SCHOOL’S OUT FOR APRIL – Dozens of fantastic free events at National Museums Liverpool
Enjoy the amazing world of museums and galleries over the spring and Easter breaks with a series of free family events designed to enthral, entertain and educate visitors of all ages.
St George’s Day falls on Easter Saturday this year and visitors can mark it a week early with a George and the Dragon workshop between 1 and 4 pm on 16 April inspired by James Campbell’s painting Dragon’s Den. You can also decorate your own movable knight.
Family workshops are held every weekend between 2.30 and 4 pm at the World Museum. The events at the Weston Discovery Centre focus on Egyptology, archaeology and music from around the world – reflecting the museum’s incredible international collections.
The Planetarium has a host of additional shows over the holiday when visitors travel to outer space in their chairs.
Visitors can experience The Spring Night Sky (12 noon and 3.15 pm weekdays, 1.45 pm and 3.15 pm weekends), Magnificent Desolation (2.15 pm every day ) and Wonders of the Solar System (4.05 pm everyday).
In addition, on Saturdays and Sundays there is The Sunshine Show at 1.15 pm.
At romantic Sudley House in Mossley Hill you can get into the Royal wedding spirit by visiting Hitched: Wedding Clothes and Customs. This heart-warming exhibition reveals the changing face of marriage over the past century.
There are around 20 wedding dresses and outfits and accessories along with photographs and ephemera revealing the many and varied traditions of weddings.
As spring has sprung, it’s time to be inspired by the beautiful springtime grounds around Sudley. Create your own bouquet of flowers collage 1- 4 pm on 2 April. Visitors can also make their own Easter bonnets 1 – 4 pm on 23 April.
Imagine how Robert Hitchens felt – he was at the wheel of the Titanic when she struck the iceberg …and survived. In the lifeboat Hitchens was very bossy and faced a revolt by other survivors who threatened to throw him overboard!
See quartermaster Hitchen’s remarkable story brought to life by a resident actor at Merseyside Maritime Museum at 1.30, 2.30 and 3.30 pm on 2, 9 and 13 April 2011.
Mother Redcap was a real 18th century smuggler whose incredible life has entered the realms of myths and legends. She kept a pub at Wallasey that was a haven for smugglers – it was riddled with secret hiding places and booby-traps to foil the customs officers.
Mother Redcap is back to captivate visitors to the museum with stories and songs about the dark and dangerous world of smuggling about the River Mersey. See her at 1, 2 and 3 pm on 9 April.
It’s not all about looking and listening – you can make a customs officer’s hat and explore the issues of endangered animals, smuggling and fakes between 1 and 4 pm on 2 April. A week later 1 – 4 pm 9 April visitors can make a model cutter and find out about the fastest boats afloat.
The International Slavery Museum, in the Merseyside Maritime Museum building, has a host of fun – as well as thought-provoking – events.
Destination Freedom is based on the incredible true story of William and Ellen Craft, slaves in the southern USA who fled to freedom in the north. Ellen posed as a white male planter with her husband pretending to be her servant.
They became celebrities in the abolitionist movement before escaping to England after being threatened with a return to slavery. This performance at 1, 2 and 3 pm on 3 April tells of Ellen’s personal journey from enslavement to freedom.
At 1.30, 2.30 and 3.30 pm on 4,5,11 and 12 April visitors can meet Mbe the mischievous tortoise in an Igbo interactive story with values of honesty, trust and friendship.
The Vikings stormed into Britain on countless raids over the centuries and many stayed. They brought their own traditions and stories. Visitors can meet the embodiment of one – Kelda the giant puppet – at the Lady Lever Art Gallery.
Kelda, who is a young girl despite her size, has travelled from the past to discover Wirral’s treasures. She is around at 11.30, 1.30 and 3 pm on 9 and 10 April.
Full listings are as follows:
Walker Art Gallery
Free entry
Open daily 10am-5pm
William Brown Street, Liverpool
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker/
Telephone 0151 478 4199
Big Art for Little Artists
Open daily 10am – 5pm
Craft activities 11am – 4pm
Big Art for Little Artists is our children’s gallery that brings art to life through paintings, sculpture, toys and costumes. Get creative with hands-on activities and interactive fun!
