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LIVERPOOL ARAB
ARTS FESTIVAL 2014 OPENS THIS WEEK
THE highly anticipated
Liverpool Arab Arts Festival returns to the City this week, opening
on Saturday, 7 June 2013 at the Bluecoat for the start of an impressive 9
day long festival. Now in its 13th year, the festival runs from 7
June to 15
June 2014 bringing a delightful array of events from some of the finest
Arabic artists the world has to offer.
Female Arabian Flamenco jazz singer Farah Siraj headlines this
year's festival in what is her only UK show this year. A music
superstar in the Arab world and many European countries, Farah will
be performing in the impressive Concert Room of Liverpool's St
George's Hall on Sunday, 8 June 2014, as she brings to the City an eclectic
mix of Middle Eastern music, flamenco, jazz, bossa and pop, with
lyrics in Arabic, Spanish and English.
The Big Saturday launches the festival on Saturday, 7 June 2014, at The
Bluecoat. A hugely enjoyable experience for the whole family, this
free event is an exciting day of music, food, culture and
entertainment, including music from DJ Funky Pharaoh, Amira Kheir,
The Al Awadhel Band and Maya Yousseff. Curator of the Choose Your
Own Adventure graphic design poster exhibition which runs throughout
the festival, Danah Abdulla, will also be giving guided tours around
the exhibition itself.
Saturday evening the Bluecoat will screen the first of 6 films of
this year's festival. El Gusto is a feel good documentary about a
group of musicians coming together, a simple story that transcends
cultural boundaries and cultivates a strong sense of hope. Other
films throughout the festival include Crop and Winter of Discontent,
a double bill at Fact on Monday, 9 June 2014, introduced by political academic Reem Abu-el-fadl and followed by a post film discussion. Then on
Wednesday,
11 June 2014, controversial and action packed film Omar is screened at
Fact. When I Saw You tells the story of Talek as he seeks a way out
of a refugee camp and is screened at the Bluecoat on Friday, 13 June and
the Oscar nominated Wadjda completes the film line up which is shown
at the Bluecoat on Saturday, 14 June 2014.
Theatre and dance also has a strong presence throughout this year's
festival with some truly gripping and inspiring pieces commencing on
Sunday, 8 June 2014, as award winning playwright Hassan Abdulrazzak presents
an exclusive reading of scenes from his new play A Fire Blazing
Brightly. Experience the magic of Middle Eastern dance at its finest
on Tuesday, 10 June 2014, as Funoon Al Arabiya come together to present joyful
and colourful folkloric music and dance in Funoon Wa Alwane at the
Unity Theatre. Then Swivel Theatre Company present a series of
gripping new plays centring on Arab women in revolution in Waiting
for Summer at the Unity on Wednesday, 11 June and Thursday, 12 June
2014 and finally, after
their sell-out show last year, Diwan are back with a new show
Sarmada at the Bluecoat on Saturday, 14 June 2014, based on Fadi Azzam's
novel which was long listed for the Arabic Booker Prize in 2011.
There will also be a variety of exciting and thought provoking talks
throughout the festival, Freedom Hour will take place every day
between 9 June to 12 June 2014, at the Bluecoat and will offer debates on
current affairs, culture, freedom and change in the Arab world. An
insightful and engaging event on Wednesday, 11 June 2014, with the launch of Book
of Gaza at the Bluecoat which brings together ten fiction writers in
a unique anthology presented in English for the first time. Finally
on Saturday, 14 June 2014, a lively event to launch:- 'Syria Speaks – Art'
and 'Culture from the Frontline', a unique anthology of literature, art
and culture of self publishing Syrian writers and artists.
There will be 2 major exhibitions running throughout the duration
of the festival. The 1st, commissioned by LAAF and devised
especially for the Bluecoat of artwork curated by Kalimat magazine
editor Danah Abdullah. Choose Your Own Adventure plays with the
format found in old board games and children's books and has been
extended until Thursday, 29 June. The second, Al Noor-Fragile Vision has
been created for LAAF in collaboration with DaDaFest, British
Council and Arts Council England. Rachel Gadsden's methodology of
creative engagement and delivery articulates the notion that, whilst
acknowledging political and religious differences, arts and culture
can serve to promote a common ground for discourse and development.
LAAF is also delighted to present a fantastic drumming workshop
opportunity led by the distinguished darbuka player Simona Abdallah
on Saturday, 14 June 2014 at The
Bluecoat.
Bringing LAAF 2014's festivities to an exciting climax is the
fantastic Family Day at Sefton Park Palm House on Sunday, 15 June
2014. Fun
for the whole family, there will be a huge variety of stalls with an
appealing selection of food and goodies to purchase as well as an
attractive array of music and performance throughout the day,
including Simona Abdallah, Attab Haddad, The Al Awadhel Band with
dancers and Nawarra.
