Liverpool 2008: Events
Liverpool is renowned for its energy, vibrancy and overall public enthusiasm, so the city’s 2008 celebrations are bound to be an unforgettable year-long festival. There are an unbelievable 300 new things happening in Liverpool in 2008. Here are just a few highlights – many of them free!
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October 2007
2007 Turner Prize
The city hosts the 2007 Turner Prize at Tate Liverpool from October to January. This is the first time this prestigious event has been held outside London, an indication of Liverpool’s excellent reputation for visual arts.
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December 2007
The Liverpool Nativity
In the run up to Christmas, the city hosts The Liverpool Nativity. The story of the first Christmas will be told through the music and the people of Liverpool. It will be performed live and in public on the streets of Liverpool and will be broadcast live on BBC3.
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January 2008
Winter Lights Festival
A year-long programme of free street performances and public art has been specially commissioned to transform areas of the city into a giant canvas and stage. This begins in January with a Winter Lights Festival to extend the Christmas lights period.
Edge Hill Station
As part of the celebrations, venues around the city, from cathedrals to bus stops, are being used for public events and community performances. As part of this, the world’s oldest train station, Edge Hill, will be transformed into an arts centre.
New Venues
January also sees a number of new venues opening in the city, including the 10,000-seat Liverpool Arena at Kings Dock, a gallery and museum at the University of Liverpool, and a new Art and Design Academy at Liverpool John Moores University. And the UK’s oldest art centre, The Bluecoat, will have re-opened in the city centre.
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February 2008
Chinese New Year
Liverpool is home to the oldest Chinese community in Europe, and has the biggest Chinese Arch outside of China. To celebrate it’s Chinese community, the city is holding a specially commissioned Lantern Parade in February to celebrate Chinese New Year.
European Senior Boxing Championships
Performance in sport is a key theme in 2008 as it’s an Olympic year. The European Senior Boxing Championships are held in February at the new Liverpool Arena. It’s sure to draw a huge crowd, as it’s a qualifier for the Bejing Games.
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March 2008
Vladimir Ashkenazay conducts the European Union Youth Orchestra
Vladimir Ashkenazay is one of the world’s greatest ambassadors for music and Music Director of the European Union Youth Orchestra. In March, he conducts some of Europe’s most talented young musicians in a beautiful ensemble at the Philharmonic Hall.
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April 2008
Viennese Balls
There are plans to get the city dancing in April with 2 spectacular Viennese-style balls, with music played by the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
Walker Art Gallery
From April to July, the
Walker Art Gallery is hosting a blockbuster exhibition called: Monet to Hopper – The Artist and The Railway. It will also feature work by painters such as Pissaro and Van Gogh.
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May 2008
The Liverpool Sound
Liverpool is undoubtedly one of the music capitals of the world, and this will be celebrated at The Liverpool Sound – a special concert featuring some of the world’s most famous artists. The concert will be held on the city’s historic waterfront and broadcast live across the world.
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June 2008
Liverpool Cathedral
In June,
Liverpool Cathedral will stage Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem. Britten is widely regarded as one of the greatest 20th century British composers of the 20th century, and The War Requiem, a huge coral symphony, is one of his greatest works.
The People’s Festival
June also sees The People’s Festival, hosted by loveliverpool. The weekend festival celebrates working class culture – from football to fashion – with a special emphasis on the role of the voluntary sector.
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July 2008
The Beat Goes On
From July, the
World Museum Liverpool is hosting an exhibition of Liverpool’s musical legacy. Expect to see some of the world’s favourite pop and rock artists and bands, including, of course, the Beatles.
Maritime Festival & the Tall Ships’ Races 2008
Liverpool celebrates its nautical roots in July with a maritime festival. This will coincide with the homecoming of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and the spectacular start of the Tall Ships’ Races 2008, which is expected to draw a crown of 1million to the banks of the River Mersey.
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August 2008
Black Star Liner
August sees the launch of Liverpool’s first dedicated home for black music. The launch marks the start of a month-long festival around its Jamaica Street base, which includes a block party and carnival celebrating Liverpool’s Caribbean community.
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September 2008
The Big Biennial
Liverpool’s fifth International Festival of Contemporary Art takes place in September. The festival will include the 50th anniversary of the John Moores exhibition of contemporary painting at the Walker Art Gallery.
Liverpool Live 2008
Organised by the newly opened Bluecoat Arts Centre, Liverpool Live 2008 is an extensive art programme taking place at the Bluecoat and locations across the city. Expect indoor performances, film screenings and more by leading UK and international artists.
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October 2008
RIBA Sterling Prize for Architecture
In October, Liverpool hosts both the prestigious RIBA Sterling Prize for Architecture and the UK’s biggest exhibition for 20 years of the influential designer and architect Le Corbusier. You can see this in the Crypt of the
Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.
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November 2008
Shipping Lines Literary Festival
In November, the University of Liverpool hosts the Shipping Lines Literary Festival, which features readings and poetry recitals by literary giants including Melvyn Bragg, Roger McGough and Philip Pullman.
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December 2008
December
Best of Liverpool
The last month of Liverpool’s reign as Capital of Culture is celebrated by Best of Liverpool at the Bluecoat Arts Centre. This is the first in a series of annual events showcasing visual arts in the region, including dance, music, literature and musical theatre.
For more information on Liverpool 2008 events, visit Liverpool 08 (www.liverpool08.com/index.asp).
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