Ahhhh freak out! From ghost hunts to Nile Rodgers live, this month's events are all a spine-tingling treat
THE GOOD MARKET | PINS Social Club | Sunday 5 September
With their biggest event yet, the GOOD Market will have 23 local, independents as well as the Coffee & Turntables DJs, plus food and drinks from the in-house PINS bar and Rocco’s Deli & Diner. Bag some cool stuff at the market including jewellery, clothing, bath bombs, cocktails, ferments, prints and scouse pin badges. You can even grab a limited edition t-shirt collab from GOOD Liverpool and PINS, as well as some Boss Beer from Black Lodge Brewery. Entry is free.
PINS Social Club, 45 - 61 Duke St, Liverpool L1 5AP (11.30am - 4pm)
HERITAGE OPEN DAYS | Various venues | 10 - 19 September
Every year in September, buildings across the country throw open their doors to celebrate their heritage, community and history. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences - and it’s all free. In Liverpool, participating venues include the Victoria Gallery & Museum, All Saints Church Childwall, Liverpool Naval Memorial, the Wavertree Lock-up, George’s Dock building, and a Polish heritage tour starting in Abercromby Square. Don’t miss a tour of the unusual Gustaf Adolf Church - built in 1883, it was the first church built by the famous architect William Douglas Caroe.
Various venues, free entry (Advance booking is recommended where possible)
LAUGHTERHOUSE COMEDY CLUB | Liverpool Theatre Festival | Saturday 11 September
Liverpool’s longest running comedy club - Laughterhouse - will have audiences chortling under the stars at the Bombed Out Church as part of Liverpool Theatre Festival. Two back to back Laughterhouse shows will be staged as a Saturday night double bill on 11 September. The 6pm show features MC Chris Cairns, Gary Delaney, Mick Miller, and The Raymond and Mr Timpkins Revue. The line-up for the 8.30pm show is MC Chris Cairns, Gary Delaney, Andy Askins, and The Raymond and Mr Timpkins Revue.
The Bombed Out Church, Bold Street, Liverpool L1 2TR (Tickets £22 from Liverpool Theatre Festival)
GHOST HUNTS | Newsham Park Hospital | 11 & 25 September
Whether you’re a pro ghost hunter or you just like things that go bump in the night, Dusk Till Dawn Events promise the ultimate fear factor during a night at this extreme and terrifying location. This vast Victorian building was built in 1870 - now derelict, the historical background is that of an orphanage, a hospital and a nursing home. Security staff report whispering, echoing voices and whistles, along with dark shadowy figures. Certainly one for the bravest of visitors. Over 18s only.
Newsham Park Hospital, Liverpool L6 7UN (Tickets from £69 at Dusk Till Dawn)
NILE RODGERS & CHIC | Pier Head | Thursday 16 September
As the co-founder of CHIC, Nile Rodgers pioneered a musical language that generated chart-topping hits like Le Freak, (the biggest selling single in the history of Atlantic Records) and sparked the advent of hip-hop with Good Times. Nile’s work in the CHIC organisation and his productions for artists like David Bowie, Diana Ross and Madonna have sold over 500 million albums and 75 million singles worldwide while his collaborations with Daft Punk, Avicii, Keith Urban, Disclosure, Sam Smith and Lady Gaga, reflect the vanguard of contemporary music. Support comes from The Zutons and Rebecca Ferguson.
Pier Head, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 1HT (Doors 4pm, tickets £34 from Skiddle.)
THE WENDY JAMES BAND | Jimmy’s Liverpool | Friday 17 September
Wendy James exploded onto the British music scene in 1988 as the fearless front woman of chart-topping alt-rockers Transvision Vamp. When the band broke up, Wendy went on to collaborate with Elvis Costello, James Williamson, Lenny Kaye and James Sclavunos. Her fifth solo album Queen High Straight received critical acclaim - this 28-date UK tour will feature a different set list every night, from Transvision Vamp through all her albums.
Jimmy’s Liverpool, 130 Bold Street, Liverpool L1 4JA (7.30pm, tickets £15 from Jimmy’s)
OUR LADY OF BLUNDELLSANDS | Everyman Theatre | 17 September - 9 October
The last play we saw before lockdown and one that so deserves to finally be back on the stage of The Everyman. A hilariously twisted comic drama written by Jonathan Harvey, award-winning creator of Gimme Gimme Gimme and Beautiful Thing. Nana Amoo-Gottfried, Joanne Howarth and Mickey Jones join original cast members Josie Lawrence, Gemma Brodrick and Nathan McMullen.