As one of the highlight events in the festival calendar LAAF
promises to deliver a wide variety of un-missable attractions with
family activities, visual arts, film, performance, music, dance,
food, 2 book launches and interactive workshops. People of all ages
and cultures will find something to interest them so be sure to put
all the events in the diary so not to miss out.
For further information please visit:-
arabartsfestival.com.
Songstress Thea Gilmore
in Concert at the Epstein Theatre for One Night Only
THE Epstein Theatre are
delighted to welcome acclaimed songstress Thea Gilmore who will be
performing a selection of hits from her extensive repertoire
including Juliet and Mainstream on Sunday, 8 June 2014.
Now 15 years
since the release of her debut album Burning Dorothy, Thea returns
to the limelight with her 14th studio album set for release later
this year.
A truly unique and gifted artist and songwriter, she
developed a talent for writing in the most eloquent way from an
early age, introduce music into the mix and soon certain corners of
the British music press were describing her as:- "one of the
few world class female singer songwriters Britain has ever
produced."
She has toured extensively throughout the
US and Canada, returned to the charts in 2006 and 2010 and has
collaborated with a number of big stars such as Mike Scott and The
Waterboys, Martha Wainwright, Sting and The Cowboy Junkies to name
just a few. Her razor sharp lyrics, melodic flair and honey
toned voice have been admired by wide ranging contemporaries from
Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez, Richard Thompson, Neil Gaiman, David
Baddiel and William Boyd. Join Thea as she performs a
selection of her classic songs from her large catalogue of hits
including:- 'You're The Radio' and 'Teach Me To
Be Bad' plus many more, as well as new material from her
upcoming album. Don't miss out! To book tickets please call:- 0844
888 4411*
or go
online*
or in person at The Epstein Theatre Box Office from 2pm to 6pm
Monday to Thursday and 12pm to 6pm Friday to Saturday.
* Subject to booking fee.
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Over half of
people surveyed in
Liverpool have experience high levels of long term
anxiety
57% of adults surveyed in
Liverpool have experienced high levels of stress or anxiety lasting
3 to 6 months or more, according to new survey findings. In
addition, 53% of those who have not experienced these feelings
themselves know someone who has. Recent figures from the Office for
National Statistics also show Liverpool has a high rate of anxiety
compared to many other cities across the UK.
The new survey of 501 adults from Liverpool reveals 80% feel anxiety
is an increasing issue amongst the local community, and while the
majority (85%) are aware some forms of anxiety are recognised
medical conditions, only 35% have heard of Generalised Anxiety
Disorder (GAD).
Affecting nearly 1 in 20 adults in Britain, GAD causes persistent
and intense feelings of worry that can be difficult to explain. In
fact, it often goes unrecognised because many people fail to talk
about their feelings of anxiety. The survey, commissioned by Pfizer
Ltd, has been launched as part of 'Let's Talk about GAD', a
campaign run in partnership with Anxiety UK to help increase
awareness and encourage those affected by GAD to access support.
Worryingly, the survey also reveals 91% of respondents feel people
with mental health conditions, which can include anxiety, are often
stigmatised. Indeed, respondents with long term anxiety seemingly
opt to suffer in silence, with 24% of this group afraid of being
judged by family and friends. 19% of this group do not believe their
anxiety is important enough to talk about, or avoid seeking help in
the belief their feelings of anxiety will pass, despite having
experienced high levels of anxiety for 3 months or more (19%).
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP, said:- "The high number of people
experiencing long term anxiety or GAD in Liverpool is worrying
because, when left untreated, it can be very debilitating. Almost
everyone suffers anxiety or stress at some time, but when it reaches
the stage where it's having a significant impact on every aspect of
your life, it's no longer normal. It's vital anyone experiencing
symptoms of GAD such as unrelenting worry, sleeplessness and
difficulty concentrating should not be afraid of being judged or
wasting people's time, they should talk about their experience and
get support from their GP."
Nicky Lidbetter, Chief Executive from Anxiety UK, said:-
"We've seen an increase in the number of people with long-term
anxiety and GAD coming to us for support. GAD is becoming more
common in Britain meaning more people are suffering from the
debilitating symptoms that affect their everyday lives. Let's Talk
about GAD is an important campaign because it raises awareness of
this little known condition and highlights that long term anxiety is
not something people have to deal with on their own; help is
available."
