LowDown December 2012

DECEMBER12

The definitive Liverpool listings guide

HILLSBOROUGH SINGLE THE JUSTICE COLLECTIVE

SPACE/GARRY CHRISTIAN WILL SERGEANT CHRISTMAS IN BARCELONA

FREE

Richard Hawley plus special guests

Bellowhead Monday 18 February 7.30pm £22.50, £28.50

Robert Vincent & Peter Bruntnell Heritage Blues Orchestra

Sam Lee & Friends

Friday 1 March 7.30pm £20-£30

Amelia Curran & Anna Corcoran

Thursday 21 March The Epstein Theatre 7.30pm £16

Ginger Baker’s Jazz Confusion Sunday 24 February 7.30pm £17.50-£25.50

Friday 8 February 8.30pm £12

Lau

Saturday 2 February 8.30pm £12

Friday 1 February 8pm £18.50, £24.50

Richard Thompson

Monday 25 February 7.30pm £20-£27.50

Edwyn Collins

Saturday 20 April St George’s Hall Concert Room 7.30pm £16.50

Saturday 20 April 7.30pm £17.50, £23.50

Box Office 0151 709 3789 liverpoolphil.com

WELCOME The days of Buckaroo and Operation seem to be long gone (unless it’s an app) and we live in an age of accelerating technology, you only have to scan the cover of LowDown to see it in action. Smartphones, tablets and other technological marvels will be filling stockings across the country and we are literally just scraping the surface of what these ‘toys’ can do and how they will shape our futures. Some of you have already used Layar technology to search out more content in the last few magazines and we have even more in this one.

Back to reality and we have another month jam packed with entertainment. In fact it’s our biggest listings section ever! Local acts are out in force with a stunning array of artists getting one last show in before the end of the world. I prefer to think we are moving into a new age of reason in which we can use common sense and empathy to move forward... together.

Let’s not forget the less fortunate out there and we can include in that category many people who never thought it would ever be used to describe them as people across Europe and beyond are finding themselves in desperate situations not of their own making. Surely it’s time to look at ways of redressing the balance.

Here’s wishing everyone a peaceful Christmas and New Year.

PAUL

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THIS MONTH HIGHLIGHTS 04

Lowdown selections for December

NEWS 06 COVER STORY 08

The Justice Collective Hillsborough Single

PREVIEWS 10 SPORT 12 TRAVEL 16

Christmas in Barcelona

FOOD 28 Santino

FRANK’S TALES 06 COMPETITIONS 18 MUSIC 20 ARTS 22

Stephen Graham/Percy Gullivers

ALBUM REVIEWS 34 BEAUTY 36 Mark Woolley’s Electric Hair

FILM REVIEWS 38 LISTINGS 43 CLASSIFIEDS 74 EDITORIAL Paul Tsanos DESIGN Jason Powell CONTRIBUTORS Jennifer Perkin, John Robinson, Liam Newman, Noah Kelly, Louis Dowling, Dan Brennan, Kev Dixon, Laura A. Hurst, Anna Kennedy, Ged Days, Oriol Bosch, Malena Silvestre Ramírez

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES T. 0151 538 5224 ads@thelowdownmagazine.com LOWDOWN MEDIA LTD T. 0151 538 5224 www. thelowdownmagazine.com twitter.com/thelowdownmag facebook.com/thelowdownmagazine E: info@thelowdownmagazine.com PHOTOS: LFC/EFC images shutterstock. #IceFestival Penguins Dave Evans.

Paul Tsanos. Printed by Custom Print

LOWDOWN DECEMBER

HIGHLIGHTS 1st December Band of Skulls O2 Academy

2nd December Santa Dash Liverpool

3rd December Rancid O2 Academy

5th December The Raveonettes Eric’s

5th Chilly Gonzales

Capstone Theatre

3rd Electric Six

O2 Academy

6th December The View O2 Academy

7th December The South Eric’s

05

22nd Cast O2 Academy

10th December Squeeze + Paul Heaton Philharmonic Hall

10th

13th December China Crisis The Cavern

14th December Stealing Sheep The Kazimier

Florence And The Machine Echo Arena

20th December Connie Lush The Cavern

31st December Space O2 Academy

LOWDOWN DECEMBER

NEWS Icefestival

If you’re not quite feeling the Christmas spirit yet a trip down to Liverpool One will cure you quicksmart. #IceFestival is the biggest group of real ice attractions in one place that the UK has seen. Kids will love seeing Santa and trying out the ice slide, but even stubbornest scrooge will be hard pressed to turn down a hot mulled wine or cider. Here’s a rundown of the attractions at the event:

animals and characters, these sculptures will thrill children and adults alike. Moving on through the magical forest, visitors will enter Santa’s Throne Room where children will be greeted by Santa and one of his Elves, who will be ready with a special gift.

Pop-up Ice Bar The cool and contemporary pop up Ice Bar features an impressive room and furniture made entirely of crystal clear sculpture ice – including the bar, tables, chairs AND shot glasses! Entrance includes a drink that is specially selected to warm you up, so why not chill out and try something new?

Ice Slide Among the spectacular creations in Chavasse Park will be the UK’s largest ever Ice Slide with two runs that are 30m long, 6m high and 4m wide. Experience the buzz of skimming along the slide at exhilarating pace, while taking in the view of the #IceFestival. Open to Adults and Children (must be over 1.2m high).

A massive 25 tons of crystal clear carving ice has been used to create the Ice bar, Ice Gallery and carving displays. The rink holds approximately 7 tons of ice covering over 600 sq metres!

Ice Box, a team of highly experienced artists, who are also the team behind the London Ice Sculpting Festival, brings this incredible Ice experience the UK for the first time. During the not to be missed #IceFestival, there will be a series of exciting displays and events, with free live ice carving displays throughout weekends in December.

Visitors after something more relaxing, can enjoy a delicious hot chocolate or mulled wine served from a contemporary alpine café bar and terrace alongside the ice rink. Throughout Chavasse Park there will be plenty of activities to keep younger visitors entertained. #IceFestival is on until 13 January

Ice Rink Ice skating is the ultimate active way to feel festive, so get your skates on and get down to the open air ice rink for a glamorous urban ice experience in a central setting at the #IceFestival. (Must be over 5 years old and accompanied by an Adult if under 12).

Santa’s Grotto and Ice Gallery Young visitors can journey through the secret door that leads to the Ice Gallery and Santa’s Grotto. Met by enthralling crystal clear polar

Visit www.liverpool-one.com for more info or scan the page with Layar to see the video.

Beerdfest

Don’t reach for the razor after Movember! Hang fire and enter Liverpool’s Beerdfest!

Could you be the owner the number one beard, moustache or sideburns in Liverpool?

There’s only one way to find out... Join us as we enjoy Beerdfest, a hairy hoorah for the bearded of Liverpool! There’s even a category for best fake for ladies and babyfaces!

Just for fun, and FREE to attend and take part, Beerdfest was dreamed up by organiser Jodie Schofield as a labour of love from a liver bird with a penchant for hirsute pursuits. Ian Richards manager of Camp & Furnace who kindly play host and are providing beery prizes from their onsite brewery says: “Beerdfest is exactly the sort of fun, creative event we like to support”

LIPA Students Charity Busk for Childrens Charity

Musicians from The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) are tuning up for a pair of charity busking sessions in the city next month. They will perform at Liverpool One on 1 and 2 December 2012 to raise money to bring music into the lives of orphaned, and terminally ill, children in Romania. Shoppers can expect a mix of pop, acoustic and soul music from various acts each afternoon from 2pm to 5pm. The performances are being organised by lifelong friends and BA (Hons) Community Drama students Shuna Mackay, 20, and Ellie Shaw, 21. Keep an eye out for them and give generously.

Miss & Mr Liverpool 2013 Audition

Liverpool’s first Beard and Moustache Contest is at Camp & Furnace on Tuesday December 4th from 6pm

If you fancy yourself as a bit of a looker this could be for you.

Organisers will be holding auditions for next year’s contest in Clayton Square on 8th and 9th December 2012. The winner of Miss Liverpool will win entry into the Miss England National Final in 2013 and be in with a chance of winning a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent England in Miss World.

To be held on Saturday 8th & Sun 9th December 2012 at Clayton Square shopping centre, Liverpool. 10.30am - 5.00pm Saturday/11.00am - 4.00pm Sunday

Santa Dash

The Liverpool Santa Dash is targeting an astonishing 13,000 entries this year and has secured the backing of ITV’s Text Santa annual fund raiser which is supporting six UK based charities.

The bar will be raised as Liverpool targets the World Record once again having secured the title back in 2005 with a comparatively modest 3,921. An amazing sight will greet the people of Liverpool on race morning as thousands of Santas paint the streets of Liverpool Festive Red as they make their way around the city centre.

For more info and to enter visit www.missengland.info

House on Bold Street

Liverpool welcomes its newest cafe-var restaurant and showcase venue right in the middle of Bold Street. House is situated opposite Concert Square and offers socialites a comfortable and relaxing space during the day or a full night of entertainment. Upcoming artists include Chelcee Grimes and The Mersey Belles and on Saturday 9th December you can see Crissy Rock up close and personal.

Liverpool Santa Dash takes place at 9.30 am on Sunday 2nd December

“We’re looking to build something special on one of the UK’s finest bohemian city centre streets” says House Marketing Director Martin O’Shea. “We think Liverpool will embrace it because it offers something we feel is missing in our great city.”

www.runliverpool.org.uk

www.house-liverpool.com

Hooka Face of 2013

Liverpool’s award winning hair salon Hooka has launched a competition to find two models to front its 2013 advertising campaign.

The salon, which boasts an impressive clientele of fashionistas and celebrities, is calling on aspiring models aged between 18 and 30 to enter. The competition is open to the public and judges will be looking for a male and a female model.

The Face of Hooka 2013 winners will act as models for the salon at the glittering L’Oreal Colour Trophy award ceremony in April next year, have their image used on Hooka’s branding and promotional material and will win free hair dressing at salon for an entire year.

To enter, applicants must upoload a current photo along with a short statement of no more than 30 words explaining why they should be the Face of Hooka 2013 to the Hooka Facebook page at Facebook.com/HookaSalons before 31 January 2013.

Oasis man’s DJ at Jam

Sound City Music City Music Industry Masterclass

McGee wowed guests at the opening night with a storming set that went on into the small hours and live music was provided by local band Moses. Sam Fairs, Star of TOWIE also dropped into the bar which is the new venture of Merseyside based PR Geniene Reese.

The session will be co-Chaired by Craig Pennington, from Bido Lito! and panelists will be Jack Launer from Jack to Fono; Chris Meehan from Sentric Music; Alistair Goldsmith, manager of Esco Williams; and Josh from Waxxx.co.uk. The MasterClass is free of charge for everyone who comes.

It will take place on Saturday 8 December, at the Epstein Theatre on Hanover Street. It begins at 1pm and finishes at 3pm. www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk

Former Oasis manager and founder of Creation Records Alan McGee officially opened Jam, Wirral’s new bar and live music venue.

Delivered by leading entrepreneurs from Liverpool’s creative sector, aimed at anyone who wants to turn their enterprising ideas into reality.

Hillsborough Charity Single Out Dec 17

The annual battle for Xmas No1 has taken a twist this year with the rapidly expanding Justice Collective aiming to raise money for the Hillsborough families legal fund and their ongoing fight for justice.

Paul McCartney is one of the latest in a host of stars who feature on the cover of Hollies classic He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother. The new version features McCartney, Williams, Mick Jones, Kenny Dalglish, John Bishop, Rebecca Ferguson, Mel C, The Zutons, Gerry Marsden, Cast. Paloma Faith, Squeeze’s Glenn Tilbrook, Chris Sharrock, Hollie Cook, Ian Prowse, Jon McClure, Eliza Doolittle, Beverley Knight, MP Steve Rotheram, and members of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Lawson, The Farm and The Beautiful South. The single is being produced by Guy Chambers.

‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother’ will be released on December 17. It’s available for pre-order now via mobile at a cost of £1.

Text ‘justice’ to 80010 to receive the track on its release date.

THE JUSTICE COLLECTIVE He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother The Official Hillsborough Tribute Single Out 17th December In aid of the fight for justice for the families affected by the Hillsborough disaster

Pre-order the single now Text JUSTICE to 80010 Texts cost £1 + standard network rate

/JFT96CHRISTMAS @JFT96XMAS

©

2012

LOWDOWN DECEMBER

PREVIEWS The Usual Suspects

There’s no excuse to sit at home with your hot water bottle this December, as it seems that half of the city’s Legendary Irish rockers Saw Doctors should run clinics for talent both new and old will jaded musicians lacking inspiration. Twenty five years into a be returning to Merseyside successful career, and founding member Leo Moran couldn’t to put on a Christmas show. sound more enthused about their current tour of Britain: Things kick off with a couple of shows from

The Saw Doctors

“Going around Britain this time of year is always very hospitable to us, very enjoyable and it’s a nice way to spend the run up to Christmas. We’re playing the Philharmonic in Liverpool, the Apollo Manchester, Shepherds Bush in London...they’re wonderful privileges to play in these places”.

The band are promoting new compilation ‘25:25’, of which Moran says; “We’ve already released a compilation before with all the really obvious tracks, but this one features some of the less obvious tracks that people have loved over the years.”

The band will be touring with female singer Lindsey Cleary for the first time, a development Moran promises will ‘add a little spice to the arrangement’. On the topic of changes, having been in the biz for a quarter century, we asked Leo’s take on the digital revolution and get a typically positive response.

“Things have always changed rapidly in the music industry anyway – it went from 78s to 45s to tapes to CDs. It’s a part of the game that you have to be up to date of how to connect with your fans and how to put your music out there.

It’s a very democratic way now. People will always like good songs if they hear them, it will resonate with them, and that’s what you’re always after as a songwriter.”

All these years later and the prospect of a hectic tour is still exciting to Moran: “It’s all interesting, it’s all stimulating, it’s never boring and it’s a lovely lifestyle. Let us at it and we’ll see what happens!“ Take that, cynicism.

See The Saw Doctors at The Philharmonic on Saturday, December 1. www.sawdoctors.com

local legends who have struck out from the bands they are known for to go it on their own. First up is Ian Prowse, known for Pele and Amsterdam, who will be performing tunes from the aforementioned bands along with his solo work, backed by a 9-piece band at the 02 Academy on Saturday, December 1. Following closely will be John Head of Shack, performing at the Leggate Autopsy Theatre on Saturday 8.

Next up on Thursday the 13th China Crisis are celebrating their 25th anniversary with a show at the Cavern, while two days later on the 15th Ian McNabb, no doubt celebrating his recent best album win at the Liverpool Music Awards, will perform at the Kazimier.

Then just as we start thinking about what veg is going with the roast this year, on-again offagain 90s group Cast are on again, this time at the 02 Academy on Saturday 22nd. And finally, we’ll see the year out with full bellies and happy smiles as blues rock chick Connie Lush belts it out at the Cavern on December 29. Stay tuned for 2013 gigs!

Stealing Sheep It’s been a big year for Stealing Sheep. After signing with veteran indie label Heavenly Records (known for bringing the likes of Saint Etienne, Doves and The Magic Numbers into this world) the band released their longawaited debut album ‘Into The Diamond Sun’ to widespread critical acclaim in August of this year with BBC6 Music and Rough Trade both making it their album of the day and month respectively.

Since then, the band have been touring the UK and Europe (picking up such godlike fans as Supergrass’ Gaz Coombes and Manic Street Preachers’ James Dean Bradfield along the way) and will finally be returning to their hometown of Liverpool this December 14th when they will grace the city’s cherished Kazimier club with their presence! The particular timing of this gig - just 11 days before Christmas! - coupled with the group’s unique sound (‘DIY Pop’ meets ‘Psych’ meets ‘Folk’ meets ‘Post-punk’ meets ‘whatever other comparative genre I can squeeze in here...’) should make this a very special night indeed and with the first 100 tickets on sale at only £5 a pop, it’ll be well-worth getting yours early! www.stealingsheep.co.uk Stealing Sheep are live At The Kazimier, 14th December 2012

Winter Art Attack

There’s no excuse to buy generic Body Shop gift packs for Christmas presents when you’ve got an event like the Winter Arts Market happening in your city, bursting with personalised gift potential.

The first weekend of December will see over 150 arty and crafty types converging in St George’s Hall to display their handmade and original works, ranging from jewellery, screen prints, paintings, beauty products, textiles, photography, knitwear and more.

Plus, there’ll be plenty of tasty baked goods and mulled wine on sale for keeping up the shopping stamina. Say no to gift vouchers!

The Winter Arts Market takes place at St George’s Hall on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 of December, from 10am – 5pm. Entry is Entry £1.50, see www.winterartsmarket.com

LOWDOWN ON SPORT

Everton FC: The Month That Was… Everton’s first game since last month’s edition of Lowdown was the always electric Merseyside derby. With Liverpool sitting in the bottom half of the league, and Everton coming into the fixture on the back of a five match unbeaten run, there was a justified sense of optimism regarding Everton’s chances.

Inevitably, the game was a controversial affair, in no small part due to one Luis Suarez. Taking the spotlight once again, the Uruguayan played a key role in Liverpool’s opening goal, before scoring their second. Following his goal, Suarez celebrated with a theatrical dive in front of Everton’s dugout, a reference to Moyes’ pre-game suggestion that the striker goes to ground too often and easily.

Despite the initial setback, the Toffee’s regrouped and pulled two goals back before half-time, through Osman and the impressive addition Steven Naismith.

After an explosively attacking first-half, the two Merseyside clubs failed to find the net at either end during the second period until stoppage time, when a Suarez goal was incorrectly judged as being offside.

A trip to Craven Cottage was next up on Everton’s calendar, and this result best represents why my positive evaluation of Everton’s season thus far is coupled with a hint of disappointment at potential points dropped. The Toffee’s dominated the fixture in chances created and possession of the ball, yet found themselves behind after a Bryan Ruiz free-kick was turned into the net by Tim Howard. Everton responded in the second half with two goals from the yet again sublime Fellaini (more on him later) and the Blues

had seemingly capitalised on their dominant display. However, Steve Sidwell rescued an unlikely point for the Cottagers with a last minute goal, forcing Everton into accepting a fourth draw in a row. On the basis of play in this game, Everton fans must be disappointed to have only walked away with a point from this fixture.

from the lack of firepower which has eluded Everton in recent seasons, results suggested that the Blue’s had found a scoring formula for the opening ten fixtures. Goals scored however, regardless of how impressive, only tells one half of the story. In the run-up to Moyes’ milestone, Everton registered four draws out of four, despite scoring seven goals.

This doesn’t come from an undermining of Fulham’s team, as I feel they have established a strong squad this season which could cause a lot of problems in the league. What this stems from is the fact that optimistic Toffee’s have suggested that this may be the season where Everton tread the elite Champion’s League boards again, and if that is to be the case, dominant displays such as the one at Fulham must be taken advantage of. Moyes himself summed this up following the draw, telling BBC Sport: “I’m really frustrated because if I really want to hang on to the boys at the top, I need to win these games when they come along.”

So, as greedy as it may sound coming from an Everton fan enjoying the occupation of a Champion’s League spot, there is the question of ‘what could have been?’ had Everton picked up maximum points when they were within grasp. Everton returned to Goodison for the first time since the Merseyside derby, and for the sixth straight Premier League game, found themselves conceding first, this time to an Adam Johnson strike for visitor’s Sunderland.

Again, Everton dominated the fixture and managed to strike twice for the lead, but unlike their previous result, managed to hang on for the three points. Fellaini was yet again involved in both of Everton’s goals, scoring the first before majestically setting up Jelavic three minutes later.

Following Everton’s 2-2 draw against Fulham, Moyes reached the ten game milestone he had suggested in August where a judgement could begin to be made on this season’s performance. As well as sitting in fourth position, the Toffee’s also had the positive record of scoring in all but one of their games, averaging just under two goals per game. Far

Everton’s next fixture was away at the Madjeski Stadium, playing a struggling Reading who had yet to chalk up a win in this campaign.

Naismith broke Everton’s unenviable six game run of falling behind in every Premier

13 League match, by forcing the ball into the net after ten minutes. The first half played out as expected when looking at Everton’s recent form, with the Toffee’s dominating yet unable to capitalise further on a collection of chances.

The squandering of a number of gilt-edged opportunities came back to haunt Everton, with two goals from Adam Le Fondre (one from the penalty spot after a sloppy challenge

by Seamus Coleman) handing defeat to the Toffee’s against a side who had until then been unable to register a win this season.

Away from the Premier League, Leon Osman managed to achieve his first England call-up (and a starting position) in England’s international friendly against Sweden. At 31, the midfielder may not represent the long term future of the national side, yet if his club performances have warranted a place, then he has every right to be offered the honour of representing his country. So a huge congratulations to Leon, and the

best of luck for his international career. Also developing this past month at Goodison was the continued success of Marouane Fellaini in Everton’s midfield. Alongside the Belgian’s much deserved plaudits comes the growing rumours of his departure, stemming from his consistency in creating attack after attack for Everton from seemingly nothing.

Fellaini himself has acknowledged that his performances have alerted a number of freespending suitors.

His most recent comment on the situation was his wish to play for the best clubs in the world ‘one day’, but that he was patient to stay with a club as ambitious as Everton. Moyes on the other hand, whilst not completely resigning himself to Fellaini’s departure, has indicated that the twenty-four year old’s choice may be out of his hands. This is in no doubt due to Everton’s track record in this area. Like the sales of Lescott, Rooney and Rodwell before, the loss of Fellaini would be the next chapter

in a familiar story for Moyes. In each previous instance, however, the Everton manager has recovered from these sales, both by (on the whole) wisely re-investing the budget he has been given to spend and by restarting the development cycle with younger players already within the squad.

However, if Moyes et al do lose Fellaini in the immediate future, finding a replacement who can fill the void which the Belgian midfielder’s departure would inevitably leave would take possibly the smartest piece of reinvestment to date if the team are to continue their flirtation with the Premier League’s European places.

With the January transfer window just around the corner, this may be an issue that Moyes has to quietly consider.

LIAM NEWMAN || @liamanewman

Tranmere FC: Still Teetering at the Top With almost half of the season now gone the unthinkable is now a reality, Tranmere Rovers are still at the top of the league. Whichever way we look at it now to not at least reach the play offs will be a big disappointment. Despite being top the idea of automatic promotion still remains slightly fanciful for me as the recent injuries have started to bite. Losing Jean Louie seemed to stem our creativity and not quite knowing which of our loan players might be called back to their parent club must be unsettling. That’s the curse though, Palmer, Gibson and Cassidy have been exemplary for the Rovers so it’s natural their clubs might want them back. For me the defeat by MK Dons was a telling one, for the first time this season we

played a team who looked much better than us, we were lucky to get away with a 0-1 defeat.

Perhaps tiredness played a big part as the squad has been severely tested of late and certainly the dreary 0-0 draw at home to Walsall saw a team with little of the invention we’ve come to expect now this season.

Any Rovers fan however has to be thrilled with what we’ve achieved so far this season and the injured Thompson, Bell-Baggie and Akpa Akpro will be back soon enough. Ronnie Moore has worked miracles with this group of players and we have an undoubtedly strong engine room with Robbo and Wallace so their is much to be optimistic about. And of course

we’ve been on the tele a few times of late so our stock is high and I find myself in more Tranmere conversations this season than for a very long time, a good cup run would also be nice as they seem to denote the good times at Prenton Park, A victory at home against Chesterfield and who knows what the 3rd round of the FA Cup might bring. For me it’s always got to be Everton or Liverpool, that glorious day at Goodison Park on January 28th 2001 (known as St. Yates Day amongst the Super White Army) is still our greatest ever moment, time for another one.

IAN PROWSE ||

LOWDOWN ON SPORT

Patience, Passion and Pragmatism I’m changing tack for this months column. Reading various Liverpool FC ‘fan’ forums over the past month has left me with a sense of bewilderment that fans of this great club could already be questioning the appointment of a manager barely 12 games into his tenure.

Football really is eating itself.

As the old saying goes, success breeds success.

Success can also breed a sense of entitlement and it goes without saying that Liverpool fans have certain expectation levels, even if it doesn’t always tally up with reality.

The great Bill Shankly took almost 7 years of rebuilding the club from top to bottom before winning major silverware, shipping out the “dead wood”, buying relatively inexpensive replacements and promoting highly promising but inexperienced players from the reserves to the first team.

Brendan Rodgers is facing a task similar in size and scope, though unfortunately the view within football is now very much of the short term.

Fans now have access to more football than ever before, devouring every stat and multi camera

angle with gusto, playing every football manager simulation on the market, analysing every minute detail on various fora -- thus helping shape a new generation of “superfan” who truly believe that they are just as well equipped to pass judgement on the strengths or weaknesses of “player a” over “player b”, the most suitable formation for a match, or exactly how much “player c” is worth in today’s transfer market.

Take the famous Shankly quote about the “holy trinity” at a football club, and apply it further.

Players play, managers manage, and supporters support. It’s something Liverpool FC as an institution became just as famous for, with the mythical “Liverpool Way” being something everyone at the club were rightly proud of. A club and fanbase as one, offering time, support and patience to the manager. Football today is a

different animal altogether though, and patience is part of a bygone era.

Young, ambitious and talented managers like Brendan Rodgers should be nurtured, not neutered -- otherwise clubs will find themselves on the managerial merry-go-round, courting the likes of Harry Redknapp every 12 months when the latest “project” goes awry.

Liverpool FC is at a tipping point, and absolutely everyone connected to it from the Directors to the Dinner Ladies could do with taking stock, remembering what the club has always stood for, and start moving back towards the ideas and ideals that made it the envy of football.

KEV DIXON ||

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LOWDOWN ON TRAVEL

CHRISTMASIN BARCELONA

17

As we crack out the mince pies and mulled wine and prepare to leave snacks out for when Santa and his reindeer visit, we spare a thought for our friends in Barcelona. What does Christmas in Catalonia look like? Are there crackers, tinsel, bread sauce? Pantomimes, carols and Christmas pudding?

We asked our Catalan friends Oriol and Malena, to compile their guide to Christmas Barcelona style, and boy, are there are some surprises…..

While the capital of Catalonia holds plenty of year round appeal, it dresses up in its best at Christmas and all manner of special traditional activities are added to the city’s already rich agenda. On November 22, Barcelona kicked off the Christmas season with the lighting of the street lights and the annual III Barcelona Shopping Night, an event that brings the masses to the Passeig de Gràcia for an all night shopfest.

Since then, 45 miles of shining and vividly decorated streets welcome everyone to a city that, in spite of its tough economic situation, lives intensely for a few weeks of festivity. Christmas injects Barcelona with a special splendour and host of seasonal things to see and do: SANTA LLUCIA’S FAIR AND THE SHITTING PEASANTS (sorry but that’s what they do!)

Santa Llúcia’s fair (Fira de Santa Llúcia), located Plaça de la Catedral for the last 225 years, is the most remarkable Christmas market in the city.

Browse its almost 300 stalls, and you can find any Christmas object that may please you; from the ordinary; trees, ornaments and garlands, to the more surprising – namely the famed Catalan Caganer. These figurines of squatting peasant men relieving themselves are a fixture of the nativity scene – and a fiercely defended one as the Barcelona council found out when they tried to censor the city nativity scene by removing him in 2005.

Much protest ensued, and he was back, pants around his ankles, in 2006. If the Caganer sounds too crass for you, there is also the tiós - a log that’s believed in Catalonia to shit sweets and presents.

REALITY NATIVITY Jesus is born! Praise the Lord! An iconic Nativity is installed in Plaça Sant Jaume, in front of the Town Hall each year. But in Barcelona the son of God is actually born every Christmas, thanks to the living Nativities, an enactment of the Nativity featuring real people instead of figures.

If you have the chance to travel a few miles, there are some towns in the region that famous for their elaborate live reenactments of Nativity.

The most notorious within an hour’s drive are Cornellà de Llobregat, Premià de Dalt, Prats del Rei and Pals.

THE MAGIC FOUNTAIN The iconic Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, located in a posh area of the city near MNAC and Palau Sant Jordi, celebrates Christmas with special colorful musical choreographies of light and water every Friday and Saturday between 7pm and 9pm, and also on December 25th, 26th and New Year’s day.

THERE IS NO SANTA – ALL HAIL THE THREE KINGS There’s no such thing as Santa Claus for the great majority of the people from Barcelona. What? – you say, no Santa? What the kids of Catalonia are really looking forward to is a visit from the three magic kings -Melcior, Gaspar and Baltasar - on the evening of January 5th.

Myth has it they deliver presents to the children while they sleep, so this is the big night of anticipation for the youngsters.

The kings arrive in Barcelona by boat at 5pm and then The Three Kings Parade takes place.

The parade is a 5 km parade of music, dance and happiness through the city centre that averages 1, 100 participants and about 12, 000 kg of sweets handed out.

GET YOUR SKATES ON It’s not all foreign and wacky – Barcelona folk enjoy a good ice rink as much as the rest of us.

The ice rink installed in Plaça Catalunya was the major Christmas novelty and attraction last year, so this year it’s expanded to hold up to 300 people at a tie. For 7€ half an hour or 9€ an hour you can ice-skate in the most crowded square in Barcelona.

NO TURKEY HERE There are seasonal delicacies to enjoy during a Catalan Christmas, and Arrosseria Xàtiva (essentially translates to ‘rice’o’rama’) is an ideal place to sample them.

Their set menus range from €35 - 45 and include dishes like Escudella (meat, pulses and vegetables soup), the creamy, meaty Grandma Cannelloni and Carn d’olla (stew made of meat, vegetables and legumes). Don’t forget to try the rice! Find Arrosseria Xàtiva at Bordeus, 35 and Torrent d’en Vidalet, 26.

BOX OUT – A PLACE TO PARTY Since pretty much every night is a party in Barcelona, it’s not surprising that New Year’s Eve goes off here. It’s hard to go far wrong but a very good place to spend the last night of the year is Razzmatazz. The famous venue counts down to 2013 with their finest resident DJs – and with 5 different rooms there’s something for everyone from indie to pop to techno. Entrance costs €45-55 and includes two drinks, a party bag and 12 lucky grapes which are traditionally eaten at the stroke of midnight.

Find Razzmatazz at Pamplona, 88.

ORIOL BOSCH & MALENA SILVESTRE RAMÍREZ ||

LOWDOWN ON MUSIC

COMPETITIONS

For all competitions please include your name, email address, telephone number and postal address. Send postal entries to LowDown Media Ltd, 33-45 Parr St, Liverpool L1 4JN. Follow @TheLowdownMag on twitter for more competitions

#Icefestival Liverpool One are hosting a winter wonderland this year with the #IceFestival at Chavasse Park.

To win a family ticket (two adults, two children) just answer the following question by 18th December

Name 3 of Santa’s Reindeers.

Abbey Road Merchandise We have managed to snaffle a few items from the exclusive Abbey Road merchandise range. To win a selection of goodies answer the following question by 18th December

Name 2 artists who have recorded at Abbey Road Studios?

Xposure Studios Photo Shoot Xposure Studios is a luxury makeover and fashion photography studio based the Tea Factory, Concert Square. You can win one of their exclusive photography experiences and choose either a makeover or a family photoshoot with a portfolio of 10 images.

