HOMOTOPIA
Liverpool’s Queer Culture Festival
Thursday Nov 1st until Sunday Nov 19th 2007
Homotopia, now in its fourth year, in association with GaydarNation, will be presenting more than 65 events in 3 weeks in a variety of venues across Liverpool. A total audience of up to 15,000 will enjoy a diverse and eclectic programme of international and home grown talent presenting art, theatre, music, dance, comedy, photography, debate, film and cabaret.
Just some of the highlights include;
• the very first visit to Liverpool (with an adult production) by the National Theatre of Scotland,
• readings from Patrick Gale, Stella Duffy and Paul Burston,
• Bette Bourne in conversation about her life in Bloolips,
• artist Paul Harfleet and the Merseyside Police collaborating on The Pansy Project,
• a new play by Shaun Duggan
• appearances by Billie Ray Martin, Amy Lame, Taylor Mac and David Hoyle
National Theatre of Scotland make their Homotopia/Liverpool debut with their critically acclaimed production of ‘Venus As A Boy’ (Unity Theatre, 15 – 17 Nov) adapted from Luke Sutherland’s acclaimed novel, created and performed by award-winning actor Tam Dean Burn with live music from Luke Sutherland. This is the magical realist tale of the transformative power of sex.
Homotopia in partnership with Merseyside Police and Merseyside Police Authority and artist Paul Harfleet presents The Pansy Project. 2000 pansies will be planted for the festival in the centre of the city beside the iconic St Georges Hall in St John’s Gardens joining Berlin, London and New York where Harfleet has established similar projects. The pink and purple pansies serve as a memorial to victims of hate crime generally and in remembrance of a homophobically motivated murder in St Johns Gardens specifically.
A new literature strand to the festival is being launched with Liverpool Libraries and the North West Readers Development Agency on Saturday 3 November when established authors Patrick Gale, Stella Duffy and Paul Burston join Helen Walsh, VG Lee and John Sam Jones to read from their works and encourage audiences to explore their community libraries to seek out the best in gay literature.
BBC Radio Merseyside, a homotopia media partner, will present a special morning feature for a week entitled ‘Thought For The Gay’ (29 Oct – 2 Nov), where a variety of Queer campaigners and members of Liverpool’s LGBT community will reflect on issues that affect them.
The BBC will also host 1967 – Where Are We Now a special live debate (BBC Radio Merseyside 6pm 5 Nov) featuring their own Roger Phillips, Merseyside Police, the Armistead Project and other guests. And in collaboration homotopia and Radio Merseyside present Pink Iraq chaired by leading gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell and featuring contributions from Ali Hili of Iraqi LGBT and Houzan Mahmoud of the Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq.
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Previews of Claire Dowie’s Death Dancing on 6 and 7 November (Unity Theatre) – prior to UK premiere at Drill Hall feature Claire and American performer Mark Pinkosh reunited after 15 years . It was this production back in 1992 that established Claire’s reputation as both playwright and performer.
Liverpool born writer Shaun Duggan will be showcasing a rehearsed reading of his new play ‘Drama Queen’ (16 Nov Unity Theatre) as part of Homotopia’s under construction series . A work in progress ‘Drama Queen’ will be presented as part of next years festival.
Also launching is Homotopia TV. Liverpool’s first and very own Queer TV station. A unique arts and community web TV channel devoted to Queer art and culture and supported by the Arts Council. From politics, art, heritage, reviews to community news, opinions, debate and video. Features from local, national and international artists creating a dynamic and promising platform for Queer art, culture and opinion from around the globe. www.homotopia.tv
Best of the rest
Amy Lame as Mama Cass, David Hoyle presents Queer Jackanory, Taylor Mac with his ukelele, novelist Maureen Duffy remembers 1957, comedy at The Lavender Club, gay Liverpool history, gay black British history, lesbian cabaret night, electro soul diva Billie Ray Martin appears with DJ legend Mark Moore and walk around Brian Epstein’s Liverpool.
Homotopia 2007 media partners: Gay Times, Out North West, BBC Radio Merseyside
Homotopia is supported by the Arts Council, Liverpool Culture Company and Community Foundation for Merseyside.