Many things simply stopped when Covid arrived on these shores two years ago – but creativity wasn’t one of them. Writers, playwrights, musicians, actors, artists, comedians….and, yes, poets all continued to produce work, with many finding new and inventive ways of communicating and sharing it with their audience. In the case of Roger McGough, it led to a new anthology of verse – Safety in Numbers – published last November and now forming the basis of a tour which arrives at t

The Friends of Sefton Park have launched a photography competition to mark the park’s 150th anniversary this spring. People are being invited to submit their own photographs taken within the popular South Liverpool green space, with the best three winning cash prizes. The finalists will also see their snaps printed and framed. The theme of the competition is ‘Celebrate Sefton Park’ and people can submit up to two shots, taken since January 2020 and which represent Sefton Park

A new musical by Tim Firth is set to be premiered at Chester Stoyhouse this spring. Now is Good is described as a poignant, funny and heartfelt story about the greatest challenges currently facing humanity; how to help your children, where to hide your biscuits, and how to combat loneliness. The musical, running from May 11-28, is directed by Joyce Branagh and arranged by Liverpool’s George Francis. It stars Michele Dotrice, with more casting to be announced. When builder Ray

When other teenagers were listening to pop music in their bedrooms, Liverpool’s future chief conductor Domingo Hindoyan had Bruckner’s Eighth Symphony cranked up to 11. And that long association with, and knowledge of, the monumental masterpiece shone through in this remarkable performance at the Philharmonic Hall. The sustained standing ovation from the audience is perhaps the most succinct review of an evening which offered both real nuance and thrilling drama from both Hin

Pop superstar Christina Aguilera is set to perform in Liverpool this summer - and it's one of only three dates in the UK. The American singer-songwriter brings her latest tour to the M&S Bank Arena on August 3. Tickets, costing £57.50-£113.90, are on sale this Friday, February 4. The 41-year-old New Yorker is a six times Grammy Award winner who has sold more than 43 million records worldwide, collected more than 18 million Spotify listings and had more than three billion YouT

The yellow brick road leads to St Helens Theatre Royal next month with the arrival of the venue’s half term panto. The Wizard of Oz will be staged between February 11-20 at the town centre theatre. Mia Molloy returns to the St Helens stage to play Dorothy, while Abigail Middleton will be her nemesis, the Wicked Witch, and Jenna Sian O’Hara is Glinda the Good Witch. Dorothy’s three travelling companions, the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion, are being played by Reece Sibbald, Harry

Liverpool’s Chinese New Year festivities take place next weekend with a return to a public celebration after last year’s virtual event. The Year of the Tiger will be marked on Sunday, February 6 with dragon, unicorn and lucky man parades, firecracker displays, Tai Chi demonstrations, family workshops and a small fairground and food stalls. Meanwhile Culture Liverpool is behind a series of new commissions to complement the free traditional celebrations. From February 4-6, a 3D

Artists from the North West are being invited to apply to see their work showcased on the Liverpool Plinth. This is the fifth year of the initiative, a collaboration between Liverpool BID Company, Liverpool Parish Church and dot-art as part of the public art strategy in the city’s commercial district. The plinth, which stands next to St Nicholas’s Church, is the city’s answer to the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square. The current work on show is Liverpool artist Faith Bebbingt

LigthtNight Liverpool is being ‘paused’ for 2022 organisers have announced. The free annual after-hours celebration of art and culture was due to be held on May 20. But Open Culture, which runs the popular evening – which involves dozens of cultural and heritage organisations and individuals and attracts thousands of people out on to the city’s streets – has now said that the 2022 LightNight won’t go ahead. A statement on the website says: “This decision hasn’t been taken lig

A children’s show that offers a fun-filled introduction to the world of opera is touring over half-term with dates in Liverpool and Southport. Hurrah for the Pirate King is heading for The Atkinson at Southport on February 18 and the Epstein Theatre on February 27. Follow the great Pirate King's swashbuckling adventure as he embarks on a magical musical journey to find a treasure beyond gold and jewels. On his journey, you'll see mysterious creatures from the Queen of Cats, t