I'm exhausted just looking through the list of items included in the City In Transition programme. This is actually part of the Culture Company's 'Liverpool Performs 2006' and is a sort of umbrella for several things, many of which happen annually anyway. But the common theme is the city and its transformation, regeneration etc.

'As we move towards 2008 the city is experiencing tremendous change at high speed. This is both exhilarating and disruptive and our City in Transition programme for 2006 takes that all on board in a special programme of talks, debates, walks, exhibitions and local and international performance - all connected in some way to architecture, building and the way cities change.'

You'll find all the current details on 3 separate pages: City Talks, City Walks and City Screen.

City Talks: includes a lot of talks about architecture (first is on May 4th) especially during Architecture Week (in June), talks at the Tate, Biennial talks and lots of others.

City Walks: Blue and Green Badge guided tours of regeneration areas, public monuments, etc. the Pool Project's (secret) Elemental Journeys and lots more.

City Screen: includes films, exhibitions and events such as the 37 seconds screenings on the Big Screen, the Made in Liverpool series, Bluecoats Pool of Sound project and lots more.

Take a look and keep an eye on the 08 website, my diary is now full already.

Posted by Ian Jackson at April 30, 2006 02:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You are invited to 3 days of exciting activities for all the family - creative writing, public reading, drama workshops...and all for FREE! Taking place in the Palm House, situated in Sefton Park, Liverpool.

Sunday 30th April
Sunday 7th May 12.00-4.00pm
Sunday 21st May

With a visit by the author himself on Sunday 7th May

Book workshops now to avoid disappointment!

Adult Creative writing 12.00-1.30 pm
2.00-3.30 pm (Except on 7th May due to author reading)

Young People's Creative Writing 12.00-1.30 pm
(Ages 10-15) 2.00-3.30 pm (Except on 7th May due to author reading)

Young People's drama sessions 12.00-1.30 pm
(Ages 8-14) 2.00-3.30 pm (Except on 7th May due to author reading)

Young People's drama sessions 12.00-1.30 pm
(Ages 5-8) 2.00-3.30 pm (Except on 7th May due to author reading)

Free entry!

Please contact Bea Colley, Liverpool Reads Coordinator for details: 0151 794 2291 / b.colley@liverpool.ac.uk
Liverpool Reads website

Posted by Ian Jackson at April 29, 2006 04:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Poetry in the City (Liverpool) 2006 Festival started on Tuesday April 25th with a Writers of Colour Group at Central Library then Levi Tafari at the Unity Theatre. Lots more as it runs until May 13th.
There's a nice website with complete listings: www.poetryinthecity.co.uk

Posted by Ian Jackson at April 28, 2006 10:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You can download the latest 08 Update via this link http://www.liverpool08.com/News/Newsletter/index.asp

Liverpool Performs 2006 is our fourth themed year and is a celebration of the city's reputation for top class performances in the sports, arts and business arenas. Key events during the next two months include:

Sports

* Support of the Wembley FA Cup Final reunion match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on Bank Holiday Monday 1 May at 2.30pm
* The Liverpool 08 Open Squash Championship at St George's Hall, from 4 to 7 May, the event will be the biggest squash tournament in Europe

Arts

* The European Première of SUPER VISION at the Royal Court Theatre from 4 to 6 May
* Trisha Brown and her dance company are coming to Liverpool for the first time on 7 and 8 June at the Liverpool Playhouse

Business

* Following successful business breakfast events a workshop titled Improving Tourism and Hospitality Skills will be held at LACE on 18 May

The 08 Update includes a feature and application form for the 08 Ambassador Programme which has been developed to help spread the word about Liverpool. Also included news on latest community projects and a useful guide to forthcoming events over the next couple of months

Posted by Ian Jackson at April 28, 2006 10:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Excellent news!!

MUSEUM OF LIVERPOOL GETS THE GO AHEAD

The Northwest Regional Development Agency today announced a grant of £32.7m to support the development of the Museum of Liverpool. This news, which follows a successful planning application in December, means the museum now has the green light to proceed.

The Museum of Liverpool, with a budget of £65m, will be one of the world’s leading city history museums reflecting Liverpool’s global significance through its unique geography, history and culture.

Building on the incredible success of the Museum of Liverpool Life, the new museum which will be located on Liverpool’s famous waterfront, will provide a showcase for social history and popular culture. The museum will draw on National Museums Liverpool’s vast wealth of collections, many of which have never been on public display. As a vital part of the legacy of 2008, when Liverpool becomes European Capital of Culture, it will express Liverpool's confidence as a great 21st century European city.

