There are only a handful of days left now for Liverpool's year of culture and this time next week it will be 'Liverpool's year of the environment 2009'.
Although local people should have had more opportunities to ehxibit their own culture rather than most of the 'culture' being imported at great cost,there has been an awakening for many Liverpool citizens.
People who maybe had no idea what culture is are now discovering the joys of self expression and sharing this with others.It has given many a sense of pride in their city.There is also the self esteem,confidence and empowerment that this brings.
The City Council has said this is only the beginning and they intend to help to further the city's cultural endeavours for the future years to come.Adults,teenagers and children have certainly been resourceful,often working with low or no budgets to produce projects and artworks.
Without culture life is dull.The superlambananas appeared to be the most popular project and it was a joy to visit as many as possible all over the city.The plateau at St.Georges hall the night before they were auctioned off was buzzing with the crowds that came to say goodbye to them all.It was quite moving being there.I wasn't in town for La Machine's giant mechanical spider but that drew huge crowds who enjoyed walking around town with it.
It would be great if the Council stopped spending so much money on dignitary dinners and demolishing homes (or paying a small fortune hiding neglected buildings with expensive,boring 'artwork') and really connected with the citizens and invested in what they wanted.
Well done to TATE Liverpool for engaging with local groups and asking them what they wanted in the gallery,handing over the whole of the 4th floor for six weeks at the end of the year to local communities.
Although the TATE still employed mostly international artists to run 'the 5th floor ideas taking space' exhibition the locals have been included.It's a radical risk and much needed and appreciated.Expressing ourselves is essential to health and wellbeing.It's also important to experience Liverpool's view of itself.Let's hope this is the beginning of a more inclusive city.
Thanks for reading the blog,hope you enjoyed it !
p.s. What was the point of that hideous,distracting advertising screen going up opposite Lime Street that cost us TWO MILLION pounds ?
Saturday 27 December 2008
Saturday 22 November 2008
'SOMALIFIELDS' POETS IN TOXTETH
5 Somali poets from Liverpool 8 have published a booklet of their recent work.They worked with Def Jam poetry group and Somali poet Gaarriye.The poems sound like Somali,Arabic and local dialect.Here are 2 poems.
ZAK
'I express myself through poetry:it enables me to release tension and stress.All in all it's a form of escapism.'
Poetry for me is more than therapy
It's part of me
Internally I feel it flowing
Growing and growing
Inside it bides
Waiting patiently
Sitting dormant
I keep it cornered and caged
Deep within
Fearing it's impact
On innocent minds
They're not ready
Or maybe I am not?
Perhaps I fear...
Fear what?
Will they like it?
Don't think that way
But what they say
Really matters
Mind state in tatters
Then independently it pours
From my mouth
A mind of it's own
Now it's in control
Enslaved by my own rhymes
Anger enters me
Could it be?
I envy my own poetry?...
What is war?
To kill another brother
But what for
Because he represents another flag
That differs from mine
Where is the thin line
And when does one step over it
To cause war
Is it land that he wants more
Then I'll gladly share with him
But no more war
No more hurt
No more hate
What is more great?
Peace or totalitarian state
If we did go to war
Warlords would be my enemy
Their deaths would be my remedy
So take my hand brother
Together we can climb this mountain
Steadily
ZAK
'I express myself through poetry:it enables me to release tension and stress.All in all it's a form of escapism.'
Poetry for me is more than therapy
It's part of me
Internally I feel it flowing
Growing and growing
Inside it bides
Waiting patiently
Sitting dormant
I keep it cornered and caged
Deep within
Fearing it's impact
On innocent minds
They're not ready
Or maybe I am not?
Perhaps I fear...
Fear what?
Will they like it?
Don't think that way
But what they say
Really matters
Mind state in tatters
Then independently it pours
From my mouth
A mind of it's own
Now it's in control
Enslaved by my own rhymes
Anger enters me
Could it be?
I envy my own poetry?...
What is war?
To kill another brother
But what for
Because he represents another flag
That differs from mine
Where is the thin line
And when does one step over it
To cause war
Is it land that he wants more
Then I'll gladly share with him
But no more war
No more hurt
No more hate
What is more great?
Peace or totalitarian state
If we did go to war
Warlords would be my enemy
Their deaths would be my remedy
So take my hand brother
Together we can climb this mountain
Steadily
Friday 7 November 2008
CONGRATULATIONS TO BARACK OBAMA AND LEWIS HAMILTON by Tracey Dunn
A great week for U.S.A. and Great Britain as 2 black people achieve groundbreaking firsts.
Barack Obama has swept to victory in a landslide vote to become the first black President of the United States. Meanwhile in England Lewis Hamilton wins the Formula One racing prize.
It's astounding that in the 21st century this is a 'big deal' but sadly we still live in an ignorant world.
I wish them both the best of luck for the future and hopefully they will inspire others to reach for the stars!
Barack Obama has swept to victory in a landslide vote to become the first black President of the United States. Meanwhile in England Lewis Hamilton wins the Formula One racing prize.
It's astounding that in the 21st century this is a 'big deal' but sadly we still live in an ignorant world.
I wish them both the best of luck for the future and hopefully they will inspire others to reach for the stars!
Tuesday 4 November 2008
THE LONG NIGHT OF THE BIENNIAL BY TRACEY DUNN
Thursday 30th October was the night that many Biennial exhibitions stayed open until 11pm and many venues put on special events to celebrate this.
I visited TATE Liverpool to see a performance piece by Wolfgang Flur who was the 'drummer' for Kraftwerk when they were at their peak in the late 70's and 80's.The first album I received (from my father) was Kraftwerk's Autobahn so I was especially keen to go.Wolfgang designed a lot of Kraftwerk's electronic instruments and consoles.A real talented tech-head.
He talked from his book 'I was a teenage robot' for over an hour and then showed some film with his latest music on.There was a prize of a signed remixed version for anyone who could name a particular insrument Kraftwerk used somewhere.Answer was a mellotron ...no one knew so the question became 'what was the first instrument Wolfgang ever played?' I said the flute but it was the mouth organ.I had hoped that because I was the only person there who had read his book I would win the remix !! I didn't.
We then visited the Red Wire Gallery's basement in Castle Street for Daniel Johnson's songs performed by local musicians.Daniel Johnson is a very talented American artist and musician who suffers quite severely with mental health problems ( inc. bi-polar) but has been an inspiration to Spiritualized,Beck and the late Kurt Cobain from Nirvana.In fact Kurt wore a Daniel Johnson T shirt frequently which I think introduced Daniel to a wider audience.
I also visited Daniel Johnson's exhibition of cartoons a few days later on its last day.It seems Daniel has a real struggle with good and evil.He is constantly trying to defeat the' demons' that swamp him from time to time.The art is about how we are born innocent and can slowly become corrupted in life and lose that innocence.Some symbols used are toddler's building blocks and winged eyeballs.The more eye's a character has the more corrupt it is in Daniel Johnson's world.
I visited TATE Liverpool to see a performance piece by Wolfgang Flur who was the 'drummer' for Kraftwerk when they were at their peak in the late 70's and 80's.The first album I received (from my father) was Kraftwerk's Autobahn so I was especially keen to go.Wolfgang designed a lot of Kraftwerk's electronic instruments and consoles.A real talented tech-head.
He talked from his book 'I was a teenage robot' for over an hour and then showed some film with his latest music on.There was a prize of a signed remixed version for anyone who could name a particular insrument Kraftwerk used somewhere.Answer was a mellotron ...no one knew so the question became 'what was the first instrument Wolfgang ever played?' I said the flute but it was the mouth organ.I had hoped that because I was the only person there who had read his book I would win the remix !! I didn't.
We then visited the Red Wire Gallery's basement in Castle Street for Daniel Johnson's songs performed by local musicians.Daniel Johnson is a very talented American artist and musician who suffers quite severely with mental health problems ( inc. bi-polar) but has been an inspiration to Spiritualized,Beck and the late Kurt Cobain from Nirvana.In fact Kurt wore a Daniel Johnson T shirt frequently which I think introduced Daniel to a wider audience.
I also visited Daniel Johnson's exhibition of cartoons a few days later on its last day.It seems Daniel has a real struggle with good and evil.He is constantly trying to defeat the' demons' that swamp him from time to time.The art is about how we are born innocent and can slowly become corrupted in life and lose that innocence.Some symbols used are toddler's building blocks and winged eyeballs.The more eye's a character has the more corrupt it is in Daniel Johnson's world.
Thursday 30 October 2008
KENSINGTON ONE WORLD FESTIVAL report by Tracey Dunn
Here are some highlights from this festival which is a celebration of Global Citizenship.Celebrating the culture of the many diverse groups in Kensington.Please contact Mark Jackson on 0151 233 6153 for more info.
Tuesday 4th November Czech Slovak Roma Event
Kensington Fields Community Centre
24 Hall Lane L7 8TQ
6-9pm.Films showing the Czech Slovak Roma community in the U.K. and life during the 2nd world war for the Roma communty followed by discussions and free buffet.Music by Gypsy Brothers.
Saturday 8th November Kensington Diwali.Hindu Temple, Edge Lane Kensington L7
6-9pm To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Temple.A celebration of the significance of Diwali with a tour of the Temple,an Indian band and dancers,free buffet and a firework light show.
Thursday 20th November Islamic Event. Al Ghazali Centre. Earle Road L7.
6-9pm Multicultural discussions and feast.Palestinian band,dancers and music.Tickets by invitation only.Call Mark Jackson (233 6153)
Tuesday 25th November International Day Against Violence to Women
Frontline church.Corner Lawrence Rd /Wellington Rd,Wavertree L15 0HY
6-8.30pm Discussions on the situation in Dharfur,Democratic Republic of Congo,Uganda and Liverpool around violence to women,children and child soldiers as well as the use of violence to women locally.Issues,solutions and oppurtunities for solidarity.Free refreshments.
Wednesday 26th November Yellow House Event. Venue to be confirmed.
7-9pm Young People from Kensington and Poland will perform an improvised piece about global citizenship through music,dance,art,drama,photography and video,demonstrating new skills learnt in a week long series of workshops.Call George on 260 2996.
Sunday 30th November Finale. Devonshire House Hotel,Edge Lane,Kensington L7
7-11pm A fun,happy celebration of global citizenship,led by the polish community.All who took part in ONE WORLD FESTIVAL will entertain you.Free buffet
Tuesday 4th November Czech Slovak Roma Event
Kensington Fields Community Centre
24 Hall Lane L7 8TQ
6-9pm.Films showing the Czech Slovak Roma community in the U.K. and life during the 2nd world war for the Roma communty followed by discussions and free buffet.Music by Gypsy Brothers.
Saturday 8th November Kensington Diwali.Hindu Temple, Edge Lane Kensington L7
6-9pm To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Temple.A celebration of the significance of Diwali with a tour of the Temple,an Indian band and dancers,free buffet and a firework light show.
Thursday 20th November Islamic Event. Al Ghazali Centre. Earle Road L7.
6-9pm Multicultural discussions and feast.Palestinian band,dancers and music.Tickets by invitation only.Call Mark Jackson (233 6153)
Tuesday 25th November International Day Against Violence to Women
Frontline church.Corner Lawrence Rd /Wellington Rd,Wavertree L15 0HY
6-8.30pm Discussions on the situation in Dharfur,Democratic Republic of Congo,Uganda and Liverpool around violence to women,children and child soldiers as well as the use of violence to women locally.Issues,solutions and oppurtunities for solidarity.Free refreshments.
Wednesday 26th November Yellow House Event. Venue to be confirmed.
7-9pm Young People from Kensington and Poland will perform an improvised piece about global citizenship through music,dance,art,drama,photography and video,demonstrating new skills learnt in a week long series of workshops.Call George on 260 2996.
Sunday 30th November Finale. Devonshire House Hotel,Edge Lane,Kensington L7
7-11pm A fun,happy celebration of global citizenship,led by the polish community.All who took part in ONE WORLD FESTIVAL will entertain you.Free buffet
Monday 27 October 2008
'SAFE FROM HARM' AND 'BREAK THE CYCLE' useful advice for those experiencing racism or domestic violence
KENSINGTON DOMESTIC ABUSE SERVICE (KDAS) is an organisation based in Kensington,Liverpool which supports those suffering from abusive people.
'SAFE FROM HARM'
A service specifically for people from Black and racial minority groups and refugees.Call Gill,Jeanette or Natalie on 0151 263 7474.Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm or Friday 9am-3pm.In an emergency dial 999.Women's aid 24 hour line 0808 2000247.
If anyone is bullying you,using your immigration status to control you or behaving in any way that hurts you please contact these people.It takes a great deal of confidence to contact strangers to ask for help but don't suffer in silence.STOP the hurt and the harm.
'BREAK THE CYCLE'
An abusive person will rarely see themselves as such.In fact,if someone you care about is abusive towards you,they will probably tell you that you are to blame for their behaviour BUT IT'S JUST NOT TRUE.This is a common way of avoiding personal responsibility for being awful.
For domestic abuse problems ( and this can be emotional abuse as well as physical harm) call the same people above.REMEMBER domestic violence is a crime from which you deserve protection.
'SAFE FROM HARM'
A service specifically for people from Black and racial minority groups and refugees.Call Gill,Jeanette or Natalie on 0151 263 7474.Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm or Friday 9am-3pm.In an emergency dial 999.Women's aid 24 hour line 0808 2000247.
If anyone is bullying you,using your immigration status to control you or behaving in any way that hurts you please contact these people.It takes a great deal of confidence to contact strangers to ask for help but don't suffer in silence.STOP the hurt and the harm.
'BREAK THE CYCLE'
An abusive person will rarely see themselves as such.In fact,if someone you care about is abusive towards you,they will probably tell you that you are to blame for their behaviour BUT IT'S JUST NOT TRUE.This is a common way of avoiding personal responsibility for being awful.
For domestic abuse problems ( and this can be emotional abuse as well as physical harm) call the same people above.REMEMBER domestic violence is a crime from which you deserve protection.
Tuesday 21 October 2008
A Trip To Africa in Black History Month by Tracey Dunn
I was invited to Morocco for 10 days from October 1st to help create a yoga dvd and also to make my own film.We arrived at Marrakesh and after checking in at the gorgeous Riad Magellan headed off to the gathering place Jamaa El Fna to see snake charmers with their cobras and various stalls and entertainers.
It's a crazy place filled with families on 1 motorbike with no crash helmets zipping through the crowds.The souks in the Medina were filled to the brim with metalwork,textiles,leatherwork,shoes,bags and lanterns.It was like a step back in time to medieval ages.So much character and so many people and animals.
The next morning we visited Les Jardins Majorelle.These were owned by Yves Saint Laurent and he also had a house there painted in' Yves Klein' blue.The gardens were filled with cactii and exotic plants.A memorial to YSL is also there after his death recently.
We then went to a hamman which is a wash house.I had a massage and scrub.I felt very clean afterwards!
That afternoon we travelled by coach for 4 hours to Agadir on the Atantic coast.There is a mountain lit up with the whole side saying 'Allah is Great' in arabic.The beach was beautiful and the sun was hot.It was nice to relax for a few days by the sea. Many thanks to Fatima Legrou at the Palais des Roses who allowed us to film in the grounds of the beautiful hotel.
