National Museums Liverpool Blog - Dawn

Out and about this summer it's great to see so many local bands doing well.

At Leeds Festival I stumbled across MySpace friends The Maybes? jangling all over the place and I’m told that an instrumental version of their latest single is going to be used on Soccer Am. (Now I always thought that GK & The Renegades' 'It's Down To You' would be perfect for a cup competition or for Match of the Day. Remember, you heard it here first). 

Meanwhile former TBGO top ten contenders Major Major have reached the finals of Rockstar 08 with a chance to play Glastonbury next year. And of course, there’s been the glorious Mathew Street Festival and its fringe with our mates The Trestles, The White Widows, The Spectres … well, too many to mention.

This Sunday it's the Love Music Hate Racism's summer bash at The Picket with another corking line up of bands including 28 Costumes who you'll be able to hear in September's Top Ten. (If you are heading to The Picket then it's a good opportunity to bob into the International Slavery Museum on route).

You see! The beat really does go on. Even when you’re on holiday. 

The beat goes on and on and on ...

If you haven’t given August’s TBGO bands your vote yet, there’s still time … but only just, and to take part you need to visit the MySpace page. The poll will close at 11.59pm on 31st August and the winner will join the digital jukebox in The Beat Goes On exhibition at World Museum Liverpool. Who will it be?  

* The Majority * Whiskey Headshot * Tony Kehoe * Shane Beales * My Auntie Sam * The Spectres * Rob Gough * The White Widows * Jajuka * GK & The Renegades *

I’m afraid it’s that time of the month when we prepare to say goodbye to another The Beat Goes On top ten. So if you haven’t already voted for your favourite track now would be a good time. It’s been another fantastic competition and I’ll be really sad to see the tracks come down.

We’ve been weeping into our pillows with Ellewood and Letters In Red … rocking out with Major Major, The Crew and The Extroverts … chilling with Minion TV, Sensorites and FoE … and singing our hearts out to The Lapis and The Affection. Ah, such sweet memories.

We’ve had almost 4900 votes so far this month with Ellewood and The Crew seriously going for it - but the race is by no means over, so vote now! The poll will close at 11.59pm on 31st July.

Don’t forget you can already listen to June’s winner, Jessica’s Ghost, on the digital jukebox in The Beat Goes On exhibition at World Museum Liverpool.

We're cranking it up for the final run down of The Beat Goes On Top Ten. There's only a week left to vote for your favourite band in June's poll, so there's no time to lose.

The Howls are an awesome three-piece combo that crop up somewhere between The Strokes and Wolfmother. They will be shaking the walls of the Barfly on 4th July.

The Queen Tantrum track is deceptively chilled, but hang on in there –she can really let those vocals rip. The self-proclaimed first lady of Liverpool is a fusion of power and soul – like Chaka Khan meets Audioslave. Impressive stuff.  

If you're recovering from Download Fest and waiting for Leeds / Reading, then maybe Eighth Day Army can fill the gap. Kaleidoscopic swirly guitars build into a full on metal outburst à la Napalm Death or Megadeth. Bourgeois thrash.

Not much to report on Jewel Thief because they split up the day we launched the poll. But they certainly rocked. RIP Jewel Thief.

And that's it for June.

TBGO needs your vote: visit www.myspace.com/thebeatgoesonliverpool

Time to introduce the next few The Beat Goes On Top Ten tracks. Surely at least one of these Merseyside gems is worthy of your vote?

Strawhouses. Who lives in a house like this?  Peering through the keyhole you might possibly find Thom Yorke from Radiohead, very early U2 (like ‘Boy’ and ‘October’ era) or the reincarnation of Jeff Buckley. This is soaring, majestic, indie pop, like they used to make when I was a lass. But if you are too young to remember the good old days then Coldplay might be a safer comparison. You can catch them as part of Streetwaves festival.

Jessica’s Ghost brings a brooding, melodic ballad to the proceedings. Soulful vocals are underpinned by a sweeping cello and piano chords, but there is a folky edge to their overall sound. If these tuneful Corr-alikes are your thing, their TBGO track 'New Shoes' will be the B-Side to their single, ‘Breakdown’, to be released on iTunes on 5th July.

What can we say about The Trestles? This jangly, feelgood, leap-around-with-your-mates type of shenanigan is just the sort of thing you expect from a bunch of lovely Liverpool lads with guitars. God bless ‘em, everyone. I hear they will be playing Oxjam tomorrow (12 June) at 3345 Parr Street.

Have a listen – be amazed – don’t forget to VOTE!

Working on The Beat Goes On MySpace page has been an absolute joy for me, being someone who lives and breaths music – music of any kind, so long as it’s good. What a talented lot you are! Take a bow, Liverpool.

The good news is that inaugural Top Ten for The Beat Goes On is now online so you can share some of the fantastic music Liverpool has to offer, and vote for your favourite.  Yippee!

The winner each month will be added to the digital jukebox in the exhibition at World Museum Liverpool. Over the next week or so I'll give each artist or band a shout-out. Of course, these are purely my ramblings and TBGO will remain completely impartial.

First up is the refreshingly-talented Little Name whose gentle and breezy lounge-pop has a heart-warming summer melancholy about it. Think sunshiny Morrissey (possibly on a sun-lounger with a cocktail), sprinkled with a smidgen of Magic Numbers and Super Furry Animals. (Thanks for the blog, Leebo).

