The Rollin Stove signs up to join Southport Comedy Festival this October

HUNGRY visitors to this year's Southport Comedy Festival will be able to get some Satisfaction; thanks to a classy new street food outlet called:- 'The Rollin Stove.' The food trailer was opened earlier this year by well known local restaurateur Sandy McKenzie, the former owner of The Latin Lounge, in Southport, and her business partner, Kerry Toft. The Rollin Stove has already been enjoying rave reviews after operating in the grounds of Jewson's Builders, at Meols Cop Bridge, in High Park.  They have also popped up at the recent Southport Disco Festival, and are looking forward to feeding visitors throughout the 17 day, Southport Comedy Festival, this October. This year's 10th Anniversary Festival, that takes place at Victoria Park, in Southport, from 1 October to 17 October 2021. Top class acts include:- Russell Kane, Rich Hall, Jason Byrne, Reginald D Hunter, Jo Caulfield, Tom Stade, Ed Byrne, Mark Thomas, Paul Sinha, Tez Ilyas, Luisa Omielan, Hal Cruttenden, Geoff Norcott, Steve Royle, Helen Bauer, Troy Hawke, Katie Tracey, and David Eagle. Tickets are now on sale. The Rollin Stove produces freshly cooked food while sourcing the best local ingredients. The chips are hand cut each day, while meat is provided by quality local butchers.

Sandy McKenzie said:- "When Kerry and I bought it, we decided to go down the route of serving fresh produce, using locally bought food. We make our own burgers, we make our own fries, we make our food fresh every day. Our fries and our loaded fries are going down very well indeed. We are really enjoying what we are doing! At Southport Comedy Festival we are going to be cooking our famous burgers and Bad Boy Burgers, our Southern fried chicken burgers, all served on our brioche buns. We are also serving hot dogs on a bun with crunchy onions and curry sauce, or topped with our home made chili con carne. We are also doing loaded fries; you can have them topped with steak, onions and pepper sauce; our Chinese salt and pepper fries; loaded fries with cheese and crispy onions; or our Fire Fries with hot sauce. We are going to be at Southport Comedy Festival every evening, and will still be at Jewson's during the day. We started there at the end of April and have been building up our customers ever since. We have got a great breakfast and lunchtime trade now. Our food trailer is going to be lit up at the Festival, it will look really nice. We really enjoyed providing the food at Southport Disco Festival this summer, and we are pleased to be coming back to Victoria Park. We would love to do more festivals. We are really looking forward to doing the Southport Comedy Festival. I am pleased to see all the shows being under a big marquee at Victoria Park this year. I'm glad this event is going to be happening after it was sadly postponed last year."

The name for The Rollin Stove was inspired by Sandy's son. She said:- "We were just thinking that our food trailer was like being an oven on wheels. My son said to me 'why don't you call it the Rollin Stove?' It has been a very hard 18 months for small businesses. It is good to see them coming back, and for events like Southport Comedy Festival to be back on again, in such a great setting. Victoria Park is such a beautiful park. I'm glad to see it being used again for big events."

Southport Comedy Festival Director Brendan Riley said:- "With less than a month to go, this is now D Day for us! Tickets are already selling very well. This is the strongest Comedy Festival line up we have had, we are really looking forward to it. Guests can enjoy 16 shows across 17 days, between 1 October and 17 October 2021, every night is a headline act! Please come out and enjoy some superb live comedy."

The Southport Comedy Festival in association with Anthony James Estate Agents is supported by many local businesses. For Southport Comedy Festival tickets, please visit:- SouthportComedyFestival.Com.

Calling local music creators - Liverpool International Music Festival (LIMF) Academy is back for 2021/22!