Next stop is Skoura on the way to the Sahara desert.We travelled through many miles of mountains and desert for about 7 hours via Taroudant and Ouzazarte which is the centre of the morrocan film industry.Many western films like Kundun and Gladiator were filmed around there.
We spent one night at Les Jardins de Skoura miles away from civilization. and I sat on an unlit terrace to watch the stars after dinner. The houses around were made of earth and surrounded by palm trees and sand.It was like being in a scene from the bible.Scorching sunshine too,last year Skoura only had 7 days of rain.
We travelled back to Ouzazarte to meet up with Chris Pyper who we met on the bus the day before.Chris is a member of the Peace Corp who were set up by John F.Kennedy to help Moroccan people with things like business support.It is Chris's job to help the artisans who make silver daggers in nearby El Kelaa M'gouna about 25 minutes away.It's the town that grows roses and every May or June hosts the Rose festival.The town is filled with Berbers and the silversmithing tradition is 800 years old there.We visited the Dagger co-operative where I filmed the shops and showroom and met some artisans.
We stayed at Chris's house in a nearby village where they also make the daggers.They are ceremonial and used at weddings and dances.The Moroccans I met are very gentle,peace loving people.They were shocked when I told them about our problems with knife and gun crime.I was told it is even safe to leave your bags around and they would be completely safe.
In the evening we visited some homes in the village and were made very welcome with mint tea,almonds,dates and madeira cake.One lady had 15 children.I was given a berber name 'Rqia" she was the daughter of Allah and had 99 names.
In another house we had a meal with salad,tagine and fruits.Lots of the villagers came out to say hallo. It was a wonderful enriching experience.We gave some design advice for the showroom and talked ideas about improving business.
The next morning I heard the most beautiful sound I have ever heard in my life.It was the 1st call to prayer and lasted for about 40 minutes.It was truly hypnotic and otherworldly.I wish I had a copy of that sound/prayer.
We left the next morning with M'hamed and Chris to get a taxi to Ouzazarte.We met some people we shared a car with on the way to Skoura so again we travelled with them.From Ouzazarte we took a taxi to Marrakesh across the high Atlas and were they high!.Unbelievable.It took about 4 hours and we went through hairpin bends and really scary mountainside roads so high
up.
We travelled straight to Imlil,again across the high Atlas mountains for an hour.This time we stayed up at 2,000 feet-the same height as Mount Snowdon.We had to get a mule to carry our luggage up the mountain for 25 minutes to Tamaret's Kasbah Samra.We were near mount Toubakel,at around 4,000 feet it's the highest mountain in North Africa.
I met people staying there who had been to my school and the local boy's school and there was a retired school teacher there so it was like a school reunion.We lived for 2 days with the local Berbers more or less .This was real eco-tourism.I can not believe how these people lived in such harmony with their environment.Nothing was wasted and everything was natural.A truly great place.
Our final destination was Marrakesh and after a lovely tour with Hussain seeing eagles,camels and horses we stopped off at our last Riad.Thanks to Aidan Webster at Les Trois Mages for his great hospitality.I hope to stay in his apartment 'Dar Mellah' in Essouira on the coast next time I visit this country.I definitely plan to go back and film there and in Fes and Meknes,hopefully in the near future.It was with sadness I left the sunshine and people of this African country.A life changing experience for sure!!
It's a crazy place filled with families on 1 motorbike with no crash helmets zipping through the crowds.The souks in the Medina were filled to the brim with metalwork,textiles,leatherwork,shoes,bags and lanterns.It was like a step back in time to medieval ages.So much character and so many people and animals.
The next morning we visited Les Jardins Majorelle.These were owned by Yves Saint Laurent and he also had a house there painted in' Yves Klein' blue.The gardens were filled with cactii and exotic plants.A memorial to YSL is also there after his death recently.
We then went to a hamman which is a wash house.I had a massage and scrub.I felt very clean afterwards!
That afternoon we travelled by coach for 4 hours to Agadir on the Atantic coast.There is a mountain lit up with the whole side saying 'Allah is Great' in arabic.The beach was beautiful and the sun was hot.It was nice to relax for a few days by the sea. Many thanks to Fatima Legrou at the Palais des Roses who allowed us to film in the grounds of the beautiful hotel.
Next stop is Skoura on the way to the Sahara desert.We travelled through many miles of mountains and desert for about 7 hours via Taroudant and Ouzazarte which is the centre of the morrocan film industry.Many western films like Kundun and Gladiator were filmed around there.
We spent one night at Les Jardins de Skoura miles away from civilization. and I sat on an unlit terrace to watch the stars after dinner. The houses around were made of earth and surrounded by palm trees and sand.It was like being in a scene from the bible.Scorching sunshine too,last year Skoura only had 7 days of rain.
We travelled back to Ouzazarte to meet up with Chris Pyper who we met on the bus the day before.Chris is a member of the Peace Corp who were set up by John F.Kennedy to help Moroccan people with things like business support.It is Chris's job to help the artisans who make silver daggers in nearby El Kelaa M'gouna about 25 minutes away.It's the town that grows roses and every May or June hosts the Rose festival.The town is filled with Berbers and the silversmithing tradition is 800 years old there.We visited the Dagger co-operative where I filmed the shops and showroom and met some artisans.
We stayed at Chris's house in a nearby village where they also make the daggers.They are ceremonial and used at weddings and dances.The Moroccans I met are very gentle,peace loving people.They were shocked when I told them about our problems with knife and gun crime.I was told it is even safe to leave your bags around and they would be completely safe.
In the evening we visited some homes in the village and were made very welcome with mint tea,almonds,dates and madeira cake.One lady had 15 children.I was given a berber name 'Rqia" she was the daughter of Allah and had 99 names.
In another house we had a meal with salad,tagine and fruits.Lots of the villagers came out to say hallo. It was a wonderful enriching experience.We gave some design advice for the showroom and talked ideas about improving business.
The next morning I heard the most beautiful sound I have ever heard in my life.It was the 1st call to prayer and lasted for about 40 minutes.It was truly hypnotic and otherworldly.I wish I had a copy of that sound/prayer.
We left the next morning with M'hamed and Chris to get a taxi to Ouzazarte.We met some people we shared a car with on the way to Skoura so again we travelled with them.From Ouzazarte we took a taxi to Marrakesh across the high Atlas and were they high!.Unbelievable.It took about 4 hours and we went through hairpin bends and really scary mountainside roads so high
up.
We travelled straight to Imlil,again across the high Atlas mountains for an hour.This time we stayed up at 2,000 feet-the same height as Mount Snowdon.We had to get a mule to carry our luggage up the mountain for 25 minutes to Tamaret's Kasbah Samra.We were near mount Toubakel,at around 4,000 feet it's the highest mountain in North Africa.
I met people staying there who had been to my school and the local boy's school and there was a retired school teacher there so it was like a school reunion.We lived for 2 days with the local Berbers more or less .This was real eco-tourism.I can not believe how these people lived in such harmony with their environment.Nothing was wasted and everything was natural.A truly great place.
Our final destination was Marrakesh and after a lovely tour with Hussain seeing eagles,camels and horses we stopped off at our last Riad.Thanks to Aidan Webster at Les Trois Mages for his great hospitality.I hope to stay in his apartment 'Dar Mellah' in Essouira on the coast next time I visit this country.I definitely plan to go back and film there and in Fes and Meknes,hopefully in the near future.It was with sadness I left the sunshine and people of this African country.A life changing experience for sure!!
Tuesday 30 September 2008
SOME POEMS BY TOXTETH BORN N. SALEH HAMED
Family
I have dark secrets that I cannot tell.
As a young child I learned life was hell.
My mother taught me nought,of things familial,
So I hid my pain deeply,and my feelings well.
Then slowly the pain and the hell were banished.
Now that hidden pain,has faded,has vanished.
For you,mother of my children,with time,have
Taught me the beauty of all things familial.
No man was ever given such wonders in life,
As I myself,have been given from you.
For from you,our children,and grandchildren.
I have learned that familial love is real,is true.
Family days of sunshine,family days of rain,
Are golden memories,that I recall happily,
Smiles,and giggles,and laughter,and pain.
The joy of life comes to me,from you my family.
It humbles me,and amazes me to know you care,
And that I am given so much for so little in return.
In these my twilight years,I no longer count my tears.
I look back joyfully,and count my many blessings.
So mother of my children,friend all of my life,
Witness to the loneliness of my childhood days,
And to those dark secrets,that I cannot bear to tell.
Thank you for your boundless love,is what I really want to say!
Before Time Existed
Once upon a time
There were no clocks.
No "morning,noon or night".
Only "darkness following light".
Buds,then blooms,then fruition.
Birth and life,then death---
Then men! Suddenly,became aware!
And "thus" began to control,
By the creation of "power games"
Played by avaricious man.
Natures "cruellist--animal".
That antagaonistic belligerent beast.
That species,of evil deeds.
Which now,races helter-skelter
Towards "times" very destruction.
With time "controlled"
No time for love!
Time "destroyed"
No time for peace!
Time on hold
As time for war!
I question this,
Is time,for "sure?"
Old Man's Time
There was a time when all people
Around and about me,were older.
Now here,in this time,most people
Around and about me,are younger.
But back then,in younger times.
I myself,felt I was much wiser,
And far more knowledgable
Than all the age'd around and about me.
And in this time,when most people
Around and about me are younger.
I feel that in this place,in time.
I look upon the young,as sage less!
They have no knowledge,or wisdom,
Their time is spent in aimlessness.
In the pursuit of imagery without substance,
Chasing,consuming,wasting,losing.
Or am I wrong,am I filled with envy?
Because I cannot dance with wild abandon.
Is the music I hear,like that of my youth?
Am I better than they,or has my day ended?
Is this a natural process,this raging?
This anger at youth,this fear of ageing?
Can I not fade into time,with grace?
Leaving for youth,it's youthful time,and space!
I have dark secrets that I cannot tell.
As a young child I learned life was hell.
My mother taught me nought,of things familial,
So I hid my pain deeply,and my feelings well.
Then slowly the pain and the hell were banished.
Now that hidden pain,has faded,has vanished.
For you,mother of my children,with time,have
Taught me the beauty of all things familial.
No man was ever given such wonders in life,
As I myself,have been given from you.
For from you,our children,and grandchildren.
I have learned that familial love is real,is true.
Family days of sunshine,family days of rain,
Are golden memories,that I recall happily,
Smiles,and giggles,and laughter,and pain.
The joy of life comes to me,from you my family.
It humbles me,and amazes me to know you care,
And that I am given so much for so little in return.
In these my twilight years,I no longer count my tears.
I look back joyfully,and count my many blessings.
So mother of my children,friend all of my life,
Witness to the loneliness of my childhood days,
And to those dark secrets,that I cannot bear to tell.
Thank you for your boundless love,is what I really want to say!
Before Time Existed
Once upon a time
There were no clocks.
No "morning,noon or night".
Only "darkness following light".
Buds,then blooms,then fruition.
Birth and life,then death---
Then men! Suddenly,became aware!
And "thus" began to control,
By the creation of "power games"
Played by avaricious man.
Natures "cruellist--animal".
That antagaonistic belligerent beast.
That species,of evil deeds.
Which now,races helter-skelter
Towards "times" very destruction.
With time "controlled"
No time for love!
Time "destroyed"
No time for peace!
Time on hold
As time for war!
I question this,
Is time,for "sure?"
Old Man's Time
There was a time when all people
Around and about me,were older.
Now here,in this time,most people
Around and about me,are younger.
But back then,in younger times.
I myself,felt I was much wiser,
And far more knowledgable
Than all the age'd around and about me.
And in this time,when most people
Around and about me are younger.
I feel that in this place,in time.
I look upon the young,as sage less!
They have no knowledge,or wisdom,
Their time is spent in aimlessness.
In the pursuit of imagery without substance,
Chasing,consuming,wasting,losing.
Or am I wrong,am I filled with envy?
Because I cannot dance with wild abandon.
Is the music I hear,like that of my youth?
Am I better than they,or has my day ended?
Is this a natural process,this raging?
This anger at youth,this fear of ageing?
Can I not fade into time,with grace?
Leaving for youth,it's youthful time,and space!
Thursday 25 September 2008
Liverpool Biennial Opening weekend Report by Tracey Dunn
I met Berlin artist Isabelle Graeff at her solo show 'Romance is dead' in Trolley Gallery,Shoreditch,East London a couple of weeks ago. We got talking and she gave me her details so when I returned to Liverpool I decided to invite her to stay for the Biennial opening weekend.
Isabelle arrived on thursday afternoon with 10 lycra skintight allover body suits in white or black.These were in all sizes and beautifully embroidered with crystals and metallic beads by an elderly Romanian seamstress.
This was no traditional embroidery but patterns relating to plastic surgery markings that would be drawn onto the skin by surgeons prior to performing surgery.
The artist wanted to raise issues concerning the way women are keen to put their bodies under the scalpel and either having parts sucked out with liposuction or having parts inserted i.e. breast enlargements.
I spent 24 hours with Isabelle and curator/film script editor Colin Welsh finding performance artists.We visited Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts,the Biennial information centre and Mello Mello.I even texted all my female friends to see who we could find.We had started off the day at the press preview at The Walker Art Gallery's John Moore's exhibition.I was amazed at how much of the art related to rooms/domestic interiors after the last Biennials overtly pastoral,foliagey,outdoor garden themes.
Finally it all came together as the 'Plastic Surgery' performance took place at the TATE Gallery and Afoundation,Greenland St.I was busy at my own private view in St. Bride's church, Toxteth where I was showing 3 short films I'd made along with First Take so couldn't make it.
I went to Atelier Bow Bow's show at the decking and gravel amphitheatre opposite St. Luke's church which was a fast paced party performance with individual monologues and a very funny bit with one of the actor's speed eating spaghetti.
Then it was time for Greenland Street where there were pleny of free bars and food.It was a pleasant evening weatherwise and the place was packed.I looked at Bloomberg New Contemporaries which was filled with quirky art from graduates.The giant black hair sculpture like a rococo giant chandelier yeti was especially interesting.The Afoundation commissions were bizarre as per usual.Apparently one artist had filled the 'prefabs' with junk furniture and fittings but removed everything the day before and replaced the rooms with photos of what he put in the rooms instead.I wonder if that annoyed the AFoundation people,or whether they supported the artists idea?
There was a lot of dancing going on and then I was given a wristband for the official afterparty in a huge warehouse opposite NOVAS.It was very busy and full of paper strip alcoves and giant rusted chains,original warehouse fittings.There were beautiful chaise longues and comfortable sofas and coffee tables.Plenty of space in the chill out zones.
I flitted between NOVAS where there were 3 amazing drag queens dancing away in the theatre space and back to Afoundation's coach shed and finished the evening at the biennial afterparty.
Next day ,saturday, Isabelle and I went up to the Florrie in the Dingle to work with a japanese artist who was comissioned by Jump Ship Rat to build a dome from willow with Tom Calderbank and local artists and residents.The sun was shining and the finished dome,an original feature missing from the Florrie was beautiful.I helped Minoko from 'Art In Liverpool' create origami paper wishes.Everbody present was asked to write a wish and tie it to the dome.We then headed to a local pub for light refreshments.