Still in the lounge vein, we welcome Walter Cheapskate, whose retro psychedelia is off-set by super-smiley Scouse rhymes – he’ll have you grooving all day long. I love this rather cheeky vid on XFM.

Finally, there’s the chirpy Joel Morton. His MySpace profile classifies his music as zouk – grime – shoegaze. Personally I’m getting The La’s or Lenny Kravitz’s Mr Cab Driver with a rockabilly lilt. With influences ranging from Elvis Costello to Napalm Death, it is probably best to make your own mind up – whatever it is, he makes it sound effortless.

Anyway – happy listening you lucky people – and don’t forget to vote!

(NB. Please remember these are just my humble opinons, not those of TBGO or National Museums Liverpool, and that we are not responsible for content on other people’s web pages / MySpace pages and / or their songs).

Michael Palin (copyright Basil Pao)

You’d think that Michael Palin  would have had enough of travelling, wouldn’t you? Well apparently not, because he has kindly trekked up north to open the Walker’s new transport-themed exhibition, ‘Art in the Age of Steam’. I can’t help being stoked at the prospect. Not only are his travels compulsive viewing, he’s an ex-Python.

He won’t be the only star in the gallery though, as the exhibition features pictures from the likes of Manet, Monet, Van Gogh and Hopper. I haven’t actually managed to see the finished article myself yet - so more about that later - but we’re getting a great response from those who have.

At Liverpool Cathedral’s craft fair this weekend, another star of the rail Frank Hornby will be in the spotlight. As well as model trains on display there will be a track where model enthusiasts are invited to try their own Hornby trains out. (Rather bizzarely, one of the office has just spotted French and Saunders hanging out there).

If all this transport talk has whet your appetite, there are lots of steamy activities about - as long as you’re willing to travel of course. There’s East Lancashire Railway,  Ullswater Steamers,  Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways , Snowdon Mountain, Ribble Steam Railway, Severn Valley Railway, and Middleton Railway, Leeds.  

As a special treat this Summer, you can also catch a steam train from Lime Street. 2008 is the 40th anniversary of the last ever scheduled steam train, which departed from Liverpool, so the Rail Touring Company will be running some special events.

Once you’ve run out of puff, come and relax in the exhibition. I hear it's first class.  

I haven’t posted for a while, mainly because I’ve busily working on the web pages for our forthcoming exhibition, Out of this World: The Art of Josh Kirby  before I go off on maternity leave. The pages aren’t ready yet – but in the spirit of the current Star Wars 30th anniversary celebrations I thought it would be good to share this spectacular artwork. Many of you will know Josh for his work on Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, but did you know that in 1983 he also created the original artwork for a ‘quad’ format poster for the British release of Return of the Jedi?

Return of the Jedi. Finished artwork for quad poster, 1983. Used with the permission of the Trustees of the Josh Kirby Estate.

Now I’m no expert, although like many of my generation, the Star Wars theme still brings a nostalgic tear to my eye. But I'm reliably informed that this particular image is pretty special, as it is one of very few that features the Royal Guards (red gowns, upper right), Boushh (masked, lower right) and Boba Fett (masked, firing weapon, far left). The poster was painted for Feref from an Eddie Paul design to promote the film in Britain.

Josh Kirby also has one or two other surprises up his sleeve (do the names Monty Python or Alfred Hitcock mean anything to you?) so don’t forget to check back  when the exhibition opens on 15 June or bob along to the Walker Art Gallery for a closer look.
 

Sir Paul McCartney is one of a number of celebrities to have submitted dog pictures and paintings to the Alive + Well Dog Project, to be auctioned in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital. The dogs have all been created using the same bizarre template – although they also have their own peculiarities.

According to one report, Paul’s contains ‘wings, breasts and an evil eye’. Personally I think the sketch looks remarkably like another local character –anyone else think it resembles a Liver Bird?

Other celebs that have been dabbling with the paint include Keith Allen  and Damien Hirst. The Celebrity Dog pictures can be seen until 7th Feb at The Hospital, Covent Garden. For more information visit www.thehospital.co.uk

For more on the art of Paul McCartney visit our archive exhibition web pages.

While David Beckham is making a splash in the US with his LA Galaxy ‘soccer’ antics, World Museum Liverpool has itself been subject to a bit of an American invasion.

Liverpool Centurions AFC is our local community American Football Club – and they’ve been down to LoveSport to give us a bit of taster.

Jon Askew and Andrew Morris show their tender sides

On their website, Centurions' chairman and fullback Jon Askew (pictured right) explains that, “Visitors to the display will get the chance try out at Flag Football, which is a great introduction to the sport”.

Apparently flag football is a non-contact version of the game - which is handy if you don’t fancy getting knocked over by this pair of bruisers. Joking aside, I am assured that the Centurions are a charming bunch of fellows who love their sport and want to spread the word about the game.

They’ll be back at World Museum Liverpool for another taster session on 24th January from 10am until 2pm. 

In the meantime, I am relishing the start of the rugby league season. Centurions of another variety, Leigh, are visiting Knowsley Road on Friday night for a friendly opener against the Saints. The match is also Sean Long’s testimonial and sees old team favourite’s Chris Joynt, Tommy Martyn and Paul Newlove back in the fold for the occasion. Can’t wait!

