Wednesday, June 4
First thing in the morning we split up into groups to go on a photo scavenger hunt around Liverpool. This was a great way to get us to see several Liverpool sites and also useful in helping us find our way around the city. That was fun, and we found more Super Lambananas!
My group got second place in that scavenger hunt contest, if anyone is wondering.
Following that adventure, we toured The Beatles Story museum. The Beatles are kind of Liverpool's claim to fame, but the museum informed me that locals refused to buy the group's first big record when it originally came out. They were worried that if the boys got too famous, they would leave Liverpool and not be able to play there anymore. Guess that plan didn't work as well as they hoped.
Friday, June 6
At MDI, we took an Afro-Caribbean dance class that was super fun. We learned some dance moves before learning about how the arts are being used to influence communities in Liverpool. There are 6 organizations that were kind enough to take us in during our time here, and many of them are concerned with providing free arts education and activities for communities that might not otherwise have access to those programs.
The organization I'm working with, Africa Oyé, accomplishes this by spreading awareness and enjoyment of African art and music; it's the largest free festival of its kind in the UK. That's pretty cool, right? (Side note, everyone I've met so far working on the festival has been very kind and welcoming. That's a fantastic feeling, and they are a great group of people.)
Sunday, June 8
Some of our group took the ferry over to the other side of the River Mersey. We're living on the more expensive side of the Mersey, the side with shopping districts and restaurants. Many people work on our side and live on the other side, where costs are more reasonable. It was nice to see the normal neighborhoods; they have more charm and character than the streamlined shopping center in which we live. Not to say that I'm not happy that we live in the "posh" apartments above Urban Outfitters, just that now we know where many actual Liverpudlians call home.
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| The ferry also gave us a nice view of the city. |
Monday, June 9
I took this day for myself and went to 2 art galleries. The second (and my favorite) was Walker Art Gallery, which I definitely need to go back to. I didn't take any pictures inside because that place was one of the classiest venues I have ever had the privilege to wander around (and because no one else was taking pictures and I was worried I had missed a sign saying it was prohibited). There was a room filled with sculptures and busts of people like Charles Dickens, and it reminded me of this room from Pride and Prejudice. One of my favorite paintings was called Fantine, and is a portrayal of the character from Les Misérables. I also saw a real painting by Monet! Isn't that wild? I need to go back to that gallery.
Tuesday, June 10
Phew, we made it to today. Congratulations if you've read this far in the post!
I spent all day with a promotional crew from Africa Oyé. We started out by timidly handing out fliers, but the atmosphere improved immeasurably when a group of musicians came to perform outside our Cultural Hub. (Side note, the International Festival of Business is happening now in Liverpool, so there are a lot of professional business people walking around. A booth called the Cultural Hub is set up outside some of the main buildings with the purpose of informing those professional people of fun things they can do in Liverpool outside of the conference. Africa Oyé is one of those fun things!)
I wish I could remember what they were called, but suffice it to say that the sun only came out for an extended period of time when those musicians were playing and dancing--that's how much energy they brought. Thanks to them, we were able to connect with a lot of people and spread the word about Africa Oyé. They also performed at the end of one of the seminars to what I believed to be an unappreciative audience. It was a shame that most people in attendance were too busy networking with each other to pay any attention to the talent on stage in front of them. The good part of the day, however, was how many people we were able to reach about the festival.
I can't wait until it starts next weekend!
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