I went straight to 'Wave if you're already there' by Mercy and WaveMachines.It was called the 'Wedding'.Fitting really as it was at St.Bride's church.Sadly the beautiful bride was jilted and proceeded to spend the whole evening walking slowly like a wraith round the church cutting up her wedding dress and then trying to sew it back together.It brought a lump to my throat.The rest of the evewning consisted of comedy,poems and bands.
Sunday morning I was invited for breakfast at Sumer Erik's newspaper house in the Blackie.It was great to see lots of local artists and we all tucked into croissants,jams,cheeses,olives grapes,pears,apples,oranges,nuts and nice tasty breads.Of course this was washed down with tea,coffee and fresh juices.Exactly what was needed as all this art was taking it's toll on my immune system.Again it was a beautiful sunny day so a few of us strolled up to the Hope St Festival for an afternoon of surreal entertainment at the 'Market of Optimism' where I spent my free neuros currency on making a wish at the magic wish stall.
We then headed to the Everyman where loads of people I knew descended on the lively performance by local musician (and legend!) Barry Sutton ex Walking Seeds and La's.
The next day,monday, I visited Gostin's arcade for John O' Neill and Richard Young's artworks and then onto the TATE.I liked Rachael Goodyear's sketches with lots of wild aimals morphing with humans and I thought Charles Avery's world was pretty impressive.It seems there is a definite trend this Biennial and it was construction and domestic interiors and animals.Lots of rooms and building construction going on everywhere.Just like the city really these last few years.
Tuesday I visited FACT to see the video artist's work on the 1st floor gallery.I had been on the panel at the live web debate by 'Tenantspin'from FACT's Box the previous week and listened to the artists as they discussed their work.I also talked about my short films and the 'Independent' strand of the Liverpool Biennial.I enjoyed all the work but I especially liked the ground floor's space with what was like a trip into outer space.I put on my 3D glasses and sat in the darkened room lit with red and green strobes and watched the film which truly felt like being in a spaceship and visiting another planet.Very zen like and surreal.Also loved the scary drone like white noise.
Onwards to Greenland Street to see more stuff with my friend the artist Richard Ashworth on his birthday. So many videos based on constuction..all ladders and hard hats.Enjoyed the film where the hand was moving everything around so it looked like it was tiny.Very simple yet so effective.We loved Jason Underhill's 'Jessie' video with the full on ravings about the homeless in America, we absolutely loved her!
The Korean embroidered paintings were good as were their films.The golden room at the Blade Factory was a little disturbing..lots of piercings,cling film and blood letting with Franco and other body artists.Beautifully presented though I must say.Time now for a rest until tonight's visit to Arena's private view in Jordan st.
Isabelle arrived on thursday afternoon with 10 lycra skintight allover body suits in white or black.These were in all sizes and beautifully embroidered with crystals and metallic beads by an elderly Romanian seamstress.
This was no traditional embroidery but patterns relating to plastic surgery markings that would be drawn onto the skin by surgeons prior to performing surgery.
The artist wanted to raise issues concerning the way women are keen to put their bodies under the scalpel and either having parts sucked out with liposuction or having parts inserted i.e. breast enlargements.
I spent 24 hours with Isabelle and curator/film script editor Colin Welsh finding performance artists.We visited Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts,the Biennial information centre and Mello Mello.I even texted all my female friends to see who we could find.We had started off the day at the press preview at The Walker Art Gallery's John Moore's exhibition.I was amazed at how much of the art related to rooms/domestic interiors after the last Biennials overtly pastoral,foliagey,outdoor garden themes.
Finally it all came together as the 'Plastic Surgery' performance took place at the TATE Gallery and Afoundation,Greenland St.I was busy at my own private view in St. Bride's church, Toxteth where I was showing 3 short films I'd made along with First Take so couldn't make it.
I went to Atelier Bow Bow's show at the decking and gravel amphitheatre opposite St. Luke's church which was a fast paced party performance with individual monologues and a very funny bit with one of the actor's speed eating spaghetti.
Then it was time for Greenland Street where there were pleny of free bars and food.It was a pleasant evening weatherwise and the place was packed.I looked at Bloomberg New Contemporaries which was filled with quirky art from graduates.The giant black hair sculpture like a rococo giant chandelier yeti was especially interesting.The Afoundation commissions were bizarre as per usual.Apparently one artist had filled the 'prefabs' with junk furniture and fittings but removed everything the day before and replaced the rooms with photos of what he put in the rooms instead.I wonder if that annoyed the AFoundation people,or whether they supported the artists idea?
There was a lot of dancing going on and then I was given a wristband for the official afterparty in a huge warehouse opposite NOVAS.It was very busy and full of paper strip alcoves and giant rusted chains,original warehouse fittings.There were beautiful chaise longues and comfortable sofas and coffee tables.Plenty of space in the chill out zones.
I flitted between NOVAS where there were 3 amazing drag queens dancing away in the theatre space and back to Afoundation's coach shed and finished the evening at the biennial afterparty.
Next day ,saturday, Isabelle and I went up to the Florrie in the Dingle to work with a japanese artist who was comissioned by Jump Ship Rat to build a dome from willow with Tom Calderbank and local artists and residents.The sun was shining and the finished dome,an original feature missing from the Florrie was beautiful.I helped Minoko from 'Art In Liverpool' create origami paper wishes.Everbody present was asked to write a wish and tie it to the dome.We then headed to a local pub for light refreshments.
I went straight to 'Wave if you're already there' by Mercy and WaveMachines.It was called the 'Wedding'.Fitting really as it was at St.Bride's church.Sadly the beautiful bride was jilted and proceeded to spend the whole evening walking slowly like a wraith round the church cutting up her wedding dress and then trying to sew it back together.It brought a lump to my throat.The rest of the evewning consisted of comedy,poems and bands.
Sunday morning I was invited for breakfast at Sumer Erik's newspaper house in the Blackie.It was great to see lots of local artists and we all tucked into croissants,jams,cheeses,olives grapes,pears,apples,oranges,nuts and nice tasty breads.Of course this was washed down with tea,coffee and fresh juices.Exactly what was needed as all this art was taking it's toll on my immune system.Again it was a beautiful sunny day so a few of us strolled up to the Hope St Festival for an afternoon of surreal entertainment at the 'Market of Optimism' where I spent my free neuros currency on making a wish at the magic wish stall.
We then headed to the Everyman where loads of people I knew descended on the lively performance by local musician (and legend!) Barry Sutton ex Walking Seeds and La's.
The next day,monday, I visited Gostin's arcade for John O' Neill and Richard Young's artworks and then onto the TATE.I liked Rachael Goodyear's sketches with lots of wild aimals morphing with humans and I thought Charles Avery's world was pretty impressive.It seems there is a definite trend this Biennial and it was construction and domestic interiors and animals.Lots of rooms and building construction going on everywhere.Just like the city really these last few years.
Tuesday I visited FACT to see the video artist's work on the 1st floor gallery.I had been on the panel at the live web debate by 'Tenantspin'from FACT's Box the previous week and listened to the artists as they discussed their work.I also talked about my short films and the 'Independent' strand of the Liverpool Biennial.I enjoyed all the work but I especially liked the ground floor's space with what was like a trip into outer space.I put on my 3D glasses and sat in the darkened room lit with red and green strobes and watched the film which truly felt like being in a spaceship and visiting another planet.Very zen like and surreal.Also loved the scary drone like white noise.
Onwards to Greenland Street to see more stuff with my friend the artist Richard Ashworth on his birthday. So many videos based on constuction..all ladders and hard hats.Enjoyed the film where the hand was moving everything around so it looked like it was tiny.Very simple yet so effective.We loved Jason Underhill's 'Jessie' video with the full on ravings about the homeless in America, we absolutely loved her!
The Korean embroidered paintings were good as were their films.The golden room at the Blade Factory was a little disturbing..lots of piercings,cling film and blood letting with Franco and other body artists.Beautifully presented though I must say.Time now for a rest until tonight's visit to Arena's private view in Jordan st.
Monday 18 August 2008
Lodestone Theatre's Midsummer night's dream
Report by Tracey Dunn
In the cemetery and gardens of the huge Anglican cathedral on Hope Street,Liverpool I watched the performance of Shakespeare's play. It was a very original and stunning setting for the young company who delighted the 200 strong audience with a fast paced and fun performance.
Puck as a bouncy spring heeled Jack in top hat and tails with cane flew round the grounds on his bouncy leg extensions while the rest of the cast looking good in their opening attire of cream and caramel edwardian style day clothes passed amongst us.Loved the oriental style white parasols too.
The male actors including Bottom the Weaver and Smug the joiner headed off to the Duke's oak in the woods to rehearse and then the action was enhanced by the beautiful punky fairies in Fairyland...loved the giant butterfly tatoos across their backs and the net tutus and lacy appliqued white tights and sparkly slippers.Titania was also a dream in a fake fur and crystals ensemble draped around her.
We then enjoyed song and dance with the striking red scarved and black sharpsuited males and Demetrius cockney style with his leather jacket.Fun too watching the neon red love potion forcing the action.
All this meeting by moonshine and the beautiful huge red silken unfurled banner which dropped from a great height to the forest floor and the surrounding trees lit up pink,blue and green and twin waterfalls of crystal lights completed a stylish and exciting evening. The Play is on at St.James' Gardens until September 7th.
In the cemetery and gardens of the huge Anglican cathedral on Hope Street,Liverpool I watched the performance of Shakespeare's play. It was a very original and stunning setting for the young company who delighted the 200 strong audience with a fast paced and fun performance.
Puck as a bouncy spring heeled Jack in top hat and tails with cane flew round the grounds on his bouncy leg extensions while the rest of the cast looking good in their opening attire of cream and caramel edwardian style day clothes passed amongst us.Loved the oriental style white parasols too.
The male actors including Bottom the Weaver and Smug the joiner headed off to the Duke's oak in the woods to rehearse and then the action was enhanced by the beautiful punky fairies in Fairyland...loved the giant butterfly tatoos across their backs and the net tutus and lacy appliqued white tights and sparkly slippers.Titania was also a dream in a fake fur and crystals ensemble draped around her.
We then enjoyed song and dance with the striking red scarved and black sharpsuited males and Demetrius cockney style with his leather jacket.Fun too watching the neon red love potion forcing the action.
All this meeting by moonshine and the beautiful huge red silken unfurled banner which dropped from a great height to the forest floor and the surrounding trees lit up pink,blue and green and twin waterfalls of crystal lights completed a stylish and exciting evening. The Play is on at St.James' Gardens until September 7th.
Monday 30 June 2008
Alternatively Better: holistic healing in Liverpool
Tracey Dunn Reports.
Sadly,I have just found out in the last hour that one of my extended family in North London,where I was born, has been stabbed to death.
Ben Kinsella was the 16 year old brother of ex Eastender actress Brooke Kinsella.
In the week where I pitched my 10 minute screenplay about youth gun crime in front of actress Cathy Tyson and Channel 4 are running a week of programmes called 'Disarming Britain' about youth violence; it seems fitting to be writing about healing.
On Saturday 28th June 'Alternatively Better' of 556-558 Aigburth Road, Liverpool presented a 'feel good day for mind, body and soul' at St. Mary's Church Hall, also in Aigburth.
'Alternatively Better'
e-mail: enquiries@alternativelybetter.co.uk
www.alternativelybetter.co.uk
Holistic Health Centre & Shop
556-558 Aigburth Road,
Grassendale
Liverpool L19 3QG
Tel. 0151 494 2277
It covers a wide range of complementary and massage therapies including acupuncture, chiropody, food sensitivity testing, homeopathy, hopi ear candles, hot stone therapy, hypnotherapy, indian head massage, remedial/sports massage, reflexology and reiki.
The centre also produces it's own range of products which may treat the menopause, hormonal balance and sensuous exotic massage and bath oils. They also have their own angel protection spray. I was very kindly given a back and head treatment by Helen Turner who also practices reiki and reflexology.
Laura Kemp has been a licensed manufacturer of herbal products including essential oils, tinctures, carrier oils and creams for 6 years. I was especially impressed by her rose geranium cocoa butter heart. Laura buys most of her ingredients from an organic farm in Somerset. Laura aims to be a herbal consultant in the future.
You too could gain help, healing yourself by contacting Jennat or Laura just two of the several North West therapists I met on the day:
Holistix herbal products.
Tel. Tel. 0151 734 1919
W: www.holistixherbs.co.uk
Hypnotherapists:
W. www.moonscapehypnotherapy.co.uk
Sarah Halliday Tel. 07719716382
(Sarah's mother makes beautiful murano glass and bead jewelery (www.everydayjewellry.co.uk)
www.liverpoolhypnotherapy.co.uk
Kerry Needs Tel. 0151 494 2277
Alternatively Better
www.empoweringsounds.com andwww.wholescience.net
Joseph Clough Tel. 0151 283 1801
www.primedirectives.co.uk
Joseph also teaches Neuro linguistic programming,personal development, being your potential and manifesting your dreams.
He's holding a special training day on 16th August 2008
Homeopathy:
www.homeopathliverpool.co.uk
Hilary Hampel. Tel. 0151 931 4116
Hilary has been practising for 19 years and also sells non toxic eco friendly products.
Hilary's machine scans the body against 9,000 homeopathic remedies and brings up what the body needs i.e.nutrition,spiritual or emotional issues and then treats you! Bach flower therapist and 'SCIO' (super consciousness interfacing operating system) machine operator: Tel. Michelle McVey 0151 722 9605
Crystals and holistic courses:
Tel. 01695 725501 or 07711909207
E-mail enquiries@innerwisdom.net.
1 Ben Lane cottages, Ben Lane, Bickerstaffe, West Lancashire L39 OHL
W: www.inner-wisdom.net
Dawn Kirkham is a reiki master from outside Ormskirk who also sells singing bowls, crystals, angel cards, pendulums, incense, smudging sets, crystal spheres and wands.
Dawn runs courses on connecting with angels, psychic development, introduction to crystal healing and is also running a holistic retreat from 3-5 October 2008.
Food sensitivity testing:
Zillah Stevens. Tel. 0151 356 1578 or 07721450693
A 'vega' machine carries out food intolerance testing. It is done by placing glass vials with different foods into the machine to carry out a reading.
Aloe vera products:
Rachael. www.rachaelearl.com Tel. 01952 820642 or 07977047291
Rachael promotes 'forever living' products who grow 80% of the world's organic crop.
The drinking gel is the best selling product followed by aloe and propolis which is from bees and good for skin conditions like eczema.
Chinese medicine including 'cupping' and acupuncture:
Andreas Feyler. Tel. 07733231726 or e-mail andreasfeyler@hotmail.com. www.cheshirenaturalhealth.co.uk
I was given a treatment by Andreas who lectures at the North East Wales institite of higher education. I had various glass cups placed on the top of my back and shoulders and air was suctioned out. This treatment invigorates and strengthens the immune system. The glasses were left for just a minute or so in case they left red marks although in London people like the actress Gwynneth Paltrow wear their red circles as fashion statements. I found the cupping (pronounced MHGM in arabic!) a very unusual treatment to rid tension.
zinc testing:
Wendy Rogers. E-mail info@rainbownutrition.co.uk. W. www.rainbow nutrition.co.uk
Wendy Rogers gave me a zinc taste test. All I did was swoosh a clear liquid around my mouth for 10 seconds. I had a good reaction due to the amounts of houmous and chickpeas I eat everyday. Zinc is also found in beans and nuts.
