What's on w/e July 16

Film at FACT:

Batman Begins
Mr and Mrs Smith
War of the Worlds
Bombon El Pero
Ong-Bak
The Bridesmaid
Madagascar (from Friday July 15)

Art exhibition The Agony and the Ecstasy continues at FACT (review here).
Other films in and around Liverpol here.

Wednesday July 13

Philharmonic Hall, Hope Street
The Chorus (12), the successful 2004 French film about a boys' choir, directed by Christophe Barratier

They're fab, but not that fab: Moving beyond the Beatles obsession

"What better welcome can we give to visitors to this city then to have the yellow submarine right outside the airport?" says Councillor Mike Storey of the decision to relocate the famous landmark.

I have no beef with the Beatles. They made great music, and their home city rightly takes great pride in their seminal role on the world rock-stage. But for God's sake, there is more to Liverpool than the Beatles.

The shelves of Liverpool tourist shops are dominated by Beatles merchandise, and you can't talk for more than five seconds with a foreign visitor without the name coming up. To many outsiders, Liverpool is the Fab Four. If the Capital of Culture is going to mean anything, our politicians, media and tourism industry need to start putting out the message that the Beatles are just one part of the city's cultural and artistic heritage, not the be-all and end-all.

By the way...

...can I just say how glad I am whoever the lunatic who wanted this monstrosity built on the waterfront --


-- didn't get their way? On the other hand, I'm starting to get used to this cute little guy:

Welcome to Liverpool Culture Watch

Greetings from sunny (for today at least) Liverpool!

I have started this blog with a view to providing regular news of arts and culture events throughout Merseyside. In the run-up to the city's 2008 Capital of Culture year there is so much going on in the region, but unless you know where to look, you're likely to miss it. I'm hoping that others will join me as co-authors of this blog to keep regular readers up-to-date with the latest goings-on, including the things that the bigger outfits don't report. Here we'll bring you details of everything from the biggest shows to hit the Empire to the pub gigs and am drams you won't hear about anywhere else.

If you're interested in becoming a co-author, drop me an email outlining your credentials (you know how to string a few sentences together and you've heard of Liverpool), and I'd be happy to consider adding you to the list. Otherwise, just stop by to catch up from time to time and add a comment or two.

Liverpool '08 should be an occasion for the whole region, and it would be a shame to see it dominated by big companies. Maybe this blog will give the regular folk of Liverpool a chance to have their say.

Cheers,

Dave Rattigan