Big Art Workshops
Flower Baskets
2, 3 April 2011
1–4pm
Get creative and decorate your own basket with brightly coloured flowers inspired by Flower Sellers of London by Gustave Doré.
Free Exhibitions
A Collector’s Eye: Cranach to Pissarro
Until 15 May 2011
Explore five centuries of art from 15th century religious images to 19th century
Impressionism. A great chance to show young artists wonderful works by the likes of Rubens, El Greco, Pissarro and Delacroix. The exhibition features works from the Schorr Collection assembled by private collector David J. Lewis. It covers different styles and time periods and tells the story of
how a collection grows and develops, and how the taste of the collector changes and diversifies.
Workshops
Treasure Boxes
7 April 2011
1-4pm
Take a look around the treasure boxes and trinkets in the Craft and Design gallery before decorating your own.
Horsey Horsey
8 April 2011
1–4pm
Get ready for the Grand National weekend with our fun workshop. Look at our
collection of horse paintings by George Stubbs and design your own jockey silks.
Iconic Images
13 April 2011
1–4pm
Have a go at making your own icon inspired by artworks from the Catalan school.
Animal Antics
14 April 2011
1-4pm
See how many animals you can find hiding in the paintings in our exhibition, A Collector’s Eye, Cranach to Pissaro. Then have a go at making your own animal mask using collage materials.
George and the Dragon
16 April 2011
1-4 pm
Be inspired by this well known tale and James Campbell’s painting Dragon’s Den and decorate your own movable knight.
World Museum Liverpool
Free Entry
Open Daily 10 am-5pm
William Brown Street, Liverpool
http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wml/
Telephone 0151 478 4136
Free Exhibitions
Inside DNA
Until 8 May 2011
Inside DNA is all about our health, identity and evolution. Discover how studying DNA can help solve crimes, get to grips with how genes can affect your health and find out what sets us apart from other animals. Inside DNA was developed by At-Bristol on behalf of The Association for Science and Discovery Centres with funding from the Wellcome Trust and support from the Sanger Institute.
Events
Wonderful World
Wonderful World is our special programme of activities, events, performances and displays to mark the International Year of Forests. Join us throughout 2011 and learn why looking after our forest’s is so important. See website for more details.
Family Workshops
Weekends 2.30–4pm
Family workshops in the Weston Discovery Centre cover topics such as Archaeology, Egyptology, and music from around the World.
Walk for Health
Fridays 11am-12 noon
Join us every Friday from 11am-12 noon for a free walk for health. Meet in the museum atrium and take in some of the beautiful architecture around the city centre. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. In partnership with the Primary Care Trust. Most events require free tickets which can be picked up at the information desk on the day. See website for details of BSL interpreted and audio described events.
Free Planetarium
Travel to outer space without even leaving your chair in our incredible space and astronomy show for adults and children over five. Tickets available from 10am and up to five minutes before each performance from the welcome desk. Additional shows at holiday times.
Monday to Friday
The Spring Night Sky – 12 noon & 3.15pm
Magnificent desolation – 2.15m
Wonders of the solar system – 4.05pm
Saturday & Sunday
The Sunshine Show – 1.15pm
The Spring Night Sky – 1.45pm & 3.15pm
Magnificent Desolation – 2.15pm
Wonders of the Solar System – 4.05pm
Treasure House Theatre
We’ve got a packed programme of free events in our 80-seat theatre. Pick up a ticket from the welcome desk. Our programme includes:
Death on the Nile
Two bungling robbers have sneaked in to the museum, but they get more than they bargained for, when one of them opens an ancient scroll.
World on Film
Catch one of our 20 minute films, including Eastern Encounters which tells the story of the 2004 V&A exhibition about Asian art and objects from 1500 to 1800.
Molly, the Friendly Blue Whale
Join Captain Undersea in this tall tale of a brave whale that escapes a cruel captain (boo), and saves her friends in a storm (hooray).
Samurai Armour
Examine the armour of a Samurai warrior in this demonstration using replica 16th century armour.