David Fleming, Director of National Museums Liverpool says:

“The Northwest Regional Development Agency decision means this new museum is now in business and Liverpool is about to get one of the world’s best museums right in the heart of the city. It will attract people from far and wide and will be a brilliant learning and recreational resource for local people.

“There are still hurdles to overcome but this museum is becoming a reality. Work on site will begin in the autumn and the building is due for completion in 2008.”

To enable building works the current Museum of Liverpool Life will close on 4 June 2006. A programme of special events for the public has been planned for the museum’s closing weeks, giving visitors a last chance to see some of the most popular exhibits and take part in exciting events and activities.

In the run-up to the new museum opening two major exhibitions about Liverpool will be staged at the Merseyside Maritime Museum. In 2007 a large-scale exhibition will explore Liverpool’s history over the last 800 years, told through the lives of ordinary people, the famous and the infamous. A major multi-sensory, exhibition in 2008 will celebrate Liverpool as the capital of pop and rock, exploring Liverpool’s popular music heritage from 1945 to the present.

There are plans to take the Museum of Liverpool on the road with a series of displays of our collections in shops and venues around the city later this year.

Museum of Liverpool – an Overview

The new museum will provide 5,000 square metres of exhibition space and will be unique in its approach to display, featuring flexible spaces that regularly change showing more of the collections than ever before. The museum will focus on four main themes: Port City, Global City, My Liverpool and Expressive City.

As visitors enter the building they will find Port City, a gallery that will exploring Liverpool’s role as a port city and the development of its architecture, infrastructure, people and commerce. This will follow the story of the industrial revolution and will feature Lion, a 1838 steam locomotive as its centrepiece. The main gallery will explore stories about the people living and working underneath the rails of the Overhead Railway, or the Dockers’ Umbrella, and will feature an original third class Overhead Railway carriage, suspended above the gallery at its working height.

Also located on the ground floor, Global City will explore Liverpool as a world city. The main attraction will be the 200-capacity Liverpool Theatre featuring an unmissable show experience created by Liverpool film makers, writers and artists, using local voices to tell the blockbuster story of Liverpool’s history.

Plans for the first floor include the History Hub, a resource centre housing over 10,000 objects from the NML collections. Featuring an interactive zone, the Hub will offer highlights from the collections and an opportunity to explore stories and objects in depth. Aimed at everyone from children to academics, this will be a one-stop shop for exploring Liverpool and Merseyside’s archaeology and social history.

On the second floor visitors will find People’s City. This gallery will explore the city and its people through themes such as housing and health, opportunity and deprivation, social reform, religion and trade unionism. The centrepiece will be the model of the proposed Liverpool Catholic Cathedral by world-famous architect Edwin Lutyens which was never built.

In Expressive City visitors will be able to discover the unique and creative character of Liverpool. The gallery will explore why this city has produced such an amazing roll call of writers, performers, comedians and sportsmen. The gallery includes some unique Beatles objects, including the original stage on which John Lennon’s band the Quarrymen played in 1957. A special immersive experience in the gallery captures the excitement, passion and intensity of football in Merseyside through the fans’ eyes. The story of the history of the clubs will investigate how they have become such a cornerstone of the city’s identity.

The new museum visitors will give visitors breathtaking views of the city and river.

Posted by Ian Jackson at April 20, 2006 05:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jamie Murray - younger brother of Britain's number one Andy Murray - has been given a wild card for this year's Liverpool International to be held in June.

It is a great opportunity for the 19 year old Scot, as he will gain valuable grass court practice before trying to qualify for Wimbledon and the opportunity to test his skills against some of the ATP's higher ranking players.

Murray promises to follow in his older brothers footsteps and give Britain hope for a future British Wimbledon champion. Anders Borg, Tournament Director comments, "My real drive behind the tournament is to help younger players who are trying to break through onto the tour, hopefully our tournament can help Jamie's career as he relies heavily on opportunities like this to improve his game and gain valuable experience.

"l saw him play before Christmas and ahis talent shone through, sometimes all the players need to become a winner is some self confidence and by having the opportunity to play against players ranked in the top 50 on the ATP tour such as Malisse and Spadea it can only benefit his career".

Murray is delighted with the wild card and is particularly excited about meeting the tournaments main attraction, Goran Ivanisevic. "It will be great to meet Goran and watch him play, maybe even come up against him although saying that I wouldn't really want to face his serve! He's a legend in tennis and a fan favourite wherever he goes, it's great he's back playing in Britain again.

"The wild card is a great opportunity for me to compete against some of the top players in the world and will be a chance for me to see where I need to improve in my game. It's not something I get to do every week!", Jamie Murray.

Over the next few months Murray hopes to improve his rankings on the tour, already an accomplished doubles player, he wants to start concentrating on his singles ranking and break into the top 100 in the next 18 months.

