THE UK'S FIRST PERMANENT WILFRED OWEN EXHIBITION SET TO OPEN IN BIRKENHEAD

THE UK's first permanent exhibition commemorating the war poet Wilfred Owen is set to open in Birkenhead on 18 March 2011, Wilfred Owen was tragically killed a week before Armistice Day.

The opening celebrates the anniversary of Owen's birthday, and the gallery will focus on the importance of his formative years in the town, often overlooked in favour of his birthplace in Shropshire.

This designated site in the Wirral will help establish a formal tourist attraction that can inform and guide visitors to the other landmarks that relate to the poet in the town.

The Wilfred Owen Story is the brainchild of local songwriter Dean Johnson, who has produced a musical based on Wilfred's life entitled Bullets And Daffodils, starring Christopher Timothy.  Like Owen, Dean is a former old boy of the Birkenhead Institute, and feels strongly that Wilfred should be honoured in The Wirral.

Says Dean:- "His profile should be so much higher here. In a couple of years it will be the hundredth anniversary of the start of World War One; there will be huge media interest, and The Wirral needs to capitalise on this exposure in a cultural way. The BBC have been in touch already regarding the exhibition and are looking for assistance in making a documentary on Owens's time here."

The opening of the gallery will be sponsored by The Birkenhead YMCA, who are keen to display artwork by their residents: people who have turned adversity into creativity and changed their lives around.

Dean again: "The ethos of The Wilfred Owen Story is for individuals within the community to find their own voice and use it to the same cathartic effect, in the same way as Owen used his. The involvement of the YMCA fits perfectly with this, and our first guest artist is George Gardner (birkenheadymca.co.uk), whose work is simply outstanding; a true original. George has known terrible setbacks in his life but he has found an outlet in his art to come to terms with these and move forward."

The Wilfred Owen Story at 34 Argyle Street, Birkenhead, opens its doors at 3pm on Friday, 18 March 2011. Admission is FREE.

For more info go to the TIC website.

New youth and sports facilities for Toxteth

MULTI-MILLION pound plans to create new fitness and youth facilities together with a new home for Toxteth Fire Station have been submitted to the Big Lottery Fund.  The £4.8 million project will see Toxteth Sports Centre completely rebuilt with a new sports hall and fitness suite together with a climbing wall, multi activity room and dance/drama studio. It will be funded by a £2.3 million grant from the lottery’s ‘Myplace’ scheme, together with £500,000 from the city council.  In addition, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service are spending £2 million relocating Toxteth Community Fire Station to the Upper Hill Street site from its present location on Upper Park Street. The campus will be known as ‘Toxteth Firefit’, and builds upon the successful partnership between the city council and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service which has seen fitness equipment installed in some fire stations for use by local residents.

Councillor Ann O’Byrne, cabinet member for the youth service, said:- “This is an exciting and innovative project which will create top quality leisure and youth facilities as well as putting Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service at the heart of the local community.  The existing Sports Centre is looking tired and in need of major investment and this scheme will breathe new life into the whole site.”

Councillor Wendy Simon, cabinet member for leisure, said:- “Our young people demand and deserve great facilities and this exciting project will mean we are able to provide exciting activities for them.”

Kieran Timmins, Assistant Chief Executive of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, said:- “The project provides a great partnership for the regeneration of the whole area as well as creating outstanding sporting facilities and a fire station for the use of everyone in the community.”

A planning application is due to be submitted later this year with work expected to start in June ready for completion in summer 2012.

Businesses Encouraged To Be Prepared

BUSINESSES in Sefton can learn more about how to cope in an emergency or during unexpected disruption. A free event will hear from guest speakers highlighting the importance of business continuity and resilience plans in advance of any potential incident. A networking group is being developed, initially led by Sefton Council, to share good practice and offer practical advice based on previous experiences or events. The first meeting takes place on Friday, 25 March 2011, at Southport Town Hall starting at 10am. Cllr Peter Dowd, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member Communities, said:- "Most business owners or managers are likely to have a legal or moral responsibility for managing risk. In this fast moving world, we want to help Sefton businesses be as prepared as possible for the countless problems that could arise at very short notice. The aim of this new forum is to help both businesses and the voluntary sector by offering practical advice on protecting their important operations. By working together, we want to help organisations become more resilient, both in emergencies and in other incidents of business interruption." Places for the event are limited and must be booked in advance. Call John Hodkinson on:- 0151 934 2187, or by email.

