A music festival and a cheeky monkey
5 handpicked cultural things to do this week: Friday 7 August to Thursday 13 August
I was interviewing an artist this week who was talking about work-life balance and said it’s not something he strives for because getting to tell people’s stories through his work is a “good life”. It really rang true for me, because I’ve always felt the same about my own work, albeit a very different output to his.
I’m excited to be telling people’s stories in a totally new way - via an audio trail of memories through Liverpool City Centre - in a few months time. My organisation Raised Voices CIC is being supported by Liverpool BID Company’s Arts and Culture Fund to collect people’s memories and turn them into a trail you can follow in your own time. We’ll be holding some memory-collecting sessions soon and it would be great to see you there - more details to come.
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5 things to do this week
FILM: On the Sea, Storyhouse, Chester
A new film exploring masculinity, identity, desire and belonging set in a remote yet savagely beautiful North Wales fishing community is getting a special Q&A screening in Chester. On the Sea’s writer and director Helen Walsh and one of its stars, Celyn Jones, will be answering questions fielded by host Jordan King, from Empire magazine. Sunday 9 August, tickets £9.90 adults, concessions available
ACTIVITY: The Other Bennet Sister Trail, Grasmere
A new self-guided trail inspired by the BBC adaptation of Janice Hadlow’s novel takes visitors from Dove Cottage, through the Garden-Orchard, along the Woodland Walk to the Wordsworth Grasmere Museum. There are opportunities to try on Regency costume, read the poetry so loved by Mary Bennet and discover the Lakeland landscapes that inspired Wordsworth. The trail is free to download. Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum are open seven days a week until September 6. Tickets last for a year and are priced £13-£16 adults, £8 children
THEATRE: Dear Zoo, Lowry, Salford
Rod Campbell’s lift-the-flap book has been a favourite of generations of small children, and it can now be enjoyed in three-dimensions with the stage version. Kins can join the fun as each surprising animal is delivered - from a cheeky monkey and a jumpy frog to the perfect puppy in the end. Tuesday 11 to Sunday 16 August, tickets £19.50
EXHIBITION: Bodies in the Water, PINK, Stockport
A new exhibition by Manchester-based artistic duo greenandowen (Katheryn Owens and Chris Green), exploring human relationships with water through swimming. Responding to Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake) in North Wales and the rich mythology that surrounds it, it brings together sound, text, moving image and sculptural objects. Saturday 8 to Tuesday 25 August, free entry. The website says PINK doesn’t have fixed opening hours so I would call ahead to make sure you can get in
FESTIVAL: Penny Lane Weekender, Liverpool
Coughin Vicars, This or Suburbia and NW Burlesque have been announced as part of the final wave of acts for this weekend’s festival, which spotlights local and independent artists and bands. Now in its fourth year, Penny Lane Weekender will feature a mix of indie, rock, punk, electronica, dance and pop. It takes place across four venues - Foghertys, LEAF, Penny Lane Wine Bar and Neon Jamon. Friday 7 to Sunday 9 August, tickets from £11.55
And one thing for the diary…
FESTIVAL: River of Light, Liverpool
A giant outdoor art gallery of works made of light will return to Liverpool in October, this year on the theme of “Together”. The first three art works have been unveiled - POP! by Gentilhomme, a collective experience made up of five monoliths hiding playful inflatable puppets who you wake up by clapping or singing; Dream Herd by Amigo and Amigo, a tongue-in-cheek interpretation of counting sheep; and LOOP by Olivier Girouard & Jonathan Villeneuve, made up of six giant zoetropes that bring short flipbook-style films to life through movement, light and sound. Friday 23 October - Sunday 1 November, free
In case you missed it
Thank you for reading the 200th edition of Stored Honey (can you believe it?!). If you enjoyed this week’s edition then please click ❤️ to help it get shown to more people.
I’m off now to write next week’s Stored Honey as I’m going away and need to have it ready to go in advance.
Have a great week,
Laura
If you’re an artist, actor, theatre maker, curator, director or producer who would like to take part in Stored Honey’s regular Meet the Creator feature, please answer the questions in this Q&A or if you don’t like filling in forms I can send you the questions via email.
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