Only a month ago, Sylvester Stallone was present as items from
the Rocky movie series were donated to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington. I nearly blogged the event, dreaming about how wonderful it would be if ‘Rocky’ came to World Museum Liverpool. In my reverie, we were to invite him to preview the LoveSport exhibition, gets lots of lovely pictures of him training and shadow boxing and of course, insist that he re-enact his famous victorious run to the top of the steps. In the end I dismissed the blog post thinking I was probably straying just a bit too far into the realms of fantasy.

Today I wake up to the news that Sly has apparently been hanging around at Everton FC this weekend! If only he had known about the wonderful day out I had planned for him. Mr Stallone, if you’re still out there ...?

While I was browsing the Treasures of American History exhibition where the Rocky items can be seen, I also came across some amazing iconic items such as Dorothy’s ruby slippers and the Scarecrow costume from the Wizard of Oz, R2-D2 and C-3PO from Return of the Jedi, Kermit the Frog and Muhammad Ali’s  gloves to name but a few. Oh, and the hat that Abraham Lincoln was wearing when he was assassinated. I can't help being impressed.

I’ve been watching with interest as a story about the possibility of Ringo Starr’s former house possibly becoming part of the Museum of Liverpool has trotted around the globe and back again. It’s been reported in destinations as far away as Australia to Los Angeles. I’m always amazed by the pull of Beatles stories in the news which just seem to run and run.

I’m told that,

‘We are hopeful that we will be able to give a home to the childhood house of Ringo Starr. Negotiations are underway with all parties involved with the house and there are still many details to be worked out but it would make a fantastic feature in the Museum of Liverpool and would be hugely popular with visitors”.

If you want to know more about the development of Museum of Liverpool there's lots more on our main website.

I was slightly confused when I spotted the 24 Hour Museum trail
‘Celebrating 100 years of Peter Rabbit’, as the anniversary was actually a few years ago. Then I realised that it must has been dusted off and updated to coincide with the movie release, 'Miss Potter’ starring Hollywood starlet Reneé Zellweger and Ewan McGregor.

Poster for the movie Miss Potter featuring Reneé Zellweger

I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to highlight our own archive webpages
which were created to support a former exhibition, Beatrix Potter’s Garden. They provide a bit of a potted history (pardon the pun) of the lady herself.

The ever-popular author and illustrator is of course indelibly linked with the Lake District where she found much of the inspiration for her charming stories in the natural world. But it was in museums that Beatrix developed her observational and scientific talents, visiting the Natural History Museum and other institutions to examine specimens in closer detail. She was also a regular visitor to galleries and this influenced her development as an artist.

You can find out more about Beatrix Potter through the National Trust who are the custodians of several Potter properties.  If you want to find out more about the movie and the locations used for filming, you could  download this special ‘Movie Map’. Other useful links for Potter-heads include the official Peter Rabbit site and The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction.

I'm afraid that after the last two informative posts, I'm going to lower the tone somewhat. I've been looking for David Beckham fansites to tell them about the Sam Taylor-Wood portrait on display at the Walker when I came across this David Beckham dressing-up dolly.

I expect it is supposed to be for children but couldn't resist sharing it with you - not least because you can also dress up a whole load of other celebrities from Johnny Depp to Paris Hilton. I have to admit though, I was very disappointed with Bjork's wardrobe selection - not a patch on the real thing.

You can also make a dressing up doll of yourself called a MeDoll but they don't have any ample dollies, only skinny minnies. Mine came out looking like Carmen Electra. How I love the web.

If you are working, living or playing in Liverpool, you just can’t get away from the Beatles. And nor should you want to.

This morning comes the news the Fabs are finally going to get Royal Mail's stamp of approval. They will be celebrated with a New Year series of stamps featuring their album covers. These would make great addition to this 1980s reissue set of stamps featuring mug shots of the boys – a duplicate of a 1964 collectors' edition. You can view these and a ridiculous variety of other Beatles memorabilia in our online exhibition. You may remember Sam writing about this charming set of Beatles Russian dolls during the August festival.

Other ‘Beatle news of the day’ is the proposed recreation of the church fete where John Lennon and Paul McCartney met on July 6, 1957
The 50th anniversary of the event is to be marked with a service of celebration at St Peter’s Church in Woolton – although the details are still a bit sketchy.

Paul and John were introduced by a mutual friend at the church fete. Later that day John performed with his skiffle band The Quarrymen at the church hall and Paul watched from the sidelines. We were lucky enough acquire that very stage when it was gifted by the Parochial Church Council of St Peter's Church. It is likely to form a key exhibition in the new Museum of Liverpool when it opens.

As far as I'm concerned, you can't beat the Beatles. However, Queen, Oasis, Take That and The Rolling Stones are all in the running to do just that in the Great British Battle of the Bands poll running on Radio 2.The results will be broadcast on New Years' Day.

And if you're not all Beatled out after all that, you can still check out our Beatles Games.

Update: The result of the Great British Battle of the Bands is in. Apparently Queen are the nation's favourite band with the Beatles edged into second place. The Rolling Stones came third, followed by Oasis and Take That. If you want to follow the arguments, logic and voting that resulted in this dramtic outcome, you can listen to the show online

I can’t help thinking that superhero Sportacus from the BAFTA-winning children’s programme LazyTown would be impressed with our LoveSport exhibition at World Museum Liverpool. The exhibition concentrates on encouraging visitors – especially children – to get active and it educates them about the benefits of sport for health.

