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Liverpool’s New
Arena...
THE
New Liverpool Arena emerges as a shining star in Liverpool’s
galaxy of renowned architecture. It opened its doors to the
public for a free showing on Friday evening as a rehearsal
for the forthcoming ‘Liverpool The Musical’,
the official Capital of Culture opening, one of the events
on the 11 January 08 and 12 January 08. It is too late to
obtain tickets for that event as the 10.000 tickets were
sold out almost immediately, we were told! However, there
will be an opportunity to join the people’s festivities,
this Friday, around St George’s Plateau. These will feature
local artists of prominence including Ringo Starr and a cast
of thousands. Bring a torch, Jayne Casey and Nigel Jamieson,
the Creative Cultural Directors exhorted us, as helicopters
will be hovering overhead and it’s a chance for the public
to show how passionately we care about Liverpool as we turn
our torches skywards.
In the free event for Culture
Ambasidors, on Friday 4 January 2008, hundreds braved the
rain to look inside this intriguing new stadium, all curves
and contours, very spacious and apparently very well
appointed for its artists. With this capacity, Liverpool can
now host major events with confidence. Throughout the
evening we were entertained by talented local artists; the
first to take the stage in public was a girl group, Sweet
XX, followed by a local boy band, and then by Major Major
and The Farm. All of whom acquitted themselves admirably and
served to remind the audience of how much talent is still
budding in this great city.
Pete Price, the Radio City Compere, did an excellent job of
M C’ing the programme and regaled us with his beautiful
singing voice. Speakers included Warren Bradley, Liverpool
City Council Leader, Bob Prettey, Chief Executive, Jayne
Casey, Nigel Jamieson and Phil Redmond, the renowned writer
well known for Brookside. Between them they reminded us of
what Liverpool has achieved over the years and the world
famous people who have emanated from this city. Our culture
is authentic, home grown talent. Warren Bradley described
the Liverpool Welcome as very special and said that together
we can make Liverpool World Class. Even now Liverpool’s
economy is growing faster than anywhere else in Britain.
This City can do it!! Bob Prettey mentioned the pivotal role
of the new stadium in generating new income and its
employment of about 500 people already. Over the coming year
many high profile events will occur in this unique venue
including pop events with Boyzone and Girls Aloud due to
appear and the prestigious MTV Awards event booked for
November. The Conference Centre are also going apace
including the LibDems’ Spring Conference and the National
Association of Head Teachers’ also booked in. Phil Redmond
thanked all the Volunteers and Ambassadors for what they
have done and will continue to do. It was very important the
public drowned out the moaners and whingers and we will have
a tremendous year ahead, making this the, "Biggest,
best, broadest Capital of Culture ever".
Pete Price started two Mexican Waves around the Stadium,
which added great hilarity, before drawing 2 lucky winners
for the formal Opening Ceremony. This year no longer belongs
to the City Council, nor to the Culture Company. It was
EVERYBODY’S CAPITAL OF CULTURE he added.
So make the best of the very many events, which will occur
through the year from classical music to pops, art to
theatre, museum adventures and many community shindigs. Keep
in touch and support the City all you can. Fly the flag for
Liverpool and for Merseyside in general.
Click
here to see more
photographs of this stunning building. |
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