Liverpool: European Capital of Culture 2008

From April until the end of July 2008, the Walker Art Gallery will host the only
European showing of Art in The Age of Steam presenting the art of Turner, Monet, Van Gogh and Hopper.

From May until the end of August, Gustav Klimt’s work will be brought to the city at Tate Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound, will be a megaconcert attracting some of the greatest artists in music and will be beamed live around the world. It will be held in June 2008.

In September Liverpool-born conductor Simon Rattle will return together with the Berliner Philharmoniker Orchestra to the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

At the end of September the city will become a stage as Artichoke, will bring a new show to Liverpool.

In November Liverpool will be the host city for the 15th annual MTV Europe Music Awards at the Liverpool Echo Arena.

 

VIENNESE BALLS
12 and 13 April 08
St George’s Hall
An event of Viennese balls with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra playing at the restored St George’s Hall.

INTERNATIONAL BEATLES WEEK FESTIVAL
20-26 August 08
Liverpool City Centre
0151 236 9091
www.cavernclub.org
The International Beatles Week that was supposed to happen in 20-26 August 2008 got cancelled.

 

THE TWENTIETH CENTURY: HOW IT
LOOKED & HOW IT FELT
October 07 – Spring 09
Tate Liverpool
This will be an important display of the best pieces from the Tate collection including almost 200 key works, the largest number of works from the collection ever seen at Tate Liverpool.

TURNING THE PLACE OVER
Throughout 2008
Cross Keys House, Moorfields 2007 saw the installation of the most daring piece of public art ever commissioned in the UK. Turning the Place Over is artist Richard Wilson’s most radical intervention into architecture to date literally turning a building inside out. Moorfields Station is a must-visit location if anyone wants to experience this dramatic public art piece.

BEN JOHNSON
24 May – 2 November 2008
Walker Art Gallery
Internationally acclaimed artist Ben Johnson has been specially commissioned to produce a portrait of Liverpool to commemorate the city becoming European Capital of Culture in 2008. The Liverpool Cityscape 2008 painting will be shown for the first time alongside other examples of his work and historical views of Liverpool at the Walker Art Gallery from May.

LIVERPOOL COMEDY FESTIVAL
29 May – 15 June20 08
City wide
0870 443 0955
www.liverpoolcomedyfestival.com
Liverpool Comedy Festival is an international event celebrating the world of comedy with some of the best comedians in the field. As well as presenting the best in stand-up comedy, the Festival celebrates Liverpool’s unique comedy through events such as Drink-Up, Stand Up – a pub crawl with comedians and Bus Stop, Stand Up – a bus ride with comedians.

THEATRE IN THE PARKS
June 2008
Liverpool, Knowsley and Halton Parks
Spike Theatre presents the classic Lewis Carroll tale, Alice in Wonderland. Performed by a cast of 40 people, using puppetry, live music and song, this event aims to transform some of Merseyside’s parks into magical sights.

IMAGINE...
1-10 August 08
St George’s Hall
Imagine... will see an imaginary city mysteriously appear at the beginning of August, transforming the area around St George’s Hall into a fantastic fairytale land.

CARNIVAL WEEKEND FESTIVAL
1-3 August 08
Various venues
Highlights of the Carnival Weekend include: the Emperor and the Tiger – a beautiful firework folk story, the Brouhaha Carnival Procession – the region’s largest multicultural parade and the Samba School bringing a carnival parade to the streets of Liverpool.

THE BEAT GOES ON
12 July – 1 November 08
World Museum Liverpool
This exhibition will showcase Merseyside’s vibrant music scenes, bands and fans that over the past 60 years have played a major part in the city’s life. From the Cavern to Creamfields, from Billy Fury to The Zutons, the exhibition will pay tribute to Liverpool’s pop music.

PORTRAIT OF A NATION
December/Finale 08
Young people from 17 cities across the United Kingdom will take part in this project, based around notions of their heritage, identity and their future. Their work culminates in an epic adventure which will close our year as European Capital of Culture.

THE RIGHTFUL OWNERS OF SONG
November 08
‘The Rightful Owners of Song’ is a simple idea…it aims to bring together a group of Liverpool ‘pub-singers’, and ‘karaoke-hosts’; professional or semiprofessional singers for a performance, with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.