All you have to do to enter is follow @exposure_studios on twitter and tweet LowDown by 18th December

The Christians pair of tickets The Christians will be celebrating their 25th anniversary with a very special show at The Royal Court. You can win a pair of tickets by answering the following question.

The Christians had a No 1 hit in France with what song?

Electric/ Mark Woolley To celebrate the opening of the exclusive Electric Salon at Beauty Bazaar in Liverpool One we have a wonderful prize to give away. To win a complete hair cut and colour makeover (normally worth over ÂŁ200) just answer the following question by 18th December

Name 2 of Marks high profile celebrity clients? send answers to claire@electric-hair.com

Circus and Chibuku Boxing Day and New Years Tickets Circus and Chibuku are planning to end 2012 with a riotous ensemble of house and techno stars creating a warehouse spectacular at Camp and Furnace.

CIRCUS - BOXING DAY PARTY: Wednesday 26th December @ Camp and Furnace Warehouse, Loco Dice, Jamie Jones, Yousef, Heidi presents: The Jackathon Special guest: Scuba, Lewis Boardman, Scott lewis. 10pm – late Price £16 advance Info – 0151 706 8045 CHIBUKU SHAKE SHAKE – New Year’s Eve Celebration! Monday 31st December @ Camp and Furnace Warehouse. 2manydjs, Redlight, Mele, More TBC, DJ Fresh, Subfocus, Rudimental, Futurebound & Matrix, Abandon Silence, Plus guests tbc. 10pm – 3am, £20 advance Info – 0151 706 8045 www.chibuku.com We have pairs tickets up for grabs for Both events.

To win all you have to do is follow @thelowdownmag on twitter and tweet #CircusLiverpool or #Chibuku in December and we will pick a pair of winners!

Olde Red Lion

307 Chester Road, Little Sutton, Ellesmere Port CH66 1QQ. T. 0151 339 2496

DECEMBER

SAT 1ST THE MOOBS SUN 2ND RIGSBY’S CAT THURS 6TH RAW CUTS SAT 8TH WHY NOT NOW SUN 9TH MOJO FILTER TUES 11TH CHILDREN IN NEED TALENT CONTEST - THE FINAL THURS 13TH PROBLEM CHILD FRI 14TH FIREFLY SUN 16TH TONE JUNKIES THURS 20TH LINE OF FIRE

Image courtesy of phrank.net and We Love @ Space

Quadrant Park The all-nighters at Quadrant Park ran from November 1990 to July 1991, with Mike Knowler as the main resident DJ throughout. The venue was eventually forced to close down but such was its influence that a number of reunion nights began springing up on Merseyside, dating as far back as 1994. The popularity of the reunions gained momentum in Liverpool, and more parties followed at different venues across the city.

Today, The Quad’s vibe is going strong and Quadrant Park Reunions, featuring the original DJ team of Mike Knowler, John Kelly and Andy Carroll are attracting the original Quad-goers, and a whole new generation of fans.

Quadrant Park Reunion , Boxing Night – At The New Picket, 10pm till 4am DJs John Kelly, Andy Carroll, Mike Knowler. Tickets £12 adv from 3b Records

To win a pair of tickets just follow @thelowdownmag on twitter and send us a tweet with #QuadrantPark in it in Dec.

FRI 21ST FREAK OUT SAT 22ND IPANIC SUN 23RD THE LOWTONES WED 26TH INSANITY BEACH THURS 27TH SKINNY LIZARD FRI 28TH KOO KA CHOO & BRICKHOUSE SAT 29TH FUNK DRAGONS SUN 30TH APACHE ROSE

Best of the Saw Doctors Vol 2

The Saw Doctors are celebrating their 25th anniversary with a new compilation album containing 25 tracks from the past 25 years. Win a copy by answering the following question.

What was the name of the Saw Doctors first single?

MON 31ST NEW YEARS EVE PARTY COLLETTE & QUAKE

Tickets available from the venue or online at

www.olderedlion.com

LOWDOWN ON MUSIC

THELAST STARFIGHTER

21 Back in the 90’s Space were everywhere: on the radio, the telly and on our snide walkman Players. The Platinum selling Liverpool band brought us classic hits like Female of the Species, The Ballad of Tom Jones and Neighbourhood. Now that they’ve reformed, we’re long overdue plenty of more musical treats from them as they’re set to come back with a vengeance. The new line-up features original members Tommy Scott [vocals/guitar] and Franny Griffiths [keyboards], who will be joined by Phil Hartley [double bass/bass], Ryan Clarke [vintage keys] and drummer Allan Jones. They’re due to play a much anticipated hometown gig at Liverpool Academy December 21st, where they will be showcasing new songs from their upcoming fourth studio album Attack of the Mutant 50ft Kebab. I spoke to Tommy about Horror, nostalgia and Giant monsters.

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE REUNITED AFTER ALL THIS TIME? It feels great, we’re buzzing. It’s been a long time since we’ve been doing proper stuff together.

Obviously we’ve had a casualty with [our drummer] Andy Parle dying, and Jamie Murphy [our guitarist] leaving us, but it’s all worked out now. Him leaving hasn’t changed our music or anything, we’re just not going to play his tunes live- all the hits were mine anyway, haha.

HOW ARE YOU COPING WITH THE MEDIA ATTENTION AGAIN? I’ve never been used to it really. I wouldn’t say we’ve ever had loads of it anyway, but everything is going mad quick at the moment so it could all kick off. We want to come back with force, we want to prove we’re not just a nostalgia band, I hate all that nostalgia crap, so we will be playing a mix of new and old stuff for our live sets. We’re not just a band from the 90’s and hopefully we’re gonna show that with our new album.

YOU’RE KNOWN FOR YOUR DARK LYRICS ABOUT SERIAL KILLERS, OUTCASTS AND MENTAL ILLNESSES, WHAT INSPIRES THIS? The lyrics come from me loving horror films, especially classic horrors like Hammer and Universal. I’m really into 50’s horror music too – I like things that are dark and edgy, it makes things more mysterious and interesting I think.

IS YOUR NEW ALBUM ATTACK OF THE MUTANT 50FT KEBAB GOING TO BE AS DARK AS YOUR OTHER ONES? This is album is well darker, probably our darkest one yet. It’s also easy-listening and post-punk

too but with a sinister feel to it. You know we’ve got songs on it called Happy Clowns and Guest List to Hell…

WHAT’S WITH THE ODD NAMES, LIKE ATTACK OF THE MUTANT 50FT KEBAB? The album title is actually the name of one of the tracks on the album. The name is basically our way of trying to fight back at massive shops like Next and places like that. Those shops make it harder for smaller independent shops to do well. The kebab is supposed to be a metaphor, like a giant monster attacking chain stores and destroying them.

IN TERMS OF BIG VERSUS SMALL THEN, DO YOU PREFER TO PLAY INTIMATE VENUES OR ARENAS? Yeah, we definitely prefer to play smaller venues. Places like the academy and the Lomax have more atmosphere and the audience don’t feel as distant. Our manager was talking about us maybe playing the Echo, but we were like nah, that place seems soulless.

I SAW YOU PLAY WITH YOUR OTHER BAND, THE DRELLAS, WHEN YOU SUPPORTED THE BUZZCOCKS THE OTHER YEAR, WHAT’S GOING ON WITH THEM AT THE MOMENT? Oh did you? That’s great! The Drellas have basically turned into Space now to be honest; both bands have sort of merged now to form the new Space. When I played with the Drellas we played Space songs like She’s in love with a boy in a body bag and stuff, too. So we’re sort of a mix of both bands now, but under the name Space. We were buzzing supporting the Buzzcocks though and we [The Drellas] had a

7” vinyl single that came out too Orchestra of Tears/Violence is Art, it was all good.

WHAT LIVERPOOL BANDS ARE YOU INTO AT THE MOMENT? I’m really into a band called the Sea Witches.

They’re an all-girl post-punk band who used to rehearse downstairs from our studio. Their live sets are amazing and they have a proper psychedelic feel to them. We’ve talked about maybe writing something with them, see what happens. Echo and the Bunnymen are my favourite band from Liverpool though, but I mainly listen to punk bands and rockabilly like The Slits. I love Frank Sinatra too, actually…a bit of everything.

SO, WHAT’S NEXT FOR SPACE? The album will be out in March, and we’re going to tour the UK from February to march.

I can’t wait. We’re hoping for a world tour as well, nothing has been booked yet but we’re definitely planning on it. Oh and we’re playing Liverpool Academy in December, hopefully I’ll see you there. It will be good to play our hometown again.

Space will be appearing at Liverpool O2 Academy on 21st December.

Anna Kennedy

LOWDOWN DECEMBER

IN CONVERSATION WITH…

STEPHEN GRAHAM St George’s Hall, November 17th

Forget what you think you know about Stephen Graham, the man is a sweetheart. Tonight the 39 year old Kirby lad done good, who’s featured on screen more times than you’ve had hot dinners, is the charming and worthy subject in the latest instalment of the ‘In Conversation with…’ series.

It’s an original concept, and one that looks a bit odd on paper but pans out beautifully tonight.

Graham is interviewed in front of the audience at the stunning concert room in St Georges Hall, and interspersed with chat are songs chosen by Graham, and covered as a one-off performance by hand picked Liverpool talent.

the front row, and interviewer Mike Neary skilfully coaxes from him fond memories of childhood and early acting at the Liverpool Everyman Youth Theatre.

Since 2009 the series has seen seven local legends on stage including Janice Long, Paul McGann and David Morrissey and tonight we’ve got the pleasure of one of the cities most successful actors. As someone who has famously carved out a niche for playing fiercely intense roles, from the unforgettable Combo in ‘This is England’ to his current role as none other than Al Capone in Scorsese’s ‘Boardwalk Empire’, tonight proves that the real Graham is a man that you’d cross the street to greet, rather than avoid.

Which segued nicely into Graham’s first song choice, Bill Withers’ ‘Grandma’s Hands’, performed much to his surprise by his childhood acting buddy Benn Helm. It’s the first of many stunning performances in an evening that demonstrates not only the talent of the musicians involved, but also the knack that Little Atom Productions have for curating a mood. Other live performances of the evening are Pink Floyd’s ‘Wish You Were Here’ reinterpreted by The Science of the Lamps, Al Green’s ‘Simply Beautiful’ heart wrenching reinvented by Liam Bailey, and Candie Payne performing Patsy Cline’s ‘Crazy’ like she was born to do it.

While the incredibly humble and overwhelmingly nice man we’re presented with tonight is a world away from those characters, there is real emotion radiating through Graham tonight, with childhood photos and anecdotes lending a ‘This is Your Life’ element to the interview. This is something of a homecoming for Graham, who frequently refers to his family and friends in

Undoubted musical highlight however is Sense of Sound choir’s take on ‘Ain’t Nobody’ by Rufus & Chaka Khan, which achieves that rare thing of transcending the original and making it completely fresh. Lead singer and Kirby girl Rosalie Galvin is an immense talent, and the performance saw Graham beaming with pride and bursting to jump up and congratulate her at the end of it.

Other topics touched on over the relaxed and always absorbing evening included a long reflection on the process of playing a white supremacist in the ‘This is England’ film and TV series, as well as his current role as Al Capone, for which he was hand picked by Martin Scorsese. Neary brilliantly manoeuvres conversation with Graham who is chatty but at time reluctant to self analyse – when probing Graham on method acting Neary quips “You might think it’s wanky, but it’s my job to be!”

The evening wraps up with video and audio messages from Martin Scorsese, Shane Meadows and Johnny Depp reminding us that the man who hasn’t lost any of his his local accent has impressed some seriously impressive people – both with talent and sheer force of personality.

An unique combination of music, film, discussion with a thoroughly Liverpool slant, it’s impossible to regard the night as anything but a success.

JENNIFER PERKIN

XX

25

LOWDOWN ON MUSIC

LIFEOF GARRY

This year sees the 25th Anniversary of The Christians. The current line up, fronted by Garry Christian, have spent the year touring, released a new album to critical acclaim and have a special celebratory show booked at The Royal Court, a venue close to their heart. We spoke to Garry about The Christians, recording the new album, his band, politicians and then edited his interview so we could print it in the magazine...

YOU ARE BACK ON TOUR AND HAVE A NEW ALBUM. HOW IS IT ALL GOING? I think the name The Christians has been a huge cross to bear...no pun intended. I think these days some people don’t want to mention the name of the band in case it offends someone with its connotations but the reality is it’s just my name... I wonder back in the day if people knew, because every interview we did we were asked if we were religious and we dispelled any notions so i don’t people who came to the concerts were not coming because they thought we were a christian band...

TELL US ABOUT THE NEW ALBUM AND THE SONGWRITING AND RECORDING PROCESS. It was like pulling teeth...(laughs). This all started because i mentioned a year ago that we were coming up to out 25th anniversary and it might be a good idea to do something.

We had lots of songs but we had no interest in recording them because A. We would have to pay to record them all and B. There was no record company out there that wants to do anything.

So we had a chat and in the end i decided to get some money together and do something.

I wrote some songs with Neil and Joe and finally came to this point. We did for the 25th anniversary and for the fans and Cherry Red

(Records) came on board and it became a bit more serious and most of it was recorded at my house.

SO PREVIOUSLY YOU RECORDED IN SOME OF THE BEST STUDIOS IN THE WORLD, SO HOW WAS THAT TRANSITION? Over the years new technology comes out and makes it possible. I bought a fantastic Neumann Microphone which cost me a lot.

I was interested in getting the right one and getting the vocals right. For me it seemed like forever, it took about a year. We started with ‘Speed of Life’ the title track first. I’m so impatient i just want to go in and get it done and move on but it just takes time.

DO YOU THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN BETTER RECORDING IT AT SOME ELSES HOUSE SO YOU COULD JUST TURN UP DO YOUR STUFF AND LEAVE? You might laugh but i wish i had... (laughs) They could fiddle with it for hours and days but not while i was there...

WHAT’S IT LIKE BEING BACK ON THE FESTIVAL CIRCUIT? We did Isle of Wight, which was great but getting down there was a nightmare. It took about 97 hours, we got a flat tyre so it was hard work. We also did Rewind Festival, some people may say why are you doing rewind? but it was a great crowd of people. There’s 20,000 people who love what’s going on. we

did a few other festivals as well.

SO YOU HAVE BEING DOING A LOTS OF SHOWS THIS YEAR. Again it was the 25th Anniversary. We said in January let’s just fill the whole year up with dates and go out and celebrate 25 years on stage. And that’s what we did. We did a couple of festivals in France and Spain last year as well and are looking at doing more European shows next year.

SO YOU HAVE A CHRISTIANS 25TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW AT THE ROYAL COURT. It’s full circle you know. We did it in 87 and now 25 years later we are there again. we are the first major act to play at the Royal Court since it re-opened. It was hard to schedule with all the panto stuff ‘Nightmare on Lime St’ so we had to do it on the Sunday which is their day off.

We could have done it somewhere else but i wouldn’t it to be there.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE CHRISTIANS? Well once we did the album and tours i thought I’d like to do more of this because even though it was like pulling teeth sometimes it was a such a good experience. I’m writing a lot of new material so there enough material for a few albums.

The Christians will be performing at The Royal Court on Sunday 16th December www.thechristianslive.co.uk

LOWDOWN ON MUSIC

LIVE REVIEWS Gong

02 ACADEMY, NOVEMBER 10

Supporting Gong, Here and Now ended their set with “So Glad You’re Here” and the packed Academy 2 audience were clearly glad they were there.

Legendary space rockers, Here and Now have been linked with Gong since the late 1970’s as part of Planet Gong and kicked off the night with a pulsating set, blending searing guitar with gut wrenching rhythms overlaid with electronics. Revelling in their first Liverpool gig in “epochs” they set the scene perfectly for the equally legendary Gong. Formed in 1967

by Daevid Allen, Gong forged a reputation in France where they were based, culminating in their seminal album, “Camembert Electrique” which was released in 1971.

They came to prominence in the UK in 1972 when they signed for the fledgling Virgin Label.

In 1973, they released ‘Flying Teapot’, the first of a trilogy of Planet Gong albums. Gong were always a mixed bag, fusing jazz and rock with hippy mythology and at times nonsensical lyrics. Reformed and fronted again by the indomitable and seemingly ageless Allen, Gong transported us back to the 1970’s. With titles like Pot Head Pixies and I’ve Been Stone Again you could almost feel the vibes and smell the patchouli oil.

They began with an on stage group hug, continued with a medley from the Flying Teapot album and ended with a call for revolution with Allen’s classic ‘You Can’t Kill Me” from the Camembert album. I was even knocked over (literally) by what looked like the original head bangers. We left with the lyric “You Can Do What You Want” ringing in our ears and for a fleeting moment there I almost began to believe I could. It was an intoxicating mix.

JOHN ROBINSON

Zappa Plays Zappa

FLORAL PAVILION THEATRE, NOVEMBER 17 I don’t have many regrets in life but one is never getting to see Frank Zappa play live. As far as i am aware he only played Liverpool twice.

I wasn’t really into his music the first time at the Mountford Hall in 1970 but by the time he played Liverpool Stadium on Tuesday 11 September 1973, “Hots Rats” and “The Grand Wazoo” had become not just two of my favourite Zappa albums but two of my favourite albums of all time.

Also, like many of my teenage contemporaries, Liverpool Stadium had become my favourite music venue. But I didn’t go to see him. Why? I can’t remember and I never did get another chance.

Luckily, his son Dweezil formed Zappa Plays Zappa (ZPZ) in 2006 to keep alive his father’s prodigious musical output. I’ve seen ZPZ on every UK tour since. As part of their new ‘Decades’ tour at the impressively rebuilt and revamped New Brighton Pavilion, ZPZ put in another stellar performance in front of an ecstatic and at times excitable audience. The show was part of the annual International Guitar Festival. Originally the brainchild of the late, great Brendan McCormack, the former Wirral Guitar Festival is now in its 24th year and has developed into one of the best and most respected guitar festivals in the World. Booking an act of this calibre has been a real coup and can only enhance its already growing reputation.

ZPZ have always tended to focus on Zappa’s more conventional rock and jazz output and have largely eschewed his more challenging excursions into improvisation and musique concrète.

With a pared down six piece band, no percussionist and no extra guitar, there was an even greater focus here on vocals and ensemble playing than on previous tours. As ever, the level of musicianship was breathtaking at times. For the last few songs they were joined on stage by a guest clarinetist who played a major contribution to my favourite piece of the night, a stunning extended rendition of Zomby Woof from the Over Nite Sensation album.

Actually, I do remember why I didn’t go in 1973. My girlfriend at the time didn’t like the Stadium or Frank Zappa and Tuesday was ‘our night’. So I opted to stay in with her and discuss the contents of our ‘bottom drawer’. I think I told my incredulous friends I had a tickly cough. It’s taken me nearly four decades to admit that publicly and enable me to finally come to terms with so much regret. ZPZ are anything but an overnight sensation and I now owe them much more than just keeping alive and live the enduring music of Frank Zappa.

JOHN ROBINSON

27

Sea of Bees LIVE AT ERIC’S, NOVEMBER 10

Rodriguez

PHILHARMONIC, NOVEMBER 22 It’s all about context tonight. It’s safe to say that everyone in the hushed and reverent Philharmonic knows the incredible story of Rodriguez. In case any readers don’t, here’s the abridged version: young Mexican-American musician is ‘discovered’ in 70s Detroit, his two records flop, he quits the biz for a humble life and a day job.

Meanwhile in South Africa, unbeknownst to Rodriguez, bootlegged copies of his first record ‘Cold Fact’ strike a chord, his music helps to inspire the anti-apartheid movement and he becomes a household name there. Cut forward to the late 90s and two South African fans track him down and drag him out of obscurity. World tours and belated adulation ensue. In short, the 70 year-old troubadour from Detroit almost didn’t make it here tonight.

Having worked with South Africans, I was exposed to the music and the tale of the mysterious folk singer who fell through the cracks of musical history early on, but this year’s documentary ‘Searching for Sugar Man’ beautifully brought it to a much wider audience.It’s the ultimate feel good tale, but crucially the music – and especially 1970s ‘Cold Fact’ – is deserving of a retrospective place alongside the classics of the decade.

Tonight Rodriguez is joined by a drummer, keyboardist, guitarist and bassist. There’s little crowd interaction– Rodriguez confers almost exclusively with his lead guitarist – but the audience is absorbed and importantly, the music is great. It’s a subdued, gentle performance – there’s no rocking out and the audience muster little more than head nodding, but it’s the clarity of his voice that shines. For an already nostalgic evening we’re indulged with plenty of covers, including ‘All My Loving’ early on, but it’s his classics that are the most astonishing. Though the man onstage suffering from failing eyesight and visibly frail, close your eyes and you’re hearing the same voice of 1970, a beautiful and pure voice that can tell a great story.

It’s Saturday night and I’m walking down Mathew Street, soaking up the Beatle-related gossip and cheery drunken vibes. I don’t usually venture out to this neck of the woods (the nostalgia-tourism thing isn’t really my scene) but tonight I’ve come to see a band called Sea Of Bees whose delightful blend of offbeat indie-folk would be enough to drag an army of hipsters to the other side of the world if the group wasn’t already happy enough to bring it’s show to them.

The venue I have come to see them in is the revamped Eric’s Club (Eric’s Live) which, due to the amount of chart-dance noise that is clearly audible from the surrounding night clubs, was probably not to best venue to see an acoustic based act in. However, while some groups would probably throw a tantrum at the prospect of having to compete with such a racket, Sea Of Bees laugh it up with Sacramento-based lead singer/songwriter Jools Baenziger (who basically IS Sea of Bees) declaring that the group only came out on the road to have fun anyway before breezing through a thoroughly enjoyable set comprising of songs from their critically acclaimed debut ‘Songs For The Ravens’ and this year’s deeply personal ‘Orangefarben’.

With a simple ‘I prefer to be called Rodriguez, and I never thought I’d be in Liverpool” it’s over and he’s rewarded heartfelt standing ovation. A brief encore of ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ and we’re left to muse on the power of good music to triumph. Better late than never.

Highlights from the show include the beautifully crafted ‘Gone’ (which sees Beanziger and backup singer/trusty sidekick Amber Padgett engage in some truly affective country-tinged vocal harmonies), the gritty ‘Marmalade’ (that shows off the group’s heavier side with moody, distorted guitars and psychobilly-style drums taking the forefront) and ‘The Woods’ (which the songstress performs solo, illustrating its heartfelt lyrics with charmingly eccentric hand gestures). Overall, the show serves as a reminder that it is not necessarilyabout where you go on your Saturday night, but who you spend it with and Sea Of Bees are as good a bunch to spend it with as any. www.seaofbees.com

JENNIFER PERKIN

NOAH KELLY

His songs speak to and of the working class and the ordinary, and it’s unsurprising that during his obscurity he studied Philosophy and dabbled in politics. ‘Establishment Blues’ is probably his most explicitly political song, and the one that attracts the most Dylan comparisons, and tonight it’s as simple and powerful as ever. Rodriguez is dressed the part tonight and even gets whoops from the audience when he strips off his jacket to reveal an all leather, sleeveless outfit ahead of the song many are most anticipating, ‘Sugarman’. It’s flawless, and the thought that if not for a peculiar twist of fate, his grandchildren might be the only ones to hear him sing it makes it all the more poignant.

LOWDOWN ON FOOD

THESICILIAN CONNECTION

It’s the attention to detail of Santino on Smithdown Road that marks it out as a proper Italian. It’s the kind of place to linger over a long lunch while discussing the merits of Campania vs. Puglia mozzarella, or the nuances of a particular coffee bean.

But if you’re thinking ‘pretentious’ you’re wrong – while Santino is impeccably smart, the friendly prices and service make it a more neighbourhood than special occasion option.

Opening just weeks ago with an almost all-Italian staff, it has brought a touch of class to the area and more importantly a ton of good food.

“I knew if I opened an Italian restaurant I would have the right people in my hands” say owner and first time restaurateur Samiq Nuriyev.

It’s obvious that he’s struck gold with Sicilian chef Luigi Buonincontro, a veteran who has been involved with six start-up restaurants around the world over a 25-year strong career.

To say Luigi is passionate about food is to say Gordon Ramsey has a bit of an attitude. He admits, “Everything has be perfect. I am little bit crazy in the kitchen.”

When asked for a signature dish he answers, “I don’t have a favourite dish, for me every dish is important. If I don’t like a dish I won’t make it.

You could ask me to make you a lamb shank, and it might be the best lamb shank you’ve ever eaten, but if I don’t like it I won’t make it.”

The menu at the moment includes all the classics you would expect; lasagne, pizza, bruschetta but the key difference is quality of ingredients, and the care taken. Our antipasto includes the best buffalo mozzarella we’ve had this side of Naples, with an ingenious twist of crispy fried sage leaves.

The simplicity of our anchovy pizza is a master class in quality over quantity, and the sea bass with capers comes adorned with the surprise flare of grilled grapes. All at a price that is frankly embarrassing.

Luigi admits that his food has to be tempered for British tastes as traditional Sicilian food can be ‘a bit too strong’. He says: “I need to tell the truth to any customer in my life. If you say it’s good food that’s great, but for me it’s 50% of my power.” Santino is a slightly incongruous fit for the studenty feel of most Smithdown Road establishments, but in the best possible way. One gets the feeling that their ambition may just lift the bar. As people realise that a feed there will still often give them change for a tenner, Liverpool won’t put up with greasy pizza or mushy pasta ever again.

Santino at 449 Smithdown Road, L153JL, is open from 8am to 9.30pm daily. Mains starts from around £6 and panini’s from £4, wine starts at £11 a bottle.

JENNIFER PERKIN

LOWDOWN DECEMBER

FRANK’S TALES OF OLDLIVERPOOL

The Great Christmas Storm I suppose in this day and age you might be forgiven for thinking that this is a piece about the great retail rush and last bits of ‘Crimbo’ shopping! In fact it’s a well-documented story of a terrible storm, a hurricane in fact, that hit Liverpool almost wiping us off the face of the earth and out of history. The story however does have a brilliant ending. Drop your shopping bags and ‘’lend an ear’’ It was a very bleak and cold winter’s night when a raging storm, the likes of which had never been witnessed before, hit Liverpool. It was the day before Christmas Eve the 23rd December 1565.

It was the middle of the Elizabethan period and Liverpool at this time was no more than a small township described as a poor and obscure.

A small town hall, a church and tiny dwellings mainly constructed of wood.

Liverpool only had seven streets in the town that were inhabited. The streets contained just over one hundred cottages and 700 inhabitants. Some of the streets remain today – Chapel Street, Castle Street, Dale Street, Bancke Street (now Water Street) and Moor Street (now Tithebarn St). These streets were

the first footprints of our great city and it was in these very same streets that people’s lives and dwellings were torn to pieces that dreaded day 1565. The storm raged for hours and hours decimating everything it its path and leaving a trail of death and destruction. The only buildings left standing were the Town Hall, The Castle and the Tower Building.

The very next day, Christmas Eve, the township was all but gone both physically and in spirit.

It was one mans passion and resilience that prevailed that day. He gathered together the people still alive and focused them to a new vision. That man was John Crosse, the then Mayor of Liverpool, a man who had love of his township and a compassion for his fellow citizens. He gathered them all around late Christmas Eve and said ‘‘look’’, ‘’stay with me’’, ‘’Lets hold together and we’ll grow and grow again’’. ‘’Together we will rebuild our township, make it stronger, and make it safer and we’ll build it back up with stone!’’

He proposed to make every other building with stone! The period was defined by its wooden constructions and to build with stone

was practically unheard of. The handful of people left standing rallied to his call that day and started planning the reconstruction of Liverpool post haste. So by 1566 Liverpool had started her rebirth and she had also started to establish herself as the very first stone township in the country. John Crosse didn’t wait for planning permission in true ‘scouser’ style and circumvented all that stood in his way. His new vision was all consuming.

Perhaps we just don’t realise how many precedents Liverpool has set throughout history.

Without the resilience, physical strength and belief of a small group of people in a broken town all those years ago Christmas time, you may have never got to Liverpool One this Christmas Eve for your ‘last bits’. So raise a glass to John Crosse and his fellow Liverpudlian’s this Christmas. We would have literally been lost in history without them.

Just think… no LFC, EFC! FRANK CARLYLE Frank has a new book and DVD out now find out more at www.liverpoolunravelled.com

LOWDOWN ON MUSIC

THEY’REHERE!

While some people’s idea of Christmas cheer might involve a combination of iceskating, carols and pantomime, for many Liverpool music fans it’s all about donning black and rugging up for the end of year Echo and the Bunnymen show.

We spoke to Will Sergeant, one half of the Bunnymen core, who said: “Yeah it’s become a bit of a tradition, that Bunnymen Christmassy type of show. It kind of makes a full stop on the year”.

And a busy year it has been for Sergeant, who in May opened the first dedicated exhibition of his art – a mixture of screen-printing and painting – in LA, and also collaborated with local songstress Eva Peterson on producing her new record ‘Emerald Green Eyes’.

Sergeant says he enjoyed his first foray into producing, but when asked if he’d do it again replied: “I would, but I couldn’t be bothered going in with a bunch of snotty teenagers. I mean I know what we were like - you think you know everything but you don’t know nothing really.”

Into 2013 Sergeant already has a gig date lined up to debut Poltergeist, his instrumental project featuring former Bunnymen bassist Les Pattinson and treading Mogwai meets

‘Meddle’-era Pink Floyd ground. Being out his Bunnymen comfort zone is a ‘bit of a worry’ but Sergeant promises of the show: “There’ll be some visual, projections, things like that. It’s a bit boring watching three blokes noodling onstage isn’t it?”

Echo & the Bunnymen play the Echo Arena on Saturday, December 15. Poltergeist perform at the Kazimier on Saturday, March 16. www.willsargeant.com

LOWDOWN ON ART

PRINTS CHARMING

Music and art have an intertwined history, but nowhere do they come together so explicitly as with the screenprinted gig poster. Limited print gig posters, originally associated with 60s California, started to make their resurgence in the late 80s and are now here to stay. And as you may not know, Liverpool has its very own – and very awesome – screenprint gallery that displays and sells gig posters alongside other t-shirts, zines and other art. It’s located above the Shipping Forecast pub and it’s called PERCY GULLIVERS; we had a chat to the man behind the shop, Gary McGarvey.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW SHOP Percy is an extension of Screenadelica, a travelling gig poster exhibition. From that I kept getting asked from artists that didn’t do gig posters to work with me but the whole point of Screenadelica is to promote the gig poster.

are really into them, and then they’re going to buy stuff that goes along with it. The thing with the gig posters is that it’s many artists interpretation, so rather than just one CD cover you’ve got maybe 20 different posters of a tour.

So I came up with an idea last year to have a pop-up shop that branched out into art prints, t-shirts, some craft stuff a well - all limited editions stuff – so we could all work together. I did a pop-up shop on Bold Street for about a month before last Christmas and now I’ve got this place for about a year.

DO YOU THINK THE RESURGENCE IS POPULARITY IS RELATED TO THE RISE OF VINYL THAT WE’VE SEEN? Yeah definitely. I think that’s the thing, even if people download the MP3 they still want something physical. Usually the people who buy vinyl tend to be people who buy screenprints, they want something tangible.

