July 2008

Sep 27 2007

5th July

Chinese Dub

Mountford Hall

A Liverpool Commission, commissioned by the Liverpool Culture Company for European Capital of Culture 2008.

Internationally acclaimed musician Jah Wobble has worked with music icons such as Bjork, Brian Eno, Massive Attack, Baaba Mal and Natasha Atlas, now he joins forces with the Pagoda Chinese Youth orchestra for innovative Chinese/European musical collaboration that crosses boundaries and engages with the cultural hybridism of Liverpool.

This project works on many levels, by raising awareness of the Chinese community in the city and also helping to promote Chinese music to a wider audience beyond the community in which it originated. It is a dynamic partnership between one of the UK’s most acclaimed musicians and the oldest Chinese orchestra in Europe, aiming to push the boundaries and breathe new life into the way Chinese music is perceived. Liverpool was in fact the first ever place in Europe with a Chinese immigrant population and this is another reason why this special project gains extra resonance. Another fortuitous reason is that 2008 also marks the 25th birthday celebrations for the PCYO, which as well as being the first Chinese orchestra in Europe still has the distinction of being Europe’s largest Chinese youth orchestra currently in existence.

* * *

5th July

Clipper 07-08 - race finish

Waterfront

The return of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race.

* * *

12th July - 1st November

The Beat Goes On

World Museum Liverpool

From the Cavern to Creamfields, Billy Fury to the Zutons, The Beat Goes On will provide a journey through 40 years of Liverpool music.

* * *

16th - 20th July

Fragrant at Tatton

Liverpool's botanical collection exhibited at the RHS Tatton Show.

* * *

16th - 27th July

European Youth Parliament

Various city centre - including St George's Hall

Nearly 300 young people will gather at Liverpool’s St George’s Hall for the European Youth Parliament. The 10-day session will bring together participants from more than 30 European countries, to share ideas, culture and experience. Young people will take part in a variety of activities during the session, including teambuilding and committee work, culminating in the announcement of 15 resolutions which will be sent to the European Parliament.

* * *

18th - 21st July

Start of Tall Ships' Races

Docks

The spectacular start of the Tall Ships' Races – expected to attract a million spectators to the banks of the River Mersey.

* * *

July

Contacting the World

Various venues

Contacting the World brings together hundreds of young theatre makers across the world to take part in an extraordinary process of international, creative exchange. In October 2007, 150 young people from ten different countries were twinned for ten months to share their lives, hopes, passions and dreams. In July 2008 twelve new theatre performances created as a result of this unique collaboration will be premiered together in Liverpool. This work is presented alongside a programme of public workshops, discussions, late-night music and street performances. This production is brought to Liverpool by Contact – a pioneering, award-winning theatre venue in Manchester.

* * *

July

Arabic Arts Festival

Venue tbc

A celebration of Arabic culture in Liverpool. One of the major highlights of the 2008 programme will be Taoub-Collectif Acrobatique de Tangier - a dramatic acrobatic performance accompanied by live Arabic music and traditional song. Directed by Aurelien Bory, a leading figure in French contemporary circus and dance who adds spice and humour to their ancient art. A spellbinding show for all the family and the first North West visit.

* * *

July

High Hopes (broadcast), November (showcase)

tbc

A Liverpool Commission, commissioned by the Liverpool Culture Company for Liverpool European Capital of Culture 2008. ‘High Hopes’ is a co-production between First Take and Sydvest Films. Between Liverpool, England and Stavanger, Norway. The two Capitals of Culture in 2008. The series follows the lives of 10 teenagers approaching adulthood in a tale of these two very different cities.

The chosen characters all have a particular driving passion, a dream, high hopes for the future. The documentary series is a graphic example of what it’s like to be growing up in Liverpool and Stavanger in 2008 and serves as a lasting record for generations to come. It is a series is aimed at a young audience and artistically it will be fast paced, edgy, packed with images, special effects, and music, emotional depth and strong storylines. Hundreds of thousands of people throughout the UK, Europe and beyond will watch ‘High Hopes’. But also it will have a dynamic style that lends itself to new technologies and interactivity. So apart from the documentary series, the multi-media tie-ins will guarantee content that can be geared toward various different and specific virtual communities who can design their own viewing experience. Reaching an even bigger audience. The BAFTA and Prix Italia award-winning Bob Long is the Exec Producer working closely with First Take and Sydvest on the High Hopes series.