Body Fat Analysis
Laura Carter. Tel. 0151 494 4004.
David LLoyd leisure centre, Speke.
I stood on a machine like weighing scales to be analysed for my fat content. A gentle current was sent through my body to see how much I had. I had too much even though I am thin and it was recommended I drink more water and cut down on crisps. A healthier snack would be chopped cauliflower, carrots or broccoli with a dip of soy sauce, olive oil and basamic vinegar.
Feng Shui and Reiki Master:
Amanda. Tel. on 07788775706
W. mandajgordon@btinternet.com
Amanda gives advice and clears energy in buildings using reiki atunements. It is recommended that entrances are clear and bright.The shape of a buliding is important and mirrors are one way of improving an area by energetically extending the space.
Rosetta palmistry and tarot:
Tel. 07908732491
e-mail rosettapalmistry@hotmail.co.uk
Aura and chakra photography:
Tel. 0161 476 6176
W. Aspirit@btconnect.com
Many thanks to all at 'Alternatively Better' who organised a great day.Also a mention to the people from the church who gave me a stone to remind me always of my spiritual connection to the planet.
Sadly,I have just found out in the last hour that one of my extended family in North London,where I was born, has been stabbed to death.
Ben Kinsella was the 16 year old brother of ex Eastender actress Brooke Kinsella.
In the week where I pitched my 10 minute screenplay about youth gun crime in front of actress Cathy Tyson and Channel 4 are running a week of programmes called 'Disarming Britain' about youth violence; it seems fitting to be writing about healing.
On Saturday 28th June 'Alternatively Better' of 556-558 Aigburth Road, Liverpool presented a 'feel good day for mind, body and soul' at St. Mary's Church Hall, also in Aigburth.
'Alternatively Better'
e-mail: enquiries@alternativelybetter.co.uk
www.alternativelybetter.co.uk
Holistic Health Centre & Shop
556-558 Aigburth Road,
Grassendale
Liverpool L19 3QG
Tel. 0151 494 2277
It covers a wide range of complementary and massage therapies including acupuncture, chiropody, food sensitivity testing, homeopathy, hopi ear candles, hot stone therapy, hypnotherapy, indian head massage, remedial/sports massage, reflexology and reiki.
The centre also produces it's own range of products which may treat the menopause, hormonal balance and sensuous exotic massage and bath oils. They also have their own angel protection spray. I was very kindly given a back and head treatment by Helen Turner who also practices reiki and reflexology.
Laura Kemp has been a licensed manufacturer of herbal products including essential oils, tinctures, carrier oils and creams for 6 years. I was especially impressed by her rose geranium cocoa butter heart. Laura buys most of her ingredients from an organic farm in Somerset. Laura aims to be a herbal consultant in the future.
You too could gain help, healing yourself by contacting Jennat or Laura just two of the several North West therapists I met on the day:
Holistix herbal products.
Tel. Tel. 0151 734 1919
W: www.holistixherbs.co.uk
Hypnotherapists:
W. www.moonscapehypnotherapy.co.uk
Sarah Halliday Tel. 07719716382
(Sarah's mother makes beautiful murano glass and bead jewelery (www.everydayjewellry.co.uk)
www.liverpoolhypnotherapy.co.uk
Kerry Needs Tel. 0151 494 2277
Alternatively Better
www.empoweringsounds.com andwww.wholescience.net
Joseph Clough Tel. 0151 283 1801
www.primedirectives.co.uk
Joseph also teaches Neuro linguistic programming,personal development, being your potential and manifesting your dreams.
He's holding a special training day on 16th August 2008
Homeopathy:
www.homeopathliverpool.co.uk
Hilary Hampel. Tel. 0151 931 4116
Hilary has been practising for 19 years and also sells non toxic eco friendly products.
Hilary's machine scans the body against 9,000 homeopathic remedies and brings up what the body needs i.e.nutrition,spiritual or emotional issues and then treats you! Bach flower therapist and 'SCIO' (super consciousness interfacing operating system) machine operator: Tel. Michelle McVey 0151 722 9605
Crystals and holistic courses:
Tel. 01695 725501 or 07711909207
E-mail enquiries@innerwisdom.net.
1 Ben Lane cottages, Ben Lane, Bickerstaffe, West Lancashire L39 OHL
W: www.inner-wisdom.net
Dawn Kirkham is a reiki master from outside Ormskirk who also sells singing bowls, crystals, angel cards, pendulums, incense, smudging sets, crystal spheres and wands.
Dawn runs courses on connecting with angels, psychic development, introduction to crystal healing and is also running a holistic retreat from 3-5 October 2008.
Food sensitivity testing:
Zillah Stevens. Tel. 0151 356 1578 or 07721450693
A 'vega' machine carries out food intolerance testing. It is done by placing glass vials with different foods into the machine to carry out a reading.
Aloe vera products:
Rachael. www.rachaelearl.com Tel. 01952 820642 or 07977047291
Rachael promotes 'forever living' products who grow 80% of the world's organic crop.
The drinking gel is the best selling product followed by aloe and propolis which is from bees and good for skin conditions like eczema.
Chinese medicine including 'cupping' and acupuncture:
Andreas Feyler. Tel. 07733231726 or e-mail andreasfeyler@hotmail.com. www.cheshirenaturalhealth.co.uk
I was given a treatment by Andreas who lectures at the North East Wales institite of higher education. I had various glass cups placed on the top of my back and shoulders and air was suctioned out. This treatment invigorates and strengthens the immune system. The glasses were left for just a minute or so in case they left red marks although in London people like the actress Gwynneth Paltrow wear their red circles as fashion statements. I found the cupping (pronounced MHGM in arabic!) a very unusual treatment to rid tension.
zinc testing:
Wendy Rogers. E-mail info@rainbownutrition.co.uk. W. www.rainbow nutrition.co.uk
Wendy Rogers gave me a zinc taste test. All I did was swoosh a clear liquid around my mouth for 10 seconds. I had a good reaction due to the amounts of houmous and chickpeas I eat everyday. Zinc is also found in beans and nuts.
Body Fat Analysis
Laura Carter. Tel. 0151 494 4004.
David LLoyd leisure centre, Speke.
I stood on a machine like weighing scales to be analysed for my fat content. A gentle current was sent through my body to see how much I had. I had too much even though I am thin and it was recommended I drink more water and cut down on crisps. A healthier snack would be chopped cauliflower, carrots or broccoli with a dip of soy sauce, olive oil and basamic vinegar.
Feng Shui and Reiki Master:
Amanda. Tel. on 07788775706
W. mandajgordon@btinternet.com
Amanda gives advice and clears energy in buildings using reiki atunements. It is recommended that entrances are clear and bright.The shape of a buliding is important and mirrors are one way of improving an area by energetically extending the space.
Rosetta palmistry and tarot:
Tel. 07908732491
e-mail rosettapalmistry@hotmail.co.uk
Aura and chakra photography:
Tel. 0161 476 6176
W. Aspirit@btconnect.com
Many thanks to all at 'Alternatively Better' who organised a great day.Also a mention to the people from the church who gave me a stone to remind me always of my spiritual connection to the planet.
Wednesday 4 June 2008
Why Anti-Violence Work is Dangerous for Women.
Marie-Eloise Hurley Reports for Toxteth08.
Heartbroken Paula Ogungboro, 51, explains what the loss of fellow Mother Against Violence, Pat Reagan, 53, means for their cause…
Pat Reagan, 53, was a mother of six who died ridding violence from Britain’s streets on Sunday. She campaigned without resorting to crime (two wrongs don’t make a right) but through education and political campaigning.
But last weekend, Pat her self was murdered, in an ironic attack by her own grandson, police think.
Pat Reagan founded Mothers Against Violence in Leeds and Paula, Mothers Against Gun Crime in Toxteth, Liverpool. Both women lost son’s due to the gun and knife violence, which has ripped apart inner city families for decades now.
Both women battled to raise their kids amidst inner city mayhem. This was hard enough but when Pat’s son Danny was stabbed to death in Leeds and Paula’s son Danny was shot in Toxteth, both committed themselves to anti-violence work, not just in their own neighbourhoods, but across Britain.
Paula reminisces with fondness: I met Pat six years ago in London. There were quite a few of us taking part in a DVD named ‘why’. We were mums from different cities whose sons had been shot and we wanted to know why.
I looked at Pat and she looked at me and I just said to my husband –I’m going to sit with her. I felt like I knew her. I said Hi, my names Paula and I’m from Liverpool. She said, Hi, my name’s Pat and I’m from Leeds. She told me about Danny what happened to him and I told her about Eugene, what had happened to him’.
To be honest, she was like a sister to me and I loved her like one. She’d say, ‘goodbye I love you’ and I’d say, ‘I know, I love you, Pat’.
Eugene’s murderer was found, tried and sentenced to life in prison but Pat never found Danny’s killer. And what she’s always wanted was justice. It was burning away at her.
I spoke to Pat just three earlier. She still wanted justice. She tried and tried but her son’s killers were never found.
‘Pat, if you’re out there I hope danny waited with his arms wide open. You wanted justice but you never got it.’
Continuing to campaign against violence, Paula recently took part in a new documentary for Channel4 which saw her showing Eugene’s blood stained shirt to expelled school kids.
‘It upsets me and upsets the kids but I reckon if it saves one life it’s worth it and I carry on’.
Paula also allowed Channel4 in to film her in the bedroom of murdered child, Eugene, which she’s kept untouched all this time.
The conversation shifts back to Pat.
‘Pat was on a mission. And that mission began when her son Danny was murdered. She wanted to go out and educate kids against gun and knife crime and that’s what she did. She was a real woman. We were so alike. What u see with us is what u got. She was warm hearted, with a lovely aura. Despite all her kids and grand-kids she still got out and ran workshops in other cities.
Says Paula:
‘Something like this makes families react in one of three ways:
1. Familes come together and deal with things.
2. Families split-up –Paula has seen a lot of this.
3. Families take things into their own hands –Pat and Paula tried to do this'.
Paula says she’s already encouraged Pat’s oldest remaining son, Danny, to keep things going now that his mother’s gone.
Adds Paula: There aren’t many people I can say this about but Pat was like a sister to me. We were both light skinned, curly haired, black women –she with green eyes, me with brown. Me tall –she smaller. Pat would say she didn't feel so welcome elsewhere. She’d walk right in, open the fridge and put the kettle on'.
Yet something went wrong. Pat failed to gain trust from her community.
Admits Paula:
‘I’ve been threatened myself. Not long ago the police knocked and told me somebody wanted my life. I’ve lived in Toxteth since I was twelve years old but suddenly I’m a snitch.
And we don’t get paid for what we do. We’re voluntary. I never thought I’d get an office but I might lose it if my funding is refused this year. The paper work’s too much for me’.
Paula lacks formal qualifications and is reluctant to gain admin skills. She began with six workers but says, ‘they weren’t getting paid and hadn’t lost a son themselves so they left me’.
But because Paula knows four other Toxteth mothers who have lost children the same way, she persists on.
'I still blame the British government. my son's murderer got fourteen years. In the states, life means life and that's as it should be'.
Last year Paula advertised for an admin assistant but had to withdraw the offer due to a funding crisis –and so despite national support, this Mother Against Gun Crime remains poverty trapped. And now that her ‘town centre’ office is threatened by funding losses she’s in real danger.
Back on the streets, money is at stake, as well as reputation or street ‘cred’. The Home office knows this but delivered little preventative matter to protect either women. Like Pat, Paula is a brave female campaigner, surely deserving the protection that our police, territorial army, and even voluntary police force are accustomed to.
Pat Reagan left children behind. What Paula needs to defend her family against these ongoing attacks is finance.
M-E Hurley.
Heartbroken Paula Ogungboro, 51, explains what the loss of fellow Mother Against Violence, Pat Reagan, 53, means for their cause…
Pat Reagan, 53, was a mother of six who died ridding violence from Britain’s streets on Sunday. She campaigned without resorting to crime (two wrongs don’t make a right) but through education and political campaigning.
But last weekend, Pat her self was murdered, in an ironic attack by her own grandson, police think.
Pat Reagan founded Mothers Against Violence in Leeds and Paula, Mothers Against Gun Crime in Toxteth, Liverpool. Both women lost son’s due to the gun and knife violence, which has ripped apart inner city families for decades now.
Both women battled to raise their kids amidst inner city mayhem. This was hard enough but when Pat’s son Danny was stabbed to death in Leeds and Paula’s son Danny was shot in Toxteth, both committed themselves to anti-violence work, not just in their own neighbourhoods, but across Britain.
Paula reminisces with fondness: I met Pat six years ago in London. There were quite a few of us taking part in a DVD named ‘why’. We were mums from different cities whose sons had been shot and we wanted to know why.
I looked at Pat and she looked at me and I just said to my husband –I’m going to sit with her. I felt like I knew her. I said Hi, my names Paula and I’m from Liverpool. She said, Hi, my name’s Pat and I’m from Leeds. She told me about Danny what happened to him and I told her about Eugene, what had happened to him’.
To be honest, she was like a sister to me and I loved her like one. She’d say, ‘goodbye I love you’ and I’d say, ‘I know, I love you, Pat’.
Eugene’s murderer was found, tried and sentenced to life in prison but Pat never found Danny’s killer. And what she’s always wanted was justice. It was burning away at her.
I spoke to Pat just three earlier. She still wanted justice. She tried and tried but her son’s killers were never found.
‘Pat, if you’re out there I hope danny waited with his arms wide open. You wanted justice but you never got it.’
Continuing to campaign against violence, Paula recently took part in a new documentary for Channel4 which saw her showing Eugene’s blood stained shirt to expelled school kids.
‘It upsets me and upsets the kids but I reckon if it saves one life it’s worth it and I carry on’.
Paula also allowed Channel4 in to film her in the bedroom of murdered child, Eugene, which she’s kept untouched all this time.
The conversation shifts back to Pat.
‘Pat was on a mission. And that mission began when her son Danny was murdered. She wanted to go out and educate kids against gun and knife crime and that’s what she did. She was a real woman. We were so alike. What u see with us is what u got. She was warm hearted, with a lovely aura. Despite all her kids and grand-kids she still got out and ran workshops in other cities.
Says Paula:
‘Something like this makes families react in one of three ways:
1. Familes come together and deal with things.
2. Families split-up –Paula has seen a lot of this.
3. Families take things into their own hands –Pat and Paula tried to do this'.
Paula says she’s already encouraged Pat’s oldest remaining son, Danny, to keep things going now that his mother’s gone.
Adds Paula: There aren’t many people I can say this about but Pat was like a sister to me. We were both light skinned, curly haired, black women –she with green eyes, me with brown. Me tall –she smaller. Pat would say she didn't feel so welcome elsewhere. She’d walk right in, open the fridge and put the kettle on'.