ON THE GIG POSTER SIDE OF THINGS – WHY IS IT THAT THIS TYPE OF MUSIC GIG POSTERS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH ALTERNATIVE MUSIC? WHY DON’T WE GET BRITNEY SPEARS POSTERS? I don’t know, but there are certain bands that suit the gig poster. It may be because with the whole pop element of things everything is mass produced, they’re aiming to sell as many CDs, singles as they can. Whereas I think with bands who are only ever going to play at a 500 capacity venue but they’re cult bands worldwide… people who are into those band

YOU’VE TRAVELLED AROUND WORLD WITH SCREENADELICA AND SEEN SCREENPRINTING FROM ALL OVER THE PLACE. DO YOU THINK THE BRITISH ARTISTS HAVE A PARTICULAR STYLE? Yeah I do. I don’t really know what it is but you can definitely tell. Especially at Flatstock in Texas, there’ll be 80-90 artists, and you can definitely from a distance pinpoint the English and Europeans. There’s a definite difference in styles, it might be about different influences.

IS THE WORK DISPLAYED AT PERCY’S LIMITED TO SCREENPRINTING? The main ethos is that is has to be print based – lino based, screen print, etching. We don’t really take any digital based stuff because…we do what we do. But anybody can exhibit – it’s all quality over status. I think it’s important to give people a chance, so if their work is good enough they can be on the wall.

PERCY GULLIVERS IS MORE THAN JUST A GALLERY AND SHOP ISN’T IT? Yeah I want it to be a creative space so we’ve got some craft based stuff, workshops, more exhibitions planned. Also a few little impromptu gigs, things to bring people here. For those who have been in, remember to keep popping in because we’ve got so much stock in and it’s constantly rotating.

Check out Percy Gullivers above the Shipping Forecast at 15 Slater Street. The gallery is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 7pm. www.facebook.com/PercyGullivers JENNIFER PERKIN ||

LOWDOWN ON MUSIC

ALBUMREVIEWS SOUNDGARDEN KING ANIMAL

TAME IMPALA LONERISM

DEFTONES KOI NO YOKAN

Modern music is dead.

When Tame Impala first dropped out of the sky their retro sounds stood out in a sea of retro sounds on authenticity alone. Their 2010 debut LP ‘Innerspeaker’ sounded more like the lost album of a mythical 70s supergroup than a 20-something Astronomy student from Perth noodling in his bedroom. Swirling guitars play seemingly endless riffs, prettily sung but never intrusive melodies glide overtop, and it’s all enveloped a thick haze that make one song run seamlessly into the next.

Deftones have never successfully been slotted in with a scene – too hip-hop for grunge, too intelligent for nu-metal, too experimental for punk – they’ve been plugging away in the background all along, carving their own niche entirely. Seven albums in, to say that Koi No Yokan is a return to form for Deftones is profoundly unfair but also somewhat true. Those who love the band don’t need to be convinced that the ingredients – brutal guitars, drum-led grooves, and above all the irresistible croon of Chino Moreno – combine to form one of the best, most original heavy bands the world has heard. But while fans could easily forgive the sloppiness of 2006’s ‘Saturday Night Wrist’, the unevenness of 2010’s ‘Diamond Eyes’, not since mainstream breakthrough album ‘White Pony’ have the band released something so solidly coherent and with such wide appeal.

Thanks to X Factor, the music buying public is now in a state of mass hypnosis -- believing that the auto-tuned all “singing”, all dancing, haircuts on legs are a true representation of genuine working musicians in this country today. It makes one wonder just where the next Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Who or (it pains me to say it) Oasis are hiding, if they are in hiding at all. A band who capture the imagination and mood of a nation, whilst inspiring people to pick up an instrument and create something original and exciting. Where does King Animal fit into this equation? Well, as a stand alone album -- it’s one that many bands would be proud to call their own. Measured against their earlier work, it’s a solid collection of songs performed to the highest standards of musicianship. This being Soundgarden, you’d expect nothing less -- and that it can be ranked as probably their 4th best album and still put most current releases to shame, only underlines just how poor the current non-existent music “scene” is.

Album opener “Been Away Too Long” is classic Soundgarden, utilising Chris Cornell’s peerless voice against the backdrop of Black Sabbath meets Led Zeppelin esque guitar riffs throughout, with all the twists and turns you expect from a band that like to challenge the listener to appreciate something more than a simple three chord pop song arrangement.

Simple, brilliant, effective, it seemed to hit vein and against the odds Kevin Parker, the man behind Tame Impala, was launched from the bedroom to hipster audiences across the globe along with the fellow musician from Perth’s loose collective that make up the band. The process proved that Parker’s genius is not limited to recording – as anyone who has seen the band perform can attest, it’s a singularly hypnotic and absorbing experience. If it wasn’t your bag first time round it won’t be now, as Lonerism isn’t a massive departure sonically.

With ‘Endors Toi’, ‘Mind Mischief’ and ‘Feels Like We Only Go Backwards’ you’ve got the kind of dreamy wig outs we love and expect, while in ‘Elephant’ Tame Impala have their first bonafide hit – a stomper that sounds like T-Rex sharing a joint with John Lennon.

“Bones of Birds”, “Black Saturday” and album closer “Rowing” are other particular highlights, and I can only hope that we don’t have to wait another 15 years until we’re once again reminded how as a musician, it should be done.

The clue is in the title, and this is a more personal record where we get to know Parker a little better. Closer ‘Sun’s Coming Up’ is the first time the wall of sound is penetrated, and the shock of stark vocals over simple piano is incredibly moving – as last words “sun’s coming up now, I guess it’s over” lead into minutes of wispy guitars we’re left to ponder where Parker will take us next.

8/10 KD ||

8/10 JP ||

Confident opener ‘Swerve City’ starts with a brutal riff but eases into the bittersweet, discordant sound that the band have virtually trademarked, while luminous ‘Entombed’ shows the influence of Chino’s textured side project Team Sleep. For a band prone to inconsistency there really is no low point of the album, but it’s with the spine-tingling highlight ‘Tempest’ that we get a track worthy of the best in their back catalogue. Having lost their bassist Chi to a car accident in 2009 – he remains in a minimally conscious state - the band have emerged from a dark period and sound stronger than they have in years. While there is a positivity that shines through the record – the title refers to the concept of love at first sight in Japanese – their sound is intrinsically dark, and with any luck will appeal to a new Twilight-weaned generation of admirers.

9/10 JP ||

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LOWDOWN ON BEAUTY

ELECTRIC HAIRDRESSING

Mark Woolley is a bonafide celebrity Hair Stylist, in that he not only styles celebrity hair, but he is also well known in his own right. Multi awardwinning and entrepreneurial, he has brought his Electric brand to Liverpool with a salon housed in newly opened Harvey Nichols Beauty Bar. First Person Experience: The Champagne Blow Dry For the sake of journalistic integrity, we decided to skip down to Harvey Nicks to try out the Electric experience first hand, and were recommended the Champagne Blow Dry - a treatment and style package that seemed perfect for a Friday night after a long week of work.

As a very ungirly girl, I look forward to going to the hairdresser about as much as other people look forward to going to the dentist. However given the reputation of Mark Woolley, I knew I would be in good hands at Electric. Also, the promise of champagne didn’t hurt.

The Beauty Bar is an astonishing and bewildering place for the uninitiated – a kind of girly playground where people come to be plucked, blowdried, painted, waxed, shaped and injected within an inch of themselves. In other words, terrifying. Luckily head stylist at Electric Phill Gallagher was able to welcome me with a smile and a cold glass of bubbly.

Phill said: “The Electric signature look is the fashion-led, editorial finish”. It was evident from the girls swishing away from the salon that it was about a subtly classy look rather than OTT. I relaxed. As Phill washed my hair and I enjoyed the massage chair (!) he explained to me his hair philosophy.

“The way I look at it, hair is one item that you wear every single day, so it’s worth looking after”. He has a point. Back in the chair, and by the time I’d finished my glass of bubbly, Phill had totally glammed me up. Using the Electric range of shampoo, conditioner and hair treatments my hair felt shiny, soft and bouncy in a way that it never had been. It felt like I’d had a haircut, so complete was the transformation.

I left feeling relaxed in a way I seldom do when leaving a hairdresser, thinking ‘I could get used to this’. And the champagne certainly didn’t hurt. The Champagne Blow Dry costs £45. find out more www.electric-hair.com and scan with Layar for video

Electric Hairdressing has arrived in Liverpool‌ and its time you found out what all the fuss is about!

electric-hair.com

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FILMREVIEWS The Shining: Extended cut

Despite initial panning and even a few ‘Razzie’ nominations back in 1980, Kubrick’s venture into horror is widely considered to be a high-point of the genre with some of the most influential and recognisable moments in film.

Because of this cult status it can be easy to ignore most of it’s flaws with a smile, however now that it has been re-released I feel it is time to ask whether the film still holds up, particularly in today’s desensitised market.

Even though the film suffers from a noticeably dated 70’s aesthetic and some awkward lead performances from Shelley Duvall and Danny Lloyd, the film quickly manages to make up for this through it’s atmosphere, with Kubrick

using everything from the cinematography to the sound to the lighting to make the audience uncomfortable. The highlight of the film of course is Jack Nicholson’s performance, although strangely enough when viewing it on the big screen his display of utter insanity in the third act is somewhat over-shadowed by his quieter moments of frustration, creating a genuinely tense and fearsome atmosphere with an eerily satisfying effect..

One thing that most modern film-makers don’t seem to understand, is that simpler scenarios are usually most frightening, ‘The Shining’ most definitely understands this, managing to play off our childhood fears of parental anger to create something far more threatening than constantly throwing gore at the screen.

DAN BRENNAN ||

Rust and Bone

‘Rust and Bone’, the latest film from ‘A Prophet’ director Jacques Audiard is an original and thought provoking take on the classic ‘Beauty and The Beast’ fairy tale.

Although the premise is somewhat simple, A glamorous orca trainer played by Oscar winner Marion Cotillard loses her legs in a freak accident and commences a quirky relationship with boxer and single father Ali, played by Matthias Schoennearts.

The performances of the two leads elevate this basic plot into a harrowing depiction of the fragility of human life and the abandonment of physicality in favour of the soul. Schoennearts is impressive as a struggling father, but it is Cotillard who once again proves why she is one of the great actors of her generation in an astounding performance, which is both earthly and wholly intangible at the same time.

Her natural ability to truly embody a character is second to none, and this film is a perfect demonstration of that ability in what is undoubtedly her best performance since ‘La Vie En Rose’.

Flawlessly directed, emotionally ravaging, this is a simple yet stunning tale which will resonate with you way after the credits roll.

LAURA A. HURST ||

Stanley’s Cask 212 RAKE LANE, WALLASEY CH45 1JP TELEPHONE: 0151 691 1093

December

Skyfall

After a mission in Turkey goes horribly wrong, files containing the locations of ex-agents are lost and it’s up to 007 to retrieve them from his most dangerous enemy yet, at least in the confines of the Daniel Craig films anyway.

With the disappointing taste of ‘Quantum of Solace’ still lingering in everyone’s mouths it was no easy task for this film to restore interest in the Bond franchise, however as you’ve probably heard, ‘Skyfall’ is more than up to the challenge, completely re-inventing the series into something much darker and emotionally challenging than we have previously seen, as well as reviving the charm the more recent films so sorely lacked.

Perhaps the key to why it works so well is that the writing team clearly does care about the series, with the re-introduction of characters such as Q, a heavier focus on Judy Dench’s M and an actual character arc for Daniel Craig all making for probably the most personal Bond story to date.

Thankfully Craig finally feels comfortable in the famous role as he is able to add a quiet confidence and world-weariness to the character that really draws you in and gets you invested in the somewhat convoluted plot. The film also sees the return of the ‘Bond villain’ in the form of Javier Bardem, who is once again nothing short of outstanding, creating such a enjoyably flamboyant yet intimidating presence that you can’t help but adore every frame he appears in.

Although the writers do have a tendency to borrow set-pieces from other films I find this is more than made up for by the occasionally stunning cinematography and Sam Mendes’ spectacular combat direction, which is a pleasant surprise considering his only previous work has been in character-based drama films and inspires the interesting thought that the director of ‘American Beauty’ is currently being bombarded with every action script in Hollywood.

DAN BRENNAN ||

Sunday 2nd KANDER & THE PEACE PIRATES Friday 7th THE CHEVRONS Saturday 8th FIFI & THE BOOM BOOMS Sunday 9th THE SHOELACE BAND Friday 14th THE OIL CHICKENS Saturday 15th CONKY Friday 21st NAKED Saturday 22nd SAVAGE OUTLAW Momday 24th FIRE Wednesday 26th LEMON ECHO Friday 28th HOTEL SLEAZY Saturday 29th THE LOW TONES Sunday 30th INNER CITY BLUES Monday 31st FIRE EVERY TUESDAY RECKLESS ELBOW facebook.com/stanleys.cask

LOWDOWN ON TALENT

THESENSORITES

These days the music industry is a tough place to get a break. You can sit around complaining about it or you can try and make things happen.

The Sensorites decided to do the latter with some impressive results. We spoke to lead singer, guitarist and songwriter Natham.

TELL US ABOUT THE SENSORITES. It was just me and my brother to start off with.

We didn’t even have a name. We just started writing and recording and doing a few gigs to test the songs. The promoters wanted us to do more gigs and wanted a name for the poster.

So we picked one.

YOU BUILT A STUDIO? WHY? We were in a tiny little practise room and the guy put the rent up and I said to the lads ‘I bet we can get a whole warehouse for the same price’ and they said “no you can’t”. So I went out and got a warehouse for the same price.

We thought it would only take a little while and not that much effort and it took ages and a lot of effort but it’s done now and it’s been more than worth it. We had Bonehead and Vinny’s new band Parlour Flames in the studio recently recording some guitars.

SO YOU HAVE JUST ADDED A PERMANENT DRUMMER TO THE LINE-UP? There is 4 of us at the moment but we wouldn’t mind a keys player, i’m always keeping

my eye out for musicians who can fit in and add something. I don’t think there is a definitive line-up for this band.

YOU HAVE A SINGLE OUT CALLED ‘FOOL’ AND MADE YOUR OWN VIDEO IN A DAY? We needed a video and didn’t have any money.

There are lots of videos out there just based on a good idea like Sinead O Connor. Paul Simon and others. They have loads of money but it’s still about having a good idea and that’s where it came from.

We found Emma and asked her to be in the video and she made it much better.

The video guys are setting up their own company called Off The Record so we were all working towards something. We also have our own label called Hollow Hole records so we can release the record.

SO DO YOU THINK THE PROACTIVE APPROACH IS IMPORTANT FOR MODERN BANDS? At the start you have to. Back in the day you

could concentrate on making music but now you have to worry about Twitter and loads of other stuff. If you haven’t got a manager, you’ve got to manage it. If you want to put a record out and you haven’t got a record company you’ve got to make a record company. If you want to record stuff on your own with paying a studio, you’ve got to build a recording studio...

WHEN IS YOUR NEXT GIG? The next gig is a little acoustic gig at the Vinyl Emporium on Bold St, Sat 1st December but we are really concentrating on getting the album finished. We are aiming to have the album out in March 2013.

The single ‘Fool’ is out on Hollowhole Records find out more at www.sensorites.com and scan with Layar for video

t e G e m ho e... f a s D n u o ...s 0151 722 8888

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE CITY THIS MONTH?

XX 43

LOWDOWN DECEMBER

SATURDAY 1ST Music I The Moobs Olde Red Lion, Little Sutton, 0151 3392496 I Hip Hop Studio 2, Parr Street, 9pm, 0151 707 3727 I The Crazy World of Arthur Brown The Citadel, St.Helens, 8pm, £15, 01744 735436 I Sound of Guns Leaf Cafe, Bold St, (Acoustic Matinee) 3-6pm, Masque Theatre Evening 6.30pm-10pm, 0151 707 7747 I X-Press 2, Andy Carroll, Steve Parry The Zanzibar Club, 10.30pm, £8 adv/ £10 door, 0151 707 0633 I Christmas With The Rat Pack Live From Las Vegas Liverpool Empire Theatre, 4pm and 8pm, £10.00 - £33.50, 0844 871 7660 I The Crunched Stanley’s Cask, 8pm, 0151 6911093 I The Moobs Olde Red Lion, 8pm, 0151 3392496 I AC/DC UK Revolver Venue, 2 New Chester Road, Birkenhead I MetroFest The Lomax, Cumberland St, 4pm, £6, winter festival of alternative and acoustic acts I Ian Prowse & Amsterdam - The Very Best Of (Pele/Amsterdam) O2 Academy 2 Liverpool, 7pm, £13.80 I Band Of Skulls O2 Academy Liverpool, 7pm, £17.25 I The Saw Doctors The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 7.30pm, £21.50/ £31.50, 0151 709 3789, Rock & Pop I Steve Charles & Schooner with the Green Machine LIVE Band The Green Room, 6.30pm, £25 incl.

Champagne Reception & Festive Platter, 0870 787 1866 I The Cave Dwellers plus support Tony Mac The Cavern Club, Mathew St, 8.30pm, £4, 0151 236 9091 I The Beatelles Telfords Warehouse, Chester, 01244 390 090, Free before 9pm, £4 after. Female Beatle Tribute I Tim Shaw, Jay Murray, The Shakers, Richard Batty The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 12pm till early evening, 0151 236 9091 I Festival Choral Concert The Capstone, Liverpool Hope University, 0151 291 3578, 7.30pm, £10 The Cornerstone Festival Choral Concert.

I Plump DJs Hi-Fi, Seel St, 10pm4am, £13 OTD/ £11 NUS, Electro, Breaks, House, Dubstep I Ronny Hughes, Kappa, Tony Mac The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, live music from 2.30pm, 0152 236 9091 I Saturday With The Beatles ft. the Cavern Club Beatles The Cavern Live Lounge, Mathew St, 8.30pm, £12, 0151 236 9091, Beatles Tribute Show I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I Finely Quaye The Kazimier, 7pm, £15, 0151 324 1723 I Choir Association - Swing Night Metropolitan Cathedral, Gibberd Room, 7.30pm

Theatre & Dance I Jack And The Beanstalk The Playhouse, 7pm, £10-£23, 0151 709 4776, most magical Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto in the universe I Held The Playhouse Studio, 7.45pm, £10, 0151 709 4776, a captivating story of the weave and weft of family life I Jeff Wayne’s The War of The Worlds 2012 Echo Arena, £62.50/ £42.50, 0844 8000 400 I A Nightmare On Lime Street The Royal Court Theatre, City Centre, 0870 787 1240, Mo-Fr: 8pm, Sat: 2pm & 8pm, Tickets from £13. A spooky Christmas narrative with a star-studded Liverpool cast and staring the one and only David Gest!

I A Christmas Carol The Lantern Theatre, Blundell St, 0151 703 0000, £10, 7.30pm (5pm Sun), The Charles Dicken’s Classic.

I Epstein the Play - The Man Who Made The Beatles Epstein Theatre, 2.30pm (Matinee) & 7.30pm, £10-£24 concs available, 0844 888 4411 I A Pair of Blue Eyes Southport College Theatre, Mornington Road, 7.45pm, £5, for Tickets email elplit@ hotmail.com, a performance of Thomas Hardy’s classic novel I John Buchan and Alfred Hitchcock’s: The 39 Steps Southport Little Theatre, 7.45pm, £9.50, 01704 530521, a spoof spy thriller I Christmas Show Paul McCartney Auditorium, LIPA, 7pm, £6/ £3 concs, advance bookings via Unity Theatre Box Office I When the Rain Stops Falling Sennheiser Studio Theatre, LIPA,

2.30 (matinee)/ 7.30pm, £8/ £4 concs, advance bookings via Unity Theatre Box Office, time-skipping play about father-son relationships

I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 10am-6pm & 7.30pm9.30pm

Comedy

I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963

I Daliso Chaponda plus Supports The Slaughter House, Fenwick St, 8pm, £22.95, 0151 227 5946 The finest comedy from the UK’s best headlining acts and supports.

I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art

I Comedy Central at Baby Blue Baby Blue, Albert Dock,8pm, £20, 0151 702 5834 Christian Reilly headliner plus supports

I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, 1st Floor Mersey Ferries Terminal, 10am6pm, 0151 709 1963

I Ken Dodd’s Happiness Show Floral Pavilion, New Brighton, 7pm, £20, 0151 666 0000

I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366

I Hot Water Comedy Club The Crown Hotel Pub, City Centre L1, 0777211 2344, 7pm, £8, Headliner JollyBoat, Pete McCole, Tony Carroll, I Chester Comedy Club Alexanders, Rufus Court, Chester, 01244 340005, £12, 7.30pm, Chester Comedy Club headliner Sam Avery I Phil Nichol plus Supports The Slug and Lettuce, City Centre, 0151 236 8820, 8pm, £22.95 UK’s finest comedians.

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8 I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930 I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm I The Games of Art The Black-E, 9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm) Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of ‘Artful Games’ I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911 I Visit the Dickensian Christmas Mansion Tatton Park, Knutsford, 12-4pm, £4.50 Child/ £8.50, reflect Dickens and his most popular works

I Advent in Art Rathbone Studio, Birkenhead, Wirral, 3-6pm, 0790 333 7995 I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393 I 1972 Olympic posters Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, official posters for the 1972 Munich Olympics I Enrico David Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, major installation ‘Madreperlage’(2003) I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of daily life along the Niger Delta I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan I Giving in to Gift The Bluecoat, School Lane, 8am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, Tim Jeeves’ innovative live art project I John Garstang and the Discovery of the Hittite World Victoria Gallery & Museum, University of Liverpool, 10-5pm, 0151 794 2348, archaeological discoveries of the Hittie Empire more than 100 years ago in Turkey I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday I Judy Chicago: Voices From The Song of Songs The Black-E, MonFri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am4pm, 0151 709 5109, contemporary prints

45 Family I Lantern Magic - Christmas at Chester Zoo Chester Zoo, 10am4pm, £6.99 - £17.99, life sized animal lantern display I BSL Messy Church - fantastic family fun Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, Concert Room, 4pm, Worship, Messy Church with craft, food and celebration around a biblical theme - but with a twist I Christmas Grotto Rapid, 4th floor, Williamson Square, Mo-Sat: 9am6pm, Sun: 11am-5pm, admission £5 incl. entry, visit to Santa and gift, Entry only £1, Tickets available from Rapid’s 3rd floor christmas department

Sports & Leisure I ‘A Christmas Quarrel’ - Live Wrestling Grand Central Hall, 6pm10pm, £7 - £11, 0151 709 2074

Other Events I Chester Victorian Christmas Market Chester City Centre, 10am-6pm I Chester Christmas Tour Chester, Visitor Centre, 2pm, £8/ £7 Concs/ £18 Family, 0845 6477868, discover how Christmas has been kept over the centuries, Yuletide treat for everyone!

I The Cheshire Reindeer Lodge Chester, next to Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, Mo-Sat: 9.30am6.30pm, Sun: 9.30am-5pm, Christmas Eve, 9.30am-2pm, 01244 646045, real Reindeer, other animals, Christmas trees and more I Antique and Collectors’ Fair St George’s Hall, The Great Hall, 9.30am-4pm, admission £2.50, 0151 225 6911 I Port Sunlight Vintage Christmas Fayre Hulme Hall, Port Sunlight, Wirral, 0797 690 5173 I ISB Winter Ball 2012 Marriott Hotel, 8pm, £30, 0151 476 8000, red carpet reception, welcome drink, three course meal and fantastic live entertainment, strict black tie dress code I The Shadows Speak Tour 100 Seel Street, 6pm/ 7.30pm/ 9pm, £5, gripping and poetic journey through a beautifully dilapidated townhouse I Sergei and Nicolai The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 11am1pm, £15 /£10 concs, 0151 709 3789, discover the musical, social and historical stories behind some of the superb music and composers from the RLPO I Christmas at Lady Heyes Lady Heyes Crafts & Antiques Centre,

Frodsham, 10am-5pm, Christmas Craft Marquee with Craft People I Cards for Good Causes Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, Rankin Porch (next to Baptistery), 10am4pm, famous charity, offering the chance to buy Christmas cards from more than 25 national and local charities I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool I Charity Christmas Card Shop Tourist Information Centre, Lord Street, Southport, you can decide wich charity you wish to support I The Waterloo Flea Market Old Christ Church, Waterloo Road, 9.30am-1pm, £0.30, 0151 649 0401 I # Ice Festival - Santa’s Grotto Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ Thu-Sat: 10am-9pm, £5.50 under 16/ £3.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience I Liverpool Christmas Market Lord Street, Church Street & Whitechapel, Mo-Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 10am-5pm I Liverpool Christmas Village Williamson Square, Bandstand performances I Winter Bird Walk The National Trust Formby, 10am-12.30pm, £3, 01704 878591, meet by noticeboard on Victoria Road, learn about the migrating birds that visit Formby during winter I Record Fair The Bluecoat, School Lane, 10am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, Vinyl, tapes, CDs, DVDs, mags, annuals, prints and more I 2Dartmarkets at the Bluecoat.

The Bluecoat, School Lane, 10am5pm, 0151 702 5324, opportunity to purchase original and limited edition artworks

SUNDAY 2ND Music I Rigbys Cat Olde Red Lion, Little Sutton, 0151 3392496 I Steve Hedley Studio 2, Parr Street, 8pm, 0151 707 3727, Live solo album launch I Rigsby’s Cat Olde Red Lion, 8pm, 0151 3392496 I West Kirby Light Opera Society Christmas concert St. George’s Hall, Concert Room, 2.30pm, £10, 0151 342 2143 I 18th Century Concert Orchestra & Choir HANDEL’S MESSIAH

Floral Pavilion, New Brighton, 7.30pm, £18/ £20, 0151 666 0000 I MetroFest The Lomax, Cumberland St, 4pm, £6, winter festival of alternative and acoustic acts I The Journey to Christmas - Birkenhead School Choral Society The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 7.30pm, £14/ £16/ £18/ £20/ £25, 0151 709 3789, celebrate Advent and Christmas with national treasure Patricia Routledge I Joe Longthorne The Green Room, 12.30pm, £25 incl. Champagne Reception, 0870 787 1866 I Maghull Wind Orchestra Sefton Park Palm House, 2pm, 0151 726 2415 I Tim Shaw, Madison, The Quangos, The Shakers The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 12pm, 0151 236 9091 I Ronny Hughes The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, 5.30pm, 0152 236 9091 I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I Swingology Stamps Wine Bar, Liverpool Road, Crosby, 6pm, 0151 286 2662 I The Martin Smith Quartet The Caledonia, 4pm, 07791 041 212 I David Knopov - a Night of Sinatra Jalons, Smithdown Road, 6pm, 0151 734 3984 I Xander And The Peace Pirates (Duo) Stanley’s Cask, 8pm, 0151 6911093

Theatre & Dance I Jack And The Beanstalk The Playhouse, see 1st for details I Christmas Buffet Dance St George’s Hall, The Great Hall, 12.30pm-4pm, £15, 0151 428 2631 I A Christmas Carol The Lantern Theatre, Blundell St, 0151 703 0000, £10, 7.30pm (5pm Sun), The Charles Dicken’s Classic.

Comedy I F: Rated Comedy Club Floral Pavilion Blue Lounge, New Brighton, 8pm, £10, 0151 666 0000 I A Rush of Laughter The Lantern Theatre, Blundell St, 8pm, £10, 0151 703 0000 Double headliner Christmas show. Patrick Monahan and Chris Brooker I Hot Water Comedy Club The Crown Hotel Pub, City Centre L1, 7pm, 0777211 2344, £5, Testing the Water Christmas Special

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I Visit the Dickensian Christmas Mansion Tatton Park, Knutsford, 12-4pm, £4.50 Child/ £8.50, reflect Dickens and his most popular works I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8 I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930 I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm I The Games of Art The Black-E, 9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm) Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of ‘Artful Games’ I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911 I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 11am-5pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366 I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393 I 1972 Olympic posters Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, official posters for the 1972 Munich Olympics I Enrico David Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, major installation ‘Madreperlage’(2003) I John Moores Painting Prize 2012

LOWDOWN DECEMBER

Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of daily life along the Niger Delta I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan I Giving in to Gift The Bluecoat, School Lane, 8am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, Tim Jeeves’ innovative live art project I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday I Judy Chicago: Voices From The Song of Songs The Black-E, MonFri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am4pm, 0151 709 5109, contemporary prints

Family I Lantern Magic - Christmas at Chester Zoo Chester Zoo, 10am4pm, £6.99 - £17.99, life sized animal lantern display I Christmas Grotto Rapid, see 1st for details

Sports & Leisure I Run Liverpool Santa Dash Liverpool City Centre, £10 Mini Dash/ £20 Main 5K Fun Run

Other Events I Chester Victorian Christmas Market Chester City Centre, 10am-6pm I Light up a Life Chester, River Dee, 4-6pm, remember your loved ones and light a candle in their memory, carols, display of hundreds of candles I The Cheshire Reindeer Lodge Chester, see 1st for details I Christmas at Lady Heyes Lady Heyes Crafts & Antiques Centre, Frodsham, 10am-5pm, Christmas Craft Marquee with Craft People I Port Sunlight Vintage Christmas Fayre Hulme Hall, Port Sunlight, Wirral, 0797 690 5173 I The Shadows Speak Tour 100 Seel Street, 6pm/ 7.30pm/ 9pm, £5, gripping and poetic journey through a beautifully dilapidated townhouse I Capstan’s Bazaar Arts And Crafts Market Leaf Cafe, Bold St, 12-5pm, 0151 707 7747 I Christmas Market Croxteth Hall

and Country Park, 0151 233 6910, 10.30am/4pm, £2.40 admission.

with the Gift Band The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 7.30pm, £18.50/ £25, 0151 709 3789, Folk & Roots

I Cards for Good Causes Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, Rankin Porch (next to Baptistery), 10am4pm, famous charity, offering the chance to buy Christmas cards from more than 25 national and local charities

I Paul Jones, John Keats, The Two of Us (Tribute to Lennon & McCartney) & Jay Murray The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 2pm, 0151 236 9091

I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool

I The Smith Quartet The Capstone, Liverpool Hope University, 0151 291 3578, 7.30pm, £10, The leading edge of new music.

I Charity Christmas Card Shop Tourist Information Centre, Lord Street, Southport, you can decide wich charity you wish to support

I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music

I # Ice Festival - Santa’s Grotto Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ Thu-Sat: 10am-9pm, £5.50 under 16/ £3.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience I Liverpool Christmas Market Lord Street, Church Street & Whitechapel, Mo-Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 10am-5pm I Liverpool Christmas Village Williamson Square, Bandstand performances I Christmas at National Museums Liverpool Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm, Christmas crafts and themed gifts, Maritime Dining Rooms Christmas lunches: Two courses £15.95, three courses £19.95 and party nights I Craft Fair Metropolitan Cathedral, Gibberd Room, 10.30am-4.30pm, over 20 stalls of art, craft and jewellery

MONDAY 3RD Music I Ian Prowse Monday Club The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, 8pm, 0152 236 9091 I Carcer City plus Napoleon, Oceanis The Picket, Jordan Street, 7pm, £5, 0151 708 6789, five-piece metal band from Liverpool I Hail Hail Rock ‘n’ Roll - The Hey Pedros Sound Food And Drink, Duke St, 7pm songs of Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, The Surfaris, Bill Haley and more, plus resident DJ Little Rachard I Electric Six 10th Anniversary Tour, performing FIRE in its entirety O2 Academy 2 Liverpool, 7pm, £14.40 I Rancid O2 Academy Liverpool, 7pm, £22 I Eliza Carthy & Norma Waterson

I Morecrofts Carol Concert Metropolitan Cathedral, 7.30pm, £10/ £5 under 16s/ £25 family, Ticket Quarter Box Office, Queen Square I Spread the Jam The Brink, 8.30pm, 0151 703 0582

Theatre & Dance I Jack And The Beanstalk The Playhouse, see 1st for details I Floral Tea Dance Floral Pavilion Winter Gardens, New Brighton, 1.30pm, £5, 0151 666 0000 I A Nightmare On Lime Street The Royal Court Theatre, see 1st for details I A Christmas Carol The Lantern Theatre, Blundell St, 0151 703 0000, £10, 7.30pm (5pm Sun), The Charles Dicken’s Classic.

