool and Ireland.

The festival has a number of key commitments which are at the forefront of every stage of planning. These include employing locally; contracting local businesses to deliver the event; generating a significant economic impact for Liverpool City Region’s visitor economy; and that all profits will be reinvested into an entrepreneur fund to support aspiring local business people to set up in business. Liverpool Loves is being supported by the city’s Mayor Joe Anderson.

Liverpool Loves is the brainchild of city centre based events company Orb CIC, who created Liverpool Pride 2010 and is co-creator of the Brazilica Festival.

The festival will be staged at the iconic Pier Head, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a bespoke Big Top on the waterfront hosting part of the programme.

Here is a taster of what people can expect on each day:

Thursday August 6 - Liverpool Loves Business

The Business Big Top will host the day’s activities, starting with an opening ceremony from 8.45am. Professor David Gibson from Liverpool John Moores University Centre for Entrepreneurship will welcome delegates to Liverpool Loves Business, followed by a business breakfast hosted by Liverpool & Sefton Chambers of Commerce. A full programme will continue throughout the day until 5.30pm.

The day will serve as a platform to showcase new and up-and-coming businesses; provide opportunities for business owners and professionals to develop skills and connect; and aims to encourage entrepreneurs with the next big idea to take the plunge – all through a series of themed workshops, seminars and discussion panels.

Morning seminars include Make Your Shop Window Is Shining; Streamline Your Business With Digital & Tech; Get The Right Mix Of Marketing & Media; Adapt And Evolve – Grow Around The Local Environment; Pitch Perfect; and What’s The Right HQ For You?

A Business Clinic will run from 12pm to 2pm, hosted by business networking and news organisation YB News, the Growth Accelerator programme and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Delegates will need to register in advance to be allocated an advice time-slot. There will be export advice at The First Port Of Call panel session, hosted by UKTI and Liverpool & Sefton Chambers of Commerce.

Four key members of the Liverpool City Region business community will form a panel to discuss the Four Ps – People, Pioneering, Partnerships and Progress. The panellists are Rosie Jolly, Chief Executive Officer of SEN Together (Social Enterprise Network); Maggie O’Carroll, Chief Executive Officer of The Women’s Organisation; Jenny Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of Liverpool & Sefton Chambers of Commerce; and Frank McKenna, Chief Executive of Downtown in Business.

Networking opportunities will be available throughout the day, with a specific area of the Big Top reserved for delegates to meet and conduct business. This includes Let’s Connect between 1.30pm and 3pm, hosted by The Women’s Organisation. It will focus on funding, media and connecting, and the event is open to all.

Liverpool Loves Business will close with the festival launch party from 5.30pm to 9pm, as the final networking opportunity of the day.

All seminars are free to attend. Register for a complimentary Liverpool Loves Business delegate pass at http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/liverpool-loves-business-tickets-15797767548.

Friday August 7 - Liverpool Loves Ireland

Celebrate the city’s rich Irish culture and heritage in the Big Top through an evening of traditional live music and dance at Liverpool Loves Ireland between 7pm and 11pm.

With an estimated three quarters of Liverpool’s population having Irish roots, Liverpool Loves Ireland will bring a real traditional Irish party atmosphere to the city’s waterfront.

The show will be headlined by Cream of the Barley, arguably Liverpool’s finest ever Irish band, and is the band’s first Liverpool show in 10 years. The line-up also features Eleanor McEvoy; Jack Owen; Michael Coyne; The Jesse Janes; and The Bolger Cunningham Irish Dancers. The event is hosted by eminent Liverpool historian Frank Carlyle.  Traditional Irish food and drink will be available to purchase throughout the evening.

Tickets are priced at £22.50, available online from www.ticketquarter.co.uk or by telephoning 0844 8000 410 (online and telephone ticket sales are subject to a booking fee per ticket and a handling fee per transaction).

Tickets can also be bought in person at the TicketQuarter at Queen’s Square (no booking fee on cash sales). Special group offer – Buy 9 Tickets Get 1 FREE. This offer is only available for group bookings of 10 or more by calling 0844 561 7672 or email groups@ticketquarter.co.uk.

Saturday August 8 - Liverpool Loves Festival Day

Liverpool Loves Festival Day is free to attend and will run from 10am to 10pm – 12 hours of culture, entertainment and activities on the banks of the River Mersey.

