Diwali (Festival of Light) celebrations start tomorrow (November 1st) and the World Museum Liverpool will be hosting some free events.
Here's the customary picture of children getting in some practice and the info from the NML press office.

DIWALI CELEBRATIONS
Festival of Light at World Museum Liverpool

National Museums Liverpool is marking this year’s Hindu festival Diwali with fantastic free events for all the family in November.

Local children from schools across Merseyside are wowing crowds at World Museum Liverpool’s Treasure House Theatre on Saturday 12 November 2005 with special dance shows at 1330 and 1415 hours. The performances promise to be a fitting celebration for this year’s Festival of Light, combining different styles of movement, music and dress from various regions of India.

The dancers have been honing their moves in a programme of music and dance workshops, which are part of a Liverpool Culture Company project called Introducing India. The project aims to teach children about all aspects of Indian culture including the country’s religion, values and traditions.

Purvi Parikh, the workshop facilitator, says: “Dance is such an important part of Indian culture and it this a great way to make it accessible to everyone. The children have been working very hard to make this show a real celebration of Diwali.”

Visitors to the Weston Discovery Centre on Saturday 5 November and Sunday 6 November 2005 can join in celebrations with will have the opportunity to dress up in traditional Indonesian costumes and put on a performance of their own with Javanese puppets and Eastern masks.

Tickets are required for Treasure House Theatre shows. They can be collected free of charge from World Museum Liverpool information desk.

Posted by Ian Jackson at October 31, 2005 02:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

via icliverpool

Robyn inspired by film's death row message
Oct 21 2005
By Joe Riley, Liverpool Echo

ROBYN Archer, key artistic director for Liverpool's Capital of Culture, is declaring her own prime choice of cinema at Fact next month.

Australian Robyn - a cabaret singer in her own right - will be extolling the virtues of the movie I Want To Live.

As it's a 1958 black and white opus, many of today's film-goers may need a little help.

So here goes. Actress Susan Hayward won her only Oscar portraying a woman on death row in America.
It's the story of Barbara Graham , who descended into prostitution, fraud and drug adiction before she was finally convicted of murder.

According to the stance taken at her norotious 1955 trial, she was framed - re-enforcing the anti-capital punishment stance. It was Graham's brave march to her gas chamber execution which won over Academy Award voters.

* Fact, Wood Street, November 28, 5.30pm

Posted by Ian Jackson at October 29, 2005 05:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Via liverpool08.com

Homotopia will be swinging from the spires when the city's celebration of homosexual culture is launched in a magnificently refurbished church.

Bringing gay films, exhibitions, artwork and performance to the core of Liverpool's cultural scene, this is the second Homotopia festival, expected to attract thousands of people.

The launch party at Alma de Cuba will bring together many of the international performers and artists involved in the fortnight-long festival for a celebration of gay culture with the highlight being Nathan Evans and his Kate Bush tribute act, Puppetry of the Pops!

Liverpool City Council Leader, Councillor Mike Storey, said: "With such pride in diverse communities and acceptance of all quarters of the community, a celebration of gay culture will provide an interesting insight for both gay and straight people of Liverpool."

Homotopia organiser, Gary Everett, said: "Everyone is gearing up with final preparations and excitement is building. It'll be a great festival for everyone who visits or takes part and we hope that long may it continue."

There is plenty in the programme to interest everyone, including a film festival at FACT, club culture artwork exhibitions and a queer version of Call My Bluff on Tuesday 8 November at the Unity Theatre.

Posted by Ian Jackson at October 29, 2005 05:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Via Merseyside ACME...

Date: Wednesday 2nd November 2005
Time: 6pm - 9pm (including buffet)
Venue: Philharmonic Hall, Hope Street, Liverpool L1 9BP
Cost: £5

The Capital of Culture 2008 is set to be one of the most important years in the regeneration of Liverpool. Kris Donaldson, Marketing Director for Liverpool Culture Company will be discussing how The Culture Company plan to meet this well publicised marketing challenge along with answering questions from the audience.

Marketing 08 will bring together representatives from the creative industries sector, the Liverpool Culture Company and the Chartered Institute of Marketing; and will be your chance to hear how the Liverpool Culture Company plan to rise to 'the challenge' in the build up to 2008.

Refreshments and a buffet will be available in the relaxed surroundings of the Rodewald Suite in the Philharmonic Hall. There are limited places available. To reserve your place please contact Julie Rice julie.rice@liverpool.gov.uk at Merseyside ACME for a ticket.

Posted by Ian Jackson at October 28, 2005 06:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Liverpool is renowned for its writers, directors, designers and entrepreneurs. In the coming years there will be exciting developments in IT, digital technology and new technological advances as yet undreamed of. Whatever they are, we will celebrate them!

Posted by Ian Jackson at October 28, 2005 12:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There will be no hangover as the city celebrates its beauty, elegance, cityscape, parks, waterfront and natural heritage.

Posted by Ian Jackson at October 28, 2005 12:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Liverpool cracks open the champagne as it takes centre stage. All of the city's communities will join together for a festival to remember.

Posted by Ian Jackson at October 28, 2005 12:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Get ready for one heck of a birthday party in 2007 as Liverpool spends a whole 12 months celebrating its amazing eight centuries of remarkable heritage

Posted by Ian Jackson at October 28, 2005 12:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

2006 will celebrate Liverpool's amazing track record in performance, from the stage to the gallery to the field. Highlights include the 4th Liverpool Biennial and the British Open Golf Championship, returning to Hoylake for the first time in 38 years.

Posted by Ian Jackson at October 27, 2005 11:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

2005 will celebrate Liverpool's maritime legacy. Work will begin on Liverpool's cruise liner terminal, while the city will also stage the 25th annual Mersey River Festival and the start of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, culminating in the bicentennial celebration of the Battle of Trafalgar.

Posted by Ian Jackson at October 27, 2005 11:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)