October 2008

Sep 27 2007

2nd October - 17th Jan

Le Corbusier

The Crypt, Metropolitan Cathedral

The life and work of the most famous and influential architect of the 20th century, Le Corbusier, will feature in a major, new international exhibition premiering in Liverpool in 2008, during its year as European Capital of Culture. Organised by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Trust, Le Corbusier - The Art of Architecture will be exhibited in one of the most distinctive and dramatic spaces in Britain - the crypt of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. The exhibition will then travel to the Barbican, London, to mark the 175th anniversary of the RIBA.

Le Corbusier - The Art of Architecture is curated by Le Corbusier scholars, Stanislaus von Moos, Arthur Rüegg and Mateo Kries, for Vitra Design Museum, Basel, in collaboration with the RIBA Trust and the Netherlands Architecture Institute, Rotterdam. The UK curator for the RIBA Trust is Graeme Russell, formerly Director of CUBE, Manchester.

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12th October

Burial at Thebes

Philharmonic Hall

Composed by Dominique le Gendre, directed by Derek Walcott and conducted by Peter Manning. Based on the concept that Greek stories can be used to investigate modern politics and cultures, in "The Burial at Thebes", the victorious leader Creon is forced to choose between his public responsibility and personal concerns when faced with Antigone's disobedience. All too late, Creon realises the fatal consequences of personal inflexibilities that have wiped out his family. This is the first time Nobel Prize winner, Seamus Heaney, has exposed his own great work to musical interpretation. Composer Dominique Le Gendre will use the orchestra, soloists and chorus to recreate the action in Heaney's epic poem with dramatic narration by Trinidadian Rapso, played by the actor Wendell Manwarren. It is a groundbreaking approach to a 1,000 year-old tragedy with universal and contemporary resonance. This performance is part of the Liverpool Irish Festival.

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31st October

Halloween Lantern Parade

Sefton Park

Liverpool Lantern Company’s annual event, the Halloween Lantern Carnival in Sefton Park has become a highlight of the Liverpool calendar, involving 15 partner organisations and over 20 community groups. In 2008 the Halloween lantern carnival will incorporate a kinetic lantern, water and fire festival with the theme of ‘Phoenix Rising’ and a cast of over 200 performers, pyrotechnicians and musicians in an extraordinary celebratory uprising in Sefton park, Liverpool.

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October (tbc)

Eric's - The Musical

Liverpool Everyman

Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse present the world première of Eric’s – The Musical. Mark Davies-Markham, Liverpool-born author of the hit musical Taboo, turns his attention to the notorious Liverpool punk club, which sparked a cultural revolution and inspired a generation. The late ‘70s and ‘80s in Liverpool were for many defined by strikes, mass unemployment and hardship.

As the black clouds of recession hovered above the Liver buildings, the rebellious and creative fire of Eric’s burnt brightly. An extraordinary array of characters (Julian Cope, Ian McCulloch, Pete Wylie, Jayne Casey, Pete Burns, Holly Johnson) defined, and were defined by, the Eric’s spirit of do it yourself: and do it your way. Now it’s time to catch the fire once more in this glorious musical celebration.

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October (finale)

Generation 21 conference

Liverpool Echo Arena and Convention Centre

Part of the European Capital of Culture schools programme. Generation 21 will see Liverpool children and young people becoming city planners to vision a new, healthier Liverpool for the 21st century. Designs and installations from the programme will form the centre piece of a national Creative Learning Networks conference at the Liverpool Echo Arena and Convention Centre in October.

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October

BBC Electric Proms

The BBC Electric Proms brings together the best new and established live performers. In 2008 it will take place in Liverpool – the first time outside of London.

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October - November

Babel the Blue Bear Valley Theatre, Netherley

A Liverpool Commission, commissioned by the Liverpool Culture Company for European Capital of Culture 2008. 20 Stories High is a dynamic new company that works with and captures the imagination of young people with its bold renderings of contemporary tales. Once upon a grime in a land not so far away lived a young man called Benny.

He existed in limbo in outer space with his only friend Blue Bear for company. However one day something unexpected happened….. Benny looked down, upon the earth and saw himself hooked up to a life support machine. Babul and the Blue Bear explores the themes of cultural identity, divided loyalties, racial tension and a sense of belonging in a multi-cultural Britain. With the help of Bob Firth from Horse and Bamboo, the company brings the worlds of Hip-Hop and theatre, Heavy Grime music, spoken word, body-popping, mask and puppetry into a dynamic and exhilarating way. The play is suitable for ages 13+.

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October

Powerplant

Calderstones Park

Power Plant is a specially commissioned work of sound and light installations. It was originally commissioned by Oxford Contemporary Music and the University of Oxford Botanic Garden. The artists’ aim was to create a series of works which took their inspiration from and responded to the environment of the garden in different ways, working together to create a magical auditory and visual night time journey.

The installations use a wide variety of approaches from video and electronic sound to modifications of old gramophones, moving speakers, sound sources hidden in the undergrowth, circular saw blades played like gongs and balloons filled with tuned harmonicas that whispers an eerie melancholic requiem. The result is a strange, magical and surprising night time journey through a sonic landscape which explores the relationship between sound, light and the garden environment. Part of a special programme of outdoor work.

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October - November

Homotopia

Various Venues

Liverpool's annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender arts festival returns with a specially-enhanced programme for 2008. One of the highlights of the festival will be 'Liverpool Is Burning', an epic dance piece, excavating the shared LGBT community experience of vogueing, In collaboration with House of Suarez, Liverpool Is Burning will blur the boundaries of dance, live art fused with club culture reconnecting with contemporary lesbian, gay and transgender communities and mainstream dance movements. Other highlights include 'Drama Queen' - a new play by Shaun Duggan which will receive its world premiere at the Unity Theatre.

Bluecoat Literature Festival October The Bluecoat Writing at the Bluecoat: Liverpool’s Literature Festival for the Capital of Culture.

Following its major capital development the Bluecoat reopens in 2008 with a full programme of contemporary visual and performing arts. Live literature is prominent in the programme, including this two-week festival featuring UK and international writers.