Jazz jamboree
Jazz on a Winter’s Weekend has blossomed into one of the jazz calendar’s most attractive and exciting dates - and can give events in London a run for their money.
The three-day festival is run by the Southport Melodic Jazz Club which now has over 200 members. Formed in 2001, this bunch of unpaid, enthusiasts promote a mix of contemporary jazz, including national and international stars, as well as new bands.
Greg AbateThis year, they invite jazz lovers to prepare for a weekend of world class contemporary jazz as the hugely international programme features 11 fantastic concerts and plenty of workshops, talks and exhibitions.
The event brings together over 80 musicians, including the Gareth Lockrane All Star Big Band, the Alan Barnes Nonet (Barnes is the UK's most popular saxophonist and band leader) and Gerard Presencer and John Taylor, another couple of leading lights in the jazz world.
Add the Birmingham Conservatoire Jazz Orchestra, Zoe Chiotis (main image) Greg Abate's 'In The Moment' Quintet featuring five of the world's leading jazz musicians, three from the USA (Greg Abate - alto sax, Jim Rotondi - trumpet, Harvie S - double bass) and two from Italy (Dado Moroni - piano, Enzo Zirilli - drums) for what is anticipated to be the most outstanding post bop style concert held in the UK in recent years
BBC Radio 3’s Jazz Line Up will also be recording some of the concerts for later broadcast in case you can’t make it there, or are planning on making a loud remark during the shows.
*The 8th Jazz on a Winter's Weekend, Royal Clifton Hotel, Southport, (Feb 3-5), Tickets from £57. Visit here for more.
Book it
It might not sound like a barrel of laughs (mostly because you’re not allowed to laugh in them), but it’s National Libraries Day this Saturday.
Up in Maghull, as a part of the celebrations, Zoe Lambert, founder of Manchester literature night, Verberate, and a member of the board of the Northwest Short Story Network, will read from and discuss her contribution to the fairly recently published Litmus: Short Stories from Modern.
Over at West Kirby Library, Gladys Mary Coles will talk about her vivid novel Clay. Set in the First World War and in Liverpool and Wirral, it tells the story of a soldier returning to his family and home territory.
Whether or not you have enjoyed the services of Liverpool libraries recently, you should go and have a look at what your local one is up to -while you still can.
*National Libraries Day, Saturday Feb4; Zoe Lambert in Meadows (Maghull) Library, Hall Lane, from 11am. Gladys Mary Coles , West Kirby Library, 2.30pm. Free.
Maritime fun and Titanic too
Traditional maritime crafts are celebrated in free events at Merseyside Maritime Museum this weekend.
Docklands Extravaganza features performances by the Jiving Lindy Hoppers, Liverpool Harmonic Gospel Choir, rope-making sessions, sea shanties and folk songs, barrel-making demonstrations, Underground Railroad, quilt pattern and Caribbean art workshops, plus Chinese dancers and tours of the Brocklebank tug.
Titanic ModelSwing to the rhythm of African American dance form the Lindy Hop, learn how it travelled from the United States to influence dances such as jive and jitterbug. Or you can snuggle up with the “larger than life” Customs dog Sniffer, but probably not his handler Smugglebuster.
And what maritime event would be complete without the Titanic? The original Titanic builder’s model is available for you to gawp at too.
*Docklands Extravaganza, Maritime Museum and Albert Dock, (Feb 4-5) free.
Family film favourites
Here’s your chance to dig out that embarrassing Indiana Jones outfit you thought you’d never use after last Halloween.
Dress up as a character from your favourite film, but do remember this is a family affair, and head down to a concert featuring music from the best loved family films of all time, including Fantasia, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Pirates of the Caribbean, Sound of Music, Toy Story, Lion King, E.T. and more.
There’ll also be prizes for the best costume, so arrive by 2pm if you’d like to take part in the competition.
A variety of instruments can be practised at the instrument Petting Zoo and fidgeting is allowed (kids only).
*Family Film Favourites, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Hope Street, Sunday 5th February, from 1pm, tickets around £10.
