Special Christmas & NYE Culture Diary
Booze, mince pies and party hats… Our pick of the holiday listings (for Santas and Scrooges) from around Liverpool and the rest of the UK!
Tuesday 17 — The Bluecoat Art Raffle 7pm @the Bluecoat £20
Raising money for its 2014 programme, the Bluecoat have recruited over 100 artists to make and donate a postcard-sized artwork to their special raffle, and the great thing is you’re guaranteed an original artwork. What’s the catch? The identity of the artist will remain secret until the live draw! In addition to supporting a good cause, you could be making a real investment; with raffle artists including Liverpool Art Prize winner Tabitha Moses, as well as recent exhibiting artists Hannah Wooll and Tadhg Devlin, and Bluecoat artistic director Bryan Biggs, it’s money well spent.
The Spirit of Christmas (show runs until 23 Dec) @ Liverpool Philharmonic, 7.30pm, £17-40
Yuletide music — check. Choir — check. Carols — check. Lovable broadcaster John Suchet — check?! Back by popular demand, Suchet hosts this unashamedly Christmassy concert with help from conductor Ian Tracey and Norwegian siblings Mari (violin) and Håkon (cello) Samuelsen. Be prepared for a sing-a-long.
Friday 20 — Anchorman: The Legend Continues 11am onwards @FACT Liverpool, ticket prices vary
We could have chosen any number of Christmas films that FACT are showing over the season — Scrooged, Elf, Bad Santa, A Muppet Christmas Carol — but for pure silliness, slap-stick and gutter humour we went for the new Ron Burgundy outing. All you need to know is that Ron (Will Ferrell) has split up with Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), has a new job with 24-hour Global News Network, and there are cameos from Harrison Ford, Jim Carrey and Nicole Kidman. News Team Assemble!
Saturday 21 — Guts For Garters Christmas Massacre! 9pm-4am @Star and Garter, Manchester, £3 before 11pm
Look out for Santa’s SLAY! From the people behind Fat Out, Tranarchy and 2 Koi Karp, expect a ’Grotty Grotto’, twisted cabaret, themed karaoke, dressing up, cheap booze and quality music from Guts for Garters DJs and friends, and all held at our favourite Manchester pub/club, the legendary Star & Garter.
Sunday 22 — Last Day of Exhibition: All That Glitters Must Be Gold… 10am-5pm @ Centre For Chinese Contemporary Art (formerly Chinese Arts Centre), Manchester FREE
Shanghai-based artist Chen HangFeng has created a rather festive looking exhibition here, based on his discovery of a village that produces more than 50% of China’s Christmas exports. Lovely way to end the year at this newly re-branded, welcoming small gallery. Make sure to sample the green tea.
PICK OF THE HOLIDAY: Tuesday 24, Christmas Eve: It’s a Wonderful Life @ Liverpool Philharmonic, 2.30pm, £6/7
Officially part of our Christmas ritual now, watching this “genuine American classic” (Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian) at the Phil is guaranteed to make you laugh, weep and at times, tense as hell. It’s not just that the film is fantastic, it’s the welcome that makes it so special. Housing the only working Walturdaw Cinema screen in the world, as it rises from the stage, music is provided by resident organist Dave Nicholas. Fabulous.
Sunday 29 — Sunday Sit Down Sessions 3pm @ MelloMello, FREE
Settle down for a post-Xmas, relaxing Sunday session from Wax Museum. Featuring the ’devilish wonk step mix mastering badman skillz’ of EVIL TIM COLLINS XIII, plus GOLDEN VAMPIRE and THE GREAT DEPRESSION II (better DJ names anyone?). Vegan food and Euro ales available.
Tuesday 31, New Years Eve — Grand Slam 7pm-2am @Camp and Furnace £10
Hosted in The Furnace, this special New Year Food Slam features all manner of Street Food stalls, so you can take your pick from cuisine from around the world. As it’s a party, there’ll also be DJs, seasonal cocktails, a scary-sounding (but sure to be warming) Whisky Den and light projections.
The Horrors and Outfit DJ sets 10pm-3am @ The Shipping Forecast £10 adv.
Self-confessed lovers of obscure vinyl, and known for introducing a dancefloor-rave atmos to their gigs over the last few years, it should be masses of fun bringing in 2014 with garage/punk rockers The Horrors. With supporting indie/dance floorfillers from local lads on the rise, Outfit.
Club NME NYE Ball 9pm-@ KOKO (Camden, London), £15 adv.
In London and fancy a big party and the latest ‘next big thing’ in indie pop? Live from their Camden bunker, Club NME champion new bands the riot grrls/Pixies influenced Wolf Alice, and blistering college-rockers Superfood.
