Fiery pre-show fun for all the family Photographs by Chris Maines-Beasley
A Kaleidoscopic parade, fiery
performances, street entertainment and creative workshops are on offer for
visitors to enjoy ahead of Liverpool's River of Light music and fireworks
spectacular.
Taking place on Sunday, 5 November 2017, plans are in place for special pre-show
performances suitable for all the family. Located on The Strand (near the Albert
Dock entrance) up to Princes Parade (where the cruise ships berth), visitors
will be able to enjoy a range of entertainment running from 5pm to 6.30pm, along
with a Family Hub at the Mann Island Atrium which is open, from 4pm.
Performances start from 5pm, when Spark! will take over an area near
the Pier Head, with a high impact LED drumming act, combined with kaleidoscopic
lighting. Expect an interactive, mesmerising performance which is set to
captivate the crowd.
Local arts organisations Bring the Fire Project and Katumba return once again,
for 2017, with a bigger and better showcase of their fire drumming skills, in a
performance called:- 'A Journey Through Time.' Expect loud drums, pyrotechnics, fire
breathers stilt walkers and acrobatics starting from 5pm and 5.45pm on The
Strand (by Albert Dock entrance) and Princes Parade and 5.15pm and 6pm, at the
Mann Island amphitheatre. Each performance lasts 25 minutes and is a different
show in each of the three locations.
The Parade, Spark! will take the lead for the carnival style parade, starting at
Mann Island at 5.45pm and continuing along The Strand, with a finale at Princes
Parade at 6.30pm, leaving visitors in a prime position for viewing the
fireworks. And don't just be an on looker; get involved by heading to Mann
Island Atrium for lantern making workshops from 4 to 5.45pm with the Lantern
Company, and proudly display your finished creation. The workshop costs just
₤4.50, but spaces are limited so will be on a 1st come 1st served basis.
Street entertainment will take place on the Pier Head's grassed area (in front of the
Mersey Ferry Terminal) will play host to visual artists Halo, which will wow
crowds with a spellbinding LED display taking place, at 5pm, 5.35pm and 6.10pm.
Yet another visual treat will be provided by the Lantern Company as some of
their illuminated, surreal creations roam the waterfront throughout the evening.
...continued...
The Family Hub will be on Mann Island Atrium
and will open its doors from
4pm, as well as the lantern making workshops, there will be UV and glitter face
painting on offer courtesy of Fabarooney helping people brighten up their night!
The Open Eye Gallery's hugely successful FREE Light Painting Workshop returns
for another year, from 4pm to 6.30pm. It gives visitors the chance to get
creative and discover that by taking a photograph with a long exposure time, you
can capture shapes drawn in the air using a torch, laser pen or bright light,
creating a unique masterpiece!
Pre-show family entertainment will also be on the Wirral side of the water at
the New Brighton Promenade. There will be activities, entertainment, food and
drink, along with performances from Bring the Fire Project and Katumba,
illuminated street entertainment and UV face painting.
Liverpool and Wirral's main fireworks shows will start at 6.30pm and is expected
to finish around 6.45pm. A number of food and drink stalls will also be
available at Princes Parade and on the Pier Head.
Both sides of the Mersey are set to be lit up as Liverpool and Wirral Council's
have commissioned Titanium Fireworks; regarded as the best fireworks companies
in the UK; to design their displays.
For the Liverpool audience, the fireworks will be set off from huge barges
floating near the water's edge on the Mersey, and will be accompanied by a
soundtrack played from key areas and venues along the waterfront.
For the Wirral audience, the fireworks will be set off from Perch Rock, New
Brighton. Both displays will be accompanied by the same soundtrack.
Assistant Mayor and Cabinet Member for
culture, tourism and events, Councillor Wendy Simon, said:- "I'm delighted
with the quality of the pre-fireworks street animation on offer this year. We
want to encourage the whole family to come along before the main show, enjoy the
amazing entertainment on offer and then watch the fireworks which are set to be
some of the biggest we've seen in Liverpool. It really will be a feast for the
senses and we hope that residents and visitors alike wrap up warm and head to
our world heritage waterfront to enjoy this free spectacular."
More information on the event, in terms of vantage points, a map of activities
across the site and advice on travelling to see the fireworks, will be added to:-
RiverOfLightFireworks.Co.UK
soon. Why not join in the conversation on Culture Liverpool's Facebook and
Twitter social pages using the hashtag:- '#RiverOfLight.'
Important note for those attending River of Light:- From 5pm, on
Sunday, 5 November 2017, The Strand will be closed from Liver Street to Chapel Street.
Liverpool ONE'S QPark will remain accessible during this time, with the road
expected to reopen as soon as possible after the event.
Viewing areas across the waterfront may be
closed once full. The advice is to arrive early.
River of Light's Presenting Partner is The LECCY - Liverpool Energy Community
Company, set up by the Mayor of Liverpool to offer low cost gas and electricity
to people.
