Culture Diary w/c 12-11-12
Tuesday - Happy, Happy 6pm @ FACT
Directed by Anne Sewitsky, this 2010 Norwegian film, while dressed as (an at times surreal) farce, takes a good look at the lies we tell ourselves to get through the days and ‘make do’ with what we’ve got. But when Kaja, married to a man no longer interested in her, opens her eyes to reality, there are different problems to be dealt with. Needless to say, the film’s title only tells half the story.
Wednesday - The Liverpool SF Book Club 7pm @ Percy Gulliver’s Printshop
Genre-fiction. Said in a certain tone of voice, it has all kinds of negative connotations, but when somebody mentions an author like Philip K. Dick, you know you’re in good, at least interesting, company. Fitting then that up for discussion in the inaugural Liverpool SF Book Club is PKD’s 1956 post-apocalyptic set novel, The World Jones Made.
Mystery Jets 8pm @ The Kazimier £14
Rocking a combination of just the right amount of youthful exuberance and songs crammed with the hookiest of hooks, Mystery Jets have been recording since their school days. Originally from Eel Pie Island, they emerged from their Texas bolt hole earlier this year with fifth long player – a concept album at that – Radlands. Their second recorded with Rough Trade (following 2010′s Seratonin), Radlands retains a sense of self despite a distinct flavour of their new surroundings.
Thursday – Shabazz Palaces 8pm @ The Kazimier £10
The first hip-hop act to be signed to Sub-Pop, Seattle-based hip-hop collective Shabazz Palaces found themselves courting a lot of hype with last year’s Black Up album. Variously described as experimental, post-modern and pioneering, all you really need to know about Shabazz Palaces is that the music they make is infectious and brilliant.
Friday – Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change @ Tate Liverpool £5
Tate’s Head of Exhibitions and Displays, Gavin Delahunty, is passionate about drawing, and it shows in their current programming. With a wide display of draughsmanship from Sara Barker, Leon Golub, Jasper Johns, Julie Mehretu, Matthew Monahan, Richard Tuttle and Hannah Wilke, the artworks reflect ideas around the human body and the inner self.
Esco Williams single Launch Party/GIT Award 2013 Launch 7pm @ The Grey Space
“The Git [Peter Guy's Getintothis] Awards - what a blast. A great way for a city bursting with talent to show off its wares and make sure it holds its crown as the most innovative, exciting and original musical conglomeration in the UK.” So said the Guardian’s Alexandra Topping of the inaugural ‘Liverpool Mercury’ earlier this year. This weekend sees 2013′s launch alongside the single launch of MOBO winner (and 2012 GIT nominee) Esco Williams.
Saturday – Hookworms 8pm @ Drop The Dumbells £4
Hookworms have recently been coming in for heaps of (interestingly put) praise from Julian Cope. Caling their debut EP: “an epic 26 minutes of sub-Zabriskie Point ambient road-movie heat haze-on-the-road sonic wipeout of the post-Loop variety”, you’d think he made no sense. Until you actually give the band a listen. Shoegaze (newgaze?) with psychedelia infused overtones, Hookworms demand attention, and with support from – amongst others – Trouble With Books, this is quite possibly the gig of the week.
Sunday – Frenzy 6pm @ FACT
The penultimate film of Alfred Hitchcock’s long and glittering career in features, Frenzy – at least on first viewing – doesn’t seem to sit comfortably with or compliment his more famous and revered movies. Subsequent viewings prove it to be, if not in the same league as the likes of North by Northwest or Rear Window, at the very least a grisly and visceral delight.
Biennial Picks
Saturday – Anthony McCall Talk 2-3pm @ Tate Liverpool £5, booking required
To celebrate new Tate exhibition Tracing the Century: Drawing as a Catalyst for Change, British born, New York based installation artist Anthony McCall talks about his work, which lies somewhere between sculpture, cinema, drawing and performance. An opportunity to hear more about his Biennial commission, ‘Column’ (pictured) which is still being tested and installed at Wirral Waters, Birkenhead.
Saturday – Drawing Session #2, noon til midnight @Camp and Furnace, FREE
It’s back! The Drawing Paper/The Royal Standard collaboration has its own Biennial event, presenting 12 solid hours of sound, performance and drawing. A way to get everyone involved and excited by drawing, masses of paper, boards and easels cover wall and floor space for your mark-making, whilst cello, experimental strings, jazz guitar and electro-pop play live all around you. Swap or donate drawings, use microphoned drawing machines, buy prints or watch screenings and a talk by Tate’s Gavin Delahunty. Something for everyone and not to be missed.