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8 I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930 I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm I The Games of Art The Black-E, 9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm) Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of

‘Artful Games’ I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911 I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 10am-6pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366 I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393 I 1972 Olympic posters Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, official posters for the 1972 Munich Olympics I Enrico David Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, major installation ‘Madreperlage’(2003) I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of daily life along the Niger Delta I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan I Giving in to Gift The Bluecoat, School Lane, 8am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, Tim Jeeves’ innovative live art project I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday I Judy Chicago: Voices From The Song of Songs The Black-E, MonFri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am4pm, 0151 709 5109, contemporary prints

Family I Lantern Magic - Christmas at Chester Zoo Chester Zoo, 10am4pm, £6.99 - £17.99, life sized animal lantern display I Christmas Grotto Rapid, see 1st for details

47 Other Events I Chester Victorian Christmas Market Chester City Centre, 10am-6pm I The Cheshire Reindeer Lodge Chester, see 1st for details I Jonny Bongo’s Monday Night Quiz & All Night Dirty Disco The Shipping Forecast, 8pm-12am, £1 I Leaf Book Club Leaf Cafe, Bold St, 7.30pm, 0151 707 7747 I Cards for Good Causes Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, Rankin Porch (next to Baptistery), 10am4pm, famous charity, offering the chance to buy Christmas cards from more than 25 national and local charities I Meningitis Trust - Carol Concert Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, 7.00pm, £8, Tickets available from The Cathedral Shop, 0151 702 7255, mix of musical performance, readings and congregational carols to mark the charity’s 25th Anniversary I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool I Charity Christmas Card Shop Tourist Information Centre, Lord Street, Southport, you can decide wich charity you wish to support I # Ice Festival - Santa’s Grotto Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ Thu-Sat: 10am-9pm, £5.50 under 16/ £3.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience I Liverpool Christmas Market Lord Street, Church Street & Whitechapel, Mo-Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 10am-5pm

TUESDAY 4TH Music I Admiral Fallow The Kazimier, 7.30pm, £9, 0151 324 1723 I Kris Kristofferson The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 7.30pm, £27.50/ £32.50, 0151 709 3789, Country Music I Oh Susanna The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 8.30pm, £12, 0151 709 3789, contemplative, thoughtful, folk-inspired songs I Out Of The Bedroom - Acoustic Open Mic Night Leaf Cafe, Bold St, 8.30pm, 0151 707 7747, bring your own instrument for a chance to perform I John Keats, Jimmy Coburn, Jay Murray The Cavern Club, Mathew

St, live music from 4pm, 0151 236 9091 I Christmas Jazz Afternonn Sefton Park Palm House, 2pm-4pm, £5, 0151 726 2415, classics from the 1920’s, 1930’s and 40’s I Martyn Joseph plus Support Telfords Warehouse, Chester, 01244 390 090, £16, Martyn Joseph UK Tour plus Luke Jackson support.

I PARRJAZZ presents David Knopov the Best Frank Sinatra tribute act Studio 2, Parr Street, 8.30pm, £ 3 on door/ FREE Students (NUS), 0151 707 3727, Jazz and open jam session I Ronny Hughes, Gary Murphy The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, 7.30pm, 0152 236 9091 I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I Reckless Elbow Stanley’s Cask, 8pm, 0151 6911093

Theatre & Dance I Jack And The Beanstalk The Playhouse, see 1st for details I Hansel and Gretel The Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Place, £8/ £12 Check performance times, 0844 873 2888 ‘’Magical delight and round-eyed awe’’

firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930 I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm I The Games of Art The Black-E, 9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm) Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of ‘Artful Games’ I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911 I Dickens A Writers’ Contemporary St George’s Hall, The Concert Room, 7pm, £10 (£5 concs), available from: Dickens in Liverpool - Eventbrite I Create And Write Leaf Cafe, Bold St, 7pm, £4 OTD, 0151 707 7747 I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 10am-6pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details

I A Nightmare On Lime Street The Royal Court Theatre, see 1st for details

I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366

I A Christmas Carol The Lantern Theatre, Blundell St, 0151 703 0000, £10, 7.30pm (5pm Sun), The Charles Dicken’s Classic.

I Advent in Art Rathbone Studio, Birkenhead, Wirral, 3-6pm, 0790 333 7995

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I Visit the Dickensian Christmas Mansion Tatton Park, Knutsford, 12-4pm, £4.50 Child/ £8.50, reflect Dickens and his most popular works I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8 I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English

I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393 I 1972 Olympic posters Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, official posters for the 1972 Munich Olympics I Enrico David Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, major installation ‘Madreperlage’(2003) I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of daily life along the Niger Delta I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan I Giving in to Gift The Bluecoat,

School Lane, 8am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, Tim Jeeves’ innovative live art project I John Garstang and the Discovery of the Hittite World Victoria Gallery & Museum, see 1st for details I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday I Judy Chicago: Voices From The Song of Songs The Black-E, MonFri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am4pm, 0151 709 5109, contemporary prints

Family I Lantern Magic - Christmas at Chester Zoo Chester Zoo, 10am4pm, £6.99 - £17.99, life sized animal lantern display I Object Opinion Service Museum of Liverpool, 2pm I Christmas Grotto Rapid, see 1st for details

Other Events I Chester Victorian Christmas Market Chester City Centre, 10am-6pm I The Cheshire Reindeer Lodge Chester, see 1st for details I Santas Grotto on Home Farm Croxteth Hall and Country Park, 0151 233 6910, 10.30am/4pm, £8 Grotto admission.

I Cards for Good Causes Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, Rankin Porch (next to Baptistery), 10am4pm, famous charity, offering the chance to buy Christmas cards from more than 25 national and local charities I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool I Charity Christmas Card Shop Tourist Information Centre, Lord Street, Southport, you can decide wich charity you wish to support I # Ice Festival - Santa’s Grotto Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ Thu-Sat: 10am-9pm, £5.50 under 16/ £3.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience I Liverpool Christmas Market Lord Street, Church Street & Whitechapel, Mo-Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 10am-5pm I Liverpool Christmas Village Williamson Square, Bandstand performances I BeerdFest Camp and Furnace,

LOWDOWN DECEMBER

4-6pm, 0151 708 2890, Beard and Moustache Contest I Wine Society Tasting Event Metropolitan Cathedral, Crypt Hall, 6.30-8.30pm, £24, Twenty wines from the Society’s Exhibition range will be presented, www.winesociety. com/tastings

WEDNESDAY 5TH Music I Acoustic Open Mic Night ‘With A Twist’ The 23 Club Basement Bar, Hope Street, 8.30pm, 07730574789 I R Charity’s Christmas Concert St George’s Hall, Great Hall, 7pm, £8/ £6 concs/ £20 family (2 adults and 2 children), 0151 706 3150 I RLPO: From Russia With Love The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 7.30pm, 0151 709 3789, From £18, The Classic FM Series I The Raveonettes Eric’s, Mathew Street, 7.30pm, £16.75, 0151 236 9994 I Paul Jones, John Keats, Jimmy Coburn, Tony Coburn The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 2pm, 0151 236 9091 I Latin Mania - Classes and Dance Telfords Warehouse, Chester, 01244 390 090, 9.30pm till 12.30, Free bar entry, £6 both I EVOL Chilly Gonzales Piano Talk Show The Capstone, Liverpool Hope University, 0151 291 3578, 7.30pm, £13 Don’t miss this!

I Sarah Macdougall Grateful Fred’s, Formby British Legion, Whitehouse Lane, 8pm, £7, 0797 077 4618 I Kappa Band The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, 9pm, 0152 236 9091 I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I Keith’s Jarrett and guests Keith’s Wine Bar, Lark Lane Sefton Park, 8pm, 0151 728 7688 I Freddie Smith Big Band Bebington British Legion, Teehey Lane, Wirral, 8.30pm, 0151 608 2270 I The Original Panama Jazzband The Irby Club, Thingwall Road, Irby, Wirral, 8.30pm

Theatre & Dance I A Christmas Carol Chester Town Hall, 1.30pm (Schools Show) & 7pm, £6/ £7, 0845 241 7868 I Jack And The Beanstalk The

Playhouse, see 1st for details I A Nightmare On Lime Street The Royal Court Theatre, see 1st for details I A Christmas Carol The Lantern Theatre, Blundell St, 0151 703 0000, £10, 7.30pm (5pm Sun), The Charles Dicken’s Classic.

Comedy I The Laughter Factor The Slaughter House, Fenwick St, 8pm, £5, 0151 227 5946 The night the comedians try out their new material!

I Variety Lunch Club The Royal Court Theatre, City Centre, 12.30pm, £3/ £6 incl. bowl of Scouse, 0870 787 1240, feature the best in local entertainment with variety of comedians, actors and entertainers

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I Visit the Dickensian Christmas Mansion Tatton Park, Knutsford, 12-4pm, £4.50 Child/ £8.50, reflect Dickens and his most popular works I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8 I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930 I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm I The Games of Art The Black-E, 9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm) Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of ‘Artful Games’ I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911 I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 10am-6pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate

Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366 I Advent in Art Rathbone Studio, Birkenhead, Wirral, 3-6pm, 0790 333 7995 I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393 I 1972 Olympic posters Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, official posters for the 1972 Munich Olympics I Enrico David Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, major installation ‘Madreperlage’(2003) I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of daily life along the Niger Delta I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan I Giving in to Gift The Bluecoat, School Lane, 8am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, Tim Jeeves’ innovative live art project I John Garstang and the Discovery of the Hittite World Victoria Gallery & Museum, see 1st for details I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday I Judy Chicago: Voices From The Song of Songs The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109

Family I Lantern Magic - Christmas at Chester Zoo Chester Zoo, 10am4pm, £6.99 - £17.99, life sized animal lantern display I Christmas Grotto Rapid, see 1st for details

Sports & Leisure I Cycle for Health Walton Hall Park, 10am-11.30am Meet at Walton Hall Sports Centre car park. Guided cycling scheme, to reserve a bike or for more info contact Jeannette Smith 0151 285 4975 / jeannette. smith@liverpoolch.nhs.uk

Other Events I Chester Victorian Christmas Market Chester City Centre, 10am-6pm I The Cheshire Reindeer Lodge Chester, see 1st for details I Spotify Wednesday Leaf Cafe, Bold St, 8pm 0151 707 7747, Enabling the sharing, creating and modifying of each other’s playlists I Santas Grotto on Home Farm Croxteth Hall and Country Park, 0151 233 6910, 10.30am/4pm, £8 Grotto admission.

I Cards for Good Causes Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, Rankin Porch (next to Baptistery), 10am4pm, famous charity, offering the chance to buy Christmas cards from more than 25 national and local charities I ‘Action for Children’ Christmas Carol Concert Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, 7pm, Tickets available from The Cathedral Shop, £7/ £5 concs, 0151 702 7255, enjoy the true spirit of Christmas with Action for Children I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool I Charity Christmas Card Shop Tourist Information Centre, Lord Street, Southport, you can decide wich charity you wish to support I # Ice Festival - Santa’s Grotto Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ Thu-Sat: 10am-9pm, £5.50 under 16/ £3.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience I Liverpool Christmas Market Lord Street, Church Street & Whitechapel, Mo-Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 10am-5pm I Liverpool Christmas Village Williamson Square, Bandstand performances I Christmas at National Museums Liverpool Lady Lever Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, Christmas lunches: two courses £15.95, three courses £19.95, Christmas shopping and dining evening, festive activities, traditional gifts and decorations I engage Liverpool: Cities For People Liverpool Community College, Roscoe St, 5.30-8pm, incl. neighbourhoods, The Learning Exchange, Speaker: Miles Falkingham, Panel Members: Ken Perry, Grant Butterworth

49 THURSDAY 6TH Music I Raw Cuts Olde Red Lion, Little Sutton, 0151 3392496 I BB’s Blues Club: Connie Lush Alexanders, Rufus Court, Chester, 01244 340005 I Outline Studio 2, Parr Street, 9pm, 0151 707 3727, Live, Electronic, Dub, House, Experimaental, Visual I Musica En Vivo Alma De Cuba, 10.30pm, 0151 702 7394, Live music featuring the hippest bands from the North West I The Orange Show The Brink, 7.30pm, 0151 703 0582, Open mic poetry, comedy, music and much more I Johnny’s Acoustic Caravan Club Camp and Furnace...Special guests/ Open Mic 8PM ACE! I Radio City Live December 2012 Echo Arena, £25/ £35/ 75, 0844 8000 400 I We The Undersigned O2 Academy 2 Liverpool, 7pm, £7 I The View O2 Academy Liverpool, 7pm, £16.10 I RLPO: From Russia With Love The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 7.30pm, 0151 709 3789, From £18, The Classic FM Series I Dick Gaughan The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 8.30pm, £12, 0151 709 3789 I Rod Stewart & Sean Styles The Green Room, 6.30pm, £25 incl.

Champagne Reception & Festive Platter, 0870 787 1866, UK’s No 1 Tribute I Tony Mac, John Keats, Richard Batty The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 2-8pm, 0151 236 9091 I Ronny Hughes & Beatles Tribute Night The Cavern Club, Mathew St, 7.30pm, £3, 0151 236 9091 I Pearl Jammer live with support from Ste Williams The Lomax, Cumberland St, 7.30pm, £10 I Tony Mac, Xander & The Peace Pirates The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, 7pm, 0152 236 9091 I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I The Sue Yo Trio The James Monro, 7pm, 0151 236 9700 I Jam Night Revolver Venue, 2 New Chester Road, Birkenhead

Theatre & Dance I A Christmas Carol Chester Town Hall, 1.30pm (Schools Show) & 7pm, £6 - £12, 0845 241 7868 I Jack And The Beanstalk The Playhouse, see 1st for details I A Nightmare On Lime Street The Royal Court Theatre, see 1st for details I A Christmas Carol The Lantern Theatre, Blundell St, 0151 703 0000, £10, 7.30pm (5pm Sun), The Charles Dicken’s Classic.

I Fallen Fruit The Capstone, Liverpool Hope University, 0151 291 3578, 7.30pm, £10. A journey through love, childhood and breaking free.

I Christmas 2012 Pantomime Cinderella Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, 7pm, £6.25£9.75, 0844 871 3021 I Tales from the MP3 The Bluecoat, School Lane, 7.30pm, £3/ £2 concs, 0151 702 5324, armed with MP3 players, gritty, honest, funny and transformative piece of verbatim theatre

Comedy I Neil Fitzmaurice plus Supports The Slaughter House, Fenwick St, 8pm, £22.95, 0151 227 5946 The finest comedy from the UK’s best headlining acts and supports.

I Comedy Central at Baby Blue Baby Blue, Albert Dock, 6pm, £40 Meal & Gig, 0151 702 5834 Steve Harris headliner plus supports Jonny Awsum and Tony Burgess I Mark Steel - Mark Steel’s In Town The Brindley, Runcorn, Theatre, 8pm, £15, 0151 907 8360

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I Visit the Dickensian Christmas Mansion Tatton Park, Knutsford, 12-4pm, £4.50 Child/ £8.50, reflect Dickens and his most popular works I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8 I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring

the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930 I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm

I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday

I The Games of Art The Black-E, 9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm) Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of ‘Artful Games’

I Judy Chicago: Voices From The Song of Songs The Black-E, MonFri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am4pm, 0151 709 5109, contemporary prints

I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911 I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 10am-6pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366 I Advent in Art Rathbone Studio, Birkenhead, Wirral, 3-6pm, 0790 333 7995 I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393 I 1972 Olympic posters Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, official posters for the 1972 Munich Olympics I Enrico David Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, major installation ‘Madreperlage’(2003) I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of daily life along the Niger Delta I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan I Giving in to Gift The Bluecoat, School Lane, 8am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, Tim Jeeves’ innovative live art project I John Garstang and the Discovery of the Hittite World Victoria Gallery & Museum, see 1st for details

Family I Lantern Magic - Christmas at Chester Zoo Chester Zoo, 10am4pm, £6.99 - £17.99, life sized animal lantern display I Christmas Grotto Rapid, see 1st for details

Other Events I Chester Victorian Christmas Market Chester City Centre, 10am-6pm I Chester Christmas Tour Chester, Visitor Centre, 2pm, £8/ £7 Concs/ £18 Family, 0845 6477868, discover how Christmas has been kept over the centuries, Yuletide treat for everyone!

I The Cheshire Reindeer Lodge Chester, see 1st for details I Christmas Shopping Evening Event Bluecoat Display Centre, School Lane, 4-7pm, 0151 709 4014, for Friends & Supporters to shop for those special gifts I Behind the scenes tours St Georges Hall, 2pm, £10, limited availability, 0151 225 6909 I Santas Grotto on Home Farm Croxteth Hall and Country Park, 0151 233 6910, 10.30am/4pm, £8 Grotto admission.

I Cards for Good Causes Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, Rankin Porch (next to Baptistery), 10am4pm, famous charity, offering the chance to buy Christmas cards from more than 25 national and local charities I Telford’s Christmas Fayre Telfords Warehouse, Chester, 01244 390 090, Free, Retro Rags and Quirky Crafts I ‘Creative Process’ The Elevator Bar, 6pm, £10, an evening for broadening your horizons, engaging talks from industry experts, a popup shop by Cow & Co, an exhibition by Screenadelica I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool I Charity Christmas Card Shop Tourist Information Centre, Lord

LOWDOWN DECEMBER

Street, Southport, you can decide wich charity you wish to support I # Ice Festival - Santa’s Grotto Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ Thu-Sat: 10am-9pm, £5.50 under 16/ £3.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience

Warehouse, Chester, 01244 390 090, Free before 9pm, £4 after. Toe tapping Honky Tonk.. Western pop?

I Goodfellas Alexanders, Rufus Court, Chester, 01244 340005, £7 Entrance, 7.30pm, Meal & Concert ticket available. Call for ticket price.

I Liverpool Christmas Market Lord Street, Church Street & Whitechapel, Mo-Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 10am-5pm

I Tim Shaw, Ronny Hughes, John Keats & Tony Mac The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 12pm till early evening, 0151 236 9091

I Late Night Vintage The Shipping Forecast, 5.30-9.30pm, 0151 709 6901

I Richard Batty & The Rockits The Cavern Club, Mathew St, 8pm, £3, 0151 236 9091

I Liverpool Christmas Village Williamson Square, Bandstand performances

I Marc Kenny, The Grace The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, 6pm, 0152 236 9091

I The World Famous Cairngorm Reindeers Queens Sqaure, Liverpool, 4-7pm

I John, Paul, George, Ringo & Claire The Cavern Live Lounge, Mathew St, 7.30pm, £12, 0151 236 9091

I Dickensian Christmas Metquarter, Liverpool, 4pm, delicious mulled wine, mince pies, hot chestnuts and more!

FRIDAY 7TH Music I Spirit Of Christmas 2012 Chester Cathedral, Chester, 7.30-9.45pm, £10 - £50, 01244 500959 I Amplified (under 18’s Alternative Clubnight) The Citadel, St.Helens, 7.30pm, £5, 01744 735436, live bands I Liquidation The Shipping Forecast, in The Hold, expect Electro, Motown and Rock n Roll Classics.

11pm-3am / Free in before Midnight I Nigh On Maiden Revolver Venue, 2 New Chester Road, Birkenhead I Madness: The Charge of the Mad Brigade Echo Arena, £35/ £45, 0844 8000 400 I Thin Lizzy O2 Academy 2 Liverpool, 7pm, £29.60 I Pyro (formerly New Frontier) O2 Academy Liverpool, 7pm, 0844 477 2000 I The Bootleg Beatles The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, £25/ £27.50/ £33.50, 0151 709 3789, relive signs & sounds of the 60’s with the world’s premier Beatle band I The South Eric’s, Mathew Street, 7.30pm, £24.25, 0151 236 9994 I Soul Special & Schooner with James Brown 6 Ray Charles The Green Room, 6.30pm, £25 incl.

Champagne Reception & Festive Platter, 0870 787 1866, UK’s No 1 Tribute I The Cowboy Outfit Telfords

I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I Gold Soundz The Kazimier, 8.30pm, £5, 0151 324 1723 I Fireball Fridays Revolver Venue, 2 New Chester Road, Birkenhead, DJ Mogsey’s insane mixed bag I The Cheverons Stanley’s Cask, 8pm, 0151 6911093

Theatre & Dance I Life In Theatre Productions The Dome, Renshaw Street, 7.30pm, £11, fun, feel-good show jam-packed with Disco hits from the 70’s I Jack And The Beanstalk The Playhouse, see 1st for details I A Nightmare On Lime Street The Royal Court Theatre, see 1st for details I A Christmas Carol The Lantern Theatre, Blundell St, 0151 703 0000, £10, 7.30pm (5pm Sun), The Charles Dicken’s Classic.

I Cinderella Epstein Theatre, 10.15am/ 1pm/ 2pm/ 5pm/ 7pm check with Box Office for each day, £8-£18.50 (Concs & Family Tickets available), 0844 888 4411 I King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight, 7.30pm, £8/ £7 concs, 0151 643 8757, a pantomime by Julie Whitehead I Cinderella Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, 2pm, £12.50£19.50, 0844 871 3021 I Tales from the MP3 The Bluecoat, School Lane, 1.30pm & 7.30pm, £3/ £2 concs, 0151 702 5324, armed with MP3 players, gritty, honest,

funny and transformative piece of verbatim theatre I Cinderella St. Helens Theatre Royal, 7pm, £11 concs/ £14/ £46 family, 01744 756 000

Comedy I BottleTop Comedy presents ‘Stand Up And Deliver’ Envi, Fleet Street, 7.30pm, £10/ £5 Students, 0151 214 3242, FREE Mince Pie & Mulled Wine for all! Great prizes to be won!

I Neil Fitzmaurice plus Supports The Slaughter House, Fenwick St, 7pm & 9.15pm, £22.95, 0151 227 5946 The finest comedy from the UK’s best headlining acts and supports.

I Keith Carter as Nige The Slug and Lettuce, City Centre, 0151 236 8820, 8pm, £22.95 UK’s finest comedians.

I Comedy Central at Baby Blue Baby Blue, Albert Dock, 6pm, £40 Meal & Gig, 0151 702 5834 Steve Harris headliner plus supports Jonny Awsum and Tony Burgess I Hot Water Comedy Club The Crown Hotel Pub, City Centre L1, 7pm, 0777211 2344, £5, Lewis Calvert, Kate Tracey, Kevin Hampson I Mitch Benn plus Supports Sandbach Town Hall, 8pm, £12, 01270 529512 I Neil Fitzmaurice plus Supports Cafe Sports Express, 8.30pm, £22 Seated/ £40 Premier Seat and 3 course meal

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I Visit the Dickensian Christmas Mansion Tatton Park, Knutsford, 12-4pm, £4.50 Child/ £8.50, reflect Dickens and his most popular works

I Beryl Bainbridge, painter Museum of Liverpool, 10am5pm, unique collection of fifteen paintings I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm I The Games of Art The Black-E, 9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm) Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of ‘Artful Games’ I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911 I Paintings by Daniel Eltinger St George’s Hall, Dicken’s and Gladstone Gallery, 10am-4pm, 0151 225 6911 I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 10am-6pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366 I Advent in Art Rathbone Studio, Birkenhead, Wirral, 3-6pm, 0790 333 7995 I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393 I 1972 Olympic posters Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, official posters for the 1972 Munich Olympics I Enrico David Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, major installation ‘Madreperlage’(2003) I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition

I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8

I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of daily life along the Niger Delta

I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930

I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan I A Universal Archive - William Kentridge as Printmaker The

51 Bluecoat, School Lane, 10am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, contemporary artist I Giving in to Gift The Bluecoat, School Lane, 8am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, Tim Jeeves’ innovative live art project I John Garstang and the Discovery of the Hittite World Victoria Gallery & Museum, see 1st for details I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday I Judy Chicago: Voices From The Song of Songs The Black-E, MonFri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am4pm, 0151 709 5109, contemporary prints

Family I Lantern Magic - Christmas at Chester Zoo Chester Zoo, 10am4pm, £6.99 - £17.99, life sized animal lantern display I Christmas Grotto Rapid, see 1st for details

Other Events I Chester Victorian Christmas Market Chester City Centre, 10am-6pm I The Cheshire Reindeer Lodge Chester, see 1st for details I Martini Lounge - dinner and performance St George’s Hall, The Concert Room, 6pm for dinner, 8.30pm performance, £22/ £24 for show only, with dinner £59/ £66.70, available from: Martini Lounge I Santas Grotto on Home Farm Croxteth Hall and Country Park, 0151 233 6910, 10.30am/4pm, £8 Grotto admission.

I Murder Mystery Evenings Croxteth Hall and Country Park, 0151 233 6910, 7.30pm, £25 with buffet. Where suspense and intrigue are the order of the day.

I Cards for Good Causes Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, Rankin Porch (next to Baptistery), 10am4pm, famous charity, offering the chance to buy Christmas cards from more than 25 national and local charities I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool I Charity Christmas Card Shop Tourist Information Centre, Lord Street, Southport, you can decide wich charity you wish to support I # Ice Festival - Santa’s Grotto Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park,

Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ Thu-Sat: 10am-9pm, £5.50 under 16/ £3.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience

I Nativity Christmas Concert St Mary’s Church, Walton, 7.30pm, £8/ £7 concs, 0151 525 3130, Crosby Capriol Singers

I Liverpool Christmas Market Lord Street, Church Street & Whitechapel, Mo-Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 10am-5pm

I Ronny Hughes, Kappa, Tony Mac The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, live music from 2.30pm, 0152 236 9091

I Liverpool Christmas Village Williamson Square, Bandstand performances I Martini Lounge puts the glamour into Christmas St Georges Hall, 8.30pm, £22/ £24, 0151 225 6909, Burlesque and Variety Show

SATURDAY 8TH Music I Why Not Now Olde Red Lion, Little Sutton, 0151 3392496 I Chester Music Society: Christmas Concert All Saints Church, Hoole, Chester, 7.30pm, £7, 01244 300717 I Radical Liverpool Studio 2, Parr Street, 6pm, 0151 707 3727, live acoustic music night with a difference, drawing on Liverpool’s radical traditions I Peter Andre - Up Close and Personal Echo Arena, £75/ £65/ £55/ £45/ £28.50, 0844 8000 400 I A Very Special Candlelit Carol Concert with The Rhos Choir St George’s Hall, The Concert Room, 7pm, £13.50 (Balcony) and £15, 0844 8000 410 I Ellie Goulding O2 Academy Liverpool, 7pm, £24.75 I Bravado - A Tribute to Rush Floral Pavilion Blue Lounge, New Brighton, 7.30pm, £12 (under 16 & over 60) / adults £13, 0151 666 0000 I RLPO: The John Lennon Songbook The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 7.30pm, 0151 709 3789, 7.30pm, From £21 I Backbeat Beatles & Schooner The Green Room, 6.30pm, £25 incl.

Champagne Reception & festive Platter, 0870 787 1866, UK’s No 1 Tribute I Catfish and The Bottlemen Telfords Warehouse, Chester, 01244 390 090, Free before 9pm, £4 after. Four lads, Rock n Roll, explosive and sexy!

I Tim Shaw, Jay Murray and The Shakers The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 12pm till early evening, 0151 236 9091 I The Cave Dwellers plus support Tony Mac The Cavern Club, Mathew St, 8.30pm, £4, 0151 236 9091

I Saturday With The Beatles ft. the Cavern Club Beatles The Cavern Live Lounge, Mathew St, 8.30pm, £12, 0151 236 9091, Beatles Tribute Show I Southport Orchestra St Luke’s Church, Southport, 7.30pm, £7/ £4 under 18, Tickets from Southport Christian Book Centre-Wesley Street or on the door I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I Hustle pres. Franck Roger, Burnski, Jerome Sydenham Hi-Fi, Seel St, 8pm-4am, £9 Earlybird/ £10 NUS/ £12, 07786225402 I New Vinyl, Cammy Harris, Trine Hartz Zanzibar Club, 7.45pm, 0151 707 0633 I Christmas Concert Metropolitan Cathedral, 7pm, £10/ £7, Box Office: Cathedral Gift Shop, 0151 707 3525, Fanfares, Hallelujah Chorus (Messiah) and Sleigh Ride I ‘Snatch Have Stolen Christmas’ Xmas Bash Revolver Venue, 2 New Chester Road, Birkenhead, live music from Space Cadets I FiFi And The Boom Booms Stanley’s Cask, 8pm, 0151 6911093

Theatre & Dance I Life In Theatre Productions The Dome, Renshaw Street, 2.30pm, £11, fun, feel-good show jam-packed with Disco hits from the 70’s I A Christmas Carol Chester Town Hall, 1.30pm & 7pm, £5 - £12, 0845 241 7868 I Jack And The Beanstalk The Playhouse, see 1st for details I Hansel and Gretel The Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Place, £8/ £12 Check performance times, 0844 873 2888 ‘’Magical delight and round-eyed awe’’ I A Nightmare On Lime Street The Royal Court Theatre, see 1st for details I A Christmas Carol The Lantern Theatre, Blundell St, 0151 703 0000, £10, 7.30pm (5pm Sun), The Charles Dicken’s Classic.

I Cinderella Epstein Theatre, see 7th for details

I King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight, (matinee) 2.30pm, £8/ £7 concs, 0151 643 8757, a pantomime by Julie Whitehead I An Evening with Vidhya Subramanian The Capstone, Liverpool Hope University, 0151 291 3578, 7.30pm, £6. Dance! Modern themes and strong choreographies.

I Cinderella Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, 1pm & 5pm, £12.50-£19.50, 0844 871 3021 I Tales from the MP3 The Bluecoat, School Lane, 7.30pm, £3/ £2 concs, 0151 702 5324, armed with MP3 players, gritty, honest, funny and transformative piece of verbatim theatre I Cinderella St. Helens Theatre Royal, 10am/ 2pm/ 7pm, £9 - £46, 01744 756 000

Comedy I Neil Fitzmaurice plus Supports The Slaughter House, Fenwick St, 7pm & 9.15pm, £22.95, 0151 227 5946 The finest comedy from the UK’s best headlining acts and supports.

I Keith Carter as Nige The Slug and Lettuce, City Centre, 0151 236 8820, 8pm, £22.95 UK’s finest comedians.

