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Liverpool dance company MOVEMA become a charity

SINCE 2009 Movema have celebrated diversity through dance, creating safe spaces for different communities to come together, learn about each other and improve their health and wellbeing. The organisation's high quality arts and culture experiences include:- choreographed shows, parades, outdoor events and festivals.

A cornerstone of Movema's ongoing activity, their participation and learning projects include:- workshops, masterclasses, Schools programmes and Teacher resources, whilst also focusing on employment, apprenticeships, up skilling opportunities for professional and emerging dance artists and a volunteer network.

Co-Founder of Movema, Maria Malone said:- "This is a really exciting milestone for Movema as it means we are stronger to face what will be a tough time ahead for arts and community organisations. It's a new chapter of the company growing and being more stable; being able to offer more to our participants, artists and staff."

The award winning, world dance company is run by 4 female artists from diverse cultural backgrounds (Chinese, Malaysian, Caribbean, Irish and British), based and working in the most deprived postcodes in Liverpool and Bristol.

Movema Patron, Dan Haggis of The Wombats said:- "Movema is a jewel in the cultural life of Liverpool and being awarded charity status is a recognition of the quality of what they do. Access for all to dance and the arts in general is such an important part of every City and Movema bring joy and help people express themselves in so many wonderful ways."

Movema have been commissioned for performance by the likes of Liverpool City Council, Light Night, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Dance Consortium North West and many more. They have also partnered with Merseycare NHS Trust from 2011, delivering dance for mental health and wellbeing, across multiple services in the North West.
 
Recent projects include:- 'Moving Together,' a bespoke project for Refugees and Asylum Seekers. addressing inactivity, isolation and building stronger communities, and their World in a Box (WIAB) digital platform and resource for Schools and community groups. The accompanying:- 'Unlock the Box' programme, supported by BBC Children In Need, ran from 2014 to 2020, engaging over 1000 children and young people from disadvantaged communities across Merseyside. The group also continued delivery of programmes throughout the Pandemic, engaging over 10,000 people digitally.

Fellow co-founder, Ithalia Forel said:- "At the centre of our company and our work remains our commitment to share and celebrate our diverse dances in safe spaces, to create excellent work with a wide reach, spreading our message of unity and reaching out to transform the lives of those most in need through the power of world dance."

'Dance to Heal and Thrive' - a project providing enriching and meaningful dance and wellbeing sessions for marginalized women who have experienced multiple disadvantages. 'Dance Connects,' which saw commissions to partner artists with community organisations across Bristol; and Other projects include:- 'Spread Your Wings,' a Black History Month programme which include:- national conversation and training.

The Mayor of Liverpool, Joanne Anderson, said:- "I was delighted to hear that Movema have been awarded charity status. This will enable them to continue the fantastic work they do connecting people and communities at a time when unity is needed more than ever. Their enriching experiences celebrate diversity, help to build stronger communities and offer a real lifeline to many."

Find out more about Movema at:- Movema.Co.UK and by following @movema across social media.

New look LIMF is back for 2022!

ONE of Liverpool's most popular events returns this year with a whole new look and ambition to boost the City's music sector. Renowned for showcasing the best international and national household names alongside emerging talent at an accessible, low ticket price, Liverpool International Music Festival takes place, from Friday, 29 July to Sunday, 31 July 2022, in a brand new home.

In a change to previous years, this year's LIMF will see a City Centre takeover of around 25 venues and outdoor locations. The move has been prompted in a bid to re-energise and support the City's music sector which was severely impacted by the Covid19 Pandemic.

As a massively popular event in the City's events calendar, the LIMF team wants music lovers to experience amazing performers in the City's diverse range of incredible venues, and in the process, bring them much-needed footfall and a financial boost to help with their recovery after an unpredictable 2 years.

So who is on the multi-venue, line up? British reggae and pop band legends UB40 ft Ali Campbell, iconic American hip hop trio De La Soul, Liverpool royalty The Zutons, 1 of the hottest new bands around at the moment Red Rum Club, all female DJ Collective Girls Don't Sync, critically acclaimed rapper Kojey Radical, electrifying performers House Gospel Choir and the singer behind the unmistakable M People vocals, Heather Small, are among the 1st acts to be announced for LIMF 2022.

Venues include:- the M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, the Bombed Out Church (St Luke's), Invisible Wind FActory, 24 Kitchen Street, District, Arts Club Liverpool and Camp and Furnace.

It's a mixture of free and ticketed events, and there's something for everyone with under 18 gigs such as:- LIMF Presents…. The Shubz which will see a host of BBC Radio 1XTRA DJs including Kenny AllStar, Sian Anderson and Cuppy playing the very best in grime and hip hop.