Yet something went wrong. Pat failed to gain trust from her community.
Admits Paula:
‘I’ve been threatened myself. Not long ago the police knocked and told me somebody wanted my life. I’ve lived in Toxteth since I was twelve years old but suddenly I’m a snitch.
And we don’t get paid for what we do. We’re voluntary. I never thought I’d get an office but I might lose it if my funding is refused this year. The paper work’s too much for me’.
Paula lacks formal qualifications and is reluctant to gain admin skills. She began with six workers but says, ‘they weren’t getting paid and hadn’t lost a son themselves so they left me’.
But because Paula knows four other Toxteth mothers who have lost children the same way, she persists on.
'I still blame the British government. my son's murderer got fourteen years. In the states, life means life and that's as it should be'.
Last year Paula advertised for an admin assistant but had to withdraw the offer due to a funding crisis –and so despite national support, this Mother Against Gun Crime remains poverty trapped. And now that her ‘town centre’ office is threatened by funding losses she’s in real danger.
Back on the streets, money is at stake, as well as reputation or street ‘cred’. The Home office knows this but delivered little preventative matter to protect either women. Like Pat, Paula is a brave female campaigner, surely deserving the protection that our police, territorial army, and even voluntary police force are accustomed to.
Pat Reagan left children behind. What Paula needs to defend her family against these ongoing attacks is finance.
M-E Hurley.
Tuesday 3 June 2008
Murdered: Mother Against Gun Crime
Tuesday, 3 June 2008
Cahal Milmo and Mark Hughes
Independent.co.uk
A Mother who devoted her life to fighting knife and gun crime is murdered. Police have arrested the grandson of a mother who led a high-profile campaign against knife and gun violence on suspicion of stabbing her to death.
Pat Regan, 53, became a powerful voice in the lobby against gun crime after her 26-year-old son, Danny, a drug dealer, was shot dead inside his fortified Merseyside home six years ago. She attended a summit on violence at Downing Street last year held by Tony Blair and the then home secretary John Reid.
A life which had become defined by the fight against bloodshed in Britain's inner cities was ended early on Sunday when Mrs Regan, a mother of six, became the victim of a frenzied knife attack inside her maisonette in Hyde Park, a deprived area of Leeds. It was here that she had dedicated her time to educating young people on the dangers of gun and knife crime by visiting schools and helping bereaved families.
The body of Mrs Regan was discovered at about 7pm after a family friend went to the home in Marlborough Grange, a local authority-owned housing block. Family and friends, many of them in tears, gathered outside the flat to lay flowers. Last night the block remained cordoned off behind police tape and black plastic screens as forensic experts examined the scene.
Her grandson, Rakeen, 20, who had been receiving treatment for mental health problems, was being held last night in connection with the killing and a subsequent knife attack in Leeds city centre.
Police sources said that the grandson had been held at about 11am on Sunday following the stabbing of a worker at Leeds railway station. A 45-year-old member of the platform staff suffered a knife wound to the arm after he and several colleagues tried to stop a man who was trespassing on the tracks.
West Yorkshire Police said a knife recovered from the railway station by British Transport Police was being examined to see if it was connected with the attack on Mrs Regan, which took place prior to the rail incident. A police spokeswoman said: "A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently being detained pending further inquiries."
Friends and fellow campaigners expressed their shock and dismay at the killing of a woman who had dedicated herself to helping others affected by gun and knife crime, as well as seeking to warn youngsters of the risks they faced by becoming involved with criminal gangs.
She set up Mothers Against Violence, which operated from a community centre in Hyde Park and had close links to allied groups such as Mothers Against Guns (MAG) and Mothers Against Murder and Aggression (Mama).
Mrs Regan became an impassioned advocate of grassroots action to tackle the increase in violence in low-income areas, lobbying interest groups from government ministers to vulnerable teenagers, after the murder of Danny in a suspected gangland hit in December 2002.
While accepting that her son's lifestyle selling class-A drugs was the reason for his death, she maintained that he had moved away from criminality to become a legitimate businessman when a gunman broke into his home and killed him at close range in the conservatory. He left two young children.
Speaking last year during an appeal for new information about the still unsolved murder, Mrs Regan said: "Danny knew the dangers he was facing and I was always waiting for the knock at the door. He came home in a coffin and his designer gear came home in big brown envelopes.
"It made me determined to try to stop this violence. I know it's too late to save Danny and persuade him to give up the lifestyle which led to his death. But it's not too late to save others and if the work I do can make another young man think twice, then perhaps Danny's life won't have been lost in vain."
Colleagues commended the grandmother, who would often travel to the homes of new victims of gun and knife violence to offer advice and comfort. Lucy Cope, the founder of MAM, said: "Everybody honoured Pat Regan for her courage, her devotion against gun crime and for peace in Leeds. Every single time another family went through the tragedy of gun crime in Leeds, Pat Regan knocked on that door and held the hands of mothers. She will never be forgotten, never."
Among those laying flowers, outside the building where Mrs Regan died was Lorraine Fraser, 43. She had first met Pat four years ago after her son, Tyrone, was killed in a knife attack. "She was a remarkable woman and she was our hero," she said.
Independent.co.uk
Cahal Milmo and Mark Hughes
Independent.co.uk
A Mother who devoted her life to fighting knife and gun crime is murdered. Police have arrested the grandson of a mother who led a high-profile campaign against knife and gun violence on suspicion of stabbing her to death.
Pat Regan, 53, became a powerful voice in the lobby against gun crime after her 26-year-old son, Danny, a drug dealer, was shot dead inside his fortified Merseyside home six years ago. She attended a summit on violence at Downing Street last year held by Tony Blair and the then home secretary John Reid.
A life which had become defined by the fight against bloodshed in Britain's inner cities was ended early on Sunday when Mrs Regan, a mother of six, became the victim of a frenzied knife attack inside her maisonette in Hyde Park, a deprived area of Leeds. It was here that she had dedicated her time to educating young people on the dangers of gun and knife crime by visiting schools and helping bereaved families.
The body of Mrs Regan was discovered at about 7pm after a family friend went to the home in Marlborough Grange, a local authority-owned housing block. Family and friends, many of them in tears, gathered outside the flat to lay flowers. Last night the block remained cordoned off behind police tape and black plastic screens as forensic experts examined the scene.
Her grandson, Rakeen, 20, who had been receiving treatment for mental health problems, was being held last night in connection with the killing and a subsequent knife attack in Leeds city centre.
Police sources said that the grandson had been held at about 11am on Sunday following the stabbing of a worker at Leeds railway station. A 45-year-old member of the platform staff suffered a knife wound to the arm after he and several colleagues tried to stop a man who was trespassing on the tracks.
West Yorkshire Police said a knife recovered from the railway station by British Transport Police was being examined to see if it was connected with the attack on Mrs Regan, which took place prior to the rail incident. A police spokeswoman said: "A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently being detained pending further inquiries."
Friends and fellow campaigners expressed their shock and dismay at the killing of a woman who had dedicated herself to helping others affected by gun and knife crime, as well as seeking to warn youngsters of the risks they faced by becoming involved with criminal gangs.
She set up Mothers Against Violence, which operated from a community centre in Hyde Park and had close links to allied groups such as Mothers Against Guns (MAG) and Mothers Against Murder and Aggression (Mama).
Mrs Regan became an impassioned advocate of grassroots action to tackle the increase in violence in low-income areas, lobbying interest groups from government ministers to vulnerable teenagers, after the murder of Danny in a suspected gangland hit in December 2002.
While accepting that her son's lifestyle selling class-A drugs was the reason for his death, she maintained that he had moved away from criminality to become a legitimate businessman when a gunman broke into his home and killed him at close range in the conservatory. He left two young children.
Speaking last year during an appeal for new information about the still unsolved murder, Mrs Regan said: "Danny knew the dangers he was facing and I was always waiting for the knock at the door. He came home in a coffin and his designer gear came home in big brown envelopes.
"It made me determined to try to stop this violence. I know it's too late to save Danny and persuade him to give up the lifestyle which led to his death. But it's not too late to save others and if the work I do can make another young man think twice, then perhaps Danny's life won't have been lost in vain."
Colleagues commended the grandmother, who would often travel to the homes of new victims of gun and knife violence to offer advice and comfort. Lucy Cope, the founder of MAM, said: "Everybody honoured Pat Regan for her courage, her devotion against gun crime and for peace in Leeds. Every single time another family went through the tragedy of gun crime in Leeds, Pat Regan knocked on that door and held the hands of mothers. She will never be forgotten, never."
Among those laying flowers, outside the building where Mrs Regan died was Lorraine Fraser, 43. She had first met Pat four years ago after her son, Tyrone, was killed in a knife attack. "She was a remarkable woman and she was our hero," she said.
Independent.co.uk
Sunday 1 June 2008
The Concert!
Paul McCartney headlines Liverpool concert
10 hours ago
LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) — Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney headlined a concert on Sunday in front of 36,000 fans in his home city of Liverpool -- this year's European Capital of Culture.
The 65-year-old topped a star-studded bill, and opened his set by playing "Hippy Hippy Shake", "Jet" and "Drive My Car" at Anfield Stadium, home of Premiership side Liverpool football club.
"Thank you for coming tonight -- in the city of culture -- at the centre of the universe," McCartney, dressed in a black suit reminiscent of The Beatles' heyday, told the crowd as his performance began.
By the end of the set, he had played 26 songs, including classics such as "Penny Lane", "Back in the USSR", "Live and Let Die" -- which was played with an accompanying fireworks display -- "Let It Be", "Hey Jude", and "Yesterday".
After finishing his 1 hour 45 minute performance by playing "I Saw Her Standing There", he told the audience: "You've been brilliant tonight. I knew you would be."
"We are here for Macca," 62-year-old Brenda Baily, who was attending the concert with Maureen McCarthy, 66, told AFP.
"He is a legend. We saw Ringo in January, but Macca is even bigger."
Like their idol, many of the fans in the audience were teenagers in the 1960s, but the youth of several concert-goers proved that the Fab Four conquered younger generations as well.
"We didn't experience the Beatles, but we thought we had to take this opportunity while he is still alive," said Virginie Brazet, 28, who travelled from Perpignan, southern France, with her 32-year-old sister Sabine for the concert.
"We want to hear classics by the Beatles and by McCartney," she added.
Also performing on Sunday were the Kaiser Chiefs, who entertained the crowd for nearly an hour and a half with their hits, including "Ruby" and "The Angry Mob", and Liverpool band The Zutons.
Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, whose appearance had been kept under wraps in the run-up to the concert, played three songs as well.
Manchester United and England football star Wayne Rooney was in attendance at the concert with his fiancee Coleen McLoughlin, while Yoko Ono, the widow of ex-Beatle John Lennon said on Friday that she would be present.
"Being European Capital of Culture is a good thing," McCartney told the BBC earlier. "About 12 years ago, Liverpool was a bit on its knees -- it was not in good shape at all. But now there's quite a resurgence."
Sunday's four-hour gig -- five years to the day since McCartney's last concert in the port city in northwest England -- was the highlight of the "Liverpool 08" calendar.
Before the concert, McCartney dashed hopes that Ringo Starr, the only other surviving member of the Beatles, would join him on stage, telling the Liverpool Echo newspaper: "That was never going to be on the cards."
Part of the proceeds will go to the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, which McCartney set up in his old school.
Earlier in the day, he attended a special fashion show with Ono where Stella McCartney unveiled her latest autumn and winter fashion collection.
AFP 2008All Rights Reserved
10 hours ago
LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) — Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney headlined a concert on Sunday in front of 36,000 fans in his home city of Liverpool -- this year's European Capital of Culture.
The 65-year-old topped a star-studded bill, and opened his set by playing "Hippy Hippy Shake", "Jet" and "Drive My Car" at Anfield Stadium, home of Premiership side Liverpool football club.
"Thank you for coming tonight -- in the city of culture -- at the centre of the universe," McCartney, dressed in a black suit reminiscent of The Beatles' heyday, told the crowd as his performance began.
By the end of the set, he had played 26 songs, including classics such as "Penny Lane", "Back in the USSR", "Live and Let Die" -- which was played with an accompanying fireworks display -- "Let It Be", "Hey Jude", and "Yesterday".
After finishing his 1 hour 45 minute performance by playing "I Saw Her Standing There", he told the audience: "You've been brilliant tonight. I knew you would be."
"We are here for Macca," 62-year-old Brenda Baily, who was attending the concert with Maureen McCarthy, 66, told AFP.
"He is a legend. We saw Ringo in January, but Macca is even bigger."
Like their idol, many of the fans in the audience were teenagers in the 1960s, but the youth of several concert-goers proved that the Fab Four conquered younger generations as well.
"We didn't experience the Beatles, but we thought we had to take this opportunity while he is still alive," said Virginie Brazet, 28, who travelled from Perpignan, southern France, with her 32-year-old sister Sabine for the concert.
"We want to hear classics by the Beatles and by McCartney," she added.
Also performing on Sunday were the Kaiser Chiefs, who entertained the crowd for nearly an hour and a half with their hits, including "Ruby" and "The Angry Mob", and Liverpool band The Zutons.
Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, whose appearance had been kept under wraps in the run-up to the concert, played three songs as well.
Manchester United and England football star Wayne Rooney was in attendance at the concert with his fiancee Coleen McLoughlin, while Yoko Ono, the widow of ex-Beatle John Lennon said on Friday that she would be present.
"Being European Capital of Culture is a good thing," McCartney told the BBC earlier. "About 12 years ago, Liverpool was a bit on its knees -- it was not in good shape at all. But now there's quite a resurgence."
Sunday's four-hour gig -- five years to the day since McCartney's last concert in the port city in northwest England -- was the highlight of the "Liverpool 08" calendar.
Before the concert, McCartney dashed hopes that Ringo Starr, the only other surviving member of the Beatles, would join him on stage, telling the Liverpool Echo newspaper: "That was never going to be on the cards."
Part of the proceeds will go to the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, which McCartney set up in his old school.
Earlier in the day, he attended a special fashion show with Ono where Stella McCartney unveiled her latest autumn and winter fashion collection.
AFP 2008All Rights Reserved
Paul McCartney Sell Out!
Tickets now Sold Out!
The LiverpoolSound Concert, headlining Sir Paul Mccartney has sold, out reported the Culture Company days earlier. They're now selling an 'exclusive' range of official merchandise promoting the concert instead.
Those who can't afford a ticket will watch it from TV screens.
Paul McCartney returns to Liverpool for this once-in-a lifetime concert to celebrate the city's unrivalled status as the world capital of pop.
Appearing alongside Paul are The Kaiser Chiefs, Dave Grohl and The Zutons.
Raised on rock 'n' roll, rhythm and blues, and soul from across the Atlantic, Liverpool created an exciting new sound all of its own in the early 1960s. This will be the first and last global concert ever to be staged at Anfield before Liverpool Football Club moves to a new home.
Paul McCartney said: "I'm very excited about Liverpool being the European Capital of Culture in 2008. We have a fantastic series of events which are sure to get you excited too. I'm very proud of the city and I look forward to welcoming you all and showing you a good time. It's going to be a great year."
