Music fans have a lot to look forward to at Vue Southport this summer

MUSIC lovers have a lot to celebrate this summer at Vue, with 3 exciting titles hitting the big screen; including:- BLACKPINK'S latest concert film.

BLACKPINK'S BORN PINK tour, which captivated the world comes, will be arriving from:- 31 August 2024. Drawing an audience of 1.8 million and breaking global records for female group concert tours, experience the energy of the live performances from the comfort of Vue.

Also screening on:- 31 August 2024, is André Rieu's Power of Love concert. Filmed in his picturesque hometown of Maastricht, The King of the Waltz is accompanied by his world famous Johann Strauss Orchestra and a cast of hundreds.

Set against the backdrop of the historic Vrijthof square, André will amaze you with:- iconic film scores, beautiful waltzes, tear jerking ballads and unexpected chart hits.

For those looking for behind the scenes action, Blur: To The End should fit the bill. This feature length documentary depicts the extraordinary and emotional return of blur, captured during the year in which they made a surprise return with their 1st record in 8 years.

Screening from:- 19 July 2024, it features performances of their most iconic, much loved songs, footage of the band in the studio, and life on the road. This film is an intimate moment in time with this most enduring of English bands, who have been at the heart of British cultural life and influence for over 3 decades. Fans will also be able to catch the band's incredible performance in Blur: Live From Wembley from:- 6 September 2024.

Leigh Loudon, General Manager of Vue Southport, said:- "Here at Vue we're about so much more than just mainstream cinema. We pride ourselves on screening some of the best concert films and documentaries from global artists loved across the UK. We're thrilled to be giving music fans across the country the chance to catch brilliant performances; all from the comfort of their local Vue."

Merseyside pre-schoolers become next generation of great performers and composers

CHILDREN at 8 Primary Schools across Merseyside have benefitted from a pioneering new music education programme that has been designed to nurture musicianship during the early stages of their learning.

Research has shown that learning piano before the age of seven improves IQ and has an overall positive impact on a child's cognitive ability. Now, Merseyside's pre-schoolers are being given a healthy creative boost thanks to a piano course known as the Dogs and Birds Piano Method.

Created by Elza and Chris Lusher and delivered by SoMi Academy CIC, the method uses animal symbols and puppets to represent notes on the piano, helping children to learn how to play the musical instrument.

The method is tailored to children between the ages of three to seven. It provides an innovative teaching system that creates an immersive, fun, and colourful learning experience that helps pre-schoolers develop their musical language skills even before they have been introduced to the alphabet; and it has already produced some remarkable results.

More than 300 young creatives across Merseyside are now playing piano, composing, improvising, and reading and writing music; with children as young as age four exhibiting extraordinary piano and music composition skills.

"I constantly witness children growing in focus and concentration, learning to work as a team and discovering a shared passion for making music together. We are so happy to be working with the talented educators at SoMi Academy as they spread the approach to more Schools in the area." says Creator Elza Lusher.

Linda Stalker, a Teacher at St William of York Catholic School in Thornton, Liverpool, added:- "It's inspirational to see children so young playing and reading music!"

The programme was delivered by SoMi Academy CIC who successfully piloted:- 'Dogs and Birds for Small Ensemble' with children from LIPA Primary School earlier this year.

In the 10 years they have been working together, SoMi Academy and LIPA Primary School have cultivated an award-winning Music and Performing Arts curriculum. More than 60% of their pupils between the ages of 4-11 experience the advantage of focussed one-to-one and small ensemble instrumental lessons which are supplemented with daily singing.

Greg Parker, Executive Headteacher of the LIPA Multi Academy Trust, said:- "The music provision at LIPA Primary & High School has transformed over ten years since the School started, to something I've never seen or witnessed elsewhere. It's exciting and it makes a massive difference to our children."

Jamie Turner, managing director of SoMi Academy added:- "This pioneering initiative represents the next phase in our plans to impact children across Merseyside using the magic of music making. We are delighted with the progress the children are making and look forward to celebrating the outcomes at our celebration event at LIPA in July".

Now, with funding from Arts Council England and in partnership with SKY Music Hub, SoMi Academy is planning to implement its innovative Early Years programme across further Schools in Merseyside and beyond, inspiring the next generation of great musicians and composers, as they seek to replicate the transformative results seen across the county so far.


For more information about the not for profit company, which specialise in music and performing arts education provision, for children, please visit:- Somi.Academy.