I Comedy Central at Baby Blue Baby Blue, Albert Dock, 6pm, £40 Meal & Gig, 0151 702 5834 Steve Harris headliner plus supports Jonny Awsum and Tony Burgess I Hot Water Comedy Club The Crown Hotel Pub, City Centre L1, 0777211 2344, 7pm, £8, Boiling Point with Pete Philipson, Kate Tracey and Kevin Hampson I Chester Comedy Club Alexanders, Rufus Court, Chester, 01244 340005, £12, 7.30pm Headliner Sam Turner

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I Visit the Dickensian Christmas Mansion Tatton Park, Knutsford, 12-4pm, £4.50 Child/ £8.50, reflect Dickens and his most popular works I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8

LOWDOWN DECEMBER

I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930 I Beryl Bainbridge, painter Museum of Liverpool, 10am5pm, unique collection of fifteen paintings I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm I The Games of Art The Black-E, 9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm) Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of ‘Artful Games’ I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911 I Paintings by Daniel Eltinger St George’s Hall, Dicken’s and Gladstone Gallery, 10am-4pm, 0151 225 6911 I Winter Arts Market St George’s Hall, The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, £1.50/ under 16s free, 0151 225 6911 I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 10am-6pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366 I Advent in Art Rathbone Studio, Birkenhead, Wirral, 3-6pm, 0790 333 7995 I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393

10am-5pm, explore the realities of daily life along the Niger Delta I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan I A Universal Archive - William Kentridge as Printmaker The Bluecoat, School Lane, 10am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, contemporary artist

I Cards for Good Causes Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, Rankin Porch (next to Baptistery), 10am4pm, famous charity, offering the chance to buy Christmas cards from more than 25 national and local charities

I Giving in to Gift The Bluecoat, School Lane, 8am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, Tim Jeeves’ innovative live art project

I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool

I John Garstang and the Discovery of the Hittite World Victoria Gallery & Museum, see 1st for details

I Southport Christmas Festival Chapel Street, Southport, 9am5pm, Christmas Markets

I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday

I Charity Christmas Card Shop Tourist Information Centre, Lord Street, Southport, you can decide wich charity you wish to support

I Judy Chicago: Voices From The Song of Songs The Black-E, MonFri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am4pm, 0151 709 5109, contemporary prints

Family I Lantern Magic - Christmas at Chester Zoo Chester Zoo, 10am4pm, £6.99 - £17.99, life sized animal lantern display I Christmas Grotto Rapid, see 1st for details

Sports & Leisure I Betfred Becher Chase Day Aintree Racecourse, 10am, £17-£92, 0844 579 3001

Other Events I Chester Victorian Christmas Market Chester City Centre, 10am-6pm I Chester Christmas Tour Chester, Visitor Centre, 2pm, £8/ £7 Concs/ £18 Family, 0845 6477868, discover how Christmas has been kept over the centuries, Yuletide treat for everyone!

I The Cheshire Reindeer Lodge Chester, see 1st for details

I 1972 Olympic posters Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, official posters for the 1972 Munich Olympics

I Snatch Christmas Rally Revolver Venue, 2 New Chester Road, Birkenhead, 0151 6478564

I Enrico David Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, major installation ‘Madreperlage’(2003)

I Christmas Vintage Market The Lantern Theatre, Blundell St, 8pm, £5, 0151 703 0000 Fill up your stockings in time for Christmas

I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum,

Hall and Country Park, 0151 233 6910, 1pm, £6.50, An Upstairs Downstairs venture discovering wonderful Christmas traditions.

I Santas Grotto on Home Farm Croxteth Hall and Country Park, 0151 233 6910, 10.30am/4pm, £8 Grotto admission.

I Christmas Traditions Croxteth

I # Ice Festival - Santa’s Grotto Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ Thu-Sat: 10am-9pm, £5.50 under 16/ £3.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience I Liverpool Christmas Market Lord Street, Church Street & Whitechapel, Mo-Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 10am-5pm I Liverpool Christmas Village Williamson Square, Bandstand performances I Christmas at National Museums Liverpool Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, festive craft activities and performances, visit shop for designer jewellery, gallery inspired gifts, cards and books

SUNDAY 9TH Music I Mojo Filter Olde Red Lion, Little Sutton, 0151 3392496 I Southport Melodic Jazz: Christmas Special The Royal Clifton Hotel, Southport, 2pm, £40/ members £39, 01704 533771, ‘mini festival’ I In My Life - Mark McGann and Pepperland The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 8pm, £20/ £25/ £30, 0151 709 3789, Rock & Pop I Tom O’Connor - Christmas Special The Green Room, 12.30pm, £20 incl. Champagne Reception, 0870 787 1866 I In Dulci Jubilo - with the Renaissance Music Group Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, 8pm, Tickets available from The Cathedral Shop, £8/ £5 concs, 0151 702 7255, music of the German

Baroque style telling the Christams story I Phoenix Concert Orchestra Concert plus guest choir Voices in Harmony Sefton Park Palm House, 2pm, 0151 726 2415 I Tim Shaw, Made In Liverpool (Tribute to the Beatles), The Quangos, The Shakers The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 12pm, 0151 236 9091 I Ronny Hughes The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, 5.30pm, 0152 236 9091 I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I David Knopov - a Night of Sinatra Jalons, Smithdown Road, 6pm, 0151 734 3984 I Loose Moose String Band The Caledonia, 4pm, 07791 041 212 I The Shoelace Band Stanley’s Cask, 8pm, 0151 6911093

Theatre & Dance I Cinderella The Forum Studio Theatre, Chester, 5pm, £8 Child/ £9/ £28 Family, Limited Availability, 01244 341296 I Jack And The Beanstalk The Playhouse, see 1st for details I A Nightmare On Lime Street Gala Night The Royal Court Theatre, City Centre, 0870 787 1866, 5pm, £25 David Gest with members of the Michael Jackson family present a star-studded Gala performance.

I A Christmas Carol The Lantern Theatre, Blundell St, 0151 703 0000, £10, 7.30pm (5pm Sun), The Charles Dicken’s Classic.

I Cinderella Epstein Theatre, see 7th for details I King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight, (matinee) 2.30pm, £8/ £7 concs, 0151 643 8757, a pantomime by Julie Whitehead I Cinderella Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, 2pm, £12.50£19.50, 0844 871 3021 I Cinderella St. Helens Theatre Royal, 10am & 2pm, £9 - £46, 01744 756 000

Comedy I Hot Water Comedy Club The Crown Hotel Pub, City Centre L1, 0777211 2344, 7pm, £8, Testing the Water Christmas Special with a plethora of talent.

53 Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I Visit the Dickensian Christmas Mansion Tatton Park, Knutsford, 12-4pm, £4.50 Child/ £8.50, reflect Dickens and his most popular works I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8 I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930 I Beryl Bainbridge, painter Museum of Liverpool, 10am5pm, unique collection of fifteen paintings I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm I The Games of Art The Black-E, 9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm) Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of ‘Artful Games’ I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911 I Paintings by Daniel Eltinger St George’s Hall, Dicken’s and Gladstone Gallery, 10am-4pm, 0151 225 6911 I Ha’penny Readings - special family version St George’s Hall, The Concert Room, 2.30pm3.30pm, Ticket: 1p I The Penny Readings St George’s Hall, The Concert Room, 6pm8.30pm, Ticket: 1p I Winter Arts Market St George’s Hall, The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, £1.50/ under 16s free, 0151 225 6911 I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 11am-5pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art

I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366 I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393 I 1972 Olympic posters Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, official posters for the 1972 Munich Olympics I Enrico David Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, major installation ‘Madreperlage’(2003) I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of daily life along the Niger Delta I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan I A Universal Archive - William Kentridge as Printmaker The Bluecoat, School Lane, 10am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, contemporary artist I Giving in to Gift The Bluecoat, School Lane, 8am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, Tim Jeeves’ innovative live art project I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday I Judy Chicago: Voices From The Song of Songs The Black-E, MonFri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am4pm, 0151 709 5109, contemporary prints

Family I Lantern Magic - Christmas at Chester Zoo Chester Zoo, 10am4pm, £6.99 - £17.99, life sized animal lantern display I Christmas Grotto Rapid, see 1st for details

Sports & Leisure I Santa Dash 2012 Halton Haven Hospice, Runcorn, 9am start, £20/ £10 children under 16, 0151 495 2111, route starts in West Bank, Widnes to Runcorn

Other Events I Chester Victorian Christmas

Market Chester City Centre, 10am-6pm I The Cheshire Reindeer Lodge Chester, see 1st for details I Santas Grotto on Home Farm Croxteth Hall and Country Park, 0151 233 6910, 10.30am/4pm, £8 Grotto admission.

I Florence and The Machine Echo Arena, £29.50, 0844 8000 400 I Maddy Prior & The Carnival Band St George’s Hall, The Concert Room, 7.30pm, £18.50, 0151 709 3789, Folk & Roots I Dappy O2 Academy Liverpool, 7pm, £16.50/ VIP £82.50

I Christmas Market Croxteth Hall and Country Park, 0151 233 6910, 10.30am/4pm, £2.40 admission.

I Squeeze The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 7.30pm, £32.50/ £45/ £55, 0151 709 3789

I Cards for Good Causes Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, Rankin Porch (next to Baptistery), 10am4pm, famous charity, offering the chance to buy Christmas cards from more than 25 national and local charities

I Cerys Mathews - By Candlelight Telfords Warehouse, Chester, 01244 390 090, Cerys UK Tour, Call for ticket availability.

I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool I Southport Christmas Festival Chapel Street, Southport, 10am4pm, Christmas Markets I Charity Christmas Card Shop Tourist Information Centre, Lord Street, Southport, you can decide wich charity you wish to support I # Ice Festival - Santa’s Grotto Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ Thu-Sat: 10am-9pm, £5.50 under 16/ £3.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience I Liverpool Christmas Market Lord Street, Church Street & Whitechapel, Mo-Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 10am-5pm I Liverpool Christmas Village Williamson Square, Bandstand performances I Christmas at National Museums Liverpool Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, festive craft activities and performances, visit shop for designer jewellery, gallery inspired gifts, cards and books I Christmas at National Museums Liverpool Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm, Christmas crafts and themed gifts, Maritime Dining Rooms Christmas lunches: Two courses £15.95, three courses £19.95 and party nights

MONDAY 10TH Music I Hail Hail Rock ‘n’ Roll - The Hey Pedros Sound Food And Drink, Duke St, 7pm songs of Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, The Surfaris, Bill Haley and more, plus resident DJ Little Rachard

I Paul Jones, Jon Keats, The Two of Us (Tribute to Lennon & McCartney), Jay Murray The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 2pm, 0151 236 9091 I Ian Prowse Monday Club The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, 8pm, 0152 236 9091 I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I Spread the Jam The Brink, 8.30pm, 0151 703 0582

Theatre & Dance I Life In Theatre Productions The Dome, Renshaw Street, 7.30pm, £11, fun, feel-good show jam-packed with Disco hits from the 70’s I A Christmas Carol Chester Town Hall, 7pm, £12/ £7 concs, 0845 241 7868 I Jack And The Beanstalk The Playhouse, see 1st for details I A Nightmare On Lime Street The Royal Court Theatre, see 1st for details I A Christmas Carol The Lantern Theatre, Blundell St, 0151 703 0000, £10, 7.30pm (5pm Sun), The Charles Dicken’s Classic.

I Cinderella Epstein Theatre, see 7th for details I Cinderella St. Helens Theatre Royal, 10am & 1pm, £9 - £38, 01744 756 000 I Desperate Scousewives 2 - Pullin A Christmas Cracker St. Helens Theatre Royal, 7.30pm, £12 concs/ £14, 01744 756 000

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display

LOWDOWN DECEMBER

exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I “Cognitive Dissonance” - Joanne Thompson dot-art Showroom, Queen Ave, 12-6pm, 0845 017 6660, interface between memory and experience I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8 I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930 I Beryl Bainbridge, painter Museum of Liverpool, 10am5pm, unique collection of fifteen paintings I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm I The Games of Art The Black-E, 9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm) Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of ‘Artful Games’

daily life along the Niger Delta I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan I A Universal Archive - William Kentridge as Printmaker The Bluecoat, School Lane, 10am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, contemporary artist I Giving in to Gift The Bluecoat, School Lane, 8am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, Tim Jeeves’ innovative live art project I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday I Judy Chicago: Voices From The Song of Songs The Black-E, MonFri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am4pm, 0151 709 5109, contemporary prints

Family I Lantern Magic - Christmas at Chester Zoo Chester Zoo, 10am4pm, £6.99 - £17.99, life sized animal lantern display

I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911

I Christmas Grotto Rapid, see 1st for details

I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 10am-6pm & 7.30pm9.30pm

I Chester Victorian Christmas Market Chester City Centre, 10am-6pm

I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details

Other Events

I The Cheshire Reindeer Lodge Chester, see 1st for details I Jonny Bongo’s Monday Night Quiz & All Night Dirty Disco The Shipping Forecast, 8pm-12am, £1 I Urban Craft Collective’s Knitting Club Leaf Cafe, Bold St, 7pm-9pm, 0151 707 7747

I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366

I Cards for Good Causes Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, Rankin Porch (next to Baptistery), 10am4pm, famous charity, offering the chance to buy Christmas cards from more than 25 national and local charities

I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393

I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool

I 1972 Olympic posters Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, official posters for the 1972 Munich Olympics

I Charity Christmas Card Shop Tourist Information Centre, Lord Street, Southport, you can decide wich charity you wish to support

I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of

I # Ice Festival - Santa’s Grotto Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ Thu-Sat: 10am-9pm, £5.50 under 16/ £3.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience

I Liverpool Christmas Market Lord Street, Church Street & Whitechapel, Mo-Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 10am-5pm

I Cinderella Epstein Theatre, see 7th for details

TUESDAY 11TH

I Cinderella St. Helens Theatre Royal, 10am & 1pm, £9 - £38, 01744 756 000

Music I Children in Need Talent Contest - The Final! Olde Red Lion, Little Sutton, 0151 3392496 I Joglaresa St George’s Hall, The Concert Room, 7.30pm, £25, 0151 709 3789, Chamber Music I Out Of The Bedroom - Acoustic Open Mic Night Leaf Cafe, Bold St, 8.30pm, 0151 707 7747, bring your own instrument for a chance to perform I Paper Aeroplanes plus Support Telfords Warehouse, Chester, 01244 390 090, £5 advance/£6 Door, after. Support Shy & The Fight I PARRJAZZ presents Sueyo Studio 2, Parr Street, 8.30pm, £ 3 on door/ FREE Students (NUS), 0151 707 3727, Jazz and open jam session I Jon Keats, Jimmy Coburn, Jay Murray The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 4pm, 0151 236 9091 I Shane Beales And Special Guests The Zanzibar Club, 7.30pm, £4, 0151 707 0633 I Ronny Hughes, Gary Murphy The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, 7.30pm, 0152 236 9091 I Houghton Weavers Floral Hall, Southport, 7.30pm, £14, 0844 871 3021 I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I Reckless Elbow Stanley’s Cask, 8pm, 0151 6911093

Theatre & Dance I Life In Theatre Productions The Dome, Renshaw Street, 7.30pm, £15, fun, feel-good show jampacked with Disco hits from the 70’s I A Christmas Carol Chester Town Hall, 1.30pm (Schools Show) & 7pm, £6 - £12, 0845 241 7868 I Cinderella The Forum Studio Theatre, Chester, 1pm (Schools Show), £8/ £9, 01244 341296 I Jack And The Beanstalk The Playhouse, see 1st for details I A Nightmare On Lime Street The Royal Court Theatre, see 1st for details

I Cinderella Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, 10.30am & 2pm, £12.50-£19.50, 0844 871 3021

I Desperate Scousewives 2 - Pullin A Christmas Cracker St. Helens Theatre Royal, 7.30pm, £12 concs/ £14, 01744 756 000

Comedy I Mrs Brown Rides Again Echo Two, £19.50/ £29.50/ £39.50, 0844 8000 400 I Hot Water Comedy Club The Crown Hotel Pub, City Centre L1, 0777211 2344, 7pm, £3, The Graduation comedy event.

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I Visit the Dickensian Christmas Mansion Tatton Park, Knutsford, 12-4pm, £4.50 Child/ £8.50, reflect Dickens and his most popular works I “Cognitive Dissonance” - Joanne Thompson dot-art Showroom, Queen Ave, 12-6pm, 0845 017 6660, interface between memory and experience I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8 I Beryl Bainbridge, painter Museum of Liverpool, 10am5pm, unique collection of fifteen paintings I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930 I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm I The Games of Art The Black-E, 9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm) Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of ‘Artful Games’ I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151

55 225 6911 I Paintings by Daniel Eltinger St George’s Hall, Dicken’s and Gladstone Gallery, 10am-4pm, 0151 225 6911 I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 10am-6pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I Hundertwasser on Stage Paul McCartney Auditorium, LIPA, 10.30am-6pm, installations and 3D art I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366 I Advent in Art Rathbone Studio, Birkenhead, Wirral, 3-6pm, 0790 333 7995 I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393 I 1972 Olympic posters Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, official posters for the 1972 Munich Olympics I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of daily life along the Niger Delta I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan I A Universal Archive - William Kentridge as Printmaker The Bluecoat, School Lane, 10am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, contemporary artist I John Garstang and the Discovery of the Hittite World Victoria Gallery & Museum, see 1st for details I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday I Judy Chicago: Voices From The Song of Songs The Black-E, MonFri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-

4pm, 0151 709 5109, contemporary prints

Family I Lantern Magic - Christmas at Chester Zoo Chester Zoo, 10am4pm, £6.99 - £17.99, life sized animal lantern display I Christmas Grotto Rapid, see 1st for details

Other Events I Chester Victorian Christmas Market Chester City Centre, 10am-6pm I The Cheshire Reindeer Lodge Chester, see 1st for details I Leaf’s Festive Pudding Club Leaf Cafe, Bold St, 6.30pm, £14.95, Tickets available from: www. thisisleaf.co.uk, 0151 707 7747 I Santa’s Grotto on Home Farm Croxteth Hall and Country Park, 0151 233 6910, 10.30am/4pm, £8 Grotto admission.

I Cards for Good Causes Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, Rankin Porch (next to Baptistery), 10am4pm, famous charity, offering the chance to buy Christmas cards from more than 25 national and local charities I NSPCC Christmas Carol Concert Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, 7pm, £8/ £5 concs/ accompanied chidren under 16 FREE, Tickets: 0844 892 0253, Charity with a full programme of songs and carols for the festive season I Christmas Tea Dance amidst the Palms Sefton Park Palm House, 1pm-4pm, £5, 0151 726 9304 I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool I Charity Christmas Card Shop Tourist Information Centre, Lord Street, Southport, you can decide wich charity you wish to support I # Ice Festival - Santa’s Grotto Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ Thu-Sat: 10am-9pm, £5.50 under 16/ £3.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience I Liverpool Christmas Market Lord Street, Church Street & Whitechapel, Mo-Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 10am-5pm I Liverpool Christmas Village Williamson Square, Bandstand performances

WEDNESDAY 12TH Music I Acoustic Open Mic Night ‘With A Twist’ The 23 Club Basement Bar, Hope Street, 8.30pm, 07730574789 I Solitaire Christmas Show Studio 2, Parr Street, 8pm, 0151 707 3727 I TRC O2 Academy 2 Liverpool, 7pm, £8 I Christmas with Tom Spence Floral Pavilion Blue Lounge, New Brighton, 12.30pm, £10, 0151 666 0000 I Ceshire & Mersey NHS Christmas Carols Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, 7.30pm, ‘Celebrating Britain 2012’ I Paul Jones, John Keats, Jimmy Coburn, Tony Coburn The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 2pm, 0151 236 9091 I Kappa Band The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, 9pm, 0152 236 9091 I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I The Gathering The Bluecoat, School Lane, 7.30-9.30pm, 0151 702 5324 I Keith’s Jarrett and guests Keith’s Wine Bar, Lark Lane Sefton Park, 8pm, 0151 728 7688 I Freddie Smith Big Band Bebington British Legion, Teehey Lane, Wirral, 8.30pm, 0151 608 2270

Theatre & Dance I Life In Theatre Productions The Dome, Renshaw Street, 7.30pm, £15, fun, feel-good show jampacked with Disco hits from the 70’s I A Nightmare On Lime Street The Royal Court Theatre, see 1st for details I Cinderella Epstein Theatre, see 7th for details I Cinderella Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, 10.30am & 2pm, £12.50-£19.50, 0844 871 3021

I Terry Titter’s Spaced Out Christmas The Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Place, 0844 873 2888, 8pm, £10/12 Go into orbit with Captain TT and his cosmic festive comedy.

I Variety Lunch Club The Royal Court Theatre, City Centre, 12.30pm, £3/ £6 incl. bowl of Scouse, 0870 787 1240, feature the best in local entertainment with variety of comedians, actors and entertainers

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I Visit the Dickensian Christmas Mansion Tatton Park, Knutsford, 12-4pm, £4.50 Child/ £8.50, reflect Dickens and his most popular works I “Cognitive Dissonance” - Joanne Thompson dot-art Showroom, Queen Ave, 12-6pm, 0845 017 6660, interface between memory and experience I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8 I Beryl Bainbridge, painter Museum of Liverpool, 10am5pm, unique collection of fifteen paintings I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930 I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm I The Games of Art The Black-E, 9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm) Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of ‘Artful Games’

I Cinderella St. Helens Theatre Royal, 10am, £9 - £38, 01744 756 000

I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911

I Desperate Scousewives 2 - Pullin A Christmas Cracker St. Helens Theatre Royal, 7.30pm, £12 concs/ £14, 01744 756 000

I Paintings by Daniel Eltinger St George’s Hall, Dicken’s and Gladstone Gallery, 10am-4pm, 0151 225 6911

Comedy I Mrs Brown Rides Again Echo Two, £19.50/ £29.50/ £39.50, 0844 8000 400

I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 10am-6pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I Hundertwasser on Stage Paul

LOWDOWN DECEMBER

McCartney Auditorium, LIPA, 10.30am-6pm, installations and 3D art I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366 I Advent in Art Rathbone Studio, Birkenhead, Wirral, 3-6pm, 0790 333 7995 I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393 I 1972 Olympic posters Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, official posters for the 1972 Munich Olympics I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of daily life along the Niger Delta I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan I A Universal Archive - William Kentridge as Printmaker The Bluecoat, School Lane, 10am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, contemporary artist I John Garstang and the Discovery of the Hittite World Victoria Gallery & Museum, see 1st for details I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday I Judy Chicago: Voices From The Song of Songs The Black-E, MonFri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am4pm, 0151 709 5109, contemporary prints

Family I Lantern Magic - Christmas at Chester Zoo Chester Zoo, 10am4pm, £6.99 - £17.99, life sized animal lantern display I Christmas Grotto Rapid, see 1st for details

Sports & Leisure I Cycle for Health Walton Hall Park, 10am-11.30am Meet at Walton Hall Sports Centre car park. Guided cycling scheme, to reserve a bike or for more info contact Jeannette Smith 0151 285 4975 / jeannette. smith@liverpoolch.nhs.uk

Other Events I Chester Victorian Christmas Market Chester City Centre, 10am-6pm I The Cheshire Reindeer Lodge Chester, see 1st for details I Spotify Wednesday Leaf Cafe, Bold St, 8pm, 0151 707 7747, Enabling the sharing, creating and modifying of each other’s playlists I Cards for Good Causes Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, Rankin Porch (next to Baptistery), 10am4pm, famous charity, offering the chance to buy Christmas cards from more than 25 national and local charities I Latin Mania - Salsa Class and Latin Dance Telfords Warehouse, Chester, 01244 390 090, £6 for Class and Dance. Free bar entry.

I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool I Charity Christmas Card Shop Tourist Information Centre, Lord Street, Southport, you can decide wich charity you wish to support I # Ice Festival - Santa’s Grotto Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ Thu-Sat: 10am-9pm, £5.50 under 16/ £3.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience I Liverpool Christmas Market Lord Street, Church Street & Whitechapel, Mo-Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 10am-5pm I Liverpool Christmas Village Williamson Square, Bandstand performances

THURSDAY 13TH Music I Problem Child Olde Red Lion, Little Sutton, 0151 3392496 I The Hungry Horse Acoustic Folk Club: Belshazzar’s Feast The Whitby Sports & Social Club, Ellesmere Port, 7.45pm, £10, 0151 678 9902 I Musica En Vivo Alma De Cuba, 10.30pm, 0151 702 7394, Live music

featuring the hippest bands from the North West I The Orange Show The Brink, 7.30pm, 0151 703 0582, Open mic poetry, comedy, music and much more I Johnny’s Acoustic Caravan Club Camp and Furnace...Special guests/ Open Mic 8PM ACE! I Christmas Party Nights with Mikey Powell as Michael Buble Floral Pavilion Blue Lounge, New Brighton, £25, 0151 666 0000 I Elvis Clayton & Sean Styles with Live Band The Green Room, 6.30pm, £25 incl. Champagne Reception & Festive Platter, 0870 787 1866, UK’s No 1 Tribute I Liverpool Community Choir Carols by Candlelight Sefton Park Palm House, 7.30pm, £6, Tickets online at www.wegottickets.com

I Peter Pan Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton, Schools Shows: 10.30am & 1.30pm, £11 - £14, 0151 666 0000 I A Nightmare On Lime Street The Royal Court Theatre, see 1st for details I Cinderella Epstein Theatre, see 7th for details I Cinderella Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, 10.30am & 2pm, £12.50-£19.50, 0844 871 3021 I Cinderella St. Helens Theatre Royal, 10am & 1pm, £9 - £38, 01744 756 000 I Desperate Scousewives 2 - Pullin A Christmas Cracker St. Helens Theatre Royal, 7.30pm, £12 concs/ £14, 01744 756 000

Comedy

I Venus de Milo Telfords Warehouse, Chester, 01244 390 090, Free. Great new band!

I Mrs Brown Rides Again Echo Two, £19.50/ £29.50/ £39.50, 0844 8000 400

I Tony Mac, Jon Keats, Richard Batty The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 2-8pm, 0151 236 9091

I Terry Titter’s Spaced Out Christmas The Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Place, 0844 873 2888, 8pm, £10/12 Go into orbit with Captain TT and his cosmic festive comedy.

I Ronny Hughes, Beatles Tribute Night The Cavern Club, Mathew St, 7.30pm, £3, 0151 236 9091 I Tony Mac, Xander & The Peace Pirates The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, 7pm, 0152 236 9091 I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I Phil Shotton Trio Dobbies Tea Room, Benthams Way, Southport, 5-7pm, £12.95, 01704 552920, TeaJazz session I Winter Clear The Bluecoat, School Lane, 7.30-8.30pm, £10/ £8, 0151 702 5324, UK’s most successful, dynamic and contemporary choirs I Jazzuits The Grapes, 9.30pm, 07950 828674 I The Sue Yo Trio The James Monro, 7pm, 0151 236 9700 I Jam Night Revolver Venue, 2 New Chester Road, Birkenhead

Theatre & Dance I Life In Theatre Productions The Dome, Renshaw Street, 2.30pm (Matinee)/ 7.30pm, £15, fun, feelgood show jam-packed with Disco hits from the 70’s I Cinderella The Forum Studio Theatre, Chester, 10am (Schools Show), £8/ £9, Limited Availability, 01244 341296

I Comedy Central at Baby Blue Baby Blue, Albert Dock, 6pm, £40, 0151 702 5834 Gavin Webster headliner plus supports Chris Stokes and John Warburton I Neil Fitzmaurice plus Supports The Slaughter House, Fenwick St, 8pm, £15 seated/ £7 Concs/ £33 Meal deals, 0151 227 5946 The finest comedy from the UK’s best headlining acts and supports.

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I Visit the Dickensian Christmas Mansion Tatton Park, Knutsford, 12-4pm, £4.50 Child/ £8.50, reflect Dickens and his most popular works I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8 I Beryl Bainbridge, painter Museum of Liverpool, 10am5pm, unique collection of fifteen paintings I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere

57 & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930

I A Universal Archive - William Kentridge as Printmaker The Bluecoat, School Lane, 10am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, contemporary artist

I Liverpool Christmas Market Lord Street, Church Street & Whitechapel, Mo-Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 10am-5pm

I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm

I John Garstang and the Discovery of the Hittite World Victoria Gallery & Museum, see 1st for details

I Liverpool Christmas Village Williamson Square, Bandstand performances

I The Games of Art The Black-E, 9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm) Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of ‘Artful Games’

I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday

I The World Famous Cairngorm Reindeers Queens Sqaure, Liverpool, 4-7pm

I “Cognitive Dissonance” - Joanne Thompson dot-art Showroom, Queen Ave, 12-6pm, 0845 017 6660, interface between memory and experience

I Judy Chicago: Voices From The Song of Songs The Black-E, MonFri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am4pm, 0151 709 5109, contemporary prints

I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911 I Paintings by Daniel Eltinger St George’s Hall, Dicken’s and Gladstone Gallery, 10am-4pm, 0151 225 6911 I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 10am-6pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366 I Advent in Art Rathbone Studio, Birkenhead, Wirral, 3-6pm, 0790 333 7995 I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393 I 1972 Olympic posters Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, official posters for the 1972 Munich Olympics I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of daily life along the Niger Delta I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan

Family I Lantern Magic - Christmas at Chester Zoo Chester Zoo, 10am4pm, £6.99 - £17.99, life sized animal lantern display I A Christmas Carol The Citadel, St. Helens, 7pm, £7/ £5 concs, 01744 735436, Community Christmas Show for all the family I Christmas Grotto Rapid, see 1st for details

Other Events I Chester Victorian Christmas Market Chester City Centre, 10am-6pm I The Cheshire Reindeer Lodge Chester, see 1st for details I Chester Christmas Tour Chester, Visitor Centre, 2pm, £8/ £7 Concs/ £18 Family, 0845 6477868, discover how Christmas has been kept over the centuries, Yuletide treat for everyone!

I Behind the scenes tours St Georges Hall, 2pm, £10, limited availability, 0151 225 6909 I Cards for Good Causes Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, Rankin Porch (next to Baptistery), 10am4pm, famous charity, offering the chance to buy Christmas cards from more than 25 national and local charities I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool I Charity Christmas Card Shop Tourist Information Centre, Lord Street, Southport, you can decide wich charity you wish to support I # Ice Festival - Santa’s Grotto Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ Thu-Sat: 10am-9pm, £5.50 under 16/ £3.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience

I Dickensian Christmas Metquarter, Liverpool, 4pm, delicious mulled wine, mince pies, hot chestnuts and more!

FRIDAY 14TH Music I Firefly Olde Red Lion, Little Sutton, 0151 3392496 I Charlotte Ashdown plus supports Studio 2, Parr Street, 8pm, 0151 707 3727, Live RnB performance I The Edwardian Picnic, Emma Black, S J Downes View Two Gallery, 8pm, £5/ £6 I Liquidation The Shipping Forecast, in The Hold, expect Electro, Motown and Rock n Roll Classics.

11pm-3am / Free in before Midnight I Vivid Hollow & Cenacle Revolver Venue, 2 New Chester Road, Birkenhead I Idle Frets O2 Academy 2 Liverpool, 7pm, 0844 477 2000 I Stealing Sheep Christmas Homecoming Party The Kazimier, 7.30pm, £5/ £7, 0151 324 1723 I The Overtones The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 7.30pm, £19.50/ £26.50/ £33.50, Limited Availability, 0151 709 3789, Rock & Pop I Allan Taylor & Rab Noakes In conversation and song The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 8.30pm, £12, 0151 709 3789, I Abba & Ricky Sheehan The Green Room, 6.30pm, £25 incl.