LazyTown’s Sportacus – who was created and is played by Icelandic gymnast Magnús Scheving – goes one better. Not only is he credited with reducing the obesity levels of children in Iceland, but he has done it without ever mentioning exercise! The idea is that children find Sportacus' heroic flipping and darting around LazyTown so compelling that they decide to follow their role model on the road to fitness. Meanwhile, baddie Robbie Rotten (or is that Rotten Robbie?) is stuffing his face with goodies such as cream cakes.

Sportacus is a total hit with the children, but is also proving popular with the mummies who can’t help but admire the guy’s impeccable physique and mind-boggling agility.

If you haven’t heard about LazyTown before, you soon will. The theme tune ‘Bing Bang’  is in the race for Christmas number one single … and it’s just a teenie-weenie bit annoying. Where’s the superhero that wipes out tacky chart music when you need it?

Congratulations to LoveSport supporters St Helens Rugby League FC on a further two prestigious accolades. It has been announced that Paul Wellens has won ‘Rugby Player of the Year’, while Daniel Anderson scooped Coach of the Year at the BBC North West Sport Awards 2006.

You may remember that Saints’ loveable mascot Saint Bernard was on hand a few ago for the launch of LoveSport exhibition at World Museum Liverpool. The treble-winning side have had something of a dream season. They were crowned Super League Champions earlier in the year, as well as taking the League Leaders’ Shield and the Powergen Challenge Cup.

Paul Wellens has already been named Man of Steel, Players’ Player of the Year and Rugby League Writers’ Player of the Year, as well as taking the Harry Sunderland Trophy for his performance in this year’s Grand Final.  Earlier in the year Daniel Anderson was named Super League’s Coach of the Year, James Graham was crowned Young Player of the Year, while Sean Long took the Lance Todd Trophy in the Challenge Cup Final.

Given the evidence, you probably won’t be surprised to hear that the super Saints are also in the running for Team of the Year which will be announced at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony at Birmingham NEC on Sunday.

I am though. The only other rugby league team ever to have won the Team of the Year is Wigan RLFC’s 1994 side. Rugby league often struggles to get the attention it deserves in the media as it mistakenly dismissed as a ‘Northern’ sport for men with flat caps and whippets. In actual fact, rugby league is a great spectacle and a wonderful family game where you’ll find everyone from grandma to the youngest of youngsters screaming for their beloved team.

My fingers (and toes) are all crossed for the boys and I managed to get my text vote in before the deadline. Strangely enough, so did my Wigan-season-ticket-holding-husband - because victory for St Helens will be a much-needed boost for the game of rugby league and put this wonderfully entertaining sport in the spotlight.

St Helens are up against the European Ryder Cup Team and Sussex Cricket Team. While we're here, best of luck to Manchester boxer Ricky Hatton and Cheshire gymnast Beth Tweddle who will be competing for Sports Personality of the Year on Sunday.

The BBC North West Sports Personality of the Year show can be seen tonight Wednesday 6th December at 7pm on BBC 1.

Update: I don't believe it! They actually won. Read about it here. Well done lads. And another win for Daniel Anderson for Coach of the Year too!

You don't have to be looking for love to come to Café Eros

In the past we’ve hosted a number of ‘In The City’ events for singletons on the look out for love or just a jolly night out with good company.

This Sunday we’re extending the offer so that anyone who fancies meeting new friends and tucking into a bit of delicious food can come along, whether or not they’re already attached. Ironically Sunday’s social brunch is taking place in Café Eros at the National Conservation Centre, so we can’t be held responsible if cupid decides to loose a few arrows.

The date for your diary is this Sunday 26 November from 12.30pm-3pm. The brunch costs £5 including entry into a prize draw. Pre-booking is essential.

Sunday will also be the last chance to see Cape Farewell (which includes the skeleton of a minke whale) as the Biennial finally draws to a close. If you haven’t already trawled the streets of Liverpool to see what’s on offer I suggest you get a move on!

Update 23/11/06: sorry, slight correction. Cape Farewell at the National Conservation Centre DOESN'T finish this weekend - it's on until 28 January 2007. However, the Cape Farewell exhibits at the Walker Art Gallery do finish this weekend, so pop over once you're brunched up.

You may remember that during Architecture Week in June Sam wrote about the incredible Lutyens' model which is to go on display in our exhibition ‘The Cathedral That Never Was’.  Sir Edwin Lutyens' model of his magnificent design for a Catholic Cathedral is to go on show at the Walker Art Gallery. Construction on the actual building started in 1933 but only the crypt was built. The outbreak of the Second World War and the resulting lack of funds put a stop to it.

The Lutyen's model on show at the Royal Academy exhibition in 1934.

The National Conservation Centre has taken 13 years to conserve the giant model and this will be the first opportunity to see the breathtaking interior fully-restored.

There are plans to show photographs and memorabilia but there is one key item that we are trying to trace. Keeper Julian Treuherz wants to display one of the tin collecting boxes used to raise money for the Cathedral Building Fund. You can see one of these in the Metropolitan Cathedral crypt – but we would like an additional one to accompany our exhibition.

