Dance fever is set to strike the North West this summer as Merseyside Dance Initiative (MDI) announces Big Dance in the North West, to take place across the region from Fri 18 May – Sun 9 September, with a particular focus in Big Dance week from Sat 7 – Sun 15 July.

Big Dance is the U.K’s biggest ever celebration of dance and is one of the highlights of London 2012 Festival, the culmination of the Cultural Olympiad. Big Dance 2012 will feature work on television, in the streets, in theatres and schools and right into the heart of communities all over the country.

In the North West, MDI is working with Dance Initiative Greater Manchester (DIGM), Ludus Dance (Lancashire) and Dance Cumbria to deliver dance events throughout the season with a flagship project that links up all the boroughs of the region and brings together over 1275 participants in a mass performance at Chavasse Park in Liverpool One on 15 July 2012. The artistic structure for this will be provided by Choreographic Consultant Jeanefer Jean Charles whose career began in Merseyside, North West based Artistic Director Lisi Perry and 25 North West artists.

Big Dance 2012 is a national programme  co-ordinated by the Foundation for Community Dance and is supported by major organisations including: Creative Scotland, Sport England, NHS London, London Councils, Youth Dance England, Council for Dance Education and Training, Dance Champions, Sport and Recreation Alliance and the British Council. Big Dance is delivered through a network of the UK’s leading dance organisations and will feature 9 days of dance in unusual spaces throughout the UK – shopping centres, parks, galleries, and lidos – showcasing the diversity of dance styles across the country.

The Big Dance Schools Pledge will start off the season of dance.  This is a World Record attempt, aiming to see over 250,000 people dancing to the same choreography across the world, at the same time. The Schools Pledge Record Attempt will take place at 1pm on Fri 18 May, the day in which the Olympic Torch arrives in the UK. Choreographed by Stockport born Wayne McGregor CBE the dance can be performed in schools and private venues. Schools and groups who have signed up for the Schools Pledge in Merseyside and Manchester are also invited to gather at the Grand Hall in St George’s Hall, Liverpool or the Live Site in Exchange Square in Manchester to dance the same choreography alongside  other groups. If groups are interested in performing at these venues they need to contact: info@mdi.org.uk for Merseyside or deb@digm.org.uk for Manchester.

Mira Balchandran Gokul, Big Dance Northwest Co-ordinator said: “The Schools Pledge is a great way for any group to get involved, even if you have no experience of dance. Although primarily meant for schools, several other groups want to promote fitness among employees by signing up to be part of this event. Once a group registers there is a downloadable video link with supporting material to help learn the choreography which can be adapted to the level of ability of each group. In addition to that we also have artists trained up to support teachers and group leaders.  St Georges Hall and the Liver Site are great venues to come together for performing this sports inspired dance choreography, alongside other groups.”

It’s not too late to register. Just click on the link below: http://www.bigdance2012.com/schools_and_teachers.ph

Everyone is invited to join in and make dance part of their lives in 2012 and beyond!

A full programme will be announced shortly.

For more information, check out:  www.bigdance2012.com  / Twitter:@bigdancenorthwest

Brazilica has become one of the flagship events of the year in Liverpool’s festival calendar – a colourful celebration of Brazilian music, dance, culture, food and of course, football!

The Soccer Zone is set to be a key component of the 2012 programme. Together with principal partners AFC Liverpool and LFC, Brazilica will recreate the electric atmosphere of a Brazilian sports arena in Liverpool ONE. The Soccer Zone will host a range of football activities including skill-based coaching sessions, family fun penalty shoot-outs and a freestyle competition. Brazilian sports activities will also be on offer, whilst live samba bands and dancers in sparkling costumes will entertain the crowds Rio style. The Soccer Zone celebrates Liverpool and Brazil’s shared love of football and also Great Britain and Brazil hosting sports events on the world stage with the London Olympics 2012 and Brazil hosting the World Cup 2014 and the 2016 Olympic Games.

