The organisers of the 2023 Southport Jazz Festival say they are "thrilled" by the huge success of the event

HUNDREDS of spectators from all over the UK made their way to Southport for the musical showcase as they watched sell out shows performed by some of the top jazz musicians and bands in the UK. The gigs all took place in The Grand on Lord Street, the beautiful art deco landmark which 1st opened in 1923 and is celebrating its centenary this year. Plans are now being made for the 2024 Southport Jazz Festival with event organisers Emma Holcroft and Jez Murphy looking to book the best acts possible. Guests enjoyed a variety of different shows suitable for all tastes this year.

Festival favourite Alan Barnes crowned the festival by presenting Copperfield - A Dickensian Jazz Suite; Jeremy Sassoon's MOJO (Musicians Of Jewish Origin) took the audience on a journey of the best Jewish musicians and songwriters; the Wendy Kirkland Quartet featuring:- Dennis Rollins MBE presented their imaginative Get Carter Reimagined; there was a platform for young talent with the Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra.

There were 10 shows in all over 3 days, with some guests already booking their hotels and their tickets for 2024.

Southport Jazz Festival Director Emma Holcroft said:- "We were thrilled by the success of this year's event, and with the huge level of support we had from everyone. We are so pleased and so proud of how well it has all gone. The performances were absolutely brilliant! We knew that they would be, as we went to see them all before we signed them up for the Festival. It was a real pleasure to see them all performing at The Grand in Southport. We hope that the event gave a real boost to lots of local businesses in Southport. Lots of visitors came for the whole weekend, staying in local hotels and guest houses, and the restaurants and bars nearby all looked full. We enjoyed working with Cooper's Bar, which was great. We worked with them about staging acts in both venues. We enjoyed calling into Lord's cafe too which was fantastic. I think we told too many people how good it was, it was always full! We have started looking at acts already for next year. Our audience members have been giving us their feedback on what they enjoyed and telling us who they would really like to see perform in Southport next year, and we really appreciate their views. Our team has been fantastic. We are really grateful for all their support. The staff at The Grand were absolutely amazing. I have never come across Hospitality staff as good as they are before. They just couldn't do enough to help us. They were exceptional. I would like to thank Southport BID for their help and support. It was good to see representatives from Scarborough Jazz Festival and Buxton Jazz Festival. They were really kind in promoting us and were delighted to promote their events too. It has been good working together."

Emma and Jez are now planning for the 2024 Southport Jazz Festival, aiming to make it ever bigger, better and more successful. There are lots of opportunities available for people and companies to become involved. Emma said:- "We are always happy to work with any local companies who would be keen to come on board with us as sponsors. If anyone is interested, please get in touch. The more funding we can attract for Southport Jazz Festival, the more money we can put into the event to make it even better."

For more details about Southport Jazz Festival please visit:- SouthportJazz.Co.UK or email:- SouthportJazzFestival@Hotmail.Com.

New play aims to recognise Liverpool greatest activist after 100 years

A powerful new play aims to recognise Liverpool activist James Larkin; 100 years after his release from Sing Sing prison. The enigmatic Irish republican, socialist and trade union leader, who campaigned for the rights of lower skilled workers, is portrayed like never before by Liverpool playwrights and a talented cast who wish to see him finally recognised by his City of birth.

Stone On Stone is a ground breaking theatrical masterpiece based on James Larkin's incarceration in the notorious American prison, Sing Sing, and his relationship with the legendary Charlie Chaplin during that time. A rebel and revolutionary from Toxteth, Liverpool:- 'Big Jim' has been recognised in Ireland for his heroic human rights efforts; yet never by Liverpool.

The profound new production is coming to The Epstein Theatre in Liverpool on:- Friday, 24 March and Saturday, 25 March 2023, celebrating 100 years of James Larkin's release from prison. The Liverpudlian dock worker of Irish descent was 1 of the pioneers of trade unions and 1 of the founders of the Irish Labour Party; a trailblazer who has yet to receive official recognition in Liverpool.

The thought provoking new play is being showcased by The James Larkin Society; a group who have been campaigning for 'Big Jim' to be recognised by Liverpool. His triumphant efforts that led to countless unskilled workers receiving statutory rights saw a statue of him erected in Dublin, yet The James Larkin Society are are still working towards something similar in the place where he was born.

Stone On Stone tells the story of James Larkin's fight against the establishment and his dedication to his downtrodden co-workers, resulting in his detainment in the American jail for fundraising and raising awareness of injustice. The play follows his journey through the prison system and encounters with Charlie Chaplin, who was a big supporter of his cause.

As with any great production, the ground breaking new play aims to not only enthral the audience, but bring about social change. Today's equality, fairness and human rights is only possible due to activists such as James Larkin and the mission of Stone On Stone is to highlight the unsung hero, whilst encouraging people to stand up for their rights in the same way.

Barry O'Hara from The James Larkin Society said:- "Everything we take for granted today; our minimum wage, holiday pay, equal rights; is due to people like James Larkin. If it wasn't for their resistance we would be living in the dark ages; submissive and without any rights. It takes great bravery to rise up and fight an unjust system, but Jim was prepared to become a martyr and it is his actions that have paved the way for the free world we live in today. He is celebrated in a big way in Ireland so surely, after 100 years of his release from Sing Sing prison in America, it's about time to recognise him here in Liverpool."

The James Larkin Society was founded in 2003, attracting almost 150 members, and it works closely with Ireland's Services Industrial Professional and Technical Union (SIPTU) to ensure Larkin's legacy and ethics are carried out today. Carrying the baton of 'Big Jim,' Barry O'Hara and the society preserve his revolution of justice passionately; with an exhibition currently at the CASA on Hope Street.

Co-Producer Peter Devaney said:- "The play is very unique as it captures a very important yet unspoken part of the movement. It was written by Frank Kenny and explores the pivotal moment when Jim decided to accept support from Charlie Chaplin whilst incarcerated. He was a very stubborn man and fought the system at any cost but accepting the support of the great Charlie Chaplin was a crucial decision."

Stone On Stone is coming to The Epstein Theatre, on:- Friday, 24 March and Saturday, 25 March 2023, in celebration of 100 years of James Larkin's release from prison. The play captures 1 of the most important periods in the history of human rights and justice. Tickets are available online via Ticket Quarter's website:- TicketQuarter.Co.UK and though the Booking Office at The Epstein Theatre, Liverpool

Did you know that this play was written by:- Frank Kenny, Produced by:- Barry O'Hara and Peter Devaney, Directd by:- Mikyla Jane Durkan, and will star:- John O'Gorman, Lew Freeburn, Franklyn Jacks, Thom Williamson, Addae G, Mikyla Jane Durkan?