Asked if his brother would be at Liverpool to support him, he comments, "If he doesn't play at Stella or gets knocked out, you never know!"

The 2006 Liverpool International Tennis Tournament runs from 13th - 18th June. For further information about the event and ticket enquiries, telephone 0151 227 5940 or visit www.liverpooltennis.co.uk

Posted by Ian Jackson at April 14, 2006 02:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

WILLSTROP SEEDED TO MEET AUSSIE ACE PALMER IN LIVERPOOL 08 SQUASH FINAL

England's rising star James Willstrop is seeded to meet Australia's former world champion David Palmer in the final of the inaugural Liverpool08 Open Squash Championship in May.

World No.3 Willstrop, who led England to the World Team Championship in Pakistan in December, is relishing the opportunity to claim a major PSA world tour title on home soil.

The 22-year-old from Pontefract has just returned home after competing in the Commonwealth Games in Australia and the Bermuda Masters.

He said: "After all the travelling we do it's great to see such a brilliant new tournament being staged in Liverpool. The venue at St George's Hall looks absolutely incredible and all the players were talking about the tournament in Bermuda."

Promoted by Squash UK in conjunction with Liverpool Culture Company, the Liverpool08 Open Squash Championship is a PSA Super Series Silver event and therefore the biggest squash in Europe and one of the top six in the world in terms of prize money and ranking points.

Willstrop added: "It's fantastic to see a tournament reach such a high level in its first year and the organisers and sponsors have obviously done a great job in putting everything together."

Willstrop faces a qualifier in the first round and is due to meet the winner of an intriguing clash between No.14 seed Shahid Zaman of Pakistan and England's Joey Barrington.

World No.27 Barrington is the son of squash legend Jonah, the man who was largely instrumental in creating squash's first steps into professionalism three decades ago. Zaman is the nephew of Qamar Zaman, a brilliant stroke maker and a career-long rival of Jonah.

Also in Willstrop's half of the draw are Egyptian Karim Darwish, who beat him in a recent tournament at Canary Wharf, London, and France's No.3 seed Thierry Lincou, who spent the whole of 2005 at the top of the world rankings.

Willstrop's main British rivals are all in the top half of the draw. Yorkshire and England team-mates Nick Matthew and Lee Beachill, seeded four and five, are due to meet at the quarter-final stage.

Another mouthwatering clash in the same round features top seed Palmer and big-hitting Scot John White. The two met in an absorbing World Open final in Antwerp three years ago when Palmer recovered from match ball down to take the title.

White is the hardest hitter in the history of squash, having been registered belting the ball at an astonishing 172mph.

Other Brits in the top half include Welsh No.1 Alex Gough, who faces English youngster Jonathan Kemp, Kent's Adrian Grant and Yorkshire's world tour veteran Simon Parke, who is still playing great squash at the age of 35.

In all, 18 of the world's top 20 have entered the tournament, which features qualifying rounds at Liverpool Cricket Club on May 1 and 2 before the main event moves to the beautiful surroundings of St George's Hall from May 3-7.

The 32-draw first round will see eight matches at both venues on Wednesday May 3 as big-time squash arrives on Merseyside.

The tournament features two days of live TV coverage on Sky Sports during the finals weekend and will be preceded by a Merseyside Squash Festival on the previous weekend.

Full details from the official tournament website www.squashuk.com/liverpool

LIVERPOOL08 OPEN TICKET HOTLINE: 0871 230 9808.

Book online at www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Posted by Ian Jackson at April 14, 2006 02:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There's a nice flash advert for Super Vision on the 08 website.
Take a look. Link
Also more details in my previous posting
At the Royal Court 4-6th May 2006.

Posted by Ian Jackson at April 12, 2006 08:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Got my 08 Ambassador Welcome Pack in the post this morning complete with a nice new badge and lots of fact cards for me to quote at random people
e.g. "FACT - £16.2m will be invested in events and arts in 2008 alone"

If you are passionate about Liverpool you can be an ambassador too, just go to the website to sign up, you have to enter a few details and words of nonsense about why you think Liverpool is dead good.
Link

Posted by Ian Jackson at April 12, 2006 08:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

... Essen (Germany) and Istanbul (Turkey) and Pecs (Hungary). Still to be ratified by the European Parliament.

They keep changing the rules and the rules will change again next year so it will be interesting to see what they come up with for the years after 2010.
I may be wrong but as I understand it, last year, 2005, Cork (Eire) was the first European Capital of Culture. Before that there were Cities of Culture (often more than one each year).
This year, 2006, its Patras in Greece.
Then we have joint EU and Non-EU Capitals
2007 is Luxembourg (EU) and Sibiu (Romania - Non-EU but hoping to join that year)
2008 Liverpool (EU) and Stavanger (Norway - Non-EU)
2009 Linz (Austria - EU) and Vilnius (Latvia - oh, hang on, Latvia is in the EU!)
Then we have EU, Non-EU and New-EU. Hence..
2010 Essen (Germany -EU), Pecs (Hungary - New-EU) and Istanbul (Turkey, Non-EU)

Is that clear?

