A Tale of Two Cathedrals.

My new friends from Globus Language Academy went to see our two great cathedrals with me yesterday. One question I was asked that I couldn’t answer, Why does Liverpool have two Cathedrals?  Well why not , we have two great football teams why not two great Cathedrals?  (answers on a postcard please)   They have all agreed that they are very different and very impressive ,opinion is divided which one they like the best. but they don’t agree with CNN that the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King is on of the most ugly buildings. We saw it at its best , we were blown in but once inside the sun streamed thru’ the windows and the students  have some stunning photos in full glorious Technicolor .  We received a warm welcome and given leaflets in French and German which was a great help , they really are geared up to our overseas visitors and Hi Jan and thanks for your help.  We had a coffee there before setting out to walk along Hope Street , with a little sightseeing thrown in, The Philharmonic Hall, the Philharmonic Pub, an explanation about the Suitcase  Art sculpture ,amongst other things. When we entered the Anglican Cathedral the words I heard most was WOW and Awesome.  They loved the sheer size  and grandeur of it , we voted against the Tower Experience because of high winds and it was a little cloudy. We will save that for another time.  We had lunch all together in the restaurant in the cathedral, It was good value and it was declared TASTY !  (Well clean plates from all of us said enough)  We moved on to the Victoria Gallery and Museum to have some culture and fun with the young ladies running  the Chinese Calligraphy Family Workshop . A good day out and about in Liverpool.

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Check out this wonderful Chinese Hymn to celebrate the Year of the Dragon!

Enter the Dragon – Lalo Schifrin

To get you in the mood for Chinese New Year check out this great theme (thanks Jen Hayes!!).

Cultural Champions Review – 2010-2011

Hi Folks!

It’s that reflective time of year so I thought it would be appropriate to review the highlights of my time as a Cultural Champion, particularly as I will be replaced early next year. It’s also an opportunity to thank the many people who have helped and supported me over the last 18 months.

Art has played a large part in the cultural life of the city. The Tate has put on two major exhibitions, Picasso last year and Magritte this year. Both were enjoyable and enlightening but I must admit that I enjoyed the Picasso most. A real insight into the artist as a political animal. The Bluecoat put on a great exhibition called Democratic Promenade. This gave a real insight into the work of (amongst others) Adrian Henri. A much missed radical poet and artist and made this city what it is today in terms of its political outlook..

My favourite art exhibition though was Paul Trevor’s ‘It’s Like You Were Never Away’ at the Walker. A photographic exhibition of life in Liverpool in the 1970′s. It really showed the great spirit of this place.

In theatre there are two highlights. Antony and Cleopatra at the Playhouse was my first taste of Shakespeare and I really enjoyed it! I guess that Kim Catrall as Cleo helped. My other highlight was the last panto at the old Everyman ‘Wake Up Little Snoozie’. I laughed from start to finish.

Theatre also saw a new addition with the formation of Tell Tale Theatre Company. They got to the semi finals of Sky Arts ‘Stagestruck’ competition as well as producing a 3 night run of ‘1984′ at the Kazimir. Good luck to them next year.

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra went from strength to strength with a great performance of Rachmaninov’s No.2. They performed at the BBC proms and got rave reviews in the national press. Good luck to them in their plans and tours for next year.

In popular music my personal highlight was watching Supercharge at the Mathew St Festival. A great fun group from the Sportsman in the 1970′s. They had a number 1 in Australia and actually played at Richard Branson’s wedding I believe!

It was a difficult year with government cuts biting deep but most of our cultural institutions are doing well. Leading the way are National Museums Liverpool. The splendid new Museum of Liverpool is now fully open and getting record attendances. It’s in a great location and is breathing life into the waterfront. Good to see the Lion locomotive back, brought back happy memories when this was in the museum in William Brown St.

Also, the new Open Eye photography gallery opened at Mann Island.

Some concerns though.

The Mathew St Festival is getting increasingly rowdy. Something should be done about the uncontrolled drinking in the city centre during this festival, an accident waiting to happen.

The cuts to art and culture will affect the ability of our arts groups and our local authority to put on concerts, exhibitions etc. Art and culture is what separate us from animals and give us meaning and identity. I hope the debate with the government continues and that the public purse is used to support this activity as it is as important as healthcare or education in my view. Unfortunately we seem to have a government that knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.

Lets hope this will change next year.

Finally I would like to thank everyone who has helped and supported me over the past year.

My fellow Champions Barb, Kristal, Donna and Becky. Also the staff at Culture Liverpool, particularly Sam McEvoy and Graham Boxer. Also thanks to Ruth Melville and Dave Ellis who ran a research project studying the effects of culture on health and wellbeing (we were their guinea pigs).

Laura Davis and Catherine Jones at Liverpool Daily Post and Echo have given us good coverage. The staff at LARC who have provided invites and tickets, thank you!

