Culture Diary, Week Commencing 20/12/2010

Mon 20/12

Ryan Adams and The Cardinals - III/IV
The once prolific but now semi-retired Adams brings fans of his particular brand of alt. country an early Christmas gift in the form of this double album recorded with his band, the Cardinals in 2007 during the sessions for that year's release, Easy Tiger.  

Get hold of a copy from the lovely old-skool themed website of Adams' label website:
http://paxamrecords.com/

Fri 24/12

It's a Wonderful Life @ Fact
For many (quite rightly), It's a Wonderful Life  is the quintessential Christmas movie. Telling the tale of George Bailey (played brilliantly by Jimmy Stewart) ladened down with various yuletide crises, it is the perfect example of director Frank Capra's ability to imbue his audience with pure, beautiful magic.

http://www.fact.co.uk/whats-on/its-a-wonderful-life?listing_id=1576

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 13/12/2010

Mon 13/12

The War You Don't See, plus live Q&A with Director, John Pilger (via satellite).
Award winning film-maker John Pilger analyses the role played by the media in war time, investigating whether the journalist's job has changed from reporting the facts to legitimising Western Hegemony.

@ FACT, 18:20 -  http://www.fact.co.uk/whats-on/the-war-we-don-t-see-plus-q-a-with-john-pilger-live-by-satellite?listing_id=1508

Fri 17/12

Nam June Paik @ Tate Liverpool & FACT
The visionary Korean-born American artisit is celebrated here in the first major retrospective of his work since his death in 2006. 
Working in various media, Nam June Paik is considered by many to be one of the 20th Century's most avant-garde of artists.

http://www.tate.org.uk/liverpool/exhibitions/namjunepaik/default.shtm

Sat 18/12

'OH DEER' The Royal Standard Christmas Party

After a stellar year featuring appearing at Tate Modern (No Soul for Sale) and hosting some of the best work seen during the Biennial (Hierarchies of Allegiance/Dead Pan), the guys from The Standard are looking to cap it off with an uber (and very well deserved) party this Saturday. Featuring live music and DJ sets, expect a Christmas cracker of a night!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=127331833995014
http://www.the-royal-standard.com/

TwiTrip to Liverpool - The Verdict

Last week I posted a link for The Guardian newspaper's Twitter guided tour to Liverpool, whereby via the power of modern technology, journalist Benji Lanyado fielded suggestions of where to visit in a whistlestop tour of the city.

Click on the link to see what he got up to:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2010/dec/07/twitrip-liverpool-verdict

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 6/12/2010

Mon 6/12

Patrick Wolf - Time of My Life
New single release from the undervalued and underexposed indie-pop songsmith, Patrick Wolf, setting to music the aftermath of a(nother) failed relationship. Hey, don't worry, it's more upbeat than it sounds!

Fri 10/12

The Shop Around the Corner (re-issue)
For those of you lucky enough to be close to a cinema showing this re-release of the 1940 classic (re-made as You've Got Mail in 1998 for the e-mail generation, starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks), please do seek it out. Starring Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan, it tells the tale of workmates who find love unexpectedly. Perfect for the hopelessly romantic.

Sat 11/12

Electric Reindeer
Brought to us by the boys of Harvest Sun Promotions, the Christmas party night features performances from The Tea Street Band, Run Toto Run and Picture Book, with DJ sets from Bernie Connor and Ste Brennan.

www.myspace.com/harvestsunpromotions

Guided around Liverpool by Twitter suggestions?

theviewfromahill loves this idea! The Guardian's Benji Lanyado will arrive in Liverpool in around an hours time.

Let's see where he goes and what he thinks: http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2010/nov/29/twitrip-liverpool-twitter

The Cooperative Project

Just a note to mark the close of the Cooperative Project (http://blogs.biennial.com/2010/09/16/liverpool-biennial-2010-preview-the-cooperative/).

Running alongside this year's biennial the coop served as a means of forging links between some of the city's indie galleries and studios (Red Wire and The Royal Standard amongst them), and promoting them in a more meaningful manner.

With slide shows from some of those involved and a rollicking performance from Hot Club de Paris, the project certainly went out with a bang.

An experiment worth doing again theviewfromahill thinks.

Culture Diary, week commencing 29/11/2010

Monday 29/11

Splice (DVD & Blu-ray release)
Dealing with the ethical dilemas and consequences of dabbling with  human DNA and genetics, Splice went criminally ignored on its theatrical release (surprising given its support from producer Guillermo del Toro). Deserves to be seen more widely on DVD blu-ray.

Tuesday 30/11

The Red Shoes
Hans Christian Anderson's cautionary tale about being careful what you wish for is brought to life in time for Christmas by the folks at Unity Theatre. 

http://www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/whats-on/126-theredshoes.html

Friday 03/12

Jim Noir @ Static
Another coup from the boys of Harvest Sun Promotions as they bring the delights of bona fide Manc-folk superstar Jim Noir to the Static Galery this Friday.

http://www.sevenstreets.com/music-and-listening/jim-noir-at-static/

Culture Diary, week commencing 22/11/2010

Monday 22/11

Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday
Guest rapping for acts such As Kanye and Ludacris, tomorrow sees the release of Nicki Minaj's debut, Pink Friday. Used to upstaging her more (in)famous hosts, how does her own record stand up, or is it more a case of watered down?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/nov/21/nicki-minaj-pink-friday-review

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/audio/2010/nov/23/nicki-minaj-pink-friday

Wednesday 24/11

Rebel Rants With Peter Tatchell at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Based upon his experience of the ongoing battle for LGBT human rights, the veteran campaigner argues that as a society we are 'Not Queer Enough'.

www.writingonthewall.org.uk

Thursday 25/11

Leftfield @ Liverpool University, Liverpool Music Week

The 90's dance legends bowed to fan pressure earlier this year to play a smattering of dates and festivals (including Creamfields in August), and will look to make their Liverpool return a triumphant one this week.

www.liverpoolmusicweek.co.uk

Eighthday Army - New Release

Watch out for this new release from Liverpool perennials, Eighthday Army




http://eighthdayarmy.bandcamp.com/album/cogs

You wouldn't let it lie......

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/nov/16/billy-corgan-pavement

Billy Corgan in pot and kettle incident. Tragic.

Culture Diary, week commencing 15/11/2010

Monday 15/11

Los Campesinos @ Mojo, Liverpool Music Week
Wichita records indie popsters play Mojo in a free gig as part of Liverpool Music Week.

http://www.liverpoolmusicweek.com/free-shows/

Thursday 18/11

Long Night Various venues across Liverpool
Highlights include: Candle lit tours of Lutyens crypt beneath Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, Artists involved in exhibition 'Dead Pan' discuss their work at The Royal Standard Gallery on Vauxhall Road and Young Liverpool Film Night at Fact showcases the next genertion of local filmmaking talent.

Download the programme here: http://www.culture.org.uk/attachments/42_16126218962379177537.pdf

Friday 19/11

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I (12A) On national release
Part one of the final chapter (or is it?) in the prodigious wizard's story.

What it is

Welcome to my new blog. The aim is to provide cultural comment and criticism sifting through the good and bad so you don't have to!

Come back and visit for regular (I'm aiming for weekly, but I'm making no promises) updates on what's going on locally and nationally in gigs, cinema, exhibitions, etc; a pop culture diary and guide if you will.

For dedicated goings on in Liverpool, check out the superb Sevenstreets.com: http://www.sevenstreets.com/