What's on?
September 2023
Mikron Theatre Presents: Twitchers
Springwatch is coming to RSPB Shrikewing nature reserve via Chester Lane Library on Wednesday 13th September 2023 at 7pm.
Jess, the Reserve Warden, can't wait to show the world this special place, with its amazing wildlife and incredible birds.
But Shrikewing is not an island.
From pollution and vandals to an overzealous mayor, Jess is starting to feel that protecting birds from human interference might just be impossible.
As we meet raucous rooks, booming bitterns and plenty of tits we realise the birds of Shrikewing are its real stars.
Can Jess take inspiration from the RSPB's tenacious female founders and draw on its history of campaigning to save them? Can she find her own voice to raise a rallying cry for nature?
Nest(le) down with Mikron in this flight through birdwatching history, feathered with birdsong and laughter. You'll be giggling from heron in and you won't 'egret coming!
Ticket Details
£8: General
£7: St Helens Library Service member
£5: Concession
Book online or in person at Chester Lane Library.
Paul Harfleet - Birds Can Fly Take Home Exhibition & Family Workshop
'Accidental activist' and award-winning interdisciplinary artist Paul Harfleet, uses art, illustration, and design to educate and inspire bird lovers and promote creativity, kindness, and acceptance.
Paul invites you to take part in a drawing workshop at St Helens Library on Monday 11th September at 4pm, where - whatever your skill level - you'll create perfectly beautiful drawings inspired by birds and nature. Then, Paul will share some of his top tips for 'gentle referencing' - so you can go home and create a look inspired by your favourite bird.
Throughout September, you'll also be able to collect, take home & keep your very own collection of Paul Harfleet's beautiful artwork, available from all library branches. This specially curated 'exhibition-in-your-hands' will also help you create your own bird-inspired looks at home - inspired by local wildlife.
Book a free place on this workshop online and learn more about this project in partnership with Heart of Glass.
Tadhg Devlin - Amelia & Amelia Exhibition
Visit this moving photographic exhibition from artist Tadhg Devlin at Eccleston Library from Monday 11th September until Friday 6th October.
This exhibition tells the story of 'Two Amelias' - a daughter and a mother, who started a journey together with Tadhg Devlin in 2014, when Amelia Senior was formally diagnosed with Alzheimer's Dementia.
The work is dedicated to Amelia Roach, & all those whose lives have been touched by experiences of Alzheimer's Dementia.
For more information about this project & the artist's work, visit Tadhg Devlin's website.
Re:Charged Music Festival - Acoustic Library Sessions
As part of Re:Charged Music Festival there will be some free lunchtime performances from local musicians on Saturday 16th September at St Helens Library from 11:30am until 1:30pm, including musicians from the current music scene, giving them a platform to showcase their talents, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie through shared musical experiences.
Also at the World of Glass, from 1:30pm until 3pm, the Liverpool City Region Music Board will present a music sector event, Let The Music Play; an opportunity for St Helens music sector to contribute to the shaping of the regions vibrant music community.
In the evening, Re-Dock are excited to host a heritage music event at The Citadel from 7pm until 11pm, featuring performances from, Android 80, The Bordellos, TUT, Dan Wilson & The Counterfactuals and Poisoned Electrick Head. It will be an evening filled with great music and lively performances celebrating this cultural legacy of the town.
The day has been developed with Arts Council England funding as part of the wider Creative Underground project, led by St Helens Borough Council Library and Archive Services.
Book tickets and find out more about the Re:Charged Music Festival online.
Artists Together - Reside* Showcase Co-Creation Events
Reside* has been a year of exciting activity in the form of an Artist's Residency for the creative community of St Helens. We plan to showcase the work that people have been making and creating this year in two ways:
- Create a special publication that shows the brilliant range of artists and how they are spread right across the borough. This will share some of the artwork that has been created by people during 2023 along with guidance from one artist to another about how they have been able to make their work.
- Hold a showcase event that launches the publication where we can share what people have made.
How to get involved:
We haven't decided exactly what the publication will look like yet, and we'd like this to be something that is created by YOU - the artists involved. Come to our events at Parr Library on Monday 18th September from 5pm until 7pm and Haydock Library on Saturday 23rd September from 10am until 1pm, where we will have creative activities to design and decide what to include in the publication. This is a space for you to celebrate what you and your fellow resident artists have created this year - so join us to make something that will look great, be interesting to read through and will inspire each other beyond 2023.
Book free tickets online for the event at Parr Library or Haydock Library.
Wired Aerial Theatre - Me vs Me
This exhilarating aerial dance piece coming to St Helens Town Hall on Thursday 28th September at 6pm sees two performers animate the emotional ranges inherent in the duality of mental health. At times tender, passionate and confrontational, Me vs Me, choreographed by Henri Oguike, explores the instinct of fight and flight, using the context of a boxing ring to emphasise the physical impact of being caught between two powerful imperatives.
Renowned for their innovative use of Bungee-Assisted dance, Wired Aerial Theatre's production is an explosion of high leaps, swoops and dives which spill from the stage accompanied by three stunning operatic pieces. Developed within a safeguarded framework, working with Mental Health activists, incredible performers, climbers, and education experts, "I defy anyone not to connect with the messages and images we bring to life on stage, it's a cultural experience that allows conversation to happen." - Wendy Hesketh-Ogilvie, Artistic Director, Wired Aerial Theatre.
This 15-minute performance will be followed by a 45 minute in-conversation with the company, exploring Wired Aerial Theatre's exciting history, and relationship to St Helens.
Book your free tickets online.
October 2023
Dora Colqhoun Presents: ADHD - The Musical
In celebration of ADHD Awareness Month, the makers of ADHD: The Musical will be performing a special concert at Chester Lane Library, St Helens on Wednesday 4th October 2023 at 7pm.
This one off special concert will include the original tunes 'Thinking About Bees' and 'I could get Hit By a Bus.' Join Dora and friends as she shares the highs and lows of being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult as she poses the question: 'what the funk is normal anyway?'
What Audiences Say:
"The dynamics, the comedy, the musical elements, the stats. Made me cry when I saw a father hold his son's hand when the bear entered. Lots of audience felt this. Well done."
"It's like Dora jumped into my brain and wrote a play about my life!! So relatable."
"I thought it was a great balance between sensitivity, light-heartedness to portray the messages. The music and singing were lovely and thought provoking, no gimmicks just well performed."
"It was fantastic! So relatable, so moving, and it gave me the validation I needed to know I'm not alone in this and no matter how much judgement I receive I AM ENOUGH! Truly the best play I've ever seen."
Ticket Details
£8: General
£7: St Helens Library Service member
£5: Concession
Book online or in person at Chester Lane Library.
Luna Loves Library Day - The Musical
Join Luna and her Dad for an adventure among the library shelves in this exciting new musical for families coming to Parr Library on Saturday 28th October 2023 at 11am and 2pm.
Luna looks forward to one special day... Library Day! It's the day when she discovers magic among the library shelves, from dinosaurs to mummies, from unexplained mysteries to monsters and magic. But for Luna, Library Day is also a chance to spend time with Dad, making it all the more special.
Based on the critically acclaimed book by Waterstones Childrens Laureate Joseph Coelho and illustrator Fiona Lumbers, Luna Loves Library Day is the perfect treat for children aged 3+ and their families.
Luna Loves Library Day is a co-production from Little Seeds Music and Z-arts.
Presented in partnership between St Helens Library Service and WonderArts.
Ticket Details
£3.10 Single
£10 Group (4 people)
Book online via WonderArts or in person at Parr Library.
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