It's time for that famous Liverpool sound to get back to where it once belonged!
Can't make it to the gig?
Concert coverage begins on BBC Radio Merseyside from 5.00pm.
Highlights will be on BBC2 from 11.00pm until 12.30am
Gates open at 5.00pm and the concert finishes at 10.30pm.
PLEASE VISIT THE FAQ'S AND ON THE DAY PAGES FOR TICKETING, SECURITY AND TRANSPORT INFORMATION.
The LiverpoolSound Concert, headlining Sir Paul Mccartney has sold, out reported the Culture Company days earlier. They're now selling an 'exclusive' range of official merchandise promoting the concert instead.
Those who can't afford a ticket will watch it from TV screens.
Paul McCartney returns to Liverpool for this once-in-a lifetime concert to celebrate the city's unrivalled status as the world capital of pop.
Appearing alongside Paul are The Kaiser Chiefs, Dave Grohl and The Zutons.
Raised on rock 'n' roll, rhythm and blues, and soul from across the Atlantic, Liverpool created an exciting new sound all of its own in the early 1960s. This will be the first and last global concert ever to be staged at Anfield before Liverpool Football Club moves to a new home.
Paul McCartney said: "I'm very excited about Liverpool being the European Capital of Culture in 2008. We have a fantastic series of events which are sure to get you excited too. I'm very proud of the city and I look forward to welcoming you all and showing you a good time. It's going to be a great year."
It's time for that famous Liverpool sound to get back to where it once belonged!
Can't make it to the gig?
Concert coverage begins on BBC Radio Merseyside from 5.00pm.
Highlights will be on BBC2 from 11.00pm until 12.30am
Gates open at 5.00pm and the concert finishes at 10.30pm.
PLEASE VISIT THE FAQ'S AND ON THE DAY PAGES FOR TICKETING, SECURITY AND TRANSPORT INFORMATION.
Friday 30 May 2008
OPERATION BLACK VOTE -THE LAUNCH PARTY!
Tracey Dunn Reports for Toxteth08.
People from liverpool's black and ethnic minority community (called shadows) have been appointed to work closely with local councillors. 'Operation Black Vote', launched the scheme in the hall of rememberance at Liverpool Town Hall. Around 70 community groups, councillors and proud guests converged before entering the council chambers.
People chatted before a memorial to 13,245 mainly scouse soldiers who died in war.
Lord Mayor (Steve Rotheram) spoke to seated guests: 'I want people from all diverse communities to attend drop in surgeries and have a chat on any subject.'
Rotheram recognized a much needed change to attitudes and ethnic mix in the council.
'Liverpool City Council is fully embracing cultural diversity'.
But Simon Wooley from Operation Black Vote, based in East London, made a joke about the Lord Mayor's "bling" - his gold chain. "What is culture?" asked he. It is peoples history, some tragic, some shameful but glorious too.
He reminded us that the Beatles were inspired by the black music entering the port of Liverpool.
He recognized a need that the council should represent all the people,'we should recognize ourselves in them'.
We want your voice, your presence.We must break down stubborn beliefs and prejudices.
There must not be a gloss over- it must be the real deal. Those handpicked by the council to shadow councillors can now say, 'this great institution belongs to us too'.
Warren Bradley thanked Andrew Nebard, equality officer, Gloria Hyatt, Eva Davis and Laurence Westgaph. He held up Laurence's booklet on street signs relating to the slave trade and said we must teach our children and our children's children about this. He thanked all councillors and mentioned Martin Luther King's words 'be better than yourself'.
Mr.Bradley also thanked Operation Black Vote and political parties in the city council for their efforts in reaching out to diverse communities.He spoke of those disenfranchised in Liverpool 8.
Mr. Bradley wanted to encourage and nurture people to become involved in local political life and admitted the council wasn't represenative.In a city where 65 different dialects are spoken it is crucial for MP's to engage with every community,barriers must be removed.
Councillor Joe Anderson said 'Liverpool to me has a lot to learn and must accept mistakes we've made and make things better.There is not enough engagement.Bring in the Black and Ethnic Minority (BME) groups and communicate better.There is a need to change the way we engage.Too many dissaffected people-only a 27% turnout in local elections. Do things differently, move forward and work together'.
Councillor Steve Radcliffe said he was cynical at first and had seen a lot of token efforts. He was deeply impressed by the rigour and depth of today's programme; absolutely delighted. Wants all to partake in public life.
Chris Walsh, head of community services with 25 years experience talked of 'playshapers'- pro active campaigns to encourage people to become councillors, especially the young.
Only 4.1% of Liverpool City Councillors are from an ethnic background. He wants to 'grow our own leaders' and move forward.
Councillor Anna Rothery has been described as a 'trailblazer' for councillors as she is the only black woman in power in Liverpool.
She was very emotional and read from her notes.She welcomed all shadows very warmly. She continues to work with Operation Black Vote and is both proud and ashamed to be the only black woman in council. Anna Rotherby's motivation is true representation in the Princes Park ward. She will head disparities in the city and support disengaged people. 'The time is right for all to engage with the shaping of politics'. Her main priority is that a high standard of candidates from diverse communities are represented. Simon Wooley, OBV, said we had come together from all walks of life. Together we can make the change. Make Liverpool an example of how we can do this. Changing the city needs belief, hope and hard work. Eventually we'll see a representative chamber. We want to see a higher voter turn out. He said he was moved today with the potential that we have.
The 9 shadows then had a photocall on the town hall stairs with their individual councillors. I personally spoke to Jane Hill, Granby ward and took her photo. The evening ended with drinks and canapes upstairs in the small ballroom.
People from liverpool's black and ethnic minority community (called shadows) have been appointed to work closely with local councillors. 'Operation Black Vote', launched the scheme in the hall of rememberance at Liverpool Town Hall. Around 70 community groups, councillors and proud guests converged before entering the council chambers.
People chatted before a memorial to 13,245 mainly scouse soldiers who died in war.
Lord Mayor (Steve Rotheram) spoke to seated guests: 'I want people from all diverse communities to attend drop in surgeries and have a chat on any subject.'
Rotheram recognized a much needed change to attitudes and ethnic mix in the council.
'Liverpool City Council is fully embracing cultural diversity'.
But Simon Wooley from Operation Black Vote, based in East London, made a joke about the Lord Mayor's "bling" - his gold chain. "What is culture?" asked he. It is peoples history, some tragic, some shameful but glorious too.
He reminded us that the Beatles were inspired by the black music entering the port of Liverpool.
He recognized a need that the council should represent all the people,'we should recognize ourselves in them'.
We want your voice, your presence.We must break down stubborn beliefs and prejudices.
There must not be a gloss over- it must be the real deal. Those handpicked by the council to shadow councillors can now say, 'this great institution belongs to us too'.
Warren Bradley thanked Andrew Nebard, equality officer, Gloria Hyatt, Eva Davis and Laurence Westgaph. He held up Laurence's booklet on street signs relating to the slave trade and said we must teach our children and our children's children about this. He thanked all councillors and mentioned Martin Luther King's words 'be better than yourself'.
Mr.Bradley also thanked Operation Black Vote and political parties in the city council for their efforts in reaching out to diverse communities.He spoke of those disenfranchised in Liverpool 8.
Mr. Bradley wanted to encourage and nurture people to become involved in local political life and admitted the council wasn't represenative.In a city where 65 different dialects are spoken it is crucial for MP's to engage with every community,barriers must be removed.
Councillor Joe Anderson said 'Liverpool to me has a lot to learn and must accept mistakes we've made and make things better.There is not enough engagement.Bring in the Black and Ethnic Minority (BME) groups and communicate better.There is a need to change the way we engage.Too many dissaffected people-only a 27% turnout in local elections. Do things differently, move forward and work together'.
Councillor Steve Radcliffe said he was cynical at first and had seen a lot of token efforts. He was deeply impressed by the rigour and depth of today's programme; absolutely delighted. Wants all to partake in public life.
Chris Walsh, head of community services with 25 years experience talked of 'playshapers'- pro active campaigns to encourage people to become councillors, especially the young.
Only 4.1% of Liverpool City Councillors are from an ethnic background. He wants to 'grow our own leaders' and move forward.
Councillor Anna Rothery has been described as a 'trailblazer' for councillors as she is the only black woman in power in Liverpool.
She was very emotional and read from her notes.She welcomed all shadows very warmly. She continues to work with Operation Black Vote and is both proud and ashamed to be the only black woman in council. Anna Rotherby's motivation is true representation in the Princes Park ward. She will head disparities in the city and support disengaged people. 'The time is right for all to engage with the shaping of politics'. Her main priority is that a high standard of candidates from diverse communities are represented. Simon Wooley, OBV, said we had come together from all walks of life. Together we can make the change. Make Liverpool an example of how we can do this. Changing the city needs belief, hope and hard work. Eventually we'll see a representative chamber. We want to see a higher voter turn out. He said he was moved today with the potential that we have.
The 9 shadows then had a photocall on the town hall stairs with their individual councillors. I personally spoke to Jane Hill, Granby ward and took her photo. The evening ended with drinks and canapes upstairs in the small ballroom.
Wednesday 28 May 2008
Tate "Klimt" Exhibition -best ever
Gustav Klimt at Tate Liverpool Gustav Klimt: Painting, Design and Modern Life in Vienna 1900 30 May – 31 August 2008 Tickets cost £8 (£6 concs.)To celebrate 2008 as European Capital of Culture Tate Liverpool is delighted to present the first comprehensive exhibition of Gustav Klimt’s work ever staged in the UK. The exhibition focuses on the life and art of one of the world’s most influential and revered artists. It will explore Klimt’s role as the founder and leader of the Viennese Secession, a progressive group of artists and artisans. The work and philosophy of the Secession embraced art, architecture, fashion, dazzling decorative objects and furniture in their search for identity. Major paintings and drawings from all stages of Klimt’s career will be shown alongside the work of Josef Hoffmann, the architect and designer and a close friend of the artist. Tickets now on sale. Supported by the Liverpool Culture Company as part of European Capital of Culture 2008 Media Partner - The Times
Liverpool's Black Vote
Black shadow councillors will be unveiled at Liverpool Town Hall at 6.20pm, tomorrow night. The event marks a new initiative to improve BME representation within Liverpool Council Chamber.
A press conference, launching the event takes place at Liverpool Town Hall between 5:30pm and 7:30pm on Thursday 29 May 2008.
The recruits will be made available for interviews and a photocall at 6.20pm.
LIVERPOOL has recruited nine people to shadow councillors in a
groundbreaking new initiative to nurture the Black and minority
ethnic community leaders of the future.
Nine dynamic Liverpool residents - seven women and two men – have
been selected for Operation Black Vote's (OBV's) award winning
programme. Through which, they hope to gain an insight into the roles and responsibilities of a councillor. Each shadow been assigned to an elected member from the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Liberal Party's and will follow them for
the next six months.
Conservative Clls do not seem to be included.
Nevertheless, this new generation of black shadown cllrs are being sworn in at a special event at 5:30pm in the council chamber at Liverpool Town Hall on Thursday 29 May. They will be welcomed by Lord Mayor Steve Rotheram, their mentors and the leaders of the three largest political groups on the council.
RECRUITS Vs COUNSELLORS
Justine Jenkins-Burke - Cllr Alan Dean (Labour)
Shanaz Nawaz - Cllr Steve Munby (Labour)
Caroline Cheghe - Cllr Louise Baldock (Labour)
Jane Hill - Cllr Anna Rothery (Labour)
Jing Liu Deng - Cllr Karen Afford (Lib Dem)
Amina Ismail - Cllr Warren Bradley (Lib Dem)
Kevin James Nagberi Cllr Flo Clucas (Lib Dem)
Akmed Musleh Cllr Peter Millea (Lib Dem)
Nathalie Nicholas Cllr Steve Radford (Liberal)
Background.
Operation Black Vote is a non-party political campaign – see
www.obv.org. uk for more information
The term "Black" is a political term. It refers to African,
Asian, Caribbean and other ethnic minorities.
The Operation Black Vote Shadowing Scheme is the first to specifically target ethnic minorities.
Shadows commit at least eight working days to the project over the next six months. This is a voluntary programme. Participants will not be paid bar basic expenses.
Liverpool City Council is a Liberal Democrat controlled
Local Authority. There are currently 90 councillors in Liverpool , only one of whom is from a BME community (Cllr Anna Rothery).
Cllr Anna Rothery participated in the 2006 OBV MP Shadowing
Scheme a national programme to address
the under-representation of BME communities within Parliament. At
present there are 15 BME MPs, if this figure was representative,
there should be 55-60 MPs.
The Councillor Shadowing Scheme was first implemented in
2005/6 in Bristol and was awarded the Local Government Chronicle
Award in 2006 for `Supporting Local Democracy' and was highly
commended for the `Community Involvement' category.
The LGC Awards are a national award which recognizes and rewards initiatives of
excellence (http://www.lgcaward s.com).
The Councillor Shadowing
Scheme was also cited as a `model of excellence' by both the
Councillors Commission and the Audit Commission.
For enquiries regarding Liverpool City Council - please contact Paul
Johnston, News Officer, on 0151 225 2611 or 07740 918615
Thanks to:
Garth Dallas
Chief Executive
Fortis Marketing Ltd*
t: 0151 707 6550
m: 07793 771275
f: 0151 703 6580
e: gdallas@fortismarke ting.co.uk
w: www.fortismarketing .co.uk
*Publishers of Diverse Liverpool magazine, winner of "Excellence in
Media Award, Black Achievers Awards 2006
A press conference, launching the event takes place at Liverpool Town Hall between 5:30pm and 7:30pm on Thursday 29 May 2008.
The recruits will be made available for interviews and a photocall at 6.20pm.
LIVERPOOL has recruited nine people to shadow councillors in a
groundbreaking new initiative to nurture the Black and minority
ethnic community leaders of the future.
Nine dynamic Liverpool residents - seven women and two men – have
been selected for Operation Black Vote's (OBV's) award winning
programme. Through which, they hope to gain an insight into the roles and responsibilities of a councillor. Each shadow been assigned to an elected member from the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Liberal Party's and will follow them for
the next six months.
Conservative Clls do not seem to be included.
Nevertheless, this new generation of black shadown cllrs are being sworn in at a special event at 5:30pm in the council chamber at Liverpool Town Hall on Thursday 29 May. They will be welcomed by Lord Mayor Steve Rotheram, their mentors and the leaders of the three largest political groups on the council.
RECRUITS Vs COUNSELLORS
Justine Jenkins-Burke - Cllr Alan Dean (Labour)
Shanaz Nawaz - Cllr Steve Munby (Labour)
Caroline Cheghe - Cllr Louise Baldock (Labour)
Jane Hill - Cllr Anna Rothery (Labour)
Jing Liu Deng - Cllr Karen Afford (Lib Dem)
Amina Ismail - Cllr Warren Bradley (Lib Dem)
Kevin James Nagberi Cllr Flo Clucas (Lib Dem)
Akmed Musleh Cllr Peter Millea (Lib Dem)
Nathalie Nicholas Cllr Steve Radford (Liberal)
Background.
