TREACHERY, GREED & INSANITY COME TO VUE SOUTHPORT IN MACBETH OPERA

TAKE note.... Opera lovers in Southport are in for a treat as Vue screens a live broadcast of Verdi’s musical interpretation of the Shakespearian tragedy, Macbeth, at 7.15pm on Monday, 13 June 2011. The dramatic production tells the story of Scottish general, Macbeth, who being spurred on by his power hungry wife and a prophecy from three witches, commits regicide and kills his best friend in his quest to become King. While on the throne Macbeth does everything he can to hold onto his ill-gotten power, but following a second prophesy, he is ultimately beheaded. The opera will be broadcast via live satellite link up from the Royal Opera House in high definition and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound to make sure that cinema goers get to experience to the drama of the performance to the fullest. For tickets visit:- myvue.com!!!

Putting parks in the picture

Photograph above is ‘Summer Morning in Millwood’ by Richard Davies.

LIVERPOOL’S parks and green spaces are a photographer’s dream. From the Victorian grandeur of the major parks to smaller gardens which are hidden gems, there are so many superb scenes waiting to be captured on camera. Now, photographers of all types; from beginners to professionals; have the opportunity to show the best of Liverpool’s 70 plus parks, gardens, recreation grounds, playgrounds and nature reserves, 17 of which have been awarded Green Flags. The Liverpool Parks Friends Forum - a forum for all the Friends of Parks groups in Liverpool - is staging the annual parks photographic competition. They are inviting everyone to send on digital images of 3 categories:-

► Wildlife in the Park
► People and Parks
► Parks for all Seasons

The best images will be included in the 2012 Parks calendar and there will be prizes for the outstanding entries.

"This competition is, quite rightly, extremely popular. Last year we had 350 entries and every indication is that we are going to exceed that this year. And it is not just the quantity – the quality and imagination of the photographs we receive is breath-taking. But that is hardly surprising as there is so much in our parks and green spaces to inspire any photographer. So, send us the shot which captures your favourite view or illustrates the wildlife that flourishes in our green spaces." said Councillor Tim Moore, cabinet member for the environment and climate change.

Entry forms and further details of the competition are available on the Parks website or on entry forms available from Parks outlets (Sefton Park Ranger Base, Croxteth Country Park Gift Shop, Calderstones Park Coach House Gallery and The Isla Gladstone Conservatory in Stanley Park).  Closing date for entries 31 August 2011. 

Local Euro-MP joins Fish Fight with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

LOCAL Labour Euro-MP, Arlene McCarthy welcomed celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and his high profile Fish Fight campaign to Brussels. Thousands of people from across the region have backed the Channel 4 star's call for a reform of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy to stop the current practice of discards, which can result in over half the fish caught by a fishing boat being thrown back overboard dead or dying. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall came to Brussels on Tuesday, 31 May 2011, in a push to persuade people from other European countries to get on board the Fish Fight campaign. The first phase of the campaign had concentrated on British TV viewers following a documentary in January. Today Hugh launched the Fish Fight website in 11 different languages and called on Arlene and her colleagues in European Parliament to:- "spread the word" by pushing the campaign out to other countries. He said:- "We've been heard loud and clear in the UK...This is phase two of the campaign. So far over 680,000 people have signed a petition to the European Commission on the subject. We want to get to a million calling for an end to discards." Arlene McCarthy MEP, has backed a European Parliament declaration calling for changes to EU fishing policy to increase fish stocks and secure a better deal for local fishermen. Arlene said:- "Hugh's Fish Fight campaign has caught the hearts and minds of people in the region and they have been writing to me to support the campaign. We now need to make sure that their voices are heard in the corridors of Brussels and Westminster. We have to ensure that Euro MPs listen to people's concerns about the loss of diversity in our seas and the terrible waste caused by current practices. We want to see a policy that boosts the fish in our seas and the local communities that depend on them. It is clear that Hugh recognises that this isn't going to be an easy battle, but the Fish Fight campaign is certainly helping us make the case for change that will be good for the long-term prospects of our fish and the fishermen who catch them."

Merseyside Festival Has Arts and Music to Suit Your Budget

A Merseyside arts festival promises a programme that – with almost two thirds of events and exhibitions free; is heavy on quality, but light on the wallet.  Among the highlights of this year’s Prescot Festival of Music and the Arts are a recital by Metropolitan Cathedral organist Timothy Noon, a rare screening of the classic Willy Russell drama Our Day Out and a Proms-style finale starring the Liverpool Male Voice Choir.

The festival, which opens on Friday, 17 June 2011, will also include appearances from L’Orchestra Dell’Arte, Blue Moon String Quartet and Whiston and a singer-songwriter Rachael Dunn, among other performers.

"We’ve always aimed for a diverse programme that’s as entertaining as it is affordable. We’ve achieved that again in this, our seventh year, with a line-up of first-class regional talent, from orchestras and choirs to folk bands and contemporary artists." said Artistic Director Dr Robert Howard.

Dr Howard, who is Head of Music at Deyes High School Maghull, founded the Prescot Festival in 2005 to celebrate the historic town’s heritage and provide audiences with a sample of the arts and culture that is often out of reach in smaller towns.

Robert continued:- "Not everyone can afford to pay £20 plus transport costs to travel to the city centre to hear an orchestra. So it’s great to be able to offer a whole 10 days of concerts and arts events for no more than a few pounds each, and often at no cost at all."

The Prescot Festival runs from Friday, 17 June 2011 to Sunday, 26 June, 2011, at several venues in the town. More information, including the full schedule, is available on the official website.