A quiff in every riff
IF you thought a hoe down was the depressed girlfriend of Snoop Dogg, you would be wrong on so many levels.
Rather, we are talking an upbeat bass slappin', guitar pickin' knees up.
Rockabilly is experiencing something of a revival right now, which is good news if you like capri pants and blue suede shoes (not together). It's a development welcomed by La's founder Mike Badger and his Shady Trio, who are among Liverpool's foremost proponents of the sound.
They will be strutting their thing on stage at the Camp and Furnace this Saturday (April 6) at a rockabilly all-dayer along with the Hey Pedros, The Swingin' Bricks and Last Train To San Fernando.
The day also features the Liverpool Rockabillies film (1988) from 3pm, and from London's Diamond Jive Club there will be jive classes from 4-6pm. Throughout enjoy burgers and dogs from the Honky Tonk Kitchen and a record stall, finishing late with DJ Domino Le Broque's high octane rockabilly.
Just thank Hank.
*Action packed Rockabilly Extravaganza, Saturday April 6, 2pm-late, Camp & Furnace, Greenland St, £10 on door or tickets from Probe and Camp and Furnace, Greenland St, Liverpool L1 0BY.
Newsham Park Hospital And Orphanage
Bump in the night
For years the Grade II former Newsham General Hospital, with its gothic architecture and boarded windows, has kept vandals out and, possibly, the spooks in.
Starting life as a seaman’s orphanage it dates back to 1874, where children as young as four years old were dealt wicked punishments in harsh living conditions.
Its next phase was in 1951 when it was turned into a general and psychiatric hospital. Serving the community until 1988 it now stands empty, or does it?
The Night Investigations team are the latest "ghost-hunters" inviting you to join them for the very first paranormal investigation to take place in this magnificent building which, as we remember, was terrifying enough when it was open.
Newsham HospitalExplore the eerie corridors littered with wheel chairs and stretchers and walk the wards in the pitch black. Lovely.
“This is like no other investigation we have done before,” they say, “so vast we need three visits over the coming months to explore the enormous site.
Each event promises a trip to the morgue, lone vigils in the punishment cupboards (a typical work experience day at Confidential Towers) or a séance in the psychiatric ward. These ghost hunts will be absolutely petrifying and a night you will never forget, they say.
*The Waiting Room, Newsham Park Hospital, Orphan Drive, Liverpool L6. Saturday April 6, 9pm-4am. Tickets, £60 from here.
Spurs of the moment
Saddle up for even more yee-ha, or should that be three-ha? For here we have a 33 hour and 33 minute-long theatre marathon this weekend.
Goin' West Impropriety LiverpoolYes, it's the annual Improvathon, one of the highlights of the Liverpool theatrical calendar and certainly the most fun. This time. for one weekend only, Impropriety are Goin' West.
Expect duels, cowboys, cowgirls, saloons and gold diggers which does sound rather like your average property networking event.
In fact it's the fictional town of Borderline, where all the action is created right here, right now.
An entirely improvised epic that will run continuously for 2013 minutes. You can even take your sleeping bag and pyjamas.
The Improvathon is based on a format created by Canadian company DIE-Nasty, who have held an annual 50-hour “Soap-a-thon” for over 20 years. For the second year, Impropriety will be joined by regular DIE-Nasty members Donovan Workun and Kory Mathewson.
*Goin West, The Kazimier, 4-5 Wolstenholme Square, Liverpool, L1 4JJ. Starts 1pm Saturday 6th April. Finishes 10.33pm Sunday 7th April. Episodes begin on odd numbered hours: 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm, etc (yes, all through the night!). Tickets £5 per episode - door only. Weekend passes £20. £5 for ‘children’s hour’ (11am-1pm Sunday). Children get in free. £10 for 'sleepover'' (11pm sat – 9am sun). Book online here.
Final curtain...
You will seriously need to take a sleeping bag or duvet to this too.
Tony TeardropEsther Wilson's play about homelessness, Tony Teardrop, finishes a highly successful fortnight at St Luke's bombed-out Church this Friday and Saturday. Audience feedback gives the Jen Heyes production a huge thumbs up and by all (Twitter) accounts made a lot of the local chatterati grateful they had warm houses to return to after two perishing hours watching it in the open air chill.
Remind yourself of why being left out in the cold is more than a lifestyle choice.
*Tony Teardrop, St Luke's Church, Leece St, Liverpool 1, Fri-Sat 5-6 April, 7.30pm. *Tickets (£10-£16) from 0151 709 4776.
