LIFE’S a beach at the Liverpool International Music Festival (LIMF) this year as a green space becomes a sandy space!
Inspired by zone sponsors Liverpool John Lennon Airport, 20 tonnes of sand will transform the Children and Family Zone area at Sefton Park into a holiday haven with four beaches, huts and a very special sandcastle.
The area which has been commissioned by the city council and is opposite the main stage, near the Obelisk (needle) at Croxteth Drive, will be open from 1-6pm on Sunday 30 and Monday 31 August. There will be a raft of free activities to keep youngsters entertained including arts and craft workshops, storytelling, sea-side themed street theatre, face painting and even a sandcastle making competition with an amazing sky-high prize courtesy of Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
There is also a gigantic five metre high sandcastle housing a specially commissioned audio-visual installation by local artists Friend of Foe. Visitors can go inside enter and really get in to the holiday spirit as seaside images and sounds play out. There is also a spectacular theatre show, for only one person at a time, from Solotoria – so individuals can be amazed by a personal performance!
And festival-goers who need a bit of ‘me-time’ can relax in a holistic massage tent from the Calm Collective.
The area has been designed by second year Liverpool John Moores University students Luis Crespo Boleas and Rebecca Duckett, graduate Will Hatton and LIPA students Alfie Heywood and Vari Kenny. They are working in partnership with local design company Make Space Create who work at festivals across the country. Students from Greenbank Sports Academy have also been designing and making colourful additions for the Family Zone which will be displayed over the weekend.
Assistant Mayor and cabinet member for culture, tourism and events, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “Over the past couple of years our family area has proved hugely popular and it’s an ideal space for people to come and take a break from the hubbub of the festival.
“Thanks to this year’s partnership with Liverpool John Lennon Airport and the students, we’ve been able to develop the area making it a more creative, innovative and immersive experience for families that will keep people entertained for hours.
“And with buckets and spades provided and good weather on order (fingers crossed), LIMF is without a doubt the place to be this August bank holiday weekend.”
Cathy Cross from Make Space Create said: “It’s been great to nurture student’s design talents on this project. Working with the city council has meant we are ideally placed to encourage home-grown creative opportunities and give these young people invaluable hands-on experience, knowing that the results of their hard work will be seen by tens of thousands of visitors.”
Student Will Hatton said: “Working with the LIMF team and Make Space Create has given me a real insight into the design world. Cathy guided us through each stage of the design process developing our skills and encouraging us to make important decisions. It’s really exciting to see are ideas become a reality and we can’t wait for the ideas to take shape!”
Robin Tudor, Head of PR at Liverpool John Lennon Airport commented: “We are delighted to be a sponsor for the first time at this great festival.
“At Liverpool John Lennon Airport, we like to give our passengers the fastest, easiest way to fly off to some of Europe’s best Mediterranean beaches and whilst families at the festival can’t be away on holiday at the same time – we thought we’d give them the next best thing and bring them a beach to relax on whilst still attending the festival.”
For the latest LIMF information or to buy tickets for the commissions element of the festival, visit www.limfestival.com. Alternatively follow @LIMFestival on Twitter or Liverpool International Music Festival on Facebook.
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