Culture Diary w/c 30-09-2024
Our pick of this week’s arts, design, film and music events from across Liverpool and beyond…
Monday – Exhibition Continues: Dorothy X Tracy Worrall @ Dorothy, Baltic Triangle, Liverpool – FREE
For the last four years, illustrator Tracy Worrall has worked on cross party weekly, The House, ‘the leading publication for MPs and peers’. Capturing a tumultuous time, alongside work from her wide and impressive portfolio, catch what some may term something of a rogues’ gallery of political life. We, of course, couldn’t possibly comment.
Tuesday – Exhibition Continues: Stitching Souls: Threads of Silence @ the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool – FREE
Installation of 132 heads hand-crafted by British-Trinidadian artist Karen McLean. The exhibition memorialises the victims of the 1781 Zong Massacre, in which 132 Africans were thrown from the slaving vessel – owned by Liverpool businessmen – in order to save the ship and its crew from malnutrition. McLean, resident at the Walker, has said: “my focus has been on exploring the Walker’s portrait collection… which consists of grand formal portraits of Liverpool’s aristocrats showcasing their wealth and power – I have responded by creating a work that will redress historical erasure and silence.”
Wednesday – Battlesnake 7.30pm @ Future Yard, Birkenhead – £12
Self-described ‘noxious synthesis of amphetamine and gasoline!’, the fabulously named Battlesnake might be the Aussie cult metallers you didn’t realise you needed in your life.
Thursday – Book Launch: The 86 Book 6pm @ Metal Liverpool, Edge Hill Station – FREE
Launch of Metal artist-in-residence Nicki McCubbing’s book, The 86, which captures “fleeting exchanges we have with strangers whilst on the bus.” With a Sonic Yootha DJ set and performance from Claire Welles, a good night is in store. Oh, and those arriving early enough might get their hands on a free copy of the publication.
Exhibition Opening: This Could be Texas: New Work by Gareth Kemp 6pm @ The Bridewell Studios & Gallery (until 6 October) – FREE
Since undertaking a residency a couple of years ago in Marfa, Texas, Liverpool-based artist, Gareth Kemp, has been making mostly abstract works in response to the flat, arid landscapes he found there. This Thursday’s exhibition opening sees Kemp debut the latest developments in the series, and features a performance by Edgar Jones.
Exhibition Opening: Blackfest 2024 Visual Arts 6pm @ Smithdown Social Arts Hub, Smithdown Rd, Liverpool – FREE
Founded in 2018, this year’s cross-city Blackfest launched last week. But, fear not, continuing apace until the end of October, the celebration of Black arts and culture encompasses theatre, film, spoken word, music, dance and visual arts exhibition – the latter opening this evening on Smithdown, including work by Cara Walker, Ridwa Horreh, Kassessa Gandara, and Mary Jasmine.
Friday – Liverpool Literary Festival (until 6 October) Eleanor Rathbone Building, Liverpool – £Various
The University of Liverpool’s annual celebration of writing in all its forms returns for its ninth year. This iteration opens tonight with Enlightenment author Sarah Perry in conversation, while the likes of essayist and author Lauren Elkin, poet Levi Tafari, and screenwriter Tony Schumacher make up a packed schedule.
Saturday & Sunday – Liverpool Artists’ Book Fair 11am @ the Bluecoat – FREE
Weekends were made for a good artists’ book fair, so rejoice that this Saturday and Sunday sees the Bluecoat play host to creatives, including Serena Smith (above), from across the UK.
Sunday – The Darts 7.30pm @ the Quarry, Liverpool – £14
Pleased to report that proper old-skool garage rock arrives this week in the shape of all-grrrrl four-piece, The Darts who, they say, will ’make your head slam and your feet shake. And then there’s the music.’
Mike Pinnington
Images/media, from top: Dorothy X Tracy Worrall; Stitching Souls: Threads of Silence (2024) © Karen McLean; Nicki McCubbing, The 86 Book, courtesy the artist; Blackfest 2024 Visual Arts; Serena Smith, courtesy the artist