Operation Black Vote is a non-party political campaign – see
www.obv.org. uk for more information
The term "Black" is a political term. It refers to African,
Asian, Caribbean and other ethnic minorities.
The Operation Black Vote Shadowing Scheme is the first to specifically target ethnic minorities.
Shadows commit at least eight working days to the project over the next six months. This is a voluntary programme. Participants will not be paid bar basic expenses.
Liverpool City Council is a Liberal Democrat controlled
Local Authority. There are currently 90 councillors in Liverpool , only one of whom is from a BME community (Cllr Anna Rothery).
Cllr Anna Rothery participated in the 2006 OBV MP Shadowing
Scheme a national programme to address
the under-representation of BME communities within Parliament. At
present there are 15 BME MPs, if this figure was representative,
there should be 55-60 MPs.
The Councillor Shadowing Scheme was first implemented in
2005/6 in Bristol and was awarded the Local Government Chronicle
Award in 2006 for `Supporting Local Democracy' and was highly
commended for the `Community Involvement' category.
The LGC Awards are a national award which recognizes and rewards initiatives of
excellence (http://www.lgcaward s.com).
The Councillor Shadowing
Scheme was also cited as a `model of excellence' by both the
Councillors Commission and the Audit Commission.
For enquiries regarding Liverpool City Council - please contact Paul
Johnston, News Officer, on 0151 225 2611 or 07740 918615
Thanks to:
Garth Dallas
Chief Executive
Fortis Marketing Ltd*
t: 0151 707 6550
m: 07793 771275
f: 0151 703 6580
e: gdallas@fortismarke ting.co.uk
w: www.fortismarketing .co.uk
*Publishers of Diverse Liverpool magazine, winner of "Excellence in
Media Award, Black Achievers Awards 2006
Friday 16 May 2008
What We'd all Prefer to a Ringo Sing-a-Long...
What We’d all Prefer to a Ringo Sing-a-Long ...
By Laurence Westgaph
THE council may have to sell Millennium House in order to pay for this year’s festivities.
The £20m shortfall, that one Liberal Democrat official told me has been caused by “councillor cock-ups”, will leave us with a massive hang-over after the party is over.
If the government gives the go ahead then the Culture Company’s main office building could be put into trust using a process known as capitalisation.
Councillors, instead of the embarrassment of hocking one of your main office buildings, why not sell off the multitude of brownfield sites that have been allowed to fester by successive administrations for more than a quarter of a century?
These sites once provided a service to the community in the way of shops that employed people and provided revenue to the city through rates and council taxes.
I’m thinking of plots on Upper Parliament Street, where unique Georgian terraces were demolished and nothing was put back; Lodge Lane, where after the riots shops were replaced by poorly landscaped green areas, only useful for acting as litter traps and providing a benefit to no one apart from a few manky pigeons; and the acres of dereliction that we see in Everton, Kirkdale and Anfield really highlight the generations of neglect that have created a north-south divide in our beloved city.
Hey, but let’s look on the bright side. This funding crisis could be used to finally attract some private investment into these areas. For far too long deprivation and a lack of innovation has meant that the only organisations building in these communities are housing associations or other public bodies.
One of the main obstacles to progress is that thanks to the farcical Housing Market Renewal Initiative, the council gives ‘preferred developer’ status to ‘cardboard box’ volume house builders, allowing them to cherry pick sites for development. While these massive companies twiddle their thumbs deciding which sites they want to develop, smaller, usually local, developers are not allowed to buy any of the council owned sites.
In a country that supposedly believes in free trade, that seems suspiciously like a monopoly to me.
The council needs to sell off all their long-term derelict sites and use Compulsory Purchase Order powers if necessary to bring other land bankers to the negotiating table. It seems awfully hypocritical to continue to persecute homeowners with the threat of CPOs for wanting nothing more than to stay in their well-maintained homes, while multi-millionaire property speculators allow our built heritage to fall into the ground.
What this £20m debacle really highlights is just how out of touch the council is when it comes to realising what is important for the real people of Liverpool.
We all love a good knees up, but at the end of the day I think what many of us would prefer, rather than a sing song from Ringo, is the chance to live in decent, well maintained neighbourhoods, in a city where the majority of dereliction is not owned by the city.
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
Penny Lane
By Paul Coslett
The street made famous in song by The Beatles is named after a Liverpool slave ship owner and anti-abolitionist.
Penny Lane is a street famous worldwide thanks to The Beatles 1967 hit, but the south Liverpool street owes its name to an outspoken Liverpool slave ship owner and staunch anti-abolitionist.
James Penny was a Liverpool merchant who made his money from the transportation of slaves.
Penny was one of several traders from Liverpool who spoke in favour of the slave trade at a parliamentary committee.
Penny told the committee that he had invested in eleven voyages of ships carrying slaves from Africa to the West Indies. His ships were between 200-300 tons and usually carried between 500 to 600 slaves in a single voyage. Of these approximately two thirds of the slaves were male and one third female.
'An advantageous trade'
The Lords Committee of Council was set up in February 1788 to investigate the slave trade.
In evidence James Penny voiced his opinion that the trade was humane “…that he found himself impelled, both by humanity and interest, to pay every possible attention both to the preservation of the crew and the slaves.
"Great improvements have been made at Liverpool within these twenty years in the construction of the ships."
James Penny in 1788
“The slaves here will sleep better than the gentlemen do on shore.”
The slave trader was presented with a silver table in 1792 for speaking out against the abolition of slavery.
Liverpool traders were anxious to preserve the slave trade which had made large profits for many of them and was the source of much of the city’s wealth.
The parliamentary minutes record James Penny’s conviction that ending the trade would cause great harm to Liverpool, “…Mr Penny being asked, whether he conceives this trade to be a profitable one in general to the Merchant?
“Replied, he thinks it, upon the whole, an advantageous trade; and added, he would have to beg leave to observe, that should this trade be abolished, it would not only greatly affect the commercial interest, but also the landed property of the County of Lancaster and more particularly, the Town of Liverpool; whose fall, in that case, would be as rapid as its rise has been astonishing.”
James Penny was insistent that the slave trade should be allowed to continue “…the Slave Ships at Liverpool are built on purpose for this trade, and are accommodated with air ports and gratings for the purpose of keeping the slaves cool.
“Great improvements have been made at Liverpool within these twenty years in the construction of the ships. The space between the decks is sufficiently large to contain the number of negroes above-mentioned and is plained, very smooth and painted.”
In July 2006 a Liverpool councillor Barbara Mace proposed that streets named after slave traders should be renamed.
The plan was criticised by those who argued the negative parts of history should not be "airbrushed" and was later withdrawn.
www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool, Last updated: 15/02/07
By Paul Coslett
The street made famous in song by The Beatles is named after a Liverpool slave ship owner and anti-abolitionist.
Penny Lane is a street famous worldwide thanks to The Beatles 1967 hit, but the south Liverpool street owes its name to an outspoken Liverpool slave ship owner and staunch anti-abolitionist.
James Penny was a Liverpool merchant who made his money from the transportation of slaves.
Penny was one of several traders from Liverpool who spoke in favour of the slave trade at a parliamentary committee.
Penny told the committee that he had invested in eleven voyages of ships carrying slaves from Africa to the West Indies. His ships were between 200-300 tons and usually carried between 500 to 600 slaves in a single voyage. Of these approximately two thirds of the slaves were male and one third female.
'An advantageous trade'
The Lords Committee of Council was set up in February 1788 to investigate the slave trade.
In evidence James Penny voiced his opinion that the trade was humane “…that he found himself impelled, both by humanity and interest, to pay every possible attention both to the preservation of the crew and the slaves.
"Great improvements have been made at Liverpool within these twenty years in the construction of the ships."
James Penny in 1788
“The slaves here will sleep better than the gentlemen do on shore.”
The slave trader was presented with a silver table in 1792 for speaking out against the abolition of slavery.
Liverpool traders were anxious to preserve the slave trade which had made large profits for many of them and was the source of much of the city’s wealth.
The parliamentary minutes record James Penny’s conviction that ending the trade would cause great harm to Liverpool, “…Mr Penny being asked, whether he conceives this trade to be a profitable one in general to the Merchant?
“Replied, he thinks it, upon the whole, an advantageous trade; and added, he would have to beg leave to observe, that should this trade be abolished, it would not only greatly affect the commercial interest, but also the landed property of the County of Lancaster and more particularly, the Town of Liverpool; whose fall, in that case, would be as rapid as its rise has been astonishing.”
James Penny was insistent that the slave trade should be allowed to continue “…the Slave Ships at Liverpool are built on purpose for this trade, and are accommodated with air ports and gratings for the purpose of keeping the slaves cool.
“Great improvements have been made at Liverpool within these twenty years in the construction of the ships. The space between the decks is sufficiently large to contain the number of negroes above-mentioned and is plained, very smooth and painted.”
In July 2006 a Liverpool councillor Barbara Mace proposed that streets named after slave traders should be renamed.
The plan was criticised by those who argued the negative parts of history should not be "airbrushed" and was later withdrawn.
www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool, Last updated: 15/02/07
Visitors Break 3million
Culture visitors to break 3m mark
Tate Liverpool has been one of the most popular venues
Liverpool is preparing to break the 3m visitors mark since the start of its Capital of Culture celebrations.
More than 2.75m people attended venues and events in the first four months of 2008 - a 25% rise on 2007.
And with the biggest events of the year yet to take place, culture bosses are estimating that visitor numbers will continue to grow.
The Streets Ahead arts festival and the Gustav Klimt exhibition at the Tate are among upcoming highlights.
The Merseyside Maritime Museum, Tate Liverpool and Anglican Cathedral are among the venues experiencing the biggest boosts.
Bryan Gray, chairman of Liverpool Culture Company, said: ''The impact of Capital of Culture is having an impact on our cultural and tourism sectors in a way that few if any previous culture cities have experienced.
"To have these figures at this stage of the year is truly amazing and surpasses all our expectations."
More than 350 events, many of them free, are being staged for the city's celebrations.
Highlights later in the year include the Liverpool Sound concert at Anfield on 1 June, the Tall Ships Races which start on 18 July and the MTV Europe Music Awards in November.
Tate Liverpool has been one of the most popular venues
Liverpool is preparing to break the 3m visitors mark since the start of its Capital of Culture celebrations.
More than 2.75m people attended venues and events in the first four months of 2008 - a 25% rise on 2007.
And with the biggest events of the year yet to take place, culture bosses are estimating that visitor numbers will continue to grow.
The Streets Ahead arts festival and the Gustav Klimt exhibition at the Tate are among upcoming highlights.
The Merseyside Maritime Museum, Tate Liverpool and Anglican Cathedral are among the venues experiencing the biggest boosts.
Bryan Gray, chairman of Liverpool Culture Company, said: ''The impact of Capital of Culture is having an impact on our cultural and tourism sectors in a way that few if any previous culture cities have experienced.
"To have these figures at this stage of the year is truly amazing and surpasses all our expectations."
More than 350 events, many of them free, are being staged for the city's celebrations.
Highlights later in the year include the Liverpool Sound concert at Anfield on 1 June, the Tall Ships Races which start on 18 July and the MTV Europe Music Awards in November.
Sunday 11 May 2008
Black Arts Exhibition
The Art of 15 CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS & ONE 16th CENTURY SAILOR was shown at Novas Contemporary Arts Centre in Liverpool this spring.
Special guests attended a private viewing on Thursday 6 March 2008, 7pm-10pm. A public exhibition followed: 7 March - 2 May 2008 at Novas Arts Centre.
Black Artists explored new visions of the African-Caribbean diaspora in the wake of Sir John Hawkins, Britain’s first slave trader.
Featured Artists:
Faith Bebbington
George ‘Fowokan’ Kelly
Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy
Jean-François Boclé
Donna Berry
Keith Piper
Barbara Walker
Raimi Gbadamosi
Kofi Achiampong
Pauline Wiggins
Tam Joseph
Kimathi Donkor
Marcia Brown
Paul Clarkson
Jane Woolner
This was a Hawkins & Co event but was curated by Kimathi Donkor for Novas Arts.
Did you attend and meet a featured artist? How did his or her work affect you? Send your views to: marieeloisefeatures@yahoo.co.uk
Tuesday 22 April 2008
BBC: Capital of Culture? How Liverpool Won.
Q&A: Becoming Capital of Culture
Liverpool has been designated a European Capital of Culture for 2008, earning a platform to showcase its cultural life and attract visitors.
But how did it earn this status in the first place?
The European Union launched the Capital of Culture programme to replace the City of Culture status, which began with Athens in 1985.
Every EU member state has been awarded the accolade on rotation for the years up to 2019, and the UK allocated 2008.
It was left to the UK government to decide which of its cities would be nominated.
The Norwegian city of Stavanger has also been named a Capital of Culture for 2008.
How was Liverpool chosen?
Initially, a dozen cities were contesting the title, and a 12-person committee of judges was appointed to evaluate their bids.
THE ORIGINAL ENTRANTS
Belfast
Birmingham
Bradford
Brighton and Hove
Bristol
Canterbury and East Kent
Cardiff
Inverness and the Highlands
Liverpool
Newcastle and Gateshead
Norwich
Oxford
It was chaired by the former general director of the Royal Opera House, Sir Jeremy Isaacs, with ex-BBC presenter Sue MacGregor and Judith Mayhew from the Corporation of London as the deputy chairs.
After the judges visited all 12 cities, they announced a final shortlist of six in October 2002.
The other contenders were Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Newcastle-Gateshead and Oxford.
How did the judging panel weigh up the candidates?
The six cities on the shortlist were visited again and given a chance to expand on their proposals.
Finally, the bidding teams each faced a 90-minute grilling from the judging panel.
The committee then recommended to the Department of Culture that Liverpool be named the eventual winner.
Why was Liverpool chosen?
It was a close-run race but in the words of Sir Jeremy Isaacs, chairman of the judges' panel, what swung it for Liverpool was a "greater sense... that the whole city is involved in the bid and behind the bid".
He added: "A little bit of extra zip from the fan club helps."
Liverpool's cultural strengths include the largest collection of Grade II-listed buildings outside London, one of the best collections of European art outside London - and of course its status as the birthplace of the Beatles.
The then Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell had also highlighted the competition's role as "an engine for regeneration".
Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/7179306.stmPublished: 2008/01/11 10:21:47 GMT© BBC MMVIII
Liverpool has been designated a European Capital of Culture for 2008, earning a platform to showcase its cultural life and attract visitors.
But how did it earn this status in the first place?
The European Union launched the Capital of Culture programme to replace the City of Culture status, which began with Athens in 1985.
Every EU member state has been awarded the accolade on rotation for the years up to 2019, and the UK allocated 2008.
It was left to the UK government to decide which of its cities would be nominated.
The Norwegian city of Stavanger has also been named a Capital of Culture for 2008.
How was Liverpool chosen?
Initially, a dozen cities were contesting the title, and a 12-person committee of judges was appointed to evaluate their bids.
THE ORIGINAL ENTRANTS
Belfast
Birmingham
Bradford
Brighton and Hove
Bristol
Canterbury and East Kent
Cardiff
Inverness and the Highlands
Liverpool
Newcastle and Gateshead
Norwich
Oxford
It was chaired by the former general director of the Royal Opera House, Sir Jeremy Isaacs, with ex-BBC presenter Sue MacGregor and Judith Mayhew from the Corporation of London as the deputy chairs.
