Culture Diary w/c 06-04-2015
What’s hot this week? Our pick of the listings from around Liverpool and the rest of the UK…
Tuesday — Artist Talks/The Royal Standard Studio Exchange 6-8pm @ NewBridge Books, Newcastle — FREE
Part of a weeklong studio exchange starting yesterday, NewBridge artspace welcomes three Liverpool-based artists — Ellie Barrett, Madeline Hall and James Harper – ome and meet the artists and hear about their work on Tuesday 7th April, 6-8pm at NewBridge Books. All three artists are part of artist-led gallery, studios and social workspace The Royal Standard, and like NewBridge, both artist-communities are well-known for encouraging cross-disciplinary practice across different cities. Expect the artists to discuss their new ideas and what it’s been like working alongside NewBridge studio members so far.
BLABTalks 6pm @ Manchester — £12
Calling all digital creatives: step away from your screens for once. After a year off, the popular BLABTalks is back with a Meet the Makers night, with keynote talks from people who have gone through the highs and lows of creating a product and brand. Tonight, expect Jason Iftakhar of Swifty Scooters, Chris holden of Ajoto, and Nick Hussey of Vulpine to share their insights, in addition to making a few new contacts and collaborators over a drink.
PICK OF THE WEEK: Wednesday — KINOTEKA Polish Film Festival @ Venues Across London
An annual celebration of Polish cinema now in its 13th year, this is a bumper showcase of UK premieres, retrospectives, exhibitions, concerts, interactive workshops, industry masterclasses and special guests on all aspects of Polish film culture. Three of our highlights: Martin Scorsese Presents Masterpieces of Polish Cinema: 21 restored masterpieces, chosen by Scorsese himself, dealing with post-war Poland; ICA’s New Polish Cinema starting on Friday; and an original poster artwork exhibition celebrating the films of legendary director Andrzej Wajda.
We’re Not Mad, We’re Angry (1986) & Post-Screening Discussion 7pm @ FACT, Liverpool — £4/3
A unique docu-drama examining psychiatry from the viewpoint of the patient, We’re Not Mad was made with a group of current and former psychiatric patients who held full editorial control. Expect an examination of treatments, labelling, care in the institution, the attitudes and approach of professionals and the role that psychiatry plays in our society — complimented by an introduction and discussion led by Malcolm Kinney, reVision member and lecturer/Social Work at LJMU, and Patricia Stoll, reVision member and mental health activist.
Thursday – Think Cinema Presents The Passion Of Jean Of Arc (1928) 6.30pm @ A Small Cinema, Liverpool — £4/3
A landmark silent film of ‘formalist beauty and emotional power’ (Film4), watch and discuss Carl Theodor Dreyer’s portrait of the doomed but ultimately canonized 15th-century teenage war hero. On trial for claiming she’d spoken to God, Jeanne d’Arc (Renee Falconetti) is subjected to inhumane treatment and scare tactics at the hands of church court officials.
Gazelle Twin Live + Carla Mackinnon + Shorts 8.30pm @ FACT, Liverpool — £10/8
A compelling collaboration of ‘horror-pop’ performance, live action and animation from British composer, producer and Anti-Ghost Moon Ray Records artist Elizabeth Bernholz, and Royal College of Art animation graduate Carla MacKinnon, expect surreal moving image — using materials including clay, coal, meat and hair — to respond to Bernholz’s live music of the same fleshy, human themes. Tonight’s support comes in the form of shorts and animations by female filmmakers.
Friday — Overthrow 8.30pm @ The Kazimier, Liverpool — £3
A night of music, lights and dancing at the Kazimier, expect GIT Award nominee Esa Shields to perform tracks from his new album Ovum Caper, alongside Tear Talk’s new EP Ruins, new material from hosts SeaWitches, and post-punk disco from Mirror Moves.
Saturday — Exhibition Opening: Xavier Ribas: Nitrate 10am-6pm @ The Bluecoat, Liverpool — FREE
A photography exhibition charting the history of nitrate extraction in the Chilean Atacama Desert, by Barcelona born photographer Xavier Ribas. A ‘forensic examination’ of sites, artefacts and images, this project — part of this year’s LOOK/15 Festival — traces the substance’s route from its natural mineral state, through transport, stock market value and, eventually, its part in the estates of the British wealthy. Until 5 July 2015.
Sunday – Pride (2014) 6pm @ A Small Cinema, Liverpool — £4/3
As Entertainment Weekly noted, this critically acclaimed comic drama ‘earns comparison to the movement it chronicles — as an organized, well-calculated piece of political theatre’. Set in 1984 — a world of Margaret Thatcher, conservative press, and strikes — an unlikely partnership emerges as London-based LGBT activists lend their support to striking Welsh coal miners.
