Liverpool Mental Health Festival line-up revealed

Stealing Sheep

THE line-up for this year's Liverpool Mental Health Festival has been revealed.

Taking place from October 10 to October 14, the festival will promise a raft of exciting events and performances.

Avant-garde performance artist David Hoyle will compere the sell-out festival opening night on October 10 at Liverpool Philharmonic, gearing the audience up for live music, dance, performance and comedy.

Artists include internationally acclaimed Bhangra group Nachda Sansaar, Congolese six-piece Kasai Masai - who wowed crowds at this year's Africa Oye, performance artist Brendan Curtis-Burton alias Auntie Climax and Karen McLeod's alter-ego Barbara Brownskirt.

There will also be performances from Liverpool Comhaltas, the Bolger School of Irish Dancing, readings from 'TranScripts' writers, Mica Millar and Bring the Fire Project.

The Bluecoat will be the venue for 'Feelgood Friday' on October 12 which will boast free performances, workshop, information and advice.

Nick Ellis will lead the programme of live music alongside the Mersey Belles, Thom Morecroft, Vocality and The Strumbrellas. There will also be performances from BuskWithUs, Movema and Capoeira for All - not to mention workshops including yoga, relaxation, art, drama, singing and street performance.

At Constellations on Saturday, October 13 there will be a Wellbeing Forum for arts and creative industries chaired by Nikki Greig will consist of Pale Rider's Fran Codman, multidisciplinary artist Henry Pulp, singer/songwriter Mersey Wylie, SPQR's Peter Harrison and DaDafest's Ruth Gould.

In the evening, live music will be provided by electro-pop trio Stealing Sheep who are currently touring a piece based on the suffragette movement and female empowerment, which was also showcased at this year's Sound City.

Stealing Sheep said: "We feel strongly that more awareness and understanding needs to be made mainstream regarding mental health, emotional wellbeing and self-development.

"It affects everyone throughout their lives, so it’s time to connect everyone and not allow anyone to feel isolated with their feelings."

Mersey Wylie and SPQR will also support Stealing Sheep.

Other events include The Art of Falling Apart at The Brink along with The TranScripts Showcase taking place at the Museum of Liverpool, it features new writing and an anthology of work from creative writing project Liverpool Mental Health Consortium in partnership with Writing on the Wall.

Public engagement and research lead Sarah Butler-Boycott said: "We’ve always been proud of the opportunities the festival creates for local artists.

"This year, we’ll work with more artists from Liverpool than ever before and, for the first time, with artists from across the UK."

For more information and events visit http://www.liverpoolmentalhealth.org/liverpool-mental-health-festival/