Pirate Festival on the Dock (Photo credit: Facebook page)
As the nights lengthen and autumn approaches, Getintothis’ Cath Bore looks forward to what the Liverpool arts scene has in store over the coming weeks.
The world of theatre and comedy, and activities in art galleries and museums, start back up again after a tourism-oriented August schedule, with details of events in October and November coming through thick and fast.
The world premiere of Nina – A Story About Me and Nina Simone is on from October 15 – 29 at the Unity Theatre. Olivier award nominated West End actress Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE reflects on the iconic life of this extraordinary artist, touching on the 1960s civil rights movement, Simone‘s struggles and Bushell-Mingo‘s own personal challenges. More information is available here.
On October 31, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall presents a Halloween night screening of Alfred Hitchcock‘s Psycho with a score by Bernard Herrmann performed live by the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra as the film runs. Dr Ruth Doughty of Liverpool John Moores University‘s Liverpool Screen School will be on hand to speak about Psycho and its score prior to the screening. The talk is free to all ticket holders.
Over in Manchester, Off The Record, a new music event and conference, takes place on November 4. A collaboration between Sound City, Kendal Calling, Bluedot and Louder Than War, emerging artists have been handpicked to perform by curators such as Guy Garvey, and BBC Radio 1‘s Huw Stephens. The lineup is unveiled on November 3, 24 hours ahead of the conference. More details can be found here.
On November 16, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall hosts a screening of Ken Loach’s film I, Daniel Blake.The winner of Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival 2016 tells the story of Daniel Blake, who has worked most of his life in Newcastle. Now, for the first time ever, and at the age of fifty-nine, he needs help from the State and finds himself at the mercy of the UK welfare system in modern day Britain.
Here are our top picks of Liverpool events this September.
Jonathan Harvey (Image credit: Waterstones Liverpool ONE)
- An evening with Jonathan Harvey, Waterstones Liverpool ONE, September 7.
Award winning author and scriptwriter of Beautiful Thing and Gimme Gimme Gimme Jonathan Harvey returns to his home city to read from his new novel The History of Us, a bittersweet tale of three friends set over thirty years.
Sue Perkins (Photo credit: Liverpool Philharmonic Hall website)
- Sue Perkins Live! in Spectacles, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, September 13
Currently presenting the Great British Bake Off, comedian Sue Perkins is a popular panelist on Have I Got News For You, Just a Minute, QI and The News Quiz. On September 13, Perkins will share stories, a user’s guide to Mary Berry and the very best bits from her best-selling memoir Spectacles.
Each ticket includes a copy of Spectacles to be collected on the night, and Perkins will be signing copies after the show.
The Albert Dock (Photo Credit: Facebook page)
- Pirate Festival on the Dock, The Albert Dock, September 10-11.
Pirate Festival on the Dock this year features the Pirates and Mermaid Parade, with theatrical swordfights and spectacular stunts, interwoven with local folklore and the heritage of Liverpool privateers. Other highlights will include the tale of The Mermaid of Black Rock – said to have lured Liverpool sailor John Robinson to his death at Black Rock near Leasowe Castle – as told by a storyteller.
The event is free, more info here.
Life drawing by Billie Dickens (Liverpool Life Drawing taken from Facebook page)
- Life Drawing, LEAF, September 11.
A monthly meeting of life drawing. Yes, that means nude models, stop snickering at the back. The sessions aim to challenge the typical conceptions of model drawing. All levels are welcome, with guidance and art materials provided to all attendees.
Further details here
Tracey Emin’s My Bed 1998 (Photo Credit: Tracey Emin, taken from the Tate’s website)
- Tracey Emin and William Blake: in Focus, Tate Liverpool, September 16 – October 3.
This autumn Tate Liverpool focuses on the work of artists Tracey Emin and William Blake to reveal connections between the two artists. The free display juxtaposes important works from the Tate collection, demonstrating a shared concern with spirituality, birth and death in both artists’ work. At the heart of the display is one of Britain’s most renowned artworks of the past 20 years, Tracey Emin’s My Bed from 1998. This will be the first time My Bed has been displayed in the north of England.
Featuring Emin’s own bed with stained sheets, personal objects and detritus, it offers an unflinching self-portrait in which the artist herself is absent.
Full information is here.
Romesh Ranganathan (Photo credit: Liverpool Philharmonic Hall website)
- Liverpool Comedy Festival, various venues, September 18 to October 2.
This 2016 festival is headlined by double Fosters Comedy Award nominee Romesh Ranganathan, featured on Live at The Apollo, Have I Got News For You, Mock the Week, The Apprentice: You’re Fired and hit BBC series Asian Provocateur.
Simon Munnery, Tiff Stevenson and Jason Byrne also perform.
For the first time in its history, the Liverpool Comedy Festival will also feature a bustling Fringe programme. The Funny Looking Fringe is set to take place at 81 Renshaw Street and will showcase some of the best and brightest long-form comedy at low prices.
Further details are here.
Fiorucci made me Hardcore (Photo taken from FACT website)
- Fiorucci Made Me Hardcore, plus Q&A with Mark Leckey, FACT, September 29.
Liverpool Biennial artist Mark Leckey’s Fiorucci Made Me Hardcore takes footage of British dance halls, discos and raves of the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s. Leckey charts changes in style through the decades in a video collage.
Part of the Liverpool Biennial 2016 film programme Another Version of Events.
Jamie Reid (left) at the Florrie
- Jamie Reid’s ‘Casting Seeds’ at The Florrie
One of the major artists of the punk movement is to hold an exhibition at Liverpool’s Florence Institute from September 6 to October 18.
Reid is best known for his work with The Sex Pistols creating the iconic cover designs including Never Mind The Bollocks, Anarchy in the UK and God Save series (including on for The Florrie). This exhibition features his original Sex Pistols mural, flown in especially from Milan.
It coincides with the 40th anniversary of punk and Florrie CEO Anne Lundon, said: “ It brings together work from Germany, Milan and Brighton, and will be a unique showcase of Jamie’s career. And what’s more, it’s free. The Florrie brings back punk!”
Jamie Reid’s ‘Casting Seeds’ is at The Florence Institute, 377 Mill Street, Liverpool L8 4RF, open 10am-8pm, Mon-Fri, for further information, call 728 2323
Maggie’s Culture Crawl (Photo Credit: Maggie’s website)
- Culture Crawl, Liverpool Cathedral, September 23.
A night time 10k walking adventure exploring Liverpool, discovering architectural, historical, musical and artistic delights reflecting the diverse and vibrant culture of the city. Raising funds for Maggie’s Merseyside, a charity support to people living with cancer, and their family and friends.
The Crawl offers exclusive after-hours access to Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral and includes a trip up the Radio City tower.
More details on the event can be found here.
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