For above dates and times please call 0151 478 4393 or visit www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
Sudley House
Free Entry
Open daily from 10am-5pm
Mossley Hill Road, Liverpool
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/sudley/
Telephone 0151 724 3245
Free Exhibition
Hitched: Wedding Clothes and Customs
Until 2 May 2011
Display of wedding garments from Victorian to modern times. See the stunning dresses worn by brides on their special day.
Events
Springtime at Sudley
2 April 2011
1–4pm
Be inspired by the beautiful springtime grounds around Sudley House and make your own bouquet of flowers from collage.
Easter Fun
23 April 2011
1–4pm
Find the painting A Girl With Her Dog and then make your own Easter bonnet.
Merseyside Maritime Museum
Free Entry
Open daily 10am- 5pm
Albert Dock, Liverpool
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/
Telephone 0151 478 4499
Interactive Activities
Shiver Me Timbers
5 April 2011
1.30, 2.30 & 3.30pm
Come and meet our very own pirate to find out about a life on the ocean wave and see if you have what it takes to be a fearsome treasure hunter in our interactive storytelling session.
Tom the May’s New Hero
4, 6 April 2011
1.30, 2.30 & 3.30pm
Find out more about Tom, the cabin boy, and his adventures onboard the sailing ship The Lady May.
Hands on with the Vikings
7 April 2011
1.30, 2.30 & 3.30pm
Join us for hands on activities and learn how the Vikings lived.
The Leaving of Liverpool
23, 24 April 2011
Intervals between 1 & 4pm
Listen to our travellers’ tales of hope and fear on their way to the New World. Part of Liverpool’s Working Life and Music festival
Wartime at the Piermaster’s House
30 April 2011
Intervals between 1 & 4pm
Meet Rose, the Piermaster’s wife, as she prepares for another day of rations and blackouts.
Titanic
Titanic the Quartermaster’s Story
2, 9, 13 April
1.30, 2.30 & 3.30pm
Robert Hitchens was at the wheel when Titanic first hit the iceberg. Hear his fascinating story told by our resident actor.
Titanic – the Night the Lights Went Out
3, 10, 14, 17 April 2011
1.30, 2.30 & 3.30pm
Emily Broughton Williams was sailing first class on the Titanic with her maid Ruby. Hear her account of the fateful Voyage.
Titanic Crafts
11, 12 April 2011
1–4pm
Join us for an afternoon of crafts inspired by the world’s most famous ship- The Titanic.
Seized! The Border and Customs Uncovered
Free Entry
Inside Merseyside Maritime Museum
Open daily 10am- 5pm
Albert Dock, Liverpool
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/collections/seized/
Telephone 0151 478 4499
Gallery Highlights
Explore a world of smuggling, tax evasion, protest and war. Check out objects used to smuggle contraband and learn about working on the dockside. You can even try your hand at steering a cutter, catching the pirates and spotting suspects.
Interactive Activities
Rummage
3, 10, 17 April 2011
1, 1.30, 2, 3 & 3.30pm
Search our ship to see if you can spot any signs of smuggling.
Easter Rummage
22, 24 April 2011
1, 1.30, 2, 3 & 3.30pm
Search our ship to see if you can spot any signs of smuggling. Come along to Easter Rummage and there may be a chocolate treat or two to find! Pick up a free ticket at the information desk in the foyer.
Customs Contraband
15 April 2011
1–4pm
Discover more about our Seized! Collections by actually handling some of the items.
Dockwatch
29, 30 April 2011
1–4pm
Get close the creatures in the Albert Dock with our team of museum experts and the Customs underwater camera.
Sniffer and Smugglebusters
30 April 2011
12 –4pm
Look out for our larger than life Sniffer Dog and his handler as they search around the museum.
Creative Workshops
Explore Customs
2 April 2011
1–4pm More …
Make a Customs Officer hat and explore the issues of endangered animals, smuggling and fakes.
Model Magic
7, 8 April 2011
1–4pm
Discover how customs protect endangered species and make a model of your favourite animal.
Customs Cutters
9 April 2011
1–4pm
Make your own cutter and find out about the fastest boats on the high seas!
The Bees Knees
14, 16 April 2011
1–4pm
Get busy and buzzy in our fun bee craft session. Learn about these fascinating creatures, the important role they play and how we can help them to thrive.