On Monday April 9, a celebration at the home ground of AFC Liverpool will officially launch the Soccer Zone 2012 – when the irresistible sound of St Peters and Paul’s Samba Band and a glamour-packed performance from the Brazilica Carnival Queen Dancers will provide pre-match and half time entertainment that’s guaranteed to warm up the crowd!

Maeve Morris, Artistic Director of Liverpool Carnival Company, said:
“We were delighted at the success of last year’s Brazilica  -  seeing it grow into Britain’s biggest Brazilian carnival was a proud moment. We’re excited to make it even bigger for 2012 and hope that the many thousands of visitors who enjoyed the 2011 festival will return this year along with lots of new faces. It’s an unrivalled chance to experience Brazilian culture, music, food and sport in the UK.”

BRAZILICA promises to be Liverpool’s most exciting, exotic and vibrant spectacle: a Rio-style Brazilian samba carnival exploding with life, music, sport and dazzling costumes through the streets of the city centre, so get BRAZILICA 2012 (13 – 15 July) in your diaries and get ready to party with Liverpool Carnival Company.

More information can be found at www.brazilicafestival.com
Keep up-to-date with Liverpool Carnival Company’s events on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/brazilica2012

Brain Epstein c/o The Liverpool Echo

A brand new play about one of Liverpool’s favourite sons and one of the world’s most successful music entrepreneurs is to premiere in Liverpool for Autumn 2012, as part of the Beatles’ 50th Anniversary celebrations.

EPSTEIN celebrates the life of former Beatles manager Brian Epstein.  A one man multi-media play with live music, the show has been created by Jen Heyes and Andrew Sherlock, written by Andrew Sherlock, directed by Jen Heyes and runs from 15 November to 1 December 2012, The first major production at the new Epstein Theatre.

Brian Epstein was best known as a music entrepreneur and legendary manager of The Beatles and was the person responsible for their rise to mega-stardom all over the world. He also managed other popular artists such as Gerry & The Pacemakers, Billy J Kramer, The Foremost, The Dakotas and Cilla Black.

Brian Epstein’s short life was crammed with success and controversy; he was an intelligent man whose prescience, taste, vision and passion left a lifelong impact on the world.  Born in Liverpool in 1934 to Jewish descent, he spent his early adult years working for the family business NEMS (North End Music Stores) before being drafted into the Royal Army Service Corps, after a brief stint in London joining RADA and living a more openly gay life he returned to Liverpool to manage the new NEMS city centre music store making it one of the biggest in the North. Not long after was the historic lunchtime visit to the famous Cavern Club to hear four Liverpool lads perform and the rest was history.  Brian had a passion for classical music and theatre and even leased the Saville Theatre in London.  Immense rapid success, busy schedules and constant touring took its toll on Brian and depression and recreational drugs set-in.  Brian Epstein died of a sleeping pill overdose in August 1967, he was aged just 32.  His death was immediately felt, while the Beatles continued to make magnificent music, their business affairs rapidly crumbled and by 1970 it was all over.

EPSTEIN is brought to you by the newly formed Bill Elms & Jen Heyes Productions Ltd (Tales from Haunted Liverpool, Tales From Charles Dickens), written by Andrew Sherlock (Wall Talks and The Shankly Show) and directed by Jen Heyes (Blood Wedding, I love Vinegar Vera and Wall Talks).

“I hadn’t had anything to do with management of pop artists before that day that I went down to the Cavern Club and heard the Beatles playing… I was immediately struck by their music, their beat, and their sense of humour on stage – and even afterwards when I met them I was struck again by their personal charm. And it was there, that really, it all started.” Brian Epstein recalled meeting The Beatles.

EPSTEIN is sponsored by Gregory Abrams Davidson solicitors (Matthew Street and Penny Lane) and generously supported by The Cavern.

EPSTEIN

The Epstein Theatre

Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DY

Thu 15 November – Sat 1 December 2012

Preview Performances: 15-17 November 2012

Thu and Sat Matinees:  2.30pm | Mon – Sat Evenings: 7.30pm

Ticket Prices: £10-£24 (Concessions Available)

How to Book:

Box Office: 0844 8000 400* Online at www.echoarena.com*

or in person at the Echo Arena, Kings Dock, Liverpool*

*Subject to booking fee.