The Everyman Theatre, Hope St, Liverpool L1 9BH (Tickets from £10 at Everyman & Playhouse)
SICKERT - A LIFE IN ART | Walker Art Gallery | 18 September - 27 February
Sickert is one of Britain’s most important artists, with a career spanning six decades. Born in Munich, Germany, he moved to Britain as a child in 1868. A radical painter, who determined to capture society as he saw it – regardless of whether this “rawness” offended his audiences. This is the largest retrospective of the artist’s work to have been held in the UK for more than 30 years - visitors will experience first-hand how Sickert chronicled Britain during a period of rapid change through an outstanding and uncompromising body of work.
The Walker Art Gallery, William Brown St , Liverpool L3 8EL (Tickets £12.50/£11/£5 from Liverpool Museums - under fives go free)
BLICK BASSY | Liverpool Philharmonic| Sunday 19 September
Cameroonian Blick Bassy is one of Africa’s most inventive and distinctive singer-songwriters. This Liverpool gig follows the acclaimed release of his album 1958, a defiant tribute to the heroes who fought and died for the independence of his native country. Bassy performs at The Phil’s Music Room with his three-piece band. The show lands ahead of Africa Oyé's 30th anniversary celebrations next year.
Liverpool Philharmonic, Hope St, Liverpool L1 9BP (8pm, tickets from £14 at Liverpool Phil)
BRITISH MUSICAL FIREWORKS CHAMPIONSHIP | Victoria Park | 24 - 26 September
The ultimate firework competition across three nights, with choreographed displays and an array of light and music. Starting on Friday, seven competitors will host jaw-dropping pyro wizardry, with a panel of professional judges marking each display after the event, before announcing the winner on the Sunday evening in a closed ceremony. Over two tonnes of explosive material are used with the total weight of fireworks used in excess of 10 tonnes! Bang on.
Victoria Park, Rotten Row, Southport PR8 2BZ (Tickets £5 - £23 at TicketQuarter)
FESTIVALS
SOUTHPORT FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL | Victoria Park | 3 - 5 September
Food glorious food and free live entertainment. Street food stalls will offer everything from crepes to curry, piling in with gourmet burgers, hot wings, paella and everything in between. Expect mountains of cheese and chutney, a hog roast, and dairy ice cream. Elasticated pants essential.
Victoria Park, Rotten Row, Southport PR8 2BZ (Free entry)
POSITIVE VIBRATION | Baltic Triangle | 10 - 11 September
The UK’s award-winning festival of reggae and one of the country’s most exciting and eclectic festivals. This year’s line-up features reggae, dub and jungle heavyweights, including Asian Dub Foundation, The Twinkle Brothers, Mad Professor, Gentleman’s Dub Club, Hollie Cook, General Levy & Joe Ariwa, Don Letts, and Benjamin Zephaniah.
Various venues and times (tickets from £38.75 at Skiddle)
HIDE AND SEEK FESTIVAL | Capesthorne Hall | 4 September
Themed Life In Colour, Hide and Seek Festival 2021 spans house, electro, breaks and minimal, with French trio Apollonia leading the charge next to big hitters Dam Swindle from Amsterdam, the cult Black Loops and Berlin favourite Gene on Earth.
Capesthorne Hall, Congleton Rd, Siddington SK11 9JY (Tickets £65.95 from Resident Advisor)
BLACKFEST | Various venues | 20 September - 9 October
In the year of the 40th anniversary of the Toxteth Uprisings, BlackFest is hosting a unique photography project at the Museum of Liverpool. The main festival leads into Black History Month with a programme of film, visual arts, spoken word and performance, ending with a closing celebration at Philharmonic Hall.
Various venues and times (Tickets from Eventbrite)
SMITHDOWN FESTIVAL | Various venues | 24 - 26 September
A weekend of boss entertainment with events at all of your Smithdown favourites, including Handymans, Black Cat, Defend Vinyl, Frank's Bar, Belzan and Sefton Park Cricket Club. Plus discounts and offers at a whole load of local shops, cafes, restaurants and other places too.
Various venues and times, free entry (More info at Smithdown Fest)
Positive Vibration - Benjamin Zephaniah & the Revolutionary Minds
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