If you have a collecting box, or any other artefact connected with the Lutyens' Cathedral, Julian would love to hear from you. His colleagues working on the new Museum of Liverpool are also collecting memories and stories about the Cathedral, including the laying of the Foundation Stone and the building of the crypt. If you can help, please contact Julian Treuherz at the Walker Art Gallery, William Brown Street, Liverpool, L3 8EL.

You can find out more about the exhibition in our advance news release.

Today is the 99th anniversary of the liner Mauretania's maiden voyage from Liverpool. On 16 November 1907 she sailed from Liverpool for New York, arriving safely on 22 November.

Above is a picture of the Mauretania (II) from the Stewart Bale archive. You can find out more in the Revelation database at National Conservation Centre's Reveal gallery or online.

On Merseyside Maritime Museum's collection pages you can also view the Mauretania in a painting by Burnett Poole. She is depicted in dazzle paint - a camouflage technique used by the Royal Navy during the First World War.

Of course the Mauretania’s sister ship was not so lucky. The Lusitania was torpedoed by a U-boat during the conflict with the loss of 1,198 lives including 291 women and 94 children. You can find out more about the Titanic and Lusitania in our collections highlights feature.

Update 5/12/06: An eagle-eyed blog reader spotted that this particular picture is actually of Mauretania (II) and not the Mauretania as originally stated. Sorry about that!

Simone Martini's Christ Discovered In The Temple can't fail to impress

I think that many people have experienced an ‘emperor’s new clothes’ moment when faced with certain elements of contemporary art. 

But even some of the world’s most renowned paintings fail to resonate with armchair critic, Peter Bennett from Wallasey. He compares Van Gogh to primary school work, calls Dali ‘bonkers’ and the Mona Lisa a ‘tired, frustrated woman’.

He is impressed, however, by the Walker Art Gallery’s marvellous Simone Martini painting, Christ Discovered In The Temple. It’s wonderful to know that even the harshest of critics can find something they love when they visit the Walker.  I guess some paintings just speak for themselves.

18^th century painter and social satirist William Hogarth is portrayed by Toby Jones in tonight’s Channel 4 drama ‘A Harlot’s Progress’.

The one-off production examines Hogarth’s relationship with prostitute Mary Collins. Hogarth famously lifted the lid on the Georgian vice scene and depicted a grittier side of 18^th century life.

Hogarth moved in theatrical circles and sought out the colourful side of Georgian England

Hogarth’s theatrical portrait of actor David Garrick as Richard III can be seen in the 18^th century gallery at the Walker. A Harlot’s Progress is broadcast tonight on Channel 4 at 9pm.  

• Explore the Walker’s 18^th century gallery
• View more of Hogarth's paintings
• Read more about Hogarth
• Explore David Garrick as Richard III in the Portrait Detectives interactive

Happy Samhain!

If you are recovering from yesterday’s Halloween revels then you have the pagan festival of Samhain to thank. Samhain, which means ‘summer’s end’, predates the Christian All Saints’ Day or Hallowmas – hence Halloween or All Hallows' Eve.

Apparently, Samhain historically marks the first day of winter in the country calendar. At this time shepherds would bring their herds down from the hillsides and give them shelter in stables. (Someone must have forgotten to tend to these sheep which can usually be found at the Lady Lever Art Gallery).

Brrr....it's chilly in here! Dan Hays' less than cosy hamster cage painting, Harmony In Green, 1997.

No coincidence then, that following last night’s chilly temperatures I was forced to bring my hamster in from the unheated conservatory and bring him into the cosier kitchen. Of course I was very careful not to put him too near the radiator because small pets don’t like sudden changes in temperature. 

Ironically, Dan Hays' Harmony In Green painting (shown above) is described as an attempt to make a hamster cage look like a desriable place to live. Can't say I fancy it myself.

Thinking ahead to bonfire weekend – BBC Radio 3, and BBC Radio Merseyside’s Free Thinking Festival is kicking off with an electric programme of stimulating debate, innovative lectures, thought and ideas.

Our Chairman, Loyd Grossman, will be hosting a special debate entitled, ‘It's not where you've come from, but where you're going that matters’. The debate will focus on our national obsession with the past – from family trees to apologising for historical calamities. Loyd’s guests include novelist Howard Jacobson, historian Joanna Bourke, Professor of Innovation James Woudhuysen and writer Kenan Malik.

The event takes place on Saturday 4th November at the Walker Art Gallery from 7.30pm – and tickets are free. To be a part of the audience for this exciting evening call 08700 100 300 or collect tickets in person from FACT on Wood Street.

This is just one of many events taking place as part of the BBC’s Free Thinking weekend in Liverpool, where other guests include Brian Eno, AS Byatt, Jude Kelly, Linda Grant and Carl Djerassi to name but a few. You can find a full timetable at the Free Thinking website.

If you missed the Top of the Pops broadcast of Oasis' new video, 'The Masterplan' on Saturday night you can still see this remarkable animated feature online at MSN (scroll down for the link). The video, released to promote their new greatest hits album, is a bit of a tribute to fellow Mancunian LS Lowry.

The band are depicted in Lowry-esque 'matchstick' style going about their business, including playing a gig and walking to a Man City vs Newcastle football match.

There's also a subtle 'hats off' to the Beatles with the lads swaggering across a zebra crossing Abbey Road style. They later return to their matching terrace-houses, just like in the movie 'Help!'.