Save Our Species
23 April 2011
1-4pm
Learn how Customs protects endangered species and help you to make a souvenir to take away.
Performance
Now You See Them
4, 12 April 2011
1, 2 & 3pm
Nell the animal expert will be roaming around telling tales of time gone by.
Mother Redcap
9 April 2011
1, 2 & 3pm
Mother Redcap will be on the gallery to captivate you with stories and songs about the dark and dangerous world of smuggling around the Mersey.
International Slavery Museum
Free Entry
Open daily 10am- 5pm
Albert Dock, Liverpool
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ism/
Telephone 0151 478 4499
Museum Highlights
The International Slavery Museum explores the historical and contemporary aspects of slavery. Discover stories of bravery and rebellion amongst enslaved people. Learn about the legacies of the slave trade and
celebrate Black achievement through our interactive displays.
Free Exhibitions
‘42’ Women of Sierra Leone
Until 15 April 2012
Learn about life in Sierra Leone through these portraits of 42 women taken by
photojournalist Lee Karen Stow. Born in Hull, a city twinned with Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, Lee Karen Stow has been working with the women there since 2007 to document their lives following the end of the civil war in 2002.
Living Apart: Photographs of Apartheid by Ian Berry
8 April – 6 November 2011
Photojournalist Ian Berry has captured some of the most dramatic and important moments of South Africa’s history. Taken over a 40 year period, the images document the collapse of apartheid, the historical appointment of Nelson Mandela and the remarkable aftermath.
A Magnum Photos touring exhibition.
Workshops
Sankofa Birds
6, 8, 13, 15, 17 April 2011
At intervals between 1 & 4pm
Find out about the meaning of the symbolic Sankofa bird. Make your own paper Sankofa to take away.
African Masks
7 April 2011
1–4pm
Learn about the design of West African masks and make your own colourful mask.
The Art of Adinkra
10 April 2011
Join us for an afternoon of arts and crafts inspired by Adinkra symbols.
Life in West Africa
24 April 2011
1–4pm
Meet our demonstrator and learn more about life in West Africa before Transatlantic Slavery.
Storytelling
Destination Freedom
3 April 2011
1, 2 & 3pm
Based on the true story of William and Ellen Craft, this performance tells of Ellen’s personal journey from enslavement to freedom.
Mbe the Tortoise: An Igbo Tale
4, 5, 11, 12 April 2011
1.30, 2.30 & 3.30pm
Join us for this interactive story and meet Mbe, the mischievous tortoise. Learn about the values of honesty, trust and friendship by following Mbe on his adventures.
Lady Lever Art Gallery
Free Entry
Open daily 10am- 5pm
Port Sunlight Village, Wirral
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ladylever/
Telephone 0151 478 4136
Gallery Highlights
Nestled in tranquil Port Sunlight village the Lady Lever Art Gallery is the perfect place to introduce your little artists to galleries.
Activity Rooms
Learn about how William Lever created Sunlight Soap and collected art for his gallery. Explore our collections through puppets, toys, books and costume or get creative at one of our fun workshops.
Storysacks
Want to explore the gallery in a different way? Each of our storysacks looks at a different theme in the gallery such as farm animals, St George and the dragon, bubbles and picnics.
Choose a bag at the information desk and get exploring!
Events
Meet Kelda the Giant Puppet
9, 10 April 2011
11.30, 1.30, 3pm
Meet the Kelda the Viking, a giant puppet of a young girl, who has travelled from the past to discover Wirral’s treasures.
Party Puppets
9, 10 April 2011
11–4pm
Make finger puppets and take part in fun play activities.
Easter Eggstravaganza
20, 25 April 2011
1–4pm
Get creative with our colourful Easter crafts.
Layering Light and Lines
21 April 2011
1–4pm
Create your own collage inspired by spring days and the Old Master Drawings exhibition.
Crafty Crowns and Fantastic Flags
27, 30 April 2011
1–4pm
Make a crown and flag to celebrate the Royal wedding.
Drawing Inside Out
29 April 2011
11am–12.30pm & 1.30pm– 3pm, 4pm
Learn about the Old Masters and create your own works of art.
