Borough of Culture to kick off in style at packed activity event at World of Glass

Article date: February 15 2023

The special launch event at the World of Glass on Saturday March 4^th will see a host of talented local performers providing entertainment for visitors throughout the day showcasing what everyone can look forward to this year, with theatre, cabaret, music and art all playing a special part in the activity programme which will offer something for all ages.

Among the key attractions at the event will be a lavish Comic Art Exhibition, 10 Years to Save the World, staged by Lakes International Comic Art Festival, which will feature comic artwork by artists from across the UK and the Philippines.

Also appearing will be the internationally acclaimed Liverpool based physical theatre company Teatro Pomodoro, who will be providing spectacular and colourful performances at the event.

In addition there will be performances throughout the day from local musical and arts groups including Haydock Brass Band, Pilkington's Choir & the St Helens Singers.

There will also be a special family friendly cabaret performance for all the family from Natasha Moonshine and Velma Von BonBon.

This specially curated cabaret line up will be hosted by Liverpool's very own Sister Sister - featured in the TV show Rupaul's Drag Race UK Season 2.

Entry to the launch event on March 4^th will be free to all residents on the day and there is no need to book tickets in advance.

The event will launch a programme of official Borough of Culture events which will take place in St Helens during the coming months, highlights of which so far include:

-       Tate on Tour Truck which visits St Helens in (March) and Newton (April),

-       The Amazing One Day / Dreams of Wonder - April,

-       St Helens Heritage Festival (May)

-       PRIDE event and parade (June)

-       Armed Forces Day, Victoria Park (June)

-       Irish festival (October)

Details will also be revealed at the launch event on how residents can apply for special grants to help stage their own Borough of Culture events.

Among those attending and speaking at the Borough of Culture launch event at the World of Glass will be Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram and the Mayor of St Helens Cllr Sue Murphy.

Mayor Rotheram introduced the Borough of Culture initiative in 2018, as part of the Combined Authority's'1% for Culture' programme, which commits to invest 1% of the annual budget directly in culture and creativity.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: "What I love about Borough of Culture is the way that it empowers our local areas to showcase their own unique blend of culture.

"We are lucky to be home to a community of creative and talented individuals who make our area one of the most exciting, vibrant places to live. It is because of their contributions that I can say with confidence that the Liverpool City Region is the UK's cultural capital. I can't wait to see what this year has in store for St Helens - watch this space!"

Councillor Anthony Burns, St Helens Borough Council Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Culture and Heritage said "This will be St Helens' second opportunity to host the Borough of Culture for the Liverpool City Region and this year it promises to bring our local communities together even more successfully to help celebrate the very best that our borough has to offer."

"We want this year to shine a light on all of the fantastic community organisations in our borough including arts, heritage, cultural and sports organisations, all of whom bring a richness to the cultural identity of our borough.

"The launch event at St Helens World of Glass will be a perfect taster for some of the great things to come in the months ahead and we would urge local residents to come along on the day and sample some of the superb local and international talent on offer.

"There will be plenty of activity for residents of all ages to enjoy as well as some fantastic local artists performing. So do come along and enjoy the day."

Also attending with the launch will be the Deputy Mayor of Stuttgart, who will be helping to mark the 75^th Anniversary of the twinning of St Helens with the German city.

Cllr Burns adds: "I am really pleased to say that we will be joined at the Launch by the Deputy Mayor of Stuttgart and some Stuttgart officials to recognise the 75^th Anniversary of our Twinning with Stuttgart. Our historic partnership is one we are very proud of as the first place to offer a hand of friendship via a twinning arrangement to a German city after the war. We are really looking forward to sharing this event and this year with our friends from Stuttgart."

St Helens Archive Service, Saints Heritage Society and the Sankey Valley Project will be on hand to talk about the heritage of the Borough, display historic items and talk about future events. As part of the National Lottery Heritage Fund project 'Creative Underground', Re:Dock will be letting people know what is coming up in 2023 and how you can get involved.

For more details on the launch of St Helens Borough of Culture please visit here: https://www.sthelens.gov.uk/article/4336/What-s-on