CAPITAL of Culture celebrations are being officially rolled out across Merseyside.
Culture Company creative director Phil Redmond was at Bootle Town Hall yesterday to launch Express Sefton!, the borough’s programme of 2008 events.
The launch, attended by the Mayor of Sefton Cllr Richard Hands, offered people the chance to find out more about what is happening in Sefton during 2008 and how they can get involved, from creating an event to volunteering opportunities.
Phil Redmond said: “Capital of Culture is the opportunity for people to find a platform or exhibition space where they can create their own culture as well as consume it.
“I want to get the message across that it is not just about Liverpool – Liverpool is only one borough surrounded by six others to form Merseyside. I want to engage more and more across the boroughs and it’s great Sefton is the first to help us do that.
“It’s all about saying to people ‘if you want to do it, have a go’. Let’s see what we can build. Frankly, if you can’t find something to engage in, you’re not looking hard enough.”
Performance poet Eddie Bixler and local musicians played at the launch to demonstrate the talent on offer.
One unique act was a collaboration between Bootle schoolboy punk band Scars of the Bullet and 73-year-old jazz singer Hilda Hughes.
Together the band – Stephen Brannigan, Chris Lawson, Jamie Thompson and Sean Radcliffe, all 15 years old – play a swing-rock version of I’ve Got You Under My Skin.
The unusual pairing came about as part of Sefton Council’s music workshops for young bands and, in conjunction with Help the Aged, music events for the elderly.
They will perform again at Crosby Civic Hall on Friday February 15.
A highlight in Sefton's 2008 calendar is the Sefton School's Opera project, which will see 500 schoolchildren from across the borough perform in a specially-written opera, Itoku.
It will be performed at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral on February 27 and again at the Southport Summer Classics with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in July.
Other events in Sefton during Capital of Culture year include a special Southport Air Show, the Sail Train initiative, which sees young people having a once in lifetime opportunity to sail on-board a Tall Ship during the Tall Ships Race, plus the Open Golf Championship at Royal Birkdale.
Peter Sandman, Sefton's tourism events manager, added: “It is a really exciting year for Merseyside as whole and in Sefton we are definitely set to deliver a fantastic programme of events and activities. We were delighted to have Phil Redmond at our launch event and it was a great way to start the programme with a bang.”
For more details about Express Sefton!, log onto www.sefton.gov.uk/express.
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