Posted by Ian Jackson at April 11, 2006 10:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Via Daily Post...

LIVERPOOL'S Capital of Culture chiefs have signed a major sponsorship deal to add their name to a restaging of the most famous derby match in Merseyside history.

The Liverpool Culture company has negotiated a £35,000 agreement which will see Everton and Liverpool legends run out in kits bearing the '08 logo.

The teams, who met at Wembley in the first all Merseyside FA Cup final of 1986, will face each other again at Anfield on Bank Holiday Monday, May 1 (2.30pm kick-off).

The historic reunion match has been organised by former Liverpool player and manager Kenny Dalglish, with all proceeds going to his wife Marina's breast cancer charity.

He is bringing together a host of legendary names from Goodison and Anfield for a match which is already attracting worldwide interest and is expected to be a sell-out.

Link

Posted by Ian Jackson at April 11, 2006 01:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

from the Culture Company...
Its Free, book now!

In conjunction with The Builders Association workshop we are pleased to announce that Artistic Director Marianne Weems will give a lecture on the work of the Builders Association
Friday 28th April
at the Unity II Theatre
at 2pm.
Free of charge.

Marianne Weems will present the work of her New York based theatre company the Builders Association. The lecture will revolve around the increasing incorporation of media in performance, its effect on contemporary theater, and the political and social implications of the 'mediatization' of culture.

For more info /booking please, call Unity Theatre box office 0151- 709-4988 or alternatively go to www.liverpool08.com or call Myriam on 0151 233 4136.

Posted by Ian Jackson at April 10, 2006 07:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This spectacular multimedia theatre show has its European premiere in Liverpool and has been co-commissioned by the Liverpool Culture Company.

Date(s): 4/5/2006 - 6/5/2006
Royal Court Theatre, 1 Roe Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 1HL
[t]:0870 787 1866
[e]:contact@liverpool08.com
[w]:www.royalcourtliverpool.co.uk/royalcourt/may/Thu4.htm

Created by New York's The Builders Association and dbox directed by new media magician Marianne Weems, SUPER VISION is all about surveillance in contemporary society, where everyone has a database.

The Builders Association's productions feature a seamless blend of text, sound, architecture, video and stage performances that explore the impact of technology on human presence.

A team from The Builders Association and dbox will also conduct an extensive workshop 26 to 29 April at FACT. Multimedia and theatre workers from Merseyside will explore the increasing role of media in theatre and bring practical projects to work on.

Artistic Director Marianne Weems and co-creator James Gibbs will also give an illustrated lecture on the work of The Builders Association Friday 28 April at the Unity Theatre.

Tickets cost £12.50 and £7.50 for concessions. Call the booking information line on 0870 787 1866, book online at www.royalcourtliverpool.com or visit the box office.

For more information about SUPER VISION visit www.superv.org

Posted by Ian Jackson at April 3, 2006 04:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

from liverpool08.com...

27/3/2006
Clipper 05 06 Race resumes - Liverpool 08 leads
The 10 Clipper 68s competing in the Clipper 05-06 Round the World Yacht Race crossed the start line in Subic Bay for Race 6 to Qingdao, China. After a false start from Victoria, New York was the first to cross the start line but Liverpool 08 soon took the lead.

When the boats crossed the line this afternoon, it was an extra special moment for all concerned, following the fleet's unscheduled stop in the Philippines to sort out keel problems.

A phenomenal amount of work has gone into getting the boats ready to sail today. Teams have been working flat out to get everything up and running and tested in time for the today's restart. Despite a break of seven weeks, the racing was tight in a gentle breeze, and the fleet split into two separate groups at opposite sides of the bay where they got involved in various tacking duels.

Skipper Tim Magee said: "The crew have shown an unbelievable commitment in the last few days, as they have since the start of the race. That is reason we're doing so well in the race is because of them. We're only half way through the competition and, standing in third place that number one slot is still in our sight."

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Chairman of Clipper Ventures Plc, who was out on the water in a local yacht to see the re-start, said: "The Clipper 05-06 Round the World Yacht Race is back on!"

"Thanks to an almost super human effort by the Clipper team, Green Marine and a small army of Filipino laminators, the remedial work on the Clipper fleet was completed in an impressive time frame."

Posted by Ian Jackson at April 1, 2006 04:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)