Champagne Reception & Festive Platter, 0870 787 1866, UK’s No 1 Tribute I Liverpool College Lunchtime Christmas Concert Sefton Park Palm House, 1.15pm-2.15pm, 0151 726 2415 I Cantaloop Telfords Warehouse, Chester, 01244 390 090, Free before 9pm, £4 after. 800% of Urban C-funk... Full funk band.

Keats, Tony Mac The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 12-8pm, 0151 236 9091 I Richard Batty & The Rockits The Cavern Club, Mathew St, 8pm, £3, 0151 236 9091 I Steve Hogarth - H Natural St Bride’s, Percy St/ Catharine St, 7pm, £16, 07932 543900 I The Roughneck Riot Mello Mello Cafe, 8pm, £4, 6 piece Punk band from Warrington UK I Liverpool Acoustic’s Christmas Party plus The Edwardian Picnic The View Two Gallery, Mathew St, 8pm, £5, 0151 236 9444 I Marc Kenny, The Grace The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, 6pm, 0152 236 9091 I China Crisis The Cavern Live Lounge, Mathew St, 8pm, £16.50, 0151 236 9091 I St Nicholas Singers Melling Tithebarn, Melling, 8pm, £7, Tickets: 0151 526 4992 I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I Fireball Fridays Revolver Venue, 2 New Chester Road, Birkenhead, DJ Mogsey’s insane mixed bag I The Oil Chickens Stanley’s Cask, 8pm, 0151 6911093

Theatre & Dance I Life In Theatre Productions The Dome, Renshaw Street, 7.30pm, £15, fun, feel-good show jampacked with Disco hits from the 70’s I Cinderella The Forum Studio Theatre, Chester, 10am & 1pm (Schools Show)/ 7pm, £8 Child/ £9/ £28 Family, Limited Availability, 01244 341296 I Peter Pan Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton, Schools Shows: 10.30am & 1.30pm, £11 - £14, 0151 666 0000 I Christmas Party Nights with Planet Abba Floral Pavilion Blue Lounge, New Brighton, 7.30pm, £25, 0151 666 0000 I Cinderella Liverpool Empire Theater, 7pm, £10-£29.50, 0844 871 3017 I A Nightmare On Lime Street The Royal Court Theatre, see 1st for details

I Zoot Serious Alexanders, Rufus Court, Chester, 01244 340005, 7.30pm, £7

I Jack and The Beanstalk The Brindley, Runcorn, 1.30pm & 7pm, £11.50 Children/ £17.50 Adult/ £16.50 Concs, 0151 907 8360

I Tim Shaw, Ronny Hughes, Jon

I Cinderella Epstein Theatre, see 7th

LOWDOWN DECEMBER

for details I King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight, 7.30pm, £8/ £7 concs, 0151 643 8757, a pantomime by Julie Whitehead I Cinderella Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, 7pm, £12.50£19.50, 0844 871 3021 I Cinderella St. Helens Theatre Royal, 7pm, £10, 01744 756 000

Comedy I BottleTop Comedy presents ‘Stand Up And Deliver’ Envi, Fleet Street, 7.30pm, £10/ £5 Students, 0151 214 3242, FREE Mince Pie & Mulled Wine for all! Great prizes to be won!

I Mrs Brown Rides Again Echo Two, £19.50/ £29.50/ £39.50, 0844 8000 400 I Terry Titter’s Spaced Out Christmas The Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Place, 0844 873 2888, 8pm, £10/12 Go into orbit with Captain TT and his cosmic festive comedy.

I Neil Fitzmaurice The Slaughter House, Fenwick St, 7pm & 9.15pm, £22.95, 0151 227 5946 The finest comedy from the UK’s best headlining acts and supports.

I Keith Carter as Nige The Slug and Lettuce, City Centre, 0151 236 8820, 8pm, £22.95 UK’s finest comedians.

I Comedy Central at Baby Blue Baby Blue, Albert Dock, 6pm, £40, 0151 702 5834 Gavin Webster headliner plus supports Chris Stokes and John Warburton I Hot Water Comedy Club The Crown Hotel Pub, City Centre L1, 0777211 2344, 7pm, £5, Temperature Rising comedy Dave Ash, Red Redmond and Adam Rowe I Neil Fitzmaurice plus Supports Cafe Sports Express, 8.30pm, £22 Seated/ £40 Premier Seat and 3 course meal

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I Beryl Bainbridge, painter Museum of Liverpool, 10am5pm, unique collection of fifteen paintings I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I Visit the Dickensian Christmas Mansion Tatton Park, Knutsford,

12-4pm, £4.50 Child/ £8.50, reflect Dickens and his most popular works I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8 I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930 I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm I The Games of Art The Black-E, 9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm) Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of ‘Artful Games’ I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911 I Paintings by Daniel Eltinger St George’s Hall, Dicken’s and Gladstone Gallery, 10am-4pm, 0151 225 6911 I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 10am-6pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366 I Advent in Art Rathbone Studio, Birkenhead, Wirral, 3-6pm, 0790 333 7995 I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393 I 1972 Olympic posters Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, official posters for the 1972 Munich Olympics I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of daily life along the Niger Delta

I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan I “Cognitive Dissonance” - Joanne Thompson dot-art Showroom, Queen Ave, 12-6pm, 0845 017 6660, interface between memory and experience I A Universal Archive - William Kentridge as Printmaker The Bluecoat, School Lane, 10am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, contemporary artist I John Garstang and the Discovery of the Hittite World Victoria Gallery & Museum, see 1st for details I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday I Judy Chicago: Voices From The Song of Songs The Black-E, MonFri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am4pm, 0151 709 5109, contemporary prints

Family

I Salsa under the Palms Christmas Party Sefton Park Palm House, 7-12pm, £10 online at www. wegottickets.com, £12 on the door, 0151 726 2415, suitable for all levels of dancer from absolute beginner through to advanced dancers I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool I Charity Christmas Card Shop Tourist Information Centre, Lord Street, Southport, you can decide wich charity you wish to support I The Waterloo Farmers Market & Food Fayre Old Christ Church, Waterloo Road, 10.30am-3pm, 0151 649 0401 I # Ice Festival - Santa’s Grotto Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ Thu-Sat: 10am-9pm, £5.50 under 16/ £3.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience I Liverpool Christmas Market Lord Street, Church Street & Whitechapel, Mo-Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 10am-5pm

I Lantern Magic - Christmas at Chester Zoo Chester Zoo, 10am4pm, £6.99 - £17.99, life sized animal lantern display

I Liverpool Christmas Village Williamson Square, Bandstand performances

I A Christmas Carol The Citadel, St. Helens, 7pm, £7/ £5 concs, 01744 735436, Community Christmas Show for all the family

SATURDAY 15TH

I Sleeping Beauty Echo Arena, 7pm, £8-£18, Family Tickets £47-£55, 0844 8000 400

I Brickhouse Studio 2, Parr Street, 8pm, 0151 707 3727, 10 piece funk band

I Christmas Grotto Rapid, see 1st for details

I Young Tines O2 Academy 2 Liverpool, 7pm, 0844 477 2000

Other Events I Chester Victorian Christmas Market Chester City Centre, 10am-6pm I The Cheshire Reindeer Lodge Chester, see 1st for details I Murder Mystery Evenings Croxteth Hall and Country Park, 0151 233 6910, 7.30pm, £25 with buffet. Where suspense and intrigue are the order of the day.

I Cards for Good Causes Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, Rankin Porch (next to Baptistery), 10am4pm, famous charity, offering the chance to buy Christmas cards from more than 25 national and local charities I BBC Radio Merseyside Carol Service - in aid of Children in Need Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, 7.30pm, £5, Tickets available from BBC Radio Merseyside in Hanover Street

Music

I Echo & The Bunnymen O2 Academy Liverpool, 7pm, 0844 477 2000 I RLPO: Wonderful Chrtistmastime The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 7.30pm, 0151 709 3789, From £21, Pops at the Phil with Carl Davis I Tina Turner & Sean Styles The Green Room, 6.30pm, £25 incl.

Champagne Reception & Festive Platter, 0870 787 1866, UK’s No 1 Tribute I The Cave Dwellers plus support Tony Mac The Cavern Club, Mathew St, 8.30pm, £4, 0151 236 9091 I Tim Shaw, Jay Murray and The Shakers, Richard Batty The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 12pm till early evening, 0151 236 9091 I Ronny Hughes, Kappa, Tony Mac The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, live

59 music from 2.30pm, 0152 236 9091 I Saturday With The Beatles ft. the Cavern Club Beatles The Cavern Live Lounge, Mathew St, 8.30pm, £12, 0151 236 9091, Beatles Tribute Show I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I The Hummingbirds, Rob Vincent, Familiar Looking Strangers, Aviators Zanzibar Club, 7.45pm, 0151 707 0633 I Cock Pit Revolver Venue, 2 New Chester Road, Birkenhead, pro 80’s Rock Tribute I Conky Stanley’s Cask, 8pm, 0151 6911093

Theatre & Dance I Life In Theatre Productions The Dome, Renshaw Street, 2.30pm (Matinee)/ 7.30pm, £15, fun, feelgood show jam-packed with Disco hits from the 70’s I Cinderella The Forum Studio Theatre, Chester, 11am, £8 Child/ £9/ £28 Family, Limited Availability, 01244 341296 I Hansel and Gretel The Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Place, £8/ £12 Check performance times, 0844 873 2888 ‘’Magical delight and round-eyed awe’’ I Peter Pan Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton, 2pm & 7pm, £13 £48, 0151 666 0000 I Christmas Party Nights with Bootleg Bee Gees Floral Pavilion Blue Lounge, New Brighton, 7.30pm, £25, 0151 666 0000 I Cinderella Liverpool Empire Theater, 2pm & 7pm, £10-£29.50, 0844 871 3017 I A Nightmare On Lime Street The Royal Court Theatre, see 1st for details I Jack and The Beanstalk The Brindley, Runcorn, 2pm & 7pm, £11.50 Children/ £17.50 Adult/ £16.50 Concs, 0151 907 8360 I Cinderella Epstein Theatre, see 7th for details I King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight, (martinee) 2.30pm, £8/ £7 concs, 0151 643 8757, a pantomime by Julie Whitehead

Comedy I Mrs Brown Rides Again Echo Two, £19.50/ £29.50/ £39.50, 0844 8000 400 I Terry Titter’s Spaced Out Christmas The Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Place, 0844 873 2888, 8pm, £10/12 Go into orbit with Captain TT and his cosmic festive comedy.

I Neil Fitzmaurice The Slaughter House, Fenwick St, 7pm & 9.15, £22.95, 0151 227 5946 The finest comedy from the UK’s best headlining acts and supports.

I Keith Carter as Nige The Slug and Lettuce, City Centre, 0151 236 8820, 8pm, £22.95 UK’s finest comedians.

I Comedy Central at Baby Blue Baby Blue, Albert Dock, 6pm, £40, 0151 702 5834 Gavin Webster headliner plus supports Chris Stokes and John Warburton I Hot Water Comedy Club The Crown Hotel Pub, City Centre L1, 0777211 2344, 7pm, £8, Boiling Point with Adam Rowe, Rob Thomas and Headliner Adam Staunton I Chester Comedy Club Alexanders, Rufus Court, Chester, 01244 340005, £12, 7.30pm, Comedy Club headliner Ruff Daddy

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I Beryl Bainbridge, painter Museum of Liverpool, 10am5pm, unique collection of fifteen paintings I Visit the Dickensian Christmas Mansion Tatton Park, Knutsford, 12-4pm, £4.50 Child/ £8.50, reflect Dickens and his most popular works I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8

I Cinderella Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, 1pm & 5pm, £12.50-£19.50, 0844 871 3021

I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930

I Cinderella St. Helens Theatre Royal, 10am/ 2pm/ 7pm, £9 - £38, 01744 756 000

I The Games of Art The Black-E,

I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm

9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm) Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of ‘Artful Games’ I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911 I Paintings by Daniel Eltinger St George’s Hall, Dicken’s and Gladstone Gallery, 10am-4pm, 0151 225 6911 I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 10am-6pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366 I Advent in Art Rathbone Studio, Birkenhead, Wirral, 3-6pm, 0790 333 7995 I The Pirate Ship! World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393, the model made for the blockbuster ‘The Pirates!’

I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393 I 1972 Olympic posters Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, official posters for the 1972 Munich Olympics I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of daily life along the Niger Delta I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan I A Universal Archive - William Kentridge as Printmaker The Bluecoat, School Lane, 10am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, contemporary artist I John Garstang and the Discovery of the Hittite World Victoria Gallery & Museum, see 1st for details I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat &

Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday I Judy Chicago: Voices From The Song of Songs The Black-E, MonFri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am4pm, 0151 709 5109, contemporary prints

Family I Lantern Magic - Christmas at Chester Zoo Chester Zoo, 10am4pm, £6.99 - £17.99, life sized animal lantern display I A Christmas Carol The Citadel, St. Helens, 12.30pm (Martinee)/ 7pm, £7/ £5 concs, 01744 735436, Community Christmas Show for all the family I Sleeping Beauty Echo Arena, 2pm & 7pm £8-£18, Family Tickets £47£55, 0844 8000 400 I Santa Claus is Coming to Acorn Farm Acorn Farm in Kirby, Depot Road, 10am-4pm, Santa 12-3pm, £5 per child, farm admission: £2.50 adult/ £1.50 children, 0151 548 1524, other activities incl. horse rides & animal petting sessions I Christmas Grotto Rapid, see 1st for details

Other Events I Art Fair: Print Edition Camp and Furnace, Baltic Triangle, 12-6pm, 0845 017 6660 I Chester Victorian Christmas Market Chester City Centre, 10am-6pm I The Cheshire Reindeer Lodge Chester, see 1st for details I Chester Christmas Tour Chester, Visitor Centre, 2pm, £8/ £7 Concs/ £18 Family, 0845 6477868, discover how Christmas has been kept over the centuries, Yuletide treat for everyone!

I Murder Mystery Evenings Croxteth Hall and Country Park, 0151 233 6910, 7.30pm, £25 with buffet. Where suspense and intrigue are the order of the day.

I Cards for Good Causes Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, Rankin Porch (next to Baptistery), 10am4pm, famous charity, offering the chance to buy Christmas cards from more than 25 national and local charities I Christmas Casino Evening - Viva Las Vegas Huyton Civic Suite, 7.30pm, £37,50, 0151 443 3761, four course meal, Sinatra tribute act I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool

LOWDOWN DECEMBER

I Southport Christmas Festival Chapel Street, Southport, 9am5pm, Christmas Markets I Charity Christmas Card Shop Tourist Information Centre, Lord Street, Southport, you can decide wich charity you wish to support I # Ice Festival - Santa’s Grotto Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ Thu-Sat: 10am-9pm, £5.50 under 16/ £3.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience I Liverpool Christmas Market Lord Street, Church Street & Whitechapel, Mo-Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 10am-5pm I Liverpool Christmas Village Williamson Square, Bandstand performances

Quangos, The Shakers The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 12pm, 0151 236 9091 I Ronny Hughes The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, 5.30pm, 0152 236 9091 I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I Christmas Concert with the Liverpool String Quartet The Bluecoat, School Lane, 2.30pm, £5/ Free under 16, 0151 702 5324, family concert of popular Christmas music I The Original Panama Jazzband The Irby Club, Thingwall Road, Wirral, 8.30pm I The Martin Smith Quartet The Caledonia, 4pm, 07791 041 212

I Rebecca Joy Sharp: Whale Song The Bluecoat, School Lane, 4pm, £5/ £4 concs, 0151 702 5324, heartwarming story and multimedia performance

I David Knopov - a Night of Sinatra Jalons, Smithdown Road, 6pm, 0151 734 3984

I The UK’s Big Vintage & Fashion Fair The Hub, Garden and Sandon Rooms additional spaces at the Bluecoat, 10am-5pm, £4, 0151 7094034

I Cinderella The Forum Studio Theatre, Chester, 5pm, £8 Child/ £9/ £28 Family, Limited Availability, 01244 341296

I Christmas at National Museums Liverpool Sudley House, 10am5pm, Christmas at Sudley

SUNDAY 16TH Music I Tone Junkies Olde Red Lion, Little Sutton, 0151 3392496 I SSN (Some Say Nothing) Studio 2, Parr Street, 8pm, 0151 707 3727 I Wirral Symphony Orchestra - A Christmas Lunchtime Floral Pavilion Blue Lounge, New Brighton, £5 under 16/ £8 over 60/ £10 adult, 0151 666 0000 I The Christians The Royal Court Theatre, City Centre, 8pm, £20, 0870 787 1240, string of soulinspired hits I “Milk And Cookies Show” David Ford The Zanzibar Club, 7.45pm, £12, 0151 707 0633 I Ring Out Christmas Bells Liverpool Welsh Choral The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 7.30pm, £10/ £15/ £20/ £22/ £25, 0151 709 3789, Classical Music I Dan Baird Eric’s, Mathew Street, 7.30pm, £16.75, 0151 236 9994 I Ricky’s Christmas Country Show The Green Room, 12.30pm, £15 incl. Champagne Reception, 0870 787 1866 I Tim Shaw, Madison, The

Theatre & Dance

I Peter Pan Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton, 2pm & 7pm, £13 £48, 0151 666 0000 I Cinderella Liverpool Empire Theater, 1pm & 5pm, £10-£29.50, 0844 871 3017 I Cinderella Epstein Theatre, see 7th for details I Cinderella Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, 2pm, £12.50£19.50, 0844 871 3021 I Cinderella St. Helens Theatre Royal, 2pm, £11 - £46, 01744 756 000

Comedy I Hot Water Comedy Club The Crown Hotel Pub, City Centre L1, 0777211 2344, 7pm, £5, Testing the Water Christmas Special with a plethora of talent.

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I Beryl Bainbridge, painter Museum of Liverpool, 10am5pm, unique collection of fifteen paintings I Visit the Dickensian Christmas

Mansion Tatton Park, Knutsford, 12-4pm, £4.50 Child/ £8.50, reflect Dickens and his most popular works I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8 I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930 I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm I The Games of Art The Black-E, 9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm) Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of ‘Artful Games’

daily life along the Niger Delta I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan I A Universal Archive - William Kentridge as Printmaker The Bluecoat, School Lane, 10am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, contemporary artist I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday I Judy Chicago: Voices From The Song of Songs The Black-E, MonFri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am4pm, 0151 709 5109, contemporary prints

Family

I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911

I Lantern Magic - Christmas at Chester Zoo Chester Zoo, 10am4pm, £6.99 - £17.99, life sized animal lantern display

I Paintings by Daniel Eltinger St George’s Hall, Dicken’s and Gladstone Gallery, 10am-4pm, 0151 225 6911

I Sleeping Beauty Echo Arena, 1pm & 5pm, £8-£18, Family Tickets £47£55, 0844 8000 400

I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 11am-5pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366 I The Pirate Ship! World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393, the model made for the blockbuster ‘The Pirates!’

I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393 I 1972 Olympic posters Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, official posters for the 1972 Munich Olympics I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of

I Santa Claus is Coming to Acorn Farm Acorn Farm in Kirby, Depot Road, 10am-4pm, Santa 12-3pm, £5 per child, farm admission: £2.50 adult/ £1.50 children, 0151 548 1524, other activities incl. horse rides & animal petting sessions I Christmas Grotto Rapid, see 1st for details

Sports & Leisure I Southport’s Santa Sprint Silcocks Funland, Promenade Southport, 10am Registration at Pier Forecourt/ 11am start, £8/ £20 2 2/ £5 under 16

Other Events I Art Fair: Print Edition Camp and Furnace, Baltic Triangle, 12-8pm, 0845 017 6660 I Chester Victorian Christmas Market Chester City Centre, 10am-6pm I The Cheshire Reindeer Lodge Chester, see 1st for details I Celebrate a Life at Christmas hosted by BBC Radio Merseyside’s Roger Phillips St George’s Hall, The Concert Room, 2pm & 4pm, donation to the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation 0333 323 7200 I Retro Sunday Leaf Cafe, Bold St, 11am-5pm, 0151 707 7747, step into the world of retro threads I Carol Service - The Friends Of Croxteth Hall Croxteth Hall and

61 Country Park, 0151 233 6910, 2pm, Festive carol concert at the Hall.

I Cards for Good Causes Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, Rankin Porch (next to Baptistery), 10am4pm, famous charity, offering the chance to buy Christmas cards from more than 25 national and local charities I Santa visits the palm House - Children’s Christmas Party Sefton Park Palm House, 5-7pm, £5 (everybody attending must have a ticket), www.wegottickets.com, 0151 726 2415 I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool I Southport Christmas Festival Chapel Street, Southport, 10am4pm, Christmas Markets I Charity Christmas Card Shop Tourist Information Centre, Lord Street, Southport, you can decide wich charity you wish to support I # Ice Festival - Santa’s Grotto Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ Thu-Sat: 10am-9pm, £5.50 under 16/ £3.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience I Liverpool Christmas Market Lord Street, Church Street & Whitechapel, Mo-Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 10am-5pm I Liverpool Christmas Village Williamson Square, Bandstand performances

MONDAY 17TH Music I Live Music Studio 2, Parr Street, 8pm, 0151 707 3727 I Hail Hail Rock ‘n’ Roll - The Hey Pedros Sound Food And Drink, Duke St, 7pm songs of Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, The Surfaris, Bill Haley and more, plus resident DJ Little Rachard I MultiVOX @ The Lantern Choir The Lantern Theatre, Blundell St, 8pm, £2, 0151 703 0000 This terms repertoire from The Lantern Choir I Fanfare For Christmas Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight, 7.30pm, £12/ £10 concs, 0151 643 8757, festive music with Haydock Silver band I Midge Ure Telfords Warehouse, Chester, 01244 390 090, £15, Midge and his life’s work striped down to the beautiful basics.

I Paul Jones, Jon Keats, The Two of Us (Tribute to Lennon

& McCartney), Jay Murray The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 2pm, 0151 236 9091 I Ian Prowse Monday Club The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, 8pm, 0152 236 9091 I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I Spread the Jam The Brink, 8.30pm, 0151 703 0582

Theatre & Dance I Life In Theatre Productions The Dome, Renshaw Street, 7.30pm, £15, fun, feel-good show jampacked with Disco hits from the 70’s I A Christmas Carol Chester Town Hall, 7pm, £12/ £7 concs, 0845 241 7868 I Scarlett’s Secret Snow Globe The Lantern Theatre, Blundell St, 8pm, £8, 0151 703 0000 A mysterious Christmas day story...

I Cinderella Liverpool Empire Theater, 2pm & 7pm, £10-£29.50, 0844 871 3017 I Jack and The Beanstalk The Brindley, Runcorn, 10am & 1.30pm, £11.50 Children/ £17.50 Adult/ £16.50 Concs, 0151 907 8360 I A Nightmare On Lime Street The Royal Court Theatre, see 1st for details I Cinderella Epstein Theatre, see 7th for details

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I Beryl Bainbridge, painter Museum of Liverpool, 10am5pm, unique collection of fifteen paintings I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8 I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930 I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm

I The Games of Art The Black-E, 9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm) Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of ‘Artful Games’ I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911 I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 10am-6pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I “Cognitive Dissonance” - Joanne Thompson dot-art Showroom, Queen Ave, 12-6pm, 0845 017 6660, interface between memory and experience I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details

4pm, 0151 709 5109, contemporary prints

Family I Lantern Magic - Christmas at Chester Zoo Chester Zoo, 10am4pm, £6.99 - £17.99, life sized animal lantern display I Christmas Grotto Rapid, see 1st for details

Other Events I Chester Victorian Christmas Market Chester City Centre, 10am-6pm I The Cheshire Reindeer Lodge Chester, see 1st for details I Jonny Bongo’s Monday Night Quiz & All Night Dirty Disco The Shipping Forecast, 8pm-12am, £1 I The Liverpool Philharmonic Experience The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 2pm, £15, 0151 709 3789, Public Tour of Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366

I Cards for Good Causes Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, Rankin Porch (next to Baptistery), 10am4pm, famous charity, offering the chance to buy Christmas cards from more than 25 national and local charities

I The Pirate Ship! World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393, the model made for the blockbuster ‘The Pirates!’

I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool

I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393

I Charity Christmas Card Shop Tourist Information Centre, Lord Street, Southport, you can decide wich charity you wish to support

I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition

I # Ice Festival - Santa’s Grotto Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ Thu-Sat: 10am-9pm, £5.50 under 16/ £3.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience

I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of daily life along the Niger Delta I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan I A Universal Archive - William Kentridge as Printmaker The Bluecoat, School Lane, 10am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, contemporary artist I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday I Judy Chicago: Voices From The Song of Songs The Black-E, MonFri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-

I Liverpool Christmas Market Lord Street, Church Street & Whitechapel, Mo-Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 10am-5pm

TUESDAY 18TH Music I Organ Recital St George’s Hall, Great Hall, 12.45pm-1.30pm, admission £2.50 payable on door I Cancer Bats O2 Academy 2 Liverpool, 7pm, £11.50 I RLPO Lunchtime Concert Series Floral Pavilion Blue Lounge, New Brighton, 12.30pm, £4, 0151 666 0000 I RLPO: The Spirit Of Christmas The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St,

LOWDOWN DECEMBER

7.30pm, 0151 709 3789, £16/ £21/ £28/ £33/ £40, Traditional Carols and seasonal readings with John Suchet and RLPO I Out Of The Bedroom - Acoustic Open Mic Night Leaf Cafe, Bold St, 8.30pm, 0151 707 7747, bring your own instrument for a chance to perform I Fanfare For Christmas Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight, 7.30pm, £12/ £10 concs, 0151 643 8757, festive music with Haydock Silver band I PARRJAZZ presents XMAS Party ft. the Bobby Swing Band Studio 2, Parr Street, 8.30pm, £ 3 on door/ FREE Students (NUS), 0151 707 3727, Jazz and open jam session I Perfectly Frank Telfords Warehouse, Chester, 01244 390 090, Free before 9pm, £4 after.

Recreating the magic of Frank Sinatra.

I Jon Keats, Jimmy Coburn, Jay Murray The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 4pm, 0151 236 9091 I Ronny Hughes, Gary Murphy The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, 7.30pm, 0152 236 9091 I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I Reckless Elbow Stanley’s Cask, 8pm, 0151 6911093

Theatre & Dance I Life In Theatre Productions The Dome, Renshaw Street, 7.30pm, £15, fun, feel-good show jampacked with Disco hits from the 70’s I A Christmas Carol Chester Town Hall, 7pm, £12/ £7 concs, 0845 241 7868 I Peter Pan Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton, Schools Shows: 10.30am & 1.30pm, £11 - £14, 0151 666 0000 I Scarlett’s Secret Snow Globe The Lantern Theatre, Blundell St, 8pm, £8, 0151 703 0000 A mysterious Christmas day story...

I Jack and The Beanstalk The Brindley, Runcorn, 10am & 1.30pm, £11.50 Children/ £17.50 Adult/ £16.50 Concs, 0151 907 8360 I A Nightmare On Lime Street The Royal Court Theatre, see 1st for details

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I Beryl Bainbridge, painter Museum of Liverpool, 10am5pm, unique collection of fifteen paintings I Visit the Dickensian Christmas Mansion Tatton Park, Knutsford, 12-4pm, £4.50 Child/ £8.50, reflect Dickens and his most popular works I “Cognitive Dissonance” - Joanne Thompson dot-art Showroom, Queen Ave, 12-6pm, 0845 017 6660, interface between memory and experience I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8 I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930 I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm I The Games of Art The Black-E, 9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm) Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of ‘Artful Games’ I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911 I Paintings by Daniel Eltinger St George’s Hall, Dicken’s and Gladstone Gallery, 10am-4pm, 0151 225 6911 I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 10am-6pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art

I Cinderella Epstein Theatre, see 7th for details

I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details

I Cinderella Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, 10.30am & 2pm, £12.50-£19.50, 0844 871 3021

I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151

232 2366 I The Pirate Ship! World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393, the model made for the blockbuster ‘The Pirates!’

I Advent in Art Rathbone Studio, Birkenhead, Wirral, 3-6pm, 0790 333 7995 I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393 I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of daily life along the Niger Delta I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan I A Universal Archive - William Kentridge as Printmaker The Bluecoat, School Lane, 10am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, contemporary artist I John Garstang and the Discovery of the Hittite World Victoria Gallery & Museum, see 1st for details I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday I Judy Chicago: Voices From The Song of Songs The Black-E, MonFri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am4pm, 0151 709 5109, contemporary prints

Family I Lantern Magic - Christmas at Chester Zoo Chester Zoo, 10am4pm, £6.99 - £17.99, life sized animal lantern display I Sleeping Beauty Echo Arena, 10am & 2pm, £8-£18, Family Tickets £47-£55, 0844 8000 400 I Christmas Grotto Rapid, see 1st for details

Other Events I Chester Victorian Christmas Market Chester City Centre, 10am-6pm I The Cheshire Reindeer Lodge Chester, see 1st for details I Santa’s Grotto on Home Farm Croxteth Hall and Country Park, 0151 233 6910, 10.30am/4pm, £8 Grotto admission.

I Cards for Good Causes Liverpool

Cathedral, St James’ Mount, Rankin Porch (next to Baptistery), 10am4pm, famous charity, offering the chance to buy Christmas cards from more than 25 national and local charities I Christmas Sing-a-long Afternoon - Singing our socks off Sefton Park Palm House, 2-4pm, £5, Tickets on 0151 726 9304, singing along with Su Grainger and Billy Hui I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool I Charity Christmas Card Shop Tourist Information Centre, Lord Street, Southport, you can decide wich charity you wish to support I # Ice Festival - Santa’s Grotto Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ Thu-Sat: 10am-9pm, £5.50 under 16/ £3.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience I Liverpool Christmas Market Lord Street, Church Street & Whitechapel, Mo-Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 10am-5pm I Liverpool Christmas Village Williamson Square, Bandstand performances

WEDNESDAY 19TH Music I Acoustic Open Mic Night ‘With A Twist’ The 23 Club Basement Bar, Hope Street, 8.30pm, 07730574789 I Belicious Beats Unplugged presents Live Music Studio 2, Parr Street, 8pm, 0151 707 3727 I RLPO: The Spirit Of Christmas The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 7.30pm, 0151 709 3789, £16/ £21/ £28/ £33/ £40, Traditional Carols and seasonal readings with John Suchet and RLPO I Paul Jones, Jon Keats, Jimmy Coburn, Tony Coburn The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 2pm, 0151 236 9091 I Kappa Band The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, 9pm, 0152 236 9091 I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I Keith’s Jarrett and guests Keith’s Wine Bar, Lark Lane Sefton Park, 8pm, 0151 728 7688 I Freddie Smith Big Band Bebington British Legion, Teehey

63 Lane, Wirral, 8.30pm, 0151 608 2270

Theatre & Dance I Life In Theatre Productions The Dome, Renshaw Street, 7.30pm, £15, fun, feel-good show jampacked with Disco hits from the 70’s I A Christmas Carol Chester Town Hall, 7pm, £12/ £7 concs, 0845 241 7868 I Cinderella The Forum Studio Theatre, Chester, 7pm, £8 Child/ £9/ £28 Family, Limited Availability, 01244 341296 I Peter Pan Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton, Schools Shows: 10.30am & 1.30pm, £11 - £14, 0151 666 0000 I Scarlett’s Secret Snow Globe The Lantern Theatre, Blundell St, 8pm, £8, 0151 703 0000 A mysterious Christmas day story...

