Weekender: Funding boost for Liverpool events

Thirteen of Liverpool’s grassroots organisations are being given a financial boost as part of the city’s 2018 culture anniversary celebrations.

The city council has awarded more than £180,000 to cultural businesses, which will enable them to stage events with ambitious line-ups.

Deputy Mayor and cabinet member for culture, tourism and events, Cllr Wendy Simon, said: “This city has an extraordinary cultural scene and our grassroots culture organisations do incredible work in ensuring we have an enviable annual events calendar.

“When we were planning our European Capital of Culture tenth anniversary celebrations, we were not only committed to attracting new events to the city this year, but we also wanted to shine a light on the creativity which takes place here on a regular basis.

“The extra funding has allowed these local businesses to build on what are already established and popular festivals and activities, helping them to raise the bar and hopefully attract more awareness and even bigger audiences.

“Each of the 13 organisations have amazing, diverse programmes which are thought-provoking, entertaining and boundary pushing – things Liverpool are renowned for.  I wish all of them luck with their events and I look forward to being part of as many of them as possible.”

The events are:
Africa Oyé (16 & 17 June) – This free event returns to Sefton Park for its biggest celebration of African and Caribbean music and culture to date. This year the event features headline performances from international afro roots star and humanitarian activist Rocky Dawuni as well as reggae legends Inner Circle.

Positive Vibration (8 & 9 June) – This celebration of reggae music and Jamaican heritage will take place in the Baltic Triangle, playing host to internationally renowned bands, The Art of Reggae Exhibition, a special Q&A session, workshops, a record fair and lots of tasty Caribbean food and drink.

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (5 – 15 July) – Celebrating its 20th anniversary, LAAF will enjoy an enhanced programme which where audiences will see a wealth of globally-renowned artists from the Arab world.

Brazilica (12-14 July) – The UK’s biggest celebration of Brazilian Culture will take place on the Per Head, with an extra special carnival parade on Saturday 14 July.

Liverpool Biennial 2018 (14 July to 28 October) – As part of the citywide exhibition Beautiful world, where are you?, Ari Benjamin Meyers is creating a special film installation featuring four famous Liverpool musicians.
International Weekend of Wellbeing (15 & 16 September) – Run by The Comedy Trust, the weekend will see Liverpool’s St George’s Quarter become a celebrity-endorsed hub for a cutting-edge and compelling conversation on mental health and wellbeing.
Liverpool Mental Health Festival 2018 (10 – 14 October) – Liverpool Mental Health Consortium present a programme of free events bringing together arts and mental health in creative ways.

INDIKA (17 October – 3 November) – Organised by Milapfest, this is the largest festival of classical and contemporary Indian music and dance in Europe.

Liverpool Irish Festival (18 – 28 October)

LEAP Dance festival 2018 (2 -12 November) – MDI presents its annual festival in a new time slot marking the dance company’s 25th birthday.

DaDaFest International (November) – The disability and D/deaf arts organisation hosts this critically acclaimed and award-winning festival every two years.

Food for Real Festival: Winter Solstice (21 December)

Writing on the Wall – Liverpool’s longest running literary festival took place in venues across the city for the month of May, bringing together writers, performers, journalists, poets, novelists, activists, commentators, broadcasters, academics and communities in a programme of work exploring the theme Crossing Borders.

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