For those affected, long term anxiety and GAD can have a negative
impact on many aspects of their life from personal relationships to
their ability to work. This is evident among the survey respondents
in Liverpool who experience long term anxiety, with 56% admitting
they don't feel like socialising as often, which could lead to
further isolation. For 50%, these long term feelings of anxiety also
have a negative effect on relationships with their partner, and with
family and friends (55%). It can even extend into the workplace,
with 31% admitting their condition stopped them from going to work.
"The extent to which long term anxiety or GAD can influence
the lives of those it affects is precisely the reason why anyone
experiencing this should speak to their GP or contact Anxiety UK to
get the right support and treatment. Help is available and no one
has to face this alone," concluded Dr Jarvis.
Anyone concerned about severe anxiety or GAD is encouraged to speak
to their GP, visit the Anxiety UK
website, or call their helpline:- 08444
775 774 for help, support and advice.
101 year old woman robbed in her
own home, in Stoneycroft, Liverpool!
MERSEYSIDE
Police say that following a
burglary at the home of a 101 year old woman in Stoneycroft,
Liverpool, on Sunday, 1 June 2014, a 42 year old woman from the
Stoneycroft area, has since been arrested on suspicion of burglary.
It is reported that
Officers were called to the address, at around 2.25pm, following a
report that a female had called at the victim's home and asked to
use the phone. She then forced her way into the house,
searched downstairs, and asked for money before trying to take the
victim's purse from her handbag. The woman living there
managed to grab it and hold on to it and told the offender to get
out of her house, at which point she left empty handed.
Patrols attended and immediately carried out a search
of the area and have since been stepped up in
the area to reassure the local community. The house has been forensically
examined and house to house enquiries have been carried out.
CCTV from the area has been located and reviewed and an
investigation into the full circumstances surrounding the incident
is continuing. Merseyside Police Officers have also spoken
to the victim and her family to offer crime prevention advice and
measures to further enhance security at the property.
Detective Inspector Phil Mahon, Liverpool North CID,
said:- "The victim is 101 years old and one of only a handful
of people in the country who has lived through both world wars, but
some deplorable person still thinks it is acceptable to barge into
her home and try to steal off her. She bravely fought the offender
off and I have nothing but admiration for her determination and
remarkable spirit. The victim suffered a slight abrasion to her arm,
but otherwise, thankfully, was uninjured. She was however left upset
following her ordeal. I know the local community in Stoneycroft will
share my disgust at this incident."
Anyone with information about this incident can call detectives in
St Anne Street CID via the Police non emergency number:- 101 or call
Crimestoppers, anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111.
Appealing for information
following an incident in the Huyton on a M62 Junction!
A 22 year old male has been found with serious
head injuries, at about 2.35am, on Thursday, 5 June 2014, following
a report of a road traffic collision on the slip road, on the M62
Junction 5 Westbound (Liverpool Bound). The injured man is believed
to have been a passenger in a black Hackney cab when the incident
occurred. Merseyside Police told us that:- "Our Collision
Investigators are still working to establish the circumstances
leading up to the passenger becoming injured, however one line of
enquiry is that he voluntarily got out of the taxi while it was
still moving. The taxi driver received minor injuries following the
incident. Also the interior of the taxi has been found to have
suffered damage during the journey the passenger took, but no
collision has been found to have occurred. A full investigation into
the circumstances of the incident is underway." At the time
of publication of this item, the casualty was in a critical
condition, at Walton Neurological Hospital, Liverpool. Anyone with
information is urged to call Merseyside Police on:- 0151 777 5747 or
Crimestoppers, anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111.
New pocket park for City Centre
THE finishing touches are being put to a new
green space in the heart of the City centre. The pocket park has
been created on the site of a former pub and gym at the junction of
James Street and the Strand. Since the building was demolished about
three years ago the land has remained unused. Land owners, Langtree,
have given permission for a temporary park to be developed there and
it will be completed in time for the International Festival for
Business (IFB) which will attract tens of thousands of visitors to
Liverpool. "The site is one of the most important routes
which will be used by people attending the IFB and now they will see
an attractive green space instead of a disused piece of land. But it
will also benefit local people; we have had a lot of positive
comments from passers by and local businesses and one hotel has
already seen its potential for wedding photographs. This is the
latest site where we are bringing disused or derelict land back into
use. Across the City we have created more than 100 community
gardens, pocket parks and green spaces and they have been warmly
welcomed by local people." said Councillor Steve Munby,
cabinet member for neighbourhoods. A feature of the new park
is that it uses recycled material, including granite, which used to
be use on highway, which have now been used to create seating areas.
The area also features a ship's anchor which was formally a public
artwork in North Liverpool. There are also planted areas in the new
park. INES (Plus Dane) social enterprise carried out the work
on the park and they will maintain it. |