I Red Riding Hood The Little Theatre, New Brighton, 7.30pm, £7, 0151 666 0000 I Cinderella Liverpool Empire Theater, 2pm & 7pm, £10-£29.50, 0844 871 3017 I A Nightmare On Lime Street The Royal Court Theatre, see 1st for details I Cinderella Epstein Theatre, see 7th for details I Cinderella Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, 2pm & 7pm, £12.50-£19.50, 0844 871 3021 I Goldilocks and the Three Bears Southport Little Theatre, 7.30pm, £9.50, Tickets: Panto Box Office MoSat 11am-1.30pm, 01704 530521 I Cinderella St. Helens Theatre Royal, 5pm, £8, 01744 756 000 I Jack and The Beanstalk The Brindley, Runcorn, 10am & 1.30pm, £11.50 Children/ £17.50 Adult/ £16.50 Concs, 0151 907 8360

Comedy I Terry Titter’s Spaced Out Christmas The Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Place, 0844 873 2888, 8pm, £10/12 Go into orbit with Captain TT and his cosmic festive comedy.

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I Beryl Bainbridge, painter

Museum of Liverpool, 10am5pm, unique collection of fifteen paintings I Visit the Dickensian Christmas Mansion Tatton Park, Knutsford, 12-4pm, £4.50 Child/ £8.50, reflect Dickens and his most popular works I “Cognitive Dissonance” - Joanne Thompson dot-art Showroom, Queen Ave, 12-6pm, 0845 017 6660, interface between memory and experience I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8 I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930 I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm I The Games of Art The Black-E, 9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm) Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of ‘Artful Games’ I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911 I Paintings by Daniel Eltinger St George’s Hall, Dicken’s and Gladstone Gallery, 10am-4pm, 0151 225 6911 I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 10am-6pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366 I The Pirate Ship! World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393, the model made for the blockbuster ‘The Pirates!’

I Advent in Art Rathbone Studio, Birkenhead, Wirral, 3-6pm, 0790 333 7995 I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World

Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393 I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of daily life along the Niger Delta I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan I A Universal Archive - William Kentridge as Printmaker The Bluecoat, School Lane, 10am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, contemporary artist I John Garstang and the Discovery of the Hittite World Victoria Gallery & Museum, see 1st for details I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday I Judy Chicago: Voices From The Song of Songs The Black-E, MonFri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am4pm, 0151 709 5109, contemporary prints

Family I Lantern Magic - Christmas at Chester Zoo Chester Zoo, 10am4pm, £6.99 - £17.99, life sized animal lantern display I Sleeping Beauty Echo Arena, 10am & 2pm, £8-£18, Family Tickets £47-£55, 0844 8000 400 I Christmas Grotto Rapid, see 1st for details

Sports & Leisure I Cycle for Health Walton Hall Park, 10am-11.30am Meet at Walton Hall Sports Centre car park. Guided cycling scheme, to reserve a bike or for more info contact Jeannette Smith 0151 285 4975 / jeannette. smith@liverpoolch.nhs.uk

Other Events I Chester Victorian Christmas Market Chester City Centre, 10am-6pm I The Cheshire Reindeer Lodge Chester, see 1st for details I Spotify Wednesday Leaf Cafe, Bold St, 8pm, 0151 707 7747, Enabling the sharing, creating and modifying of each other’s playlists I Santa’s Grotto on Home Farm Croxteth Hall and Country Park, 0151 233 6910, 10.30am/4pm, £8

Grotto admission.

I Radio City ‘Cash for Kids’ Charity Carol Concert Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, 7pm, £10 Priority seating/ £5 Standard & Concs, Tickets available: online, Cathedral Shop or direct from Radio City, 0151 702 7255 I Latin Mania - Salsa Class and Dance Telfords Warehouse, Chester, 01244 390 090, Salsa class and Dance, Class & Dance £6 I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool I Charity Christmas Card Shop Tourist Information Centre, Lord Street, Southport, you can decide wich charity you wish to support I # Ice Festival - Santa’s Grotto Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ Thu-Sat: 10am-9pm, £5.50 under 16/ £3.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience I Liverpool Christmas Market Lord Street, Church Street & Whitechapel, Mo-Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 10am-5pm I Liverpool Christmas Village Williamson Square, Bandstand performances

THURSDAY 20TH Music I Line of Fire Olde Red Lion, Little Sutton, 0151 3392496 I The Hungry Horse Acoustic Folk Club Christmas Party: Vocal Point The Whitby Sports & Social Club, Ellesmere Port, 7.45pm, 0151 678 9902 I Musica En Vivo Alma De Cuba, 10.30pm, 0151 702 7394, Live music featuring the hippest bands from the North West I The Orange Show The Brink, 7.30pm, 0151 703 0582, Open mic poetry, comedy, music and much more I Johnny’s Acoustic Caravan Club Camp and Furnace...Special guests/ Open Mic 8PM ACE! I Sleigh the UK 2012 O2 Academy Liverpool, 7pm, 0844 477 2000 I Jazz it Up! The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 1.05pm, £6, 0151 709 3789, Lunchtime Concert I RLPO: The Spirit Of Christmas The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 7.30pm, 0151 709 3789, £16/ £21/ £28/ £33/ £40, Traditional Carols and seasonal readings with John

LOWDOWN DECEMBER

Suchet and RLPO

for details

I Michael Buble & Sean Styles The Green Room, 6.30pm, £25 incl.

Champagne Reception & Festive Platter, 0870 787 1866, UK’s No 1 Tribute

I Cinderella Epstein Theatre, see 7th for details

I The Glendale Family Telfords Warehouse, Chester, 01244 390 090, Free, Single Launch

I Goldilocks and the Three Bears Southport Little Theatre, 7.30pm, £9.50, Tickets: Panto Box Office MoSat 11am-1.30pm, 01704 530521

I Tony Mac, Jon Keats, Richard Batty The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 2-8pm, 0151 236 9091 I Ronny Hughes, Beatles Tribute Night The Cavern Club, Mathew St, 7.30pm, £3, 0151 236 9091 I Tony Mac, Xander & The Peace Pirates The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, 7pm, 0152 236 9091 I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I Swingology The Grapes, 9.30pm, 07950 828674 I The Sue Yo Trio The James Monro, 7pm, 0151 236 9700 I Jam Night Revolver Venue, 2 New Chester Road, Birkenhead

Theatre & Dance I Life In Theatre Productions The Dome, Renshaw Street, 2.30pm (Matinee)/ 7.30pm, £15, fun, feelgood show jam-packed with Disco hits from the 70’s I A Christmas Carol Chester Town Hall, 7pm, £12/ £7 concs, 0845 241 7868 I Cinderella The Forum Studio Theatre, Chester, 7pm, £8 Child/ £9/ £28 Family, Limited Availability, 01244 341296 I Peter Pan Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton, 10.30am & 7pm, £14 - £52, 0151 666 0000 I A Christmas Carol St George’s Hall, The Concert Room, performance times: thursday 2pm & 7.30pm, friday 7.30pm, £13.50/ £15.50, 0151 225 6911 I Scarlett’s Secret Snow Globe The Lantern Theatre, Blundell St, 8pm, £8, 0151 703 0000 A mysterious Christmas day story...

I Little Voice The Lantern Theatre, Blundell St, 8pm, £8, 0151 703 0000 The story of a shy girl who finds her voice.

I Cinderella Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, 2pm, £12.50£19.50, 0844 871 3021

I Cinderella St. Helens Theatre Royal, 5pm, £8, 01744 756 000 I Jack and The Beanstalk The Brindley, Runcorn, 10am & 1.30pm, £11.50 Children/ £17.50 Adult/ £16.50 Concs, 0151 907 8360

Comedy I Terry Titter’s Spaced Out Christmas The Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Place, 0844 873 2888, 8pm, £10/12 Go into orbit with Captain TT and his cosmic festive comedy.

I Neil Fitzmaurice plus Supports The Slaughter House, Fenwick St, 8pm, £22.95, 0151 227 5946 The finest comedy from the UK’s best headlining acts and supports.

I Comedy Central at Baby Blue Baby Blue, Albert Dock, 6pm, £40, 0151 702 5834 Steve Gribbin headliner plus supports Danny Deegan and Sully O’Sullivan

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I Visit the Dickensian Christmas Mansion Tatton Park, Knutsford, 12-4pm, £4.50 Child/ £8.50, reflect Dickens and his most popular works I “Cognitive Dissonance” - Joanne Thompson dot-art Showroom, Queen Ave, 12-6pm, 0845 017 6660, interface between memory and experience I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8

I Cinderella Liverpool Empire Theater, 2pm & 7pm, £10-£29.50, 0844 871 3017

I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930

I A Nightmare On Lime Street The Royal Court Theatre, see 1st

I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm

I Beryl Bainbridge, painter Museum of Liverpool, 10am5pm, unique collection of fifteen paintings I The Games of Art The Black-E, 9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm) Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of ‘Artful Games’ I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911 I Paintings by Daniel Eltinger St George’s Hall, Dicken’s and Gladstone Gallery, 10am-4pm, 0151 225 6911 I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 10am-6pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366 I The Pirate Ship! World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393, the model made for the blockbuster ‘The Pirates!’

I Advent in Art Rathbone Studio, Birkenhead, Wirral, 3-6pm, 0790 333 7995 I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393 I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of daily life along the Niger Delta I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan

I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday I Judy Chicago: Voices From The Song of Songs The Black-E, MonFri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am4pm, 0151 709 5109, contemporary prints

Family I Lantern Magic - Christmas at Chester Zoo Chester Zoo, 10am4pm, £6.99 - £17.99, life sized animal lantern display I Sleeping Beauty Echo Arena, 10am & 2pm, £8-£18, Family Tickets £47-£55, 0844 8000 400 I Christmas Grotto Rapid, see 1st for details

Other Events I Chester Victorian Christmas Market Chester City Centre, 10am-6pm I The Cheshire Reindeer Lodge Chester, see 1st for details I Chester Christmas Tour Chester, Visitor Centre, 2pm, £8/ £7 Concs/ £18 Family, 0845 6477868, discover how Christmas has been kept over the centuries, Yuletide treat for everyone!

I Behind the scenes tours St Georges Hall, 2pm, £10, limited availability, 0151 225 6909 I Santa’s Grotto on Home Farm Croxteth Hall and Country Park, 0151 233 6910, 10.30am/4pm, £8 Grotto admission.

I Christmas Crackers Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight, 7.30pm, £10, 0151 643 8757 I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool I Christmas Party Night Out featuring 7 tribute acts The Royal Clifton Hotel, Southport, £34,95 incl. 3 course dinner, 01704 880894 I Charity Christmas Card Shop Tourist Information Centre, Lord Street, Southport, you can decide wich charity you wish to support

I A Universal Archive - William Kentridge as Printmaker The Bluecoat, School Lane, 10am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, contemporary artist

I # Ice Festival - Santa’s Grotto Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ Thu-Sat: 10am-9pm, £5.50 under 16/ £3.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience

I John Garstang and the Discovery of the Hittite World Victoria Gallery & Museum, see 1st for details

I Liverpool Christmas Market Lord Street, Church Street & Whitechapel, Mo-Sat: 10am-8pm,

65 Sun: 10am-5pm I Liverpool Christmas Village Williamson Square, Bandstand performances I The World Famous Cairngorm Reindeers Queens Sqaure, Liverpool, 4-7pm I Dickensian Christmas Metquarter, Liverpool, 4pm, delicious mulled wine, mince pies, hot chestnuts and more!

FRIDAY 21ST Music I Freak Out Olde Red Lion, Little Sutton, 0151 3392496 I Aarry & Friends “End Of The World Alternative Christmas Party” Studio 2, Parr Street, 8pm, 0151 707 3727 I Liquidation The Shipping Forecast, in The Hold, expect Electro, Motown and Rock n Roll Classics.

11pm-3am / Free in before Midnight I Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Eric’s, Mathew Street, 7.30pm, £27.50/ £39.95 ticket plus Christmas meal (Matinee Idol - Castle St), 0151 236 9994 I Vampires Rock Christmas Echo Two, £28/ £25/ £15 (Students/ Under 15’s), 0844 8000 400 I Space O2 Academy Liverpool, 7pm, £20.15 I They’re Coming To Get You Barbara O2 Academy 2 Liverpool, 7pm, 0844 477 2000 I Kerfuffle The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 8.30pm, £12, 0151 709 3789, Folk I RLPO: Wonderful Christmastime The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 7.30pm, 0151 709 3789, From £21, Pops at the Phil with Carl Davis I Tom Jones & Schooner The Green Room, 6.30pm, £25 incl.

Champagne Reception & Festive Platter, 0870 787 1866, UK’s No 1 Tribute I Liverpool Echo Carol Concert Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, 7.30pm, £10/ £7 concs/ £25 family, Tickets: online, Cathedral Shop or Liverpool Echo Reception, 0151 702 7255, in aid of their charity ‘Liverpool Unites’ raising funds for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital I Stereo Electric Mistress Telfords Warehouse, Chester, 01244 390 090, Free before 9pm, £4 after. Big Electro Dance night.

I Ego King Alexanders, Rufus Court, Chester, 01244 340005, £6, 7.30pm,

I Richard Batty & The Rockits The Cavern Club, Mathew St, 8pm, £3, 0151 236 9091

I A Nightmare On Lime Street The Royal Court Theatre, see 1st for details

I Tim Shaw, Ronny Hughes, Jon Keats, Tony Mac The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 12-8pm, 0151 236 9091

I Cinderella Epstein Theatre, see 7th for details

I Robbie Williams Tribute Night Huyton Civic Suite, 7.30pm, £15 price incl. a hot supper, 0151 443 3761 I Marc Kenny The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, 6pm, 0152 236 9091 I Guns 2 Roses The Cavern Live Lounge, Mathew St, 8.30pm, £10, 0151 236 9091, Tribute To Guns & Roses I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I Fireball Fridays Revolver Venue, 2 New Chester Road, Birkenhead, DJ Mogsey’s insane mixed bag I Punk Annual Xmas Party Revolver Venue, 2 New Chester Road, Birkenhead I Naked Stanley’s Cask, 8pm, 0151 6911093

Theatre & Dance I Life In Theatre Productions The Dome, Renshaw Street, 7.30pm, £15, fun, feel-good show jampacked with Disco hits from the 70’s I A Christmas Carol Chester Town Hall, 7pm, £12/ £7 concs, 0845 241 7868 I Cinderella The Forum Studio Theatre, Chester, 7pm, £8 Child/ £9/ £28 Family, Limited Availability, 01244 341296 I Hansel and Gretel The Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Place, £8/ £12 Check performance times, 0844 873 2888 ‘’Magical delight and round-eyed awe’’ I Peter Pan Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton, 2pm/ 7pm (BSL Sign Language interpreted), £14 - £52, 0151 666 0000 I A Christmas Carol St George’s Hall, The Concert Room, performance times: thursday 2pm & 7.30pm, friday 7.30pm, £13.50/ £15.50, 0151 225 6911

I Cinderella Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, 7pm, £12.50£19.50, 0844 871 3021 I Goldilocks and the Three Bears Southport Little Theatre, 7.30pm, £9.50, Tickets: Panto Box Office MoSat 11am-1.30pm, 01704 530521 I Cinderella St. Helens Theatre Royal, 5pm, £8, 01744 756 000

Comedy I BottleTop Comedy presents ‘The End Of The World’ Envi, Fleet Street, 7.30pm, £10/ £5 Students, 0151 214 3242, FREE Mince Pie & Mulled Wine for all! Great prizes to be won!

I Terry Titter’s Spaced Out Christmas The Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Place, 0844 873 2888, 8pm, £10/12 Go into orbit with Captain TT and his cosmic festive comedy.

I Neil Fitzmaurice plus Supports The Slaughter House, Fenwick St, 7pm & 9.15pm, £22.95, 0151 227 5946 The finest comedy from the UK’s best headlining acts and supports.

I Keith Carter as Nige The Slug and Lettuce, City Centre, 0151 236 8820, 8pm, £22.95 UK’s finest comedians.

I Comedy Central at Baby Blue Baby Blue, Albert Dock, 6pm, £40, 0151 702 5834 Steve Gribbin headliner plus supports Danny Deegan and Sully O’Sullivan I Neil Fitzmaurice plus Supports Cafe Sports Express, 8.30pm, £22 Seated/ £40 Premier Seat and 3 course meal

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012

I Scarlett’s Secret Snow Globe The Lantern Theatre, Blundell St, 8pm, £8, 0151 703 0000 A mysterious Christmas day story...

I Visit the Dickensian Christmas Mansion Tatton Park, Knutsford, 12-4pm, £4.50 Child/ £8.50, reflect Dickens and his most popular works

I Little Voice The Lantern Theatre, Blundell St, 8pm, £8, 0151 703 0000 The story of a shy girl who finds her voice.

I “Cognitive Dissonance” - Joanne Thompson dot-art Showroom, Queen Ave, 12-6pm, 0845 017 6660, interface between memory and experience

I Cinderella Liverpool Empire Theater, 2pm & 7pm, £10-£29.50, 0844 871 3017

I Toxteth 1981 International

Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8 I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930 I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm I Beryl Bainbridge, painter Museum of Liverpool, 10am5pm, unique collection of fifteen paintings I The Games of Art The Black-E, 9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm) Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of ‘Artful Games’ I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911 I Paintings by Daniel Eltinger St George’s Hall, Dicken’s and Gladstone Gallery, 10am-4pm, 0151 225 6911 I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 10am-6pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366 I Advent in Art Rathbone Studio, Birkenhead, Wirral, 3-6pm, 0790 333 7995 I The Pirate Ship! World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393, the model made for the blockbuster ‘The Pirates!’

I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393 I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of

LOWDOWN DECEMBER

daily life along the Niger Delta I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan I A Universal Archive - William Kentridge as Printmaker The Bluecoat, School Lane, 10am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, contemporary artist I John Garstang and the Discovery of the Hittite World Victoria Gallery & Museum, see 1st for details I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday I Judy Chicago: Voices From The Song of Songs The Black-E, MonFri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am4pm, 0151 709 5109, contemporary prints

Family I Lantern Magic - Christmas at Chester Zoo Chester Zoo, 10am4pm, £6.99 - £17.99, life sized animal lantern display I Sleeping Beauty Echo Arena, 2pm & 7pm, £8-£18, Family Tickets £47£55, 0844 8000 400 I RLPO: Frosty and Friends The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 4.15pm, £8 children/ £12/ £15, 0151 709 3789, join Santa and his merry band singing elves I Christmas Grotto Rapid, see 1st for details

Other Events I Chester Victorian Christmas Market Chester City Centre, 10am-6pm I The Cheshire Reindeer Lodge Chester, see 1st for details I Salsa Libre Floral Pavilion Winter Gardens, New Brighton, 8.15pm, £10, 0151 666 0000 I Santa’s Grotto on Home Farm Croxteth Hall and Country Park, 0151 233 6910, 10.30am/4pm, £8 Grotto admission.

I Murder Mystery Evenings Croxteth Hall and Country Park, 0151 233 6910, 7.30pm, £25 with buffet. Where suspense and intrigue are the order of the day.

I Christmas Crackers Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight, 7.30pm, £10, 0151 643 8757 I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool

I Charity Christmas Card Shop Tourist Information Centre, Lord Street, Southport, you can decide wich charity you wish to support I # Ice Festival - Santa’s Grotto Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ Thu-Sat: 10am-9pm, £5.50 under 16/ £3.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience I Liverpool Christmas Market Lord Street, Church Street & Whitechapel, Mo-Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 10am-5pm

SATURDAY 22ND Music I I Panic Olde Red Lion, Little Sutton, 0151 3392496 I Cast O2 Academy Liverpool, 7pm, 0844 477 2000 I Christmas at the Academy O2 Academy 2 Liverpool, 3pm, 0844 477 2000 I RLPO: The Spirit of Christmas The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 7.30pm, 0151 709 3789, £16/ £21/ £28/ £33/ £40, Traditional Carols and seasonal readings with John Suchet and RLPO I Take That Special & Schooner The Green Room, 6.30pm, £25 incl.

Champagne Reception & Festive Platter, 0870 787 1866, UK’s No 1 Tribute I A Christmas Sequence Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount, 3pm4.30pm I The Cave Dwellers plus support Tony Mac The Cavern Club, Mathew St, 8.30pm, £4, 0151 236 9091 I Tim Shaw, Jay Murray and The Shakers The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 12pm till early evening, 0151 236 9091 I Ronny Hughes, Kappa, Tony Mac The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, live music from 2.30pm, 0152 236 9091 I Saturday With The Beatles ft. the Cavern Club Beatles The Cavern Live Lounge, Mathew St, 8.30pm, £12, 0151 236 9091, Beatles Tribute Show I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I 10ft Head Butt Revolver Venue, 2 New Chester Road, Birkenhead I Savage Outlaw Stanley’s Cask, 8pm, 0151 6911093

Theatre & Dance I Life In Theatre Productions The Dome, Renshaw Street, 2.30pm (Matinee)/ 7.30pm, £15, fun, feelgood show jam-packed with Disco hits from the 70’s I A Christmas Carol Chester Town Hall, 2pm & 7pm, £5 - £7, 0845 241 7868 I Cinderella The Forum Studio Theatre, Chester, 1pm & 5pm, £8 Child/ £9/ £28 Family, Limited Availability, 01244 341296 I Hansel and Gretel The Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Place, £8/ £12 Check performance times, 0844 873 2888 ‘’Magical delight and round-eyed awe’’ I Peter Pan Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton, 2pm & 7pm, £14 £52, 0151 666 0000 I Scarlett’s Secret Snow Globe The Lantern Theatre, Blundell St, 8pm, £8, 0151 703 0000 A mysterious Christmas day story...

I Cinderella Liverpool Empire Theater, 2pm & 7pm, £10-£29.50, 0844 871 3017 I A Nightmare On Lime Street The Royal Court Theatre, see 1st for details I Cinderella Epstein Theatre, see 7th for details I Cinderella Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, 1pm & 5pm, £12.50-£19.50, 0844 871 3021 I Goldilocks and the Three Bears Southport Little Theatre, 2.30 & 7.30pm, £9.50, Tickets: Panto Box Office Mo-Sat 11am-1.30pm, 01704 530521 I Cinderella St. Helens Theatre Royal, 10am & 2pm, £9 - £46, 01744 756 000 I Jack and The Beanstalk The Brindley, Runcorn, 1pm & 5pm, £11.50 Children/ £17.50 Adult/ £16.50 Concs, 0151 907 8360

Comedy I BottleTop Comedy presents ‘The (day after the) End Of The World’ Envi, Fleet Street, 7.30pm, £10/ £5 Students, 0151 214 3242, FREE Mince Pie & Mulled Wine for all! Great Post-Apocalyptic prizes to be won!

I Terry Titter’s Spaced Out Christmas The Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Place, 0844 873 2888, 8pm, £10/12 Go into orbit with Captain TT and his cosmic festive comedy.

I Keith Carter as Nige The Slug and Lettuce, City Centre, 0151 236 8820, 8pm, £22.95 UK’s finest comedians.

I Comedy Central at Baby Blue Baby Blue, Albert Dock, 6pm, £40, 0151 702 5834 Steve Gribbin headliner plus supports Danny Deegan and Sully O’Sullivan I Chester Comedy Club Alexanders, Rufus Court, Chester, 01244 340005, £12, 7.30pm. Headliner Vicki Stone I Neil Fitzmaurice plus Supports The Slaughter House, Fenwick St, 8pm, £22.95, 0151 227 5946 The finest comedy from the UK’s best headlining acts and supports.

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I Visit the Dickensian Christmas Mansion Tatton Park, Knutsford, 12-4pm, £4.50 Child/ £8.50, reflect Dickens and his most popular works I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8 I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930 I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm I The Games of Art The Black-E, 9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm) Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of ‘Artful Games’ I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911 I Paintings by Daniel Eltinger St George’s Hall, Dicken’s and Gladstone Gallery, 10am-4pm, 0151 225 6911 I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 10am-6pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art

67 I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366 I Advent in Art Rathbone Studio, Birkenhead, Wirral, 3-6pm, 0790 333 7995 I The Pirate Ship! World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393, the model made for the blockbuster ‘The Pirates!’

I Beryl Bainbridge, painter Museum of Liverpool, 10am5pm, unique collection of fifteen paintings I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393 I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of daily life along the Niger Delta I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan I A Universal Archive - William Kentridge as Printmaker The Bluecoat, School Lane, 10am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, contemporary artist I John Garstang and the Discovery of the Hittite World Victoria Gallery & Museum, see 1st for details I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday I Judy Chicago: Voices From The Song of Songs The Black-E, MonFri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am4pm, 0151 709 5109, contemporary prints

Family I Lantern Magic - Christmas at Chester Zoo Chester Zoo, 10am4pm, £6.99 - £17.99, life sized animal lantern display I Sleeping Beauty Echo Arena, 2pm & 7pm, £8-£18, Family Tickets £47£55, 0844 8000 400 I RLPO: Frosty and Friends The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 11.30am & 2.30pm, £8 children/ £12/ £15, 0151 709 3789, join Santa and his

merry band singing elves I Christmas Grotto Rapid, see 1st for details I Christmas at Knowsley Safari Park Knowsley Safari Park, Prescot, 9am-5pm, £10 Winter entrance, £10 per child for the breakfast with Santa, 0151 430 9009, present for each child on the good list and a Christmas story

Other Events I Chester Victorian Christmas Market Chester City Centre, 10am-6pm I The Cheshire Reindeer Lodge Chester, see 1st for details I Chester Christmas Tour Chester, Visitor Centre, 2pm, £8/ £7 Concs/ £18 Family, 0845 6477868, discover how Christmas has been kept over the centuries, Yuletide treat for everyone!

I Santa’s Grotto on Home Farm Croxteth Hall and Country Park, 0151 233 6910, 10.30am/4pm, £8 Grotto admission.

I Christmas Crackers Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight, 7.30pm, £10, 0151 643 8757 I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool I # Ice Festival - Santa’s Grotto Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ Thu-Sat: 10am-9pm, £5.50 under 16/ £3.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience I Liverpool Christmas Market Lord Street, Church Street & Whitechapel, Mo-Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 10am-5pm

SUNDAY 23RD Music

Club, Mathew St, live music from 12pm, 0151 236 9091 I Ronny Hughes The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, 5.30pm, 0152 236 9091 I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I The Houghton Weavers St. Helens Theatre Royal, 7.30pm, £10.50 concs/ £12.50, 01744 756 000, “Keep Folk Smiling” I The Lowtones Olde Red Lion, Little Sutton, 0151 3392496 I David Knopov - a Night of Sinatra Jalons, Smithdown Road, 6pm, 0151 734 3984 I Loose Moose String Band The Caledonia, 4pm, 07791 041 212

Theatre & Dance I A Christmas Carol Chester Town Hall, 2pm & 7pm, £5 - £7, 0845 241 7868 I Cinderella The Forum Studio Theatre, Chester, 1pm & 5pm, £8 Child/ £9/ £28 Family, Limited Availability, 01244 341296 I Peter Pan Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton, 2pm & 7pm, £14 £52, 0151 666 0000 I Cinderella Liverpool Empire Theater, 1pm & 5pm, £10-£29.50, 0844 871 3017 I Cinderella Epstein Theatre, see 7th for details I Cinderella Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, 2pm, £12.50£19.50, 0844 871 3021 I Goldilocks and the Three Bears Southport Little Theatre, 2.30pm, £9.50, Tickets: Panto Box Office MoSat 11am-1.30pm, 01704 530521 I Cinderella St. Helens Theatre Royal, 2pm, £11 - £46, 01744 756 000

I RLPO: The Spirit of Christmas The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 7.30pm, 0151 709 3789, £16/ £21/ £28/ £33/ £40, Traditional Carols and seasonal readings with John Suchet and RLPO

I Jack and The Beanstalk The Brindley, Runcorn, 2pm, £11.50 Children/ £17.50 Adult/ £16.50 Concs, 0151 907 8360

I Ricky’s Royle Variety Show The Green Room, 12.30pm, £15 incl.

Champagne Reception, 0870 787 1866

I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm

I Liverpool Barbershop Harmony Club Christmas Concert Sefton Park Palm House, 2pm, 0151 726 2415 I Tim Shaw, Made In Liverpool (Tribute to the Beatles), The Quangos, The Shakers The Cavern

Arts

I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I Visit the Dickensian Christmas Mansion Tatton Park, Knutsford, 12-4pm, £4.50 Child/ £8.50, reflect

Dickens and his most popular works I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8 I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930 I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm I The Games of Art The Black-E, 9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm) Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of ‘Artful Games’ I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911 I Paintings by Daniel Eltinger St George’s Hall, Dicken’s and Gladstone Gallery, 10am-4pm, 0151 225 6911 I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 11am-5pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366 I The Pirate Ship! World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393, the model made for the blockbuster ‘The Pirates!’

I Beryl Bainbridge, painter Museum of Liverpool, 10am5pm, unique collection of fifteen paintings I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393 I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of daily life along the Niger Delta

LOWDOWN DECEMBER

I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan

I Paul Jones, Jon Keats, The Two of Us (Tribute to Lennon & McCartney), Jay Murray The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 2pm, 0151 236 9091

I A Universal Archive - William Kentridge as Printmaker The Bluecoat, School Lane, 10am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, contemporary artist

I Ian Prowse Monday Club The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, 8pm, 0152 236 9091

I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday I Judy Chicago: Voices From The Song of Songs The Black-E, MonFri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am4pm, 0151 709 5109, contemporary prints

Family I Lantern Magic - Christmas at Chester Zoo Chester Zoo, 10am4pm, £6.99 - £17.99, life sized animal lantern display I Sleeping Beauty Echo Arena, 1pm & 5pm, £8-£18, Family Tickets £47£55, 0844 8000 400 I RLPO: Frosty and Friends The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 11.30am & 2.30pm, £8 children/ £12/ £15, 0151 709 3789, join Santa and his merry band singing elves I Christmas Grotto Rapid, see 1st for details

Other Events I Chester Victorian Christmas Market Chester City Centre, 10am-6pm I The Cheshire Reindeer Lodge Chester, see 1st for details I Santa’s Grotto on Home Farm Croxteth Hall and Country Park, 0151 233 6910, 10.30am/4pm, £8 Grotto admission.

I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool I # Ice Festival - Santa’s Grotto Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ Thu-Sat: 10am-9pm, £5.50 under 16/ £3.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience

MONDAY 24TH Music I Hail Hail Rock ‘n’ Roll - The Hey Pedros Sound Food And Drink, Duke St, 7pm songs of Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, The Surfaris, Bill Haley and more, plus resident DJ Little Rachard

I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I Fire Stanley’s Cask, 8pm, 0151 6911093

Theatre & Dance I Peter Pan Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton, 2pm, £14 - £52, 0151 666 0000 I Cinderella Liverpool Empire Theater, 1pm & 5pm, £10-£29.50, 0844 871 3017 I Cinderella Epstein Theatre, see 7th for details I Cinderella Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, 1pm & 5pm, £12.50-£19.50, 0844 871 3021 I Jack and The Beanstalk The Brindley, Runcorn, 1pm, £11.50 Children/ £17.50 Adult/ £16.50 Concs, 0151 907 8360

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-2pm I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-2pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I “Cognitive Dissonance” - Joanne Thompson dot-art Showroom, Queen Ave, 12-6pm, 0845 017 6660, interface between memory and experience I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-2pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8 I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-2pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930 I The Games of Art The Black-E, 9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm) Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of ‘Artful Games’ I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall,

10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911 I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 10am-6pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366 I The Pirate Ship! World Museum Liverpool, 10am-2pm, 0151 478 4393, the model made for the blockbuster ‘The Pirates!’