The programme will span across zoned areas covering music, the arts, dance, comedy, food and drink, health and well-being, and family fun – creating a real festival atmosphere at the heart of the waterfront. Outdoor stages will provide the soundtrack to the day, curated by Martin O’Shea from Bold Management.

Liverpool Loves New Music on the Bold Management Stage is the place to see new and emerging artistes from 12pm to 8pm, opened by the Sing Me Merseyside Choir. This stage will be hosted by BBC Radio Merseyside/6 Music’s champion for new Liverpool music, Dave Monks, and one of the finest DJs the city has ever produced, Bernie Connor. The line-up is Stephen Langstaff; Polar States; Natalie McCool; Lives; Joe Slater; Seattle Yacht Club; Chris Kearney; Jimmy and The Revolvers; BrassHaus; Oranj Son; Merki Waters; Cavalry; The Ambition; Ego, Paul Holden; Satin Beige; Shamanarchy; Phaedra; Blue Saint; The Floormen; Gary Edward Jones; The Holograms; Go Fiasco; Ellenberg; The Roscoes; Ashley James; and The Talkabouts.

Shamona, winners of the Out On Stage talent competition organised by The Michael Causer Foundation, will also perform. Other stages are Dovedale Social and Merseyrail Sound Station who will also be hosting new bands.

The Big Top will host the live final of talent contest, The Best of Liverpool. Hosted by 20ten Entertainment, the final 10 acts will perform live in front of a large audience and panel of judges including Radio City’s breakfast show host Leanne Campbell; Hollyoaks actress Alex Fletcher; TV impressionist Darren Farley; MD Productions Director Miguel Doforo; and Liverpool Echo music journalist Jade Wright. Register for free tickets to attend the final at www.bestofliverpool.co.uk.

Liverpool Loves Entertainment will prove why Liverpool is renowned as a ‘World in One City’, with diverse cultural activities including traditional Chinese dance, Indian dancing and music, Arabic and African music, street dancing, free-fall circus, as well as street theatre performances.

Book and poetry readings for literature enthusiasts of all ages will be staged by The Reader’s Organisation.

Exciting art installations will be on display, as well as a community art piece by Love Art UK. A market area bursting with local crafts and vintage goods will be hosted by Capstan’s Bazaar, alongside a zone showcasing the very best street food and drink available in Liverpool including a local craft beer festival from Ship and Mitre.

Festival Day will be brought to a rousing finale between 8.45pm and 10.30pm with Liverpool Loves Allstars on the Main Stage, an all stars show in association with The Teenage Cancer Trust. Hosts Jay Hynd and Ellie Phillips from The Guide and Juice FM’s 1 Crazy Gig will intro headline performers including Beryl Marsden; Tommy Scott; Ian McNabb; Connie Lush; Starsailor’s James Walsh; Digsy and The Sums; The La’s Cami; Western Promise and Paul Kappa – with other special guests to be confirmed.  The show includes some outstanding collaborations of some of the biggest number one songs ever produced by Liverpool musicians.

Entry to Festival Day is free. Food and drink will be available to purchase.

Josh Boyd, Festival Director from Orb CIC, commented: “We have been working on this festival for over a year – and it’s now just four weeks until attention turns to the Pier Head for three days of exciting activity.

“This programme speaks for itself and offers up something for everyone by representing all aspects of life around our great city. Whether you’re a business owner looking to make connections and grow, someone looking for a day out with the family, or a night out with friends – save the date and join us.

“We’re also delighted to see a host of local organisations, artistes and leading business figures support this festival in its inaugural year, which only demonstrates just how important 'Liverpool' is to all of us. We’re asking the people of this great region to get behind their city now – come along, spread the word and spread the love.”

Keep up to date with the latest announcements at www.liverpoolloves.co.uk.

Main stage acts announced as part of Liverpool Loves festival

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Loves

Organisers of Liverpool Loves are delighted to announce further music acts which will form part of Festival Day on Saturday August 8 at the iconic location of Pier Head Liverpool on the city’s waterfront.

Following the ‘Liverpool Loves New Music’ daytime programme; the ‘Liverpool Loves Allstars’ programme, being delivered in association with charity Teenage Cancer Trust, will bring the festival to an incredible finale on the Saturday evening between 20:45-22:30 with a raft of Liverpool big-hitters.