I can't say that I'm the biggest Oasis fan in the world - but this video is just compelling -and the tune's not bad either.

To my shame I admit I have never been to Hope Street Festival, which this year takes place on Sunday 17 Sept. Reading the run down it's really hard not to be impressed. It's a free festival - and it's all in one street.

Mmmm.....food. Liverpool Real Ale Festival. Massage. Cartoons at the Phil. Jigs and reels. Jewellery. Trinkets to buy. Farmers' market. Mexican BBQ. That's me sold. See you Sunday - 11am till 5pm.  

Liverpool Echo has today printed a handy Liverpool Biennial map showing all of the venues where the action will be taking place. If you missed picking up a copy at the shops you can print off a copy the map instead. (NB the map is a pdf. file).

The map is very basic, so the Biennial site is probably the best place to check out the full details of events - but  this is a quick way to plan your route about town.

This morning I took my daughter along to the Walker Art Gallery for the Monday morning 'carer and toddler' session in the Big Art gallery. Keeping a rabble of under 4s entertained is no mean feat - but the great thing is that it is completely informal, so you don't need to worry if your child gets fidgety.

On arrival, we were greeted by a member of staff who directed us to the paper and chalks. Then we gathered into a group for a stories and rhymes with the facilitator Ros who used puppets and 'lift the flap' books to engage the children.  

Getting stuck into books in Big Art

Some of the children were really attentive while others wandered around and explored the many toys and activities available on the gallery. Helpfully, Ros had already pointed out that it doesn't matter what the children are doing, as long as they are enjoying themselves. There's no pressure to make your child sit down and listen - which is a real blessing for all the parents and carers. Eva spent an eventful hour dressing up the magnetic dolls, colouring-in, playing with coloured dough and generally having fun!

Dressing up the magnetic dollies

And at the end of the hour there are free refreshments - tea / coffee / juice and (really quite spectacular) biscuits - in the Walker's cafe.

This session is being repeated on Moday 18th and 25th of September from 10.00am until 11.15am. You'll need to book your free place in advance  - call 0151 478 4178 for further details.

There’s a lunar eclipse this evening and according to Jonathan Cainer 
(who happens to be an astrologer, not an astronomer) you should be able to see it at around 7.50pm if you’re in the UK. Although in astronomical terms it is only a ‘rather small partial eclipse’ (NASA), in astrological terms it carries more significance. This is because the full moon coincides with a ‘lunar standstill’ which only occurs every 18.6 years.

One of the best places to watch the eclipse will be the ancient stone circle of Calanais  on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland which is thought by some to mark significant events in the lunar cycle.

The pelican in this portrait represents sacrifice - but is the Virgin Queen hiding something?

Keeping with the astrology theme, it is Queen Elizabeth I’s birthday today which means she was a Virgo. Very apt, given that she was the ‘Virgin Queen’ – or so I thought – but apparently I am mistaken.

The goddess Ceres that governs Virgo is not a symbol of celibacy, but one of abundance. And the reputation of Virgos as prim comes more from their fastidiousness and orderliness rather than their chastity.

Perhaps this explains the ongoing debate over Elizabeth’s love life and her dalliances with the Earl of Leicester, Robert Dudley.  Some researchers even go so far as to propose that Elizabeth actually had a child with her suitor.

• Calanais on flickr
• Lunar eclipses on flickr
• More about Virgos

The Artfinder's Gallery opens tonight from 3.30pm until 9pm. The first show is going to be original prints from 'Godfather of Pop Art' and John Moores 24 jury member, Sir Peter Blake. And apparently, you get a lollipop if you mention the Artfinder's blog - which has to be a good thing.

It's the last day of August and the holiday season is officially over. But don't get all gloomy - there's lots you can do the brighten the looming autumnal months.

The Guardian have put together a handy Top 50 of the best things to do during the season, hightlighting the John Moores 24 exhibition under  Liverpool Biennial. It reads:

"Tate Liverpool and other venues in the city combine to offer a variety of contemporary art from around the world. The Albert Dock is not the Arsenale but the heat won't be as killing as at the Venice Biennale. The John Moores painting prize at the Walker Art Gallery and new contemporaries add to the fun."

John Moores 24 exhibition of contemporary painting opens on 16 September. You can also see Insyde and Cape Farewell as part of Liverpool Biennial.

• The Guardian's 50 must-sees for this Autumn

As I look out of the window at the torrential rain, I can't help thinking that the organisers of Southport Flower Show may have had a premonition. Apparently this year's theme is water - and if this weather continues throughout the weekend, then water there certainly shall be!

Perhaps they were tipped off by celebrity astrologer Russell Grant, who officially launches the flower show's 'ladies day' tomorrow.  

Southport Flower Show has picked a water theme for 2006

Luckily there are masses of marquees and undercover areas as well as the show gardens, so there's no chance of it being a washout. 

National Museums Liverpool's smiley marketing officers will be bringing their own particular brand of sunshine to the event, by giving out information on all of our current happenings. 

Budding horticulturists (sorry - bad joke) can find out more about World Museum Liverpool's botanical collections on our website. 

• Southport Flower Show
• National Wildflower Centre

Those trekking to Hinkley for this weekend's Discworld Convention will be interested in plans for a major retrospective of Josh Kirby's artwork at the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, next year.