After the judges visited all 12 cities, they announced a final shortlist of six in October 2002.
The other contenders were Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Newcastle-Gateshead and Oxford.
How did the judging panel weigh up the candidates?
The six cities on the shortlist were visited again and given a chance to expand on their proposals.
Finally, the bidding teams each faced a 90-minute grilling from the judging panel.
The committee then recommended to the Department of Culture that Liverpool be named the eventual winner.
Why was Liverpool chosen?
It was a close-run race but in the words of Sir Jeremy Isaacs, chairman of the judges' panel, what swung it for Liverpool was a "greater sense... that the whole city is involved in the bid and behind the bid".
He added: "A little bit of extra zip from the fan club helps."
Liverpool's cultural strengths include the largest collection of Grade II-listed buildings outside London, one of the best collections of European art outside London - and of course its status as the birthplace of the Beatles.
The then Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell had also highlighted the competition's role as "an engine for regeneration".
Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/7179306.stmPublished: 2008/01/11 10:21:47 GMT© BBC MMVIII
Monday 21 April 2008
Capital of Culture Row
This article appeared in the Guardian on Wednesday January 09 2008 on p7 of the Society news & features section. It was last updated at 23:48 on January 08 2008.
Preparations for Liverpool's year as the cultural hub of the continent have been marred by in-fighting, claims of plots and cancellations. In the Tate gallery in Liverpool's Docklands stands a giant sign formed from plastic light bulbs. The installation, by Turner-prize nominee Nathan
Coley, reads: "There will be no miracles here."
As Liverpool kicks off its year as European Capital of Culture on Friday without an artistic director, its culture company chief executive awaiting a reported £250,000 payoff and two of its most senior politicians under investigation, the fact that the event is taking place at all challenges the artist's statement.
Since Liverpool won the bid to host the event in June 2003, preparations have been marred by furious political in-fighting, resignations of senior figures, alleged conspiracy plots and cancellations.
According to Mark Featherstone-Witty, chief executive of Liverpool's Institute of Performing Arts (Lipa), many of the problems stemmed from an inability to separate the cultural programme from local politics. The Liverpool Culture Company (LCC) was formed, but with around 65% of its funding and most of its staff coming from the local authority, independence was always unlikely. "The city council produced the chimera of separateness, but that's all it was. That was the first fundamental mistake," says Featherstone-Witty.
A bitter feud between the then leader of the council, Mike Storey, and the council's chief executive, Sir David Henshaw, resulted in the resignation of both men.
There were also grumbles about the appointment of Australian cabaret singer and festival director Robyn Archer as creative director of the LCC, the body charged with organising the year. "We thought, is there no one capable of doing the job in Liverpool? No one in England? . . .
It was all rather damaging," says Featherstone-Witty. Though appointed in 2004, Archer only came to work full-time in Liverpool in April 2006 after troubles obtaining a work visa. Four months later she had quit with a reported £125,000 payoff.
Two executive producers, Claire McColgan and Fiona Gasper, took control of the programme, working closely with the heads of the city's main arts organisations.
There was further controversy last year when the popular Mathew Street festival had to be cancelled at the last minute because of health and safety fears, says Liam Fogarty, a local journalist and head of the campaign amayorforliverpool.org. "It symbolised the seat-of-the-pants approach to decision-making in Liverpool," he argues.
In the latest political row, the former council leader Storey and the current chief, Warren Bradley, are to be investigated by the local government watchdog, the Standards Board for England. They are accused of holding a secret meeting in December with the council's former event manager, Lee Forde, at which they allegedly conspired to remove the current LCC chief executive, Jason Harborrow. Harborrow, who has spent much of the past few months on sick leave, is reportedly to receive a £250,000 payoff.
Bradley admits the political brawls risk detracting from Liverpool's big year. "Sadly, it does [overshadow] things," he says. Refusing to be drawn on whether Archer's appointment was a mistake ("I wouldn't like to comment on that") or the situation with Harbarrow ("As far as I know, Jason is on sick leave"), Bradley says the opportunity to change how the rest of the world sees Liverpool must not be missed. "This cannot but be a success for the people of this city. We cannot fail," he says.
But even success comes at a cost. The city council has identified a budget gap of about £20m for the next year: a result of hosting the capital of culture. With council tax increases capped at 5%, the council will be forced to borrow money, sell off council land, refinance assets, or use up most of its financial reserves to raise the funds.
Do Liverpudlians have a right to feel aggrieved about the inevitable council tax hikes, seeing as payoffs to senior executives have been costly? "The people of Liverpool want to make sure we deliver a superb capital of culture. If we really put Liverpool on the map - that's what is important," says Bradley.
The 12-month cultural celebration - featuring a concert at Anfield football ground, an exhibition of Gustav Klimt's work, Sir Simon Rattle conducting the Berlin Philharmonic, and hundreds of smaller events - has that potential.
Can the year be a success despite the maelstrom that has surrounded it? "Absolutely," says Elliott. "It's a regret that these issues are still around, but you can feel the excitement ... 2008 will be a fabulous celebration of Liverpool's quality, its edginess and quirkiness. And knowing the people of Liverpool, it will be quite a party."
This article appeared in the Guardian on Wednesday January 09 2008 on p7 of the Society news & features section. It was last updated at 23:48 on January 08 2008.
A people’s poem for Liverpool’s birthday
Poetry written by Merseysiders makes up the 800 line Liverpool Saga to celebrate Liverpool's 800th birthday. The Liverpool Saga is an 800 line poem written by people from across Merseyside to celebrate Liverpool's 800th birthday.
Mersey poet Roger McGough wrote the opening and closing verses, taking his inspiration from the creation of the original Letters Patent, although he admits that the first line was harder to pen than he had imagined.
BBC listener's and web users were invited to send in their contributions to The Liverpool Saga which was then compiled in to a full length poem.
Local poets Sylvia Hikins and Dave Ward whittled down over 500 submissions to create the
finished saga. Roger McGough's introductory lines apart the whole saga has been written by Merseysiders. The finished saga has now been mixed as a radio programme by Radio Merseyside producer Pauline McAdam.
Listen to the full Liverpool Saga >
Help playing audio/video
“We’re talking about 800 years and the time of King John and so forth," says Roger McGough of the saga's span.
"There were no processors in those days no electricity – it would have been a quill pen or something started the whole thing and then 800 years later people working on a computer so its that moment of time and all that length of time."
The Liverpool Saga launch
There were over 3000 lines sent in for The Liverpool Saga covering subjects including the river, factories, sport, families, disasters and music across the 800 years of Liverpool's history.
When initially launching the Liverpool Saga project Roger McGough was clear about how he thought it would develop, “Its got to be Liverpudlian – it’ll be witty and cheeky and all those good things. I suggest four lines at most – it could be two lines or an image or something overheard. I’d rather have two good lines than twenty eight. Quotable lines.”
The Liverpool Saga was first unveiled publicly on Saturday, 15 September by Roger McGough and Phil Redmond at Liverpool's St George's Hall during The Big History Show.
The Liverpool Saga
From the first tentative scratch of the penTo the keyboard’s final breathless amen,One poem. A patchwork of laughter and tears.Eight hundred lines. Eight hundred years.
800 years, oh what stories to be toldBy the people young and old -The bad times, the good times, tears and laughter.The next 800 memories are left to the young to tell thereafter.
*
I’m a Liver bird, verdigris and aloof.
They made me their emblem,They made me rustproof
And I’ll not leave this city, cos I’m tied to the roof.
Eight hundred lines is not enough
To tell your twisting tale.
What word will whisper lives now lost
In a puff of wind and ghost of snow?
So wind on through the years, old friend,
For oh so old you are.
I’ll carry you within my heart
Though I wander near and far.
Seven streets, a pool and a castle,
That’s how it all began.
A port to sail to Ireland from
Was King John’s crafty plan.
Jesters, jongleurs, troubadours,
Mummers of St George.
Through centuries of song and satire,
Scouse-sharp wit was forged;
From medieval minstrels
Using humour as their tool,
We are all born entertainers –Yet we’re nobody’s fool.
From first monk-steered ferry
To great ocean liner
Via car ferry Sea Cat
What sight could be finer
Than Liverpool’s lifeblood
Murky and grey?
River Mersey wash over me,
Whisper where your secrets lie.
I shall tell you of my familyAnd promise not to cry.
A city haunted by her past lies dreaming of her future:
The river has seen it all and bears silent witness.
Through Jesse Hartley’s growing dock
Came merchant shipping round the clock.
The port of Liverpool expanded
With every cargo newly landed.
As Mersey pilots pass the bar,
They’re guided into dock
By sighting our lady Graces
And the Liver clock!
The ferry waits but not the tide.
Blue-jerseyed men shout “Gangway Clear!”
We’re chugging away
Away from the Pier.
I’m off on the Ferry
To New Brighton Sands,
Jam butties and water bottles
Clutched in my hand.
Wind in my hair,
Salt water on my face -
My Liverpool, My home, My own special place.
Wondrous river,
Full of power and might
Flows past a city,
A heritage site.
Has anyone heard the Liver Bird -a song,a shout,a single word?
An “alright,” a “hiya”? from up there on high
Nah, me neither– maybe it’s shy.
Come on down to Liverpool beach:
Mist rising from the water in cold dawn air.
The sky is on fire: red, gold and blue.
Those seagulls, mate,
They’re bleedin’ hard.
They’re loud and tough and battle scarred.
They’d mug you for a pasty crust
And knock you to the floor concussed
The ships and the docks and the overhead train -Childhood memories…
As a lad with me mates
On a summer Sunday afternoon,
We’d walk from the bus at St Johns Lane
Down to the Pier Head,
Through the eerily quiet Dale Street and Water Street
To see Sandy and the escapologist
Entertain the crowds.
“ ‘ere luv duz dis bus stop at the Pier ‘ead?”
“Der’ll be a bloomin’ big splash if it duzn’t!”The smiling driver said.
They was launching a ship in Camell Laird
But the bottle wouldn’t break.
All hands were standing puzzled
Til some wag in the crowd
Shouted out loud“Give it to Dixie,
He’ll break it with ‘is ‘ead!”
Granda Van Engel passing through
To a New World wide and new
Placed his luggage,Carefully laid
On Hope Street flags,
And there he stayed.
www.bbc.co.uk 18/05/2007
Mersey poet Roger McGough wrote the opening and closing verses, taking his inspiration from the creation of the original Letters Patent, although he admits that the first line was harder to pen than he had imagined.
BBC listener's and web users were invited to send in their contributions to The Liverpool Saga which was then compiled in to a full length poem.
Local poets Sylvia Hikins and Dave Ward whittled down over 500 submissions to create the
finished saga. Roger McGough's introductory lines apart the whole saga has been written by Merseysiders. The finished saga has now been mixed as a radio programme by Radio Merseyside producer Pauline McAdam.
Listen to the full Liverpool Saga >
Help playing audio/video
“We’re talking about 800 years and the time of King John and so forth," says Roger McGough of the saga's span.
"There were no processors in those days no electricity – it would have been a quill pen or something started the whole thing and then 800 years later people working on a computer so its that moment of time and all that length of time."
The Liverpool Saga launch
There were over 3000 lines sent in for The Liverpool Saga covering subjects including the river, factories, sport, families, disasters and music across the 800 years of Liverpool's history.
When initially launching the Liverpool Saga project Roger McGough was clear about how he thought it would develop, “Its got to be Liverpudlian – it’ll be witty and cheeky and all those good things. I suggest four lines at most – it could be two lines or an image or something overheard. I’d rather have two good lines than twenty eight. Quotable lines.”
The Liverpool Saga was first unveiled publicly on Saturday, 15 September by Roger McGough and Phil Redmond at Liverpool's St George's Hall during The Big History Show.
The Liverpool Saga
From the first tentative scratch of the penTo the keyboard’s final breathless amen,One poem. A patchwork of laughter and tears.Eight hundred lines. Eight hundred years.
800 years, oh what stories to be toldBy the people young and old -The bad times, the good times, tears and laughter.The next 800 memories are left to the young to tell thereafter.
*
I’m a Liver bird, verdigris and aloof.
They made me their emblem,They made me rustproof
And I’ll not leave this city, cos I’m tied to the roof.
Eight hundred lines is not enough
To tell your twisting tale.
What word will whisper lives now lost
In a puff of wind and ghost of snow?
So wind on through the years, old friend,
For oh so old you are.
I’ll carry you within my heart
Though I wander near and far.
Seven streets, a pool and a castle,
That’s how it all began.
A port to sail to Ireland from
Was King John’s crafty plan.
Jesters, jongleurs, troubadours,
Mummers of St George.
Through centuries of song and satire,
Scouse-sharp wit was forged;
From medieval minstrels
Using humour as their tool,
We are all born entertainers –Yet we’re nobody’s fool.
From first monk-steered ferry
To great ocean liner
Via car ferry Sea Cat
What sight could be finer
Than Liverpool’s lifeblood
Murky and grey?
River Mersey wash over me,
Whisper where your secrets lie.
I shall tell you of my familyAnd promise not to cry.
A city haunted by her past lies dreaming of her future:
The river has seen it all and bears silent witness.
Through Jesse Hartley’s growing dock
Came merchant shipping round the clock.
The port of Liverpool expanded
With every cargo newly landed.
As Mersey pilots pass the bar,
They’re guided into dock
By sighting our lady Graces
And the Liver clock!
The ferry waits but not the tide.
Blue-jerseyed men shout “Gangway Clear!”
We’re chugging away
Away from the Pier.
I’m off on the Ferry
To New Brighton Sands,
Jam butties and water bottles
Clutched in my hand.
Wind in my hair,
Salt water on my face -
My Liverpool, My home, My own special place.
Wondrous river,
Full of power and might
Flows past a city,
A heritage site.
Has anyone heard the Liver Bird -a song,a shout,a single word?
An “alright,” a “hiya”? from up there on high
Nah, me neither– maybe it’s shy.
Come on down to Liverpool beach:
Mist rising from the water in cold dawn air.
The sky is on fire: red, gold and blue.
Those seagulls, mate,
They’re bleedin’ hard.
They’re loud and tough and battle scarred.
They’d mug you for a pasty crust
And knock you to the floor concussed
The ships and the docks and the overhead train -Childhood memories…
As a lad with me mates
On a summer Sunday afternoon,
We’d walk from the bus at St Johns Lane
Down to the Pier Head,
Through the eerily quiet Dale Street and Water Street
To see Sandy and the escapologist
Entertain the crowds.
“ ‘ere luv duz dis bus stop at the Pier ‘ead?”
“Der’ll be a bloomin’ big splash if it duzn’t!”The smiling driver said.
They was launching a ship in Camell Laird
But the bottle wouldn’t break.
All hands were standing puzzled
Til some wag in the crowd
Shouted out loud“Give it to Dixie,
He’ll break it with ‘is ‘ead!”
Granda Van Engel passing through
To a New World wide and new
Placed his luggage,Carefully laid
On Hope Street flags,
And there he stayed.
www.bbc.co.uk 18/05/2007
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