The confirmed line-up includes Beryl Marsden, Tommy Scott, Ian McNabb, Connie Lush, James Walsh, Digsy and The Sums, The La’s Cami, Western Promise and other special guests to be announced.

One of the greatest female vocalists of the Merseybeat era Beryl Marsden has toured with The Beatles, performed with Rod Stewart in the group The Shotgun Express and had solo success with hits including Who You Gonna Hurt?, Music Talk, Baby It’s You and Too Late. She will also be doing a very special duet on Instant Karma, the song she sang backing vocals on for John Lennon with Ian McNabb. Ian will also be performing some of his best loved Icicle Works songs among other special surprise performances planned for the event.

Tommy Scott is lead singer, principal songwriter and guitarist of the Liverpool indie band Space first formed in 1993 and later reformed 2011. The band had a string of smash hit singles in the last 15 years including the iconic “Female of the Species” and Tommy has had solo success in recent years.

Multi award-winning singer and songwriter Connie Lush has been recognised as one of the finest Blues singers in the UK winning the Best Female Vocalist UK title an impressive five times, and has played at some of Europe’s largest and most prestigious festivals including Glastonbury.

Connie Lush commented: “I am really looking forward to appearing at the Liverpool Loves the Teenage Cancer Trust show at the Liverpool Loves festival on August 8 at the Pier Head. Come and show your support for this great charity on the day, it’s a free festival and we’ve got some surprises up our sleeve to make it a great night with one of the best backdrops anywhere in the world!”

As frontman of Starsailor, James Walsh has had global success selling more than 3 million singles worldwide and achieved two UK top 10 LP’s. James performs at Liverpool Loves ahead of a newly announced 13-date tour with Starsailor.

Four-piece Liverpool experimental indie rock band, The Sums are led by legendary singer-songwriter Peter ‘Digsy’ Deary who was the frontman for 90’s indie chart topping band Smaller and known for having a song wrote in his name by Oasis, Digsy’s Dinner from their debut album Definitely Maybe.

Western Promise, dubbed ‘The People’s band’, are a three-piece rock and reggae band who released their latest album Fire From the Frontline last year which included the single Here Comes the Revolution featuring Liverpool singer-songwriter Chelcee Grimes.

Cami is a Liverpool based electric band fronted by ex The La’s guitarist Peter Cammell who had success with hits including There She Goes.

Paul Kappa is veteran guitarist and singer of The Amazing Kappa Band who for over 13 years have held a twice weekly residency in Liverpool's famous Cavern Pub and have a brick in the wall of fame there on Mathew Street; honouring their contribution to the music scene.

Hosted by Bay TV The Guide’s Jay Hynd and Ellie Phillips, it promises a fantastic line-up of artists all performing from their extensive repertoire of songs spanning across the eras, whilst raising awareness for the charity which is championed by ambassadors including The Who’s Roger Daltrey.

The Teenage Cancer Trust works tirelessly to support world-class cancer services for young people in the UK, providing life-changing care so that young people don’t have to face cancer alone. In the last financial year they’ve raised a staggering £19.8 million to help young people facing cancer in the UK.

Paul Willo of the Specialized Project raising funds for The Teenage Cancer Trust added: “We’re delighted that Liverpool Loves the Teenage Cancer Trust is the finale of the festival. Gigs like these really help awareness and drive funds towards the Trust which needs to build many more units across the country for teenagers to feel like a home from home when they need treatment and help to boost recovery during hard times of illness. The trust is backed by many well-known individuals including Roger Daltrey, The Specials and Johnny Marr.”

You can find out more about the work of the charity at www.teenagecancertrust.org, and you can learn more on the Specialized Project at www.specializedproject.co.uk.

Liverpool Loves is the brainchild of city centre based events company Orb CIC, who created Liverpool Pride 2010 and is co-creator of the Brazilica Festival.

Liverpool Loves will showcase the very best in grass roots business and creative talent is being supported by the city’s Mayor Joe Anderson.

Liverpool Loves starts on Thursday August 6 with Liverpool Loves Business and continues on Friday August 7 with Liverpool Loves Ireland, culminating in Festival Day on Saturday August 8.

For further details on Liverpool Loves, visit www.liverpoolloves.co.uk.