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Beatle-mania hits Central Library
JOHN LENNON’S
sister will be among the guests of honour at the launch of a
stunning new exhibition celebrating the life and music of the
Beatles.
Julia Baird will arrive at Liverpool Central Library for the
official opening of the ‘Another Hard Day’s Night’
exhibition, which tells the story of The Beatles triumphant return
to Liverpool after taking the world by storm. The exhibition
chronicles the Fab 4’s homecoming on July 10, 1964 to a grand civic
reception at the Town Hall and the northern premiere of their first
feature film ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ at the Odeon Cinema, London
Road later the same night.
It includes correspondence between the Lord Mayor’s office and
Beatles manager Brian Epstein - giving the background story of how
The Beatles were invited to the Town Hall for the historic event.
Drawn from the Lord Mayor’s Office official archives which are held
by Liverpool Libraries and Record Office, it is the 1st time the
documents have been publicly displayed. In addition, the
exhibition includes the original guest list for the event,
photographs, newspaper cuttings and memorabilia.
Visitors will also be able to see a framed print of the publicity
shot for the ‘Hard Day’s Night’ film, which depicts John,
Paul, Ringo and George sat in directors chairs. 4 replica directors
chairs will be on display at the exhibition beneath the print,
giving fans the chance to put themselves in the Fab 4’s shoes and
create their own version of the iconic image.
Liverpool City Council’s executive member for libraries, Councillor
Colin Eldridge said:- “This is a fantastic exhibition, which
tells one of the most amazing stories in the history of popular
music. Another Hard Day’s Night captures a hugely significant period
in The Beatles’ remarkable history, a time when four local lads
returned to their home city as bonafide superstars. The
exhibition features a number of documents never seen by the public
before and will be of huge interest to historians, music fans and
visitors from all over the world. With tens of thousands of tourists
now converging on our city to see the European Capital of Culture
for themselves, this exhibition couldn’t have come at a better time.
It’s a fantastic boost to our celebrations.”
Joining Julia Baird at the launch will be a number of high-profile
guests, including Tony Barrow, Beatles Press Officer from 1962 –
1968; Mark Lewisohn, world-renowned Beatles historian and author of
several definitive books and Paul Du Noyer, writer of ‘Liverpool:
Wondrous Place’ and former editor of Mojo Magazine. They
will be treated to live music from the original line-up of 60s
Liverpool band ‘Fourmost’ - also formerly managed by Brian
Epstein - before the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Paul Clark
declares the exhibition officially open.
Customer Service Manager at Liverpool Central Library, John Keane,
said:- “This important exhibition tells the story of four men
from Liverpool who influenced popular music in a way that, perhaps,
will never be seen again. I’m sure it will bring great joy and
excitement to people from all over the world, and it’s a great way
for Liverpool Central Library to begin the Capital of Culture year.
I’m delighted that John Lennon’s sister, Julia Baird – and so many
other renowned guests – will be joining us for the launch. It will
be a fantastic evening, giving us the chance to celebrate the lives
and music of The Beatles before everyone is given the chance to see
these important pieces of music history for themselves.”
Another Hard Day’s Night is being supported by BBC Radio Merseyside
and the Hard Day’s Night Hotel, which opens for business in the city
on 1 February. The launch will be compared by DJ and historian at
Radio Merseyside, Spencer Leigh who produced a 2-hour documentary
tying-in with the exhibition which aired on Christmas Day 2007.
The exhibition will be open to the public from 17 January until 17
February 2008, and the city’s Beatles archives will continue to be
available to the public by appointment at the Record Office, Central
Library, after the exhibition closes. |
MERSEYSIDE RESTAURANTS ENJOY A TASTE OF THE HI-LIFE!
SOME of the
region’s best loved restaurants have been celebrating as nominations for
the 2008 Hi-Life Dining Awards, the northern dining industries’
most prestigious accolade, were announced a few days back.
A record number of
votes spanning 2000 restaurants were cast by restaurant goers across
the North of England and Ireland for 13 categories including ‘Best
Chef’, ‘Best Value Restaurant’ and ‘Best Newcomer’. 5
restaurants from Merseyside are short-listed in two categories
namely ‘Best Atmosphere’ and ‘Best in Merseyside’.
Seen as the industry ‘Oscars of the North’ and now in their
23rd year, the awards are the largest restaurant accolades to be
entirely voted for by members of the public and this year sees an
even greater number of eateries recognised, as Ireland and the North
East of England restaurants are included for the 1st time.
Liverpool based London Carriage Works will be hoping to claim the ‘Best
in Merseyside’ award for the 3rd year in a row but will face
stiff competition from the 4 other local finalists, Alma de Cuba, Il Forno, Babycream and Negresco Deco. Alma de Cuba in Liverpool
is also in the running for the ‘Best Atmosphere’ award
alongside entrants from Manchester, Leeds and Cheshire.
Winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony at the, Five
Star, Hilton
Hotel, in Manchester’s landmark Beetham Tower, on Friday 25 January
2008. As well as luminaries from the culinary world, the event
attracts a glittering array of famous faces which last year included
comedian Dave Spikey, The Bill star Andrew Lancel, Kelvin Fletcher
from Emmerdale, Hollyoaks stars David Brown, Sarah Jayne Dunn and
Helen Noble and Coronation Street’s, Sean Wilson, Anthony Cotton,
Julia Howarth and Katherine Kelly.
David Heeley, President of Hi-Life said:- “For the 50 or so
restaurants who have been nominated this year, the awards are a
recognition of excellence and a huge pat on the back for the
restaurant’s team. Unlike other food awards, every Hi-Life award is
the result of actual votes cast by the most discerning critics of
all – the dining public.”
Paul Askew of London Carriage Works, winner of the ‘Best
Merseyside Restaurant’ at the 2007 Hi Life awards, commented:-
“Everyone at London Carriage Works is really pleased to be
have been nominated in the awards once again. It makes all the hard
work worthwhile to know that diners have enjoyed their meals and
their time with us so much that they wish to vote for us.”
The event will see funds raised for The Christie Hospital in
Manchester through a raffle and charity pledge auction. |