I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-2pm, 0151 478 4393 I Beryl Bainbridge, painter Museum of Liverpool, 10am2pm, unique collection of fifteen paintings I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-2pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-2pm, explore the realities of daily life along the Niger Delta I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-2pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday I Judy Chicago: Voices From The Song of Songs The Black-E, MonFri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am4pm, 0151 709 5109, contemporary prints

Family I Sleeping Beauty Echo Arena, 11am & 3pm, £8-£18, Family Tickets £47£55, 0844 8000 400 I Christmas Grotto Rapid, see 1st for details

Other Events I Chester Victorian Christmas Market Chester City Centre, 10am-6pm I The Cheshire Reindeer Lodge Chester, see 1st for details

I It’s A Wonderful Life (U) The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 2.30pm, £6/ £7 boxes, 0151 709 3789, black & white Christmas film I # Ice Festival - Santa’s Grotto Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ Thu-Sat: 10am-9pm, £5.50 under 16/ £3.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience

TUESDAY 25TH Music I Jon Keats, Jimmy Coburn, Jay Murray The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 4pm, 0151 236 9091 I Ronny Hughes, Gary Murphy The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, 7.30pm, 0152 236 9091 I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I Reckless Elbow Stanley’s Cask, 8pm, 0151 6911093

Arts I “Cognitive Dissonance” - Joanne Thompson dot-art Showroom, Queen Ave, 12-6pm, 0845 017 6660, interface between memory and experience

WEDNESDAY 26TH Music I Acoustic Open Mic Night ‘With A Twist’ The 23 Club Basement Bar, Hope Street, 8.30pm, 07730574789 I Neil Diamond & Sean Styles The Green Room, 6.30pm, £20 incl.

Champagne Reception, 0870 787 1866, UK’s No 1 Tribute I Paul Jones, Jon Keats, Jimmy Coburn, Tony Coburn The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 2pm, 0151 236 9091 I Kappa Band The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, 9pm, 0152 236 9091 I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I Insanity Beach Olde Red Lion, Little Sutton, 0151 3392496 I Keith’s Jarrett and guests Keith’s Wine Bar, Lark Lane Sefton Park, 8pm, 0151 728 7688 I Freddie Smith Big Band

69 Bebington British Legion, Teehey Lane, Wirral, 8.30pm, 0151 608 2270 I Lemon Echo Stanley’s Cask, 8pm, 0151 6911093

Theatre & Dance I Peter Pan Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton, 1pm & 5pm, £14 £52, 0151 666 0000 I Cinderella Liverpool Empire Theater, 1pm & 5pm, £10-£29.50, 0844 871 3017 I Cinderella Epstein Theatre, see 7th for details I Cinderella Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, 2pm, £12.50£19.50, 0844 871 3021 I Cinderella St. Helens Theatre Royal, 2pm, £10, 01744 756 000

Arts I “Cognitive Dissonance” - Joanne Thompson dot-art Showroom, Queen Ave, 12-6pm, 0845 017 6660, interface between memory and experience I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911 I Paintings by Daniel Eltinger St George’s Hall, Dicken’s and Gladstone Gallery, 10am-4pm, 0151 225 6911 I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 10am-6pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366 I A Universal Archive - William Kentridge as Printmaker The Bluecoat, School Lane, 10am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, contemporary artist

Family I Sleeping Beauty Echo Arena, 2pm & 7pm, £8-£18, Family Tickets £47£55, 0844 8000 400

Sports & Leisure I Cycle for Health Walton Hall Park, 10am-11.30am Meet at Walton Hall Sports Centre car park. Guided cycling scheme, to reserve a bike or for more info contact Jeannette Smith 0151 285 4975 / jeannette. smith@liverpoolch.nhs.uk

Other Events I # Ice Festival - Ice Sculpture Gallery Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ Thu-

Sat: 10am-9pm, £4 under 16/ £2.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience

THURSDAY 27TH Music I Musica En Vivo Alma De Cuba, 10.30pm, 0151 702 7394, Live music featuring the hippest bands from the North West I The Orange Show The Brink, 7.30pm, 0151 703 0582, Open mic poetry, comedy, music and much more I Johnny’s Acoustic Caravan Club Camp and Furnace...Special guests/ Open Mic 8PM ACE! I The Glenn Miller Orchestra The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 2.30pm, 0151 709 3789, Tickets From £16 Band leader Ray McVay plays the original Miller arrangements.

I The Houghton Weavers at Christmas Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight, 7.30pm, £14, 0151 643 8757 I Tony Mac, Jon Keats, Richard Batty The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 2-8pm, 0151 236 9091 I Ronny Hughes, Beatles Tribute Night The Cavern Club, Mathew St, 7.30pm, £3, 0151 236 9091 I Tony Mac, Xander & The Peace Pirates The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, 7pm, 0152 236 9091 I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I Skinny Lizard Olde Red Lion, Little Sutton, 0151 3392496 I The Sue Yo Trio The James Monro, 7pm, 0151 236 9700 I Jam Night Revolver Venue, 2 New Chester Road, Birkenhead

Theatre & Dance I Life In Theatre Productions The Dome, Renshaw Street, 2.30pm (Matinee)/ 7.30pm, £15, fun, feelgood show jam-packed with Disco hits from the 70’s I Cinderella The Forum Studio Theatre, Chester, 7pm, £8 Child/ £9/ £28 Family, Limited Availability, 01244 341296 I Peter Pan Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton, 2pm & 7pm, £14 £52, 0151 666 0000 I Scarlett’s Secret Snow Globe The Lantern Theatre, Blundell St, 8pm, £8, 0151 703 0000 A mysterious

Christmas day story...

I Cinderella Liverpool Empire Theater, 2pm & 7pm, £10-£29.50, 0844 871 3017 I A Nightmare On Lime Street The Royal Court Theatre, see 1st for details I Cinderella Epstein Theatre, see 7th for details I Cinderella Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, 1pm 5pm, £12.50-£19.50, 0844 871 3021 I Goldilocks and the Three Bears Southport Little Theatre, 7.30pm, £9.50, Tickets: Panto Box Office MoSat 11am-1.30pm, 01704 530521 I Cinderella St. Helens Theatre Royal, 2pm, £11 - £46, 01744 756 000 I Jack and The Beanstalk The Brindley, Runcorn, 2pm & 7pm, £11.50 Children/ £17.50 Adult/ £16.50 Concs, 0151 907 8360

Comedy I Ken Dodd - Happiness Show The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 7.30pm, £16/ £18/ £20/ £25, 0151 709 3789

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I “Cognitive Dissonance” - Joanne Thompson dot-art Showroom, Queen Ave, 12-6pm, 0845 017 6660, interface between memory and experience I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8 I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930 I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911 I Paintings by Daniel Eltinger St George’s Hall, Dicken’s and Gladstone Gallery, 10am-4pm, 0151 225 6911

I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 10am-6pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366 I Advent in Art Rathbone Studio, Birkenhead, Wirral, 3-6pm, 0790 333 7995 I The Pirate Ship! World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393, the model made for the blockbuster ‘The Pirates!’

I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393 I Beryl Bainbridge, painter Museum of Liverpool, 10am5pm, unique collection of fifteen paintings I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of daily life along the Niger Delta I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan I A Universal Archive - William Kentridge as Printmaker The Bluecoat, School Lane, 10am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, contemporary artist I John Garstang and the Discovery of the Hittite World Victoria Gallery & Museum, see 1st for details

Family I Sleeping Beauty Echo Arena, 2pm & 7pm, £8-£18, Family Tickets £47£55, 0844 8000 400

Other Events I Behind the scenes tours St Georges Hall, 2pm, £10, limited availability, 0151 225 6909 I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of

LOWDOWN DECEMBER

Beatles Liverpool I # Ice Festival - Ice Sculpture Gallery Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ ThuSat: 10am-9pm, £4 under 16/ £2.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience

FRIDAY 28TH Music I Studio 2 DJ’s Studio 2, Parr Street, 9pm, 0151 707 3727 I Liquidation The Shipping Forecast, in The Hold, expect Electro, Motown and Rock n Roll Classics.

11pm-3am / Free in before Midnight I RLPO: A Night in Vienna The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 7.30pm, £16/ £21/ £28/ £33/ £40, 0151 709 3789, pop of champagne cork, rustle of silk, and irresistible rhythm I Shy & The Fight Telfords Warehouse, Chester, 01244 390 090, Free before 9pm, £4 after.

Alternative Folk, 7 piece band.

I R.E.M UK Alexanders, Rufus Court, Chester, 01244 340005, 7.30pm, £7 I Tim Shaw, Ronny Hughes, Jon Keats, Tony Mac The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 12-8pm, 0151 236 9091 I Richard Batty & The Rockits The Cavern Club, Mathew St, 8pm, £3, 0151 236 9091 I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I Koo Ka Choo & Brickhouse Olde Red Lion, Little Sutton, 0151 3392496 I Fireball Fridays Revolver Venue, 2 New Chester Road, Birkenhead, DJ Mogsey’s insane mixed bag I Hotel Sleazy Stanley’s Cask, 8pm, 0151 6911093

Theatre & Dance I Life In Theatre Productions The Dome, Renshaw Street, 7.30pm, £15, fun, feel-good show jampacked with Disco hits from the 70’s I Cinderella The Forum Studio Theatre, Chester, 7pm, £8 Child/ £9/ £28 Family, Limited Availability, 01244 341296 I Peter Pan Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton, 2pm & 7pm, £14 £52, 0151 666 0000 I Scarlett’s Secret Snow Globe The Lantern Theatre, Blundell St, 8pm, £8, 0151 703 0000 A mysterious

Christmas day story...

I Cinderella Liverpool Empire Theater, 2pm & 7pm, £10-£29.50, 0844 871 3017 I A Nightmare On Lime Street The Royal Court Theatre, see 1st for details I Cinderella Epstein Theatre, see 7th for details I Cinderella Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, 1pm & 5pm, £12.50-£19.50, 0844 871 3021 I Goldilocks and the Three Bears Southport Little Theatre, 7.30pm, £9.50, Tickets: Panto Box Office MoSat 11am-1.30pm, 01704 530521 I Cinderella St. Helens Theatre Royal, 2pm & 7pm, £11 - £46 , 01744 756 000 I Jack and The Beanstalk The Brindley, Runcorn, 2pm & 7pm (CAP), £11.50 Children/ £17.50 Adult/ £16.50 Concs, 0151 907 8360

Comedy I Silky plus Supports The Slaughter House, Fenwick St, 8pm, £15, 0151 227 5946 Side splitting night of madness.

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I “Cognitive Dissonance” - Joanne Thompson dot-art Showroom, Queen Ave, 12-6pm, 0845 017 6660, interface between memory and experience I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8 I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930 I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm I The Games of Art The Black-E, 9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm) Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of ‘Artful Games’ I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall,

10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911 I Paintings by Daniel Eltinger St George’s Hall, Dicken’s and Gladstone Gallery, 10am-4pm, 0151 225 6911 I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 10am-6pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366 I Advent in Art Rathbone Studio, Birkenhead, Wirral, 3-6pm, 0790 333 7995

Song of Songs The Black-E, MonFri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am4pm, 0151 709 5109, contemporary prints

Family I Sleeping Beauty Echo Arena, 2pm & 7pm, £8-£18, Family Tickets £47£55, 0844 8000 400

Other Events I The Bill Shankly Story Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight, 7.30pm, £16/ £13 concs, 0151 643 8757, a unique insight into the life of the Anfield legend with KOP heroes live on stage I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool I # Ice Festival - Ice Sculpture Gallery Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ ThuSat: 10am-9pm, £4 under 16/ £2.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience

I The Pirate Ship! World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393, the model made for the blockbuster ‘The Pirates!’

SATURDAY 29TH

I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393

I Studio 2 DJ’s Studio 2, Parr Street, 9pm, 0151 707 3727

I Beryl Bainbridge, painter Museum of Liverpool, 10am5pm, unique collection of fifteen paintings I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of daily life along the Niger Delta I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan I A Universal Archive - William Kentridge as Printmaker The Bluecoat, School Lane, 10am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, contemporary artist I John Garstang and the Discovery of the Hittite World Victoria Gallery & Museum, see 1st for details I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday I Judy Chicago: Voices From The

Music I Barry White & Lionel Richie The Green Room, 6.30pm, £15 incl.

Champagne Reception, 0870 787 1866, UK’s No 1 Tribute I Merry Hell Telfords Warehouse, Chester, 01244 390 090, Free before 9pm, £4 after. Northern based 7 piece ... blistering Folk!

I Tim Shaw, Jay Murray and The Shakers, Richard Batty The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 12pm till early evening, 0151 236 9091 I The Cave Dwellers plus support Tony Mac The Cavern Club, Mathew St, 8.30pm, £4, 0151 236 9091 I Ronny Hughes, Kappa, Tony Mac The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, live music from 2.30pm, 0152 236 9091 I Saturday With The Beatles ft. the Cavern Club Beatles The Cavern Live Lounge, Mathew St, 8.30pm, £12, 0151 236 9091, Beatles Tribute Show I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I Funk Dragons Olde Red Lion, Little Sutton, 0151 3392496

71 I The Essence Revolver Venue, 2 New Chester Road, Birkenhead I The Low Tones Stanley’s Cask, 8pm, 0151 6911093

Theatre & Dance I Life In Theatre Productions The Dome, Renshaw Street, 2.30pm (Matinee)/ 7.30pm, £15, fun, feelgood show jam-packed with Disco hits from the 70’s I Cinderella The Forum Studio Theatre, Chester, 1pm & 5pm, £8 Child/ £9/ £28 Family, Limited Availability, 01244 341296 I Peter Pan Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton, 2pm & 7pm, £14 £52, 0151 666 0000 I Scarlett’s Secret Snow Globe The Lantern Theatre, Blundell St, 8pm, £8, 0151 703 0000 A mysterious Christmas day story...

I Cinderella Liverpool Empire Theater, 2pm & 7pm, £10-£29.50, 0844 871 3017 I A Nightmare On Lime Street The Royal Court Theatre, see 1st for details I Cinderella Epstein Theatre, see 7th for details I Cinderella Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, 1pm & 5pm, £12.50-£19.50, 0844 871 3021 I Goldilocks and the Three Bears Southport Little Theatre, 5pm, £9.50, Tickets: Panto Box Office MoSat 11am-1.30pm, 01704 530521 I Cinderella St. Helens Theatre Royal, 10am/ 2pm/ 7pm, £9 - £46 , 01744 756 000 I Jack and The Beanstalk The Brindley, Runcorn, 1pm & 5pm, £11.50 Children/ £17.50 Adult/ £16.50 Concs, 0151 907 8360

Comedy I Silky plus Supports The Slaughter House, Fenwick St, 8pm, £17.50, 0151 227 5946 Side splitting night of madness.

I Ken Dodd - Happiness Show The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 7.30pm, £16/ £18/ £20/ £25, 0151 709 3789 I Chester Comedy Club Alexanders, Rufus Court, Chester, 01244 340005, £12, Headliner John Mann.

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border

Agency in London 2012 I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8 I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930

International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of daily life along the Niger Delta I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan I A Universal Archive - William Kentridge as Printmaker The Bluecoat, School Lane, 10am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, contemporary artist

I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm

I John Garstang and the Discovery of the Hittite World Victoria Gallery & Museum, see 1st for details

I The Games of Art The Black-E, 9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm) Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of ‘Artful Games’

I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday

I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911

I Judy Chicago: Voices From The Song of Songs The Black-E, MonFri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am4pm, 0151 709 5109, contemporary prints

I Paintings by Daniel Eltinger St George’s Hall, Dicken’s and Gladstone Gallery, 10am-4pm, 0151 225 6911 I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 10am-6pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366 I Advent in Art Rathbone Studio, Birkenhead, Wirral, 3-6pm, 0790 333 7995 I The Pirate Ship! World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393, the model made for the blockbuster ‘The Pirates!’

I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393 I Beryl Bainbridge, painter Museum of Liverpool, 10am5pm, unique collection of fifteen paintings I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi

Family I Sleeping Beauty Echo Arena, 2pm & 7pm, £8-£18, Family Tickets £47£55, 0844 8000 400

Other Events I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool I # Ice Festival - Ice Sculpture Gallery Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ ThuSat: 10am-9pm, £4 under 16/ £2.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience

SUNDAY 30TH Music I RLPO: A Tribute to Sinatra and Friends The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 2.30pm, £13/ £18/ £24/ £29/ £36, 0151 709 3789 I Tim Shaw, Madison, The Quangos, The Shakers The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 12pm, 0151 236 9091 I Ronny Hughes The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, 5.30pm, 0152 236 9091 I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I Apache Rose Olde Red Lion, Little Sutton, 0151 3392496 I The Martin Smith Quartet The Caledonia, 4pm, 07791 041 212

I David Knopov - a Night of Sinatra Jalons, Smithdown Road, 6pm, 0151 734 3984 I Inter City Blues Stanley’s Cask, 8pm, 0151 6911093

Theatre & Dance I Cinderella The Forum Studio Theatre, Chester, 1pm & 5pm, £8 Child/ £9/ £28 Family, Limited Availability, 01244 341296 I Scarlett’s Secret Snow Globe The Lantern Theatre, Blundell St, 8pm, £8, 0151 703 0000 A mysterious Christmas day story...

I Cinderella Liverpool Empire Theater, 1pm & 5pm, £10-£29.50, 0844 871 3017 I A Nightmare On Lime Street The Royal Court Theatre, see 1st for details I Cinderella Epstein Theatre, see 7th for details I Cinderella Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, 2pm, £12.50£19.50, 0844 871 3021 I Goldilocks and the Three Bears Southport Little Theatre, 2.30pm, £9.50, Tickets: Panto Box Office MoSat 11am-1.30pm, 01704 530521 I Cinderella St. Helens Theatre Royal, 1pm, £11 - £46 , 01744 756 000 I Jack and The Beanstalk The Brindley, Runcorn, 2pm, £11.50 Children/ £17.50 Adult/ £16.50 Concs, 0151 907 8360 I Peter Pan Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton, 2pm & 7pm, £14 £52, 0151 666 0000

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8 I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930 I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm I The Games of Art The Black-E, 9am-5pm (weekends 10am-4pm)

LOWDOWN DECEMBER

Exhibition presenting artworks created over the last 40 years of ‘Artful Games’ I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911 I Paintings by Daniel Eltinger St George’s Hall, Dicken’s and Gladstone Gallery, 10am-4pm, 0151 225 6911 I Macmillan Christmas Arts Festival Macmillan Art Centre, Southport, 11am-5pm & 7.30pm9.30pm I Elvis and Us Experience The Beatles Story Pier Head, 10am-6pm, £6 incl. Fab 4D, 0151 709 1963 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366 I The Pirate Ship! World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393, the model made for the blockbuster ‘The Pirates!’

I Ancient Egypt - World of Mummies Revealed World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393 I Beryl Bainbridge, painter Museum of Liverpool, 10am5pm, unique collection of fifteen paintings I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of daily life along the Niger Delta I White Gold: the true cost of cotton International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, the abuse of labour rights in the cotton industry, primarily in Uzbekistan I A Universal Archive - William Kentridge as Printmaker The Bluecoat, School Lane, 10am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, contemporary artist I The 43 Game: Invitation The Black-E, Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, open-submission of photographs celebrating the venue’s birthday I Judy Chicago: Voices From The Song of Songs The Black-E, MonFri: 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun: 10am-4pm, 0151 709 5109, contemporary prints

Family I Sleeping Beauty Echo Arena, 1pm & 5pm, £8-£18, Family Tickets £47£55, 0844 8000 400

Other Events I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool I # Ice Festival - Ice Sculpture Gallery Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ ThuSat: 10am-9pm, £4 under 16/ £2.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience

MONDAY 31ST Music I New Years Eve Party Studio 2, Parr Street, 0151 707 3727 I Hail Hail Rock ‘n’ Roll - The Hey Pedros Sound Food And Drink, Duke St, 7pm songs of Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, The Surfaris, Bill Haley and more, plus resident DJ Little Rachard I RLPO: New Year’S Eve Concert Swing into the New Year The Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, 7.30pm, £16/ £21/ £28/ £33/ £40, Limited Availability, 0151 709 3789 I Paul Jones, Jon Keats, The Two of Us (Tribute to Lennon & McCartney) The Cavern Club, Mathew St, live music from 2pm till early evening, 0151 236 9091 I New Years Eve with the Beatles The Cavern Club, Mathew St, 8pm, £20, 0151 236 9091 I Ian Prowse Monday Club The Cavern Pub, Mathew St, 8pm, 0152 236 9091 I The Jill Fielding Band Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport, 1pm, 01704 531756, Part of the Autumn programme of Mid-Week Music I New Years Eve Party - Collette & Quake Olde Red Lion, Little Sutton, 0151 3392496 I The Kronos Begins The Kazimier, 9pm, £25, 0151 324 1723 I New Years Eve All Nighter Revolver Venue, 2 New Chester Road, Birkenhead, live music from Kube & Free’d

Theatre & Dance I Cinderella Epstein Theatre, see 7th for details I Scarlett’s Secret Snow Globe The Lantern Theatre, Blundell St, 8pm, £8, 0151 703 0000 A mysterious

Christmas day story...

I Cinderella Liverpool Empire Theater, 1pm, £10-£29.50, 0844 871 3017 I Cinderella Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, 1pm, £12.50£19.50, 0844 871 3021 I Goldilocks and the Three Bears Southport Little Theatre, 2.30pm, £9.50, Tickets: Panto Box Office MoSat 11am-1.30pm, 01704 530521 I Cinderella St. Helens Theatre Royal, 10am, £9 - £38, 01744 756 000 I Jack and The Beanstalk The Brindley, Runcorn, 1pm, £11.50 Children/ £17.50 Adult/ £16.50 Concs, 0151 907 8360 I Peter Pan Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton, 2pm, £14 - £52, 0151 666 0000

Comedy I Hot Water Comedy Club NEW Years Eve The Holiday Inn, Lime Street, 0777211 2344, Doors 6pm, £38,New Year’s Eve Special with the UK circuits very best.

I The Ultimate Divas & Denny Waters The Green Room, 6.30pm, £35 incl. Champagne Reception & Sandwich Platter, 0870 787 1866

Arts I Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story Merseyside Maritime Museum 10am-5pm I A Sporting Celebration Merseyside Maritime Museum, 10am-5pm A small Olympic display exploring the role of the UK Border Agency in London 2012 I “Cognitive Dissonance” - Joanne Thompson dot-art Showroom, Queen Ave, 12-6pm, 0845 017 6660, interface between memory and experience I Toxteth 1981 International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm A community exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots in Liverpool 8 I An Age of Confidence: Photographs by Bedford Lemere & Co Sudley House, 10am-5pm Photographic exhibition featuring the work of the leading English firm of architectural photographers between 1870 and 1930 I DLA Piper Series: This is sculpture TATE, 10am-5.50pm I Face to face with the statues of the great hall The Great Hall, 10am-5pm, admission £1, 0151 225 6911 I Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change Tate

Liverpool, 10-5pm, £5, 0151 702 7400, modern & contemporary art I The Beatles Hidden Gallery The Beatles Story Pier Head, see 1st for details I Bodies Revealed fascinating real Liverpool ONE, Paradise Street, 10am-8pm, £11.55-£15.95, 0151 232 2366 I The Pirate Ship! World Museum Liverpool, 10am-5pm, 0151 478 4393, the model made for the blockbuster ‘The Pirates!’

I Beryl Bainbridge, painter Museum of Liverpool, 10am5pm, unique collection of fifteen paintings I John Moores Painting Prize 2012 Walker Art Gallery, 10am-5pm, UK’s biggest painting competition I Oil boom, Delta burns: photographs by George Osodi International Slavery Museum, 10am-5pm, explore the realities of daily life along the Niger Delta I A Universal Archive - William Kentridge as Printmaker The Bluecoat, School Lane, 10am-6pm, 0151 702 5324, contemporary artist

Family I Sleeping Beauty Echo Arena, 11am & 3pm, £8-£18, Family Tickets £47£55, 0844 8000 400

Other Events I Warehouse Of Horrors Telfords Warehouse, Chester, 01244 390 090, NEW YEARS EVE 2012, Tickets £16 advance, £20 Door subject to availability.

I Magical Mystery Tour Albert Dock, 2pm, £15,95, Tickets from www.cavernclub.org, 2h Tour of Beatles Liverpool I # Ice Festival - Ice Sculpture Gallery Liverpool ONE, Chavasse Park, Sun-Wed: 10am-8pm/ ThuSat: 10am-9pm, £4 under 16/ £2.50 adult/ free under 1, first ever urban ice experience

73

A CMP Virtually Pop Concert Promotion

Scan To Book!

at The Hanover Hotel

Every Monday - 7-30pm Raw Cutz Every Sunday - 7pm Jon Mac’s Karaoke

Every Saturday - 10pm Live Bands

Every Friday - 7.30pm 60's & 70's Retro Disco

December 2012 1st - Harlequin 8th - Joey Shields 15th - Rigsby’s Cat 22nd - Morocco www.hanover-hotel.co.uk

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LOWDOWN NOVEMBER

CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIED ADS 30P PER WORD, BOX & BOLD £5, COLOURED HIGHLIGHT £5 CONTACT: CLASSIFIEDS@THELOWDOWNMAGAZINE.COM SAVE THE CHILDREN

is calling for an immediate end to the conflict in Gaza and Israel as the number of child casualties mounts. As soon as it is safe to do so, our teams will distribute food parcels, water and shelter materials to families, and vital medicines to hospitals. Children are paying the highest price in this conflict. www.savethechildren.org.uk

Food & Drink SANTINO Authentic Italian cuisine now available at 449 Smithdown Road, Wavertree. 0151-733 3644 LUCHA LIBRE Mexican Street Food, 96 Wood St, Liverpool, 0151 329 0200 www.lucha-libre.co.uk/ FRATELLIS Genuine italian coffee shop. Find us upstairs in Metquarter.

Smooth Italian coffee and fresh italian dishes and snacks every day.

Nightlife BIER Newington Temple, Liverpool 60+ World Beers, Premium cask ales, Pieminster pies, Bier Unsigned @bier_bar STUDIO 2 33-45 Parr St, Liverpool.

Home of Parr Jazz. Regular music events and live performance space available for private functions. 0151 707 3727

Shopping CHRISTMAS FOOD FAYRE returns to the historic village of Port Sunlight this December 1st & 2nd, 2012 Saturday: 10am -5 pm Sunday: 10am - 4pm.

Health, Beauty & Wellness BLEACH Whether you want to feel good, look good or just be totally pampered. Bleach Hair and Spa has it all! Specialising in all aspects of ladies and gents hairdressing, beauty

treatments and spa facilities you can treat your mind body and soul. www.bleach-liverpool.co.uk

Music/Entertainment GUITAR TUITION Beginner to intermediate guitar tuition situated on the Wirral with many years of teaching experience.

Teachings in line with the Rock School examinations. Emphasis on music theory and practical playing.

07545830316 davidtully13@ googlemail.com CURLY MUSIC WANTS Cash Paid for Quality Used Instruments and Equipment. Large range of New & Used Guitars & Amps, Accessories, Effects, Drums & PA etc in Stock. 45, Ranelagh Street Liverpool, 0151 709 8383 - curly. music@btconnect.com.

PEARL JAMMER The world’s most authentic tribute to Pearl Jam appearing at The Lomax, Thurs 6th December www.pearljammer.co.uk PARLOUR FLAMES Incredible new collaboration between Bonehead (ex-Oasis) and Vinny Peculiar. Single/Album/ Tours coming soon. follow @ parlourflames sign up for mailing list at www.parlourflames.com KARMA KABARET Superb covers band. Weddings, Corporate, Special Events. Full entertainment packages available. Neil 07809 380639 www.karmakabaret.com ATTENTION ORIGINAL ARTISTS/BANDS/POETS The Ian Prowse Monday Club is at Cavern Pub 8-11pm every week (Mon - just in case...) No covers strictly original material.

PETE WADE & THE LIFEBLOOD BAND Debut album ‘Fired Up’ available on itunes and www.petewade.co.uk

PARRJAZZ is a night based in Studio 2 for the enjoyment of jazz music, we like to spread the umbrella of jazz far and wide!

There is a resident house band and weekly featured International special guests . The last set of each week is a jam so come and join the fun! www.parrjazz.co.uk VINYL EMPORIUM (Formerly Hairy Records) We still specialise in old and new vinyl, rock and roll memorabilia, as well as provide tickets for a variety of major music events in Liverpool and beyond.

The Music Consortium’s Vinyl Emporium is open Mon – Sat from 11:00 am-5:00 pm and Sun from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.

MOJOTOMMY OPEN MIC MojoTommy takes place every Thursday at 8:30pm in The Fulwood Arms, Aigburth Road. All Welcome.

Services FOREVER TRUE TATTOO 23 Cheapside, LIVERPOOL, England L2 2DY. Open 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday.

Telephone enquiries: 0151-255 1982 www.forevertruetattoo.co.uk BAILIFF BUSTERS Problems with bailiffs. Get in touch genuine help available www.bailiffbusters.co.uk WEDDING VIDEOS Professional hi-def videos. Weddings and special occasions. SuperDrive filmic quality and friendly service.

Dave 07756 805894 www. cinietta.com CORPORATE PHOTOGRAPHY maximise your business potential with a full set of new and up to date set of images for your website/social networking/adverts etc. Great rates starting from just £99. contact 07811 264733

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THE MUSIC CONSORTIUM PRESENTS

A celebration of the Music & Artistry of Kate Bush Friday 22nd February 2013 at the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool Hope Street, Liverpool L1 9BP | Tickets from ÂŁ19.50 Tickets are available from www.wow-theshow.com and www.liverpoolphil.com

THE FIRST FESTIVAL to bring you

FLORENCE & THE MACHINE, django django, pond, PALOMA FAITH, SBTRKT, jake bugg, JAMIE XX, BLACK LIPS, WHITE DENIM, the maccabees, the temper trap, the wombats, animal collective, holy f*ck, forest swords, by the sea, the sand band, animal outfit, Alt-J, Black Lips, Caribou, Cast, Chain and the Gang, Clinic, Deerhunter, Dinosaur Pile Up, Dutch Uncles, DZ Deathrays, Ed Sheeran, Emmy the Great, Enter Shikari, Eugene McGuinness, Florence and the Machine, Foals, Forest Swords, Frank Turner, F*cked Up, Ghost Poet, Gill Scott-Heron, Handsome Furs, James Vincent McMorrow, Kid British, Kurt Vile & the Violators, Laura Marling, Metronomy, Michael Kiwunka, Mystery Jets, Noah & the Whale, Paloma Faith, Pete and the Pirates, Pulled Apart By Horses, Sanitgold, Set Your Goals, Sheepdogs, Slow Club, Stealing Sheep, Steve Mason, The

3-day festival wristbands on sale at ÂŁ25 for a limited time only

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