MARTINI LOUNGE RAISES A TOAST TO 2012

Following its sell out success in 2011, The Martini Lounge Burlesque and Variety Show is to continue well into 2012, announcing three new dates for the New Year.

Tickets are now on sale for performances on Saturday 28 April and Saturday 17 June. All shows will take place the newly refurbished Epstein Theatre, Hanover Street, Liverpool.

Widely regarded as Liverpool’s ultimate night of Burlesque and the must-see Burlesque and Variety showcase in the UK, The Martini Lounge treasures the satire and performance art that evolved since Burlesque’s 19^th Century origin.  Audiences are invited to enjoy an impressive performance of glitz and glamour from a forgotten age.

Previous Martini Lounge performers include Miss Exotic World Winners and international burlesque stars such as Kitten de Ville (Los Angeles) Dirty Martini (New York) Beeby Rose (Amsterdam) and Roxy Diamond (Zurich) who have performed alongside compére extrodanaire Fred Bear and Founder of the Martini Lounge and local burlesque legend Millie Dollar.

“Millie Dollar, with her fabulous costumes and routine, was outstanding; if Millie is short for Millions, she’s worth every penny”. ****  What’s On Stage 

“In all this is a fantastic night for everyone – with the ladies, glitter, bears and bubbly, what more could you want from a night at the theatre?” SEEN Magazine

After each show, Zeligs will stay open late for a Martini Lounge Afterparty starting around 11pm. Many guests of previous shows have asked for an after party and with its beautiful bar and terrace Zeligs lends itself perfectly as the ideal venue.

As a special treat – anyone booking for both shows will pay the special combined price of £33 instead of the usual £18 per ticket. You can even book a meal to enjoy before or during the show and the bar will be open throughout to keep you in high spirits.

How to Book:  Book online at www.martinilounge.co.uk.

OMIGOD YOU GUYS! LEGALLY BLONDE HAS ARRIVED IN SUNDERLAND!

Award-winning Legally Blonde: The Musical has arrived at the Sunderland Empire Theatre this Christmas to dazzle audiences across the North East. It runs at the theatre between 6th – 31st December.

Legally Blonde won Best New Musical in the Whatsonstage.com Awards 2011 and was nominated for five Olivier Awards, going on to win Best New Musical, Best New Actress for Sheridan Smith and Best Supporting Role in a Musical for co-star Jill Halfpenny.

Based on the hit movie starring Reese Witherspoon, this critically acclaimed new musical is created by a top-of-their-class creative team, led by Tony Award-winning director and Olivier Award-nominated choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray).

College sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods doesn’t take no for an answer. So when her boyfriend, Warner, dumps her for someone serious, Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and heads for Harvard Law School accompanied by her loveable Chihuahua, Bruiser.

The cast is led by Faye Brookes (Grease in the West End), Iwan Lewis (Fame in the West End, Passion at The Donmar Warehouse), Claire Sweeney (Chicago and Guys & Dolls in the West End, UK tour of Tell Me On a Sunday, BBC’s Candy Cabs and Channel 4’s Brookside), Neil Toon (Channel 4’s Hollyoaks, Les Misérables in the West End) and Dave Willetts (Les Misérables, Phantom of The Opera, Sunset Boulevard all in the West End).

This all singing, all dancing, feel-good musical comedy will be the highlight of your year and the most fashionable ticket in town. The verdict? This much fun shouldn’t be legal!

PERFORMANCE DETAILS
LEGALLY BLONDE
Empire Theatre, Sunderland
Tue 6 – Sat 31 December
Mon-Sat 7.30pm, Wed & Sat mat 2.30pm*
*Christmas performances slightly different – see theatre website for details.
Tickets £18.50 – £45
Premium Tickets: £39.50 – £49.50

Concessions, Group Rates, School Rates and Family Tickets are all available.