THE MARTINI LOUNGE BURLESQUE SHOW
Photograph by Matt Ford

FOLLOWING sell out success at its February showcase, The Martini Lounge Burlesque Show returns to St Georges Hall on Saturday, 9 April 2011, in celebration of April Fools.

Co-incidentally the April showcase takes place on the same day as the Grand National and we’re willing to bet that the Martini Lounge Troupe of feisty fillies will set hearts racing faster than the thoroughbreds at Aintree. Stuffed full of glitz and glamour, this is the show to put the Grand into your Grand National day.

More glamorous than a Private Box at the races, the Martini Lounge has 8 dinner tables on offer. On the night, guests will revel in an exclusive show program whilst enjoying a sumptuous 2-course dinner that will tempt the taste buds prior to the evening performance, for which the circle and balcony will be opened. The show treasures the satire and performance art that evolved since Burlesque’s 19th Century origin. This awe inspiring show has created a classy and delightfully ludicrous night of entertainment in the most pertinent venue to reflect this tradition.

In poll position; the saucy, sassy and always seductive Snappy O’Shea will saunter out to tease and tantalise the audience. This shimmying starlet has a PhD on pin-ups under her (garter) belt. Her act is not merely academic though, with a stage performance playing homage to very early burlesque and Hollywood films and their sirens of the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s, she’s sure to leave you elucidated and titillated.

The bookies’ favourite Bee’s Knees get up a glorious gallop as they take to the stage with one of their infectious Charleston routines. This delectable duo takes one of the most famous dances of the 20’s and bring it right up to date in spectacular style. With sequins a-glint and fringed hems vigorously swinging, these chic show-girls provide an act with a euphoric party atmosphere. At every kick and turn the Bee’s Knees exude the quirky exoticism, style and humour of an era when knees were VERY exciting! They’ll certainly put a spring in your step! “I didn’t know legs could move like that!”

Rearing to go, Miss Velma Von Bon Bon will canter in to have the crowd blushing with giggles as she performers one of her hilariously cheeky routines. With a background in acting and extremely inventive acts and outfits this is one performer whose comedic performances will be remembered with a grin.

Romping home, blues prima donna Em Brulée is sure to send shivers down your spine as she performs a number of classic hits. Fresh from recording with swing band TC & the Swingcats, Em Brulée is a passionate artiste, drawing inspiration from charismatic and soulful divas such as Billie Holliday, Etta James and Nina Simone. Renowned for her electrifying stage presence and show-womanship you’ll be surrendering to Em Brulée even before she unleashes her silky smooth vocals for the ultimate soul seduction.

The fairest filly of them all, Miss Millie Dollar, Liverpool’s very own Queen of Burlesque & founder of The Martini Lounge will step out to perform one of her renowned routines. With a wink and a smile, Millie will entertain and tease you with her unique mix of rock and roll, sleaze and Las Vegas style Bump ’n’ Grind. A firm scene favourite, Millie has been performing since 2006 and has specialised in Classic style Burlesque with tributes to Sally Rand.

Widely regarded as the must-see Burlesque showcase in the UK due to its sell-out status and devoted audience. The Martini Lounge invites you enjoy an impressive night of glitz and glamour from a forgotten age. Whether you’re in search of a perfect after-races experience or are seeking an alternative to the day’s sporting events, come along as we bring an outstanding line-up of international Burlesque stars to the cultural city of Liverpool in the striking venue of St. George’s Hall, continuing this delectable series of shows.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS:-

The Martini Lounge Grand Showcase is on Saturday, 9 April 2011, at The Concert Room in St Georges Hall, Liverpool.  Dinner Show Guests:- Doors from 5.30pm, Show start 6.30pm. Evening Event Guests:- Doors from 7.30pm, Show start 8.30pm. Tickets:- Dinner Show and Evening Event. Front/Mid Tables are £66.70 (£59 Early Bird), including two-course dinner and evening event. Evening Event only:- Circle – £24 (£21.60 Early Bird).  Balcony - £15 (limited availability). How to Book: Book over the phone at:- 0844 888 9991 or visit the:- website.