Josh Kirby studied at Liverpool Art School in the 1940s and is best known for designing the book covers for Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. The exhibition, planned for Summer 2007, will include around 150 works spanning his career. It will include original works, studies, sketches, magazines, film posters and book covers. I'm told it will encompass all sorts of weird worlds, marvellous maidens and fantastical, magical creatures - but it won't be restricted to just Discworld material, so watch this space. 

Kirby also designed the film poster for Return of the Jedi and one for Monty Python's Life of Brian (possibly inspired by Bruegel's Tower of Babel). Coincidentally, while looking for Kirby links on the Python's Daily Llama I stumbled upon the Silly Walks Generator. Not strictly connected of course - but far too silly to keep to myself. 

Time is ticking by if you want to take part in 'Digital Show' - an online exhibition of international digital art, which is part of the Independants strand of this year's Liverpool Biennial.

www.digitalshow.co.uk is a new website created by our friends at Art in Liverpool. They are looking for "exciting, interesting painting and drawing" created using computer software. The theme of fun because, in their words, "we like fun, its our favourite thing".

Full details can be found on the website. The deadline for entries is 31August 2006 - so you've got three weeks.

Today is Playday 2006 (who decides these things?). 

It coincides with Liverpool Chldren's Festival and judging by the PA I can hear booming down William Brown Street, there's going to be lots for children to do throughout the day. But why should the kids have all the fun?

Guy Cheeseman invites you to play the ever popular Pick Of the 'Pool

I can't think of a better reason for a bit of frivolous online gaming, so I thought I'd dust off our resident Pick of the 'Pool compare Guy Cheeseman and create a list of activities for your gaming pleasure. 

Have fun!

• Shipwrecked - Survival game
• Pick of the 'Pool
• Conker Collectables
• Agents of Deterioration
• Fish Olympics
• Beatles Games
• Portrait Detectives

Apparently today is National Yorkshire Day.

This reminded me - on a recent web team outing to Tate Liverpool to see the Bruce Nauman exhibition we also stumbled across the collection display, Henry Moore: Natural Form, which I thought was quite beautfiul. Must go back and spend some more time there. Visitors to the Tate might also want to take a trip to the Walker Art Gallery, to see Moore's sculpture, Falling Warrior. (NB. Actually I've just found out that it's currently at Fundacio "la Caixa", Barcelona and won't be back at the Walker until November - so you might want to wait until then!)

I can't let the moment pass without  congratulating rugby league team Huddersfield Giants who beat fellow Yorkshire heavyweights Leeds Rhinos this weekend in the Challenge Cup semi-finals. They will be joining Merseyside's very own St Helens in the final at Twickenham in August.  (You can recognise Saints by the Capital of Culture logo on their shorts).

Other favourite Yorkshire things (Sean Bean aside) include Leeds Armouries, West Yorkshire Playhouse and the Brontes' Haworth.

Falling Warrior ... or could it be a Leeds player overcome by a Huddersfield tackle?

Yesterday's live link up from the Treasure House Theatre in World Museum Liverpool was a real treat. We were given a special behind-the-scenes look at some of the interesting objects housed inside the National Archive at Kew. The archive has 100 miles of shelving carrying 10 million documents from the past 1000 years of history. These included documents signed by Henry VIII, and his Royal Seal. 

Another grisley piece of history in Kew's archives is Guy Fawkes' signed gunpowder plot confession. The barely-there scrawl reveals the torture he endured before he finally signed, incuding the use of thumb screws.

If you like this particular breed of horrible history, then Terry Deary's Terrible Tudors at the Liverpool Empire is worth a look, if only for the 3D Boggle Goggles you wear in the second half. Personally I'm a bit of a fan of Henry so it goes against the grain to call him terrible. Having said that, I'm Tudor re-enactor who spends as much time as I can muster at Kentwell Hall in Suffolk so perhaps I'm biased. 

Huzzah for Good King Hal!

Water coolers across the country have been in great demand this week as we guzzle our way through the heatwave. But our discomfort pales into insignificance when it is compared with those whose survival depends on attaining a supply of fresh water. 

A brilliant partnership between cooler company AquAid and Christian Aid means that 30 pence from every bottle of water sold goes directly to water-related project in Africa. Since it began in 1998 it has raised £1.6 million.

Today AquAid director David Phillips bobbed along to the World Cultures Gallery in World Museum Liverpool to present us with a certificate for our small part. He said, "National Museums Liverpool have saved the lives of hundreds of people and for this we congratulate them."

June McDonough from Office Services received the certificate and was quite rightly thrilled to bits. She said "It's great to think that through this scheme we are helping others to drink fresh water and doing our bit to make a difference".

Well said!

Faithful Unto Death by Poynter

Pictures of the erupting Mt Merapi in Indonesia are simultaneously  beautiful and terrifying. Villagers from the surrounding areas are fleeing as the powerful volcano spews out huge gas clouds. Others, mindful of their crops and livestock, are refusing to leave, despite the imminent danger.

This steadfastness put me in mind of Poynter's wonderful 'Faithful Unto Death' which can be viewed in the Walker Art Gallery. The painting depicts a Roman soldier standing guard at Pompeii despite the molten lava and hot ash of Vesuvius rapidly closing in.

Perhaps such actions are foolish but they are also courageous and awe-inspiring. And despite the potential for tragedy, it strangely reassuring that such acts of bravery are not confined to classical history books.