How to book – book in person at the Empire Theatre Box Office, High Street, Sunderland. Alternatively, call 0844 871 3023* or click www.sunderlandempire.org.uk * – booking fee may apply.

Laughterhouse Comedy Announce NYE Extravaganzas

Laughterhouse Comedy presents not one but two evenings of comedy, music and entertainment to celebrate the biggest party night of the year and see in 2012 in true Laughterhouse style.

Join us on Saturday, December 31st at one of Liverpool’s finest entertainment venues, The CUC from 8.30pm for New Years Eve where you can eat, laugh and dance the night away in the most amazing surroundings.

As the last event ever to be held at the CUC, our New Years Extravaganza promises to be spectacular and we’ll make sure to see in the New Year with a bang!

Alternatively, come and party with us at the Slaughter House from 8pm for a fantastic New Years Eve Party with four of the UK’s top comedy acts plus free shots and an excellent covers band to entertain you till late.

Hitting the stage at the CUC for the historical final event at the venue will be Liverpool’s The Band With No Name, popular singer and entertainer, James Franklyn, magician extraordinaire Michael Diamond, the award-winning Steve Royle and our charming compere Chris Cairns.

Four piece, The Band with No Name, cover band plays an eclectic mix of hits from the 50s to the present day. Also on the bill will be James Franklyn whose unique style allows him to give every song he sings his own personal mark. James has a full tribute to Swing & Rat Pack, from Sinatra to Michael Buble, smooth & chilled to uptempo big band classics.

Also performing on the evening at the CUC will be one of the most innovative and creative performers in the world of magic, Michael Diamond who specializes in the preservation of unusual forms of entertainment and during his career has made even Santa Clause disappear!

Hosting the evening will be the irresistible Chris Cairns. His spontaneity and improvisational skills have created a demand for him not only as a compere but also as a strong and vastly experienced headline act. Chris has gained a reputation for being able to handle the toughest of rooms with his sharp put downs and a fine eye for a cutting remark.

Over at the Slaughter House the line-up for our evening includes the energetic and exciting Phil Nichol, the delectable Daliso Chaponda, the multi-talented Steve Royle and one of Liverpool’s biggest comedy talents, Ste Porter.

Phil Nichol is a truly unique performer with an unquenchable thirst to break boundaries and innovate with his work. His skill as an improviser in unparelled and with a surreal edge to some of his mischievous rantings, Nichol always brings something new to the stage. His keen sense of fun and eye for the shocking and absurd has cemented his position as one of the best comedians on the circuit today.

Regular headline act at the Comedy Store, Steve Royal will also be performing on the evening at both the CUC and the Slaughter House. Steve is an actor, writer, comedian, juggler and a regular presenter on BBC Radio Lancashire and has performed alongside Steve Coogan and Peter Kay numerous times. A regular television warm-up for programmes including A Question of Sport, Stars in Their Eyes, Junior Mastermind, Bullseye and The Price is Right Steve is a seasoned professional and promises to entertain guests with his mixture of comedic talents.

Widely regarded as Liverpool’s next big comedic talent, St Porter will also be entertaining the audience with his affable style and quick wit. Ste is now a resident MC at the Slaughter House and The Slug and Lettuce and is a real crowd pleaser.

Can’t get a babysitter? Fed up of paying over the odds on New Year’s Eve? Then join us at The Slaughter House for our New Years Eve Two Party where you can enjoy all the same acts, the same fun but miles cheaper!

Event Details

Saturday, 31st December 2011
Venue: The CUC
Show Starts: 8.30pm
Cost: £30 Comedy, Magic & Live Music Ticket, shot and DJ, £42.95 Ticket plus buffet, £46.95 ticket plus 2 course meal, £48.95 Ticket plus 3 course meal – Ticket price includes Show, DJ & entry to the aftershow party till very late!

Saturday, 31st December 2011
Venue: The Slaughter House
Show Starts: 8pm
Cost: £25 – Comedy seat and after-show band; £41 – 2 course meal, Comedy seated ticket and after-show band till late.

