The River Festival is returning to Liverpool this year and there’s an exciting events programme planned.
Highlights for the free event include artwork on display such as Gaia, a giant illuminated earth replica, and the return of Bordeaux Wine Festival.
Deputy Mayor and cabinet member for culture, tourism and events, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: "River Festival Liverpool has become a much-loved staple of our events calendar and it attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year.
Huge illuminated 23ft earth to go on display in Liverpool Cathedral as part of River Festival
"We are incredibly proud of the creative programme which showcases some of the very best in art and culture from local and global talent through commissions, installations and performances.
"It’s set to be a busy weekend on our UNESCO World Heritage Waterfront as we celebrate our maritime heritage."
The festival takes place over the weekend of Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2, however events will take place as early as May 25 in the run up.
Highlights of the River Festival 2019 include:
- Gaia - an installation, by renowned artist Luke Jerram, will be Huge illuminated 23ft earth to go on display in Liverpool Cathedral as part of River Festival, for four weeks. The artwork forms part of the ‘Changing Tides’ creative programme, which last year saw the Museum of the Moon installed in the Cathedral attracting 60,000 visitors to the venue in just two weeks.
- The award-winning Bordeaux Wine Festival Liverpool makes it return offering world-class wine and delicious food on the Pier Head. This will kick off on Friday 31 May and will run until Sunday, June 2 . More details about the event will be revealed in the coming weeks, but tickets can be purchased now from www.bwfliverpool.com.
- In a UK premiere, The Urchins will head to the waterfront. The artwork consists of hand-crocheted works of art made of fishing nets and measuring more than three metres high and nearly six metres wide. Designed by internationally award winning architect Jin Choi, the fabric shell will float above the water and will be illuminated – creating beautiful glowing structures.
- Yolart is a brand new commission where the Pier Head will become a canvas for in-demand artist Jola Kudela. Her speciality is working in public spaces and engaging with communities to recreate scenes from classic paintings, giving it a 21st century twist. The work will start on the commission from April.
- Mann Island will be taken over by ‘Shipwreck: Receivers of the Wreck’ which will see a lone, broken ship act as a stage for a highly physical show featuring performances, aerial circus, dance and soundscapes to tell the tales of sailors, survivors, wreckers and rescuers. There will also be performances at Mann Island from world famous acrobatic troupe African Eagles and the Rhajistani heritage brass band.
The golden age of Hollywood will take over the waterfront thanks to a new On the Town – a brand new dance commission by House of Suarez. Expect a New-York inspired tap extravaganza to take over when you least expect it on land and on shore. The main stage of the Pier Head will celebrate Liverpool’s longstanding relationship with New York - with live music performances from Disco Inferno and Motown Gold.
- The Northern Boat Show will also return for its fifth year. It will give visitors the chance to experience all the various ways to get on the water – from sailing and cruising right through to kayaking – there’s something for the whole family at Salthouse Dock.
- As well as the Changing Tides programme, River Festival Liverpool will feature the usual family friendly elements. Royal Albert Dock Liverpool will be home to three Ship Stages dedicated to showcasing Indian, African and Irish live music and performances. There will be story-telling, music workshops, street theatre and dancing showcases taking place across the site during the two days.
