Summer is here and all over the UK there are people running out of hay fever tablets, screaming heat wave and helping someone with the barbecue by standing at their side with their hands on their hips.
Oh British summertime, how we love thee. Let’s not talk about the possibility of it even being slightly hot or sunny though because you know we’ll jinx it. Sun burnt arms and white torsos, Pimms and barbecue food, there’s nothing that could dampen the spirits of the summer months. Not even rain. There’s a lot happening in July in Liverpool, from watching The Goonies under the stars to coming to our party, here’s a quick round up of what to do.
Come To Our Free Party
We all know July 4th is Independence Day but we’ve but a clever twist on proceedings and called it “Independents Day” (we’re here all week. No, seriously, we are). We’re having a free day of festival fun down at Constellations in the Baltic Triangle. Expect craft beers, cocktails, ping pong, barbecue food and a gourmet ice cream truck. We’re partying from 2pm-3am all in the name of independents and you’re all invited. More details here.
Go To A Secret Garden Cinema
Have you heard about the secret garden cinema? Well, it is so secret that you can only talk about it whilst whispering. It only launched a few days ago but in those few days has cooked up quite a storm as you can now watch the stars of Hollywood under the stars of Liverpool. Hosted across secret venues around Liverpool, take the unique opportunity to watch blockbusters like Grease and The Goonies on deck chairs with loved ones. Get tickets here.
Pre-order The New Independent Liverpool Card
Believe it or not, the third Independent Liverpool Membership Card is available to pre-order at the end of July. Time flies when you’re shopping local. We’ve got a new design, we’ve got a free app and we’ve got some amazing plans and independents coming on board. We’d love it if you decided to put us in your pocket for another year. There will be a special pre-order price, we’ll have more information soon.
Visit Liverpool’s New Record Shop
Vinyl is making a revival. In a big way. Jacaranda Records has just opened and we think you should pop in to say hi. Not only do they have an incredible selection of vinyl to buy but they also have a unique machine called a “Voice O Graph” (so unique there’s only one other in the world). The machine allows you to record a song onto vinyl instantly and when you’re finished singing pushes it out like a vending machine. How cool is that. More details here.
Play Rock Paper Scissors For Free Drinks
We’re convinced most of modern civilisation is decided upon by a game of rock paper scissors. No longer does this legendary game decide who takes the bins out, it can now win you free drinks. The Arts Club on Seel Street are launching this night on 2nd July and it will be on every Thursday from then. The idea is simple; order a drink, play rock paper scissors with the bartender and if you win, it is free. You can even double up if you’re some sort of maverick. More details here.
Celebrate Transatlantic 175
Transatlantic 175 is an exploration and unique celebration of cultural history and contemporary exchange representing the eras of the past 175 years on the 4th and 5th of July. The city will become a creative culture clash between the home-grown music, fashion, art, design, food and film of the 19th, 20th and 21st century. Coinciding with America’s celebration of independence, expect influences from the Mersey to Manhattan. More info here.
Shake Your Tail Feather At Brazilica
Brazilica is the UK’s only Brazilian festival and Samba Carnival taking place annually in the heart of the Liverpool city centre. Expect vibrant colours, dresses as loud as the drums and some awful dancing that should never be repeated by ourselves. The festival will be taking place from 17th to the 19th of July. More info here.
Strut Down A Record Breaking Cat Walk
Liverpool is a city intrinsically linked with fashion and, on Saturday 4 July, those fashion credentials will be on display and put to the test. Just over 5,000 fashionistas attempt to break the Guinness Book of Records for the largest cat walk the world has ever seen. From dance troops to twins, from pensioners to bridal parties and from couture to camp, get involved with the carnival fun. More info here.
Go To Glam-Slam
Well known for providing Friday night entertainment for the masses in Liverpool, Camp and Furnace now have your Saturday sorted. Mixing up disco with super-social dining – Glam Slam is a party night packed full of classic tracks, amazing cocktails and epic eats. Whether you go for the eats or beats, come to dine and stay to party. The DJ’s are so good they’ll convince you that you can dance but don’t take your complaints to them once you realise you can’t, take them to the bar. More here.
Celebrate The Best Of North West Food
Fancy food heaven in the grounds of Stanley Park? Set in the magnificent surroundings of Stanley Park, overlooked by the stands of Goodison and Anfield expect three wonderful days of family fun all themed around food and drink. Expect the best local producers from all over the North West and cooking classes from famous chefs. There are rides for the kids and alcohol for the adults, that’s a good compromise if you ask us. More here.
Dance At Americana Festival
The Caledonia is an absolute institution within the Liverpool pub scene. If you haven’t been there for a pint whilst live music is on, you’re doing this whole Liverpool thing wrong. From 16-25th July they’re hosting 10 days of the fine Americana music from all over the world. Expect bluegrass, blues, Cajun, country, folk and more all washed down with American Craft Beer and US inspired foods. If all that wasn’t good enough, all gigs are completely free. More here.
Visit The LIV BCN Exhibition
The LIV-BCN exhibition invites Liverpool and Barcelona to meet in the middle: it’s a spotlight on superb artists from both cities, referencing the more distinctive elements of their home towns through new work in graphic design and illustration. Main exhibitors Mariadiamantes (Barcelona) and John Wai (Liverpool) will be joined by a selection of graphic arts students all responding to the theme and it will be held in John Lennon Art & Design building. Expect an awesome exhibition and an after party at The Kazimier. More here.
Sing along at X & Y Festival
On Saturday 11th July X & Y Festival returns for a day of live music and fun. Featuring a mix of the best local bands and beyond, Hudson Taylor, Amber Run and The Hummingbirds are just some of the bands taking centre stage. It is all kicking off at Arts Club and tickets are selling our fast so get yours quick. Get them here.
Support Local Artists
This month we’re pleased to announce we will be launching a “shop” aspect to our website. We will be using this as a platform to help local independent artists in Liverpool get their work out there. There are so many talented individuals in Liverpool but sometimes it can be hard getting that break. We hope to change this. More information coming soon.
Visit The Vinyl Station
BidoLito! and Metal have joined forces to present Vinyl Station, an out of focus listening group. It will take place every second Monday of the month and will feature an unreleased album played in its entirety, with real care paid to the quality of the listening experience. The event series will act as a meeting point for Liverpool’s music community, coming together to share in the communal experience of listening to a vinyl LP in its entirety, within the best audio conditions. The project is about celebrating, discussing and exploring new music – and the vinyl LP format’s role within it – in 2015. More here.