£10 deposits are now being taken for groups of 10 or more.
Line-ups maybe subject to change
Please call the booking line on 0151 227 5946 for further details

DaDaFest International 2012 Dates and Theme Announced

DaDaFest, the International Festival of Disability and Deaf Arts is returning in Summer 2012 from 13th July – 2nd September. Based in established arts venues across Liverpool, the festival will build on the successes of the previous ten festivals in presenting the very best work by leading disability and deaf artists from across the globe.

DaDaFest International 2012 will include high-profile collaborations with international artists, work with young people, development of the festival online and continuation of successful events such as Young DaDaFest and the DaDa Awards.

With links to the Cultural Olympiad programme, the Festival will offer a cultural celebration in the North West alongside the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Events will range from a major international visual arts exhibition, cutting-edge comedy to deaf culture events and leading international musicians, with a programme that will both entertain and present artforms from different cultural perspectives. The theme for DaDaFest International 2012 is TransActions – Fluid Bodies: Shifting Identities, which will look at how disability affects the lives of us all, examining exchanges that occur between people and technology and how our sense of identity is bound up with our changing bodies.

A highlight of DaDaFest International 2012 will be Niet Normaal (translated from Dutch as ‘Not Normal’) programmed by co-curators Garry Robson and Ine Gevers in partnership with the Bluecoat. An adaptation of a successful Amsterdam-based exhibition (http://www.nietnormaal.nl) Niet Normaal includes new commissions and an accompanying programme of talks and films posing the questions ‘what is normal and who decides?’.

DaDaFest was the first and is now the biggest, most comprehensive and challenging festival of Disability & Deaf Arts in the world.

DaDaFest information can be found at www.dadafest.co.uk

LIVERPOOL ART PRIZE RETURNS FOR 5TH TRIUMPHANT YEAR
SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED FOR LIVERPOOL ART PRIZE 2012

Local artists Alan Dunn, James Thompson (Tomo), Robyn Woolston and The Drawing Paper’s Jon Barraclough and Mike Carney have been revealed as the shortlist for the 2012 Liverpool Art Prize, when it returns for its 5th successive year in 2012.

All four will exhibit their work at Metal, based at Edge Hill Station, Liverpool, from Fri 27 April – Sat 9 June in the hope of winning the prestigious prize, which was established in Liverpool’s Capital of Culture year 2008.

The shortlist was whittled down from the 48 entries received by the organisers following an open call for nominations. The highly qualified panel of judges, which this year comprises of; Mike Stubbs, CEO and Director of FACT, Laura Davis, Arts Editor of the Liverpool Daily Post, Sook-Kyung Lee, Curator at Tate Liverpool, and last year’s winner artist Markus Soukup, with Ian Jackson of ArtinLiverpool.com as chair.

The winner will be revealed at an awards ceremony on Wednesday 30 May at which the People’s Choice Award winner will also be revealed. Further details on what the winners will receive will be released in the New Year.

The shortlist is;

Wallasey-based artist Alan Dunn compiles CDs of artists’ audio works on themes such as the Mersey Tunnels, revolution or numbers, with contributors including Pete Wylie, Yoko Ono, Andy Warhol, David Bowie and Carol Kaye.

Graffiti artist & painter James Thompson (Tomo)’s work can be seen as a kind of storytelling through the materials he uses. The work is informed by a strong DIY ethic and he strives to make the best he can with whatever is available, often working with discarded items.

Robyn Woolston’s practice involves installation, photography, moving image, print and on-line projects. She is passionate about people, relationships and the way the world works. This is reflected in her work, which raises questions concerning social, economic and ecological perspectives.

Members of the Royal Standard studio, Jon Barraclough and Mike Carney curate, design and publish The Drawing Paper, a not-for-profit, independently published, newspaper-based gallery focussed on contemporary drawing practice. It is distributed freely around selected galleries and establishments in Liverpool, the UK and beyond. They have published four issues since 2010 and continue to provide a platform for local, Liverpool based artists, exposing their work to a much wider audience, as well as linking other artists up with one another.