Also a big thanks to Mark McNulty who has kindly photographed me and the Liverpool Ukulele Orchestra on a number of occasions. Many thanks too to Charlotte Corrie at Open Culture for much help and support.

A final thanks to my missus for putting up with me generally!

Next year sees a new set of cultural champs selected. I hope they will have as much fun as I’ve had and will play a full part in observing and commenting on the cultural life of our city. It is important that ordinary people take an active role in culture. After all, culture is for you and about you. It is not something separate from life but actually the activity that makes life great!

Winter Arts Market, St Georges Hall. Liverpool

Yes 1st Saturday in December! 21 Days to go!!!!! You need more xmas prezzies? Then you have to get over to the Winter ARTS Market at St Georges Hall. Choice  of the finest Arts and Crafts in the North West. Liverpool has Creativity. Liverpool has imagination and it’s all on show and for sale (at great prices) tomorrow . I bought some lovely things today (thinking of going back for more tomorrow). To name just a few of the great stalls ALIKIBAGS,  (utterly unique)  Just Janet Gifts. (handcrafted in Liverpool) , (told you Liverpool has creativity!!!)   Violet Haze ,  Hand Made jewellery and Miss Raggy Doll Accessories.  Very Green! incorporating recycled materials , that takes talent!   I missed the Ukulele Orchestra performing (very sad I love them) BUT as we were going for a lunch ‘Rapide’ and had a very tasty meal at Bistro Jacques in Hardman Street that made up for missing Paul’s performance.  Liverpool is buzzin’ ,the Coca Cola ‘truck’ was in Clayton Square , bands , music , crowds, great atmosphere . The lights are looking good, the shops are looking very festive Liverpool is THE PLACE to be,  and tomorrow we have the SANTA DASH  thousands of santas take to the city streets for charity. Good luck to my friends who are taking part ( fit people! ) . Yes enjoyed today , good food , good company, good day!.

Tuebrook Hope Group ..Coach Trip.. Bury Market.

Thanks to Tuebrook Hope Group, Councillors Steve Radford,  Hazel Williams, and Chris Lenton and the generous support from  Merseytravel,  Riverside,  LMH, and Plus Dane ,  Four coaches full of  senior citizens and tenants from the Housing  Associations had a lovely day out at Bury Market .  We even had a sunny day all laid on, sunglasses, Hat, Scarf, gloves,  jumper, fleece,  coat, cold !  but a great day for the last day of November!   And nice warm, comfortable ’ Bennett’ coaches. It’s good to get out and about , Keep active, Connect.  All ways to Health and Wellbeing . Thank you we look forward to the next trip. Why don’t you join us? subsidised ,  fun ! email   northwestliberalparty@hotmail.co.uk    for further information.

Open Culture search for New Champions.

Liverpool Social enterprise Open Culture  on behalf of Culture Liverpool have put out the call for New Culture Champions.  Early in the new year, January 2012, application forms will be available. If you LIVE in Liverpool, LOVE  Liverpool  , enjoy meeting people and enjoy the Arts ,start planning now for your application. You wont regret it.!    info@culture.org.uk , or visit www.culture.org.uk  , www.liverpool.gov.uk  .

Winter Arts Market 3rd and 4th December St Georges Hall

Get down to this in a couple of weeks! Details here;

http://www.culture.org.uk/

Yours truly and the Liverpool Ukulele Orchestra are playing in the Crown Court too!!

Ways to Wellbeing in Liverpool.

Meet up for coffee at the Parish Church of St Margaret,  Rocky Lane , Anfield, (the one with the green roof. )  Today I and many other people ‘ Connected. Took Notice. Was active. Gave.    Its good to get out and about and meet up with people , there was a warm welcome today at the coffee morning, people coming having coffee and (home-made cake) thanks to Rev. Dr. Sue Lucas with her team, and thanks to Gayle Coldron for the information regarding future local events. ( Going to be busy Gayle)      Some people stayed for lunch  £1   for soup or beans on toast,  value or what?.   Next coffee morning ?   Thursday 15th Dec,   Xmas Fair on 3rd Dec. and then after xmas an event to get back to normal…..19th Jan. Health Awareness Event. Health checks, blood pressure checks, etc. advice on health and wellbeing just at the right time after all the festivities.

Walk for Health, Mark 3 .

Another nice day for our walk  from ABCC.  I’ve just heard on TV that this is the warmest November for many years and yes it was warm for the time of the year and I did a strip!!!!! took my scarf off!   Not a long walk today and we were re-routed by the police ( an accident)  but we set a good pace , our little group I think are getting quicker , well most of them with me bringing up the rear but I finished which is an achievement.  Then back to Anfield Community Corner for a welcome cup of tea/coffee , Thanks Michelle. It’s good to have company , I wouldn’t do a walk on my own but having company and support makes a difference and more enjoyable (especially watching Jean walking through the Autumn leaves having fun ) Simple pleasures , a sunny day, company, a walk,  what more can we ask for.