The theme of LIMF 2022 is Power to the People and Purpose, and is a homage to those game changing, trailblazing people, movements and music genres who empowered change for the better.

For full details of the line up to date, and to benefit from Early Bird tickets, head to:- LIMFestival.Com. Ticket prices will vary per venue, with prices starting from just £5 to £35 plus booking fee. Some events will be free, but are ticketed.

Over 100 more artists are set to be announced in the coming weeks.

#LIMF2022 #LIMFISBACK

Liverpool's Cabinet Member for Culture and Visitor Economy, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:- "It feels fantastic to be in a position where our Culture Liverpool team is back to doing what it does best -staging major events which residents and visitors love. And our ability to do this so well is 1 of the reasons why we have such an outstanding, and enviable reputation in the cultural world. We thought long and hard about LIMF 2022 and what it should look like, and after hearing from the sector itself about the challenges that are still in place, the right thing to do was change the LIMF location. Our culture, leisure and Hospitality sector is the heartbeat of Liverpool and this reimagined festival means we can drive footfall not only to the music venues, but to other restaurants, shops, pubs and clubs in the City. It's an exciting year for the festival and we can't wait to welcome back old and new LIMF-ers -so don't miss out and get your Early Bird tickets today!"

LIMF Curator, Yaw Owusu, said:- "I've curated LIMF since its inception in 2013 and it has very much evolved into the festival we know and love today, audiences expect that mix of household names and up and coming talent and we're giving them that this year in spades; albeit with a decidedly different ambition. Changing the location has added a really interesting dynamic, and working closely with the venues it's easy to see how important this move is for them. It feels right to be in and around the City Centre, utilising the wonderful range of venues and spaces that exist here and are the bedrock of the scene year round. This year we have seen the City make history by hosting the 1st ever Liverpool Against Racism festival, so it's fitting that this year's theme is all about taking a stand and making a change which has a positive impact on society. On the line up we have acts that pushed boundaries and made waves in music and culture, and continue to do so today, and sharing the limelight are new up and coming artists who are starting to make their mark on the industry too. It's great to bring LIMF back with a high quality and meaningful programme, that is also inclusive and diverse; once again showcasing Liverpool's bold, contemporary music voice and attitude."

Invisible Wind FActory Manager, Laura Cotter, said:- "The Pandemic caused huge problems and uncertainty for venues. It is great that the latest edition of LIMF is using City venues for their programme and we are really excited about what they have in store for us here."

LIMF line up so far:-

► Friday, 29 July 2022... UB40 ft Ali Campbell, Aswad, Liam Bailey, Robbo Ranx, at the M&S Bank Arena; Early Bird £25 + booking fee.

   ► De La Soul, Kojey Radical, Berwyn, No Fakin, at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall; Early Bird £15 + booking fee.

   ► Girls Don't Sync + Guests; Bombed Out Church (St Luke's) - Free.

   ► System by Gaika - Gaika, Flohio, Flora Yin Wong, Glor1a, God Colony, Nazar, - Invisible Wind FActory... Early bird £5 + booking fees.

  ► Heartless Crew House Party - Heartless Crew, Shola Ama, Shortee Blitz, Scott Garcia, DJ Cali, MC Shabba D, DJ Smokey, MC Preshus... 24 Kitchen Street; Early bird £10 + booking fee...

► Saturday, 30 July 2022... LIMF Presents… The Shubz (Anthony Walker Foundation Festival After Party) - Kenny AllStar (BBC Radio 1Xtra), Sian Anderson (BBC Radio 1Xtra), Cuppy (BBC Radio 1Xtra), Kizzi... District (Under 18s dry bar event) Early bird £5 + booking fee.

  ► Donae'o Presents Bounce - Donae'o, Rampage, Supa D + Coldsteps, Gracious K, Donch, Versatile, DJ Zeke; Arts Club Liverpool... Early bird £10 + booking fee

► Sunday, 31 July 2022:- The Zutons, Red Rum Club, She Drew The Gun, Big Joanie, The Dream Machine, Blondes, The Heavy North, Pixey, Michael Aldag, Mexican Dogs, Silent-K, Psycho Comedy, The Sundowners, Casino, Tilly Louise, Razzmatazz, Fiona Lennon
Camp and Furnace... Early bird £15 + booking fee.

  ► Heather Small (M People lead singer), House Gospel Choir, Terri Walker, DJ Ronnie Herel (Mi-Soul Radio) - Arts Club Liverpool... Early bird £10 + booking fee.

  ► Havana Meets Kingston at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall... £25-£41 + booking fee.