APPLICATIONS to be part of the award winning programme are now open and the team are on the hunt for the best:- artists, bands and producer artists, aged 16 to 25, based within the Liverpool City Region, to take part. LIMF Curator, Yaw Owusu, said:- "The pedigree of talent we see come through the Academy is a real testament to the creativity we have in abundance across the City Region. The achievements of our Academy graduates is massively rewarding, and shouldn't be underestimated. Getting your foot in the door in the music industry isn't easy and the fact that so many of our talented cohort members have gone on to get recording or publishing deals or launch themselves into a sustainable career shows the value of this programme. After the past 18 months, artists and creatives need as much support as possible and we're here to do just that. So, if you are making great music, aged 16 to 25, unsigned and believe you are ready to take your creativity and career to the next level; apply now"

Since its inception in 2013, the LIMF Academy has seen more than 4,450 young artists attend workshops and seminars and perform at a variety of events. With support from; and in partnerships with:- BBC Music Introducing, BBC Radio 1Xtra, PRS Foundation, UK Music, Musician's Union, Help Musician's UK, Ditto Music, the Academy has grown to become 1 of the main platforms for developing and showcasing young artists and emerging talent in the Region. With an incredible track record for specifically honing the skills of the best up and coming and unsigned music talent, getting access to the Academy's exclusive masterclasses and insider know how has been career defining for many of the previous LIMF Academy alumni. Some of these include:-

► XamVolo - The neo-jazz singer songwriter and producer went on to sign a label deal with Universal Records, has been championed by BBC Radio and Beats 1 and toured UK arenas as the main support on the Paloma Faith tour.

► Michael Aldag - With more than ˝ a million TikTok followers, Michael's electro pop sound is racking up big numbers on streaming sites and he has signed a record deal with 3 Beat Music / Universal.

► PizzaGirl - The electronic singer songwriter and producer has been championed by the likes of Huw Stephens, Lauren Laverne and has toured the UK and Europe and received international support by key music sites. He has just signed to acclaimed indie label, Hit or Heist.

► Eleanor Nelly - A folk pop singer who went on to sign to Decca Records Management and have her debut EP produced by Cam Blackwood (George Ezra, London Grammar and Dua Lipa).

► Jalen N'Gonda - The classic soul singer went on to sign a global publishing deal, tour the UK, Europe and US and perform at many major festivals across the world. He has recently signed a recording deal.

► Mary Miller - Dream pop singer songwriter and producer who saw her debut single release hit no 1 globally on Hype Machine and receive ardent support by the likes of Clash Magazine and The Line Of Best Fit as well as going on to perform at key music industries showcases across the UK.

► RVHEEM - The R&B/pop singer songwriter has worked with a number of the UK's top Black Music artists and has been named as part of BBC Asian Networks Future Sounds and has performed at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend.

Those lucky enough to get access to the free initiative will receive a variety of benefits, including:-

► Performance opportunities at LIMF and other regular showcases.

► Monthly masterclass and skill sessions with industry leaders on topics such as:- marketing, promotion, performance, distribution, media training, funding opportunities, resilience training and much more.

► Free rehearsal time.

► Paid membership to the Musician's Union and PRS For Music.

► Free global distribution for their music via Ditto Music.

► Mentoring, advice and signposting.

► Bursaries to help with their careers (between ₤750 to ₤2,500)

► Access to LIMF Academy partners.

► Music making and collaborative opportunities.

► Marketing support.

On top of this, the 3 deemed to be- 'most ready' will get additional support including:- recording studio time, year round mentoring and life coaching and the creation of professional assets. Details on how to be part of this career defining programme can be found at:- LIMFAcademy.Com.

Closing date for applications is 27 September 2021, at 7pm. LIMF Academy alumni Michael Aldag said:- "I cannot overstate how pivotal the LIMF Academy has been in the development of my music and helping me launch my career. They have given me countless opportunities to perform, collaborate and meet amazing people in the industry. The additional support; be it funding, mentoring or career advice has been invaluable. For an upcoming artist, applying to the LIMF Academy is a no brainer."

LIMF Academy partners include:- Liverpool City Council, BBC Music Introducing, PRS Foundation, Youth Music, Ditto Music and Sentric Music.  The talent development programme forms a vital part of Liverpool's status as UNESCO City of Music.