When I heard about tonight's 'Creatures of the Night' talk, I did a double take. Is that goths or moths that visitors to Port Sunlight will be tracking with the latest trapping techniques? You never know with goth-supergroup Sisters of Mercy playing tonight in neighbouring Manchester ....  let's hope that the thunder and lightening hasn't frightened them off. The moths that is.

Tomorrow fellow creatures of the night, bats, will be in the spotlight. Unfortuantely the tickets have already been snapped up. For more on these marvellous nocturnal wonders vist The Bat Conservation Trust, www.bats.org.uk

Ever fallen in love in an art gallery? As part of Museums & Galleries Month, the 24 hour museum are undertaking a survey to find the country's most romantic gallery or museum.

I can certainly vouch for the Walker Art Gallery.

At the impressionable age of sixteen, my former beau - suited and booted - met me on the 360 bus from Wigan and brought me to Liverpool for one of the most memorable days of my life. In the wonderful, elegant surroundings of the Walker, I realised I was hooked.

Sadly, the relationship never lasted. But I loved the gallery so much that I got a job in the cloakroom!

Yesterday was St George's Day. (It was also St Adalbert's day, but not a lot of people know that).

Culture Online’s Icons  project has just announced that the St George’s Flag had made it on to the ‘official icons’ list as nominated by the public. But for many the St George’s flag is more likely to conjure up visions of World Cup fever than a gallant knave rescuing a damsel in distress.

This got me thinking about the nature of Englishness and how the Icons project is aiming to reflect a true and diverse picture of English life, rather than tired old clichés.  The first round of icons featured  Holbein’s portrait of Henry VIII, as well as stereotypical candidates like the cup of tea and the Routemaster bus.

Now's the time to make a difference. There are people voting furiously for everything from Basil Brush to the Battle of Agincourt. Liverpool's waterfront is up there, along with the garden shed, morris dancing, real ale, queuing, salad cream, football and (oddly enough) the film ‘Four Weddings & A Funeral’.

Is this what England means to you? Add your own nominations and get voting!

The next set of official English icons will be announced on 28 April.

Finding himself in the company of journalists, photographers, film crews, artists and celebrities is all in a day's work for senior press officer, Stephen Guy. But just recently, Stephen has been enjoying a share of the limelight himself.

Stephen's unique perspective on life - evolved through years as a cutting-edge news reporter - makes him the ideal candidate to mull over the morning papers on Radio Merseyside's Breakfast show. He also writes the intriguing 'Maritime Tales' for Saturday's Liverpool Echo.

However, it is his voluntary roles within the community that have catapulted him into the media spotlight of late. As Chairman of the West Derby Society, Stephen has played a key role in securing funds for his beloved 'Lowlands' - dubbed Britain's most beautiful community centre, and home to the West Derby Community Association since 1957.

Stephen is also on the management committee of the Friends of Croxteth Hall & Country Park, where one of his roles in running the bar for Friends' events. He hastens to add that the behind-the-bar activities haven't got him into the news yet!

Mars, the mythological god of war is actually sporting a child-like smile. Europe's Mars Express spacecraft has captured a charming picture of 'Crater Galle', which resembles two eyes and a smiley mouth drawn in a sandpit. Not quite as Orson Welles envisaged when he wrote ‘War of the Worlds’.

One the other hand, the Venus express probe has just gone into orbit around the 'love' planet in a bid to get up close and personal. Let’s hope our neighbour isn’t lying in ambush!

Find out more about Mars in our regular event,  ‘A Tale of Two Planets’ at the Planetarium of World Museum Liverpool.

 Edward Burne-Jones' drawing of Venus, goddess of love, is part of the Lady Lever Art Gallery’s Pre-Raphaelite Drawings exhibition. The beautiful sculpture, The Tinted Venus by John Gibson can be viewed in the Walker Art Gallery.

We were saddened to hear yesterday of the death of Mr Peter McGovern, who wrote the world-famous folk song, 'In My Liverpool Home'. Mr McGovern was a regular visitor the Walker Art Gallery and has helped the learning section with workshops in the past. He was immensely proud of his city and wrote the song as a tribute. He was also an old friend of my grandad's - and from what I hear he was a jolly nice man.

Derek shows exhibition officer Justina his Celebrity Silk

Everyone's getting sporty at National Museums Liverpool. While one half the office is entering the forthcoming 'Race for Life', and the other half is getting ready for Ladies' Day at Aintree! 

If you are in Liverpool for this weekend’s Grand National you might want to bob along to the Walker Art Gallery to see 'George Stubbs: A Celebration'. Stubbs is the city’s greatest artist and specialises in exquisite paintings of horses.

Armchair spectators will be pleased to hear that the web team have put together an online exhibition of sporting ephemera from across the collections - so you can join in without even leaving the house. This is the only place you can see the items all together - some of which are in storage.

For those who prefer to get out and about, 'Celebrity Silks' opens at World Museum Liverpool on Friday 7 April. Celebrities have designed their own jockey silks including household names like chef Gordon Ramsay, cricketer Andrew Flintoff and Top Gear presenter, Jeremy Clarkson. Infact, clairvoyant and psychic Derek Acorah, who has contributed his own spooky design, has been along today for press launch. I wonder if he can give me any tips on the Grand National?