The Liverpool Art Prize is a competition of contemporary art, which was inspired by the Turner Prize and began in 2008. It is open to all professional artists based or born in the Liverpool City Region or in the surrounding boroughs of Liverpool, Wirral, St Helens, Knowsley, Halton and Sefton.

Previous Liverpool Art Prize winners are Imogen Stidworthy, AL and AL, David Jacques and Marcus Soukup, who will soon exhibit at the Walker Art Gallery as part of his prize in 2012, in addition to judging the 5th Liverpool Art Prize. The previous People’s Choice winners are James Quin, Brendan Lyons, The Singh Twins and Elizabeth Willow, who have also gone on to achieve great respect within the industry. 2011 People’s Choice winner James Quin has just finished exhibiting at Metal as part of the Edge Hill Archive project.

More information can also be found at www.liverpoolartprize.com. See also http://www.metalculture.com  and http://liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/

SPECTACULAR FAMILY PANTOMIME FLIES IN TO ST HELENS THIS CHRISTMAS
ALADDIN SET TO DAZZLE AUDIENCES AT ST HELENS THEATRE ROYAL

Get your 3 wishes ready, dig out your magic carpet and prepare for some fabulous festive fun at St Helens Theatre Royal this Christmas, as Regal Entertainments present ALADDIN, which will run at the Theatre Royal from Fri 2 December – Sunday 8 January 2012.

Come away with us to the mystical East … of St Helens town centre for this glittering family pantomime, which stars Master of Illusions Richard De Vere as the evil Abanazer, with Coronation Street’s very own Andy McDonald, Nick Cochrane, as Aladdin. Kev Seed from 102.4 Wish FM has grabbed his truncheon and will play PC Noodle, whilst Radio City 96.7’s Claire Simonson flies in as Slave of the Ring.

They’re joined by an extremely talented cast of local actors including Charlie Griffiths (Peter Pan, The Ciggie Run) as Empress of China, singer and choreographer Marc Lawlor as Genie of the Lamp, Si Foster as Widow Twankey, Leah Murphy (The Salon, Peter Pan) as Princess Jasmine, Eloise Tasker (Peter Pan) as So Shi and last but not least, there will also be an appearance from Schnorbitz the dog and his little friend Schnookie.

The production is directed by Chantelle Nolan with Musical Direction from Ian Rowlands.

One of the most treasured family pantomimes of all time, Aladdin is the story with more than enough magic, sparkle and festive fun to keep all the family happy! Will Aladdin spoil the evil Abanazer’s plan to rule the world? Will he get the girl? Will Widow Twankey find a pair of knickers that fit? There is only one way to find out this Christmas.

With genie-us casting, striking sets, sparkling costumes and a laugh a minute script that will have you rolling in the aisles, Aladdin is a pantomime guaranteed to rub you up the right way.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS
ALADDIN
ST HELENS THEATRE ROYAL
Fri 2 Dec 2011 – Sun 8 Jan 2012
Tickets £11 – £13
Concessions: £2 off
Family Tickets – £37 & £45
Shoppers Special £7 (only at certain performances)

How to book – Book in person at the Theatre Royal Box Office Corporation Street, St. Helens, Merseyside WA10 1LQ (Mon–Sat 10am–5pm) Alternatively call 01744 756 000 or click www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com

The ideal candidates will have a passion for the arts and for marketing and will be committed to bring the best of their skills and abilities to the organisation. Computer literacy, organisation skills and sense of initiative are absolutely essential for this role. Previous (paid or voluntary) experience in the arts, press, public relations and online marketing and website maintenance,  including promotion, event or project management would be desirable. You will work with a growing number of exciting and challenging arts based clients providing communications, administrative and project support. The position is part-time and flexible (2-3 days a week), involving some evening and weekend work at occasional special events around Liverpool.

This is an unpaid internship for an initial duration of 3 months (renewable).

To apply please send your CV Bill Elms, Director, at Bill Elms Associates at bill@billelms.com with a cover letter outlining the reasons you believe you would be suitable for the position.

Applications must be received by 6pm on Monday 9  January 2012